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Operation: PROMETHEUS: Difference between revisions

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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|GOO}}
{{References}}
{{battle
{{Cleanup}}
|prev=[[Battle of New Harmony]]
{{Battle infobox
|conc=[[Battle of New Constantinople]], [[Siege of the Atlas Moons]]
|prev=*[[Battle of New Harmony]]
|next=[[Battle of Miridem]]
*[[Operation: HWACHA]]
|name=Battle of K7-49
*[[Battle of New Constantinople]]
|image=
*[[Battle of Leonis Minoris]]
|conc=
|next=[[Siege of the Atlas Moons]]
|name=Operation: PROMETHEUS
|image=[[File:HM PROMETHEUS.jpg|300px]]
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|date=July 27, [[2537]] - August 2, 2537
|date=[[2537|July 27 - before July 30, 2537]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoOC8|GoO|Chapter=8}}{{Ref/Note|''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'' notes that PROMETHEUS began at 0700 hours on July 27, and that at least seven days passed over the course of the operation. However, the meeting reviewing PROMETHEUS' performance took place on July 30, which took place only three days later.}}
|place=[[K7-49]]
|place=[[K7-49]]
|result= UNSC victory
|result='''Pyrrhic UNSC victory'''
*All participating Spartans killed
*Covenant shipyard destroyed
|side1=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side1=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side2=[[Covenant]]
|side2=[[Covenant]]
|commanders1=[[Kurt Ambrose]]
|commanders1=Unknown
|commanders2=Unknown
|commanders2=Unknown
|forces1=*Alpha Company (300 [[SPARTAN-III]]s)
|forces1=*Multiple {{Class|Calypso|exfiltration craft}}
*Multiple [[Calypso-class Exfiltration Craft|''Calypso''-class Exfiltration Craft]]
*[[SPARTAN-III Alpha Company]] (300 [[SPARTAN-III program|Spartan-IIIs]])
|forces2=*Thousands of  covenant soldiers
|forces2=*Multiple [[Type-26 Banshee]]s
**[[Grunt]]s
*Thousands of  Covenant soldiers
**[[Jackal]]s
**[[Mgalekgolo]]
**[[Elite]]s
**[[Sangheili]]
**[[Hunter]]s
**[[Huragok]]
**[[Engineer]]s
**[[Kig-Yar]]
*Multiple [[Banshee]]s
**[[Unggoy]]
|casual1=All of Alpha Company
|casual1=All participating members of Alpha Company
|casual2=Unknown
|casual2=Heavy
}}
}}
'''Operation: PROMETHEUS''' was a high-risk mission ordered by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] that took place between [[2537|July 27 and August 2, 2537]]. The operation saw the deployment of 300 [[Spartan-III]]s from [[SPARTAN-III Alpha Company|Alpha Company]] to [[K7-49]], an asteroid which served as a [[Covenant]] shipyard, in order to disrupt the enemy's operations there. The mission ended in a Pyrrhic victory: though the facility was disabled, all 300 Spartans were killed.


== Summary ==
==Prelude==
K7-49 was discovered when the prowler {{UNSCShip|Razor's Edge}} managed to attach a [[telemetry probe]] to an enemy ship during the [[Battle of New Harmony]]. The UNSC discovered the asteroid after the ship's return there along with a dozen partially constructed Covenant ships and an orbital shipyard. The asteroid's apparent volcanism was artificial; it was created by thirty high-output plasma reactors that liquefied metallurgical components. These were then refined, shaped, and shipped away for final assembly.{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoOP83|GoO|Chapter=8|Page=83}}


'''DATE:''' July 27, 2537 - August 2, 2537
The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] deployed the entirety of [[SPARTAN-III Alpha Company]] to the asteroid. The [[SPARTAN-III program|Spartans]]' mission was to disable as many reactors as possible so the liquid contents of the facility would solidify and permanently clog the machines, ruining the Covenant's capacity to produce the ship components.


'''LOCATION:''' Unknown system, above the asteroid [[K7-49]].  
==The operation==
[[File:HM-MLGSIII.png|200px|thumb|left|A Spartan-III leaps at a [[Sangheili]] [[Sangheili Minor|Minor]] with [[combat knife]] in hand.]]
At 0700 on July 27, 2537, 300 Spartan-IIIs landed on the asteroid. Initial resistance to the Spartans was light, and after two days, seven reactors had been deactivated before the Covenant organized a proper counterforce. The counterattacks were neutralized and, over the next three days, Alpha Company destroyed 13 more reactors.{{Ref/Reuse|GoOC8}}


'''Involved:''' [[UNSC]], [[Spartan-III]]'s, and [[Covenant]] forces.
However, the Covenant soon arranged a massive counterforce, with the Spartans trading fire with [[Sangheili]] and [[Type-26 Banshee|ground attack craft]]. More Covenant reinforcements arrived on August 2. The Spartans lost their unit cohesion in the battle, while the Sangheili took up superior positions with good cover. By then, 89% of the asteroid had cooled, enough to render the shipyard inoperative. The Spartans were cut off from their {{Class|Calypso|exfiltration craft}}, preventing them from escaping. Ultimately, all 300 Spartans were killed.{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoOP86|GoO|Chapter=8|Page=86}}


