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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H2|GOO|FA}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{Quad battle infobox
{{Outdated|[[Halo: Broken Circle]] and [[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]}}
|prev=[[First Battle of Earth]]
{{Battle infobox
|conc=[[Battle of Installation 05]]
|prev=[[Battle of the Quarantine Zone]]
|next=[[Covenant Civil War]], [[Second Battle of Earth]],
|conc=[[Battle for the Control Room (Installation 05)|Battle for the Control Room]]
|name=First Battle of [[High Charity]]
|next=[[Battle of Mare Erythraeum]]
|image=[[Image:H2 High Charity Orbital Battle.jpg|300px|High Charity]]
|name= Fall of High Charity
|conflict=[[Covenant Civil War]]
|image=[[File:H2A Great Schism.png|400px]]
|date=[[2552]]
|conflict=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
**[[Great Schism]]
***[[Battle of Installation 05]]
|date=[[2552#November|November 3rd]], [[2552]]
|place=[[High Charity]]
|place=[[High Charity]]
|result=Flood victory
|result='''Flood victory'''
*High Charity infested
*High Charity's population largely assimilated or killed
|side1=[[Covenant Separatists]]
**[[San'Shyuum]] reduced to an [[Extinction|endangered species]].
|side2=[[Covenant Loyalists]]
*Covenant government destroyed
|side3=[[Flood]]
**[[Ministries]] overrun by the Flood
|side4=[[United Nations Space Command]]
**[[High Council Chamber]] overrun by the Flood
|comm1=[[High Council]]
**Last Covenant [[Hierarch]] forced to flee
|comm2=[[Truth|High Prophet of Truth]], [[Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]], [[Tartarus]]
*[[Covenant fleet]] fractured
|comm3=[[Gravemind]]
**[[High Charity defense fleet]] implodes between Sangheili-led against Jiralhanae-led forces
|comm4=[[John-117|Spartan-117]], [[Cortana]]
*Cortana stranded on High Charity
|forces1=[[Elites]], [[Hunters]], [[Grunts]]
*John-117 returns to the Sol system
|forces2=[[Truth|High Prophet of Truth]], [[Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]], [[Tartarus]], [[Grunts]], [[Brutes]], [[Drones]], [[Jackals]]
|side1=*{{Icon|Covenant FB}} [[Covenant Empire]]
|forces3=[[Infection Forms]], [[Combat Forms]], [[Carrier Forms]], [[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]] (captured), [[Pelicans]] (captured)
|side2=*{{Icon|Covenant FB}} [[Covenant separatists]]
|forces4=[[John-117|Spartan-117]], [[Cortana]], few [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] (formerly prisoners on High Charity)
|side3=*[[Flood]]
|casual1= All forces who could not escape.
|side4=*{{Icon|UNSC HCW}} [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]
|casual2=[[Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]], all forces who could not escape.
|commanders1=*[[High Council]]
|casual3=Very few [[Flood]]
*[[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]  
|casual4=Marines, Cortana stranded on [[High Charity]]
*[[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]]†
*[[Tartarus]]
|commanders2=*[[Rtas 'Vadum]]<ref>[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]</ref>
*Various other [[Sangheili]] commanders
|commanders3=*[[Gravemind]]
|commanders4=*John-117
*[[Cortana]]
|forces1=*Hundreds of Covenant [[warship]]s
**[[Jiralhanae]] Controlled-[[High Charity defense fleet]]
*Numerous ground forces
**[[Jiralhanae]]
**[[Unggoy]]
**[[Kig-Yar]]
**[[Yanme'e]]
|forces2=*Hundreds of Covenant [[warship]]s
**[[Sangheili]] controlled-[[High Charity defense fleet]]{{C|[[Fleet of Retribution]]}}
*Numerous ground forces
**[[Sangheili]]  
**[[Mgalekgolo]]
**[[Unggoy]]
|forces3=*[[Pod infector]]s
*[[Flood combat form|Combat forms]]
*[[Flood carrier form|Carrier forms]]
*{{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}
*Several [[D77-TC Pelican]]s
|forces4=*[[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN]] [[John-117]]
*[[Cortana]]
*5+ [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] (formerly prisoners on High Charity)
|casual1=*Numerous Ships
*[[High Prophet of Mercy]]
*Heavy casualties for all species
*Catastrophic San'Shyuum casualties
|casual2=*Numerous ships
*Large numbers of [[Sangheili]], [[Mgalekgolo]], and [[Unggoy]]
|casual3=*Many [[Pod infector]]s
*Numerous [[Flood combat form|Combat forms]]
*Some [[Flood carrier form|Carrier forms]]
*All [[Flood]] ships except [[Unidentified Flood-captured battlecruiser|one]]
|casual4=*All [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] POWs
}}
}}
The '''First Battle of ''[[High Charity]]''''' was a large battle for the control of the Covenant capital world ''[[High Charity]]'' between the [[Covenant Separatists]], the [[Covenant Loyalists]], limited [[United Nations Space Command]] forces, and later, the [[Flood]]. The battle marked several significant events: The start of the [[Covenant Civil War]], [[Spartan-II|Spartan]] [[John-117]]'s pursuit of the [[Truth|Prophet of Truth]] and the Flood Invasion of High Charity.
{{Quote|Rise, pack brothers! Cast down the Elites!|Tartarus}}


