Post-Covenant War conflicts: Difference between revisions

{{Era|Post}}

{{Articlename}}

The [[Unified Earth Government]] and its [[United Nations Space Command]] had emerged as a major superpower following the end of the war.{{Ref/Game|H4|Quote=For too many years, humanity was on the backfront, reacting to threats rather than preventing them. The rest of the galaxy was bigger than us, stronger than us. We were mice, hiding in the shadows, hoping the giants would not see us. No more. Humanity is no longer on the defence. We are the giants now. - [[Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]]}} They maintained their [[Treaty of 2552|alliance]] with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] led by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and both groups occasionally engaged in irregular hostilities between several new [[Covenant remnants|remnant factions]] of the former [[Covenant]], most notably the smaller [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new "Covenant"]] led by [[Jul 'Mdama]].<ref name="Reed">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/06/03/Halo-Initiation-Writer-Interview.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo Initiation Writer Interview'']</ref> Various human [[Insurrectionist]] groups, many of which had been dormant during the Human-Covenant War, re-emerged in the post-war era, the most prominent of these being the [[New Colonial Alliance]]{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE5|HE|''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue 5]]''}} and the [[United Rebel Front]],{{Ref/Reuse|hnb}} but also various independent colonial governments seeking to cut ties with the UEG.{{Ref/Novel|LL}} Additionally, the [[Sangheili]] were embroiled in a [[Blooding Years|civil war]] for several years, while many members of the species continued their earlier [[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war|feud]] with the [[Jiralhanae]], whose various packs and skiens also remained locked in irregular infighting.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HTTW|TTW}} By the year [[2559]], the [[Intergalactic space|extragalactic]] installation known as [[Installation 00|the Ark]] was embroiled in an isolated yet [[Second Ark Conflict|protracted battle]] between the mercenary group known as the [[Banished]] and the UNSC forces of the long-lost warship {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}. Conflicts in the post-war era also saw an increase in the involvement of [[Forerunner]] elements, starting with the awakening of [[Promethean]] forces led by the renegade [[Ur-Didact]] who [[New Phoenix Incident|briefly attacked Earth]] in [[2557]]. By the [[2558|following year]], the Promethean constructs fell under the banner of the [[Created]], a newly-emerged group bent on galactic domination led by [[Cortana]] and the [[Warden Eternal]].{{Ref/Game|Id=h5g|H5}} This lead to the [[Subjugation of Earth]], humanity's first major setback since the end of the war, and the start of the [[Created conflict]].

In [[2559]], the [[Banished]] [[Attack on Installation 00|invaded]] [[Installation 00|the Ark]] which became the site of [[Second Ark Conflict|a protracted conflict]] between first Banished forces and forces from the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.{{Ref/Game|HW2}} However, this conflict would later expand to include the [[Flood]],{{Ref/Game|Id=Nightmare|HW2|Detail=''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare|Awakening the Nightmare]]''}}, surviving [[Covenant loyalists]]{{Ref/Reuse|Sacrifice}} and the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] as well as the Forerunner [[archeon-class ancilla]] [[Intrepid Eye]].{{Ref/Reuse|DW}}

In the post-war era the [[ODST]] squad [[Alpha-Nine]] was deployed on a number of operations against resurgent [[Insurrectionist]] factions. In [[2554]], they were deployed to repulse a violent [[United Rebel Front]] takeover attempt on [[Draco III]]. Although the insurgents were defeated the ODST known as the [[Rookie]] was killed in action. In the following year the URF captured the [[Huragok]] [[Quick to Adjust]] and his human handler [[Sadie Endesha]] on [[Talitsa]]. In August [[2555]], the still-active members of Alpha-Nine—now [[Spartan-IV]]s—participated in a mission to rescue the captives and ultimately succeeded, though the operation saw Spartan [[Michael Crespo]]'s defection and subsequent incarceration.{{Ref/Novel|Id=hnb|NB}}

On [[2554|March 29, 2554]], [[Rudolf Schein]], one of the recently inducted Spartan-IVs, who was secretly associated with the [[United Rebel Front]], murdered another Spartan trainee, [[Hideo Wakahisa]], during his attempt to recruit him on the [[Laconia Station|Spartan-IV training station]]. Realizing the discovery of his true loyalties was imminent, Schein had covertly installed several explosives throughout the station and slung a bandolier of grenades across his chest. However, Spartan Operations [[Chief of Staff]] [[Jun-A266]] managed to neutralize Schein by kicking him out into space, where he died before he could be recovered.{{Ref/Novel|Id=LL|Fra|Detail=''[[Lessons Learned]]''}}

The Covenant had strategically settled Jiralhanae populations on resource-rich worlds as a planetary garrison force to protect the worlds from potential raids. While the Jiralhanae continued to inhabit these worlds after the dissolution of the Covenant, they were unable to mine or utilize the resources because of their own lack of sufficient technology. With the Covenant's supply chains gone, the Jiralhanae quickly found their supplies near depletion. This was one of the primary reasons for their raids on Sangheili colonies after the Human-Covenant war; despite quite literally living on top of plentiful resources, the Jiralhanae were entirely dependent on the already processed supplies of other races due to their technological backwardness. However, the Jiralhanae could not sustain themselves via raiding alone in the long term and their supplies began to wear thin, leading to an impending species-wide famine in [[2558]] and an increase in Jiralhanae attacks across Sangheili and [[Kig-Yar]] colonies as a result. During this crisis, the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]] and his [[Lydus' clan|clan]] were willing to initiate peace talks with [[Arbiter]] [[Thel Vadam]] and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], overseen by the [[UNSC]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=escalation1|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue 1]]''}} However, the negotiations were interrupted by Covenant mercenaries hired by the [[New Colonial Alliance]].{{Ref/Reuse|HE5}}

After the [[Human-Covenant war]], many Sangheili still worshiped the [[Forerunner]]s as gods. A religious sect known as the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], led by war veteran [[Field Master]] [[Avu Med 'Telcam]], took to believing that any tampering with Forerunner relics was heresy, just as most Sangheili did before the founding of the [[Covenant]]. As a result, 'Telcam and his followers grew angry with [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s government. After winning the favor of several [[keep]]s and mustering a small space fleet, the Servants led an uprising in the state of [[Vadam]]. They initially held the upper hand, but the tide turned when the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} arrived and intervened on behalf of the Arbiter, shooting down a rebel destroyer and firing a [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] round into massing rebel ground forces besieging 'Vadam's keep. However, the conflicts in Vadam led to other engagements throughout Sanghelios. Over the next few months, unrest on Sanghelios was put down though off and on fighting would continue for years and include a number of Sangheili worlds.

