Editing Battle for Zeta Halo

|image=[[File:Battle for Zeta Halo compilation.png|400px]]<br>Clockwise from top left: The {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} being rammed by a [[Banished dreadnought]], [[Elena Bobrov]] and UNSC Marines watching a Banished patrol, the [[boat crew]] looking over the remains of the ring, the [[House of Reckoning (location)|House of Reckoning]], [[Fernando Esparza]] helping to brief an awakened [[John-117]], and [[Atriox]] using a device to find the [[Xalanyn]].

|prev= * [[Battle for the Domain]]

* [[Razing of Oth Sonin]]

*Installation 07, unknown star system {{c|from December 13, 2559, onwards}}

*Destruction of [[Cortana]] and consequent deactivation of the Guardians.{{Ref/Reuse|sa}}

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

*Installation 07's new location broadcast to UNSC space by the [[boat crew]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp35|TRP|35}}

*Recovery of [[John-117]] by [[Echo 216]].{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}

*Discovery of the [[Xalanyn|Endless]] by [[Atriox]].{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}

**[[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]]{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 4|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #03 - A Boon|Quote= Pioneer Guard Vomarus, Legion of the Corpse Moon}}

|side4    =*{{Icon|Forerunner}} [[Created]] {{c|December 12, 2559}}{{Ref/Reuse|saatriox}}

*At least 8 [[Banished dreadnought|dreadnought]]s

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

Warmaster Atriox personally led Banished raiding parties aboard the ''Infinity'' in search of the Weapon,{{Ref/Reuse|ia4}}{{Ref/Quest|HI|Reformation|The Sequence|Quote=Atriox came for you. He attacked the Infinity. We fought. He won.|Quotee=John-117}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFNY|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-new-year-new-lore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - New Year, New Lore|D=23|M=01|Y=2023|Quote=The Banished, however, simultaneously initiated boarding action to compromise the ship’s hangar bays, led by Atriox himself who had come to claim the Weapon—though she had already been deployed to the ring.}} 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 to proceed with the mission to lock down Cortana.{{Ref/Game|Id=ia5|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #05 - Zero Hour}} Under the overwhelming assault, Lasky ordered all hands aboard the ''Infinity'' to abandon ship.{{Ref/Reuse|e1}}  

John-117 ordered Fireteam Taurus to escort 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, Atriox fought John-117 in the hangar bay and defeated the Spartan. The limp Spartan was thrown from the hangar bay and into space.{{Ref/Quest|Id=wg|HI|Ringfall|Warship Gbraakon}}{{Ref/Mag|Id=GI341|Game Informer|341|page 43}}

In the end, the outcome of the space battle saw at least two ''Mulsanne''-class frigates, including the {{UNSCShip|Mortal Reverie}},{{Ref/Game|Id=hafh|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Reverie #01 - Home Away From Home}} crashing on the fragmented section of the ring. The second frigate crashed between the three Gorespike cannons.{{Ref/Quest|Id=pdown|HI|Graveyards|[[Pelican Down (Halo Infinite level)|Pelican Down]]}} A third frigate was bisected, leaving its remains drifting in space.{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Ringfall|Warship Gbraakon|Detail=[[:File:HINF Warship G engines overload.png|A bisected frigate can be seen from the bridge viewport]]}} Although the status of the UNSC ''Infinity'' is unknown aside from having suffered heavy damage from Banished vessels,{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} she may have broke apart and crash landed on the ring.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=GameInformer|fSNXqbbAjC4|Game Informer|Halo Infinite Impressions: Exploration, Upgrades, and More|Time=9:17}}{{Ref/Site|Id=GIInf|URL=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/11/11/off-the-golden-path-progression-and-exploration-in-halo-infinite|Site=Game Informer|Page=Off The Golden Path – Progression And Exploration In Halo Infinite|D=11|M=11|Y=2021|Quote=[...] while rallying the UNSC forces that have crash-landed there after the devastating destruction crash of the UNSC Infinity.}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|infinity}}

