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Operation: TORPEDO: Difference between revisions

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{{Ratings}}
{{Ratings}}
{{battle
{{battle
|prev=[[Battle of the Unnamed Star System]]
|prev=[[Raid on the Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence|Raid on the ''Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence'']]
|conc=
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|next=[[Battle of Skopje]]
|next=[[Battle of Skopje]]
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|image=
|image=
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|date=July 3, [[2545]]
|date=[[2545|July 3rd, 2543]]
|place=[[Target Area Apache]], [[Pegasi Delta]], [[51 Pegasi System]]
|place=[[Target Area Apache]], [[Pegasi Delta]], [[51 Pegasi System]]
|result=UNSC Strategic and Pyrrhic victory
|result=UNSC strategic and pyrrhic victory
*SPARTAN-III Beta Company almost Obliterated
*Covenant refinery destroyed
*Heavy UNSC Space Casualties
*SPARTAN-III Beta Company nearly obliterated
*Covenant Refinery destroyed preventing any Covenant forces from refuelling near UNSC Space again
|side1=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side1=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side2=[[Covenant]]
|side2=[[Covenant]]
|commanders1=Unknown
|commanders1=Unknown
|commanders2=Unknown
|commanders2=Unknown
|forces1=*1 [[UNSC Carrier]]
|forces1=*One [[UNSC carrier]]
**{{UNSCShip|All Under Heaven}}
**{{UNSCShip|All Under Heaven}}
*[[SPARTAN-III Beta Company|Beta Company]] (300 [[SPARTAN-III]]s)
*[[SPARTAN-III Beta Company]] - 300 SPARTAN-IIIs
*8 {{Class|Black Cat|Subprowler}}s
*Eight {{Class|Black Cat|Subprowler}}s
*300 [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s
*300 [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s
|forces2=*7 [[Covenant Cruiser]]s
|forces2=*Seven [[Covenant cruiser]]s
*Several squadrons of [[Seraph]]s
*Several squadrons of [[Type-31 XMF|Seraphs]]
*Thousands of soldiers
*Thousands of soldiers
**[[Elite]]s
**[[Sangheili]]
**[[Jackal]]s
**[[Unggoy]]
**[[Grunt]]s
**[[Kig-yar]]
|casual1=*298 [[SPARTAN-III]]s
|casual1=*298 [[SPARTAN-III]]s
*7 {{Class|Black Cat|Subprowler}}s unaccounted for
*Seven {{Class|Black Cat|Subprowler}}s unaccounted for
*300 [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s destroyed during use
*300 [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s destroyed during use
|casual2=*Several squadrons of [[Seraph]]s
|casual2=*Several squadrons of Seraphs
*Thousands of soldiers
*Thousands of soldiers
**Many [[Elite]]s
**Many Sangheili
**Many [[Jackal]]s
**Many Unggoy
**Many [[Grunt]]s
**Many Kig-yar
*7 [[Covenant Cruiser]]s
*Seven Covenant cruisers
}}
}}
{{Quote|How are you sure we're alive?|[[Lucy-B091]] after the battle<ref name=Onyx27 >[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', page 21</ref>}}
{{Quote|How are you sure we're alive?|[[Lucy-B091]] after the battle<ref name=Onyx27 >[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', page 21</ref>}}
'''Operation: TORPEDO''' was an [[UNSC]] operation to eliminate a [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] refinery on the [[Moon|inhabited moon]] [[Pegasi Delta]], orbiting [[51 Pegasi B]], in the [[51 Pegasi System]]. The engagement took place on July 3, [[2545]].
'''Operation: TORPEDO''' was an [[UNSC]] operation to eliminate a [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] refinery on the [[Moon|inhabited moon]] [[Pegasi Delta]], orbiting [[51 Pegasi B]], in the [[51 Pegasi System]]. The engagement took place on [[2545|July 3rd, 2545]].