In [[2553#March|March 2553]], [[Kig-Yar]] [[piracy|pirate]] [[Sav Fel]] stole a {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}, the ''[[Pious Inquisitor]]'', from the Servants of the Abiding Truth.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=329}} Fel retreated with the battlecruiser to his manor on [[Venezia]], where he sold it to [[Insurrectionist]] [[Staffan Sentzke]], a commander in the [[Venezian militia]], who intended to use it to threaten [[Earth]] to learn about [[Naomi-010|his daughter's]] fate.{{Ref/Novel|MorDi|Page=12}} The crew of ''[[Paragon]]''—led by [[Shipmaster|Shipmistress]] [[Chol Von]]—was hired by Avu Med 'Telcam to retrieve the vessel and arrived at the cruiser's [[Shaps system|location]] in April 2553, with Fel. While Von wish to capture ''Pious Inquisitor'' to use as a [[flagship]] in a united Kig-Yar navy,{{Ref/Novel|MorDi|Page=139-140}} Kilo-Five intended to take control of the vessel and return it to Thel 'Vadam.{{Ref/Novel|MorDi|Page=436}} Ultimately, Kilo-Five—along with Staffan—and the crew of ''Paragon'' both attempted to seize the battlecruiser at the same time and a skirmish occurred on the ship. During the firefight, [[Sometimes Sinks]], the eccentric [[Huragok]] that served aboard ''Inquisitor'', transitioned the ship to a location designated by Staffan.{{Ref/Novel|MorDi|Page=336}} With eight of the Kig-Yar dead and Kilo-Five approaching the bridge, Von had her remaining crew detonate the ship's [[plasma turret|plasma torpedo]] reserves, choosing to destroy ''Pious Inquisitor'' over leaving it to the humans.{{Ref/Novel|MorDi|Page=442}} Von and her remaining crew managed to escape in time, along with Kilo-Five. While Staffan and Sinks escaped in the Spirit with the [[slipspace drive]] that Sinks had installed earlier,{{Ref/Novel|MorDi|Page=457}} the UNSC presumed Staffan dead and thus believed that the Venezian threat was neutralized as they no longer had the power to glass planets.{{Ref/Novel|MorDi|Page=458}}

After [[Blue Team]]'s return in UNSC-controlled territory following the end of the Covenant War in March 2553, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] assigned the Spartans to new deployments. [[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE|One of these missions]] involved protecting a [[717th Xeno-Materials Exploitation Battalion|UNSC research battalion]] on the planet [[Gao]].<ref name="Azure Noir">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-azure-noir '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Azure Noir'']</ref> Following the reassignment of the Spartan-IIIs who had been part of the team since the [[Onyx Conflict]], the Spartan-IIs of Blue Team—[[Frederic-104]], [[Kelly-087]] and [[Linda-058]]—were deployed on the outer fringes of human-occupied territory to eliminate lingering pockets of the previous war for many years. The nature of these missions remained highly classified.<ref>'''Halo Waypoint''': ''[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/frederic-104 Frederic-104]'', ''[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/linda-058 Linda-058]''</ref>

[[File:HM-AlphaShard.png|thumb|225px|Randall Aiken and Jameson Locke on Alpha Shard.]]

[[File:HM-SpartanIVs.png|thumb|225px|Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer with some other Spartan-IVs.]]

Following the Covenant War, a rising number of Spartan-IVs were also deployed to quell [[Covenant remnants|Covenant]] and [[Insurrectionist]] threats on [[human colonies]] and exotic worlds, as part of what is collectively referred to as the Spartan Ops program.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-spartan-strike/windows '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: Spartan Strike''] ("''...the historic first missions of the Spartan Ops program...''")</ref> These missions consisted in suppressing revolts, civil unrest and uprisings; assassinating insurrectionist leaders; exploring uncharted space and worlds; halting criminal activities; providing security to UNSC bases, ONI classified sites, colonies and civilian populations; and escorting scientific expeditions. Such Spartan deployments have been sent to [[Cascade]], [[Talitsa]], [[Terceira]], [[Thales]], [[Trevelyan]], [[Installation 03]], [[Gaenir Beta]], [[Charion VI]], and [[New Caracas]]. Several MJOLNIR [GEN2] armors have been field-tested in such operations.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Detail=Armors}} [[SPARTAN-III program|Spartan-III]] and Spartan-IV personnel have also been employed as part of the post-war [[Headhunters]] during classified missions.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder: Have S'moa'']</ref> In [[2556]] Spartan-IV [[Fireteam Apollo]] was deployed to the exclusion zone around the debris of [[Installation 04]] near [[Threshold]] in violation of the [[Treaty of 2552]] as part of a salvage [[Operation: SHELL GAME|operation]].<ref name="loot3">'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #3]]''</ref>

Using the data taken from the ''Ace of Spades'' and Little Bit, the ''Taurokado'' was able to locate the debris field of the [[Etran Harborage]] in the [[Korinth Prior system]] and undertook a mission to investigate.{{Ref/Reuse|Renegades}} ''Taurokado'' conducted scans which showed that this debris field was composed of 94% naturally-occurring materials and 4% [[Forerunner]] materials, with 2% untraceable, and that of detritus size, 9% neared the scale of small lunar satellites while 84% were the size of the ship or smaller. ''Taurokado's'' sensors also revealed that low-level shielding sporadically surrounded structures of Forerunner origins.<ref name="lootcrate4">'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #4]]''</ref>

With the ''Taurokado'' busy investigating the debris field, the ''Ace of Spades'' made its way to [[Geranos-a]] where they discovered and investigated the wreckage of the ''Rubicon'', salvaging many things from it, including the [[armiger]] of [[343 Guilty Spark]]. Spark was able to access the database of the ''Ace of Spades'' and became determined to continue his mission to find the [[Librarian]] using the ''Ace of Spades''. With the ''Taurokado'' and {{UNSCShip|Bad Moon Rising}} approaching, Spark helped the ''Ace of Spades'' escape into [[slipspace]] with the intention of taking the ship to the [[Etran Harborage]] to get an [[upgrade seed]]. To get the crew to cooperate with him, Spark promised to allow them to salvage the [[Forerunner]] technology present on the [[shield world]], unaware that it had been destroyed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in [[2531]].

