Editing Reach

{{Era|Forerunner|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

|atmosphere=1 ([[oxygen|O₂]], [[Wikipedia:Nitrogen|N₂]]){{Ref/Book|Id=vis|[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]|Page=151}}

|demonym=Reavian{{Ref/Book|Id=osfm94|[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]|Page=94}}

*121,000 {{C|c. [[2558]]}}{{Ref/Book|Id=wf|[[Halo: Warfleet]]|Page=23}}

{{Quote|...our fortress among the stars.|Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]]<ref>''[[Halo: Reach ViDoc: A Spartan Will Rise]]''</ref>}}

'''Reach''', also known as '''Epsilon Eridani II''',{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}<ref name="Halo Channel">''[[Halo Channel]]'': Encyclopedia</ref> is a [[human]] [[human colonies|colony]] [[planet|world]] in the [[Epsilon Eridani system]], located within the [[Inner Colonies]] and is the sister planet of [[Earth]] itself. At 10.5 light years from the [[Sol system]], it is located at Earth's metaphorical doorstep. Reach is the fourth largest planet in the Epsilon Eridani system, and second closest to the star Epsilon Eridani.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

Once home to a [[Forerunner]] presence, Reach held considerable importance to the [[United Nations Space Command]] as the nexus of its military and the site of many military-industrial facilities such as shipyards. It was also significant for being one of the largest producers of [[titanium]], which is plentiful on the planet. Though most commonly recognized for its status as a military world, Reach was also humanity's most populous colony world,<ref name="ch32">''Halo: Contact Harvest'', Chapter 1, p. 32</ref> its [[civilian]] population living in its preplanned [[city|cities]] or defying the planet's harsh nature in sturdy [[Kiva|pioneer settlements]].{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} It was considered a center for civilian enterprise and logistical hub.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', Human Colonization of Space, p. 42-43 (2009 & 2011 edition)</ref>

[[File:Reachtoearth.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A comparison of Earth's size to Reach's.{{Ref/Reuse|comparison}}]]

For a young planet with an age of less than one billion years, compared to Earth's 4.6 billion year existence, Reach is remarkably geologically stable.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} Reach is larger than Earth, having a diameter of 15,273 kilometers, compared to the 12,756 kilometers diameter of Earth.<ref name="comparison">[https://twitter.com/Bungie/status/12053226321?s=19 ''Twitter'', Bungie] ([http://twitpic.com/1f46ee ''Twitpic'': Earth and Reach comparison])</ref> Reach was originally inhospitable for human life, requiring some degree of [[terraforming]] before it could be colonized. Mostly a rugged and harsh wilderness filled with towering mountains, deserts and weather-beaten forests, Reach's surface is pockmarked with meteor impact craters, some of these forming large seas.<ref name="gi">[http://gameinformer.com/mag/haloreach.aspx ''GameInformer'': February 2010]</ref> Reach has a strong [[Wikipedia:Aurora (astronomy)|aurora]] phenomenon, to the extent the planet is covered in an "aura" of aurorae.{{Ref/Level|Game=Halo: Reach|Level=[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]}} Reach has two [[natural satellite]]s; the large, ringed [[Csodaszarvas]] and the small, cratered [[Turul]] which was captured into Reach's orbit as recently as some 70-80 thousand years ago.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=1045222|Site=halo.bungie.org|Page=I've got your answer, Levi...}} Reach's oceans also experience strong tidal phenomena.<ref>''Halo: Reach'', Limited Edition bonus content, map of Reach</ref>

 

====Ecology====

[[File:Reach-m10 evironment.jpg|thumb|270px|Landscape in [[Visegrád]].{{Ref/Reuse|wc}}]]

Reach was home to numerous species of indigenous animals and vegetation, with some being imported by [[human]]s. The [[spadehorn]] is a herbivorous animal native it Reach's grasslands.{{Ref/Book|Halo: The Essential Visual Guide|Page=181}} [[Moa]] are large, flightless birds, with reptilian features, that are often domesticated and consumed by humans.<ref name="Update">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_073010 ''Bungie.net'': Bungie Weekly Update: 07.30.2010]</ref>{{Ref/Level|Id=exo|Halo: Reach|[[Exodus]]}} The [[gúta]] is the largest terrestrial lifeform discovered on Reach and is very dangerous, albeit rarely aggressive.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=enemies&cid=28449 B.net classification]</ref> A [[Reach eagle|species of eagle]], bearing some resemblance to the [[Wikipedia:Golden eagle|golden eagle]] from [[Earth]], were also found on the planet. Wolves and owls, from Earth, inhabited the forests of Reach.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Page=63}}{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Page=65}} Koi were often found in decorative ponds and water gardens.{{Ref/Map|Game=Halo: Reach|Map=[[Reflection]]}} [[Rats]] were also common pests on the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|exo}} [[Cherot]]s, [[guper]]s, and [[kropey]]s were native animals of Reach.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Shadows of Reach|Chapter=8}}