== Background ==
== Background ==
The aim of Operation: TORPEDO was to destroy a Covenant deuterium/tritium refinery, on the planet [[Pegasi Delta]]. These chemicals were used in the Covenant's [[plasma]] reactors, therefore making this refinery an excellent refueling plant for Covenant ships, right on the edge of UNSC space. The destruction of this supply point would triple the length of Covenant resupply and buy the UNSC valuable time to recover from the ravages of war. This time would be spent regrouping in the wake of numerous crushing defeats at the hands of the [[Covenant Navy]].
The purpose of Operation: TORPEDO was to destroy a Covenant deuterium/tritium refinery, on the planet [[Pegasi Delta]]. These chemicals were used in the Covenant's [[plasma]] reactors, therefore making this refinery an excellent refueling plant for Covenant ships, right on the edge of UNSC space. The destruction of this supply point would triple the length of Covenant resupply and buy the UNSC valuable time to recover from the ravages of war. This time would be spent regrouping in the wake of numerous crushing defeats at the hands of the [[Covenant Navy]].


Long range nuclear bombardments were met with failure as the Covenant ships shot the weapons out of the sky, and neither a regular invasion nor an [[ODST]] insertion were considered worth the attempt. The operation was then assigned to the newly commissioned [[Spartan-III]] [[Beta Company]], attached to the {{UNSCShip|All Under Heaven}}.  
Long-range nuclear bombardments were met with failure as the Covenant ships shot the weapons out of the sky, and neither a regular invasion nor an [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]] insertion were considered worth the attempt. The operation was then assigned to the newly commissioned [[SPARTAN-III Program|SPARTAN-III]] [[SPARTAN-III Beta Company|Beta Company]], attached to the {{UNSCShip|All Under Heaven}}.  


The outcome was a Beta Company victory, but at great cost. All [[Spartan III]]s, with the exception [[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]], were killed. However, all Covenant forces groundside as well as several Covenant ships were also eliminated.
The outcome was a Beta Company victory, but at great cost. All participating SPARTAN-IIIs, with the exceptions of [[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]], were killed. However, all Covenant forces groundside, as well as several Covenant ships, were eliminated.


==History==
==History==
At 1135, the 300 SPARTAN-IIIs of Beta Company landed on the planet, Pegasi Delta, via [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s. Nine SPARTANs hadn't survived, either killed by the impact or by Covenant forces. At first, initial resistance was light, as the Covenant had not yet realized how big the force was. Soon, however, Covenant Seraphs began their strafing runs, prompting the hiding SPARTANs to abandon their stealth and rush to the factory for safety. As more Seraphs appeared, a few SPARTANs attempted to hold them back with missile launchers, and succeeded in destroying two, forcing the remaining Seraphs to cancel their runs.
At 1135, the 300 SPARTAN-IIIs of Beta Company landed on Pegasi Delta via [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s. Nine SPARTANs died immediately, either killed on impact or by Covenant forces. Initial resistance was light, as the Covenant had not yet realized how large the attacking force was. Soon, however, Covenant [[Type-31 XMF|Seraphs]] began making strafing runs, prompting the hiding SPARTANs to abandon their stealth and rush to the factory for safety. As more Seraphs appeared, a few SPARTANs attempted to hold them back with [[M19-B Surface-to-Air Missile Launcher|missile launchers]], and succeeded in destroying two, forcing the remaining Seraphs to cancel their runs.


The Seraphs, instead, began bombing the SPARTANs, killing dozens of them. Thousands of [[Jackals]] and [[Elites]] joined the assault. In response, the surviving SPARTANs charged, their speed and reflexes helping them kill hundreds of Covenant soldiers until "the field ran with rivers of gore and blue blood".
The Seraphs began bombing the SPARTANs, killing dozens of them. Thousands of [[Sangheili]] and [[Kig-yar]] joined the defense. In response, the surviving SPARTANs charged, their speed and reflexes helping them kill hundreds of Covenant soldiers in a brief matter of time.


