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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Under Construction}}
{{Under construction}}
{{Battle infobox
{{Battle infobox
|name=Massacre of the Outer Colonies
|name=Massacre of the Outer Colonies
|image=[[File:Harvest Plasma Glassed.jpg|350px]]<sup>[[Harvest]] glassed in 2525</sup>
|image=[[File:Harvest Plasma Glassed.jpg|350px]]<br>[[Harvest]] glassed in 2525
|prev=[[Skirmish on Minor Transgression]]
|prev=[[Skirmish on Minor Transgression|Skirmish on ''Minor Transgression'']]
|conc=
|conc=
|next=*[[Siege of the Inner Colonies]]
|next=*[[Siege of the Inner Colonies]]
*[[Battle of Meridian]]
*[[Battle of Meridian]]
*[[Second Fall of Arcadia]]
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|date= [[2525#February|February 3, 2525]] - [[2536#June|June 1, 2536]]<ref name="HWTimeline">''[[Halo Wars]]'', collectible, [[Halo Wars Timeline Events]]</ref>
|date= [[2525#February|February 3, 2525]] - [[2536#June|June 1, 2536]]{{Ref/Game|Id=HWTimeline|HW|Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline|Detail=2536}}
|place=[[Outer Colonies]], [[Orion Arm]]
|place=[[Outer Colonies]], [[Orion Arm]]
|result='''Covenant Victory'''
|result='''Covenant Victory'''
Line 15: Line 16:
*[[Insurrection]] dies down due to heavy casualties from the Covenant attacks
*[[Insurrection]] dies down due to heavy casualties from the Covenant attacks
|side1=
|side1=
*[[File:Halo Waypoint - UEG.jpg|25px]] [[Unified Earth Government]] {{C|Supplanted by martial law later on}}
*{{Icon|UEG}} [[Unified Earth Government|UEG]] {{C|Supplanted by UNSC martial law later on}}
**[[File:Halopedia Era UNSC.png|25px]] [[United Nations Space Command]]
**{{Icon|UNSC HCW}} [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]
**[[Colonial Military Administration]]
**{{Icon|CAA}} [[Colonial Administration Authority|CAA]]
----
----
*[[File:Rebelfist.png|25px]] [[Insurrectionists]]
*{{Icon|Insurrectionist}} [[Insurrectionists]]
**[[United Rebel Front]]
**[[United Rebel Front]]
**[[Children of Mesra]]
**[[Children of Mesra]]
|side2=*[[File:H5Covenant Logo2.png|25px]] [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]
|side2=*{{Icon|Covenant FB}} [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]
**[[Ministry of Resolution]]
----
----
*[[United Rebel Front]] {{c|briefly during [[Operation: SILENT STORM]]}}
*[[United Rebel Front]] {{c|briefly during [[Operation: SILENT STORM]]}}
|commanders1=*[[Vice Admiral|VADM]] [[Preston Cole]]
|commanders1=
|commanders2=*[[Fleetmaster]] [[Nizat 'Kvarosee]]
*{{Icon|Navy}} [[Vice Admiral|VADM]] [[Preston Cole]]
|commanders2=
*[[High Prophet of Regret]]
*[[High Prophet of Regret]]
*[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]]
*[[Fleetmaster]] [[Nizat 'Kvarosee]]
*[[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]]†
*[[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]]†
----
----
*General [[Harper Garvin]]
*General [[Harper Garvin]]
|forces1=*[[Bliss Defense Fleet]]
|forces1=
*[[Third Fleet]]
*{{Icon|Navy}} [[UNSC Navy]]
*[[Battle Group X-Ray]]
**[[Bliss Defense Fleet]]
**[[Task Force Yama]]
**[[Third Fleet]]
*[[Battle Group 4]]
**[[Battle Group X-Ray]]
*[[21st Space Assault Battalion]]
***[[Task Force Yama]]
***[[Task Force Pantea]]
*[[Colonial Military Authority]]
**[[Battle Group 4]]
*{{Icon|ODST}} [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]
**[[21st Space Assault Battalion]]
|forces2=*[[Fleet of Glorious Interdiction]]
|forces2=*[[Fleet of Glorious Interdiction]]
*[[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]]
*[[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]]
*[[Fleet of Swift Justice]]
*[[Fleet of Swift Justice]]
*[[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]]
*[[Silent Shadow]]
|casual1=Immensely devastating
|casual1=Immensely devastating
*Over 62,154,022 civilian and military casualties<ref name="datapad14">''[[Halo: Reach]]'', collectible, [[Data pads|Data Pad 14]]</ref>
*Over 62,154,022 civilian and military casualties{{Ref/Game|Id=datapad14|HR|Detail=[[Data pads|Data Pad 14]]}}
*Hundreds of ships lost
*Hundreds of [[UNSC starship]]s lost
|casual2=Moderate to heavy
|casual2=Moderate to heavy
}}
}}


