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{{Era|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}{{Status|Featured}}
{{References}}
{{Battle infobox
{{Battle infobox
|prev=[[Battle of Draetheus V]]
|prev=*[[Battle of Draetheus V]]
*[[Draco III rebellion]] <small>([[Insurrection]])</small>
|conc=[[Invasion of Earth]]
|conc=[[Invasion of Earth]]
|next=[[Operation: COALPEPPER]]
|next=[[Operation: COALPEPPER]]
|image=[[File:Hunters in the Dark full cover.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:Hunters in the Dark full cover.jpg|300px]]
|conflict=[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|conflict=[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|date=[[2555|March 17-20, 2555]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/bsangel/status/710527812969435136 '''Twitter''': ''Today in Halo - 3/17/2555'']</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/bsangel/status/711590383940075520 '''Today In Halo''' ''- 3/20/2555'']</ref>
|date=[[2555|March 17–20, 2555]]{{Ref/Twitter|bsangel|710527812969435136|Jessica Shea|Quote=#TodayInHalo 3/17/2555 In Operation: FAR STORM, a team of humans & Elites are sent back to the Ark to stop the activation of the Halo Array.|D=09|M=3|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Twitter|bsangel|711590383940075520|Jessica Shea|Quote=#TodayInHalo 3/20/2555 Operation: FAR STORM is completed with the deactivation of Halo’s priming sequence.|D=09|M=3|Y=2021}}
|place=[[Installation 00]]
|place=[[Installation 00]]
|result=
|result=
|side1=*[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side1=*[[United Nations Space Command]]
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
|side2=[[Forerunner]] constructs
|side2=*[[Sentinel|Forerunner constructs]]
----
*[[Forerunner fauna and flora#fauna|Native]] [[List of animals#Found on Forerunner worlds|animals]]
|commanders1=*Commander [[N'tho 'Sraom]]
|commanders1=*Commander [[N'tho 'Sraom]]
*[[Annabelle Richards|Cpt. Annabelle Richards]]
*[[Annabelle Richards|Cpt. Annabelle Richards]]
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}}
}}


'''Operation: FAR STORM'''<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/olympia-vale '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Olympia Vale'']</ref> was a [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]-[[Swords of Sanghelios]] joint [[operation]] to [[Installation 00]].
'''Operation: FAR STORM'''{{Ref/Site|Id=OVUniverse|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/olympia-vale|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Olympia Vale|D=09|M=3|Y=2021}} was a [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]-[[Swords of Sanghelios]] joint [[operation]] to [[Installation 00]].


==Prelude==
==Prelude==
At the climax of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the joint [[United Nations Space Command]]–[[Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution]] and a [[Covenant]] [[Truth's fleet|fleet]] under the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]'s command traveled to [[Installation 00]] through the [[Portal at Voi|slipspace portal]] at [[Voi]], [[Kenya]] on [[Earth]]. The ensuing [[Battle of Installation 00|battle]] led to the dissolution of the Covenant Empire, the [[Raid on Installation 04B|destruction]] of [[Installation 04]]'s [[Installation 04B|replacement]], and heavy damage to Installation 00 itself.
[[File:TSPL.png|250px|thumb|left|000 Tragic Solitude observes the Ark's ravaged surface.]]
At the climax of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the joint [[United Nations Space Command]]–[[Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution]] and a [[Covenant]] [[Truth's fleet|fleet]] under the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]'s command traveled to [[Installation 00]] through the [[Portal at Voi|slipspace portal]] at [[Voi]], [[Kenya]] on [[Earth]].{{Ref/Level|H3|The Storm}} The ensuing [[Battle of Installation 00|battle]] led to the dissolution of the Covenant Empire, the [[Raid on Installation 08|destruction]] of [[Installation 04]]'s [[Installation 08|replacement]], and heavy damage to Installation 00 itself.{{Ref/Level|H3|Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo}}


