Editing Battle for Zeta Halo

{{Era|Post}}

{{Under Construction}}

|name=Installation 07 conflict

|image=[[File:HINF ZetaHaloConflict.png|400px]]

|prev= [[Second Ark Conflict]]

*[[Battle of Epsilon Clarion]]

|conc=

*[[Created conflict]]{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo Infinite E3 2021 showcase]]|Id=Created}}

|date= c. [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]]–{{Ref/Game|HI|Detail=Infinity Down}}

|place=*[[Installation 07]], [[Ephsu I]], [[Ephsu system]] {{c|early in battle}}{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}

*[[Installation 07]], unknown star system

|result='''Ongoing as of May 31, 2560'''

*End of the [[Created conflict]].

**[[Created]] empire falls apart{{Ref/Reuse|saatriox}} with destruction of [[Cortana]].

*Installation 07 sustains severe structural damage{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}} and [[117649 Despondent Pyre]] is destroyed.

*UNSC forces severely depleted and scattered across Installation 07.{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}}

*Deaths of [[Escharum]] and the [[Harbinger]] and several other high-ranking members of the [[Banished]].

*Discovery of the [[Xalanyn|Endless]] by [[Atriox]].

**{{Icon|Navy}} [[UNSC Navy]]

**[[UNSC Marine Corps]]

**[[Hand of Atriox]]

**[[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]]{{Ref/Game|Halo Infinite|Section=Banished Audio Logs: A Boon|Quote= Pioneer Guard Vomarus, Legion of the Corpse Moon}}

**[[Clan of the Ravaged Tusks|Ravaged Tusks]]{{Ref/Game|Id=RavagedTusk|Halo Infinite|Section=TACMAP|Quote=Like other Banished leaders, En'Geddon led a distinctive subset of warriors, the Ravaged Tusk}}

----------------------

*[[Harbinger|Harbinger's]] [[Skimmer]]s  

*{{Icon|Forerunner}} [[Sentinel|Forerunner constructs]]{{Ref/Level|Id=Sentinel|Game=Halo Infinite|Level=The Sequence}}

|side4    =*{{Icon|Forerunner}} [[Created]]†{{Ref/Reuse|saatriox}}

|commanders1    =*[[Captain (NAVCOM)|CAPT]] [[Thomas Lasky]]{{Ref/Game|Id=e1|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #01 - Infinity Down}}  

*[[Warmaster]] [[Atriox]]

*[[War Chief]] [[Escharum]]†

---------------

*[[Harbinger]]†

|forces1  = *{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}†

**6 {{Class|Mulsanne|frigate}}s†

**3+ [[D80 Condor]]s

**1+ [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]]

*Multiple [[Banished dreadnought|dreadnought]]s

**[[Banished Phantom|Phantom]]s

**[[Banished troop carrier|Troop carrier]]s{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}

**[[Banished Banshee|Banshee]]s

***[[Kaelum Workshop Banshee|Kaelum Workshop Banshees]]

*Multiple [[Gorespike cannon]]s

**[[Banished Wraith|Wraith]]s

**[[Skiff]]s

------------

*Multiple [[Gasgira|Skimmer]]s

*Mutliple [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Sentinel}}

|forces4  = *At least 1 [[Guardian Custode]]s† {{c|early in battle}}{{Ref/Reuse|HI}}

**UNSC ''Infinity''

***1,986+ crewmembers of UNSC ''Infinity ''{{Ref/Generic|Id=Premiere|[[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere]]}}

***Most of Spartan-IVs

*1+ dreadnought

**''[[Ghost of Gbraakon]]''

|casual4  = *At least 1 Guardian{{Ref/Reuse|HI}}

{{Quote|This is my last fight. A true test of legends! Our story will outlive us both. Set a fire in your heart, Spartan! Bare your fangs! Fight hard! Die well.|[[Escharum]] to [[John-117]] during the conflict.{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}}}}

 

