Battle for Earth: Difference between revisions

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The '''Battle for Earth''',{{Ref/Reuse|Id=hnbc8}}{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM69}} also referred to as the '''Earth Sustained Defense Campaign''',{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} was one of the largest, bloodiest and latest engagements fought between the [[Covenant]] and the forces of the [[Unified Earth Government]] (primarily those of the [[United Nations Space Command]]), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long{{Ref/Note|The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.}} [[Human-Covenant War]], which took place on and above the planet [[Earth]] from [[2552#October|October 20]] to at least [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]].{{Ref/NoteReuse|battleend}} It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its [[UEG|government]].{{Ref/Note|While [[Insurrectionist|not all]] of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG, the UEG claims authority over all of humanity.}}

Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.{{Ref/Game|Id=HSA|Game=Halo: Spartan Assault|What=co-op introductory cutscene}} The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as [[human]]ity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], it was not long before Regret's [[Solemn Penance|flagship]] fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to [[Changing of the Guard|replace]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. The Jiralhanae occupation forces left behind by Regret assumed control of all remaining local Covenant forces on and over New Mombasa by secretly killing all abandoned Sangheili in the city to secure Truth's later arrival as the ~~herald~~ of [[Great Schism]]. Later on the next day, a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae support and excavation fleet]] sent by Truth was then dispatched to Mombasa and begin to [[Glassing|glass]] most of [[Republic of Kenya|Kenya,]] ~~along with~~ the remnants of Regret's fleet while additional Covenant reinforcements continued to appear in the system and began a resurgent and larger assault on the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointvergil}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}}

Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.{{Ref/Game|Id=HSA|Game=Halo: Spartan Assault|What=co-op introductory cutscene}} The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as [[human]]ity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], it was not long before Regret's [[Solemn Penance|flagship]] fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to [[Changing of the Guard|replace]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. The Jiralhanae occupation forces left behind by Regret assumed control of all remaining local Covenant forces on and over New Mombasa by secretly killing all abandoned Sangheili in the city to secure Truth's later arrival following the beginning of the [[Great Schism]]. Later on the next day, a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae support and excavation fleet]] sent by Truth was then dispatched to Mombasa and begin to [[Glassing|glass]] most of [[Republic of Kenya|Kenya,]] alongside the remnants of Regret's fleet while additional Covenant reinforcements continued to appear in the system and began a resurgent and larger assault on the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointvergil}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}}

At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], to [[Cleveland]], [[URNA]], to [[Havana]], Cuba, and to [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]] and multiple other locations even when the Sangheili and now Jiralhanae-led Covenant forces turned each other following the beginning of the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|encycearth}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}{{Ref/Reuse|goo204}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} By November 17 after very hard fighting, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated by substantial Covenant naval forces loyal to the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]], including the Prophet of Truth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} and the majority of cities were destroyed as well throughout the battle.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI3}} After defenders and the orbital defense grid were overwhelmed, the Earth ~~has~~ been massively ~~devatasted~~ by a large Covenant [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]], resulting catastrophic human casualties.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] and with [[John-117|Spartan-117]] in tow, arrived and headed straight for the [[Portal at Voi|Excession]], by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the [[keyship]], the portal was activated and a large contingent of the remaining Covenant fleet under the Prophet's command departed through the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] with the intention of activating the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3Storm}}

At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], to [[Cleveland]], [[URNA]], to [[Havana]], Cuba, and to [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]] and multiple other locations even when the Sangheili and now Jiralhanae-led Covenant forces turned on each other following the beginning of the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|encycearth}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}{{Ref/Reuse|goo204}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} By November 17 after very hard fighting, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated by substantial Covenant naval forces loyal to the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]], including the Prophet of Truth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} and the majority of cities were destroyed as well throughout the battle.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI3}} After defenders and the orbital defense grid were overwhelmed, the Earth had been massively devastated by a large Covenant [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]], resulting in catastrophic human casualties.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] and with [[John-117|Spartan-117]] in tow, arrived and headed straight for the [[Portal at Voi|Excession]], by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the [[keyship]], the portal was activated and a large contingent of the remaining Covenant fleet under the Prophet's command departed through the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] with the intention of activating the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3Storm}}

Almost immediately after this, the [[Flood]] arrived aboard a [[Indulgence of Conviction|captured]] {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}, which crashed down in the town of [[Voi]]. A [[battle group]] assigned to the [[Fleet of Retribution]], a [[Covenant separatists|Covenant separatist]] fleet allied with the UNSC against Truth and his loyalists, was permitted to [[glass]] a large portion of [[Kenya]] to prevent the parasite's spread. With the threat from the Flood dealt with and the bulk of Covenant forces gone, several UNSC forces accompanied the Fleet of Retribution in pursuit of Truth.{{Ref/Reuse|H3Flood}} The remainder of UNSC forces remained behind to defend Earth from an expected full-scale Flood invasion and also began a major counteroffensive to eliminate all Covenant that remained.{{Ref/Reuse|H3Flood}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}}

Official accounts report that, facing with the potential human extinction by the alien hegemony, a ~~signifiantly~~ massive amount of civilians joined the UNSC forces to repel the Covenant throughout the campaign on Earth with various being an instrumental part of the war effort.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM69|Book=Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual|Page=69}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}

Official accounts report that, facing with the potential human extinction by the alien hegemony, a significantly massive amount of civilians joined the UNSC forces to repel the Covenant throughout the campaign on Earth with various being an instrumental part of the war effort.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM69|Book=Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual|Page=69}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}

==Background==

The [[Human-Covenant War]] was a decades-long conflict wherein the Covenant hegemony was determined to exterminate all of humanity at the behest of its three [[Hierarchs]], who falsely considered humans as representing the living embodiment, and thus discreditation, of their [[Covenant religion|religion]]'s [[Forerunners|gods]] at the time of [[2525|their discovery]]. Also a goal of the empire, from long before first contact with humanity, was the location and activation of the [[Halo]] rings. In the aftermath of the [[Fall of Reach]], the UNSC began to pull the majority of its forces back to Earth, with most units assigned to defend Earth's six [[Space elevator|tether cities]].{{Ref/Book|Book=Halo: Evolutions - ~~Essential~~ Tales of the Halo Universe|Section=Palace Hotel|SectionLinkText=Palace Hotel}} The Prophet of Regret learned "Erde-Tyrene" held a portal which led to the Ark and the Prophet of Truth simultaneously discovered the planet's location through other means.

