Editing Post-Covenant War conflicts

{{Era|Post}}

{{Newcontent}}

{{Quote|[[Humanity]] stands as the greatest threat in the galaxy. Refusing to eradicate them is a fool's gambit. We squander eons in the darkness, while they seize our triumphs for their own. The [[Mantle|Mantle of Responsibility]], for all things, belongs to [[Forerunner]]s alone! Think of my acts as you will. But do not doubt the reality: the Reclamation... has already begun. And we are hopeless to stop it.|The [[Ur-Didact]] in a speech defending his actions to a group of other Forerunners<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Epilogue]]''</ref>}}

Following the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]] in [[2553]], the [[Unified Earth Government]] and its [[United Nations Space Command]] became involved in a number of '''new conflicts''' arising from the immediate aftermath of the war. The hostilities began as irregular warfare between humanity and [[Covenant remnants|several remnant factions]] of the former [[Covenant]],<ref name="Reed">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/06/03/Halo-Initiation-Writer-Interview.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo Initiation Writer Interview''] ''("Experience a new war with the Covenant ...")''</ref> later seeing the involvement of [[Forerunner]] elements, specifically [[Promethean]] forces led by the renegade [[Ur-Didact]], imprisoned millennia earlier by the [[Librarian]], once humanity's greatest Forerunner supporter. This Forerunner aspect would come to define and greatly broaden the scope of the events, bridging directly into humanity's [[prehistoric human civilization|own prehistory]] and origins, both eras being intertwined with those of the Forerunners.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 11-12''</ref>

In one of the first human-Covenant conflicts after the [[Treaty of 2552|ceasefire]] at the end of the Covenant War, [[Merg Vol's Covenant faction|one of the Covenant splinter groups]] attacked the human colony of [[Draetheus V]], seeking to obtain a powerful Forerunner weapon held there. In [[2557]], [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|a reformed Covenant]] under the leadership of [[Jul 'Mdama]] gained access to the [[shield world]] of [[Requiem]], home to the Didact, a legendary Forerunner Promethean whose aid the Covenant sought to enlist in their campaign against humanity. The ensuing [[First Battle of Requiem|series of skirmishes]] led to the Didact's release and an alliance between the Promethean forces and the Covenant, who revered the Didact as a "living god". Covenant forces subsequently [[Raid on Ivanoff Station|helped]] the Didact retrieve the [[Composer]], an ancient Forerunner device with the power to enslave mankind.

 

Although the Didact was later defeated by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]],<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref><ref name="HE10"/> the Covenant continued to occupy Requiem and to search for the Librarian. They contested the UNSC for control of the shield world again in early [[2558]]; the [[Second Battle of Requiem|drawn-out battle]] eventually culminated in the installation's destruction but not the defeat of the Covenant, who had already withdrawn most of their forces from Requiem.<ref>'''[[Spartan Ops#Halo: Infinity|Halo: Infinity]]'''</ref> After ONI attempted to assassinate her on Requiem, [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] began to collaborate with Jul 'Mdama in order to recombine the cartographical artifact known as the [[Janus Key]] and unlock the [[Absolute Record]].<ref name="HE16">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]''</ref>

{{Quote|You and I are brothers in many ways... not least in that we faced the Didact before, and face him now, and perhaps ever after. This is combat eternal, enmity unslaked, unified by only one thing: our love for the elusive [[Librarian|Lifeshaper]]. Without her, humans would have been extinguished many times over.|[[343 Guilty Spark]] to the crew of {{UNSCShip|Rubicon}}<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 378-379''</ref>}}

[[File:H4-Terminal-CharumHakkor-Battle.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Humans and Forerunners battle during their millennium-long conflict.]]

While the [[2552|final year]] of the Covenant War was marked by clashes for newfound Forerunner artifacts and the revelation of humanity's birthright as [[Reclaimer|chosen inheritors]] to the Forerunner civilization, yet more significant discoveries would follow in the wake of the conflict. Long-hidden details about the Forerunners and their relationship between humanity began to surface, as did information regarding the yet more ancient and enigmatic race known as the [[Precursor]]s. These unprecedented findings would have an immediate influence on events in the modern times, acting as driving forces for not only renascent Covenant cults but also forces far more ancient.

