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{{Era|H2}}{{Quad battle infobox
{{Status|Canon}}
|prev=[[First Battle of Earth]]
{{Battle infobox
|conc=[[Battle of Installation 05]]
|prev     = [[Assassination of the Prophet of Regret]]
|next=[[Second Battle of Earth]]
|conc     =
|name=Battle of the Quarantine Zone
|next    = [[Fall of High Charity]], [[Battle for the Control Room (Installation 05)|Battle for the Control Room]]
|image=[[Image:Sacredicon1600.jpg|300px]]
|name     = Battle of the Quarantine Zone
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|image   = [[File:H2A - Library.jpg|375px]]
|date=October 21, 2552  
|conflict = [[Human-Covenant War]]
|place=[[Quarantine Zone]], [[Installation 05]]
*[[Battle of Installation 05]]
|result=[[Index]] retrieved by UNSC, stolen by [[The Covenant]]
|date     = c.[[2552#November|November 2552]]
|side1=[[Covenant]]
|place   = [[Quarantine Zone]], [[Installation 05]]
|side2=[[UNSC]]
|result   = '''Strategic Covenant victory'''
|side3=[[Forerunner]]
*The [[Covenant]] successfully obtain the [[Activation Index|Index]] for Installation 05
|side4=[[Flood]]
*Many non-infected humans captured, including Commander Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Johnson
|comm1=*[[Arbiter (Character)|The Arbiter]]
*UNSC suffers total casualties, including the loss of the ''In Amber Clad''
*[[Rtas 'Vadumee]]
'''Tactical Flood Victory'''
*Quarantine Zone fails
*Flood infest large areas of Installation 05 and successfully escape the ring.
|side1   = [[Covenant]]
|side2   = [[United Nations Space Command]]
|side3   = [[Sentinels|Forerunner constructs]]
|side4   = [[The Flood]]
|commanders1    = *[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee
*[[Tartarus]]
*[[Tartarus]]
|comm2=*[[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]]
|commanders2    = *[[Commander|CDR]] [[Miranda Keyes]]
*[[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery J. Johnson]]
*[[Sergeant Major|SgtMaj]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery J. Johnson]]
|comm3=[[2401 Penitent Tangent]] captured by Gravemind
*[[Gunnery Sergeant|GYSGT]] [[Marcus Stacker]]
|comm4=*[[Gravemind]]
|commanders3    =
|forces1=*[[SpecOps Elite]]s
|commanders4    = *[[Gravemind]]
*[[SpecOps Grunt]]s
|forces1 = *[[Special Operations Sangheili]]
*[[Jackal]]s
*[[Special Operations Unggoy]]
*[[Brute]]s
*[[Kig-yar]]
|forces2=*7th Battalion [[ODST|ODSTs]] and [[Marines]]
*[[Jiralhanae]]
|forces3=*[[Sentinel|Sentinel Minors]]
|forces2 =  
*[[Sentinel Majors]]
*[[UNSC Navy]]
*[[Enforcers]]
**1 [[Stalwart-class light frigate|light frigate]]
|forces4=*[[Combat Forms]]
***{{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}
*[[Infection Forms]]
*[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
*[[Carrier Forms]]
**[[105th Shock Troops Division]]
|casual1=All Brutes, some Elites
***[[7th Shock Troops Battalion]]
|casual2=Most ODSTs and Marines
|forces3 = *[[Aggressor Sentinel]]s
|casual3=Many Sentinels and Enforcers, at least 1 Forerunner Sentinel Constructor ship
*[[Sentinel Major]]s
|casual4=Many Combat Forms, Infection Forms and Carrier Forms
*[[Enforcer]]s
|forces4 = *[[Flood combat form|Combat forms]]
*[[Pod infector|Infection forms]]
*[[Flood carrier form|Carrier forms]]
|casual1 = *Many Jiralhanae
*Many Sangheili
*Many Unggoy
*Many Kig-yar
|casual2 =
*40 [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]] killed or infected<ref name="Halo: Warfleet, pg. 37">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''pg. 37''</ref>
*150(+) [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] killed or infected<ref name="Halo: Warfleet, pg. 37">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''pg. 37''</ref>
*250 [[UNSC Navy|Naval personnel]] killed or infected<ref name="Halo: Warfleet, pg. 37">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''pg. 37''</ref>
*8(+) Marines captured
*Most ground assets captured
*Many D77-TC Pelicans captured
*UNSC ''In Amber Clad'' captured
|casual3 = *Many Sentinels
*Many Enforcers
*1(+) [[Sentinel constructor factory]]
|casual4 = *Many combat forms
*Large number of infection forms
*Many carrier forms
}}
}}
{{Quote|At the center of this zone, is a [[Activation index|Sacred Icon]] critical to the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]. I must find it.|[[Thel 'Vadamee]] to [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee}}


== Overview ==
The '''Battle of the Quarantine Zone''' was a [[battle]] which took place on [[Installation 05]] in [[2552]], as the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] and [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] fought through the [[Quarantine Zone]] in search of the [[Activation Index]], known to the Covenant as the Sacred Icon. The battle encompassed an extended conflict between [[Flood]] and [[Forerunner]] [[Sentinels]] that stretched back nearly 100,000 years.


