Halo: Silent Storm: Difference between revisions
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
(→Appearances: Reorganized characters to modern standards and added a few more appearances.) |
(Added missing characters) |
||
| (37 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Title|''Halo: Silent Storm''}} | {{Title|''Halo: Silent Storm''}} | ||
{{ | {{Status|RealWorld}} | ||
{{Novel infobox | {{Novel infobox | ||
|name=''Halo: Silent Storm'' | |name=''Halo: Silent Storm'' | ||
| Line 7: | Line 6: | ||
|author=[[Troy Denning]] | |author=[[Troy Denning]] | ||
|cover artist=Chris McGrath{{Ref/Reuse|cover}} | |cover artist=Chris McGrath{{Ref/Reuse|cover}} | ||
|publisher=Simon & Schuster | |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] | ||
|publication=September 4, [[2018]] | |publication=September 4, [[2018]] | ||
|media=Print | |media=Print | ||
| Line 17: | Line 16: | ||
==Official summary== | ==Official summary== | ||
{{Article | {{Article quote|[[2526]]. It has been almost a year since humanity engaged in its destructive [[First Battle of Harvest|first contact]] with a theocratic military alliance of alien races known as the [[Covenant]]. Now the hostilities have led to open war, and the [[United Nations Space Command]] understands virtually nothing about its new enemy. There are only two certainties—the Covenant is determined to eradicate humanity, and they have the superior technology to do just that. The UNSC's only hope lies with the [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartans]]: enhanced super-soldiers trained from childhood via a clandestine black-ops project to be living weapons. Their designated commander, Petty Officer [[John-117]], has been assigned to lead the Spartans on a desperate counterattack designed to rock the Covenant back on its heels, and to buy humanity the time it needs to gather intelligence and prepare its defenses. | ||
But not everyone wants the Spartans to succeed. A coalition of human rebel leaders believes an alliance with the Covenant to be its best hope of finally winning independence from the [[Unified Earth Government]]. To further their plans, the [[insurrectionists]] have dispatched a sleeper agent to sabotage the UNSC counterattack—and ensure that John-117 and the Spartans never return from battle....<ref name=amazon/>}} | But not everyone wants the Spartans to succeed. A coalition of human rebel leaders believes an alliance with the Covenant to be its best hope of finally winning independence from the [[Unified Earth Government]]. To further their plans, the [[insurrectionists]] have dispatched a sleeper agent to sabotage the UNSC counterattack—and ensure that John-117 and the Spartans never return from battle....<ref name=amazon/>}} | ||
| Line 23: | Line 22: | ||
==Plot synopsis== | ==Plot synopsis== | ||
{{Spoiler/begin}} | {{Spoiler/begin}} | ||
The book begins in early [[2526]], only a few months after [[First Battle of Harvest|first contact]] at [[Harvest]] and the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] boarding of the Covenant vessel ''[[Unrelenting]]'' at [[Chi Ceti IV]]. The SPARTANs are now attached to {{UNSCShip|Starry Night}}, a {{Class|Razor|prowler}}, as part of a mission to board and capture a [[Covenant frigate]] known as ''[[Radiant Arrow]]'', in an effort to know more about the aliens' technology. The SPARTANs, consisting of [[Blue Team]], [[Green Team]] and [[Gold Team]], perform an [[Extra-vehicular activity|spacewalk]] to board the frigate, entering the ship through the hatch in its hangar by following the flight path of several [[ | The book begins in early [[2526]], only a few months after [[First Battle of Harvest|first contact]] at [[Harvest]] and the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] boarding of the Covenant vessel ''[[Unrelenting]]'' at [[Chi Ceti IV]]. The SPARTANs are now attached to {{UNSCShip|Starry Night}}, a {{Class|Razor|prowler}}, as part of a mission to board and capture a [[Covenant frigate]] known as ''[[Radiant