Operation: RED FLAG: Difference between revisions

Despite the [[Fall of Reach]], the loss of most of the SPARTAN-II force assigned to the operation, the death of almost all ''Pillar of Autumn'''s crew, and the destruction of the vessel at [[Battle of Installation 04]], [[John-117]] had every intention of continuing Operation: RED FLAG, despite arguments against it by [[Elias Haverson|Lieutenant Elias Haverson]] and Cortana. During the [[Skirmish over Threshold]], the Master Chief actually succeeded in part of the operation by capturing the {{Pattern|Ruma|light carrier}} ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', but lacked the personnel to continue the mission. The Master Chief only agreed to not continue the mission after proper instructions were given by the [[UNSC High Command|Admiralty]] on Earth.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''pages 90-93''</ref> RED FLAG was also considered as a possible way to stop the planned Covenant attack on Earth, but was discarded as an option as John-117 knew that they couldn't risk the ''Gettysburg''-''Ascendant Justice''. Instead, the SPARTANS went with [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]].

Ultimately, the plans would be canceled by a lack of resources and manpower. The [[Battle of Earth|invasion of Earth]] began shortly after the remains of RED FLAG arrived back at the homeworld, effectively scrubbing any chances of a high-risk offensive by special warfare units accompanied by fleet support.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level [[Cairo Station]]</ref> However, events initiated within the ranks of the [[Hierarchs]] and [[High Council]] would provide a similar outcome to that envisioned by High Command and Naval Intelligence just months before. An ongoing feud between the increasing [[Jiralhanae]] threat encroaching on [[Sangheili]] commanders throughout the military planned by the Hierarchs would ultimately culminate in its fall, the [[Great Schism]] tore a rift between these two castes, with the former of the two species becoming the favored guardians of the [[Great Journey]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', level [[Tayari Plaza]]</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level [[Gravemind (level)|''Gravemind'']]</ref> These events came to a head following Supreme Commander [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee's failure to prevent the [[Battle of Installation 04|destruction of Installation 04]], causing considerable turmoil within the Covenant. Taking advantage of these brewing events, on November 2, 2552, the former Spartan leader of RED FLAG managed to infiltrate a heavily-occupied area on [[Installation 05]] (Delta Halo), defeat a detachment of [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]], and assassinate the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]], having been informed of the Covenant's ultimate goal: the firing of the Halo rings.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level [[Regret (Halo 2 level)|''Regret'']]</ref> Just days after during a [[Flood]] assault on ''[[High Charity]]'', the [[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]] was killed by the spreading infection in front of John-117.

A month later, a joint Human-Sangheili force of the [[Fleet of Retribution]] led by [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] began an [[Battle of the Citadel|operation]] to destroy the remaining command elements of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] and his fleet at the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]]. This joint force destroyed a handful of Covenant infantry forces, in addition to their armor and aerial assets. The push to the Citadel ultimately led to end of the Human-Covenant War with the assassination of the Prophet of Truth by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], with John-117 as witness.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', level [[The Covenant (level)|''The Covenant'']]</ref>