Editing Andrew Del Rio

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Character infobox
|variant=Human
|name=Andrew Del Rio
|image=[[File:H4 profile - Del Rio.png|200px]]
|homeworld=[[Earth]]<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/andrew-del-rio '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Andrew Del Rio'']</ref><ref name="HWF">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2545245_Today-in-Halo.aspx#post2545245 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Today in Halo'']</ref>
|birth=[[2500|May 28, 2500]]{{Ref/Reuse|HWF}}
|death=
|causeofdeath=
|parents=
|siblings=
|spouses=
|children=
|species=[[Human]]
|gender=Male
|height=5' 11" (180 cm){{Ref/Reuse|universe}}<ref name="halo4guide">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide '''Halo 4 Interactive Guide''']</ref>
|mass={{Convert|210|lb|kg}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|halo4guide}}
|hair=Gray {{C|formerly brown}}
|eyes=Brown<ref>[[Andrew Del Rio#Production notes|Production notes]]</ref>
|affiliation=*[[UNSC Navy]] {{C|formerly}}
*[[Unified Earth Government Senate]]{{Ref/Reuse|HtT10}}
|rank-title=Title|rank=*[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] {{C|formerly}}
*[[Senator]]<ref name="HtT10">'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''', ''Episode 10: GAG ORDER''</ref>
|sn=
|notable=
}}
{{Quote|I'd think you, of all people, would appreciate the benefit of living to fight another day.|Andrew Del Rio to John-117 when the latter insists that ''Infinity'' should stay on Requiem to attack the Didact}}

'''Andrew Del Rio''' ([[service number]] '''90302-75627-AD''')<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 12''</ref> is a popular [[Unified Earth Government Senate|senator]] of the [[Unified Earth Government]].{{Ref/Reuse|HtT10}} Formerly a senior officer in the [[UNSC Navy]], then-[[Captain (Navy)|captain]] Del Rio served throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]] and in the years following the conflict.<ref name="Glasslands 422">'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 422''</ref> Del Rio served as the [[commanding officer]] of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} from [[2552]] until July [[2557]]. After [[UNSC Fleet Command]] relieved Del Rio of his command,{{Ref/Reuse|midnight}} he began a political career and was elected into the senate.{{Ref/Reuse|HtT10}}

==Biography==
===Assignment to ''Infinity''===
During the construction of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, Andrew Del Rio served as the project manager.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} [[Margaret Parangosky|Admiral Margaret Parangosky]], [[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence|Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], noted that Del Rio is more of a manager than a leader. She considers him unable to inspire those under his command. She conceded to making him captain of the UNSC ''Infinity'' only because [[Commander]] [[Thomas Lasky]] was assigned as his [[executive officer]].<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 48''</ref> A few years prior to the end of major hostilities in the Great War, Del Rio was leading the military personnel assigned to maintain, repair, and protect the ''Infinity'';<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 422''</ref> he had received this assignment for his status as a seasoned naval line officer and because he could drop off the grid with little trouble. Later, he would be given the honor of being the first commanding officer of the UNSC's largest and most advanced warship to date. Del Rio and the sailors and Marines under his command would take ''Infinity'' out for her first space trials in mid-[[2553]]. At one point, Del Rio avoided promotion to admiral to retain his command of ''Infinity''.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

===Rebel incursion on ''Infinity''===
{{Main|Raid on UNSC Infinity}}
In early 2553, a group of [[insurrectionist]]s belonging to the "[[New Colonial Alliance]]" attempted to commandeer the UNSC ''Infinity''. The group, led by defector [[Ilsa Zane]], snuck aboard ''Infinity'' disguised as a construction crew and took Del Rio hostage. They immediately went to the bridge where Zane took [[Aine]], the ship's temporary AI, offline and proceeded to take control of the ship.<ref>'''Halo: Initiation''', ''Issue # 2''</ref>  From the confines of the Captain's ready room, Del Rio, along with Lieutenant [[Ryder]] and the rest of the bridge crew, attempted to override the ship's lockdown. With the help of [[Jun-A266]] and the other Spartan-IV's, Commander Lasky was able to input his half of the override codes, which gave Del Rio and the other officers access to the bridge. After [[Sarah Palmer]] and [[Edward Davis]] cleared the bridge, Del Rio brought Aine back online, who then activated the ships containment doors to send Zane and the remaining insurrectionists into space.<ref>'''Halo: Initiation''', ''Issue # 3''</ref>

