Battle for Zeta Halo: Difference between revisions

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|place=*[[Installation 07]], [[Ephsu I]], [[Ephsu system]] {{c|early in battle}}{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}

*[[Installation 07]], unknown star system

**UNSC forces severely depleted and scattered across Installation 07.{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}}

**[[Human]]s{{Ref/Novel|RP|20}}

***12+ Spartan-IVs{{Ref/Novel|RP|20}}

{{Quote|This is my last fight. A true test of legends! Our story will outlive us both. Set a fire in your heart, Spartan! Bare your fangs! Fight hard! Die well.|[[Escharum]] to [[John-117]] during the conflict.{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=Premiere|[[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere]]}}}}

In [[2558#October|October 2558]], when the [[Created conflict]] began with the rogue [[AI]] [[Cortana]] [[The Reclamation|subjugating]] major planets and governments across the galaxy with her Guardians, the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces were broken with the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} forced into hiding.{{Ref/Level|Id=h5|H5|Guardians}} Cortana ushered in a new era with her [[Created]] as rulers, enforcing martial law across their territory. The ''Infinity'' conducted operations against the Created in limited capacity.{{citation needed}} Cortana made a general broadcast, inviting numerous species and factions to submit themselves to the guardianship of the Created,{{Ref/Reuse|h5}} but threatened those who would resist her leadership with violence.{{Ref/Anthology|Halo: Fractures|[[What Remains]]}}

In [[2559]], the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Atriox]], [[Warmaster|leader]] of a group of mercenary raiders known as the [[Banished]], discovered information on [[Installation 00]] regarding the existence of the Xalanyn.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p25|Enc22|Page=25}} Seeking to uncover this secret hidden by the Forerunners, Atriox prepared his Banished forces to travel to Installation 07.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p423|Enc22|Page=423}} During his preparations for the journey to [[Installation 07]], Atriox was personally confronted by Cortana. The Jiralhanae declared his independence from Cortana, and thus, opposition against the Created. In a show of force for Atriox's defiance, Cortana commanded her Guardians to [[Razing of Oth Sonin|destroy]] the Jiralhanae homeworld [[Doisac]] while communicating with Atriox.{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Reckoning|[[Repository (Halo Infinite level)|Repository]]}} Seeking to access the ring's secrets and exact revenge against Cortana, Atriox led his Banished forces comprised of [[Jiralhanae]], [[human]]s, [[Sangheili]], [[Unggoy]], [[Mgalekgolo]], and [[Kig-Yar]] to Installation 07 in order to defeat her.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}}

Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] devised a plan to stop Cortana. She created an artificial intelligence known as "[[The Weapon]]", created from a cloned brain of herself. The copy would lock Cortana down, preventing her from controlling her vast Guardian and [[Promethean]] forces and isolating her in her current location, [[Installation 07]].{{citation needed}} A plan was formed, with the initial intent to send [[Blue Team]] to the surface to retrieve Cortana, though this was later revised to be just John-117 and The Weapon, accompanied by the ship's [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] and [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODST]] complement.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #02 - Captain's Report}} Halsey had plans for [[Frederic-104]], [[Kelly-087]], and [[Linda-058]], but they were reassigned by [[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]] to another mission unknown to Halsey, much to her chagrin.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #03 - Duty Clearance}} [[John-117]] was to travel to the surface of the ring and deploy the Weapon to lock down Cortana, then return her to the ''Infinity'' for deletion.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Recovered Files 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Recovered Files #04 - The Weapon}}{{clear}}

On [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]], {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and her escort fleet, which included six {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}s, arrived at Installation 07 operating at limited capacity following the Created uprising.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #01 - Preparations}}{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}} Upon arrival, the weakened UNSC fleet was ambushed by four [[Banished dreadnought]]s.{{Ref/Game|Id=ia4|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #04 - Arrival}} The Banished had arrived at the ring earlier, and begun fortifying the ring's surface to neutralize Cortana.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}}

