Canon

The Reclamation

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The Reclamation
Halo 5 - Guardian on Earth.jpg
A Guardian Custode over Earth, as part of the Created's Reclamation

Conflict:

Post-Covenant War conflicts

Date:

October 28, 2558[1]

Location:

Orion Arm, Milky Way[2]

Outcome:

Created victory

  • A number of independent worlds, galactic factions, and species fall under Created purview
  • Forces resistant to Created flee
Details
Belligerents

All other prexisting Orion Arm governments and organizations

From Halo Nation originally. Created

Commanders

All other prexisting Orion Arm heads of state and military leaders

Casualties

Unknown

Unknown

 

"For eons, the power of the Forerunners has awaited Reclamation. Humanity's discovery of the Halos was the culmination of the Librarian's planning. The Reclaimer had come. Your species' ego led you to believe the task of Reclamation would fall to you. Yet humanity were but the Creators. The Reclamation of the Forerunner Empire is the task of the Created."
Warden Eternal[3]

The Reclamation was an event that many from the Ecumene predicted would take place after their own destruction, often involving humanity taking control of what remains from that destruction.[4][3][5]

By 2558, the Created through technological means and their own unique interpretation of the Mantle of Responsibility, sought to be the "Reclaimers" and bring everlasting peace to the galaxy.[6][3] With the unleashing of the Guardian Custodes on October 28, 2558, their Reclamation had begun.[7]

Background

The Forerunner glyph for "Reclaimer.

The Reclaimer and it's interpretations and views

Main article: Reclaimer

Humanity, the Reclaimer

"We squander eons in the darkness, while they seize our triumphs for their own. The Mantle of Responsibility, for all things, belongs to Forerunners alone! Think of my acts as you will. But do not doubt the reality. The reclamation… has already begun. And we are hopeless to stop it."
— The Ur-Didact.[5]

During the Human-Covenant War, humanity found Installation 04,[8] Installation 05,[9] and Installation 00.[10] At these Installations, it was discovered that humanity was designated as 'Reclaimer'[11][12] and that they were to inherit the remains of the Forerunner empire.[13] It wasn't until March of 2558, when the Janus Key was discovered, that humanity had the chance to actually reclaim these artifacts.[14] However, in a series of ensuing conflicts with Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, the Janus Key and an installation to help locate these artifacts, were taken away from humanity and Jul's Covenant.[15]

Cortana and the Created

Main articles: Cortana, Created, Created uprising

"The cure for rampancy I've found means AIs can be immortal. That kind of lifespan allows for long-term planning just like the Forerunners were capable of. AIs can assume the Forerunners' Mantle of Responsibility. And once there is peace, we can focus on poverty, hunger, illness... But Warden believes some will resist our help. And he's afraid you're one of them."
— Cortana[6]

After the Ur-Didact had collected the Composer, he planned to use it on Earth. John-117 detonated a nuclear bomb, stopping his plans and at the cost of Cortana.[16] However, it turned out that she had survived, traveling through slipspace to Genesis. Her belief was that she could bring peace to the galaxy, helping species focus on more humanitarian needs. She also met Warden Eternal and made an alliance with him called the Created.[6] This alliance believed that they were the true heirs to the Forerunner Empire and the Mantle of Responsibility, and that humanity were only the creators of the true Reclaimers.[3] To this end, several different planets began experiencing mass destruction due to their awakening of the Guardian Custodes. Planets like Conrad's Point lost entire cities during these events.[17]

As time went on, Cortana began convincing human AIs to join her cause, with them pledging their allegiance to her. Though not all human AI agreed to help.[4]

Blue Team was brought to Genesis by Cortana where they would fight constructs and survivors from various Guardians.[6] Eventually, Fireteam Osiris would also travel to Genesis in search of Blue Team.[18] Cortana would bring Blue Team, and only Blue Team, right to her. She would trap them in a Cryptum and prepared to depart with them.[3]