The '''Massacre of the Outer Colonies'''<ref>''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]'', p. 74 & 75</ref> is a series of engagements during the early portion of the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name="Xbox.com Halo Storyline">[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] and [http://web.archive.org/web/20080424150226/www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm Wayback Machine])</ref>
The '''Massacre of the Outer Colonies,'''{{Ref/Book|Halo Mythos|Page=74-75}} was the series of [[Human-Covenant War|engagements]] taking place in humanity's [[Outer colonies]] that made up the '''early Human-Covenant War'''.{{Ref/Site|Id=Xbox.com Halo Storyline|URL=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm|Site=Xbox.com|Page=Halo Storyline|D=24|M=04|Y=2008|LocalArchive=Archive:Xbox.com/Halo/Timeline|Detail=(Additional copy on [http://halo.bungie.org/misc/mstimeline2.html HBO Forums])}}


==Background==
==Background==
Line 54: Line 64:
{{Expand-section}}
{{Expand-section}}
==Battle==
==Battle==
===Harvest and the humanity's response===
[[File:HW Five Long Years.jpg|thumb|250px|Marines celebrating over a destroyed battlefield on Harvest.]]
{{CMAShip|Argo}} was tasked with investigating the silence of [[Harvest]], but signals with it were soon lost too. The [[Colonial Military Administration]] sent [[Battle Group 4]] to investigate the escalating situation. Arriving on [[2525#October|October 7, 2525]], the Battle group was attacked. Only the {{CMAShip|Heracles}} managed to escape. The ''Heracles'' returned to [[Reach]]<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', p. 96-99</ref> on October 31st, relaying what had happened and a message: ''"Your destruction is the will of the gods, and we are their instrument."''<ref name="hsschapter2">''Halo: Silent Storm'', Chapter 2</ref>
===Early battles===
{{Quote|We had hoped that contact with a new race would be peaceful. Obviously, this was not the case—the alien vessel did not open fire until our task force attempted to initiate communications.|[[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]] to [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II trainees]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=tfor11|TFoR|Chapter=11}}}}
{{CMAShip|Argo}} was tasked with investigating the silence of [[Harvest]], but signals with it were soon lost too. The [[Colonial Military Authority]] sent [[Battle Group 4]] to investigate the escalating situation. Arriving on [[2525#October|October 7, 2525]], the Battle group was attacked. Only the {{CMAShip|Heracles}} managed to escape. The ''Heracles'' returned to [[Reach]]{{Ref/Reuse|tfor11}} on October 31, relaying what had happened and a message: ''"Your destruction is the will of the gods, and we are their instrument."''{{Ref/Novel|Id=hsschapter2|HSS|Chapter=2}}{{Ref/Reuse|tfor11}}


The following day, on [[2525#November|November 1, 2525]], the [[Unified Earth Government]] began mobilizing the CMA and UNSC.<ref name="hsschapter2"/> Specifically, the UNSC went to full alert and stripped the CMA of its forces, giving them to [[NAVCOM]] and [[UNICOM]].<ref name="HWTimeline" /> On November 2, the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] were deployed.<ref name="hsschapter2"/>
The following day, on [[2525#November|November 1, 2525]], the [[Unified Earth Government]] began mobilized the UNSC, the CMA and other military services.{{Ref/Reuse|hsschapter2}} The UNSC now on full alert{{Ref/Reuse|tfor11}} stripped the CMA of its forces, giving them to [[NAVCOM]] and [[UNICOM]].{{Ref/Reuse|HWTimeline}} On November 2, the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] were deployed.{{Ref/Reuse|hsschapter2}}