Warmaster Atriox personally led Banished raiding parties aboard the ''Infinity'' in search of the Weapon,{{Ref/Reuse|ia4}}{{Ref/Quest|HI|Reformation|The Sequence|Quote=Atriox came for you. He attacked the Infinity. We fought. He won.|Quotee=John-117}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFNY|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-new-year-new-lore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - New Year, New Lore|D=23|M=01|Y=2023|Quote=The Banished, however, simultaneously initiated boarding action to compromise the ship’s hangar bays, led by Atriox himself who had come to claim the Weapon—though she had already been deployed to the ring.}} all the while sending occupation forces to the Ring's surface by the hundreds.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #07 - Objectives}} Despite the UNSC repelling the boarders, the ''Infinity''{{'}}s main engine were taken offline within minutes after the initial attack, and Captain Lasky ordered the deployment of [[the Weapon]] to proceed with the mission to lock down Cortana.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #05 - Zero Hour}} Under the overwhelming assault, Lasky ordered all hands aboard the ''Infinity'' to abandon ship.{{Ref/Reuse|e1}}  

In the region south of Silent Auditorium, the Banished set up three anti-air [[Kywasky Workshop Gorespike cannon]]s, which fired at numerous UNSC aircrafts landing at the area.{{Ref/Game|Id=r4|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #04 - Run and Guns}} This region became the most active battleground in the first 48 hours of the conflict.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Reformation|FOB Hotel|Quote= There we go — another FOB is ours. this one was built on of the most active battlegrounds in the first 48 hours of the war. UNSC and Banished records both suggest that it was absolute chaos. It raged all over, but nowhere quite as intensely as the island just north of us. Where we got shot down, you might recall.|Quotee=The Weapon}} Recognizing the threat posed by the cannons, Spartan Hudson led Fireteam Taurus and made landfall in this region, where they fought through Banished patrols, with sniper support from Spartan [[Nina Kovan]], to disable the three cannons.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #05 - Overwatch}} They succeed in disabling two cannons before a cataclysmic event on the ring - an explosion at the Silent Auditorium - disabled the third cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|r4}}

===Explosion on the Ring and Cortana's destruction===

As UNSC forces scattered over the ring and fought against the Banished forces, Atriox confronted Cortana at the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]], claiming he had killed John-117 and Cortana's Created empire was over, leaving the latter devastated by the news of John-117's apparent death. Having consolidated her presence and core processes at the Silent Auditorium and seemingly locked down by the Weapon deployed from {{UNSCShip|Infinity}},{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} Cortana realized her mistakes but could not retaliate.{{Ref/Quest|Id=saatriox|HI|Endless|Silent Auditorium|Quote=Look around, Cortana. Your Empire. Over! Your great plan? Ended at the hands of those who made you.|Quotee=Atriox}} Atriox presented her with the terms of her surrender, intending to take control of the ring and access the secrets locked within the Silent Auditorium.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Endless|Silent Auditorium|Quote=I have learned so much, Cortana. this Ring is different. It has secrets within... That I will have. This... Silent Auditorium. Do you know its history? Its true purpose? I have little needs for a failed god. This Ring is all I need. Surrender it to me.|Quotee=Atriox}} In an attempt to prevent Atriox from accessing Silent Auditorium or activate the ring, Cortana initiated a local self-destruction sequence at the Auditorium, killing herself, fracturing the ring's surface, and leaving the installation inoperable for the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}}{{Ref/Quest|Id=sa|HI|Endless|Silent Auditorium|Quote=It was her. She destroyed the Ring. Stopped my deletion.|Quotee=The Weapon}} Her efforts were proven to be temporary, as the ring soon begun its self-repair process,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Reverie #04 - On the Mend}} though it would take months to complete.{{Ref/Quest|Id=spire|HI|Connections|Spire (Halo Infinite level)|Spire}} Although he survived the explosion, Atriox was left severely scarred,{{Ref/Reuse|stinger}} and was also presumed dead by both the UNSC and the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} Cortana, in hopes of John-117's survival, predicted he would stop the Banished from accessing the Silent Auditorium and prevented the Weapon's deletion protocol so she could assist him,{{Ref/Reuse|sa}} leaving the Weapon in the ring's subterranean structure for retrieval.{{Ref/Quest|Id=foundation|HI|Ringfall|Foundation (Halo Infinite)|Foundation (Halo Infinite)}} At some point during the Installation 07 conflict, at least one [[Guardian Custode]] was present over Installation 07 and subsequently deactivated, crashing on the ring by [[2560]].{{Ref/Reuse|guardian}}

