Canon

Ambush at Oth Lodon: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

mNo edit summary
m (→‎''Spirit of Fire'''s disappearance: Link cleanup, replaced: Etran Harborage| → Trove|)
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Era|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{battle
{{Battle infobox
|name=Raid on Oth Lodon
|name=Ambush at Oth Lodon
|prev=[[Battle of Ealen IV]]   
|prev=[[Battle of Ealen IV]]   
|image=[[File:Infinity attacked.... by a third time.jpg|250px]]
|image=[[File:Infinity attacked.... by a third time.jpg|300px]]
|next=
|next=[[Raid on Biko peace talks]]
|conflict=[[Reclamation conflict]]
|conflict=[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]<br>[[Insurrection]] ''(post-war resurgence)''
|date=[[2558|March 11, 2558]]
|date=[[2558|March 11, 2558]]
|place=Near [[Oth Lodon]], [[Milky Way galaxy]]
|place=Near [[Oth Lodon]], [[Milky Way galaxy]]
Line 11: Line 11:
*Daniel Clayton captured
*Daniel Clayton captured
|side1=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side1=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side2=[[New Colonial Alliance]]<br>[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]  
|side2=*[[New Colonial Alliance]]
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]  
|commanders1=[[Terrence Hood|FADM Terrence Hood]]<br>[[Bradley|CDR Bradley]]†<br>[[Sarah Palmer|CDR Sarah Palmer]]
|commanders1=[[Terrence Hood|FADM Terrence Hood]]<br>[[Bradley|CDR Bradley]]†<br>[[Sarah Palmer|CDR Sarah Palmer]]
|commanders2=[[Daniel Clayton|CAPT Daniel Clayton]]<br>[[Shipmaster]] [[Vata 'Gajat]]†
|commanders2=[[Daniel Clayton|CAPT Daniel Clayton]] {{C|POW}}<br>[[Shipmaster]] [[Vata 'Gajat]]†
|forces1=*[[UNSC Navy]]
|forces1=*[[UNSC Navy]]
**{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}
**{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}
Line 20: Line 21:
**[[Sarah Palmer]]
**[[Sarah Palmer]]
*Five [[OF92 Booster Frame]]s
*Five [[OF92 Booster Frame]]s
|forces2=*[[Oth Lodon station]]
|forces2=*[[Station at Oth Lodon]]
*Covenant remnant forces
*Covenant remnant forces
**1 {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}
**1 {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}
|casual1=*Numerous members of ''Infinity'' crew
|casual1=*Numerous members of ''Infinity'' crew
**Commander Bradley
**Commander Bradley
|casual2=*All Covenant forces
|casual2=*All Covenant forces
**Vata 'Gajat
**Vata 'Gajat
**1 ''SDV''-class heavy corvette
**1 {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}
}}
}}
{{Quote|Let's show the ''UNSC'' just how mighty their flagship is '''not'''.|Captain Daniel Clayton, before ordering to attack the UNSC ''Infinity''.}}
{{Quote|Let's show the ''UNSC'' just how mighty their flagship is '''not'''.|Captain Daniel Clayton, before ordering to attack the UNSC ''Infinity''.}}


