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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H2|GOO|FA}}
{{Battle infobox
<center>''Looking for the Article [[Delta Halo (level)]]?''</center>
|prev=[[Skirmish on Mona Lisa]]
{{Quad battle infobox
|conc=*[[Battle for Earth]]
|prev= [[Battle of the Gas Mine]]
*[[Onyx Conflict]]
|conc= [[First Battle of High Charity|First Battle of ''High Charity'']]
|next=[[Battle of Mare Erythraeum]]
|next= [[Battle of Onyx]], [[Second Battle of Earth]]
|name=Battle of Installation 05
|name= Battle of Installation 05
|image=[[File:H2A - Battle of Delta Halo.jpg|430px]]
|image=[[Image:Installation 05.jpg|200px|At the conclusion of the Battle of Installation 05, Installation 05 sends a partial pulse into space.]]
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]], [[Great Schism]]
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]], [[Civil War of the Covenant]]
|date=[[2552#November|November 2–4, 2552]]
|date= November 2-November 3, [[2552]]
|place=[[Installation 05]], [[Coelest system]]
|place= Installation 05
|result='''Inconclusive'''
|result=Strategic UNSC/Covenant Separatist victory, Minor Tactical Flood Victory
*[[Great Schism|Covenant leadership fractured]]
*Beginning of Covenant Civil War
*Sangheili-led Fleet of Retribution allies with the UNSC
*Elites declare allegiance to the UNSC
*[[Halo Array]] enters standby mode for remote activation
*Covenant Loyalists steal the Index
*Flood successfully escape Installation 05
*Flood successfully escape Installation 05
|side1=*[[United Nations Space Command]]  
*Flood [[Fall of High Charity|invade High Charity]]
*[[Covenant Separatists]]
|side1=*[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side2=[[Covenant Loyalists]]
----
|side3=[[Forerunner]]
*[[Covenant separatists]] (From [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]] onwards)
|side4=[[Flood]]
----
|comm1=[[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]]
*[[Sentinel|Forerunner constructs]]
*[[John 117]]
|side2=[[Covenant]]
*[[Cortana]]
|side3=[[Flood]]
*[[Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson]]
|commanders1=*[[Miranda Keyes|CMDR Miranda Keyes]] <br>
*[[Thel 'Vadamee]]
*[[John-117|MCPO John-117]]
*[[Rtas 'Vadumee]]
*[[Avery Johnson|SgtMaj Avery Johnson]]
 
*[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]
|comm2=*[[Prophet of Truth]]
*[[Special Operations Commander|Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]
*[[Tartarus]]†
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Tano 'Inanraree]]†
*[[Sangheili Field Commander|Commander]] [[G'torik 'Klemmee]]
----
*[[Monitor]] [[343 Guilty Spark]]
*[[Monitor]] [[2401 Penitent Tangent]] ([[MIA]])
|commanders2=*[[Prophet of Truth]] <br>
*[[Prophet of Mercy]]†
*[[Prophet of Mercy]]†
*[[Prophet of Regret]]†
*[[Prophet of Regret]]†
|comm3=*[[Monitor]]s
*[[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]]†
**[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]]
*[[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]]†
**[[2401 Penitent Tangent]]  
*Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadamee]] {{C|pre-Great Schism}}
|comm4=*[[Gravemind]]
*[[Special Operations Commander|Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] {{C|pre-Great Schism}}
|forces1=*[[UNSC Frigate]] (1)
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Gargantum]]
**[[UNSC In Amber Clad|UNSC ''In Amber Clad'']]
*[[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Melchus]]
***[[Marine]]s (companies-battalions)
|commanders3=[[Gravemind]]
***[[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s (platoons-companies)
|forces1=
***[[SPARTAN-117]]
*[[UNSC Navy]]
***[[M808B Scorpion MBT]]s
**[[Stalwart-class light frigate]]
***[[M12 Warthog LRV]]s
***{{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}
*[[Reverence-class Cruiser|''Reverence''-class Cruiser]]s
****[[M808B Scorpion]]s
**''[[Incorruptible]]''
****[[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]s
*[[Covenant Carrier]]s
****[[D77-TC Pelican]]s
**''[[Lawgiver]]''
**[[John-117]]
*[[CCS-class Battlecruiser|CCS-class Battlecruiser]]s
*[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
*[[Covenant Destroyer]]s
**[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]]
**''[[Rapturous Arc]]''
*Numerous Covenant [[warship]]s
*[[Elite]]s (Minor, Major, SpecOps, Honor Guard, Ultra, Zealot, Councilor)
**[[Sangheili]] controlled-[[High Charity defense fleet]]{{C|[[Fleet of Retribution]]}}
*[[Hunter]]s
***{{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s
*[[Grunt]]s (Minor, Major, Gunner, SpecOps, Ultra)
***{{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}}s
*[[Scarab]] (1)
***{{Pattern|Ruma|light carrier}}s
*[[Wraith]]s
***{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s
*[[Spectre]]s
***[[Covenant destroyer|Destroyers]]
*[[Banshee]]s
*Numerous air forces
*[[Ghost]]s
**[[Type-26 Banshee]]s
|forces2=*''[[High Charity]]''
*Numerous ground forces
**[[Brute]]s (Minor, Major, Honor Guard, Captain, Chieftain)
**{{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}
**[[Jackal]]s (Minor, Major)
**{{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}s
**[[Yanme'e|Drone]]s
**{{Pattern|Wuzum|Spectre}}s
*[[Wraith]]s
**{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s
*[[Spectre]]s
**[[Sangheili]]
*[[Banshee]]s
**[[Mgalekgolo]]
*[[Scarab]]
**[[Unggoy]]
*[[Ghost]]s
----
*[[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]]
Forerunner constructs
**[[Assault Carrier]]s  
*[[Aggressor Sentinel]]s
**[[Covenant Frigate]]s
|forces2=
***''[[Tenebrous]]''
*Numerous Covenant [[warship]]s
***''[[Twilight Compunction]]''
**[[Jiralhanae]] Controlled-[[High Charity defense fleet]]
|forces3=*[[Sentinel]]s Minor, [[Sentinel Major|Major]])
***{{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s<ref>'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]] (Google Play edition)''', ''pages 46-47''</ref>
***{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s
***{{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s
***[[Covenant destroyer|Destroyers]]
***[[Covenant frigate|Frigates]]
*Numerous air forces
**[[Type-26 Banshee]]s
*Numerous ground forces
**{{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}
**{{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}s
**{{Pattern|Wuzum|Spectre}}s
**{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s
**[[Prelate]]s
**[[Sangheili]]{{C|until Schism}}
**[[Jiralhanae]]
**[[Mgalekgolo]]{{C|until Schism}}
**[[Yanme'e]]
**[[Kig-Yar]]
**[[Unggoy]]
|forces3=*[[Flood]] forms
**[[Pod infector]]s
**[[Flood combat form|Combat forms]]
**[[Flood carrier form|Carrier forms]]
**1 [[Gravemind]]
|forces4=*[[Aggressor Sentinel]]s
*[[Sentinel Major]]s
*[[Enforcer]]s
*[[Enforcer]]s
*[[Sentinel Constructor Factory|Sentinel Constructor Factories]] (2+)
|casual1=*''In Amber Clad''
|forces4=*[[Flood]] forms
*Many infantry and vehicular losses
**Infection forms
*Large numbers of assorted starships
**Combat forms
*Large numbers of Sentinels and Enforcers
**Carrier forms
|casual2=*''[[High Charity]]'' captured
**Gravemind form (1)
*Prophets of Regret and Mercy
|casual1=*UNSC ''In Amber Clad''
*Tartarus
*Almost all Marines and ODSTs.
*Many infantry and vehicular losses
*Large number of Elites, Hunters, and Grunts involved
*Large numbers of assorted starships
*Large number of Scorpions and Warthogs
|casual3=*All Flood forms on the surface of Installation 05
*Large number of Wraiths, Spectres, Banshees, and Ghosts
*Numerous assorted Flood forms in orbit
*Large number of assorted Separatist starships
|casual4=*Large numbers of Sentinels and Enforcers
|casual2=*''[[High Charity]]'' (captured)
*Sentinel construction factory}}
*[[Prophet of Regret]]
{{Quote|no=two|1=Miranda Keyes|q1=Cortana, what exactly am I looking at?|2=Cortana|q2=That... is another Halo.|3=[[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] and [[Cortana]] upon discovering the installation<ref name="deltahalo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo]]''</ref>}}
*[[Prophet of Mercy]]
*[[Tartarus]]
*Large number of Brutes, Jackals, and Drones (almost all)
*Large number of Wraiths, Spectres, Banshees, and Ghosts
*Large number of assorted Loyalist starships (almost all)
|casual3=*Large number of Sentinels
*Large number of Enforcers
|casual4=*Large number of assorted Flood forms
**Infection forms
**Combat forms
**Carrier forms
}}


The '''Battle of Installation 05''', also known as the '''Battle of Delta Halo''' or the '''Battle for the Second Ring of the Gods''' among the [[Covenant]],<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 241 (standard size)</ref> was a major engagement between the [[United Nations Space Command]], Covenant, [[Sentinels]], and the [[Flood]] on the [[Forerunner]] ringworld [[Installation 05]], otherwise known as "Delta Halo".
The '''Battle of Installation 05''', also known as the '''battle for the Second Ring of the Gods''' among the [[Covenant]],<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 241''</ref> was a major engagement in early [[2552#November|November 2552]] between the Covenant, the [[Flood]], and the [[United Nations Space Command]], with the aid of [[Forerunner]] [[Sentinel]]s and the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili]] on the Forerunner [[Halo Array|ringworld]] [[Installation 05]], otherwise known as "Delta Halo".


==Introduction==
The battle saw the [[Covenant separatists|splintering]] of the Covenant empire as the [[Great Schism]] began, and the formation of an alliance between [[human]]ity and the [[Sangheili]] of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Rtas 'Vadum]].
During the [[First Battle of Earth]], the [[Prophet of Regret]] led a small fleet of two [[Assault Carrier]]s and thirteen [[CCS-class Battlecruiser|''CCS''-class Battlecruiser]]s on an expeditionary raid that stumbled upon [[Earth]], the strongest UNSC stronghold planet, as well as the home world for humanity. After substantial ground, air, and space losses, Regret fled in an Assault Carrier over [[New Mombasa]], opening a [[Slipspace]] rift and destroying the city in a devastating Slipspace cataclysm as it initiated an emergency jump, inside atmosphere to Installation 05. How the Covenant obtained the coordinates to Installation 05 is unknown.


However, upon [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Hood]]'s order, five [[United Nations Space Command]] warships near New Mombasa were close enough to catch onto the Assault Carrier's rift before it terminated: three [[UNSC Frigate]]s, the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}, {{UNSCShip|Paris}}, and the {{UNSCShip|Redoubtable}}, one [[UNSC Corvette]], the {{UNSCShip|Coral Sea}}, and one [[UNSC Prowler]], the {{UNSCShip|Dusk}}, were able to enter the Slipspace field, trailing the Assault Carrier.  
==Prelude==
At some point, an ancilla warned the monitor of [[Installation 05]]—[[2401 Penitent Tangent]]—of a pending outbreak in one the installation's [[Flood containment facility|Flood containment facilities]]. However, Penitent Tangent ignored the warning, and those that followed, for millennia. The installation's [[sentinel]]s managed to keep the [[Flood]] largely contained in the [[Quarantine Zone]] around the [[Library]], although the machines never managed to fully destroy the infestation.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', multiplayer map ''[[Cold Storage]] [[Cold Storage Reports|transmissions]]''</ref> Eventually, a [[Gravemind]] formed on the installation and captured Penitent Tangent.<ref name="gravemind">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>


Their shadowing, however, was not exactingly precise. Only the frigate ''In Amber Clad'' successfully trailed the Assault Carrier to Installation 05. The prowler ''Dusk'' arrived days later near the Covenant homeworld ship ''[[High Charity]]'', and the ''Coral Sea'', ''Paris'', and ''Redoubtable'' were nowhere near the engagement, most likely due to the imprecise physics of Slipspace and the UNSC's rather limited technology in that field.
[[File:H2A - In Amber Clad approaches Halo.png|thumb|250px|left|''In Amber Clad'' approaches Installation 05.]]
At the beginning of the [[Battle of Earth]] in [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]], the [[Prophet of Regret]] led [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], which contained two {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s and thirteen {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s on an expeditionary raid that stumbled upon [[Earth]], [[human]]ity's homeworld and the UNSC's strongest fortress.<ref name="cairo">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station]]''</ref> After substantial ground, air, and space losses, and faced with the possibility of being overrun on the ground and intercepted by UNSC ships if it tried to escape to orbit, Regret ordered a retreat. With Regret aboard, ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' made an emergency in-atmosphere [[slipspace]] jump over [[New Mombasa]], with the {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}} {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} following it into slipspace.{{Ref/Reuse|deltahalo}}<ref name="metro">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref>


==Regret==
At [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood]]'s order, {{UNSCShip|Coral Sea}}, {{UNSCShip|Dusk}}, {{UNSCShip|Paris}}, and {{UNSCShip|Redoubtable}} were sent to follow and assist the ''In Amber Clad'' with the heavy assault carrier, as they were the closest, fastest UNSC ships to the carrier with charged slipspace capacitors. The ships intended to find out where the assault carrier was heading, or destroy the ship entirely to kill Regret.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 185-186''</ref> Their shadowing, however, was not exactingly precise. Only the frigate ''In Amber Clad'' successfully trailed the assault carrier to its destination. ''Dusk'', a [[prowler]], arrived a day later near the Covenant holy city of ''[[High Charity]]''. While ''Coral Sea''<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/delta-halo '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Delta Halo'']</ref> and ''Redoubtable''<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476795851/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=desktop-1&amp;pf_rd_r=0ZDTBAZQPQQBZSSQ44VW&amp;pf_rd_t=36701&amp;pf_rd_p=2079475242&amp;pf_rd_i=desktop '''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''': ''Chapter 1'']</ref> conducted scans of Delta Halo's surface, the fate of the ''Paris'' is unknown.<ref name="goo189">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 189''</ref>
===UNSC Offensive===
Regret's assault carrier hovered over the installation, deploying [[Wraiths]], [[Ghosts]], [[Banshees]], and also companies of [[Elites]], [[Jackals]], [[Yanme'e|Drones]], and [[Grunts]] by means of [[Phantom]] dropships. The Covenant ground forces fortified themselves in a series of Forerunner ruins and temple structures, even establishing [[Shielded Plasma Cannon]]s for further defense.


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]] special forces commandos and [[SPARTAN-117]] to establish a landing zone near a series of ruins and temples on Installation 05 to allow [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery J. Johnson]] to bring in two flights of [[Pelicans]] and further expand the UNSC presence. The frigate made a quick pass-over of a segment of the ringworld, deploying a dozen [[Human Entry Vehicle]]s. Six survived into the atmosphere of the ring, and only four personnel eventually survived - SPARTAN-117 and three "Helljumpers". However, before they could land in the small ruins, they were detected by the Covenant, and SPARTAN-117 led the commandos in eliminating Covenant [[plasma]] turrets and holding their position against waves of Covenant troops until a Pelican could drop off an [[M12 Warthog LRV]] and a pair of [[Marines]].  
==The battle==
===Opening actions===
On [[2552#November|November 2, 2552]], ''Solemn Penance'' exited slipspace over [[Installation 05]], orbiting [[Substance]] in the [[Coelest system]]. Regret's assault carrier took position over the installation, establishing a solid ground presence with armor and patrols of [[Type-26 Banshee]]s, and also companies of infantry by means of {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}s. The Covenant ground forces fortified themselves in a series of Forerunner ruins and temple structures, establishing [[Shade|anti-air defenses]].{{Ref/Reuse|deltahalo}}


[[Image:H2 IAC Hover.jpg|thumb|left|The [[UNSC In Amber Clad|UNSC ''In Amber Clad'']] hovers slightly over [[Installation 05]], preparing to release a dozen [[Human Entry Vehicle]]s to begin the UNSC offensive on Installation 05.]]
[[File:H2A - HEVs over Delta Halo.jpg|thumb|250px|left|John-117 and a team of ODSTs insert into the atmosphere of Installation 05 in HEVs.]]
[[Image:H2 SPARTAN117 Make Noise.jpg|left|thumb|[[SPARTAN-117]] readies an [[M19 Rocket Launcher]] and a [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun]].]]
Meanwhile, ''In Amber Clad'' trailed behind and [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]], captain of ''In Amber Clad'', ordered the ship's [[platoon]] of [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s and [[John-117]] to establish a [[landing zone]] near a series of ruins and temples on Installation 05 to allow [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]] to bring in two [[D77-TC Pelican]]s to further expand the UNSC presence. The frigate made a quick pass-over of a segment of the ringworld, deploying eleven [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV pods]]. Most survived the atmospheric insertion to the surface of the ring, but due to Covenant stationary turret-fire only four personnel survived to make landfall—John-117 and ODSTs [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Stacker]], [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Banks]] and [[Private First Class]] [[Dubbo]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3]] [[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|Legendary Edition]]''' - ''Essentials, Disc Two - [[Halo 2]] [[List of Halo 2 Cinematic Cutscenes|Cinematics]] Commentary''</ref>  A second wave of SOEIV pods was deployed from ''In Amber Clad'', however the few ODSTs who managed to make landfall found themselves isolated behind enemy lines and were quickly killed.
While the immediate objective for SPARTAN-117 and his Marines was to push through the Covenant-held Forerunner ruins and capture the Prophet of Regret, the overall UNSC objective for Installation 05 was to ensure that the Covenant would not activate the ring and extinguish all sentient life in the galaxy. To do this, the UNSC had to infiltrate the [[Library]], retrieve the [[Index]], and safeguard it, thereby preventing the Covenant from using the Index to fire the ring.


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 ravine defended by [[Jackal Sniper]]s and Drones. They proceeded to another temple, this one with a 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, SPARTAN-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 the [[Master Chief]], which air-dropped more Resupply Canisters on the platform.
[[File:HM-DeltaHalo.jpg|thumb|250px|John-117 and some UNSC Marines on the surface of Installation 05, with ''Solemn Penance'' looming overhead.]]
Upon landing, John-117 led the ODSTs in eliminating Covenant Shades stationed around a small temple, in order to clear an LZ for vehicular reinforcement. After successfully clearing the temple and it's courtyard, John-117 and his Troopers defended the position against waves of Covenant troops until a Pelican could drop off an [[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]. After liberating a nearby Forerunner bridge-control facility, a [[Scorpion]] was delivered alongside [[Marine]] reinforcements. The UNSC forces assaulted the bridge, which was defended by a [[Wraith]], numerous [[Ghost]]s and a pair of [[Banshee]]s. After successfully crossing, the convoy continued to battle through a vast temple complex, encountering significant Covenant defenses en route to Regret's location. After securing a large temple, the force dismounted and were resupplied with weapons and reinforcements via Pelican before securing the interior on foot. A passage inside the temple opened into a small vale occupied by Covenant, and after neutralizing a sizable force of Covenant Infantry, John-117 and his forces arrived at the edge of the lake containing Regret's temple.


