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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Era|FOR|FS|GOO|LE}} |
| {{Disambig header|the Spartan-II team|other uses|Blue Team (disambiguation)}}
| | {{Ratings}} |
| {{Military infobox | | {{New Content}} |
| |image=[[File:Blueteam.png|100px]]<br/>Fireteam emblem
| | [[File:Blueteam.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Blue Team in action.]] |
| [[File:H5G-Firing Line.png|300px]]<br/>Blue Team [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND|assaulting]] ''Argent Moon''.
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| |formed=[[2517|September 2517]] - Active by [[2559#October|October 2559]]
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| |affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/blue-team '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Blue Team'']</ref>
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| |branch=[[UNSC Navy]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
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| *[[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare Command]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
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| **[[SPARTAN-II program]]
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| |type=
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| |role=
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| |size=4 (as of [[2559]])
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| |nicknames=
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| |battles=
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| *[[Insurrection]]
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| **[[Operation: TALON|Eridanus Secundus]]
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| **[[Operation: SMOKING ACES|Camp New Hope]]
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| *[[Human-Covenant War]]
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| **[[Battle of Chi Ceti|Chi Ceti IV]]
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| **[[Battle of Alpha Corvi II|Alpha Corvi II]]
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| **[[Skirmish over Netherop|''Radiant Arrow'']]
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| **[[Battle of Seoba|Seoba]]
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| **[[Battle over Etalan|Etalan]]
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| **[[Battle of Zhoist|Zhoist]]
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| **[[Battle of Circinius IV|Circinius IV]]
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| **[[Battle of Mesra|Mesra]]
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| **[[Battle of Netherop|Netherop]]
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| **[[Battle of Jericho VII|Jericho VII]]
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| **[[Operation: WARM BLANKET|Fleet of Glorious Consequence]]
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| **[[Operation: OCEAN BREAKER|Sigma Octanus IV]]
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| **[[Fall of Reach|Reach]]
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| **[[Massacre at Eridanus Secundus|Eridanus Secundus]]
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| **[[Operation: FIRST STRIKE|FIRST STRIKE]]
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| **[[Battle for Earth|Earth]]
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| **[[Onyx Conflict|Onyx]]
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| *[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
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| **[[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE|Gao]]
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| **[[Operation: RETRIBUTION|RETRIBUTION]]
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| **[[Mission to Installation 03|Installation 03]]
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| **[[Raid on Biko peace talks|Biko]]
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| **[[Operation: BIRD IN HAND|''Argent Moon'']]
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| **[[Battle of Meridian (2558)|Meridian]]
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| **[[Battle of Genesis|Genesis]]
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| **[[Operation: WOLFE|CASTLE Base]]
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| |commanders=*[[John-117]]
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| *[[Frederic-104]]
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| *[[Linda-058]]
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| }}
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| {{Quote|You 'Spartans' have put quite a dent in our efforts to liberate the frontier worlds...I didn't believe it until I saw the video. All by the same four-man team. Some said 'Blue Team' was a myth.|[[General (rank)|General]] [[Howard Graves]] about Blue Team's activity<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 36''</ref>}}
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| '''Blue Team''' is a semi-constant unit composed predominantly of [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-IIs]] under the operational command of [[UNSC]] [[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare Command]], generally consisting of around four members. It was led by [[John-117]] for most of its activity during the [[Human-Covenant War]], though after John's involvement in the [[Battle of Mombasa]], the role of leader was taken up by [[Frederic-104]]; John later resumed ''de facto'' command following his recovery years later.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} | | '''Blue Team''' is a sub-unit within the larger [[Spartan-II]] Division of the [[UNSC Navy|UNSC Naval]] [[UNSC Special Forces|Special Warfare Command]], a semi-stable group consisting of four members. It has been led by [[John-117]] for much of its activity during the [[Human-Covenant War]], though after John's disappearance at [[New Mombasa]] the role of leader was taken up by [[Frederic-104]], and Spartan-III's were absorbed into the team during the [[Battle of Onyx]]. |
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| Blue Team has participated in more than 220 military operations since its activation in [[2525]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} against a plethora of foes, including [[Insurrectionist]]s, the [[Covenant]], and various [[Forerunner]] constructs. The team is exceptional even among the Spartan-IIs due to their involvement in many of the most pivotal engagements of both the [[Insurrection]] and the Covenant War.<ref name="wp john">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/master-chief-john-117 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Master Chief John-117'']</ref> | | ==Introduction== |
| | "Blue Team" was made famous and renowned because it was the designation for a prestigious [[SPARTAN-II]]-oriented squad whose roster included [[SPARTAN-117]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'''</ref>. But because of the ambiguity of this name, "Blue Team" may be used as the plausible callsign for other [[UNSC]] military elements. This, however, has not been definitively proven. Blue Team has participated in hundreds of combat missions against a plethora of different foes, including, but not limited to: the [[Eridanus Rebels]], [[Covenant]] forces, and [[Forerunner]] [[Sentinels|constructs]]. |
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| ==Known members== | | ==Known Members== |
| {{Quote|Welcome to Blue, Spartans. We're going to make a great team.| Kelly-087's traditional greeting to new teammates.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 319''</ref>}}
| | After its conception in [[2519]], Blue Team usually consisted of three members. The team was originally comprised of [[SPARTAN-117]] (John), [[SPARTAN-034]], (Sam) and [[SPARTAN-087]] (Kelly). After Sam's death on a Covenant [[Unrelenting|corvette]] in the [[Chi Ceti System]]; his spot remained vacant until John reluctantly filled it with [[SPARTAN-051]] (Kurt) in [[2531]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 33''</ref>. |
| After its conception in [[2519]], Blue Team originally consisted of three members; comprised of [[John-117]], [[Samuel-034]], and [[Kelly-087]]. For some training missions, Spartans like Fred-104, [[Fhajad-084]] and [[Linda-058]] were added to Blue Team.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach'''</ref> After Samuel's death on a Covenant [[Unrelenting|vessel]] in the [[Chi Ceti system]], his spot remained vacant until John reluctantly filled it with [[Kurt-051]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 33''</ref> | |
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| The unit's roster frequently changed for various combat operations, changing both members and size. During the Battle of Earth, Blue Team was reformed from the surviving Spartans on Earth, with the new roster being Fred-104, Linda-058 and [[William-043]]. During the events on and inside [[Onyx]], the team lost Will and increased in number, with Kelly-087 rejoining, as well as [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-III]]s [[Lucy-B091]], [[Tom-B292]], [[Ash-G099]], [[Mark-G313]] and [[Olivia-G291]] joining the team. As a result, Blue Team's highest roster count is officially eight.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The Spartan-IIIs were reassigned to other duties in mid-2553.<ref name="hll330">'''[[Halo: Last Light]]''', ''pages 330-331'' (Google Play edition)</ref> By 2557, Blue Team consisted of Fred, Kelly and Linda, until being joined by John after his return to the UNSC.<ref name="esc8">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 8|Issue #8]]''</ref> | | The unit's roster frequently changed for various combat operations, changing both members and size. During the Battle of Earth, Blue Team was reformed from the surviving SPARTANs on Earth, with the new roster being [[SPARTAN-104]] (Fred), [[SPARTAN-058]] (Linda) and [[SPARTAN-043]] (William), though later, during the events on and inside [[Onyx]], the team lost Will and increased in number, with [[Kelly-087]] rejoining, as well as [[Lucy-B091]], [[Tom-B292]], [[Ash-G099]], [[Mark]] and [[Olivia]] joining the team. |
| {{col-begin}}
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| {{col-2}}
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| ;Current composition (October 2559)
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| *MCPO [[John-117]] (Blue Leader/Blue One) ([[wikipedia:Team leader|Team leader]]/Assault/Rifleman)
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| *LTJG [[Frederic-104]] (Blue Two) (Sub-leader/[[wikipedia:Close quarters combat|CQC]]/Assault)
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| *PO1 [[Kelly-087]] (Blue Three) ([[wikipedia:Reconnaissance|Scout]])
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| *PO1 [[Linda-058]] (Blue Four) ([[wikipedia:Designated marksman|Marksman]])
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| [[File:Blue team halo 5.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Blue Team in October 2558.]]
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| {{Col-2}}
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| ;Former members
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| *[[James-005]] (2552) (MIA)
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| *[[Li-008]] (2552) (KIA)
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| *[[Samuel-034]] (2517-2525) (KIA)
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| *[[William-043]] (2552) (KIA)
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| *[[Anton-044]] (2552) (KIA)
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| *[[Kurt-051]] (2531) (MIA)
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| *[[Fhajad-084]] (sometime 2517-2525) (crippled during augmentation)
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| *[[Solomon-069]] (2544) (KIA)
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| *[[Arthur-079]] (2544) (KIA)
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| *[[Grace-093]] (2552) (KIA)
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| *[[Lucy-B091]] (Reassigned [[2553|August 2553]])
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| *[[Tom-B292]] (Reassigned August 2553)
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| *[[Ash-G099]] (Reassigned July 2553)
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| *[[Olivia-G291]] (Reassigned July 2553)
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| *[[Mark-G313]] (Reassigned July 2553; KIA October 2559)
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| {{Col-end}}
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| ==Operational history==
| | '''[[Spartan-II]]s''' |
| {{Quote|I remember thinking that no matter how dark the future, we could face it as a team. Or so I thought. We thought training, augmentation, armor made us untouchable, invulnerable, immortal. Blue Team. We were wrong. We were children. This was the only thing John was ever afraid of. Losing one of us. And we knew we weren't finishing this fight, we were just getting started.|Kelly-087 remembering their first operation against the Covenant<ref name="for as act3">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series''', ''Act Three''</ref>}}
| | :*[[Samuel-034]] (2517-2525) (KIA marked as MIA) |
| ===Training===
| | :*[[William-043]] (KIA marked as MIA) |
| {{Quote|no=two|q1=Okay, this is supposed to be a training exercise, but this is the seventh time Chief Mendez has made us play with Tango Company.|John|q2=They're getting pretty tired of losing.|Fred|John-117 and Fred-104 during a Spartan training exercise.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 158'' (2010)</ref>}}
| | :*[[Kurt-051]] (KIA marked as MIA) |
| Blue Team was formed around John-117, Kelly-087, and Samuel-034, who met on their first day of induction into the SPARTAN-II program. During their training Blue Team often exercised versus fellow SPARTAN-II [[Green Team]], led by Kurt-051, and often lost because of Kurt's superior "sixth sense".<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'''</ref>
| | :*[[Linda-058]] (MIA) |
| | :*[[Kelly-087]] (MIA) |
| | :*[[Frederic-104]] (2552, formerly Red Team) (MIA) |
| | :*[[John-117]] (2517-, leader) (MIA assumed KIA) |
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| In July, [[2523]], Blue Team, consisting of Linda-058 and Frederic-104, participated in training exercise along with [[Red Team]], consisting of John-117, Kelly-087, Samuel-034 and Fhajad-084. Spartans were deployed in [[Longhorn Valley]] on Reach with mission target to capture the flag. Blue Team's mission was to provide cover, while Red Team infiltrated [[Tango Company]]'s base and acquired the flag. Later on Blue Team rendezvoused with Red Team after John sent the [[Spartan signals|''all-clear signal'']].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 157-166'' (2010)</ref>
| | '''[[Spartan-III]]s''' |
| | :*[[Lucy-B091]] |
| | :*[[Tom-B292]] |
| | :*[[Ash-G099]] |
| | :*[[Mark]] |
| | :*[[Olivia]] |
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| ===Capturing Colonel Watts=== | | ==History== |
| [[File:HTFoR AS - Blue 07.jpg|250px|thumb|Blue Team capturing Colonel Robert Watts.]]
