Editing Operation: VERITAS

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Battle infobox
|prev=[[Operation: CHARLEMAGNE]]
|conc=
|next=[[Siege of Aethia]]
|name=
|image=
|conflict=[[Insurrection]]<ref name="Spartan">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/spartans '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Spartans'']</ref>
|date=Late [[2496]] or early [[2497]]
|place=[[Outer Colonies]]
|result=;Exposure of [[Secessionist Union]] spies in the [[Colonial Military Authority]]
*Gradual takeover of CMA functions by the [[UNSC]]
*[[ORION Project]] defunded over time as it was part of the CMA
|side1=[[Unified Earth Government]]
|side2=Secessionist Union
|commanders1=
|commanders2=
|forces1=Orion project operatives
|forces2=Unknown
|casual1=
|casual2=
|civilian=
}}

'''Operation: VERITAS''' was a classified [[UNSC]] military [[operation]] undertaken by operators of the [[ORION Project]] during the [[Insurrection]].<ref name="Spartan">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/spartans '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Spartans'']</ref> The operation was a success, but would inadvertently contribute to the ORION Project's demise. 

==History==
===Background===
{{expand-section}}

===The operation===
After the success of [[Operation: CHARLEMAGNE]] in [[2496]], ORION operatives were found to be an effective tool in combating the insurrection. Consequently, during the remainder of that year and in subsequent years ORION operatives were assigned to numerous other classified missions.{{Ref/Reuse|Spartan}} VERITAS was one such operation. Undertaken against the [[Secessionist Union]] in late 2496 or early [[2497]], specifics of the operation are classified. It is known, however, that during the course of the operation ORION assets managed to secure a list of undercover Secessionist Union [[Wikipedia:Non-official cover|NOC]] operatives who were working in various high-level offices within the CMA.{{Ref/Reuse|Spartan}}

===Repercussions===
As a result of the discovery of Insurrectionist agents embedded within the CMA, the [[United Nations Space Command]] immediately moved to dissolve the CMA and absorb its functions.{{Ref/Reuse|Spartan}} Consequently, the UNSC made public this discovery of CMA involvement with insurrectionists in 2497.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 34''</ref> This signaled the beginning of the demise of the CMA, as due to security concerns its resources were slowly shifted to [[NAVCOM]] or [[UNICOM]] and its duties were relegated to patrolling the UEG's most distant colonies and providing logistical support to remote stations.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''pages 68-69'' (2011 edition)</ref> The CMA would ulitimately be suspended at the onset of the [[Human-Covenant War]] with the UNSC's declaration of emergency powers.

As a result of UNSC efforts to disolve the CMA, funding allocated to the ORION Project was dutifully redistributed elsewhere.{{Ref/Reuse|Spartan}} Therefore, in an unintended consequence of its own success, VERITAS lead to the eventual dissolution of the ORION Project. Although the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Beta-5 Division]] eventually took control of the project, increasing the number of personnel to a peak of three hundred, prohibitive cost as well as deteriorating physical and mental conditions among ORION operators lead to a gradual winding-down of the program.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''page 81''</ref> ORION assets continued to lead operations such as [[Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE|KALEIDOSCOPE]] and [[Operation: TANGLEWOOD|TANGLEWOOD]], though with increasing inefficiency, until [[2506]] when the project was finally deactivated and its surviving 165 personnel distributed to posts through the UNSC.{{Ref/Reuse|Spartan}} Many, such as [[Avery Johnson]], would go on to enjoy long careers due to the positive effects of their genetic augmentation, although others would suffer severe effects, referred to as [[Boren's Syndrome]], and be forced to retire.{{Ref/Reuse|Spartan}}

==Trivia==
The operation's name comes from the Latin word "Veritas, -atis" meaning "truth", "honesty", or "integrity".<ref>'''The Bantam New College Latin and English Dictionary, 3rd ed.''', ''page 446''</ref>

Operation VERITAS was also the codename used for British military operations in Afghanistan from 2001-2005. <ref> “https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritas”</ref>

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

{{Insurrection}}
[[Category:Insurrection]]
[[Category:Operations]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:VERITAS}}