Editing Massacre of the Outer Colonies

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Under construction}}
{{Battle infobox
|name=Massacre of the Outer Colonies
|image=[[File:Harvest Plasma Glassed.jpg|350px]]<br>[[Harvest]] glassed in 2525
|prev=[[Skirmish on Minor Transgression|Skirmish on ''Minor Transgression'']]
|conc=
|next=*[[Siege of the Inner Colonies]]
*[[Battle of Meridian]]
*[[Second Fall of Arcadia]]
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|date= [[2525#February|February 3, 2525]] - [[2536#June|June 1, 2536]]{{Ref/Game|Id=HWTimeline|HW|Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline|Detail=2536}}
|place=[[Outer Colonies]], [[Orion Arm]]
|result='''Covenant Victory'''
*Most Outer Colonies are [[Glassing|glassed]]
*[[Insurrection]] dies down due to heavy casualties from the Covenant attacks
|side1=
*{{Icon|UEG}} [[Unified Earth Government|UEG]] {{C|Supplanted by UNSC martial law later on}}
**{{Icon|UNSC HCW}} [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]
**{{Icon|CAA}} [[Colonial Administration Authority|CAA]]
----
*{{Icon|Insurrectionist}} [[Insurrectionists]]
**[[United Rebel Front]]
**[[Children of Mesra]]
|side2=*{{Icon|Covenant FB}} [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]
**[[Ministry of Resolution]]
----
*[[United Rebel Front]] {{c|briefly during [[Operation: SILENT STORM]]}}
|commanders1=
*{{Icon|Navy}} [[Vice Admiral|VADM]] [[Preston Cole]]
|commanders2=
*[[High Prophet of Regret]]
*[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]]
*[[Fleetmaster]] [[Nizat 'Kvarosee]]
*[[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]]†
----
*General [[Harper Garvin]]
|forces1=
*{{Icon|Navy}} [[UNSC Navy]]
**[[Bliss Defense Fleet]]
**[[Third Fleet]]
**[[Battle Group X-Ray]]
***[[Task Force Yama]]
***[[Task Force Pantea]]
*[[Colonial Military Authority]]
**[[Battle Group 4]]
*{{Icon|ODST}} [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]
**[[21st Space Assault Battalion]]
|forces2=*[[Fleet of Glorious Interdiction]]
*[[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]]
*[[Fleet of Swift Justice]]
*[[Silent Shadow]]
|casual1=Immensely devastating
*Over 62,154,022 civilian and military casualties{{Ref/Game|Id=datapad14|HR|Detail=[[Data pads|Data Pad 14]]}}
*Hundreds of [[UNSC starship]]s lost
|casual2=Moderate to heavy
}}

The '''Massacre of the Outer Colonies,'''{{Ref/Book|Halo Mythos|Page=74-75}} was the series of [[Human-Covenant War|engagements]] taking place in humanity's [[Outer colonies]] that made up the '''early Human-Covenant War'''.{{Ref/Site|Id=Xbox.com Halo Storyline|URL=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm|Site=Xbox.com|Page=Halo Storyline|D=24|M=04|Y=2008|LocalArchive=Archive:Xbox.com/Halo/Timeline|Detail=(Additional copy on [http://halo.bungie.org/misc/mstimeline2.html HBO Forums])}}

==Background==
===Insurrection===
{{Main|Insurrection}}
{{Expand-section}}
==Battle==
[[File:HW Five Long Years.jpg|thumb|250px|Marines celebrating over a destroyed battlefield on Harvest.]]
===Early battles===
{{Quote|We had hoped that contact with a new race would be peaceful. Obviously, this was not the case—the alien vessel did not open fire until our task force attempted to initiate communications.|[[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]] to [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II trainees]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=tfor11|TFoR|Chapter=11}}}}
{{CMAShip|Argo}} was tasked with investigating the silence of [[Harvest]], but signals with it were soon lost too. The [[Colonial Military Authority]] sent [[Battle Group 4]] to investigate the escalating situation. Arriving on [[2525#October|October 7, 2525]], the Battle group was attacked. Only the {{CMAShip|Heracles}} managed to escape. The ''Heracles'' returned to [[Reach]]{{Ref/Reuse|tfor11}} on October 31, relaying what had happened and a message: ''"Your destruction is the will of the gods, and we are their instrument."''{{Ref/Novel|Id=hsschapter2|HSS|Chapter=2}}{{Ref/Reuse|tfor11}}