The '''Raid on Oth Lodon''' was an engagement fought between the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] and the [[New Colonial Alliance]] near the gas giant [[Oth Lodon]] in [[2558|March 2558]].<ref name="HE5">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''Issue #5''</ref>
The '''Ambush at Oth Lodon''' was an engagement fought between the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] and the [[New Colonial Alliance]] near the gas giant [[Oth Lodon]] in [[2558|March 2558]].<ref name="HE5">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''Issue #5''</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
===''Spirit of Fire'''s disappearance===
===''Spirit of Fire'''s disappearance===
During the [[Battle of Arcadia]] in [[2531|February 9, 2531]], the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} arrived at the planet [[Arcadia]], where it assisted in the evacuation of civilians, and the eradication of the [[Covenant]] from the planet's surface.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level, ''[[Arcadia City]]''</ref> When Professor [[Ellen Anders]] was captured by the [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]], the ''Spirit of Fire'' quickly gave chase, following the Arbiter's flagship to [[Shield 0459|an unknown planet]].<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level, ''[[Anders' Signal]]''</ref> Before leaving the system, the ''Spirit of Fire'' dropped a log buoy and [[Terrence Hood]], Captain of the {{UNSCShip|Roman Blue}} was assigned to recover it. However, as the colony was already deemed lost by UNSC command, ''Roman Blue'' was also ordered to withhold from engaging the enemy in combat. However, Hood, enraged by the massive losses the Covenant had already inflicted on humanity, ordered his crew to attack a {{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}}. Overwhelmed, Hood was forced to retreat. Consequently, the ''Spirit of Fire''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s log buoy was not recovered and Hood would view himself as responsible for the ''Spirit of Fire'''s disappearance.<ref name="HE5"/>
During the [[Battle for Arcadia]] in [[2531|February 9, 2531]], the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} arrived at the planet [[Arcadia]], where it assisted in the evacuation of civilians, and the eradication of the [[Covenant]] from the planet's surface.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level, ''[[Arcadia City]]''</ref> When Professor [[Ellen Anders]] was captured by the [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]], the ''Spirit of Fire'' quickly gave chase, following the Arbiter's flagship to [[Trove|an unknown planet]].<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level, ''[[Anders' Signal]]''</ref> Before leaving the system, the ''Spirit of Fire'' dropped a [[log buoy]] and [[Terrence Hood]], Captain of the {{UNSCShip|Roman Blue}} was assigned to recover it. However, as the colony was already deemed lost by UNSC command, ''Roman Blue'' was also ordered to withhold from engaging the enemy in combat. However, Hood, enraged by the massive losses the Covenant had already inflicted on humanity, ordered his crew to attack the {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}} ''[[Radiant Perception]]''. Overwhelmed, Hood was forced to retreat. Consequently, the ''Spirit of Fire's'' log buoy was not recovered and Hood would view himself as responsible for the ''Spirit of Fire's'' disappearance.{{Ref/Reuse|HE5}}


Out of guilt, Hood provided financial support for both [[James Cutter]]'s legitimate family (his apparent widow [[Mary Cutter|Mary]] and [[Cutter's daughter|their daughter]]) and his secret one, supporting [[Daniel Clayton]]'s mother for years.<ref name="HE5"/>
Out of guilt, Hood provided financial support for both [[James Cutter]]'s legitimate family (his apparent widow [[Mary Cutter|Mary]] and [[Cutter's daughter|their daughter]]) and his secret one, supporting [[Daniel Clayton]]'s mother for years.{{Ref/Reuse|HE5}}


===Ealen IV===
===Ealen IV===
{{Main|Battle of Ealen IV}}
{{Main|Battle of Ealen IV}}
In [[2558]] Clayton had come to serve under [[Horatio Temkin|Rear Admiral Horatio Temkin]], the UNSC's ambassador to [[Sanghelios]]. Clayton eventually learned that Lord Hood had been acting as a benefactor throughout his entire career in an attempt to make up for the loss of Cutter and ''Spirit of Fire''. Feeling he had never accomplished anything for himself, Clayton joined [[Mattius Drake|Admiral Mattius Drake]]'s [[New Colonial Alliance]] and sought vengeance on Lord Hood.<ref name="HE5"/>
In [[2558]] Clayton had come to serve under [[Horatio Temkin|Rear Admiral Horatio Temkin]], the UNSC's ambassador to [[Sanghelios]]. Clayton eventually learned that Lord Hood had been acting as a benefactor throughout his entire career in an attempt to make up for the loss of Cutter and ''Spirit of Fire''. Feeling he had never accomplished anything for himself, Clayton joined [[Mattius Drake|Admiral Mattius Drake]]'s [[New Colonial Alliance]] and sought vengeance on Lord Hood.{{Ref/Reuse|HE5}}