Some of Reach's indigenous fauna are known to have survived the fall of the planet. Flocks of moa still survive on Reach in remote sectors that were not glassed by the Covenant, while some were transported to other worlds before Reach's glassing.{{Ref/Site|Id=canonfodder|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-have-s-moa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder: Have S'moa}}

The planet was home to hundreds of species of vegetation, including [[cedar]] trees from Earth.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Page=48}} It also contained deciduous forests.<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', [[Pariah]]</ref>

=====Ground locations=====

**[[James Cutter]] – [[UNSC Navy]] captain and commander of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}{{Ref/Book|Halo: The Essential Visual Guide|Page=43}}

**[[Mary Cutter]] and [[Cutter's daughter|daughter]] – [[civilian]] wife and child of James Cutter<ref>''Halo Wars: Genesis''</ref>

*[[Jorge-052]] – SPARTAN-II commando{{Ref/Book|Halo: The Essential Visual Guide|Page=103}}

*[[Laszlo Sorvad]] – Renowned civilian [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeologist]]{{Ref/Level|Id=osb|Halo: Reach|[[ONI: Sword Base]]}}

*[[Nairn]] – [[insurrectionist|Insurgent]]; former [[Reach militia|planetary militia]] member{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Mortal Dictata|Page=147}}

*[[Mason]] - [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', [[Dirt]]</ref>

The [[Forerunner]]s maintained a presence on Reach long before [[human]] colonization, creating a [[Menachite portal complex|portal complex]] under [[Menachite Mountain]].{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/point-taken|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Point Taken}}{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Shadows of Reach|Chapter=??}}

[[File:HTFoR AS - military complex.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex|FLEETCOM Military Complex]] in Reach's [[Highland Mountains]].]]

The first planetary confirmations of Reach were made in the early 21st century.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} Originally colonized during humanity's first wave of extrasolar colonization in [[2362]] by the ''[[Odyssey]]''.<ref>''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]'', Rise of Humanity, p. 54</ref> Reach was chosen to be the site of a colony due to its rich [[titanium]] deposits.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Chapter=8}} [[BXR Mining Corporation]] had mined these titanium reserves since the early years of colonization, and set up facilities across the planet's super-continent.<ref>''[[Defiant to the End]]''</ref>

By [[2490]], Reach had become the UNSC's primary naval yard and training academy; producing [[warship]]s and [[colony ship]]s and training special forces.<ref name="xbox">[http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm ''Xbox.com:'' Halo Storyline] (Defunct, Copy on [http://halo.bungie.org/misc/mstimeline2.html HBO Forums], [http://web.archive.org/web/20080424150226/www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm Wayback Machine], and [[Archive:Xbox.com/Halo/Timeline|Halopedia]])</ref>

===Human-Covenant war===

{{Main|Human-Covenant war}}

In [[2531]], the operations of an insurrectionist saboteur cell on Reach were disrupted by a four-man team of Spartan-II supersoldiers known as [[Blue Team]].{{Ref/Novel|[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]|Page=36-37}} Circa the early 2530s, the mines under [[Menachite Mountain]] were active before being appropriated by [[ONI Section Three]].{{Ref/Novel|Halo: First Strike|Chapter=12}}

In [[2547]], plans were put in place to save machines, tools and personnel from an unknown ship manufacturer on the under [[Battle of Skopje|attack]] colony of [[Skopje]] and move them to Reach to continue the war effort.<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'', "[[Dirt]]", p. 171-172</ref>

{{Main|Fall of Reach|Reach Defense Coordination Zone}}

[[File:Glassed Reach.png|thumb|left|250px|Reach after its glassing.{{Ref/Level|Halo 2: Anniversary|[[The Heretic]]}}]]

Reach fell to the Covenant during the Human-Covenant War in [[2552]]. An [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence|advance strike force]] first arrived at the planet in late [[2552#July|July]], [[Battle of Visegrád|taking out]] [[Visegrád Relay|a major communications outpost]] and attacking several UNSC facilities over a span of several weeks. This force was effectively destroyed when the fleet's [[flagship]], the {{Class|CSO|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' was destroyed during [[Operation: UPPER CUT]]. However, a significantly larger Covenant fleet sent by the [[Ministry of Resolution]] arrived on [[2552#August|August 14]] and began to lay siege to several cities on the planet shortly after the ''Long Night of Solace'' was destroyed. The final battle for the planet was fought when a massive combined Covenant invasion fleet over 300 ships strong led by the [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee and the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] arrived in the morning of August 30.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} Additionally, the other human colonies in the Epsilon Eridani system were attacked by the Covenant, [[Battle of Tribute|including]] [[Tribute]].<ref>''Halo 3: ODST'', "Dutch" Firefight Character Profile</ref>