In [[2555]], renowned [[human]] scientist and historian Doctor [[Luther Mann]] discovered the location of [[Installation 07]] by cross-referencing [[Forerunner]] architecture on the [[shield world]] of [[Trevelyan]]. The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] subsequently sent a research detachment of approximately three hundred scientists of multiple fields, including Mann and [[Henry Lamb]], to study Zeta Halo along with hundreds of automated probes to scan and map out the installation. While inspecting the ring's custodial systems, Mann and Lamb discovered a Forerunner timer that they concluded was counting down to the [[Halo Array|Halo Array's]] activation in five weeks.<ref name="hitd preview">[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476795851/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=desktop-1&amp;pf_rd_r=0ZDTBAZQPQQBZSSQ44VW&amp;pf_rd_t=36701&amp;pf_rd_p=2079475242&amp;pf_rd_i=desktop '''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''': ''Chapter 1'']</ref>
In [[2553]],{{Ref/Twitter|bsangel|670658429149540352|Jessica Shea|Quote=#TodayInHalo 11/28/2553 Researcher Luther Mann discovers the location of Zeta Halo during a research expedition on Onyx.|D=09|M=3|Y=2021}} renowned [[human]] scientist and historian Doctor [[Luther Mann]] found information that would lead him to discover the existence and location of [[Installation 07]] by cross-referencing [[Forerunner]] architecture on the [[shield world]] of [[Trevelyan]]. It took a year, but at the beginning of [[2555]] he finished decoding the data, and the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] subsequently sent a research detachment of approximately three hundred scientists of multiple fields, including Mann and [[Henry Lamb]], to study Zeta Halo along with hundreds of automated probes to scan and map out the installation. While inspecting the ring's custodial systems, Mann and Lamb discovered a Forerunner timer that they concluded was counting down to the [[Halo Array]]'s activation in five weeks.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD1|HITD|Chapter=1}} Doctor Mann was aware that the {{UNSCShip|Redoubtable}} had found a similar sequence on [[Installation 05]] in [[2552]] and passed this information to his superiors. In a classified briefing at [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6|HIGHCOM]], Zeta Halo project director, Doctor [[Bob Casper]] explained to the representatives of the various UNSC branches that he had contacted the other installations and confirmed that each of them was exhibiting the same behavior.