The [[Human-Covenant War]] was a decades-long conflict wherein the Covenant hegemony was determined to exterminate all of humanity at the behest of its three [[Hierarchs]], who falsely considered humans as representing the living embodiment, and thus discreditation, of their [[Covenant religion|religion]]'s [[Forerunners|gods]] at the time of [[2525|their discovery]]. Also a goal of the empire, from long before first contact with humanity, was the location and activation of the [[Halo]] rings. In the aftermath of the [[Fall of Reach]], the UNSC began to pull the majority of its forces back to Earth, with most units assigned to defend Earth's six [[Space elevator|tether cities]].{{Ref/Book|Book=Halo: Evolutions - Esse\ntial Tales of the Halo Universe|Section=Palace Hotel|SectionLinkText=Palace Hotel}} The Prophet of Regret learned "Erde-Tyrene" held a portal which led to the Ark and the Prophet of Truth simultaneously discovered the planet's location through other means.

===Formation of the Home Fleet===

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{{Quote|no=two|Veronica Dare|Edward Buck|q1=When did ''this'' happen?|q2=They started showing up right before I went underground.|[[Captain]] [[Veronica Dare]] and [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Edward Buck]] viewing a second and larger [[Truth's fleet|fleet]] of Covenant starships circling Mombasa.{{Ref/Reuse|H3RCoast}}}}

[[File:Portal odst.png|thumb|right|250px|After fully securing the East Africa, the Jiralhanae excavation fleet begin to uncover the Portal at [[New Mombasa]].]]

Immediately following the slipspace event, [[Jiralhanae]] forces loyal to the [[High Prophet of Truth]], who had embedded said troops into his political rival Regret's fleet,{{Ref/Novel|Id=hnbc8|[[Halo: New Blood]]|Chapter=8}} enacted their leader's orders. The Jiralhanae violently displaced their Sangheili commanders left in the initial fleet both ground-side,{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RTayari|Game=Halo 3: ODST|Level=Tayari Plaza}} and in orbit, and then seized the full control of Covenant forces at Mombasa in order to secure Truth's arrival on the Portal by his loyalists,{{Ref/Reuse|Id=bungie}} the beginning of Truth's plan to place the Jiralhanae as the Covenant's primary warrior race.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} While ''[[High Charity]]'' and the rest of its [[High Charity defense fleet|fleet]] were following the ''Solemn Penance'' on their way to the newly discovered Halo Installation 05, the murder of the Regret's Sangheili ~~ground~~ forces remained secret from the rest of the Covenant.

Immediately following the slipspace event, [[Jiralhanae]] forces loyal to the [[High Prophet of Truth]], who had embedded said troops into his political rival Regret's fleet,{{Ref/Novel|Id=hnbc8|[[Halo: New Blood]]|Chapter=8}} enacted their leader's orders. The Jiralhanae violently displaced their Sangheili commanders left in the initial fleet both ground-side,{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RTayari|Game=Halo 3: ODST|Level=Tayari Plaza}} and in orbit, and then seized the full control of Covenant forces at Mombasa in order to secure Truth's arrival on the Portal by his loyalists,{{Ref/Reuse|Id=bungie}} the beginning of Truth's plan to place the Jiralhanae as the Covenant's primary warrior race.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} While ''[[High Charity]]'' and the rest of its [[High Charity defense fleet|fleet]] were following the ''Solemn Penance'' on their way to the newly discovered Halo Installation 05, the murder of the Regret's Sangheili forces remained secret from the rest of the Covenant.

Surviving UNSC forces in the city, aided by the [[New Mombasa Police Department]], continued to resist, but were eventually overwhelmed. The next day on October 21, a [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae-led support fleet]] sent by Truth arrived at the African continent, joining the remains of Regret's fleet as the combined fleet began glassing [[Mombasa]] and the surrounding area together, uncovering [[the Portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]].{{Ref/Site|Id=waypointvergil|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-vergil-reality|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Vergil Reality|D=15|M=06|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} Captain Dare and her [[Alpha-Nine|ODST squad]] managed to secure the city's [[Superintendent|infrastructure AI]] and escape before the city fell to the enemy.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RCoast|Game=Halo 3: ODST|Level=Coastal Highway}} These forces of the new fleet was both archaeological and military.<ref>halo3.com - About Halo, Characters, Humans ([https://archives.halopedia.org/halo3/ Archive])</ref> While a handful of ships of the second fleet engaged Earth's forces, the majority of the fleet was preoccupied for the excavation of the massive slipspace portal.{{Ref/Reuse|mythos}}

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{{Quote|no=two|1=Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood|q1=Master Chief, you mind telling me what you're doing on [[Anodyne Spirit|that ship]]?|2=Master Chief|q2=Sir, finishing [[Human-Covenant War|this fight]].|3=Admiral Terrence Hood and John-117, as the Keyship arrived at Earth.}}

[[File:HU-John-06.jpg|right|250px|thumb|John-117 attempting to assassinate the Prophet of Truth before the Prophet's death being foiled by a [[Kig-Yar Sniper]].]]

Near the conclusion of the [[Battle of Installation 05]], the [[Prophet of Truth]] departed ''[[High Charity]]'', near Halo [[Installation 05]], in the [[Forerunner]] [[keyship]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' on November 3, arriving at the [[Sol system]] on the November 8 and proceeding on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=bungie}} The prophet sought to activate the Ark, fire the [[Halo Array]], and begin what he thought would be the "[[Great Journey]]". After the [[Fall of High Charity|loss]] of [[High Charity]] to the [[Flood]], the Covenant reorganized to ~~made~~ a final push offensive on Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} as the Prophet of Truth took many remaining Covenant fleets at his disposal following his departure.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=hbc286}} However, upon his arrival, the Prophet quickly learned that John-117 had stowed away aboard the ship and its crew then became [[Scramble onboard Forerunner Dreadnought|preoccupied]] with finding and eliminating the Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|lrh}}

Near the conclusion of the [[Battle of Installation 05]], the [[Prophet of Truth]] departed ''[[High Charity]]'', near Halo [[Installation 05]], in the [[Forerunner]] [[keyship]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' on November 3, arriving at the [[Sol system]] on the November 8 and proceeding on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=bungie}} The prophet sought to activate the Ark, fire the [[Halo Array]], and begin what he thought would be the "[[Great Journey]]". After the [[Fall of High Charity|loss]] of [[High Charity]] to the [[Flood]], the Covenant reorganized to make a final push offensive on Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} as the Prophet of Truth took many remaining Covenant fleets at his disposal following his departure.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=hbc286}} However, upon his arrival, the Prophet quickly learned that John-117 had stowed away aboard the ship and its crew then became [[Scramble onboard Forerunner Dreadnought|preoccupied]] with finding and eliminating the Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|lrh}}

