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Onyx Conflict: Difference between revisions

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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Era|HCW}}
{{triple battle infobox
{{triple battle infobox
|prev=[[Battle of Earth]]
|prev=[[Battle of Mombasa]]
|conc=[[Battle of Earth]], [[Battle of Installation 05]]
|conc=[[Battle of Earth]], [[Battle of Installation 05]]
|next=[[Battle of Voi]]
|next=[[Battle of Voi]]
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|commanders1=*[[Carl Patterson|Admiral Carl "Buster" Patterson]]†
|commanders1=*[[Carl Patterson|Admiral Carl "Buster" Patterson]]†
*[[Kurt-051|Lieutenant Commander Kurt Ambrose]]†  
*[[Kurt-051|Lieutenant Commander Kurt Ambrose]]†  
|commanders2=[[Fleet Master]] [[voro Nar 'Mantakree| Voro Nar 'Mantakree]]†
|commanders2=[[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]]†
|commanders3=  Unknown
|commanders3=  Unknown
|forces1=Space
|forces1=Space
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**1 [[UNSC carrier|Carrier]]
**1 [[UNSC carrier|Carrier]]
***{{UNSCShip|Stalingrad}}
***{{UNSCShip|Stalingrad}}
**1 {{Class|Marathon|Cruiser}}
**1 {{Class|Marathon|cruiser}}
**6 [[UNSC destroyer|Destroyers]]
**6 [[UNSC destroyer|Destroyers]]
***{{UNSCShip|Brasidas}}
***{{UNSCShip|Brasidas}}
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}}
}}


The '''Battle of Onyx''' was a very large and prolonged military engagement between the [[Forerunner]] [[Sentinel]]s of the planet Onyx, [[United Nations Space Command]] and the [[Covenant separatists]].
The '''Battle of Onyx''' was a very large and prolonged military engagement between the [[Forerunner]] [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels]] of the planet Onyx, [[United Nations Space Command]] and the [[Covenant separatists]].


==Events==
==Events==
===The Sentinel activation===
===The Sentinel activation===
When [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]] was destroyed, it emitted a signal that placed all other [[Forerunner]] installations in standby mode, including the [[Sentinel]]s guarding the [[Shield World]] located within the artificial world of [[Onyx]]. On October 31, [[2552]], the first of these [[Sentinel]]s to awaken suddenly began attacking [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces on and near [[Onyx]]. Coincidentally, [[SPARTAN-III Gamma Company|Gamma Company]] was participating in the top honors exercise at the time.
When [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]] was destroyed, it emitted a signal that placed all other [[Forerunner]] installations in standby mode, including the Sentinels guarding the [[ONI Research Facility Trevelyan|shield world]] located within the artificial world of [[Onyx]]. On [[2552#October|October 31, 2552]], the first of these Sentinels to awaken suddenly began attacking [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces on and near [[Onyx]]. Coincidentally, [[SPARTAN-III Gamma Company|Gamma Company]] was participating in the top honors exercise at the time.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 117-120''</ref>


Almost immediately, [[Team Gladius]] and the orbiting {{UNSCShip|Agincourt}} were destroyed and [[Team Katana]] captured. The [[SPARTAN-III Program|SPARTAN-III]] trainers, save for [[Franklin Mendez|SCPO Mendez]] and [[Kurt-051]] were all killed as well. [[Team Saber]] regrouped with [[Kurt-051]], [[Tom-B292]], [[Lucy-B091]] and [[Franklin Mendez|SCPO Mendez]], although they had no means of summoning reinforcements from the rest of the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. [[Franklin Mendez|Mendez]] declared [[Bloody Arrow]].
Almost immediately, [[Team Gladius]] and the orbiting {{UNSCShip|Agincourt}} were destroyed and [[Team Katana]] lost after passing to Zone 67. The [[SPARTAN-III Program|SPARTAN-III]] trainers, save for [[Franklin Mendez|SCPO Mendez]] and [[Kurt-051]] were all killed as well. At this point, Zone 67's AI [[Endless Summer]] assumed complete command of all UNSC forces on Onyx.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 122''</ref> Shortly afterward, [[Team Saber]] regrouped with [[Kurt-051]], [[Tom-B292]], [[Lucy-B091]] and [[Franklin Mendez|SCPO Mendez]], although they had no means of summoning reinforcements from the rest of the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. [[Franklin Mendez|Mendez]] declared [[Bloody Arrow]] via UNSC E-Band.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 159''</ref>