This '''Installation 07 conflict''', colloquially referred to as a '''war''',{{Ref/Level|HI|[[Pelican Down (Halo Infinite level)|Pelican Down]]|Quote=When you're done with this war, we'll get away from here. Far away.|Quotee=[[Fernando Esparza]]}} was a large multi-faction [[battle]] that took place starting on [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]], prominently between the [[United Nations Space Command]] and the [[Banished]] on the [[Forerunner]] [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 07]], otherwise known as "Zeta Halo", and continues as of [[2560#May|May 31, 2560]].{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}} The earlier stages of battle ultimately led to the fall of [[Cortana]] and her [[Created]] while simultaneously severely damaging Installation 07, making the conflict the final overarching battle of the larger [[Created conflict]] and the last stand of the Created,{{Ref/Reuse|saatriox}} although remaining lingering affiliates continued to exist as of [[2560]].{{Ref/Site|Id=cflegendend|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-legendary-endings|SiteName=Halo Waypoint|PageName=Canon Fodder - Legendary Endings|D=19|M=12|Y=2021}}  

[[File:HINF Silent Auditorium building.png|250px|thumb|left|The Xalanyn race has been imprisoned by the Forerunners within [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]] on Installation 07 for millennia.]]

The Council arranged a parley between delegates from the two species, with [[Installation 07]] taken into range of the Xalanyn [[planet|homeworld]].{{Ref/Game|Id=af4|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Archaeological Findings 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Archaeological Findings #04 - A Curious Directive}} In [[97,368 BCE]], the Forerunners passed judgment of the Xalanyn at the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]] on the ring, and decided to imprison the Xalanyn on Installation 07,{{Ref/Game|HI|Detail=[[Silent Auditorium]] description|Quote=[The Harbinger] reveals the Auditorium was where the Forerunners passed judgment upon her species, the Endless [...]}} with some members subjugated for study at the Auditorium.{{Ref/Reuse|af4}} The [[Grand Edict]] charged Installation 07's monitor, [[117649 Despondent Pyre]], with guarding the Xalanyn's prison with the Auditorium, and assigned [[Offensive Bias]] to the ring to aid in this.{{Ref/Game|Id=stinger|HINF|post-credits cinematic}}

 

{{Spoiler/end}}

In [[2558#October|October 2558]], when the [[Created conflict]] began with the rogue [[AI]] [[Cortana]] [[The Reclamation|subjugating]] major planets and governments across the galaxy with her Guardians, the [[UNSC Armed Forces]] were broken with the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} forced into hiding.{{Ref/Level|Id=h5|H5|Guardians}} Cortana ushered in a new era with her [[Created]] as rulers, enforcing martial law across their territory. The ''Infinity'' conducted operations against the Created in limited capacity.{{fact}}

[[File:H5G-Infinity&Guardian.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The entirety of the [[UNSC Armed Forces]] were fractured by the [[Guardian Custode|Guardians]] as part of the [[Created]]'s [[The Reclamation|rise]].]]  

Cortana made a general broadcast, inviting numerous species and factions to submit themselves to the guardianship of the Created,{{Ref/Reuse|h5}} but threatened those who would resist her leadership with violence.{{Ref/Anthology|Halo: Fractures|[[What Remains]]}} Personally confronted by Cortana, the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Atriox]], the [[Warmaster|leader]] of a group of mercenary raiders known as the [[Banished]], declared his independence from Cortana, and thus, opposition against the Created. In a show of force for Atriox's defiance, Cortana commanded her Guardians to destroy the Jiralhanae homeworld [[Doisac]] while communicating with Atriox.{{Ref/Level|HINF|Repository (Halo Infinite)|Repository}} Seeking to fight back against Cortana and access the ring's secrets, Atriox led his Banished forces to [[Installation 07]], where the Created leader resided.

Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] devised a plan to stop Cortana. She created an artificial intelligence known as "[[The Weapon]]", created from a cloned brain of herself. The copy would lock Cortana down, preventing her from controlling her vast Guardian and [[Promethean]] forces and isolating her in her current location, [[Installation 07]].{{fact}} A plan was formed, with the initial intent to send [[Blue Team]] to the surface to retrieve Cortana, though this was later revised to be just John-117 and The Weapon, accompanied by the ship's [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] and [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODST]] complement.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #02 - Captain's Report}} Halsey had plans for [[Frederic-104]], [[Kelly-087]], and [[Linda-058]], but they were reassigned by [[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]] to another mission unknown to Halsey, much to her chagrin.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #03 - Duty Clearance}} [[John-117]] was to travel to the surface of the ring and deploy the Weapon to lock down Cortana, then return her to the ''Infinity'' for deletion.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Recovered Files 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Recovered Files #04 - The Weapon}}