== Background ==
The '''fall of High Charity'''<ref>'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''page 63'' (Google Play edition)</ref> was a large battle for the control of the Covenant capital world [[High Charity]] among the [[Covenant]], the [[Sangheili]] and those loyal to them, limited [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces, and later, the [[Flood]]. The battle marked several significant events, including the start of the [[Great Schism]], [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] [[John-117]]'s pursuit of the [[Prophet of Truth]] to [[Earth]], and the Flood invasion and [[Flood outbreak|infestation]] of High Charity.


=== The Fracturing of the Covenant ===
==Background==
===The fracturing of the Covenant===
With the [[Jiralhanae]], who directly competed with the [[Sangheili]], slowly gaining the favor of the [[San'Shyuum]] [[Hierarchs]], it was only a matter of time before the latter were overthrown and open warfare began between the two parties. Recent failures of the Sangheili leading up to the battle, including the loss of [[Installation 04]] and the assassination of the [[Prophet of Regret]] by the UNSC, damaged the reputation of the Sangheili and further empowered and emboldened the Jiralhanae. These events spurred the [[Changing of the Guard]], giving the Jiralhanae the duty of protecting the Prophets - an honor traditionally held by the Sangheili, further damaging their reputation and position within the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Sacred Icon]]''</ref>


The Battle of [[High Charity]] was a predestined battle. With the [[Brutes]], who directly competed with the [[Elites]], slowly gaining the favour of the [[Prophets]], it was only a matter of time before the Elites were overthrown and open warfare began between the two parties. However, multiple events helped bring about the battle.
===Battle of Installation 05===
{{Main|Battle of Installation 05}}
The Prophet of Regret's wayward [[Battle of Earth|mission]] to Earth brought High Charity, John-117 and the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} to Installation 05. The subsequent assassination of Regret by John-117 on November 2, 2552, shocked the entire Covenant ruling structure. The Sangheili-controlled fleet's attempt to kill John-117 from orbit had failed and instead threw him into the clutches of the Gravemind, located deep underneath the [[Library]] of Installation 05.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret]]''</ref> With the Gravemind already plotting its way off of the Halo, this would set the tables for the invasion by both the Flood and the "Demon".  


Recent failures of the Elites leading up to the battle (including the loss of [[Alpha Halo|Installation 04]], the annihilation of the [[Unyielding Hierophant]] and the fleet around her, and the assassination of the [[Prophet of Regret]] by the [[UNSC]]) damaged the reputation of the Elites and further empowered and emboldened the [[Brutes]]. These events spurred the [[Changing of the Guard]], giving the Brutes the duty of protecting the Prophets - a job traditionally held by the Elites and further damaged their reputation and position within the Covenant.
It would be [[Tartarus]], however, who put the final pieces of the puzzle into place—some of them inadvertently. After the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] successfully acquired Installation 05's [[activation index]] from the Library, [[Tartarus]], on the order of the [[Hierarch]]s, attempted to execute him by firing a burst from his [[Fist of Rukt]] at the Arbiter and knocking him into the depths of the Library—and into the Gravemind's lair. Tartarus then took the Index and [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] as prisoners back to High Charity where the Hierarchs waited.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>


=== Battle of Installation 05 ===
=====Encountering the Gravemind=====
With the index in the hands of the Covenant, and as ignorant as they might be to the true purpose of the Halos, they were fully intent on firing them - an act that would prove fatal to the Gravemind should it occur. As such, the Gravemind knew that it must not be activated, and for that it brought John-117 and the Arbiter together. After persuading the Arbiter of Halo's true power, it sent John-117 to High Charity and the Arbiter to the local installation's [[Control Room]] - the two most likely places for the Index to be. It then prepared to bring the other part of its plan into action - the invasion of [[High Charity]].<ref name="gm">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>


