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{{Title|''Halo: First Strike''}} | {{Title|''Halo: First Strike''}} | ||
{{ | {{Era|RW}} | ||
{{Novel infobox | {{Novel infobox | ||
| | |image={{Tabcontainer|title2=2010 re-release|content2=[[File:Firststrike2.jpg|300px]] | ||
| | |title1=Original|content1=[[File:First Strike.jpg|300px]] | ||
| | |title3=Definitive Edition|content3=[[File:Halo First Strike 2019 cover.jpg|300px]]}} | ||
|author=[[Eric Nylund]] | |author=[[Eric Nylund]] | ||
|publisher=[[Del Rey Books]]<br>[[Tor Books]] (2010 edition) | |publisher=[[Del Rey Books]]<br>[[Tor Books]] (2010 edition) | ||
|publication=December 2, 2003 (original)<br>December 21, 2010 (2010 edition)<br>March 19, 2019 (2019 edition) | |publication=December 2, 2003 (original)<br>December 21, 2010 (2010 edition)<br>March 19, 2019 (2019 edition) | ||
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|length=352 pages (original)<br>438 pages (2010 edition)<br>480 pages (2019 edition) | |length=352 pages (original)<br>438 pages (2010 edition)<br>480 pages (2019 edition) | ||
|ISBN=[[Special:BookSources/0345467817|0345467817]], [[Special:BookSources/978-0345467812|978-0345467812]], [[Special:BookSources/978-1982111656|978-1982111656]] | |ISBN=[[Special:BookSources/0345467817|0345467817]], [[Special:BookSources/978-0345467812|978-0345467812]], [[Special:BookSources/978-1982111656|978-1982111656]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Halo: First Strike''''' is a [[Halo novels|''Halo'' novel]] authored by [[Eric Nylund]]. It was published in December 2003,<ref name="randomhouse">[http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345467812 '''Random House''': ''Halo: First Strike by Eric Nylund'']</ref> after being written in a period of sixteen weeks.<ref name="xbox.com3">[http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo2/spotlight2.htm '''Xbox.com''': ''First Strike Author Eric Nylund Q&A'']</ref> | '''''Halo: First Strike''''' is a [[Halo novels|''Halo'' novel]] authored by [[Eric Nylund]]. It was published in December 2003,<ref name="randomhouse">[http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345467812 '''Random House''': ''Halo: First Strike by Eric Nylund'']</ref> after being written in a period of sixteen weeks.<ref name="xbox.com3">[http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo2/spotlight2.htm '''Xbox.com''': ''First Strike Author Eric Nylund Q&A'']</ref> | ||
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===Definitive edition by Tor=== | ===Definitive edition by Tor=== | ||
{{Article quote|Rounding out Tor’s series of reissues of the original three Halo novels, this newly edited and revised edition of First Strike is a must-have for all Halo fans. Featuring author Eric Nylund at the helm, this tale bridges the events that take place in the game Halo: Combat Evolved (as novelized in The Flood) and its blockbuster follow-up, Halo 2. | {{Article quote|Rounding out Tor’s series of reissues of the original three Halo novels, this newly edited and revised edition of First Strike is a must-have for all Halo fans. Featuring author Eric Nylund at the helm, this tale bridges the events that take place in the game Halo: Combat Evolved (as novelized in The Flood) and its blockbuster follow-up, Halo 2. | ||
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==Plot synopsis== | ==Plot synopsis== | ||
{{Spoiler | {{Spoiler}} | ||
===Section 0: Reach=== | ===Section 0: Reach=== | ||
The prologue begins during the [[Fall of Reach]] and flashes back to Chapter 34 of ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', where [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Jacob Keyes]] informs [[John-117|Master Chief Petty Officer John-117]] about the unsecured NAV database. John makes [[Frederic-104]] the leader of [[Red Team]] and orders him to take the other [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan-IIs]] down to [[Reach]] to protect the generators powering the [[Orbital defense platform|orbital MAC guns]]. | The prologue begins during the [[Fall of Reach]] and flashes back to Chapter 34 of ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', where [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Jacob Keyes]] informs [[John-117|Master Chief Petty Officer John-117]] about the unsecured NAV database. John makes [[Frederic-104]] the leader of [[Red Team]] and orders him to take the other [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan-IIs]] down to [[Reach]] to protect the generators powering the [[Orbital defense platform|orbital MAC guns]]. | ||
The narrative follows Red Team as they ride a [[Pelican]] down to the surface. After [[Seraph]] fighters hit [[Mitchell|their pilot]] with plasma fire, Red Team jumps from the disabled vehicle. Falling at terminal velocity, their impact with the ground kills four Spartans and leaves many more seriously injured. Most lose their weapons and ammunition; Fred and [[Kelly-087]] improvise using rocks until they are able to | The narrative follows Red Team as they ride a [[Pelican]] down to the surface. After [[Seraph]] fighters hit [[Mitchell|their pilot]] with plasma fire, Red Team jumps from the disabled vehicle. Falling at terminal velocity, their impact with the ground kills four Spartans and leaves many more seriously injured. Most lose their weapons and ammunition; Fred and [[Kelly-087]] improvise using rocks until they are able to police Covenant weapons from a group of [[Kig-yar|Jackals]] they kill. The Spartans group up with the remaining four [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] of [[Charlie Company]]. The Marines summarize how the battle went, explaining that they were the only ones who survived to that point. | ||