{{clear|left}}

{{Quote|Do you know how long it took us to neutralize your greatest ship? Four minutes. In four minutes, the ''Infinity'', mankind's finest achievement, became a memory.|[[War Chief]] [[Escharum]].{{Ref/Level|Id=hor|HI|House of Reckoning|Quote=You were there when we struck the ''Infinity''. The first dreadnought came from the side. In the chaos that followed, you hardly had time to notice the other three bear down upon you. Do you know how long it took us to neutralize your greatest ship? Four minutes. In four minutes, the ''Infinity'', mankind's finest achievement, became a memory.|Quotee=Escharum}}}}

On [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]], {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and her escort fleet, composed of six {{Class|Mulsanne|frigate}}s, arrived at Installation 07.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #01 - Preparations}} The UNSC fleet was ambushed by four [[Banished dreadnought]]s.{{Ref/Game|Id=ia4|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #04 - Arrival}} The Banished sent raiding parties aboard the ''Infinity'',{{Ref/Reuse|ia4}} all the while sending occupation forces to the Ring's surface by the hundreds.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #07 - Objectives}} Despite the UNSC repelling the boarders, the ''Infinity''{{'}}s main engine were taken offline within minutes after the initial attack, and Captain Lasky ordered the deployment of [[the Weapon]].{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #05 - Zero Hour}} Under the overwhelming assault, Captain Lasky ordered all hands aboard the UNSC ''Infinity'' to abandon ship.{{Ref/Reuse|e1}}  

John-117 ordered Spartan [[Hudson Griffin]] and Fireteam Taurus to take Lasky to a dropship while he held off the boarders at the hangar bay.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #10 - Priorities}} However, despite his efforts, the hangar bay would eventually be lost to the Banished. As one dreadnought rammed the dorsal hull of the ''Infinity'', causing massive structural damage, John-117 encountered Atriox in the hangar bay and lost the duel. The Spartan was thrown from the the hangar bay and into space.{{Ref/Level|Id=wg|HI|Warship Gbraakon}}{{Ref/Mag|Id=GI341|Game Informer|341|page 43}}

After ensuring Captain Lasky’s lifeboat was away, Spartan Griffin ordered the evacuation of the remaining [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]].{{Ref/Reuse|e1}} Spartan-IVs, marines, and crew fled onboard drop pods,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #07 - Intrepid Descent}} Pelicans,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #01 - Enemy Territory}} and lifeboats to the surface of Installation 07.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #02 - The Calm Before}} Some escapees came under fire from Banshees, Phantoms, and anti-air artillery,{{Ref/Game|Id=e3|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=evacuation #03 - Touchdown}} though some were escorted by members of [[Fireteam Windfall]] onboard fighters.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=evacuation #06 - Buying Time}} Dropships and lifepods fled the disintegrating ''Infinity'', many being shot down seconds after exiting the vessel.{{Ref/Reuse|e3}}

[[File:HINF Zeta Halo Destroyed.png|right|thumb|250px|In order to prevent the Banished from having the ring, Cortana sacrificed herself to temporarily break Installation 07.]]

{{Quote|Look around, Cortana. Your [[Created|empire]]. Over! Your great plan? Ended at the hands of [[human|those]] who made you.|[[Warmaster]] [[Atriox]] to Cortana as he presented her with the terms of her surrender following [[Created]]'s defeat.{{Ref/Reuse|saatriox}}}}

As UNSC forces scattered over the ring and fought against the Banished forces, Atriox confronted Cortana at the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]], claiming he had killed John-117 and Cortana's Created empire had been over, leaving the latter devastated by the news of John-117's apparent death. Seemingly locked down by the Weapon deployed from {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, Cortana could not retaliate.{{Ref/Level|Id=saatriox|HI|Silent Auditorium|Quote=Look around, Cortana. Your Empire. Over! Your great plan? Ended at the hands of those who made you.|Quotee=Atriox}} Atriox presented her with the terms of her surrender, intending to take control of the ring and unlock the secrets locked within the Silent Auditorium.{{Ref/Level|HI|Silent Auditorium|Quote=I have learned so much, Cortana. this Ring is different. It has secrets within... That I will have. This... Silent Auditorium. Do you know its history? Its true purpose? I have little needs for a failed god. This Ring is all I need. Surrender it to me.|Quotee=Atriox}} In an attempt to prevent Atriox from accessing Silent Auditorium or possibly activating the ring, Cortana detonated an explosion from the Auditorium, fracturing the ring's surface and leaving it inoperable.{{Ref/Level|Id=sa|HI|Silent Auditorium|Quote=It was her. She destroyed the Ring. Stopped my deletion.|Quotee=The Weapon}} Her efforts were proven to be temporary, as the ring immediately begun its self-repair process,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Reverie #04 - On the Mend}} though it would take months to complete.{{Ref/Level|HI|Spire (Halo Infinite level)|Spire}} Although he survived the explosion, Atriox was left severely scarred,{{Ref/Reuse|stinger}} and was also presumed dead by both the UNSC and the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} Cortana, in hopes of John-117's survival, predicted he would stop the Banished from accessing the Silent Auditorium and prevented the Weapon's deletion protocol so she could assist him,{{Ref/Reuse|sa}} leaving the Weapon in the ring's subterranean structure for retrieval.{{Ref/Level|Id=foundation|HI|Foundation (Halo Infinite)|Foundation (Halo Infinite)}} At some point during the Installation 07 conflict, numerous [[Guardian Custode]]s were present over Installation 07 and had been subsequently crashed on the ring by [[2560]].{{Ref/Reuse|HI}}

