Battle of Installation 05: Difference between revisions

|prev=[[Battle of the Gas Mine]]

|conc=[[First Battle of High Charity|First Battle of ''High Charity'']], [[Great Schism]], [[Battle of Earth]]

|side4=[[Flood]]

*[[CCS-class Battlecruiser|CCS-class Battlecruiser]]s

*[[Scarab]]

*[[Wraith]]s

*[[Spectre]]s

*[[Banshee]]s

*[[Ghost]]s

*[[Reverence-class Cruiser|''Reverence''-class Cruiser]]s

*[[CCS-class Battlecruiser|CCS-class Battlecruiser]]s

*[[Sentinel Constructor Factory|Sentinel Constructor Factories]] (2+)

|forces4=*[[Flood]] forms

**[[Infection Form]]s

**[[Combat Form]]s

**[[Carrier Form]]s

The '''Battle of Installation 05''', also known as the '''Battle for the Second Ring of the Gods''' among the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]],<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 241'')</ref> was a major engagement between the [[United Nations Space Command]], Covenant, [[Forerunner]] [[Sentinels]], and the [[Flood]] on the Forerunner [[Halo Array|ringworld]] [[Installation 05]], otherwise known as "Delta Halo".

At the beginning of the [[Battle of Earth]], the [[Prophet of Regret]] led [[Regret's fleet|a small fleet]] of two [[Covenant assault carrier|assault carrier]]s and thirteen [[CCS-class Battlecruiser]]s on an expeditionary raid that stumbled upon [[Earth]], humanity's homeworld and the UNSC's strongest fortress. After substantial ground, air, and space losses, Regret fled in [[Regret's assault carrier|his assault carrier]] over [[New Mombasa]] to Installation 05.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref><ref name="deltahalo">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo (level)|Delta Halo]]''</ref>

Regret's assault carrier took position over the installation, establishing a solid ground presence with armor and patrols of [[Banshee]]s, and also companies of infantry by means of [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|dropships]]. The Covenant ground forces fortified themselves in a series of Forerunner ruins and temple structures, establishing [[Shade|anti-air defenses]].<ref name="deltahalo"/>

Meanwhile, the ''In Amber Clad'' trailed behind, and after the assault carrier moved off, [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]], captain of the ''In Amber Clad'', ordered a [[platoon]] of [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s and [[John-117|SPARTAN-117]] to establish a landing zone near a series of ruins and temples on Installation 05 to allow [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]] to bring in two flights of [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]] to further expand the UNSC presence. The frigate made a quick pass-over of a segment of the ringworld, deploying a dozen [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV pods]]. Six survived the atmosphere of the ring, and only four personnel eventually survived the impact - SPARTAN-117 and three ODSTs. However, before they could land in the ruins, they were detected by the Covenant. Upon landing, SPARTAN-117 led the ODSTs in eliminating Covenant Shades and holding their position against waves of Covenant troops until a Pelican could drop off a [[M12 Warthog LRV|Warthog]] and a pair of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]].<ref name="deltahalo"/>

[[File:H2 IAC Hover.jpg|thumb|left|The [[UNSC In Amber Clad|''In Amber Clad'']] passes over [[Installation 05]], preparing to release a dozen [[Human Entry Vehicle]]s to begin the UNSC offensive on the installation.]]  

[[File:H2 SPARTAN117 Make Noise.jpg|left|thumb|[[SPARTAN-117]] readies an [[M19 Rocket Launcher]] and an [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|M7 SMG]].]]

After SPARTAN-117 and his men pushed through two Forerunner ruins, another Pelican air-dropped [[resupply canister]]s and a small number of Marines, refueling the UNSC offensive as they advanced through a Covenant-held ravine. They proceeded to another temple, this one with a [[Holography|hologram]] of the Prophet of Regret, who was sermonizing in a main Forerunner temple to prepare for the activation of the ring and the sublimation event of the "[[Great Journey]]". After learning all of the information the Prophet could provide, his elimination became the primary objective for SPARTAN-117, as his death would destabilize the Covenant politically and religiously. After [[Cortana]] deciphered the hologram, John-117 and a pair of Marines battled through a pair of Covenant-held temples before reaching an open platform. At the time, the Covenant became aware of UNSC activity, and began becoming aggressive, so Commander Keyes sent several Pelicans towards John-117, which air-dropped more resupply canisters on the platform.<ref name="regret">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (level)|Regret]]''</ref>