Arrow]]'', in an effort to know more about the aliens' technology. The SPARTANs, consisting of [[Blue Team]], [[Green Team]] and [[Gold Team]], perform an [[Extra-vehicular activity|spacewalk]] to board the frigate, entering the ship through the hatch in its hangar by following the flight path of several [[Elsedda-pattern Banshee|Banshees]]. The SPARTANs proceed to clear the bay, using [[M99 Stanchion]]s and [[M41 SPNKR]]s to quickly eliminate the Covenant defenders. The group then begin to start clearing the ship of hostiles, with Blue Team heading for the [[bridge]] and Green Team heading for the ship's engineering section, with Gold acting as support. [[John-117]] is heavily concerned on keeping each [[Spartan-II]] alive on his team; due to the loss of [[Samuel-034]] weeks before during the first [[Spartan-II]] deployment. The plan goes awry when a flight officer aboard one of the [[prowler]]s supporting the operation accidentally broadcasts over general channels, alerting the Covenant to the operation and mobilising the defenders aboard the ship. When Blue Team arrives at the bridge, they dispatch of the crew before discovering that the [[shipmaster]] activated a dead-man's switch in his chair, leading to the ship's self-destruct being activated. The SPARTANs exfiltrate from the ship and are picked up by ''Starry Night''. | ||
Meanwhile, Sergeant [[Avery Johnson]] arrives on the {{UNSCShip|Everest}}, flagship of [[Battle Group X-Ray]] and seat of Admiral [[Preston Cole]]. Having survived the initial Covenant attack on Harvest and even boarded a Covenant ship,''[[Minor Transgression]]'', Johnson is effectively the most experienced human in fighting the Covenant. Coupled with his experience as part of the [[ORION Project]], Johnson is summoned to a meeting with Admirals Cole and [[Michael Stanforth|Stanforth]] alongside Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] where he is briefed on their intentions. With the [[UNSC Navy]]'s ineffectiveness in direct [[Space warfare|space battles]] against the Covenant, other means must be sought at leveling the playing field. Following the successful prior boarding actions, the intent is to use the SPARTAN-IIs to board a number of Covenant craft and plant [[nuclear weapon]]s aboard, destroying them before they can be a threat to human spacecraft. This operation is deemed [[Operation: SILENT STORM]]. | Meanwhile, Sergeant [[Avery Johnson]] arrives on the {{UNSCShip|Everest}}, flagship of [[Battle Group X-Ray]] and seat of Admiral [[Preston Cole]]. Having survived the initial Covenant attack on Harvest and even boarded a Covenant ship, ''[[Minor Transgression]]'', Johnson is effectively the most experienced human in fighting the Covenant. Coupled with his experience as part of the [[ORION Project]], Johnson is summoned to a meeting with Admirals Cole and [[Michael Stanforth|Stanforth]] alongside Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] where he is briefed on their intentions. With the [[UNSC Navy]]'s ineffectiveness in direct [[Space warfare|space battles]] against the Covenant, other means must be sought at leveling the playing field. Following the successful prior boarding actions, the intent is to use the SPARTAN-IIs to board a number of Covenant craft and plant [[nuclear weapon]]s aboard, destroying them before they can be a threat to human spacecraft. This operation is deemed [[Operation: SILENT STORM]]. | ||
