Covenant remnants: Difference between revisions
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
=== The Great Schism and dissolution of the Covenant === | === The Great Schism and dissolution of the Covenant === | ||
{{main|Covenant separatists}} | {{main|Covenant separatists}} | ||
While select remnant factions, such as the [[Ussans]] or the [[Banished]], were already active before the Covenant's fall, many of the Covenant remnants can trace their origins to the aftermath of the [[Great Schism]] and [[Battle of the Citadel|the defeat of the Covenant]]. After the [[Hierarchs]] replaced the [[Sangheili]] with the [[Jiralhanae]] and ordered the genocide of the former, the Sangheili became [[Covenant separatists|separatists]] and rebelled against the [[San'Shyuum]]-led main body of the Covenant. Many of the Sangheili-led groups within the separatists that emerged from the conflict would continue to regard themselves as the "true" Covenant, some noting that the Sangheili had "kicked out" the [[San'Shyuum]]. | While select remnant factions, such as the [[Ussans]] or the [[Banished]], were already active before the Covenant's fall, many of the Covenant remnants can trace their origins to the aftermath of the [[Great Schism]] and [[Battle of the Citadel|the defeat of the Covenant]]. After the [[Hierarchs]] replaced the [[Sangheili]] with the [[Jiralhanae]] and ordered the genocide of the former, the Sangheili became [[Covenant separatists|separatists]] and rebelled against the [[San'Shyuum]]-led main body of the Covenant. Many of the Sangheili-led groups within the separatists that emerged from the conflict would continue to regard themselves as the "true" Covenant, some noting that the Sangheili had "kicked out" the [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Page=58}} Amidst the turmoil of the Great Schism, all groups of Sangheili were called to their base world [[Joyous Exultation]] under the leadership of [[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]], who announced the treachery of the Prophets and proposed the creation of a [[Joyous Exultation Covenant|new, Sangheili-led Covenant]]. After Wattinree and the forces gathered at Joyous Exultation were killed by a [[NOVA bomb]], the bulk of the Sangheili rallied behind [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]. This group, initially centered around the [[Fleet of Retribution]], would later come to call themselves the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Game|Id=h3|H3}} | ||
Many [[Unggoy]], [[Mgalekgolo]], [[Yanme'e]] and [[Kig-Yar]] remained within either the Jiralhanae's or the Sangheili's respective command hierarchies and continued to serve their masters throughout the Great Schism. | Many [[Unggoy]], [[Mgalekgolo]], [[Yanme'e]] and [[Kig-Yar]] remained within either the Jiralhanae's or the Sangheili's respective command hierarchies and continued to serve their masters throughout the Great Schism.{{Ref/Level|Id=uprising|H2|Uprising}}{{Ref/Level|Id=gj|H2|The Great Journey}} | ||
=== Post-war period and new factions=== | === Post-war period and new factions=== | ||
After the death of the [[High Prophet of Truth]] and many of the Prophets at the hands of the Sangheili, the remaining San'Shyuum went into hiding, leaving a power vacuum within the remains of the Covenant. | After the death of the [[High Prophet of Truth]] and many of the Prophets at the hands of the Sangheili, the remaining San'Shyuum went into hiding, leaving a power vacuum within the remains of the Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|Id=return|Evo|Detail=[[The Return]]|Page=506}} With their enemies defeated, the Sangheili-led separatists no longer had a common goal to unify them. Various high-ranked members of the fallen hegemony seized control of as many military assets as they could; many split off and became independent warlords commanding their own factions, some of them claiming to be legitimate successors to the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}} Others, including many Sangheili [[kaidon]]s, hoarded ships and weapons for their own purposes while avoiding involvement in larger conflicts.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=295-296}} | ||