The following day, on [[2525#November|November 1, 2525]], the [[Unified Earth Government]] began mobilized the UNSC, the CMA and other military services.{{Ref/Reuse|hsschapter2}} The UNSC now on full alert{{Ref/Reuse|tfor11}} stripped the CMA of its forces, giving them to [[NAVCOM]] and [[UNICOM]].{{Ref/Reuse|HWTimeline}} On November 2, the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] were deployed.{{Ref/Reuse|hsschapter2}}

At some point immediately after the attack on Harvest, [[Green Hills]] and [[Second Base]] were attacked by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}} On the 27th of November, [[Chi Ceti IV]] was [[Battle of Chi Ceti|assaulted]] by a [[Unrelenting|Covenant ship]] at the same time SPARTAN-II forces were receiving their [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]. Almost immediately after in [[2525#December|December]], the SPARTANs were reassigned to [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II|fight]] the Covenant at [[Alpha Corvi II]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=cd|HCD|Issue=1}}

===The first year===
The beginning of [[2526]] saw the [[Battle of Bliss|destruction]] of [[Bliss]].{{Ref/Game|Id=accra|HR|[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]], [[:File:Accra Log 1.jpg|Excerpt From ''Accra'' Log Page 1]]}} Soon after on March 1, [[Preston Cole]] in charge of UNSC [[Battle Group X-Ray]] [[Battle of Harvest|fought]] the Covenant off over [[Harvest]].{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Section=Historian's Note}} Seven days later, Cole as well as others would devise [[Operation: SILENT STORM]], part of which would involve laying a trap at [[Biko]] using [[Task Force Yama]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=silentstormchap5|HSS|Chapter=5}} At this point in time, the Covenant were only operating in the [[Polona Sector]], [[Vevina sector]], and [[Grenadi sector]]s.{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=6}} The colony of [[Etalan]], with roughly 10 million people was also attacked during this time.{{Ref/Reuse|silentstormchap5}}
[[File:FUD-Corbulo-Glassed.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Covenant [[glassing]] Circinius IV.]]
As part of SILENT STORM, the UNSC moved to position themselves at [[Seoba]], over Biko and discovered an [[Insurrectionist]] plot to overthrow the Bikon Chancellor. This would require the UNSC to go on the [[Battle of Seoba|offensive]] before they would fight the Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=7}} The Insurrectionists were driven back, but not before the Covenant arrived and attacked the planet.{{Ref/Novel|HSS}} 

Almost a month after, the prestigious [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] on [[Circinius IV]] was destroyed, leaving only 3 survivors. Parts of the planet were also glassed.{{Ref/Film|Id=h4fud|[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]}} 

Only two days after Circinius IV, ONI projects were refocused to solely counter the Covenant. As well, [[ONI Section Two]] sent emissaries to Outer Colony leaders to warn them of the Covenant and give them an offer: end hostilities with the UNSC and receive protection. Initially, they laughed at the prospect, until they witnessed footage of Bliss.{{Ref/Game|Id=halseyjournalapril28|HR|[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]], April 28, 2526}}

Planets began falling two or three a week. The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] was unable to collate intelligence at the rate of the Covenant incursion. [[UNSC Fleet Command]] was unable to plan out grand strategies and thus granted operational autonomy to UNSC naval units.{{Ref/Novel|Id=hochapter1|Oblv|Chapter=1}}

In the summer, UNSC forces along with forces from the [[Children of Mesra]] [[Battle of Mesra|fought]] the Covenant on [[Mesra]].{{Ref/Reuse|hochapter1}}

At the end of the year, the UNSC and Covenant [[Battle of Alpha Aurigae|fought a large battle]] in the [[Alpha Aurigae system]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=hwgenesis|[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]}} [[Capella]] and [[Origami]] would be attacked but not glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