Spark led the ''Ace of Spades'' crew into Mawenzi where Rion's touch as a [[Reclaimer]] allowed them access into a Forerunner installation inside of the mountain where Rion deactivated a [[hard light]] barrier protecting a [[Lifeworker]] pod on a platform and activated a hard light bridge to the platform. Before Rion could deactivate the barrier around the pod, Spark finally admitted the truth to her: that [[John Forge|her father]] had died sacrificing himself to destroy the [[Etran Harborage]]. Enraged at Spark keeping the truth from her, Rion attacked the armiger before she decided to deactivate the barrier and end their deal and alliance. However, before the crew could leave, Agent [[Hahn]], [[Fireteam Apollo]] and the AR team arrived in the facility and blocked their exit. Spark deactivated the light bridge on Rion's request before he entered the column of light surrounding the Lifeworker pod, but the ''Ace of Spades'' crew were left outnumbered and with no means of escape as the ONI forces worked to bring the light bridge back online.

{{quote|Time was your ally, but now it has abandoned you... The Forerunners have returned.|The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]<ref name="h4for">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref>}}

[[File:H4 John-117 Didact first encounter.jpg|thumb|300px|The Didact immobilizes John-117.]]

By [[2554]], [[Jul 'Mdama]] had already gathered formidable numbers of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|followers]] and a powerful fleet which discovered Requiem, but were unable to enter the thoroughly sealed shield world. In orbit above the planet, however, was the wreckage of the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, carrying the legendary [[John-117|Master Chief, SPARTAN John-117]], and his [[Rampancy|deteriorating]] [[smart AI|AI]] companion [[Cortana]], drifting in space since the end of the Covenant War in 2552. Upon discovering the derelict vessel in [[2557#July|July 2557]], 'Mdama's Covenant forces attacked the ''Dawn'' in hopes of deterring any potential efforts by the humans to access the shield world. During the ensuing skirmish, Requiem's automated systems pulled both the ''Dawn'' and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant force surrounding it through the world's outer shell and down to the planet's surface.<ref name="h4dawn">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn]]''</ref>

On Requiem, both John-117 and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces that hunted him were attacked by the mechanical [[Promethean]] forces that occupied the structure. In [[Core of Requiem|the core]] of the installation, the Master Chief accidentally released the [[Ur-Didact]] from his 100 millennia-long imprisonment. Bent on preventing mankind from attaining the [[Mantle]], the Didact departed the core and allied with 'Mdama's Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|h4for}} Meanwhile, UNSC ''Infinity'', lured to Requiem by ''Forward Unto Dawn''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s distress signal, crash-landed inside the shield world. Making way for the crash site, the Master Chief reunited with the UNSC and aided in the defense of the stranded flagship from 'Mdama's Covenant and the Didact. However, due to a difference of opinion between ''Infinity'''s captain [[Andrew Del Rio|Del Rio]] and John-117, the latter was left facing the Didact alongside Cortana while ''Infinity'' returned to Earth.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Shutdown]]''</ref>

The Didact left Requiem on his flagship ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', intent on acquiring the [[Composer]], a Forerunner device with the power to enslave all of humanity. With John-117 and Cortana in pursuit, the Didact attacked ''[[Ivanoff Station]]'', a UNSC research facility near [[Installation 03]] and the location of the Composer. Despite the UNSC's best efforts, the Didact was able to acquire the Composer and used the device on the occupants of the station, but John-117 was saved by genetic enhancements provided by the [[Librarian]]'s [[mind transfer|personality construct]] back on Requiem.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Composer (level)|Composer]]''</ref>

The Didact then headed for Earth with the Master Chief racing across the hull of ''Mantle's Approach'' aboard an [[F-41 Broadsword]] fighter. With support from ''Infinity'' and the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], John-117 made his way inside ''Mantle's Approach'' and confronted the Didact, but not before the Forerunner used the Composer to digitize the population of [[New Phoenix]], [[United Republic of North America|URNA]]. With the aid of a rampant Cortana, the Master Chief was able to send the Didact plummeting into a slipspace rupture, and destroy his ship with a [[HAVOK]] nuclear warhead. Using the last of her power, Cortana was able to [[Slipspace translocation|translocate]] John away from the blast, saving his life at the cost of her own.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> Left adrift in space, he was later recovered and brought aboard ''Infinity'' and debriefed by the [[UNSC Security Council]] shortly afterward.{{Ref/Reuse|HE8}}

After falling into the slipspace rupture, the Didact was teleported to the surface of Installation 03, where he quickly recovered and killed Spartan [[Black Team]] and a UNSC science team. Meeting with the [[monitor]] [[859 Static Carillon]], the Promethean commander then entered the [[Composer's Forge]] via a portal, intending to continue his crusade against humankind.<ref name="HE8">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 8|Issue #8]]''</ref><ref name="HE9">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 9|Issue #9]]''</ref>

