Editing Fernando Esparza

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Character infobox
|variant=Human
|name=Fernando Esparza
|image=[[File:HINF Pilot Render.png|225px]]
|homeworld=[[Charybdis IX]]{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=91}}
|birth=[[2518#May|May 7, 2518]]{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}
|death=
|causeofdeath=
|parents=
|siblings=
|spouses=
|children=
|species=[[Human]]{{Ref/Quest|Id=wg|HI|Ringfall|Warship Gbraakon}}
|gender=Male{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}
|height={{Convert|180.3|cm|ftin|dis=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}
|mass={{Convert|86.2|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}
|hair=Dark brown{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}
|eyes=Brown{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}
|rank=Civilian contractor{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}
|sn=CC-434323{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}
|notable=
}}
{{Quote|no=four|1=Fernando Esparza|q1=I'm not you. I'm not a pilot. I'm not even a soldier, a marine! I'm a fraud. I stole that Pelican. I stole it! You know why? Of course you don't. Have you ever been scared? So scared that you... I'm worthless. You should leave me here with the rest of the garbage.|2=John-117|q2=We all fail. We all make mistakes. It's what makes us human.|3=Fernando Esparza|q3=I'm sorry, Chief. But how have you ever failed?|4=John-117|q4=I should have protected Cortana. Stopped everything from going wrong. I failed her. I will not fail you.|5=Fernando Esparza's despondent outburst being met with John-117 revealing his failures.{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}}}
'''Fernando Esparza''', nicknamed '''Echo 216''' after [[Echo 216|the Pelican with the eponymous designation]]{{Ref/Reuse|hor}}, or simply '''The Pilot''', is a [[civilian]] contractor who worked in engineering on the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}{{Ref/Quest|Id=sequence|HI|Reformation|The Sequence}}

==Biography==
===Early life===
Fernando Esparza was born on [[Charybdis IX]] on [[2518#May|May 7, 2518]].{{Ref/Reuse|EN}} He has a wife and a young daughter.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}{{Ref/Note|Despite their prominent appearances in ''[[Discover Hope]]'' and the opening cinematic of the retail version of ''Halo Infinite'', the mother and daughter in Esparza's holorecorder were not mentioned by Esparza when the Weapon asked him whether he had any family or close ones in the level [[The Sequence]]. Based on his response (''"No... not anymore."''), it is possible they were killed at some point before May 2560.}}

===Battle for Zeta Halo===
{{Main|Battle for Zeta Halo}}
{{Quote|How long has it been since I met you? Six hours? Maybe seven. It's been... eventful. Six months on my own, surviving... barely. Seems like a dream now. This on the other hand... mostly feels like a nightmare. Mostly.|Esparza recounts his time at Zeta Halo to John-117.{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}}}}
On [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]], Esparza was onboard {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} when it was [[Battle over Installation 07|ambushed]] by [[Banished]] forces upon arrival at [[Installation 07]].{{Ref/Game|Id=ia4|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #04 - Arrival}} Upon hearing that Master Chief [[John-117]] was defeated, Esparza fled for [[Pelican]] ''[[Echo 216]]'',{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}} commandeering the craft and becoming stranded.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}{{Ref/Quest|Id=pdown|HI|Graveyards|[[Pelican Down (Halo Infinite level)|Pelican Down]]}} After being stranded in the [[dropship]] for six months, in [[2560#May|May 2560]],{{Ref/Generic|Id=Premiere|[[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere]]}} he came across John-117 around the shattered remains of the [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 07|ring]]; the Spartan's armor triggered survival mode. Esparza brought John-117 onboard ''Echo 216'' and rerouted the Pelican's power to the Spartan's armor, awakening the Chief. Their introduction was brief, with Esparza revealing to the Master Chief that it's been nearly six months since the initial battle with the Banished over the ring. Then, without warning, ''Echo 216'' was hit by the ''[[Ghost of Gbraakon]]''{{'}}s stasis beam; Esparza began to panic, but the Chief resolved to fight, leaving the Pelican to infiltrate the warship. While Esparza recharged the Pelican's batteries, the Chief made his way to the dreadnought's bridge to shut down its stasis beam. However, the system was locked down, so the Spartan opted to scuttle the ship instead. Chief and ''Echo 216'' narrowly escaped the dreadnought's destruction; Esparza piloted the dropship to pickup the Spartan shortly afterwards.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}