However, while the eventuality of the Battle of High Charity was a foregone conclusion, its scale was not. The Prophet of Regret's wayward [[First Battle of Earth|mission]] to [[Earth]] brought High Charity, [[John-117|Spartan-117]] and [[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]] near Installation 05. With the [[Gravemind]] already released and plotting its way off of the Halo, this would set the tables for the invasion by both the Flood and the legendary '[[Demon]]'.
==Battle==
===Opening skirmish===
{{Quote|The Demon has infiltrated the Council Chamber?! Protect the Hierarchs! Seal the exits!|Tartarus commanding his Jiralhanae on loudspeakers.{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}}}


An attempt to kill Spartan-117 from orbit had failed and instead threw him into the clutches of the Gravemind. It would be [[Tartarus]], however, who put the final pieces of the puzzle into place - some of them inadvertently. After the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] successfully acquired the Index from the [[Library]], Tartarus attempted to execute him by firing a burst from his [[Fist of Rukt]] at the Arbiter and knocking him into the depths of the Library. He then took the Index and [[UNSC]] [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] as prisoners back to High Charity where the Prophets of [[Truth]] and [[Mercy]] waited.
By the time John-117 arrived at High Charity, the [[High Charity defense fleet]] was in chaos. Sangheili and Jiralhanae-controlled ships engaged one another among the vast number of ships protecting the city. Unrest had begun within the city, with numerous [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]] rioters attempting to access the [[Council Chamber]] while being held back by [[Jiralhanae]] [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]]. Within the Council Chamber, Truth, with Mercy next to him, was giving a speech to the Covenant acknowledging the release of the Flood and announcing Tartarus' successful acquisition of the "sacred icon". As Truth's speech drew to a close, John-117 was teleported into the room by the Gravemind, appearing right beside the Unggoy who was filming the speech. He acquired the Unggoy's [[Type-33 needler|Needler]] and aimed it at the Hierarchs, but the Honor Guardsmen protected the Prophets in order for them to escape.{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}


=== Gravemind ===
John-117 soon eliminated the Honor Guardsmen in the room. Tartarus publicly announced to the city that the "demon" had infiltrated the Council Chamber, and promptly sealed the exits. Multiple [[lance]]s of Unggoy and Jiralhanae soon entered in an attempt to kill the intruder but the Spartan prevailed. After clearing out the Covenant in the chamber, John-117 inserted [[Cortana]] into High Charity's security systems so she could open the doors to the room. She then opted to remain in the system as she felt it would provide her the greatest opportunity to aid him. With the Index clearly in the possession of the Prophet of Truth, the Spartan chased after the fleeing Prophet. He fought his way out onto the balcony formerly used to torture [[Thel 'Vadamee]], engaging many Covenant troops and defenses including [[Shepsu-pattern plasma cannon|plasma cannons]] and a [[Jiralhanae Captain]]. Cortana used her access to High Charity's systems to reverse a [[gravity lift]] on the balcony which allowed the Spartan to travel to a lower level of the tower. As the Master Chief traversed a series of corridors, Cortana informed him that there were Marine [[Identification friend or foe|transponders]] somewhere below his position. After clearing out a two-tiered room of a [[pack]] of Jiralhanae, Cortana activated another gravity lift. The Spartan was carried downwards into a large prison area. After a prolonged battle that saw the Master Chief defeating waves of Covenant entering from various doors, the Spartan was successful in rescuing five Marines who joined him in his hunt for the Prophet. The Covenant refused to give up the prison without a fight, however; more troops, including Unggoy [[Unggoy Heavy|Heavies]] with plasma cannons, descended from the gravity lift the Chief used to enter the prison. The UNSC force was successful in repelling the attack, and left the prison.{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}


The Arbiter, however, would not be slain there. The [[Gravemind]] had other plans for him along with Spartan-117. The [[Index]] was now in the hands of the [[Covenant]], and as ignorant as they might be to the true purpose of the Halos, they were fully intent on firing them - an act that would prove fatal to the Gravemind should it occur. As such, he knew that the Halos must not be fired, and for that he brought two of the greatest warriors and the ones most likely to stop the catastrophe. He sent Spartan-117 to High Charity and the Arbiter to the local installation's [[Control Room]] - the two most likely places for the Index to be. He then prepared to bring the other part of his plan into action - the invasion of [[High Charity]].
===The Great Schism begins===
[[File:H2A-Brutes vs Elites.jpg|thumb|250px|Former Sangheili Honor Guardsmen fight with the Jiralhanae on ''High Charity''.]]
{{Quote|The Elites have failed to protect the Prophets, and in doing so, have put all our lives at risk. Let no warrior forget his oath, "Thou, in faith, shall keep us safe, whilst we find the Path". With my blessing, the Brutes now lead our fleets! They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it.|Prophet of Truth making announcements throughout the city{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}}}


