Editing 2558

{{Era|Post}}
{{New Content|Halo: Escalation}}
{{Timeline}}
===February===<!--Though no date stamp is given after Infinity's initial foray on the 8th, the cinematics suggest that Spartan Ops Season One occurs over the course of a few days, perhaps a little more than a week.-->
'''February 1-7'''
*[[Gek 'Lhar]] escapes [[Midnight Facility]], resulting in several fatalities and a heightened threat condition at the facility.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm3015281_I-wish-343i-would-of-done-more-with-Gek-Lhar.aspx#post3015281 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''I wish 343i would of done more with Gek Lhar'']</ref>

'''February 2'''
*The {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} charity fun run from the ship's stem to stern is scheduled to take place.<ref name="packet">'''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]''' — ''[[Infinity Briefing Packet]]''</ref>

'''February 6'''
*[[Gabriel Thorne]] is assigned to [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] [[Fireteam Majestic]].<ref name="packet"/>

'''February 6'''
*UNSC ''Infinity'' leaves [[Earth]] orbit, headed for its second tour at [[Requiem]] with the mission to establish research facilities on the shield world.<ref name="waypointLearn">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postst192662p7_Learn-What-Happened-Today-in-Halo.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Learn What Happened Today in Halo'']</ref>

'''February 7'''
*UNSC ''Infinity'' arrives at Requiem. [[Commander]] [[Sarah Palmer]], leader of the ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Spartan (branch)|Spartan]] contingent, sends various Spartan teams to the surface of Requiem as part of Operation: ALL-SEEING EYE.<ref>'''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]''', ''Mission Briefing''</ref> [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]], [[UNSC Army|Army]], and [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] assets are also deployed.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Departure|S1E1 - Departure]]''</ref><ref name="waypointLearn"/>

'''February 9'''
*A monthly poker night event is scheduled to take place aboard UNSC ''Infinity'', with a grand prize of priority seating on all of the ship's internal shuttlecraft and [[tram]]s.<ref name="packet"/>

'''February 10'''
*Commander Sarah Palmer deploys Fireteams [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]] and [[Fireteam Crimson|Crimson]] to Requiem with the mission to recover [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|a Forerunner artifact]] as part of Operation: ACADEMIC.<ref name="packet"/>{{Citation needed}}<!--Where in the ''Halo 4 Limited Edition'' contents are this operation and date mentioned?-->
*Spartan Fireteam Crimson uncover a [[Forerunner]] [[Requiem translocation artifacts|slipspace artifact]]. After the device teleports [[Henry Glassman|Chief Engineer Henry Glassman]] to the surface of the planet,<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Artifact|S1E2 - ''Artifact'']]</ref> [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] is brought in to investigate.<ref name="Catherine">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Catherine|S1E3 - Catherine]]''</ref>

'''Unknown date'''
*The artifact scans the ship's systems and begins transmitting data to the surface of Requiem,<ref name="Catherine"/> where said data is intercepted by [[Jul 'Mdama]]. Glassman is taken captive by the [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant]] and is ordered to activate the [[Librarian]]'s shrine,<ref name="Catherine"/> though he is not successful.
*Sangheili terrorist [[Parg Vol]] is assassinated by Fireteam Crimson.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Catherine/Hunting Trip|S1E3Ch5 - ''Hunting Trip'']]</ref>
*Fireteam Crimson secure another Forerunner artifact, dubbed "the [[Didact's Gift]]". This device contains the memories of victims of the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s [[Battle of Earth (2557)|attack on New Phoenix]] six months prior. The processed human minds are to be repurposed as [[Promethean Knight]]s. Spartan Gabriel Thorne is translocated to [[the Cauldron]] by the first artifact.<ref name="Memento Mori">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Memento Mori|S1E4 - Memento Mori]]''</ref>
*Dr. Halsey begins dialog with an unknown party who shares her interest in the Librarian. The intelligence is actually Jul 'Mdama, the Covenant's leader, who is manipulating Halsey into divulging vital secrets about the Forerunners.<ref name="Memento Mori"/> Halsey is apprehended after her unwitting communication with 'Mdama is discovered. Spartan Thorne rescues Dr. Glassman and the pair escape custody.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Scattered|S1E6 - Scattered]]''</ref>
*Dr. Halsey learns that [[John-117]] is still alive. The ''Infinity'' is boarded by Covenant and [[Promethean]] forces<ref name="Invasion">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Invasion|S1E7 - Invasion]]''</ref> who capture the doctor. They take her to the [[Librarian's Rest|Librarian's "shrine"]], where 'Mdama awaits.<ref name="Expendable">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Expendable|S1E8 - Expendable]]''</ref>
*Gek 'Lhar, 'Mdama's lieutenant, is killed by Fireteam Majestic.<ref name="Expendable"/>
*[[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]], head of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], orders Captain [[Thomas Lasky]] to kill Dr. Halsey.<ref name="Expendable"/> Commander Palmer is to execute the order.<ref name="Key">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Key|S1E9 - Key]]''</ref>
*Lasky sends Fireteam Majestic to rescue Dr. Halsey and stop Palmer.<ref name="Key"/>
*The Librarian gives Dr. Halsey the [[Janus Key]], but Jul 'Mdama gets half of the key. Halsey gives Gabriel Thorne the other half before she is taken away.<ref name="Key"/>
*Jul 'Mdama sends Requiem on a collision course with its sun, [[Epoloch]]. While the shield world is destroyed, the UNSC ''Infinity'' narrowly escapes the planet's slipspace conduit.<ref name="Exodus">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Exodus|S1E10 - Exodus]]''</ref>
*Dr. Halsey agrees to cooperate with Jul 'Mdama and his forces, stating that she wants revenge.<ref name="Exodus"/>