By this time, the Prophet of Truth led the largest Covenant invasion force recorded by the UNSC at that point in the war to Earth: a very massive Covenant combined armada, presumably both larger than the [[Fleet of Particular Justice|one]] used during the Fall of Reach and containing at least over three hundreds ships – including the remaining loyalist starships and fleets of the [[High Charity defense fleet]] – as the final contingent of his forces.{{Ref/Reuse|truthsfleet}}{{Ref/Site|Id=dreadnought|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/dreadnought|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Dreadnought|D=25|M=07|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Site|Id=dreadnought|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/dreadnought|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Dreadnought|D=25|M=07|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=hbc286|Novel=[[Halo: Broken Circle]] (Google Books)|Page=286|Quote=He has taken what is left of the Covenant fleets and is heading for the human world, Earth. He is seeking the Ark.|Quotee=[[G'torik 'Klemmee]]}} The fleet would later breach the Lunar perimeter,{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} and then engage the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], which was already weakened by the previous invasion fleets over Earth, at some point prior to the Forerunner Dreadnought's arrival on Earth as the November 17 dawned.{{Ref/Level|Id=H2GJ|Game=Halo 2|Level=[[The Great Journey (level)|The Great Journey]]}}

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Arriving in a large chamber aboard the keyship ''Anodyne Spirit'' with the Prophet of Truth and a pack of Jiralhanae soldiers and [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|honor guardmens]] being present, John-117 attempted to kill the Prophet remotely via a {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}}, as soon as the Spartan was then attacked by a [[Kig-Yar Sniper]] and the Prophet escaped, forcing John-117 to confront and engage a number of Jiralhanae warriors. While the Spartan was believed to be [[Missing in action|dead]], the Prophet of Truth orders the crew of the Forerunner Dreadnought to jump further in-system and finally arrived at Earth in high orbit on November 17, spearheading the final contingent of Truth's forces as the final space battle is still raging and the ship was then surrounded by the massive space engagement.{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}} During which, John-117, emerged once again, broadcast to the UNSC, confirming his presence and his information regarding his situation.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}

At the outcome of space ~~engagments~~, almost the entire [[UNSC Home Fleet]], hence many entire smaller fleets, ~~has~~ been utterly overrun by the outnumbering and outgunning Covenant naval forces, though it was likely that most of the overwhelming Covenant fleet, mostly the capital ships, was in return destroyed by the UNSC defenders, mainly due to Earth's formidable and fierce defense and Hood's brilliant leadership, especially thanks to multiple defending [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon#Mark V|"Super" MAC]]-equipped [[orbital defense platform]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|H2TA}} throughout the Battle for Earth.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3CN|Game=Halo 3|Level=Crow's Nest}} After demolishing most of Earth defenses, the recently-victorious Covenant fleet then lead a colossal [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]] on Earth, causing extreme terrestrial casualties and damaging much of the surface of the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} The ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'' survived the final space battle relatively intact, albeit left damaged.{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}}

At the outcome of space engagements, almost the entire [[UNSC Home Fleet]], hence many entire smaller fleets, had been utterly overrun by the outnumbering and outgunning Covenant naval forces, though it was likely that most of the overwhelming Covenant fleet, mostly the capital ships, was in return destroyed by the UNSC defenders, mainly due to Earth's formidable and fierce defense and Hood's brilliant leadership, especially thanks to multiple defending [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon#Mark V|"Super" MAC]]-equipped [[orbital defense platform]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|H2TA}} throughout the Battle for Earth.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3CN|Game=Halo 3|Level=Crow's Nest}} After demolishing most of Earth defenses, the recently-victorious Covenant fleet then lead a colossal [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]] on Earth, causing extreme terrestrial casualties and damaging much of the surface of the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} The ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'' survived the final space battle relatively intact, albeit left damaged.{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}}

[[File:S117returnstoEarth2552.jpg|300px|thumb|right|John-117 and the Dreadnought entering Earth's atmosphere before crashing on East Africa.]]

James' civilian brother, [[Ruwan Ackerson]] who was aware of what the Covenant are looking for during the Covenant interrogation at Cleveland, along with [[Myras Tyla]], were both brought to a secret UNSC forces to meet [[Sergeant]] [[Twyker]] in attempt to repel the Covenant forces in Cleveland.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI2}} Ruwan was injected with [[Tykos 30]], an organic tracking device, as Tyla and the remaining civilians were evacuated. He was then taken to [[Chagrin Falls]], where a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] demanded that Ackerson relinquish the Key of Osanalan and an army of Jiralhanae surrounded him. However, Ruwan told them ''he'' was the Key, which confused the Covenant and brought him aboard an orbiting {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}, the ''[[Harbinger of Piety]]'', before the [[Minister of Inquisition]]. There, the Minister vows to spare Earth from the Covenant occupation in exchange for knowledge of the apparent "key". Aboard the Forerunner Dreadnought, John-117, unable to assassinate the Prophet of Truth and take control of the Forerunner Dreadnought's trajectory, was informed that the ''Harbinger of Piety'' that was holding the "key" is to be destroyed. Since the ship was near the keyship, the Spartan was ordered by Twyker to find a way off the Forerunner Dreadnought to avoid being caught in the impending destruction of the cruiser. The Master Chief was then ordered to find a way to return to Earth quickly as the Forerunner Dreadnought began to enter Earth's atmosphere.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}} While the Minister was still interrogating Ruwan, the ''[[Nassau Station]]'' proceeded to remotely shoot at the ''Harbinger of Piety'' with a single shot from its [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] gun, destroying instantly the cruiser and killing everyone aboard, including the Minister of Inquisition and Ruwan Ackerson. Though, Twyker's worries was proven ill-founded due to Forerunner Dreadnought remaining unharmed following the ''Harbinger of Piety''{{'}}s destruction.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}

After that a furious Lepidus was aware of the loss of ''Harbinger of Piety'' and the Key of Osalanan was in fact turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by Colonel [[James Ackerson]] while openly mocking the Covenant for their arrogance, the Jiralhanae [[shipmaster]] decapitated the colonel aboard the ''[[Triumphant Declaration]]'' over Mars. Ultimately, the attack on Cleveland was repelled due to ~~the~~ James's act of self-sacrifice, and that of Ruwan.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI4|Comic=Halo: Uprising|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 4|4]]}} Though the Martian valiant defense forces were crushed during the [[Battle of Mare Erythraeum|Battle of Mars]], they are credited for delaying Covenant forces from pressing their siege on Earth.{{Ref/Site|Id=mars|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/mars|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Mars|Y=2021|D=14|M=06}} Shortly after the Covenant worldwide bombardment, the Earth human population was swiftly reduced to only 200 million individuals, initially around 10 billion prior the Covenant assault with heavy casualties and a major evacuation effort and the sudden change after Truth's arrival.{{Ref/Game|Id=bestiarum|Game=Halo 3|What=[[Bestiarum]]}}{{Ref/Book|Id=ENC|Book=Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe|Page=282}}{{Ref/Site|Id=populateTwit|URL=https://twitter.com/Mr_Admirals/status/429062324737953792|Site=Twitter|Page=@HaloWaypoint Hey, what was the population of Earth prior to November 2552?|Y=2014|D=04|M=02}} The refugees of Cleveland, including Tyla, were evacuated to a relief camp in [[Akron]].{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}