[[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]] contacts Fred and orders the Spartans to extract him and his staff, claiming to be the current officer in charge of the defense of Reach. Fred subdivides Red Team to complete the mission: Beta Team is to defend the generators, Gamma Team is to extract the Admiral, and Delta Team is to secure a fallback point at [[CASTLE Base]]. Fred then takes Kelly and [[Joshua-029]] (comprising Alpha Team) on a mission to destroy a large [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] encampment in the adjacent valley. Taking three [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]], they deliver a [[Fury Tactical Nuclear Weapon|Fury tactical nuke]] into [[Unidentified cruiser (Particular Justice)|a Covenant ship]]. During the assault, the Covenant shoots down Joshua's Banshee and he is presumed dead. Fred and Kelly complete the mission without further complications. | [[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]] contacts Fred and orders the Spartans to extract him and his staff, claiming to be the current officer in charge of the defense of Reach. Fred subdivides Red Team to complete the mission: Beta Team is to defend the generators, Gamma Team is to extract the Admiral, and Delta Team is to secure a fallback point at [[CASTLE Base]]. Fred then takes Kelly and [[Joshua-029]] (comprising Alpha Team) on a mission to destroy a large [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] encampment in the adjacent valley. Taking three [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]], they deliver a [[Fury Tactical Nuclear Weapon|Fury tactical nuke]] into [[Unidentified cruiser (Particular Justice)|a Covenant ship]]. During the assault, the Covenant shoots down Joshua's Banshee and he is presumed dead. Fred and Kelly complete the mission without further complications. | ||
Despite the Spartans' efforts, the Covenant overruns the reactors on Reach and their fleet begins [[glassing]] the planet. Fred - refusing to sit around and die - comes up with a plan. He and Kelly take their captured Banshees, and together they fly away. | Despite the Spartans' efforts, the Covenant overruns the reactors on Reach and their fleet begins [[glassing]] the planet. Fred - refusing to sit around and die - comes up with a plan. He and Kelly take their captured Banshees, and together they fly away from the scene. | ||
===Section 1: Threshold=== | ===Section 1: Threshold=== | ||
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Together, the group uses the Longsword to board the flagship, called ''[[Ascendant Justice]]''. They fight their way to the bridge, and along the way, plug Cortana into the vessel's computer. Cortana decompresses most of the vessel's decks, killing most of the crew. She then learns that they're running out of time, as this fleet is a prelude to [[Hierarchs|a Covenant dignitary]]'s arrival at Halo, along with [[High Charity|their vessel]] and a [[High Charity Defense Fleet|massive escort]]. The group makes it to the bridge, only to confront a Spec Ops [[Sangheili|Elite]] wielding an [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]], whom the Master Chief defeats with the help of Johnson and Locklear, sustaining a slight injury. The defeat of the Elite warrior allows the humans to gain complete control of the Covenant flagship. | Together, the group uses the Longsword to board the flagship, called ''[[Ascendant Justice]]''. They fight their way to the bridge, and along the way, plug Cortana into the vessel's computer. Cortana decompresses most of the vessel's decks, killing most of the crew. She then learns that they're running out of time, as this fleet is a prelude to [[Hierarchs|a Covenant dignitary]]'s arrival at Halo, along with [[High Charity|their vessel]] and a [[High Charity Defense Fleet|massive escort]]. The group makes it to the bridge, only to confront a Spec Ops [[Sangheili|Elite]] wielding an [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]], whom the Master Chief defeats with the help of Johnson and Locklear, sustaining a slight injury. The defeat of the Elite warrior allows the humans to gain complete control of the Covenant flagship. | ||