'''February 14'''
*''Infinity'' Atrium Park Valentine's Dance is scheduled to begin at 2015 hours.<ref name="packet"/>

'''February 18'''
*A "Saturday Night (Cage) Fight" event is scheduled to take place aboard ''Infinity'', with the Spartans of [[Fireteam Sydney|Sydney Team]] participating in a cage match.<ref name="packet"/>

'''February 21'''
*''Infinity'' Day, marking the one-year anniversary of the flagship's [[The Commissioning|commissioning ceremony]]. Festivities aboard the ship are set to include a speech from Captain Lasky and ''Infinity''-themed cupcakes.<ref name="packet"/>

'''February 25'''
*A Chili Cook-Off organized by [[Jonathan Lowell|Master Chef Jonathan Lowell]] is scheduled to be held in ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Forward Mess Hall.<ref name="packet"/>

===March===
'''March 3'''
* Captain Lasky and Commander Palmer are debriefed by the [[UNSC Security Council]] at [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]]. The committee expresses misgivings of Lasky's handling of the [[Second Battle of Requiem]] and the failed assassination and escape of Dr. Halsey. [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Hood]] later tasks ''Infinity'' to escort him and the [[Arbiter]] on a diplomatic mission to [[Ealen IV]].<ref name="HE1">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''' - ''Issue #1''</ref>
* Three ONI [[prowler]]s tasked to monitor the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' are destroyed. These losses are not reported to the UNSC Navy.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14 (post 2969315)'']</ref>
* A [[Catalog]] unit receives a request of take control of the Forerunner [[ecumene]] made by an unknown entity bearing the Didact's sigil.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969311 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14 (post 2969311)'']</ref>

'''March 5'''
*[[Battle of Ealen IV]]: ''Infinity'' arrives at Ealen IV. Lord Hood meets with [[Thel 'Vadam]] and the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Chieftain]] [[Lydus]]. While negotiating, the delegates come under attack from [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|Covenant mercenaries]] working for a group of human insurgents, the [[New Colonial Alliance]]. The [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]]s defend the ambassadors, who escape into a nearby parts depot.<ref name="HE1"/>
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Vata 'Gajat]] arrives on Ealen IV to personally oversee the attack, while the ambassadors escape through a series of tunnels leading to a fortified redoubt in which they could take refuge in. Captain Thomas Lasky orders Commander Palmer and the protection detail to escort the delegation to the redoubt, while he and Spartan [[Naiya Ray]] try to reestablish communications with the fleet above the planet.<ref name="HE2">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''Issue #2''</ref>
*As [[Fireteam Jackknife]] arrive at the redoubt, Vladimir Scruggs betrays his own team, killing them and the bodyguards. He then informs Commander Palmer it is safe to bring the delegates into the redoubt.<ref name="HE2"/>
*In orbit, the Sangheili and Jiralhanae ships begin to deploy forces against each other due to the ambiguity of the situation on the ground.<ref name="HE3"/>
*Lasky and Ray destroy the reactor generating the Covenant jamming signal, restoring communications.<ref name="HE3">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''Issue #3''</ref>
*After the ambassadors and their security detail arrive in the redoubt, Scruggs ambushes them and holds Hood at gunpoint. Palmer shoots Hood in the leg and, in the resulting confusion, confronts and kills Scruggs.<ref name="HE3"/>
*With the Covenant bearing on the site in force, the ambassadors escape to ''Infinity'' aboard a [[Covenant cargo tug]]. [[Paul DeMarco]] and [[Fireteam Bailey]] sacrifice themselves to cover the ambassadors' escape with [[Type-38 Tyrant|Tyrant AA guns]].<ref name="HE3"/>
*''Infinity'' rallies the Sangheili and Jiralhanae fleets, prompting 'Gajat's fleet to retreat.<ref name="HE3"/>
*A funeral ceremony is held for the Spartans fallen in the battle, [[ONI Directive 930|the practice]] of listing Spartans KIAs as MIA having been abolished.<ref name="HE3"/> 