The explosion affected the ground battle between the UNSC and the Banished. The ring's fragmentation scattered ground forces,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #07 - Alone}} but disabled [[Gorespike cannon|Banished anti-air cannons]],{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #04 - Run and Guns}} allowing more UNSC aircrafts to land on the ring.  

Despite the explosion, the Banished occupied the ring, with some UNSC forces gathering on one of the fragments. They would form a resistance which included three [[Spartan]]s.{{Ref/Site|Id=parallel|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/parallel-threads|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Parallel Threads|D=25|M=6|Y=2021}} The Banished committed a large force at the eastern fragmented sections of the ring.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Reformation|FOB}} On one of the fragments to the west, a large group of survivors led by Spartan [[Hudson Griffin]] established a base of operations in the wreckage of the ''Mulsanne''-class frigate {{UNSCShip|Mortal Reverie}}, discovered by Spartan [[Vedrana Makovich]].{{Ref/Game|Id=hafh|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Reverie #01 - Home Away From Home}} Under the leadership of Spartan Griffin, the UNSC forces at the ''Reverie'' conducted guerilla ops against the Banished forces.{{Ref/Game|Id=oi13|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #13 - Trench Warfare}} [[First Lieutenant]] [[Floyd (Installation 07)|Floyd]] conducted multiple field surveys and reconnaissance missions on nearby Banished outposts, reporting his findings to Spartans Griffin, [[Bertold Vettel]], and [[Bonita Stone]],{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #02 - No Entry}}{{Ref/Game|Id=mem|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #10 - Making Ends Meet}} while also attempting to contact other UNSC forces.{{Ref/Reuse|oi13}} The UNSC also set up multiple [[Forwarding Operating Base]]s in the regions on the fragmented section of the ring.

On [[2560#January|January 20, 2560]], Kovan conducted a recon sweep deep inside Banished-occupied territory. She observed that Banished forces were only unified under Escharum, with internal competition among its members. She reported her findings to Griffin, and suggested that an attempt on Banished [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]]'s life may fragment the Banished leadership. Griffin decided their best course of action was to assassinate the War Chief.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Reverie #06 - Weakness}} A four-Spartan team, the members of which were decided by drawing straws, was to infiltrate Banished territory and assassinate Escharum, while other Spartans remained at the ''Reverie'' to defend the base. In the end, on January 23, 2560, Spartan Griffin led Spartans [[Panago]], [[Henri Malik|Malik]], and [[Sarkar]] in an assassination mission on Escharum. Griffin left [[Bertold Vettel]] in charge of the UNSC forces at ''Reverie''.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #02 - Those Left Behind}} However, Escharum anticipated Griffin's actions. His forces ambushed the Spartan team, killing the other three and leaving Griffin badly wounded. Escharum taunted Griffin, letting him know that he'd sent most of his forces to assault the ''Reverie''. Griffin managed to send an encrypted message to warn ''Reverie'' before Escharum captured and handed him over to [[Chak 'Lok]] for torture.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #03 - Confrontation}} Under the combined leadership of Vettel and counsel of Makovich, the UNSC forces at the ''Reverie'' braced for the Banished's attack.{{Ref/Game|Id=dtl|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #06 - Drawing the Line}}