The Sergeant is introduced to the personnel involved in the planned operation; the SPARTAN-IIs, Captain [[Halima Ascot]] - leader of [[Task Force Yama]], a prowler task force used for the mission and Colonel [[Marmon Crowther]] - leader of the [[ODST]] [[21st Space Assault Battalion]]. The group formalize the plan, with Ascot in charge of the naval complement and Crowther in charge of the 400-strong ground troops, with the SPARTANs under Crowther's operational command. With his experience, Johnson is to advise the SPARTANs and help them in learning to work with standard UNSC enlisted personnel. With the Covenant war machine advancing toward [[Biko]], the operation intends to let Cole's naval forces engage the Covenant with the prowlers inserting their troops while the aliens are distracted. If the prowlers get an opportunity first, they proceed with their plan and Cole's group engages the distracted aliens. | The Sergeant is introduced to the personnel involved in the planned operation; the SPARTAN-IIs, Captain [[Halima Ascot]] - leader of [[Task Force Yama]], a prowler task force used for the mission and Colonel [[Marmon Crowther]] - leader of the [[ODST]] [[21st Space Assault Battalion]]. The group formalize the plan, with Ascot in charge of the naval complement and Crowther in charge of the 400-strong ground troops, with the SPARTANs under Crowther's operational command. With his experience, Johnson is to advise the SPARTANs and help them in learning to work with standard UNSC enlisted personnel. With the Covenant war machine advancing toward [[Biko]], the operation intends to let Cole's naval forces engage the Covenant with the prowlers inserting their troops while the aliens are distracted. If the prowlers get an opportunity first, they proceed with their plan and Cole's group engages the distracted aliens. | ||
| Line 31: | Line 30: | ||
Meanwhile, a group of [[insurrectionist]]s meet aboard the frigate ''[[Bellicose]]'' to discuss the emerging Covenant threat, with several groups represented. The meeting is led by [[Lyrenne Castilla]] and General [[Harper Garvin]]. The conference eventually agrees to stage a coup of Biko, intending to offer the planet to the Covenant in return for the Covenant sparing the world. [[Petora Zoyas]] of the [[Gao Liberation Force]] offers up intel about the SPARTANs and Operation: SILENT STORM, gathered from a turncoat contact inside the task force. As part of the insurrectionist ploy, they agree to alert the Covenant to the UNSC plan at Biko and, if successful, continue to drip-feed the Covenant intelligence about the UNSC war effort and eventually, the location of [[Earth]], in return for their continued survival. To stage this coup, the insurrectionist factions contribute forces to join the [[Biko Independence Army]] at a base established in an [[Seoba ice quarry|abandoned ice quarry]] on the Bikon moon of [[Seoba]]. | Meanwhile, a group of [[insurrectionist]]s meet aboard the frigate ''[[Bellicose]]'' to discuss the emerging Covenant threat, with several groups represented. The meeting is led by [[Lyrenne Castilla]] and General [[Harper Garvin]]. The conference eventually agrees to stage a coup of Biko, intending to offer the planet to the Covenant in return for the Covenant sparing the world. [[Petora Zoyas]] of the [[Gao Liberation Force]] offers up intel about the SPARTANs and Operation: SILENT STORM, gathered from a turncoat contact inside the task force. As part of the insurrectionist ploy, they agree to alert the Covenant to the UNSC plan at Biko and, if successful, continue to drip-feed the Covenant intelligence about the UNSC war effort and eventually, the location of [[Earth]], in return for their continued survival. To stage this coup, the insurrectionist factions contribute forces to join the [[Biko Independence Army]] at a base established in an [[Seoba ice quarry|abandoned ice quarry]] on the Bikon moon of [[Seoba]]. | ||
Task Force Yama unknowingly select this same location to stage their operation, leading to the task force attempting to land at the ice quarry. When they discover the rebel presence, the Task Force prepares to take the quarry. Against the SPARTANs' suggestions, Colonel Crowther assigns one SPARTAN to each ODST [[platoon]] to carry heavy weapons. The {{UNSCShip|Ghost Star}} is taken out by return fire from concealed [[M41 Vulcan]] cannons, with many ODSTs killed during the initial drop. Another flight of prowlers take out an insurrectionist communication facility at the top of the quarry, prompting a convoy of [[Civet]] AFVs to begin transporting a group of engineers to