{{Main|Battle of Installation 03|Battle of New Phoenix}}

In late July 2557, [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|reformed Covenant]] invaded [[Gamma Halo]] in an attempt to use the Forerunner [[Conduit]] to open [[slipspace portal]]s throughout the installation in order to transport a massive Promethean force onto the ringworld, which would aid in their takeover of Installation 03. Other portals were also opened throughout the galaxy, including one in [[New Phoenix]]. Eventually, the attack was repelled due to the efforts of two [[Headhunters]] and the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] stationed on the installation.<ref name="canonfodder">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-striking-features '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Striking Features'']</ref> Meanwhile, researchers at the New Phoenix ONI facility were studying a Forerunner artifact. When the portal opened in the city, Jul's Covenant launched an assault on New Phoenix. [[Unidentified Headhunter|One of the Headhunters]] was tasked with rescuing ONI research team. Upon rescue, they decided that they needed to use the Conduit to close the portals in the city and end the invasion.<ref name="ss20">'''Halo: Spartan Strike''', campaign level, ''[[Mission 20: Serve and Protect|Serve and Protect]]''</ref> The Spartan aided researchers in their effort, fighting past Covenant and Promethean forces, and delivered the Conduit to the Forerunner artifact. The artifact released a charge which shut down all portals in the city. After this, he was extracted by another Spartan.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Strike''', campaign level, ''[[Mission 30: Hold the Line|Hold the Line]]''</ref>

After surviving another clash with the Didact on Installation 03, John-117 confronted the Didact in the [[Control Room (Installation 03)|control room]] while the rest of his team returned to their [[Longsword]] fighter. The Master Chief used the [[Activation Index]] to disable the Halo's safety protocols, allowing Static Carillon to eject the entire plate section housing the control room. The segment fell on the Composer's Forge, presumably destroying the Composers housed there. The resulting explosion reduced the Didact to ashes.<ref name="HE10">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue #10]]''</ref>

The campaign ultimately ended in Requiem's destruction when Jul 'Mdama set the [[shield world]] on a collision course with [[Epoloch system|the sun]]. Both sides evacuated the doomed system, each possessing their own half of the [[Janus Key]] though the ''Infinity'' was nearly destroyed due to 'Mdama [[interdiction web|anchoring]] the ship to Requiem using [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|a Forerunner artifact]]. After ONI's failed attempt on her life [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] was convinced that the UNSC was working against her and agreed to work with Jul 'Mdama to accomplish her personal goal of reuniting the halves of the Janus Key to unlock the [[Absolute Record]].<ref name="Spartan Ops">'''[[Spartan Ops]]'''</ref><ref name="esc13">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]</ref>

[[File:Infinity attacked.... by a third time.jpg|thumb|200px|right|UNSC ''Infinity'' is ambushed by Daniel Clayton.]]

By [[2558|March 2558]], [[Jiralhanae]] raiding attacks along the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s had significantly escalated due to the Jiralhanae's lack of supplies. Nonetheless, [[Lydus]], the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] of a [[Lydus' clan|Jiralhanae master-pack]], agreed to enter peace negotiations with [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]. [[Ealen IV]] was chosen as a place for the negotiations, mediated by the UNSC's [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]].<ref name="HE1">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> However, the delegates were attacked by [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenaries]] under the command of Shipmaster [[Vata 'Gajat]]. [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]] and the delegation's SPARTAN-IV security detail, consisting of Fireteams [[Fireteam Jackknife|Jackknife]] and [[Fireteam Bailey|Bailey]], were forced to defend and evacuate the ambassadors.<ref name="HE2">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 2|Issue #2]]''</ref> The Spartans eventually managed to evacuate the delegates and Vata 'Gajat was forced to retreat, though it came at the cost of many Spartans, including [[Paul DeMarco]].<ref name="HE3">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref>

The events revealed a significant security breach in the UNSC, with Spartan [[Vladimir Scruggs]] exposed as a [[Treason|traitor]] along with the implicit presence of a higher-ranking leak within the organization. The mercenary attack itself was a major setback to Thel 'Vadam's efforts to make peace with the Jiralhanae.{{Ref/Reuse|HE3}} Captain Lasky later discovered that the attack on Ealen IV had not been orchestrated by the Covenant remnants, but by [[Daniel Clayton]], a UNSC captain and defector to the [[New Colonial Alliance]] bent on revenge against Lord Hood, who hired Vata 'Gajat and his troops to stage the attack.{{Ref/Reuse|HE5}}

After their failed assault on Ealen IV, 'Gajat and Captain Clayton lured Admiral Hood and the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} into a trap using a [[freighter]], the ''[[Pilgrims' Pride]]'' which sent out a distress signal that was later picked up by ''Infinity''. An ambush was sprung when the freighter set itself to self-destruct after being towed into one of ''Infinity'''s main bays and launched multiple automated craft that engaged the UNSC forces. The attack was repelled by the SPARTAN-IVs of ''Infinity''.<ref name="HE4">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 4|Issue #4]]''</ref>

After the ambush, the ''Infinity'' crew discovered that the assault crafts aboard the ''Pilgrims' Pride'' were from the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.{{Ref/Reuse|HE4}} With the ''Spirit'''s possible location found, Lord Hood authorized Palmer to conduct a search-and-rescue in [[Oth Lodon]]'s system. However, Captain Clayton launched a surprise attack against the UNSC flagship using a [[Station at Oth Lodon|Covenant battle station]]'s [[energy projector]].{{Ref/Reuse|HE5}} The strike disabled ''Infinity'', but Commander Palmer and Fireteam Majestic were able to seize the NCA station. They also destroyed 'Gajat's ship, which was preparing to attack ''Infinity'', killing the mercenary leader.<ref name="esc6">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 6|Issue #6]]''</ref>

Many members of the ''Infinity'' crew were killed in the attack, including [[Bradley|Commander Bradley]], while Fleet Admiral Hood was left paralyzed. Captain Clayton was detained in [[Midnight Facility]] while ''Infinity'' remained under repair for a month.{{Ref/Reuse|esc6}}<ref name="esc7">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 7|Issue #7]]''</ref>

