Editing Halo: Vertical Umbrage

{{Title|''Halo: Vertical Umbrage''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
[[File:VerticalUmbrage Shadow Cover.jpg|thumb|300px|''Vertical Umbrage'' keyart by [[:Category:Images by William Cameron|William "Pixelflare" Cameron]].{{Ref/Reuse|CFAuditory}}]]
'''''Halo: Vertical Umbrage''''' was the first short story in the [[Halo Waypoint Chronicle]]s series written by [[343 Industries]] and released on [[2022#November|November 7, 2022]], to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the release of ''[[Halo 4]]''. The story is set in early [[2558]] during the [[Requiem Campaign]], concurrently with the [[Spartan Ops]] mission [[Memento Mori/Everything Has Gone Wrong|Everything Has Gone Wrong]]. The story follows the [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] soldiers of [[Fireteam Shadow]] as they board the {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}} ''[[Panom's Canticle]]'' - a series of events overheard in the Spartan Ops level but not visualised.{{Ref/Site|Id=Waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-4-vertical-umbrage|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo 4 - Vertical Umbrage|D=07|M=11|Y=2022}}

The story was also later released as a free-to-download PDF (available [[#External links|here]]), and as an audiobook on YouTube narrated by [[Alex Wakeford]] (available [[#External links|here]]).{{Ref/Site|Id=CFAuditory|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-auditory-additions|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Auditory Additions|D=15|M=12|Y=2022}}

==Summary==
On February 14, 2558, Fireteam Shadow prepares to execute a critical mission against [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]. Leader [[Horatio Fry]] casually checks in with his team, knowing that [[Nina Kovan]], the group's sharp-eyed designated marksman, already has eyes on their target. Kovan, equipped with advanced optics in her [[GUNGNIR-class Mjolnir]], surveys a [[Covenant Citadel]] recently established to mass-produce fighter craft. Stopping this production could cripple the Covenant's sectoral air superiority.

[[Bonita Stone]], with her active camo module, is ready to breach the inner perimeter patrols, while [[Jason Kidman]] (Shadow Four) prepares a group of [[TQ-8 seeker drone]]s fitted with high-yield explosives. The plan calls for the drones to breach the doors, allowing Stone and Fry to infiltrate and strike the heart of the Covenant base. Fry assigns Kovan to overwatch, ensuring her new weapon is ready to engage any threats or finish the mission if needed. Kovan assures Fry that she will handle any trouble they encounter.

Just as Fry is about to give the final go-ahead, [[Jared Miller]], filling in for Commander [[Sarah Palmer]] in Operations, interrupts with a new directive: To divert from their current mission and instead infiltrate a nearby Covenant cruiser, ''Panom's Canticle'', to destroy its power core. Fry quickly accepts the new orders, understanding their importance, and informs his team of the change, noting the challenge of infiltrating the cruiser without their usual [[D79-TC Pelican|D79 Pelican]], which they affectionately call their "limo." With no time to reach a safer pickup point, Fry considers improvising, possibly "grabbing a rental" for their next move.

Sangheili [[Shipmaster]] [[Ryn 'Alun]] stands aboard the ''Panom's Canticle'' above "[[The Refuge (Requiem location)|Refuge]]" and reflects on his brief lapse in composure. He mentally scolds himself for rubbing his wrist - a small, but telling gesture of his nervous anticipation. As Shipmaster, he must always appear in control, embodying the ancient Sangheili teaching that mastering oneself is essential to mastering external foes. Requiem, a world that now represents the revitalized Covenant's successes, is under assault. Once home to the Forerunner gods and now shared with the worthy, it has become a symbol of their newfound strength and purpose.