==The mission==
==The mission==
Following the discovery of a countdown on the Halo Array, both the [[UNSC]] and [[Swords of Sanghelios]] decided that the best course of action was to go to what remained of [[Installation 00]] to try and manually stop the timer. Members of the group came from both factions involved, including two [[Sangheili]] who had conducted operations on the installation; [[N'tho 'Sraom]] and [[Usze 'Taham]], the former in command of the warship ''[[Mayhem]]''. The mission was put into action rather abruptly - and earlier than planned - when the [[Huragok]] [[Drifts Randomly]] activated the [[Portal at Voi]] for the first time since the [[Battle of Earth]] in [[2552]]. Almost immediately, a [[Retriever Sentinel]]  emerged through the portal and began strip-mining the area around the portal, forcing the {{UNSCShip|Endeavor}} and accompanying small craft to engage combat with it. After this event, the UNSC task force met aboard the ''Mayhem'' to discuss what to do next. The commander of the ship, [[N'tho 'Sraom]], proceeded to kidnap the UNSC troops, believing that the more time wasted talking would mean less time to stop the activation of the [[Halo Array]]. ''Mayhem'' proceeded to enter the portal to travel to the Ark.
Following the discovery of across the known Halo Arrays, both the [[UNSC]] and [[Swords of Sanghelios]] decided that the best course of action was to go to what remained of [[Installation 00]] to try and manually stop the timer. Members of the group came from both factions involved, including two [[Sangheili]] who had conducted operations on the installation; [[N'tho 'Sraom]] and [[Usze 'Taham]], the former in command of the warship ''[[Mayhem]]''. The mission was put into action rather abruptly - and earlier than planned - when the [[Huragok]] [[Drifts Randomly]] activated the [[Portal at Voi]] for the first time since the [[Battle of Earth]] in [[2552]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD6|HITD|Chapter=6}} Almost immediately, a [[Retriever Sentinel]]  emerged and began strip-mining the area around the portal, forcing the {{UNSCShip|Endeavor}} and accompanying small craft to engage it in combat. After this event, the UNSC task force met aboard the ''Mayhem'' to discuss what to do next. The commander of the ship, [[N'tho 'Sraom]], proceeded to kidnap the UNSC troops, believing that the more time wasted talking would mean less time to stop the activation of the [[Halo Array]]. ''Mayhem'' proceeded to enter the portal to travel to the Ark.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD7|HITD|Chapter=7}}
[[File:HM-FarStorm.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A chaefka attacks the party on the Ark's surface.]]
The ''[[Mayhem]]'' arrived at [[Installation 00]] much earlier than expected; the previous voyage to the installation had taken weeks, whereas ''Mayhem'' arrived in a matter of hours.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD8|HITD|Chapter=8}} Upon exiting slipspace, the corvette was immediately engaged by more [[Retriever Sentinel|Retrievers]] and was heavily damaged in the process, crash-landing on the surface of the installation. Unable to continue by air, the group set out towards the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] on foot. The group, consisting of several UNSC [[Marines]], two [[Spartan-IVs]], several [[Sangheili]], and one [[Huragok]], initially made slow progress over the blasted terrain, but eventually began to encounter some of the installation's ambient life in the form of [[Sky Leviathan]]s. Shortly after, the group was attacked by [[Morolaath|blind wolves]] and [[Chaefka]], two predatory species 'native' to the installation. In the skirmish, [[Olympia Vale]] was injured and lured away from the battle by the installation's [[monitor]] [[000 Tragic Solitude]], using a friendly [[Chaefka]] to lead her to its location.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD9|HITD|Chapter=9}} When Vale's absence was noted, [[Usze 'Taham]], [[Elias Holt]] and [[Henry Lamb]] were sent to track her down. At the same time, Captain [[Annabelle Richards]] sent several Marines back to ''Mayhem'' with the bodies of those killed in the previous skirmish. A little while later, she and her Marines returned to ''Mayhem'', the Captain injuring herself on the terrain, and her troops too cold to continue.


The ''[[Mayhem]]'' arrived at [[Installation 00]] much earlier than expected; the previous voyage to the installation had taken weeks, whereas ''Mayhem'' arrived in a matter of mere hours. Upon exiting slipspace, the corvette was immediately engaged by more [[Retriever Sentinel|Retrievers]], and was heavily damaged in the process, crash-landing on the surface of the installation. Unable to continue by air, the group set out to go to the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] by foot. The group, consisting of several UNSC [[Marines]], two [[Spartan-IVs]], several [[Sangheili]] and one [[Huragok]], initially made slow progress over the blasted terrain, but eventually began to encounter some of the installation's ambient life in the form of [[Sky Leviathan|Sky Leviathans]]. Shortly after, the group would be attacked by [[Morolaath|blind wolves]] and [[Chaefka]], two predatory species 'native' to the installation. In the skirmish, [[Olympia Vale]] would injured and lured away from the battle by the [[monitor]] [[000 Tragic Solitude]], using a friendly [[Chaefka]] to lead her to the monitor. When Vale's absence was noted, [[Usze 'Taham]], [[Elias Holt]] and [[Henry Lamb]] would be sent to track her down, while Captain [[Annabelle Richards]] would return to ''Mayhem'' after being injured, alongside her marines and those killed in the previous skirmish.  
As they continued, the weather became increasingly frigid as temperatures dropped and snow began to form. Eventually, the first group - [[Frank Kodiak|Kodiak]], [[Luther Mann]] and [[N'tho 'Sraom]], encountered a [[mammoth]]-like creature. The mammoth escorted the group across the now-frozen sea towards the island containing the citadel. Meanwhile, the second group discovered the tracks from Vale and the Chaefka and used them to track for a time before the snowfall became too heavy. Instead, they decided to continue on to the citadel, hoping to find an alternate route to the main party. They began noticing an increase in temperature as they neared the Ark's core and pass the ruins of ''[[High Charity]]'', before eventually being set upon by [[armiger]] constructs. The group defended itself, destroying several of the constructs as more continued to appear via [[slipspace]] portal. As Vale eventually arrived at her destination, she regained full control of herself as she encountered [[000 Tragic Solitude]], who took on a form reminiscent of herself, albeit golden.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD12|HITD|Chapter=12}} Here, Solitude talked with Vale and explained to her the purpose of activating the array and the portal. It intended to rid the galaxy of 'destructive species' like [[Humanity]], [[Sangheili]], and other alien species responsible for destroying Forerunner constructs, then use the materials from their worlds to rebuild the Ark and repair it. Upon hearing this, Vale attempted to reason with the monitor, to no avail.{{Ref/Reuse|HitD12}}