 

Before the Forerunners first built the [[Halo Array]], the human race held a [[Prehistoric human civilization|great interstellar empire]]. During the course of their growth as a civilization, they [[Human-Forerunner war|encountered]] a terrifying threat: an extragalactic parasite known as the [[Flood]]. As the parasite ravaged their worlds and threatened to consume their entire species, humanity fled outwards from their home territory. As they did so, they attacked any Forerunner world where an infection had taken hold, neglecting to warn the Forerunners of the threat in favor of bombarding infected areas immediately. Ignoring their warnings about the dangers posed by the Flood, the Forerunners – led by the [[Ur-Didact]] and his [[Promethean]] [[Warrior-Servant]]s – defeated humanity and forcibly devolved their civilization. However, the Forerunners were left vulnerable by the long conflict: their military had been weakened, and all information regarding the mysterious threat that humanity had been fleeing was lost. After millennia of calm [[Forerunner-Flood war|the Flood returned]] and the Forerunners were ill-prepared to fight back.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum'''</ref>

The Forerunner [[Builder]] [[rate]] had prepared for this eventuality, creating a number of ring-shaped superweapons known as the [[Halo Array]]. However, the Didact was reluctant to use these and instead planned to use the [[Composer]], a device capable of [[Mind transfer|transferring]] organic consciousness to software, as a means to save the galaxy's populace from Flood infection. But the process was flawed, and those who underwent the process were unable to be reconstituted to their organic forms. This, however, suited the Didact's purposes: he would use the Composer to convert his Prometheans into [[Promethean Knight|mechanical warriors]], later augmenting their numbers with converted humans to create a massive army to fight the Flood. In his view, this was both an elegant solution to the Flood problem and a means of neutralizing the human threat forever. However, his wife the Librarian was horrified by his actions, and sealed him inside the shield world Requiem, which was his base of operations. The converted Prometheans were left there to guard his [[Cryptum]], and Requiem remained quiet for millennia after the Forerunners were wiped out by the Halo Array.<ref>'''Halo 4'''</ref>

{{Quote|Decades from now, when historians evaluate the war, what will they say about us? Will they claim that our victory was ultimately fruitless? That it failed to secure a lasting peace, or worse, that it was only a prelude to far greater horrors that now lay ahead?|[[Codename: SURGEON]] prefacing the first [[Eleventh Hour reports|Eleventh Hour report]]<ref>'''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]''': ''Aftermath (1/5)''</ref>}}

[[File:Commissioning-5.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The commissioning of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}]]

Although the death of the [[Prophet of Truth]] at [[Battle of Installation 00|the Ark]] during the endgame of the Covenant War saw the ultimate defeat of the Covenant and humanity's [[Treaty of 2552|truce]] with the [[Sangheili]] species, it was not long after the end of the war that [[Covenant remnants|rogue splinter groups]], many of them still hostile toward humanity, began to rise from among the remnants of the hegemony. With large amounts of former Covenant matériel at their disposal, it was inevitable that these disparate remnants would band together against their former enemy, against the best efforts of those who favored a policy of peaceful cooperation, an approach most visibly embodied by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]. Humanity's aggressive rearmament (largely made possible by the acquisition of Forerunner technologies and exemplified by the colossal warship {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} as well as the rapid creation of hundreds of [[SPARTAN-IV program|new Spartan supersoldiers]]) combined with the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s shortsighted approach to neutralize their former enemies, did little to ease the concerns of more hostile elements within Sangheili society.

The figure who would ultimately give a face for the new Covenant was a former Sangheili [[Shipmaster]] known as [[Jul 'Mdama]]. Although 'Mdama had always resented humanity (in particular their perceived virulent expansion and colonization) even in the wake of the human-Sangheili alliance, the ultimate catalyst for his quest against mankind came in the form of the death of his wife [[Raia 'Mdama|Raia]], for which he blamed humanity due to their involvement in the [[Sangheili civil war]]. During his time in ONI captivity on [[Trevelyan|ONIRF Trevelyan]], 'Mdama had learned that the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], a mighty Forerunner general with a hatred for humans, was trapped inside a Forerunner world known as [[Requiem]]. After escaping Trevelyan, 'Mdama began to gather followers in order to travel to Requiem and unlock the world's secrets, intending to use the Didact as a motivating force for his followers, but also a new spiritual voice for his people and a chance to exact vengeance on humanity.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''', ''page 441-442''</ref>