Esparza then reluctantly followed John-117's instruction to bring the Pelican to the subterranean section at the damaged portion of the ring. There, the Chief jumped out, in search of a UNSC signal.{{Ref/Quest|Id=foundation|HI|Ringfall|[[Foundation (Halo Infinite)|Foundation]]}} The Spartan eventually emerged from the ring's surface, clearing out the garrison and landing pad at [[Outpost Tremonius (location)|Outpost Tremonius]] for ''Echo 216'' to land. Initially, Esparza was ecstatic to be on the ground, but was terrified when he was introduced to [[the Weapon]]—the source of the UNSC signal—who he mistook as [[Cortana]]. After John-117 clarified that Cortana was no longer a threat, to Esparza's dismay, the Weapon directed the two to another UNSC signal coming from [[Tower|a nearby Banished outpost]].{{Ref/Quest|HI|Ringfall|Outpost Tremonius}} Esparza piloted ''Echo 216'' to its vicinity, where John-117 launched a one-man assault on the outpost.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Lockdown|Recovery}}{{Ref/Quest|HI|Lockdown|The Tower}} The Chief was then led to [[Site Novem|a Banished excavation site]] into the [[Conservatory (location)|Conservatory]], leaving Esparza waiting onboard ''Echo 216''.{{Ref/Quest|HI|Connections|Excavation Site}}{{Ref/Quest|HI|Connections|Conservatory}} Esparza flew ''Echo 216'' to extract the Chief when his mission led him to the destruction of a [[Reformation Spire]]; the Spartan jumped out of the collapsing Spire, forcing Esparza to bring the Pelican to a nosedive to catch the Chief in the Pelican's troop bay.{{Ref/Quest|Id=spire|HI|Connections|[[Spire (Halo Infinite level)|Spire]]}}

[[File:HINF Pelican Down J117 Esparza.png|thumb|300px|John-117 empathizes with Esparza.]]
While ''Echo 216'' made its way to the next objective, it was shot several times by [[Kywasky Workshop Gorespike cannon|anti-aircraft cannon]]s, forcing Esparza to make an emergency landing in a shallow stream. The final impact which stopped the dropship's forward momentum knocked Esparza briefly unconscious, but when he came to panic and disbelief seized him immediately. John-117 attempted to calm him but with little success; instead, he was berated by Esparza for putting them both in their present predicament. The Spartan decided he needed to eliminate the cannons, of which he'd counted three, and instructed Esparza to remain put with the Pelican until he returned. Doubtful that he would be safe on his own, Esparza protested this. Before hitting the ground he'd spotted a number of [[Condor]]s and was determined to check whether any of them retained a working [[slipspace drive]] which they could use to flee the system. John-117 agreed to help him with such a search, but only after he'd first dealt with the cannons. Esparza waited at the Pelican as he was instructed, until all three cannons were taken offline. He set out on his own to search the remains of the three Condors, but was distraught to find none had an intact slipspace drive. With the [[Hand of Atriox]] deployed nearby, Esparza hidden underneath a Condor's floor hatch until the Spartan defeated the Spartan Killers and rescued Esparza. Esparza broke down, revealing he had stolen ''Echo 216'', and called himself worthless in comparison to the fearless Master Chief. The Chief, in turn, revealed he also has made mistakes, citing his failure to protect Cortana and preventing her turn to being the [[Created]]'s [[Archon|leader]]. The Chief declared he would not fail Esparza, leaving the latter resolved to support the Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}