[[Human]]ity was also entangled in the Covenant remnants' post-war power dynamics. Conducting its own operations unknown to the rest of the UNSC, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] armed Sangheili dissidents of the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] and even covertly attacked their allied Sangheili, the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], to maintain the balance of power between the two factions. ONI was also indirectly responsible for the formation of one of the most prominent post-war factions self proclaiming to be a new "Covenant", led by the Sangheili [[Jul 'Mdama]]. After escaping ONI detainment on the [[shield world]]-based ONI research facility [[Trevelyan]], 'Mdama learned of [[Raia|his wife]]'s death during the [[Blooding Years]] and vowed revenge on the humans due to their involvement in his species' affairs. 'Mdama, assisted by Sangheili from a remote colony planet called [[Hesduros]], formed [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|a new "Covenant"]] and eventually traveled to the Forerunner world [[Requiem]] and wake the "living god" known as [[Ur-Didact|the Didact]] to assist their smaller faction in their ambitious goal of eradicating humanity.{{Ref/Reuse|Thursday War}} | [[Human]]ity was also entangled in the Covenant remnants' post-war power dynamics. Conducting its own operations unknown to the rest of the UNSC, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] armed Sangheili dissidents of the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] and even covertly attacked their allied Sangheili, the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], to maintain the balance of power between the two factions. ONI was also indirectly responsible for the formation of one of the most prominent post-war factions self proclaiming to be a new "Covenant", led by the Sangheili [[Jul 'Mdama]]. After escaping ONI detainment on the [[shield world]]-based ONI research facility [[Trevelyan]], 'Mdama learned of [[Raia|his wife]]'s death during the [[Blooding Years]] and vowed revenge on the humans due to their involvement in his species' affairs. 'Mdama, assisted by Sangheili from a remote colony planet called [[Hesduros]], formed [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|a new "Covenant"]] and eventually traveled to the Forerunner world [[Requiem]] and wake the "living god" known as [[Ur-Didact|the Didact]] to assist their smaller faction in their ambitious goal of eradicating humanity.{{Ref/Reuse|Thursday War}} | ||
Covenant remnants hostile to humanity have been informally referred to as "Covies" by the [[United Nations Space Command]],<ref>[[Spartan Ops]] [[Departure]] "The Covies...they believe this is the home of one of their gods."</ref> | Covenant remnants hostile to humanity have been informally referred to as "Covies" by the [[United Nations Space Command]],<ref>[[Spartan Ops]] [[Departure]] "The Covies...they believe this is the home of one of their gods."</ref>{{Ref/Comic|TFS|Detail=''[[On the Brink]]''|Quote=If we hadn't jumped in, Covies would have blown this place sky high!}} despite the various remnants existing as entirely different organizations than the original Covenant empire. | ||
=== New conflicts === | === New conflicts === | ||
{{Summarize|section}} | {{Summarize|section}} | ||
{{Main|Post-Covenant War conflicts}} | {{Main|Post-Covenant War conflicts}} | ||
The greater [[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war|Sangheili-Jiralhanae feud]] continued in the background for years in the wake of the [[Great Schism]], taking its toll on both species.{{Ref/Reuse|return}} In [[2553]], [[Tem'Bhetek's faction|a faction]] led by [[Prelate]] [[Tem'Bhetek]] and Minister of Preparation [[Boru'a'Neem]] and their Jiralhanae forces sought to destroy Sanghelios and all life in its system using a [[Prototype Halo installation]]. This plan was foiled by the crew of the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', resulting in the dissolution of the faction. After discovering that he had been fooled by Preparation, the Prelate sacrificed himself to destroy the installation, ensuring the end of the threat it posed.{{Ref/Reuse|Shadow of Intent}} The conflict between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae began to intensify as the years passed and the later's resources began to dwindle. This prompted the Jiralhanae to raid Sangheili-held territories for foodstuffs and other supplies, as they were unable of obtaining the resources themselves due to their disorganized and barbaric nature. | The greater [[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war|Sangheili-Jiralhanae feud]] continued in the background for years in the wake of the [[Great Schism]], taking its toll on both species.