Continuing on, the weather would become increasingly cold and arctic as temperatures dropped and snow began to form. Eventually, the first group - [[Frank Kodiak|Kodiak]], [[Luther Mann]] and [[N'tho 'Sraom]], encountered a [[mammoth]]-like creature. The mammoth escorted the group across the now-frozen sea towards the island containing the citadel. Meanwhile, the second group would find the tracks of Vale and the chaefka, and used them to track for a time, before the snowfall becomes too heavy. Instead, they decide to continue on to the citadel, hoping to find an alternate route to the main party. They begin noticing an increase of temperature as they near the Ark's core  and pass the ruins of ''[[High Charity]]'', before eventually being set upon by [[armiger]] constructs. The group defends itself and destroys several as more continue to appear via [[slipspace]] portal. Vale, eventually arriving at her destination, would regain full control of herself as she encountered the installation monitor [[000 Tragic Solitude]], who would take on a form reminiscent of Vale, albeit golden. Here, Solitude would talk with Vale, and explain to her the purpose of the activation of the array and the portal; to rid the galaxy of 'destructive species' like [[Humanity]] and [[Sangheili]] and other alien species responsible for destroying Forerunner constructs, and then use the materials from their worlds to rebuild the Ark and repair it. Upon hearing this, Vale would attempt to reason with the monitor, but to no avail.  
On the outside, Usze, Holt, and Lamb encountered another new creature, an unknown type of [[carnivorous plant]], which attacked the group, forcing them into a cave for shelter. They contacted Kodiak and requested reinforcements, prompting the first group to rescue the second from the organism. The group reunited, then continued to the Citadel, where Usze would remark upon how he had [[Battle of the Citadel|fought here]] in the [[Battle of Installation 00]]. The group entered the construct and shut down the firing sequence, before being set upon by a horde of [[armigers]]. At the same time, Solitude explained that he only intended for Vale and Drifts to be kept alive, for reasons unknown.  