== Battle ==
Soon after the Marines were rescued by the Master Chief, the Prophet of Truth declared that the Jiralhanae were now in charge of all Covenant fleets. The Jiralhanae within High Charity, under the secret order of Truth, instigate a citywide attack on the Sangheili, and the conflict that was already occurring within the defense fleet spread into High Charity itself. The Kig-Yar and [[Yanme'e]] remained loyal to the Jiralhanae-led Covenant while the majority of the [[Mgalekgolo]] remained loyal to the Sangheili. The Unggoy were present on both sides, as they generally remained loyal to whoever was commanding them. The Jiralhanae focused on attacking Sangheili in the [[Tower Districts|towers]] of the city, then spread out to the [[Lower districts|lower levels]]. Meanwhile, the fighting above and around the city continued, with the Jiralhanae and [[San'Shyuum]] [[Prelate]]s initially winning the battle against the Sangheili.<ref name="shadow of intent">'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'''</ref>


=== Master Chief's Entrance ===
John-117 and the rescued Marines made their way through corridors full of battling members of different species as the Covenant fragmented around them. Many former Sangheili [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]] reacquired the armor that they lost during the [[Changing of the Guard]], fighting against the Covenant and the Prophets that they once protected. Swarms of Yanme'e flitted through the corridors, providing aerial support for the Jiralhanae as they led [[Kig-Yar]] against the Sangheili. The human force sometimes opted to watch as the two sides fought rather than becoming directly involved. As the Master Chief and his Marines entered the first [[Valleys of Tears#Valley of Tears A|Valley of Tears]], they witnessed brutal up-close fighting between Jiralhanae and Sangheili soldiers, while a lone Mgalekgolo attempted to fend off surrounding Jiralhanae and [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]s. Above these combatants, aerial conflict between [[Sangheili Ranger]]s and Yanme'e raged. Taking advantage of the in-fighting Covenant, the UNSC team was able to traverse through the environment module. As they made their way into one of the city's [[Hanging Gardens#Hanging Gardens A|Hanging Gardens]], the crack of a [[slipspace]] rupture filled the air as the [[UNSC In Amber Clad|UNSC ''In Amber Clad'']] emerged, passing over the humans and crashing into a tower ahead of their position, although it would be a while until the humans knew the truth around the frigate's arrival.{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}
[[File:Hanging gardens A.jpg|left|thumb|250px|A Special Operations Sangheili faces off with a Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman.]]
Fighting through dueling [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen]] and [[Special Operations Sangheili]] in the Hanging Gardens, the Spartan and his Marines entered the [[Mid Tower]], where more fighting between aerial Covenant units was taking place. Even as the Prophet of Truth delivered reassuring announcements through the city's loudspeakers, the Jiralhanae within the city began to make headway against the Sangheili, forcing them out of the second [[Hanging Gardens#Hanging Gardens B|Hanging Garden]] and back towards the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]]. John-117 arrived in the garden just in time to see several Jiralhanae slaughtering a group of panicking Unggoy. The Sangheili-led Covenant made a firm stand against the Jiralhanae in the second [[Valleys of Tears#Valley of Tears B|Valley of Tears]], deploying a unit of [[Special Operations Unggoy]] and Sangheili into the area. The bridge leading into the Mausoleum saw some of the most intense fighting, as the Sangheili, along with Mgalekgolo and heavy weapon-wielding Unggoy battled to deny the Jiralhanae entrance to the Mausoleum. Despite their efforts, a group of Jiralhanae managed to make it through and fighting spread to the central chamber of the Mausoleum itself. A massive battle between the Jiralhanae, a number of [[Sangheili Ultra|Ultra]]s and another Mgalekgolo pair occurred around the sarcophagus that once housed the [[Arbiter body armor|armor of the Arbiter]]. Despite the odds, the Master Chief succeeded in eliminating all Covenant between him and the Prophet of Truth, although all of his accompanying Marines died in the process.{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}


The battle began in the [[Council Chamber]]. The [[Truth|Prophet of Truth]] (with the [[Mercy|Prophet of Mercy]] at his side) was giving a speech to the Covenant acknowledging the release of the Flood and announcing Tartarus' successful acquisition of the [[Sacred Icon]]. As Truth's speech drew to a close, Spartan-117 was teleported into the room by the [[Gravemind]], appearing right beside the Grunt who was filming the speech. He acquired the Grunt's [[Needler]] and aimed it at the Prophets, but the Brutes protected the Prophets in order for them to escape.
===Invasion of the Flood ===
[[File:H2A - Tartarus smashing Flood.jpg|thumb|250px|Tartarus and the Honor Guard defend the Prophets from the Flood.]]
{{Quote|This isn't good. I'm getting confirmed reports of Flood leaving In Amber Clad's wreckage. Lets get the Index and find a way out of here, before things get really ugly.|Cortana to John-117 as he leaves the Mausoleum tower.{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}}}