===Pressing inward===
{{Expand-section}}
During the first five years of the war, [[Red Team]] would outperform most other groundside units as they were sent from world to world in the outer colonies to try and slow the Covenant.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=95}} {{Class|Orion|assault carrier}}s were also used as [[flagship]]s in desperate rearguard actions trying to buy time for evacuees to flee to the [[Inner Colonies]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=127}}

Despite having attempted to attack the world years earlier, the Covenant would glass [[Chi Ceti IV]] in [[2527]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} In [[2528]], the UNSC continued to counter the Covenant at the [[Battle of XI Boötis A]]{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}} but [[Madrigal]] [[Fall of Madrigal|fell later in the year]].{{Ref/Novel|TCP|Page=72}} 

Two years later in [[2530]], [[Eridanus II]] was glassed and the UNSC abandoned the planet.{{Ref/Novel|HFS|Page=240}} On December 24 of 2530, the UNSC and Covenant clashed at the [[Battle of the Great Bear]]. The battle would lead to the formation of the [[Cole Protocol]].{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}}

As the Outer Colonies fell, the UEG spent considerable resources building up [[Cascade]] in order to replace accumulating losses elsewhere. Evacuated skilled technical and engineering personnel also ended up on the world resulting in the UNSC building a naval depot there in 2530.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=45}}

[[File:Dome o' Light.png|thumb|250px|''Spirit of Fire'' forces planning actions on Arcadia.]]
===The Arbiter===
In [[2531#February|February 2531]], [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], began leading searches for [[Forerunner]] technology to aid in the Covenant war effort during the end of the [[Harvest campaign]] and the [[Battle for Arcadia]]. With the Covenant having discovered the Forerunner [[shield world]] [[Trove]] sometime prior, the Prophet of Regret intended to use a fleet of {{Class|Sojourner|dreadnought}}s docked at the [[Apex Site]] to crush humanity "quickly and with ease." With Ripa having kidnapped Professor [[Ellen Anders]] at [[Arcadia]] to use as a [[Reclaimer]] to activate the shield world, he was pursued by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, leading to [[Battle of the Trove|a battle]] at the Etran Harborage. In the battle, Ripa was killed by Sergeant [[John Forge]] who subsequently sacrificed himself to destroy the Etran Harborage by causing its internal sun to go [[supernova]]. The Covenant plan was foiled, but the ''Spirit of Fire'' sacrificed its [[slipspace drive]] to cause the supernova, leaving the ship and its crew stranded in deep space.{{Ref/Game|HW|[[Campaign]]}}

By the same year, fighting with the Covenant had reduced the amount of UNSC fissile material in the sector containing the [[111 Tauri system]] to virtually none.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=1}}

===Further battles===
Despite the loss of Trove, the Covenant would continue to press forward. In [[2532]], the colony of [[Vodin]] would be attacked but would survive.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint enc}}

[[Hat Yai]] and [[Paradise Falls]], however, would end up being glassed in [[2533]]. Harvest would be glassed again in [[2534]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

==Aftermath==
===Loss of the Outer Colonies===
With the fall of the Outer Colonies, the UNSC called upon private industry to manufacture previously classified war materiel. The result of this would be the GEN1 [[ROGUE-class Mjolnir]].{{Ref/Game|H3|[[ROGUE-class Mjolnir]] description}}

By [[2535]], a number of Outer Colonies had been lost and refugees were beginning to pour into the [[Inner Colonies]], such as on [[Chi Rho]].{{Ref/Novel|TCP|Page=25}}

The losses of various Outer Colonies would also create some of the orphans who would make up the [[SPARTAN-III program]]. This includes but is not limited to; [[Carter-A259]] following Biko,{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/carter-a259|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Carter-A259}} [[Rosenda-A344]] after Vodin,{{Ref/Site|Id=CFPhoenixBlog|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-phoenix-blog|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Phoenix Blog|D=22|M=02|Y=2023}} and [[Emile-A239]] following Eridanus II.{{Ref/Site|Id=CF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/emile-a239|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Emile-A239|D=16|M=10|Y=2021}}

