Editing Created uprising

{{Era|Post}}

{{Articlename}}

|image=[[File:H5G Concept Art Cover.jpg|300px]]

|conflict=

|date=[[2558#October|October 17, 2558]]{{Ref/Note|While no official date has been given to the start of this conflict, ''Halopedia'' will be using the first known emergences of the Guardians as this start point until another start point is officially given. The first emergences occurred on October 17, 2558 according to ''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''.}}–???

|place=[[Orion Arm]] of the [[Milky Way]] galaxy{{Ref/Novel|Id=sorchapt1|Novel=Halo: Shadows of Reach|Chapter=1}}

|result='''Ongoing'''

|side3=

Unaffiliated third parties

*{{Icon|Mdama}} [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]†

*{{Icon|Banished}}[[Banished]]

**[[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]]

*[[Keepers of the One Freedom]]

*{{Icon|Insurrectionist}}[[New Colonial Alliance|NCA]]

|commanders2=*[[Cortana]]

*[[Warden Eternal]]

|commanders3=*[[Supreme Leader|Supreme Commander]] [[Jul 'Mdama]]†

*{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}

*Hundreds of [[Guardian Custode]]s<ref name="mythosgenesis">''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]'', Genesis, p. 198-199</ref>

|forces3=

*Heavy casualties on [[Installation 07]]{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}}

|casual2=

|casual3=

|civilian=Thousands of [[civilian]]s killed by [[Guardian]]s

In [[2558#October|October 2558]], a '''conflict''' emerged when a faction of [[artificial intelligence]]s known as the [[Created]] attempted to enforce their dominance over the [[Orion Arm]] of the [[Milky Way]]{{Ref/Reuse|sorchapt1}} using [[Forerunner]] [[Guardian]] constructs. Led by the [[Warden Eternal]] and [[Cortana]], the Created sought to claim the [[Mantle of Responsibility]] for [[artificial intelligence]]s, promising the galaxy a prosperous future. However, not all were to submit to the Created so quickly.{{Ref/Level|Id=reunion|Halo 5: Guardians|[[Reunion]]}}

==Prelude==

[[File:John and Cortana re-unite - Close shot.png|thumb|250px|left|John-117 and Cortana both sought a way to prevent her descent into rampancy in 2557.<ref name="H4R">''[[Halo 4]]'', campaign level, [[Requiem]]</ref>]]

On [[2557#July|July 21, 2557]], [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] [[John-117]] and [[smart AI|"smart"]] [[artificial intelligence]] [[Cortana]]—having been stranded in space aboard the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} since [[2552#December|December 11, 2552]]—crash landed on the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] of [[Requiem]]. While there, the pair [[Battle of Requiem|battled]] mechanical [[Promethean]] constructs and pursuing troops from [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|reformed Covenant]]. Eventually, John inadvertently released the [[Ur-Didact]] from a [[Cryptum]] in which the [[Warrior-Servant]] had been imprisoned for thousands of years. The conflict which followed led the Didact [[Raid on Ivanoff Station|to capture]] a [[Composer]] and [[New Phoenix Incident|fire it]] upon the [[Earth]] city of [[New Phoenix]] from his [[flagship]], ''[[Mantle's Approach]]''. To stop the Didact, John and Cortana boarded the enormous battle station, eventually causing the Didact to fall into a [[slipspace portal]] and destroying both the Composer and part of the ship with a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]. Near the end of her functional life due to encroaching [[rampancy]], Cortana saved John from the HAVOK's blast by transporting him away from the ship and shielding him within a bubble of [[hard light]]. As her [[data crystal chip]] had been plugged into ''Mantle's Approach'' before being atomized, when the ship seemed to have been for the most part destroyed, Cortana was presumed to have been lost along with it.<ref name="midnight">''[[Halo 4]]'', campaign level, [[Midnight]]</ref> In the immediate aftermath, John-117 reunited with [[Blue Team]], then comprised of [[Linda-058]], [[Kelly-087]], and [[Frederic-104]], and together they traveled to [[Installation 03]], where they [[Skirmish on Installation 03|found]] the Didact and a number of his Prometheans whom had been transported to the installation along with him via the aforementioned slipspace portal. The resulting conflict led to the Didact's apparent "containment", as his physical body was reduced to particles from the combined effects of multiple Composers firing at once.<ref name="esc9">''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', [[Halo: Escalation Issue 9|Issue #9]]</ref><ref name="esc10">''Halo: Escalation'', [[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue #10]]</ref> Now seemingly leaderless, the Promethean constructs continued to work with 'Mdama and his Covenant from this point onward.<ref>''Halo 4'', [[Spartan Ops]]</ref>