One of the few battles of the [[9th Age of Reclamation]] in which all four of the main factions took part. The [[Covenant]] and [[UNSC]] fought through the [[Quarantine Zone]] in search of the [[Index]], known to the Covenant as the Sacred Icon. Both parties had to battle their way through legions of [[Flood]] and the [[Forerunner]] machines designed to halt the parasite outbreak.
==Background==
The establishment of the Quarantine Zone is rooted in ancient history - approximately 3,000 years after the [[Great Purification|activation]] of the [[Halo Array]], the Flood under containment on [[Installation 05]] were released. Under normal circumstances [[Sentinel]] guards would have been able to keep the parasite under control. Unfortunately, the Flood had access to [[Flood combat form|hosts]], and were able to hold off the constructs.


== The Battle ==
At some point, Installation 05's [[Monitor]] [[2401 Penitent Tangent]] was warned by [[Unidentified ancilla (Installation 05)|a Forerunner ancilla]] of a pending outbreak in one the installation's [[Flood]] [[Flood containment facility|containment facilities]]. The monitor continued to ignore this warning, and those that followed, for millennia. Within [[2552|99,779 years]], the containment facility had been overrun by the Flood, with lockdown protocols in effect within the Halo's [[teleportation grid]] to prevent further infestation.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', [[multiplayer]] map ''[[Cold Storage]]'' [[Cold Storage Reports|transmissions]]</ref> Eventually, the full force of the installation's [[Sentinel]]s and [[Enforcer]]s was mobilized, and a [[Quarantine Zone]] was established, surrounded by an enormous [[Sentinel Wall|wall]] projecting a powerful [[Containment Shield]].<ref name="icon">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref><ref name="zone">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>


It was one of the largest pitched battles that occurred on the surface of [[Delta Halo]]. Boiling plasma, solid slug rounds and plasma sword met decomposing, mutated flesh on the snow covered, ash-laiden wasteland that is the Quarantine Zone. All four races reportedly fought one another in this confined space, the Covenant and Human dead only providing more troops for the Flood menace. [[Sentinel]]s and [[Enforcers]] had kept the parasite at bay for untold centuries within the Sentinel Wall, even with their leader [[2401 Penitent Tangent]] held captive by the [[Gravemind]]. The deactivation of the containment field forced them to spread their numbers over a much larger area which ultimately proved too much, seeing as the Flood eventually took over the human ship, {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}, left near the library by human forces.
The establishment of the Quarantine Zone was too late to prevent the formation of a [[Gravemind]]. Over the centuries, the Gravemind's reach spread throughout the installation,<ref name="ReferenceA">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref> eventually capturing the [[monitor]] of the installation, [[2401 Penitent Tangent]], giving him access to the [[teleportation grid]] and causing the structures on the Installation to fall into disrepair.<ref name="gravemind">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>


The [[Arbiter]] of the Covenant was sent to the surface of [[Installation 05]] to retrieve the Sacred Icon. Dropped directly into the [[Sentinel Wall]] by a [[Phantom]] transport, the Arbiter fought mostly alone, only aided by a small number of the original landing party (several Grunts and Jackals), through numerous Forerunner constructs to reach the control centre for the containment shields. By lowering these shields, the Covenant soldiers learned many Human Marines had made it through the wall only to be swiftly infected by the Flood. More Covenant warriors soon entered the Quarantine Zone, unfortunately exacerbating the Flood outbreak.
In [[2551]], a small [[Covenant]] team found a [[Luminary]] on [[Meridian]] after a [[Battle of Meridian|battle]] on the moon.This Luminary was delivered to the [[Prophet of Regret]], one of the three ruling [[Hierarchs]] of the Covenant. By late 2552, two [[Steward]]s assigned to decrypt the Luminary finally revealed its content to the Prophet of Regret: the locations of the Halo rings, including Installation 05. Hastily assembling a [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|fleet]] of fifteen warships, the Prophet made his way toward the [[Earth|planet]] that housed the [[Portal at Voi|gateway portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]], unaware that the planet was in fact [[human]]ity's heavily defended homeworld.<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal]] "Beholden"''</ref> After a failed [[Battle of Earth|invasion]] of Earth, [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]] fled to Installation 05 aboard his [[flagship]] ''[[Solemn Penance]]'', pursued by the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref>