Humanity found itself facing renewed internecine struggle as well. While the [[Insurrection]] had ceased as a major conflict at the start of the Covenant War in [[2525]], some surviving [[Human colonies|colonies]] still harbored former [[Insurrectionist]]s as well as individuals sympathetic to the cause of colonial secession.<ref name="init3">'''Halo: Initiation''' - [[Halo: Initiation Issue 3|Issue 3]]''</ref> Some colonies, including [[Venezia]], cut off all ties with the UEG under the pretense that Earth had abandoned them during the war.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 70''</ref> Some rebel groups managed to obtain large amounts of Covenant and UNSC weapons and equipment circulating on the [[black market]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 448''</ref>

==Insurrectionist attack on ''Infinity''==

[[File:Rebels on the Infinity.png|thumb|250px|NCA forces attempt to capture UNSC ''Infinity''.]]

In January 2553, elements of the [[New Colonial Alliance]] led by UNSC defector [[Ilsa Zane]] (the only survivor of the [[SPARTAN-IV program]]'s prototypical stage) infiltrated the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} disguised as construction personnel and captured most of the bridge crew, using them as hostages. They then secured the ship's bridge in the hope of capturing the prototype UNSC flagship, threatening to vent the ship's atmosphere and kill everyone aboard it.<ref name="HI2">'''[[Halo: Initiation]]''' - ''[[Halo: Initiation Issue 2|Issue 2]]''</ref> The attempt was foiled by the first team of SPARTAN-IVs (who had recently been brought aboard) and the insurgents were all killed or captured. The prisoners revealed Admiral [[Mattius Drake]] as the organization's leader.<ref name="init3"/>

After the [[Human-Covenant war]], many Sangheili still worshiped the [[Forerunner]]s as gods. A religious sect known as the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], led by war veteran [[Field Master]] [[Avu Med 'Telcam]], took to believing that any tampering with Forerunner relics was heresy, just as most Sangheili did before the founding of the [[Covenant]]. As a result, 'Telcam and his followers grew angry with [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s government. After winning the favor of several [[keep]]s and mustering a small space fleet, the Servants led an uprising in the state of [[Vadam]]. They initially held the upper hand, but the tide turned when UNSC ''Infinity'' arrived and intervened on behalf of the Arbiter, shooting down a rebel destroyer and firing a [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] round into massing rebel ground forces besieging 'Vadam's keep. The [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] black operations team known as [[Kilo-Five]], however, hoped to keep the planet destabilized for fear that the Sangheili would oppose humanity if they were politically unified, and so they used their [[prowler]] ''[[UNSC Port Stanley|Port Stanley]]'' to destroy some of 'Vadam's cruisers. This caused a temporary stalemate, but the battle continued until 'Vadam and his allies emerged victorious. The Servants retreated off-world to [[New Llanelli]] to recover from their losses, putting the war on hold.

==''Pious Inquisitor''==

==Blue Team's missions==

{{Main|Gao conflict}}

After [[Blue Team]]<nowiki>'</nowiki>s return in UNSC-controlled territory following the end of the Covenant War in March 2553, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] assigned the Spartans —consisting of [[Fred-104]], [[Kelly-087]] and [[Linda-058]]— to new missions on the outer fringes of human-occupied territory to eliminate lingering pockets of the previous war. Along with the survivors from [[SPARTAN-III]] [[Team Saber]], [[Gao conflict|one]] of these missions involved protecting a UNSC research battalion on the planet [[Gao]].<ref name="Azure Noir">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-azure-noir '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Azure Noir'']</ref> The Spartan-IIs would continue such missions for many years, at least until their fateful reunion with [[John-117]] on [[2557|July 25, 2557]]. The nature of these missions remained highly classified.<ref>'''Halo Waypoint''': ''[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/frederic-104 Frederic-104]'', ''[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/linda-058 Linda-058]''</ref> Blue Team field-tested a number of [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI#GEN2-related variants|upgraded MJOLNIR Mark VI armors]] that would serve to establish components of the recently released [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|GEN2 armor]], utilized in parallel by [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]].

