Editing Battle of Beta Eridani

{{Era|HCW}}

|next=

|date=c. [[2552]]

|place=[[Beta Eridani system]]

*Remaining [[human]]s flee system

|side1=[[United Nations Space Command]]

|side2=[[Covenant]]

|commanders1=Lieutenant [[Robinson]]

|commanders2=[[Supreme Commander]] [[Rho 'Barutamee]]

|forces1=Several [[warship]]s

|forces2=*[[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]]

**1 {{Class|CSO|supercarrier}}

***''[[Long Night of Solace]]''

**Nine other ships

|casual1=Most forces

|casual2=Likely none

The '''Battle of Beta Eridani''' was an engagement in the [[Human-Covenant War]] between the [[Covenant]] and the [[United Nations Space Command]] in the [[Beta Eridani system]], shortly before the [[2552|summer of 2552]].<ref name="fb1">'''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''', ''Scenario One: Flight!''</ref>

==Prelude==

[[Rho 'Barutamee]], [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]], was charged with locating [[Forerunner]] artifacts for the [[Covenant]] [[Ministry of Fervent Intercession]]. To assist in his duties, Covenant leadership granted 'Barutamee the use of a powerful [[Luminary]] to aid in his searches.<ref name="lum">'''Halo: Fleet Battles''', ''Luminaries''</ref> Shortly before the [[2552|summer of 2552]], the [[fleet]]'s Luminary detected Forerunner relics located in the [[human]]-occupied [[Beta Eridani system]]. To collect the Forerunner artifacts, the Fleet of Valiant Prudence set course for the Beta Eridani system.<ref name="fb1"/>

Meanwhile, the humans within the system were unaware of the existence of the Forerunner artifacts in the Beta Eridani system. The system was home to the [[Beta Eridani Naval Training Range]], a training facility used by the [[UNSC Navy]] to test the capabilities of cadets on [[warship]]s within the system.<ref name="fb1"/>

==The battle==

When ten ships of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] arrived in [[Beta Eridani system|the system]], their presence was quickly discovered by Lieutenant [[Robinson]]. Although the ensuring battle would likely have been an even fight on most occasions, all [[warship]]s of the [[UNSC Navy]] in the Beta Eridani system were crewed with cadets. With no other viable option, Robinson ordered all forces in the system to flee.<ref name="fb1"/> During the battle, several [[Forerunner]] artifacts were recovered and brought to [[Supreme Commander]] [[Rho 'Barutamee]] aboard his [[flagship]], ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''. 'Barutamee had the artifacts "processed" through the [[Luminary]] and discovered that the relics pointed to [[Epsilon Eridani system|another system]]. To prevent the [[UNSC]] forces in the system from following him to his next destination, 'Barutamee ordered the destruction of all remaining [[human]] forces in Beta Eridani.<ref>'''Halo: Fleet Battles''', ''Scenario Two: Contact''</ref>

Sometime after the battle, the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] traveled to the system pinpointed by the [[Luminary]]: the [[Epsilon Eridani system]]. Unbeknownst to [[Supreme Commander]] [[Rho 'Barutamee]], the system was home to major strongholds of the [[United Nations Space Command]], including [[Reach]]. 'Barutamee initiated the [[Fall of Reach|invasion]] of Reach, which ultimately led to the planet's fall on [[2552#August|August 30, 2552]], though 'Barutamee was presumably killed and most of his fleet was destroyed on [[2552#August|August 14, 2552]].<ref name="Rho">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/rho-barutamee '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Rho Barutamee'']</ref><ref name="hr solace">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level, ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref>

[[Category:Covenant Victories|Beta Eridani]]