Esparza then piloted ''Echo 216'' to the Command Spire, dropping off John-117 to access its interior.{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}} Later, while attempting to pick up the Chief and the Weapon, Esparza was kidnapped by [[Blademaster]] [[Jega 'Rdomnai]] and taken to the [[House of Reckoning (location)|House of Reckoning]],{{Ref/Quest|Id=commandspire|HI|Reformation|The Command Spire}} where he was tortured by [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]] in order to lure John-117 into a final confrontation.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}{{Ref/Quest|Id=repository|HI|Reckoning|Repository}} John-117 stormed the stronghold, defeating both 'Rdomnai and Escharum, thereby rescuing Esparza. Esparza was shocked when John-117 showed respect to the fallen Escharum, who he called a monster. John-117 replied that, in the end, Escharum was just a soldier who had died hoping that he had done the right thing.{{Ref/Quest|Id=hor|HI|Reckoning|House of Reckoning}} They retrieve ''Echo 216'', which Esparza flew to the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]] to drop off the Chief to confront the [[Harbinger]].{{Ref/Quest|Id=sa|HI|Endless|Silent Auditorium}}

Esparza later picked up the Chief and the Weapon three days after the defeat of the Harbinger. He expressed relief upon seeing them, thinking that they'd been killed, and greeted the Chief with a hug. Prompted by the Weapon, Esparza, who had only been known as ''Echo 216'' until then, revealed his real name to the pair. The trio then flew off in their Pelican, ready to defeat the remainder of the Banished on the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|sa}}

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|I'll be safe? Safe?! I haven't been "safe" since I found you! I found you, remember? You were out there on your own and you'd still be out there if it wasn't for me! I thought I was going home!|Esparza frustrated with the Master Chief after their Pelican was shot down by anti-air cannons.}}
Esparza is an emotive person, often showing his excitement,{{Ref/Site|Id=WHI19SGB|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/29568daf8cd14083bd1b70a810bf3581/topics/halo-infinite-2019---screenshots-gifs-banners/04726fbf-c484-42da-a99e-7b4e2e3b8790/posts|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo Infinite 2019 - Screenshots, GIFs, Banners!|D=30|M=10|Y=2019}} despair,{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}} and frustrations.{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}} Esparza cares deeply for his wife and daughter, both of whom he missed terribly during the prolonged period of isolation he experienced aboard his Pelican. Even then, at the lowest point in his life, he demonstrated extraordinary resilience. Despite being out of food and water, and being cold, isolated, over-exerted, and trapped, he did not give up. When he eventually discovered the Master Chief, he felt relief and triumph.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} His patience is not unwavering, however. He can be seen snapping at the Master Chief multiple times, irritated that his and the Spartan's motivations do not align.{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}}{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}

After the two bonded over their mistakes, Esparza learned to forgive himself for abandoning the UNSC and stealing ''Echo 216''. He then held a more positive outlook in their situation, having learned to rely on the Chief and the Weapon to function as a team.{{Ref/Site|Id=DCHI|URL=https://danchosich.com/haloinfinite|Site=Dan Chosich|Page=Halo Infinite|D=07|M=11|Y=2020}} The closeness was especially highlighted when the Chief and the Weapon stormed the House of Reckoning to rescue Esparza despite overwhelming odds;{{Ref/Reuse|hor}} in turn, Esparza refused to give up and searched for the two after they disappeared when the Silent Auditorium collapsed.{{Ref/Reuse|sa}}{{Ref/Reuse|DCHI}}