| | ===Training=== |
| {{Main|Operation: TALON}}
| | Prior to the Human-Covenant War the SPARTAN-IIs were deployed onto the battlefield as shock infantry, Blue Team often exercised versus fellow SPARTAN-II [[Green Team]], led by SPARTAN-051 (Kurt), and often lost<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'''</ref> because of Kurt's superior "sixth sense". Blue Team was formed around John-117, Kelly-087, and Sam-034, who met on their first day of induction into the SPARTAN-II program. |
| In the first UNSC military operation where the SPARTAN-IIs were put to the test after their intensive training, codenamed Operation: TALON, Blue Team was sent to infiltrate the rebel space habitat [[Eridanus Secundus]] in the [[Eridanus system|Eridanus Asteroid Belt]]. Blue Team stowed aboard a [[Parabola-class freighter|''Parabola''-class freighter]], the ''[[Laden]]'', and managed to sneak into the city. Their objective was to locate and capture the rebel leader ex-[[Colonel]] [[Robert Watts]], a UNSC turncoat.
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| With minimal attention, Blue Team managed to kill several of Watt's guards and subdue him with [[polypseudomorphine]], a sedative. Then Blue Team hijacked a rebel [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican dropship]] and [[Samuel-034]] set and detonated explosive charges in the rebel base's hangar, making good their escape, but at the cost of dozens of civilians' lives. Blue Team was successful in its objective.
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| ===Chi Ceti Incident=== | |
| {{Main|Battle of Chi Ceti}}
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| {{Quote|no=three|q1=Requesting permission to attack the Covenant ship, ma’am.|John-117|q2=Most certainly not. If a warship like the Commonwealth couldn’t destroy it, a Pelican is certainly no match for them.|Dr. Halsey|q3=Not the Pelican. But I believe we Spartans are.|John|John-117 outlining his plan to Dr. Halsey<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 150'' (2010)</ref>}}
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| [[File:HTFor AS - Blue 10.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Spartans ready to infiltrate the ''Unrelenting''.]]
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| Three months after Eridanus, Blue Team were briefed on the [[First Battle of Harvest|massacre]] that took place on [[Harvest]] shortly after first contact with the [[Covenant]]. A short time later, the {{UNSCShip|Commonwealth}}, under the command of [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Wallace]], brought Blue Team and Dr. Halsey to the [[Damascus Testing Facility]] at [[Chi Ceti IV]], where they were to receive the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|MJOLNIR powered armor]] for the first time.<ref name="for141">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 141'' (2010)</ref> When a Covenant ship, the ''[[Unrelenting]]'', attacked the ''Commonwealth'', Blue Team took part in their first engagement with the Covenant. The Spartans used [[thruster pack]]s to launch themselves from a Pelican dropship. Each Spartan carried an [[ANVIL-II Air-to-Surface Missile|ANVIL-II warhead]] to be used against the Covenant ship.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 147-150'' (2010)</ref> Blue Team entered the vessel through a puncture in its hull, caused by a [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] round from the ''Commonwealth''. They succeeded in completing the mission and destroyed the Covenant ship, but due to a breach in Sam's armor, he was unable to leave the Covenant ship and volunteered to stay behind to ensure the destruction of the enemy vessel. Sam was killed in the ensuing explosion, becoming the first SPARTAN-II to be killed in action.
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| {{Clear}}
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| ===Alpha Corvi II===
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| {{Main|Battle of Alpha Corvi II}}
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| On [[2525#December|December 3, 2525]], [[Alpha Corvi II]] came under attack by the Covenant. As the Covenant pushed their attack on both fronts, Blue Team was deployed to disrupt the Covenant's activities on the surface and to identify an unknown artifact that they were searching for. During this engagement, the Spartans struck up an unsteady alliance with the URF rebels commanded by [[Whitaker]], who understood the threat posed by the invaders.
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| ===''Radiant Arrow''===
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| {{Main|Skirmish over Netherop}}
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| As part of a mission authorized by [[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]], Blue Team traveled with [[Gold Team|Gold]] and [[Green Team]]s to [[Netherop]], where they observed the ''[[Radiant Arrow]]'' orbiting the planet for over a day. On [[2526#March|March 5, 2526]], they were deployed from the {{UNSCShip|Starry Night}} to board and capture the [[Covenant frigate|frigate]] in the hopes that the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] could reverse-engineer its technologies.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS1|HSS|Chapter=1}} Ultimately, the mission was compromised when one of the men serving under the secretly-insurrectionist [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Hector Nyeto]] purposefully sent a transmission to the Spartans, revealing their presence to the Covenant in an attempt to get them killed. While each of the Spartans under John-117's command were able to evacuate the alien vessel, it was destroyed when the ''Radiant Arrow''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[shipmaster]] activated its self-destruct.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS3|HSS|Chapter=3}}
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| ===SILENT STORM===
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| {{Main|Operation: SILENT STORM}}
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| Shortly after this failed attempt at capturing a Covenant vessel, Blue, Gold, and Green Teams were selected to participate in [[Operation: SILENT STORM|a daring operation]] to thin the Covenant's navy through boarding tactics. For this mission, the Spartans would be attached to [[Task Force Yama]] and deployed alongside the veteran [[ODST]]s of the [[21st Space Assault Battalion]], known as the "Black Daggers." For its proximity to the front, the [[Outer Colonies|Outer Colony]] of [[Biko]]—specifically [[Seoba Ice Quarry|an ice quarry]] on its third moon, [[Seoba]]—was selected as the staging ground for the operation.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS5|HSS|Chapter=5}} During the [[slipspace]] voyage, Blue Team and the others trained with the ODSTs in the {{UNSCShip|Vanishing Point}}'s mission preparation hold. The Spartans made short work of the veteran marines in each exercise until [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson]] taught them unorthodox strategies that proved to be much more effective against the supersoldiers. After four days of training, [[Colonel]] [[Marmon Crowther]] had all the Spartans and ODSTs gather in the ship's drop hangar to be briefed on the specifics of the operation. Despite their exemplary performance against his ODSTs, Crowther was still skeptical about deploying the Spartans to the front lines due to their inexperience on the battlefield, as well as their apparent young age, much to their frustration.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS5}}
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| ===Seoba===
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| {{Main|Battle of Seoba}}
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| When the [[task force]] arrived at Seoba on [[2526#March|March 18]], it was discovered that [[insurrectionist]] forces had holed up in that very quarry and the UNSC would need to uproot them before the Covenant inevitably arrived.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS7|HSS|Chapter=7}} During the insertion approach, Blue Team followed John as he disobeyed orders and leapt from the deployment bay of the {{UNSCShip|Ghost Song}} while under fire. The Spartans regrouped in the quarry's docks to discuss how they would destroy a [[Civet]] convoy travelling up the side of the quarry to fix the insurgents' that relay had been damaged by a prowler. With approval from [[Captain (UNICOM)|Captain]] [[Zelos Cuvier]] and [[Lieutenant]] [[Nelly Hamm]], they formulated a plan to travel up the tube of a derelict [[mass driver]] that rose up and out of the quarry, using thruster packs to outpace the convoy.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS8|HSS|Chapter=8}} John led the way, with Fred and then Kelly trailing behind. Linda stayed back to cover them with her [[MA5B assault rifle]] and monitor inusrrectionist movements. Despite their ongoing firefight with the Black Daggers, the insurgents soon realized Blue Team's plan and began sweeping a portion of the tube ahead of them with [[M41 Vulcan]] fire. To distract the gunners, John and Fred rigged their [[thermite-carbon cord]] and [[M7057 flamethrower|I-JeT]] to explode as they moved past the Vulcan fire. Shortly thereafter, they discovered that Hamm's men had intercepted the convoy via a prowler drop while the enemy was distracted by the Spartans. The ODSTs had also planted explosives on the communications relay by the time Blue Team exited the tube. John expressed his team's misgivings to Hamm about being lied to and used as bait, but she dismissed him, saying that this was what happens when he disobeys orders.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS10|HSS|Chapter=10}}
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| The next day, [[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]] [[Halima Ascot]], commander of Task Force Yama and captain of the ''Starry Night'', held a meeting to discuss the events of the previous day's battle. John was reprimanded for his maverick actions at the start of the battle, and his Spartans' experience was called into question once more. Due to Nyeto's sly comments, the truth about their young ages was revealed to the few personnel present at the meeting. Learning this disturbing fact, Colonel Crowther refused to send the Spartans into battle again, instead ordering them to guard the insurrectionists captured during the fighting and prepare them to be sent to Biko to be processed. While this meeting was being held, a Covenant [[Bloodstar Flotilla|flotilla]] was detected as it arrived in-system and began heading for Seoba.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS11|HSS|Chapter=11}}
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| As the rest of Task Force Yama mobilized to meet the alien vessels, Blue Team and the others were sent to [[Subsurface Maintenance Grotto 6M430]] where they would direct the roughly 300 captured insurgents onto [[Emmeline|a transport]]. John noticed the presence of [[General]] [[Harper Garvin]] among the group, calling him out of the line so that ONI could interrogate him later. However, a more important situation was playing out over the command channel. Captain Ascot's ''Starry Night'' had been shot down on takeoff, crash-landing back into the quarry. Crowther was unable to send a unit of his Black Daggers to search for survivors without putting more prowlers at risk. Since they were the only unit available to assist, John decided that he and his Spartans would go for the ''Starry Night'' once the transport was loaded. After sending Garvin back to his people and ordering the transport pilot to launch, John had his Spartans move out into the quarry once more, without the approval of Crowther or support from the task force.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS13|HSS|Chapter=13}}