On the outside, Usze, Holt and Lamb would encounter another new creature; some kind of [[carnivorous plant]], which would proceed to attack the group and force them into a cave for shelter. They would manage to contact Kodiak, and request reinforcements, prompting the first group to rescue the second from the organism. The group, reunited, would then proceed to the Citadel, where Usze would remark upon how he had [[Battle of the Citadel|fought here]] in the [[Battle of Installation 00]]. The group would enter the construct and shut down the firing of the rings, before being set upon by a horde of [[armigers]]. At the same time, Solitude would explain that he only intended for Vale and Drifts to be kept alive, for reasons unknown.
After escaping the ambush, the task force soon found itself in the bowels of the citadel. While trying to open a door, the group was attacked by an [[Aggressor Sentinel]], killing [[Henry Lamb]] in the process.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD15|HITD|Chapter=15}} The group pressed on after the Huragok opened the door and pulled up a map, where they began to hear voices in the distance. Tragic Solitude explained to Vale how the activation of the rings had been halted, forcing the [[ancilla]] to put its plan into motion early by unleashing hordes of retrievers upon Earth. On the other side of the galaxy, the [[UNSC]] [[Home Fleet]] engaged the invading force, with initial success, but soon being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD16|HITD|Chapter=16}} As the group continued, they soon discovered Vale and Solitude, with Solitude ordering for Drifts to return control of the installation to him. When the request was refused, Solitude unleashed a human cyborg - the remains of [[Bobby Kodiak]] - to kill Vale. Vale held up in single combat, but the cyborg and retriever army was recalled when members of the team began firing into the monitor's data stores.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD17|HITD|Chapter=17}} After being allowed into the chamber, [[Frank Kodiak]] recognized his brother before the monitor once again tried to attack the group, this ending when Bobby destroyed the monitor's casing  - killing himself in the process.
 
After escaping the ambush, the task force soon found itself in the bowels of the citadel. While trying to open a door, the group would be attacked by an [[Aggressor Sentinel]], killing [[Henry Lamb]] in the process. The group would press on after the Huragok opened the door and pulled up a map, eventually beginning to hear voices in the distance. Tragic Solitude explained to Olympia how the activation of the rings had been halted, forcing the [[ancilla]] to put it's plan into motion early; unleashing hordes of retrievers upon Earth. On the other side of the galaxy, the [[UNSC]] [[Home Fleet]] would engage the invading force, initially repelling but soon being overhelmed by sheer numbers. As the group continued, they would soon discover Vale and Solitude, with Solitude ordering for Drifts to return control of the installation to him. When the request was refused, Solitude would unleash a human cyborg - the remains of [[Bobby Kodiak]] - to kill Vale. Vale would hold up in single combat, but the cyborg and retriever army would be recalled when Drifts Randomly would begin datamining the monitor. After being allowed into the chamber, [[Frank Kodiak]] would recognise his brother before the monitor once again tried to attack the group, this ending when Bobby destroyed the monitor's casing  - killing himself in the process.


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
As the Sangheili, humans, and Drifts set to work to repair the damaged ''Mayhem'', {{UNSCShip|Witness}} and a fleet of other UNSC ships arrives on the other side of the portal to investigate the source of the Retrievers' attack and retreat. ''Witness'' lifted ''Mayhem'' inside of it and all ships and personnel returned to Earth. Research teams were deployed to the Ark through the portal afterward, with hope that the UNSC would now use the deactivated Retrievers to finish 000 Tragic Solitude's work and repair the Ark.  
As the Sangheili, humans, and Drifts set to work to repair the damaged ''Mayhem'', {{UNSCShip|Witness}} and a fleet of other UNSC ships arrived on the other side of the portal to investigate the source of the Retrievers' attack and retreat. ''Witness'' lifted ''Mayhem'' inside of it, and all ships and personnel returned to Earth. UNSC research teams were deployed to the Ark through the portal afterward, hoping that the UNSC would now use the deactivated Retrievers to finish 000 Tragic Solitude's work and repair the Ark.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD19|HITD|Chapter=19}}