===The Inner Colonies===
{{Main|Siege of the Inner Colonies}}
On [[2536|June 1, 2536]], the Covenant had finally broken into the [[Inner Colonies]].{{Ref/Reuse|HWTimeline}} This would be the beginning of a multi-year siege of the most inner worlds of humanity.
{{Expand-section}}

===Continuing losses in the Outer Colonies===
Other Outer Colonies also fell even after the Inner Colonies were being attacked. [[Meridian]], [[Battle of Meridian|came under siege for three years]] late into the war. So too were [[Battle for Alluvion|Alluvion]] and [[Defense of Concord|Concord]]. As well, Arcadia was attacked [[Second Fall of Arcadia|a second time]].
{{Expand-section}}

==Timeline==
{{Expand-section}}
===2525===
*The [[Battle of Chi Ceti]] takes place.
*The [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II]] takes place.{{Ref/Reuse|cd}}
*[[Redstow VI]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===2526===
*[[Bliss]] is attacked and glassed by the Covenant.{{Ref/Game|HR|Detail=[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]], "''The Accra Incident''"|Quote=Unknown ships positively identified as alien warships comprising what appear to be five assault carriers, twenty-three battlecruisers, and seventeen destroyers.}}
*The [[Second Battle of Harvest]] begins, and the largest UNSC fleet then-ever assembled arrives to begin the process of retaking Harvest.
*The Battle over [[Seoba]] takes place with the Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|Id=silent|HSS}}
*[[Biko]] is attacked and glassed by the Covenant shortly after Seoba.{{Ref/Reuse|silent}}
*[[Etalan]] is attacked by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|silentstormchap5}}
*[[Circinius IV]] and [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] are attacked and destroyed.{{Ref/Reuse|h4fud}}
*The Covenant [[Battle of Mesra|attacked]] [[Mesra]].{{Ref/Reuse|hochapter1}}
*A battle over [[Netherop]] takes place between the UNSC and Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|Oblv}}
*A naval engagement in [[Battle of Alpha Aurigae|Alpha Aurigae]] system takes place, resulting in a rare UNSC victory over the Covenant.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=evolutions|Evo|[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]}}
===2527===
*[[Chi Ceti IV]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===2528===
*The [[Battle of XI Boötis A]] takes place.{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}}
*The [[Fall of Madrigal]] takes place. 
===2529===
*[[Cote d'Azure]] is glassed.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=50 & 51}}
*[[Asmara]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Verent]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===2530===
*[[Endymion]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Dwarka]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Eridanus II]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Lostwithiel]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Battle of the Great Bear]] takes place, leading to the creation of the [[Cole Protocol]].{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}}

===2531===
*[[Harvest campaign]] - In early February, the five year long Harvest campaign comes to an end following the Covenant failure to destroy the [[Relic (location)|relic]].
*[[Battle for Arcadia]] - Having learned the location of the [[Outer Colony]] [[Arcadia]] from the Relic on [[Harvest]], ships from the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] attack [[Arcadia]]. Defending ships manage to destroy one of the two initial attackers while the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} helps repel ground forces. Later reinforcements end the battle in a human victory, though not with massive loss of life. Professor [[Ellen Anders]] is kidnapped by [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]].
*[[Battle of Trove]] - Battle between the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and forces of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] attempting to gain access to the fleet of [[Forerunner]] {{Class|Sojourner|dreadnought}}s on the [[shield world]] [[Trove]] which would give the Covenant a massive tactical advantage. Death of [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] and the destruction of the Etran Harborage at the cost of ''Spirit of Fire's'' [[slipspace drive]].

===2532===
*[[Vodin]] is attacked but survived.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint enc|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/randall-aiken|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Randall Aiken}}

===2533===
*[[Hat Yai]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Paradise Falls]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===2534===
*Harvest is glassed again.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HCD-BRattack.png|Fighting in the Alpha Corvi II city [[Black Reef]].
File:HWG BattleOfAlphaAurigae.png|Fighting in the [[Alpha Aurigae system]].
</gallery>

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

{{Human-Covenant War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Outer Colonies}}
[[Category:Battles of the Human-Covenant War]]
[[Category:Covenant victories]]