Once he secured the Council Chamber, Spartan-117 inserted [[Cortana]] into High Charity's power grid so she could open the doors to the room. She then opted to remain in High Charity's system as she felt it would provide her the greatest opportunity to aid him. With the Index clearly in the possession of the Prophet of Truth, the Spartan chased after the fleeing Prophet.
Even as John-117 closed in on the Prophet of Truth, the truth about the ''In Amber Clad'' soon made itself known; the UNSC frigate had become infested by the [[Flood]] while over [[Installation 05]]'s [[Quarantine Zone]]. With the ship having deployed most of its forces onto the surface of the ring to aid in the push through the Quarantine Zone, the Flood easily overwhelmed the under-strength ship and the [[Gravemind]] himself used the ship to deliver himself onto High Charity. Swarms of [[Pod infector]]s seeped out of rents in the frigate's hull while the ship's remaining [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]] were used to deploy Flood forms across the city.<ref name="hc">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref> As the Flood threat became apparent, the ships crewed by [[San'Shyuum]] [[Prelate]]s began to depart from the ongoing naval battle around High Charity to descend to High Charity's lower stalks in order to rescue the San 'Shyuum from the city.{{Ref/Reuse|shadow of intent}}
{{Quote|The Great Journey waits for no one, brother...not even you.|Prophet of Truth talking to Mercy as the latter suffers from a Pod infector.{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}}}


=== Rescue ===
Shortly after the battle in the Mausoleum, [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] made it to his escape [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] on the [[Far Tower]] and handed the Index over to [[Tartarus]] to commence the [[Covenant religion#The Great Journey|"Great Journey"]]. Tartarus prepared to take the Index along with [[343 Guilty Spark]] and [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] prisoners [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Keyes]] and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Johnson]] to Installation 05 to activate the Halo. Before they could leave, however, Pod infectors attacked them. Tartarus and [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen]] tried to defend the Prophets of Truth and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]], but one of the Pod infectors got through their screen and landed on Mercy. When Tartarus tried to remove the infector, Truth ordered him to let the Prophet die so Truth himself could be the sole [[Hierarch]] ruling the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|gm}}


{{Quote|Listen up [[Marine]]s: the [[SPARTAN-117|Master Chief]] is hunting a [[Prophet]], and you're going to help him kill it.|[[Cortana]]}}
===Evacuations===
{{Quote|This crisis will not be the end of us. It is but one last hurdle before the Journey and salvation!|Prophet of Truth as he retreats to his Dreadnought.{{Ref/Reuse|hc}}}}
[[File:H2A - Cortana watching dreadnought.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Cortana watches as the Forerunner Dreadnought departs High Charity, with both Truth and John-117 bound for Earth.]]


Shortly after beginning his hunt, Cortana noted that there were Marine transponders near the Master Chief's position. After raiding the prisons, five Marines joined the Spartan in his hunt for the Prophet.  
John-117 arrived just in time to see the three Phantoms depart from the Far Tower, two of them departing High Charity for Installation 05 while the third, Truth's, headed into the city. It didn't take him long to find the place where the Prophet of Mercy lay, struggling with the Pod infector and nearing death. In his interrogation of the Prophet, he learned that the Prophet of Truth was intending to make his way to Earth. The Chief then killed the Pod infector, killing the frail Prophet in the process. Cortana determined that Truth was heading towards the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] which stood in the middle of the city. Cortana stated that she could detonate ''In Amber Clad''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s reactors if it was needed to destroy the Halo installation. Cortana determined that she could not trust the fail-safe detonation of ''In Amber Clad'' to any copy of herself and so she had to remain behind. As the Chief prepared to move, a Flood-controlled Pelican crashed nearby, spilling Flood combat forms onto the Far Tower. As John-117 moved back into the Mausoleum tower, Cortana informed the Spartan that there was a [[High Charity conduit|conduit]] connecting to the Dreadnought nearby. While John-117 fought his way through the city which was by this point rapidly falling to the Flood and was beginning the process of becoming a Flood [[Flood hive|hive]], Cortana was forced to contend with a fragment of the ancient [[Forerunner]] [[Ancilla]] [[Mendicant Bias]] to delay the launch of the Dreadnought. John-117 barely made to the Dreadnought in time through the [[High Charity conduit|conduit]]. Before he left, the Chief promised to come back for Cortana.{{Ref/Reuse|hc}}