The final attack halted [[Operation: RED FLAG]], a plan devised by the UNSC to bring an end to the war, as the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, which was already on its way to the mission, was recalled to Reach to defend the planet against the massive Covenant attack. The majority of the SPARTAN-IIs aboard the ship were dispatched to the planet's surface to protect the [[Orbital defense generator|generators]] for the [[orbital defense platform]]s,{{Ref/Novel|Halo: First Strike|Page=22}} while a small team led by [[John-117]] boarded [[Reach Station Gamma]] to secure an unprotected NAV database aboard the [[ONI]] [[UNSC prowler|prowler]] ''[[UNSC Circumference|Circumference]]''.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Page=308}} Eventually, the ''Autumn'' was one of the few ships to escape the battle.{{Ref/Level|Game=Halo: Reach|Level=[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]}}

The battle was a disaster for the numerically-inferior UNSC fleet, despite the orbital defense platforms. The Covenant glassed most of Reach with [[glassing|plasma bombardment]]. CASTLE base was destroyed after the planet's fall and the Covenant began searching for a [[Forerunner crystal]].{{Ref/Novel|Halo: First Strike|Page=145-146}} The remaining UNSC forces finally abandoned the planet during a [[Raid on Reach|small raid]] a few days later. The raid turned into a rescue operation when it was determined that [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartans]] were still alive and on Reach, resulting in the destruction of over a dozen Covenant capital ships and many of their ground forces, at the cost of four Spartan-IIs and heavy damage to a UNSC-captured [[Ascendant Justice|ship]].{{Ref/Novel|Halo: First Strike|Page=171-186}}

Reach's surface received black rain for months after being glassed.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Shadows of Reach|Page=322}}

===Post-war===

[[File:Spade_NewFrontiers_Art.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A pioneer alongside two [[Spade]]s on Reach after its glassing.{{Ref/Site|Id=BaconTweet|URL=https://twitter.com/_darrenbacon/status/1437522810906103810|Site=Twitter|Page=Darren Bacon - It was a piece done for the franchise team depicting a glassed section of Reach...|D=13|M=09|Y=2021}}]]

In [[2553#November|November 2553]], a pioneer group arrived on Reach for an initial search and preparation for the planet's reterraforming.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2994218_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2994218|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Catalog Interaction (Page 43)}} Due to its symbolic and strategic value, Reach was quickly selected for rehabilitation and full-scale recolonization by the [[Unified Earth Government]],{{Ref/Reuse|wf}} classified as a priority redevelopment area.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm94}} Although an ambitious and lengthy project, Reach's recolonization is aided by the planet's handful of surviving settlements and the remaining [[space elevator]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|wf}} though hindered by the devastation to all major military sites and population centers during the Fall of Reach.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm94}} [[Aquarius Terraforming Solutions]] was a prime candidate over the [[Liang-Dortmund Corporation]] in the restoration project of Reach; especially as the latter would have required politically risky territorial and resources concessions.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFFoundations|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-foundations|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Foundations|D=12|M=01|Y=2022}}

Circa [[2558]], Reach has a population of 121,000;{{Ref/Reuse|wf}} UNSC presence is currently minimal.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm94}}

[[File:HR Screenshot Epilogue-After.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The surface of Reach, restored to a habitable state, in [[2589]].{{Ref/Reuse|hrlonewolf}}]]

On October 9, [[Blue Team]], was deployed to the planet in [[Operation: WOLFE]] as part of a covert attempt to retrieve assets that could help in the fight against the [[Created]]'s occupation of the [[Orion Arm]].{{Ref/Novel|SoR|Chapter=1}}

By [[2589]], Reach was in a habitable state, and new human colonists were re-settling the planet.{{Ref/Level|Id=hrlonewolf|Game=Halo: Reach|Level=Lone Wolf}} The planet was still evidently littered with destroyed ship and debris from both the Covenant and UNSC, thirty-seven years after the fall of the planet. By [[2610]], at least two cities on the planet, [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]] and [[Esztergom]], were reconstructed.<ref>''[[Halo: Reach Legendary Edition]]'' - [[:File:Journal Package Letter.jpg|Journal Package Letter]]</ref>