After that a furious Lepidus was aware of the loss of ''Harbinger of Piety'' and the Key of Osalanan was in fact turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by Colonel [[James Ackerson]] while openly mocking the Covenant for their arrogance, the Jiralhanae [[shipmaster]] decapitated the colonel aboard the ''[[Triumphant Declaration]]'' over Mars. Ultimately, the attack on Cleveland was repelled due to James's act of self-sacrifice, and that of Ruwan.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI4|Comic=Halo: Uprising|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 4|4]]}} Though the Martian valiant defense forces were crushed during the [[Battle of Mare Erythraeum|Battle of Mars]], they are credited for delaying Covenant forces from pressing their siege on Earth.{{Ref/Site|Id=mars|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/mars|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Mars|Y=2021|D=14|M=06}} Shortly after the Covenant worldwide bombardment, the Earth human population was swiftly reduced to only 200 million individuals, initially around 10 billion prior the Covenant assault with heavy casualties and a major evacuation effort and the sudden change after Truth's arrival.{{Ref/Game|Id=bestiarum|Game=Halo 3|What=[[Bestiarum]]}}{{Ref/Book|Id=ENC|Book=Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe|Page=282}}{{Ref/Site|Id=populateTwit|URL=https://twitter.com/Mr_Admirals/status/429062324737953792|Site=Twitter|Page=@HaloWaypoint Hey, what was the population of Earth prior to November 2552?|Y=2014|D=04|M=02}} The refugees of Cleveland, including Tyla, were evacuated to a relief camp in [[Akron]].{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}

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{{Quote|Marines, the [[Prophet of Truth]] doesn't know it yet, but he's about to get kicked right off his throne. You will take our [[Voi|city]] back. And drive our enemy into the grave they've been so happily digging. [[Battle of Voi|One final effort]] is all that remains.|[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]}}

As the Dreadnought entered Earth's atmosphere, John-117 left the ship by leaping off during re-entry and crashing into the [[East African Protectorate|East-African]] jungle.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3S117|Game=Halo 3|Level|Sierra 117}} By this time most of ~~remaining~~ Truth's forces arrived to the now-uncovered Ark portal at Voi and had set up heavy [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|AA batteries]] and other defenses near [[Voi]] and in the surrounding area to protect their work at the Portal.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} During Spartan-117's re-entry, a pair of ODSTs used a [[laser designator]] during [[Battle of Sector Six|an operation]] in [[Sector Six]] (near the [[Pakistan]]-[[wikipedia:Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] border) to track the Spartan's fall.{{Ref/Film|Id=landfall|Film=Halo: Landfall}} The data made it easier for Sergeant Johnson and Thel 'Vadam to locate the Spartan. After [[Recovery of John-117|making their way through the jungle]], they were extracted by a [[D77H-TCI Pelican|dropship]], despite Covenant resistance, and taken to [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3S117}} The Covenant tracked them back to the base, however, and [[Attack on Crow's Nest|launched an attack]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}}

As the Dreadnought entered Earth's atmosphere, John-117 left the ship by leaping off during re-entry and crashing into the [[East African Protectorate|East-African]] jungle.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3S117|Game=Halo 3|Level|Sierra 117}} By this time most of Truth's remaining forces arrived to the now-uncovered Ark portal at Voi and had set up heavy [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|AA batteries]] and other defenses near [[Voi]] and in the surrounding area to protect their work at the Portal.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} During Spartan-117's re-entry, a pair of ODSTs used a [[laser designator]] during [[Battle of Sector Six|an operation]] in [[Sector Six]] (near the [[Pakistan]]-[[wikipedia:Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] border) to track the Spartan's fall.{{Ref/Film|Id=landfall|Film=Halo: Landfall}} The data made it easier for Sergeant Johnson and Thel 'Vadam to locate the Spartan. After [[Recovery of John-117|making their way through the jungle]], they were extracted by a [[D77H-TCI Pelican|dropship]], despite Covenant resistance, and taken to [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3S117}} The Covenant tracked them back to the base, however, and [[Attack on Crow's Nest|launched an attack]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}}

[[File:UNSCHitsDreadnought-large.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Immediately after the Type-27 Mantis deployments has been cleaned, the UNSC frigates initiates an attack on the Forerunner Dreadnought.]]

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The final stand Hood expected never came; the next day, ''High Charity'' and the Flood arrived in the Sol system, but instead performed a Slipspace jump from Mars orbit to [[Installation 00]], an action that spared Earth from a second contamination.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2959975_Query--Catalog.aspx#post2959975|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Query: Catalog}} It was at the massive installation that the Flood and the remnants of the Covenant were ultimately [[Battle of Installation 00|defeated]] by the UNSC and Sangheili three weeks later, bringing an end to the [[Human-Covenant War|war]] that nearly extinguished the [[human]] race.

With the majority of Truth's forces now bound for the Ark, ~~the remainder~~ of the Covenant ~~was~~ on Earth ~~as several~~ fortified themselves in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]]. On December 3, Admiral Harper of the Fifth Fleet initiated [[Operation: MARSH FLASH]], which eradicated clusters of Jiralhanae leadership attempting to activate an artifact here. The UNSC was then finally able to repel or wipe out the remaining Covanant invader forces on the planet and the system, effectively bringing an end to the invasion. Despite suffering enormous military and civilian losses, the UNSC retained control of Earth. Marines involved in mopping up Jiralhanae holdouts employed the "Rex" [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance|VISR]] system.{{Ref/Game|Halo 5: Guardians|Detail=Rex VISR description}} {{clear|left}}

With the majority of Truth's forces now bound for the Ark, some of the remaining Covenant forces on Earth fortified themselves in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]]. On December 3, Admiral Harper of the Fifth Fleet initiated [[Operation: MARSH FLASH]], which eradicated clusters of Jiralhanae leadership attempting to activate an artifact here. The UNSC was then finally able to repel or wipe out the remaining Covanant invader forces on the planet and the system, effectively bringing an end to the invasion. Despite suffering enormous military and civilian losses, the UNSC retained control of Earth. Marines involved in mopping up Jiralhanae holdouts employed the "Rex" [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance|VISR]] system.{{Ref/Game|Halo 5: Guardians|Detail=Rex VISR description}} {{clear|left}}