=== [[Covenant Civil War]] Begins ===
As the ''Anodyne Spirit'' left, [[San'Shyuum flotilla|a group]] of San'Shyuum managed to flee the station thanks to the efforts of [[Prelate]] [[Dhas Bhasvod]]. An important figure apart of this group, was [[Jom G'e'qth]].{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Divine Wind|Chapter=7}}


{{Quote|The [[Elite]]s have failed to protect the [[Prophet]]s, and in doing so, have put all our lives at risk. Let no warrior forget his oath, 'Thou, in faith, shall keep us safe, whilst we find the Path.' With my blessing, the [[Brutes (Jiralhanae)|Brutes]] now lead our fleets! They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it.|[[Prophet of Truth]]}}
===Closing===
Since the Forerunner Dreadnought served as the power source to High Charity, most of the lighting shut down as a result of the Dreadnought leaving the city's power grid, worsening the catastrophe. In pitch black darkness, the Flood spread virulently through the High Charity, attacking and infecting the warring Jiralhanae and Sangheili. As Flood forms swarmed the Tower Districts, the Covenant forces led by the Jiralhanae were overrun after the Sangheili were wiped out.{{Ref/Reuse|hc}} After the Tower Districts fell, the Flood moved on to the city's many other levels, quickly overwhelming the remaining populace despite fierce resistance.{{Ref/Reuse|shadow of intent}} The large body count from the battle only fueled the Flood's progress and they soon spread all over the city, including the docks where countless ships were trying to evacuate from the doomed city.{{Ref/Reuse|shadow of intent}} The air soon became saturated with [[Flood spore]]s and [[Flood blister|blister]]s began to grow throughout the station. Mere hours after the Flood arrived, High Charity had completely fallen.<ref>'''Halo 2''', Legendary Ending</ref> The [[Vice minister|Vice Minister of Abnegation]] [[Alo Sebukah]], managed to flee ''High Charity'' as the Gravemind began to torture the now trapped Cortana.<ref name="lootcrate8">''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', [[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data drop #8]]</ref>


Soon thereafter the Marines were rescued by the Master Chief and the Prophet of Truth declared that the Brutes were now in charge of the stationed Covenant fleets. The Brutes then instigate a genocide of the Elites, as secretly ordered by Truth. War breaks out on High Charity and the Covenant Civil War begins. As Spartan-117 and his marines moved around High Charity, they bore first-hand witness to the fracturing of the Covenant, sometimes opting to watch as the two sides fought rather than becoming directly involved.  The Brutes focused on attacking Elites in the towers of the city, then spread out to the lower levels.  The Elites that survived the initial betrayal retreated to the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]] to make a last stand, supported by many Hunters and Grunts.  The causeway leading to the Mausoleum became a battlefield choked with dead from both sides. However, the Brutes were eventually able to push through, and fighting spread to the central chamber of the Mausoleum itself.
It didn't take long for Flood-infested ships to start launching from High Charity, intending to spread the infection to the warring ships in the airspace around the city. At least one Sangheili, [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|Voro 'Mantakree]], managed to negotiate a temporary truce between the Jiralhanae and Sangheili ships in order to focus their efforts on preventing the Flood from escaping.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 197''</ref> This truce was short-lived, as the Jiralhanae began to target Sangheili ships again before all of the Flood had been wiped out. At some point during the battle, the [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' [[Glassing|glassed]] part of High Charity in an attempt to combat the Flood aboard it.{{Ref/Reuse|shadow of intent}}


=== The Flood Invade ===
Eventually the Sangheili ships were successful in defeating the Jiralhanae, many of whom retreated to follow Truth's Dreadnought to Earth. The Sangheili subsequently set up a naval blockade around High Charity and Installation 05, with the aim of preventing the Flood from leaving the [[Coelest system]]. Despite their efforts, at least [[Indulgence of Conviction|one]] Flood-infested [[Ket-pattern battlecruiser|cruiser]] managed to escape, and it was pursued by the [[Fleet of Retribution]] to [[Earth]].<ref name="fg">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>
[[Image:Fingers Crossed.jpg|right|thumb|Master Chief discusses options with Cortana. ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]'', the Flood's vector into ''High Charity'' can be seen in the background.]]
{{Clear}}
{{Quote|[[Slipspace]] rupture. It's ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]''! Hailing... No response. She's crashed into another tower ahead of our position. I'll keep trying to make contact, but I'm not registering any human vital signs.|[[Cortana]]}}