Having learned of Lord Hood's diplomatic mission to [[Ealen IV]], Captain Clayton leaked intel about the peace talks and employed the help of a Sangheili mercenary, [[Vata 'Gajat]]. On March 5, they led an attack on the peace conference.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #1''</ref> The tide of the battle changed when the delegation reestablished communications with their orbiting fleets and escaped from the planet. Not wanting to risk being identified, Clayton and 'Gajat retreated before the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and their allied Sangheili and Jiralhanae ships could engage them.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #3''</ref>
Having learned of Lord Hood's diplomatic mission to [[Ealen IV]], Captain Clayton leaked intel about the peace talks and employed the help of a Sangheili mercenary, [[Vata 'Gajat]]. On March 5, they led an attack on the peace conference.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #1''</ref> The tide of the battle changed when the delegation reestablished communications with their orbiting fleets and escaped from the planet. Not wanting to risk being identified, Clayton and 'Gajat retreated before the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and their allied Sangheili and Jiralhanae ships could engage them.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #3''</ref>


==Ambush at Artesia-702==
===Ambush at Artesia-702===
After their failed assault on Ealen IV, 'Gajat and Captain Clayton lured Admiral Hood and the UNSC ''Infinity'' into a trap. They launched a freighter, the ''[[Pilgrims Pride]]'' which sent out a distress signal that was later picked up by ''{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}''. When ''Infinity'' arrived in the [[Artesia-702 system]], it found the damaged freighter leaking atomic matter with faint life signs aboard and tugged the ship into one of its deployment bays. An ambush was sprung within the bay when the freighter set itself to self-destruct and multiple UNSC aircraft exited its cargo bay. The attack was repelled by Fireteams [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]], [[Fireteam Colossus|Colossus]], and [[Fireteam Fenrir|Fenrir]].
After their failed assault on Ealen IV, 'Gajat and Captain Clayton lured Admiral Hood and the UNSC ''Infinity'' into a trap. They launched a freighter, the ''[[Pilgrims' Pride]]'' which sent out a distress signal that was later picked up by {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. When ''Infinity'' arrived in the [[Artesia-702 system]], it found the damaged freighter leaking atomic matter with faint life signs aboard and tugged the ship into one of its deployment bays. An ambush was sprung within the bay when the freighter set itself to self-destruct and multiple UNSC aircraft exited its cargo bay. The attack was repelled by Fireteams [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]], [[Fireteam Colossus|Colossus]], and [[Fireteam Fenrir|Fenrir]].


After the battle, ''Infinity'' crew discovers, after running an I.D. check on the [[Vulture]]s and [[Sparrowhawk]]s used on the ambush, that the assault crafts used were from the ''Spirit of Fire''.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #4''</ref>  
After the battle, ''Infinity'' crew discovered, after running an I.D. check on the [[Vulture]]s and [[Sparrowhawk]]s used on the ambush, that the assault crafts used were from the ''Spirit of Fire''.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #4''</ref>


==The battle==
==The battle==
[[Roland]] discovers the ''Pilgrims Pride'' was supposedly built five years ago, despite its assault craft being from the ''Spirit of Fire'', which has been missing for 30 years. [[Sarah Palmer]] suggests the craft were smuggled off beforehand, but Roland disagrees as the craft were in too good of condition. Moving on, he reveals the ship's logs were wiped and then filled with false data. Despite that, he was able to retrieve the real data, coordinates from where it originated: Oth Lodon, a gas giant located deep in [[Jiralhanae]] space.
[[File:Escalation-Freeze.png|thumb|left|250px|Commander Sarah Palmer and Fireteam Majestic capture the station.]]
[[Roland]] discovered the ''Pilgrims' Pride'' was supposedly built five years ago, despite its assault craft being from the ''Spirit of Fire'', which has been missing for 30 years. [[Sarah Palmer]] suggested the craft were smuggled off beforehand, but Roland disagreed as the craft were in too good of condition. Moving on, he revealed the ship's logs were wiped and then filled with false data. Despite that, he was able to retrieve the real data, coordinates from where it originated: Oth Lodon, a gas giant located deep in [[Jiralhanae]] space.