Reach was the most important headquarters for the [[United Nations Space Command]] outside of Earth and the main supplier of military and civilian spacecraft, and the location of the UNSC's largest and most active shipyard. [[UNSC High Command|High Command]], [[FLEETCOM|Fleet Command]] and the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] maintained headquarters on Reach, as well as many primary [[Office of Naval Intelligence|Naval Intelligence]] bases, which included the highly classified [[CASTLE Base]]. It was also where the UNSC's most elite troops, including the [[ODST]]s as well as the SPARTAN-IIs, were trained. Reach's purpose was not solely military however; the surface of the planet also featured farmland and civilian towns and districts.<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'', p. 52</ref> The largest cities on Reach were [[Manassas]], [[Quezon]], [[Esztergom]] and [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]].{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}

The license plates for some land vehicles, such as the [[Spade]], had Reach as an identifier on them.{{Ref/Game|Halo: Reach|Detail=[[Spade]] model}}

A semi-mobile array of twenty [[orbital defense platform]]s, equipped with heavy [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC guns]] also known as "big sticks," orbited around Reach. At least one {{Class|Moncton|orbital weapon platform}} was in place as early as [[2527]], with [[Unidentified human orbital weapon platform|another design]] requiring the usage of extensive ground-based [[orbital defense generator]] facilities entering service by [[2552]].{{Ref/Game|HFB}} The "big sticks" were defended by multiple wings of single ships and tactical multi-role craft. In addition, there were also about 100 to 150 [[UNSC starship|starships]] stationed in the Epsilon Eridani system at any time. Reach also had a network of 18 [[refit station]]s orbiting it.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=29866|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Noble Map Pack Quick Looks}} The ODPs were destroyed during the invasion of Reach, or were disabled by ground troops by destroying their power source. Despite their huge numbers, the [[fleet]] of warships was destroyed by a massive combined Covenant fleet.

An [[Reach super-AI network|ONI super-AI network]] used for high-level number crunching was also located on Reach.<ref>''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe'', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", p. 475-476, 484</ref> [[REACH DOC NET]] was a computer network on or around Reach.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Page=302}} Reach also had a [[slipspace COM launcher]].{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Ghosts of Onyx|Page=176}}

Reach had nine [[space elevator]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} three of which were located near the city of New Alexandria{{Ref/Level|Game=HR|Level=New Alexandria}} and another one located in the city of Manassas.<ref name="for">''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'', [[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]</ref>

Reach was the largest non-automated exporter of [[titanium]] within the human colonies.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} Deposits of the element could be found in abundance on the planet, sometimes breaking the surface in the form of large spires.{{Ref/FFMap|Game=Halo: Reach|Map=[[Unearthed]]}} The planet had numerous industries including [[BXR Mining Corporation|BXR]] and [[Kisvárda Metals]] invested in the mining of Titanium and other minerals such as [[wikipedia:Rhodium|Rhodium]].{{Ref/Novel|HSoR|Chapter=8}} Before the Covenant invasion, Epsilon Eridani's superior [[interstellar jump point]] had been the most active [[Slipstream space]] transfer zone (arrivals and departures) for over thirty years, with the system's inferior IJP and Sol's superior IJP regularly trading second and third place spots.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

Many of Reach's original settlers hailed from [[Europe]], particularly [[Wikipedia:Hungary|Hungary]], which is reflected in some of the place names on the planet. Many of the planet's inhabitants also spoke [[Hungarian]] as their first language.{{Ref/Level|Id=wc|Halo: Reach|[[Winter Contingency]]}} Despite Reach's harsh nature, some settlers chose to live in small communities of homesteads, referred to as "[[kiva]]s",<ref>''Halo: Reach'', [[Halo: Reach Legendary Edition|Legendary Edition]] Developer Commentary</ref> in the wilderness instead of the major cities. Rounded and enclosed, they were comfortable but practical, shuttered against Reach's forceful climate and bunkered into hillsides. It also related their independent nature; powered by [[wind turbine]]s and hydroelectric plants, they were off the grid and self-sustaining.<ref name="EDGE">[http://www.edge-online.com/ ''EDGE Magazine'', February 2010]</ref>{{Ref/Map|Game=Halo: Reach|Map=[[Powerhouse]]}} Reach was also the host of sporting events such as the [[2552 Reach Galactic Cup]]{{Ref/Reuse|exo}} and [[24 Hours of Quezon]].{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-needle-me-this|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Needle Me This}}

Reach, in the midst of its glassing, briefly appears in ''[[The Heretic]]'' in ''[[Halo 2]]''.

**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]'' {{Mo}}