===Early battles and losses===
At some point immediately after the attack on Harvest, [[Green Hills]] and [[Second Base]] were attacked by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}} On the 27th of November, [[Chi Ceti IV]] was [[Battle of Chi Ceti|assaulted]] by a [[Unrelenting|Covenant ship]] at the same time SPARTAN-II forces were receiving their [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]. Almost immediately after in [[2525#December|December]], the SPARTANs were reassigned to [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II|fight]] the Covenant at [[Alpha Corvi II]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=cd|HCD|Issue=1}}
On the 27th of November, [[Chi Ceti IV]] was [[Battle of Chi Ceti|assaulted]] by a [[Unrelenting|Covenant ship]] at the same time SPARTAN-II forces were receiving their [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]. Almost immediately after in [[2525#December|December]], the SPARTANs were reassigned to [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II|fight]] the Covenant at [[Alpha Corvi II]].<ref name="cd">''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''</ref>


===The first year===
===The first year===
The beginning of [[2526]] saw the [[Battle of Bliss|destruction]] of [[Bliss]].<ref name="accra">''[[Halo: Reach Limited Edition]]'', [[:File:Accra Log 1.jpg|Excerpt From ''Accra'' Log Page 1]]</ref> Soon after in March, [[Preston Cole]] in charge of UNSC [[Battle Group X-Ray]] [[Battle of Harvest|fought]] the Covenant off over [[Harvest]].<ref>''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', Historian's Note</ref> Seven days later, Cole as well as others would devise [[Operation: SILENT STORM]], part of which would involve laying a trap at [[Biko]] using [[Task Force Yama]].<ref>''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', Chapter 5</ref> Biko however would still [[Battle of Biko|fall]] to the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]], despite these actions by the UNSC. Almost a month after, the prestigious [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] on [[Circinius IV]] was destroyed, leaving only 3 survivors.<ref name="h4fud">''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''</ref>
The beginning of [[2526]] saw the [[Battle of Bliss|destruction]] of [[Bliss]].{{Ref/Game|Id=accra|HR|[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]], [[:File:Accra Log 1.jpg|Excerpt From ''Accra'' Log Page 1]]}} Soon after on March 1, [[Preston Cole]] in charge of UNSC [[Battle Group X-Ray]] [[Battle of Harvest|fought]] the Covenant off over [[Harvest]].{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Section=Historian's Note}} Seven days later, Cole as well as others would devise [[Operation: SILENT STORM]], part of which would involve laying a trap at [[Biko]] using [[Task Force Yama]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=silentstormchap5|HSS|Chapter=5}} At this point in time, the Covenant were only operating in the [[Polona Sector]], [[Vevina sector]], and [[Grenadi sector]]s.{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=6}} The colony of [[Etalan]], with roughly 10 million people was also attacked during this time.{{Ref/Reuse|silentstormchap5}}
[[File:FUD-Corbulo-Glassed.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Covenant [[glassing]] Circinius IV.]]
As part of SILENT STORM, the UNSC moved to position themselves at [[Seoba]], over Biko and discovered an [[Insurrectionist]] plot to overthrow the Bikon Chancellor. This would require the UNSC to go on the [[Battle of Seoba|offensive]] before they would fight the Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=7}} The Insurrectionists were driven back, but not before the Covenant arrived and attacked the planet.{{Ref/Novel|HSS}}


Only two days after Circinius IV, ONI projects were refocused to solely counter the Covenant. As well, [[ONI Section Two]] sent emissaries to Outer Colony leaders to warn them of the Covenant and give them an offer: end hostilities with the UNSC and receive protection. Initially they laughed at the prospect, until they witnessed footage of Bliss.<ref name="halseyjournalapril28">''[[Halo: Reach Limited Edition]]'', [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]], April 28, 2526</ref>
Almost a month after, the prestigious [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] on [[Circinius IV]] was destroyed, leaving only 3 survivors. Parts of the planet were also glassed.{{Ref/Film|Id=h4fud|[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]}}


Planets began falling two or three a week. The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] was unable to collate intelligence at the rate of the Covenant's incursion. [[UNSC Fleet Command]] was unable to plan out grand strategies and thus granted operational autonomy to UNSC naval units.<ref name="hochapter1">''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'', Chapter 1</ref>
Only two days after Circinius IV, ONI projects were refocused to solely counter the Covenant. As well, [[ONI Section Two]] sent emissaries to Outer Colony leaders to warn them of the Covenant and give them an offer: end hostilities with the UNSC and receive protection. Initially, they laughed at the prospect, until they witnessed footage of Bliss.{{Ref/Game|Id=halseyjournalapril28|HR|[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]], April 28, 2526}}