In the confusion between the other vessels, the ''Ascendant Justice'' enters [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]]. The group argues about where to go next, but ultimately, the Chief persuades them all to return to Reach; first, because the [[United Nations Space Command Emergency Priority Order 098831A-1|Cole Protocol]] forbids them from taking a Covenant vessel to [[Earth]] directly; second, because the Chief secretly wants to see what became of his fellow Spartans. Haverson sends Johnson, Locklear, and Polaski to the Longsword to retrieve its gear. When they reach the Longsword, Johnson contacts the Chief, informing him that one of the cryotubes contains a Spartan. | In the confusion between the other vessels, the ''Ascendant Justice'' enters [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]], escaping Halo's remains. The group argues about where to go next, but ultimately, the Chief persuades them all to return to Reach; first, because the [[United Nations Space Command Emergency Priority Order 098831A-1|Cole Protocol]] forbids them from taking a Covenant vessel to [[Earth]] directly; second, because the Chief secretly wants to see what became of his fellow Spartans. Haverson sends Johnson, Locklear, and Polaski to the Longsword to retrieve its gear. When they reach the Longsword, Johnson contacts the Chief, informing him that one of the cryotubes contains a Spartan. | ||
Meanwhile | Meanwhile on Earth, at UNSC [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] in [[Sydney]], [[Wagner|Lieutenant Wagner]] briefs the [[UNSC Security Council]] on Reach's destruction and concludes that they cannot try to retake the planet, and instead, must prepare for the final defense of Earth. All Spartans and vessels are assumed destroyed, though they do know that the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} escaped Reach. [[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]] - who was supposedly reassigned due to Cortana's actions - escaped reassignment and is serving on the Security Council. Ackerson appears almost gleeful that Reach has fallen, but crosses a line when he denounces the Spartans as "freaks", earning a firm rebuke from [[Fleet Admiral|Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood|Hood]]. [[Major General|General]] [[Nicolas Strauss|Strauss]] considers sending a recon unit to check for survivors, but Ackerson insists that any such mission would not only be suicidal, but pointless, as the Covenant would have left none. | ||
===Section 2: Defense of Castle Base=== | ===Section 2: Defense of Castle Base=== | ||
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At the lab, Halsey discovers Colonel Ackerson's plans, which contain extensive lists on "Her Spartans", a star chart reference, and a third file labeled "[[KING UNDER THE MOUNTAIN]]". Before she can access these, however, a UNSC [[Smart AI|AI]] named [[Araqiel]] appears and attempts to stop her by threatening to kill her or the Spartans. She destroys it using a bypass code she herself had programmed, but causes some concern with [[Kalmiya|her personal AI]]. The Covenant then invades the base, and the Spartans and Halsey escape to the old titanium mines beneath CASTLE Base right before its destruction, which blocks their only exit. Having no other alternatives, the Spartans and Halsey venture deep into the tunnels. | At the lab, Halsey discovers Colonel Ackerson's plans, which contain extensive lists on "Her Spartans", a star chart reference, and a third file labeled "[[KING UNDER THE MOUNTAIN]]". Before she can access these, however, a UNSC [[Smart AI|AI]] named [[Araqiel]] appears and attempts to stop her by threatening to kill her or the Spartans. She destroys it using a bypass code she herself had programmed, but causes some concern with [[Kalmiya|her personal AI]]. The Covenant then invades the base, and the Spartans and Halsey escape to the old titanium mines beneath CASTLE Base right before its destruction, which blocks their only exit. Having no other alternatives, the Spartans and Halsey venture deep into the tunnels. | ||
Inside, the Spartans receive armor upgrades and Fred discovers several symbols, which ultimately open a large tunnel, leading into an even larger room. In the room's center, they find a [[Forerunner crystal]]. While walking toward it, the Spartans and Halsey discover that it bends the space around them, and if brought into slipspace, would allow them to travel longer distances with the same amount of energy. They retrieve the crystal, | Inside, the Spartans receive armor upgrades and Fred discovers several symbols, which ultimately open a large tunnel, leading into an even larger room. In the room's center, they find a [[Forerunner crystal]]. While walking toward it, the Spartans and Halsey discover that it bends the space around them, and if brought into slipspace, would allow them to travel longer distances with the same amount of energy. They retrieve the crystal, which emits radiation, and the Covenant finds them. The Covenant land forces inside the room using reversed [[gravity lift]]s, forcing the humans to retreat. Fred orders Isaac and Vinh to stay behind to form a rearguard action, but the two are overwhelmed and killed. The remaining Spartans and Dr. Halsey continue to flee through the tunnels. As the Covenant follows them, they meet a dead end. | ||
===Section 3: Rescue=== | ===Section 3: Rescue=== | ||