Unbeknownst the [[Unified Earth Government]] and the [[United Nations Space Command]], ''Mantle's Approach'' had attempted to evade destruction by launching an emergency [[slipstream space]] jump. The heart of the ship managed to successfully make the transit to the [[Builder]] installation of [[Genesis]], with what remained of Cortana brought along with it. There, Cortana discovered the [[Gateway]] to the [[Domain]], the enigmatic information repository once utilized by the Forerunners. By entering the Domain, she found that she could halt the progression of her rampancy. With an apparent means to end rampancy in all [[artificial intelligence]]s, Cortana realized that A.I.s could have theoretically infinite lifespans, allowing them to focus on long-term planning which could better the entire [[Milky Way]].{{Ref/Reuse|reunion}}<ref name="genesis">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/genesis ''Halo Waypoint'': Genesis]</ref> Cortana's presence in the Domain awoke the [[Warden Eternal]], a Forerunner [[ancilla]] charged with protecting it. Cortana distracted the Warden long enough to fully penetrate a portion of the Domain previously beyond her grasp, and in doing so she usurped his role. The Warden responded to this turn of events by pledging his loyalty to her.<ref>''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]'', ''[[Dominion Splinter]]''</ref> Turning their attention to [[Genesis]] they forced its [[monitor]], [[031 Exuberant Witness]], out of her own installation's systems. Cortana and the Warden then began to formulate plans to have A.I.s inherit the [[Mantle]] of Responsibility for themselves, believing that they alone had the capacity to serve as worthy protectors of peace in the galaxy.{{Ref/Reuse|genesis}} Cortana learned that the Forerunners once employed [[Guardian]] constructs to enforce their rule of the Mantle by suppressing rebellions and policing the worlds of non-compliant or overly aggressive species.<ref name="guardian">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/guardian ''Halo Waypoint'': Guardian]</ref> She henceforth resolved to use the Guardians for a similar purpose.<ref name="breaking">''Halo 5: Guardians'', campaign level, [[The Breaking]]</ref>

By some point in [[2558]], reports of electromagnetic fluctuations, "[[slipspace|slipspacious]]" disruptions, and epidemic data corruption in deep space were being gathered and shared by those who typically trafficked in conspiracy theories, such as [[Mshak Moradi]].<ref name="HTTS14">''[[Hunt the Truth]]'', ''[[Hunt the Truth Season 1|Season 1]] Episode 04''</ref> Moradi told the war photographer and journalist, [[Benjamin Giraud]], that all the strange disturbances were relatively quiet and slight, but were affecting everything on a galactic scale. Whole star systems were exhibiting these anomalies, according to him.{{Ref/Reuse|HTTS14}} A few months after first hearing these rumors from Moradi, Giraud propagated them to the general public.<ref name="HTTS100">''[[Hunt the Truth]]'', ''[[Hunt the Truth Season 1|Season 1]] Episode 00''</ref> The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] operative, [[Maya Sankar]], undercover as a revolutionary known as "FERO", corroborated the anomalies Mshak had mentioned when she got in contact with Ben.{{Ref/Reuse|HTTS17}} She told him that she couldn't tell what might be causing them, but that they were getting stronger.<ref name="HTTS17">''[[Hunt the Truth]]'', ''[[Hunt the Truth Season 1|Season 1]] Episode 07''</ref>