In the summer, UNSC forces along with forces from the [[Children of Mesra]] fought the Covenant on [[Mesra]].<ref name="hochapter1"/>
Planets began falling two or three a week. The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] was unable to collate intelligence at the rate of the Covenant incursion. [[UNSC Fleet Command]] was unable to plan out grand strategies and thus granted operational autonomy to UNSC naval units.{{Ref/Novel|Id=hochapter1|Oblv|Chapter=1}}


At the end of the year, the UNSC and Covenant [[Battle of Alpha Aurigae|fought a large battle]] in the [[Alpha Aurigae system]].<ref name="hwgenesis">''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''</ref>
In the summer, UNSC forces along with forces from the [[Children of Mesra]] [[Battle of Mesra|fought]] the Covenant on [[Mesra]].{{Ref/Reuse|hochapter1}}
 
At the end of the year, the UNSC and Covenant [[Battle of Alpha Aurigae|fought a large battle]] in the [[Alpha Aurigae system]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=hwgenesis|[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]}} [[Capella]] and [[Origami]] would be attacked but not glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


===Pressing inward===
===Pressing inward===
{{Expand-section}}
{{Expand-section}}
The Covenant kept pressing ever inward into human space. In [[2528]], the UNSC continued to counter the Covenant at the [[Battle of XI Boötis A]]<ref name="hwgenesis"/> but [[Madrigal]] [[Fall of Madrigal|fell later in the year]].<ref>''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'', p. 72</ref> Two years later in [[2530]], [[Eridanus II]] was glassed and the UNSC abandoned the planet.<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', p. 240</ref> On December 24 of 2530, the UNSC and Covenant clashed at the [[Battle of the Great Bear]]. The battle would lead to the formation of the [[Cole Protocol]].<ref name="hwgenesis"/>
During the first five years of the war, [[Red Team]] would outperform most other groundside units as they were sent from world to world in the outer colonies to try and slow the Covenant.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=95}} {{Class|Orion|assault carrier}}s were also used as [[flagship]]s in desperate rearguard actions trying to buy time for evacuees to flee to the [[Inner Colonies]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=127}}
 
Despite having attempted to attack the world years earlier, the Covenant would glass [[Chi Ceti IV]] in [[2527]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} In [[2528]], the UNSC continued to counter the Covenant at the [[Battle of XI Boötis A]]{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}} but [[Madrigal]] [[Fall of Madrigal|fell later in the year]].{{Ref/Novel|TCP|Page=72}}
 
Two years later in [[2530]], [[Eridanus II]] was glassed and the UNSC abandoned the planet.{{Ref/Novel|HFS|Page=240}} On December 24 of 2530, the UNSC and Covenant clashed at the [[Battle of the Great Bear]]. The battle would lead to the formation of the [[Cole Protocol]].{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}}
[[File:Dome o' Light.png|thumb|250px|''Spirit of Fire'' forces planning actions on Arcadia.]]


===The Arbiter===
===The Arbiter===
In [[2531#February|February 2531]], [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], began leading searches for [[Forerunner]] technology to aid in the Covenant war effort during the end of the [[Harvest campaign]] and the [[Battle for Arcadia]]. With the Covenant having discovered the Forerunner [[shield world]] [[Etran Harborage]] sometime prior, the Prophet of Regret intended to use a fleet of {{Class|Sojourner|dreadnought}}s docked at the [[Apex Site]] to crush humanity "quickly and with ease." With Ripa having kidnapped Professor [[Ellen Anders]] at [[Arcadia]] to use as a [[Reclaimer]] to activate the shield world, he was pursued by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, leading to [[Battle of the Etran Harborage|a battle]] at the Etran Harborage. In the battle, Ripa was killed by Sergeant [[John Forge]] who subsequently sacrificed himself to destroy the Etran Harborage by causing its internal sun to go [[supernova]]. The Covenant plan was foiled, but the ''Spirit of Fire'' sacrificed its [[slipspace drive]] to cause the supernova, leaving the ship and its crew stranded in deep space.<ref>''[[Halo Wars]]'', [[Campaign]]</ref>
In [[2531#February|February 2531]], [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], began leading searches for [[Forerunner]] technology to aid in the Covenant war effort during the end of the [[Harvest campaign]] and the [[Battle for Arcadia]]. With the Covenant having discovered the Forerunner [[shield world]] [[Trove]] sometime prior, the Prophet of Regret intended to use a fleet of {{Class|Sojourner|dreadnought}}s docked at the [[Apex Site]] to crush humanity "quickly and with ease." With Ripa having kidnapped Professor [[Ellen Anders]] at [[Arcadia]] to use as a [[Reclaimer]] to activate the shield world, he was pursued by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, leading to [[Battle of the Trove|a battle]] at the Etran Harborage. In the battle, Ripa was killed by Sergeant [[John Forge]] who subsequently sacrificed himself to destroy the Etran Harborage by causing its internal sun to go [[supernova]]. The Covenant plan was foiled, but the ''Spirit of Fire'' sacrificed its [[slipspace drive]] to cause the supernova, leaving the ship and its crew stranded in deep space.{{Ref/Game|HW|[[Campaign]]}}


