Editing Aktis IV

{{Era|Forerunner|Post}}

{{Planet

|image=[[File:HE13 Aktis IV.jpeg|260px]]

|system=[[Aktis system]]<ref name="HE14">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]''</ref>

|position=Second planet<ref name="HE14"/>

'''Aktis IV''' is the provisional designation for a planet outside of the [[human]] [[Outer Colonies]] in the [[Aktis system]], a system previously uncharted by the [[Unified Earth Government]]. The planet has surface conditions habitable to humans, with the surface of the planet seemingly consisting of a large ocean with scattered island continents. The ocean is composed of an opaque, foamy substance of unidentified composition, which is largely impenetrable to radar analysis.<ref name="HE14"/>

Aktis IV was once part of the [[Forerunner]] [[ecumene]]. The Forerunners had left behind some structures and a shrine on the surface of the planet. [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] established a base of operations in the shrine with only a skeleton force to guard the outside.<ref name="HE14"/>

===Battle of Aktis IV===

On [[2558#July|July 18, 2558]], {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} was trapped in the Aktis system over the planet while on a survey mission to establish a [[Galileo II|research base]]. Intent on obtaining the other half of the [[Janus Key]], Jul 'Mdama's Covenant used a [[Forerunner]] [[Requiem communication artifact|artifact]] to interfere with the engines of ''Infinity'' to prevent the vessel from leaving the system.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]''</ref> Discovering a potential source of interference on the planet, [[Thomas Lasky|Captain Thomas Lasky]] deployed a recon team consisting of two [[D79-TC Pelican]]s and three [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s to Aktis IV's surface. The team arrived on a forest island that was located in the northern part of a equatorial archipelago. [[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]] led [[Fireteam Majestic]] and Spartan [[Naiya Ray]] to the shrine and eliminated the Covenant skeleton force. Once Doctor [[Henry Glassman]] was brought to the island, a Forerunner artifact was found in the structure. Upon discovering that the Janus Key was seemingly compatible with the artifact, Glassman had the UNSC's half of the Key delivered to the island for further research. However, the artifact had been created by 'Mdama and Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] to bring the other half of the Key to the island. However, 'Mdama's ambush was ruined when [[Sali 'Nyon]] and his [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|rogue splinter group]] shot down the UNSC aircraft carrying the Key, and 'Nyon took the UNSC's half for himself.<ref name="HE14"/>

The conflict continued for over seven hours, with ''Infinity'' engaged by 'Mdama's fleet while Sali 'Nyon's rebellion raged on in the Covenant'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. Palmer's team translocated to the jungle with the intent of ambushing Halsey while the other team, led by [[Tedra Grant|Spartan Grant]], took a portal to the other side of the island where UNSC reinforcements had been deployed.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|Issue #15]]''</ref> Palmer successfully captured Halsey but the doctor managed to escape with the Janus Key. Meanwhile, '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]]. With the battle concluded, both the Covenant and the UNSC left the planet.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]''</ref>