{{Ref/Reuse|return}} In [[2553]], [[Tem'Bhetek's faction|a faction]] led by [[Prelate]] [[Tem'Bhetek]] and Minister of Preparation [[Boru'a'Neem]] and their Jiralhanae forces sought to destroy Sanghelios and all life in its system using a [[Prototype Halo installation]]. This plan was foiled by the crew of the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', resulting in the dissolution of the faction. After discovering that he had been fooled by Preparation, the Prelate sacrificed himself to destroy the installation, ensuring the end of the threat it posed.{{Ref/Reuse|Shadow of Intent}} The conflict between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae began to intensify as the years passed and the later's resources began to dwindle. This prompted the Jiralhanae to raid Sangheili-held territories for foodstuffs and other supplies, as they were unable of obtaining the resources themselves due to their disorganized and barbaric nature.{{Ref/Comic|Id=escalation1|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue 1]]''}} | ||
Defying the tenuous [[Treaty of 2552|peace]] between humanity and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], representing the majority of the Sangheili, a few | Defying the tenuous [[Treaty of 2552|peace]] between humanity and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], representing the majority of the Sangheili, a few newly formed Sangheili-led factions—mainly religious cultists—began to oppose the UNSC after the end of the war in smaller skirmishes. In [[2554]], the planet of [[Draetheus V]] was [[Battle of Draetheus V|attacked]] by [[Merg Vol's Covenant]]. This group was eventually stopped by UNSC forces and Merg Vol was executed by [[Spartan Operations|Spartan]] [[Sarah Palmer]].{{Ref/Game|Sa}} In [[2557]], [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] [[Battle of Requiem|engaged UNSC forces]], including their flagship {{UNSCShip|Infinity|Infinity}}, at [[Requiem]]. During these events, [[Ur-Didact|the Didact]] was awakened and soon joined forces with Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, although he was eventually [[New Phoenix Incident|defeated]] by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] over [[Earth]], and shortly after in the [[Composer's Forge]].{{Ref/Game|H4}} After the Didact's apparent death, control over his mechanical [[Promethean]] armies passed on to 'Mdama. Six months later, the UNSC again contested the occupying Covenant forces in the [[Requiem Campaign]], ending in the shield world's destruction at the hands of 'Mdama.<ref name="departure">''Spartan Ops'', S1E1 ''Departure''</ref> | ||
Only weeks after the destruction of Requiem, [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|a mercanary organization]] that splintered off of 'Mdama's Covenant was hired by the human [[insurrectionist]] group [[New Colonial Alliance]] to [[Battle of Ealen IV|disrupt]] peace negotiations between the Arbiter and the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]] on [[Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}}{{Ref/Reuse|escalation1}} During July 2558, [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|another splinter group]] of 'Mdama's Covenant attempted to rebel against the main faction, but 'Mdama's forces managed to capture its leader, [[Sali 'Nyon]], and eliminate all his followers. | Only weeks after the destruction of Requiem, [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|a mercanary organization]] that splintered off of 'Mdama's Covenant was hired by the human [[insurrectionist]] group [[New Colonial Alliance]] to [[Battle of Ealen IV|disrupt]] peace negotiations between the Arbiter and the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]] on [[Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}}{{Ref/Reuse|escalation1}} During July 2558, [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|another splinter group]] of 'Mdama's Covenant attempted to rebel against the main faction, but 'Mdama's forces managed to capture its leader, [[Sali 'Nyon]], and eliminate all his followers.{{Ref/Comic|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue 16]]''}} Eventually, 'Nyon would escape captivity and lead a mutiny aboard the assault carrier ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'', successfully breaking away and gathering more followers.{{Ref/Comic|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 24|Issue 24]]''}} | ||