This breach of containment led to the rapid growth in the Flood's numbers as they assimilated both humans, from the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}, and Covenant warriors. With these new hosts, the Flood gained access to more sophisticated equipment, [[weapons]] and combat vehicles, magnifying the danger the outbreak presented immeasurably. The Flood showed a bit of a tactical genius by destroying one of the Forerunner Sentinel Constructor ships. It ceased to float above the Quarantine Zone and produce countless Sentinels and Enforcers.
==The Battle==
===UNSC Incursion===
{{Quote|Proceed to the [[Index|objective]], we'll hold out as long as we can!|Gunnery Sergeant [[Marcus Stacker]], as the released flood overwhelm UNSC forces inside the Sentinel Wall.}}


Despite this new and surprising defense, Covenant and Human forces were able to battle their way through the legions of Flood and [[Sentinel]] constructs. Elements of both parties eventually reached the [[Gondola]] entrance points to the [[Library]] of Delta Halo. [[Commander Miranda Keyes]], [[Sergeant Major Avery J. Johnson|Sgt. Johnson]] and a number of [[Marines]] entered the Library first. They were quickly followed by the Arbiter and a squad of [[Elite]] troops. [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] stayed behind to defend the Gondola station, presumably he did not do so alone.
[[File:H2A-In Amber Clad Quarantine Zone.png|thumb|left|300px|The {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} holds position near Delta Halo's library.]]


== The Library ==
Shortly after arriving in the [[Coelest system]] in pursuit of the ''[[Solemn Penance]]'', Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] of the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} demanded the AI [[Cortana]] provide her with all information from the [[Installation 04|installation]] her father had discovered a month prior.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo]]''</ref> Keyes was able to locate [[Installation 05]]'s Library, and set out to reach it and secure it's [[Activation Index]] before the Covenant could do so. Marine forces lead by [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] were ordered to extract from their positions on the ring's surface and rendezvous with the ''In Amber Clad'' at the Library while [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] proceeded on his mission to [[Assassination of the Prophet of Regret|assassinate]] the Prophet of Regret.{{Ref/Reuse|ReferenceA}}


Human forces had gained access to the Library first, but only by a matter of minutes. Upon arrival within the Library it was clear that the humans had faced stiff opposition, all but two of their number had died combating the Flood and Sentinels already within its walls.
Upon arriving at the [[Sentinel Wall]] surrounding the Library and the [[Containment Shield]] it projected, the In Amber Clad searched for a way around the obstacle.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref> After failing to gain access to the Library, the frigate deployed a platoon-sized force of Marines to an entrance in the wall, led by Gunnery Sergeant [[Marcus Stacker]] and Staff Sergeant [[Banks]]. The Marines moved through the outer wall with ease, unmolested by local Sentinel defenses - possibly due to being recognized by the automated guardians as [[Reclaimers]]. As the Marines moved through the inner wall, the outer wall became besieged by [[Jiralhanae]]-led Covenant forces deployed from the recently arrived [[High Charity]]. Eventually, the Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadamee]] was able to deactivate the Containment Shield, and the inner wall quickly became overrun with [[Flood]] from the nearby [[quarantine zone]]. Spread throughout the wall in small [[fireteam]]s and completely unaware of the nature of enemy they were facing, most of the platoon was quickly assimilated by the parasite, proceeding to take up arms against their former comrades. Additionally, the local Sentinel forces became hostile to the surviving Marines, likely due to the immediate presence of the Flood. With his forces decimated, but the Containment Shield now disabled, Stacker radioed ''In Amber Clad'' suggesting Keyes proceed straight to the Library while his troops attempted to hold their position. A short time later, Stacker made contact with Keyes once again, confirming their engagement with non-Covenant hostile lifeforms, while Banks could be heard organizing other Marine survivors as they staged a desperate defense.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}


The Arbiter found [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Sergeant Johnson]] within the Index Chamber having retrieved the Index seconds before his arrival. [[Sergeant Johnson]] was ready, armed with a [[Battle Rifle]], along with Miranda Keyes who was reaching for the Index holding on to one of the [[Gravemind]]'s tentacles. Miranda secured the Index and drew two [[SMG]]s. Johnson called for his marines, but received no answer and armed his weapon. The Arbiter proved his worth as a warrior once again, incapacitating both Johnson and Keyes in a matter of moments. The arrival of [[Tartarus]] within the Chamber signified the beginning of the [[Civil War of the Covenant]] as he attacked the Arbiter, sending him plummeting to his doom deep within the Library, towards the [[Gravemind]].
The ''In Amber Clad'' swiftly took advantage of the lowered Containment Shield, entering the Quarantine Zone as battle raged between hostile Sentinel forces and the Flood. The Frigate took position above the east-most of three large structures in the center of the zone, each containing a gondola leading to the Library. Multiple [[M808 Scorpion]]s and [[M12 Warthog]]s were deployed via [[D77-TC Pelican|dropship]], and the UNSC forces secured the east and central gondolas, and established several defensive positions throughout the central Quarantine Zone. UNSC superiority would be short-lived, as the Flood's acquisition of vehicles brought by the In Amber Clad and arriving Covenant forces swung the battle in their favor. With the subsequent destruction of a [[Sentinel manufacturing facility]] reinforcing the Quarantine Zone, the Flood presence quickly became overwhelming. A sizable UNSC force made a final stand outside the western gondola structure, utilizing multiple stationary [[M247 general purpose machine gun]] turrets. Despite receiving reinforcements during the battle from a stray UNSC Pelican carrying a Scorpion, the position was overrun, the Pelican shot down and the Scorpion left abandoned. Meanwhile at the eastern structure, Commander Keyes lead Sergeant Johnson and a squad of Marines aboard the eastern Gondola. Moments later, [[Covenant Special Operations]] forces launched the western gondola, in close pursuit.{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}


