Editing Battle for Zeta Halo

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

|prev= [[Battle of Netherop (2559)|Battle of Netherop]]

|conc=

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

*[[Installation 07]], unknown star system

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

*Destruction of [[Cortana]] and consequent deactivation of the Guardians.

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

*Installation 07's new location broadcast to UNSC space by [[Nina Kovan]]'s group of survivors.{{Ref/Reuse|RP}}

*Recovery of [[John-117]] by [[Echo 216]].

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

**[[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]]{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #03 - A Boon|Quote= Pioneer Guard Vomarus, Legion of the Corpse Moon}}

|side4    =*{{Icon|Forerunner}} [[Created]] {{c|early in battle}}{{Ref/Reuse|saatriox}}

*Multiple [[Banished dreadnought|dreadnought]]s

*Multiple [[Gorespike cannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}

**[[Human]]s{{Ref/Novel|RP|20}}

***12+ Spartan-IVs{{Ref/Novel|RP|20}}

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

{{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|pdown}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=Premiere|[[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere]]}}}}

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 [[United Nations Space Command]] 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.{{citation needed}} 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]]}}

In [[2559]], the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Atriox]], [[Warmaster|leader]] of a group of mercenary raiders known as the [[Banished]], discovered information on [[Installation 00]] regarding the existence of the Xalanyn.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p25|Enc22|Page=25}} Seeking to uncover this secret hidden by the Forerunners, Atriox prepared his Banished forces to travel to Installation 07.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p423|Enc22|Page=423}} During his preparations for the journey to [[Installation 07]], Atriox was personally confronted by Cortana. The Jiralhanae 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 [[Razing of Oth Sonin|destroy]] the Jiralhanae homeworld [[Doisac]] while communicating with Atriox.{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Reckoning|[[Repository (Halo Infinite level)|Repository]]}} Seeking to access the ring's secrets and exact revenge against Cortana, Atriox led his Banished forces comprised of [[Jiralhanae]], [[human]]s, [[Sangheili]], [[Unggoy]], [[Mgalekgolo]], and [[Kig-Yar]] to Installation 07 in order to defeat her.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}}

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]].{{citation needed}} 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}}

On [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]], {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and her escort fleet, which included six {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}s, arrived at Installation 07 operating at limited capacity following the Created uprising.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #01 - Preparations}}{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}} Upon arrival, the weakened 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 had arrived at the ring earlier, and begun fortifying the ring's surface to neutralize Cortana.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}}

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|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 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 region south of Silent Auditorium, the Banished set up three anti-air [[Gorespike cannon]]s, which fired at numerous UNSC aircrafts landing at the area.{{Ref/Game|Id=r4|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #04 - Run and Guns}} This region became the most active battleground in the first 48 hours of the conflict.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Reformation|FOB Hotel|Quote= There we go — another FOB is ours. this one was built on of the most active battlegrounds in the first 48 hours of the war. UNSC and Banished records both suggest that it was absolute chaos. It raged all over, but nowhere quite as intensely as the island just north of us. Where we got shot down, you might recall.|Quotee=The Weapon}} Recognizing the threat posed by the cannons, Spartan Hudson led Fireteam Taurus and made landfall in this region, where they fought through Banished patrols, with sniper support from Spartan [[Nina Kovan]], to disable the three cannons.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #05 - Overwatch}} They succeed in disabling two cannons before a cataclysmic event on the ring - an explosion at the Silent Auditorium - disabled the third cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|r4}}

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]]}} 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}}

===Explosion on the Ring and Cortana's destruction===

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 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=sa|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 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/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 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 occupied 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}} 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/Reuse|hafh}} 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 [[Forward Operating Base]]s in the regions on the fragmented section of the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|s1}}

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|Id=r6w|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]] on an assassination mission on Escharum. Griffin left [[Bertold Vettel]] in charge of the UNSC forces at the ''Reverie''.{{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 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 (location)|Riven Gate]] in [[Assault on the Mortal Reverie|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|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.}}

At some point after the ring's fragmentation, the [[511th Infantry Division]] established a base of operations in a [[Fragmentation|canyon]] and are surveying that fragment. While fighting off [[Sentinel]] patrols and [[Banished]] talons, they were attempting to make contact with UNSC forces in comms range.{{Ref/Site|Id=cf|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-foundations|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon fodder: Foundations|D=12|M=1|Y=2022}}

[[File:HINF MarineAmbushConcept.jpg|thumb|250px|Hunted down by the Banished, UNSC remnants were unable to take any major offensives and forced to conduct mostly defensive tactics.]]