===Refugees===
===Further battles===
{{Expand-section}}
Despite the loss of Trove, the Covenant would continue to press forward. In [[2532]], the colony of [[Vodin]] would be attacked but would survive.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint enc}}
 
[[Hat Yai]] and [[Paradise Falls]], however, would end up being glassed in [[2533]]. Harvest would be glassed again in [[2534]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
===Continuing losses in the Outer Colonies===
===Loss of the Outer Colonies===
{{Expand-section}}
With the fall of the Outer Colonies, the UNSC called upon private industry to manufacture previously classified war materiel. The result of this would be the GEN1 [[ROGUE-class Mjolnir]].{{Ref/Game|H3|[[ROGUE-class Mjolnir]] description}}
 
By [[2535]], a number of Outer Colonies had been lost and refugees were beginning to pour into the [[Inner Colonies]], such as on [[Chi Rho]].{{Ref/Novel|TCP|Page=25}}
 
The losses of various Outer Colonies would also create some of the orphans who would make up the [[SPARTAN-III program]]. This includes but is not limited to; [[Carter-A259]] following Biko,{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/carter-a259|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Carter-A259}} [[Rosenda-A344]] after Vodin,{{Ref/Site|Id=CFPhoenixBlog|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-phoenix-blog|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Phoenix Blog|D=22|M=02|Y=2023}} and [[Emile-A239]] following Eridanus II.{{Ref/Site|Id=CF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/emile-a239|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Emile-A239|D=16|M=10|Y=2021}}
 
===The Inner Colonies===
===The Inner Colonies===
{{Main|Siege of the Inner Colonies}}
{{Main|Siege of the Inner Colonies}}
On [[2536|June 1, 2536]], the Covenant had finally broken into the [[Inner Colonies]].<ref name="HWTimeline"/> This would be the beginning of a multi-year siege of the most inner worlds of humanity.
On [[2536|June 1, 2536]], the Covenant had finally broken into the [[Inner Colonies]].{{Ref/Reuse|HWTimeline}} This would be the beginning of a multi-year siege of the most inner worlds of humanity.
{{Expand-section}}
{{Expand-section}}
===Continuing losses in the Outer Colonies===
Other Outer Colonies also fell even after the Inner Colonies were being attacked. [[Meridian]], [[Battle of Meridian|came under siege for three years]] late into the war. As well, Arcadia was attacked [[Second Fall of Arcadia|a second time]].
{{Expand-section}}
==Timeline==
==Timeline==
{{Expand-section}}
{{Expand-section}}
===2525===
===2525===
*The [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II]] takes place.<ref name="cd"/>
*The [[Battle of Chi Ceti]] takes place.
*The [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II]] takes place.{{Ref/Reuse|cd}}
*[[Redstow VI]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===2526===
===2526===
*[[Circinius IV]] and [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] are attacked and destroyed.<ref name="h4fud"/>
*[[Bliss]] is attacked and glassed by the Covenant.{{Ref/Game|HR|Detail=[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]], "''The Accra Incident''"|Quote=Unknown ships positively identified as alien warships comprising what appear to be five assault carriers, twenty-three battlecruisers, and seventeen destroyers.}}
*The Covenant attacked [[Mesra]].<ref name="hochapter1"/>
*The [[Second Battle of Harvest]] begins, and the largest UNSC fleet then-ever assembled arrives to begin the process of retaking Harvest.
*The Battle over [[Seoba]] takes place with the Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|Id=silent|HSS}}
*[[Biko]] is attacked and glassed by the Covenant shortly after Seoba.{{Ref/Reuse|silent}}
*[[Etalan]] is attacked by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|silentstormchap5}}
*[[Circinius IV]] and [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] are attacked and destroyed.{{Ref/Reuse|h4fud}}
*The Covenant [[Battle of Mesra|attacked]] [[Mesra]].{{Ref/Reuse|hochapter1}}
*A battle over [[Netherop]] takes place between the UNSC and Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|Oblv}}
*A naval engagement in [[Battle of Alpha Aurigae|Alpha Aurigae]] system takes place, resulting in a rare UNSC victory over the Covenant.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=evolutions|Evo|[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]}}
===2527===
*[[Chi Ceti IV]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===2528===
===2528===
*The [[Battle of XI Boötis A]] takes place.{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}}
*The [[Fall of Madrigal]] takes place.
===2529===
*[[Cote d'Azure]] is glassed.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=50 & 51}}
*[[Asmara]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Verent]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===2530===
===2530===
*[[Battle of the Great Bear]] takes place, leading to the creation of the [[Cole Protocol]].<ref name="hwgenesis"/>
*[[Endymion]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Dwarka]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Eridanus II]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Lostwithiel]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Battle of the Great Bear]] takes place, leading to the creation of the [[Cole Protocol]].{{Ref/Reuse|hwgenesis}}
 