==Aftermath==

Battle for Earth: Difference between revisions

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@@ Line 126: / Line 126: @@
 The '''Battle for Earth''',{{Ref/Reuse|Id=hnbc8}}{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM69}} also referred to as the '''Earth Sustained Defense Campaign''',{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} was one of the largest, bloodiest and latest engagements fought between the [[Covenant]] and the forces of the [[Unified Earth Government]] (primarily those of the [[United Nations Space Command]]), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long{{Ref/Note|The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.}} [[Human-Covenant War]], which took place on and above the planet [[Earth]] from [[2552#October|October 20]] to at least [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]].{{Ref/NoteReuse|battleend}} It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its [[UEG|government]].{{Ref/Note|While [[Insurrectionist|not all]] of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG, the UEG claims authority over all of humanity.}}
-Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.{{Ref/Game|Id=HSA|Game=Halo: Spartan Assault|What=co-op introductory cutscene}} The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as [[human]]ity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], it was not long before Regret's [[Solemn Penance|flagship]] fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to [[Changing of the Guard|replace]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. The Jiralhanae occupation forces left behind by Regret assumed control of all remaining local Covenant forces on and over New Mombasa by secretly killing all abandoned Sangheili in the city to secure Truth's later arrival as the herald of [[Great Schism]]. Later on the next day, a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae support and excavation fleet]]<!--Halo Waypoint confirms that Truth's fleet arrived on October 21st--> sent by Truth was then dispatched to Mombasa and begin to [[Glassing|glass]] most of [[Republic of Kenya|Kenya,]] along with the remnants of Regret's fleet while additional Covenant reinforcements continued to appear in the system and began a resurgent and larger assault on the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointvergil}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}}
+Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.{{Ref/Game|Id=HSA|Game=Halo: Spartan Assault|What=co-op introductory cutscene}} The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as [[human]]ity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], it was not long before Regret's [[Solemn Penance|flagship]] fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to [[Changing of the Guard|replace]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. The Jiralhanae occupation forces left behind by Regret assumed control of all remaining local Covenant forces on and over New Mombasa by secretly killing all abandoned Sangheili in the city to secure Truth's later arrival following the beginning of the [[Great Schism]]. Later on the next day, a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae support and excavation fleet]]<!--Halo Waypoint confirms that Truth's fleet arrived on October 21st--> sent by Truth was then dispatched to Mombasa and begin to [[Glassing|glass]] most of [[Republic of Kenya|Kenya,]] alongside the remnants of Regret's fleet while additional Covenant reinforcements continued to appear in the system and began a resurgent and larger assault on the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointvergil}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}}
-At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], to [[Cleveland]], [[URNA]], to [[Havana]], Cuba, and to [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]] and multiple other locations even when the Sangheili and now Jiralhanae-led Covenant forces turned each other following the beginning of the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|encycearth}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}{{Ref/Reuse|goo204}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} By November 17 after very hard fighting, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated by substantial Covenant naval forces loyal to the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]], including the Prophet of Truth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} and the majority of cities were destroyed as well throughout the battle.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI3}} After defenders and the orbital defense grid were overwhelmed, the Earth has been massively devatasted by a large Covenant [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]], resulting catastrophic human casualties.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] and with [[John-117|Spartan-117]] in tow, arrived and headed straight for the [[Portal at Voi|Excession]], by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the [[keyship]], the portal was activated and a large contingent of the remaining Covenant fleet under the Prophet's command departed through the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] with the intention of activating the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3Storm}}
+At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], to [[Cleveland]], [[URNA]], to [[Havana]], Cuba, and to [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]] and multiple other locations even when the Sangheili and now Jiralhanae-led Covenant forces turned on each other following the beginning of the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|encycearth}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}{{Ref/Reuse|goo204}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} By November 17 after very hard fighting, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated by substantial Covenant naval forces loyal to the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]], including the Prophet of Truth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} and the majority of cities were destroyed as well throughout the battle.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI3}} After defenders and the orbital defense grid were overwhelmed, the Earth had been massively devastated by a large Covenant [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]], resulting in catastrophic human casualties.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] and with [[John-117|Spartan-117]] in tow, arrived and headed straight for the [[Portal at Voi|Excession]], by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the [[keyship]], the portal was activated and a large contingent of the remaining Covenant fleet under the Prophet's command departed through the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] with the intention of activating the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3Storm}}
 Almost immediately after this, the [[Flood]] arrived aboard a [[Indulgence of Conviction|captured]] {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}, which crashed down in the town of [[Voi]]. A [[battle group]] assigned to the [[Fleet of Retribution]], a [[Covenant separatists|Covenant separatist]] fleet allied with the UNSC against Truth and his loyalists, was permitted to [[glass]] a large portion of [[Kenya]] to prevent the parasite's spread. With the threat from the Flood dealt with and the bulk of Covenant forces gone, several UNSC forces accompanied the Fleet of Retribution in pursuit of Truth.{{Ref/Reuse|H3Flood}} The remainder of UNSC forces remained behind to defend Earth from an expected full-scale Flood invasion and also began a major counteroffensive to eliminate all Covenant that remained.{{Ref/Reuse|H3Flood}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}}
-Official accounts report that, facing with the potential human extinction by the alien hegemony, a signifiantly massive amount of civilians joined the UNSC forces to repel the Covenant throughout the campaign on Earth with various being an instrumental part of the war effort.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM69|Book=Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual|Page=69}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}
