Editing Operation: WHISTLE STOP

*[[Vrak'is]]<ref name="HE12">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 12|Issue #12]]''</ref>

*1 {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}

The two Spartans were deployed to Ven III's surface by a {{Class|Sahara|heavy prowler}}. As Ray and Thorne made their way on the planet's surface, they encountered a number of wandering Kig-Yar but no organized resistance. The two entered a narrow canyon where they lost communications with ''Infinity'' due to a nearby jamming field. As the Spartans proceeded further into the canyon, they were observed by the Sangheili, who had just destroyed the UNSC spy drone that was delivering the feed to ''Infinity''. ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s shipboard [[artificial intelligence]], [[Roland]], immediately alerted Lasky to this as well as the communications blackout, suggesting for ''Infinity'' to change course toward Ven III to provide backup for the ground team. Having been ordered to avoid direct engagement, Lasky instead had Roland summon [[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]]. Meanwhile, Thorne and Ray observed a Covenant structure for some time before entering it. Once they were inside, the two SPARTAN-IVs were ambushed by the Sangheili and a contingent of Kig-Yar. As a skirmish ensured, the Spartans were able to defeat most of the Kig-Yar, catching them by surprise by rocketing out of the structure using their armor-integrated thrusters. However, the Sangheili attached a [[shock device]] onto Thorne's armor and activated it. The electronic shock knocked Thorne unconscious and the Sangheili captured him. Escaping on a {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}} with Thorne, Spartan Ray quickly followed.{{Ref/Reuse|HE11}}

Ray found a [[Wuzum-pattern Spectre|Spectre]] and proceeded into the pirates' base. Upon exiting slipspace, the ''Infinity'' was met by an advance fleet sent by [[Vrak'is]]. They immediately retaliated launching multiple fighters to counter the pirate force in space. A rescue convoy was launched and managed to break through the fleet. They immediately entered Ven III's atmosphere and launched two [[HAVOK]] missiles into the base's entrance resulting in the destruction of the back-up fleet. Palmer and Majestic were deployed into the base and eliminated many of the pirates before proceeding to Ray and Thorne's location. Ray eventually found Thorne and attempted to hold the Sangheili agent in place till the rescue squad arrived but the Sangheili managed to escape. Ray relayed Thorne's location to Palmer before pursuing the agent. Ray then grabbed a Ghost and pursued the Elite, managing to disable his Ghost outside the base. Before Ray could take any further action against the Sangheili, a prowler landed nearby and several [[ONI]] agents told Ray to stand down. Ray was handed a report from [[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]] with orders to detain the Sangheili and the bioweapon. The Sangheili was then led to the prowler. Thorne was rescued and returned to the ''Infinity''.{{Ref/Reuse|HE12}}

Discussing the aftermath, Lasky told Palmer not to be angry at Ray for her actions due to the circumstances. He also told Palmer that his debriefing with Osman went surprisingly well despite the covert operation turning into a battle. Palmer asked if he learned anything about the captured Elite, but Lasky explained he was told to drop the subject. Lasky then told Palmer that he saw a memo sent by an ONI analyst to [[HIGHCOM]] concerning a growing number of Kig-Yar pirates setting up bases at trade routes and the possible outcomes for ignoring the threat. Lasky speculated that since the UNSC ignored ONI's demands for actions against the pirates, ONI staged the bioweapons accident in order to lure the Spartans to the planet, thereby forcing ''Infinity'' into a situation in which they would have to destroy the pirate base. He wondered which was worse: that ONI played them or that they fell for the staged act. Lasky then asked Palmer not to let him forget about what they learned that day.{{Ref/Reuse|HE12}}