Battle over Installation 07: Difference between revisions

{{Callsign}}

|next=[[Assault on the Mortal Reverie|Assault on the ''Mortal Reverie'']]

*UNSC ''Infinity'' is lost.{{Ref/Note|Id=gi|Although ''Game Informer'' has reported that the ''Infinity'' crashed on the surface on the ring, the ship was never explicitly mentioned as having crashed on the ring's surface in-game, with ''Echo 216'' unable to locate the supercarrier, casting some doubt on the ''Infinity''{{'}}s true fate.}}

|commanders1    =*[[Captain (NAVCOM)|CAPT]] [[Thomas Lasky]]{{Ref/Reuse|GIInf}}

|forces1  = *{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}†

*Multiple [[Pelicans]]

**1+ [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]]

**Numerous [[ODST]]s

**Numerous [[marine]]s

*[[Griever fighter-bomber]]s{{Ref/Reuse|trp1}}

**Multiple [[Banished Phantom|Phantoms]]

**{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}{{Ref/Reuse|e1}}

{{Quote|Do you know how long it took us to neutralize your greatest ship? Four minutes. In four minutes, the Infinity, mankind's finest achievement, became a memory.|[[War Chief]] [[Escharum]].{{Ref/Reuse|hor}}}}

This '''Battle over Installation 07''' was an [[battle|engagement]] that took place on [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]], between the [[United Nations Space Command|United Nations Space Command (UNSC)]] and the [[Banished]] over the [[Installation 07]] and [[Ephsu I]] within [[Ephsu system]].{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} The battle over Installation 07 ultimately resulted in the scattering of both UNSC and Banished forces on Installation 07, as part of the larger [[Battle for Zeta Halo|protracted conflict]] on the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}}

In October, 2558, the [[Created conflict]] begun, with the leader of the [[Created]], [[Cortana]], claiming the [[Mantle|Mantle of Responsibility]] to enforce peace throughout the galaxy with the [[Guardian Custode]]s under her command. She made a general broadcast, inviting numerous species and factions to submit themselves to the guardianship of the Created,{{Ref/Level|H5|Guardians}} but threatened those who would resist her leadership with violence.{{Ref/Anthology|Halo: Fractures|[[What Remains]]}}  

In [[2559]], the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Atriox]], the [[Warmaster|leader]] of a group of mercenary raiders known as the [[Banished]], discovered the existence of the Xalanyn.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p25|Enc22|Page=25}} Seeking to uncover this secret hidden by the Forerunners, Atriox prepared his Banished forces to travel to Installation 07.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p423|Enc22|Page=423}} During his preparations for the journey to Installation 07, Atriox was personally confronted by Cortana. The Jiralhanae declared his independence from Cortana, and thus, opposition against the Created. In a show of force for Atriox's defiance, Cortana commanded her Guardians to [[Razing of Oth Sonin|destroy]] the Jiralhanae homeworld [[Doisac]] while communicating with Atriox.{{Ref/Quest|Id=repository|HINF|Reckoning|[[Repository (Halo Infinite level)|Repository]]}} Seeking to access the ring's secrets and exact revenge against Cortana, Atriox led his Banished forces to [[Installation 07]], where the Created leader resided.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}}

[[File:HINF John Fighting on Infinity.jpg|thumb|250px|left|John-117 fighting aboard UNSC ''Infinity'']]

Upon arrival at Installation 07, the advance group of frigates and the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} were ambushed by the Banished,{{Ref/Site|Id=parallel|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/parallel-threads|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Parallel Threads|D=25|M=6|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=Mercenary|HSoR|Chapter=1}} with the ''Infinity'' sustaining multiple hull breaches from the initial attack.{{Ref/Game|Id=ia4|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #04 - Arrival}} The Banished had arrived at the ring earlier, and begun fortifying the ring's surface to neutralize Cortana.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}} They also sent raiding parties aboard the ''Infinity'',{{Ref/Reuse|ia4}} all the while sending occupation forces to the ring's surface by the hundreds.{{Ref/Reuse|ia7}}