fix the array. The prowlers begin to turn around and retreat, cancelling the deployment. Seeing the few soldiers who did manage to successfully land and are now taking fire, [[John-117]] decides to take the initiative against orders and drops out of the drop bay, leading to the remaining forces joining him. With the botched landing, the troops begin taking heavy casualties but are able to eventually find cover. John forms a plan with Lieutenant [[Nelly Hamm]] and Captain [[Zelos | Task Force Yama unknowingly select this same location to stage their operation, leading to the task force attempting to land at the ice quarry. When they discover the rebel presence, the Task Force prepares to take the quarry. Against the SPARTANs' suggestions, Colonel Crowther assigns one SPARTAN to each ODST [[platoon]] to carry heavy weapons. The {{UNSCShip|Ghost Star}} is taken out by return fire from concealed [[M41 Vulcan]] cannons, with many ODSTs killed during the initial drop. Another flight of prowlers take out an insurrectionist communication facility at the top of the quarry, prompting a convoy of [[Civet]] AFVs to begin transporting a group of engineers to fix the array. The prowlers begin to turn around and retreat, cancelling the deployment. Seeing the few soldiers who did manage to successfully land and are now taking fire, [[John-117]] decides to take the initiative against orders and drops out of the drop bay, leading to the remaining forces joining him. With the botched landing, the troops begin taking heavy casualties but are able to eventually find cover. John forms a plan with Lieutenant [[Nelly Hamm]] and Captain [[Zelos Cuvier]]; the quarry is lined by a mass driver leading up to the surface, with bunkers lining all sides. The SPARTANs intend to climb the inside of the mass driver and prevent the insurrectionists from fixing the comms facility and leaking the secrecy of the operation, with the ODSTs launching a mock assault to distract the defenders. | ||
{{Expand-section}} | {{Expand-section}} | ||
{{Spoiler/end}} | {{Spoiler/end}} | ||
| Line 109: | Line 108: | ||
*[[Utu 'Gusonee]] {{1st}} | *[[Utu 'Gusonee]] {{1st}} | ||
====San'Shyuum==== | ====San'Shyuum==== | ||
*[[Minor Minister of Artifact Survey]] {{1st}} | *[[Minor Minister of Artifact Survey]] {{1st}} | ||
====Others==== | |||
*[[Chardal]] {{Fm}} | |||
*[[Gulo]] {{Fm}} | |||
|title-2=Species| | |title-2=Species| | ||
*[[Forerunner]] {{Mo}} | *[[Forerunner]] {{Mo}} | ||
| Line 150: | Line 152: | ||
*[[Unified Earth Government]] | *[[Unified Earth Government]] | ||
**[[Colonial Administration Authority]] {{Mo}} | **[[Colonial Administration Authority]] {{Mo}} | ||
***[[Colonial Military | ***[[Colonial Military Authority]] {{Mo}} | ||
**[[Colonial Militia]] {{Mo}} | **[[Colonial Militia]] {{Mo}} | ||
***[[Harvest Colonial Militia]] {{Mo}} | ***[[Harvest Colonial Militia]] {{Mo}} | ||
| Line 219: | Line 221: | ||
****[[Biko]] | ****[[Biko]] | ||
*****[[Mandelam]] {{Fm}} | *****[[Mandelam]] {{Fm}} | ||
*****[[Seoba]] {{ | *****[[Seoba]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[Redstow system]] {{Fm}} | **[[Redstow system]] {{Fm}} | ||
***[[Redstow VI]] {{Fm}} | ***[[Redstow VI]] {{Fm}} | ||
| Line 239: | Line 241: | ||
*[[Wikipedia:Battle of Myeongnyang|Battle of Myeongnyang]] {{Mo}} | *[[Wikipedia:Battle of Myeongnyang|Battle of Myeongnyang]] {{Mo}} | ||
*[[Human-Covenant War]] | *[[Human-Covenant War]] | ||
**[[Attack on | **[[Attack on Etalan]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[Battle of Chi Ceti]] {{Mo}} | **[[Battle of Chi Ceti]] {{Mo}} | ||
**[[Battle of Biko]] {{1st}} | **[[Battle of Biko]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[Battle of Harvest]] {{Mo}} | **[[Battle of Harvest]] {{Mo}} | ||
**[[Battle of Seoba]] {{1st}} | **[[Battle of Seoba]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[ | **[[Battle over Etalan]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[Battle of Zhoist]] {{1st}} | |||
**[[First Battle of Harvest]] {{Mo}} | |||
**[[Operation: SILENT STORM]] {{1st}} | **[[Operation: SILENT STORM]] {{1st}} | ||
**[[Skirmish on Minor Transgression|Skirmish on ''Minor Transgression'']] {{Mo}} | **[[Skirmish on Minor Transgression|Skirmish on ''Minor Transgression'']] {{Mo}} | ||
**[[Skirmish over Netherop]] {{1st}} | |||
*[[Insurrection]] | *[[Insurrection]] | ||
