Editing Battle for Zeta Halo

{{Battle infobox

|name=Battle for Zeta Halo

|conc= [[Battle of Suban]]

|next=

**Numerous [[marine]]s

|forces2  =Banished fleet

*Many air vehicles

**[[Barukaza Workshop siege-hauler]]s{{Ref/Game|Id=AL11|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #11 - A Hastily-Assembled Plan}}{{Ref/Game|Id=wftp|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Outpost Intel 4|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #12 - Whispers from the Past}}

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}}  

After Lasky’s lifeboat was away, Spartan [[Hudson Griffin]] of Fireteam Taurus 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}} many being shot down seconds after exiting the vessel.{{Ref/Game|Id=e3|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=evacuation #03 - Touchdown}} 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}}  

In the region south of Silent Auditorium, the Banished set up three anti-air [[Kywasky Workshop 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}}

===Cortana's destruction and the ring fractures===

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}}

===The UNSC scatters===

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}}

{{Main|Battle of the Mortal Reverie}}

At some point after the ring's fragmentation, the [[511th Infantry Division]] established a base of operations in [[Fragmentation|a 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}}

However, while en route to the Command Spire, ''Echo 216'' crash landed at 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}}

===Test of legends===

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}}

===The battle continues===

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}}

==Engagments==

{{Engagements in the Battle for Zeta Halo}}

===January 30, 2560===

* 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}}

*John-117 disables the AA cannons and defeats both [[Hyperius]] and [[Tovarus]].{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}

*The Harbinger springs a trap on the Weapon while extracting the data needed to enter the Command Spire.{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}}

*While exploring the Command Spire, more of Cortana's past actions are revealed, including her role in the destruction of [[Laconia Station]] at the hands of the AI [[Leonidas]].{{Ref/Reuse|nexus}}

*John-117 shuts downs all of the Spires, but Esparza is captured by [[Jega 'Rdomnai]].{{Ref/Reuse|commandspire}}

|"[[The Weapon]]"

|Active

|}

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

|-

|''[[Ghost of Gbraakon]]''

|Destroyed

|''[[Ghost of Lodon]]''

|Unknown

|-

|''[[Ghost of Tiacoro]]''

|[[Pioneer Guard]]

|[[Vomarus]]

|Unknown

|-

|KIA

|-

|[[Sangheili General|General]]

|[[Inka 'Saham]]

|KIA

|-

|[[Warial's Wrath]]

|Unknown

|-

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

|[[Bassus]]

|[[Loft-Captain]]

|[[Gethmald]]

|Unknown

|-

**[[Kinfist of Teash]]

**[[Lance of the Writhing Star]]

**[[Myklo Regiment]]

**[[Sclera of Chu'ot]]

<gallery>

File:HINF Concept Infinity Roof Under Attack.jpg|Concept art of ''Infinity'' under attack over Installation 07.

File:HINF Concept BanishedBase3.jpg|Concept art of a Banished base on Installation 07.

File:HINF Concept BanishedOccupation.jpg|Concept art of Jiralhanae at a Banished base.

File:Halo Infinite E319 Hologram Explosion.jpg|John-117 in the subterranean structure of the ring.

File:HINF-RansomKeepdeadM808s.png|John-117 fighting Banished forces at Ransom Keep.

File:HINF Harbinger attacking John.png|Harbinger and John-117 fighting one another.

File:HINF GuardianHoloStructure.jpg|John-117 inside the Silent Auditorium on the ring.

File:HINF MarineSniper.png|A UNSC marine sniper stands guard; a deactivated Guardian is in the distance.

*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Im}}

*''[[Halo: Trial of Reckoning]]''

==Notes==