===Trial deployment===
During an inspection of the ship by [[Admiral]]s [[Terrence Hood]] and [[Margaret Parangosky]], he pointed out the ship's [[Huragok]] working after they had been transplanted from [[Trevelyan]]. Talking with Lasky, Parangosky told Del Rio to choose a top-level AI.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 53''</ref> At the request of the Admirals, Del Rio took the ship into [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]] to aid [[Thel 'Vadam]] in the [[Blooding Years]] on [[Sanghelios]]. Parangosky purposefully played on his nerves as he came into space above Sanghelios, as Del Rio was running a high-profile operation with high commanders on board. Soon, the Sangheili insurgent ship ''[[Defender of Faith]]'' began attacking [[Vadam Keep]] and the UNSC ''Infinity''. In its first real scenario weapons test, Del Rio destroyed the ship and beat back the [[Servants of Abiding Truth]].<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 298''</ref> Overall, Del Rio succeeded in saving 'Vadam and his keep from the well-organized opposition.

===Requiem===
{{Main|Battle of Requiem}}
{{Quote|multi=yes|q1=I... am ''ordering'' you... TO SURRENDER THAT AI!|Del Rio|q2=No, sir.|John-117|Del Rio to John-117 after Cortana's sudden rampant outburst}}
Following the disappearance of a science team on [[Ivanoff Station]] in [[2557]], the ''UNSC Infinity'' went to assist, and Del Rio picked up a distress call from the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, sent out by [[John-117]] and [[Cortana]]. Del Rio then found the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] of [[Requiem]] and began to approach the planet, sending out transmissions to try and contact John.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> Eventually Cortana was able to respond to Del Rio's transmissions, but they continued to be garbled. Not fully hearing Cortana's warnings not to approach Requiem, Del Rio guided the ''Infinity'' to the entrance portal and was pulled in the planet, crashing in the jungles of Requiem.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> In response, Del Rio sent out Lasky, Commander [[Sarah Palmer]], and a contingent of [[Spartan-IV]]s and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] to try to find the coordinates of the [[gravity well]]. Del Rio believed the ''Infinity'' could provide covering fire and defend itself, however, it failed in both, as [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant remnant]] forces led by the [[Didact]] forced their way to the bridge. Only John, who had recently encountered what remained of the scouting party, was able to save the ship by activating the defenses using a [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System|Mantis]]. With ''Infinity's'' defenses reactivated, the ship was able to destroy two {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s and drive off the Didact's [[Cryptum]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity]]''</ref>

Meeting with John and Cortana on the bridge, Del Rio discussed the hostile [[Promethean]] response on Requiem. He sent John and [[Gypsy Company]] to disable the gravity well keeping the ship on the planet as he wanted to leave immediately. Del Rio showed disrespect for the Spartan, and refused to give him optimal intelligence on the mission, though he did provide a [[M510 Mammoth|Mammoth]]. Del Rio referred to the mission as a Blowthrough Op to John and Cortana's disgust as Del Rio's haste made him refuse to send in Force Recon to check out exactly what they would be facing. However, Covenant forces eventually began attacking the ''Infinity''. John managed to disable the [[gravity well]] and defeat the Covenant. Back aboard ''Infinity'', John tried to convince Del Rio not to leave Requiem, citing his encounter with the [[Librarian]] AI. Del Rio did not believe him, believing him and Cortana to be delusional. He instead ordered that the vessel retreat to [[Carinae Station]], prompting an outburst of anger from an increasingly rampant Cortana. Del Rio ordered Lasky to immediately remove her for decommissioning per [[UNSC Regulation 12-145-72, Article 55|UNSC regulation]]. Before Lasky could comply, John took Cortana himself. Furious, Del Rio demanded John surrender Cortana, but the Spartan calmly refused. Del Rio ordered Palmer to arrest John, but everyone on the bridge ignored the captain, prompting John to walk away.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> Del Rio sent Lasky to stop John from leaving; instead, Lasky provided the Master Chief with a means to escape.<ref name="shutdown">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Shutdown]]''</ref>