==Production notes==
[[File:Nic.jpg|thumb|300px|Nicolas Roye performing motion capture for Esparza.{{Ref/Reuse|DCHIDH}}]]
{{Linkbox|quote=yes|gallery=yes}}
{{Quote|We're not talking a lot about the pilot at E3 this year. But he is a new character to the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' universe]] and we're really taking our time to introduce the pilot and bring him in for players in a really careful way; where you get to learn about the pilot and emotionally connect with him throughout [[Discover Hope|this piece]]. You'll be seeing the pilot more in ''Halo Infinite''.|343 Industries studio head [[Chris Lee]] speaks to the pilot's introduction.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=343UE3HIT|Jye1-0zh41E|Xbox|343 Unpacks E3 2019 Halo Infinite Trailer}}}}
*Esparza is voiced and performance-captured by Nicolas Roye, and the character was named by Roye himself, after his two best friends from childhood.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.ign.com/articles/halo-infinite-villain-and-story-details-revealed|Site=IGN|Page=Halo Infinite Villain and Story Details Revealed|D=10|M=12|Y=2023}}
*Details of Esparza 's character design, such as the [[UNSC]] logo on his flight suit, are meant to showcase the art direction pursued for ''Halo Infinite''—one that draws significant inspiration from the most iconic and historic parts of the ''[[Halo (disambiguation)|Halo]]'' franchise.{{Ref/Site|Id=WOJB|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/our-journey-begins|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Our Journey Begins|D=18|M=06|Y=2018}} ''Echo 216'' and her pilot were first introduced in the [[2019]] [[E3|Electronic Entertainment Expo]] trailer for ''[[Halo Infinite]]'', dubbed "''[[Discover Hope]]''". His resuscitation of [[John-117]] and the life and courage the Chief then brings him were meant to speak to the theme of rebirth.{{Ref/Site|Id=DCHIDH|URL=http://danchosich.com/halo-infinite-discover-hope|Site=Dan Chosich|Page=Halo Infinite: Discover Hope|D=07|M=11|Y=2020}}
*Both [[MEGA Brands Halo Toys|Mega Construx]] and [[Wicked Cool Toys]] have produced representations of the character that are available for purchase.{{Ref/Site|Id=MC|URL=https://gamerant.com/halo-infinite-classic-armor-villains-toys/|Site=Game Rant|Page=Halo Infinite Toys Confirm Classic Armor and New Villains|D=02|M=03|Y=2022}}{{Ref/Site|Id=GR|URL=https://www.megaconstrux.com/en-us/community/gallery/sneak-peek-halo-pelican-pilot|Site=Mega Construx|Page=Sneak Peek: Halo Pelican Pilot|D=18|M=05|Y=2020}} Wicked Cool Toys' figure comes armed with a [[CQS48 Bulldog]] and an earthen base to stand on.{{Ref/Reuse|GR}}

==Gallery==
===Concept art and illustrations===
<gallery>
File:HINF-Fernandoconcepts.jpg|Various concepts of Fernando Esparza for ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF FernandoConcepts.jpg|More concepts of Fernando by Theo Stylianides.
File:HINF FernandoGearConcepts.jpg|Concept art exploration of Fernando's face and gear.
File:HINF Concept FernandoFaces.png|Concept art of Fernando's face and hair styles.
File:HINF FernandoFaceConcepts.jpg|More concept art of Fernando's face and hair styles.
File:HI Pilot Concept 1.png|Concept art of Fernando by Devid Heidhoff.
File:HINF-Fernandoconcepts1.jpg|More concept art.
File:HINF-Fernandoconcepts2.jpg|Even more concept art.
File:HI_Pilot_Concept_2.png|Concept art created for ''[[Discover Hope]]''.
File:HI_DiscoverHope_Storyboard_1.png|Part of a [[wikipedia:Storyboard|storyboard]] made for ''Discover Hope''.
File:HI DH FoundHope Concept.jpg|Concept art depicting Fernando's discovery of John-117.
File:HINF Concept Pilot on Pelican Wing.jpg|Concept art of Fernando on the surface of Installation 07.
File:HINF Chibi Pilot Emblem.png|A multiplayer emblem of Fernando.
File:HINF-ChiefBirthday.jpg|Fernando and UNSC Marines celebrating John-117's birthday in a promotional image.
</gallery>