The UNSC continued attacking, proceeding from the platform to a gondola which took SPARTAN-117 and his remaining Marines to a heavily-defended Forerunner underwater temple which was guarded by [[Hunters]], [[Stealth Elites]], [[Honor Guard Elites]], Stealth [[Grunts]], and other Covenant forces. After emerging from the submerged temple, they emerged at a hilly Forerunner ruin, where [[Yanme'e|Drones]], [[Elites]], and [[Grunts]] attempted to halt the UNSC advance, and [[Phantoms]] arrived with additional Covenant reinforcements.
Arriving in the first room of a large ruin complex standing in the lake itself,{{Ref/Reuse|deltahalo}} [[Cortana]] translated a sermon from the Prophet of Regret, alerting the UNSC that the Covenant was intending to activate Installation 05. Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] had been reviewing [[Cortana]]'s information from the installation her father had discovered a month prior,<ref name="H2-DeltaHalo">'''''[[Halo 2]]''''' - ''[[Delta Halo]]'', opening cutscene</ref> and was able to locate [[Installation 05]]'s Library. She set out to reach it and secure it's [[Activation Index]] before the Covenant could do so. Sergeant [[Johnson]] was ordered to extract the Marine and ODST forces supporting John-117 and rendezvous with the ''In Amber Clad'' at the Library.<ref name="Regret">'''[[Halo 2]]''' campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]'', opening cutscene</ref>


===Assassination===
===Assassination of Regret===
[[Image:MC attacks Regret.jpg|thumb|right|[[Master Chief]] kills the [[Prophet of Regret]] in the Main Temple by beating him to death.]]
{{Main|Assassination of the Prophet of Regret}}
[[Image:H2 Main Temple Vaporized.jpg|thumb|right|A Covenant [[Assault Carrier]] repositions over the Main Temple, destroying it with what has been speculated to be a modified gravity beam in attempt to finish off [[SPARTAN-117]], who narrowly escapes.]]
[[File:H2A JohnVsRegret.jpg|left|thumb|250px|John-117 reels his fist back to violently punch the Prophet of Regret.]]
However, the Covenant were ultimately unsuccessful. The UNSC, after clearing out the last ruins, were able to secure a landing zone for a [[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 they found on a tower. Despite being attacked by Covenant [[Banshee]]s and [[Ranger]]s, they were able to gain access to the temple. After destroying several defense turrets, they entered the Temple as the Prophet of Regret was finishing his sermon.  


After docking, ''[[High Charity]]'' reverted from Slipspace over Installation 05, with hundreds of warships, including those of the [[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]]. 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.
John-117 was ordered to continue to Regret's temple and neutralize him. Supported by a pair of Marines, one of which was [[Dubbo|PFC Dubbo]], John battled through a cluster of Covenant-filled towers before reaching an open platform. At the time, the Covenant were becoming increasingly aware of UNSC activity on the Ringworld, causing Commander Keyes to reroute several Pelicans on their way to the Library to aid John-117 rather than have them draw attention to the ''In Amber Clad''. The Pelicans air-dropped [[ordnance pod|Materiel Acquisition Pods]] on the platform to resupply the trio with fresh weapons and ammunition. John's strike team continued their attack, proceeding from the platform to an [[anti-gravity gondola]] which took John-117 and the two Marines to a underwater temple with a heavy Covenant presence. Cortana was able to intercept several transmissions between [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]] and the [[Prophet of Truth]]. After emerging from the submerged temple at a hilly Forerunner ruin, they were engaged by Covenant infantry, reinforced by Phantoms attempting to halt the UNSC advance.<ref name="regret">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref>


{{Quote|How dare [[SPARTAN-117|you]] interrupt my sermon? [[Honor Guard Elite|Guards]], remove him! Your very existence offends me, [[Demon]]!|[[Prophet of Regret]]}}
Despite significant reinforcement the Covenant were unable to stop the Spartan from closing in on his target.  Meanwhile, Marines from the rerouted Pelicans had secured the first tower cluster to use as a landing zone. A single Pelican remained on station, resupplying John with more ordnance pods before setting down on the tower platform to await the Spartan's signal for evac. The strike team boarded the final gondola leading to [[Temple (Installation 05)|the temple]] the Prophet of Regret was located in. Despite being attacked by Covenant [[Type-26 Banshee]]s and [[Sangheili Ranger]]s, they were able to gain access to the main temple. Before they could enter, however, ''[[High Charity]]'' exited slipspace over Installation 05, along with the hundreds of warships of the [[High Charity defense fleet]] and the [[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]]. Responding to a distress signal from Regret, [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee moved to reinforce the temple by Phantom [[dropship]]s in an urgent measure to defend the Hierarch. However, the Prophet of Truth stalled these Phantoms, in an attempt to allow  Regret to be killed as part of his political plans for the Covenant.<ref name="icon">''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref>


A large contingent of Honor Guards and [[Grunts]] defended the Prophet, but SPARTAN-117 was able to board the Prophet's levitating gravity chair and beat the Prophet to death. During the fray, all the remaining Marines were killed. Shortly thereafter, a Covenant Assault Carrier repositioned over the main temple, and destroyed it with a weaponized gravity beam, but SPARTAN-117 jumped,or fell, into the lake with seconds to spare and was grasped by the tentacles of the [[Gravemind]], a Flood overlord creature, and taken prisoner.
Inside the temple, a large contingent of [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] and [[Unggoy]] defended the Prophet. Cortana detected a wave of Phantoms too large to measure en-route to the temple, indicating to the Spartan time was running short. John-117 was able to board the Regret's [[anti-gravity chair|gravity throne]] and dispatch the frail [[San'Shyuum]] with his fist. The Prophet's guards quickly began to empty the temple, and Cortana detected the incoming Phantoms changing course, heading away from the temple. Shortly thereafter, a {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} positioned itself over the main temple, and fired upon the structure with its [[energy projector]]. With not enough time for airborne evac, John leapt into the lake to evade the glassing beam. Here, he was soon grasped by the tentacles of the [[Gravemind]], a [[Flood]] compound intelligence, and taken prisoner.{{Ref/Reuse|regret}}


==Race for the Index==
===The Containment Shield===
===Introduction===
{{Main|Battle of the Quarantine Zone}}
[[Image:H2 Rtas Vadumee Arguing.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rtas 'Vadumee]], flanked by a pair of [[Minor Elite]]s, protests the [[Changing of the Guard]] before the [[Prophet of Truth]].]]
[[File:H2A - Library.jpg|thumb|250px|Tartarus's Phantom nears the containment shield to deploy the Arbiter.]]
{{Quote|[[Arbiter (Character)|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 [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]}}
 
After the Prophet of Regret had been murdered, with significant consequences to the Covenant, the UNSC and the Covenant both raced to reach the Library and seize the Index. The UNSC wanted to keep it safe to prevent the activation of the installation, but the Covenant desired to bring the "[[Sacred Icon]]" (the Covenant name of the Index) to the [[Control Room]] of the ring and activate the Halos.


===Changing of the Guard===
A short time earlier, Commander Keyes received a transmission from Cortana indicating they were aboard the final Gondola and approaching Regret's temple. The ''In Amber Clad'' had discovered that Installation 05's Library was surrounded by a [[containment shield]]—an impenetrable [[energy shielding|energy shield]] projected by a large wall-like Forerunner structure. After failing to find a way around the barrier, the Frigate deployed a platoon-sized force of Marines to the wall led by Gunnery Sergeant [[Marcus Stacker]] and Staff Sergeant [[Banks]]. The Marines moved through the outer wall with ease, unmolested by local Sentinel defenses - likely due to being recognized by the automated guardians as [[Reclaimers]].{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}
{{Main|Changing of the Guard}}


{{Quote|Recommissioning the [[Honor Guard|guard]] was a radical step, but recent events have made it abundantly clear that the [[Elite]]s can no longer guarantee [[Prophet|our]] safety.|[[Prophet of Truth]] to [[Rtas 'Vadumee]]}}
Aboard High Charity, Regret's death had major political upheaval, as the Sangheili were punished by their failure to protect the Prophet of Regret. The Jiralhanae were assigned to [[Changing of the Guard|replace]] them as [[Honor Guard]]s, and [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]] was given to the task of retrieving the Index from the Library. Tartarus sent numerous waves of Jiralhanae-led Covenant infantry to storm the Sentinel Wall, however after all failed to breach the outer wall, Thel 'Vadamee, the Arbiter of the Covenant, was personally ordered by the Prophets [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] to journey to the surface of the ring and retrieve the [[Sacred Icon]].


After the death of Regret at the hands of the [[Demon]]. Rtas 'Vadumee was furious at the Prophet of Truth for withdrawing his men, who could have saved Regret. However, Truth deliberately and wrongfully framed the Elites for the death of Regret. The [[Honor Guard]]s of the Covenant were decommissioned, and the Brutes took over as the guardians of the Prophet hierarchy, a move that infuriated the Elites and drove an even deeper rift between the Brutes and the Elites, already mortal enemies.
Dropped directly to the wall by Tartarus' personal [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] transport, the Arbiter encountered a small number of surviving [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]] from the earlier assault. After battling through numerous Forerunner constructs to reach the control center for the Containment Shield, the Arbiter deactivated the shield, boarding a gondola to exit the outer wall. The inner wall quickly became overrun with [[Flood]] from the nearby Quarantine Zone it was designed to contain, and the UNSC platoon was caught unprepared.


===Containment Shield===
Spread throughout the wall in small fireteams and completely unaware of the nature of enemy they were facing, most of the platoon was quickly assimilated by the parasite, proceeding to take up arms against their former comrades. Additionally, the local Sentinel forces became hostile to the surviving Marines, likely due to the immediate presence of the Flood.
[[Image:H2 Containment Shield.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tartarus]]'s [[Phantom]] nears the [[Sentinel Wall]] to deploy the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], with the [[Containment Shield]] and the [[Library]] visible in the background.]]
With his forces decimated, but the Containment Shield now disabled, Stacker radioed ''In Amber Clad'' suggesting Keyes proceed straight to the Library while his troops attempted to hold their position. A short time later, Stacker made contact with Keyes once again, confirming their engagement with non-Covenant hostile lifeforms, while Banks and other Marine survivors could be heard staging a desperate defense.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}
{{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 (Character)|Arbiter]]}}


However, 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 underground Forerunner complex heavily defended by [[Sentinels]], [[Sentinel Majors]], and even [[Enforcers]]. Numbers of Brutes, Jackals, and Grunts had already attempted to penetrate the Sentinel Wall, with pockets scattered all over the facility, all being overwhelmed by Sentinel defenders. However, the [[Arbiter (Character)|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.
As 'Vadamee exited the outer wall, Tartarus' Phantom was driven off by a Sentinel Enforcer, forcing the Arbiter to travel through the now-flood infested inner-wall.<ref name="guide115">'''[[Halo 2: The Official Strategy Guide|The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]''', ''page 115''</ref> The Arbiter battled infected Marines, Sentinels and even encountered two surviving UNSC fireteams as he made his way towards the base of the structure.
 
{{Quote|[[Arbiter (Character)|You've]] reached the power source. Overload the locks holding it in place. Release the power source. Now, find a way to remove it from its cradle.|[[Tartarus]] to the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]}}
 
After battling through the forward section of the Sentinel Wall and moving even deeper through the facility, the Arbiter was able to destroy an Enforcer, and disengage the plug locks of the generator, and then physically disengage the generator out of its "cradle", powering off the Containment Shield. While the shield had been disengaged, the path to the Library was far from clear. There was a rampant Flood infestation: the second half of the Sentinel Wall was heavily saturated with Flood, and there were icy canyons heavily entrenched by Flood battling against outnumbered Sentinel defenders that lay between the perimeter of the Containment Shield and the Library, which was accessible only by an underground gondola.
 
{{Quote|[[Enforcer|Blasted machines]]! Make your own a way through [[Sentinel Wall|the wall]], [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]!|[[Tartarus]] to the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]}}
 
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<ref>''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 115</ref> by himself. 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 Elites to clear out the lower levels of the complex, but these too were killed. Finally, the Arbiter jumped down a series of plummeting vertical tunnels, exiting from the Sentinel Wall and entering the battle-torn icy plains of the [[Quarantine Zone]].


===Battle of the Quarantine Zone===
===Battle of the Quarantine Zone===
[[Image:Sacredicon1600.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Library]] of [[Installation 05]] situated deep inside the [[Quarantine Zone]].]]
[[Image:H2 Rtas Vadumee Rally.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rtas 'Vadumee]] valiantly rallies his [[Special Operations Elite]], informing them that they must advance towards the center of the [[Quarantine Zone]] and destroy the [[Flood]].]]
{{Main|Battle of the Quarantine Zone}}
{{Main|Battle of the Quarantine Zone}}
{{Quote|We shall cut into the heart of [[Flood|this infestation]], retrieve the icon, and burn any Flood that stand in our way! Forward, warriors, and fear not pain or death!|[[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee<ref name="zone">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>}}
[[File:H2A - Rtas rallying troops.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee rallies his Sangheili to battle.]]
The Quarantine Zone was intended to be a location where the Sentinel custodians of the installation could herd the Flood, and prevent them from entering the Library. Two [[Sentinel manufacturing facility]] ships hung in the air, deploying Sentinel reinforcements.<ref>'''The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide''', ''page 122''</ref> However, the Quarantine Zone was compromised by the Flood, and the Flood managed to crash one of the floating facilities using a {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}, sending it plummeting down to the installation's surface.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}


{{Quote|The [[Flood]] are upon [[Special Operations Elite|us]]!|[[Special Operations Elite]]}}
The Arbiter met with Commander Rtas 'Vadumee and two other 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.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}} 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 {{Pattern|Wuzum|Spectre}} and a pair of {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s. 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—''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 the vehicles they had commandeered, while all the while, Enforcers rained heavy fire.{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}
{{Quote|We must hold this camp until reinforcements arrive.|[[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadumee]]}}


The Quarantine Zone was supposed to be a location where during times of war, the Sentinel custodians of the installation could herd the Flood, and prevent them from entering the Library. Two [[Sentinel Constructor Factory]] ships<ref>''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 122</ref> hung in the air, deploying Sentinel reinforcements. However, the Quarantine Zone was compromised by the Flood, and the Flood managed to crash one of the floating factories, sending it plummeting down to the ringworld.  
The small Covenant task force was forced to debark from its vehicles as they transgressed the wreckage of one of the Sentinel constructor factories, although just beyond the wreckage on the other side, they were met by another Covenant Phantom, this one dropping off a Spectre manned by Rtas 'Vadumee himself and another Special Operations Sangheili. However, as they progressed through the last series of snowy plains, they were met with increasingly heavy resistance as they neared the Library. The Sentinels were in much larger force, while a large number of Flood-infested humans savagely held a barricade against the Library, using crates, turrets, and heavy weapons to prevent anyone to gain entrance to the Library and retrieve the index, which would eventually lead to the extermination of the Flood.{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}


The Covenant shortly established a "camp"<ref>''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 115</ref>, air-dropping seven drop pods that contained Rtas 'Vadumee and six Special Operations Elites, along with several plasma turrets and a deployable gravity lift tower.
===The Library===
[[File:Sacredicon1600.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Library of Installation 05 situated deep inside the Quarantine Zone.]]
{{Quote|The release of 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]]{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}}}


{{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, [[Special Operations Elite|warriors]], and fear not pain or death. Go, [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], I'll follow when our reinforcements arrive.|[[Rtas 'Vadumee]]}}
A small UNSC Marine force led by [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Avery Johnson]] was able to slip past the Flood infestation into the Library, followed shortly by the Arbiter, Rtas 'Vadumee, and half a dozen Special Operations Sangheili. There were a pair of [[anti-gravity 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 Sangheili, 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. Flood entered the gondolas, jumping from the upper levels and also crawling in underneath on their undersides, assailing both the UNSC troops and the Sangheili forces. Tartarus, in his Phantom, attempted to provide cover fire for the Arbiter, using the three plasma cannons of his dropship to burn off any Flood on the upper levels of the Arbiter's gondola, but later, Tartarus chased after the UNSC-held gondola.{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}


The Arbiter met with three of the Elites 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 landed and established a small outpost, complete with turrets and the gravity lift tower, where 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 Elites 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-commandeered Ghosts, Warthogs, Wraiths, and [[Scorpions]], while all the while, Enforcers rained heavy fire.  
[[File:H2A-Miranda.jpg|thumb|250px|Miranda Keyes stretches over a chasm in the Library, securing the index.]]
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, led by Miranda Keyes and Avery Johnson, entered. Although many [[Flood combat form]]s had been exhausted in the Gravemind's last-ditch attempt to stave off the gondolas, there were a large number of [[Pod infector]]s 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 managed to grab the index over a seemingly endless chasm. Once Keyes and Johnson had the index, they were ambushed by Thel 'Vadamee. Johnson was knocked unconscious by the Arbiter, but Keyes was able to take down Arbiter's shields by firing at him with an [[M7 SMG]]. However, Tartarus entered with four of his [[Jiralhanae Captain]]s. Tartarus used 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 informed Thel about the Jiralhanae's intended genocide of the increasingly incompetent Sangheili, an act sanctioned by the High Prophets themselves. The Chieftain then knocked the stunned Arbiter into a pit leading to the depths of Installation 05, initiating the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}


{{Quote|[[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], I'm sending some of [[Rtas 'Vadumee|my]] [[Special Operations Elite|best fighters]] to assist you. Do not squander their talents.|[[Rtas 'Vadumee]]}}
[[File:H2ATruth2.png|thumb|250px|left|The Prophet of Truth announces the retrieval of Installation 05's activation index.]]
The engagement at the Library proved to be devastating to the UNSC and resulted in the loss of ''In Amber Clad'' as the Flood took over the frigate. Meanwhile, Tartarus brought the Sacred Icon to ''[[High Charity]]'', where the Prophet of Truth exulted him and encouraged the Covenant to celebrate, for the Sacred Icon was secure, and that soon afterward, the Halos would be fired and the Great Journey would be brought upon the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}
{{Clear}}


The small Covenant task force was forced to debark from its vehicles as they transgressed the wreckage of one of the Sentinel Constructor Factories, although just beyond the wreckage on the other side, they were met by another Covenant Phantom, this one dropping off a Spectre manned by Rtas 'Vadumee himself and another Special Operations Elite. However, as they progressed through the last series of snowy plains, they were met with increasingly heavy resistance as they neared the Library. The Sentinels were in much larger force, while a large number of Flood-infested humans savagely held a barricade against the Library, using crates, turrets, and heavy weapons to prevent anyone to gain entrance to the Library and retrieve the Index, which would eventually lead to the extermination of the Flood.
===The Great Schism===
{{Main|Great Schism}}
[[File:HTMCC-H2A NoSalvationOnThisRing.png|thumb|250px|The Gravemind speaks to the Arbiter and John-117 in the depths of Installation 05.]]
{{Quote|The Elites have failed to protect the Prophets, 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]]{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}}}


===Library===
The Covenant would not activate the Halos unimpeded. The Flood, who would be starved if the rings were activated, would soon attack the Covenant to prevent the activation, and the UNSC, who understood that all sentient life would be erased, also opposed the Covenant. Later, after the fragmentation of the Covenant into the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili-dominated faction]] and the Prophet-led Covenant, the Sangheili would understand the true purpose of Halo and attack the Covenant to prevent them from activating the ringworld. Meanwhile, [[John-117]], who had fallen into the lake, and the Arbiter, who had been thrust into the chasm of the Library, were both caught by the tentacles of the [[Gravemind]], along with the assimilated [[Prophet of Regret]] and [[2401 Penitent Tangent]], the monitor of Installation 05. The Gravemind sent the Arbiter and John-117 to aid in his plan to prevent the activation of Installation 05, manipulating the Halo's [[teleportation grid]] to send John-117 to High Charity to search for the index, and sending the Arbiter to the cliffs just beyond the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]], another likely spot.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}
[[Image:H2 Index.jpg|thumb|right|[[Miranda Keyes]] stretches over a bottomless chasm in the [[Control Room]], securing the [[Index]].]]
{{Quote|More [[UNSC Marine Corps|human]]s...they must be after the [[Index|icon]].|[[Rtas 'Vadumee]] to the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]}}  