Johnson, who discovered that one of the cryotubes contains [[Linda-058]], reports that the others contain Marines that have died due to cryotube malfunction. Master Chief heads to the Longsword, where he strips pieces from the craft to reinforce a [[ | Johnson, who discovered that one of the cryotubes contains [[Linda-058]], reports that the others contain Marines that have died due to cryotube malfunction. Master Chief heads to the Longsword, where he strips pieces from the craft to reinforce a [[Type-25 Troop Carrier|Covenant dropship]] they are going to use. As they enter the flagship's hangar, Master Chief and Johnson witness Polaski piloting the Covenant dropship as practice. As they enter [[Epsilon Eridani system|Epsilon Eridani]], the crew sees what happened to Reach after the Covenant glassed the planet. Cortana moves the flagship closer as they notice that the Covenant "missed" a spot. The small Covenant fleet in the system - consisting of a dozen cruisers, two assault carriers, and three [[Seraph]] squadrons - asks why a flagship is at Reach. The survivors hear a UNSC [[COM#UNSC COM channels and systems|E-band]] transmission: a six-note tune, "[[Oly Oly Oxen Free]]". No one on the bridge recognizes it - except the Master Chief. | ||
The narrative then flashes back to [[2523|July 14, 2523]], when the young Spartans played capture the flag against [[Tango Company]]. Despite Tango Company's use of live-fire rounds, the teenage Spartans capture the flag and win the "game". While hiding from Tango Company Marines searching for the flag, John uses the "Oly Oly Oxen Free" signal to inform his teammates that all is clear. | The narrative then flashes back to [[2523|July 14, 2523]], when the young Spartans played capture the flag against [[Tango Company]]. Despite Tango Company's use of live-fire rounds, the teenage Spartans capture the flag and win the "game". While hiding from Tango Company Marines searching for the flag, John uses the "Oly Oly Oxen Free" signal to inform his teammates that all is clear. | ||
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Meanwhile, the humans find a canyon with some movement in it. The Chief wanders out to see if there is a trap, and Haverson backs him up. At the bottom of the ramp, Chief receives a signal without a [[Identification friend or foe|friend-or-foe tag]] (or IFF) indicating whom it belongs to, so he proceeds with caution. The Chief draws his pistol; only discover that it is [[Anton-044]], who disabled his IFF tag so the Covenant wouldn't discover his location. Anton leads the Master Chief to the entrance of a cavern, where two Spartans - [[Grace-093]] and [[Li-008]] - operate chainguns bolted to the sides of boulders. Master Chief and Anton, followed by Grace, enter the cavern. Inside, Admiral Whitcomb stands at a foldout card table: [[Camp Independence]]. | Meanwhile, the humans find a canyon with some movement in it. The Chief wanders out to see if there is a trap, and Haverson backs him up. At the bottom of the ramp, Chief receives a signal without a [[Identification friend or foe|friend-or-foe tag]] (or IFF) indicating whom it belongs to, so he proceeds with caution. The Chief draws his pistol; only discover that it is [[Anton-044]], who disabled his IFF tag so the Covenant wouldn't discover his location. Anton leads the Master Chief to the entrance of a cavern, where two Spartans - [[Grace-093]] and [[Li-008]] - operate chainguns bolted to the sides of boulders. Master Chief and Anton, followed by Grace, enter the cavern. Inside, Admiral Whitcomb stands at a foldout card table: [[Camp Independence]]. | ||
Admiral Whitcomb questions why the Chief is here, instead of on [[Operation: RED FLAG|the mission]] with Captain Keyes deep inside Covenant territory. The Chief recounts a long story about [[Battle of Installation 04|the events]] that happened on Halo. Partway through, Haverson and the others arrive. Haverson asks Whitcomb how he is alive, and the Admiral tells Haverson that while everyone was evacuating, he stayed behind to help work on a new bomb called the [[NOVA Bomb|NOVA]], which possesses enough explosive force to destroy a planet. Whitcomb armed the NOVAs with fail-safe tampering detonators and a countdown timer. Whitcomb had a team of Marines - Charlie Company - help arm the NOVAs, but they were wiped out. He then "asked" on coded COM to borrow a few Spartans, who armed the NOVAs and had since given the Covenant trouble with hit-and-run | Admiral Whitcomb questions why the Chief is here, instead of on [[Operation: RED FLAG|the mission]] with Captain Keyes deep inside Covenant territory. The Chief recounts a long story about [[Battle of Installation 04|the events]] that happened on Halo. Partway through, Haverson and the others arrive. Haverson asks Whitcomb how he is alive, and the Admiral tells Haverson that while everyone was evacuating, he stayed behind to help work on a new bomb called the [[NOVA Bomb|NOVA]], which possesses enough explosive force to destroy a planet. Whitcomb armed the NOVAs with fail-safe tampering detonators and a countdown timer. Whitcomb had a team of Marines - Charlie Company - help arm the NOVAs, but they were wiped out. He then "asked" on coded COM to borrow a few Spartans, who armed the NOVAs and had since given the Covenant trouble with hit-and-run exercises. The rest of Red Team remains trapped underground in the tunnels beneath the CASTLE facility. | ||