Sometime later, [[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]] entered High Charity via Slipspace, flying across the City before crashing into a tower on the other side. Cortana tried to contact the ship but registered no life signs on board. It would be a while before the true nature of In Amber Clad's arrival would be known, for she had been captured by the [[Flood]] and it was they who had flown her in. The various short range craft she possessed launched and spread the Flood soldiers throughout the city. This single event changed the course of the war.
==Aftermath==
===Tartarus and Installation 05===
Tartarus eventually arrived at Installation 05's [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] with Miranda Keyes and 343 Guilty Spark, and began the firing sequence for Installation 05. However, the Chieftain was confronted by the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] and Sergeant Johnson. The Arbiter attempted to convince Tartarus about the true purpose of the Halo Array but the Jiralhanae refused to listen, forcing Thel, Sergeant Johnson and a group of Sangheili to engage him while the firing sequence initiated. Tartarus was eventually slain and the firing sequence was aborted by Miranda Keyes, putting all remaining Halo installations into standby mode, readying them for a final activation from [[Installation 00]].<ref name="gj">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>


=== Mercy Falls ===
===''Anodyne Spirit''===
[[Image:Death of Mercy.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Prophet of Mercy]] is killed by an [[Infection Form]].]]
Five days after departing from High Charity, the Forerunner Dreadnought arrived in the [[Sol system]],<ref name="bnet">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 01/23/09 '']</ref> along with the remaining Jiralhanae-held ships from the battle around High Charity. As the Dreadnought approached Earth John-117, who had stowed away as it left High Charity, informed [[Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood]] of his presence aboard the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|gj}} At some point during the Dreadnought's journey, the Spartan attempted to assassinate Truth, but he was unable to do so<ref>'''[[Halo: Uprising]]'''</ref> and is forced to leave the Forerunner Dreadnought as it entered Earth's atmosphere, landing in the jungles of [[Tanzania]], [[Africa]].
{{Quote|Let him be. The Great Journey awaits no one brother, not even you.|[[Truth]]}}


In the race to capture the [[Installation 05]]'s [[Index]], [[John-117|the Spartan]] was moments behind. The [[Truth|Prophet of Truth]] made it to his escape Phantom and handed the Index over to Tartarus to incept the [[Great Journey|Array's process]]. Tartarus prepared to take the Index along with [[UNSC]] prisoners [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery J. Johnson]] to [[Installation 05]] to activate the Halo.
===The Flood and ''High Charity''===
The Flood gained full control of High Charity and the Gravemind took up residence in the fortress, turning the city into a massive [[Flood hive]]. Cortana, who was stranded in High Charity's computer systems, was questioned by the Gravemind who interrogated and tortured her.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', ''Human Weakness''</ref> This drove her to the point of [[rampancy]], but she managed to send a message to Earth and hold onto [[Activation Index|an important secret]].{{Ref/Reuse|fg}} Although the Forerunner Dreadnought decoupled from the city, the Flood managed to transport the High Charity to Installation 00 via slipspace during the [[Battle of the Citadel]] by using the city's backup reactors. The city crashed on to the surface, spreading Flood infection and adding chaos to the final battle of the Human-Covenant War.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> After Truth's death, John-117 [[Raid on High Charity|returned]] to the city to rescue Cortana, destroying the city by overloading its reactors, which caused it to go critical and detonate.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]''</ref>


Before they could leave, however, Flood [[Infection Forms]] attacked them. Tartarus and his Brutes tried to defend the Prophets of Truth and [[Mercy]], but one of the Infection Forms got through their screen and landed on Mercy. Tartarus tried to remove the Infection Form, but the Prophet of Truth ordered him to let the Prophet be. Tartarus proceeded down to the surface.
===Legacy===
Many years after the destruction of High Charity, rumors about the fate of the holy city, and the possible survival of the Flood within the wreckage were dismissed by [[Voridus]] and other members of the [[Banished]] as old Covenant [[propaganda]] while making their way towards the ruins of the city to search for salvage to aid in their ongoing [[Second Ark Conflict|conflict]] against the forces of the [[UNSC Spirit of Fire|UNSC ''Spirit of Fire'']] on the Ark. Unfortunately for the Banished, the threat soon proved real, with surviving Flood from High Charity's wreckage [[Outbreak on Installation 00|pouring out]] after the Banished breached a section of the [[containment shield]] with a [[Barukaza Workshop Scarab|Scarab]]. After a brief struggle, Voridus and [[Pavium]] were able to destroy a [[proto-Gravemind]] moments away from it becoming a [[Gravemind]] and the installation's [[Sentinel]]s soon arrived, once again quarantining any remaining Flood inside High Charity's remains.<ref>'''Halo Wars 2''', ''[[Awakening the Nightmare]]''</ref>


