WINTER CONTINGENCY (protocol)

This article is about the emergency plan. For the Halo: Reach level, see Winter Contingency (level).

"Winter contingency has been declared. All units are mobilized and ready"

— UNSC operator

WINTER CONTINGENCY is an official United Nations Space Command emergency plan that deals with situations where Covenant forces have become aware of, or are present at, a UNSC colony. It was enacted by the UNSC on March 10, 2526.

Classification

Events which may be classified as WINTER CONTINGENCY include:

• Intercepted Covenant communications that refer to a UNSC colony by name.
• Discovery of hard physical evidence of Covenant activity.
  • Abandoned or discarded matériel.
  • Residue and/or damage consistent with directed energy weapon usage.
• Detection of multiple in-system Slipspace rupture events.
• Engagement in combat with Covenant forces.

Priority

WINTER CONTINGENCY holds the highest precedence in the OPREP-Γ reporting structure. All other reporting terms such as GOOSE CHASE, SNAKE PIT, et al, while very important, are considered secondary to a WINTER CONTINGENCY report.

Details

When WINTER CONTINGENCY is declared, subdural pulse-coded emitters placed inside Astronavigation personnel are activated. The personnel are to be located immediately. All orders given by any UNSC officers below the rank of secure-clear Captain are to be ignored in order to recover the personnel. The personnel are to be terminated upon site with the exception of Superior officers.