With the ''Spirit'''s possible location found, Palmer expresses that the ship might not even be there and that it might be a trap. Lord Hood authorized Palmer to conduct a search-and-rescue mission without being detected. Equipped with [[OF92 Booster Frame]]s, Palmer and Fireteam Majestic scouted Oth Lodon's system. Exploring an asteroid field, the Spartans came across not the ''Spirit of Fire'' but instead an {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}} docked at a [[Oth Lodon station|Covenant station]]. Palmer restored communications to inform ''Infinity'' about the discovery.
With the ''Spirit's'' possible location found, Palmer expressed that the ship might not even be there and that it might be a trap. Lord Hood authorized Palmer to conduct a search-and-rescue mission without being detected. Equipped with [[OF92 Booster Frame]]s, Palmer and Fireteam Majestic scouted Oth Lodon's system. Exploring an asteroid field, the Spartans came across not the ''Spirit of Fire'' but instead an {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}} docked at a [[Station at Oth Lodon|Covenant station]]. Palmer restored communications to inform ''Infinity'' about the discovery.


Soon after, ''Infinity'' jumps in system right in front of the space station. Expecting this, Clayton opens a channel to ''Infinity''. Talking to Hood, he identifies him as being the one who sent his mother and him money because he was the one responsible for the ''Spirit''''s disappearance. Upset at feeling like he never accomplished anything, he turned to Admiral Mattius Drake when he offered him an opportunity. Revealing that he had intended for Spartan [[Vladimir Scruggs]] to kill Hood on Ealen IV, he announced that he lured ''Infinity'' to the station to kill Hood. He ordered the station's [[energy projector|glassing cannon]] to fire on ''Infinity'', piercing all the way through the side of the ship.<ref name="HE5"/>
Soon after, ''Infinity'' jumps in system right in front of the space station. Expecting this, Clayton opened a channel to ''Infinity''. Talking to Hood, he identified him as being the one who sent his mother and him money because he was the one responsible for the ''Spirit'''s disappearance. Upset at feeling like he never accomplished anything, he turned to Admiral Mattius Drake when he offered him an opportunity. Revealing that he had intended for Spartan [[Vladimir Scruggs]] to kill Hood on Ealen IV, he announced that he lured ''Infinity'' to the station to kill Hood. He ordered the station's [[energy projector|glassing cannon]] to fire on ''Infinity'', piercing all the way through the side of the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|HE5}}


The station rapidly fired two more shots through ''Infinity'', crippling the ship and incapacitating its bridge crew; Commander Bradley was killed while Admiral Hood was paralyzed. The attacks quickly overheated the cannon, requiring some time to recharge. In the meantime, Palmer and Fireteam Majestic were deployed to board the station and stop Clayton using Booster Frames. The insurgents detected the Spartans and opened fire with the station's missile batteries on Clayton's orders. However, the Spartans successfully evaded the missiles.<ref name="esc6">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #6''</ref>  
The station rapidly fired two more shots through ''Infinity'', crippling the ship and incapacitating its bridge crew; Commander Bradley was killed while Admiral Hood was paralyzed. The attacks quickly overheated the cannon, requiring some time to recharge. In the meantime, Palmer and Fireteam Majestic were deployed to board the station and stop Clayton using Booster Frames. The insurgents detected the Spartans and opened fire with the station's missile batteries on Clayton's orders. However, the Spartans successfully evaded the missiles.<ref name="esc6">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #6''</ref>  