While UNSC forces scattered over the ring and fought against the Banished forces, Atriox confronted Cortana at the Silent Auditorium, claiming he had killed John-117 and Cortana's Created empire was over, leaving the latter devastated by the news of John-117's apparent death. Having consolidated her presence and core processes at the Silent Auditorium and seemingly locked down by the Weapon deployed from {{UNSCShip|Infinity}},{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} Cortana realized her mistakes but could not retaliate.{{Ref/Quest|Id=saatriox|HI|Endless|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 access the secrets locked within the Silent Auditorium.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Endless|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 activate the ring, Cortana initiated a local self-destruction sequence at the Auditorium, killing herself, fracturing the ring's surface, and leaving the installation inoperable for the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}}{{Ref/Quest|Id=sareveal|HI|Endless|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 soon 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/Quest|Id=spire|HI|Connections|Spire (Halo Infinite level)|Spire}} Although he survived the explosion, Atriox was left severely scarred,{{Ref/Reuse|stinger}} and was also presumed dead by the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} Cortana, in hopes of John-117's survival, predicted he would stop the Banished from accessing the Silent Auditorium; she prevented the Weapon's deletion protocol so she could assist him,{{Ref/Reuse|sareveal}} leaving the Weapon in the ring's subterranean structure for retrieval.{{Ref/Quest|Id=foundation|HI|Ringfall|Foundation (Halo Infinite)|Foundation (Halo Infinite)}} At some point during the Installation 07 conflict, at least one [[Guardian Custode]] was present over Installation 07 and subsequently deactivated, crashing on the ring by [[2560]].{{Ref/Reuse|guardian}}

During the destruction event, Cortana also initiated an emergency translocation protocol, intending to disorient the Banished and stall their efforts.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} Installation 07, along with the debris from the space battle, was transported away from the Ephsu system to an unknown location.{{Ref/Game|Id=oi9|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #09 - To Andrew Valleros}} The explosion also affected the ground battle between the UNSC and the Banished. The ring's fragmentation scattered UNSC ground forces,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #07 - Alone}} but disabled the third Gorespike cannon, allowing more UNSC aircrafts to land on the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|r4}}

Despite the explosion, the Banished possessed a larger control of the ring, with some UNSC forces gathering on one of the fragments.{{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 November}} this region became known as the "Red Zone".{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp13|TRP|13}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp14|TRP|14}}{{Ref/Game|HI|Id=r6|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Reverie #06 - Weakness}} The Banished had deployed their [[Banished outpost|prefabricated outposts]],{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp6|TRP|6}} [[Banished Harvester|resource harvesters]],{{Ref/Game|HI|Id=r2|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Reverie 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Reverie #02 - Debrief}} and signal disruptors as well as broadcast towers—these continually interfered with the UNSC's short-range communications and made long-range communications nearly impossible.{{Ref/Reuse|rp13}} The Banished also endeavored to find alternate means to take control of the ring; the Bloodstar [[Gorian]] searched for the ring's [[Conspectus network]] hubs, which would grant him access to the ring's defense systems. Gorian stole [[Kate Stalling]]'s research on the Conspectus network and directed the excavation operations to locate the facilities.{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp22|RP|22}}

On one of the fragments to the west, a large group of survivors led by Commander [[Etana Hensler]] and Spartan [[Hudson Griffin]] established a base of operations in the wreckage of the ''Mulsanne''-class frigate {{UNSCShip|Mortal Reverie}},{{Ref/Reuse|rp13}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp9|TRP|9}} discovered by Spartan [[Vedrana Makovich]].{{Ref/Reuse|hafh}} Numerous survivors from the ''Infinity'' gathered at the crash site, including naval personnel, army troopers, marines, ODSTs, and Spartans; however, the remaining half of the survivors held no prior combat experience, being [[Unified Earth Government]] personnel, scientists, retail specialists, and support staff.{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp15|TRP|15}} Lieutenant [[TJ Murphy]] was put in charge of providing military training to supply staff and non-military personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|rp13}} Under the leadership of Commander Hensler and Spartan Griffin,{{Ref/Reuse|rp13}} the UNSC forces at the ''Reverie'' ran numerous 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 [[Forward Operating Base]]s in the regions on the fragmented section of the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|s1}} The bases were hastily deployed to monitor Banished activities and launch incursions against raiding parties, supply depots, and other targets, but by [[2560#January|January 2560]], only a handful remained within UNSC control. Although the ''Infinity'' launched its sophisticated array of [[UNSC battle network]] communications satellites upon the ambush, most appeared to have been destroyed by the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|rp13}}