{{Main|Spartan (branch)}}

Following the Covenant War, a rising number of Spartan-IVs were also deployed to quell [[Covenant remnants|Covenant]] and [[Insurrectionist]] threats on [[human colonies]] and exotic worlds, as part of what is collectively referred to as the Spartan Ops program.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-spartan-strike/windows '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: Spartan Strike''] ("''...the historic first missions of the Spartan Ops program...''")</ref> These missions consisted in suppressing revolts, civil unrest and uprisings; assassinating insurrectionist leaders; exploring uncharted space and worlds; halting criminal activities; providing security to UNSC bases, ONI classified sites, colonies and civilian populations; and escorting scientific expeditions. Such Spartan deployments have been sent to [[Cascade]], [[Talitsa]], [[Terceira]], [[Thales]], [[Trevelyan]], [[Installation 03]], [[Gaenir Beta]], [[Charion VI]], and [[New Caracas]]. Several MJOLNIR [GEN2] armors have been field-tested in such operations.<ref>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''chapter "Armors"''</ref> [[SPARTAN-III program|Spartan-III]] and Spartan-IV personnel have also been employed as part of the post-war [[Headhunters]] during classified missions.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder: Have S'moa'']</ref>

==Draetheus V==

In 2554, a Covenant fleet led by [[Merg Vol]] invaded the UNSC research colony [[Draetheus V]] and its moon, [[X50]], in search of Forerunner relics, beginning a [[Battle of Draetheus V|major battle]] which marked one of the first missions of the UNSC's recently formed [[Spartan (branch)|Spartan branch]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKjakadAOic '''YouTube''': ''Halo: Spartan Assault - Debut Gameplay Reveal'']</ref> The battle saw significant losses on both sides and the planet itself was nearly destroyed by Vol's use of X50, which was in fact a Forerunner superweapon with the capability to destroy planets. The main hostilities concluded with Spartan [[Sarah Palmer]] killing Vol and sabotaging X50's main weapon, bringing the Covenant's quest to a halt. However, the Covenant returned when a looping Forerunner code began emanating from X50.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 26: Battle at the Arid Sea|Battle at the Arid Sea]]''</ref> After arriving at the source of the signal, Spartan Palmer discovered that the source was the remains of Spartan [[Edward Davis]], who had died during the battle. The installation disintegrated Davis's corpse and encapsulated it in an unknown device, and with the help of a Pelican, Palmer took the remains of her comrade with her.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''' - ''[[Mission 30: The Source]]''</ref>

==Alpha-Nine's missions==

{{Main|Draco III rebellion|Mission to Talitsa}}

In the post-war era the [[ODST]] squad [[Alpha-Nine]] was deployed on a number of operations against resurgent [[Insurrectionist]] factions. In [[2554]], they were deployed to repulse a violent [[United Rebel Front]] takeover attempt on [[Draco III]]. Although the insurgents were defeated the ODST known as the [[Rookie]] was killed in action. In the following year the URF captured the [[Huragok]] [[Quick to Adjust]] and his human handler [[Sadie Endesha]] on [[Talitsa]]. The still-active members of Alpha-Nine—now [[Spartan-IV]]s—participated in a mission to rescue the captives and ultimately succeeded, though the operation saw Spartan [[Michael Crespo]]'s defection and subsequent incarceration.<ref name="hnb">'''Halo: New Blood'''</ref>

Several of the more fanatical splinter factions have continued the practice of [[glassing]] [[human colonies]] after the end of the Covenant War. The colony of [[Cleyell]] fell victim to such an attack in [[2556]].<ref name="HE17">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 17|Issue #17]]</ref> The {{UNSCShip|Cascadia}} moved into orbit of Cleyell weeks later to deploy Army and Marine search-and-rescue teams to relieve the stranded colonists on the surface.

==Sedra and Alpha Shard==

{{Main|Terrorist attack on Sedra City|Mission to Alpha Shard}}

[[File:Nightfall - Bioweapon effect.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Sedra City being affected by a bioweapon.]]