Del Rio then returned to [[Earth]] aboard ''Infinity''.{{Ref/Reuse|shutdown}} Some time before the Didact [[New Phoenix Incident|reached Earth]], however, [[FLEETCOM]], Fleet Admiral [[Terrence Hood]], and the rest of the [[UNSC Security Council]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} disagreed with his decisions on Requiem, especially his abandonment of the Master Chief. He was relieved from ''Infinity's'' command and replaced with Thomas Lasky,<ref name="midnight">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> and Del Rio was to undergo an investigation to judge his actions. Though initial investigations decided that his analysis to abandon John-117 was proven correct by the failure of the UNSC Home Fleet to slow or stop ''Mantle's Approach'' from composing New Phoenix, it mattered little with the return of the Master Chief and his victory over the Didact.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

===Senatorial career===
{{Quote|The SPARTAN-IIs are fundamentally flawed and dangerously outdated. They are an embarrassment and danger with their rusting tech and degraded neurology, but we just keep bleeding taxpayers dry.|Senator Andrew Del Rio denounces serving Spartan-IIs<ref name="htt10">'''Hunt the Truth''', ''Episode 10: GAG ORDER''</ref>}}

With no prospect of a new command, while the UEG and UNSC continued to investigate the New Phoenix Incident, Del Rio decided to retire. By [[2558]], Del Rio had utilized his connections and accumulated favors to begin an obscure, though rewarding, political career on one of the [[Jovian Moons|Jovian moons]] and eventually replaced a deceased senator of the [[Unified Earth Government Senate]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=166069771&postcount=7709 '''NeoGAF''': ''Halo 5 Guardians: #huntthetruth - Page 155''] (Frankie: "''He took the seat of a recently deceased Senator. And as we see in real politics, the electorate only cares about a scandal if it helps their guy.''")</ref> In the Senate, Del Rio proved to be popular and a remarkably able politician and bureaucrat.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} After the [[Raid on Biko peace talks|events]] on [[Biko]], Del Rio called a press conference at the [[Congressional Plaza]], praising the SPARTAN-IV program and calling for the decommissioning of the remaining Spartan-IIs, as well as the arrest of John-117—calling him a "false Spartan" and a "broken bastardization of a soldier".{{Ref/Reuse|HtT10}} After the UEG released additional security footage of the attacks, revealing the Master Chief's innocence, Del Rio recanted his earlier condemnations and stated that John-117 was a hero. After praising the Spartan, Del Rio took a brief leave of absence, claiming it was due to unrelated family matters.<ref name="htt13">'''Hunt the Truth''', ''Episode 13: IN THE BAG''</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|Del Rio wasn't her choice for captain for ''Infinity'', She'd learned to pick her battles and had conceded that one, but she felt vindicated by observing his crew's body language. He was just something filling the uniform, a manager rather than a leader. They weren't in awe of him, and they weren't devoted to him. She could tell. She'd seen the way crews looked at charismatic commanders, a real snap-to-it kind of willingness to please, very aware of the man - or woman - when they were around. Del Rio would be obeyed, and perhaps even respected for his fairness, but he would never be loved or gladly died for. He didn't have the Nelson touch.|Margaret Parangosky musing on Andrew Del Rio}}

While his ability as a bureaucrat and administrator had gotten him command of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, and despite ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s performance assisting [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s forces at [[Sanghelios]] in [[2553]], Del Rio proved to be an inadequate field commander, consistently overestimating ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s capabilities during military operations authorized by him during the [[Battle of Requiem]]. While the ship was under attack, he sent his [[executive officer]] with a recon Pelican flight, believing there was nothing present that could seriously threaten ''Infinity''. When the ship came under attack, and Lasky made contact with ''Infinity'', he angrily ordered the officer to return to ''Infinity'' to help defend it. Even when ''Infinity'' had the advantage, Del Rio failed to adequately deploy his forces. During the attack on [[Forerunner]] artillery pieces, he refused to send in force reconnaissance to gauge enemy strength and positions before the main assault, insisting that the mission was a "blow-through op." More damningly, Del Rio refused to support the Master Chief's attempt to stop the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] from leaving [[Requiem]], instead ordering ''Infinity'' to leave and report to [[FLEETCOM]] from [[Carinae Station]], a decision that caused FLEETCOM to relieve him of command and appoint Lasky as his successor.