On [[2560#January|January 20, 2560]], Stone and Kovan conducted a recon sweep deep inside the Red Zone.{{Ref/Reuse|rp14}} They observed that Banished forces were only unified under Escharum, with internal competition among its members. Kovan reported their findings to Griffin, and suggested that an attempt on Banished [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]]'s life may fragment the Banished leadership.{{Ref/Reuse|r6}} 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]] on an assassination mission on Escharum. Griffin left [[Bertold Vettel]] in his stead with Hensler to co-lead the UNSC forces at the ''Reverie''.{{Ref/Reuse|rp15}}{{Ref/Game|Id=tlb|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|Id=r3c|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #03 - Confrontation}} Under the combined leadership of Vettel and the 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 the evening of January 31,{{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 (location)|Riven Gate]] in [[Battle of the Mortal Reverie|an assault on 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|Id=r8tr|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|[[Ascension (achievement)|Ascension]] achievement requirement|Quote=Defeated the Banished warlord Tremonius.}} Pursued by small Banished parties, UNSC survivors scattered and fled into mountains or the surrounding area. Escharum ordered Banished troops to capture human survivors and collect dead Spartans from the battlefield—making it impossible for escapees to scavenge gear from their dead comrades.{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp18|TRP|18}}

[[File:HINF BanishedCampConcept.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Following the fall of the ''Reverie'', the Banished consolidated their control over the ring; Banished outposts were constructed at strategic locations, especially around key Forerunner structures.]]

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=s1|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #01 - Rubicon Protocol}} Small, unofficial UNSC squads—such as the [[Gravediggers]], [[Hatetriox]], and the [[boat crew]]—survived by roaming the region and conducted guerilla operations where able; an ongoing leaderboard of kills and accomplishments circulated by word of mouth.{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp21|TRP|21}} Meanwhile, the Banished began setting up more infrastructure on the ring. They built sensory arrays at the [[Horn of Abolition (location)|Horn of Abolition]] and hijacked 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|Id=tal|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #04 - They are Listening}} They also established [[Annex Ridge (location)|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}} [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] were be processed at [[Redoubt of Sundering (location)|Redoubt of Sundering]] before being taken to [[Chak 'Lok]]'s [[Tower]] for interrogation under torture and duress.{{Ref/Reuse|rp20}}{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Connections|Redoubt of Sundering|Quote=This must be where they processed prisoners before sending them to the Tower.|Quotee=The Weapon}} Many were transported to Escharum's base, the [[House of Reckoning (location)|House of Reckoning]],{{Ref/Reuse|tower}} where they went through the Trials of Atriox: a ritual in which they defend a large room from multiple waves of Banished troops. If they survived, they were fed food and water, then went through the trial again on the next day.{{Ref/Novel|Id=tor|Halo: Trial of Reckoning}} 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]] on March 3: doing all they could to prevent the Banished from taking control of the ring and protect [[Earth]].{{Ref/Reuse|s1}} In one particular incident, Spartans [[M. Jaide|Jaide]] and [[Rosado]] managed to hijack a [[Barukaza Workshop 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, [[Itacus]] forced a human prisoner, [[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}}  

 

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/Quest|Id=excavation site|HI|Connections|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 [[Site Novem|the excavation site]], Spartans Makovich and [[Theodore Sorel]] correctly deduced that Escharum was searching for the Monitor. Over the next three weeks, the two stalled the Banished's excavation efforts by sabotaging the excavation machinery and disrupting supply lines.{{Ref/Game|Id=tp|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #04 - The Prize}} Despite Makovich and Sorel's sabotage efforts, the Banished completed the excavation by May 15. Makovich and Sorel followed the Banished into the underground facility,{{Ref/Game|Id=s7i|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #07 - Infiltration}} but they were 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|Id=s9|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #09 - Killers}} However, the Harbinger and the Banished would not find Despondent Pyre inside the Conservatory until the Master Chief's return circa May 28.{{Ref/Quest|Id=conservatory|HI|Connections|Conservatory}}

 

 

 