===2531===
===2531===
*[[Harvest campaign]] - In early February, the five year long Harvest campaign comes to an end following the Covenant failure to destroy the [[Relic]].
*[[Harvest campaign]] - In early February, the five year long Harvest campaign comes to an end following the Covenant failure to destroy the [[Relic (location)|relic]].
*[[Battle for Arcadia]] - Having learned the location of the [[Outer Colony]] [[Arcadia]] from the Relic on [[Harvest]], ships from the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] attack [[Arcadia]]. Defending ships manage to destroy one of the two initial attackers while the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} helps repel ground forces. Later reinforcements end the battle in a human victory, though not with massive loss of life. Professor [[Ellen Anders]] is kidnapped by [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]].
*[[Battle for Arcadia]] - Having learned the location of the [[Outer Colony]] [[Arcadia]] from the Relic on [[Harvest]], ships from the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] attack [[Arcadia]]. Defending ships manage to destroy one of the two initial attackers while the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} helps repel ground forces. Later reinforcements end the battle in a human victory, though not with massive loss of life. Professor [[Ellen Anders]] is kidnapped by [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]].
*[[Battle of the Etran Harborage]] - Battle between the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and forces of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] attempting to gain access to the fleet of [[Forerunner]] {{Class|Sojourner|dreadnought}}s on the [[shield world]] [[Etran Harborage]] which would give the Covenant a massive tactical advantage. Death of [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] and the destruction of the Etran Harborage at the cost of ''Spirit of Fire's'' [[slipspace drive]].
*[[Battle of Trove]] - Battle between the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and forces of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] attempting to gain access to the fleet of [[Forerunner]] {{Class|Sojourner|dreadnought}}s on the [[shield world]] [[Trove]] which would give the Covenant a massive tactical advantage. Death of [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] and the destruction of the Etran Harborage at the cost of ''Spirit of Fire's'' [[slipspace drive]].


===2532===
*[[Vodin]] is attacked but survived.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint enc|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/randall-aiken|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Randall Aiken}}
===2533===
*[[Hat Yai]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Paradise Falls]] is glassed.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===2534===
*Harvest is glassed again.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCD-BRattack.png|Fighting in the Alpha Corvi II city [[Black Reef]].
File:HCD-BRattack.png|Fighting in the Alpha Corvi II city [[Black Reef]].
File:HW Five Long Years.jpg|Marines celebrating over a destroyed battlefield on Harvest.
File:HWG BattleOfAlphaAurigae.png|Fighting in the [[Alpha Aurigae system]].
File:Battle of Alpha Aurigae.jpg|Fighting in the [[Alpha Aurigae system]].
File:FUD-Corbulo-Glassed.jpg|The Covenant [[glassing]] Circinius IV.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Reflist}}
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Human-Covenant War}}
{{Human-Covenant War}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Outer Colonies}}
[[Category:Battles of the Human-Covenant War]]
[[Category:Covenant victories]]

Revision as of 18:05, January 20, 2024

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Previous:

Skirmish on Minor Transgression

Next:

Massacre of the Outer Colonies
Harvest Plasma Glassed.jpg
Harvest glassed in 2525

Conflict:

Human-Covenant War

Date:

February 3, 2525 - June 1, 2536[1]

Location:

Outer Colonies, Orion Arm

Outcome:

Covenant Victory

  • Most Outer Colonies are glassed
  • Insurrection dies down due to heavy casualties from the Covenant attacks
Details
Belligerents
  • UEG (Supplanted by UNSC martial law later on)
Commanders
Strength
Casualties

Immensely devastating

Moderate to heavy

 

The Massacre of the Outer Colonies,[3] was the series of engagements taking place in humanity's Outer colonies that made up the early Human-Covenant War.[4]

Background

Insurrection

Main article: Insurrection
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Battle

Screenshot of Marines fighting on Harvest from the opening cutscene of Halo Wars.
Marines celebrating over a destroyed battlefield on Harvest.