Clayton ordered Shipmaster 'Gajat to stop the Spartans, but 'Gajat, in a burst of ambition, saw ''Infinity'' as the more valuable target and decided to destroy it instead. While Spartan Hoya noticed 'Gajat's flagship undocking from the station, the Spartans decided to board the station instead. 'Gajat received a distress signal from Clayton, but ignored it, instead proceeding with his plan to destroy ''Infinity''. Palmer and Majestic entered the station's command center and forced the crew to cease their operations, ignoring Clayton's orders to the contrary. Spartan Madsen knocked Clayton out as revenge for DeMarco's death on Ealen IV. 'Gajat contacted the station to tell Clayton he was about to destroy the ''Infinity'', but was answered by Palmer instead. Palmer ordered Spartan Thorne to fire the cannon, destroying 'Gajat's ship.<ref name="esc6"/>
Clayton ordered Shipmaster 'Gajat to stop the Spartans, but 'Gajat, in a burst of ambition, saw ''Infinity'' as the more valuable target and decided to destroy it instead. While Spartan [[Carlo Hoya|Hoya]] noticed 'Gajat's flagship undocking from the station, the Spartans decided to board the station anyway. 'Gajat received a distress signal from Clayton, but ignored it, instead proceeding with his plan to destroy ''Infinity''. Palmer and Majestic entered the station's command center and forced the crew to cease their operations, ignoring Clayton's orders to the contrary. Spartan [[Anthony Madsen|Madsen]] knocked Clayton out as revenge for DeMarco's death on Ealen IV. 'Gajat contacted the station to tell Clayton he was about to destroy the ''Infinity'', but was answered by Palmer instead. Palmer ordered Spartan Thorne to fire the cannon, destroying 'Gajat's ship.{{Ref/Reuse|esc6}}


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Three days later, the UNSC dispatched a task force comprising an [[Autumn-class heavy cruiser|''Autumn''-class cruiser]], a [[Charon-class light frigate|''Charon''-class frigate]] and a [[Paris-class heavy frigate|''Paris''-class frigate]] to repair ''Infinity'' and monitor the station. Lasky and Ray also returned to ''Infinity'' after their intelligence-gathering mission with [[Petra Janecek]] on [[Karava]].<ref name="esc6"/>
Three days later, the UNSC dispatched a task force comprising at least one [[Unidentified UNSC warship|unidentified warship]], {{Class|Charon|light frigate}} and {{Class|Paris|heavy frigate}} to repair ''Infinity'' and monitor the station. Lasky and Ray also returned to ''Infinity'' after their intelligence-gathering mission with [[Petra Janecek]] on [[Karava]].{{Ref/Reuse|esc6}}


A now wheelchair-bound Hood visited Clayton in his cell, asking why Admiral Drake wanted to destroy the ''Infinity'' despite intending to [[Raid on UNSC Infinity|capture it]] five years before. Clayton only told Hood the NCA was stronger than before and had agents on every colony, even Earth. Hood then ordered his men to take Clayton to [[Midnight Facility]]; while being taken away, Clayton told the admiral they would meet again.<ref name="esc6"/>
A now wheelchair-bound Hood visited Clayton in his cell, asking why Admiral Drake wanted to destroy the ''Infinity'' despite intending to [[Raid on UNSC Infinity|capture it]] five years before. Clayton only told Hood the NCA was stronger than before and had agents on every colony, even Earth. Hood then ordered his men to take Clayton to [[Midnight Facility]]; while being taken away, Clayton told the admiral they would meet again.{{Ref/Reuse|esc6}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HE6-HoodInjured.jpg|Lord Hood injured by the attack
File:HE Bradley dead.jpg|Bradley is killed during Clayton's assault
File:HE6 infinity damaged.jpg|The ''Infinity'' sustains considerable damage
File:Madsen leaving Clayton unconscious.jpg|Spartan Madsen knocking Clayton unconscious
File:HE Gajat's flagship destroyed.jpg|'Gajat's flagship is destroyed
File:Escalation6-OthLodonAftermath.jpg|A UNSC task group arrives to police the station and repair ''Infinity''
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
Line 70: Line 82:


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Post-Covenant War conflicts}}
{{Insurrection}}


