Andrew Del Rio: Difference between revisions

Following the disappearance of a science team on [[Ivanoff Station]] in [[2557]], the ''UNSC Infinity'' went to assist, and Del Rio picked up a distress call from the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, sent out by [[John-117]] and [[Cortana]]. Del Rio then found the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] of [[Requiem]] and began to approach the planet, sending out transmissions to try and contact John.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> Eventually Cortana was able to respond to Del Rio's transmissions, but they continued to be garbled. Not fully hearing Cortana's warnings not to approach Requiem, Del Rio guided the ''Infinity'' to the entrance portal and was pulled in the planet, crashing in the jungles of Requiem.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> Del Rio sent out Lasky and [[Spartan-IV]] [[Sarah Palmer]] to retrieve John. Del Rio believed the ''Infinity'' could provide covering fire and defend itself. However it failed in both, as [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant remnant]] forces led by the [[Didact]] forced their way to the bridge. Only John was able to save the ship by activating the defenses using a [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System|Mantis]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity]]''</ref>

Meeting with John and Cortana on the bridge, Del Rio discussed the hostile [[Promethean]] response on Requiem. He sent John and [[Gypsy Company]] to disable the [[gravity well]] keeping the ship on the planet as he wanted to leave immediately. Del Rio showed disrespect for the Spartan, and refused to give him optimal intelligence on the mission, though he did provide a [[Mobile Anti-Aircraft Weapons Platform M510 Siegework/Ultra-Heavy|Mammoth]]. However, Covenant forces eventually began attacking the ''Infinity''. John managed to disable the gravity well and defeat the Covenant. Back aboard ''Infinity'', John tried to convince Del Rio not to leave Requiem, citing his encounter with the [[Librarian]] AI. Del Rio did not believe him, believing him and Cortana to be delusional. He instead ordered that the vessel retreat to [[Carinae Station]], prompting an outburst of anger from an increasingly rampant Cortana. Del Rio ordered Lasky to immediately remove her for decommissioning per [[UNSC Regulation 12-145-72, Article 55|UNSC regulation]]. Before Lasky could comply, John took Cortana himself. Furious, Del Rio John surrender Cortana, but the Spartan calmly refused. Del Rio ordered a lieutenant to arrest John, but everyone on the bridge ignored the captain, prompting John to walk away.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> Del Rio sent Lasky to stop John from leaving; instead, Lasky provided the Master Chief with a means to escape, presumably telling Del Rio that the Spartan had already left.<ref name="shutdown">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Shutdown]]''</ref>

Del Rio then returned to [[Earth]] aboard ''Infinity''.<ref name="shutdown"/> Some time before the Didact [[New Phoenix Incident|reached Earth]], however, [[FLEETCOM]], Fleet Admiral [[Terrence Hood]], and the rest of the [[UNSC Security Council]]<ref name="universe"/> disagreed with his decisions on Requiem, especially his abandonment of the Master Chief. He was relieved from ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s command and replaced with Thomas Lasky,<ref name="midnight">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> and Del Rio was to undergo an investigation to judge his actions. Though initial investigations decided that his analysis to abandon John-117 was proven correct by the failure of the UNSC Home Fleet to slow or stop ''Mantle's Approach'' from composing New Phoenix, it mattered little with the return of the Master Chief and his victory over the Didact.<ref name="universe"/>

With no prospect of a new command while the UEG and UNSC continued to investigate the New Phoenix Incident, Del Rio decided to retire. By [[2558]], Del Rio had utilized his connections and accumulated favors to begin an obscure, though rewarding, political career on one of the [[Jovian Moons|Jovian moons]] and eventually replaced a deceased senator of the [[Unified Earth Government Senate]].<ref name="universe"/><ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=166069771&postcount=7709 '''NeoGAF''': ''Halo 5 Guardians: #huntthetruth - Page 155''] (Frankie: "''He took the seat of a recently deceased Senator. And as we see in real politics, the electorate only cares about a scandal if it helps their guy.''")</ref> In the Senate, Del Rio proved to be popular and a remarkably able politician and bureaucrat.<ref name="universe"/> After the [[Raid on Biko peace talks|events]] on [[Biko]], Del Rio called a press conference at the [[Congressional Plaza]], praising the SPARTAN-IV program and calling for the decommissioning of the remaining Spartan-IIs, as well as the arrest of John-117—calling him a "false Spartan" and a "broken bastardization of a soldier".<ref name="HtT10"/> After the UEG released additional security footage of the attacks, revealing the Master Chief's innocence, Del Rio recanted his earlier condemnations and stated that John-117 was a hero. After praising the Spartan, Del Rio took a brief leave of absence, claiming it was due to unrelated family matters.<ref name="htt13">'''Hunt the Truth''', ''Episode 13: IN THE BAG''</ref>

Del Rio performed poorly under pressure. During the Battle of Requiem, he became increasingly frustrated, and became angry when others questioned his orders. When directly challenged, he was reduced to a screaming rage, demanding the arrest of the Master Chief for refusing to surrender Cortana for decommissioning, though it was an order nobody on the bridge followed through on.