On [[2556|February 7, 2556]], the [[Sedra City|capital city]] of the human [[Outer Colony]] of [[Sedra]] was targeted by a [[Sangheili]] [[terrorist]], who unleashed a powerful [[bioweapon]] that randomly broke down human DNA. A subsequent [[ONI]] investigation revealed that the substance used to create the bioweapon originated from a [[Alpha Shard|surviving fragment]] of [[Installation 04]], propelled through slipspace into orbit around a red giant star. The [[Locke's team|ONI unit]], led by [[Jameson Locke|Lt. Commander Jameson Locke]], were forced to cooperate with the [[Sedran Colonial Guard]] on a mission to capture the smugglers who mined the element and destroy the deposits with a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]. However, what was to be a swift operation quickly turned into a desperate battle for survival after the group was attacked by [[Lekgolo]] swarms that resided on the Halo fragment. The mission ended with the destruction of the bioweapon's deposits, but at the expense of the lives of almost all the joint team, including the former SPARTAN-II [[Randall-037]], with Lt. Commander Locke and Private [[Talitha Macer]] being the only survivors.<ref name="hnf">'''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'''</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Return of the Forerunners==

{{quote|Time was your ally, but now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners have returned.|The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]<ref name="h4for">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref>}}

[[File:H4 John-117 Didact first encounter.jpg|thumb|300px|The Didact immobilizes John-117.]]

By [[2554]], [[Jul 'Mdama]] had already gathered formidable numbers of followers and a powerful fleet which discovered Requiem, but were unable to enter the thoroughly sealed shield world. In orbit above the planet, however, was the wreckage of the {{UNSCship|Forward Unto Dawn}}, carrying the legendary [[John-117|Master Chief, SPARTAN John-117]], and his [[Rampancy|deteriorating]] [[smart AI|AI]] companion [[Cortana]], drifting in space since the end of the Covenant War in 2552. Upon discovering the derelict vessel in [[2557#July|July 2557]], 'Mdama's Covenant forces attacked the ''Dawn'' in hopes of deterring any potential efforts by the humans to access the shield world. During the ensuing skirmish, Requiem's automated systems pulled both the ''Dawn'' and the Covenant force surrounding it through the world's outer shell and down to the planet's surface.<ref name="h4dawn">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn (level)|Dawn]]''</ref>

On Requiem, both John-117 and the Covenant forces that hunted him were attacked by the mechanical [[Promethean]] forces that occupied the structure. In the core of the installation, the Master Chief accidentally released the [[Ur-Didact]] from his millennia-long imprisonment. Bent on preventing mankind from attaining the [[Mantle]], the Didact departed the core and allied with 'Mdama's Covenant.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> Meanwhile, UNSC ''Infinity'', lured to Requiem by ''Forward Unto Dawn''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s distress signal, crash-landed inside the shield world. Making way for the crash site, the Master Chief reunited with the UNSC and aided in the defense of the stranded flagship from the Covenant and the Didact. However, due to a difference of opinion between ''Infinity'''s captain [[Andrew Del Rio|Del Rio]] and John-117, the latter was left facing the Didact alongside Cortana while ''Infinity'' returned to Earth.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Shutdown]]''</ref>

The Didact left Requiem on his flagship ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', intent on acquiring the [[Composer]], a Forerunner device with the power to enslave all of humanity. With John-117 and Cortana in pursuit, the Didact attacked ''[[Ivanoff Station]]'', a UNSC research facility near [[Installation 03]] and the location of the Composer. Despite the UNSC's best efforts, the Didact was able to acquire the Composer and used the device on the occupants of the station, but John-117 was saved by enhancements provided by the [[Librarian]]'s [[mind transfer|personality construct]] back on Requiem.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Composer (level)|Composer]]''</ref>

The Didact then headed for Earth with the Master Chief acing across the hull of ''Mantle's Approach'' aboard an [[F-41 Broadsword]] fighter. With support from ''Infinity'' and the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], John-117 made his way inside ''Mantle's Approach'' and confronted the Didact, but not before the Forerunner used the Composer to digitize the population of [[New Phoenix]], [[United Republic of North America|URNA]]. With the aid of a rampant Cortana, the Master Chief was able to send the Didact plummeting into the Composer's slipspace rupture and destroy his ship with a [[HAVOK]] nuclear warhead. Using the last of her power, Cortana was able to [[Slipspace translocation|translocate]] John away from the blast, saving his life at the cost of her own.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> Left adrift in space, he was later recovered and brought aboard ''Infinity'' and debriefed by the [[UNSC Security Council]] shortly afterward.<ref name="HE8"/>

The Didact fell through the slipspace portal to the surface of Installation 03, where he quickly recovered and killed Spartan [[Black Team]] and a UNSC science team. Meeting with the [[monitor]] [[859 Static Carillon]], the Promethean commander then entered the [[Composer's Forge]] via a portal, intending to continue his crusade against humankind.<ref name="HE8">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 8|Issue #8]]''</ref><ref name="HE9">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 9|Issue #9]]''</ref>