The battle was a suicide mission ordered by the ONI Brass. However, it was not in vain, because it was necessary for the survival of the [[UNSC]]. It took place on [[K7-49]], a volcanic asteroid which also served as a Covenant shipyard. The mission was to destroy its plasma reactors to disable the shipyard, halting Covenant assaults. The success of the mission would save countless lives.
==Aftermath==
 
Although the mission was a success and the K7-49 shipyard was disabled, the Spartans sustained 100% fatalities. Other than a small number of Spartans transferred to other units prior to the operation, these losses ended Alpha Company as an active fighting force. According to [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Kurt Ambrose]], the leader of the Spartan-IIIs, failure would have resulted in the destruction of all of humanity's [[Wikipedia:Orion (constellation)|Orion]]-side colonies.{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoOP341|GoO|Chapter=8|Page=341}}
The outcome was [[Alpha Company]] succeeds, but at a great cost. All 300 of the [[Spartan-III]]'s died in the battle.
 
== Military Forces ==
'''UNSC'''
 
300 Spartans-III from Alpha Company
 
'''Covenant'''
 
Force strength unknown. Number above 1000 ground troops and 10 Covenant cruisers.


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
*On July 27, at 0700, 300 Spartan-IIIs land on K7-49.{{Ref/Reuse|GoOC8}}
*Two days later, seven reactors have been disabled. A counterforce is assembled by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|GoOC8}}
*The Covenant force is neutralized. Over the next three days, 13 more reactors are destroyed. Another, larger force attack force is sent by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|GoOC8}}
*On the seventh day, additional Covenant reinforcements arrive. The asteroid has cooled enough for the ship-building operation to be rendered inoperative. Alpha Company is cut off from their extraction craft, preventing their escape. All 300 participating Spartans are killed.{{Ref/Reuse|GoOC8}}
*On July 30, the operation's results are reviewed aboard the {{UNSCShip|Point of No Return}}.{{Ref/Reuse|GoOC8}}


===July 27, 2537:===
==Trivia==
 
*The operation, along with [[Operation: TORPEDO]], is an obvious allusion to the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Thermopylae|Battle of Thermopylae]]. 300 Spartans were present at both battles, both were suicide missions, both were fought in order to slow the enemy down enough for the respective sides to prepare and survive longer, and both resulted in the deaths of nearly all Spartan combatants.
*300 [[Spartan-III]]s of [[Alpha Company]] landed on [[K7-49]] at 0700.
*The operation was likely named for [[Wikipedia:Prometheus|Prometheus]] of ancient Greek mythology, a Titan and champion of mankind who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humanity.
 
===July 28, 2537:===
 
*The Spartan-III's manage to disable [[7]] of the reactors on the surface.
 
*The [[Covenant]] responds with the first heavy wave of troops. The first wave contains legions of [[Jackals]].
 
===July 31, 2537:===
*The Spartan-III's have disabled 20 of the 30 reactors.  
 
*The Covenant responds with a second heavy wave of troops. This time, groups of [[Elites]] and [[Banshees]].
 
===August 2, 2537:===
 
*27 of the 30 reactors are disabled. The Spartan-IIIs have fulfilled their mission.
 
*A third heavy wave of Covenant troops arrive, containing Elites and Hunters.
 
*The Spartan-III's are cut off from their [[Calypso-class Exfiltration Craft]]. The remaining Spartans are eventually overrun and killed.


==Losses==
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
All Spartan-III's from Alpha Company are killed. An unknown number of Covenant troops and vessels are destroyed.
File:HM-SIIIs.png|Spartan-IIIs assaulting one of the reactors.
<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', pages 81-88</ref>
</gallery>
 
==Historical Significance==
This is most likely an allusion to the [[Wikipedia: Battle of Thermopylae|Battle of Thermopylae]]. There were 300 Spartans at both battles, both were a suicide mission, both were fought in order to slow the enemy down enough for their sides to prepare and survive longer, and in both all the Spartans died.
 
==Trivia==
*According to [[Ghosts of Onyx]], [[Hunters]] were first seen by humans during this operation, although all of the participating Spartan-IIIs were killed. However, Hunters are prominently featured in Halo Wars, which takes place in 2531, six years prior.
*Prometheus was the son of Iapetus who was one of the Titans. He is a rebel god.