The ''Infinity'' had been prepared for a ground assault and was caught by surprise. Four approaching [[Banished dreadnought]]s attacked the supercarrier and overwhelmed its defenses.{{Ref/Reuse|hor}} The UNSC forces retaliated, and the ''Infinity'' managed to disable at least one Banished dreadnought with its MAC rounds.{{Ref/Novel|Id=trp1|TRP|1}} Within minutes, the supercarrier had sustained three heavy impacts on its starboard hull and one on its portside hull. As the main engine went offline, Captain Lasky ordered the deployment of the Weapon.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #05 - Zero Hour}} John-117 left the bridge after the initial attack to repel the Banished boarding parties,{{Ref/Reuse|ia4}} but he returned to escort Captain Lasky to a dropship.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #06 - Ingress}} Lasky, accompanied by John-117 and several marines,{{Ref/Game|id=Losing Ground|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #08 - Losing Ground}} linked up with the Spartan-IVs of [[Fireteam Taurus]] and proceeded to the hangar bays, which had been overrun by Banished forces.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #09 - Taurus}}  

Meanwhile, Lasky, escorted by marines and Fireteam Taurus, fought their way to a lifeboat,{{Ref/Game|Id=e1|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #01 - Infinity Down}} allowing the former to escape onboard. Griffin and the other members of Taurus refused to accompany Lasky in his dropship, electing to stay behind. Once inside the ship, Lasky began issuing a general evacuation call, but was cut off mid-sentence as his ship came under fire.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #12 - Abandon Ship}} After ensuring Captain Lasky’s lifeboat was away, Spartan Griffin ordered the evacuation of the remaining Spartan-IVs.{{Ref/Reuse|e1}} Spartan-IVs, marines, and crew fled onboard drop pods,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #07 - Intrepid Descent}} Pelicans,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #01 - Enemy Territory}} and lifeboats to the surface of Installation 07.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #02 - The Calm Before}} Many escapees came under fire from Banshees, Phantoms, and anti-air artillery,{{Ref/Game|Id=e3|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=evacuation #03 - Touchdown}} though some were escorted by members of [[Fireteam Windfall]] onboard fighters.{{Ref/Reuse|trp1}}{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=evacuation #06 - Buying Time}} Dropships and lifepods fled the ''Infinity'', many being shot down seconds after exiting the vessel.{{Ref/Reuse|e3}}

[[Bonita Stone]] of [[Fireteam Shadow]] evacuated from the ''Infinity'' in ''[[Echo India Bravo Zero Eight]]'' with several Marines. She attempted to help guide another shuttlecraft piloted by [[TJ Murphy]], ''[[Papa Tango Delta Zero Nine]]'', to the ring. Both flew through a hole in a Banished dreadnought on their way to the ring. However, ''Papa Tango Delta Zero Nine'' was heavily damaged. ''Echo India Bravo Zero Eight'' crashed landed on the ring. Stone and the occupants watched debris and craft fall through the atmosphere.{{Ref/Reuse|trp1}}

Fireteam Taurus escaped onboard ''[[Victor 321]]'', but Spartan Griffin commanded the pilot land near three Banished anti-air artilleries already set up on the ring's surface, to disable the cannons and ensure the safety of the incoming survivors.{{Ref/Reuse|e3}}{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #03 - Priority One}}

[[File:HINF Zeta Halo Destroyed.png|250px|thumb|right|The Halo was broken after the explosion caused by Cortana to deny the Banished from using it, while as well moved to an unknown star system.]]