+Official accounts report that, facing with the potential human extinction by the alien hegemony, a significantly massive amount of civilians joined the UNSC forces to repel the Covenant throughout the campaign on Earth with various being an instrumental part of the war effort.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM69|Book=Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual|Page=69}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}
 ==Background==
-The [[Human-Covenant War]] was a decades-long conflict wherein the Covenant hegemony was determined to exterminate all of humanity at the behest of its three [[Hierarchs]], who falsely considered humans as representing the living embodiment, and thus discreditation, of their [[Covenant religion|religion]]'s [[Forerunners|gods]] at the time of [[2525|their discovery]]. Also a goal of the empire, from long before first contact with humanity, was the location and activation of the [[Halo]] rings. In the aftermath of the [[Fall of Reach]], the UNSC began to pull the majority of its forces back to Earth, with most units assigned to defend Earth's six [[Space elevator|tether cities]].{{Ref/Book|Book=Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Section=Palace Hotel|SectionLinkText=Palace Hotel}} The Prophet of Regret learned "Erde-Tyrene" held a portal which led to the Ark and the Prophet of Truth simultaneously discovered the planet's location through other means.
+The [[Human-Covenant War]] was a decades-long conflict wherein the Covenant hegemony was determined to exterminate all of humanity at the behest of its three [[Hierarchs]], who falsely considered humans as representing the living embodiment, and thus discreditation, of their [[Covenant religion|religion]]'s [[Forerunners|gods]] at the time of [[2525|their discovery]]. Also a goal of the empire, from long before first contact with humanity, was the location and activation of the [[Halo]] rings. In the aftermath of the [[Fall of Reach]], the UNSC began to pull the majority of its forces back to Earth, with most units assigned to defend Earth's six [[Space elevator|tether cities]].{{Ref/Book|Book=Halo: Evolutions - Esse\ntial Tales of the Halo Universe|Section=Palace Hotel|SectionLinkText=Palace Hotel}} The Prophet of Regret learned "Erde-Tyrene" held a portal which led to the Ark and the Prophet of Truth simultaneously discovered the planet's location through other means.
 ===Formation of the Home Fleet===
@@ Line 184: / Line 184: @@
 {{Quote|no=two|Veronica Dare|Edward Buck|q1=When did ''this'' happen?|q2=They started showing up right before I went underground.|[[Captain]] [[Veronica Dare]] and [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Edward Buck]] viewing a second and larger [[Truth's fleet|fleet]] of Covenant starships circling Mombasa.{{Ref/Reuse|H3RCoast}}}}
 [[File:Portal odst.png|thumb|right|250px|After fully securing the East Africa, the Jiralhanae excavation fleet begin to uncover the Portal at [[New Mombasa]].]]
-Immediately following the slipspace event, [[Jiralhanae]] forces loyal to the [[High Prophet of Truth]], who had embedded said troops into his political rival Regret's fleet,{{Ref/Novel|Id=hnbc8|[[Halo: New Blood]]|Chapter=8}} enacted their leader's orders. The Jiralhanae violently displaced their Sangheili commanders left in the initial fleet both ground-side,{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RTayari|Game=Halo 3: ODST|Level=Tayari Plaza}} and in orbit, and then seized the full control of Covenant forces at Mombasa in order to secure Truth's arrival on the Portal by his loyalists,{{Ref/Reuse|Id=bungie}} the beginning of Truth's plan to place the Jiralhanae as the Covenant's primary warrior race.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} While ''[[High Charity]]'' and the rest of its [[High Charity defense fleet|fleet]] were following the ''Solemn Penance'' on their way to the newly discovered Halo Installation 05, the murder of the Regret's Sangheili ground forces remained secret from the rest of the Covenant.
+Immediately following the slipspace event, [[Jiralhanae]] forces loyal to the [[High Prophet of Truth]], who had embedded said troops into his political rival Regret's fleet,{{Ref/Novel|Id=hnbc8|[[Halo: New Blood]]|Chapter=8}} enacted their leader's orders. The Jiralhanae violently displaced their Sangheili commanders left in the initial fleet both ground-side,{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RTayari|Game=Halo 3: ODST|Level=Tayari Plaza}} and in orbit, and then seized the full control of Covenant forces at Mombasa in order to secure Truth's arrival on the Portal by his loyalists,{{Ref/Reuse|Id=bungie}} the beginning of Truth's plan to place the Jiralhanae as the Covenant's primary warrior race.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} While ''[[High Charity]]'' and the rest of its [[High Charity defense fleet|fleet]] were following the ''Solemn Penance'' on their way to the newly discovered Halo Installation 05, the murder of the Regret's Sangheili forces remained secret from the rest of the Covenant.
 Surviving UNSC forces in the city, aided by the [[New Mombasa Police Department]], continued to resist, but were eventually overwhelmed. The next day on October 21, a [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae-led support fleet]] sent by Truth arrived at the African continent, joining the remains of Regret's fleet as the combined fleet began glassing [[Mombasa]] and the surrounding area together, uncovering [[the Portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]].{{Ref/Site|Id=waypointvergil|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-vergil-reality|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Vergil Reality|D=15|M=06|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}<!--Halo Waypoint confirms that Truth's fleet arrived on October 21st--> Captain Dare and her [[Alpha-Nine|ODST squad]] managed to secure the city's [[Superintendent|infrastructure AI]] and escape before the city fell to the enemy.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RCoast|Game=Halo 3: ODST|Level=Coastal Highway}} These forces of the new fleet was both archaeological and military.<ref>halo3.com - About Halo, Characters, Humans ([https://archives.halopedia.org/halo3/ Archive])</ref> While a handful of ships of the second fleet engaged Earth's forces, the majority of the fleet was preoccupied for the excavation of the massive slipspace portal.{{Ref/Reuse|mythos}}
@@ Line 207: / Line 207: @@
 {{Quote|no=two|1=Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood|q1=Master Chief, you mind telling me what you're doing on [[Anodyne Spirit|that ship]]?|2=Master Chief|q2=Sir, finishing [[Human-Covenant War|this fight]].|3=Admiral Terrence Hood and John-117, as the Keyship arrived at Earth.}}
 [[File:HU-John-06.jpg|right|250px|thumb|John-117 attempting to assassinate the Prophet of Truth before the Prophet's death being foiled by a [[Kig-Yar Sniper]].]]
-Near the conclusion of the [[Battle of Installation 05]], the [[Prophet of Truth]] departed ''[[High Charity]]'', near Halo [[Installation 05]], in the [[Forerunner]] [[keyship]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' on November 3, arriving at the [[Sol system]] on the November 8 and proceeding on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=bungie}} The prophet sought to activate the Ark, fire the [[Halo Array]], and begin what he thought would be the "[[Great Journey]]". After the [[Fall of High Charity|loss]] of [[High Charity]] to the [[Flood]], the Covenant reorganized to made a final push offensive on Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} as the Prophet of Truth took many remaining Covenant fleets at his disposal following his departure.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=hbc286}} However, upon his arrival, the Prophet quickly learned that John-117 had stowed away aboard the ship and its crew then became [[Scramble onboard Forerunner Dreadnought|preoccupied]] with finding and eliminating the Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|lrh}}
+Near the conclusion of the [[Battle of Installation 05]], the [[Prophet of Truth]] departed ''[[High Charity]]'', near Halo [[Installation 05]], in the [[Forerunner]] [[keyship]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' on November 3, arriving at the [[Sol system]] on the November 8 and proceeding on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=bungie}} The prophet sought to activate the Ark, fire the [[Halo Array]], and begin what he thought would be the "[[Great Journey]]". After the [[Fall of High Charity|loss]] of [[High Charity]] to the [[Flood]], the Covenant reorganized to make a final push offensive on Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} as the Prophet of Truth took many remaining Covenant fleets at his disposal following his departure.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=hbc286}} However, upon his arrival, the Prophet quickly learned that John-117 had stowed away aboard the ship and its crew then became [[Scramble onboard Forerunner Dreadnought|preoccupied]] with finding and eliminating the Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|lrh}}