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| The Spartans proceeded through the grotto's airlock into the dense sublimation fog gathered at the quarry floor. Visibility was so poor that each of them could barely even see the ends of their rifles, but the flashes of plasma bolts could be seen dancing through the clouds above. John accessed the command channel and requested a [[Navigation point|waypoint]] leading to the downed prowler. Crowther responded by asking what he thought he was doing. John stated that they were checking on the status of the ''Starry Night'' as they were the only unit that could do so at the moment, carefully choosing his words so that Crowther could deflect blame onto the Spartan if need be. This would make it more likely for Crowther to not stand in the way of their self-assigned mission. While John waited for a response, he signaled Joshua and Kurt to spread out their teams in a hundred-meter-wide search line. Green Team spaced out on the left of the more tightly-gathered Blue Team, and Gold Team spaced out on the right. By doing this, the Spartans would be more likely to find any debris from the ''Starry Night'' that might have otherwise been missed in the fog, and Blue Team could act as a ready reaction force. John also ordered them to advance at a trotting speed, leading them away from the dockyards where they had engaged insurgents the day before. Eventually, Crowther acknowledged the plan, but ordered John to not take action unless immediately warranted. He also informed the Spartans of Biko's naval response to the alien bombardment of Seoba and that Nyeto believed that the small Covenant flotilla would either be in full retreat or destroyed within the hour by the approaching overwhelming force. An inexact waypoint was placed on each of the Spartans' HUDs, and John had all of the Spartans adjust course to match the new trajectory. At this point, Blue Team was arrayed in a diamond formation with only five meters between them, with only their [[motion tracker]]s revealing the locations of their teammates. John ordered everyone to accelerate to a full run while keeping their eyes on their feet, since that was all they could see anyway. As they ran, the ''Emmeline'' departed the grotto and flew over the Spartans, churning up the fog and allowing a brief moment of visibility. Through the haze, they could see five Covenant vessels fire towards the transport as it crested the horizon.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS14|HSS|Chapter=14}}
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| As the Spartans neared the provided waypoint, the fog had lowered to shoulder-height, allowing the Spartans to discover that the ''Starry Night'' was indeed seemingly intact, but sat atop a large avalanche about seven hundred meters up the quarry wall. Fred spotted a Covenant intrusion corvette sliding over the rim of the quarry and descending over the prowler. Kelly theorized that they may be trying to recover the ''Starry Night'' themselves. Realizing the danger, John declared to his teammates that the mission was no longer a rescue mission. Their primary objective was now to deny the Covenant from recovering the prowler and the data stored within. Then, John opened the command channel again and relayed this information to Crowther, who echoed John's concerns and insisted that they could not let the Covenant take possession of the ''Starry Night''. The vessel's [[navigation computer]] and other onboard data devices could reveal the locations of UNSC outposts, entire force deployments, or worse. Crowther asked Nyeto if there was any way that the prowler's [[Fury tactical nuclear weapon|nuclear]] [[self-destruct]] system could be remotely activated, to which the lieutenant commander responded in the affirmative. However, only Ascot and the captain of the ''Vanishing Point'' had the ability to do this, and neither could be reached at the moment. John assuring Crowther that they would not fail. Still, the Spartan requested that Task Force Yama assist them by keeping the assaulting corvettes off their backs. Nyeto began to say that their prowlers were not designed for ship-to-ship combat when Crowther interrupted him, promising that they would find a way. Crowther started to tell John to standby for instructions on how to manually activate the prowler's self-destruct, but he reassured the colonel that his Spartans already knew how to activate a [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]].{{Ref/Reuse|HSS14}}
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| As this was being discussed, multiple [[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Ghost]]s began attacking the Spartans, with the first going after John, who killed its [[Jiralhanae]] driver with his MA5B's [[M301 grenade launcher|underbarrel grenade launcher]]. He ordered Green and Gold Teams to deal with the other Ghosts as Blue Team followed him. At this point, the looming intrusion corvette had begun deploying EVA-equipped Sangheili, Jiralhanae, and Kig-Yar warriors via gravity lift, with the first already looking for a way inside the ship. Another corvette crested the edge of the quarry, firing its main cannon on the Spartans. With the situation growing dire, John ordered Blue Team to simultaneously fire on the avalanche just below the ''Starry Night'' with their grenade launchers to cause the vessel to fall to quarry floor and prevent the Covenant from gaining entrance. Despite Fred and Kelly's worries that such an action could bring the whole slope down on top of them, each member of the team acknowledged and followed his order. As feared, the volley of [[grenade]]s worked a bit too well, bringing the avalanche down on top of the Spartans, but successfully delaying the Covenant in their boarding attempt.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS14}}
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| Fred, Linda, and four other Spartans escaped being buried under the avalanche, but six others—including John and Kelly—were not so lucky. As they worked to dig themselves free of the ice, John gave Fred command of the mission to board and destroy the ''Starry Night''. Getting over his amazement that the strategy had worked, Fred asked what should be done with any survivors they found aboard the prowler. Telling him to rescue them if possible, John switched to the command channel to demand the status of Nyeto's supposed support. The lieutenant commander insisted that he had a plan that he would enact soon, but even Colonel Crowther seemed doubtful of his tactics. Fred gathered Linda and [[Malcolm-059]] to board the vessel while the mobile members of Gold and Green Teams fended off a seemingly endless stream of ground vehicles. Fred's team boarded the ''Starry Night'' via a massive breach in its bow, finding five survivors of the crash: four ODSTs and Staff Sergeant Johnson, who had received a concussion. Fred had Linda get to work manually arming the prowler's [[Fury tactical nuclear weapon]] as he reported the situation to John, who just freed himself from the ice. He told Linda to take her time, but warned of an enemy squad preparing to board. Acknowledging this information, Fred told him that once the nuke was armed, they would flee in the prowler's escape pod. Hearing that a team of Covenant boarders was inbound, Johnson requested his assignment. Fred had him "guard" the escape pod to keep him out of harm's way. Nyeto's support finally arrived in the form of strafing runs that destroyed two nearby intrusion corvettes, but spared the one that was still attempting to recover the ''Starry Night''. When John warned that the Covenant boarding party was making their move, Fred and his team repelled them with explosive weapons as John distracted the rest. He handled two Sangheili, and Joshua and [[Anton-044]] arrived to assist him with more approaching Covenant. Linda had just finished arming the nuke and began dragging Johnson into the escape pod when John ordered her to initiate its thirty-second timer immediately. The looming corvette had activated its gravity lift system and was trying to draw the prowler up into its hangar. Linda followed the order and John warned all local Spartans to evacuate the area immediately. Fred's team, Johnson, and the ODSTs boarded the prowler's escape pod and launched through Seoba's low gravity while under fire from the corvette's surprised gunners. John informed Crowther and Nyeto of the escape pod and the imminent nuclear explosion. All of the Spartans made it to safety before the detonation, which destroyed both the ''Starry Night'' and the intrusion corvette. After Joshua patched a breach that John's armor had received in the fighting, John checked on his squad while Crowther sent prowlers to recover them once the nuke's [[electromagnetic pulse]] had dissipated.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS15|HSS|Chapter=15}} Some of the Spartans also assisted in the recovery of a [[Kelguid|starholo]] from the wreckage of corvette. Along with the starholo, Blue Team and the other Spartans were transported back to the ''Vanishing Point''.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS16|HSS|Chapter=16}}
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| ===New orders===
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| On [[2526#March|March 20]], John-117 and five other Spartans who were not confined to the infirmary attended a funeral service for the two-hundred-and-three men and women who lost their lives at Seoba. Held in the command hangar of the ''Vanishing Point'' as it sat in a high parabolic orbit around Biko, the ceremony included an honor company of a hundred-and-one enlisted personnel in their dress blues, including the six Spartans and Avery Johnson. After the service, Lieutenant Commander Nyeto—the de facto commander of Task Force Yama after Ascot's death—approached John, who asked if he'd reconsider sidelining them. Nyeto promised that the Spartans would be seeing all the action they could handle for the rest of the operation. However, Crowther again contested this on the basis of them being too young, forcing the lieutenant commander to back down by threatening him with a report to a UNSC board of inquiry. The Black Daggers would board the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience|incoming fleet]] alone. As everyone left the hangar, Crowther revealed to Johnson that he did not trust Nyeto. He believed that the Spartans were combat-ready, and he was instead sending them on a mission to disrupt Covenant supply lines at [[Etalan]].{{Ref/Reuse|HSS16}}
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| Later that day, Blue Team gathered in one of the ''Vanishing Point''{{'}}s small maintenance hangars, with each member dressed in plain black utilities as their armor underwent maintenance and repairs. Four other Spartans sat in a back corner of the hangar, familiarizing themselves with Covenant weapons captured at Seoba. Meanwhile, the anticipated Covenant fleet had arrived and began its advance toward Biko. Blue Team watched on a bulkhead monitor as the planet's meager navy responded and approached the much greater force, consisting of about one hundred Covenant warships. Each alien capital ship had swarms of fighters sticking close to their hull in an escort pattern as they accelerated rapidly toward the Bikon vessels, a strange and unconventional tactic. The Spartans shared their theories as to why the Covenant was using this strategy, and Kelly came to the conclusion that they were maintaining a fighter screen to prevent boarding attempts. As Blue Team discussed how the Covenant might have figured out what they were planning and if General Garvin may have a mole in the UNSC, Johnson entered the hangar to relay new orders from Crowther. He told them that the colonel had changed his mind about them, and that he was sending the Spartans on a secret mission to Etalan. Kelly and Linda especially had a hard time believing this due to his past statements. Johnson leveled with them and revealed that Crowther was suspicious of Nyeto, and that was the reason for the secrecy. The Spartans had their own suspicions regarding Nyeto, but John suggested the possibility that Crowther was using this mission as a way to quietly eliminate them as the Black Daggers' primary competition. Johnson admitted that this was technically possible, and that the thought had not even crossed his mind. Still, John decided that they would take the mission, as that would be the only way to know for sure.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS17|HSS|Chapter=17}}
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| ===Etalan===
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| {{Main|Battle over Etalan}}
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| A few hours later, the ''Vanishing Point'' and two escort prowlers left the Kolaqoa system. During the two-day journey, John discussed with Staff Sergeant Johnson which vessels of the logistics fleet they should designate as priority targets. Ultimately, they decided that they would target the munitions supply vessels first and the food supply vessels second, as the loss of those necessities would bring the Covenant offensive in this part of human space to a standstill.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS19|HSS|Chapter=19}}