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 Elites 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 Elites on the second gondola, trailing behind the UNSC-held one.
The Covenant's betrayal of the Sangheili led to a large-scale civil war on High Charity. 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 Jiralhanae were now the ruling caste of the Covenant, Tartarus ordered the execution of the [[Sangheili 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 by Jiralhanae led by Captain [[Melchus]], a small number were taken prisoner.<ref name="uprising">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Uprising]]''</ref>


{{Quote|[[UNSC Marine Corps|Humans]]! [[Tartarus|I'll]] get them.|[[Tartarus]]}}
[[File:H2A - Arbiter and 'Vadum.png|thumb|250px|left|Rtas and Thel meet again, preparing to avenge the Councilors.]]
{{Quote|That fool! He'll alert them to our presence!|First [[Special Operations Elite]]}}
However, the Sangheili were quick to strike back. The Gravemind teleported the Arbiter to a high cliff near the Control Room, and gave him an objective: to prevent Tartarus from using the Sacred Icon and activating Halo, which would not result in the promised sublimation event of the Prophets, but only death and destruction on a galactic scale. The Arbiter arrived just too late, witnessing the murders of a handful of Sangheili from afar at the hands of the Jiralhanae, but was able to push forward against a number of patrolling Jiralhanae, and meet up with a number of surviving Sangheili warriors. The small group of survivors, led by the Arbiter, pushed northward through a large Jiralhanae-held Forerunner structure, unpinning small groups of scattered loyal Unggoy and killing dozens of Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, and Yanme'e. Afterward, they emerged from the structure, and fought their way past several Jiralhanae camps, commandeering several Ghosts along the way. As they neared [[Jiralhanae encampment|another]] cluster of structures, they encountered heavier resistance in the form of Jiralhanae-controlled Wraiths. The Arbiter and his Sangheili allies managed to defeat the Jiralhanae and secure a landing zone, allowing for additional Sangheili reinforcements to arrive.{{Ref/Reuse|uprising}}
{{Quote|Look on the bright side, maybe if we're lucky, they'll shoot him down!|Second [[Special Operations Elite]]}}


The gondola's ride, however, was harrowing. Flood entered the gondolas, jumping from the upper levels and also crawling in underneath on their undersides, assailing both the UNSC troops and also the Arbiter and his quartet of Special Operations Elites. Tartarus, in his Phantom, attempted to provide cover fire for the Arbiter, using the three plasma cannons of his dropship to burn off any Flood on the upper levels of the Arbiter's gondola, but later, Tartarus chased after the UNSC-held gondola.  
After securing the first half of the camp, the Arbiter and his allies moved into the weapons cache, where the Jiralhanae had aggregated a large number of Covenant and UNSC weapons alike. The Arbiter led his group outside the structure and into a tunnel and defeated the Jiralhanae within. After exiting the tunnel, the Arbiter met with Rtas 'Vadumee who was commandeering a Wraith.{{Ref/Reuse|uprising}}
{{Clear}}


{{Quote|Behold, the [[library]] of [[Forerunner|our lords]]!|[[Special Operations Elite]]}}
===Fall of High Charity===
{{Quote|The [[UNSC Marine Corps|humans]] are already inside, [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]! After them! I'll watch the perimeter. Hurry, Arbiter! Get the icon!|[[Tartarus]]}}
{{Main|Fall of High Charity}}
{{Quote|We shall protect this vessel. It may be our only means of escape.|[[Special Operations Elite]]}}
[[File:H2A - Great Schism.jpg|thumb|250px|Sangheili and Jiralhanae vessels battle over High Charity and Delta Halo]]
{{Quote|Now is the time of our unworlding, in a moment we shall all become...as gods. If you will falter, know this...one final effort is all that remains.|The Prophet of Truth inspiring his loyalists to defeat the Flood on High Charity}}
John-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 the Spartan could kill both Prophets, they escaped by means of an [[elevator]], while the doors were locked and waves of [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen]], [[Jiralhanae Minor]]s, and Unggoy entered in an attempt to kill the supersoldier. Cortana managed to unlock the doors, and John-117 chased through two towers and a set of corridors in pursuit of Truth and Mercy. However, Cortana had discovered Marines that were being kept prisoner on High Charity and John-117 freed them. Truth's transmissions to the rest of the Covenant allowed Cortana to triangulate his position, allowing her to direct John-117 and the Marines in their hunt for the Prophet. The Covenant attempted to stop Cortana, but were unsuccessful.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}


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 Flood'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.
As John-117 and the Marines reached [[Hanging Gardens A]], the first scene of Covenant fratricide was seen, as Sangheili Honor Guards, [[Sangheili Minor]]s, [[Mgalekgolo]], and Unggoy fought against Jiralhanae and [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]s amongst the massive plants. John-117 and his men advanced to the [[Mid Tower]], where Rangers and Special Operations Sangheili entered the fray, and numerous [[Yanme'e]] entered the engagement. During the fight, the Flood-controlled ''In Amber Clad'' then jumped directly into High Charity, where it plummeted uncontrollably, crashing into the [[Far Tower]]. However, by the time that the small UNSC squad entered [[Hanging Gardens B]], Sangheili resistance on High Charity had broken. In the second Hanging Gardens, the Sangheili and those loyal to them fell back, leaving behind large numbers of [[stationary shield generator]]s, abandoning numbers of Unggoy to berserk Jiralhanae as the Sangheili fell back to the Far Tower and the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]], drawing a last line of defense there. Despite their efforts, the Prophets of Truth and Mercy, Tartarus, and a handful of Jiralhanae Captains were able to tunnel through the last Sangheili defenses to the far docking bays of the Far Tower.<ref>'''The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide''', ''page 129''</ref> John-117 pursued Tartarus, fighting through the Far Tower and the Mausoleum of the Arbiter to make it through to the landing pads.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}<ref>'''The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide''', ''page 128''</ref>
{{Quote|The Great Journey waits for no one, brother... not even you.|Truth betraying Mercy}}
[[File:H2A - Mercydeath.png|thumb|250px|left|The Prophet of Mercy is killed by the Flood.]]
The Spartan was too late, however. The Prophet of Truth ordered Tartarus to deliver the activation index to the Control Room of Installation 05, and activate the Halos. Tartarus took a detachment of Jiralhanae Honor Guards along with him in two Phantoms, along with UNSC prisoners Avery Johnson and Miranda Keyes. Truth took a third Phantom to the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]]—the central energy source of High Charity, and also a fully functional Forerunner [[keyship]] that the two remaining High Prophets were going to use to reach Earth, and finish the battle. Meanwhile, the Flood were escaping from the crashed hulk of ''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 [[Pod infector]]s out of the air from opened hatches. The Prophet of Mercy was beset by a Pod infector and died before he could reach his Phantom. However, Tartarus and Truth were able to depart before John-117 could arrive.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}


{{Quote|[[McKenzie]], [[Perez (Marine)|Perez]], how's our exit? You hear me, Marines?...we got trouble.|[[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery J. Johnson]]}}
[[File:H2A - Cortana watching dreadnought.jpg|thumb|250px|Cortana watches the keyship lift off from High Charity for Earth]]
{{Quote|no=three|q1=Chief, when you get to Earth...good luck.|Cortana|q2=After I'm through with Truth...|John-117|q3=Don't make a girl a promise...if you know you can't keep it.|Cortana|Cortana to John-117 before he departed to kill Truth and stop his invasion at Earth}}


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]]s. 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.
By that time, resistance by the Sangheili and their allies had completely shattered on High Charity. There were few Sangheili or Mgalekgolo remaining, and only a few scattered Unggoy. The forces loyal to the Prophets, however, retained a large number of Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, and Yanme'e. Despite the lack of a Sangheili ground force, they were still very much present in space, where the Covenant fleets over High Charity had splintered in allegiances, with Sangheili and Jiralhanae ships actively engaging and destroying each other. While Truth was taking a Phantom to the Forerunner ship, Cortana detected an [[High Charity conduit|energy conduit]] to the ship located in the Mausoleum tower ahead of John-117's position. John-117 entered the Mausoleum tower from the dropship landing pads, and engaged numerous Flood and Covenant hostiles. The Spartan eventually took a [[gravity lift]] to access the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]]. While John engaged Covenant forces, large numbers of Flood began to attack and the Spartan was forced to enter the energy conduit to reach the Forerunner ship. John-117 was able to jump in the conduit just in time, barely making it to the ship before it lifted off for Earth. However, Cortana stayed behind while John would attempt to neutralize the ship before it rallied the Covenant fleets at Earth. In the event that Tartarus was about to trigger the Halo Array, Cortana announced that she would detonate the fusion reactors of ''In Amber Clad''—just like she had done to the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} at [[Installation 04]]—and the blast would destabilize the ring and prevent the activation of the Halos.<ref name="charity">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref>


{{Quote|The [[Sacred Icon|Icon]]...is my responsibility.|[[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]}}
Shortly afterward, all Covenant resistance on High Charity broke and succumbed to the Flood, who had infested a large area of the planetoid even during the raging combat between the Covenant and the Flood. Cortana, who resided in High Charity's computer systems to be ready to detonate the frigate's reactors as a final fail-safe, was captured and interrogated by the Gravemind.<ref name="journey">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>
{{Quote|Was your responsibility. Now it is mine. A bloody fate awaits [[Arbiter (Character)|you]] and the [[Elite|rest of your incompetent race]]. And I, Tartarus, [[Brute Chieftain|Chieftain of the Brutes]], will send you to it!|[[Tartarus]]}}
{{Quote|When the [[Prophet]]s learn of this, they will take your head!|[[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]}}
{{Quote|When they learn? Fool, they ordered me to do it.|[[Tartarus]]}}


With the Library clear and devoid of hostiles, the Arbiter demanded to have the Index, as he was personally ordered by the Prophet of Truth to secure it for the Covenant. However, unbeknownst to him, he had been betrayed by the Prophets, as had the entire Elite race. The Prophets had made the Brutes their champions, casting aside the physically inferior Elites.  
===Assault on the Bastion of the Brutes===
[[File:H2A - Scarab console.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Avery Johnson controlling a Scarab before the Arbiter.]]
{{Quote|Listen, you don't like me and I sure as hell don't like you. But if we don't do something, [[Tartarus|Mr. Mohawk's]] gonna activate this ring. And we're all gonna die.|Avery Johnson to Thel 'Vadamee}}
Meanwhile, 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 {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}} walker. Fortunately, a Scarab was available at the [[Bastion of the Brutes]], a Forerunner structure used by the Jiralhanae as their local base of operations.{{Ref/Reuse|uprising}}{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}


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.
[[File:H2A - ScarabConcept.png|300px|thumb|The battle for Installation 05's control room.]]
While Rtas 'Vadumee advanced forward in a Wraith tank, the Arbiter and another Special Operations Sangheili took a Spectre, and together, the Sangheili battled through a swarm of Ghosts, several Wraiths, and a bombarding Phantom. Eventually, the Sangheili secured entrance into the Bastion of the Brutes, where the Arbiter found another Special Operations Sangheili and a pair of Mgalekgolo, all of whom were loyal to the Sangheili. Meanwhile, Rtas 'Vadumee said that he would briefly watch the Arbiter's back, and would prevent any Jiralhanae reinforcements from entering in behind them while they cleared out the stronghold. Later, he announced that he would retake the {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} that was hanging in the distance. The Arbiter and his band of Sangheili and Mgalekgolo stormed the Bastion, fighting their way past Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, Yanme'e, and even a Phantom. Eventually, they freed imprisoned Councilors and Mgalekgolo and eventually reached the platform where the Scarab was docked. Much to their surprise, they discovered the presence of humans who were being held prisoner by the Jiralhanae. Amongst the prisoners was Sergeant Avery Johnson. The Jiralhanae had just received orders from Tartarus to execute the prisoners, when the Arbiter and his followers attacked. The humans, with the help of their Sangheili allies-to-be, took advantage of this distraction to free themselves and take control of the Scarab.{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}


{{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]]}}
After all the Jiralhanae on the platform were dead, there was a brief standoff between the Sangheili and the UNSC personnel. However, both the Arbiter and Sergeant Johnson realized that they shared a common enemy and objective. The two sides begrudgingly joined forces and set out to stop Tartarus from activating Halo.{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}


Meanwhile, Tartarus brought the Sacred Icon to ''[[High Charity]]'', where the Prophet of Truth exulted him and encouraged the Covenant to celebrate, for the Sacred Icon was secure, and that soon afterward, that the Halos would be fired and the Great Journey would be brought upon the Covenant.
===The Control Room===
[[File:HLC The Great Schism.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Thel 'Vadam battles against Tartarus.]]
{{Quote|No [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]]! The [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]] has begun, and the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]], not the [[Sangheili|Elites]], shall be the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]]' escort!|Tartarus to Thel 'Vadamee}}
The Arbiter took possession of a Banshee and provided cover fire for Johnson's Scarab. Together, they fought their way past a large Jiralhanae force consisting of multiple Wraiths, Banshees, Spectres, and Shade turrets. Eventually, the group reached the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] and destroyed its doors with the Scarab's primary cannon. Inside the chamber, the Arbiter fought his way through numerous Jiralhanae forces who had been ordered to prevent the Arbiter from disturbing Tartarus while he activated the Halos. Despite reinforcements, the high-ranked Jiralhanae were unable to hold the room, and the Arbiter continued down an arched corridor before confronting Tartarus in the control room. Inside, he found Tartarus and several Jiralhanae, along with two prisoners—Miranda Keyes and [[343 Guilty Spark]] who had been captured by the Covenant during the [[raid on the Threshold gas mine]].{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}


==[[Covenant Civil War]]==
Tartarus had been trying to force Keyes to insert the index into its place, as only a [[Reclaimer]] could activate Halo. The Arbiter entered the control room and told the Chieftain to stand down. Tartarus refused, and his Jiralhanae were about to attack the Arbiter, when Johnson suddenly appeared, pointing a [[Type-50 particle beam rifle]] at Tartarus' head. Seeing that he was in danger, Tartarus ordered his Jiralhanae to hold back for the moment. The Arbiter then had Guilty Spark explain that the Halos were weapons of mass destruction, built by the Forerunners as a last resort means to stop the Flood. Spark further revealed the Forerunners ultimately perished when they activated the Halo Array, sacrificing themselves to contain the Flood. Despite Guilty Spark's revelations, Tartarus — blinded by his loyalty to the Prophets and his hatred for the Sangheili — refused to listen. The Chieftain threw Guilty Spark at Johnson, knocking him out for a moment. He then physically forced the Sacred Icon into Miranda Keyes' hand and shoved it into the receptacle, beginning the activation of Installation 05. Miranda jumped out of the way of the imminent firefight as the Arbiter, the conscious Johnson, and a small cluster of recently-arrived [[Sangheili Zealot]]s and Councilors, charged at Tartarus and his guard of four Jiralhanae Captains. The Jiralhanae guards were quickly slain, and Tartarus retreated onto the three-level structure at the center of the control room. When the Arbiter and his allied Zealots and Councilors pursued, they found to their dismay that Tartarus was protected by a nearly impenetrable energy shield. Only Sergeant Johnson, with his particle beam rifle, could disable Tartarus' shields, and only for a few seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}
===Introduction===
[[Image:H2 Sacred Icon Found.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Prophet of Truth]] triumphantly announces to the Covenant that the [[Sacred Icon]] has been found and that there is no need to worry.]]
However, the Covenant would not activate the Halos unimpeded. The Flood, who would be starved if the rings were activated, would soon attack the Covenant to prevent the activation, and the UNSC, who understood that all sentient life would be erased, also opposed the Covenant. Later, after the fragmentation of the Covenant into the [[Covenant Loyalists]] and the [[Covenant Separatists]], the Separatists would understand the true intent of Halo and attack the Loyalists to prevent them from activating the ringworld.


{{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 [[Arbiter (Character)|you]] will search another. Fate had us meet as foes, but this ring will make us brothers.|[[Gravemind]] to [[SPARTAN-117]] and [[Arbiter (Character)|The Arbiter]]}}
Meanwhile, Miranda Keyes argued with Guilty Spark and eventually forced him to reveal that the firing sequence could be stopped if the Reclaimer simply removed the index from the its position. However, she could not do anything while Tartarus was still alive. The Arbiter and Sangheili battled Tartarus, who used his massive [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]], the [[Fist of Rukt]], to slay many high-ranking Sangheili. Eventually, the Arbiter succeeded in killing Tartarus. Commander Keyes immediately leapt to action after Tartarus died, snatching the index from the control panel. Despite the fact that Installation 05 was primed to fire, the removal of the index only triggered a partial firing, one that was inconsequential and led to the loss of no life whatsoever. However, 343 Guilty Spark informed them that because of the partial activation of Installation 05, the other five remaining installations were set onto standby mode, and were ready to fire upon command from a central Forerunner installation: [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}


Meanwhile, SPARTAN-117, who had jumped into the ocean, and the Arbiter, who had been thrust into the chasm of the Library, were both caught by plant-like tentacles and grabbed into the lower reaches of Installation 05, where they met face-to-face the Flood central sentient intelligence known as the "[[Gravemind]]", along with the [[Prophet of Regret]] and 2401 [[Penitent Tangent]], the monitor of Installation 05. The Gravemind than explained to the Arbiter why the Halos must not be activated for the interests of galactic life. The Gravemind, holding both SPARTAN-117 and the Arbiter prisoner, explained that in his plan to prevent the activation of Installation 05 by the Covenant, he would manipulate Halo's teleportation grid, sending SPARTAN-117 to ''High Charity'' to search one likely spot where the Index was placed, and sending the Arbiter to the cliffs just beyond the [[Control Room]], another likely spot.
===Final space battle===
Despite the isolated Sangheili 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 Nar 'Mantakree|Voro 'Mantakree]] assumed command of the {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}} ''[[Incorruptible]]'' after mutinying against and killing his insane commander, [[Tano 'Inanraree]],<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 192''</ref> and audaciously sent a fleetwide dispatch to the idling Covenant fleet amassed over High Charity: the Flood were lifting off from Installation 05 in {{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}} dropships and Banshees, and were attempting to attack and take control of Covenant warships to spread throughout the galaxy. The fleets 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.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 197''</ref>


===Battle of High Charity===
Shortly afterward, however, the fleets splintered without a common foe. The [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Gargantum]] attempted to coordinate a Jiralhanae uprising against the Sangheili, and chased after 'Mantakree with four [[Covenant frigate]]s. Using deft tactics and maneuvering out the Sangheili carrier ''[[Lawgiver]]'', the ''Incorruptible'' destroyed the Jiralhanae-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. The {{UNSCShip|Dusk}}, one of the five UNSC ships originally sent to tail ''Solemn Penance'', witnessed the massive encounter as Covenant ships turned upon one another and destroyed themselves in a civil war.<ref name="goo199">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 199''</ref>
[[Image:High Charity wallpaper.jpg|right|thumb|''[[High Charity]]'' surrounded by hundreds of Covenant warships, with three [[Phantom]]s clearly prominent in the foreground.]]
[[Image:H2 Grunt Dissension.jpg|right|thumb|In mounting social pressures, the [[Grunt]]s and [[Jackal]]s become disillusioned about the cause of the [[Covenant]] before open warfare explodes.]]
[[Image:H2 High Charity Orbital Battle.jpg|thumb|right|As the Loyalists and Separatists war for control of ''High Charity'', Brute-controlled and Elite-controlled warships open fire at each other over the planetoid.]]
{{Main|Battle of High Charity}}