**[[Operation: ICE DANCE]] {{1st}} | **[[Operation: ICE DANCE]] {{1st}} | ||
| Line 264: | Line 268: | ||
****''[[Pious Rampage]]'' {{1st}} | ****''[[Pious Rampage]]'' {{1st}} | ||
**[[Covenant destroyer]] | **[[Covenant destroyer]] | ||
*** | ***{{Pattern|Rasus|interdictor}} {{Mo}} | ||
**[[Covenant frigate]] | **[[Covenant frigate]] | ||
***''[[Radiant Arrow]]'' {{1st}} | ***''[[Radiant Arrow]]'' {{1st}} | ||
| Line 271: | Line 275: | ||
**[[Support ship#Covenant support ships|Covenant support ship]] | **[[Support ship#Covenant support ships|Covenant support ship]] | ||
***[[Bladder ship]] {{1st}} | ***[[Bladder ship]] {{1st}} | ||
***{{ | ***{{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}} | ||
**[[Intrusion corvette]] {{1st}} | **[[Intrusion corvette]] {{1st}} | ||
***''[[Sacred Whisper]]'' {{1st}} | ***''[[Sacred Whisper]]'' {{1st}} | ||
| Line 287: | Line 291: | ||
*[[S-14 Baselard Space Striker]] {{1st}} | *[[S-14 Baselard Space Striker]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Type-26 Banshee]] {{Mo}} | *[[Type-26 Banshee]] {{Mo}} | ||
* | *{{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}} | ||
*[[Seraph]] | *[[Seraph]] | ||
* | *{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}} | ||
*[[UNSC starship]] | *[[UNSC starship]] | ||
**[[Cruiser]] | **[[Cruiser]] | ||
| Line 298: | Line 302: | ||
**[[Prowler]] | **[[Prowler]] | ||
***{{Class|Eclipse|prowler}} {{Fm}} | ***{{Class|Eclipse|prowler}} {{Fm}} | ||
***{{Class|Point Blank| | ***{{Class|Point Blank|prowler}} | ||
****{{UNSCShip|Vanishing Point}} {{1st}} | ****{{UNSCShip|Vanishing Point}} {{1st}} | ||
***{{Class|Razor|prowler}} {{1st}} | ***{{Class|Razor|prowler}} {{1st}} | ||
| Line 326: | Line 330: | ||
*[[C-7 foaming explosive]] | *[[C-7 foaming explosive]] | ||
*[[Flashbang]] | *[[Flashbang]] | ||
*[[Fury tactical nuclear weapon]] | *[[Fury tactical nuclear weapon]] | ||
*[[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]] | *[[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]] | ||
*[[M21 antipersonnel rocket]] {{1st}} | *[[M21 antipersonnel rocket]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[M28 Shrieker missile]] {{1st}} | *[[Shrieker missile|M28 Shrieker missile]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[M301 grenade launcher]] | *[[M301 grenade launcher]] | ||
*[[M41 SPNKR]] | *[[M41 SPNKR]] | ||
| Line 352: | Line 356: | ||
*[[Thermite paste]] | *[[Thermite paste]] | ||
*[[Type-1 energy sword]] | *[[Type-1 energy sword]] | ||
* | *{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} | ||
*[[Type-25 plasma pistol]] | *[[Type-25 plasma pistol]] | ||
* | *{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}} | ||
*[[Type-33 Needler]] | *[[Type-33 Needler]] | ||
* | *{{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}} | ||
|title-8=Technology and equipment| | |title-8=Technology and equipment| | ||
*[[Active camouflage]] | *[[Active camouflage]] | ||
| Line 370: | Line 374: | ||
**[[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet]] | **[[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet]] | ||
*[[Gravity lift]] | *[[Gravity lift]] | ||
*[[Holography]] | |||
*[[Kelguid]] {{1st}} | *[[Kelguid]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Mass driver]] | *[[Mass driver]] | ||
| Line 379: | Line 384: | ||
*[[Repulsor engine]] | *[[Repulsor engine]] | ||
*[[Space elevator]] | *[[Space elevator]] | ||
*[[Stealth ablative coating]] | |||
*[[TACMAP]] | *[[TACMAP]] | ||
*[[TACPAD]] | *[[TACPAD]] | ||
*[[Translation disk]] {{Mo}} | |||
|title-9=Miscellaneous| | |title-9=Miscellaneous| | ||
*[[Death Vow]] {{Fm}} | |||