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| On [[2526#March|March 22]], the ''Vanishing Point'' and its escorts arrived at Etalan and they spent the next four days observing the logistics fleet's movements, trying to discern which vessels served each function. By [[2526#March|March 26]], the ''Vanishing Point''{{'}}s analysts felt confident that four of the fifteen Covenant vessels were equipment [[freighter]]s that carried spare parts and other materials used to maintain the Fleet of Inexorable Obedience. At this point, the logistics fleet seemed to be preparing to break from orbit over the planet to rejoin the main fleet at Biko. This was evidenced by the fact that they had begun syncing their orbits and bringing their [[fusion reactor]]s to full power. Since time was evidently running out, Gold and Green Teams were deployed in [[S-14 Baselard]]s to destroy the freighters as Blue Team and Johnson discussed what vessels they should target during the second phase of the attack since they still had not identified the munitions and food supply vessels with complete certainty. The plan called for each of them to fly one of the Banshees they had captured at Netherop into the hangars of the target vessels, crash the fighters with a HAVOK nuke planted in the cockpit, and then go [[Extra-vehicular activity|EV]] to be recovered by the escort prowlers. For the purpose of this mission, each member of Blue Team was equipped with an [[M99 Stanchion]] and [[M41 SPNKR]].{{Ref/Reuse|HSS19}}
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| As they watched the eight other Spartans begin the battle, Johnson suggested that they destroy what the analysts believed to be {{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}}s, but Fred pointed out that they weren't even sure of that and the dome-topped vessels could be petting zoos for all they knew. Still, Johnson argued that could destroy all of the "petting zoos," and they'd be stuck without whatever they needed them for. However, Dr. Halsey walked over and informed the group that she had identified the fleet's munition supply vessels as the three large "[[Bladder ship|air-skimmer]]s" that were dipping in and out of Etalan's upper atmosphere. Despite having come to this conclusion only minutes after they had arrived on March 22, she explained that she had kept it to herself so as to not alert Nyeto and his subordinates—whom she had deduced were Insurrectionist spies—to their plan. Hearing this, Linda asked why the spies on the ''Vanishing Point'' were still living, but Halsey admitted that she did not know who the individual spies were and if there were any currently on the stealth cruiser. When she mentioned that the spies had managed to plant surveillance devices in her lab, Fred became concerned that they might have tampered with their armor. Eventually, Halsey admitted that they could have possibly accessed the maintenance module where the armor had been stored. Regardless, their armor appeared to be unmolested and Blue Team prepared to follow through on their part of the mission, now targeting the three "air-skimmers" instead.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS19}}
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| With the ''Vanishing Point'' nearing the designated drop-off point, John signaled Blue Team and Johnson to grab their HAVOKs and board their Banshees. Meanwhile, a remotely piloted Baselard powered up on the hangar deck just ahead of them. Moments before launch, a decoy flight of three manned Baselards soared past the hangar aperture with a Banshee squadron hot on their tails. The ''Vanishing Point'' cold-launched a salvo of pre-targeted [[Archer missile|M42 Archer missiles]], and an instant later, the remote Baselard shot out of the hangar. It fired its two Archer missiles at the Banshee squadron as the ''Vanishing Point''{{'}}s missiles activated and flew after the Banshees as well. The Banshees scattered, giving the three manned Baselards a chance to escape. John gave Blue Team the order to launch their Banshees and fall in behind the alien fighter squadron before firing on the remote-controlled Baselard until it self-destructed into a fireball that helped distract the Covenant forces as the ''Vanishing Point'' slipped away. Sangheili voices filled the cockpits of Blue Team's Banshees, no doubt questioning where they came from. When no response was given, a three Banshees broke from the main squadron to investigate the new arrivals at close range. However, John convinced the aliens that their communications equipment had been damaged by feigning communication with a wiggle of his Banshee.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS20|HSS|Chapter=20}}
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| Shortly after this, Gold and Green Teams deployed from their Baselards to attack the equipment freighters as planned. Moments later, the targeted freighters began exploding while panic ensued among the Covenant fighters and their [[Proselytization network|battlenet]]. The fourth explosion was so close to the Banshee squadron that they were all—including the Banshees piloted by Blue Team—disabled by the [[electromagnetic pulse]]. Since those escorting them no longer had the capability to intercept any of their transmissions, Fred exclaimed disgust at the Banshees' lack of radiation shielding over TEAMCOM. After some discussion, Blue Team decided that they would go EV and intercept the three air-skimmers as they passed by. John would board the first vessel, Kelly the second, and Fred the third while Linda and Johnson held back to cover them with their M99 Stanchions. Fred pointed out the absurd difficulty of reaching the vessels and then getting clear of the blast, to which Linda responded that technically they did not have to get clear, but she would miss Fred's wisecracks if he was killed. John ordered Linda and Johnson to focus on protecting Kelly and Fred, but Johnson refused as Linda had already decided that Johnson should cover John while she covered Fred and Kelly, who were close enough for her to support. Leaving the squadron of adrift Banshees behind, Johnson's HAVOK nuke—which he had left aboard his Banshee—detonated, killing any potential witnesses aboard the other craft and covering their approach for the air-skimmers. Meanwhile, the two escort prowlers arrived to recover Gold and Green Teams. Assuming the vessels were preparing for another attack run on the logistics fleet, the Covenant attacked the prowlers and the Baselards accompanying them. Nearing the lead bladder ship, John fired his [[thruster]]s to slow his approach, alerting the vessel's fighter screen to his presence. Eight Banshees began speeding toward him. Over fifty kilometers from the Banshees, Johnson scared one off with his Stanchion fire, but the rest continued on their course, starting to fire on John with their plasma cannons. When their shots were becoming a bit too accurate, John fired at them with the [[M301 grenade launcher|underbarrel grenade launcher]] on his [[MA5C assault rifle]]. It only halted their fire briefly, and they soon regained visual. Seeing that Johnson would not be able to take them all out at this range, John altered his flight path and accelerated toward the lead bladder ship. As he neared the vessel, he prepared his HAVOK with a timer and let it float next to him on the same trajectory. At seven kilometers above the ship, John activated his primary thruster, speeding away as fast as possible. The HAVOK detonated so close that it elevated his [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|MJOLNIR armor]]'s exterior temperature well above the danger level.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS20}} Fred and Kelly likewise managed to destroy their targeted vessels before Blue Team was recovered by the ''Vanishing Point'' or its escort prowlers.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS21|HSS|Chapter=21}}
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| ===Zhoist===
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| {{Main|Battle of Zhoist}}
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| {{Expand-section}}
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| ===Circinius IV===
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| [[File:H4FUD-Spartan-BlueTeam.jpg|250px|thumb|The three members of Blue Team sitting in a Pelican dropship's troop bay.]]
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| {{Main|Battle of Circinius IV}}
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| After the events on Chi Ceti, Spartans John, Kelly and [[Frederic-104]] were sent to support Marine forces in a search-and-capture mission against an Insurrectionist leader; the skirmish quickly escalated as the Covenant's arrival forced the UNSC troops to briefly side with the rebels.<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 3''</ref> In [[2526|April 26, 2526]] Blue Team was deployed to [[Circinius IV]] in defense of the [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]].<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''' - ''Part 4''</ref> Despite their efforts, the Covenant glassed the planet and Blue Team rescued only three cadets of the academy.<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''' - ''Part 5''</ref>
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| ===Battle of Mesra===
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| {{Main|Battle of Mesra}}
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| {{Expand-section}}
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| ===Battle of Netherop===
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| {{Main|Battle of Netherop}}
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| {{Expand-section}}
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| ===Camp New Hope===
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| {{Main|Operation: SMOKING ACES}}
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| By [[2531]] Blue Team had carved out a reputation for itself among Insurrectionist forces. The then four-man team disrupted rebel operations including [[Station Jefferson]], the destroyer ''[[Origami]]'' and a saboteur cell on [[Reach]], as well as an incident in [[wikipedia:Micronesia|Micronesia]], and a high-explosives manufacturing facility at an unspecified location.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 36-37''</ref> In response the rebels gathered together three [[FENRIS nuclear warhead]]s at [[Camp New Hope]] in a way so sloppy that the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] couldn't help but notice, then contacted the UNSC and offered to trade the nukes in exchange for medicines for their people suffering from [[Boren's Syndrome]]. They then set a trap for Blue Team, whom they anticipated would be sent. They successfully ambushed John, Fred, Kelly and Linda using an [[antigravity plate]], however were unaware of the presence of Kurt, a new addition to the team, who had avoided the trap. Kurt was able to free the other members of Blue Team and they then retreated from the camp with the recovered warheads. Rebel leader General [[Howard Graves]] was killed in the process.
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| ===Jericho VII===
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| {{Main|Battle of Jericho VII}}
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| {{Quote|Four of us and a thousand of [[Unggoy|them]]? Piss poor odds for the little guys.|Kelly-087 about their chances<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 5''</ref>}}
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| In [[2535]] Blue Team along with Red and Green Teams fought on [[Jericho VII]], where they encountered tough resistance from UNSC forces above the planet and on the ground, resulting in a three day long stalemate. Blue Team's mission was to draw out the Covenant rear guard, so [[Red Team]] could slip behind their lines and plant a [[HAVOK Tactical Nuclear Weapon|HAVOK tactical nuke]], hoping to destroy the next Covenant ship that landed and dropped its shields, meanwhile [[Green Team]] was preventing a Covenant ground force advancement. These few Spartans were able to kill hundreds of Unggoy and destroy [[Shade]] turrets with little difficulty, as well as neutralizing their [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshee]] air support, by using the [[fougasse]]s they had planted in case the Grunts got out of hand.
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| During the battle, Blue Team avenged the [[105th Drop Jet Platoon]] by killing hundreds of the Unggoy. All of the Spartan teams accomplished their missions and returned safely to the remaining fleet in a Pelican dropship. Unfortunately, the UNSC fleet lost control of the space around Jericho VII after a brutal three day battle with the Covenant fleet, but [[De Blanc|Captain De Blanc]] was able to evacuate the Spartans before the enemy fleet began glassing the planet.
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| ===Raid on the Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence===
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| [[File:Legends SPARTAN-II team.jpg|200px|thumb|The three members of Blue Team involved in Operation: WARM BLANKET.]]