Using the Covenant dropship, the Chief's group goes to rescue the remaining Red Team members. They enter a huge cavern filled with Covenant forces: a few Elites, Jackals, and mostly [[Unggoy|Grunts]] clearing a cave-in. They land the dropship half a kilometer away from the Covenant forces. After managing to destroy the Covenant, three Spartans - Kelly, Fred, and Will - emerge from cover. Whitcomb asks if there are any more, and Fred replies that there is one: Dr. Halsey, holding a fist-sized crystal. As they are about to leave, they detect more forces and become surrounded by thousands of Covenant - Grunts, Jackals, Elites and several pairs of [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] - on each of the gallery's twelve levels. A single Hunter pair fires their weapons at the humans; the rest of the Covenant opens fire a split second later. | Using the Covenant dropship, the Chief's group goes to rescue the remaining Red Team members. They enter a huge cavern filled with Covenant forces: a few Elites, Jackals, and mostly [[Unggoy|Grunts]] clearing a cave-in. They land the dropship half a kilometer away from the Covenant forces. After managing to destroy the Covenant, three Spartans - Kelly, Fred, and Will - emerge from cover. Whitcomb asks if there are any more, and Fred replies that there is one: Dr. Halsey, holding a fist-sized crystal. As they are about to leave, they detect more forces and become surrounded by thousands of Covenant - Grunts, Jackals, Elites and several pairs of [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] - on each of the gallery's twelve levels. A single Hunter pair fires their weapons at the humans; the rest of the Covenant opens fire a split second later. | ||
Back in space, the ''Ascendant Justice'' emerges from slipspace in the system's [[Oort cloud]] to hide. Using the dissected Covenant AI, Cortana eavesdrops on the Covenant data streams, discovering that the Covenant is heading to Earth. | Back in space, the ''Ascendant Justice'' emerges from slipspace in the system's [[Oort cloud]] to hide. Using the dissected Covenant AI, Cortana eavesdrops on the Covenant data streams, discovering that the Covenant is heading to Earth. | ||
===Section 4: Gambit=== | ===Section 4: Gambit=== | ||
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While the crew of the ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice'' is able to retrieve a few shards of the crystal, they have things that are more important on mind: the Covenant invasion of Earth. Cortana reveals that they are gathering at a battle station called the ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. The Master Chief comes up with a plan: with help from a copy of Cortana's subroutines, he and the Spartans will go to the station in a modified dropship, infiltrate it, and blow up the reactors, delaying the launch of the fleet. Whitcomb agrees, but refuses to further risk ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice'', as they need to warn Earth about the Covenant fleet. | While the crew of the ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice'' is able to retrieve a few shards of the crystal, they have things that are more important on mind: the Covenant invasion of Earth. Cortana reveals that they are gathering at a battle station called the ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. The Master Chief comes up with a plan: with help from a copy of Cortana's subroutines, he and the Spartans will go to the station in a modified dropship, infiltrate it, and blow up the reactors, delaying the launch of the fleet. Whitcomb agrees, but refuses to further risk ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice'', as they need to warn Earth about the Covenant fleet. | ||
[[File:HM-UnyieldingHierophant.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Blue Team's commandeered Spirit dropship approaching ''Unyielding Hierophant''.]] | |||
John, Fred, Linda, Grace, and Will enter the station without incident, but are forced to detour through a temple complex. There, they encounter [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]]. The Master Chief grapples with one, barely making it out alive, and Grace is killed in the skirmish. After the fight, the Chief activates the fail-safe system in Grace's suit, killing many Covenant in the process. The four remaining Spartans make it to the reactors and rig them to explode. With ten minutes to escape, the Spartans commandeer three Banshees with the help of Linda's sniper fire. The Master Chief then rescues Linda from oncoming Covenant reinforcements. | John, Fred, Linda, Grace, and Will enter the station without incident, but are forced to detour through a temple complex. There, they encounter [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]]. The Master Chief grapples with one, barely making it out alive, and Grace is killed in the skirmish. After the fight, the Chief activates the fail-safe system in Grace's suit, killing many Covenant in the process. The four remaining Spartans make it to the reactors and rig them to explode. With ten minutes to escape, the Spartans commandeer three Banshees with the help of Linda's sniper fire. The Master Chief then rescues Linda from oncoming Covenant reinforcements. | ||