*[[Rejuverol]] {{1st}} | *[[Rejuverol]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Tossers]] {{Mo}} | *[[Tossers]] {{Mo}} | ||
| Line 388: | Line 396: | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*The novel's cover is illustrated by artist Chris McGrath,<ref name="cover">[https://www.artstation.com/artwork/3O3VY ''Artstation'': Halo: Silent Storm]</ref> who has done book covers for many ''New York Times'' Best selling authors. He later illustrated the cover for ''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''. In creating the book's cover, he was given a drawing to work from by 343 Industries. | *The novel's cover is illustrated by artist Chris McGrath,<ref name="cover">[https://www.artstation.com/artwork/3O3VY ''Artstation'': Halo: Silent Storm]</ref> who has done book covers for many ''New York Times'' Best selling authors. He later illustrated the cover for ''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''. In creating the book's cover, he was given a drawing to work from by 343 Industries.{{Ref/Reuse|cover}} | ||
*[[Steve Downes]] read an excerpt from ''Silent Storm''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first chapter to promote the book.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL8tRXQWlTw '''Youtube''' ''- Halo: Silent Storm | Special Excerpt Voiced by Steve Downes'']</ref> | *[[Steve Downes]] read an excerpt from ''Silent Storm''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first chapter to promote the book.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL8tRXQWlTw '''Youtube''' ''- Halo: Silent Storm | Special Excerpt Voiced by Steve Downes'']</ref> | ||
*Several details and characters in the novel, originally planned to be included by Troy Denning, were changed at 343 Industries' request. For one, Denning originally planned to include twenty Spartan-IIs, but was told by 343 Industries to reduce their number, resulting in a squad of twelve Spartans in the final novel. Likewise, General Harper Garvin's role was originally to be filled by [[Howard Graves]], originally featured in ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''. Finally, Denning's early drafts envisioned Castor's Jiralhanae companion as [[Atriox]] rather than Orsun, as ''[[Halo: Retribution]]'' had suggested the two had served together in the Bloodstars during the war.<ref>[https://haloconversationalists.wordpress.com/2018/10/03/episode-71-troy-denning-interview/ ''Halo Conversationalists: Episode 71 - Troy Denning Interview'']</ref> | *Several details and characters in the novel, originally planned to be included by Troy Denning, were changed at 343 Industries' request. For one, Denning originally planned to include twenty Spartan-IIs, but was told by 343 Industries to reduce their number, resulting in a squad of twelve Spartans in the final novel. Likewise, General Harper Garvin's role was originally to be filled by [[Howard Graves]], originally featured in ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''. Finally, Denning's early drafts envisioned Castor's Jiralhanae companion as [[Atriox]] rather than Orsun, as ''[[Halo: Retribution]]'' had suggested the two had served together in the Bloodstars during the war.<ref>[https://haloconversationalists.wordpress.com/2018/10/03/episode-71-troy-denning-interview/ ''Halo Conversationalists: Episode 71 - Troy Denning Interview'']</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 18:37, October 1, 2024
| Halo: Silent Storm | |
|---|---|
| |
| Attribution information | |
|
Author(s): |
|
|
Cover artist(s): |
Chris McGrath[1] |
| Publication information | |
|
Publisher: |
|
|
Publication date: |
September 4, 2018 |
|
Media type: |
|
|
Pages: |
400 pages |
|
ISBN: |
|
Halo: Silent Storm - A Master Chief Story is a print novel by Troy Denning, released on September 4, 2018.[2][3] Silent Storm has narrative connections to Halo: Collateral Damage, a three-part comic book series from Dark Horse written by Alex Irvine, as part of the A Master Chief Story series.[4] A sequel, Halo: Oblivion, was released on September 24, 2019.