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| {{Main|Operation: WARM BLANKET}}
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| Shortly after the [[Battle of Miridem]] in [[2544]], Blue Team was part of a mission to rescue Dr. Catherine Halsey from a [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence|Covenant fleet]]. The team utilized [[OF92 Booster Frame]]s, which were designed for ship boarding actions, and infiltrated the [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]] ''[[Resplendent Fervor]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''' (2010), ''Adjunct''</ref> The Spartans completed their mission and rescued Dr. Halsey, but [[Arthur-079]] and [[Solomon-069]] were killed in the battle.<ref>'''Halo Legends''': ''The Package''</ref>
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| ===Sigma Octanus IV===
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| {{Main|Operation: OCEAN BREAKER}}
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| After the city of [[Côte d'Azur]] on [[Sigma Octanus IV]] came under attack from Covenant forces, John-117 lead Blue Team under the city. Investigating Covenant activity in the [[Côte d'Azur Museum of Natural History]], Blue Team discovered that the Covenant were scanning what appeared to be a simple piece of igneous rock, and sending the information to a ship in orbit. The team entered a protracted firefight with two [[Mgalekgolo]], which was a victory at the expense of James' arm, recovered the rock, and escaped.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 205-209''</ref>
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| With a group of surviving civilians evacuated, the SPARTANs returned to H.Q. and detonated the [[HAVOK Tactical Nuclear Weapon|HAVOK warhead]], destroying Côte d'Azur and removing the Covenant presence on the planet.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 230''</ref>
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| ===Fall of Reach===
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| {{Main|Fall of Reach}}
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| During the Covenant attack on Reach, the SPARTAN-II company was divided into two teams: Red Team and Blue Team. Blue Team was tasked with defending an [[Gamma Station|orbital space station]]'s navigational data that could possibly lead the Covenant to [[Earth]] - which would be devastating to the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. Red Team, far larger than Blue Team, was sent to the planet surface of [[Reach]] to defend its power generators that powered the [[Orbital defense platform|Orbital Defense Platforms]].
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| Blue Team consisted of John-117, [[James-005]], and Linda-058. Blue Team departed from the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} in a Pelican dropship and crash-landed on the space station shortly before waves of [[Kig-yar Ranger|Jackal]] and [[Sangheili Ranger]]s landed. On maneuvers, James was shot at with [[Blamite|crystalline needler rounds]] that penetrated the propellant module on the back of his armor that allowed him to maneuver in zero-g. With thruster wash billowing everywhere, James was blown into space, unable to control his trajectory.
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| However, John and Linda were able to infiltrate the locked-down space station, and with the help of [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson|Avery J. Johnson]] and several other [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], destroy the navigational data so that the Covenant would be unable to find and destroy Earth. However, during extraction, Linda was shot in the back with an overcharged [[Type-25 plasma pistol|plasma pistol]], and was left clinically dead. John and the Marine [[fireteam]] survived, however.
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| ===Raid on ''Unyielding Hierophant''===
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| [[File:FS cover full.jpg|200px|thumb|Blue Team fighting aboard ''Unyielding Hierophant''.]]
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| {{Main|Operation: FIRST STRIKE}}
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| {{Quote|no=two|q1=My team is willing to accept the risk.|John-117|q2=The risk? It's a one-way ticket, son. But if you're willing to do it, if you can slow the Covenant assault on Earth, then, hell, it might be worth the trade.|Adm. Whitcomb|Chief and Adm. Whitcomb about possible mission outcome<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 290'' (2010)</ref>}}
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| Blue Team was newly formed when John came back to Reach after destruction of [[Installation 04]] in search of his survived comrades. Upon his arrival Master Chief regrouped with Fred-104, Kelly-087, [[Grace-093]], [[Anton-044]], [[William-043]] and [[Li-008]] who were protecting Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] and [[Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb]] with Kelly critically wounded by the [[assault cannon]]s of two [[Hunters]]. The Spartans managed to escape Reach and return to Covenant flagship ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' [[Skirmish over Threshold|previously captured]] by John and the Marines at Alpha Halo and linked it with the damaged [[UNSC frigate]] ''[[UNSC Gettysburg|Gettysburg]]''. During a battle with pursuing Covenant ships, Anton-044 and Li-008 were killed during an EVA operation to repair a plasma conduit. | |
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| Soon after this they discovered that the Covenant already possessed coordinates of Earth's location and were building a [[Truth's fleet|massive invasion fleet]] consisting of about five hundred ships at the command-and-control center ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. John-117 came up with a plan to assault the Covenant station, although ''Ascendant Justice'' first had to undergo repairs. The crew managed to negotiate a truce with the inhabitants of the [[Insurrectionist#Eridanus cell|rebel]] base, [[Eridanus Secundus]], infiltrated by Blue Team in 2525 and now led by [[Jacob Jiles|Governor Jacob Jiles]]. While the vessel was being repaired Dr. Halsey managed to return Kelly-087 and Linda-058 to active duty; however, she sedated Kelly shortly after, took her aboard the [[Beatrice|private vessel]] of the rebel governor and left the system without anyone's knowledge or permission, heading to [[Onyx]].
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| After receiving some repairs, John and the rest were forced to abandon the rebels in the face of a Covenant assault, and made their way toward ''Unyielding Hierophant''. Blue Team, consisting of John, Fred, Linda, Will and Grace, infiltrated ''Unyielding Hierophant'' and succeeded in overloading the station's reactors, at the cost of Grace's life. Vice Admiral Whitcomb and [[Lieutenant Haverson]] were both killed when the station exploded, annihilating 486 ships of the Covenant fleet, leaving only around a dozen intact, delaying impending invasion of Earth.
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| Upon Blue Team's return to Earth John ordered Fred and Linda to report to [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6|ONI HQ]] where they should inform the [[UNSC Security Council]] about Operation: FIRST STRIKE's success and imminent invasion of Earth.
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| ===Battle for Earth===
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| {{Main|Battle for Earth}}
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| [[File:H2A Terminals - BlueTeam.jpg|thumb|250px|Fred and Linda directly before the Battle of Earth.]]
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| Shortly after John-117's disappearance after the [[Battle of Mombasa|Mombasa slipspace event]], Blue Team was deployed to help defend Earth during the span of two weeks, while [[UNSC In Amber Clad|''In Amber Clad'']] was busy pursuing the [[Prophet of Regret]]. Blue Team conducted operations including numerous operations in orbit around Earth, [[Battle of Ross Island|stopping a Covenant invasion]] on [[Mount Erebus]] in [[Wikipedia:Antarctica|Antarctica]] with a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon|HAVOK tactical nuke]], and stopping Covenant forces on the sea floor off of the [[Yucatan Peninsula]]. Following these ops, they were [[Battle of Havana|deployed]] to the [[Centennial Orbital Elevator]] in [[Havana]], [[Wikipedia:Cuba|Cuba]] to stop Covenant forces that had gathered around the orbital elevator. They then stopped the Covenant forces, who had captured multiple nuclear warheads, before they could ascend the orbital elevator. The Spartans then ascended the orbital elevator themselves, and in the process destroyed one of the Covenant capital ships at the top of the elevator. The three Spartans then left the battle by hijacking a Covenant {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}} called the ''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'' under orders by [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Hood]] to aid [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] and Kelly on [[Onyx]].
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| ===Onyx===
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| {{Main|Onyx Conflict}}
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| [[File:Ghosts of Onyx Cover.jpg|thumb|203px|left|Kelly and another member of Blue Team during the Onyx Conflict.]]
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| During this operation, Blue Team fought alongside with [[Team Saber]] against the [[Onyx Sentinel]]s and the [[Joyous Exultation Covenant|Sangheili fleet]] that had arrived. Upon landing on Onyx, they were reunited with Kelly-087, Dr. Halsey, [[Franklin Mendez|Senior Chief Petty Officer Mendez]], and Kurt-051 (who they thought had been dead for quite some time). However during the course of the battle Will, Kurt, and a number of SPARTAN-IIIs were killed by the Sentinels and Covenant forces. The rest of Blue Team, along with the remaining SPARTAN-IIIs, SCPO Mendez, and Dr. Halsey entered [[Sarcophagus|Shield World 006]], which lay in a slipspace rift at the core of Onyx. Upon retreating to safety inside the shield world the survivors erected gravestones for those lost in the Battle of Onyx.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 378''</ref> After the ceremony, Lucy-B091, Tom-B292, Ash-G099, Olivia-G291 and Mark-G313 were reassigned to Blue Team by Fred and Kelly.
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| Blue Team then proceeded to explore the vast construct, soon establishing base camp in [[Citadel|a Forerunner structure]]. A group of [[Huragok]], discovered by Lucy-B091, eventually helped them bring the sphere out of its slipspace bubble into normal space, and an [[Kilo-Five|ONI team]] was dispatched to retrieve them. The few days the survivors had stayed inside the [[slipspace bubble]] turned out to equal over three months in normal space-time, and as such they returned to normal space in [[2553#February|February 2553]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 382-389''</ref> Blue Team was taken to [[Earth]] aboard the {{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}} for a debriefing in [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] in [[Sydney]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 401''</ref>
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| On [[2553|March 3, 2553]] Blue Team attended the [[Voi Memorial]] ceremony tributed to the soldiers of the UNSC who gave their lives during the 28-year Human-Covenant War and marked the end of the war, with small section devoted to John-117 who, in accordance with ONI policy, was listed as missing in action.
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| {{clear}}
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| ===Racing the ancilla===
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| [[File:HM-Gao.png|thumb|200px|Mark-G313, Fred-104 and [[Veta Lopis]] fighting off the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] in [[Wendosa]].]]