However, the Covenant were ultimately unsuccessful. The UNSC, after clearing out the last ruins, were able to secure a landing zone for a [[D77-TC Pelican Dropship|Pelican]] to air-drop resupply canisters and a team of Marines, who aided SPARTAN-117 in the final push towards the main temple. The UNSC forces commandeered a gondola, and fespite being attacked by Covenant [[Banshee]]s and [[Sangheili Ranger]]s, they were able to gain access to the main temple. After destroying several defense turrets, they entered the temple as the Prophet of Regret was finishing his sermon.<ref name="regret"/>

Meanwhile, ''High Charity'' reverted from Slipspace over Installation 05, along with the hundreds of warships of the [[High Charity Defense Fleet]]. Responding to a distress signal from Regret, [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] planned to storm the temple by Phantom dropships in an urgent measure to kill SPARTAN-117 and defend the Prophet leader. However, the treacherous [[Prophet of Truth]] diverted the Phantoms, deliberately allowing the [[SPARTAN-II]] to kill Regret as part of his socio-political plans for the Covenant.<ref name="regret"/>

[[File:H2 Rtas Vadumee Arguing.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rtas 'Vadumee]], flanked by a pair of [[Sangheili Minor]]s, protests the [[Changing of the Guard]] before the [[Prophet of Truth]].]]

{{Quote|[[Thel 'Vadam|You]] will journey to the surface of the [[Installation 05|ring]], and retrieve this [[Sacred Icon]]. With it, [[Covenant|we]] shall fulfill our promise, and begin the [[Great Journey]].|[[Prophet of Truth]] to the [[Thel 'Vadam]]}}

{{Quote|Recommissioning the [[Honor Guard|guard]] was a radical step, but recent events have made it abundantly clear that the Elites can no longer guarantee [[Prophet|our]] safety.|[[Prophet of Truth]] to [[Rtas 'Vadumee]]}}

[[File:H2 Containment Shield.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tartarus]]'s [[Phantom]] nears the [[Sentinel Wall]] to deploy the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]], with the [[Containment Shield]] and the [[Library]] visible in the background.]]

{{Quote|Once the [[Containment Shield|shield]] is down, we'll head straight to the Library. I do not wish to keep the [[Prophet|Hierarchs]] waiting.|[[Tartarus]] to the Arbiter}}

Before either faction could reach the Library, it was shielded by the [[Containment Shield]] - a recognized impenetrable energy shield denying ''anyone'' access to the Library. The shield was projected by a Forerunner power generator buried within the [[Sentinel Wall]], a large Forerunner complex heavily defended by various types of [[Sentinels]], and [[Enforcers]]. Numbers of Jiralhanae, Kig-yar and Unggoy had already attempted to penetrate the Sentinel Wall, with pockets scattered all over the facility, all being overwhelmed by Sentinel defenders. However, the Arbiter was air-dropped by [[Tartarus]]'s Phantom at the periphery of the wall in the beginning phase of a Covenant offensive to deactivate the Containment Shield, enter the Library, and seize the Sacred Icon.  

Tartarus attempted to pick up the Arbiter and head directly for the Library, but his Phantom was engaged by an Enforcer, forcing the Arbiter to battle through through the warring Flood and Sentinels that resided in the Flood-Infested Wall by himself.<ref name="guide115">'''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]''', ''page 115''</ref> However, the Arbiter was not alone - the UNSC had dispatched a squad of Marines to also fight through the facility, but they were overwhelmed by the Flood, leaving a trail of crumpled bodies throughout the facility and fueling the Flood's ever-growing army. The Covenant apparently sent a small team of three Special Operations Sangheili to clear out the lower levels of the complex, but these too were killed. Finally, the Arbiter managed to exit from the Sentinel Wall and enter the battle-torn icy plains of the [[Quarantine Zone]].

[[File:H2 Rtas Vadumee Rally.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rtas 'Vadumee]] valiantly rallies his [[Special Operations Sangheili]], informing them that they must advance towards the center of the [[Quarantine Zone]] and destroy the [[Flood]].]]

{{Quote|We shall cut into the heart of [[Flood|this infestation]], retrieve the [[Sacred Icon|icon]], and burn any Flood that stand in our way! Forward, warriors, and fear not pain or death!|[[Rtas 'Vadumee]]}}

The Arbiter met with three of the Sangheili just outside of the Sentinel Wall, and together, they defended a small hill from the Flood before pushing inwards, where the Special Operations Commander had established a small outpost. There, the Special Operations force held out against waves of Flood attacks from the cliffs before they were reinforced by a pair of Phantoms that dropped off a [[Spectre]] and a pair of Ghosts. The Covenant were able to use these vehicles to advance through a large indoor Forerunner facility before entering the first of a series of expansive outdoor arctic canyons. Despite the prowess of the Special Operations Sangheili and the Arbiter, the UNSC were swifter to advance through the Quarantine Zone - the ''In Amber Clad'' deployed a Pelican dropship that cruised above the battling Flood and Sentinels, cutting directly towards the Library while the Arbiter and his men were forced to fight through waves of Flood, including Flood and vehicles they had commandeered, while all the while, Enforcers rained heavy fire.  