Official summary[edit]
| “ | 2526. It has been almost a year since humanity engaged in its destructive first contact with a theocratic military alliance of alien races known as the Covenant. Now the hostilities have led to open war, and the United Nations Space Command understands virtually nothing about its new enemy. There are only two certainties—the Covenant is determined to eradicate humanity, and they have the superior technology to do just that. The UNSC's only hope lies with the Spartans: enhanced super-soldiers trained from childhood via a clandestine black-ops project to be living weapons. Their designated commander, Petty Officer John-117, has been assigned to lead the Spartans on a desperate counterattack designed to rock the Covenant back on its heels, and to buy humanity the time it needs to gather intelligence and prepare its defenses.
But not everyone wants the Spartans to succeed. A coalition of human rebel leaders believes an alliance with the Covenant to be its best hope of finally winning independence from the Unified Earth Government. To further their plans, the insurrectionists have dispatched a sleeper agent to sabotage the UNSC counterattack—and ensure that John-117 and the Spartans never return from battle....[3] |
” |
Plot synopsis[edit]
The book begins in early 2526, only a few months after first contact at Harvest and the SPARTAN-IIs boarding of the Covenant vessel Unrelenting at Chi Ceti IV. The SPARTANs are now attached to UNSC Starry Night, a Razor-class prowler, as part of a mission to board and capture a Covenant frigate known as Radiant Arrow, in an effort to know more about the aliens' technology. The SPARTANs, consisting of Blue Team, Green Team and Gold Team, perform an spacewalk to board the frigate, entering the ship through the hatch in its hangar by following the flight path of several Banshees. The SPARTANs proceed to clear the bay, using M99 Stanchions and M41 SPNKRs to quickly eliminate the Covenant defenders. The group then begin to start clearing the ship of hostiles, with Blue Team heading for the bridge and Green Team heading for the ship's engineering section, with Gold acting as support. John-117 is heavily concerned on keeping each Spartan-II alive on his team; due to the loss of Samuel-034 weeks before during the first Spartan-II deployment. The plan goes awry when a flight officer aboard one of the prowlers supporting the operation accidentally broadcasts over general channels, alerting the Covenant to the operation and mobilising the defenders aboard the ship. When Blue Team arrives at the bridge, they dispatch of the crew before discovering that the shipmaster activated a dead-man's switch in his chair, leading to the ship's self-destruct being activated. The SPARTANs exfiltrate from the ship and are picked up by Starry Night.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Avery Johnson arrives on the UNSC Everest, flagship of Battle Group X-Ray and seat of Admiral Preston Cole. Having survived the initial Covenant attack on Harvest and even boarded a Covenant ship, Minor Transgression, Johnson is effectively the most experienced human in fighting the Covenant. Coupled with his experience as part of the ORION Project, Johnson is summoned to a meeting with Admirals Cole and Stanforth alongside Doctor Catherine Halsey where he is briefed on their intentions. With the UNSC Navy's ineffectiveness in direct space battles against the Covenant, other means must be sought at leveling the playing field. Following the successful prior boarding actions, the intent is to use the SPARTAN-IIs to board a number of Covenant craft and plant nuclear weapons aboard, destroying them before they can be a threat to human spacecraft. This operation is deemed Operation: SILENT STORM.
The Sergeant is introduced to the personnel involved in the planned operation; the SPARTAN-IIs, Captain Halima Ascot - leader of Task Force Yama, a prowler task force used for the mission and Colonel Marmon Crowther - leader of the ODST 21st Space Assault Battalion. The group formalize the plan, with Ascot in charge of the naval complement and Crowther in charge of the 400-strong ground troops, with the SPARTANs under Crowther's operational command. With his experience, Johnson is to advise the SPARTANs and help them in learning to work with standard UNSC enlisted personnel. With the Covenant war machine advancing toward Biko, the operation intends to let Cole's naval forces engage the Covenant with the prowlers inserting their troops while the aliens are distracted. If the prowlers get an opportunity first, they proceed with their plan and Cole's group engages the distracted aliens.