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| {{Main|Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE}}
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| Although the Spartan-IIIs assigned to Blue Team were offered the chance to integrate into the [[SPARTAN-IV program]] and, by extension, the new [[Spartan Operations]] branch,<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 435''</ref> they continued to serve with Blue Team in the months after their recovery from the shield world. In [[2553#May|May 2553]],<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 8-10'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Blue Team was deployed to escort a UNSC [[717th Xeno-Materials Exploitation Battalion|research battalion]] tasked with capturing a [[Intrepid Eye|Forerunner ancilla]] on the planet [[Gao]]. Their search for the ancilla was complicated by a string of murders that began occurring in Gao's [[Montero Cave System]] after their arrival, prompting the [[Gao Ministry of Protection]] to send an investigative team headed by [[Special Inspector]] [[Veta Lopis]] to identify the killer on [[2553#July|July 2, 2553]]. The situation soon escalated into a crisis after the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]], a post-Covenant faction smuggled onto the planet by [[insurrectionist]] sympathizers within Gao's government, attacked the UNSC forces. For much of the fighting, Blue Team was split between a group comprised of Fred, Ash, Olivia, and Mark who accompanied Veta Lopis, and a splinter team comprised of Kelly, Linda, Tom, and Lucy who were on the surface at the time of the initial attack. After several days of skirmishes, the splinter teams regrouped while the Keepers were largely driven back. At this point, however, the newly-elected Gao president [[Arlo Casille]] sent Gao's planetary military against the UNSC. However, the Spartans managed to exfiltrate from the planet and recover the ancilla while destroying the [[Covert Support Base 4276|Forerunner facility]] that used to house her.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light'''</ref>
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| After the mission, the Gamma Company Spartan-IIIs within the team were reassigned to a top-secret ONI "[[Ferret]]" unit to prevent knowledge of their illegal enhancements from leaking to the public.{{Ref/Reuse|hll330}} Lucy-B091 and Tom-B292 were assigned to the Spartan branch in August 2553, leaving Blue Team once again comprised of only Spartan-IIs.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/catalog-interaction/4c3e1c6f-6519-4ee0-83a4-4bac13bf07a3/posts?page=43|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=04|Y=2016|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post_.2311}} In the coming years Fred, Kelly and Linda embarked on numerous confidential operations under ONI's direct oversight, eliminating hostile [[Covenant remnants]] across the fringes of human space.<ref name="HWL58">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/linda-058 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Linda-058'']</ref>
| | ===Assault on Eridanus Secundus=== |
| | {{Main|Assault on Eridanus Secundus}} |
| | In the first UNSC military operation where the [[SPARTAN-II]]'s were put to the test after their intensive training, Blue Team was sent to infiltrate the [[Eridanus Rebel]] space station [[Eridanus Secundus]] in the [[Eridanus Asteroid Belt]]. Blue Team stowed aboard a [[Parabola-class Freighter|''Parabola''-class Freighter]], the {{UNSCship|Laden}}, and managed to sneak aboard ''Jefferson''. Their objective was to capture the rebel leader ex-[[Colonel]] [[Robert Watts]], a UNSC turncoat. |
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| ===Operation: RETRIBUTION===
| | With minimal attention, Blue Team managed to kill several of Watt's guards and subdue him with [[polypseudomorphine]], a sedative. Then Blue Team hijacked a rebel [[Pelican Dropship]] and [[SPARTAN-034]] set and detonated explosive charges in the rebel base's hangar, making good their escape, but at the cost of dozens of civilians' lives. Blue Team was successful in its objective. |
| {{Main|Operation: RETRIBUTION}}
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| Operation: RETRIBUTION was an Office of Naval Intelligence operation undertaken by Blue Team and the [[Ferret]] team lead by [[Veta Lopis]] in December of 2553. The operation was conceived as a response to the murder of [[Vice Admiral]] [[Graselyn Tuwa]] and the kidnapping of three of her family members. The initial evidence pointed toward the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] bearing the responsibility for the crime, but the Keepers had actually been framed by [[Dark Moon Enterprises]], which itself was secretly being directed by the Forerunner ancilla, [[Intrepid Eye]].
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| ===The Composer's Forge=== | | ===Raid on Camp New Hope=== |
| {{Main|Mission to Installation 03}} | | {{main|Raid on Camp New Hope}} |
| {{Quote|no=two|q1=Admiral Hood asked that I act as an advisor for your mission.|John|q2=Just as an advisor? You told the old man you're coming with, didn't you... If you hadn't, I'd have ordered you to come along myself.|Fred|Fred prompting the Chief to join{{Ref/Reuse|esc8}}}}
| | By 2531 Blue Team had carved out a reputation for itself amongst Insurrectionist forces, particularly the [[United Rebel Front]]. The then four-man team disrupted URF operations including [[Station Jefferson]], the destroyer ''[[URF Origami]]'' and a saboteur cell on [[Reach]], as well as an incident in [[Micronesia]], and a high-explosives manufacturing facility at an unspecified location.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 36-37''</ref> In response the rebels gathered together three [[FENRIS Nuclear Warhead]]s at [[Camp New Hope]] in a way so sloppy that the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] could not help but notice, then contacted the UNSC and offered to trade the nukes in exchange for medicines for their people suffering from [[Boren's Syndrome]]. They then set a trap for Blue Team, whom they anticipated would be sent. They successfully ambushed John, Fred, Kelly and Linda using an [[Antigravity Plate]], however were unaware of the presence of Kurt, a new addition to the team, who had avoided the trap. Kurt was able to free the other members of Blue Team and they then retreated from the camp with the recovered warheads. Rebel leader General [[Howard Graves]] was killed in the process. |
| [[File:Escalation - Installation03Skirmish.png|thumb|left|250px|Blue Team engages Promethean Knights on Installation 03.]] | |
| By [[2557|July 25, 2557]], Blue Team was stationed at Earth. Shortly after the [[New Phoenix Incident]] and the loss of contact with a science team on [[Installation 03]], the team was joined by John (who had been recovered a few days earlier on [[Requiem]]) in an "advisory" role due to his recent encounters with [[Promethean#Mechanical Prometheans|Promethean constructs]]. The team was deployed to Gamma Halo, whereupon arrival they found the bodies of [[Black Team]] and the scientists before being attacked by [[Promethean Knight]]s. The Spartans soon discovered the [[Composer's Abyss]], and a [[slipspace portal]] within.{{Ref/Reuse|esc8}}
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| The portal took Blue Team to the [[Composer's Forge]], where they encountered the [[Ur-Didact]] and numerous new Promethean constructs he had created from the residents of [[New Phoenix]]. In addition, the Forge's [[monitor]], [[859 Static Carillon]], had Installation 03 transported above the Forge. Intending to use the Halo against Earth, the Didact took one of the Composers and headed back to the portal to Installation 03. Blue Team gave chase and engaged the Didact again atop the Composer's Abyss on the Halo's surface.<ref name="esc9">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 9|Issue #9]]''</ref> The Didact's armor soon adapted itself to the Spartans' weapons, but Static Carillon appeared and saved Blue Team by [[Teleportation|teleporting]] the Didact away into the installation's [[control room]]. While the rest of Blue Team returned to their Longsword, John entered the control center to confront the Promethean in person. The Master Chief disabled Gamma Halo's safeties, enabling Static Carillon to eject the segment of the ring housing the control room toward the planet housing the Composer's Forge. The monitor teleported John to Blue Team's Longsword just before the Halo fragment struck the Forge while the Didact was digitized by the several Composers firing on him at once.<ref name="esc10">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue #10]]''</ref>
| | ===Battle of Sigma Octanus IV=== |
| {{clear}}
| | {{Main|Battle of Sigma Octanus IV}} |
| | After the city of [[Côte d'Azur]] on [[Sigma Octanus IV]] came under attack from [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] forces, John 117 lead Blue Team under the city, planting a [[HAVOK Nuclear Warhead]] before moving into a Covenant controlled building, and facing [[Hunters]] for the first time. After retreating to a [[Pelican]] for evac, [[John 117]] detonated the [[HAVOK Nuclear Warhead]], killing all Covenant in the city. |
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| ===Later operations===
| | Blue Team was not always necessarily comprised of these members at all. John picked James and Linda to be on his team and sent the rest to the surface of Reach as part of Red. [[Spartan III]]s [[Ash-G099|Ash]], [[Mark]], and [[Olivia]] joined [[Kelly]], [[Fred]], and [[Linda]] as members of Blue Team.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'''</ref> |
| {{Quote|The war is over. At least that's what we're told... But those of us in the thick of it... We know better. At the fringes of our civilization, it's raging harder than ever. The violence and suffering continues. And there's noone around to stop it. That's why '''''Blue Team''''' is still active. Fred, Linda and myself - Kelly-087 - following Chief from mission to mission.|Kelly reflects on the state of conflict in the galaxy.}}{{Ref/Reuse|otb}}
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| Following the Didact's second defeat, Blue Team returned to Earth. John was debriefed by Admiral Hood who ordered him and Blue Team to rest and recover from years of continuous combat. Instead, the Master Chief chose to embark on a new series of missions.{{Ref/Reuse|esc10}} These operations included diplomatic escorts through hostile territory, counter-[[piracy]] efforts against [[Salvaging|salvagers]], and strikes against Covenant outposts.<ref>'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 185''</ref> At some point in the following months, John and Blue Team returned to the glassed Reach to remember Sam's sacrifice.<ref name="animeseries">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]'''</ref>
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| [[File:HTFoR AS - Blue 08.jpg|250px|thumb|Blue Team during their visit to Reach's glasslands.]]