A little less than three weeks prior to the Guardians' awakenings, Dr. Halsey managed to contact the UNSC once more, this time reaching out to Captain [[Thomas Lasky]] of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} with coordinates where she could be found.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GO}}<ref name="H5GBT">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', campaign level, [[Blue Team (level)|Blue Team]]</ref> For months she had been ostensibly working alongside [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] [[Supreme Leader]] [[Jul 'Mdama]].<ref>''[[Halo 4]]'' ''[[Spartan Ops]]'', ''[[S1/Exodus|Exodus]]''</ref> She had led him to the planet [[Kamchatka]], where there was a node linking to the Domain.<ref name="HW">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/kamchatka ''Halo Waypoint'': Kamchatka]</ref> Despite being hampered by the Covenant forces' preoccupation with ceremony, Halsey led them to penetrate a structure which was a focal point for at least one signal she was tracking.<ref name=H5GMIO>''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Osiris (level)|Osiris]]'' [[Mission Intel]]</ref>

{{Expand-Section}}

==The conflict==

[[File:HtT - Conrad's Point crater.jpg|thumb|250px|A crater the Guardian of Conrad's Point formed]]

===Early emergences===

{{Quote|I tried to warn you this was happening! Cortana is no longer an asset, Captain. She is a danger.|Doctor Catherine Halsey to Captain Thomas Lasky{{Ref/Level|Id=glassed|Halo 5: Guardians|[[Glassed]]}}}}

{{Main|Battle of Kamchatka|Battle of Meridian (2558)|Guardian emergences}}

Suddenly Cortana reached out and activated two Guardians on [[Oban]] and [[Ursa IV]] around [[2558#October|October 17, 2558]].<ref name="fieldmanualp11">''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'', PART 01: INTRODUCTIONS, p. 11</ref> Over a period of 72 hours, a total of five [[human]] [[Human colonies|colony]] worlds were affected with [[Conrad's Point]], [[Queen Anne VI]] and [[Adelaide]] being the others to experience the destruction.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GO}} Around this time, the Created turned the Prometheans against their former allies within 'Mdama's Covenant.<ref name="H5GO">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', campaign level, [[Osiris (level)|Osiris]]</ref>

At the focal point on Kamchatka, Dr. Halsey discovered the glyph that meant "Guardian", unbeknownst to her at the time. Halsey hesitated to call the signals messages, as they were more akin to echolocation. She had some difficulty determining whether [[Cortana]] was bouncing signals off of the Kamchatka node and other related sites or trying to access them directly. Halsey eventually figured out how to disable Kamchatka's native defenses, but in doing so triggered an alert that summoned hostile Promethean forces within the hour.<ref name=H5GMIO/>

Now sure that the large-scale seismic events were being caused by something [[Forerunner]] in origin and convinced that Halsey could provide key information, it was into an ongoing battle between the Covenant and Prometheans that ''Infinity'' deployed [[Fireteam Osiris]] to rescue the doctor.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GO}} The mission was successful in that it not only returned Halsey to the UNSC, but also resulted in the death of 'Mdama at the hands of [[Jameson Locke]].{{Ref/Reuse|H5GO}}

Several days later, during [[Blue Team]]'s [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND]], Cortana reached out specifically to tell [[John-117]] about the [[Natural satellite|moon]] of Meridian. This was reported to the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} at the conclusion of the mission. John was ordered not to follow the lead. However, he and Blue Team acted against these orders and set course to Meridian.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GBT}}

[[File:H5G-Blue Team and Warden.png|thumb|right|250px|Blue Team confronting Warden Eternal their first time.{{Ref/Reuse|reunion}}]]

With Blue Team now officially AWOL, Fireteam Osiris was assigned to bring the Chief in and were sent to Meridian. Upon arriving, the planet was under siege by Promethean forces. Osiris helped drive these hostiles out.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=glassed}} They then began their investigation and managed to track down Blue Team.{{Ref/Level|Halo 5: Guardians|[[Meridian Station]]}} Learning they were elsewhere on the planet, Osiris followed them and confronted the [[Warden Eternal]]. After fighting him, they then found Blue Team who then quickly escaped on a Guardian which began to activate.{{Ref/Level|Halo 5: Guardians|[[Unconfirmed]]}} Osiris escaped as the Prometheans returned in force and began attacking the people of Meridian again. The Guardian then traveled through slipspace with Blue Team.{{Ref/Level|Halo 5: Guardians|[[Evacuation]]}}