As part of their plan to reunite the halves of the Janus Key, Halsey and 'Mdama created a decoy Forerunner artifact that was seemingly compatible with the Key. The artifact was placed in a Forerunner structure on the uncharted planet [[Aktis IV]] along with a fake signal to draw ''Infinity'' to investigate. 'Mdama placed his troops on standby, ready to ambush the UNSC forces once they brought their half of the Janus Key to the planet. The crew of ''Infinity'' acted just as Halsey and 'Mdama had predicted, sending their half to the surface for analysis; however, [[Sali 'Nyon]], a rebel among 'Mdama's ranks, shot the Pelican carrying the artifact down before 'Mdama had given the signal to attack and took the Key for himself. With the ambush botched, 'Mdama's concealed forces revealed themselves and attacked both ''Infinity'' and the Spartans at the Forerunner site, while Jul departed to the planet to personally eliminate the rebels and reacquire the Janus Key.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]''</ref>

The conflict continued for over seven hours, with ''Infinity'' engaged by 'Mdama's fleet while Sali 'Nyon's rebellion raged on in the Covenant remnant's ranks. [[Unidentified Sangheili Minor|One member]] of 'Nyon's faction grew disillusioned with the rebellion, stole 'Nyon's Janus Key half, and offered it to 'Mdama's forces. Dr. Halsey, escorted by 'Mdama's Sangheili, traveled to the planet to reclaim the Key. Meanwhile, the Spartans in the Forerunner structure managed to use the local [[teleportation grid]] to travel to the surface, splitting into two groups with different destinations. Commander Palmer's team spotted the Sangheili defector with the Janus Key and upon overhearing his intentions, she decided to ambush Halsey once she arrived.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|Issue #15]]''</ref> Palmer successfully captured Halsey but the doctor managed to cloud the Spartan's judgment and escape with the Janus Key. 'Mdama successfully eradicated all of Sali 'Nyon's followers on Aktis IV, ending the rebellion. Jul had Halsey retrieved and the two recombined the halves of the Janus Key, revealing the location of the Absolute Record. After the Spartans returned to ''Infinity'', Commander Palmer told Captain Lasky that the UNSC had to prepare for the worst with the Janus Key in 'Mdama's possession.<ref name="HE16">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]''</ref>

In September, 2558, [[Ayit 'Sevi]], a Sangheili working with the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]],who  was able to infiltrate inside Jul's faction, provided ONI with information about Jul's progress on locating the Absolut Record. The UNSC then sent in a specialist team of Spartans [[Sarah Palmer]], [[Gabriel Thorne]] and [[Holly Tanaka]], Dr. [[Henry Glassman]] and 'Sevi.<ref name="HE19">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 19|Issue #19]]''</ref> The team infiltrated the ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'', hiding aboard a [[Type-44 Phantom]] piloted by 'Sevi. When 'Mdama's fleet came close to their destination — a slipspace portal to the Absolute Record, slipspace ruptures materialized into several ships of the fleet, tearing them apart, damaging ''Breath of Annihilation'' as well. The team then fought their way through 'Mdama's Covenant soldiers and captured another Phantom, which they used to travel to the ''[[Song of Retribution]]'', that would successfully enter the portal.<ref name="HE20">'''Halo Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 20|Issue #20]]''</ref> Spartan Thorne and Ayit 'Sevi, who was ordered to stay behind and re-establish contact with ONI, returned to ''Breath of Annihilation'', where the two discovered that prisoners from ''Retribution'' were being temporarily transferred to ''Annihilation'', one of which is traitor [[Sali 'Nyon]]. 'Sevi considered using 'Nyon to create a distraction for them.

When ''Retribution'' arrived at the Absolute Record, a [[Forerunner]] [[Contender-class artificial intelligence]] detected the presence of [[Reclaimer]]s aboard the ship. 'Mdama, Halsey, and numerous Sangheili Zealots traveled down to a platform below and met with the AI in order to unlock the Absolute Record. However, sensing the presence of other humans nearby, the ancila used [[Sentinels]] to transport the drop pod Spartans and Glassman were hiding in to the platform and dropped them down beside Halsey and 'Mdama. As Halsey and Glassman began to argue, an impatient Zealot attacked a Sentinel, leading to all the constructs attacking the humans and Sangheili. The AI then proceeded to translocate both groups away, while Jul's soldiers plummeted to their deaths.<ref name="HE22">'''Halo Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 22|Issue #22]]''</ref>

As the Contender began asking each party, Halsey seemingly hacked into the AI's system and disabled the ancilla, proceeding to the central chamber of the Absolute Record. With the Record's controls, Halsey ordered the Sentinels to attack Jul and his warriors. Outside the central chamber, Spartans fought off Kig-Yar and protected Dr. Glassman, but soon became cornered. However, an Aggressor Sentinel saved them and revealed it to be the Custodian in the mind of a local Sentinel, asking their help to restore it to its body.<ref name="HE23">'''Halo Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 23|Issue #23]]''</ref> The humans escorted the Sentinel to the auxiliary control conduit where they could put the Custodian back in charge of the facility. However, Halsey interfered with the attempt, halting their progress. When Palmer reached Halsey and held her at gunpoint, she was trapped inside a containment field and Halsey escaped trough the portal. Jul and his forces have managed to repel the Sentinels, and he ordered his flagship to fire into the Record, disrupting power across the station, freeing Palmer. Coming out of the portal, Halsey landed on top of the shell of the now reactivated Custodian, who had regained control and caught her, denying her further access to the Record and making the Janus Key  vanish from her grasp.<ref name="HE24">'''Halo Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 24|Issue #24]]''</ref>

Following the operation, ONI came to the conclusion that while the San'Shyuum had found some of the Sharquoi and possessed the ability to release them, they lacked the ability to control them as the control device, the ''[[vertex]]'', was hidden away on a [[Forerunner]] installation. As a result, they were never released upon humanity during the [[Human-Covenant War]].

