Editing Halo: Escalation Issue 20

{{Status|RealWorld}}

*Denis Freitas (inker)

*Michael Atiyeh (colorist)

{{Article quote|“The Absolute Record” part 2 — [[Operation: ATHENA]] is underway and there is no turning back. Will Commander [[Sarah Palmer|Palmer]]'s team survive the treacherous journey into an [[Absolute Record|ancient vault]] of [[Forerunner]] secrets? The thrilling sequel to [[Halo 4|Halo® 4]]'s [[Spartan Ops]] continues from Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Ian Richardson (Noble Causes).<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/barb-wire-returns-an-aliens-classic-resurfaces-in-dark-horses-july-2015-solicitations '''Comic Book Solicitations''': ''Dark Horse Comics July 2015 Solicitations'']</ref>}}

Meanwhile, in a [[hangar bay]] of ''Breath of Annihilation'', the [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]]'s crew is attempting to remediate damages done to their ship. Still hiding away in their now-damaged [[Ru'swum-pattern Phantom|Phantom]], the [[Operation: ATHENA]] team—[[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartans]] [[Sarah Palmer|Palmer]], [[Gabriel Thorne|Thorne]], [[Holly Tanaka|Tanaka]], [[Henry Glassman|Dr. Glassman]], and [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] operative [[Ayit 'Sevi]]—discuss their next course of action. 'Sevi decides to steal another Phantom in a nearby hangar and orders the rest of the team to follow him to the hangar a minute after he leaves, giving him time to take out the Covenant soldiers outside of their Phantom. To prevent giving away their position, 'Sevi arms the [[human]]s with Covenant weaponry and leaves the Phantom to engage the Covenant soldiers in the hangar alone. Creating a smoke screen, 'Sevi is able to begin eliminating all hostiles without alerting any unwanted attention. Inside the Phantom, Glassman is knocked unconscious when the damaged carrier shudders and throws him against the Phantom's hull. Palmer has Tanaka carry Glassman and orders the Spartans to forego 'Sevi's wait time. Exiting their Phantom, Palmer kills the last remaining [[Kig-Yar]] in the hangar and the Spartans and Glassman escape just as their [[dropship]] explodes behind them.

Traveling down a hallway to the next hangar bay, 'Sevi's smoke screen provides the Spartans cover but also impairs their vision. Thorne activates his [[Z-5080 Promethean vision|Promethean vison]] and discovers that they are surrounded by oncoming Covenant forces. A firefight ensues and the Spartans manage to fight their way to the hangar. As a [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]] appears and prepares to fire upon the Spartans, the tank is destroyed by a Phantom manned by 'Sevi. As they board the dropship, Glassman wakes up. As the team leaves the damaged carrier, 'Sevi decides to travel to 'Mdama's ''[[Song of Retribution]]''. Meanwhile, aboard the [[flagship]], 'Mdama and Halsey argue about their situation. Halsey reminds 'Mdama that once they travel to the Absolute Record, they will discover technology beyond their comprehension that will more than compensate for the ships that were destroyed when the portal opened. To further calm the irate 'Mdama, Halsey claims that once he is in control of the Absolute Record's "treasures", 'Mdama will be seen as a god. 'Mdama decides to make another attempt to travel to the Absolute Record, though only ''Song of Retribution'' will enter the portal while ''Breath of Annihilation'' makes emergency repairs at a nearby [[moon]].

'Sevi learns of 'Mdama's intentions and informs the rest of the team. Glassman reminds them that once they enter the portal, they will have even less of a chance at re-establishing contact with ONI. Palmer orders 'Sevi and Thorne to travel back to ''Breath of Annihilation'' to attempt to contact ONI, while the rest of the team remains on ''Song of Retribution'' to travel through the portal. As the two travel back to the damaged carrier in the Phantom, 'Sevi informs Thorne that there is rumors of a possible Spartan attack spreading aboard the ship. 'Sevi discovers that prisoners from ''Retribution'' are being temporarily transferred to ''Annihilation'', one of which is [[Treason|traitor]] [[Sali 'Nyon]]. 'Sevi considers using 'Nyon to create a distraction for them. Aboard ''Retribution'', the rumors of the Spartan attack reaches 'Mdama. Halsey dismisses 'Mdama's worries and states that the Spartans would be unable to stop them from reaching the Absolute Record, and the carrier promptly enters the portal. ''Retribution'' arrives at the Absolute Record and a [[Forerunner]] [[ancilla]] detects the human presence aboard the carrier. The ancilla, a [[Contender-class artificial intelligence]] notes that the "[[Reclaimer]]s have arrived".

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