A few of the more fanatical new factions have resumed the practice of [[glassing]] [[human colonies]] after the end of the Covenant War. The colony of [[Cleyell]] fell victim to such an attack in [[2556]]. | A few of the more fanatical new factions have resumed the practice of [[glassing]] [[human colonies]] after the end of the Covenant War. The colony of [[Cleyell]] fell victim to such an attack in [[2556]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE17|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 17|Issue 17]]''}} However due to the lack of resources and size, these factions typically resorted to terrorist attacks. In early 2556, the human colony of [[Sedra]] suffered a [[bioweapon]] [[Terrorist attack on Sedra City|attack]] from a Sangheili insurgent belonging to an unidentified faction, utilizing a new element native to [[Alpha Shard|a fragment]] of [[Installation 04]]. A subsequent [[Mission to Alpha Shard|mission]] to the shard destroyed the deposits of the element, preventing its future use, but the perpetrators behind the attack were left unknown. Part of the mission was to capture the smugglers mining the element to prove that the Sangheili had broken the treaty which forbade either side from returning to Installation 04. However, both smugglers perished during the mission and the survivors were unable to retrieve any proof.{{Ref/Film|Id=Nightfall|HN}} | ||
In [[2557]], some of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant led by [[Gek 'Lhar]] discovered the remnants of the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] known as the [[Etran Harborage]] which had [[Battle of the Etran Harborage|been destroyed]] in [[2531]] by the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}. Following a brief skirmish with the crew of the ''[[Ace of Spades]]'', his Covenant forces retreated.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Smoke and Shadow|SaS}} [[ONI]] subsequently found the debris field by forcing the ''Ace of Spades'' crew to give up their data. However, [[Mission to the Korinth Prior system|a subsequent mission]] encountered Gek 'Lhar's forces who had returned to plunder the debris field for themselves. Though the {{UNSCShip|Taurokado}} retreated from the system, the UNSC returned again with a massive UNSC fleet which launched a huge nuclear bombardment against the shield world remnants, destroying it and keeping any surviving Forerunner technology out of the hands of Gek 'Lhar and thus Jul 'Mdama.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Renegades|Ren}} | In [[2557]], some of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant led by [[Gek 'Lhar]] discovered the remnants of the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] known as the [[Etran Harborage]] which had [[Battle of the Etran Harborage|been destroyed]] in [[2531]] by the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}. Following a brief skirmish with the crew of the ''[[Ace of Spades]]'', his Covenant forces retreated.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Smoke and Shadow|SaS}} [[ONI]] subsequently found the debris field by forcing the ''Ace of Spades'' crew to give up their data. However, [[Mission to the Korinth Prior system|a subsequent mission]] encountered Gek 'Lhar's forces who had returned to plunder the debris field for themselves. Though the {{UNSCShip|Taurokado}} retreated from the system, the UNSC returned again with a massive UNSC fleet which launched a huge nuclear bombardment against the shield world remnants, destroying it and keeping any surviving Forerunner technology out of the hands of Gek 'Lhar and thus Jul 'Mdama.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Renegades|Ren}} | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
In [[2558]], tensions continued to rise between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae, but also between two Sangheili factions on the planet [[Carrow]] in one of the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s. In September, it turned into [[Carrow Conflict|an all-out conflict]] after the more extreme [[Thars 'Sarov]] called in a [[Jiralhanae]] faction led by [[Hekabe]] to aid him in an uneasy alliance. Thars was planing to backstab the Jiralhanae once they had served their use, while Hekabe had ulterior plans of his own intending to unleash hundreds of thousands of [[Sharquoi]] from their hive beneath the planet's surface to gain galactic dominance for himself and his Jiralhanae. The conflict led to the decimation of all three factions, but the aid of [[Spartan-II]] [[Gray Team]] and the [[Surakan Militia Volunteers]] ensured the destruction of the Sharquoi hive and the death of Hekabe and the end of his plans as well as the death of Thars. The consequences of the conflict led the new Sangheili leader on the planet, [[Kaidon]] [[Akato 'Dakaj]], to recognize the need for the humans and Sangheili to have a closer relationship if they were to survive. Though [[Rojka 'Kasaan]], the leader of the more friendly of the three factions survived, he agreed to act as an envoy between the Sangheili and the humans rather than trying to take up a leadership position again.