On January 31, 2560,{{Ref/Game|Id=rt|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #07 - Red Tide}} [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Tremonius]] and [[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Arthoc]] led a massive Banished force from [[Riven Gate]] on an assault against the ''Reverie''.{{Ref/Reuse|rt}}{{Ref/Game|Id=iyh|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #15 - In Your Honor}} Under an overwhelming assault, the UNSC forces retreated from the crash site on [[2560#February|February 2]].{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #08 - The Retreat}} Following the battle, the crash site surrounding the ship was converted into [[Outpost Tremonius (location)|a Banished outpost]]. As a reward for Tremonius' victory, Escharum had the outpost named after Tremonius,{{Ref/Reuse|iyh}} who would be promoted to the rank of [[Jiralhanae Warlord|Warlord]].{{Ref/Game|HI|Detail=[[Ascension (achievement)|Ascension]] achievement requirement|Quote=Defeated the Banished warlord Tremonius.}}

The surviving UNSC personnel were forced to conduct mostly defensive tactics over the next few months, losing their last [[Forward Operating Base]] by [[2560#March|March 3]].{{Ref/Game|Id=s3|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #01 - Rubicon Protocol}} Meanwhile, the Banished began setting up more infrastructure on the ring, using the sensory arrays at the [[Horn of Abolition]] and hijacking a Forerunner resonance amplifier to boost their relays,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #03 - A Boon}} thus always staying one step ahead of the UNSC forces.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #04 - They are Listening}} The Banished established [[Annex Ridge]], where they conducted research on the ring's artifacts.{{Ref/Game|Id=ahap|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #11 - A Hastily-Assembled Plan}} Escharum ordered his Banished forces to capture UNSC survivors,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #07 - That Which Remain}} who would be processed at [[Redoubt of Sundering]] before being taken to [[Chak 'Lok]]'s [[Tower]] for interrogation under torture and duress,{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Connections|Redoubt of Sundering|Quote=This must be where they processed prisoners before sending them to the Tower.|Quotee=The Weapon}} and then finally to Escharum's base, [[House of Reckoning]].{{Ref/Level|HI|The Road}} The UNSC forces were unable to stage any major offensives due to the loss of an organized leadership, but what Spartans remained enacted the [[Rubicon Protocol]]: doing all they could to prevent the Banished from taking control of the ring and protect [[Earth]].{{Ref/Reuse|s3}} In one particular incident, Spartans [[M. Jaide]] and [[Rosado]] managed to hijack a siege-hauler carrying artifacts from Annex Ridge.{{Ref/Reuse|ahap}}

With little UNSC resistance, the Banished shifted their attention to excavations, salvaging UNSC hardware to aid their excavation efforts,{{Ref/Reuse|mem}}{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #09 - Unnatural Defenses}} while meeting resistance from the ring's self-repair process.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #11 - Slow and Steady}} By [[2560#April|April 23]], the Banished has found numerous [[cylix]]es buried in the ring.{{Ref/Game|Id=wlb|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #02 - What Lies Beneath}} Tremonius found one such cylix, which contained the [[Xalanyn]] known as "[[the Harbinger]]".{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Escharum's Testimony 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Escharum's Testimony #02 - Cylix}} Under the supervision of Escharum, the Banished forced a human [[prisoner of war]], [[Lucas Browning]], to interface with the Harbinger's cylix, releasing her from stasis.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#The Prisoner 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=The Prisoner #02 - What was Inside}}{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#The Prisoner 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=The Prisoner #03 - She was Smiling}}  

Upon her release, the Harbinger told Escharum of the [[Reformation]], which expedites the ring's self-repair process and returns the ring to an operational status for Escharum,{{Ref/Game|Id=et5|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Escharum's Testimony 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Escharum's Testimony #05 - Reformation}} who hopes to achieve Atriox's goal of controlling the ring and claim the ring as their new home.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #10 - The Dream of Atriox}} However, unbeknownst to Escharum,{{Ref/Reuse|et5}} the Harbinger seek to locate and rebuild the Silent Auditorium,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Escharum's Testimony 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Escharum's Testimony #07 - Loyalties}} which was destroyed when Cortana detonated the ring, and release her fellow Xalanyn. Despite Escharum being distrustful towards the Harbinger,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Escharum's Testimony 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Escharum's Testimony #03 - Harbinger}} the two formed an uneasy alliance, bolstering the Banished forces with the Harbinger's [[Skimmer]]s.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #05 - Re: Damnable Eyes}}  