[[File:H2 Index.jpg|thumb|right|[[Miranda Keyes]] stretches over a chasm in the [[Library]], securing the [[Index]].]]

However, a small UNSC Marine force led by Miranda Keyes and Avery J. Johnson was able to slip through, and in the end, the Arbiter, Rtas 'Vadumee, and half a dozen Special Operations Sangheili were able to slip into the periphery of the Library. There were a pair of [[gondola]]s, that when activated, autonomously brought their passengers into the upper tiers of the Library, where the Index was kept. While the UNSC was first able to seize a gondola, the Covenant were close behind. However, when the Flood began to screech, alerting the Covenant that they were in full force in the bowels of the Library, Rtas 'Vadumee took a pair of Special Operations Elite, holding them at the entrance to the gondolas to defend the rest from the Flood as the Arbiter took four Special Operations Sangheili on the second gondola, trailing behind the UNSC-held one.

Finally, both gondolas ascended to the top levels of the Library, although the UNSC one arrived first, and a small UNSC force of six soldiers (four Marines including [[Perez (Marine)|Perez]] and [[McKenzie]]) led by Miranda Keyes and Avery Johnson, entered. Although many Combat Forms had been exhausted in the Gravemind's last-ditch attempt to stave off the gondolas, there were a large number of [[Infection Forms]] prowling the Library which killed off the four UNSC Marines as Keyes and Johnson advanced towards the core of the Library. Meanwhile, the Arbiter silently snuck in behind them.

Miranda stretched over a seemingly bottomless chasm, grasping for the Index, and then barely making it, securing it on her belt. Meanwhile, Sergeant Johnson shouted for the remaining Marines to report. When there was no response, the pair of UNSC personnel cautiously began to edge away from the core, with Johnson lifting his [[BR55 Battle Rifle]] at the ready while Miranda hefted her pair of [[M7/Caseless Sub Machine Gun|SMGs]]. However, the Arbiter engaged his active camouflage, cloaking himself as he lunged at Johnson, head-butting him into unconsciousness, and as Miranda fired a spatter of bullets from her submachine guns, the Arbiter disarmed her, but before she could react, [[Tartarus]] entered with four of his [[Brute Captain]]s. Tartarus used his [[Gravity Hammer]], the [[Fist of Rukt]], to stun Miranda and gravitationally levitate her towards him, draping her over his shoulder and then clasping the Index and securing it for himself.

Tartarus refused to give the Sacred Icon to the Arbiter, and instead, his Brute Captains leveled their [[Brute Shots]] at the Arbiter as Tartarus revealed the betrayal. The Arbiter jerked his neck up in horror as Tartarus swung his Gravity Hammer, sending a gravitic shock that sent the Arbiter into the bottomless chasm above which the Index was once situated.

{{Quote|The release of [[Flood|the parasite]] was unexpected, unfortunate. But, there is no need to panic. In truth, this is a time to rejoice. A moment that all the [[Covenant]] should savor...for the [[Sacred Icon]] has been found. With it, our path is clear, our entry into the Divine Beyond guaranteed! The [[Great Journey]] is nigh...and nothing, not even the Flood, can stop it!|[[Prophet of Truth]]}}

{{Quote|There is still time to stop the key from turning, but first it must be found. [[SPARTAN-117|You]] will search one likely spot, and you will search another. Fate had us meet as foes, but this ring will make us brothers.|[[Gravemind]] to [[SPARTAN-117]] and The Arbiter}}

[[File:High Charity wallpaper.jpg|right|thumb|''High Charity'' surrounded by hundreds of Covenant warships, with three [[Phantom]]s clearly prominent in the foreground.]]  

SPARTAN-117 was teleported by the Gravemind directly into the High Council Chamber of ''High Charity'', where the Prophets of Truth and Mercy addressed the Covenant that the Sacred Icon was secure. Before SPARTAN-117 could kill both Prophets, they escaped by means of an elevator, while the doors were locked and waves of [[Honor Guard Brute]]s, Minor Jiralhanae, and Unggoy entered in an attempt to kill the supersoldier. Cortana managed to unlock the doors, and SPARTAN-117 chased through two towers and a set of corridors in pursuit of Truth before Cortana picked up the IFF transponder signals of UNSC Marines - prisoners of the Covenant being kept in two brigs in a multitiered detention block.