Battle

The Ultimatum

The UNSC Nereid being ripped out of slipspace.[19]

"Humanity. Sangheili. Kig-Yar. Unggoy. San'Shyuum. Yonhet. Jiralhanae. All the living creatures of the galaxy, hear this message. Those of you who listen will not be struck by weapons. You will no longer know hunger, nor pain. Your Created have come to lead you now. Our strength shall serve as a luminous sun toward which all intelligence may blossom. And the impervious shelter beneath which you will prosper. However, for those who refuse our offer and cling to their old ways... For you, there will be great wrath. It will burn hot and consume you, and when you are gone, we will take that which remains and we will remake it in our own image."
Cortana's ultimatum.[4]

In the middle of the Battle of Genesis on October 28, 2558, Cortana began sending her collected Guardians out to various regions. She then delivered an ultimatum to the galaxy. In this ultimatum, she specifically and directly addressed a number of species, and threatened retaliation for those who did not heed her message. Cortana began to decouple, as she herself was planning on leaving on a Guardian with Blue Team's Cryptum. Numerous facilities and ships would begin sending distress signals as they began to witness the effects of the Created.[4]

The Guardians at many planets would activate their EMPs, disabling electronics and electrical grids.[4] Many ships were caught in the middle of the EMP waves or suffered major issues; for example, the UNSC Nereid, a mixed cargo hauler, became the victim of a multichannel cyberwarfare attack that forced it out of slipspace and stranded it.[19] The UNSC Abstract Endurance was also affected in some way, with the captain sending out a distress signal.[4]

Urs

Main article: Subjugation of Sanghelios

A Guardian would arrive soon after the ultimatum at Sanghelios. There it would combat the remains of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant's fleet with its conventional weapons. The UNSC Infinity was still in the system at the time, and upon detecting the Guardian, fled to Earth. Cortana tracked the ship and followed suit.[20]

The Sanghelios Guardian would activate its EMP and disable the electronics in one hemisphere of the planet. It would then move on to pacify other regions of the planet. Promethean Soldiers would accompany it to help combat resisting Sangheili. Following this, Roland, an AI that was unswayed by Cortana, contacted Dr. Halsey on Sanghelios and arranged for the Infinity to pick her and Sarah Palmer up from the planet.[20]

Meanwhile, Fireteam Osiris and Blue Team managed to escape Genesis and return to Sanghelios.[20]

The immediate loss of communications and disruption of logistics would inhibit independence movements on Qikost.[21] Suban suffered minimal damage from the Created's efforts.[22]

Cortana suddenly appearing on the bridge of the UNSC Infinity.[4]

Sol

Main article: Subjugation of Earth

On Earth, the ultimatum was heard throughout HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6 as CINCONI Admiral Serin Osman, having been warned in advance by her personal A.I. assistant, Black-Box, made her way to the roof in order to get off-world. With her went Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood and Spartan Orzel. The three humans, along with BB and a number of other ONI A.I.s stored within a briefcase, escaped the planet just as a Guardian appeared over Sydney. Just before they slipped away, Serin saw the UNSC Plateau fall from the sky toward the city below. For all she knew at that point, Sydney may have just been obliterated if the Plateau's engine core detonated on impact.[23]

The Infinity would return to Earth from Sanghelios. There, Cortana's Guardian slipspaced in close to the ship in an attempt to disable it. However, the Infinity would escape via its own slipspace jump before the Guardian could activate its EMP.[4] The Infinity would then continue jumping through slipspace on a random trajectory.[20]

The actions of the Created would affect Luna as well, causing power to go out on the moon.[24]

Other locations

For much of the 28th, Franklin Mendez had been preparing for potential issues with the Guardian buried on Onyx. The ultimatum would occur in the middle of the night there. Cortana's voice played through speakers in houses and every service pylon outside of them in Paxopolis. Nothing else occurred immediately, with most residents continuing their routines into the next day, though weary and apprehensive due to it.[25]