 By this time, the Prophet of Truth led the largest Covenant invasion force recorded by the UNSC at that point in the war to Earth: a very massive Covenant combined armada, presumably both larger than the [[Fleet of Particular Justice|one]] used during the Fall of Reach and containing at least over three hundreds ships – including the remaining loyalist starships and fleets of the [[High Charity defense fleet]] – as the final contingent of his forces.{{Ref/Reuse|truthsfleet}}{{Ref/Site|Id=dreadnought|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/dreadnought|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Dreadnought|D=25|M=07|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Site|Id=dreadnought|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/dreadnought|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Dreadnought|D=25|M=07|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=hbc286|Novel=[[Halo: Broken Circle]] (Google Books)|Page=286|Quote=He has taken what is left of the Covenant fleets and is heading for the human world, Earth. He is seeking the Ark.|Quotee=[[G'torik 'Klemmee]]}} The fleet would later breach the Lunar perimeter,{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} and then engage the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], which was already weakened by the previous invasion fleets over Earth, at some point prior to the Forerunner Dreadnought's arrival on Earth as the November 17 dawned.{{Ref/Level|Id=H2GJ|Game=Halo 2|Level=[[The Great Journey (level)|The Great Journey]]}}
@@ Line 224: / Line 224: @@
 Arriving in a large chamber aboard the keyship ''Anodyne Spirit'' with the Prophet of Truth and a pack of Jiralhanae soldiers and [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|honor guardmens]] being present, John-117 attempted to kill the Prophet remotely via a {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}}, as soon as the Spartan was then attacked by a [[Kig-Yar Sniper]] and the Prophet escaped, forcing John-117 to confront and engage a number of Jiralhanae warriors. While the Spartan was believed to be [[Missing in action|dead]], the Prophet of Truth orders the crew of the Forerunner Dreadnought to jump further in-system and finally arrived at Earth in high orbit on November 17, spearheading the final contingent of Truth's forces as the final space battle is still raging and the ship was then surrounded by the massive space engagement.{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}  During which, John-117, emerged once again, broadcast to the UNSC, confirming his presence and his information regarding his situation.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}
-At the outcome of space engagments, almost the entire [[UNSC Home Fleet]], hence many entire smaller fleets, has been utterly overrun by the outnumbering and outgunning Covenant naval forces, though it was likely that most of the overwhelming Covenant fleet, mostly the capital ships, was in return destroyed by the UNSC defenders, mainly due to Earth's formidable and fierce defense and Hood's brilliant leadership, especially thanks to multiple defending [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon#Mark V|"Super" MAC]]-equipped [[orbital defense platform]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|H2TA}} throughout the Battle for Earth.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3CN|Game=Halo 3|Level=Crow's Nest}} After demolishing most of Earth defenses, the recently-victorious Covenant fleet then lead a colossal [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]] on Earth, causing extreme terrestrial casualties and damaging much of the surface of the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} The ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'' survived the final space battle relatively intact, albeit left damaged.{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}}
+At the outcome of space engagements, almost the entire [[UNSC Home Fleet]], hence many entire smaller fleets, had been utterly overrun by the outnumbering and outgunning Covenant naval forces, though it was likely that most of the overwhelming Covenant fleet, mostly the capital ships, was in return destroyed by the UNSC defenders, mainly due to Earth's formidable and fierce defense and Hood's brilliant leadership, especially thanks to multiple defending [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon#Mark V|"Super" MAC]]-equipped [[orbital defense platform]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|H2TA}} throughout the Battle for Earth.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3CN|Game=Halo 3|Level=Crow's Nest}} After demolishing most of Earth defenses, the recently-victorious Covenant fleet then lead a colossal [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]] on Earth, causing extreme terrestrial casualties and damaging much of the surface of the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} The ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'' survived the final space battle relatively intact, albeit left damaged.{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}}
 [[File:S117returnstoEarth2552.jpg|300px|thumb|right|John-117 and the Dreadnought entering Earth's atmosphere before crashing on East Africa.]]
 James' civilian brother, [[Ruwan Ackerson]] who was aware of what the Covenant are looking for during the Covenant interrogation at Cleveland, along with [[Myras Tyla]], were both brought to a secret UNSC forces to meet [[Sergeant]] [[Twyker]] in attempt to repel the Covenant forces in Cleveland.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI2}} Ruwan was injected with [[Tykos 30]], an organic tracking device, as Tyla and the remaining civilians were evacuated. He was then taken to [[Chagrin Falls]], where a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] demanded that Ackerson relinquish the Key of Osanalan and an army of Jiralhanae surrounded him. However, Ruwan told them ''he'' was the Key, which confused the Covenant and brought him aboard an orbiting {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}, the ''[[Harbinger of Piety]]'', before the [[Minister of Inquisition]]. There, the Minister vows to spare Earth from the Covenant occupation in exchange for knowledge of the apparent "key". Aboard the Forerunner Dreadnought, John-117, unable to assassinate the Prophet of Truth and take control of the Forerunner Dreadnought's trajectory, was informed that the ''Harbinger of Piety'' that was holding the "key" is to be destroyed. Since the ship was near the keyship, the Spartan was ordered by Twyker to find a way off the Forerunner Dreadnought to avoid being caught in the impending destruction of the cruiser. The Master Chief was then ordered to find a way to return to Earth quickly as the Forerunner Dreadnought began to enter Earth's atmosphere.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}} While the Minister was still interrogating Ruwan, the ''[[Nassau Station]]'' proceeded to remotely shoot at the ''Harbinger of Piety'' with a single shot from its [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] gun, destroying instantly the cruiser and killing everyone aboard, including the Minister of Inquisition and Ruwan Ackerson. Though, Twyker's worries was proven ill-founded due to Forerunner Dreadnought remaining unharmed following the ''Harbinger of Piety''{{'}}s destruction.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}