ONI eventually located another hive beneath [[Suraka]] on the planet [[Carrow]] before the planet was reoccupied by both the humans who had once lived there and Sangheili from the [[Operation: SUNSPEAR|destroyed]] [[Sangheili colonies|colony world]] of [[Glyke]]. However, their scans of the hive showed that it had the capacity to hold hundreds of thousands of Sharquoi, although the San'Shyuum appeared to have never found it. ONI was unable to prevent the planet from being resettled without risking major political upheaval in response and hoped that Suraka could act as a buffer to discovery. They also set up [[Gila Station]] on Carrow to monitor the situation and became aware from moles embedded amongst the ex-Covenant that the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Hekabe]] claimed to have located the Sharquoi control device during the [[Battle of Installation 00]]. As a result, ONI formed various contingency plans.<ref name="E185">'''[[Halo: Envoy]]''', ''pages 185-191''</ref> Their main contingency plan was to release [[Spartan-II]] [[Gray Team]] who had been retrieved by the Sangheili leader [[Rojka 'Kasaan]] from the ruins of [[Glyke]]. However, the politically awkward nature of the situation kept the UNSC from keeping a fleet nearby in case danger arose from either Hekabe or the Sharquoi.<ref>'''[[Halo: Envoy]]''', ''pages 167-171''</ref>

Arriving in Suraka, Gray Team regrouped with local militia and developed a plan to terminate Hekabe. The Spartans, under cover of the Surakans and the last of Rojka's people, located Hekabe. [[Adriana-111]] shot him in the eye with a sniper rifle, but, due to his augmentations, provided by the ''[[vertex]]'', Hekade survived the hit and returned to the Forerunner facility under the protection of Sharquoi. Melody suggested they should gain help from Thars in order to prevent Sharquoi from leaving this world. However their meeting ended with deaths of Elites including Thars himself. In final attempt to stop Hekabe Gray Team along with Melody and Rojka teamed up with Governor [[Ellis Gass]], who planned to [[Battle of the Sharquoi Hive|infiltrate the Forerunner facility]], cut through the Sharquoi, and use a makeshift [[EMP cannon]] created out of an [[M68 Gauss cannon]] and the power core of a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]] mounted on a [[M121 Jackrabbit]] against Hekabe. As they reached the Chieftain and fired the EMP cannon, an electromagnetic pulse severed his connection with the Sharquoi, leaving him vulnerable. The Governor then got to Hekabe and tore the ''vertex'' from his head, adjusting it to her own. She used it to make the Sharquoi attack Hekabe and throw him into a pit of lava while making the Sharquoi aboard Hekabe's captured ships crash them, ending their threat. Ellis summoned all remaining Sharquoi to the heart of facility and activated the HAVOK, providing the others time to evacuate. As Gray Team, Melody and Rojka escaped, Ellis detonated the HAVOK, destroying the facility and all its secrets.

After a few days, Gray Team and Melody returned to the [[UNSC frigate]] {{UNSCShip|Welcome to the Snipehunt}}, where the Spartans were offered a choice of reintegration with the UNSC as part of a specialized interspecies strike team under the Office of Naval Intelligence to continue operating deep in the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]. The Spartans reluctantly agreed to work for ONI, asking for a prowler of their own and a list of Covenant weaponry. They were also granted a formal pardon from [[Thel 'Vadam]] for [[Operation: SUNSPEAR|destroying]] [[Glyke]] as part of the deal. After scanning Carrow, the ''Welcome to the Snipehunt'' was able to determine that all of the Sharquoi appeared to have been killed in the nuclear explosion, but the UNSC planned to keep an eye on the desert in case any Sharquoi escaped before the blast.

Around the same time, [[Commander]] [[Maya Sankar]], an undercover operative of the Office of Naval Intelligence, known among the Insurrectionists as '''FERO''', was tasked with gathering intel on the situation on [[Conrad's Point|one of the recently destroyed colonies]] by infiltrating the [[New Colonial Alliance]], which held a large presence on the colony, with help from the AI [[Black-Box]].<ref name="s2e1">'''Hunt the Truth''' ''Season 2, Episode 01: CUBE B-349''</ref> Arriving at Conrad's Point, Maya infiltrated the rebel base, where she discovered the insurrectionist leader [[Ilsa Zane]]. Upon the discovery of Zane, ONI assessed that the opportunity to strike was at its greatest and immediately called in an airstrike on the location. As Maya attempted to leave, Ilsa confronted her and nearly killed her, only being stopped by the beginning of the airstrike. Maya managed to escape and proceeded to an unsanctioned safehouse where she was secretly keeping [[Mshak Moradi]], to seek his help involving the anomalies that apparently destroyed Conrad's Point and allegedly killed the Master Chief John-117. Once Black-Box and Mshak were able to determine the next appearance of the anomalies, Maya headed to [[Laika III]] to attempt to warn the colonists of the impending danger. However, she was attacked by a vengeful Ilsa Zane, who had tracked Maya down. As the Guardian began to rise from its shelter, Maya attempted to broadcast about the destruction to the rest of the outer colonies, warning them that the UNSC would not help them. She was then killed by [[Bostwick]], one of FERO's followers, to preserve her as an icon and a martyr for the outer colonies.<ref>Hunt the Truth S2</ref>

In late October 2558, the clash between remnants of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant and Arbiter's [[Swords of Sanghelios]] on [[Sanghelios]] reached its peak. On October 27, 'Mdama's Covenant managed to corner Thel 'Vadam to the [[Elder Council Chamber]] in [[Nuusra]]. However, the warriors of 'Vadam, with the help from Spartan-IV Fireteam Osiris, broke through enemy lines and evacuated the Arbiter to his base camp.{{Ref/Level|Id=sos|H5|[[Swords of Sanghelios (level)|Swords of Sanghelios]]}} There, Spartan Locke revealed that they arrived on Sanghelios to ask for 'Vadam's help in reaching a yet dormant Guardian at [[Sunaion]], in order to follow Blue Team. According to the plan, developed by Dr. Halsey, the Spartans, with the aid of the Swords of Sanghelios, would obtain a Forerunner [[Constructor]] from one of the Guardian's nearby support stations, which would allow Halsey to activate the Guardian.{{Ref/Level|Id=alliance|H5|Alliance}}{{Ref/Level|Id=enemy lines|H5|Enemy Lines}} As the Constructor took off, the joint force of Spartans and Swords of Sanghelios followed it with a squadron of air vehicles to Sunaion - the last bastion of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant on Sanghelios. While the Arbiter led his forces against 'Mdama's Covenant directly, Osiris destroyed Covenant [[Type-56 Shrike|anti-air emplacements]] to allow the Arbiter's fleet to move in closer to the city. When the Guardian began rising out of the sea nearby, the buildings around were ripped apart. The Spartans then regrouped with the Arbiter, who was engaging Promethean forces, led by the Warden Eternal, now utilizing another physical body. After a lengthy engagement, the five destroyed the Warden and the nearby Prometheans just as the Guardian prepared to leave. While the Arbiter remained behind to finish eliminating Covenant and Promethean forces, Spartan [[Sarah Palmer]] and Dr. Halsey picked up Osiris in the Pelican and flew towards the Guardian. A pursuing Banshee damaged the dropship, though Palmer was still able to drop Osiris off on the Guardian's surface just as it entered slipspace and left Sanghelios. The Guardian severely damaged Sunaion with both its concussive blasts and its departure into slipspace, and parts of the city began collapsing into the water below. However, 'Vadam was successful in leading the Swords of Sanghelios in eliminating the remaining Covenant forces in the damaged city, ending the battle.{{Ref/Level|Id=sunaion|H5|[[Battle of Sunaion (level)|Battle of Sunaion]]}}