Suddenly, [[seven]] [[Covenant Cruiser]]s landed, and with them, were thousands of Elites. Half of the remaining Beta Company turned to face the new threat in an attempt to buy time for their fellow soldiers. Team Foxtrot rushed to the factory, their only solution. [[Adam-B004]] was mortally wounded, but stayed back to hold off the Covenant forces so his team could rush ahead. When the remaining members arrived, they immediately began to set explosive charges on the core. [[Min-B174]] was setting his timer when the EM field triggered his charge, vaporizing him.
Suddenly, [[List of "seven" references in Halo|seven]] [[Covenant cruiser]]s were revealed, immediately deploying thousands of reinforcements. Half of the survivors of Beta Company turned to face the new threat in an attempt to buy time for their fellow soldiers. [[Team Foxtrot]] rushed to the factory. [[Adam-B004]] was mortally wounded, but stayed back to hold off the Covenant forces so his team could rush ahead. When the remaining members arrived, they immediately began to set explosive charges on the core. [[Min-B174]] was setting his timer when an electromagnetic field triggered his charge, vaporizing him.


The last two of Team Foxtrot, [[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]], then jumped off a cliff and into the ocean to escape from the explosion of the core. The two nearly drowned, but managed to swim ashore, where they found that everything else had been vaporized, including the cruisers. Eventually, they made it to the Black Cat prowler, and were extracted from the planet.
The last two members of Team Foxtrot, [[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]], then jumped off a cliff and into the ocean to escape from the explosion of the core. The two nearly drowned, but managed to swim ashore, where they found that everything else had been vaporized, including the cruisers. Eventually, they made it to a waiting ''Black Cat''-class sub-prowler, and were extracted from the planet.


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Although the UNSC won strategically, they lost almost all of Beta Company. The Covenant suffered a heavy blow that would prevent them from refueling close to UNSC space.
Although the UNSC won strategically, they lost almost all of Beta Company. The Covenant suffered a heavy blow that would prevent them from refueling close to UNSC space.


Additionally, Lucy would suffer from "post-traumatic vocal disarticulation" for the rest of her life, preventing her from speaking.<ref name= "Onyx27" />
Additionally, Lucy suffered from post-traumatic vocal disarticulation for the rest of her life, preventing her from speaking.<ref name= "Onyx27" />


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
===July 3, [[2545]]===
===July 3, [[2545]]===
*0435 Hours: The three hundred Spartan-IIIs of Beta Company are dropped out of [[Slipspace]] by UNSC ''All Under Heaven'' in [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s.
*0435 Hours: The three hundred SPARTAN-IIIs of Beta Company are dropped out of [[Slipstream Space|Slipspace]] by UNSC ''All Under Heaven'' in [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s.


*Eight {{Class|Black Cat|Subprowler}}s are landed in strategic locations around the target and one [[STARS]] is dropped to orbit the planet.  
*Eight {{Class|Black Cat|Subprowler}}s are landed in strategic locations around the target and one [[STARS]] drone is deployed in orbit around the planet.  


*1135 Hours: 291 Spartan-IIIs land on the surface of [[Pegasi Delta]] within drop pods. Nine Spartan-IIIs unaccounted for and are presumed dead.  
*1135 Hours: 291 SPARTAN-IIIs land on the surface of [[Pegasi Delta]] within drop pods. Nine SPARTAN-IIIs are unaccounted for and are presumed dead.  


*[[Spartan-III]]s regroup into fireteams. Covenant [[Seraph]] fighters begin strafing runs, killing dozens.
*The SPARTANs regroup into fireteams. Covenant Seraphs begin strafing runs, killing dozens.


*Surviving Spartan-IIIs begin frontal charge of refinery-city. Strafing continues.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 16</ref>  
*As the Seraphs continue their strafing runs, the surviving SPARTAN-IIIs begin a frontal charge of the refinery.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 16</ref>  


*[[Sniper Jackal]]s fire on charging Spartan-III's. Spartan-III's reduced to 200 active soldiers.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 17</ref> Several Spartan-IIIs with M19-B missile launchers destroy multiple strafing Seraphs with a Bravo maneuver, discouraging remaining fighters. <ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 20</ref>
*[[Kig-yar Sniper|Kig-yar snipers]] fire on the charging SPARTAN-IIIs. The attacking force is reduced reduced to 200 active soldiers.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 17</ref> Several SPARTANs with [[M19-B Surface-to-Air Missile Launcher]]s destroy multiple strafing Seraphs, discouraging the remaining fighters. <ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 20</ref>


*Thousands of [[Jackals]] and [[Elites]] rush from cover within the factory to face the two hundred remaining Spartan-III's.
*Thousands of Sangheili and Kig-yar rush from cover within the factory to face the two hundred remaining SPARTANs.