There is a downed pelican near the gondola entrance. It is believed that Miranda Keyes,Sergeant Johnson and the other marines came in that pelican after the shield went down.
As Johnson and Keyes arrived at the Library, four Marines were killed by a horde of Flood combat forms. After securing the facility, Johnson left Corporal [[Perez (Marine)|Perez]] and [[McKenzie (Marine)|McKenzie]] to guard the exit while he escorted Keyes to retrieve the Index, however the Marines would be killed by a swarm of [[Pod infector]]s. Johnson and Keyes thus had no warning as a cloaked Thel 'Vadamee ambushed them, and arriving Jiralhanae forces led by the Chieftain [[Tartarus]] subsequently captured the index, taking the unconscious Johnson and Keyes as prisoners.{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}


== References ==
With the majority of the ship's Marine complement killed in action, the ''In Amber Clad'' was eventually overrun by the surging Flood presence, and it's entire crew presumably killed. A number of Marine survivors from the battle were captured by Covenant forces,{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}} including Sergeants Banks and Stacker.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[The Great Journey (level)|The Great Journey]]''</ref>
*[[Halo Graphic Novel]]
*[[Halo 2]]


[[Category:Battle]]
===Covenant intervention===
{{Quote|We shall cut into the heart of this infestation, retrieve the Icon, and burn any Flood that stand in our way!| Special Operations Commander Rtas 'Vadumee after learning of the Arbiter's mission}}
[[File:H2A - Rtas rallying troops.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Rtas rallying his troops]]
After numerous waves of [[Jiralhanae]]-led forces failed to breach the outer wall, Thel 'Vadamee, the Arbiter of the Covenant, was personally ordered by the Prophets to journey to the surface of the ring to retrieve the [[Sacred Icon]]. Dropped directly to the wall by a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] transport, the Arbiter encountered a small number of surviving [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]] from the earlier assault. After battling through numerous Forerunner constructs to reach the control center for the Containment Shield, the Arbiter deactivated the shield, proceeding to the inner wall. After his evac Phantom was driven off by a Sentinel Enforcer, 'Vadamee was forced to travel through the now-Flood infested inner-wall. He picked up multiple transmissions from the dwindling human forces that had made it through the wall first, observing two small fireteams of Marines being overwhelmed by Flood forms.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}
 
As the Arbiter moved through the Sentinel Wall, Covenant Special Operations forces were deployed to the Quarantine Zone, along with vehicular support, unfortunately exacerbating the Flood outbreak. The Flood's numbers swelled as they assimilated both humans from the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and Covenant warriors. With these new hosts, the Flood gained access to more sophisticated equipment, [[weapons]] and combat vehicles, magnifying the danger the outbreak presented immeasurably. The Flood used numerous [[Wraith]] tanks to destroy one of the Forerunner [[Sentinel manufacturing facility|Sentinel manufacturing plants]], bringing it crashing down on the surface and slowing the production of Sentinels and Enforcers, swinging the tide further in their favor.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}
 
The Arbiter exited the Sentinel Wall as [[Udka-pattern Assault Carapace|drop pods]] containing [[Special Operations Sangheili]] arrived in the quarantine zone. 'Vadamee moved to assist his brothers in repelling the local Flood forces in the valley. One of the Sangheili told 'Vadamee that they needed to rendezvous with their [[Special Operations Commander|commander]], [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee who had landed deeper into the zone. The group made their way through the valley, fighting off numerous Flood forms before locating 'Vadumee who, along with other Elites, was defending a small Covenant camp, repelling the Flood until more vehicles could be delivered. With the assistance of Thel 'Vadamee, the group was able to secure the camp and use it as a staging area for their push towards the installation's [[Library]]. The group traversed the war-torn wastes of the quarantine zone, facing massive numbers of Flood forms controlling both UNSC and Covenant vehicles as well as surviving Forerunner constructs before reaching the gondola entrance points to the Library of Delta Halo. After noticing human forces had already departed, 'Vadumee boarded a gondola alongside a squad of Special Operations troops while Rtas 'Vadumee stayed behind to defend the Gondola station.{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}
 