[[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Dr. Halsey]], [[Kelly-087]] and [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Jerrod]] arrived aboard ''[[Beatrice]]''. Attacking [[Sentinel]]s forced the ship to crash land on the planet, although all three passengers survived to link up with [[Kurt-051]]'s group. [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Halsey]] proceeded to convince the resident [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] [[Artificial intelligence|AI]], [[Endless Summer]], to send a distress message to the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] using the [[Slipspace COM launcher]]. In the signal [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Halsey]] requested the deployment of [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]] to [[Onyx]]. The launcher was destroyed shortly after firing.
On November 3, [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Dr. Halsey]], [[Kelly-087]] and [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Jerrod]] arrived at Onyx aboard ''[[Beatrice]]''. Attacking Sentinels forced the ship to crash land on the planet, although all three passengers survived to link up with Kurt-051's group. Halsey proceeded to convince the resident [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] AI, [[Endless Summer]], to send a distress message to Earth using the [[Slipspace COM launcher]]. In the signal Halsey requested the deployment of [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]] to Onyx.<ref name="goo182">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 182-184''</ref> The launcher was destroyed shortly after firing.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 313''</ref>


The message succeeded in reaching a [[Battle of Earth|besieged Earth]] and diverting [[Blue Team]] to [[Onyx]]. However, en route the message had been intercepted by the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]. The newly promoted [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]] of the [[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]] was deployed to Onyx under orders to destroy all [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces and recover any Forerunner artifacts.
Using Cortana's distress signal from Installation 05 as a "carrier wave",<ref name="goo182"/> the message succeeded in reaching a [[Battle of Earth|besieged Earth]] in mere hours and diverting [[Blue Team]] to [[Onyx]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 211-213''</ref> However, en route the message had been intercepted by the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]. The newly promoted [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]] of the [[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]] was deployed to Onyx under orders to destroy all UNSC forces and recover any Forerunner artifacts, as the Sangheili had not yet made a formal alliance with the UNSC.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 243''</ref>


===Blue Team and the Covenant arrive===
===Blue Team and the Covenant arrive===


Blue Team, composed of [[William-043|Will-043]], [[Linda-058]], and [[Frederic-104|Fred-104]], arrived at Onyx aboard the commandeered ''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'', but were forced to make their way down to the surface in a [[Type-28 Troop Carrier|Spirit]] when their ship was attacked by Sentinels. Linking up with [[Kurt-051]]'s group they planned to attack [[Zone 67]]. Using the Spirit they flew into a crater and discovered a Forerunner city.  
Blue Team, composed of [[William-043|Will-043]], [[Linda-058]], and [[Frederic-104|Fred-104]], arrived at Onyx aboard the commandeered ''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'', but were forced to make their way down to the surface in a [[Type-28 Troop Carrier|Spirit]] when their ship was attacked by Sentinels. Linking up with [[Kurt-051]]'s group they planned to attack [[Zone 67]]. Using the Spirit, they flew into a crater and discovered a Forerunner city. <ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 267-274''</ref>