Ryn's special operations unit, the [[Silent Blade]], has been dispatched to Refuge, where they are engaged in combat against [[United Nations Space Command]] forces including the infamous [[Fireteam Crimson]] - "Nalsaban" in the Sangheili tongue. This battle marks over three years since Jul ‘Mdama first led his fleet to Requiem, seeking to awaken the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], a [[Forerunner]] god, to aid in the war against [[human]]s. [[2557#July|Six months ago]], they gained access to the [[shield world]]'s wonders, an achievement linked to the arrival of a [[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|human vessel]], which seemed to intrigue the Didact. The arrival of humans, led by the Demon, presented a [[Battle of Requiem|perfect opportunity]] to prove the Covenant's might and earn the Didact's favor. The Didact had since left Requiem to the Covenant, and over the past six months, they had begun to transform the hollow sphere into their new home. The Refuge, discovered early in their efforts to penetrate the shield world, is where the Didact was awakened by a [[John-117|lone human]]. After [[Forerunner (level)|delivering his judgment and declaring the Forerunners' return]], the Didact transported the worthy warriors to this sanctum. Here, 'Mdama was named the Hand of the Didact, and the Covenant fleet, ''Panom’s Canticle'' included, was stationed to protect this sacred site.

As Ryn anticipates an outcome, a bridge officer informs him that one of their [[Phantom]]s is approaching, but without hail response and is rapidly picking up speed. Ryn orders the hangar shields to be raised, but it's too late; a slight rumble indicates that the ship has already been breached. Igniting his [[energy sword]], Ryn leads two guards, fully aware that the Demons have targeted a critical area of the ship. The Silent Blade is now faced with their true test of worthiness as they prepare to defend their gods.

Fireteam Shadow infiltrates the cruiser via the commandeered Phantom dropship. As they navigate the ship, Kidman overlays key waypoints on their helmet displays, guiding them toward their objective: The primary reactor chamber. Despite their stealthy entry, Covenant forces flood the passageways in resistance. Engaging as a coordinated unit, the Spartans push forward, with Stone confirming their proximity to the reactor chamber. Kidman intercepts Covenant chatter showing the aliens' awareness and displeasure with their presence. As they approach the final corridor, Stone warns of enemy targets gathering at the far end. Fry, taking point, leads the charge with a [[Z-90 hardlight shield|hardlight shield]], allowing Kovan to eliminate several Kig-Yar and Unggoy. With the immediate threat neutralized, Fry orders Stone to go ahead with a munitions case containing a critical device. She activates her [[active camouflage]] and slips away.

The remaining Spartans reach the reactor chamber, only to find it guarded by a dozen veteran Sangheili warriors led by Ryn 'Alun. A fierce battle ensues, with Fry initiating CQB with two Elites, one of whom he defeats but the other he is momentarily overwhelmed by, giving Ryn an opening to knock Fry down and deliver a series of brutal blows. As 'Alun prepares an energy sword to execute him, Stone reappears, disrupting the attack with grenades and pulling their leader to safety. Regrouping, Fry inquires about the "solution," which Stone reveals to be with Kovan: An [[M6 Spartan Laser]], affectionately named "''[[Selene's Lance|Selene]]''," which she syncs with her targeting optics. With precision, Kovan fires the weapon at the reactor core, causing it to enter runaway overload. Amid the chaos, the remaining Covenant forces retreat, the Shipmaster likewise.

With the reactor on the brink of explosion, Fireteam Shadow hurries to an escape route Kidman identified. They find a drop bay with squad pods and eject just as the ''Canticle'' begins to break apart. Ryn 'Alun, having landed at the jungle outside Refuge, watches in despair as ''Panom’s Canticle'' shudders and breaks apart. The clouds part, revealing the destruction as a shockwave ripples outward. Coolant like blue-green ichor spills from the vessel’s underbelly, and a final eruption of purple fire uproots it, sending it crashing into the shield world's dense jungles.

The words of the Didact echo in Ryn's mind: "You are Sangheili. Loyal and strong." Ryn has been loyal - to his brothers, to the Covenant, to the gods - but realizes it wasn’t enough; their numbers, might, and faith were all undone by only a handful of Demons. He recalls the Didact's words about service, recognizing that true service and sacrifice come not from victory, but enduring defeat. A warrior's strength must be drawn from not only within, but also the spirits of fallen comrades, becoming a vessel of vengeance. Their blood demands retribution, and Ryn feels this fire burning within him. He understands now that such fires have tempered the Demons through [[Human-Covenant War|losing their]] [[Human colonies|worlds]], just as the Covenant was reforged after being [[Great Schism|shattered]].