Human forces had gained access to the Library first, but only by a matter of minutes. The Arbiter exited the Gondala while his fellow Sangheili warriors stayed aboard to guard it, as it was the only entrance/exit. Upon exploring the interior of the Library, it was clear that the humans had faced stiff opposition, all but two of their forces had died combating the Flood and Sentinels already within its walls. Thel 'Vadamee found Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] within the Index Chamber, having retrieved the Index seconds before his arrival. Sergeant Johnson was ready, armed with a [[BR55 Battle Rifle|Battle Rifle]], along with Miranda Keyes who was reaching for the Index holding on to a large wire from a downed enforcer. Miranda secured the Index and drew two [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|SMGs]]. Johnson called for his Marines, but received no answer and armed his weapon. An active-camouflaged Arbiter ambushed the pair, incapacitating both in a matter of moments. The arrival of [[Tartarus]] and his hostile Jiralhanae forces within the Chamber, after making their way through the Sangheili forces guarding the Gondala, signified the beginning of the [[Great Schism]]. Tartarus briefly told the Arbiter how the Sangheili had been expelled from the Covenant  under the orders of the High Prophet of Truth, and proceeded to attack the Arbiter, sending him plummeting to his doom deep within the Library, towards the [[Gravemind]].{{Ref/Reuse|zone}}
 
===Conclusion===
The battle itself was a decisive Covenant victory. They succeeded in obtaining the Index, captured the UNSC leadership as well as all surviving Marines, providing them with the [[Reclaimers]] required to activate the Installation. The Flood also won a tactical victory, securing an immense number of hosts, weapons and vehicles, escaping the Quarantine Zone, and capturing a slipspace-capable starship in the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}, which they would later use to begin their [[Fall of High Charity|infestation]] of [[High Charity]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref> UNSC forces failed to recover the Index, lost the ''In Amber Clad'' and it's crew to Flood, and suffered total casualties, aside from the small number of survivors captured by the Covenant from the Library and Sentinel Wall.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2A - Enforcer.jpg|An Enforcer Sentinel behind Thel 'Vadamee on the outer surface of the Sentinel wall.
File:HTMCC-H2A CoviesVsSentinel.png|Surviving Covenant troops fighting Aggressor Sentinels inside the outer wall.
File:HTMCC-H2A EnforcerOnGuard.png|An Enforcer Sentinel guarding the plug locks keeping the containment shield activated.
File:HTMCC-H2A CoviesVsHumanFlood.png|Covenant troops under attack by Flood attacker forms.
File:HTMCC-H2A MarinesVsFlood.png|Flood forms overwhelming UNSC Marines inside the Sentinel wall.
File:HTMCC-H2A PatrollingFlood.png|Flood attacker forms deep within the Sentinel wall.
File:HTMCC-H2A Sentinel Factory Explosion.jpg|A Sentinel manufacturing facility exploding above the quarantine zone.
File:HTMCC-H2A SpecOpsVsFlood.png|Special Operations Sangheili defending the camp from the Flood.
File:H2A ScorpionTB-SB-1InBattle.png|Flood-infested vehicles in combat with Sentinel forces.
File:HTMCC-H2A WraithsShootingFacility.png|Flood-controlled Wraiths bombarding the destroyed Sentinel manufacturing facility.
File:HTMCC-H2A SpecOpsEliteFiringCarbine.png|Special Operations Sangheili inside the destroyed Sentinel factory.
File:HTMCC-H2A EliminatorSentinelsBurningFlood.png|Eliminator Sentinels targeting Flood forms.
File:HTMCC-H2A RtasDeploying.png|Rtas 'Vadumee redeploying into the quarantine zone.
File:HTMCC-H2A FloodGondolaStation.png|Flood forces defending the gondola station.
File:H2A-Miranda.jpg|Miranda Keyes reaching for the activation index.
File:H2A - Inevitable betrayal.jpg|Tartarus and his Jiralhanae betray Thel 'Vadamee.
</gallery>
 
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Engagements in the Battle of Installation 05}}
[[Category:Covenant victories|Quarantine Zone]]

Latest revision as of 16:14, July 23, 2024

Previous:

Assassination of the Prophet of Regret

Next:

Fall of High Charity, Battle for the Control Room

Battle of the Quarantine Zone
H2A - Library.jpg

Conflict:

Human-Covenant War

Date:

c.November 2552

Location:

Quarantine Zone, Installation 05

Outcome:

Strategic Covenant victory

  • The Covenant successfully obtain the Index for Installation 05
  • Many non-infected humans captured, including Commander Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Johnson
  • UNSC suffers total casualties, including the loss of the In Amber Clad

Tactical Flood Victory

  • Quarantine Zone fails
  • Flood infest large areas of Installation 05 and successfully escape the ring.
Details
Belligerents