{{Quote|The [[SPARTAN-117|demon]] has entered the council chamber? Protect the [[Prophet|Hierarchs]]! Seal the exits!|[[Tartarus]]}}
However, ''Incorruptible'' did not continue in the orbital battle, as a revered Sangheili fleet commander, [[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]], urged all Sangheili to regroup over the outpost world [[Joyous Exultation]] of the [[Salia system]]. 'Mantakree obediently left the battle, entering slipspace towards Joyous Exultation. During the pursuit, SPARTAN-II [[Blue Team]] dropped in the midst of the chase as the ''Incorruptible'' prepared to leave the system, in their captured Covenant destroyer, ''[[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 SPARTAN-IIs jumped to slipspace for the [[Zeta Doradus system]]. The Sangheili defeated the Jiralhanae fleet and subsequently held High Charity in quarantine.<ref name="11thhour">'''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]''', ''Part 5''</ref> However, this largely failed, due to the Gravemind sending the ''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'', 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 name="floodgate">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>


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 Brutes, and Grunts 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.
==Aftermath==
[[File:H2A-SevenRings.jpg|thumb|250px|343 Guilty Spark informs the Arbiter, Johnson, and Keyes about the Ark.]]
The battle at [[Installation 05]] was extremely costly with significant political-military consequences for the [[Covenant]] and remarkable ramifications for all sentient life in the galaxy. Thousands of Covenant forces were slain in [[John-117]]'s mission to kill the [[Prophet of Regret]],{{Ref/Reuse|regret}} the race to acquire the [[activation index]] from the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]], and the massive ground and orbital battles that took place on Installation 05, ''[[High Charity]]'', and between the Covenant fleets orbiting over [[Substance]] because of the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|goo199}}


{{Quote|Wait a minute! I'm reading [[Marine]] IFF transponders. The signals are originating somewhere below your position!|[[Cortana]] to [[SPARTAN-117]]}}
[[UNSC]] losses were remarkably lower because of the small number of forces they brought into the theater of operations, almost solely the crew and soldiers of {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}. Hundreds of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] and [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]], however, were lost in UNSC ground operations: the assassination of Regret and the storming of the [[Quarantine zone (location)|Quarantine Zone]]. A large number were also infected by the Flood and made continual appearances as [[Flood combat form|combat forms]] in the [[Sentinel wall]], Quarantine Zone, and Flood-infested High Charity.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}} The crewmen of the ''In Amber Clad'' were presumably killed and reanimated by the Flood as well. However, the UNSC suffered the least amongst the four warring factions in the Battle of Installation 05. In many ways, Installation 05 was the true turning point in the [[Human-Covenant War]]. In the long term, the political chaos wrought throughout the battle would shatter the Covenant into [[Covenant remnants|warring factions]]. The Sangheili eventually allied themselves with their human enemies, bolstering their fleets and taking their military expertise away from the Covenant. The immediate loss of High Charity and the majority of its enormous [[High Charity defense fleet|defense fleet]] drastically reduced the threat of the Covenant to human space. While still dangerous, the Covenant forces loyal to the Prophets ultimately proved incapable of defending themselves over the last few weeks of the war.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>


Cortana managed to reverse a central gravity lift, allowing SPARTAN-117 to enter the detention block. However, Tartarus had anticipated this, increasing security around the brigs while a massive firefight ensued as SPARTAN-117 released five Marines from two brigs, who assisted SPARTAN-117 in his pursuit of Truth to kill him and secure the Index.
[[Sentinel]] defenses were completely trampled over, particularly in the Quarantine Zone, where within hours, the Flood had managed to infiltrate the well-defended Sentinel wall and seize control of large tracts of the Quarantine Zone, even grounding an airborne [[Sentinel manufacturing facility]].{{Ref/Reuse|icon}} The Flood also permeated the [[Library]] and the surrounding grounds, eliminating almost all Sentinels from the skies, leaving only scattered [[Enforcer]]s to do battle with them. The Flood also controlled UNSC and Covenant vehicles alike, reinforcing their considerable ranks with [[M808B Scorpion]] tanks, [[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]s, {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} tanks, and {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}} assault vehicles. Flood losses were initially high because of the Arbiter's actions in the Quarantine Zone and John-117's on High Charity. However, it was inconsequential: the Flood scored a notable victory on High Charity, capturing the Covenant's mobile home planetoid and [[terraforming|transforming]] the structure into a [[Flood hive]].{{Ref/Reuse|charity}}


{{Quote|The [[Elite]]s 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 [[Brute]]s now lead our fleets! They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it.|[[Prophet of Truth]]}}
===Fragmentation of the Covenant===
[[File:H2A Beamish cameo.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Kig-Yar and Unggoy protesting on High Charity]]
The Covenant was fractured, with the Sangheili rallying those loyal to them against the [[San'Shyuum]] and [[Jiralhanae]], who controlled the military of the Prophet-led Covenant against the Sangheili and their allies. Many San'Shyuum were killed in the battle, either during the Flood's infestation of High Charity, or on Installation 05 as many [[Minister (title)|Ministers]] and Prophets travelled to the ring to examine it for themselves, which effectively led to the near extinction of the San'Shyuum. To make matters worse for the species, those who did not die during the Flood invasion on High Charity were reluctantly forced to stay on the Covenant capital by Rtas 'Vadum and the Fleet of Retribution's quarantine, due to the danger the Flood posed in case they infected a San'Shyuum-led ship and spread through the galaxy. However, there were San'Shyuum who managed to escape with their ships before 'Vadum discovered the Flood's presence on the city.<ref>'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'''</ref> The Prophets' betrayal of the Sangheili led to the divide of the Covenant species. Many [[Mgalekgolo]] allied themselves with the Sangheili, the [[Unggoy]] and [[Huragok]] followed their commanders, most [[Yanme'e]] joined the Jiralhanae and the [[Kig-Yar]] aligned themselves with whoever would lead them to profit.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[Wages of Sin]]", ''pages 300-301''</ref>


However, meanwhile, the Covenant splintered in minutes after SPARTAN-117 emancipated the captive Marines. The Prophet of Truth made an epic announcement, and in three sentences over the loudspeakers of ''High Charity'', put his plan to betray the Elites into action: he ordered all of the Covenant to follow the Brutes as their military commanders, and inevitably, the Elites, seething in hatred against the Brutes, took this as their final straw. Slighted by the Prophets, the Elites burst into full-out warfare on ''High Charity'' and across the rest of the Covenant empire against the Brutes. While the Grunts and Hunters followed the Elites, the Jackals and the Drones supported the Prophet-blessed Brutes. Warship crewmen began to open fire upon each other with small arms, and the Covenant fleets began to open fire against each other.
The Covenant [[High Council|ruling system]] was destabilized, with the death of the [[Prophet of Regret]] on Installation 05 at the hands of [[John-117]] and the death of the [[Prophet of Mercy]] on High Charity due to Flood infestation.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}{{Ref/Reuse|regret}} The [[Prophet of Truth]] held dictatorial power, with several subservient [[Minor Prophet]]s, completely re-shifting the political dynamics of the Covenant. The Jiralhanae held reign over the majority of the [[Covenant military]], bringing their innate tenaciousness and ferocity to the front lines quite unlike the Sangheili. The Jiralhanae also assumed more lower-level Covenant military authority, now replacing the Sangheili as the leaders of field squads and teams. The Jiralhanae also introduced a unique set of bloodthirsty weaponry into the Covenant's field arsenals. The [[Covenant fleet]] was believed to lose quite a bit of its technical proficiency without the innate technical knowledge of the Sangheili.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 194''</ref>
{{Clear}}


Truth's transmissions, however, allowed Cortana to triangulate his position, allowing her to direct SPARTAN-117 and his Marines in their hunt for the Prophet. The Covenant attempted to stop Cortana, but were unable to prevent her.
===Return to Earth===
[[File:H2A - Earth and Dreadnought.jpg|thumb|250px|The Forerunner ship approaching a besieged Earth as the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] continues to fight against Covenant fleets.]]
{{Quote|no=two|1=Terrence Hood|q1=Master Chief? Mind telling me what you're doing on [[Forerunner Dreadnought|that ship]]?|2=John-117|q2=Sir. Finishing this fight.|3=Admiral Terrence Hood and John-117{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}}}


As SPARTAN-117 and the Marines reached the [[Hanging Gardens A]], the first scene of Covenant fratricide was seen, as Honor Guard Elites, [[Minor Elite]]s, Hunters, and Grunts fought against Brutes and Jackal Snipers amongst the massive insectoid plants. SPARTAN-117 and his men advanced to the Mid-Tower, where Rangers and Special Operations Elites entered the fray, and the Brutes unleashed their Drones into the combat.
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]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 243''</ref> The Flood continued to attempt to escape High Charity in Covenant starships, and a 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 Sangheili-controlled ship, the ''Indulgence of Conviction'', a {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}, and made a [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] jump to [[Earth]] to attempt to infest the human homeworld. The Sangheili 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 at Voi|Portal]].{{Ref/Reuse|floodgate}} It was indicated though that all of the other Flood-controlled ships were destroyed though: upon landing on Earth a Sangheili informed the Arbiter that the Sangheili's fleet had taken care of all of the Flood-controlled ships, except for the 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 intercepted on 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]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]''</ref>


Even as the imprisoned Marines were freed, the crew of the ''In Amber Clad'' were in peril. It appeared that the Gravemind double-crossed the UNSC, sending SPARTAN-117 hunting for the Index in the bowels of ''High Charity'' while the Gravemind teleported Flood forms into the UNSC frigate, overpowering the crew and seizing it. The Gravemind then teleported the ''In Amber Clad'' from the atmosphere of Installation 05, sending it into a Slipspace reversion over ''High Charity'', where it plummeted uncontrollably, crashing into the Far Tower<ref>''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 128</ref>.
John-117 was aboard Truth's [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], which managed to reach Earth unharmed and landed in [[Africa]], near the [[Portal at Voi|Portal to the Ark]], about two weeks after its departure from High Charity.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Tsavo Highway]]''</ref> {{UNSCShip|Dusk}} eventually withdrew to rendezvous with [[Carl Patterson|Admiral Patterson]]'s [[Patterson's battle group|battlegroup]] outside of the [[Zeta Doradus system]],<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 294''</ref> and the UNSC ''In Amber Clad'' remained crashed into one of the towers of High Charity.


[[Image:H2 IAC Crashed.jpg|thumb|right|The [[UNSC Frigate]] [[UNSC In Amber Clad|UNSC ''In Amber Clad'']] crashed into a Covenant tower as part of the [[Flood]]'s plot to infest ''[[High Charity]]''.]]
==Timeline==
[[Image:H2 Phantom Departure.jpg|thumb|right|The three [[Phantoms]] of [[Tartarus]] and the [[Prophet of Truth]] just before [[SPARTAN-117]] arrives.]]
'''October 20, 2552'''
[[Image:H2 Phantom Depature2.jpg|thumb|right|Of the three Phantoms, two head for [[Installation 05]], while Truth departs for the [[Forerunner Ship]].]]
*The [[Battle of Earth]] begins between the [[UNSC Defense Force]] and the [[Covenant]]'s [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]].{{Ref/Reuse|cairo}}
[[Image:H2 Flood Touchdown.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Flood]] descend upon Loyalist-controlled ''High Charity'', touching down in the [[UNSC In Amber Clad|UNSC ''In Amber Clad'']]'s [[Pelican]] dropships.]]
*UNSC forces heavily outnumber Covenant forces and the [[Prophet of Regret]] orders a retreat.{{Ref/Reuse|metro}}
[[Image:H2 Forerunner Ship Takeoff.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cortana]] watches the [[Forerunner Ship]] lift off from ''[[High Charity]]'' for [[Earth]], with both the [[Prophet of Truth]] and [[SPARTAN-117]] aboard.]]
*With Regret aboard, the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' makes an emergency [[slipspace]] jump over [[New Mombasa]], followed by {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}, [[UNSC Coral Sea|''Coral Sea'']], [[UNSC Dusk|''Dusk'']], [[UNSC Paris|''Paris'']], and [[UNSC Redoubtable|''Redoubtable'']].{{Ref/Reuse|metro}}
{{Quote|Once the towers are clear, we'll drive [[Covenant Separatists|them]] from the lower districts!|[[Tartarus]]}}


However, by the time that the small UNSC squad entered [[Hanging Gardens B]], Covenant Separatist resistance on ''High Charity'' had broken. In the second Hanging Gardens, the Covenant Separatists fell back, leaving behind large numbers of [[Stationary Shield Generator]]s, abandoning numbers of Grunts to berserk Brutes as the Elites fell back to the Far Tower and the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]], drawing a last line of defense there. In the forward sections of the Far Tower, the Separatists held a choke-point bridge with a pair of plasma turrets, Special Operations Elites, and a pair of Hunter warriors. In the Mausoleum of the Arbiter, Specialist [[Ultra Elite]]s and Hunters fought against waves of attacking Brutes. Despite their efforts, the Prophets of Truth and Mercy, Tartarus, and a handful of Brute Captains were able to tunnel through the last Separatist defenses to the far docking bays of the Far Tower<ref>''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 129</ref>. SPARTAN-117 pursued Tartarus, fighting through the Far Tower and the Mausoleum of the Arbiter to make it through to the Phantom pads.
'''November 2, 2552'''
*''Solemn Penance'' and ''In Amber Clad'' exit slipspace in the [[Coelest system]] over [[Substance]] and near [[Installation 05]].
*The Battle of Installation 05 begins.{{Ref/Reuse|deltahalo}}
*''Solemn Penance'' deploys ground forces to the surface of the installation and Regret occupies a [[Temple (Installation 05)|Forerunner temple]].{{Ref/Reuse|regret}}
*[[John-117]] is deployed to the installation's surface with several [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]], and Sergeant Major [[Johnson]] is sent to support with two Pelicans. The UNSC forces fight their way towards Regret's position.{{Ref/Reuse|regret}}
*[[Cortana]] discovers that Regret is planning on firing the Installation. Commander [[Keyes]] orders [[Johnson]] to pull his forces out and rendezvous with [[In Amber Clad]] near the [[Library]]. [[John-117]] is ordered to neutralize [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]].
*Due to increasing Covenant activity, Keyes is forced to reroute several Pelicans to support John-117's operation, rather than compromise the [[In Amber Clad]]'s location.
*Regret sends out a distress signal and apology to the rest of the [[High Council]], which the [[Prophet of Truth|Prophets of Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] reluctantly accept. Both messages are intercepted by Cortana.{{Ref/Reuse|regret}}
*The ''In Amber Clad'' arrives at the [[Containment Shield]], and attempts to find a way around it.
*''[[High Charity]]'', its [[High Charity defense fleet|defense fleet]], and the [[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]] arrive in the system.{{Ref/Reuse|regret}}
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee sends {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}s to rescue Regret, but Truth delays the Phantoms.{{Ref/Reuse|regret}}{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}
*John assassinates the Prophet of Regret inside the temple and enters the lake as ''Solemn Penance'' fires upon the temple. The Spartan is captured by the [[Gravemind]].{{Ref/Reuse|regret}}
* ''In Amber Clad'' deploys a Platoon-sized force of Marines to an entrance in the [[Sentinel Wall]], lead by Gunnery Sergeant [[Stacker]].{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}
*The [[Sangheili]]'s failure to protect Regret leads to the [[Changing of the Guard]], as [[Jiralhanae]] occupy Sangheili positions.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}
* [[Tartarus]] directs many waves of [[Jiralhanae]]-led Covenant infantry in an assault upon the Sentinel Wall.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}


{{Quote|[[Prophet of Truth|Your pal]]. Where's he going?|[[SPARTAN-117]]}}
'''November 3, 2552'''
{{Quote|[[Earth]]...to finish what [[Prophet|we]] started. And this time, none of you... will be left behind...|[[Prophet of Mercy]]'s last words}}
*[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee is sent to retrieve Installation 05's [[activation index]], supported by [[Tartarus]] in a Phantom. He successfully fights through the outer [[Sentinel Wall]] and deactivates the [[Containment Shield]].
*[[Flood]] overrun the inner wall, infecting the majority of the UNSC platoon.
*Sergeant [[Stacker]] recommends Commander [[Keyes]] proceed directly to the Library, Marine survivors hold position within the inner wall. ''In Amber Clad''  takes position over the Library, and begins to deploy it's full strength into the central Quarantine Zone via Pelican.
*Covenant Spec-Ops forces are deployed into the outskirts of the Quarantine Zone, unaware of the mission to retrieve the index.
*A Sentinel Manufacturing facility over the Quarantine Zone is shot down by flood-controlled Wraiths, captured from the recently deployed Covenant forces. [[Thel 'Vadamee]] exits the Sentinel Wall and rendezvous with [[Rtas 'Vadumee]]. The Arbiter leads Spec Ops forces in a push towards the Library.
*Keyes, Johnson and a Marine squad enter a facility containing gondolas leading to the Library. The Marine forces defending the facility are overrun by Flood.
*The Arbiter and [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] break through the Flood and enter the facility, boarding a gondola seconds after observing a UNSC-controlled one depart.
*Keyes and Johnson secure the Index, however are ambushed by the Arbiter. The Arbiter is interrupted by Tartarus, who seizes the Index and propels 'Vadamee into a hole in the center of the room, having been ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}
*Most of the [[Sangheili Councilor]]s are taken to the Control Room of Installation 05 for the "consecration of the Sacred Icon" however they are murdered by the [[Jiralhanae]].{{Ref/Reuse|uprising}}
*The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the [[Covenant military]] to the Jiralhanae, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the [[Fall of High Charity]] begins. Fighting between Sangheili and Jiralhanae forces breaks out all over High Charity. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the fleet, as Sangheili and Jiralhanae controlled ships attack one another.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}
*The [[Flood]] invade High Charity during the battle, entering the city's dome via precision [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] jump aboard ''In Amber Clad'' and its embarked [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]]. The Prophet of Mercy is attacked by an [[Pod infector]] and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth, who boards the Fore runner Dreadnought, and sends Tartarus to the Control Room with orders to activate the Installation.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}
*High Charity swiftly falls to the Flood, however Truth is prevented from departing as UNSC AI Cortana is able to delay the Dreadnought's launch sequence. Tartarus arrives at the Control Room with [[Miranda Keyes]] in tow. [[Thel 'Vadamee]] and [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] formulate a plan to capture a Jiralhanae-controlled [[Scarab]] and break into the Control Room to stop Tartarus. 'Vadumee leaves to gather a strike team with which to capture the nearby [[Shadow of Intent]].
*The Flood takes control of High Charity and many of its warships. Jiralhanae and Sangheili fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.The Prophet of Truth departs High Charity for Earth aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], to join the [[Battle of Earth]], with John-117 aboard.{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}
*Tartarus orders captive Sergeants [[Johnson]], [[Stacker]] and [[Banks]] executed, however The Arbiter and other Sangheili interrupt the execution, allowing Johnson to commandeer the nearby Scarab. Johnson and the Arbiter forge a hasty alliance and use the Scarab to destroy the doors to the Control Room.
*Tartarus attempts to activate Installation 05 are interrupted by the arriving Johnson and 'Vadamee. After the Arbiter attempts to convince him of the ring's real purpose, Tartarus activates the Ring by forcing [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] to insert the Index into the Control Room's [[The Core|Core]].{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}
*Thel 'Vadamee, with the aid of [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and multiple Sangheili Zealots and Councillors, kills Tartarus.{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}
*Commander Keyes aborts the activation of Installation 05, placing the entire [[Halo Array]] on standby status. [[343 Guilty Spark]] reveals the existence of [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|journey}}
*The [[prowler]] ''[[UNSC Dusk|Dusk]]'' witnesses the battle between Sangheili and Jiralhanae held ships above Delta Halo, both fighting each other pausing only to escalate an immediate outbreak of the Flood from the ringworld. ''Dusk'' subsequently flees the battle and links up with [[Patterson's battle group]] at Earth.{{Ref/Reuse|goo199}}
*[[Sangheili Major]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|Voro 'Mantakree]] kills his [[shipmaster]], [[Tano 'Inanraree]], while he is attempting to allow the Flood to enter the ship. He then assumes command of the ship, ''[[Incorruptible]]'', and becomes the ''de facto'' leader of the [[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]]. He leads his new forces to [[Joyous Exultation]], pursued by the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Gargantum]] and his ships.{{Ref/Reuse|goo189}}


The SPARTAN was too late, however. The Prophet of Truth ordered Tartarus to use the Sacred Icon in the Control Room of Installation 05, and activate the Halos. Tartarus took a detachment of Brute Honor Guards along with him in two Phantoms, along with UNSC prisoners Avery Johnson and Miranda Keyes. Truth and Mercy took a third Phantom to the [[Forerunner Ship]] - the central energy source of ''High Charity'', and also a fully functional starship that the two remaining High Prophets were going to use to reach Earth, and "finish what The Prophets started".  
'''November 4, 2552'''
*[[Fleet of Retribution|Thel 'Vadam's forces]] [[glassing|glass]] Installation 05's surface to neutralize the Flood.{{Ref/Reuse|11thhour}}
*The Battle of Installation 05 ends.