'''March 8'''
*Lasky and Hood discuss the likelihood of a severe security breach in the UNSC's organization, surmising that Scruggs could not have been the one who leaked the location of the negotiations.<ref name="HE3"/>
*Lasky and Hood discuss enlisting [[Petra Janecek]]'s help in rooting out the spy who betrayed the Ealen IV delegation; the Fleet Admiral is uneasy with Lasky's decision due to a conflict between Hood and Janecek.<ref name="HE4">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''Issue #4''</ref>
*Lasky and Ray leave the ''Infinity'' in a [[UNSC prowler|prowler]] in order to recruit Janecek.<ref name="HE4"/>

'''March 10'''
*Lasky and Ray meet with Janecek in [[Castiglione]] on [[Escala III]]. Petra agrees to help Lasky uncover the UNSC spy in return for information regarding the Master Chief.<ref name="HE4"/>

'''March 11'''
*''Infinity'' is ambushed on a mission to rescue a damaged civilian [[freighter]], ''[[Pilgrims Pride]]''. However, they come under attack by automated craft supposedly originating from the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.<ref name="HE4"/>
*Petra Janecek, Captain Lasky and Spartan Ray travel to the Sangheili colony of [[Karava]] to uncover the identity of the UNSC traitor. Meeting Janecek's informant [[Zef 'Trahl]], they learn that the traitor is [[Daniel Clayton]], a former UNSC captain and the illegitimate son of ''Spirit of Fire'''s commanding officer (and Hood's mentor), [[James Cutter|Captain James Cutter]].<ref name="HE5"/>
*The UNSC supposedly discover the whereabouts of ''Spirit of Fire'' using data from ''Pilgrims Pride''. ''Infinity'' sets out to rescue the older ship. Upon arrival at the ''Spirit'''s supposed coordinates near [[Oth Lodon]], however, they find a [[Oth Lodon station|Covenant battlestation]] manned by the New Colonial Alliance. Having lured ''Infinity'' into a trap, Captain Daniel Clayton fires on the UNSC vessel with the station's [[energy projector]], killing [[Bradley|Commander Bradley]] and paralyzing Fleet Admiral Hood.<ref name="HE5">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''Issue #5''</ref>
*Clayton orders 'Gajat to stop the Spartans who are en route to the station, but 'Gajat decides to destroy ''Infinity'' instead. Fireteam Majestic and Commander Palmer board and secure the station, then destroy 'Gajat's [[SDV-class heavy corvette|corvette]] with the energy projector. Clayton is apprehended and transported to ''Infinity''.<ref name="HE6">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''Issue #6''</ref>

'''March 14'''
*The UNSC dispatch a trio of vessels to Oth Lodon to assist with repairs to ''Infinity'' and to monitor the captured space station.<ref name="HE6"/>
*Lasky and Ray return to ''Infinity''. The captain insists that the recent ambush could have been avoided if he were present, though Palmer insists that Lord Hood is to blame.<ref name="HE6"/>
*Hood visits Clayton and asks him why [[Admiral]] [[Mattius Drake]] wanted to destroy ''Infinity'' despite his attempt to [[Raid on UNSC Infinity|capture it]] [[2553#January|five years prior]]. Clayton tells Hood the New Colonial Alliance is stronger than before and have agents on every colony, as well as Earth. Hood orders Clayton's incarceration at ONI's [[Midnight Facility]], but Clayton insists that they will meet again and the UNSC will fall.<ref name="HE6"/>
*In an unknown system, ''Spirit of Fire'' drifts near a terrestrial planet. Inside, the ship is put on alert while a [[Flood]] [[Flood infection form|infection form]] crawls across one of the ship's cryo bays.<ref name="HE6"/>

'''March 22'''
*After having a nightmare about the [[New Phoenix]] [[Battle of Earth (2557)|Incident]], [[Gabriel Thorne]] discusses it with [[Tedra Grant]]. Grant suggest Thorne the possibility of returning to New Phoenix for its reopening to see if his nightmares stop appearing after a visit to the city. After Grant's insistence, Thorne accepts.<ref name="HE7">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''Issue #7''</ref>

'''March 24'''
*Eight months after the attack on New Phoenix, the city is lifted from its quarantine. The [[President of the Unified Earth Government|President of the UEG]], Dr. [[Ruth Charet]], presides over the reopening of the city.<ref name="HE7"/>
*Returning to New Phoenix, Spartan Thorne, accompanied by Grant, receives proper closure about [[Thorne family|his grandmother's]] death in the New Phoenix Incident.<ref name="HE7"/>

===April===
'''April 15-April 17'''
*Almost a month after the events on Oth Lodon, the ''Infinity'' is fully repaired.<ref name="HE7"/>

===Unknown date===
*Agent [[Jameson Locke]] meets with Thel 'Vadam to better learn about John-117's history.<ref name="MCtrailer">'''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer]]'''</ref>
*Spartans Ray and Thorne are assigned to a secret mission to uncover the origin of a mysterious bioweapon.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #11''</ref>

==Sources==
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