Meanwhile, a group of insurrectionists meet aboard the frigate Bellicose to discuss the emerging Covenant threat, with several groups represented. The meeting is led by Lyrenne Castilla and General Harper Garvin. The conference eventually agrees to stage a coup of Biko, intending to offer the planet to the Covenant in return for the Covenant sparing the world. Petora Zoyas of the Gao Liberation Force offers up intel about the SPARTANs and Operation: SILENT STORM, gathered from a turncoat contact inside the task force. As part of the insurrectionist ploy, they agree to alert the Covenant to the UNSC plan at Biko and, if successful, continue to drip-feed the Covenant intelligence about the UNSC war effort and eventually, the location of Earth, in return for their continued survival. To stage this coup, the insurrectionist factions contribute forces to join the Biko Independence Army at a base established in an abandoned ice quarry on the Bikon moon of Seoba.
Task Force Yama unknowingly select this same location to stage their operation, leading to the task force attempting to land at the ice quarry. When they discover the rebel presence, the Task Force prepares to take the quarry. Against the SPARTANs' suggestions, Colonel Crowther assigns one SPARTAN to each ODST platoon to carry heavy weapons. The UNSC Ghost Star is taken out by return fire from concealed M41 Vulcan cannons, with many ODSTs killed during the initial drop. Another flight of prowlers take out an insurrectionist communication facility at the top of the quarry, prompting a convoy of Civet AFVs to begin transporting a group of engineers to fix the array. The prowlers begin to turn around and retreat, cancelling the deployment. Seeing the few soldiers who did manage to successfully land and are now taking fire, John-117 decides to take the initiative against orders and drops out of the drop bay, leading to the remaining forces joining him. With the botched landing, the troops begin taking heavy casualties but are able to eventually find cover. John forms a plan with Lieutenant Nelly Hamm and Captain Zelos Cuvier; the quarry is lined by a mass driver leading up to the surface, with bunkers lining all sides. The SPARTANs intend to climb the inside of the mass driver and prevent the insurrectionists from fixing the comms facility and leaking the secrecy of the operation, with the ODSTs launching a mock assault to distract the defenders.
This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.
Appearances[edit]
Trivia[edit]
- The novel's cover is illustrated by artist Chris McGrath,[1] who has done book covers for many New York Times Best selling authors. He later illustrated the cover for Halo: Shadows of Reach. In creating the book's cover, he was given a drawing to work from by 343 Industries.[1]
- Steve Downes read an excerpt from Silent Storm's first chapter to promote the book.[5]
- Several details and characters in the novel, originally planned to be included by Troy Denning, were changed at 343 Industries' request. For one, Denning originally planned to include twenty Spartan-IIs, but was told by 343 Industries to reduce their number, resulting in a squad of twelve Spartans in the final novel. Likewise, General Harper Garvin's role was originally to be filled by Howard Graves, originally featured in Halo: Ghosts of Onyx. Finally, Denning's early drafts envisioned Castor's Jiralhanae companion as Atriox rather than Orsun, as Halo: Retribution had suggested the two had served together in the Bloodstars during the war.[6]
- There is a mistake in Chapter 21 where the Age of Reclamation had "First Annual, Second Month". This was Troy Dennings interpretation on how the calendar worked, but he was asked to remove them all, and that case was missed.[7]
Gallery[edit]
Title reveal art.
Full cover art.
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b c Artstation: Halo: Silent Storm
- ^ Twitter - Silent Storm announcement
- ^ a b Amazon - Halo: Silent Storm: A Master Chief Story
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Halo: Silent Storm - First Look
- ^ Youtube - Halo: Silent Storm | Special Excerpt Voiced by Steve Downes
- ^ Halo Conversationalists: Episode 71 - Troy Denning Interview
- ^ Twitter, TDenningauthor - "Yikes! I missed that! Iwas supposed to take the "annual, month" references out, so don't put too much weight on them. It was just my interpretation of how the calendar worked. Since I was asked to remove them, I'm assuming it wasn't correct."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