As ''Panom’s Canticle'' collides with the ground, engulfed in smoke and fire, Ryn's purpose becomes clear: Be reforged in this defeat, and hunt the Spartans - the “Shadows” - to avenge the fallen. Now the Silent Blade, he disappears into the jungle knowing that his quest for retribution has started. As Shadow lands safely in a forest clearing, Fry contacts ''Infinity'' to confirm their successful mission and imminent evacuation. Despite their finished task, Fry hints at new orders, suggesting that their work is far from over and the chance of attending the [[Infinity Briefing Packet#SHIP R.26R OPPORTUNITY SCHEDULE|atrium Valentine's dance]] is slim.

==Appearances==
{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5
|title-1=Characters|
;AI
*[[Roland]]

;Forerunner
*[[Ur-Didact]] {{Mo}}

;Human
*[[Bonita Stone]]
*[[Horatio Fry]]
*[[Jared Miller]]
*[[Jason Kidman]] {{1st}}
*[[John-117]] {{Im}}
*[[Nina Kovan]]
*[[Sarah Palmer]] {{Mo}}

;Sangheili
*[[Jul 'Mdama]] {{Mo}}
*[[Ryn 'Alun]] {{1st}}

|title-2=Species|
*[[Forerunner]] {{Mo}}
*[[Human]]
*[[Kig-Yar]]
*[[Sangheili]]
*[[Unggoy]]

|title-3=Organizations|
*[[Covenant]] {{Mo}}
*[[Unified Earth Government]]
**[[United Nations Space Command]]
***[[Spartan Operations]]
****[[SPARTAN-IV program]]
*****[[Fireteam Crimson]] {{Mo}}
*****[[Fireteam Shadow]]
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]
**[[Silent Blade]]

|title-4=Locations|
*[[Requiem]]
**[[The Refuge (Requiem location)|The Refuge]]
*''[[High Charity]]'' {{Mo}}

|title-5=Events|
*[[Human-Covenant War]] {{Im}}
*[[Battle of Requiem]] {{Mo}}
*[[Requiem Campaign]]
**[[Battle at The Refuge]]
**[[Operation: VERTICAL UMBRAGE]]

|title-6=Weapons|
*[[Energy sword (fiction)|Energy sword]]
*[[M20 PDW]]
*[[M6 Spartan Laser]]
**[[M6/E Spartan Laser]]
***''[[Selene's Lance]]''
*[[M9 fragmentation grenade]]
*[[MA5D assault rifle]]
*[[Type-33 needler]]
*[[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle]]
**''[[Abbey]]'' {{1st}}

|title-7=Vehicles|
*[[D79-TC Pelican]]
*{{Class|Charon|light frigate}}
**{{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} {{Im}}
*{{Class|Infinity|supercarrier}}
**{{UNSCShip|Infinity}} {{Mo}}
*{{Pattern|Gloto'kef|Assault Carapace}}
*{{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}
*{{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}
**''[[Panom's Canticle]]''

|title-8=Technology and equipment|
*[[Summit (building)|Summit]]
*[[Covenant Citadel]] {{Mo}}
*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)]]
**[[GOBLIN-class Mjolnir]]
**[[GUNGNIR-class Mjolnir]]
**[[OPERATOR-class Mjolnir]]
*[[Pinch fusion reactor]]
*[[TQ-8 seeker drone]]
*[[Type-3 active camouflage]]
*[[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance]]
*[[Wyrd optics suite|Wyrd III optics suite]] {{Im}}
*[[Z-90 hardlight shield]]
}}

==Trivia==
The Ur-Didact's quote in the story is an alternate version of his awakening originally recorded by the late voice actor David Anthony Pizzuto in the ''Composing A Universe'' featurette included in the limited edition of ''[[Halo 4: Original Soundtrack]]''.

==External links==
*[https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-4-vertical-umbrage Halo 4 - Vertical Umbrage] - The official Waypoint post in which the short story was released for free.
*[https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/11/Halo-Vertical-Umbrage-PDF.pdf Official ''Vertical Umbrage'' PDF] - The PDF of the short story released on Halo Waypoint ({{file link|Vertical Umbrage.pdf|Archived copy}}).
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSYtZvxAGvc Halo: Vertical Umbrage | Audiobook] - The audiobook narrated by Alex Wakeford.

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

{{Navbox/Media/ShortStories}}
[[Category:Short stories]]
[[Category:Canon]]