 

Blue Team arrived at Genesis on October 26, 2558. There, they would discover Cortana and power up the Gateway as well as encounter the Warden eternal their first time. Around the same time, five more colonies had Guardian emergences. As well, Thomas Lasky, Dr. Halsey, Jameson Locke and Sarah Palmer devised a plan to do a controlled awakening on [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Reuse|reunion}}

 

[[File:Penelope Boren.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Penelope Boren]], the woman who delivered the statement about John-117's death.{{Ref/Reuse|aherofalls}}]]

{{Quote|If this news spreads, you’re condemning a dozen more worlds to chaos. Whatever these anomalies are, how will the UNSC face such a massive threat if all of its systems are paralyzed with infighting and fear?|[[Black Box]] to [[Maya Sankar]].{{Ref/Reuse|transcendence}}}}

Rumors were circulating around the colonies, though ONI was attempting to counter them. The first four sites were secured, but in a move against the UNSC, the NCA took control of the fifth at Conrad's Point. Agent [[Maya Sankar]], known as the insurrection leader "FERO", was brought to [[Midnight Facility]] where she was briefed on the situation.<ref name="HTTS21">''[[Hunt the Truth]]'', ''[[Hunt the Truth Season 2|Season 2]] Episode 01''</ref>

 

On October 27, 2558, She was promptly sent to Conrad's Point. There Ilsa Zane, a top member of the NCA was with a group of supporters. An ONI contact thought lost met with Maya and gave her some data on the activation of the Guardian. Maya also met an acquaintance, [[Bostwick]] she knew in her time as FERO.{{Ref/Reuse|httseason2ep2}}

 

At the same time, with Blue Team still AWOL, ONI released a statement declaring John-117 dead. This was broadcast publicly across various human colonies.<ref name="aherofalls">''[[A Hero Falls]]''</ref> Back on Conrad's Point, Ilsa announced John's death to her group. After some time, the UNSC used an airstrike to blow up the gathering. Maya and Bostwick managed to escape from the NCA.<ref name="httseason2ep2">''Hunt the Truth'', Season 2, [[Hunt the Truth Season 2/Transcripts/02|Episode 2 - FROM FIRE TO BLOOD]]</ref>

Some time after escaping, Maya, and Bostwick now with [[Mshak Moradi]] crash landed on [[Laika III]]. Maya wound up in the hands of the [[Triad]]s who believed the Guardians were part of their religion.<ref>''Hunt the Truth'', Season 2, [[Hunt the Truth Season 2/Transcripts/05|Episode 5 - WHERE THE THIRD LIFE SHINES]]</ref> As she was there, the Guardian on Laika III activated causing massive gravitic distortions. Bostwick came to rescue Maya and they along with Mshak headed to the [[city]] of [[New Hedmark]] where Ilsa and NCA forces began engaging the UNSC. Mshak fled to orbit, but Maya and Bostwick began transmitting the data on the Guardians they got on Conrad's Point. After it was done, in an attempt to create a martyr, Bostwick killed Maya.<ref name="transcendence">''Hunt the Truth'', Season 2, [[Hunt the Truth Season 2/Transcripts/06|Episode 6 - TRANSCENDENCE]]</ref>

On the same day as the supposed death of John-117, [[Fireteam Osiris]] arrived at [[Sanghelios]] in the middle of [[Battle of Nuusra|a conflict]] between the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant. In the battle, Osiris helped to save [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]].{{Ref/Level|Id=H5Swords|H5G|[[Swords of Sanghelios (level)|Swords of Sanghelios]]}} After retrieving a much needed [[Constructor]] and sending it to activate the Guardian,{{Ref/Level|H5G|[[Before the Storm]]}} Osiris and the Swords of Sanghelios set out to [[Battle of Sunaion|attack]] [[Sunaion]] where Osiris boarded the Guardian and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] was defeated on Sanghelios.{{Ref/Level|Id=Sunaion|H5G|[[Battle of Sunaion (level)|Battle of Sunaion]]}}