At the same time, [[voro Nar 'Mantakree|'Mantakree's]] forces formed around the flagship ''[[Incorruptible]]'' and began nearing Onyx. The destroyer ''[[Far Sight Lost]]'' was sent ahead to scout the environs but was quickly engaged and destroyed by Sentinels. Another scout, ''[[Absolution]]'', was ordered to perform a precision [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]] jump to the northern polar areas of Onyx, but the Sentinels followed it through Slipspace and the ''Absolution'' was destroyed upon exiting Slipspace. However, sufficient information had been gathered and 'Mantakree ordered his ground troops, including [[Sangheili|Elites]] from the [[E'Toro Warrior Crèche|E’Toro]], [[R'Lan Warrior Crèche|R’Lan]] and [[N'Noro Warrior Crèche|N’Nono]] warrior crèches, to converge on Zone 67.
At the same time, 'Mantakree's forces formed around the flagship ''[[Incorruptible]]'' and began nearing Onyx. The destroyer ''[[Far Sight Lost]]'' was sent ahead to scout the environs but was quickly engaged and destroyed by Sentinels. Another scout, ''[[Absolution]]'', was ordered to perform a precision [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]] jump to the northern polar areas of Onyx, but the Sentinels followed it through Slipspace and the ''Absolution'' was destroyed upon exiting Slipspace.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 280-283''</ref> However, sufficient information had been gathered and 'Mantakree ordered his ground troops, including [[Sangheili|Elites]] from the [[E'Toro Warrior Crèche|E’Toro]], [[R'Lan Warrior Crèche|R’Lan]] and [[N'Noro Warrior Crèche|N’Nono]] warrior crèches, to converge on Zone 67.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 350''</ref>


===Battlegroup Stalingrad===
===Battlegroup Stalingrad===


Shortly after 'Mantakree had engaged the Sentinels, the {{UNSCShip|Dusk}} arrived by Slipspace from [[Earth]]. The Prowler provided advanced intelligence for [[Battlegroup Stalingrad]] that arrived shortly thereafter. Intending to catch the enemy off guard, the UNSC force homed in on a group of Covenant destroyers and destroyed all but one destroyer. The {{UNSCShip|Glasgow Kiss}} was sacrificed to preserve the {{UNSCShip|Stalingrad}} from plasma fire from the lone destroyer. The ''Glasgow Kiss'' intercepted three of the four lances of fire and launched 12 escape pods before it was destroyed.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx|Halo: Ghosts Of Onyx]]''', ''page 294''</ref>
Shortly after 'Mantakree had engaged the Sentinels, the {{UNSCShip|Dusk}} arrived by Slipspace from [[Earth]], having utilized the ''Bloodied Spirit''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Slipstream space#Slipspace wake|slipspace wake]]. The prowler provided advanced intelligence for [[Battlegroup Stalingrad]] that arrived shortly thereafter. Intending to catch the enemy off guard, the UNSC force homed in on a group of Covenant destroyers and destroyed all but one destroyer. The {{UNSCShip|Glasgow Kiss}} was sacrificed to preserve the {{UNSCShip|Stalingrad}} from plasma fire from the lone destroyer. The ''Glasgow Kiss'' intercepted three of the four lances of fire and launched 12 escape pods before it was destroyed.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 294''</ref>


Despite taking multiple hits, the Covenant destroyer fled to the other side of Onyx, leading the UNSC force into a trap of twenty additional Covenant warships. Several more Covenant destroyers were eliminated, but the launch of a massive plasma volley forced the UNSC ships to accelerate into the attack and close the distance to forestall a second volley. Only five UNSC ships survived the charge, of which one, the {{UNSCShip|Iwo Jima}}, was destroyed when she detonated a nuclear weapon in her engine, destroying a further two Covenant warships and damaging six more in the ensuing explosion.
Despite taking multiple hits, the Covenant destroyer fled to the other side of Onyx, leading the UNSC force into a trap of twenty additional Covenant warships. Several more Covenant destroyers were eliminated, but the launch of a massive plasma volley forced the UNSC ships to accelerate into the attack and close the distance to forestall a second volley. Only five UNSC ships survived the charge, of which one, the {{UNSCShip|Iwo Jima}}, was destroyed when she detonated a [[nuclear weapon]] and her [[Fusion drive|engine]], destroying a further two Covenant warships and damaging six more in the ensuing explosion.<ref name="g298">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 298''</ref>