The communication skills and combat prowess displayed by Vale throughout Operation: FAR STORM did not go unnoticed by the upper echelons of ONI. After the mission, perhaps at Spartan Frank Kodiak's suggestion, Vale considered joining the [[SPARTAN-IV program]]. After her experience at Installation 00, Vale found difficulty in returning to her former, often bureaucratic, routine. Seeking new challenges, she entered the UNSC's [[War Games]], an inter-service event for UNSC Armed Forces personnel to practice on combat decks similar to those used for training by Spartans. Her combat training was minimal compared to most competitors, however, Vale managed to place in the top five percent through a combination of innate physical talent and quick-thinking. As a result of this performance, as well as recommendations from the highest levels of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Vale was approached by the Spartan branch seeking to cultivate warriors highly attuned to the complexities of a post-war threat environment.
Vale's communication skills and combat prowess throughout Operation: FAR STORM did not go unnoticed by the upper echelons of ONI. After the mission, perhaps at Spartan Frank Kodiak's suggestion, Vale considered joining the [[SPARTAN-IV program]]. After her experiences on Installation 00, Vale found it challenging to return to her former, often bureaucratic, routine. Seeking new challenges, she entered the UNSC's inter-service [[War Games]] and managed to place in the top five percent. As a result of her performance, as well as recommendations from the highest levels of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Vale was eventually recruited to become a Spartan-IV.{{Ref/Reuse|OVUniverse}}


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Post-Covenant War conflicts}}
{{Post-Covenant War conflicts}}
[[Category:Operations]]
[[Category:Operations]]
[[Category:UNSC victories]]
[[Category:Swords of Sanghelios victories]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:FAR STORM}}

Latest revision as of 15:16, February 5, 2024

Previous:

Concurrent:

Invasion of Earth

Next:

Operation: COALPEPPER

Operation: FAR STORM
Hunters in the Dark full cover.jpg

Conflict:

Post-Covenant War conflicts

Date:

March 17–20, 2555[1][2]

Location:

Installation 00

Details
Belligerents
Commanders

000 Tragic Solitude†

Strength
Casualties
  • Henry Lamb
  • Bobby Kodiak
  • Three Marines
  • Mayhem severely damaged
  • 000 Tragic Solitude
  • Five Retrievers
  • Dozens of armigers
  • Several blind wolves
  • Several chaefka
 

Operation: FAR STORM[3] was a UNSC-Swords of Sanghelios joint operation to Installation 00.

Prelude[edit]

000 Tragic Solitude observes the Ark's ravaged surface.

At the climax of the Human-Covenant War, the joint United Nations Space Command–Sangheili Fleet of Retribution and a Covenant fleet under the High Prophet of Truth's command traveled to Installation 00 through the slipspace portal at Voi, Kenya on Earth.[4] The ensuing battle led to the dissolution of the Covenant Empire, the destruction of Installation 04's replacement, and heavy damage to Installation 00 itself.[5]

In 2553,[6] renowned human scientist and historian Doctor Luther Mann found information that would lead him to discover the existence and location of Installation 07 by cross-referencing Forerunner architecture on the shield world of Trevelyan. It took a year, but at the beginning of 2555 he finished decoding the data, and the Office of Naval Intelligence subsequently sent a research detachment of approximately three hundred scientists of multiple fields, including Mann and Henry Lamb, to study Zeta Halo along with hundreds of automated probes to scan and map out the installation. While inspecting the ring's custodial systems, Mann and Lamb discovered a Forerunner timer that they concluded was counting down to the Halo Array's activation in five weeks.[7] Doctor Mann was aware that the UNSC Redoubtable had found a similar sequence on Installation 05 in 2552 and passed this information to his superiors. In a classified briefing at HIGHCOM, Zeta Halo project director, Doctor Bob Casper explained to the representatives of the various UNSC branches that he had contacted the other installations and confirmed that each of them was exhibiting the same behavior.

The mission[edit]

Following the discovery of across the known Halo Arrays, both the UNSC and Swords of Sanghelios decided that the best course of action was to go to what remained of Installation 00 to try and manually stop the timer. Members of the group came from both factions involved, including two Sangheili who had conducted operations on the installation; N'tho 'Sraom and Usze 'Taham, the former in command of the warship Mayhem. The mission was put into action rather abruptly - and earlier than planned - when the Huragok Drifts Randomly activated the Portal at Voi for the first time since the Battle of Earth in 2552.[8] Almost immediately, a Retriever Sentinel emerged and began strip-mining the area around the portal, forcing the UNSC Endeavor and accompanying small craft to engage it in combat. After this event, the UNSC task force met aboard the Mayhem to discuss what to do next. The commander of the ship, N'tho 'Sraom, proceeded to kidnap the UNSC troops, believing that the more time wasted talking would mean less time to stop the activation of the Halo Array. Mayhem proceeded to enter the portal to travel to the Ark.[9]

Arctic Beast on the Ark.
A chaefka attacks the party on the Ark's surface.