{{Main|Battle of Installation 03|Battle of New Phoenix}}

[[File:Escalation - Composer's Forge Battle.png|thumb|left|250px|The battle at the [[Composer's Forge]]]]

Due to the loss of contact with the science team on Gamma Halo, Fleet Admiral [[Terrence Hood]] sent [[Blue Team]], consisting of [[Fred-104]], John-117, [[Kelly-087]], and [[Linda-058]], to investigate.<ref name="HE8"/> Upon their arrival at Installation 03, Blue Team found the corpses of the scientists as well as Team Black. They soon discovered the [[Composer's Abyss]] and a portal leading to the [[Composer's Forge]], an installation housing six new Composers.<ref name="HE8"/> There they encountered the Didact and his new batch of Promethean constructs. During the ensuing firefight, Static Carillon transported Installation 03 above the Composer's Forge per the Didact's request. The Didact acquired one of the Composers in the Forge and departed for Gamma Halo with the plan to use the ring to wipe out humanity. However, the monitor sided with the Spartans and helped them defeat the Didact due to his abhorrence of the Promethean machines.<ref name="HE9"/>

After surviving another clash with the Didact on Installation 03, John-117 confronted the Didact in the [[Control Room (Installation 03)|control room]] while the rest of his team returned to their [[Longsword]] fighter. The Master Chief used the [[Activation Index]] to disable the Halo's safety protocols, allowing Static Carillon to eject the entire plate section housing the control room. The segment fell on the Composer's Forge, destroying the Composers housed there. The resulting explosion overwhelmed the control room and reduced the Ur-Didact to ashes.<ref name="HE10">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue #10]]''</ref>

Static Carillon teleported John-117 out of the control center in time and bade farewell to the Spartans before taking Gamma Halo to an undisclosed location. Blue Team returned to Earth where the Master Chief was debriefed by Fleet Admiral Hood. Afterward, John and Blue Team departed to carry out missions on their own in spite of Lord Hood's suggestion that the Master Chief should stand down.<ref name="HE10"/>

[[File:S1Departure - RequiemAccess.jpg|thumb|250px|UNSC forces accessing [[Requiem]].]]

While the Didact was seemingly quelled, proving a setback for the Promethean-Covenant alliance, it did not result in their defeat. Six months later, in [[2558#February|February 2558]], ''Infinity'' returned to Requiem with a fresh complement of Spartans, determined to conquer the planet at any cost with the intent of studying the Forerunner relics therein. In the interim, Requiem had been occupied by Jul 'Mdama, who now held sway over the local Promethean armies. The Covenant ships in orbit around the planet were swiftly defeated and scattered, demonstrating the technological advancement of the UNSC since the end of the last war.

Significant numbers of UNSC military forces were deployed on Requiem, including detachments of [[Spartan (branch)|Spartan]], [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]], [[UNSC Navy|Navy]], [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]] and [[UNSC Army|Army]] forces on Requiem. Arriving on the planet's surface, [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]], [[Fireteam Crimson|Crimson]] and other SPARTAN-IV squads began to disrupt Covenant operations across Requiem and recover Forerunner artifacts for study. The Covenant in turn made numerous attempts to destroy ''Infinity'' while also trying to gain access to the stored memories of the Forerunner known as the [[Librarian]].  

The campaign ultimately ended in Requiem's destruction when Jul 'Mdama set the planetoid on a collision course with the sun. Both sides evacuated the doomed system, each possessing their own half of the [[Janus Key]]. After ONI's failed attempt on her life [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] was convinced that the UNSC was working against her and agreed to work with Jul 'Mdama to accomplish her personal goal of reuniting the halves of the Janus Key to unlock the [[Absolute Record]].<ref name="esc13">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]</ref>

==New Colonial Alliance==

[[File:Infinity attacked.... by a third time.jpg|thumb|200px|right|UNSC ''Infinity'' is ambushed by Daniel Clayton]]