==Links==
==List of appearances==
*[[Shane|Spartan-Shane]]
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{1st}}
*[[Robert (Spartan)|Spartan-Robert]]  
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*[[Jane (Spartan)|Spartan-Jane]]  
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
**''[[Lessons Learned]]'' {{Im}}


==References==
==Notes==
<references/>
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


[[Category:UNSC]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Human-Covenant War|K7-49]]
[[Category:UNSC Victories]]
{{Human-Covenant War}}
{{Human-Covenant War}}
[[Category:Battles of the Human-Covenant War|PROMETHEUS]]
[[Category:UNSC victories|PROMETHEUS]]
[[Category:Operations|PROMETHEUS]]

Latest revision as of 02:52, May 2, 2024

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Previous:

Next:

Siege of the Atlas Moons

Operation: PROMETHEUS
Alpha Company Spartan-IIIs fighting on K7-49 during Operation: PROMETHEUS.

Conflict:

Human-Covenant War

Date:

July 27 - before July 30, 2537[1][Note 1]

Location:

K7-49

Outcome:

Pyrrhic UNSC victory

  • All participating Spartans killed
  • Covenant shipyard destroyed
Details
Belligerents

United Nations Space Command

Covenant

Commanders

Unknown

Unknown

Strength
Casualties

All participating members of Alpha Company

Heavy

 

Operation: PROMETHEUS was a high-risk mission ordered by the Office of Naval Intelligence that took place between July 27 and August 2, 2537. The operation saw the deployment of 300 Spartan-IIIs from Alpha Company to K7-49, an asteroid which served as a Covenant shipyard, in order to disrupt the enemy's operations there. The mission ended in a Pyrrhic victory: though the facility was disabled, all 300 Spartans were killed.

Prelude[edit]

K7-49 was discovered when the prowler UNSC Razor's Edge managed to attach a telemetry probe to an enemy ship during the Battle of New Harmony. The UNSC discovered the asteroid after the ship's return there along with a dozen partially constructed Covenant ships and an orbital shipyard. The asteroid's apparent volcanism was artificial; it was created by thirty high-output plasma reactors that liquefied metallurgical components. These were then refined, shaped, and shipped away for final assembly.[2]

The Office of Naval Intelligence deployed the entirety of SPARTAN-III Alpha Company to the asteroid. The Spartans' mission was to disable as many reactors as possible so the liquid contents of the facility would solidify and permanently clog the machines, ruining the Covenant's capacity to produce the ship components.

The operation[edit]

Cropped artwork of Alpha Company Spartan-IIIs fighting on K7-49 during Operation: PROMETHEUS.
A Spartan-III leaps at a Sangheili Minor with combat knife in hand.

At 0700 on July 27, 2537, 300 Spartan-IIIs landed on the asteroid. Initial resistance to the Spartans was light, and after two days, seven reactors had been deactivated before the Covenant organized a proper counterforce. The counterattacks were neutralized and, over the next three days, Alpha Company destroyed 13 more reactors.[1]

However, the Covenant soon arranged a massive counterforce, with the Spartans trading fire with Sangheili and ground attack craft. More Covenant reinforcements arrived on August 2. The Spartans lost their unit cohesion in the battle, while the Sangheili took up superior positions with good cover. By then, 89% of the asteroid had cooled, enough to render the shipyard inoperative. The Spartans were cut off from their Calypso-class exfiltration craft, preventing them from escaping. Ultimately, all 300 Spartans were killed.[3]

Aftermath[edit]

Although the mission was a success and the K7-49 shipyard was disabled, the Spartans sustained 100% fatalities. Other than a small number of Spartans transferred to other units prior to the operation, these losses ended Alpha Company as an active fighting force. According to Lieutenant Commander Kurt Ambrose, the leader of the Spartan-IIIs, failure would have resulted in the destruction of all of humanity's Orion-side colonies.[4]

Timeline[edit]

  • On July 27, at 0700, 300 Spartan-IIIs land on K7-49.[1]
  • Two days later, seven reactors have been disabled. A counterforce is assembled by the Covenant.[1]
  • The Covenant force is neutralized. Over the next three days, 13 more reactors are destroyed. Another, larger force attack force is sent by the Covenant.[1]
  • On the seventh day, additional Covenant reinforcements arrive. The asteroid has cooled enough for the ship-building operation to be rendered inoperative. Alpha Company is cut off from their extraction craft, preventing their escape. All 300 participating Spartans are killed.[1]
  • On July 30, the operation's results are reviewed aboard the UNSC Point of No Return.[1]

Trivia[edit]

  • The operation, along with Operation: TORPEDO, is an obvious allusion to the Battle of Thermopylae. 300 Spartans were present at both battles, both were suicide missions, both were fought in order to slow the enemy down enough for the respective sides to prepare and survive longer, and both resulted in the deaths of nearly all Spartan combatants.
  • The operation was likely named for Prometheus of ancient Greek mythology, a Titan and champion of mankind who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humanity.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx notes that PROMETHEUS began at 0700 hours on July 27, and that at least seven days passed over the course of the operation. However, the meeting reviewing PROMETHEUS' performance took place on July 30, which took place only three days later.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 8
  2. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 8, page 83
  3. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 8, page 86
  4. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 8, page 341