The Mayhem arrived at Installation 00 much earlier than expected; the previous voyage to the installation had taken weeks, whereas Mayhem arrived in a matter of hours.[10] Upon exiting slipspace, the corvette was immediately engaged by more Retrievers and was heavily damaged in the process, crash-landing on the surface of the installation. Unable to continue by air, the group set out towards the Citadel on foot. The group, consisting of several UNSC Marines, two Spartan-IVs, several Sangheili, and one Huragok, initially made slow progress over the blasted terrain, but eventually began to encounter some of the installation's ambient life in the form of Sky Leviathans. Shortly after, the group was attacked by blind wolves and Chaefka, two predatory species 'native' to the installation. In the skirmish, Olympia Vale was injured and lured away from the battle by the installation's monitor 000 Tragic Solitude, using a friendly Chaefka to lead her to its location.[11] When Vale's absence was noted, Usze 'Taham, Elias Holt and Henry Lamb were sent to track her down. At the same time, Captain Annabelle Richards sent several Marines back to Mayhem with the bodies of those killed in the previous skirmish. A little while later, she and her Marines returned to Mayhem, the Captain injuring herself on the terrain, and her troops too cold to continue.

As they continued, the weather became increasingly frigid as temperatures dropped and snow began to form. Eventually, the first group - Kodiak, Luther Mann and N'tho 'Sraom, encountered a mammoth-like creature. The mammoth escorted the group across the now-frozen sea towards the island containing the citadel. Meanwhile, the second group discovered the tracks from Vale and the Chaefka and used them to track for a time before the snowfall became too heavy. Instead, they decided to continue on to the citadel, hoping to find an alternate route to the main party. They began noticing an increase in temperature as they neared the Ark's core and pass the ruins of High Charity, before eventually being set upon by armiger constructs. The group defended itself, destroying several of the constructs as more continued to appear via slipspace portal. As Vale eventually arrived at her destination, she regained full control of herself as she encountered 000 Tragic Solitude, who took on a form reminiscent of herself, albeit golden.[12] Here, Solitude talked with Vale and explained to her the purpose of activating the array and the portal. It intended to rid the galaxy of 'destructive species' like Humanity, Sangheili, and other alien species responsible for destroying Forerunner constructs, then use the materials from their worlds to rebuild the Ark and repair it. Upon hearing this, Vale attempted to reason with the monitor, to no avail.[12]

On the outside, Usze, Holt, and Lamb encountered another new creature, an unknown type of carnivorous plant, which attacked the group, forcing them into a cave for shelter. They contacted Kodiak and requested reinforcements, prompting the first group to rescue the second from the organism. The group reunited, then continued to the Citadel, where Usze would remark upon how he had fought here in the Battle of Installation 00. The group entered the construct and shut down the firing sequence, before being set upon by a horde of armigers. At the same time, Solitude explained that he only intended for Vale and Drifts to be kept alive, for reasons unknown.