[[File:H5G-Blue_Team_and_Warden.png|thumb|300px|right|Blue Team faces the Warden Eternal.]]

On October 28, 2558, Cortana began to deploy her Guardians from Genesis throughout the galaxy. In tandem, various human AIs that had pledged their loyalty to her cause started to shut down electronic devices and networks on multiple colony worlds. From Genesis, Cortana broadcast an offer of acceptance of her new order and a threat of violence, consummation, and remaking to those who resist. Guardians orbiting Earth and other worlds unleashed massive [[electromagnetic pulse]]s which knocked out the power of every [[orbital defense platform]] and warship, leaving them to drift aimlessly or fall and crash on the surface of planets below. A notable exception was the ''Infinity'', which managed to escape.{{Ref/Reuse|Guardians}} The Created were quick to spread their influence across the galaxy's inhabited worlds, while utilizing Forerunner machinery and UNSC information systems to turn [[terraforming]] equipment and world engines to their own designs.<ref name="armory amore">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-armory-amore '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Armory Amore'']</ref> After removing its human crew, the Created used [[Lethbridge Industrial]]'s [[Auriga Station]] to build new weapons and tools by constructs loyal to Cortana.<ref name="storm surge">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-storm-surge '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Storm Surge'']</ref> However, due to failsafe measures on [[Installation 00]] the Created were unable to access the Ark.{{Ref/Book|Id=Mythos202|Mythos|Page=202}} UNSC logistics AI [[Isabel]] and science personnel were stranded on Installation 00 as a result of the portal closing without warning, forcing them to fight for survival without support from UNSC.{{Ref/Level|Id=A New Enemy|HW2|A New Enemy}}

Later that year, Banished forces [[Raid on Anodyne Spirit|raided]] the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[keyship]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' which had remained parked on the Ark ever since the [[Battle of Installation 00]] nearly eight years before. Having recovered the access codes from High Charity's systems after scouring the Flood from the ruined city, the Banished sought the three shards of the [[Menachite Forerunner crystal|Slipspace crystal]] that Truth had used to open the Portal at Voi during the [[Battle for Earth]]. To their surprise, the Banished came into conflict with surviving [[Covenant loyalists]], but they nevertheless completed their mission at the cost of heavy casualties.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR|SoR}}

After recovering the crystal shards, Atriox [[Forerunner entanglement dish|somehow]] managed to make contact with [[Escharum]] in the Milky Way galaxy. Atriox ordered Escharum to the Banished and their allied forces to [[Reach]] and search for and activate the [[Menachite portal complex]]. Once the slipsspace portal was opened, Atriox would use the crystal shards to connect it to the Ark, allowing him to return to the Milky Way and lead a massive Banished force back to take the Ark once and for all. By following [[Blue Team]] during [[Operation: WOLFE|their own mission]], the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] were able to locate the portal complex and activate it with the help of one of [[Castor]]'s human servants acting as a [[Reclaimer]]. With a connection established, Atriox was able to fly through the portal in a [[Banished Lich]] where he revealed that he no longer intended to lead reinforcements to the Ark but to depart with the Banished to attend to a "greater purpose" of some kind while leaving the thousands of troops already on the Ark behind to hold it.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR}}

Following [[Atriox]]'s arrival on [[Reach]], the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] hijacked his [[Banished Lich]] in order to fly it back through the [[slipspace portal]] to the Ark. Still fanatically believing in the [[Covenant religion]], the Keepers' intention was to use the Ark to fire the [[Halo Array]] and finally begin the Great Journey. Anticipating that his forces on the Ark would stop the Keepers, Atriox let them go and was extracted by [[Escharum]]'s [[intrusion corvette]] instead. The Lich successfully flew through the portal before it closed, but [[Castor]] remained unaware that some of his human servants were actually the [[Ferret]]s, deep-cover ONI operatives who had successfully been infiltrating the Keepers for more than two years. During a brief encounter with [[Fred-104]] on Reach, [[Ferret]] leader [[Veta Lopis]] secretly passed him a message to relay to ONI warning them of Atriox's impending return and the Keepers' plot.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR}}

When the Keepers emerged from the portal, they ended up getting caught in the middle of a firefight between the UNSC, the [[Banished]] and the [[Covenant loyalists]] over control of the slipspace portal.{{Ref/Reuse|DW1}} The Lich crashed, but the Keepers were able to form an alliance with the Covenant, aided by the unexpected return of [[Intrepid Eye]] who had been believed to have been destroyed along with ''[[Argent Moon]]'' during [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND]]. The [[archeon-class ancilla]]'s goal was to use the Halo Array to destroy the [[Domain]] so that the ancilla could render [[Cortana]] vulnerable and destroy her. This would open the way for Intrepid Eye to reseed the galaxy using the Ark's resources and tailor humanity over the course of hundreds of thousands of years to attain the [[Mantle of Responsibility]].{{Ref/Reuse|DW5}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW6|DW|Chapter=6}}

