Editing Alpha Base (Installation 04)

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'''Alpha Base''' was the main tactical [[Firebase]] used by the remaining [[UNSC]] forces after planet fall on [[Installation 04]]. It was located on a small mesa several kilometres down-spin from the crash site of the ''[[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]]''. The mesa itself housed a collection of [[Forerunner]] structures as well as a system of caves stretching beneath the facility and linking with the larger subterranean system of the ring. [[Wellsley]] tagged the base as '''HS2604'''.<ref> [[Halo: The Flood]] page 48</ref>

The [[humans]] set up camp around the base using the supplies they had scrounged from the ''Autumn'' and their [[Human Entry Vehicles]]. They lived in [[cubicles]] and ate mostly [[Meals Ready to Eat]]. A good deal of the activities also took place in caverns underneath the facility in the Forerunner structures. It was abandoned by the humans shortly before the destruction of the ring, due to their taking of the [[Truth and Reconciliation]] and the growing Flood presence in the area.

The [[Covenant]] occupied this mesa when they discovered the ring, using mostly a light compliment of [[Grunts]], [[Jackals]], and [[Elite]]s, as well as a few Banshees to guard it. It provided a good view of the surrounding areas, and the steep embankments around it made it hard to reach from the ground. Strategically placed [[Shade]] turrets made the mesa hard to assault from the air as well.

When the ''Pillar of Autumn'' was attacked above the Halo by opposing Covenant forces, the [[ODSTs]], under command of [[Major]] [[Antonio Silva]], abandoned the ship aboard Human Entry Vehicles, and most of them landed around the base. Silva saw the tactical advantage to the butte, and ordered [[First Lieutenant]] [[Melissa McKay]] to take it. <ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 59</ref> While some of the ODSTs were able to attack the butte with supporting air support, some were lead into what was known as a back door. After elimination of all immediate threats, this team entered the back door and took a lift to regroup with the rest of the squad. It is unknown how much of a defense Silva put into guarding this pass, but apparently the Covenant were unable to use this backdoor to gain access to the base.

Despite now having this strategic foothold, Silva still had a great deal of problems. The ODSTs were equipped with enough food and supplies to last 2 weeks. However, that was not the case with the 63 crewmen that the Master Chief was able to rescue. Also, the dropships were running low on fuel and the base was not adequately prepared for a massive counter-attack. Therefore, Silva ordered McKay to go to the downed Autumn and recover whatever supplies that she could. The raid was a success and only a minimum of UNSC casualties occurred, while several [[Ghosts]] and a [[Spirit]] dropship were destroyed. The Marines and ODSTs were able to secure a sufficient amount of fuel, food, and munitions. Also, two 50 cal. turrets were recovered, a contingent of LRV Warthogs, and 4 Scorpion Tanks. Unfortunately, there was no ammo or rockets for the Pelicans, limiting their usage to transport only. Some of the supplies, LRVs, and Marines were lost in the return trip due to Covenant resistance.

It was later discovered that the [[Flood]] had been attempting to break into the base and were only impeded by a single metal grate leading to an unnoticed group of caverns. The entrances to these caverns were successfully sealed, and the Flood were delayed from overtaking the base. By the time they managed to break through, the [[UNSC]] forces had abandoned the base in hopes of leaving the installation aboard the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''.

The defenses of alpha base consist mainly of UNSC personal that survived the crash of the [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]]. A number of stationary 50 cal. guns were in place and linked to the base's AI, Wellsley. Also, the base had several makeshift landing pads where dropships could be docked and refueled in relative safety. Later, this position was reinforced by a group of LRV Warthogs and at least 2 of 4 Scorpion tanks that were recovered from the downed [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]]. Also, due to successful raids and the attack upon the [[Truth and Reconciliation]], at least 4 plasma turrets known as "Shades" were set up in defense of the base. Unfortunately, these turrets could not be fired by the AI. Also, 15 operational Covenant Banshees were recovered. A basic perimeter was set up and monitored through motion trackers by the [[AI]] Wellsley. Pelicans had quick strike teams in place if their was a perimeter breach that could respond in about 2 minutes. Also, a combination of LRVs and captured Ghosts were used as patrols, effectively combining power and speed.

At its strongest point, the bases defenses were as followed:

*Battalion of [[ODST]]s led by [[Major Silva]].

*Most of the [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]]'s remaining crew that were not captured or in cryo stasis.

*Two 50mm auto-turrets (AI operated).

*High amounts of light and heavy weaponry(both UNSC and Covenant grade).

*4 [[Shade]] turrets.

*At least 2 of 4 remaining [[Scorpion Tanks]], dug partially underground for protection.

*A contingent of LRV Warthogs.

*15 operational captured [[Banshees]].

*Captured [[Ghosts]] (estimated at about 6-10).

*[[AI]] [[Wellsley]].

*All surviving [[D77-TC Pelican Dropship|Pelicans]] (not equipped with rockets and low machine-gun ammo).

==Battles==

===First Defense of Alpha Base===

The base was attacked twice while during the time the [[UNSC]] was on [[Installation 04]]. This attack was led by Major Silva and his battalion of [[ODST]]s in an attempt to wrench the protective butte from the hands of the Covenant in order to establish a place where the UNSC personnel could regroup. Silva order Lt. McKay to lead an assault through a pass that hopefully led to the top of the base. As McKay and her company began their climb, the [[Covenant]] launched a preemptive strike against Silva. Wellsley informed him that the attack would consisted of an estimated 100 Ghosts. With half of his forces committed elsewhere, Silva order companies A and D to form into what is know as an infantry squared. This, and the natural terrain, gave the ODSTs a better chance of survival against the Ghost's fixed weapons. In the beginning, the Covenant fought very poorly. Several Ghost fired upon each other or collided in their haste to score a kill. Eventually, a Field Commander took charge and ordered all of the riders to ride counter-clock wise and then to attack the lowest pit in the square. Human casualties increased and the squared started to break. Silva responded by reinforcing the pit, getting his rocket-jockeys to rotate their salvo's, and had his sniper team concentrate on the Field Commander. As an apparent after thought, Banshees were thrown into the fight late and were quickly eliminated by M19 launchers. Finally, with the Field Commander dead, and a 50% casualty rate, the attackers retreated, some carrying extra riders on their Ghost. From that attack, 23 were KIA, 6 were critically injured, and 10 were WIA. Finally Silva could get the Pelicans to attack the butte and give McKay some support.

Meanwhile McKay was making her way up the butte. She had already lost some of her soldiers, one to a plasma grenade, but she was making a good deal of progress. At last she made it to a back door into the structure. She fired an M19 rocket into it, which struck some sort of ammo, and clear the room of all hostile. She and her remaining company entered to find an elevator to the surface of the butte. It is here that she links back up with Silva and the first battle for Alpha Base was won by the UNSC.

===[[Battle of Alpha Base|Second Defense of Alpha Base]]===

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Installation 04]]

[[Category:Military Bases]]