On May 14, the boat crew translocated to the vicinity of a beacon tower near the Conservatory. Kovan successfully broadcasted the ring's location into space using a beacon tower, hoping to draw UNSC reinforcements to Zeta Halo.{{Ref/Reuse|rp35}} However, the Banished was alerted to the presence of the boat crew, and led reinforcements to their slained guards at the beacon tower.{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp36|TRP|36}} In [[Battle of the beacon tower|the ensuing battle]], while Kovan fought off Banished troops,{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp39|TRP|39}} Horvath managed to kill Gorian, but was teleported away.{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp38|RP|38}} At this point, the boat crew has taken multiple casualties, leaving only three survivors: Kovan, [[Erik Bender]], and [[Robin Dimik]]. As the Banished surrounded the trio, they were rescued by Veridity, who flew in and fired her [[focus beam]] at the Banished, then teleported the survivors to a safe location elsewhere on the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|rp39}}

[[File:HINF FoundHope.png|thumb|left|250px|After being lost for over six months, John-117 was eventually found by [[Fernando Esparza|a civilian engineer]], turning the tide of the war on Installation 07.]]

With the Harbinger modifying the sequence, John-117 and the Weapon arrived at the Command Spire to find its entrance under lockdown. They fought through Banished defenses to access four Forerunner beacons nearby, where the Weapon reconstructed a pure version of the sequence to access the Spire. The Harbinger, having realized that there is something guiding the Master Chief, scanned the Weapon and confirmed her existence while the Weapon was accessing the data strands beneath the Forerunner beacons.{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}} John-117 and the Weapon returned to the Command Spire, first passing through the Nexus located at the base of the Spire. The Banished troops inside, despite being reinforced by [[Sentinel Aggressor]]s that were in support of initiating the Reformation, failed to fend off the Spartan, and John-117 uploaded the Weapon into the Nexus to activate the gravity lift to access the Spire. While the Weapon was in the system, the Harbinger hijacked the Weapon's routines,{{Ref/Reuse|nexus}} which, when paired with Despondent Pyre's encephalon,{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}} would correctly initialize the Reformation. However, the Weapon infiltrated the systems and retrieved Pyre's encephalon, that would allow her to halt the Reformation.{{Ref/Reuse|nexus}} John-117 and the Weapon entered the Command Spire, where they defeated the Banished and Sentinel defenses, including Adjutant Resolution, then shut down the Reformation.{{Ref/Quest|Id=commandspire|HI|Reformation|The Command Spire}} However, the Silent Auditorium was already partially rebuilt, and Escharum asked the Harbinger if that would be sufficient to carry out her plans, but she was unsure.{{Ref/Reuse|repository}}

{{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.{{Ref/Quest|Id=hor|HI|Reckoning|House of Reckoning}}}}

When Fernando Esparza flew ''Echo 216'' towards the crumbling Command Spire to pick up John-117, Jega 'Rdomnai revealed himself in the cockpit, having boarded the Pelican at some point.{{Ref/Reuse|commandspire}} The Sangheili took Esparza hostage, using the pilot as a bait to lure John-117 into a confrontation with Escharum.{{Ref/Reuse|repository}} To escape the crumbling Spire, John-117 entered a portal activated by the Weapon.{{Ref/Reuse|commandspire}} They were transported to the Repository, where they fought through Banished troops and Sentinels to the surface,{{Ref/Reuse|repository}} and, from there, they stormed the House of Reckoning, destroying the Banished defenses along the way.{{Ref/Quest|Id=road|HI|Reckoning|The Road (level)|The Road}} Inside, Escharum had John-117 fight through multiple waves of Banished troops in two arenas constructed from UNSC ordnance and buildings. John-117 fought Jega 'Rdomnai in a duel, emerging victorious and finally confronting Escharum at the chamber where Esparza was held. Escharum protected himself with a shielding system which redirected gunfire to the gravity wells holding Esparza. The Weapon helped John-117 locate and destroy the relay transmitters supporting the shielding system, allowing the Spartan to breach the shields and take down Escharum. In his final moments, Escharum assured John-117 that his death will only inspire further conflict.{{Ref/Reuse|hor}} However, after Escharum's death, Atriox would make his survival known, giving the Banished a newfound resolve and confidence to fight for the control of the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} With Esparza rescued, the trio recovered ''Echo 216'' and Esparza flew John-117 to the Silent Auditorium to stop the Harbinger.{{Ref/Reuse|hor}}