Defeated once more, the remaining Covenant ships withdrew again to the opposite side of the planet but were there attacked by Sentinels who used plasma capture to destroy yet another three destroyers. Realizing their peril, the Covenant ships began to withdraw from Onyx's gravity well. Two ships were used as a rearguard and one was destroyed. 16 ships escaped in all.
Defeated once more, the remaining Covenant ships withdrew again to the opposite side of the planet but were there attacked by Sentinels who used plasma capture to destroy yet another three destroyers. Realizing their peril, the Covenant ships began to withdraw from Onyx's gravity well. Two ships were used as a rearguard and one was destroyed. 16 ships escaped in all.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 299-300''</ref>


The intervention of the Sentinels allowed the UNSC ships time to regroup around Onyx's moon. There ''Dusk'' laid a minefield of 14 [[HORNET Mine|HORNETs]], each rating at thirty-megatons with vacuum enhanced loads. The UNSC warships then opened fire from behind the moon, hitting some of the enemy but causing negligible damage, but drawing the Covenant's attention. As the Covenant closed to engage and entered the field the HORNETs were detonated, destroying all but four of the remaining Covenant warships. Two of these were immediately set upon by the UNSC and destroyed. The remaining two whipped around the moon and as battle was about to be joined again, a [[Covenant fleet]] of 32 ships arrived from Slipspace. Battlegroup Stalingrad was completely destroyed, except for ''Dusk'', in the one-sided engagement that followed. Battlegroup Stalingrad amazingly destroyed a total of 20 Covenant separatist ships throughout the battle before being totally annihilated by the arrival of the new Covenant separatist fleet.
The intervention of the Sentinels allowed the UNSC ships time to regroup around Onyx's moon. There ''Dusk'' laid a minefield of 14 [[HORNET Mine|HORNETs]], each rating at thirty-megatons with vacuum-enhanced loads. The UNSC warships then opened fire from behind the moon, hitting some of the enemy but causing negligible damage, but drawing the Covenant's attention. As the Covenant closed to engage and entered the field the HORNETs were detonated, destroying all but four of the remaining Covenant warships. Two of these were immediately set upon by the UNSC and destroyed. The remaining two whipped around the moon and as battle was about to be joined again, a [[Covenant fleet]] of 32 ships arrived from slipspace. Battlegroup Stalingrad was completely destroyed, except for ''Dusk'', in the one-sided engagement that followed. Battlegroup Stalingrad amazingly destroyed a total of 20 Covenant separatist ships throughout the battle before being totally annihilated by the arrival of the new Covenant separatist fleet.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 332-333''</ref>


===Retreat to the Shield World===
===Retreat to the shield world===
While the UNSC and Covenant fleets traded space-borne crossfire whilst in orbit, in the Forerunner city [[Kurt-051]]'s group of survivors was engaged by Covenant troops led personally by Voro Nar 'Mantakree. The Spartans (both II's and III's) held off the enemy advance while Halsey, aided by [[Kelly-087]] and [[Franklin Mendez|Mendez]], configured Onyx's [[teleportation grid]], their means of escape. [[Dante-G188]] was killed rescuing [[Frederic-104|Fred-104]] from plasma and Needler fire. Once the teleportation grid was functioning, the humans moved to the [[Sentinel manufacturing facility]] near the north pole in the aim of destroying it. At the advice of AI [[Endless Summer]], this would save Battlegroup Stalingrad. Halsey identified three key structures in the facility and they were destroyed by tricking Sentinels into firing on them.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 313-324''</ref> Moving on, Kurt-051's group came upon [[Team Katana]] trapped in [[slipspace field pod]]s. Unable to free the prisoners, the [[human]]s were forced to bring the sarcophagi with them as they traveled to the [[core room antechamber]] where they prepared a stand against pursuing Covenant troops.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 346-348''</ref>