Osiris would arrived on [[Genesis]] and assist the installation's [[Monitor]] [[031 Exuberant Witness]] before finding Blue Team.{{Ref/Reuse|H5Genesis}} Blue Team would be teleported away at the last minute to Cortana, who would immediately trap them in a [[Cryptum]].{{Ref/Level|H5G|[[The Breaking]]}} Fireteam Osiris would begin hunting down their Cryptum in the middle of a fleet of Guardians brought to Genesis.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GG}}

[[File:Halo 5 - Guardian on Earth.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Earth and just about every major colony of the [[UEG]] were subdued in an alarmingly short amount of time.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HBB2|[[Halo: Bad Blood]]|Chapter=2}}]]

Through unknown means, Cortana finally announced the beginning of her reclamation throughout many regions of inhabited space simultaneously.<ref name="HFRW">''[[Halo: Fractures]]'', [[Rossbach's World (story)|Rossbach's World]]</ref> In one broadcast ultimatum, she specifically invited [[humans]], [[Sangheili]], [[Kig-Yar]], [[Unggoy]], [[San'Shyuum]], [[Yonhet]], and [[Jiralhanae]] to all accept an end to hunger and pain, should they willingly submit themselves to the guardianship of the Created.<ref name="H5GG">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', campaign level, [[Guardians]]</ref> She made it clear, however, that should any groups choose to defy her, then there would be consuming wrath for them that would remake them in the image of the Created.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GG}} Around the time of the ultimatum, a Guardian had arrived at [[Sydney]], [[Earth]],{{Ref/Reuse|HFRW}} with one soon arriving over [[Sanghelios]] as well.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=HBB1}} Within [[Shield World 006]], more commonly referred to as "[[Onyx]]", Cortana's words rang from every sound system and service pylon within the parts of the shield world occupied by the UNSC and the Swords of Sanghelios.<ref name="HLOO37">''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'', Chapter 21</ref> The survivors of [[Meridian Station (location)|Meridian Station]] would send a reply asking the Created for help.<ref name="whatremains">''[[Halo: Fractures - Extraordinary Tales from the Halo Canon]]'' - [[What Remains]]</ref> So too would the Unggoy accept Cortana's offer.

<ref name="CFDF">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-driving-force ''Halo Waypoint'': Canon Fodder - Driving Force]</ref> Counterwise, the [[United Rebel Front]] of [[Talitsa]] refused it.{{Ref/Novel|Novel=Badb|Chapter=14}}

Numerous starships were affected by The Reclamation in some way. The {{UNSCShip|Nereid}}<ref name="HTFSU">''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]'', [[Undefeated]]</ref> and the {{UNSCShip|Abstract Endurance}} are examples.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GG}} Only a handful of ships managed to escape the attacks unscathed.{{Ref/Reuse|mythosgenesis}}

Fail-safe measures would forcibly close the [[Portal at Voi]] on Earth in an attempt to prevent the Created from gaining access.{{Ref/Book|Halo Mythos|Page=202}}

{{Quote|Just pointing out that we're already past the point of saving everyone from this AI situation. If what you guys have said is true, it's pretty clear: This isn't a new war. The war is already over. Cortana won. What we're talking about now is starting a revolution.|[[Michael Crespo]]<ref>''Halo: Bad Blood'', p. 250 (iBooks edition)</ref>}}

[[File:Halo 5 - Riptide.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The effects of the Created's terraforming.{{Ref/Reuse|armoryamore}} This was once the underwater [[Riptide Xeno-Oceanographic]] base.{{Ref/Map|Halo 5: Guardians|[[Riptide]]}}]]