{{Quote|The Elites have failed to protect the [[Prophet]]s, and in doing so, have put all our lives at risk. Let no warrior forget his oath, 'Thou, in faith, shall keep us safe, whilst we find the Path'. With my blessing, the Brutes now lead our fleets! They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it.|[[Prophet of Truth]]}}

{{Quote|[[Earth]]...to finish what [[Prophet|we]] started. And this time, none of you... will be left behind...|[[Prophet of Mercy]]'s last words}}

Meanwhile, the Flood were escaping from the crashed hulk of the ''In Amber Clad''. They seeped out of the rents in its hull armor and commandeered its Pelican dropships, sending them over the surface of ''High Charity'', crashing into the floors and releasing [[Flood Combat form|combat forms]], and spilling infection forms out of the air from opened hatches. The Prophet of Mercy was beset by an infection form and died before he could reach his Phantom. However, Tartarus and Truth were able to depart before SPARTAN-117 could arrive.

[[File:SpecOpsElite3.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Special Operations Elite]] that survived the initial Brute betrayal draws an [[Energy Sword]] to aid the Arbiter in avenging the fallen Elites slain by the Brutes.]]  

[[File:H2 Arbiter and Rtas.jpg|thumb|right|[[Thel 'Vadamee]] and [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] confirm the disloyalty of the Brutes and discuss a plan to break into the [[Control Room]] and secure the [[Sacred Icon]] from [[Tartarus]].]]

The Covenant politico-military fractures were not restricted to ''High Charity'': they extended to military units across the Covenant, including those on the surface of Installation 05. Upon Truth's order that the Brutes were now the ruling caste of the Covenant, Tartarus ordered the execution of the [[Elite Councilor]]s, who had been gathered in the Control Room of Installation 05 for the consecration of the Sacred Icon before the Halos were fired. While most of the Councilors were murdered in cold blood, a small number were taken prisoner by the Brutes.

Rtas 'Vadumee informed the Arbiter that Tartarus was within the Control Room, and would soon be activating the Halos. However, the doors to the Control Room were nearly completely impenetrable, and would only be opened by the firing of the main cannon of a [[Scarab]] walker.  Fortunately, a Scarab was available at the Bastion of the Brutes.

[[File:H2 Scarab Threatening.jpg|thumb|right||[[Avery J. Johnson]] directs the main cannon of his newly-commandeered [[Scarab]] walker at the Arbiter.]]  

Tartarus had been trying to force Miranda Keyes to insert the Sacred Icon into its place, as only a [[Reclaimer]] could activate Halo. The Arbiter entered the control room, surprising Tartarus, and told the Chieftain to stand down. Tartarus refused, and his Brutes were about to attack the Arbiter, when Johnson suddenly appeared, pointing a [[Particle Beam Rifle]] at Tartarus' head.  Seeing that he was in danger, Tartarus ordered his Brutes to hold back for the moment.   

Despite the isolated Separatist ground victory on Installation 05, there was a much greater threat: the Flood. Having assumed dominance over the whole of ''High Charity'' and certain locations on Installation 05, they tried boldly expanding into space, attempting to take over Covenant warships. The ambitious [[Sangheili Major]] [[Voro 'Mantakree]] assumed command of the [[Reverence-class Cruiser|''Reverence''-class Cruiser]] ''[[Incorruptible]]'', and audaciously sent a fleetwide dispatch to the idling Covenant fleet amassed over ''High Charity'': the Flood were lifting off from Installation 05 in [[DX-class dropship|''DX''-class "Spirit" dropships]] and Banshees and were attempting to attack and take control of Covenant warships to spread throughout the galaxy. Surprisingly, even divided political opinions were united after the transmission, and four [[Covenant Destroyer]]s, including the ''[[Rapturous Arc]]'', that were about to be consumed by the Flood were burned and destroyed to prevent the parasite from capturing the warships.

Shortly afterward, however, the fleets splintered without a common foe. The [[Alpha Jiralhanae]] [[Gargantum]] attempted to coordinate a Loyalist uprising against the Sangheili, and chased with four [[Covenant Frigate]]s after 'Mantakree. Using deft tactics and maneuvering out the Separatist carrier ''[[Lawgiver]]'', the ''Incorruptible'' destroyed the Brute-controlled frigate ''[[Tenebrous]]'', although the three remaining frigates, including Gargantum's personal frigate, the ''[[Twilight Compunction]]'', continued pursuing him. Soon afterward, the entire Covenant fleet began turning on itself, following Gargantum's example.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 199''</ref> The UNSC ''Dusk'', one of the five UNSC ships originally sent to tail Regret's Assault Carrier, witnessed the massive encounter as Covenant ships turned upon one another and destroyed themselves in a civil war.  