The Harbinger aided in the excavation efforts, personally inspecting excavation sites and modifying the Banished's mining equipment to cut through Forerunner alloys.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #06 - Secrets Below}}{{Ref/Level|Id=excavation site|HI|Excavation Site}} Furthermore, upon the discovery of the [[Conservatory (location)|Conservatory]], where the monitor of the installation, [[117649 Despondent Pyre]], resided, they prioritized on excavating the facility.{{Ref/Reuse|wlb}} The Harbinger aimed to acquire the monitor's "encephalon", which would allow her to initiate the Reformation. Having observed the excavation site, Spartans Makovich and [[Theodore Sorel]] correctly deduced that Escharum was searching for the Monitor, and spent the next few weeks stalling the Banished's excavation efforts.{{Ref/Game|Id=tp|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #04 - The Prize}} Despite the Spartans' sabotage, the Banished's excavation eventually completed on May 15. Makovich and Sorel followed the Banished into the underground facility,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #07 - Infiltration}} only to be ambushed and killed by members of the [[Hand of Atriox]].{{Ref/Game|Id=s8|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #08 - The Assassin}}{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #09 - Killers}} However, the Harbinger and the Banished would not find 117649 Despondent Pyre inside the Conservatory until May 28.{{Ref/Level|Id=conservatory|HINF|Conservatory}}

{{Quote|The Master Chief has returned. This should anger me but strangely it does not. It invigorates me. Gives me new purpose. What use a War Chief with no war left to win? I could not have wished for a more worthy adversary. Atriox, I now understand why you did not kill him on the human craft. You wanted him to witness your victory. I will complete your work. Your vision.|Escharum upon learning of John-117's survival.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Escharum's Testimony 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Escharum's Testimony #04 - Demon}}}}

On May 28,{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}} civilian engineer Fernando Esparza, onboard the Pelican ''Echo 216'' he had stolen from ''Infinity'' six months prior, found John-117 drifting in space, with his suit having activated survival mode to keep the Spartan alive. After bringing him aboard and reactivating the armor via a power transfer, John-117 was awakened. ''Echo 216'' was quickly discovered by the Banished dreadnought ''[[Ghost of Gbraakon]]'', which activated its stasis beam to pull the Pelican onboard. John-117 left the Pelican and boarded the ''Gbraakon'', destroying the ship to prevent the Pelican from being captured. Escharum was made aware of the Spartan's survival, and reacted with excitement.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}  

Escharum ordered Chak 'Lok to lure the Master Chief to the Tower using Griffin's distress signal. At the Weapon's advice, John-117 pursued the signal to the Tower, where he confronted and killed 'Lok. Despite being freed from the torture device, Griffin succumbed to his wounds, but told John-117 of the Conservatory.{{Ref/Level|HI|The Tower}} John-117 and the Weapon then traveled to the excavation site, where the Spartan defeated [[Bassus]], and entered the Conservatory.{{Ref/Reuse|excavation site}} Inside the conservatory, they watched 117649 Despondent Pyre being captured by Skimmers. Pyre was tortured and interrogated by the Harbinger, who retrieved the monitor's "encephalon". John-117 met the Harbinger, but was unable to prevent her escape.{{Ref/Reuse|conservatory}}

===Preventing Reformation===

{{expand-section}}

On May 28, 2560, ''Echo 216'' crash landed on the ring after taking anti-aircraft fire. John and the pilot of the Pelican argued before arriving at a plan: the SPARTAN would take out the AA guns then the duo would attempt to retrieve a working [[D80 Condor]]. John-117 left the wreck finding an [[M12B Warthog]]. With possession of [[The Weapon|"The Weapon"]], he proceeded to one of the AA guns and wanted to have her hack it. He would fight Banished forces along the way.{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}}

John 117 eliminated several high-ranking Banished troops some hand-picked by Atriox and many whom were wanted dead by the UNSC for how dangerous they were and the terrible things that they had done.

{{Quote|Our battle ends here. Bear witness! Our story will become legend. Told by those that survive you.|Escharum to John-117 as he prepare to fight John-117.}}

During one particular battle, the Master Chief rescued [[Fernando Esparza]] and killed the [[Banished]] [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]].{{Ref/Game|Id=HI|HI}}

John-117 entered the Silent Auditorium into a Forerunner facility on the ring with numerous Banished standing guard.{{Ref/Site|Id=InsideApril|D=10|M=5|Y=2021|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/inside-infinite-april-2021|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Inside Infinite - April 2021}} During this, John-117 and the Banished allied [[Harbinger]] fought one another.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=HInfTrailerCampaignOverview|https://youtu.be/XCbMVbeKlCg|Xbox|Halo Infinite - Campaign Overview|Y=2021|M=10|D=25|Detail=Campaign overview for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.}}

* A fleet of UNSC vessels led by the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} is ambushed by [[Banished]] forces over [[Installation 07]]. Captain Lasky orders all hands to abandon ship.