Covenant

United Nations Space Command

Forerunner constructs

The Flood

Commanders
Strength
Casualties
  • Many Jiralhanae
  • Many Sangheili
  • Many Unggoy
  • Many Kig-yar
  • 40 ODSTs killed or infected[1]
  • 150(+) Marines killed or infected[1]
  • 250 Naval personnel killed or infected[1]
  • 8(+) Marines captured
  • Most ground assets captured
  • Many D77-TC Pelicans captured
  • UNSC In Amber Clad captured
  • Many combat forms
  • Large number of infection forms
  • Many carrier forms
 

"At the center of this zone, is a Sacred Icon critical to the Great Journey. I must find it."
— Thel 'Vadamee to Rtas 'Vadumee

The Battle of the Quarantine Zone was a battle which took place on Installation 05 in 2552, as the Covenant and UNSC fought through the Quarantine Zone in search of the Activation Index, known to the Covenant as the Sacred Icon. The battle encompassed an extended conflict between Flood and Forerunner Sentinels that stretched back nearly 100,000 years.

Background[edit]

The establishment of the Quarantine Zone is rooted in ancient history - approximately 3,000 years after the activation of the Halo Array, the Flood under containment on Installation 05 were released. Under normal circumstances Sentinel guards would have been able to keep the parasite under control. Unfortunately, the Flood had access to hosts, and were able to hold off the constructs.

At some point, Installation 05's Monitor 2401 Penitent Tangent was warned by a Forerunner ancilla of a pending outbreak in one the installation's Flood containment facilities. The monitor continued to ignore this warning, and those that followed, for millennia. Within 99,779 years, the containment facility had been overrun by the Flood, with lockdown protocols in effect within the Halo's teleportation grid to prevent further infestation.[2] Eventually, the full force of the installation's Sentinels and Enforcers was mobilized, and a Quarantine Zone was established, surrounded by an enormous wall projecting a powerful Containment Shield.[3][4]

The establishment of the Quarantine Zone was too late to prevent the formation of a Gravemind. Over the centuries, the Gravemind's reach spread throughout the installation,[5] eventually capturing the monitor of the installation, 2401 Penitent Tangent, giving him access to the teleportation grid and causing the structures on the Installation to fall into disrepair.[6]

In 2551, a small Covenant team found a Luminary on Meridian after a battle on the moon.This Luminary was delivered to the Prophet of Regret, one of the three ruling Hierarchs of the Covenant. By late 2552, two Stewards assigned to decrypt the Luminary finally revealed its content to the Prophet of Regret: the locations of the Halo rings, including Installation 05. Hastily assembling a fleet of fifteen warships, the Prophet made his way toward the planet that housed the gateway portal to the Ark, unaware that the planet was in fact humanity's heavily defended homeworld.[7] After a failed invasion of Earth, Regret fled to Installation 05 aboard his flagship Solemn Penance, pursued by the UNSC In Amber Clad.[8]

The Battle[edit]

UNSC Incursion[edit]

"Proceed to the objective, we'll hold out as long as we can!"
— Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Stacker, as the released flood overwhelm UNSC forces inside the Sentinel Wall.
The UNSC In Amber Clad holds position near Delta Halo's library.

Shortly after arriving in the Coelest system in pursuit of the Solemn Penance, Commander Miranda Keyes of the UNSC In Amber Clad demanded the AI Cortana provide her with all information from the installation her father had discovered a month prior.[9] Keyes was able to locate Installation 05's Library, and set out to reach it and secure it's Activation Index before the Covenant could do so. Marine forces lead by Sergeant Major Avery Johnson were ordered to extract from their positions on the ring's surface and rendezvous with the In Amber Clad at the Library while Spartan John-117 proceeded on his mission to assassinate the Prophet of Regret.[5]

Upon arriving at the Sentinel Wall surrounding the Library and the Containment Shield it projected, the In Amber Clad searched for a way around the obstacle.[10] After failing to gain access to the Library, the frigate deployed a platoon-sized force of Marines to an entrance in the wall, led by Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Stacker and Staff Sergeant Banks. The Marines moved through the outer wall with ease, unmolested by local Sentinel defenses - possibly due to being recognized by the automated guardians as Reclaimers. As the Marines moved through the inner wall, the outer wall became besieged by Jiralhanae-led Covenant forces deployed from the recently arrived High Charity. Eventually, the Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee was able to deactivate the Containment Shield, and the inner wall quickly became overrun with Flood from the nearby quarantine zone. Spread throughout the wall in small fireteams and completely unaware of the nature of enemy they were facing, most of the platoon was quickly assimilated by the parasite, proceeding to take up arms against their former comrades. Additionally, the local Sentinel forces became hostile to the surviving Marines, likely due to the immediate presence of the Flood. With his forces decimated, but the Containment Shield now disabled, Stacker radioed In Amber Clad suggesting Keyes proceed straight to the Library while his troops attempted to hold their position. A short time later, Stacker made contact with Keyes once again, confirming their engagement with non-Covenant hostile lifeforms, while Banks could be heard organizing other Marine survivors as they staged a desperate defense.[3]