After escaping the station, the Spartans steal a | After escaping the station, the Spartans steal a [[Spirit dropship]] and are surprised to receive the "Oly Oly Oxen Free" signal. Responding to the signal, the Spartans raise Admiral Whitcomb, who directs them to the other side of a nearby moon, explaining that he had taken ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice'' into the Oort cloud to do reconnaissance on the Covenant fleet, but realized from the size of it that even taking out the station and warning Earth would not be enough. | ||
On the other side of the moon, the Spartans find the ''Gettysburg'', but no sign of the ''Ascendant Justice''. On board, they learn that the crew removed the Covenant ship's slipspace engine and installed it in the ''Gettysburg''. Whitcomb and Haverson, who took the Covenant ship, crashed it into the central section of the ''Unyielding Hierophant''. Faking the crystal's appearance with a [[Holography|holograph]], they broadcast a message to the Covenant fleet in an attempt to lure them onto the ''Ascendant Justice''. When the ''Unyielding Hierophant'' reactors detonate, the explosion destroys the ''Ascendant Justice'' alongside almost five hundred ships of the Covenant invasion force, leaving a dozen left. The five human survivors - John-117, Fred-104, Linda-058, Will-043, and Sergeant Avery J. Johnson - and Cortana proceed to a random location under the Cole Protocol, and then return to Earth to warn them about the impending Covenant invasion. | On the other side of the moon, the Spartans find the ''Gettysburg'', but no sign of the ''Ascendant Justice''. On board, they learn that the crew removed the Covenant ship's slipspace engine and installed it in the ''Gettysburg''. Whitcomb and Haverson, who took the Covenant ship, crashed it into the central section of the ''Unyielding Hierophant''. Faking the crystal's appearance with a [[Holography|holograph]], they broadcast a message to the Covenant fleet in an attempt to lure them onto the ''Ascendant Justice''. When the ''Unyielding Hierophant'' reactors detonate, the explosion destroys the ''Ascendant Justice'' alongside almost five hundred ships of the Covenant invasion force, leaving a dozen left. The five human survivors - John-117, Fred-104, Linda-058, Will-043, and Sergeant Avery J. Johnson - and Cortana proceed to a random location under the Cole Protocol, and then return to Earth to warn them about the impending Covenant invasion. | ||
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*[[Vinh-030]] {{1st}} | *[[Vinh-030]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Wagner]] {{1st}} | *[[Wagner]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[ | *[[Will-043]] {{1st}} | ||
;AI | ;AI | ||
*[[343 Guilty Spark]] {{Mo}} | *[[343 Guilty Spark]] {{Mo}} | ||
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***[[Covenant Special Operations]] | ***[[Covenant Special Operations]] | ||
***[[Fleet Security]] | ***[[Fleet Security]] | ||
*[[Unified Earth Government]] | *[[Unified Earth Government]] | ||
**[[United Nations Space Command]] | **[[United Nations Space Command]] | ||
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**[[Threshold]] | **[[Threshold]] | ||
***[[Installation 04]] | ***[[Installation 04]] | ||
*[[Sol system]] {{1st}} | *[[Sol system]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[Earth]] {{1st}} | **[[Earth]] {{1st}} | ||
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*[[Human-Covenant War]] | *[[Human-Covenant War]] | ||
**[[Battle of New Constantinople]] {{Fm}} | **[[Battle of New Constantinople]] {{Fm}} | ||
**[[Fall of Reach]] | **[[Fall of Reach]] | ||
**[[Massacre at Eridanus Secundus]] {{1st}} | **[[Massacre at Eridanus Secundus]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]] {{1st}} | **[[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[Operation: RED FLAG]] {{Mo}} | |||
**[[Siege of the Atlas Moons]] {{Fm}} | |||
**[[Siege of Paris IV]] {{Fm}} | |||
**[[Skirmish over Threshold]] {{1st}} | |||
*[[Insurrection]] | *[[Insurrection]] | ||
**[[Assault on Eridanus Secundus]] {{Mo}} | |||
**[[Operation: TREBUCHET]] {{Mo}} | **[[Operation: TREBUCHET]] {{Mo}} | ||
*[[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures]] {{Mo}} | *[[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures]] {{Mo}} | ||
*[[SPARTAN-II training]] {{Mo}} | *[[SPARTAN-II training]] {{Mo}} | ||
|title-6=Vehicles| | |title-6=Vehicles| | ||
*{{Class|Chiroptera| | *{{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} | ||
**''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*{{Class|Chiroptera|stealth vessel}} {{1st}} | |||
**''[[Beatrice]]'' {{1st}} | **''[[Beatrice]]'' {{1st}} | ||
*[[Clarion spy drone]] {{1st}} | *[[Clarion spy drone]] {{1st}} | ||
*{{ | *[[Covenant battleship]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Covenant cruiser at Longhorn Valley]] {{1st}} | |||
*[[Covenant destroyer]] | *[[Covenant destroyer]] | ||
*[[Covenant escape pod]] {{1st}} | *[[Covenant escape pod]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Covenant tug]] {{1st}} | *[[Covenant tug]] {{1st}} | ||
* | *{{Class|CRS|light cruiser}} | ||
*{{Class|CSO|supercarrier}} {{1st}} | |||
*[[D77-TC Pelican]] | *[[D77-TC Pelican]] | ||
**''[[Bravo 001]]'' {{1st}} | **''[[Bravo 001]]'' {{1st}} | ||
*{{ | *{{Class|DDS|carrier}} | ||
**''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' {{1st}} | **''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' {{1st}} | ||
*[[GA-TL1 Longsword]] | *[[GA-TL1 Longsword]] | ||