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}} 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}} who would 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/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 (location)|House of Reckoning]].{{Ref/Reuse|tower}} 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|s1}} In one particular incident, Spartans [[M. 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, the Banished forced a human [[prisoner of war|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}}  

After her release, the Harbinger told Escharum of the [[Reformation]],{{Ref/Game|Id=et5|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Escharum's Testimony 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Escharum's Testimony #05 - Reformation}} which would expedite the ring's self-repair process by creating materials for repairs.{{Ref/Reuse|spire}} The process would return the ring to an operational status for Escharum,{{Ref/Reuse|et5}} 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 seeks to 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 locate 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/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 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}} On May 14, with the help of [[Submonitor]] [[Adjutant Veridity]], UNSC survivors led by [[Nina Kovan]] successfully managed to broadcast the ring's location into space using a beacon tower, hoping to draw UNSC reinforcements to Zeta Halo.{{Ref/Novel|Id=RP|RP}} 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 117649 Despondent Pyre inside the Conservatory until the Master Chief's return.{{Ref/Quest|Id=conservatory|HI|Connections|Conservatory}}

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

However, while en route to the Command Spire, ''Echo 216'' crash landed at the job the region south of the Silent Auditorium, having sustained damage from anti-air fire from the three Gorespike cannons, which had been reactivated. John-117 proceeded to the three cannons, eliminating the Banished defenses and destroying each cannon with the help of the Weapon. Escharum ordered the deployment of [[Hand of Atriox]], with [[Tovarus]] and [[Hyperius]] attempting an intercept on John-117. They failed to deter the Spartan's progress, being killed by John-117. The Harbinger, anticipating the Chief's intent to shut down the Reformation, had Escharum set up defenses at the Command Spire,{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}} while she modified the data sequence for accessing the Spire.{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}} Intending to challenge the Master Chief in a duel, Escharum ordered [[Jega 'Rdomnai]] to capture the Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}

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/Quest|Id=nexus|HI|Reformation|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/Quest|Id=repository|HI|Reckoning|[[Repository (Halo Infinite level)|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.}}

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/Quest|Id=hor|HI|Reckoning|House of Reckoning}} 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|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, after one hundred thousand years of imprisonment, finally released them. 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}} Captain Lasky orders all hands to abandon ship.{{Ref/Reuse|e1}}  

* The surviving ''Infinity'' crew make landfall on the Ring. Fireteam Taurus and Spartan Nina Kovan disable two Banished [[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|sa}} 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 one of the Banished Gorespike cannons.{{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}}{{Ref/Novel|RP|Page=258}}

* Spartan 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}}

* Spartan Nina Kovan scouts the Banished deep within the red zone, discovering a potential vulnerability of the enemy in that infighting is encouraged. Only Escharum's leadership keeps them in check.{{Ref/Reuse|r6w}}

* 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''.{{Ref/Reuse|tlb}}

* Spartan Griffin's team is ambushed by Escharum and all are killed except for him. Escharum informs him of his team's demise and of the Banished's impending [[Assault on the Mortal Reverie|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 before being sent to [[Chak 'Lok]]’s [[Tower]] for interrogation and Torture.{{Ref/Reuse|r3c}}

* 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.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Retaliation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Retaliation #05 - Encroachment}}

* Banished Jiralhanae Chieftain [[Tremonius]] and Captain [[Arthoc]] gathers a massive Banished assault force at 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 Banished converts the crash site into a Banished outpost.{{Ref/Reuse|iyh}}