While the UNSC and Covenant [[fleet]]s traded space-borne crossfire whilst in orbit, in the Forerunner city [[Kurt-051]]'s group of survivors was engaged by Covenant troops led personally by Voro Nar 'Mantakree. The Spartans (both II's and III's) held off the enemy advance while Halsey, aided by [[Kelly-087]] and [[Franklin Mendez|Mendez]], configured Onyx's teleportation grid, their means of escape. [[Dante-G188]] was killed rescuing [[Frederic-104|Fred-104]] from plasma and Needler fire. Once the teleportation grid was functioning, the humans moved to the [[Sentinel constructor factory|Sentinel Production Facility]] near the north pole in the aim of destroying it. At the advice of AI [[Endless Summer]], this would save Battlegroup Stalingrad. Halsey identified three key structures in the facility and they were destroyed by tricking Sentinels into firing on them. Moving on, [[Kurt-051]]'s group came upon [[Team Katana]] trapped in some sort of Slipspace stasis pods. Unable to free the prisoners, the [[human]]s were forced to bring the sarcophagi with them as they traveled to the [[core room antechamber]] where they prepared a stand against pursuing Covenant troops.
While two [[legion]]s of [[Unggoy]] attacked [[Lieutenant Commander]] Kurt-051 and his forces atop the stepped structure, the remainder of the attackers set up [[stationary shield generator]]s and placed three groups of thirty Elites and one [[Mgalekgolo]] pair behind each shield. From this jump-off point, the Elites formed a wall using [[Kig-yar point defense gauntlet]]s and began to advance through grenade and sniper fire. When the Covenant reached the first step, redeployed [[Lotus Anti-Tank Mine|Lotus mines]] killed several Elites and dazed Hunters. One Hunter was dispatched by Kurt-051 before they could recover. Kelly-087 engaged and killed three [[type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|sword]]-wielding Elites and was then flanked by two more Hunters but was saved by [[Holly-G003]], who was killed in the effort.<ref name="goo360">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 360-362''</ref>


While two [[legion]]s of [[Unggoy]] attacked [[Lieutenant Commander]] Kurt-051 and his forces atop the stepped structure, the remainder of the attackers setup stationary shield generators and placed three groups of thirty Elites and one [[Mgalekgolo]] pair behind each shield. From this jump-off point, the Elites formed a wall using shields taken from [[Kig-yar]] and began to advance through grenade and sniper fire. When the Covenant reached the first step, redeployed [[Lotus Anti-Tank Mine|Lotus mines]] killed several Elites and dazed Hunters. One Hunter was dispatched by Kurt-051 before they could recover. Kelly-087 engaged and killed three [[type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|sword]]-wielding Elites and was then flanked by two more Hunters but was saved by [[Holly-G003]], who was killed in the effort.
The Spartans piled onto the two Hunters. Kurt-051 was wounded. Will-043 killed one Hunter, that had been shot by Linda-058, in hand-to-hand combat but was in turn shot and killed by the second. The last Hunter was killed by Fred-104 with a [[M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon|Jackhammer]] missile mainly for efficiency reasons, as it could take down a Hunter with one hit.<ref name="goo360"/>


The Spartans piled onto the two Hunters. Kurt-051 was wounded. Will-043 killed one Hunter, that had been shot by Linda-058, in hand-to-hand combat but was in turn shot and killed by the second. The last Hunter was killed by Fred-104 with a [[M19 SSM Rocket Launcher|Jackhammer]] missile mainly for efficiency reasons, as it could take down a Hunter with one hit.
However, the main Covenant assault with hundreds of Elites, [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]] and Grunts, was yet to come. Realizing it was futile for his diminished force to resist further, Kurt-051 ordered the survivors into the shield world while opting to remain behind to prevent the Covenant from reopening the portal. With 'Mantakree approaching to finish off the wounded Spartan personally, Kurt-051 detonated two [[FENRIS nuclear warhead|FENRIS warheads]], killing himself and the entire enemy force in the antechamber as well as triggering the Sentinels of Onyx to "erupt" through the surface of the planet. With the portal closed, his comrades who had escaped into shield world were trapped, but unharmed.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 372''</ref>
 