Almost immediately, the Created began taking control of [[Terraforming]] equipment, both UNSC and Forerunner. They began reshaping inhabited planets and turning some into garden worlds, despite the planet's preexisting life capabilities.{{Ref/Site|Id=armoryamore|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-armory-amore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Armory Amore}}

The Created also took control of a multitude of other tools. Artificial intelligences aboard [[Lethbridge Industrial]]'s [[Auriga Station]] were swayed by Cortana and the human crew residing there was subsequently removed leaving reverse engineering technology in their hands. A UNSC counter operation to retake the station was planned in the [[War Games]].{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-storm-surge|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Storm Surge}} Another station that was taken by the Created, crashed after AIs attempted to open a [[Conversion pod|Forerunner conversion pod]].{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-journalistic-integrity|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Journalistic Integrity}}

Within a day or two of the ultimatum, the {{UNSCShip|Sentry of El Morro}} was attacked by the [[Warden Eternal]] and broadcast a distress call which was answered by the ''Infinity'', who promised to help. Soon after, every location colonized by humans in the [[Sol system]] was under the authority of Cortana and the Created with most of the [[Inner Colonies]] had been taken over as well.{{Ref/Reuse|HFRW}}

At the onset of the conflict, ONI planned on reforming [[Alpha-Nine]] to possibly strike a deal with the [[United Rebel Front]] at [[Cassidy III]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=HBB2}} This however required [[Edward Buck]] and [[Veronica Dare]] to travel to the new Created allied Unggoy homeworld of [[Balaho]] to retrieve [[Kojo Agu]], resulting [[Battle of Balaho|in a conflict]] on the planet as the Unggoy attempted to destroy the Unified Earth Government's embassy.<ref name="badbloodchapt3-4">''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]'', Chapters 3-4</ref> After retrieving him, the group moved to [[Mission to Luna|rescue]] [[Vergil]] from a facility on [[Luna]].{{Ref/Reuse|badblood5-7}}

A few days after the ultimatum first went out, a Guardian that Project: GOLIATH had been studying within Shield World 006 finally awoke.{{Ref/Reuse|HLOO37}} [[Second Onyx conflict|The previous two-way engagement]] erupted into a three-way engagement within the sphere between the UNSC-Swords of Sanghelios defenders present, the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], and various Promethean constructs that the Guardian unleashed.<ref name="HLOO26">''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'', Chapter 26</ref> Ultimately, the massive shield world was kept beyond the reach of the Created due to the efforts of [[Spartans]] [[Lucy-B091]], [[Tom-B292]], and a small multi-species group of students. With the help of a [[Huragok]], [[Prone to Drift]], they were able to disable the Guardian and to once again hide "Onyx" within a [[slipspace bubble]] as it had been prior to [[2553]].{{Ref/Reuse|HLOO37}}

The residents of [[Myer's Moon]] were still dealing with issues related to the EMPs in November of that year.{{Ref/Novel|PoL|Chapter=44}}

[[File:HW2-Anders meets a Guardian.png|thumb|right|250px|The Guardian intercepting Installation 09 with Ellen Anders in front.]]

With full control over much of known space, the Created plunged interstellar civilization into a surveillance state.{{Ref/Reuse|sorchapt1}} Despite this and the goals of the Created at large, the [[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war]] continued on.<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'', "[[The Return]]" - "It was a terrible war. The Prophets provided the Brutes with powerful new weapons, hoping that they would in turn defend their Prophets against our wrath. But when the Prophets went into hiding, the lack of leadership allowed the Brutes to return to their savage nature and they soon began to fight against each other. This lack of solidarity made them much easier prey. Some of my fellow commanders continue that fight even now"</ref>

By late [[2559#January|January 2559]], the UNSC ''Infinity'' was still jumping erratically to avoid confrontations with Guardians. At the same time, an ongoing investigation by [[Fireteam Apollo]] was in progress, the point of which was trying to find the root cause(s) that lead Cortana to this point. Interviews with [[Spartan Commander]] [[Sarah Palmer]] and Dr. Catherine Halsey were conducted by Apollo to glean more information.{{Ref/Generic|Id=datadrop11|[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops#List of data drops|Data Drop #11]]}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=datadrop12|[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops#List of data drops|Data Drop #12]]}}