* Spartans Makovich, Stone, Vettel, and Sorel regroup with some UNSC survivors.{{Ref/Reuse|s1}}

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

* Spartan Stone recons Outpost Tremonius and sends a transmission to Makovich and Sorel that the Banished are sending forces to another excavation site.{{Ref/Reuse|wlb}}

* Spartan Stone, having made it into the Ring's subsurface infrastructure, finds the Cylixes holding the Xalanyn. She picks up a UNSC signal deeper inside the Ring and follows it.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #05 - Uncharted}} She is discovered by Banished forces and subsequently killed by Blademaster Jega 'Rdomnai.{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}}

* [[Monitor]] [[117649 Despondent Pyre]] is freed from her cradle by Spartan [[Tomas Horvath]] after having been locked away by [[Cortana]] prior to her destruction.

* After learning of [[the Harbinger]]'s release, Despondent Pyre provides Horvath, [[Nina Kovan]], [[TJ Murphy]], [[Isaiah Cameron]], [[Erik Bender]] and [[Robin Dimik]] with a data key that will allow them to broadcast a superluminal message into human-occupied space with Zeta Halo's current galactic coordinates and the site's pertinent information.{{Ref/Novel|RP|Chapter=34}}

* UNSC survivors led by Spartan [[Nina Kovan]] [[Battle of the Beacon Tower|take control]] of one of the ring's beacon towers and use it to broadcast Zeta Halo's new coordinates to UNSC space in the hopes of summoning reinforcements.

* [[TJ Murphy]], [[Isaiah Cameron]] and [[Gorian]] are all killed in the battle while Spartan [[Tomas Horvath]] is teleported to a far away location on the ring by a translocation pad just before it is destroyed by Banished fire.

* The surviving UNSC forces are rescued by [[Submonitor]] [[091 Adjutant Veridity]] and regroup.{{Ref/Novel|RP|Chapter=35}}{{Ref/Novel|RP|Chapter=36}}{{Ref/Novel|RP|Chapter=38}}

* Inside the Conservatory, the two Spartans encounter [[Jega 'Rdomnai]]. Makovich stays behind to face off against 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 many Banished before being slain.{{Ref/Reuse|s9}}

===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.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Scattered 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Scattered #10 - Message in a Bottle}}

*Echo 216 gets shot down by 3 [[Gorespike cannon|Banished AA cannon]]s en route to the [[Command Spire]].{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}

*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|sa}}

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

{| 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-->

{| 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

| rowspan="20" |[[Spartan Operations]]

| rowspan="19" |Spartan

|Unknown

|Survived

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

| rowspan="14" |[[UNSC Marine Corps]]

|[[Sergeant]]

|[[Kevin Mahoney]]

|[[Miyazaki]]

|[[Theodore Higgins]]

| rowspan="2" |Unknown

|[[D. Svarro]]{{Ref/Reuse|oi13}}

| rowspan="2" |Unknown

|47382-28392-GH{{Ref/Reuse|tal}}

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

! Type

! Name

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

|[[Pelican]]

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

|Unknown

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

|Survived

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

! Name

! Job

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

|Barber

|Unknown

|Survived

|[[Robin Dimka]]

|Unknown

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

| rowspan="3" |Unknown

| rowspan="3" |[[Banished dreadnought]]

{| 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

|[[Tovarus]]

|[[Hyperius]]

|[[Bloodbrave Guardians of Suban|Bloodbrave]]

|[[Exodus Guard]]

|[[Lance of the Writhing Star]]

|[[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]]

|Survived

|Survived

|Unknown

|[[Exodus Guard]]

|[[Warlord (rank)|Warlord]]

|[[Horatius]]

|KIA

| rowspan="6" |Unknown

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

|Survived

|Survived

**[[Lance of the Writhing Star]]

**[[Exodus Guard]]

**[[Warial's Wrath]]

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

**[[Beholders of the One Vapor]]

**[[Bloodbrave Guardians of Suban]]

**[[Kaepra's Grief]]

File:HINF Concept EarlyZetaBattle.png|Early concept art exploration of what a battle on Installation 07 could look like.