The In Amber Clad swiftly took advantage of the lowered Containment Shield, entering the Quarantine Zone as battle raged between hostile Sentinel forces and the Flood. The Frigate took position above the east-most of three large structures in the center of the zone, each containing a gondola leading to the Library. Multiple M808 Scorpions and M12 Warthogs were deployed via dropship, and the UNSC forces secured the east and central gondolas, and established several defensive positions throughout the central Quarantine Zone. UNSC superiority would be short-lived, as the Flood's acquisition of vehicles brought by the In Amber Clad and arriving Covenant forces swung the battle in their favor. With the subsequent destruction of a Sentinel manufacturing facility reinforcing the Quarantine Zone, the Flood presence quickly became overwhelming. A sizable UNSC force made a final stand outside the western gondola structure, utilizing multiple stationary M247 general purpose machine gun turrets. Despite receiving reinforcements during the battle from a stray UNSC Pelican carrying a Scorpion, the position was overrun, the Pelican shot down and the Scorpion left abandoned. Meanwhile at the eastern structure, Commander Keyes lead Sergeant Johnson and a squad of Marines aboard the eastern Gondola. Moments later, Covenant Special Operations forces launched the western gondola, in close pursuit.[4]

As Johnson and Keyes arrived at the Library, four Marines were killed by a horde of Flood combat forms. After securing the facility, Johnson left Corporal Perez and McKenzie to guard the exit while he escorted Keyes to retrieve the Index, however the Marines would be killed by a swarm of Pod infectors. Johnson and Keyes thus had no warning as a cloaked Thel 'Vadamee ambushed them, and arriving Jiralhanae forces led by the Chieftain Tartarus subsequently captured the index, taking the unconscious Johnson and Keyes as prisoners.[4]

With the majority of the ship's Marine complement killed in action, the In Amber Clad was eventually overrun by the surging Flood presence, and it's entire crew presumably killed. A number of Marine survivors from the battle were captured by Covenant forces,[6] including Sergeants Banks and Stacker.[11]

Covenant intervention[edit]

"We shall cut into the heart of this infestation, retrieve the Icon, and burn any Flood that stand in our way!"
— Special Operations Commander Rtas 'Vadumee after learning of the Arbiter's mission
Rtas rallying his troops

After numerous waves of Jiralhanae-led forces failed to breach the outer wall, Thel 'Vadamee, the Arbiter of the Covenant, was personally ordered by the Prophets to journey to the surface of the ring to retrieve the Sacred Icon. Dropped directly to the wall by a Phantom transport, the Arbiter encountered a small number of surviving Unggoy and Kig-Yar from the earlier assault. After battling through numerous Forerunner constructs to reach the control center for the Containment Shield, the Arbiter deactivated the shield, proceeding to the inner wall. After his evac Phantom was driven off by a Sentinel Enforcer, 'Vadamee was forced to travel through the now-Flood infested inner-wall. He picked up multiple transmissions from the dwindling human forces that had made it through the wall first, observing two small fireteams of Marines being overwhelmed by Flood forms.[3]

As the Arbiter moved through the Sentinel Wall, Covenant Special Operations forces were deployed to the Quarantine Zone, along with vehicular support, unfortunately exacerbating the Flood outbreak. The Flood's numbers swelled as they assimilated both humans from the UNSC In Amber Clad and Covenant warriors. With these new hosts, the Flood gained access to more sophisticated equipment, weapons and combat vehicles, magnifying the danger the outbreak presented immeasurably. The Flood used numerous Wraith tanks to destroy one of the Forerunner Sentinel manufacturing plants, bringing it crashing down on the surface and slowing the production of Sentinels and Enforcers, swinging the tide further in their favor.[3]

The Arbiter exited the Sentinel Wall as drop pods containing Special Operations Sangheili arrived in the quarantine zone. 'Vadamee moved to assist his brothers in repelling the local Flood forces in the valley. One of the Sangheili told 'Vadamee that they needed to rendezvous with their commander, Rtas 'Vadumee who had landed deeper into the zone. The group made their way through the valley, fighting off numerous Flood forms before locating 'Vadumee who, along with other Elites, was defending a small Covenant camp, repelling the Flood until more vehicles could be delivered. With the assistance of Thel 'Vadamee, the group was able to secure the camp and use it as a staging area for their push towards the installation's Library. The group traversed the war-torn wastes of the quarantine zone, facing massive numbers of Flood forms controlling both UNSC and Covenant vehicles as well as surviving Forerunner constructs before reaching the gondola entrance points to the Library of Delta Halo. After noticing human forces had already departed, 'Vadumee boarded a gondola alongside a squad of Special Operations troops while Rtas 'Vadumee stayed behind to defend the Gondola station.[4]