{{Reclamation conflict}}
[[Category:Post-Covenant War conflicts|Oth Lodon]]
[[Category:Insurrection|Oth Lodon]]
[[Category:Battles|Oth Lodon]]

Latest revision as of 13:27, May 29, 2022

Previous:

Battle of Ealen IV

Next:

Raid on Biko peace talks

Ambush at Oth Lodon
Infinity attacked.... by a third time.jpg

Conflict:

Post-Covenant War conflicts
Insurrection (post-war resurgence)

Date:

March 11, 2558

Location:

Near Oth Lodon, Milky Way galaxy

Outcome:

UNSC victory

  • Daniel Clayton captured
Details
Belligerents

United Nations Space Command

Commanders

FADM Terrence Hood
CDR Bradley
CDR Sarah Palmer

CAPT Daniel Clayton (POW)
Shipmaster Vata 'Gajat

Strength
Casualties
  • Numerous members of Infinity crew
    • Commander Bradley
 

"Let's show the UNSC just how mighty their flagship is not."
— Captain Daniel Clayton, before ordering to attack the UNSC Infinity.

The Ambush at Oth Lodon was an engagement fought between the UNSC and the New Colonial Alliance near the gas giant Oth Lodon in March 2558.[1]

Background[edit]

Spirit of Fire's disappearance[edit]

During the Battle for Arcadia in February 9, 2531, the UNSC Spirit of Fire arrived at the planet Arcadia, where it assisted in the evacuation of civilians, and the eradication of the Covenant from the planet's surface.[2] When Professor Ellen Anders was captured by the Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee, the Spirit of Fire quickly gave chase, following the Arbiter's flagship to an unknown planet.[3] Before leaving the system, the Spirit of Fire dropped a log buoy and Terrence Hood, Captain of the UNSC Roman Blue was assigned to recover it. However, as the colony was already deemed lost by UNSC command, Roman Blue was also ordered to withhold from engaging the enemy in combat. However, Hood, enraged by the massive losses the Covenant had already inflicted on humanity, ordered his crew to attack the Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer Radiant Perception. Overwhelmed, Hood was forced to retreat. Consequently, the Spirit of Fire's log buoy was not recovered and Hood would view himself as responsible for the Spirit of Fire's disappearance.[1]

Out of guilt, Hood provided financial support for both James Cutter's legitimate family (his apparent widow Mary and their daughter) and his secret one, supporting Daniel Clayton's mother for years.[1]

Ealen IV[edit]

Main article: Battle of Ealen IV

In 2558 Clayton had come to serve under Rear Admiral Horatio Temkin, the UNSC's ambassador to Sanghelios. Clayton eventually learned that Lord Hood had been acting as a benefactor throughout his entire career in an attempt to make up for the loss of Cutter and Spirit of Fire. Feeling he had never accomplished anything for himself, Clayton joined Admiral Mattius Drake's New Colonial Alliance and sought vengeance on Lord Hood.[1]

Having learned of Lord Hood's diplomatic mission to Ealen IV, Captain Clayton leaked intel about the peace talks and employed the help of a Sangheili mercenary, Vata 'Gajat. On March 5, they led an attack on the peace conference.[4] The tide of the battle changed when the delegation reestablished communications with their orbiting fleets and escaped from the planet. Not wanting to risk being identified, Clayton and 'Gajat retreated before the UNSC Infinity and their allied Sangheili and Jiralhanae ships could engage them.[5]

Ambush at Artesia-702[edit]

After their failed assault on Ealen IV, 'Gajat and Captain Clayton lured Admiral Hood and the UNSC Infinity into a trap. They launched a freighter, the Pilgrims' Pride which sent out a distress signal that was later picked up by UNSC Infinity. When Infinity arrived in the Artesia-702 system, it found the damaged freighter leaking atomic matter with faint life signs aboard and tugged the ship into one of its deployment bays. An ambush was sprung within the bay when the freighter set itself to self-destruct and multiple UNSC aircraft exited its cargo bay. The attack was repelled by Fireteams Majestic, Colossus, and Fenrir.