{{Ref/Reuse|Env}} | In [[2558]], tensions continued to rise between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae, but also between two Sangheili factions on the planet [[Carrow]] in one of the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s. In September, it turned into [[Carrow Conflict|an all-out conflict]] after the more extreme [[Thars 'Sarov]] called in a [[Jiralhanae]] faction led by [[Hekabe]] to aid him in an uneasy alliance. Thars was planing to backstab the Jiralhanae once they had served their use, while Hekabe had ulterior plans of his own intending to unleash hundreds of thousands of [[Sharquoi]] from their hive beneath the planet's surface to gain galactic dominance for himself and his Jiralhanae. The conflict led to the decimation of all three factions, but the aid of [[Spartan-II]] [[Gray Team]] and the [[Surakan Militia Volunteers]] ensured the destruction of the Sharquoi hive and the death of Hekabe and the end of his plans as well as the death of Thars. The consequences of the conflict led the new Sangheili leader on the planet, [[Kaidon]] [[Akato 'Dakaj]], to recognize the need for the humans and Sangheili to have a closer relationship if they were to survive. Though [[Rojka 'Kasaan]], the leader of the more friendly of the three factions survived, he agreed to act as an envoy between the Sangheili and the humans rather than trying to take up a leadership position again.{{Ref/Reuse|Env}} | ||
In October [[2558]], 'Mdama's Covenant suffered a disastrous setback when its leader was killed by [[Fireteam Osiris]] while [[Battle of Kamchatka|engaging Promethean forces]]. 'Mdama's forces would continue in his name, including an attempt to [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND|secure]] the ONI research vessel ''[[Argent Moon]]'' and [[Battle of Nuusra|an attack]] on Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s keep, but were ultimately destroyed in a [[Battle of Sunaion|a counterattack]] by the Swords of Sanghelios and [[Fireteam Osiris]] against their last major stronghold on Sanghelios, [[Sunaion]]. After learning of the destruction of 'Mdama's Covenant, the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] considered the Covenant to be completely gone and believed that only they and the Swords of Sanghelios were left of the factions that developed after the Covenant fell. | In October [[2558]], 'Mdama's Covenant suffered a disastrous setback when its leader was killed by [[Fireteam Osiris]] while [[Battle of Kamchatka|engaging Promethean forces]]. 'Mdama's forces would continue in his name, including an attempt to [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND|secure]] the ONI research vessel ''[[Argent Moon]]'' and [[Battle of Nuusra|an attack]] on Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s keep, but were ultimately destroyed in a [[Battle of Sunaion|a counterattack]] by the Swords of Sanghelios and [[Fireteam Osiris]] against their last major stronghold on Sanghelios, [[Sunaion]]. After learning of the destruction of 'Mdama's Covenant, the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] considered the Covenant to be completely gone and believed that only they and the Swords of Sanghelios were left of the factions that developed after the Covenant fell.{{Ref/Novel|LoO|Chapter=??}} The Servants instigated the [[Second Onyx conflict]] around the time that the [[Created conflict]] was beginning.{{Ref/Reuse|loo}} | ||
Following the closure of the [[Portal at Voi]] due to the Created conflict, forces from the [[Jiralhanae]]-led mercenary organization known as the [[Banished]] [[Attack on Installation 00|attacked]] [[Installation 00|the Ark]] in [[intergalactic space]] and took over the installation from the UNSC. In [[2559#March|March 2559]], the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} was pulled to the Ark through a [[slipspace portal]] under mysterious circumstances and [[Second Ark Conflict|engaged the Banished]] for control of the Ark. The ''Spirit of Fire'' managed to destroy the Banished [[flagship]], the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'', stranding both forces on the Ark and later launched [[Installation 09|a new Halo ring]] in an attempt to get a [[distress beacon]] back to UNSC space.