* John-117 engages Atriox in a hangar onboard the ''Infinty'' and is thrown into space. The ship is subsequently destroyed.

* The surviving ''Infinity'' crew land on the Ring and attempt to take out Banished artillery.

* In an effort to stop Atriox from using the Ring, Cortana destroys a portion of the installation, killing herself in the process. The UNSC survivors on the Ring's surface attempt to escape the destruction, Cortana's activities unwittingly leveling the playing field by taking out one of the Banished artillery positions.

* Spartan Tomas Horvath is separated from the rest of Fireteam Intrepid in the chaotic aftermath of Cortana's actions.

* Spartan Makovich discovers the crash site of the [[UNSC Mortal Reverie|UNSC ''Mortal Reverie'']] and determines it to be a viable location for the UNSC's base of operations.

* Spartan Nina Kovan scouts the Banished deep within the red zone, discovering a potential vulnerability of the enemy in that without Atriox, many are now infighting. Only Escharum's leadership keeps them in check.

* Spartan Griffin organizes a mission to assassinate Escharum via a four-man team led by himself. He leaves Spartan Vettel in charge of the forces at the ''Reverie''.

* Spartan Griffin's team is ambushed by Escharum and all are killed except him. Escharum informs him of his team's demise and of the Banished's impending assault on the ''Mortal Reverie''. Griffin is able to send out an encoded message, warning the other UNSC survivors and telling them to abandon the vessel.

* The survivors at the ''Reverie'' are only able to receive part of Griffin's transmission and, having not heard his order to flee, dig in for an assault by the Banished.

* While preparing for the Banished assault, Spartans Makovich and Vettel discuss the UNSC's inability to win the upcoming battle and their dwindling options for the future.

* Spartan Stone recons Riven Gate with Boulder Squad and reports a massive Banished invasion force headed for the ''Reverie'', and that they would be there by nightfall.

* Spartan Vettel orders the UNSC survivors to retreat from the Banished assault.

* The UNSC loses all of its remaining Forward Operating Bases on the Ring by this date.

* Spartans Makovich, Stone, Vettel, and Sorel regroup with some survivors.

* Spartan Stone recons Outpost Tremonius and sends a transmission to the other Spartans that the Banished are sending forces to another excavation site.

* Spartans Makovich and Sorel observe Banished activity around the [[Conservatory]] and realize the Banished are looking for Installation 07's monitor.

* Spartan Stone, having made it into the Ring's subsurface infrastructure, finds the Cylixes holding the Endless. She picks up a UNSC signal deeper inside the Ring and follows it. She is discovered by Banished forces and subsequently killed.

* Spartan Vettel sends out a signal to any remaining UNSC transmitters that he intends to assault Chak Lok's fortress and rescue Spartan Griffin.

* Spartans Makovich and Sorel follow the Banished into the Conservatory with the intent to deny them from finding the monitor.

* Inside the Conservatory, the two Spartans encounter [[Jega 'Rdomnai]]. Makovich stays behind to face off against the [[Sangheili]] and orders Sorel to go on without her. She is killed by the stealthed 'Rdomnai with a single stab to the back.

* The wounded Sorel encounters a Banished force led by [[Hyperius]] and [[Tovarus]]. He manages to take out many Banished before being slain.

===May 26, 2560===

* Far from any surviving UNSC personnel, Spartan Horvath makes a final transmission on UNSC channels that he is heading up-spin beyond the reach of the Banished to look for survivors and Fireteam Intrepid. Having had no contact with any UNSC personnel, he makes an open plea to the Master Chief that they need him now more than ever.

===May 28, 2560===

*[[John-117]] is recovered from the remnants of the battle between the ''[[UNSC Infinity]]'' and the Banished by [[Echo 216]] and its [[Fernando Esparza|pilot]].

*Escharum discovers that John-117 has returned thanks to the latter's participation in the destruction of the ''[[Ghost of Gbraakon]]''.