===Prerelease===
<gallery>
File:DH Pilotasleep.png|Fernando Esparza sleeping in his Pelican's cockpit.
File:Halo Infinite E319 The Desire For Connection.jpg|Fernando watches a recording of his wife.
File:HI DH1.png|The voices of Fernando's wife and daughter bring him comfort.
File:Halo Infinite E319 A Human Story.jpg|Fernando mourns his solitude and separation from his family.
File:HI Brohammer.PNG|Fernando is alerted to a friendly signal.
File:Halo Infinite E319 Legendary Cargo.jpg|Fernando prepares to reroute power to John-117's [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)|armor]].
File:HINF John117 PoweredDown.png|Fernando looks over John-117.
File:HI_DH_FirstPerson.png|Fernando responds enthusiastically to reawakening the Chief.
File:HI E319 Pilot_FPView.jpg|[[John-117]] is greeted by Fernando.
File:HI DH3.jpg|Fernando tries to halt John.
File:Halo Infinite E319 Go Forth.jpg|John-117 and Fernando both have their attention drawn by something.
File:HI DH2.png|''Echo 216'' comes under attack.
File:HINF_PilotLookingatWreckage.png|Fernando stands looking over a Condor wreckage.
File:HINF_XGS2020_Pilot_Kneeling.png|Fernando falls to his knees in the midst of UNSC wreckage.
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:HINF PilotAsleep.png|Fernando Esparza sleeping in his Pelican's cockpit.
File:HINF BrohammerHolorecorder.png|Fernando watches a recording of his wife and daughter.
File:HINF PilotCable 1.png|Esparza prepares to restore power to John-117's armor.
File:HINF PilotCable 2.png|Esparza reacts in joy seeing Chief's armor reactivated.
File:HINF Warship G diagnostic test.png|Esparza runs a diagnostic test on the Chief's suit.
File:HINF Outpost Tremonius Esparza meets Weapon.png|Esparza surprised to see the Weapon.
File:HINF Pilot&Weapon.png|Esparza meeting the Weapon.
File:HINF Pilot Profile.png|Profile view of Esparza in the cockpit of Echo 216.
File:HINF PelicanDown PilotAngry.png|Esparaza, angry at John-117.
File:HINF PelicanDown Chief&PilotTalk.png|Esparza talking to John-117.
File:HINF PelicanDown PilotEmerges.png|Esparza wearing a [[CH252 helmet]].
File:HINF PelicanDown PilotDistraught.png|Esparza standing in the midst of UNSC wreckage.
File:HINF PelicanDown PilotPointing.png|Esparza points at a destroyed Condor.
File:HINF PelicanDown PilotOurburst.png|Esparza in the middle of his outburst at the Chief.
File:HINF Fernando John.png|Esparza reacts in surprise hearing of John-117's failures.
File:HINF Pelican Down John Weapon Esparza.png|John-117 and the Weapon gains Esparza's support.
File:HINF PilotPrisoner.png|A captured Esparza in the House of Reckoning.
File:HINF Escharum&Pilot.png|Esparza being brought before Escharum.
File:HINF Repository Chief Esparza.png|A hologram of Esparza being tortured being shown to John-117.
File:HINF PilotTortured.png|Esparza being held prisoner by the Banished.
File:HINF HoR Esparza rescued.png|Esparza being released from captivity.
File:HINF Ending Hug.png|Fernando embraces the Master Chief.
File:HINF Ending Pilot.png|Fernando happily shares his full name with John-117 and the Weapon.
File:HINF-Finale.jpg|Fernando smiles after finding John and the Weapon again.
</gallery>

===Merchandise===
<gallery>
File:MEGA Infinite Pilot.png|Mega Construx toy of the Pilot.
File:Pilot toy.jpg|Wicked Cool Toys action figure of the pilot.
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{1st}}

==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:Human civilians]]