{{Ref/Game|Id=HW2|HW2}} A disastrous mission to the ruins of [[High Charity]] resulted in [[Outbreak on Installation 00|a brief Flood outbreak]] on the Ark, but it was quickly contained by the Banished. | Following the closure of the [[Portal at Voi]] due to the Created conflict, forces from the [[Jiralhanae]]-led mercenary organization known as the [[Banished]] [[Attack on Installation 00|attacked]] [[Installation 00|the Ark]] in [[intergalactic space]] and took over the installation from the UNSC. In [[2559#March|March 2559]], the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} was pulled to the Ark through a [[slipspace portal]] under mysterious circumstances and [[Second Ark Conflict|engaged the Banished]] for control of the Ark. The ''Spirit of Fire'' managed to destroy the Banished [[flagship]], the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'', stranding both forces on the Ark and later launched [[Installation 09|a new Halo ring]] in an attempt to get a [[distress beacon]] back to UNSC space.{{Ref/Game|Id=HW2|HW2}} A disastrous mission to the ruins of [[High Charity]] resulted in [[Outbreak on Installation 00|a brief Flood outbreak]] on the Ark, but it was quickly contained by the Banished.{{Ref/Game|HW2|Detail=''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare|Awakening the Nightmare]]''}} | ||
By [[2559#October|October 2559]], the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] and two other Jiralhanae legions had joined forces with the Banished. On the Ark, Atriox had ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' [[Raid on Anodyne Spirit|raided]] for the fragments of [[Menachite Forerunner crystal]] that were once collected by [[Tartarus]] and given to the [[Prophet of Truth]].{{Ref/Reuse|Sacrifice}} A message was sent to [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]] to locate the [[Menachite portal complex|Portal Under the Mountain]] on [[Reach]] in order for Atriox to return to the Milky Way, ostensibly to bring Banished reinforcements back to the Ark. During this time, Blue Team launched [[Operation: WOLFE|an operation]] to recover important objects from the ruins of [[CASTLE Base]] for Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]]. Blue Team inadvertently led the Banished forces to the portal complex where a human acolyte of the Keepers activated a slipspace portal to the Ark. Atriox and some of his forces returned in a [[Banished Lich]], but he departed for a more important mission of some sort, leaving behind thousands of Banished troops to hold the Ark. Determined to begin the Great Journey, the Keepers used the Lich to travel through the portal before it closed. During an encounter with [[Fred-104]] in the tunnels, [[Veta Lopis]] was able to pass him a message warning ONI of the Keepers and Atriox's plans.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR|SoR}} | By [[2559#October|October 2559]], the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] and two other Jiralhanae legions had joined forces with the Banished. On the Ark, Atriox had ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' [[Raid on Anodyne Spirit|raided]] for the fragments of [[Menachite Forerunner crystal]] that were once collected by [[Tartarus]] and given to the [[Prophet of Truth]].{{Ref/Reuse|Sacrifice}} A message was sent to [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]] to locate the [[Menachite portal complex|Portal Under the Mountain]] on [[Reach]] in order for Atriox to return to the Milky Way, ostensibly to bring Banished reinforcements back to the Ark. During this time, Blue Team launched [[Operation: WOLFE|an operation]] to recover important objects from the ruins of [[CASTLE Base]] for Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]]. Blue Team inadvertently led the Banished forces to the portal complex where a human acolyte of the Keepers activated a slipspace portal to the Ark. Atriox and some of his forces returned in a [[Banished Lich]], but he departed for a more important mission of some sort, leaving behind thousands of Banished troops to hold the Ark. Determined to begin the Great Journey, the Keepers used the Lich to travel through the portal before it closed. During an encounter with [[Fred-104]] in the tunnels, [[Veta Lopis]] was able to pass him a message warning ONI of the Keepers and Atriox's plans.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR|SoR}} | ||