After escaping the ambush, the task force soon found itself in the bowels of the citadel. While trying to open a door, the group was attacked by an Aggressor Sentinel, killing Henry Lamb in the process.[13] The group pressed on after the Huragok opened the door and pulled up a map, where they began to hear voices in the distance. Tragic Solitude explained to Vale how the activation of the rings had been halted, forcing the ancilla to put its plan into motion early by unleashing hordes of retrievers upon Earth. On the other side of the galaxy, the UNSC Home Fleet engaged the invading force, with initial success, but soon being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.[14] As the group continued, they soon discovered Vale and Solitude, with Solitude ordering for Drifts to return control of the installation to him. When the request was refused, Solitude unleashed a human cyborg - the remains of Bobby Kodiak - to kill Vale. Vale held up in single combat, but the cyborg and retriever army was recalled when members of the team began firing into the monitor's data stores.[15] After being allowed into the chamber, Frank Kodiak recognized his brother before the monitor once again tried to attack the group, this ending when Bobby destroyed the monitor's casing - killing himself in the process.

Aftermath[edit]

As the Sangheili, humans, and Drifts set to work to repair the damaged Mayhem, UNSC Witness and a fleet of other UNSC ships arrived on the other side of the portal to investigate the source of the Retrievers' attack and retreat. Witness lifted Mayhem inside of it, and all ships and personnel returned to Earth. UNSC research teams were deployed to the Ark through the portal afterward, hoping that the UNSC would now use the deactivated Retrievers to finish 000 Tragic Solitude's work and repair the Ark.[16]

Vale's communication skills and combat prowess throughout Operation: FAR STORM did not go unnoticed by the upper echelons of ONI. After the mission, perhaps at Spartan Frank Kodiak's suggestion, Vale considered joining the SPARTAN-IV program. After her experiences on Installation 00, Vale found it challenging to return to her former, often bureaucratic, routine. Seeking new challenges, she entered the UNSC's inter-service War Games and managed to place in the top five percent. As a result of her performance, as well as recommendations from the highest levels of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Vale was eventually recruited to become a Spartan-IV.[3]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Twitter, Jessica Shea (@bsangel): "#TodayInHalo 3/17/2555 In Operation: FAR STORM, a team of humans & Elites are sent back to the Ark to stop the activation of the Halo Array." (Retrieved on Mar 9, 2021) [archive]
  2. ^ Twitter, Jessica Shea (@bsangel): "#TodayInHalo 3/20/2555 Operation: FAR STORM is completed with the deactivation of Halo’s priming sequence." (Retrieved on Mar 9, 2021) [archive]
  3. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Olympia Vale (Retrieved on Mar 9, 2021) [archive]
  4. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Storm
  5. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  6. ^ Twitter, Jessica Shea (@bsangel): "#TodayInHalo 11/28/2553 Researcher Luther Mann discovers the location of Zeta Halo during a research expedition on Onyx." (Retrieved on Mar 9, 2021) [archive]
  7. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 1
  8. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 6
  9. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 7
  10. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 8
  11. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 9
  12. ^ a b Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 12
  13. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 15
  14. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 16
  15. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 17
  16. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 19

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⇦ Post-Covenant War conflicts ⇨
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Venezia (2553-2557) • Charion VI (2554-2555) • Gaenir Beta (2554-2555) • New Caracas (2554-2555) • Joint occupation zone (2553-2555) • Operation: BELLINGHAM (Pre-2555) • Operation: LATE TAXI (Pre-2555) • Operation: OCEAN RAPTOR (2555-2558) • Salia III (2555-2558) • Tribute negotiation (2555-2558) • Cascade (pre-2557) • Terceira (pre-2557) • Thales Expedition (pre-2557) • Operation: COUGAR REDEMPTION (pre-2557) • Hat Yai (2556-2558) • Boundless Artifice (2556-2558) • Arcadia (2556-2558) • Operation: DAWN ECLIPSE (2556-2558) • Operation: POLECAT (pre-2558) • Palghanar • Harrow • THRONE • STONEBREAK
Conflicts
Netherop conflict (2526-2559) Sangheili-Jiralhanae war (2552-ongoing) • Insurrection (post-war resurgence) (2553-ongoing) • Blooding Years (2553-ongoing) • Keepers Eradication Campaign (2557-2558) • Created uprising (Engagements) (2558-2559)
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