Although the Banished set up defenses at the Silent Auditorium to protect the Harbinger, John-117 breached the main chamber with the help of Adjutant Resolution. The Spartan fought through the Banished forces defending the Harbinger, and the Harbinger herself as she interfaced with the transmitters in the main chamber to locate members of her species, the Endless. Despite the Weapon's attempt to intervene with the transmission, and John-117 defeating the Harbinger in battle, the Harbinger claimed her people have been found, and that they would be unleashed. The Auditorium began to collapse, but a portal suddenly appeared, allowing the two to escape. On the other side of the portal, they found themselves having traveled three days into the future. They were extracted by ''Echo 216'', and taken to Outpost Tremonius with the intention of finishing the fight.{{Ref/Quest|Id=sa|HI|Endless|Silent Auditorium}}

In the following days John-117, with the assistance of both Esparza and the Weapon, carried out anti-Banished operations and UNSC rescue missions. He managed to destroy eight Banished outposts, recapture eleven more FOBs, rescue twenty-five Marine squads and kill fourteen high-ranking members of the Banished plus the leader of a Gasgira patrol group known as [[Skimmer Alpha]]. Meanwhile, Atriox, having survived the destruction of the Auditorium, discovered the whereabouts of the Endless and finally released them from their one hundred thousand years of imprisonment. Atriox's sudden return gave to the Banished a newfound resolve and confidence.{{Ref/Book|Id=En423|Enc22|Page=423}}

* A [[Banished]] fleet led by [[Atriox]] arrived at [[Installation 07]] and began building fortifications on the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}}

* A fleet of UNSC vessels led by the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} is ambushed by Banished forces over Installation 07.{{Ref/Reuse|ia4}} [[The Weapon]] is deployed to the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|ia5}} Captain [[Thomas Lasky]] orders all hands to abandon ship.{{Ref/Reuse|e1}}  

* The surviving ''Infinity'' crew make landfall on the ring. [[Fireteam Taurus]] disables two Banished [[Kywasky Workshop Gorespike cannon]]s in an area south of the Silent Auditorium.{{Ref/Game|Id=e5|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #05 - Overwatch}}{{Ref/Reuse|r4}}

* In an effort to stop the Banished from taking control of the ring, Cortana detonates an explosion from the Silent Auditorium, fragmenting Installation 07 and killing herself and apparently Atriox in the process.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}}{{Ref/Reuse|sareveal}} Various UNSC survivors on the ring's surface attempt to escape the destruction. Cortana's explosion unwittingly levelled the playing field in the fragmented section of the ring by taking out the third and last Banished Gorespike cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|r4}}

*During the destruction event, Cortana initiated an emergency translocation protocol. Installation 07, along with the debris from the space battle, were transported away from the [[Ephsu system]] to an unknown location.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}}{{Ref/Reuse|oi9}}

* Spartan [[Vedrana Makovich]] discovers the crash site of the {{UNSCShip|Mortal Reverie}} and determines it to be a viable location for the UNSC's base of operations.{{Ref/Reuse|hafh}}

* Spartans [[Bonita Stone]] and [[Nina Kovan]] scout out the Banished territory Red Zone,{{Ref/Reuse|rp14}} deducing a potential vulnerability of the enemy in that infighting is encouraged. They deduced that only [[Escharum]]'s leadership keeps them in check.{{Ref/Reuse|r6}}

* Spartan [[Hudson Griffin]] leads Spartans [[Panago]], [[Henri Malik|Malik]], and [[Sarkar]] on a mission to assassinate Escharum.{{Ref/Reuse|tlb}} Spartan [[Bertold Vettel]] takes over his place and joins Commander [[Etana Hensler]] to lead the forces at the ''Reverie''.{{Ref/Reuse|rp15}}

* Spartan Griffin's team is ambushed by Escharum and all are killed except for Griffin. Escharum taunts him of his team's demise and of the Banished's [[Battle of the Mortal Reverie|impending assault on the ''Mortal Reverie'']]. Griffin is able to send out an encoded message, warning the UNSC survivors at the ''Reverie''.{{Ref/Reuse|r3c}}{{Ref/Reuse|rp15}}