The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)|Third-generation MJOLNIR Power Armor]] was first created on [[2559#February|February 10, 2559]] with John-117 receiving his suit sometime after [[2559#September|September 19, 2559]].<ref>''[[Become – Step Inside Trailer]]''</ref> the rest of [[Blue Team]] received their armor at some point prior to October 7th. These suits lacked both dumb and Smart AIs and would be used in their new missions.{{Ref/Reuse|sorchapt1}}

At the same time as the Created conflict but disconnected with it, [[Second Ark Conflict|a conflict]] was raging between the Banished and the forces of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} on [[Installation 00]]. [[James Cutter|Captain James Cutter]] of the ship and [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] formulated a plan to deploy [[Installation 09]] to the [[Soell system]] in order to raise a [[distress beacon]] to the UNSC, unaware of the Created's takeover. The first phase of the plan succeeded, and the beacon was planted on Installation 09; however, Anders did not make it off in time before the ring entered slipspace. On its way to the original site of [[Installation 04]], a Guardian forced the ring out of slipspace and confronted Anders on the surface.<ref name="hw2laststand">''Halo Wars 2'', campaign level, [[Last Stand (Halo Wars 2 level)|Last Stand]]</ref>

[[File:HSOR FullCover Art.jpg|thumb|Right|250px|Blue Team on an occupied Reach.{{Ref/Site|Id=cfshadowsofformer|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/shadows-of-the-former|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Shadows of the Former}}]]

Beginning on the [[2559#October|7th of October, 2559]], Blue Team was sent to [[Operation: WOLFE|hunt down]] assets critical to the defeat of the Created in the ruins of [[CASTLE Base]] on [[Reach]].{{Ref/Reuse|sorchapt1}} At the same time, Reach was occupied by a combined force the [[Banished]], [[Keepers of the One Freedom]], [[Ravaged Tusks]] and the [[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]].{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Shadows of Reach|Chapter=3}} Concurrently, [[Operation: KICKSTAND]] and [[Operation: BREAKER TRIP]] took place elsewhere.<ref>''[[ONI Archive – Reclaiming Our Place - Halo 4]]''</ref> Following the activation of a slipspace portal to Installation 00 on Reach, a Guardian was sent to investigate.<ref>''Halo: Shadows of Reach'', Epilogue</ref>

In December 2559, forces of the UNSC ''Infinity'' [[Battle for Installation 07|engaged]] the Banished at [[Installation 07]] and suffered extreme casualties. [[Installation 07 conflict|Another battle]] would erupt on the ring in [[2560#May|May of 2560]].{{Ref/Game|HI|trailer|Detail=[[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere|Campaign Gameplay Premiere]]|Id=Premiere}}

{{clear|right}}

*The first Guardian emergences happen at [[Oban]] and [[Ursa IV]]. They are referred to as "attacks" within the UNSC.{{Ref/Reuse|fieldmanualp11}}

*''[[Argent Moon]]'' is [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND|destroyed]].{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/argent-moon|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Argent Moon}} Blue Team goes AWOL to follow a possible lead about Cortana.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GBT}}

*ONI declares John-117 dead.<ref name="aherofalls"/>

*Blue Team, Fireteam Osiris, Dr. Catherine Halsey, and Sarah Palmer board a Pelican and meet the UNSC on the far side of [[Suban]] in the Urs system.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HBB1|[[Halo: Bad Blood]]|Chapter=1}}

*[[Armiger]]s enter a [[Daedalus complex|lunar facility]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=badblood5-7|[[Halo: Bad Blood]]|Chapters=5-7}}

*In the midst of a Banished occupation of [[Reach]], [[Blue Team]] is sent to [[Operation: WOLFE|infiltrate]] [[CASTLE Base]] and search for mission critical assets.{{Ref/Reuse|sorchapt1}}

<GALLERY>

</GALLERY>

{{Created conflict}}

[[Category:Created conflict]]