Despite the explosion, the Banished occupied the ring, with some UNSC forces gathering on one of the fragments.{{Ref/Site|Id=parallel|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/parallel-threads|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Parallel Threads|D=25|M=6|Y=2021}} The Banished committed a large force at the eastern fragmented sections of the ring.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Reformation|FOB November}} On one of the fragments to the west, a large group of survivors led by Spartan [[Hudson Griffin]] established a base of operations in the wreckage of the ''Mulsanne''-class frigate {{UNSCShip|Mortal Reverie}}, discovered by Spartan [[Vedrana Makovich]].{{Ref/Reuse|hafh}} Under the leadership of Spartan Griffin, the UNSC forces at the ''Reverie'' conducted guerilla ops against the Banished forces.{{Ref/Game|Id=oi13|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #13 - Trench Warfare}} [[First Lieutenant]] [[Floyd (Installation 07)|Floyd]] conducted multiple field surveys and reconnaissance missions on nearby Banished outposts, reporting his findings to Spartans Griffin, [[Bertold Vettel]], and [[Bonita Stone]],{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #02 - No Entry}}{{Ref/Game|Id=mem|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #10 - Making Ends Meet}} while also attempting to contact other UNSC forces.{{Ref/Reuse|oi13}} The UNSC also set up multiple [[Forward Operating Base]]s in the regions on the fragmented section of the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|s1}}

On [[2560#January|January 20, 2560]], Kovan conducted a recon sweep deep inside Banished-occupied territory. She observed that Banished forces were only unified under Escharum, with internal competition among its members. She reported her findings to Griffin, and suggested that an attempt on Banished [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]]'s life may fragment the Banished leadership. Griffin decided their best course of action was to assassinate the War Chief.{{Ref/Game|Id=r6w|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Reverie #06 - Weakness}} A four-Spartan team, the members of which were decided by drawing straws, was to infiltrate Banished territory and assassinate Escharum, while other Spartans remained at the ''Reverie'' to defend the base. In the end, on January 23, 2560, Spartan Griffin led Spartans [[Panago]], [[Henri Malik|Malik]], and [[Sarkar]] on an assassination mission on Escharum. Griffin left [[Bertold Vettel]] in charge of the UNSC forces at the ''Reverie''.{{Ref/Game|Id=tlb|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #02 - Those Left Behind}} However, Escharum anticipated Griffin's actions. His forces ambushed the Spartan team, killing the other three and leaving Griffin badly wounded. Escharum taunted Griffin, letting him know that he'd sent most of his forces to assault the ''Reverie''. Griffin managed to send an encrypted message to warn ''Reverie'' before Escharum captured and handed him over to [[Chak 'Lok]] for torture.{{Ref/Game|Id=r3c|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #03 - Confrontation}} Under the combined leadership of Vettel and the counsel of Makovich, the UNSC forces at the ''Reverie'' braced for the Banished's attack.{{Ref/Game|Id=dtl|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #06 - Drawing the Line}}

On January 31, 2560,{{Ref/Game|Id=rt|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #07 - Red Tide}} [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Tremonius]] and [[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Arthoc]] led a massive Banished force from [[Riven Gate (location)|Riven Gate]] in [[Assault on the Mortal Reverie|an assault]] against the ''Reverie''.{{Ref/Reuse|rt}}{{Ref/Game|Id=iyh|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #15 - In Your Honor}} Under an overwhelming assault, the UNSC forces retreated from the crash site on [[2560#February|February 2]].{{Ref/Game|Id=r8tr|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #08 - The Retreat}} Following the battle, the crash site surrounding the ship was converted into [[Outpost Tremonius (location)|a Banished outpost]]. As a reward for Tremonius' victory, Escharum had the outpost named after Tremonius,{{Ref/Reuse|iyh}} who would be promoted to the rank of [[Jiralhanae Warlord|Warlord]].{{Ref/Game|HI|[[Ascension (achievement)|Ascension]] achievement requirement|Quote=Defeated the Banished warlord Tremonius.}}

At some point after the ring's fragmentation, the [[511th Infantry Division]] established a base of operations in a [[Fragmentation|canyon]] and are surveying that fragment. While fighting off [[Sentinel]] patrols and [[Banished]] talons, they were attempting to make contact with UNSC forces in comms range.{{Ref/Site|Id=cf|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-foundations|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon fodder: Foundations|D=12|M=1|Y=2022}}