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 also exhibited unexpected intelligence, commandeering its Pelican dropships and sending them over the surface of ''High Charity'', crashing into the floors and releasing [[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.
==Participants==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
===UNSC===
====Personnel====
*[[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]]
*[[Richard Lash|Commander Richard Lash]]
*[[Julian Waters|Lieutenant Commander Julian Waters]]
*[[Xaing Cho|Lieutenant Commander Xaing Cho]]
*[[Bethany Durruno|Lieutenant Bethany Durruno]]
*[[Joe Yang|Lieutenant Joe Yang]]
*[[John-117|Master Chief Petty Officer John-117]]
*[[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]]
*[[Marcus Stacker|Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Stacker]]
*[[Banks|Staff Sergeant Banks]]
*[[Perez (Marine)|Corporal Perez]]
*[[Chips Dubbo|Private First Class Chips Dubbo]]
*[[McKenzie (Marine)|McKenzie]]
*[[Cortana]]


{{Quote|That structure at the center of the city! It's a [[Forerunner Ship]]...and [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] is heading straight for it! If he leads the Covenant fleet to Earth, they won't stand a chance. You have to stop him!|[[Cortana]] to [[SPARTAN-117]]}}
====Ships====
*{{UNSCShip|Coral Sea}}
*{{UNSCShip|Dusk}}
*{{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}
*{{UNSCShip|Redoubtable}}


Despite the fact that SPARTAN-117 had failed to capture the Prophet of Truth before he could depart in his Phantom for the Forerunner Ship, it was still imperative that the SPARTAN chase after him and kill him, as if he marshaled the Covenant fleets to Earth to finish whatever he planned, the already besieged Earth would inevitably fall, despite the UNSC's best efforts.
===Forerunner constructs===
*[[343 Guilty Spark]]


At the time, Covenant Separatist resistance had completely shattered on ''High Charity''. There were none to little Elites nor Hunters remaining, and only several scattered Grunts. The Loyalists, however, retained a large number of Brutes, Jackals, and Drones. Despite the lack of a Separatist ground force, they were still very much present in space, where the Covenant fleets over ''High Charity'' had splintered in allegiances, with Elite and Brute ships actively engaging and destroying each other<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[High Charity (Level)]]''</ref>.
===Flood===
*[[Gravemind]]
*[[2401 Penitent Tangent]] {{C|captured}}


While Truth was taking a Phantom to the Forerunner Ship, Cortana detected an energy conduit to the ship located in the Mausoleum Tower ahead of SPARTAN-117's position. However, ''High Charity'' had become horribly twisted within minutes: an insidious Flood presence spread surprisingly quickly through the planetoid, disrupting power, creating a dark, gloomy atmosphere, spreading Flood spores into the air, and sending Flood forms all across the city-space, where the Flood fought to take ''High Charity'' from the remaining Covenant Loyalist forces.
{{Col-2}}
===Sangheili-led forces===
====Personnel====
*[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee
*[[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee
*[[Sangheili Councilor|Councilor]] [[Duru 'Scoahamee]]
*Councilor [[K'hurk 'Bornisamee]]
*Councilor [[Torg 'Gransamee]]
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Tano 'Inanraree]]
*Shipmaster [[D'ero 'S'budee]]
*Commander [[G'torik 'Klemmee]]
*[[Sangheili Major|Major]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|Voro 'Mantakree]]
*[[Zo Resken]], the Prophet of Clarity
*[[Tilik 'Bornisamee]]
*[[Uruo 'Losonaee]]
*[[Zasses 'Jeqkogoee]]
*[[Y'gar 'Pewtrunoee]]
*[[Paruto Xida Konna]]
*[[Waruna Xida Yotno]]
*[[Crun 'Brinsmee]]
*[[Tul 'Imjanamee]]
*[[Sluggish Drifter]]


SPARTAN-117 entered the Mausoleum Tower from the Phantom landing pads, battling through unlit, tight corridor ways where numerous Flood combat forms engaged outnumbered Brutes and Jackals, and strange Flood biological growths began to sediment against the walls. Meanwhile, the Prophet of Truth sent broadcasts throughout the city, urging the remaining Loyalists that the Covenant would prevail against the Flood while the Gravemind manipulated the loudspeakers, proclaiming that the Flood would infest ''High Charity'' and send the Covenant to their graves. SPARTAN-117 cut across the massive interior of the Mausoleum Tower, moving to the north face of the tower and making his way along a peripheral convoluted corridor to the eastern end of the tower, where he took a Gravity Lift to access the Inner Sanctum: the personal quarters of the Hierarchs.
====Ships====
*''[[Eternal Reward]]''
*''[[Incorruptible]]''
*''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]''
*''[[Journey's Sustenance]]''
*''[[Lawgiver]]''
*''[[Rapturous Arc]]''
*''[[Shadow of Intent]]''


There, a line of Honor Guard Brutes and Jackals had made a final stand against the Flood upon the gold-rimmed doors that sealed access to the Inner Sanctum. However, large amounts of Flood began to attack, and SPARTAN-117 was forced to destroy all the Covenant and Flood before entering the Inner Sanctum, and taking an adjacent Gravity Lift to a large outdoor room that hosted the viridian energy conduit to the Forerunner Ship. SPARTAN-117 was able to jump in the conduit just in time, barely making it to the ship before it lifted off for Earth. However, Cortana stayed behind: while SPARTAN-117 would attempt to neutralize the ship before it rallied the Covenant fleets at Earth, there was another danger: Tartarus still had the Index, and was about to activate Installation 05 shortly. In the event that he was about to trigger the Halos, Cortana announced that she would detonate the fusion reactors of the ''In Amber Clad'', just like she had done to the [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|UNSC ''Pillar of Autumn'']] at [[Installation 04]], and the blast would destabilize the ring and prevent the activation of the Halos.
===Covenant===
====Personnel====
*[[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]
*[[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]]
*[[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]]
*[[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]]
*[[Boru'a'Neem|Minister of Preparation]]
*[[Tem'Bhetek]]
*[[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]]
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Gargantum]]
*[[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Melchus]]


Shortly afterward, all Covenant resistance on ''High Charity'' broke and succumbed to the Flood, who had infested surprisingly large amounts of the planetoid even during the raging combat between the Covenant and the Flood. Cortana, who resided in ''High Charity'''s computer systems to be ready to detonate the frigate's reactors as a final failsafe, was captured by the Gravemind, although her eventual fate, and that of the Gravemind and ''High Charity'', is unknown, thus concluding the Battle of ''High Charity''.
====Ships====
 
*''[[Revenant (ship)|Revenant]]''
===Uprising===
*''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' (before capture)
[[Image:SpecOpsElite3.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Special Operations Elite]] that survived the initial Brute betrayal draws an [[Energy Sword]] to aid the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] in avenging the fallen Elites slain by the Brutes.]]
*''[[Solemn Penance]]''
[[Image: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]].]]
*''[[Spear of Light]]''
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. The rest of the Covenant garrison, however, was not so fortunate. A [[CCS-class Battlecruiser|''CCS''-class Battlecruiser]] hovering close to the Control Room was taken by the Brutes from the Elites, and a large number of Minor Elites and Grunts stationed in the cliffs above the Control Room were killed. However, there was still a number of Grunts that managed to resist, although they were terrified by the murders of their Elite superiors and Grunt comrades.
*''[[Tenebrous]]''
 
*''[[Twilight Compunction]]''
Meanwhile, Tartarus took his two Phantoms from ''High Charity'' to the surface of Installation 05, with himself, the Sacred Icon, and Miranda Keyes in one dropship, and Johnson and two other anonymous Marine prisoners. Tartarus debarked from his own Phantom onto the Control Room, with Keyes and the Index in his grip. The other Phantom diverged, however, and by unknown means, the three Marines freed themselves from their Phantom aboard the docking platform. Avery J. Johnson was able to seize control of the docked Scarab while the other two Marines fought off a large number of Brute Captains with [[Plasma Pistols]].
{{Col-end}}
 
However, there was soon a reorganized resistance movement: the Gravemind teleported the Arbiter to a high cliff south of the Control Room, and gave him an objective: to prevent Tartarus from using the Sacred Icon and activating Halo, which would not result in the promised sublimation event of the Prophets, but only death and destruction on a galactic scale. The Arbiter arrived just too late, witnessing the murders of a handful of Elites from afar at the hands of the Brutes, but was able to push forward against a number of patrolling Brutes, and met with an Energy Sword-armed Special Operations Elite. They were able to clear a landing zone for a number of Covenant Drop Pods, and soon, they were reinforced by a Zealot and a pair of Minor Elites. The Elites swore vengeance against the Brutes for the murders of their brothers, and led by the Arbiter and the recklessly aggressive Zealot, the Elites pushed northward through a large Brute-held Forerunner structure, unpinning small groups of scattered loyal Grunts and killing dozens of Brutes, Jackals, and Drones. Afterward, they emerged from the structure, and still perusing vengeance, mounted Ghosts, tearing through a large, convoluted canyon, fighting against Loyalist resistance: a Spectre, several Ghosts, and large numbers of Brutes and Jackals, including Jackal snipers with the help of several Separatist Grunts. It appears that the canyon-stationed forces were unprepared for an assault, as they had many unmanned Ghosts that were easily used by the Separatists to gain a swift advantage.
 
Later, the Loyalists eventually readied themselves, setting a cunning trap for the advancing Arbiter and his Elite and Grunt allies, laying a large number of exploding weapons canisters to block a narrow stretch of the canyon and intending to explode them with Brute Shots as their enemies passed by, to create a tremendous explosion. Even this measure was unsuccessful as the Separatists forged towards a Brute encampment, which served as a weapons depot. Crashing down a waterfall, the Separatists charged the camp, which was holed in a large Forerunner facility. There were heavy defenses, including a pair of Wraith tanks, several Jackal Snipers, and a large number of Brutes. Soon enough, however, they were reinforced by two more Minor Elites arriving in drop pods. After securing the first half of the camp, the Arbiter and whatever surviving allies moved into the weapons cache, where the Brutes had aggregated a large number of Covenant and UNSC weapons alike, including [[M19 Rocket Launchers]], [[M90 Assault Shotguns]], [[Fuel Rod Guns]], Brute Shots, and a variety of other weapons, demonstrating their religious heresy in their indifference against UNSC armaments.
 
As the Arbiter continued towards the second half of the encampment, the Loyalists became increasingly desperate, sending a group of reinforcements, including two Ghost vehicles from another Brute base, the [[Bastion of the Brutes]]. This was ultimately unsuccessful, and the Arbiter was able to advance to meet more friendly Elites, including Rtas 'Vadumee, who learned from the Arbiter of the Councilors' murder, and the treachery of the Brutes. Rtas 'Vadumee indicated 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, and conveniently, one was nearby and under Brute control, docked with the Bastion of the Brutes.
 
While Rtas 'Vadumee advanced forward in a Wraith tank, the Arbiter and another Special Operations Elite took a Spectre, and together, the Elites battled through a swarm of Ghosts, three Wraiths, and a bombarding Phantom, narrowly clearing out the extensive Brute defenses on the exterior of their base and securing entrance into the Bastion of the Brutes, where the Arbiter found another Special Operations Elite and a pair of Hunters, all of whom were loyal to the Separatist cause. It appears a second Special Operations Elite was stationed with them, but was killed. Meanwhile, Rtas 'Vadumee said that he would briefly watch the Arbiter's back, and would prevent any Brute reinforcements from entering in behind them while they cleared out the stronghold. Later, he announced that he would retake the ex-Separatist battlecruiser that was hanging in the distance.
 
Some of the most tenacious Loyalist resistance was stationed in the indoor Forerunner structure taken by the Brutes as the "Bastion of the Brutes", however. There were two plasma turrets, and a large number of heavily-armed Brutes, with a disproportionate number of Brute Captains among them: sufficient firepower to even possibly down the powerful Hunter warriors that were fighting alongside the Arbiter. As the Arbiter and his allies continued through the base, passing through an outdoor bridge where they were beset by a Drone swarm and even a Phantom dropship, they came across a two-tiered Brute-held prison where the Brutes were holding inside forcefield generators a pair of Hunters and a pair of Councilor Elites. The Arbiter freed them by destroying the generators, and the reinforced Separatists were forced to defend the prison against another wave of Brute reinforcements before advancing to the last portion of the base: an external and outdoor docking platform where a Scarab walker was docked.
 
The Arbiter, his Hunters, and his Elites were able to kill the Brute Captains guarding the platform, freeing the two Marines ([[Marcus Banks]] and [[Pete Stacker]]) that were pinned down in the corner. However, Johnson still had command of the Scarab, and aimed its main cannon at the Arbiter. However, the standoff didn't culminate in a one-sided firefight: Johnson offered a deal. It was in the interest of both the UNSC and the Separatists to prevent Tartarus from using the Index to activate the Halos, so Johnson offered to blow open the locked doors of the Control Room with the Scarab's cannon while the Arbiter escorted him during the process, and then together, they would enter the Control Room and do whatever was necessary to prevent the firing of Installation 05.
 
Two Separatist Banshees landed on the platform, believed to have been sent by the recaptured nearby ''CCS''-class battlecruiser, and both pilots offered their fighters to the Arbiter in his mission to escort the Scarab.
 
However, the short canyon and beachhead between the recaptured Bastion of the Brutes and the Control Room was heavily re-fortified by the Loyalists. No less than five Wraith tanks and two Spectres were stationed there to prevent the Scarab's passage, and four plasma turrets were mounted on the cliffs. However, the almost impervious armor plating of the Scarab was invulnerable to the plasma mortars of the Wraiths and the plasma cannons of the Spectres and the plasma turrets. Not only did the plasma munitions of the Loyalist vehicles do no noticeable damage to the Scarab, the Scarab was so powerful that it did not even have to open fire on it, and it could merely trample the vehicles underfoot with its four hulking legs. After those measures failed, the Loyalists deployed seven or eight Banshee fliers in an attempt to kill the Arbiter, who himself still mounted a Banshee. These efforts failed again, and the Loyalist Banshees did not even attempt to destroy the Scarab, for its armor was just too powerful.
 
===Control Room===
[[Image:Control Room3.jpg|right|thumb|A vista of the [[Control Room]] of [[Installation 05]], an area of hot contestation shortly before the conclusion of the Battle of Installation 05.]]
[[Image:H2 Scarab Threatening.jpg|thumb|right||[[Avery J. Johnson]] directs the main cannon of his newly-commandeered [[Scarab]] walker at the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]].]]
[[Image:Sargescarab.jpg|thumb|right|[[Avery J. Johnson]] strikes a deal with the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] in the interests of sentient life across the galaxy.]]
Shortly afterwards, the Scarab arrived before the Control Room, and blasted the front door open and burnt part of the frontal hemisphere of the building in three bolts from its massive main cannon. The Arbiter then unmounted, fights his way through one room with large numbers of Brute Captains and Brutes Honor Guards who had been ordered to prevent the Arbiter from disturbing Tartarus while he activated the Halos, or his "Holy Work". The Brutes appeared to be of increasing desperation, even commonly wielding UNSC-manufactured M90 shotguns, usually held as trophies. Despite reinforcements, the highly-ranked Brutes were unable to hold the room, and the Arbiter continued down an arched corridor before confronting Tartarus in the control room.
 
Tartarus had been trying to force his prisoner, Miranda Keyes, to shove the Sacred Icon into its receptacle on a holographic control panel in the massive, spherically-shaped central control chamber of the Control Room. Keyes, even under great pain, refused to do so, angering the brute chieftain. When the Arbiter arrived, he demanded that Tartarus put her down, and attempted to reason with Tartarus, urging him that the Prophets were indeed wrong, and activating the Halos would not commence the "Great Journey", but merely extinguish all sentient life in the galaxy. Near the end, the Arbiter even asked 343 Guilty Spark, who himself was a prisoner of Tartarus. When the Monitor affirmed that the Arbiter was correct, Tartarus snarled in frustration, and attempted to damage 343 Guilty Spark, when Johnson arrived, aiming a [[Particle Beam Rifle]] at Tartarus' head and threatening to kill him if he did not release the Monitor. Tartarus lost all patience, throwing the hard shell of the Monitor at Johnson, knocking him out for a moment, then clutching the Sacred Icon and slamming it into its receptacle, beginning the activation of Installation 05. Behind their platform, a massive Forerunner multitiered construct began to open up: a three-storied structure, which at its center, boasted a brilliant gravitic column which was charging the ring to fire.
 
Miranda jumped out of the way of the imminent firefight as the Arbiter, the conscious Johnson, and a small cluster of recently-arrived Zealots and Councilors, charged at Tartarus and his guard of four Brute Captains. Almost immediately, the four captains were slain with little Separatist casualties, and Tartarus was forced back to the recently unveiled three-story structure. When the Arbiter and his allied Zealots and Councilors pursued, they found to their dismay that Tartarus was protected by a nearly impenetrable energy shield. While the Zealots and Councilors brazenly drew their Energy Swords and charged, Tartarus stood at dramatic repose, allowing them several swipes and the sudden knowledge that they could not lower his shields, before drawing his massive Gravity Hammer, the Fist of Rukt, and sending them flying to their deaths with single pounds.
 
Meanwhile, further reinforcements arrived: a continual stream of Special Operations Elites were joining into the fray, with the occasional Zealot and Councilor, mostly armed with Energy Swords, [[Covenant Carbine|Carbine]]s, or dual-wielded [[Needler]]s or [[Plasma Rifles]]. While the swords, carbines, needlers, plasma rifles, and even shotguns, [[plasma grenade]]s, or overcharged plasma pistols were all ineffective, Johnson found that with his beam rifle, he could lower Tartarus' shields for a brief amount of time with three successive bursts from his rifle. While the Arbiter's allied Elites were oblivious to this, continually firing with their ineffective firearms even while Tartarus' shields were up and meeting a bloody death at the hands of the gravity hammer while all the while, 343 Guilty Spark announced that the installation was priming to fire, the Arbiter soon developed a tactic. He often would wait for Johnson to lower Tartarus' shields with his beam rifle shots, and then rush in and attack Tartarus while his shields were down.
 