After the battle, Infinity crew discovered, after running an I.D. check on the Vultures and Sparrowhawks used on the ambush, that the assault crafts used were from the Spirit of Fire.[6]

The battle[edit]

Commander Sarah Palmer and Fireteam Majestic capture the station.

Roland discovered the Pilgrims' Pride was supposedly built five years ago, despite its assault craft being from the Spirit of Fire, which has been missing for 30 years. Sarah Palmer suggested the craft were smuggled off beforehand, but Roland disagreed as the craft were in too good of condition. Moving on, he revealed the ship's logs were wiped and then filled with false data. Despite that, he was able to retrieve the real data, coordinates from where it originated: Oth Lodon, a gas giant located deep in Jiralhanae space.

With the Spirit's possible location found, Palmer expressed that the ship might not even be there and that it might be a trap. Lord Hood authorized Palmer to conduct a search-and-rescue mission without being detected. Equipped with OF92 Booster Frames, Palmer and Fireteam Majestic scouted Oth Lodon's system. Exploring an asteroid field, the Spartans came across not the Spirit of Fire but instead an Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette docked at a Covenant station. Palmer restored communications to inform Infinity about the discovery.

Soon after, Infinity jumps in system right in front of the space station. Expecting this, Clayton opened a channel to Infinity. Talking to Hood, he identified him as being the one who sent his mother and him money because he was the one responsible for the Spirit's disappearance. Upset at feeling like he never accomplished anything, he turned to Admiral Mattius Drake when he offered him an opportunity. Revealing that he had intended for Spartan Vladimir Scruggs to kill Hood on Ealen IV, he announced that he lured Infinity to the station to kill Hood. He ordered the station's glassing cannon to fire on Infinity, piercing all the way through the side of the ship.[1]

The station rapidly fired two more shots through Infinity, crippling the ship and incapacitating its bridge crew; Commander Bradley was killed while Admiral Hood was paralyzed. The attacks quickly overheated the cannon, requiring some time to recharge. In the meantime, Palmer and Fireteam Majestic were deployed to board the station and stop Clayton using Booster Frames. The insurgents detected the Spartans and opened fire with the station's missile batteries on Clayton's orders. However, the Spartans successfully evaded the missiles.[7]

Clayton ordered Shipmaster 'Gajat to stop the Spartans, but 'Gajat, in a burst of ambition, saw Infinity as the more valuable target and decided to destroy it instead. While Spartan Hoya noticed 'Gajat's flagship undocking from the station, the Spartans decided to board the station anyway. 'Gajat received a distress signal from Clayton, but ignored it, instead proceeding with his plan to destroy Infinity. Palmer and Majestic entered the station's command center and forced the crew to cease their operations, ignoring Clayton's orders to the contrary. Spartan Madsen knocked Clayton out as revenge for DeMarco's death on Ealen IV. 'Gajat contacted the station to tell Clayton he was about to destroy the Infinity, but was answered by Palmer instead. Palmer ordered Spartan Thorne to fire the cannon, destroying 'Gajat's ship.[7]

Aftermath[edit]

Three days later, the UNSC dispatched a task force comprising at least one unidentified warship, Charon-class light frigate and Paris-class heavy frigate to repair Infinity and monitor the station. Lasky and Ray also returned to Infinity after their intelligence-gathering mission with Petra Janecek on Karava.[7]

A now wheelchair-bound Hood visited Clayton in his cell, asking why Admiral Drake wanted to destroy the Infinity despite intending to capture it five years before. Clayton only told Hood the NCA was stronger than before and had agents on every colony, even Earth. Hood then ordered his men to take Clayton to Midnight Facility; while being taken away, Clayton told the admiral they would meet again.[7]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Halo: Escalation, Issue #5
  2. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level, Arcadia City
  3. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level, Anders' Signal
  4. ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #1
  5. ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #3
  6. ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #4
  7. ^ a b c d Halo: Escalation, Issue #6