Del Rio performed poorly under pressure. During the Battle of Requiem, he became increasingly frustrated and became angry when others questioned his orders. When directly challenged, he was reduced to a screaming rage, demanding the arrest of the Master Chief for refusing to surrender Cortana for decommissioning, though it was an order nobody on the bridge followed through on.

[[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]] believed that he was the type of commander who was more of a manager than a leader and as a result would be one that was followed more begrudgingly than a well-respected commander who had the devotion of his crew. This could easily be seen as true with Del Rio's crew choosing to side with the Master Chief over him, starting with the bridge crew blatantly ignoring his orders to arrest the Master Chief and continuing with Lasky helping the Master Chief to escape with a Pelican rather than stopping him as Del Rio ordered. Even the soldiers in ''Infinity's'' hanger bay would choose to ignore Del Rio's orders and allow the Master Chief to escape rather than try to stop him.

For whatever reason, Del Rio bore an intense dislike of [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-IIs]] and believed they were outdated and ready to be retired. During the Battle of Requiem, Del Rio repeatedly rejected the Master Chief's suggestions and questioned his mental competence. Much later, when the Master Chief appeared to have turned [[Treason|traitor]], Senator Del Rio used the opportunity to praise the [[SPARTAN-IV program]] and condemned the Spartan-IIs as obsolete. He was forced to recant this after the Master Chief was vindicated, and subsequently took a leave of absence, likely to escape political blowback from his condemnation.

==Production notes==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
American actor [[Wikipedia:Mark Rolston|Mark Rolston]], best known as the [https://www.avpcentral.com/colonial-marine-smartgunners Colonial Marine smartgunner] [[avp:Mark Drake|Private Drake]] in the 1986 film ''[[Wikipedia:Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'', voices Del Rio in ''[[Halo 4]]'' in addition to serving as the model for his face; Rolston portrays Del Rio in live action in ''[[The Commissioning]]''. Whereas Rolston's eyes naturally have a bluish tint, as seen in ''The Commissioning'', those on the captain's in-game model are light brown. Facial motion capture for Del Rio in ''Halo 4'' was provided by American actor Allen Perada.

==Trivia==
Del Rio's awards as seen in Halo 4 appear to be modeled from modern awards and decorations of the United States Army.  While some of these awards may still be in use during the 26th century, several, like the Iraq Campaign Medal, would not.  Furthermore, Del Rio's awards are Army oriented as opposed to Navy and are distinctively low in precedence for a person of his importance. The apparent awards, in order, are: Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Overseas Ribbon, and what appears to be an Army Overseas Training Ribbon.   

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Delriosuit.jpg|Del Rio in a ceremonial uniform at the ''[[UNSC Infinity|Infinity]]'s'' launch.
File:Andrew del Rio Live Action.jpg|Del Rio moments prior to the [[Didact]]'s attack.
File:H4 Del Rio John bridge.jpg|Captain Del Rio confronting [[John-117]] over their conflicting priorities. 
File:Andrew del Rio H4.PNG|Del Rio aboard the ''[[UNSC Infinity|Infinity]]''.
File:Delrioarguing.png|Del Rio arguing with John-117. Commanders [[Thomas Lasky|Lasky]] and [[Sarah Palmer|Palmer]] are also present.
File:Initiation-Del Rio.png|Del Rio in ''[[Halo: Initiation]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[The Commissioning]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' 
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}

[[Category:Human characters|Del Rio, Andrew]]
[[Category:UNSC Navy officers|Del Rio, Andrew]]
[[Category:Politicians|Del Rio, Andrew]]