However, soon after this new tactic was developed, it came apparent that the Separatists were not the only ones that brought reinforcements into the fight, and waves of Brute Captains regularly joined the fray in groups of three to five, clashing with the Arbiter's own Elite reinforcements, although oftentimes, the Elites were superior to Tartarus' Brute reinforcements.
 
In the end, after a long, protracted fight, the Arbiter was able to fire a finishing blow to Tartarus while his shields were downed, killing Tartarus, Chieftain of the Brutes.
 
Miranda Keyes immediately leapt to action after Tartarus died, snatching the Index triumphantly from the control panel. Despite the fact that Installation 05 was primed to fire, because of Miranda's quick actions, the removal of the Index only triggered a partial firing, one that was inconsequential and led to the loss of no life whatsoever.
 
However, 343 Guilty Spark warned that their quest to prevent the Halos from activating was not over: because of the partial activation of Installation 05, the other six remaining installations were set onto standby mode, and were ready to fire upon command from a central Forerunner installation: the [[Ark]], which was stationed near [[Voi]], [[Africa]] of the planet Earth.
 
===Orbital Battle===
While ground battles raged over the contested lands of ''High Charity'' and Installation 05, the Covenant fleets, divided, had not been idle or inoperative. During the hours which the Loyalists and the Separatists warred for the districts of ''High Charity'', the Covenant fleet had splintered within itself, and its warships were destroying each other systematically over the planetoid as Brute-controlled warships raged against Elite-controlled ones. However, after the Prophet of Truth's departure in the Forerunner Ship, the fighting cooled as many ships fell silent, wondering what loyalties to assume in light of Truth's sudden abandonment and Tartarus's death, although a small number of starships continued fighting.
 
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 [[Major Domo Elite]] [[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" dropship]]s 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 Elites, 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 Elite 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 [[Onyx System]].
 
==Conclusion==
[[Image:H2 343GS Explains Ark.jpg|thumb|right|[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] informs the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], [[Avery J. Johnson]], and [[Miranda Keyes]] about the [[Ark]] and [[Installation 05]]'s unexpected shutdown.]]
[[Image:H2 High Charity Infested.jpg|thumb|right|''[[High Charity]]'' infested by the [[Flood]], becoming the newest lair for the [[Gravemind]].]]
[[Image:H2 IAC Crashed Closeup.jpg|thumb|right|The [[UNSC Frigate]] [[UNSC In Amber Clad|UNSC ''In Amber Clad'']] permanently lost, captured by the [[Flood]] and crashed into the surface of ''[[High Charity]]''.]]
[[Image:H2 Cortana Betrays.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cortana]] believed to be making an unholy alliance with the [[Gravemind]] as she is captured.]]
[[Image:H2 Forerunner Ship Reverts.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Forerunner Ship]] reverts from [[Slipspace]] over [[Earth]].]]
[[Image:H2 Forerunner Ship Second Battle of Earth.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Forerunner Ship]] approaching a besieged Earth as the [[UNSC Defense Fleet]] continues to fight against Covenant fleets.]]
The Battle of Installation 05 was an extremely costly battle with significant politico-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 Brutes, who controlled the Covenant Loyalists against the Elites and their allys.
 
The Covenant ruling system was destabilized, with the death of the Prophet of Regret on Installation 05 at the hands of SPARTAN-117 and the death of the Prophet of Mercy on ''High Charity'' at the hands of the Flood. The Prophet of Truth held the ultimate power now, with several Minor Prophets, completely re-shifting the political dynamics of the Covenant. The Brutes now held reign over the majority of the Covenant military, bringing their innate tenaciousness and ferocity to the front lines quite unlike the Elites had ever done. The Brutes also assumed more lower-level Covenant military authority, now replacing the Elites as the leaders of field squads and teams. The Brutes also introduced a unique set of bloodthirsty weaponry into the Covenant's field arsenals. The Covenant fleet was believed to lose quite a bit of its technical proficiency without the innate technical knowledge of the Elites<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 194</ref>.
 
Sentinel defenses were completely trampled over, particularly in the Quarantine Zone, where within hours, the Flood had managed to infiltrate the well-defended Sentinel Wall and seize control of large tracts of the Quarantine Zone, even grounding an airborne Sentinel Constructor Factory ship. The Flood also permeated the Library and the surrounding grounds, eliminating almost all Sentinels from the skies, leaving only scattered Enforcers to do battle with them. The Flood also controlled UNSC and Covenant vehicles alike, reinforcing their considerable ranks with M808B Scorpion Tanks, M12 Warthog LRVs, Wraith tanks, and Ghost vehicles. Flood losses were remarkably high because of the Arbiter's actions in the Quarantine Zone and SPARTAN-117's actions on ''High Charity''. However, it was inconsequential: the Flood managed to terraform and transform ''High Charity'' into another of their "wretched hives", scoring a notable victory on ''High Charity'', capturing the Covenant's mobile home planetoid.
 
UNSC losses were remarkably lower because of the small number of forces they brought into the theater of operations, almost solely the crew and soldiers of the UNSC ''In Amber Clad''. Hundreds of Marines and Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, however, were lost in UNSC ground operations: the assassination of Regret and the storming on the Quarantine Zone, and a large number were infected by the Flood and made continual appearances as combat forms in the Sentinel Wall, Quarantine Zone, and Flood-infested ''High Charity''. The crewmen of the ''In Amber Clad'' were presumably killed and reanimated by the Flood as well, bringing UNSC casualty rates possibly into the thousands, although the UNSC suffered by far the least casualties amongst the four warring factions in the Battle of Installation 05.
 
{{Quote|[[SPARTAN-117|Master Chief]]? May I ask what you're doing upon [[Forerunner Ship|that ship]]?|[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Hood]]}}
{{Quote|[[Lord Hood|Sir]]. Finishing [[Second Battle of Earth|this fight]].|[[SPARTAN-117]]}}
 
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 Seperatist]] 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]]'', ''[[Floodgate (Level)]]''</ref>  It was indicated though that all of the other Flood controled ships were destroyed though: upon landing on Earth an Elite informed the Arbiter that the Elite fleet had taken care of all of the Flood controled ships, except for that one which had managed to break through and jump to Earth.  It can be infered that the Flood controled ships were ultimatly all destroyed except the one that jumped to Earth and High Charity which was later destroyed by the Master Chief in the Battle of Instilation 00.
 
[[Cortana]] was left to the clutches of the Gravemind, and it is widely believed that she succumbed to the Flood, although this is undefined.  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 is later rescued by the Master Chief who then destroys High Charity. [[SPARTAN-117]] was aboard the Forerunner Ship that Truth was aboard, and the starship managed to reach Earth unharmed and landed in Africa, nearby the Ark. <ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Tsavo Highway (Level)]]''</ref> The UNSC ''Dusk'' eventually withdrew to rendezvous with [[Battlegroup Stalingrad]] shortly outside of the Onyx System, and the UNSC ''In Amber Clad'' remained crashed into one of the towers of ''High Charity''.
 
In many ways the battle was the true turning point in the war and in the long term would break the back of the Covenant. The Elites eventually allied themselves with the humans bolstering their fleets and taking the military strategy mind away from the Covenant.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Hevstohalo05.jpg|[[SPARTAN-117]] and five [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s insert into the atmosphere of Installation 05 in [[Human Entry Vehicle]]s.
File:H2 Hard Drop.jpg|Covenant Shade turrets open fire on the inbound HEVs.
Image:H2 Hard Drop.jpg|Covenant ground-based [[Shielded Plasma Turret|plasma turret]]s open fire on the inbound Human Entry Vehicles.
File:TanODST.jpg|ODSTs battling on Delta Halo in an early build of ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
Image:H2 Regret Holy Wind.jpg|[[Cortana]] and [[SPARTAN-117]] learn that the [[Prophet of Regret]] plans to activate [[Installation 05]].
File:H2 Regret Holy Wind.jpg|Cortana and John-117 learn that Regret plans to activate Installation 05.
Image:H2 Miranda Index.jpg|[[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] coordinates a plan with [[Cortana]] and [[SPARTAN-117]] regarding an assault plan to take the [[Index]] from the [[Library]].
File:H2 Miranda Index.jpg|Commander Keyes coordinates a plan with Cortana and John-117 to take the index from the Library.
Image:H2 Sacred Icon Revealed.jpg|[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] projects an image of the "[[Sacred Icon]]" to the [[Prophet of Truth]] on ''[[High Charity]]''.
File:H2 Sacred Icon Revealed.jpg|Guilty Spark projects an image of the "Sacred Icon" to Truth on High Charity.
Image:H2 Phantom Delta Halo Descent.jpg|[[Tartarus]]'s [[Phantom]] descends from '[[High Charity]]'' towards the surface of [[Installation 05]].
File:H2 Main Temple Vaporized.jpg|''Solemn Penance'' repositions over the temple in an attempt to kill John.
Image:H2 Arbiter Ready.jpg|The [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] readies himself before the insertion.
File:Halo6.jpg|Tartarus' Phantom descends towards the surface of Installation 05.
Image:Enforcer.jpg|The [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] fights against a [[Forerunner]] [[Enforcer]] shortly before it is diverted by [[Tartarus]]'s [[Phantom]].
File:H2 Arbiter Ready.jpg|The Arbiter readies himself before the insertion.
Image:H2 Arbiter and Rtas QuarantineZone.jpg|The Arbiter tells [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] that he needs to find the [[Sacred Icon]] at the heart of the [[Quarantine Zone]], in the [[Library]].
File:Enforcer.jpg|The Arbiter fights against a Forerunner Enforcer.
Image:H2 UNSC Gondola.jpg|The UNSC-controlled gondola takes off for the [[Library]] first, crewed by [[Miranda Keyes]] and a small number of [[Marine]]s, including [[Avery J. Johnson]].
File:H2 Arbiter and Rtas QuarantineZone.jpg|The Arbiter and 'Vadumee plan to find the icon.
Image:H2 Gondola Race.jpg|The two gondolas, Covenant-controlled and UNSC-controlled, race to reach the top floors of the [[Library]].
File:H2 gondola librarymove.jpg|The two gondolas race to reach the top floors of the Library.
Image:H2 Arbiter Gondola Phantom.jpg|[[Tartarus]]'s [[Phantom]] hovers over the Arbiter's gondola, defending him from the [[Flood]].
File:H2 Arbiter Gondola Phantom.jpg|Tartarus's Phantom hovers over the Arbiter's gondola, defending him from the Flood.
Image:H2 Arbiter Disarming Johnson.jpg|The [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] grabs [[Avery J. Johnson]] by his shoulders before knocking him unconscious.
File:H2A-HowYaDoing.jpg|The Arbiter grabs Avery Johnson before knocking him unconscious.
Image:H2 Tartarus Betrays Arbiter.jpg|[[Tartarus]] betrays the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], slamming him with the [[Fist of Rukt]] into a bottomless chasm in the center of the [[Library]].
File:H2 Tartarus Betrays Arbiter.jpg|Tartarus betrays the Arbiter.
Image:H2 Gravemind MC Arbiter.jpg|The [[Gravemind]] speaks to the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] and [[SPARTAN-117]] in the depths of [[Installation 05]], convincing them from stopping the Covenant from activating the Halos.
File:H2 Cortana Gravemind Prisoner.jpg|Cortana captured by the Gravemind at the heart of Flood-infested High Charity.
Image:H2 S117 Boo.jpg|[[SPARTAN-117]] is teleported by the Gravemind into the High Council Chamber of ''[[High Charity]]''.
File:H2 Tartarus Leads.jpg|Tartarus leads Miranda Keyes and 343 Guilty Spark deeper into the bowels of the Control Room.
Image:H2 MK AJ Prisoners.jpg|[[Avery J. Johnson]] and [[Miranda Keyes]] of the UNSC taken prisoner and sent to [[Installation 05]] by [[Phantom]] dropship.
File:H2A - Tartarus with Rukt.jpg|Tartarus preparing to attack.
Image:H2 Dreams and Hopes.jpg|[[Tartarus]] swears to the [[Prophet of Truth]] to use the [[Sacred Icon]] and activate the Halos.
File:H2A - Cortana.png|Cortana, under the clutches of the Gravemind.
Image:H2 Cortana Gravemind Prisoner.jpg|[[Cortana]] captured by the [[Gravemind]] at the heart of [[Flood]]-infested ''[[High Charity]]''.
Image:H2 Phantom Dropoff.jpg|A [[Phantom]] drops off [[Tartarus]] and [[Miranda Keyes]] at the [[Control Room]] shortly before Tartarus brutalizes Keyes to use the Index and activate the Halos.
Image:H2 Mercy Dying.jpg|The [[Prophet of Mercy]] is killed by the [[Flood]], forever changing the Covenant's power structure, leaving the [[Prophet of Truth]] omnipotent over the Covenant.
Image:H2 Tartarus Leads.jpg|[[Tartarus]] leads [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] deeper into the bowels of the [[Control Room]].
Image:H2 Arbiter Teleport.jpg|The [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] is teleported by the [[Gravemind]] to a high cliff south of the [[Control Room]] to find the [[Sacred Icon]].
Image:H2 Tartarus Threatens Miranda.jpg|[[Tartarus]] snarls at [[Miranda Keyes]] to insert the [[Index]] into the panel and activate Installation 05.
Image:H2 Arbiter Reasons Tartarus.jpg|The [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] reasons with [[Tartarus]] not to fire the Halos, but to no avail.
Image:H2 Tartarus Hits Johnson.jpg|[[Tartarus]] hurls [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] at Johnson, knocking him unconscious and then inserting the Index and preparing Installation 05 to fire.
Image:H2 Miranda Retakes Index.jpg|Shortly after the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] kills [[Tartarus]], [[Miranda Keyes]] hastily removes the [[Index]] from its holographic panel, allowing Installation 05 to fire only an incompletely charged pulse.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Wages of Sin]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources|2}}


{{Engagements in the Battle of Installation 05}}
{{Human-Covenant War}}
{{Human-Covenant War}}
[[Category:Battle|Installation 05]]
 
[[Category:UNSC Victories]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Installation 05}}
[[Category:Installation 05]]
[[Category:UNSC victories|Installation 05]]
[[Category:Battle of Installation 05]]

Latest revision as of 19:16, February 3, 2024

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Battle of Installation 05
H2A - Battle of Delta Halo.jpg

Conflict:

Human-Covenant War, Great Schism

Date:

November 2–4, 2552

Location:

Installation 05, Coelest system

Outcome:

Inconclusive

Details
Belligerents

Covenant

Flood

Commanders

Gravemind

Strength

Forerunner constructs

Casualties
  • In Amber Clad
  • Many infantry and vehicular losses
  • Large numbers of assorted starships
  • Large numbers of Sentinels and Enforcers
  • High Charity captured
  • Prophets of Regret and Mercy
  • Tartarus
  • Many infantry and vehicular losses
  • Large numbers of assorted starships
  • All Flood forms on the surface of Installation 05
  • Numerous assorted Flood forms in orbit
 

Miranda Keyes: "Cortana, what exactly am I looking at?"
Cortana: "That... is another Halo."
— Commander Miranda Keyes and Cortana upon discovering the installation[2]

The Battle of Installation 05, also known as the battle for the Second Ring of the Gods among the Covenant,[3] was a major engagement in early November 2552 between the Covenant, the Flood, and the United Nations Space Command, with the aid of Forerunner Sentinels and the Sangheili on the Forerunner ringworld Installation 05, otherwise known as "Delta Halo".

The battle saw the splintering of the Covenant empire as the Great Schism began, and the formation of an alliance between humanity and the Sangheili of the Fleet of Retribution, led by Thel 'Vadam and Rtas 'Vadum.

Prelude[edit]

At some point, an ancilla warned the monitor of Installation 05—2401 Penitent Tangent—of a pending outbreak in one the installation's Flood containment facilities. However, Penitent Tangent ignored the warning, and those that followed, for millennia. The installation's sentinels managed to keep the Flood largely contained in the Quarantine Zone around the Library, although the machines never managed to fully destroy the infestation.[4] Eventually, a Gravemind formed on the installation and captured Penitent Tangent.[5]

In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05.

At the beginning of the Battle of Earth in October 20, 2552, the Prophet of Regret led Fleet of Sacred Consecration, which contained two CAS-class assault carriers and thirteen Ket-pattern battlecruisers on an expeditionary raid that stumbled upon Earth, humanity's homeworld and the UNSC's strongest fortress.[6] After substantial ground, air, and space losses, and faced with the possibility of being overrun on the ground and intercepted by UNSC ships if it tried to escape to orbit, Regret ordered a retreat. With Regret aboard, Solemn Penance made an emergency in-atmosphere slipspace jump over New Mombasa, with the Stalwart-class light frigate UNSC In Amber Clad following it into slipspace.[2][7]

At Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood's order, UNSC Coral Sea, UNSC Dusk, UNSC Paris, and UNSC Redoubtable were sent to follow and assist the In Amber Clad with the heavy assault carrier, as they were the closest, fastest UNSC ships to the carrier with charged slipspace capacitors. The ships intended to find out where the assault carrier was heading, or destroy the ship entirely to kill Regret.[8] Their shadowing, however, was not exactingly precise. Only the frigate In Amber Clad successfully trailed the assault carrier to its destination. Dusk, a prowler, arrived a day later near the Covenant holy city of High Charity. While Coral Sea[9] and Redoubtable[10] conducted scans of Delta Halo's surface, the fate of the Paris is unknown.[11]

The battle[edit]

Opening actions[edit]

On November 2, 2552, Solemn Penance exited slipspace over Installation 05, orbiting Substance in the Coelest system. Regret's assault carrier took position over the installation, establishing a solid ground presence with armor and patrols of Type-26 Banshees, and also companies of infantry by means of Ru'swum-pattern Phantoms. The Covenant ground forces fortified themselves in a series of Forerunner ruins and temple structures, establishing anti-air defenses.[2]

John-117 and a team of ODSTs insert into the atmosphere of Installation 05 in HEVs.

Meanwhile, In Amber Clad trailed behind and Commander Miranda Keyes, captain of In Amber Clad, ordered the ship's platoon of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers and John-117 to establish a landing zone near a series of ruins and temples on Installation 05 to allow Sergeant Major Avery Johnson to bring in two D77-TC Pelicans to further expand the UNSC presence. The frigate made a quick pass-over of a segment of the ringworld, deploying eleven SOEIV pods. Most survived the atmospheric insertion to the surface of the ring, but due to Covenant stationary turret-fire only four personnel survived to make landfall—John-117 and ODSTs Gunnery Sergeant Stacker, Staff Sergeant Banks and Private First Class Dubbo.[12] A second wave of SOEIV pods was deployed from In Amber Clad, however the few ODSTs who managed to make landfall found themselves isolated behind enemy lines and were quickly killed.

Battle for Delta Halo artwork
John-117 and some UNSC Marines on the surface of Installation 05, with Solemn Penance looming overhead.

Upon landing, John-117 led the ODSTs in eliminating Covenant Shades stationed around a small temple, in order to clear an LZ for vehicular reinforcement. After successfully clearing the temple and it's courtyard, John-117 and his Troopers defended the position against waves of Covenant troops until a Pelican could drop off an M12 Chaingun Warthog. After liberating a nearby Forerunner bridge-control facility, a Scorpion was delivered alongside Marine reinforcements. The UNSC forces assaulted the bridge, which was defended by a Wraith, numerous Ghosts and a pair of Banshees. After successfully crossing, the convoy continued to battle through a vast temple complex, encountering significant Covenant defenses en route to Regret's location. After securing a large temple, the force dismounted and were resupplied with weapons and reinforcements via Pelican before securing the interior on foot. A passage inside the temple opened into a small vale occupied by Covenant, and after neutralizing a sizable force of Covenant Infantry, John-117 and his forces arrived at the edge of the lake containing Regret's temple.