*The attacked Spartans panic and declare code [[Omega Three]]. Seven [[Covenant Cruiser]]s descend from above the factory. <ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 22</ref>
*The SPARTANs panic and declare code [[Omega Three]]. Seven Covenant cruisers descend from above the factory. <ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 22</ref>


*[[Covenant]] Cruisers launch dropships and deliver troops to the surface via [[Gravity Lift]]s. Forces engage remaining Spartan-IIIs.
*The cruisers launch dropships and deliver troops to the surface via [[gravity lift]]s. The Covenant reinforcements engage the remaining SPARTAN-IIIs.


*[[Team Foxtrot]] arrives at the facility core. [[Adam-B004]] is shot while holding off pursuing Covenant forces and [[Min-B174]] is killed by a premature charge explosion. Last two remaining Spartan-IIIs, [[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]], successfully overload the core and escape over a cliff into the ocean.
*Team Foxtrot arrives at the facility core. [[Adam-B004]] is shot while holding off pursuing Covenant forces and [[Min-B174]] is killed by a premature charge explosion. Last two remaining SPARTAN-IIIs, [[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]], successfully overload the refinery's reactor core and escape over a cliff into the ocean.


*Survivors of [[Beta Company]] are slaughtered. Facility explodes, destroying all [[Covenant]] forces within range, including the seven [[Covenant Cruiser]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 25-26</ref>
*The survivors of Beta Company are slaughtered. The facility explodes, destroying all Covenant forces within range, including the seven Covenant cruisers.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 25-26</ref>


*[[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]] retreat aboard one of the pre-inserted ''Black Cat'' subprowlers and fall back to [[UNSC]] controlled space.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 27</ref>
*Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091 retreat aboard one of the pre-inserted ''Black Cat'' subprowlers and fall back to UNSC-controlled space.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', page 27</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The date, July 3, is possibly a reference to [[wikipedia:Pickett's Charge|Pickett's Charge]], a Confederate infantry assault on the Union lines that occurred on July 3, 1863 and was the climax of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.
*The date of the battle, July 3rd, is possibly a reference to [[wikipedia:Pickett's Charge|Pickett's Charge]], a Confederate infantry assault on the Union lines during the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War, which occurred on July 3rd, 1863.
*In the [[Halo: Reach Video Games Awards Trailer|''Halo: Reach'' VGA trailer]], [[SPARTAN-B312]] was said to have survived Operation: TORPEDO, though the SPARTAN was taken out of Beta Company immediately before TORPEDO commenced. However, this line was removed from the final game.
*In the [[Halo: Reach Video Games Awards Trailer|''Halo: Reach'' VGA trailer]], [[SPARTAN-B312]] was said to have survived Operation: TORPEDO. However, the SPARTAN was actually taken out of Beta Company immediately before TORPEDO commenced. This line was removed from the final game.


==Sources==
==Sources==

Revision as of 21:37, November 19, 2010

Template:Ratings Template:Battle

"How are you sure we're alive?"
Lucy-B091 after the battle[1]

Operation: TORPEDO was an UNSC operation to eliminate a Covenant refinery on the inhabited moon Pegasi Delta, orbiting 51 Pegasi B, in the 51 Pegasi System. The engagement took place on July 3rd, 2545.

Background

The purpose of Operation: TORPEDO was to destroy a Covenant deuterium/tritium refinery, on the planet Pegasi Delta. These chemicals were used in the Covenant's plasma reactors, therefore making this refinery an excellent refueling plant for Covenant ships, right on the edge of UNSC space. The destruction of this supply point would triple the length of Covenant resupply and buy the UNSC valuable time to recover from the ravages of war. This time would be spent regrouping in the wake of numerous crushing defeats at the hands of the Covenant Navy.

Long-range nuclear bombardments were met with failure as the Covenant ships shot the weapons out of the sky, and neither a regular invasion nor an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper insertion were considered worth the attempt. The operation was then assigned to the newly commissioned SPARTAN-III Beta Company, attached to the UNSC All Under Heaven.