Early battles

"We had hoped that contact with a new race would be peaceful. Obviously, this was not the case—the alien vessel did not open fire until our task force attempted to initiate communications."
— Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth to SPARTAN-II trainees.[5]

CMA Argo was tasked with investigating the silence of Harvest, but signals with it were soon lost too. The Colonial Military Authority sent Battle Group 4 to investigate the escalating situation. Arriving on October 7, 2525, the Battle group was attacked. Only the CMA Heracles managed to escape. The Heracles returned to Reach[5] on October 31, relaying what had happened and a message: "Your destruction is the will of the gods, and we are their instrument."[6][5]

The following day, on November 1, 2525, the Unified Earth Government began mobilized the UNSC, the CMA and other military services.[6] The UNSC now on full alert[5] stripped the CMA of its forces, giving them to NAVCOM and UNICOM.[1] On November 2, the SPARTAN-IIs were deployed.[6]

At some point immediately after the attack on Harvest, Green Hills and Second Base were attacked by the Covenant.[7] On the 27th of November, Chi Ceti IV was assaulted by a Covenant ship at the same time SPARTAN-II forces were receiving their MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor. Almost immediately after in December, the SPARTANs were reassigned to fight the Covenant at Alpha Corvi II.[8]

The first year

The beginning of 2526 saw the destruction of Bliss.[9] Soon after on March 1, Preston Cole in charge of UNSC Battle Group X-Ray fought the Covenant off over Harvest.[10] Seven days later, Cole as well as others would devise Operation: SILENT STORM, part of which would involve laying a trap at Biko using Task Force Yama.[11] At this point in time, the Covenant were only operating in the Polona Sector, Vevina sector, and Grenadi sectors.[12] The colony of Etalan, with roughly 10 million people was also attacked during this time.[11]

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn screenshot
The Covenant glassing Circinius IV.

As part of SILENT STORM, the UNSC moved to position themselves at Seoba, over Biko and discovered an Insurrectionist plot to overthrow the Bikon Chancellor. This would require the UNSC to go on the offensive before they would fight the Covenant.[13] The Insurrectionists were driven back, but not before the Covenant arrived and attacked the planet.[14]

Almost a month after, the prestigious Corbulo Academy of Military Science on Circinius IV was destroyed, leaving only 3 survivors. Parts of the planet were also glassed.[15]

Only two days after Circinius IV, ONI projects were refocused to solely counter the Covenant. As well, ONI Section Two sent emissaries to Outer Colony leaders to warn them of the Covenant and give them an offer: end hostilities with the UNSC and receive protection. Initially, they laughed at the prospect, until they witnessed footage of Bliss.[16]

Planets began falling two or three a week. The Office of Naval Intelligence was unable to collate intelligence at the rate of the Covenant incursion. UNSC Fleet Command was unable to plan out grand strategies and thus granted operational autonomy to UNSC naval units.[17]

In the summer, UNSC forces along with forces from the Children of Mesra fought the Covenant on Mesra.[17]

At the end of the year, the UNSC and Covenant fought a large battle in the Alpha Aurigae system.[7] Capella and Origami would be attacked but not glassed.[18]

Pressing inward

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During the first five years of the war, Red Team would outperform most other groundside units as they were sent from world to world in the outer colonies to try and slow the Covenant.[19] Orion-class assault carriers were also used as flagships in desperate rearguard actions trying to buy time for evacuees to flee to the Inner Colonies.[20]

Despite having attempted to attack the world years earlier, the Covenant would glass Chi Ceti IV in 2527.[18] In 2528, the UNSC continued to counter the Covenant at the Battle of XI Boötis A[7] but Madrigal fell later in the year.[21]

Two years later in 2530, Eridanus II was glassed and the UNSC abandoned the planet.[22] On December 24 of 2530, the UNSC and Covenant clashed at the Battle of the Great Bear. The battle would lead to the formation of the Cole Protocol.[7]

Spirit of Fire forces planning actions on Arcadia.