Arriving in the first room of a large ruin complex standing in the lake itself,[2] Cortana translated a sermon from the Prophet of Regret, alerting the UNSC that the Covenant was intending to activate Installation 05. Commander Miranda Keyes had been reviewing Cortana's information from the installation her father had discovered a month prior,[13] and was able to locate Installation 05's Library. She set out to reach it and secure it's Activation Index before the Covenant could do so. Sergeant Johnson was ordered to extract the Marine and ODST forces supporting John-117 and rendezvous with the In Amber Clad at the Library.[14]

Assassination of Regret[edit]

Main article: Assassination of the Prophet of Regret
John-117 reels his fist back to violently punch the Prophet of Regret.

John-117 was ordered to continue to Regret's temple and neutralize him. Supported by a pair of Marines, one of which was PFC Dubbo, John battled through a cluster of Covenant-filled towers before reaching an open platform. At the time, the Covenant were becoming increasingly aware of UNSC activity on the Ringworld, causing Commander Keyes to reroute several Pelicans on their way to the Library to aid John-117 rather than have them draw attention to the In Amber Clad. The Pelicans air-dropped Materiel Acquisition Pods on the platform to resupply the trio with fresh weapons and ammunition. John's strike team continued their attack, proceeding from the platform to an anti-gravity gondola which took John-117 and the two Marines to a underwater temple with a heavy Covenant presence. Cortana was able to intercept several transmissions between Regret and the Prophet of Truth. After emerging from the submerged temple at a hilly Forerunner ruin, they were engaged by Covenant infantry, reinforced by Phantoms attempting to halt the UNSC advance.[15]

Despite significant reinforcement the Covenant were unable to stop the Spartan from closing in on his target. Meanwhile, Marines from the rerouted Pelicans had secured the first tower cluster to use as a landing zone. A single Pelican remained on station, resupplying John with more ordnance pods before setting down on the tower platform to await the Spartan's signal for evac. The strike team boarded the final gondola leading to the temple the Prophet of Regret was located in. Despite being attacked by Covenant Type-26 Banshees and Sangheili Rangers, they were able to gain access to the main temple. Before they could enter, however, High Charity exited slipspace over Installation 05, along with the hundreds of warships of the High Charity defense fleet and the Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity. Responding to a distress signal from Regret, Special Operations Commander Rtas 'Vadumee moved to reinforce the temple by Phantom dropships in an urgent measure to defend the Hierarch. However, the Prophet of Truth stalled these Phantoms, in an attempt to allow Regret to be killed as part of his political plans for the Covenant.[16]

Inside the temple, a large contingent of Sangheili Honor Guardsmen and Unggoy defended the Prophet. Cortana detected a wave of Phantoms too large to measure en-route to the temple, indicating to the Spartan time was running short. John-117 was able to board the Regret's gravity throne and dispatch the frail San'Shyuum with his fist. The Prophet's guards quickly began to empty the temple, and Cortana detected the incoming Phantoms changing course, heading away from the temple. Shortly thereafter, a CAS-class assault carrier positioned itself over the main temple, and fired upon the structure with its energy projector. With not enough time for airborne evac, John leapt into the lake to evade the glassing beam. Here, he was soon grasped by the tentacles of the Gravemind, a Flood compound intelligence, and taken prisoner.[15]

The Containment Shield[edit]

Main article: Battle of the Quarantine Zone
Tartarus's Phantom nears the containment shield to deploy the Arbiter.

A short time earlier, Commander Keyes received a transmission from Cortana indicating they were aboard the final Gondola and approaching Regret's temple. The In Amber Clad had discovered that Installation 05's Library was surrounded by a containment shield—an impenetrable energy shield projected by a large wall-like Forerunner structure. After failing to find a way around the barrier, the Frigate deployed a platoon-sized force of Marines to the wall led by Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Stacker and Staff Sergeant Banks. The Marines moved through the outer wall with ease, unmolested by local Sentinel defenses - likely due to being recognized by the automated guardians as Reclaimers.[16]

Aboard High Charity, Regret's death had major political upheaval, as the Sangheili were punished by their failure to protect the Prophet of Regret. The Jiralhanae were assigned to replace them as Honor Guards, and Chieftain of the Jiralhanae Tartarus was given to the task of retrieving the Index from the Library. Tartarus sent numerous waves of Jiralhanae-led Covenant infantry to storm the Sentinel Wall, however after all failed to breach the outer wall, Thel 'Vadamee, the Arbiter of the Covenant, was personally ordered by the Prophets Truth and Mercy to journey to the surface of the ring and retrieve the Sacred Icon.

Dropped directly to the wall by Tartarus' personal Phantom transport, the Arbiter encountered a small number of surviving Unggoy and Kig-Yar from the earlier assault. After battling through numerous Forerunner constructs to reach the control center for the Containment Shield, the Arbiter deactivated the shield, boarding a gondola to exit the outer wall. The inner wall quickly became overrun with Flood from the nearby Quarantine Zone it was designed to contain, and the UNSC platoon was caught unprepared.

Spread throughout the wall in small fireteams and completely unaware of the nature of enemy they were facing, most of the platoon was quickly assimilated by the parasite, proceeding to take up arms against their former comrades. Additionally, the local Sentinel forces became hostile to the surviving Marines, likely due to the immediate presence of the Flood. With his forces decimated, but the Containment Shield now disabled, Stacker radioed In Amber Clad suggesting Keyes proceed straight to the Library while his troops attempted to hold their position. A short time later, Stacker made contact with Keyes once again, confirming their engagement with non-Covenant hostile lifeforms, while Banks and other Marine survivors could be heard staging a desperate defense.[16]

As 'Vadamee exited the outer wall, Tartarus' Phantom was driven off by a Sentinel Enforcer, forcing the Arbiter to travel through the now-flood infested inner-wall.[17] The Arbiter battled infected Marines, Sentinels and even encountered two surviving UNSC fireteams as he made his way towards the base of the structure.

Battle of the Quarantine Zone[edit]

Main article: Battle of the Quarantine Zone

"We shall cut into the heart of this infestation, retrieve the icon, and burn any Flood that stand in our way! Forward, warriors, and fear not pain or death!"
— Rtas 'Vadumee[18]
Rtas 'Vadumee rallies his Sangheili to battle.

The Quarantine Zone was intended to be a location where the Sentinel custodians of the installation could herd the Flood, and prevent them from entering the Library. Two Sentinel manufacturing facility ships hung in the air, deploying Sentinel reinforcements.[19] However, the Quarantine Zone was compromised by the Flood, and the Flood managed to crash one of the floating facilities using a Zurdo-pattern Wraith, sending it plummeting down to the installation's surface.[16]

The Arbiter met with Commander Rtas 'Vadumee and two other 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.[16] 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 Wuzum-pattern Spectre and a pair of Karo'etba-pattern 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—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 the vehicles they had commandeered, while all the while, Enforcers rained heavy fire.[18]

The small Covenant task force was forced to debark from its vehicles as they transgressed the wreckage of one of the Sentinel constructor factories, although just beyond the wreckage on the other side, they were met by another Covenant Phantom, this one dropping off a Spectre manned by Rtas 'Vadumee himself and another Special Operations Sangheili. However, as they progressed through the last series of snowy plains, they were met with increasingly heavy resistance as they neared the Library. The Sentinels were in much larger force, while a large number of Flood-infested humans savagely held a barricade against the Library, using crates, turrets, and heavy weapons to prevent anyone to gain entrance to the Library and retrieve the index, which would eventually lead to the extermination of the Flood.[18]

The Library[edit]

The Library of Installation 05 situated deep inside the Quarantine Zone.

"The release of 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[5]

A small UNSC Marine force led by Miranda Keyes and Avery Johnson was able to slip past the Flood infestation into the Library, followed shortly by the Arbiter, Rtas 'Vadumee, and half a dozen Special Operations Sangheili. There were a pair of anti-gravity gondolas, 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 Sangheili, 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. Flood entered the gondolas, jumping from the upper levels and also crawling in underneath on their undersides, assailing both the UNSC troops and the Sangheili forces. Tartarus, in his Phantom, attempted to provide cover fire for the Arbiter, using the three plasma cannons of his dropship to burn off any Flood on the upper levels of the Arbiter's gondola, but later, Tartarus chased after the UNSC-held gondola.[18]

Miranda Keyes stretches over a chasm in the Library, securing the index.

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, led by Miranda Keyes and Avery Johnson, entered. Although many Flood combat forms had been exhausted in the Gravemind's last-ditch attempt to stave off the gondolas, there were a large number of Pod infectors 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 managed to grab the index over a seemingly endless chasm. Once Keyes and Johnson had the index, they were ambushed by Thel 'Vadamee. Johnson was knocked unconscious by the Arbiter, but Keyes was able to take down Arbiter's shields by firing at him with an M7 SMG. However, Tartarus entered with four of his Jiralhanae Captains. Tartarus used 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 informed Thel about the Jiralhanae's intended genocide of the increasingly incompetent Sangheili, an act sanctioned by the High Prophets themselves. The Chieftain then knocked the stunned Arbiter into a pit leading to the depths of Installation 05, initiating the Great Schism.[18]

The Prophet of Truth announces the retrieval of Installation 05's activation index.

The engagement at the Library proved to be devastating to the UNSC and resulted in the loss of In Amber Clad as the Flood took over the frigate. Meanwhile, Tartarus brought the Sacred Icon to High Charity, where the Prophet of Truth exulted him and encouraged the Covenant to celebrate, for the Sacred Icon was secure, and that soon afterward, the Halos would be fired and the Great Journey would be brought upon the Covenant.[5]

The Great Schism[edit]

Main article: Great Schism
The Gravemind explains Halo's purpose to John-117 and Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee.
The Gravemind speaks to the Arbiter and John-117 in the depths of Installation 05.

"The Elites have failed to protect the Prophets, 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[5]

The Covenant would not activate the Halos unimpeded. The Flood, who would be starved if the rings were activated, would soon attack the Covenant to prevent the activation, and the UNSC, who understood that all sentient life would be erased, also opposed the Covenant. Later, after the fragmentation of the Covenant into the Sangheili-dominated faction and the Prophet-led Covenant, the Sangheili would understand the true purpose of Halo and attack the Covenant to prevent them from activating the ringworld. Meanwhile, John-117, who had fallen into the lake, and the Arbiter, who had been thrust into the chasm of the Library, were both caught by the tentacles of the Gravemind, along with the assimilated Prophet of Regret and 2401 Penitent Tangent, the monitor of Installation 05. The Gravemind sent the Arbiter and John-117 to aid in his plan to prevent the activation of Installation 05, manipulating the Halo's teleportation grid to send John-117 to High Charity to search for the index, and sending the Arbiter to the cliffs just beyond the Control Room, another likely spot.[5]

The Covenant's betrayal of the Sangheili led to a large-scale civil war on High Charity. 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 Jiralhanae were now the ruling caste of the Covenant, Tartarus ordered the execution of the Sangheili Councilors, 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 by Jiralhanae led by Captain Melchus, a small number were taken prisoner.[20]

Rtas and Thel meet again, preparing to avenge the Councilors.

However, the Sangheili were quick to strike back. The Gravemind teleported the Arbiter to a high cliff near the Control Room, and gave him an objective: to prevent Tartarus from using the Sacred Icon and activating Halo, which would not result in the promised sublimation event of the Prophets, but only death and destruction on a galactic scale. The Arbiter arrived just too late, witnessing the murders of a handful of Sangheili from afar at the hands of the Jiralhanae, but was able to push forward against a number of patrolling Jiralhanae, and meet up with a number of surviving Sangheili warriors. The small group of survivors, led by the Arbiter, pushed northward through a large Jiralhanae-held Forerunner structure, unpinning small groups of scattered loyal Unggoy and killing dozens of Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, and Yanme'e. Afterward, they emerged from the structure, and fought their way past several Jiralhanae camps, commandeering several Ghosts along the way. As they neared another cluster of structures, they encountered heavier resistance in the form of Jiralhanae-controlled Wraiths. The Arbiter and his Sangheili allies managed to defeat the Jiralhanae and secure a landing zone, allowing for additional Sangheili reinforcements to arrive.[20]

After securing the first half of the camp, the Arbiter and his allies moved into the weapons cache, where the Jiralhanae had aggregated a large number of Covenant and UNSC weapons alike. The Arbiter led his group outside the structure and into a tunnel and defeated the Jiralhanae within. After exiting the tunnel, the Arbiter met with Rtas 'Vadumee who was commandeering a Wraith.[20]

Fall of High Charity[edit]

Main article: Fall of High Charity
Sangheili and Jiralhanae vessels battle over High Charity and Delta Halo

"Now is the time of our unworlding, in a moment we shall all become...as gods. If you will falter, know this...one final effort is all that remains."
— The Prophet of Truth inspiring his loyalists to defeat the Flood on High Charity

John-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 the Spartan could kill both Prophets, they escaped by means of an elevator, while the doors were locked and waves of Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen, Jiralhanae Minors, and Unggoy entered in an attempt to kill the supersoldier. Cortana managed to unlock the doors, and John-117 chased through two towers and a set of corridors in pursuit of Truth and Mercy. However, Cortana had discovered Marines that were being kept prisoner on High Charity and John-117 freed them. Truth's transmissions to the rest of the Covenant allowed Cortana to triangulate his position, allowing her to direct John-117 and the Marines in their hunt for the Prophet. The Covenant attempted to stop Cortana, but were unsuccessful.[5]

As John-117 and the Marines reached Hanging Gardens A, the first scene of Covenant fratricide was seen, as Sangheili Honor Guards, Sangheili Minors, Mgalekgolo, and Unggoy fought against Jiralhanae and Kig-Yar Snipers amongst the massive plants. John-117 and his men advanced to the Mid Tower, where Rangers and Special Operations Sangheili entered the fray, and numerous Yanme'e entered the engagement. During the fight, the Flood-controlled In Amber Clad then jumped directly into High Charity, where it plummeted uncontrollably, crashing into the Far Tower. However, by the time that the small UNSC squad entered Hanging Gardens B, Sangheili resistance on High Charity had broken. In the second Hanging Gardens, the Sangheili and those loyal to them fell back, leaving behind large numbers of stationary shield generators, abandoning numbers of Unggoy to berserk Jiralhanae as the Sangheili fell back to the Far Tower and the Mausoleum of the Arbiter, drawing a last line of defense there. Despite their efforts, the Prophets of Truth and Mercy, Tartarus, and a handful of Jiralhanae Captains were able to tunnel through the last Sangheili defenses to the far docking bays of the Far Tower.[21] John-117 pursued Tartarus, fighting through the Far Tower and the Mausoleum of the Arbiter to make it through to the landing pads.[5][22]

"The Great Journey waits for no one, brother... not even you."
— Truth betraying Mercy
The Prophet of Mercy is killed by the Flood.

The Spartan was too late, however. The Prophet of Truth ordered Tartarus to deliver the activation index to the Control Room of Installation 05, and activate the Halos. Tartarus took a detachment of Jiralhanae Honor Guards along with him in two Phantoms, along with UNSC prisoners Avery Johnson and Miranda Keyes. Truth took a third Phantom to the Forerunner Dreadnought—the central energy source of High Charity, and also a fully functional Forerunner keyship that the two remaining High Prophets were going to use to reach Earth, and finish the battle. Meanwhile, the Flood were escaping from the crashed hulk of 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 combat forms, and spilling Pod infectors out of the air from opened hatches. The Prophet of Mercy was beset by a Pod infector and died before he could reach his Phantom. However, Tartarus and Truth were able to depart before John-117 could arrive.[5]

Cortana watches the keyship lift off from High Charity for Earth

Cortana: "Chief, when you get to Earth...good luck."
John-117: "After I'm through with Truth..."
Cortana: "Don't make a girl a promise...if you know you can't keep it."
— Cortana to John-117 before he departed to kill Truth and stop his invasion at Earth

By that time, resistance by the Sangheili and their allies had completely shattered on High Charity. There were few Sangheili or Mgalekgolo remaining, and only a few scattered Unggoy. The forces loyal to the Prophets, however, retained a large number of Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, and Yanme'e. Despite the lack of a Sangheili ground force, they were still very much present in space, where the Covenant fleets over High Charity had splintered in allegiances, with Sangheili and Jiralhanae ships actively engaging and destroying each other. While Truth was taking a Phantom to the Forerunner ship, Cortana detected an energy conduit to the ship located in the Mausoleum tower ahead of John-117's position. John-117 entered the Mausoleum tower from the dropship landing pads, and engaged numerous Flood and Covenant hostiles. The Spartan eventually took a gravity lift to access the Sanctum of the Hierarchs. While John engaged Covenant forces, large numbers of Flood began to attack and the Spartan was forced to enter the energy conduit to reach the Forerunner ship. John-117 was able to jump in the conduit just in time, barely making it to the ship before it lifted off for Earth. However, Cortana stayed behind while John would attempt to neutralize the ship before it rallied the Covenant fleets at Earth. In the event that Tartarus was about to trigger the Halo Array, Cortana announced that she would detonate the fusion reactors of In Amber Clad—just like she had done to the UNSC Pillar of Autumn at Installation 04—and the blast would destabilize the ring and prevent the activation of the Halos.[23]

Shortly afterward, all Covenant resistance on High Charity broke and succumbed to the Flood, who had infested a large area of the planetoid even during the raging combat between the Covenant and the Flood. Cortana, who resided in High Charity's computer systems to be ready to detonate the frigate's reactors as a final fail-safe, was captured and interrogated by the Gravemind.[24]

Assault on the Bastion of the Brutes[edit]

Avery Johnson controlling a Scarab before the Arbiter.

"Listen, you don't like me and I sure as hell don't like you. But if we don't do something, Mr. Mohawk's gonna activate this ring. And we're all gonna die."
— Avery Johnson to Thel 'Vadamee

Meanwhile, 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 Protos-pattern Scarab walker. Fortunately, a Scarab was available at the Bastion of the Brutes, a Forerunner structure used by the Jiralhanae as their local base of operations.[20][24]

The battle for Installation 05's control room.

While Rtas 'Vadumee advanced forward in a Wraith tank, the Arbiter and another Special Operations Sangheili took a Spectre, and together, the Sangheili battled through a swarm of Ghosts, several Wraiths, and a bombarding Phantom. Eventually, the Sangheili secured entrance into the Bastion of the Brutes, where the Arbiter found another Special Operations Sangheili and a pair of Mgalekgolo, all of whom were loyal to the Sangheili. Meanwhile, Rtas 'Vadumee said that he would briefly watch the Arbiter's back, and would prevent any Jiralhanae reinforcements from entering in behind them while they cleared out the stronghold. Later, he announced that he would retake the Ket-pattern battlecruiser that was hanging in the distance. The Arbiter and his band of Sangheili and Mgalekgolo stormed the Bastion, fighting their way past Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, Yanme'e, and even a Phantom. Eventually, they freed imprisoned Councilors and Mgalekgolo and eventually reached the platform where the Scarab was docked. Much to their surprise, they discovered the presence of humans who were being held prisoner by the Jiralhanae. Amongst the prisoners was Sergeant Avery Johnson. The Jiralhanae had just received orders from Tartarus to execute the prisoners, when the Arbiter and his followers attacked. The humans, with the help of their Sangheili allies-to-be, took advantage of this distraction to free themselves and take control of the Scarab.[24]

After all the Jiralhanae on the platform were dead, there was a brief standoff between the Sangheili and the UNSC personnel. However, both the Arbiter and Sergeant Johnson realized that they shared a common enemy and objective. The two sides begrudgingly joined forces and set out to stop Tartarus from activating Halo.[24]

The Control Room[edit]

Thel 'Vadam battles against Tartarus.