* The survivors at the ''Reverie'' receive a part of Griffin's transmission and prepare for an assault by the Banished.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #05 - Encroachment}}{{Ref/Reuse|rp15}}

* Banished Jiralhanae Chieftain [[Tremonius]] and Captain [[Arthoc]] gathers a massive Banished assault force at [[Riven Gate (location)|Riven Gate]].{{Ref/Reuse|iyh}} Spartan Stone and [[Boulder Squad]] conduct a recon sweep at Riven Gate. Stone reports her findings to ''Mortal Reverie'', and warns the ''Reverie'' that the Banished would arrive by nightfall.{{Ref/Reuse|rt}}

* Spartan Vettel orders the UNSC survivors to retreat from the ''Reverie'' under the Banished assault.{{Ref/Reuse|r8tr}} The survivors scattered and fled into mountains or the surrounding area. Many are killed or captured by Banished pursuers.{{Ref/Reuse|rp18}}

* Spartans Makovich, Vettel, and [[Theodore Sorel|Sorel]] declare the enactment of [[Rubicon Protocol]].{{Ref/Reuse|s1}}{{Ref/Reuse|rp21}}

* Using [[Lucas Browning]] as a [[Reclaimer]], the Banished release the [[Harbinger]] from her [[cylix]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp25|RP|25}}

 

* Having observed aircraft from Escharum's personal fleet flying towards [[Outpost Tremonius (location)|Outpost Tremonius]],{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp24|TRP|24}} members of the boat crew—including Nina Kovan, Bonita Stone, [[TJ Murphy]], [[Erik Bender]], [[Robin Dimik]], and [[Isaiah Cameron]]—investigate the outpost.{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp26|TRP|26}}

* After Spartan Stone shares that she saw Browning at Outpost Tremonius, Spartan Kovan attempts to rescue Browning during the evening, to no avail.{{Ref/Reuse|rp26}}

* Separated from Kovan following their escape from the outpost, Stone explores the subterranean Forerunner structures. She sends a transmission to Makovich and Sorel that the Banished are sending forces to [[Site Novem|another excavation site]].{{Ref/Reuse|wlb}}{{Ref/Reuse|rp25}}

* Spartan Stone, while in the subterranean structures, finds the cylixes holding the Xalanyn. She picks up a UNSC signal deeper inside the facility.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #05 - Uncharted}} She finds Gorian and Jega 'Rdomnai accessing the [[Conspectus network]] data; Stone attacks the excavation team, stealing the data node,{{Ref/Reuse|rp28}} but was killed by 'Rdomnai during her escape.{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}} Before she was killed, however, Stone order her personal AI [[Ouco]] to copy the data into a [[data crystal chip]] and corrupted the original node, rendering it useless when 'Rdomnai recovers the date node.{{Ref/Reuse|rp28}}

 

* After confronting Kovan, Murphy leads the boat crew and infiltrates the subterranean structure underneath Outpost Tremonius. They discover Stone's body and recover the data chip containing the Conspectus network data. After they escape deeper into the structure, they met [[091 Adjutant Veridity]], who reveals the nature of the data. The boat crew agrees to release [[117649 Despondent Pyre]] from lockdown at the [[Conservatory (location)|Conservatory]] to decrypt the data.{{Ref/Reuse|rp30}}

* 117649 Despondent Pyre is released from lockdown by Spartan Horvath at the Conservatory's cradle.{{Ref/Reuse|rp34}}

* After learning of the Harbinger's release, Pyre gives the boat crew a data key that will allow them to broadcast a superluminal message into human-occupied space.{{Ref/Reuse|rp34}}

* Pyre refuses Veridity's request to follow the boat crew to a beacon tower; the monitor and her sub-monitors formulate a plan to counter the Harbinger.{{Ref/Reuse|rp34}}

* The boat crew [[Battle of the beacon tower|accesses]] one of the ring's [[beacon tower]]s and broadcasts Zeta Halo's new coordinates to UNSC space.{{Ref/Reuse|rp36}}