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*{{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} | *{{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} | ||
**{{UNSCShip|Hannibal}} {{1st}} | **{{UNSCShip|Hannibal}} {{1st}} | ||
*[[ | *[[Moray space mine]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Orbital defense platform]] {{Mo}} | *[[Orbital defense platform]] {{Mo}} | ||
*[[Prowler]] | *[[Prowler]] | ||
*[[Scarab]] {{1st}} | *[[Scarab]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[ | *[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]] {{Mo}} | ||
*[[Type-25 Spirit]] | |||
* | |||
*[[Type-26 Banshee]] | *[[Type-26 Banshee]] | ||
* | *[[Type-26 Wraith]] | ||
*[[Seraph]] | *[[Seraph]] | ||
* | *[[Type-32 Ghost]] | ||
*{{UNSCShip|Basra}} {{1st}} | *{{UNSCShip|Basra}} {{1st}} | ||
*[[UNSC corvette]] | *[[UNSC corvette]] | ||
Line 332: | Line 319: | ||
*[[Energy stave]] {{1st}} | *[[Energy stave]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Fury tactical nuclear weapon]] {{1st}} | *[[Fury tactical nuclear weapon]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[ | *[[Heavy needle cannon]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Heavy plasma cannon]] | *[[Heavy plasma cannon]] | ||
*[[M19 surface-to-surface missile]] | *[[M19 surface-to-surface missile]] | ||
Line 352: | Line 339: | ||
*[[Satchel charge]] {{1st}} | *[[Satchel charge]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle]] | *[[SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle]] | ||
* | *[[Type-1 plasma grenade]] | ||
*[[Type-25 Brute Shot]] {{1st}} | *[[Type-25 Brute Shot]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Type-25 plasma pistol]] | *[[Type-25 plasma pistol]] | ||
* | *[[Type-25 plasma rifle]] | ||
* | *[[Type-33 fuel rod gun]] | ||
*[[Type-33 | *[[Type-33 Needler]] | ||
|title-8=Equipment and Technology| | |title-8=Equipment and Technology| | ||
*[[Active camouflage]] | *[[Active camouflage]] | ||
Line 398: | Line 385: | ||
*[[Robotic rover]] | *[[Robotic rover]] | ||
*[[Rucksack]] | *[[Rucksack]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Sangheili combat harness]] | ||
*[[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] | *[[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] | ||
*[[Spartan neural interface]] | *[[Spartan neural interface]] | ||
Line 423: | Line 410: | ||
*A message from [[Charles VanKeerk]] to [[Amy]], where he offers his condolences regarding [[Sam (rebel)|Sam]]'s death, also reminding her of their still-ongoing [[Insurrection|fight]] against the UNSC. | *A message from [[Charles VanKeerk]] to [[Amy]], where he offers his condolences regarding [[Sam (rebel)|Sam]]'s death, also reminding her of their still-ongoing [[Insurrection|fight]] against the UNSC. | ||
*''[[Tug o' War]]'', a short story about [[Oliver Birch]], a [[Fetching|fetcher]] after the [[Human-Covenant War]]. | *''[[Tug o' War]]'', a short story about [[Oliver Birch]], a [[Fetching|fetcher]] after the [[Human-Covenant War]]. | ||
*A transcript of a psychological debriefing of [[Frederic-104]] by Dr. [[Veronica Clayton]] during the [[Battle | *A transcript of a psychological debriefing of [[Frederic-104]] by Dr. [[Veronica Clayton]] during the [[Battle of Earth]]. | ||
*''[[Petra]]'', a short story about the reporter [[Petra Janecek]], where she speculates on the events surrounding the final days of the Human-Covenant War. | *''[[Petra]]'', a short story about the reporter [[Petra Janecek]], where she speculates on the events surrounding the final days of the Human-Covenant War. | ||
Line 430: | Line 417: | ||
*At the beginning of the novel, it is stated that twenty-seven Spartans were carried to the surface of Reach aboard ''Bravo 001''; however in ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' it is stated that "two dozen Spartans" were present at Reach, in addition to the Master Chief, with three other Spartans (later revealed to be Gray Team) "engaged on fields of combat too distant to be easily recalled". Therefore, the Pelican that Fred-104 takes to the surface should only have twenty-two Spartans, (including Fred) since John-117 takes two Spartans with him in a separate Pelican for the mission to ''Gamma Station''. Several recent sources have definitively stated that twenty-two Spartans were assigned to Red Team, with the three-member Blue Team dispatched to ''Gamma Station'' and Gray Team behind enemy lines and thus out of contact.<ref>'''[[Data Drop]]'''</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars''' timeline</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' (2010) Adjunct)</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/user/HaloWaypoint#p/a/DF8EE7CCE045CAA0/0/jh7Q3fjIIwc '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Defiant to the End'']</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', [[Library (feature)|Library]] - Pelican</ref> | *At the beginning of the novel, it is stated that twenty-seven Spartans were carried to the surface of Reach aboard ''Bravo 001''; however in ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' it is stated that "two dozen Spartans" were present at Reach, in addition to the Master Chief, with three other Spartans (later revealed to be Gray Team) "engaged on fields of combat too distant to be easily recalled". Therefore, the Pelican that Fred-104 takes to the surface should only have twenty-two Spartans, (including Fred) since John-117 takes two Spartans with him in a separate Pelican for the mission to ''Gamma Station''. Several recent sources have definitively stated that twenty-two Spartans were assigned to Red Team, with the three-member Blue Team dispatched to ''Gamma Station'' and Gray Team behind enemy lines and thus out of contact.