The Arbiter

In February 2531, Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee, under the command of the Prophet of Regret, began leading searches for Forerunner technology to aid in the Covenant war effort during the end of the Harvest campaign and the Battle for Arcadia. With the Covenant having discovered the Forerunner shield world Trove sometime prior, the Prophet of Regret intended to use a fleet of Sojourner-class dreadnoughts docked at the Apex Site to crush humanity "quickly and with ease." With Ripa having kidnapped Professor Ellen Anders at Arcadia to use as a Reclaimer to activate the shield world, he was pursued by the UNSC Spirit of Fire, leading to a battle at the Etran Harborage. In the battle, Ripa was killed by Sergeant John Forge who subsequently sacrificed himself to destroy the Etran Harborage by causing its internal sun to go supernova. The Covenant plan was foiled, but the Spirit of Fire sacrificed its slipspace drive to cause the supernova, leaving the ship and its crew stranded in deep space.[23]

Further battles

Despite the loss of Trove, the Covenant would continue to press forward. In 2532, the colony of Vodin would be attacked but would survive.[18][24]

Hat Yai and Paradise Falls, however, would end up being glassed in 2533. Harvest would be glassed again in 2534.[18]

Aftermath

Loss of the Outer Colonies

With the fall of the Outer Colonies, the UNSC called upon private industry to manufacture previously classified war materiel. The result of this would be the GEN1 ROGUE-class Mjolnir.[25]

By 2535, a number of Outer Colonies had been lost and refugees were beginning to pour into the Inner Colonies, such as on Chi Rho.[26]

The losses of various Outer Colonies would also create some of the orphans who would make up the SPARTAN-III program. This includes but is not limited to; Carter-A259 following Biko,[27] Rosenda-A344 after Vodin,[28] and Emile-A239 following Eridanus II.[29]

The Inner Colonies

Main article: Siege of the Inner Colonies

On June 1, 2536, the Covenant had finally broken into the Inner Colonies.[1] This would be the beginning of a multi-year siege of the most inner worlds of humanity.

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Continuing losses in the Outer Colonies

Other Outer Colonies also fell even after the Inner Colonies were being attacked. Meridian, came under siege for three years late into the war. As well, Arcadia was attacked a second time.

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Timeline

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2525

2526

2527

2528

2529

2530

2531

2532

2533

2534

  • Harvest is glassed again.[18]

Gallery

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo Wars, Timeline: 2536
  2. ^ Halo: Reach: Data Pad 14
  3. ^ Halo Mythos, page 74-75
  4. ^ Xbox.com, Halo Storyline: (Additional copy on HBO Forums) (Retrieved on Apr 24, 2008) [local archive] [external archive]
  5. ^ a b c d Halo: The Fall of Reach, chapter 11
  6. ^ a b c Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 2
  7. ^ a b c d e f Halo Wars: Genesis
  8. ^ a b Halo: Collateral Damage, issue 1
  9. ^ Halo: Reach, Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal, Excerpt From Accra Log Page 1
  10. ^ Halo: Silent Storm - Historian's Note
  11. ^ a b c Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 5
  12. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 6
  13. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 7
  14. ^ Halo: Silent Storm
  15. ^ a b Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
  16. ^ Halo: Reach, Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal, April 28, 2526
  17. ^ a b c Halo: Oblivion, chapter 1
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 50 & 51
  19. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 95
  20. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 127
  21. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 72
  22. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 240
  23. ^ Halo Wars, Campaign
  24. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Randall Aiken
  25. ^ Halo 3, ROGUE-class Mjolnir description
  26. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 25
  27. ^ Halo Waypoint, Carter-A259
  28. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Phoenix Blog (Retrieved on Feb 22, 2023) [archive]
  29. ^ Halo Waypoint, Emile-A239 (Retrieved on Oct 16, 2021) [archive]
  30. ^ Halo: Reach: Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal, "The Accra Incident" "Unknown ships positively identified as alien warships comprising what appear to be five assault carriers, twenty-three battlecruisers, and seventeen destroyers."
  31. ^ a b Halo: Silent Storm
  32. ^ Halo: Oblivion
  33. ^ Halo: Evolutions - The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole

v • d • e
 
⇦ Battles of the Human-Covenant War ⇨
Unknown date
Alpha Cephei (pre-2541) • HEMORRHAGE (pre-2552) • Odenli'sh (pre-2552) • DIRE MORNING • FANCY DRESS
Overarching campaigns
Outer Colonies (2525-2536) • Inner Colonies (2536-2552)
By victor
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