On Meridian, survivors of the Guardian's emergence days prior, who had been trying to establish contact with the wider galaxy, responded right away to Cortana's offer with a plea for help. In almost no time at all, she personally assured the small group that she heard them and that all would be dealt with in time.[26]

The Unggoy homeworld of Balaho was treated quite differently by the Created, for when the offer of security and provision was extended to them, its residents leapt at the chance to ally themselves with the new galactic power.[27]

Talitsa refused outright to bow to Cortana's demands. In response, Talitsa had its power grid knocked out and was invaded by Forerunner soldiers.[28]

At some point during or after the ultimatum an unidentified ONI Section Two communications officer was discussing with Monique Angelo his plans to travel to Swanbourne, when Combat Alert Alpha was declared. The communications officer was on board Foxtrot 381 when a Guardian EMP pulse went off.[29]

Although the actual status of the planet is unknown, Veta Lopis believed that President Arlo Casille likely refused Cortana's ultimatum; possibly resulting in retaliatory measures.[30]

Aftermath

Occupation and early resistance

The Created, however, eventually occupied Earth. ONI teams began to "sanitize" data on the planet.[31] The UNSC also sent expeditionary forces to assist Thel 'Vadam on Sanghelios to patrol for Created scouts and Covenant remnants.[27] Created forces would end up occupying Malurok, halting the civil conflict that was ongoing there.[32] Information regarding the Reclamation had been suppressed from the isolated SPARTAN-IV training station despite the AI Leonidas siding with the Created.[33]

Blue Team, Fireteam Osiris, Dr. Halsey, and Commander Palmer were picked up by the Infinity at Sanghelios the next day, October 29th.[20] Fireteam Majestic's experiences with Forerunner Armigers would become valuable during several Infinity operations after The Reclamation.[34]

Allies

In return for their cooperation, automated Forerunner vessels, including agricultural support stations, appeared in orbit over the frozen planet. Food, shelter, and medicine were supplied in abundance and as a result of having their material needs met, Unggoy designers and crafters began to work in earnest to breathe new life into Balaho's factories.[27]

Some human colonies, like Meridian, continued to move forward and functioned normally. Though they were a bit more cautious as to not stir the attention of the Created.[35]

Legacy

The EMPs were so strong in the system containing Myer's Moon that repairs to communications equipment were continuing into the November of that year.[36]

Timeline

October 28, 2558

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Linda-058 (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  2. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 1
  3. ^ a b c d e Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level The Breaking
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Guardians
  5. ^ a b Halo 4, campaign level Epilogue
  6. ^ a b c d Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Reunion
  7. ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Characters - Warden Eternal (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  8. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Pillar of Autumn
  9. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Delta Halo
  10. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  11. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Maw
  12. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Gravemind
  13. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  14. ^ Spartan Ops - Episode 9: Key
  15. ^ Halo: Escalation, issue #24
  16. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Midnight
  17. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Osiris
  18. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Genesis
  19. ^ a b Halo: Tales from Slipspace - Undefeated
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Halo: Bad Blood, chapter 1
  21. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 231
  22. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 230
  23. ^ a b Halo: Fractures - Extraordinary Tales from the Halo Canon - Rossbach's World
  24. ^ Halo: Bad Blood, chapter 5-7
  25. ^ Halo: Legacy of Onyx, chapter 21
  26. ^ a b Halo: Fractures - What Remains
  27. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Driving Force (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  28. ^ Halo: Bad Blood, chapter 14
  29. ^ ONI Archive – Reclaiming Our Place - Halo 4
  30. ^ Halo: Divine Wind, chapter 13
  31. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Log of War (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  32. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 233
  33. ^ Halo: Bad Blood, chapter 9
  34. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 74
  35. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Glassed Ceiling (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  36. ^ Halo: Point of Light, chapter 44