By [[2558|March 2558]], [[Jiralhanae]] raiding attacks along the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s had significantly escalated due to the Jiralhanae's lack of supplies. Nonetheless, [[Lydus]], the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] of a [[Lydus' clan|Jiralhanae master-pack]], agreed to enter peace negotiations with [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]. [[Ealen IV]] was chosen as a place for the negotiations, mediated by the UNSC's [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]].<ref name="HE1">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> However, the delegates were attacked by [[Covenant remnants|Covenant]] [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenaries]] under the command of Shipmaster [[Vata 'Gajat]]. [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]] and the delegation's SPARTAN-IV security detail, consisting of Fireteams [[Fireteam Jackknife|Jackknife]] and [[Fireteam Bailey|Bailey]], were forced to defend and evacuate the ambassadors.<ref name="HE2">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 2|Issue #2]]''</ref> The Spartans eventually managed to evacuate the delegates and Vata 'Gajat was forced to retreat, though it came at the cost of many Spartans, including [[Paul DeMarco]].<ref name="HE3">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref>

The events revealed a significant security breach in the UNSC, with Spartan [[Vladimir Scruggs]] exposed as a traitor along with the implicit presence of a higher-ranking leak within the organization. The Covenant's attack itself was a major setback to Thel 'Vadam's efforts to make peace with the Jiralhanae.<ref name="HE3"/> Captain Lasky later discovered that the attack on Ealen IV had not been orchestrated by the Covenant remnants, but by [[Daniel Clayton]], a UNSC captain and defector to the [[New Colonial Alliance]] bent on revenge against Lord Hood, who hired Vata 'Gajat and his troops to stage the attack.<ref name="HE5">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''</ref>

After their failed assault on Ealen IV, 'Gajat and Captain Clayton lured Admiral Hood and the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} into a trap using a [[freighter]], the ''[[Pilgrims' Pride]]'' which sent out a distress signal that was later picked up by ''Infinity''. An ambush was sprung when the freighter set itself to self-destruct after being towed into one of ''Infinity'''s main bays and launched multiple automated craft that engaged the UNSC forces. The attack was repelled by the SPARTAN-IVs of ''Infinity''.<ref name="HE4">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 4|Issue #4]]''</ref>

After the ambush, the ''Infinity'' crew discovered that the assault crafts aboard the ''Pilgrims' Pride'' were from the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.<ref name="HE4"/> With the ''Spirit'''s possible location found, Lord Hood authorized Palmer to conduct a search-and-rescue in [[Oth Lodon]]'s system. However, Captain Clayton launched a surprise attack against the UNSC flagship using a [[Station at Oth Lodon|Covenant battle station]]'s [[energy projector]].<ref name="HE5"/> The strike disabled ''Infinity'', but Commander Palmer and Fireteam Majestic were able to seize the NCA station. They also destroyed 'Gajat's ship, which was preparing to attack ''Infinity'', killing the mercenary leader.<ref name="esc6">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 6|Issue #6]]''</ref>

Many members of the ''Infinity'' crew were killed in the attack, including [[Bradley|Commander Bradley]], while Fleet Admiral Hood was left paralyzed. Captain Clayton was detained in [[Midnight Facility]] while ''Infinity'' remained under repair for a month.<ref name="esc6"/><ref name="esc7">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 7|Issue #7]]''</ref>

 

{{Main|Mission to Ven III}}

By 2558, [[Ven III]] had become a hot spot for numerous [[Kig-Yar]] smugglers, [[black market]] arm dealers, and slavers. When FLEETCOM ignored the Office of Naval Intelligence's requests to assault the pirate base, ONI devised a false-flag operation involving a [[biological agent]] purportedly stolen by a [[Unidentified Sangheili Storm|Sangheili agent]] of [[Jul 'Mdama]]—in truth a mercenary hired by ONI—to force the Fleet to take action. [[Serin Osman|Admiral Osman]] tasked Captain Lasky of ''Infinity'' with capturing the Sangheili and recovering the bioweapon before it could threaten human colonies. Lasky selected Spartans [[Gabriel Thorne]] and [[Naiya Ray]] for the mission and they were deployed on Ven III.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 11|Issue #11]]''</ref> After Thorne was captured and Ray discovered the pirate hideout Lasky decided to involve ''Infinity'' in the mission and engaged the pirates in space and in their stronghold. Spartan Ray rescued Thorne and chased down the Sangheili agent but ONI personnel forced Ray to stand down and took the Sangheili into custody.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 12|Issue #12]]''</ref>

