Operation: LEFT JAB: Difference between revisions

During the [[Fall of Reach|Fall]] of [[Reach]] in the [[2552|summer of 2552]], [[Covenant]] {{Class|CSO|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''—[[flagship]] of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]]—was discovered in orbit over the planet during the [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge|Battle]] at [[Szurdok Ridge]].<ref>''Halo: Reach'', campaign level, [[Tip of the Spear]]</ref> In response, the [[United Nations Space Command]] concocted two [[operation]]s to destroy the supercarrier, allowing the UNSC to gain the upper hand in the ongoing battle for the planet. [[Operation: UPPER CUT]] would see the destruction of ''Long Night of Solace'', while Operation: LEFT JAB served as a supporting mission to distract the Fleet of Valiant Prudence over Reach.<ref name="fb6"/>

Operation: UPPER CUT began on Reach, with [[SPARTAN-B312|two]] [[Jorge-052|members]] of [[NOBLE Team]] and [[UNSC Army]] personnel operating [[YSS-1000 Sabre]]s and rendezvousing with {{Class|Paris|heavy frigate}} {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} at [[refit station]] ''[[Anchor 9]]''.<ref name="hr solace"/> Operation: LEFT JAB was coordinated with ''Savannah'' serving as the initial distraction in the operation. Meanwhile, [[Supreme Commander]] [[Rho 'Barutamee]] of the Fleet of Valiant Prudence was becoming increasing stressed upon learning that a massive fleet from the Covenant's [[Ministry of Resolution]] was en route to Reach and his lack of success in the battle would likely result in his interrogation by the [[Hierarchs]]. In addition, UNSC forces were probing his defenses, attempting to exploit the fleet's weaknesses.<ref name="fb6"/> As Operation: LEFT JAB began, UNSC ''Savannah''{{'}}s [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] was removed and attached to a [[D77-TC Pelican]] [[dropship]] for transport—the UNSC intended to destroy ''Long Night of Solace'' by using the slipspace engine as a makeshift bomb.<ref name="hr solace"/>

{{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}} ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' was then engaged by the Sabres and ''Savannah''. While the frigate distracted the corvette and jammed its communications, the Sabres destroyed ''Ardent Prayer''{{'}}s fighter escort. With the corvette's engines disabled by ''Savannah'', the Sabres boarded ''Ardent Prayer''.<ref name="hr solace"/> Meanwhile, Vice Admiral [[Michael Stanforth]] ordered for the second half of the operation to begin: the [[Epsilon Eridani Fleet]] was ordered to directly engage the Fleet of Valiant Prudence. Operation: LEFT JAB stretched the Covenant fleet's forces thin and left ''Long Night of Solace'' and ''Ardent Prayer'' isolated from the rest of the fleet. As the UNSC moved in on the two ships to support Operation: UPPER CUT's task force, Rho 'Barutamee realized that his own forces were out of position and could not support him.<ref name="fb7">''Halo: Fleet Battles'', [[Scenario Seven: Finishing Blow]]</ref> Although ''Ardent Prayer'' was able to destroy ''Savannah'', the UNSC forces aboard the corvette was able to rig the slipspace drive to detonate and create a slipspace rupture that destroyed the corvette and ''Long Night of Solace''.<ref name="hr solace"/>

With ''Long Night of Solace'' destroyed and Supreme Commander Rho 'Barutamee presumably dead, the Epsilon Eridani Fleet engaged the remnants of the Fleet of Valiant Prudence. 'Barutamee's second-in-command, [[Shipmaster]] [[Kantar 'Utaralee]] assumed command of the splintered Covenant ships and attempted to lead the fleet against UNSC forces over Reach.<ref name="fb7"/> Shortly after, the massive fleet from the Ministry of Resolution exited slipspace over the planet, continuing the battle for Reach.<ref name="hr solace"/>