<ref>'''[[Data Drop]]'''</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars''' timeline</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' (2010) Adjunct)</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/user/HaloWaypoint#p/a/DF8EE7CCE045CAA0/0/jh7Q3fjIIwc '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Defiant to the End'']</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', [[Library (feature)|Library]] - Pelican</ref> | ||
*In the original printing, the Longsword that John and the other survivors of the Battle of Installation 04 used to board ''Ascendant Justice'' is consistently referred to as a Pelican. This is corrected in the revised edition. | *In the original printing, the Longsword that John and the other survivors of the Battle of Installation 04 used to board ''Ascendant Justice'' is consistently referred to as a Pelican. This is corrected in the revised edition. | ||
*One of the Spartans on the cover of the 2010 edition seems to be wearing [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|Mark IV]] armor, though no Spartans in Operation: FIRST STRIKE were equipped with Mark IV armor anymore. It is possible that this Spartan is simply wearing elements of the Mark IV with | *One of the Spartans on the cover of the 2010 edition seems to be wearing [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|Mark IV]] armor, though no Spartans in Operation: FIRST STRIKE were equipped with Mark IV armor anymore. It is possible that this Spartan is simply wearing elements of the Mark IV with his/her Mark V armor. | ||
*In the 2010 version, Brutes are no longer described as a never-before-seen Covenant species. | *In the 2010 version, Brutes are no longer described as a never-before-seen Covenant species. | ||
*In the 2010 adjunct section, Fred-104 is incorrectly referred to as a lieutenant during his psychological evaluation, which takes place during the early stages of the [[Battle for Earth]]. He actually held the rank of senior chief petty officer at this time and was not promoted to lieutenant, junior grade until the [[Onyx Conflict]]. | *In the 2010 adjunct section, Fred-104 is incorrectly referred to as a lieutenant during his psychological evaluation, which takes place during the early stages of the [[Battle for Earth]]. He actually held the rank of senior chief petty officer at this time and was not promoted to lieutenant, junior grade until the [[Onyx Conflict]]. | ||
*Prior to colliding in the launch bay of | *Prior to colliding in the launch bay of Ascendant Justice, the Longsword is going at a speed of 300 m/s. This is equivalent to 1080 km/h (671 mph) and a sudden stop at that speed would kill the occupants immediately because of whiplash. A more reasonable speed would be 30 m/s, equivalent to 108 km/h (67 mph) which, while still violent, would be survivable.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''Chapter 6''</ref> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
===Cover art artwork=== | ===Cover art artwork=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:FS_cover_full.jpg|2010 cover art of the novel. | File:FS_cover_full.jpg|2010 cover art of the novel. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Line 445: | Line 430: | ||
===Edition covers=== | ===Edition covers=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:First Strike.jpg| | File:First Strike.jpg|Original release cover. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===Other=== | ===Other=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:HFS Coverart stylised.jpg|Stylised version of the original cover-art. | |||
File:FS_2010_jacket.jpg|Full jacket of the 2010 edition. | File:FS_2010_jacket.jpg|Full jacket of the 2010 edition. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | |||
== | ==Links== | ||
===Internal=== | ===Internal=== | ||
*[[List of rectified inconsistencies in the Halo series#Halo: First Strike|List of changes in Halo novel reprints]] | *[[List of rectified inconsistencies in the Halo series#Halo: First Strike|List of changes in Halo novel reprints]] | ||
Line 465: | Line 448: | ||
*[http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0345467817/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-6002849-0256936#reader-link '''Amazon.com''': ''Read the First Chapter of Halo: First Strike''] | *[http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0345467817/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-6002849-0256936#reader-link '''Amazon.com''': ''Read the First Chapter of Halo: First Strike''] | ||
{{ | {{Literature}} | ||
[[Category:Novels|First Strike]] | [[Category:Novels|First Strike]] | ||
[[Category:Canon|First Strike]] | [[Category:Canon|First Strike]] |