However, the main Covenant assault with hundreds of Elites, [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]] and Grunts, was yet to come. Realizing it was futile for his diminished force to resist further, Kurt-051 ordered the survivors into [[Shield World]] while opting to remain behind to prevent the Covenant from reopening the portal. With 'Mantakree approaching to finish off the wounded Spartan personally, Kurt-051 detonated two [[FENRIS nuclear warhead|FENRIS warheads]], killing himself and the entire enemy force in the Antechamber as well as triggering the Sentinels of Onyx to "erupt" through the surface of the planet. With the portal closed, his comrades who had escaped into Shield World were trapped, but unharmed. His last words were: "Die? Don't you know? Spartans never die."


===Destruction of Onyx===
===Destruction of Onyx===
With the [[Shield World]] closed and gated by Kurt-051, Onyx 'disintegrated' into its trillions of component Forerunner Sentinels. The Covenant separatist fleet, so recently victorious against the humans, were finally obliterated by the swarm of vigilant constructs. Only the {{UNSCShip|Dusk}} managed to escape alive and intact. It is not known whether the data the {{UNSCShip|Dusk}} carried ever reached Earth.
With the shield world closed and gated, Onyx 'disintegrated' into its trillions of component Forerunner Sentinels. The Covenant separatist fleet, so recently victorious against the humans, were finally obliterated by the swarm of vigilant constructs. Only the {{UNSCShip|Dusk}} managed to escape alive and intact.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 48''</ref>


==Participants==
==Participants==
Line 159: Line 158:


{{Col-2-of-2}}
{{Col-2-of-2}}
===Covenant Separatists===
===Covenant separatists===
*''[[Incorruptible]]'', {{Class|Reverence|cruiser}}
*''[[Incorruptible]]'', {{Class|Reverence|cruiser}}
*''[[Sublime Transcendence]]'', [[Covenant supercarrier|Supercarrier]]
*''[[Sublime Transcendence]]'', [[Covenant supercarrier|Supercarrier]]
Line 167: Line 166:


{{Col-end}}
{{Col-end}}
==Trivia==
*It is interesting to note that the Separatists are fighting Humans despite the Arbiter's alliance with the UNSC. This is likely due to the amount of time for a message to be received from near Installation 05. Which, although the Incorruptible was present during the [[Battle of Installation 05]], a message would not have been sent at the time.


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
<references/>


{{Human-Covenant War}}
{{Human-Covenant War}}
[[Category:Battles of the Human-Covenant War|Onyx]]
[[Category:Battles of the Human-Covenant War|Onyx]]
[[Category:Onyx]]
[[Category:Onyx]]

Revision as of 09:01, November 28, 2011

Template:Triple battle infobox

The Battle of Onyx was a very large and prolonged military engagement between the Forerunner Sentinels of the planet Onyx, United Nations Space Command and the Covenant separatists.

Events

The Sentinel activation

When Alpha Halo was destroyed, it emitted a signal that placed all other Forerunner installations in standby mode, including the Sentinels guarding the shield world located within the artificial world of Onyx. On October 31, 2552, the first of these Sentinels to awaken suddenly began attacking UNSC forces on and near Onyx. Coincidentally, Gamma Company was participating in the top honors exercise at the time.[1]

Almost immediately, Team Gladius and the orbiting UNSC Agincourt were destroyed and Team Katana lost after passing to Zone 67. The SPARTAN-III trainers, save for SCPO Mendez and Kurt-051 were all killed as well. At this point, Zone 67's AI Endless Summer assumed complete command of all UNSC forces on Onyx.[2] Shortly afterward, Team Saber regrouped with Kurt-051, Tom-B292, Lucy-B091 and SCPO Mendez, although they had no means of summoning reinforcements from the rest of the UNSC. Mendez declared Bloody Arrow via UNSC E-Band.[3]