Human forces had gained access to the Library first, but only by a matter of minutes. The Arbiter exited the Gondala while his fellow Sangheili warriors stayed aboard to guard it, as it was the only entrance/exit. Upon exploring the interior of the Library, it was clear that the humans had faced stiff opposition, all but two of their forces had died combating the Flood and Sentinels already within its walls. Thel 'Vadamee found Commander Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Johnson within the Index Chamber, having retrieved the Index seconds before his arrival. Sergeant Johnson was ready, armed with a Battle Rifle, along with Miranda Keyes who was reaching for the Index holding on to a large wire from a downed enforcer. Miranda secured the Index and drew two SMGs. Johnson called for his Marines, but received no answer and armed his weapon. An active-camouflaged Arbiter ambushed the pair, incapacitating both in a matter of moments. The arrival of Tartarus and his hostile Jiralhanae forces within the Chamber, after making their way through the Sangheili forces guarding the Gondala, signified the beginning of the Great Schism. Tartarus briefly told the Arbiter how the Sangheili had been expelled from the Covenant under the orders of the High Prophet of Truth, and proceeded to attack the Arbiter, sending him plummeting to his doom deep within the Library, towards the Gravemind.[4]

Conclusion[edit]

The battle itself was a decisive Covenant victory. They succeeded in obtaining the Index, captured the UNSC leadership as well as all surviving Marines, providing them with the Reclaimers required to activate the Installation. The Flood also won a tactical victory, securing an immense number of hosts, weapons and vehicles, escaping the Quarantine Zone, and capturing a slipspace-capable starship in the UNSC In Amber Clad, which they would later use to begin their infestation of High Charity.[12] UNSC forces failed to recover the Index, lost the In Amber Clad and it's crew to Flood, and suffered total casualties, aside from the small number of survivors captured by the Covenant from the Library and Sentinel Wall.

Gallery[edit]

  • An Enforcer Sentinel behind Thel 'Vadamee on the outer surface of the Sentinel wall.

    An Enforcer Sentinel behind Thel 'Vadamee on the outer surface of the Sentinel wall.

  • Surviving Covenant troops fighting Aggressor Sentinels inside the outer wall.

    Surviving Covenant troops fighting Aggressor Sentinels inside the outer wall.

  • An Enforcer Sentinel guarding the plug locks keeping the containment shield activated.

    An Enforcer Sentinel guarding the plug locks keeping the containment shield activated.

  • Covenant troops under attack by Flood attacker forms.

    Covenant troops under attack by Flood attacker forms.

  • Flood forms overwhelming UNSC Marines inside the Sentinel wall.

    Flood forms overwhelming UNSC Marines inside the Sentinel wall.

  • Flood attacker forms deep within the Sentinel wall.

    Flood attacker forms deep within the Sentinel wall.

  • A Sentinel manufacturing facility exploding above the quarantine zone.

    A Sentinel manufacturing facility exploding above the quarantine zone.

  • Special Operations Sangheili defending the camp from the Flood.

    Special Operations Sangheili defending the camp from the Flood.

  • Flood-infested vehicles in combat with Sentinel forces.

    Flood-infested vehicles in combat with Sentinel forces.

  • Flood-controlled Wraiths bombarding the destroyed Sentinel manufacturing facility.

    Flood-controlled Wraiths bombarding the destroyed Sentinel manufacturing facility.

  • Special Operations Sangheili inside the destroyed Sentinel factory.

    Special Operations Sangheili inside the destroyed Sentinel factory.

  • Eliminator Sentinels targeting Flood forms.

    Eliminator Sentinels targeting Flood forms.

  • Rtas 'Vadumee redeploying into the quarantine zone.

    Rtas 'Vadumee redeploying into the quarantine zone.

  • Flood forces defending the gondola station.

    Flood forces defending the gondola station.

  • Miranda Keyes reaching for the activation index.

    Miranda Keyes reaching for the activation index.

  • Tartarus and his Jiralhanae betray Thel 'Vadamee.

    Tartarus and his Jiralhanae betray Thel 'Vadamee.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo: Warfleet, pg. 37
  2. ^ Halo 3, multiplayer map Cold Storage transmissions
  3. ^ a b c d Halo 2, campaign level, Sacred Icon
  4. ^ a b c d e Halo 2, campaign level, Quarantine Zone
  5. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Regret
  6. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level, Gravemind
  7. ^ Halo 2: Anniversary - Terminal "Beholden"
  8. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, Metropolis
  9. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Delta Halo
  10. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, Regret
  11. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, The Great Journey
  12. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, High Charity

v • d • e
 
⇦ Engagements in the Battle of Installation 05 ⇨
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