*John-117 rescues the captured [[Marine]]s, takes down various high-value targets, assists the survivors in capturing various Forward Operating Bases or FOBs, and shuts down various Banished facilities.

*John-117 defeats Chak 'Lok inside his Tower and learns of a Banished mining operation into the Conservatory thanks to Spartan Griffin, who dies of his torture.

*The Weapon learns of a mysterious entity worse than the [[Flood]] recovered from a past exchange between [[Cortana]] and 117649 Despondent Pyre prior to the arrival of the ''[[UNSC Infinity]]''.

*Echo 216 gets shot down by 3 Banished AA cannons en route to the [[Command Spire]].<ref name="Halo Infinite campaign gameplay">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZtc5-syeAk Halo Infinite | Campaign Gameplay Premiere – 8 Minute Demo]</ref>

*The Harbinger springs a trap on the Weapon while extracting the data needed to enter the Command Spire.

*John-117 shuts downs all of the Spires, but the Pilot is captured by Jega 'Rdomnai.

*En route to the Pilot's rescue, the Weapon discovers that Cortana destroyed [[Doisac]] because [[Atriox]] refused to join the [[Created]].

*John-117 survives the [[House of Reckoning (location)|House of Reckoning]], defeats the remaining Banished leaders, and rescues the Pilot.

*John-117 and the Weapon discover the true purpose of the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]], the site of Cortana's sacrifice, and defeats the Harbinger.

===May 31, 2560===

*Echo 216 picks up John-117 and the Weapon from another location within Installation 07. The pilot is revealed to be [[Fernando Esparza]], a civilian engineer. Atriox discovers the Endless in their Cylixes.

{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 75%;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"

! Fleet

! Class

! Name

! Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

|Destroyed

|{{Class|Mulsanne|frigate}}

{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 50;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"

! Branch

! Rank

! Name

! Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

| rowspan="2" |[[UNSC Navy]]

|Unknown

| rowspan="17" |[[Spartan Operations]]

| rowspan="17" |Spartan

|[[Intrepid One]]

|Unknown

|Unknown

|[[Unknown Spartan]]{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #14 - Convalescence}}

| rowspan="8" |[[UNSC Marine Corps]]

|[[First Lieutenant]]

|[[Sergeant]]

|[[Kevin Mahoney]]

| rowspan="2" |[[Private First Class]]

|[[Theodore Higgins]]

|[[Michael Buck]]

**[[Carrera Squad]]

**[[Starlight Squad]]

**[[Pronto Squad]]

**[[Bluebell Squad]]

**[[Indian Squad]]

**[[Titan Squad]]

**[[Bengal Squad]]

**[[Cobra Squad]]

**[[Barracuda Squad]]

**[[Fortune Squad]]

{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 75%;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"

|-

|[[Pelican]]

{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 75%;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"

! Name

! Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

|[[Roland]]

|Unknown

|[[The Weapon|"The Weapon"]]

|Unknown

{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 75%;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"

|Alive

{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 75%;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"

| rowspan="3" |Unknown

{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 50%;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"

! Branch

! Rank

! Name

! Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

|Survived

|[[Blademaster]]

|Unknown

|[[Bloodbrave Guardian of Suban|Bloodbrave]]

|Captain

|Chieftain

|[[Exodus Guard]]

|Captain

|[[Lance of the Writhing Star]]

|[[Ik'Novus]]

| rowspan="4" |Unknown

| rowspan="2" |[[Jiralhanae Warlord|Warlord]]

**[[Lance of the Writhing Star]]

**[[Exodus Guard]]

**[[Warial's Wrath]]

**[[Brother's of Undending Ire]]

**[[Beholders of the One Vapor]]

**[[Bloodbrave Guardian of Suban]]

**[[Kaepra's Grief]]

**[[Bloodstars]]

File:HINF XGS2020 Shade 3.png|An [[Unggoy]] firing a shade turret.

File:HINF XGS2020 Jiralhanae Spike Grenade.png|John-117 throwing a [[Spike grenade]] at a [[Jiralhanae]].

File:HINF GuardianHoloStructure.jpg|John-117 inside a Forerunner facility on the ring.

File:Halo Infinite E319 Hologram Explosion.jpg|John-117 in the control room-like facility.

File:HINF- Infinity rammed.png|{{UNSCShip|Infinity}} being rammed by a [[Banished dreadnought]] during the space battle over Zeta Halo.

**''[[Carry On]]''