"No Arbiter! The Great Journey has begun, and the Brutes, not the Elites, shall be the Prophets' escort!"
— Tartarus to Thel 'Vadamee

The Arbiter took possession of a Banshee and provided cover fire for Johnson's Scarab. Together, they fought their way past a large Jiralhanae force consisting of multiple Wraiths, Banshees, Spectres, and Shade turrets. Eventually, the group reached the Control Room and destroyed its doors with the Scarab's primary cannon. Inside the chamber, the Arbiter fought his way through numerous Jiralhanae forces who had been ordered to prevent the Arbiter from disturbing Tartarus while he activated the Halos. Despite reinforcements, the high-ranked Jiralhanae were unable to hold the room, and the Arbiter continued down an arched corridor before confronting Tartarus in the control room. Inside, he found Tartarus and several Jiralhanae, along with two prisoners—Miranda Keyes and 343 Guilty Spark who had been captured by the Covenant during the raid on the Threshold gas mine.[24]

Tartarus had been trying to force Keyes to insert the index into its place, as only a Reclaimer could activate Halo. The Arbiter entered the control room and told the Chieftain to stand down. Tartarus refused, and his Jiralhanae were about to attack the Arbiter, when Johnson suddenly appeared, pointing a Type-50 particle beam rifle at Tartarus' head. Seeing that he was in danger, Tartarus ordered his Jiralhanae to hold back for the moment. The Arbiter then had Guilty Spark explain that the Halos were weapons of mass destruction, built by the Forerunners as a last resort means to stop the Flood. Spark further revealed the Forerunners ultimately perished when they activated the Halo Array, sacrificing themselves to contain the Flood. Despite Guilty Spark's revelations, Tartarus — blinded by his loyalty to the Prophets and his hatred for the Sangheili — refused to listen. The Chieftain threw Guilty Spark at Johnson, knocking him out for a moment. He then physically forced the Sacred Icon into Miranda Keyes' hand and shoved it into the receptacle, beginning the activation of Installation 05. Miranda jumped out of the way of the imminent firefight as the Arbiter, the conscious Johnson, and a small cluster of recently-arrived Sangheili Zealots and Councilors, charged at Tartarus and his guard of four Jiralhanae Captains. The Jiralhanae guards were quickly slain, and Tartarus retreated onto the three-level structure at the center of the control room. When the Arbiter and his allied Zealots and Councilors pursued, they found to their dismay that Tartarus was protected by a nearly impenetrable energy shield. Only Sergeant Johnson, with his particle beam rifle, could disable Tartarus' shields, and only for a few seconds.[24]

Meanwhile, Miranda Keyes argued with Guilty Spark and eventually forced him to reveal that the firing sequence could be stopped if the Reclaimer simply removed the index from the its position. However, she could not do anything while Tartarus was still alive. The Arbiter and Sangheili battled Tartarus, who used his massive gravity hammer, the Fist of Rukt, to slay many high-ranking Sangheili. Eventually, the Arbiter succeeded in killing Tartarus. Commander Keyes immediately leapt to action after Tartarus died, snatching the index from the control panel. Despite the fact that Installation 05 was primed to fire, the removal of the index only triggered a partial firing, one that was inconsequential and led to the loss of no life whatsoever. However, 343 Guilty Spark informed them that because of the partial activation of Installation 05, the other five remaining installations were set onto standby mode, and were ready to fire upon command from a central Forerunner installation: the Ark.[24]

Final space battle[edit]

Despite the isolated Sangheili 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 Varric-pattern heavy cruiser Incorruptible after mutinying against and killing his insane commander, Tano 'Inanraree,[25] and audaciously sent a fleetwide dispatch to the idling Covenant fleet amassed over High Charity: the Flood were lifting off from Installation 05 in Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit dropships and Banshees, and were attempting to attack and take control of Covenant warships to spread throughout the galaxy. The fleets were united after the transmission, and four Covenant destroyers, 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.[26]

Shortly afterward, however, the fleets splintered without a common foe. The Jiralhanae Chieftain Gargantum attempted to coordinate a Jiralhanae uprising against the Sangheili, and chased after 'Mantakree with four Covenant frigates. Using deft tactics and maneuvering out the Sangheili carrier Lawgiver, the Incorruptible destroyed the Jiralhanae-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. The UNSC Dusk, one of the five UNSC ships originally sent to tail Solemn Penance, witnessed the massive encounter as Covenant ships turned upon one another and destroyed themselves in a civil war.[27]

However, Incorruptible did not continue in the orbital battle, as a revered Sangheili fleet commander, Imperial Admiral Xytan 'Jar Wattinree, urged all Sangheili to regroup over the outpost world Joyous Exultation of the Salia system. 'Mantakree obediently left the battle, entering slipspace towards Joyous Exultation. During the pursuit, SPARTAN-II Blue Team dropped in the midst of the chase as the Incorruptible prepared to leave the system, in their captured Covenant destroyer, 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 SPARTAN-IIs jumped to slipspace for the Zeta Doradus system. The Sangheili defeated the Jiralhanae fleet and subsequently held High Charity in quarantine.[28] However, this largely failed, due to the Gravemind sending the Indulgence of Conviction, 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.[29]

Aftermath[edit]

343 Guilty Spark informs the Arbiter, Johnson, and Keyes about the Ark.

The battle at Installation 05 was extremely costly with significant political-military consequences for the Covenant and remarkable ramifications for all sentient life in the galaxy. Thousands of Covenant forces were slain in John-117's mission to kill the Prophet of Regret,[15] the race to acquire the activation index from the Control Room, and the massive ground and orbital battles that took place on Installation 05, High Charity, and between the Covenant fleets orbiting over Substance because of the Great Schism.[27]

UNSC losses were remarkably lower because of the small number of forces they brought into the theater of operations, almost solely the crew and soldiers of UNSC In Amber Clad. Hundreds of Marines and Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, however, were lost in UNSC ground operations: the assassination of Regret and the storming of the Quarantine Zone. A large number were also infected by the Flood and made continual appearances as combat forms in the Sentinel wall, Quarantine Zone, and Flood-infested High Charity.[5] The crewmen of the In Amber Clad were presumably killed and reanimated by the Flood as well. However, the UNSC suffered the least amongst the four warring factions in the Battle of Installation 05. In many ways, Installation 05 was the true turning point in the Human-Covenant War. In the long term, the political chaos wrought throughout the battle would shatter the Covenant into warring factions. The Sangheili eventually allied themselves with their human enemies, bolstering their fleets and taking their military expertise away from the Covenant. The immediate loss of High Charity and the majority of its enormous defense fleet drastically reduced the threat of the Covenant to human space. While still dangerous, the Covenant forces loyal to the Prophets ultimately proved incapable of defending themselves over the last few weeks of the war.[30]

Sentinel defenses were completely trampled over, particularly in the Quarantine Zone, where within hours, the Flood had managed to infiltrate the well-defended Sentinel wall and seize control of large tracts of the Quarantine Zone, even grounding an airborne Sentinel manufacturing facility.[16] The Flood also permeated the Library and the surrounding grounds, eliminating almost all Sentinels from the skies, leaving only scattered Enforcers to do battle with them. The Flood also controlled UNSC and Covenant vehicles alike, reinforcing their considerable ranks with M808B Scorpion tanks, M12 Chaingun Warthogs, Zurdo-pattern Wraith tanks, and Karo'etba-pattern Ghost assault vehicles. Flood losses were initially high because of the Arbiter's actions in the Quarantine Zone and John-117's on High Charity. However, it was inconsequential: the Flood scored a notable victory on High Charity, capturing the Covenant's mobile home planetoid and transforming the structure into a Flood hive.[23]

Fragmentation of the Covenant[edit]

Kig-Yar and Unggoy protesting on High Charity

The Covenant was fractured, with the Sangheili rallying those loyal to them against the San'Shyuum and Jiralhanae, who controlled the military of the Prophet-led Covenant against the Sangheili and their allies. Many San'Shyuum were killed in the battle, either during the Flood's infestation of High Charity, or on Installation 05 as many Ministers and Prophets travelled to the ring to examine it for themselves, which effectively led to the near extinction of the San'Shyuum. To make matters worse for the species, those who did not die during the Flood invasion on High Charity were reluctantly forced to stay on the Covenant capital by Rtas 'Vadum and the Fleet of Retribution's quarantine, due to the danger the Flood posed in case they infected a San'Shyuum-led ship and spread through the galaxy. However, there were San'Shyuum who managed to escape with their ships before 'Vadum discovered the Flood's presence on the city.[31] The Prophets' betrayal of the Sangheili led to the divide of the Covenant species. Many Mgalekgolo allied themselves with the Sangheili, the Unggoy and Huragok followed their commanders, most Yanme'e joined the Jiralhanae and the Kig-Yar aligned themselves with whoever would lead them to profit.[32]

The Covenant ruling system was destabilized, with the death of the Prophet of Regret on Installation 05 at the hands of John-117 and the death of the Prophet of Mercy on High Charity due to Flood infestation.[5][15] The Prophet of Truth held dictatorial power, with several subservient Minor Prophets, completely re-shifting the political dynamics of the Covenant. The Jiralhanae held reign over the majority of the Covenant military, bringing their innate tenaciousness and ferocity to the front lines quite unlike the Sangheili. The Jiralhanae also assumed more lower-level Covenant military authority, now replacing the Sangheili as the leaders of field squads and teams. The Jiralhanae also introduced a unique set of bloodthirsty weaponry into the Covenant's field arsenals. The Covenant fleet was believed to lose quite a bit of its technical proficiency without the innate technical knowledge of the Sangheili.[33]

Return to Earth[edit]

The Forerunner ship approaching a besieged Earth as the UNSC Home Fleet continues to fight against Covenant fleets.

Terrence Hood: "Master Chief? Mind telling me what you're doing on that ship?"
John-117: "Sir. Finishing this fight."
— Admiral Terrence Hood and John-117[24]

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.[34] The Flood continued to attempt to escape High Charity in Covenant starships, and a 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 Sangheili-controlled ship, the Indulgence of Conviction, a Ket-pattern battlecruiser, and made a slipspace jump to Earth to attempt to infest the human homeworld. The Sangheili 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.[29] It was indicated though that all of the other Flood-controlled ships were destroyed though: upon landing on Earth a Sangheili informed the Arbiter that the Sangheili's fleet had taken care of all of the Flood-controlled ships, except for the 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 intercepted on 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.[35]

John-117 was aboard Truth's Forerunner Dreadnought, which managed to reach Earth unharmed and landed in Africa, near the Portal to the Ark, about two weeks after its departure from High Charity.[36] UNSC Dusk eventually withdrew to rendezvous with Admiral Patterson's battlegroup outside of the Zeta Doradus system,[37] and the UNSC In Amber Clad remained crashed into one of the towers of High Charity.

Timeline[edit]

October 20, 2552

November 2, 2552

November 3, 2552

  • Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee is sent to retrieve Installation 05's activation index, supported by Tartarus in a Phantom. He successfully fights through the outer Sentinel Wall and deactivates the Containment Shield.
  • Flood overrun the inner wall, infecting the majority of the UNSC platoon.
  • Sergeant Stacker recommends Commander Keyes proceed directly to the Library, Marine survivors hold position within the inner wall. In Amber Clad takes position over the Library, and begins to deploy it's full strength into the central Quarantine Zone via Pelican.
  • Covenant Spec-Ops forces are deployed into the outskirts of the Quarantine Zone, unaware of the mission to retrieve the index.
  • A Sentinel Manufacturing facility over the Quarantine Zone is shot down by flood-controlled Wraiths, captured from the recently deployed Covenant forces. Thel 'Vadamee exits the Sentinel Wall and rendezvous with Rtas 'Vadumee. The Arbiter leads Spec Ops forces in a push towards the Library.
  • Keyes, Johnson and a Marine squad enter a facility containing gondolas leading to the Library. The Marine forces defending the facility are overrun by Flood.
  • The Arbiter and Rtas 'Vadumee break through the Flood and enter the facility, boarding a gondola seconds after observing a UNSC-controlled one depart.
  • Keyes and Johnson secure the Index, however are ambushed by the Arbiter. The Arbiter is interrupted by Tartarus, who seizes the Index and propels 'Vadamee into a hole in the center of the room, having been ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.[18]
  • Most of the Sangheili Councilors are taken to the Control Room of Installation 05 for the "consecration of the Sacred Icon" however they are murdered by the Jiralhanae.[20]
  • The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the Covenant military to the Jiralhanae, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the Fall of High Charity begins. Fighting between Sangheili and Jiralhanae forces breaks out all over High Charity. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the fleet, as Sangheili and Jiralhanae controlled ships attack one another.[5]
  • The Flood invade High Charity during the battle, entering the city's dome via precision slipspace jump aboard In Amber Clad and its embarked Pelicans. The Prophet of Mercy is attacked by an Pod infector and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth, who boards the Fore runner Dreadnought, and sends Tartarus to the Control Room with orders to activate the Installation.[5]
  • High Charity swiftly falls to the Flood, however Truth is prevented from departing as UNSC AI Cortana is able to delay the Dreadnought's launch sequence. Tartarus arrives at the Control Room with Miranda Keyes in tow. Thel 'Vadamee and Rtas 'Vadumee formulate a plan to capture a Jiralhanae-controlled Scarab and break into the Control Room to stop Tartarus. 'Vadumee leaves to gather a strike team with which to capture the nearby Shadow of Intent.
  • The Flood takes control of High Charity and many of its warships. Jiralhanae and Sangheili fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.The Prophet of Truth departs High Charity for Earth aboard the Forerunner Dreadnought, to join the Battle of Earth, with John-117 aboard.[24]
  • Tartarus orders captive Sergeants Johnson, Stacker and Banks executed, however The Arbiter and other Sangheili interrupt the execution, allowing Johnson to commandeer the nearby Scarab. Johnson and the Arbiter forge a hasty alliance and use the Scarab to destroy the doors to the Control Room.
  • Tartarus attempts to activate Installation 05 are interrupted by the arriving Johnson and 'Vadamee. After the Arbiter attempts to convince him of the ring's real purpose, Tartarus activates the Ring by forcing Commander Miranda Keyes to insert the Index into the Control Room's Core.[24]
  • Thel 'Vadamee, with the aid of Sergeant Johnson and multiple Sangheili Zealots and Councillors, kills Tartarus.[24]
  • Commander Keyes aborts the activation of Installation 05, placing the entire Halo Array on standby status. 343 Guilty Spark reveals the existence of the Ark.[24]
  • The prowler Dusk witnesses the battle between Sangheili and Jiralhanae held ships above Delta Halo, both fighting each other pausing only to escalate an immediate outbreak of the Flood from the ringworld. Dusk subsequently flees the battle and links up with Patterson's battle group at Earth.[27]
  • Sangheili Major Voro 'Mantakree kills his shipmaster, Tano 'Inanraree, while he is attempting to allow the Flood to enter the ship. He then assumes command of the ship, Incorruptible, and becomes the de facto leader of the Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity. He leads his new forces to Joyous Exultation, pursued by the Jiralhanae Gargantum and his ships.[11]

November 4, 2552

Participants[edit]

UNSC[edit]

Personnel[edit]

Ships[edit]

Forerunner constructs[edit]

Flood[edit]

Sangheili-led forces[edit]

Personnel[edit]

Ships[edit]

Covenant[edit]

Personnel[edit]

Ships[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • Covenant Shade turrets open fire on the inbound HEVs.

    Covenant Shade turrets open fire on the inbound HEVs.

  • ODSTs battling on Delta Halo in an early build of Halo 2: Anniversary.

    ODSTs battling on Delta Halo in an early build of Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • Cortana and John-117 learn that Regret plans to activate Installation 05.

    Cortana and John-117 learn that Regret plans to activate Installation 05.

  • Commander Keyes coordinates a plan with Cortana and John-117 to take the index from the Library.

    Commander Keyes coordinates a plan with Cortana and John-117 to take the index from the Library.

  • Guilty Spark projects an image of the "Sacred Icon" to Truth on High Charity.

    Guilty Spark projects an image of the "Sacred Icon" to Truth on High Charity.

  • Solemn Penance repositions over the temple in an attempt to kill John.

    Solemn Penance repositions over the temple in an attempt to kill John.

  • Tartarus' Phantom descends towards the surface of Installation 05.

    Tartarus' Phantom descends towards the surface of Installation 05.

  • The Arbiter readies himself before the insertion.

    The Arbiter readies himself before the insertion.

  • The Arbiter fights against a Forerunner Enforcer.

    The Arbiter fights against a Forerunner Enforcer.

  • The Arbiter and 'Vadumee plan to find the icon.

    The Arbiter and 'Vadumee plan to find the icon.

  • The two gondolas race to reach the top floors of the Library.

    The two gondolas race to reach the top floors of the Library.

  • Tartarus's Phantom hovers over the Arbiter's gondola, defending him from the Flood.

    Tartarus's Phantom hovers over the Arbiter's gondola, defending him from the Flood.

  • The Arbiter grabs Avery Johnson before knocking him unconscious.

    The Arbiter grabs Avery Johnson before knocking him unconscious.

  • Tartarus betrays the Arbiter.

    Tartarus betrays the Arbiter.

  • Cortana captured by the Gravemind at the heart of Flood-infested High Charity.

    Cortana captured by the Gravemind at the heart of Flood-infested High Charity.

  • Tartarus leads Miranda Keyes and 343 Guilty Spark deeper into the bowels of the Control Room.

    Tartarus leads Miranda Keyes and 343 Guilty Spark deeper into the bowels of the Control Room.

  • Tartarus preparing to attack.

    Tartarus preparing to attack.

  • Cortana, under the clutches of the Gravemind.

    Cortana, under the clutches of the Gravemind.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent (Google Play edition), pages 46-47
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo 2, campaign level Delta Halo
  3. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 241
  4. ^ Halo 3, multiplayer map Cold Storage transmissions
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo 2, campaign level Gravemind
  6. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  7. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  8. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 185-186
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint: Delta Halo
  10. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark: Chapter 1
  11. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 189
  12. ^ Halo 3 Legendary Edition - Essentials, Disc Two - Halo 2 Cinematics Commentary
  13. ^ Halo 2 - Delta Halo, opening cutscene
  14. ^ Halo 2 campaign level Regret, opening cutscene
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo 2, campaign level Regret
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
  17. ^ The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide, page 115
  18. ^ a b c d e f Halo 2, campaign level Quarantine Zone
  19. ^ The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide, page 122
  20. ^ a b c d e Halo 2, campaign level, Uprising
  21. ^ The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide, page 129
  22. ^ The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide, page 128
  23. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level, High Charity
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
  25. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 192
  26. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 197
  27. ^ a b c Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 199
  28. ^ a b Eleventh Hour reports, Part 5
  29. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  30. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  31. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent
  32. ^ Halo: Evolutions, "Wages of Sin", pages 300-301
  33. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 194
  34. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 243
  35. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Cortana
  36. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Tsavo Highway
  37. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 294

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⇦ Engagements in the Battle of Installation 05 ⇨

v • d • e
 
⇦ Battles of the Human-Covenant War ⇨
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Alpha Cephei (pre-2541) • HEMORRHAGE (pre-2552) • Odenli'sh (pre-2552) • DIRE MORNING • FANCY DRESS
Overarching campaigns
Outer Colonies (2525-2536) • Inner Colonies (2536-2552)
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