In July 16, 2558, 'Mdama's forces and his Promethean allies attacked the human colony of [[Oban]]. The attack was repelled by a joint Spartan-UNSC Marine operation, resulting in substantial casualties on 'Mdama's side. However, the true goal of the attack had been to enable Dr. Catherine Halsey—still collaborating with 'Mdama—to establish a connection between to ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s slipspace engine, preventing them from jumping into slipspace. This was part of a plan to force the crew of ''Infinity'' to hand over their half of the [[Janus Key]] and allowing Halsey to unlock the Absolute Record.<ref name="esc13"/>

As part of their plan to reunite the halves of the Janus Key, Halsey and 'Mdama created a decoy Forerunner artifact that was seemingly compatible with the Key. The artifact was placed in a Forerunner structure on the uncharted planet [[Aktis IV]] along with a fake signal to draw ''Infinity'' to investigate. 'Mdama placed his troops on standby, ready to ambush the UNSC forces once they brought their half of the Janus Key to the planet. The crew of ''Infinity'' acted just as Halsey and 'Mdama had predicted, sending their half to the surface for analysis; however, [[Sali 'Nyon]], a rebel among 'Mdama's ranks, shot the Pelican carrying the artifact down before 'Mdama had given the signal to attack and took the Key for himself. With the ambush botched, 'Mdama's concealed forces revealed themselves and attacked both ''Infinity'' and the Spartans at the Forerunner site, while Jul departed to the planet to personally eliminate the rebels and reacquire the Janus Key.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]''</ref>

The conflict continued for over seven hours, with ''Infinity'' engaged by 'Mdama's fleet while Sali 'Nyon's rebellion raged on in the Covenant's ranks. [[Unidentified Sangheili Minor|One member]] of 'Nyon's faction grew disillusioned with the rebellion, stole 'Nyon's Janus Key half, and offered it to 'Mdama's forces. Dr. Halsey, escorted by 'Mdama's Sangheili, traveled to the planet to reclaim the Key. Meanwhile, the Spartans in the Forerunner structure managed to use the local [[teleportation grid]] to travel to the surface, splitting into two groups with different destinations. Commander Palmer's team spotted the Sangheili defector with the Janus Key and upon overhearing his intentions, she decided to ambush Halsey once she arrived.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|Issue #15]]''</ref> Palmer successfully captured Halsey but the doctor managed to cloud the Spartan's judgment and escape with the Janus Key. 'Mdama successfully eradicated all of Sali 'Nyon's followers on Aktis IV, ending the rebellion. Jul had Halsey retrieved and the two recombined the halves of the Janus Key, revealing the location of the Absolute Record. After the Spartans returned to ''Infinity'', Commander Palmer told Captain Lasky that the UNSC had to prepare for the worst with the Janus Key in 'Mdama's possession.<ref name="HE16"/>

==Hunting the Master Chief==

===Raid on Biko===

[[File:Master Chief leaks.jpg|thumb|250px|John-117 during the Raid on Biko.]]

{{Main|Raid on Biko peace talks}}

After years of diplomatic work, peace talks were finally scheduled between humanity's Unified Earth Government and the Sangheili. The convocation was held in a regional embassy in a densely populated city on Biko in the human Outer Colonies. Richard Sekibo, the revered ambassador of the Outer Colonies, led the conference.

Sekibo had uncovered evidence of a terrorist plot by [[Sapien Sunrise]] one week before the attack. He petitioned the UNSC for help, but they rejected his request immediately.

As the conference was coming to an end, an agreement of peace was close to being reached. Suddenly, rogue Spartan-II John-117 entered the embassy and instantly killed Richard Sekibo's bodyguard, who in reality were Sapien Sunrise infiltrators. A firefight began, in which John abducted Sekibo and created an escape path through the infiltrators by killing them. John fled the embassy alongside the Sangheili delegation, which he escorted to safety.

Outside the embassy, an evacuation ship for John was waiting. He boarded the ship, alongside the alien diplomats, and fled the planet. At some point, Sekibo was killed and his corpse was left behind in a field near the embassy on Biko. The next day, local officials discovered a signal beacon that led them to the body of Sekibo.<ref name="htt8">'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''', ''Episode 08''</ref><ref name="htt10">'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''',''Episode 10''</ref>

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{{Humanwars}}