* Murphy, Cameron, and Gorian are all killed in the battle at the beacon tower.{{Ref/Reuse|rp35}}{{Ref/Reuse|rp36}} Spartan Horvath is teleported to an isolated location on the ring via a translocation pad,{{Ref/Reuse|rp39}} which is destroyed by a [[Thrasher missile]].{{Ref/Reuse|rp38}}

* The surviving members of boat crew—Kovan, Bender, and Dimik—are rescued by 091 Adjutant Veridity and teleported to another location on the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|rp38}}

* Inside the Conservatory, the two Spartans encounter [[Jega 'Rdomnai]]. Makovich stays behind to hold off the Sangheili and tells Sorel to go on without her.{{Ref/Reuse|s8}} She is killed by 'Rdomnai.{{Ref/Reuse|conservatory}}

* The wounded Sorel encounters a Banished force led by [[Hyperius]] and [[Tovarus]]. He manages to take out multiple Banished troops before being slain.{{Ref/Reuse|s9}}

===May 25, 2560===

* Far from any surviving UNSC personnel, Spartan Horvath makes a final transmission on UNSC channels that he is leaving Banished territory to look for survivors and Fireteam Intrepid. He makes an open plea to the Master Chief that they need him now more than ever.{{Ref/Reuse|rp39}}{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #10 - Message in a Bottle}}{{Ref/Note|While the audio log in ''Halo Infinite'' is dated May 26, ''Halo: The Rubicon Protocol'' retconned the date to May 25. Halopedia uses the novel as the most up-to-date depiction of the events.}}

*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. However, the Harbinger succeeds in discovering the location of her people and transmitting it to an unknown recipient.{{Ref/Reuse|sareveal}}

*Echo 216 picks up John-117 and the Weapon from another location within Installation 07.{{Ref/Reuse|sareveal}} Atriox discovers the Endless in their Cylixes.{{Ref/Reuse|stinger}}

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

! style="width: 20%" |Fleet  

! style="width: 32.5%" |Class

! style="width: 32.5%" |Name

! style="width: 15%" |Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

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

! style="width: 20%" |Branch

! style="width: 32.5%" |Rank

! style="width: 32.5%" |Name

! style="width: 15%" |Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

|Active

|Active

|Active

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

| rowspan="20" |[[UNSC Marine Corps]]

|rowspan="2" |[[Corporal]]

|[[Foutty]]

|[[Theodore Higgins]]

|[[Miyazaki]]

| rowspan="6" |Unknown

|[[D. Svarro]]

| rowspan="2" |United Nations Space Command

|47382-28392-GH{{Ref/Reuse|tal}}{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #06 - Digging Deeper}}

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

|rowspan="3"|[[D77-TC Pelican]]

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

|Inactive

|"[[The Weapon]]"

|Active

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

! style="width: 42.5%" |Name

! style="width: 42.5%" |Job

! style="width: 15%" |Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

|Active

|Active

|Active

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

! style="width: 20%" |Fleet

! style="width: 32.5%" |Class

! style="width: 32.5%" |Name

! style="width: 15%" |Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

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

! style="width: 20%" |Branch

! style="width: 32.5%" |Rank

! style="width: 32.5%" |Name

! style="width: 15%" |Status<!--This refers to their status after the battle, not their overall status-->

|Active

|[[Hyperius]]

|[[Tovarus]]

|[[Bloodbrave Guardians of Suban]]

|rowspan="2"|[[Exodus Guard]]

| rowspan="2"|[[Lance of the Writhing Star]]

| rowspan="2"|[[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]]

|Unknown

|Unknown

|Bloodstar

| rowspan="2" |[[Yyilikoi Farguard]]

|Chieftain

|[[Iltho]]

|Unknown

| rowspan="14" |Unknown

| rowspan="4" |[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]]

|Active

|Unknown

**[[Beholders of the One Vapor]]

**[[Bloodbrave Guardians of Suban]]

**[[Brothers of Unending Ire]]

**[[Exodus Guard]]

**[[Hordeworms of Svir]]

**[[Lance of the Writhing Star]]

**[[Myklo Regiment]]

**[[Warial's Wrath]]

**[[Warriors of Malaston]]

File:HINF Concept EarlyZetaBattle.jpg|Early concept art exploration of a battle on Installation 07.