| | ===Battle of Reach=== |
| In early [[2558]], Blue Team was stationed at the construction site for a new ONI research facility, awaiting orders.<ref name="otb">'''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''', ''[[On the Brink]]''</ref> Suddenly the facility came under attack by fanatical [[Covenant remnants|ex-Covenant]]. The hostiles managed to capture an [[M510 Mammoth]], disable its governor, and drive it down a steep hillside toward the site's main [[fusion reactor]]. Blue Team followed in pursuit in an [[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]. Spartans managed to board the Mammoth and wrest control of the hulking vehicle from its hijackers and steer it away from the reactor.{{Ref/Reuse|otb}} However, the near miss still resulted in the destruction of a decent amount of fabricated material that had been constructed. John, who had taken the Mammoth's controls, took all responsibility for the damage. After that Blue Team returned to a nearby airstrip, having received their next mission orders.{{Ref/Reuse|otb}}
| | {{Main|Battle of Reach}} |
| | During the Battle of Reach, the SPARTAN-II company was divided into two teams: [[Red Team]] and Blue Team. Blue Team was tasked with defending an [[Reach Station Gamma|orbital space station]]'s navigational data that could possibly lead the Covenant to [[Earth]] - what would be the apocalypse of the [[UNSC]]. Red Team, far larger than Blue Team, was sent to the planet surface of [[Reach]] to defend its power generators that powered the [[Orbital Defense Platform]]s. |
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| Later this year, during a human-Sangheili peace summit on [[Biko]], John-117 disrupted an [[Raid on Biko peace talks|assassination]] attempt by [[Sapien Sunrise]]. As a peace conference on [[Biko]] between the UEG and [[Sangheili]] representatives was coming to an end, John entered the embassy and instantly killed a member of Sapien Sunrise who was disguised as [[Richard Sekibo]]'s bodyguard. A firefight began, in which a total of eighteen human lives were claimed. John fled the embassy alongside the Sangheili delegation, which he escorted to safety. Outside the embassy, the rest of Blue Team was waiting in an evac ship for John. Unfortunately, John was unable to save Sekibo, who was consequently killed.<ref name="htt10">'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''', ''Episode 10: GAG ORDER''</ref> His corpse was left behind in a field near the embassy on Biko. The next day, local officials discovered a signal beacon that led them to the body of Sekibo.<ref name="htt8">'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''', ''Episode 08: DRIP, DRIP, DRIP''</ref> Unfortunately, the truth was covered up and John-117 was used as a scapegoat to hide the UEG's laxity towards preventing the attack.<ref>'''[[Hunt the Truth]]'''</ref> [[Benjamin Giraud]] prepared to expose the cover up, and reveal the atrocities committed by the people behind the SPARTAN-II program, the UEG and Biko undercut him by radically reversing their claims, admitting and denouncing the involvement of Sapien Sunrise in the attack, utterly discrediting Giraud.<ref name="htt13">'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''', ''Episode 13: IN THE BAG''</ref>
| | Blue Team consisted of SPARTAN-117 (Blue One), [[James (SPARTAN-II)|James]] (Blue Two), and SPARTAN-058 (Blue Three). Blue Team departed from the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} in a Pelican Dropship and crash-landed on the space station shortly before waves of [[Jackal Ranger]]s and [[Elite]]s landed. On maneuvers, Blue Two was shot at with crystalline needler rounds that penetrated the propellant module on the back of his armor that allowed him to maneuver in zero-g. With thruster wash billowing everywhere, Blue Two was blown into space, unable to control his trajectory. |
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| ===Argent Moon===
| | However, Blue One (John) and Blue Three (Linda) were able to infiltrate the locked-down space station, and with the help of [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery J. Johnson]] and several other [[Marines]], destroy the navigational data so that the [[Covenant]] would be unable to find and destroy [[Earth]]. However, during extraction, Blue Three was shot in the back with an overcharged [[plasma pistol]], and fell into a deep coma. Blue One and the [[Marine]] [[fireteam]] survived, however. |
| [[File:H5G-Cinematic-Blue-Team-Fallout.png|thumb|250px|Blue Team preparing to fall out.]]
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| {{Main|Operation: BIRD IN HAND}}
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| On October 23, 2558, Blue Team were deployed from the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} on a mission to find and secure the abandoned ONI research vessel ''[[Argent Moon]]'', now occupied by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]. During the mission, John experienced a vision from [[Cortana]] telling him that the [[Domain]] was open, that [[Meridian]] was next, and that the [[Reclaimer|Reclamation]] was about to begin. Upon coming to, he told Blue Team what he had seen. Resolving to deal with it later, they continued onwards according to their original plan. Upon witnessing Covenant vessels exiting slipspace all around the ''Argent Moon'', however, it was decided that the ''Argent Moon'' must be destroyed. Fighting their way through the ship, Blue Team eventually managed to overload ''Argent Moon's'' [[fusion reactor]]. With their arrival Pelican seemingly destroyed and no other means of escaping ''Argent Moon'' on time, Blue Team discovered a [[Winter-class prowler]], [[ONI Acrisius|ONI ''Acrisius'']], in the [[Hangar bay|hangar]]. With the hangar cleared and the ''Acrisius'' ready, John-117 radioed ''Infinity'' and informed them that he and Blue Team would be heading to Meridian. However, ''Infinity'' was mysteriously already aware of Cortana's return and ordered Blue Team back to them while another Spartan team was sent to deal with her. Rejecting their orders, Blue Team chose to evacuate aboard the ''Acrisius'' and set course to Meridian, leaving the ''Argent Moon'' as it exploded.{{Ref/Level|H5|[[Blue Team (level)|Blue Team]]}}
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| Unbeknownst to Blue Team, however, their old enemy, [[Intrepid Eye]], had managed to escape from the exploding station by latching on to the ''Acrisius'' as Blue Team left. Subsequently, the Forerunner ancilla was mistakenly believed to have been destroyed by Blue Team along with the ''Argent Moon''.{{Ref/Novel|DW|Chapter=5}}
| | ===Battle of Earth=== |
| | {{Main|Battle of Earth}} |
| | Shortly after John-117's disappearance after the [[Battle of Mombasa|Mombasa Slispace Event]], Blue Team was deployed to help defend [[Earth]] during the span of two weeks, while [[UNSC In Amber Clad|''In Amber Clad'']] was busy pursuing the [[Prophet of Regret]]. Blue Team conducted operations including numerous operations in orbit around Earth, [[Battle of Ross Island|stopping a Covenant invasion]] on [[Mount Erebus]] in [[Antarctica]] with a [[HAVOK Nuclear Warhead|HAVOK tactical nuke]], and stopping Covenant forces on the sea floor off of the [[Yucatan Peninsula]]. Following these ops, they were [[Battle of Havana|deployed]] to the [[Centennial Orbital Elevator]] (also known as Tallo Negro del Maiz) in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]] to stop Covenant forces that had gathered around the orbital elevator. They then stopped the Covenant forces, who had captured multiple nuclear warheads, before they could ascend the orbital elevator. The Spartans then ascended the orbital elevator themselves, and in the process destroyed one of the Covenant capital ships at the top of the elevator. The three Spartans then left the battle in another Covenant capital ship called the [[Bloodied Spirit]] under orders by Fleet [[Admiral Hood]] to aid [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey]] on [[Onyx]]. |
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| ===Absent without leave=== | | ===Battle of Onyx=== |
| {{Main|Battle of Meridian (2558)}} | | {{Main|Battle of Onyx}} |
| {{Quote|no=three|q1=I understand the Master Chief disobeying orders to find Cortana. But why the rest of Blue Team? They didn't know her.|[[Olympia Vale]]|q2=The members of Blue Team grew up together in the Spartan II program. They've registered more operations than any other fireteam in the UNSC.|[[Jameson Locke]]|q3=They're family.|[[Edward Buck]]|Members of [[Fireteam Osiris]] about Blue Team's actions<ref name="evacuation">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Evacuation]]''</ref>}}
| | During the [[Battle of Onyx]], Blue Team fought alongside with [[Team Saber]] against the [[Onyx Sentinels]] and the [[Covenant Separatists]] that had arrived. Upon arriving at the Battle of Onyx, they were reunited with [[Kelly-087]], Dr. Halsey, [[Senior Chief Petty Officer Mendez]], and [[Kurt-051]] (who they thought had been dead for quite some time). However during the course of the battle Will, Kurt, and a number of SPARTAN-IIIs were killed by the Sentinels and [[Covenant]] forces. The rest of Blue Team, along with the remaining [[SPARTAN-III]]s, CPO Mendez, and [[Dr. Halsey]] entered the [[Dyson Sphere]]. Currently, Blue Team is still in the Dyson Sphere. |
| [[File:H5G-Blue-01.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Blue Team in the Guardian's shelter.]]
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| The very next day, the UNSC declared members of Blue Team AWOL. Fireteam Osiris, a [[Spartan-IV]] unit led by Spartan Jameson Locke, was tasked with recovering Blue Team and the ''Acrisius''. Upon arriving at [[Meridian]], Blue Team landed at [[Apogee Station]] and proceeded make their way downwards to where the dormant [[Guardian]] lay buried. Their arrival on-planet was witnessed by multiple colonists, who were wholly unaware of their intentions. Also unbeknownst to the people of Meridian was the fact that their own [[Governor Sloan]] purposefully ensured nobody tried to stop them, as he was already serving Cortana at that point.<ref name="Guardians">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Guardians]]''</ref> Blue Team encountered no resistance from the [[Warden Eternal]] or any mechanical [[Prometheans]]. Fireteam Osiris caught up to Blue Team as they were entering the Guardian. Kelly, Fred, and Linda proceeded to enter the Guardian while John lingered and had an altercation with Locke. Once John had dealt with him and resumed boarding, the Guardian began to awaken. Fireteam Osiris scrambled to escape the collapsing chamber it had been held in as it rose out of the ground. The Guardian caused massive amounts of destruction as it took to the air, both from the very fact that it was emerging from beneath the earth and from electromagnetic shockwaves it sent out continually. During this time, many mechanical Promethean forces were deployed from the Guardian to engage Fireteam Osiris as they tried to escape the destruction in their Pelican. The Guardian jumped to slipspace on a course for [[Genesis]], taking Blue Team with it.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Unconfirmed]]''</ref>
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| {{clear}}
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| ===Genesis and revelation===
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| [[File:H5G-Blue-02.jpg|250px|thumb|Blue Team confronting Cortana.]]
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| {{Main|Battle of Genesis}}
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| {{Quote|no=three|q1=Chief? What are you going to do?|Kelly|q2=We're with you.|Linda|q3=All the way to the end, brother.|Fred|Members of Blue Team supporting the Chief{{Ref/Reuse|breaking}}}}
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| Upon landing on Genesis, Blue Team came across a series of computer consoles sounding musical tunes of [[Spartan signals|Oly Oly Oxen Free]]. Following the path unlocked by interacting with those consoles, Blue Team battled through stranded Covenant forces before meeting the Warden Eternal. Shortly after learning of the Warden Eternal's role as Cortana's defender, John demanded to meet her, only for the Warden Eternal to refuse and commence hostilities. Shortly after Blue Team's defeat of the Warden Eternal in battle, Cortana finally revealed herself to them, expressing relief that they had made it to Genesis. Upon questioning Cortana on the circumstances of her survival, they learned that the Domain had saved her; Cortana referred to it as the "fountain of youth" for AIs. Suspicious of Cortana's desire to reunite with them, Blue Team proceeded further into the planet in order to physically locate her.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Reunion]]''</ref> Shortly afterward, Fireteam Osiris caught up with Blue Team. Before the two Spartan teams could team up, Cortana separated them. Blue Team fought an uphill battle through Promethean forces and multiple bodies of the Warden Eternal before physically meeting Cortana. There she revealed to them her plan to use the Guardians as a means of enforcing a forced peace upon the galaxy. Rejecting Cortana's plan, John pleaded her to stand down and return to Earth with the team. Cortana refused and sealed Blue Team in a [[Cryptum]], intending to keep them in stasis for 10,000 years.<ref name="breaking">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[The Breaking]]''</ref> With the aid of [[031 Exuberant Witness]], the monitor of Genesis installation, Fireteam Osiris narrowly managed to free Blue Team from the Cryptum just as Cortana retreated into slipspace. Following Cortana’s departure, both Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris together fought their way through hordes of Promethean constructs to reach [[India 127|a D79-TC Pelican]] that had previously arrived on the planet via a Guardian’s Slipspace entry. Based on Osiris' recommendation, they agreed to return to [[Sanghelios]]; the joint team requested Witness’ help, who opened a [[Slipspace portal]] for them.{{Ref/Reuse|Guardians}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=Halo: Bad Blood|BadB}}
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| Upon their arrival at Sanghelios, now mostly in the dark due to the Guardian [[Battle of Sunaion|attack]] at [[Sunaion]], they correctly deduced that they’d find their allies near the region of [[Nuusra]]. Sure enough, they located the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]’ [[Sangheili hut|makeshift campsite]] on the cliffs and touched down, reuniting with Halsey, the Arbiter, and Palmer. After doing so, the two Spartan teams returned to the UNSC ''Infinity'' for debriefing.{{Ref/Reuse|Guardians}}{{Ref/Reuse|Halo: Bad Blood}}
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| ===Return to Reach===
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| {{Main|Operation: WOLFE|Battle of New Mohács}}
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| [[File:HSOR FullCover Art.jpg|250px|thumb|Blue Team on an occupied Reach.]]