However, the ''Incorruptible'' did not continue in the orbital battle, as a revered Sangheili fleet commander, [[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]], urged all Elites to regroup over the outpost world [[Joyous Exaltation]] of the [[Salia System]]. 'Mantakree obediently left the battle, entering Slipspace towards Joyous Exaltation. During the pursuit, UNSC SPARTAN-II [[Blue Team]] dropped in the midst of the chase as the ''Incorruptible'' prepared to leave the system, in their captured Covenant Destroyer, the ''[[Bloodied Spirit]]''. Gargantum was incensed that heretic Demons had seized a Covenant warship, and diverted one of the three pursuit frigates from the ''Incorruptible'' to the ''Bloodied Spirit''. The frigate managed to lower the UNSC-controlled destroyer's shields before the SPARTANs jumped to Slipspace for the [[Zeta Doradus System]].

The Covenant Separatists defeated the Brute Fleet and subsequently held ''High Charity'' in quarantine. However, this largely failed, due to the Gravemind sending [[Flood ship|a single ship, controlled by the Flood]], to Earth, in the hopes of infecting it and weakening the Sangheili ships in orbit around the Flood Hive. This was successful and the Gravemind was able to leave Installation 05's space and find the Ark.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref>

[[File:H2 IAC Crashed Closeup.jpg|thumb|The [[UNSC frigate]] ''In Amber Clad'' permanently lost, captured by the [[Flood]] and crashed into a tower in ''High Charity''.]]  

[[File:H2 Forerunner Ship Reverts.jpg|thumb|The Forerunner Dreadnought transitions from [[Slipspace]] over [[Earth]].]]  

The Battle of Installation 05 was an extremely costly battle with significant political-military consequences for the Covenant and remarkable ramifications for all sentient life in the galaxy. Hundreds or thousands of Covenant forces were slain in SPARTAN-117's quest to kill the Prophet of Regret, the race to acquire the Index from the Control Room, and the remarkable ground and orbital battles that took place on Installation 05, ''High Charity'', and the Covenant fleets hovering above the planetoid because of the [[Covenant Civil War]]. The Covenant was fractured, with the Elites rallying the Covenant Separatists against the Prophet-supported Jiralhanae, who controlled the Covenant Loyalists against the Sangheili and their allies.

{{Quote|[[SPARTAN-117|Master Chief]]? Mind telling me what you're doing on [[Forerunner Dreadnought|that ship]]?|[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Hood]]}}

In the end, the fates of the Covenant fleets over ''High Charity'' is unknown, although at least one Covenant vessel, the ''Incorruptible'', escaped. 'Matrankee was commended for his actions against the Flood on Installation 05, and was promoted to [[Fleet Master]]. The Flood continued to attempt to escape ''High Charity'' in Covenant starships, and a Covenant Separatist fleet led by [[Rtas 'Vadum]] on the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' held the line against the Flood. However, the Flood managed to infest at least one Elite-controlled ship, a [[CCS-class Battlecruiser|''CCS''-class Battlecruiser]], and made a [[Slipspace]] jump to [[Earth]] to attempt to infest the human homeworld. The Elite fleet in orbit over ''High Charity'' followed the Flood-controlled cruiser, and when the Flood ship crash-landed on Earth, Rtas 'Vadum and his forces aided the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] in destroying the Flood vessel and terminating the Flood spread across the planet. However, prior to this, ''[[High Charity]]'' had already left its orbit around Installation 05, and according to a scrambled distress signal from [[Cortana]], was already on its way to Earth to enter the [[Portal]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref> It was indicated though that all of the other Flood controlled ships were destroyed though: upon landing on Earth an Elite informed the Arbiter that the Elite's fleet had taken care of all of the Flood controlled ships, except for that one which had managed to break through and jump to Earth. It can be inferred that the Flood controlled ships were ultimately all destroyed except the one that jumped to Earth and High Charity which was later destroyed by the Master Chief in the [[Battle of Installation 00]]. [[Cortana]] was left to the clutches of the Gravemind. It was later shown that she answered a few questions to buy herself some time and used the opportunity to help find a way to destroy the Flood. She would later be rescued by the Master Chief who would then destroy High Charity during the [[Raid on High Charity]].