The outcome was a Beta Company victory, but at great cost. All participating SPARTAN-IIIs, with the exceptions of Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091, were killed. However, all Covenant forces groundside, as well as several Covenant ships, were eliminated.

History

At 1135, the 300 SPARTAN-IIIs of Beta Company landed on Pegasi Delta via Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pods. Nine SPARTANs died immediately, either killed on impact or by Covenant forces. Initial resistance was light, as the Covenant had not yet realized how large the attacking force was. Soon, however, Covenant Seraphs began making strafing runs, prompting the hiding SPARTANs to abandon their stealth and rush to the factory for safety. As more Seraphs appeared, a few SPARTANs attempted to hold them back with missile launchers, and succeeded in destroying two, forcing the remaining Seraphs to cancel their runs.

The Seraphs began bombing the SPARTANs, killing dozens of them. Thousands of Sangheili and Kig-yar joined the defense. In response, the surviving SPARTANs charged, their speed and reflexes helping them kill hundreds of Covenant soldiers in a brief matter of time.

Suddenly, seven Covenant cruisers were revealed, immediately deploying thousands of reinforcements. Half of the survivors of Beta Company turned to face the new threat in an attempt to buy time for their fellow soldiers. Team Foxtrot rushed to the factory. Adam-B004 was mortally wounded, but stayed back to hold off the Covenant forces so his team could rush ahead. When the remaining members arrived, they immediately began to set explosive charges on the core. Min-B174 was setting his timer when an electromagnetic field triggered his charge, vaporizing him.

The last two members of Team Foxtrot, Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091, then jumped off a cliff and into the ocean to escape from the explosion of the core. The two nearly drowned, but managed to swim ashore, where they found that everything else had been vaporized, including the cruisers. Eventually, they made it to a waiting Black Cat-class sub-prowler, and were extracted from the planet.

Aftermath

Although the UNSC won strategically, they lost almost all of Beta Company. The Covenant suffered a heavy blow that would prevent them from refueling close to UNSC space.

Additionally, Lucy suffered from post-traumatic vocal disarticulation for the rest of her life, preventing her from speaking.[1]

Timeline

July 3, 2545

  • 1135 Hours: 291 SPARTAN-IIIs land on the surface of Pegasi Delta within drop pods. Nine SPARTAN-IIIs are unaccounted for and are presumed dead.
  • The SPARTANs regroup into fireteams. Covenant Seraphs begin strafing runs, killing dozens.
  • As the Seraphs continue their strafing runs, the surviving SPARTAN-IIIs begin a frontal charge of the refinery.[2]
  • Thousands of Sangheili and Kig-yar rush from cover within the factory to face the two hundred remaining SPARTANs.
  • The SPARTANs panic and declare code Omega Three. Seven Covenant cruisers descend from above the factory. [5]
  • The cruisers launch dropships and deliver troops to the surface via gravity lifts. The Covenant reinforcements engage the remaining SPARTAN-IIIs.
  • Team Foxtrot arrives at the facility core. Adam-B004 is shot while holding off pursuing Covenant forces and Min-B174 is killed by a premature charge explosion. Last two remaining SPARTAN-IIIs, Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091, successfully overload the refinery's reactor core and escape over a cliff into the ocean.
  • The survivors of Beta Company are slaughtered. The facility explodes, destroying all Covenant forces within range, including the seven Covenant cruisers.[6]
  • Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091 retreat aboard one of the pre-inserted Black Cat subprowlers and fall back to UNSC-controlled space.[7]

Trivia

  • The date of the battle, July 3rd, is possibly a reference to Pickett's Charge, a Confederate infantry assault on the Union lines during the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War, which occurred on July 3rd, 1863.
  • In the Halo: Reach VGA trailer, SPARTAN-B312 was said to have survived Operation: TORPEDO. However, the SPARTAN was actually taken out of Beta Company immediately before TORPEDO commenced. This line was removed from the final game.

Sources

  1. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 21
  2. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 16
  3. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 17
  4. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 20
  5. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 22
  6. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 25-26
  7. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 27