Combated by both the Banished and the UNSC, the allied Keeper and Covenant forces managed to reach [[Epsilon Clarion]], the only facility on the Ark capable of firing the Halo Array that was both active and accessible. During [[Battle of Epsilon Clarion|the resulting battle]], the Keepers of the One Freedom was completely wiped out, leaving Castor and [[Sangheili]] [[Blademaster]] [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]] as the only survivors. On the orders of Lopis, the ''Spirit of Fire'' [[orbital bombardment|bombarded]] the facility with [[EMP]] [[MAC]] rounds, destroying both Epsilon Clarion and Intrepid Eye who had made herself vulnerable by consolidating herself in Epsilon Clarion's systems rather than remaining spread out as she had been previously. The loss of Epsilon Clarion destroyed the Ark's ability to fire the Halo Array until a new Clarion facility is constructed. The Banished also suffered heavy casualties to [[Clan of the Long Shields]]. However, [[Mark-G313]] was killed by [[Prelate]] [[Dhas Bhasvod]] and Castor and 'Gadogai set out to seek revenge against all of their enemies.{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW|DW}}

In [[2559#October|October 2559]], [[Blue Team]] are sent back to [[Reach]] in order to recover some assets from the ruins of [[CASTLE Base]] for Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]], assets which hold the key to eventually defeating [[Cortana]]. However, they come into conflict with the [[Banished]] and their allied forces who are seeking the [[Menachite portal complex]] in order to bring their leader [[Atriox]] back to the Milky Way from where he is stranded on [[Installation 00|the Ark]] outside of the galaxy. By following the Spartans, the Banished are able to locate and open the [[slipspace portal]] which,{{Ref/Reuse|SoR}} combined with Atriox's retrieval of the [[Menachite Forerunner crystal|crystal fragments]],{{Ref/Reuse|Sacrifice}} enables Atriox and a number of his top warriors to return from the Ark and depart with [[Escharum]] to attend to a "greater purpose" of some kind, leaving behind thousands of Banished troops to hold the Ark while they are gone. However, [[Castor]] and the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] hijack Atriox's [[Banished Lich]] and fly it to the Ark in order to fire the [[Halo Array]] and finally begin the Great Journey.

During this time, Blue Team succeeds in getting into the ruins of CASTLE Base and retrieving three cryobins and a lockbox for Halsey from where they are hidden in her secret cryovault. Both the UNSC and the Banished flee the planet as a [[Guardian]], drawn by the activation of the slipspace portal, arrives to investigate.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR}} Using the contents of the cryobins, her remaining [[flash cloning|cloned]] brains from the creation of Cortana, Halsey is able to create [[the Weapon]], an exact copy of Cortana who can perfectly imitate the rouge AI to a Forerunner installation's systems and lock her down for deletion.{{Ref/Game|Id=AudioLogRF04|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Recovered Files 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Recovered Files #04 - The Weapon}}{{Ref/Reuse|Hi}}

In [[2559#December|December 2559]], the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} travels to [[Installation 07]] in order to deploy [[the Weapon]] so that [[Cortana]] can be locked down and transported back to the ''Infinity'' for deletion. However, the [[Banished]] are already present at the ring and catch the supercarrier by surprise, launching [[Battle over Installation 07|massive attack]] that apparently leaves the ''Infinity'' destroyed and the [[John-117|Master Chief]] dead after he is thrown into space by [[Atriox]]. During this time, the Weapon succeeds in locking down Cortana in the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]] and she subsequently sacrifices herself in order to destroy part of the ring and keep it out of the Banished's hands, apparently killing Atriox. Afterwards, leadership of the Banished falls to [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]] who spends the next six months hunting the UNSC's survivors across Halo's surface.{{Ref/Game|Id=Hi|Hi}}

{{Main|Installation 07 conflict}}

On [[2560#May|May 28, 2560]], the Master Chief is recovered from where he is floating in space by [[Fernando Esparza]] on ''[[Echo 216]]''. The two are quickly attacked by the [[Banished dreadnought]] ''[[Ghost of Gbraakon]]'', but the Master Chief is able to destroy the enemy vessel from the inside by overloading its engines.{{Ref/Level|Hi|Warship Gbraakon}} Heading to the ring's surface, the Master Chief recovers [[the Weapon]] from where she has been waiting in the Foundation's systems for six months.{{Ref/Level|Hi|[[Foundation (Halo Infinite)|Foundation]]}}

[[Installation 07 conflict|Engaging]] the Banished across the surface of Halo, the Master Chief and the Weapon discover that they are trying to use the [[Reformation spire]]s to repair the ring and, alongside [[the Harbinger]], find and release the [[Xalanyn|Endless]] who were imprisoned by the [[Forerunner]]s after it was discovered that they had survived the [[Great Purification]]. Battling and killing a number of high-ranking Banished warriors who have committed numerous atrocities over the course of the [[Human-Covenant War]] and beyond, the Master Chief and the Weapon are able to stop the Reformation, but Esparza is kidnapped by [[Blademaster]] [[Jega 'Rdomnai]] on Escharum's orders in order to lure the Master Chief into a final battle with the old War Chief who is secretly dying of a terminal illness.{{Ref/Level|Hi|[[The Command Spire]]}} The Master Chief is able to kill both 'Rdomnai and Escharum and rescue Esparza, but even with their leader dead, the Banished are still left in control of a significant portion of the ring.{{Ref/Level|Hi|[[House of Reckoning]]}}

Making their way to the partially-rebuilt [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]], the Master Chief and the Weapon confront and kill the Harbinger, but not before she sends a transmission to an unknown recipient. Escaping, the two link up with Esparza to continue their fight against the remaining Banished forces on the ring. Unbeknownst to the group, Atriox has survived Cortana's attempt on his life, and he unlocks a door elsewhere on Halo leading to [[cylix]]es containing more of the Endless.{{Ref/Level|Hi|Silent Auditorium}}

**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]''

*''[[Halo Mythos]]''