The surviving UNSC personnel were forced to conduct mostly defensive tactics over the next few months, losing their last Forward Operating Base by [[2560#March|March 3]].{{Ref/Game|Id=s1|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #01 - Rubicon Protocol}} Meanwhile, the Banished began setting up more infrastructure on the ring. They built sensory arrays at the [[Horn of Abolition (location)|Horn of Abolition]] and hijacked a Forerunner resonance amplifier to boost their relays,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #03 - A Boon}} thus always staying one step ahead of the UNSC forces.{{Ref/Game|Id=tal|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #04 - They are Listening}} They also established [[Annex Ridge (location)|Annex Ridge]], where they conducted research on the ring's artifacts.{{Ref/Game|Id=ahap|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #11 - A Hastily-Assembled Plan}} Escharum ordered his Banished forces to capture UNSC survivors,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #07 - That Which Remain}} who would be processed at [[Redoubt of Sundering (location)|Redoubt of Sundering]] before being taken to [[Chak 'Lok]]'s [[Tower]] for interrogation under torture and duress,{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Connections|Redoubt of Sundering|Quote=This must be where they processed prisoners before sending them to the Tower.|Quotee=The Weapon}} and then finally to Escharum's base, [[House of Reckoning (location)|House of Reckoning]].{{Ref/Reuse|tower}} The UNSC forces were unable to stage any major offensives due to the loss of an organized leadership, but what Spartans remained enacted the [[Rubicon Protocol]]: doing all they could to prevent the Banished from taking control of the ring and protect [[Earth]].{{Ref/Reuse|s1}} In one particular incident, Spartans [[M. Jaide]] and [[Rosado]] managed to hijack a [[Barukaza Workshop siege-hauler]] carrying artifacts from Annex Ridge.{{Ref/Reuse|ahap}}

With the Harbinger modifying the sequence, John-117 and the Weapon arrived at the Command Spire to find its entrance under lockdown. They fought through Banished defenses to access four Forerunner beacons nearby, where the Weapon reconstructed a pure version of the sequence to access the Spire. The Harbinger, having realized that there is something guiding the Master Chief, scanned the Weapon and confirmed her existence while the Weapon was accessing the data strands beneath the Forerunner beacons.{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}} John-117 and the Weapon returned to the Command Spire, first passing through the Nexus located at the base of the Spire. The Banished troops inside, despite being reinforced by [[Sentinel Aggressor]]s that were in support of initiating the Reformation, failed to fend off the Spartan, and John-117 uploaded the Weapon into the Nexus to activate the gravity lift to access the Spire. While the Weapon was in the system, the Harbinger hijacked the Weapon's routines,{{Ref/Quest|Id=nexus|HI|Reformation|Nexus}} which, when paired with Despondent Pyre's encephalon,{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}} would correctly initialize the Reformation. However, the Weapon infiltrated the systems and retrieved Pyre's encephalon, that would allow her to halt the Reformation.{{Ref/Reuse|nexus}} John-117 and the Weapon entered the Command Spire, where they defeated the Banished and Sentinel defenses, including Adjutant Resolution, then shut down the Reformation.{{Ref/Quest|Id=commandspire|HI|Reformation|The Command Spire}} However, the Silent Auditorium was already partially rebuilt, and Escharum asked the Harbinger if that would be sufficient to carry out her plans, but she was unsure.{{Ref/Quest|Id=repository|HI|Reckoning|[[Repository (Halo Infinite level)|Repository]]}}

*During the destruction event, Cortana initiated an emergency translocation protocol. Installation 07, along with the debris from the space battle, were transported away from the Ephsu system to an unknown location.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}}{{Ref/Reuse|oi9}}{{Ref/Novel|RP|Page=258}}

* Spartan Nina Kovan scouts the Banished deep within the red zone, discovering a potential vulnerability of the enemy in that infighting is encouraged. Only Escharum's leadership keeps them in check.{{Ref/Reuse|r6w}}

* Unofficial squads such as the [[Gravediggers]] and [[Hatetriox]] have been taking out Banished supply runners, raiding parties, towers, bridges and other Banished structures.{{Ref/Novel|RP|Page=166-167}}

|Barber

|[[Robin Dimka]]