On November 3, Dr. Halsey, Kelly-087 and AI Jerrod arrived at Onyx aboard Beatrice. Attacking Sentinels forced the ship to crash land on the planet, although all three passengers survived to link up with Kurt-051's group. Halsey proceeded to convince the resident ONI AI, Endless Summer, to send a distress message to Earth using the Slipspace COM launcher. In the signal Halsey requested the deployment of SPARTAN-IIs to Onyx.[4] The launcher was destroyed shortly after firing.[5]

Using Cortana's distress signal from Installation 05 as a "carrier wave",[4] the message succeeded in reaching a besieged Earth in mere hours and diverting Blue Team to Onyx.[6] However, en route the message had been intercepted by the Covenant. The newly promoted Fleet Master Voro Nar 'Mantakree of the Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity was deployed to Onyx under orders to destroy all UNSC forces and recover any Forerunner artifacts, as the Sangheili had not yet made a formal alliance with the UNSC.[7]

Blue Team and the Covenant arrive

Blue Team, composed of Will-043, Linda-058, and Fred-104, arrived at Onyx aboard the commandeered Bloodied Spirit, but were forced to make their way down to the surface in a Spirit when their ship was attacked by Sentinels. Linking up with Kurt-051's group they planned to attack Zone 67. Using the Spirit, they flew into a crater and discovered a Forerunner city. [8]

At the same time, 'Mantakree's forces formed around the flagship Incorruptible and began nearing Onyx. The destroyer Far Sight Lost was sent ahead to scout the environs but was quickly engaged and destroyed by Sentinels. Another scout, Absolution, was ordered to perform a precision Slipspace jump to the northern polar areas of Onyx, but the Sentinels followed it through Slipspace and the Absolution was destroyed upon exiting Slipspace.[9] However, sufficient information had been gathered and 'Mantakree ordered his ground troops, including Elites from the E’Toro, R’Lan and N’Nono warrior crèches, to converge on Zone 67.[10]

Battlegroup Stalingrad

Shortly after 'Mantakree had engaged the Sentinels, the UNSC Dusk arrived by Slipspace from Earth, having utilized the Bloodied Spirit's slipspace wake. The prowler provided advanced intelligence for Battlegroup Stalingrad that arrived shortly thereafter. Intending to catch the enemy off guard, the UNSC force homed in on a group of Covenant destroyers and destroyed all but one destroyer. The UNSC Glasgow Kiss was sacrificed to preserve the UNSC Stalingrad from plasma fire from the lone destroyer. The Glasgow Kiss intercepted three of the four lances of fire and launched 12 escape pods before it was destroyed.[11]

Despite taking multiple hits, the Covenant destroyer fled to the other side of Onyx, leading the UNSC force into a trap of twenty additional Covenant warships. Several more Covenant destroyers were eliminated, but the launch of a massive plasma volley forced the UNSC ships to accelerate into the attack and close the distance to forestall a second volley. Only five UNSC ships survived the charge, of which one, the UNSC Iwo Jima, was destroyed when she detonated a nuclear weapon and her engine, destroying a further two Covenant warships and damaging six more in the ensuing explosion.[12]

Defeated once more, the remaining Covenant ships withdrew again to the opposite side of the planet but were there attacked by Sentinels who used plasma capture to destroy yet another three destroyers. Realizing their peril, the Covenant ships began to withdraw from Onyx's gravity well. Two ships were used as a rearguard and one was destroyed. 16 ships escaped in all.[13]