-After that a furious Lepidus was aware of the loss of ''Harbinger of Piety'' and the Key of Osalanan was in fact turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by Colonel [[James Ackerson]] while openly mocking the Covenant for their arrogance, the Jiralhanae [[shipmaster]] decapitated the colonel aboard the ''[[Triumphant Declaration]]'' over Mars. Ultimately, the attack on Cleveland was repelled due to the James's act of self-sacrifice, and that of Ruwan.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI4|Comic=Halo: Uprising|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 4|4]]}}  Though the Martian valiant defense forces were crushed during the [[Battle of Mare Erythraeum|Battle of Mars]], they are credited for delaying Covenant forces from pressing their siege on Earth.{{Ref/Site|Id=mars|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/mars|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Mars|Y=2021|D=14|M=06}} Shortly after the Covenant worldwide bombardment, the Earth human population was swiftly reduced to only 200 million individuals, initially around 10 billion prior the Covenant assault with heavy casualties and a major evacuation effort and the sudden change after Truth's arrival.{{Ref/Game|Id=bestiarum|Game=Halo 3|What=[[Bestiarum]]}}{{Ref/Book|Id=ENC|Book=Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe|Page=282}}{{Ref/Site|Id=populateTwit|URL=https://twitter.com/Mr_Admirals/status/429062324737953792|Site=Twitter|Page=@HaloWaypoint Hey, what was the population of Earth prior to November 2552?|Y=2014|D=04|M=02}} The refugees of Cleveland, including Tyla, were evacuated to a relief camp in [[Akron]].{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}
+After that a furious Lepidus was aware of the loss of ''Harbinger of Piety'' and the Key of Osalanan was in fact turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by Colonel [[James Ackerson]] while openly mocking the Covenant for their arrogance, the Jiralhanae [[shipmaster]] decapitated the colonel aboard the ''[[Triumphant Declaration]]'' over Mars. Ultimately, the attack on Cleveland was repelled due to James's act of self-sacrifice, and that of Ruwan.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI4|Comic=Halo: Uprising|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 4|4]]}}  Though the Martian valiant defense forces were crushed during the [[Battle of Mare Erythraeum|Battle of Mars]], they are credited for delaying Covenant forces from pressing their siege on Earth.{{Ref/Site|Id=mars|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/mars|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Mars|Y=2021|D=14|M=06}} Shortly after the Covenant worldwide bombardment, the Earth human population was swiftly reduced to only 200 million individuals, initially around 10 billion prior the Covenant assault with heavy casualties and a major evacuation effort and the sudden change after Truth's arrival.{{Ref/Game|Id=bestiarum|Game=Halo 3|What=[[Bestiarum]]}}{{Ref/Book|Id=ENC|Book=Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe|Page=282}}{{Ref/Site|Id=populateTwit|URL=https://twitter.com/Mr_Admirals/status/429062324737953792|Site=Twitter|Page=@HaloWaypoint Hey, what was the population of Earth prior to November 2552?|Y=2014|D=04|M=02}} The refugees of Cleveland, including Tyla, were evacuated to a relief camp in [[Akron]].{{Ref/Reuse|HUI4}}
 {{clear|right}}
@@ Line 236: / Line 236: @@
 {{Quote|Marines, the [[Prophet of Truth]] doesn't know it yet, but he's about to get kicked right off his throne. You will take our [[Voi|city]] back. And drive our enemy into the grave they've been so happily digging. [[Battle of Voi|One final effort]] is all that remains.|[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]}}
-As the Dreadnought entered Earth's atmosphere, John-117 left the ship by leaping off during re-entry and crashing into the [[East African Protectorate|East-African]] jungle.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3S117|Game=Halo 3|Level|Sierra 117}} By this time most of remaining Truth's forces arrived to the now-uncovered Ark portal at Voi and had set up heavy [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|AA batteries]] and other defenses near [[Voi]] and in the surrounding area to protect their work at the Portal.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} During Spartan-117's re-entry, a pair of ODSTs used a [[laser designator]] during [[Battle of Sector Six|an operation]] in [[Sector Six]] (near the [[Pakistan]]-[[wikipedia:Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] border) to track the Spartan's fall.{{Ref/Film|Id=landfall|Film=Halo: Landfall}} The data made it easier for Sergeant Johnson and Thel 'Vadam to locate the Spartan. After [[Recovery of John-117|making their way through the jungle]], they were extracted by a [[D77H-TCI Pelican|dropship]], despite Covenant resistance, and taken to [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3S117}} The Covenant tracked them back to the base, however, and [[Attack on Crow's Nest|launched an attack]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}}
+As the Dreadnought entered Earth's atmosphere, John-117 left the ship by leaping off during re-entry and crashing into the [[East African Protectorate|East-African]] jungle.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3S117|Game=Halo 3|Level|Sierra 117}} By this time most of Truth's remaining forces arrived to the now-uncovered Ark portal at Voi and had set up heavy [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|AA batteries]] and other defenses near [[Voi]] and in the surrounding area to protect their work at the Portal.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} During Spartan-117's re-entry, a pair of ODSTs used a [[laser designator]] during [[Battle of Sector Six|an operation]] in [[Sector Six]] (near the [[Pakistan]]-[[wikipedia:Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] border) to track the Spartan's fall.{{Ref/Film|Id=landfall|Film=Halo: Landfall}} The data made it easier for Sergeant Johnson and Thel 'Vadam to locate the Spartan. After [[Recovery of John-117|making their way through the jungle]], they were extracted by a [[D77H-TCI Pelican|dropship]], despite Covenant resistance, and taken to [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3S117}} The Covenant tracked them back to the base, however, and [[Attack on Crow's Nest|launched an attack]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}}
 [[File:UNSCHitsDreadnought-large.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Immediately after the Type-27 Mantis deployments has been cleaned, the UNSC frigates initiates an attack on the Forerunner Dreadnought.]]
@@ Line 270: / Line 270: @@
 The final stand Hood expected never came; the next day, ''High Charity'' and the Flood arrived in the Sol system, but instead performed a Slipspace jump from Mars orbit to [[Installation 00]], an action that spared Earth from a second contamination.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2959975_Query--Catalog.aspx#post2959975|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Query: Catalog}} It was at the massive installation that the Flood and the remnants of the Covenant were ultimately [[Battle of Installation 00|defeated]] by the UNSC and Sangheili three weeks later, bringing an end to the [[Human-Covenant War|war]] that nearly extinguished the [[human]] race.
-With the majority of Truth's forces now bound for the Ark, the remainder of the Covenant was on Earth as several fortified themselves in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]]. On December 3, Admiral Harper of the Fifth Fleet initiated [[Operation: MARSH FLASH]], which eradicated clusters of Jiralhanae leadership attempting to activate an artifact here. The UNSC was then finally able to repel or wipe out the remaining Covanant invader forces on the planet and the system, effectively bringing an end to the invasion. Despite suffering enormous military and civilian losses, the UNSC retained control of Earth. Marines involved in mopping up Jiralhanae holdouts employed the "Rex" [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance|VISR]] system.{{Ref/Game|Halo 5: Guardians|Detail=Rex VISR description}} {{clear|left}}
+With the majority of Truth's forces now bound for the Ark, some of the remaining Covenant forces on Earth fortified themselves in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]]. On December 3, Admiral Harper of the Fifth Fleet initiated [[Operation: MARSH FLASH]], which eradicated clusters of Jiralhanae leadership attempting to activate an artifact here. The UNSC was then finally able to repel or wipe out the remaining Covanant invader forces on the planet and the system, effectively bringing an end to the invasion. Despite suffering enormous military and civilian losses, the UNSC retained control of Earth. Marines involved in mopping up Jiralhanae holdouts employed the "Rex" [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance|VISR]] system.{{Ref/Game|Halo 5: Guardians|Detail=Rex VISR description}} {{clear|left}}
 ==Aftermath==