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| {{Quote|no=three|q1=It seems Blue Team's mission is more important than I realized. Maybe it's time to read me in.|Palmer|q2=You don't want to know.|Halsey|q3=You don't. You really don't. I only suspect what they are trying to recover, and I wish I didn't.|Lasky|''Infinity''{{'}}s command on the stakes in the ongoing conflict{{Ref/Novel|Id=Chapter 13|SoR|Chapter=13}}}}
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| In [[2559#October|October 2559]], Blue Team, now wearing [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)|GEN3 armor]], was sent to infiltrate the ruined [[CASTLE Base]] on [[Reach]] in search of assets kept by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] in a secret cryovault, assets that held the key to defeating [[Cortana]]. Blue Team and the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}'s forces came up against the [[Banished]] who were occupying the planet while searching for the [[Menachite portal complex|Forerunner complex]] that Blue Team had found beneath CASTLE Base during the [[Fall of Reach]]. The conflict left Blue Team battered and with heavily damaged armor, but they succeeded in retrieving three [[cryobin]]s and a lockbox from the cryovault. However, by following Blue Team's trail, the Banished succeeded in finding the Forerunner complex and opening a [[slipspace portal]] to [[Installation 00|the Ark]], allowing [[Atriox]] to return to the Milky Way galaxy. While scouting the Forerunner complex, [[Fred-104]] encountered Blue Team's old friend [[Veta Lopis]], now undercover in the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]]. Lopis passed on a message to ONI through Fred, warning them of Atriox's return and the fact that the Keepers of the One Freedom, accompanied by the [[Ferret]]s, were heading to the Ark in order to fire the [[Halo Array]] and start the Great Journey.{{Ref/Novel|SoR}} The cryobins recovered by Blue Team contained Halsey's surviving [[flash cloning|cloned]] brains from the creation of Cortana, allowing her to create [[the Weapon]], an exact copy of Cortana whose mission was to imitate Cortana and lock her down for deletion.{{Ref/Game|Hi|Detail=[[Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Recovered Files|UNSC Audio log]]: Recovered Files}}{{Ref/Game|Hi}}
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| ===Zeta Halo and split up===
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| {{Quote|no=three|q1=Are you sure about sending him alone, Doctor Halsey?|Lasky|q2=If everyone does their job correctly, John will not be alone, Captain.|Halsey|q3=I just question the value of splitting him off from the rest of Blue Team. That wasn't the initial plan.|Lasky|Halsey and Lasky discussing Chief's and Blue Team's roles in the impending mission{{Ref/Game|Id=ia3|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #03 - Duty Clearance}}}}
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| The original plan was to have Blue Team accompany John-117 in the task of deploying the Weapon, however a few hours before the start of the mission, December 12, 2559, Catherine Halsey decided to split Chief off from Blue Team and Thomas Lasky assigned them to another classified operation, something that Halsey was less than pleased about as she had something in mind herself for them.{{Ref/Reuse|ia3}} The same day, the UNSC ''Infinity'' was ambushed by Banished forces upon its arrival at Cortana's headquarters, [[Installation 07]]. It is unknown if Fred-104, Kelly-087 and Linda-058 participated in the [[Battle over Installation 07|space battle]] or the following six-months long [[Battle for Zeta Halo|conflict]] on the ring, with some UNSC survivors questioning their ultimate fate and hoping for their and Chief's return.{{Ref/Novel|RP|22}}{{Ref/Novel|RP|39}}
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| ==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
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| ===Silver Timeline===
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| {{Notice/Silver|category=no}}
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| Blue Team and Green Team participated in [[Operation: HORIZON]].{{Ref/Site|Id=halseycomputer|URL=https://halotheseries.tv/|Site=Halo: The Series|Page=Dr. Catherine Halsey's Computer|D=25|M=3|Y=2022|LocalArchive=Dr. Catherine Halsey's Computer}}
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| ==Production notes==
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| Blue Team is featured in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' for the first time in a ''Halo'' game. They accompany John-117 throughout the campaign and accept commands from the player. Fred, Kelly, and Linda are also playable in [[cooperative play]], each with their own individual [[loadout]] and [[Heads-up display|HUD]].<ref>'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref>
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| ==Trivia==
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| *In ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', [[John-117]] added Vice Admiral [[Danforth Whitcomb]], Lieutenant [[Elias Haverson]], Petty Officer [[Shiela Polaski]] and Corporal [[Locklear]] to his team roster, effectively making them honorary members of Blue Team in honor of their sacrifices.
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| ==Gallery==
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| <gallery>
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| File:Waypoint - Blue Team logo.png|Blue Team's emblem.
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| File:HTFOR original cover art.png|Blue Team as seen on the original ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' cover.
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| File:HFOR-Spartan-BlueTeam.jpg|The original roster of Blue Team (Kelly, John, and Sam) on the 2010 ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' cover.
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| File:HLTP-OF92EVA-Fighter-Squadron.jpg|Blue Team piloting OF92 booster frames during Operation: WARM BLANKET in ''[[Halo Legends]]'': ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''.
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| File:Corridor Attack.jpg|Blue Team during Operation: WARM BLANKET in 2544.
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| File:BlueTeam.jpg|The members of Blue Team during [[Assault on Eridanus Secundus|their first mission]] in ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''.
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| File:Blue Team - Commonwealth 1.png|John, Kelly, and Samuel depart to infiltrate ''Unrelenting''.
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| File:Blue Team - Commonwealth 2.png|Two members of Blue Team onboard ''[[Unrelenting]]'' during the Battle of Chi Ceti.
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| File:HFoR - Blue Team vs Hunter.jpg|Blue Team fighting a [[Mgalekgolo]] in 2552.
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| File:HFoR - Blue Team on Gamma Station.jpg|Blue Team fighting aboard [[Gamma Station]] in 2552.
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| File:Blue Team Escalation1.png|Blue Team aboard a GA-TL1 Longsword during the Mission to Installation 03 in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
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| File:BluevsPrometheans.jpg|Blue Team engaging Promethean Knights on Installation 03.
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| File:Escalation - Didact vs Blue Team.png|The Didact attacking Blue Team.
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| File:Halo Escalation 10.jpg|Blue Team on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation#10]]''.
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| File:HTMCC Nameplate BlueTeam.png|A Blue Team nameplate in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
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| File:Onitalk.jpg|Blue Team on another mission after the Installation 03 mission.
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| File:HtT-BlueTeam.png|Blue Team on Meridian in ''[[The Hunt Begins]]''.
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| File:TFoR-as-concept 4.jpg|Blue Team prepares to board the ''Unrelenting'' in concept art for ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''.
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| File:HTFoR AS - Blue 01.jpg|Blue Team hiding aboard the freighter ''Laden''.
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| File:H5G_Early_BlueTeam_Concept_1.jpg|Early concept art of Blue Team for ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
| |
| File:H5G_Early_BlueTeam_Concept_2.jpg|Early concept art of Blue Team for ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
| |
| File:H5G_Early_BlueTeam_Concept_3.jpg|Early concept art of Blue Team for ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
| |
| File:H5-ConceptArt-BlueTeam2.jpg|Concept art of all four members of Blue Team for ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
| |
| File:H5G The Sprint blue team concept art.jpg|Blue Team concept art for ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
| |
| File:H5G-Blue Team renders.jpg|Blue Team's final character models in ''Halo 5: Guardians''
| |
| File:Halo_5_Co-op_Chief.png|John-117's loadout in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
| |
| File:H5G-BlueSangheiliEncounter.jpg|Blue Team encountering a [[Commander (Covenant)|Commander]].
| |
| File:H5G-BlueTeam GI 2.jpg|Blue Team aboard the ''Argent Moon''.
| |
| File:H5G-BlueTeam GI.jpg|Blue Team in combat.
| |
| File:H5G-BlueTeammocap.jpg|Blue Team's motion capture actors for ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
| |
| File:HM-BlueTeam.png|Blue Team on Meridian in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
| |
| File:HCD3-BlueTeammad.jpg|Blue Team in ''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''.
| |
| File:HINF Concept ZetaApproach.jpg|Concept art of Linda, John, and Fred approaching Installation 07 for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
| |
| </gallery>
| |
| | |
| ==List of appearances==
| |
| {{col-begin}}
| |
| {{col-3}}
| |
| *''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
| |
| *''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo Legends]]''
| |
| **''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
| |
| **''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
| |
| **''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
| |
| **''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' {{Mo}}
| |
| *''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
| |
| **''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
| |
| *''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
| |
| **''[[The Hunt Begins]]''
| |
| {{col-3}}
| |
| *''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
| |
| **''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Ground Command]]'' {{Mo}}
| |
| *''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
| |
| **''[[Lessons Learned]]'' {{Mo}}
| |
| **''[[A Necessary Truth]]'' {{Mo}}
| |
| *''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
| |
| **''[[On the Brink]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
| |
| {{col-3}}
| |
| *''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{mo}}
| |
| *''[[Halo Infinite: Memory Agent]]'' {{Mo}}
| |
| *''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{mo}}
| |
| *''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]'' {{Mo}}
| |
| *''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}
| |
| *''[[Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Epitaph]]''
| |
| *''[[Halo: Battle Born]]
| |
| **''[[Glassed (short story)|Glassed]]'' {{Mo}}
| |
| {{col-end}}
| |
|
| |
|
| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources|2}}
| | <references/> |
| | |
| {{SPARTAN Teams}}
| |
|
| |
|
| [[Category:SPARTAN-II teams]]
| | {{Spartanteams}} |