As UNSC forces scattered over the ring and fought against the Banished forces, Atriox confronted Cortana, claiming he had killed John-117, leaving the latter devastated by the news of John-117's apparent death. Having consolidated her presence and core processes at the Silent Auditorium and seemingly locked down by the Weapon deployed from {{UNSCShip|Infinity}},{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} Cortana could not retaliate.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Endless|Silent Auditorium|Quote=Look around, Cortana. Your Empire. Over! Your great plan? Ended at the hands of those who made you.|Quotee=Atriox}} Atriox presented her with the terms of her surrender, intending to take control of the ring and unlock the secrets locked within the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]].{{Ref/Quest|HI|Endless|Silent Auditorium|Quote=I have learned so much, Cortana. this Ring is different. It has secrets within... That I will have. This... Silent Auditorium. Do you know its history? Its true purpose? I have little needs for a failed god. This Ring is all I need. Surrender it to me.|Quotee=Atriox}}  In an attempt to prevent Atriox from accessing Silent Auditorium or possibly activating the ring, Cortana initiated a local self-dstruction sequence at the Auditorium, killing herself, fracturing the ring's surface, and leaving the installation inoperable.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}}{{Ref/Quest|Id=sa|HI|Endless|Silent Auditorium|Quote=It was her. She destroyed the Ring. Stopped my deletion.|Quotee=The Weapon}} Her efforts were proven to be temporary, as the ring begun its self-repair process days later,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Reverie #04 - On the Mend}} although it would take a considerable amount of time without the [[Reformation spire]]s to facilitate the process.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Connections|[[Spire (Halo Infinite level)|Spire]]}} Although he survived the explosion, Atriox was left severely scarred,{{Ref/Game|Id=stinger|HINF|post-credits cinematic}} and was also presumed dead by both the UNSC and the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} Cortana, in hopes of John-117's survival, predicted he would stop the Banished from accessing the Silent Auditorium and prevented the Weapon's deletion protocol so she could assist him,{{Ref/Reuse|sa}} leaving the Weapon in the ring's subterranean structure for retrieval.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Ringfall|[[Foundation (Halo Infinite)|Foundation]]}}

During the destruction event, Cortana also initiated an emergency translcation protocol, intending to disorient the Banished and stall their efforts.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} Installation 07, along with the debris from the space battle, was transported away from the the Ephsu system to an unknown location.{{Ref/Game|Id=oi9|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #09 - To Andrew Valleros}} However, the movement was not limited to the ring itself, as debris from the space battle were transported as well. Notably, ''[[Echo 216]]'' and its pilot were left adrift near the installation.{{Ref/Generic|Id=discoverhope|[[Discover Hope]]}}{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}

The explosion from the battle affected the ground battle between the UNSC and the Banished. The ring's fragmentation scattered ground forces,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #07 - Alone}} but disabled [[Gorespike cannon|Banished anti-air cannons]],{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #04 - Run and Guns}} allowing more UNSC aircraft to land on the ring. However, the battle resulted in heavy casualties among personnel assigned to the UNSC ''Infinity'', with the ''Infinity'' crash-landing on the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}}{{Ref/Site|Id=GIInf|URL=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/11/11/off-the-golden-path-progression-and-exploration-in-halo-infinite|Site=Game Informer|Page=Off The Golden Path – Progression And Exploration In Halo Infinite|D=11|M=11|Y=2021|Quote=[...] while rallying the UNSC forces that have crash-landed there after the devastating destruction crash of the UNSC Infinity.}}{{Ref/Reuse|Group=Note|gi}}

|Presumed destroyed

| rowspan="2" |[[UNSC Navy]]

| rowspan="11" |[[Spartan Operations]]

| rowspan="10" |Spartan

|[[Intrepid One]]

|Unknown

|[[Private First Class]]

|[[D77-TC Pelican]]

|[[SKT-29 Bumblebee]]

|''[[Echo India Bravo Zero Eight]]''

| rowspan="2" |Unknown

|''[[Papa Tango Delta Zero Nine]]''

|Heavily damaged or outright destroyed

|''[[Victor 321]]''

|Unknown