The intervention of the Sentinels allowed the UNSC ships time to regroup around Onyx's moon. There Dusk laid a minefield of 14 HORNETs, each rating at thirty-megatons with vacuum-enhanced loads. The UNSC warships then opened fire from behind the moon, hitting some of the enemy but causing negligible damage, but drawing the Covenant's attention. As the Covenant closed to engage and entered the field the HORNETs were detonated, destroying all but four of the remaining Covenant warships. Two of these were immediately set upon by the UNSC and destroyed. The remaining two whipped around the moon and as battle was about to be joined again, a Covenant fleet of 32 ships arrived from slipspace. Battlegroup Stalingrad was completely destroyed, except for Dusk, in the one-sided engagement that followed. Battlegroup Stalingrad amazingly destroyed a total of 20 Covenant separatist ships throughout the battle before being totally annihilated by the arrival of the new Covenant separatist fleet.[14]

Retreat to the shield world

While the UNSC and Covenant fleets traded space-borne crossfire whilst in orbit, in the Forerunner city Kurt-051's group of survivors was engaged by Covenant troops led personally by Voro Nar 'Mantakree. The Spartans (both II's and III's) held off the enemy advance while Halsey, aided by Kelly-087 and Mendez, configured Onyx's teleportation grid, their means of escape. Dante-G188 was killed rescuing Fred-104 from plasma and Needler fire. Once the teleportation grid was functioning, the humans moved to the Sentinel manufacturing facility near the north pole in the aim of destroying it. At the advice of AI Endless Summer, this would save Battlegroup Stalingrad. Halsey identified three key structures in the facility and they were destroyed by tricking Sentinels into firing on them.[15] Moving on, Kurt-051's group came upon Team Katana trapped in slipspace field pods. Unable to free the prisoners, the humans were forced to bring the sarcophagi with them as they traveled to the core room antechamber where they prepared a stand against pursuing Covenant troops.[16]

While two legions of Unggoy attacked Lieutenant Commander Kurt-051 and his forces atop the stepped structure, the remainder of the attackers set up stationary shield generators and placed three groups of thirty Elites and one Mgalekgolo pair behind each shield. From this jump-off point, the Elites formed a wall using Kig-yar point defense gauntlets and began to advance through grenade and sniper fire. When the Covenant reached the first step, redeployed Lotus mines killed several Elites and dazed Hunters. One Hunter was dispatched by Kurt-051 before they could recover. Kelly-087 engaged and killed three sword-wielding Elites and was then flanked by two more Hunters but was saved by Holly-G003, who was killed in the effort.[17]

The Spartans piled onto the two Hunters. Kurt-051 was wounded. Will-043 killed one Hunter, that had been shot by Linda-058, in hand-to-hand combat but was in turn shot and killed by the second. The last Hunter was killed by Fred-104 with a Jackhammer missile mainly for efficiency reasons, as it could take down a Hunter with one hit.[17]

However, the main Covenant assault with hundreds of Elites, Banshees and Grunts, was yet to come. Realizing it was futile for his diminished force to resist further, Kurt-051 ordered the survivors into the shield world while opting to remain behind to prevent the Covenant from reopening the portal. With 'Mantakree approaching to finish off the wounded Spartan personally, Kurt-051 detonated two FENRIS warheads, killing himself and the entire enemy force in the antechamber as well as triggering the Sentinels of Onyx to "erupt" through the surface of the planet. With the portal closed, his comrades who had escaped into shield world were trapped, but unharmed.[18]

Destruction of Onyx

With the shield world closed and gated, Onyx 'disintegrated' into its trillions of component Forerunner Sentinels. The Covenant separatist fleet, so recently victorious against the humans, were finally obliterated by the swarm of vigilant constructs. Only the UNSC Dusk managed to escape alive and intact.[19]

Participants

Space

Ground

Ships

Template:Col-1-of-2

UNSC

Template:Col-2-of-2

Covenant separatists

Sources

  1. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 117-120
  2. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 122
  3. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 159
  4. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 182-184
  5. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 313
  6. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 211-213
  7. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 243
  8. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 267-274
  9. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 280-283
  10. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 350
  11. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 294
  12. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 298
  13. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 299-300
  14. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 332-333
  15. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 313-324
  16. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 346-348
  17. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 360-362
  18. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 372
  19. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 48