Editing Ven III

{{Status|Canon}}

|system= [[Ven system]]

|species=[[Kig-Yar]]

|colonized=  

During the [[Human-Covenant War]], the planet was used on and off by the [[Covenant]] as a staging area for large offensives. At the conclusion of the war, Ven III was left unclaimed. One of the planet's many underground caverns became a hot spot for numerous [[Kig-Yar]] [[pirate]]s, smugglers, [[black market]] arm dealers, and [[Slavery|slavers]].{{Ref/Reuse|HE11}} The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] sent an analyst report to [[UNSC High Command]] concerning the pirates on the planet and the possible outcomes if they are ignored. When the [[UNSC]] did not act, ONI hired [[Ayit 'Sevi|a Sangheili mercenary]] to have Kig-Yar pirates on the planet create an alleged [[Bioweapon|biological agent]] in early May 2558 in order to lure the UNSC to the planet to eliminate the pirates.<ref name="HE12">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 12|Issue #12]]''</ref>  At some point, the Kig-Yar were killed by the bioweapon, and the Sangheili survived and fled the laboratory carrying the bioweapon in a containment cylinder.{{Ref/Reuse|HE11}}

On [[2558#May|May 8, 2558]], a UNSC [[spy drone]] was scouting the surface of the planet when it discovered the deceased Kig-Yar. [[Serin Osman|Admiral Serin Osman]] was alerted and tasked the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} with [[Operation: WHISTLE STOP|investigating]] the Covenant bioweapon research laboratory on Ven III. Warned to exercise extreme caution, [[Thomas Lasky|Captain Thomas Lasky]] sent [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IVs]] [[Naiya Ray]] and [[Gabriel Thorne]] to the planet. Deployed to Ven III by a [[prowler]], the Spartans encountered several hostile Kig-Yar before entering a communication jamming field. Meanwhile, the lone Sangheili destroyed the UNSC drone on the planet. The Spartans soon found a Covenant structure, but they were attacked by the Sangheili and a contingent of Kig-Yar. During the skirmish, the Sangheili captured Thorne and escaped on a {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}. During her attempt to rescue Thorne, Spartan Ray discovered a massive Kig-Yar [[pirate]] stronghold deep below the surface of the planet. However, a Kig-Yar ambushed her and Ray's communications with ''Infinity'' ended.{{Ref/Reuse|HE11}} After Ray defeated the Kig-Yar and regained communications with ''Infinity'', she entered the pirate base. Meanwhile, ''Infinity'' made its way to the planet. While the Sangheili spoke with the [[Kig-Yar pirate queen]] that led the Kig-Yar on the planet, the ''Infinity'' arrived in system and the queen had all of her ships prepare to engage the UNSC vessel. While the queen left to lead the battle, her lieutenants and the Sangheili were attacked by Ray. After killing the Kig-Yar and stopping the Sangheili, she rescued Thorne and gave ''Infinity'' their coordinates so Thorne could be recovered. While the queen was preparing to take a [[Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette|corvette]] to engage ''Infinity'', a pair of [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s deployed [[HAVOK]] missiles on the base, killing the queen. The space battle ended shortly after. The distraction of the blast allowed the Sangheili to escape, but when Ray caught him, a prowler landed nearby and ONI agents ordered her to stand down, seized the bioweapon, and led the unrestrained Sangheili onto the prowler. Later, Lasky and Spartan [[Sarah Palmer]] came to realize that ONI was responsible for causing the battle and the two contemplated the situation.{{Ref/Reuse|HE12}}

Ven III is a small, barely inhabitable planet characterized by a maze-like environment with numerous caves and tunnels. Despite its barrenness, the planet is home to a small lizard-like creature which the Kig-Yar sometimes shoot for sport.{{Ref/Reuse|HE11}}

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