=== Departure ===
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2A-In Amber Clad In High Charity.png|The Flood-controlled ''In Amber Clad'' glides over ''High Charity'' on a deliberate collision course with the city below.
File:Master Chief Takes on Brute.jpg|John-117 engages a [[Jiralhanae Captain]] in combat.
File:HTMCC-H2A Sangheili Minors.jpg|Sangheili Minors under the attack of Yanme'e.
File:H2A HonorGuardStrike.png|A Sangheili Honor Guardsman killing a Jiralhanae with an energy sword.
File:H2A MidTowerBattle.png|Sangheili Rangers and Yanme'e battling in the Mid Tower.
File:H2A BruteKillsGrunt.png|A berserking Jiralhanae charges into a panicking Unggoy Minor in one of High Charity's Hanging Gardens.
File:H2A ElitesVsBrutes.png|Close quarters combat between Sangheili and Jiralhanae soldiers.
File:H2A JackalSniperShoots.png|A Kig-Yar Sniper firing his particle beam rifle in one of High Charity's environmental modules.
File:H2A BruteGrenadeVolley.png|Jiralhanae forces launch a plasma grenade volley at a Sangheili position.
File:Death of Mercy.jpg|The [[Prophet of Mercy]] is killed by a [[Pod infector]].
File:H2A FloodEntrance.png|Flood combat forms spill out onto High Charity from a crashed UNSC Pelican dropship.
File:H2A FloodVsCovies.png|Covenant and Flood forces battling in an environmental module.
File:H2A HighCharityTendrils.png|Massive Flood tendrils spreading throughout High Charity as the city falls to the Flood.
File:Ship8.jpg|The Forerunner Dreadnought leaves High Charity while the ships from the defense fleet continue to engage in combat.
File:H2A-CortanaAndJohn.jpg|John and Cortana discuss their options for destroying Halo and the Flood.
</gallery>


By the time Spartan-117 had reached the Prophet of Mercy, the Prophet was nearly dead and the [[Marines]] he had rescued had similarly fallen. In his interrogation of the Prophet, he learned that the Prophet of Truth was fleeing towards [[Earth]]. Cortana determined that Truth was heading towards the Forerunner ship which stood in the middle of the City.
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Return]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Wages of Sin]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
**''[[Sacrifice]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}}


With the Arbiter still on Installation 05 and Cortana stating that she could detonate In Amber Clad's reactors if it was needed to destroy the Halo installation, the Spartan proceeded to follow the Prophet of Truth and attempt to board his ship before it left. However, Cortana chose that she couldn't trust the failsafe detonation of In Amber Clad to any copy of herself and had to remain behind.
==Sources==
 
{{Ref/Sources}}
While Cortana tried to stall the launch of the Forerunner ship, the Master Chief moved through the maze of High Charity, fighting Flood and Covenant alike to board the ship. During that time, Cortana realized that the ship was actually the power source for High Charity. In the end, he got on board with mere seconds to spare.  Before he left, the Chief promised to come back for Cortana (which he later did, rescuing her and destroying High Charity).
 
== Aftermath ==
 
=== Covenant Civil War ===
 
{{Quote|The [[Covenant]] just destroyed two of their own ships. And I'm hearing reports of small arms fire throughout their fleet.|[[Cortana]]}}
 
The Battle became the first battle of the [[Covenant Civil War]]. Warships around High Charity continued to fight well after the battle on the surface of ''High Charity'' itself was over. However, whether the battle's outcome would have any lasting impact on the outcome of the Covenant Civil War is currently unknown. That said, the fact that neither side was able to acquire control of High Charity likely limited any major gains that were to be had.
 
=== [[Tartarus]] and the [[Index]] ===


Tartarus would eventually make it to the [[Control Room]] with [[Miranda Keyes]] and begin the firing sequence for [[Installation 05]]. However, the Chieftain would eventually fall to the Arbiter and the firing sequence would be aborted, putting all remaining Halo Installations into standby mode, readying them for a final activation from the [[Ark]].
{{Engagements in the Battle of Installation 05}}
 
[[Category:High Charity]]
=== Prophet of Truth and Spartan-117 ===
[[Category:UNSC victories]]
 
[[Category:Flood outbreaks]]
The [[Truth|Prophet of Truth]] and [[John-117|Spartan-117]] would eventually reach [[Earth]] aboard the [[Forerunner Ship]] and participate in the [[Second Battle of Earth]]. Upon its arrival, [[Lord Hood]] ordered the ship to be destroyed, but Spartan-117 identified that he was aboard the ship and wanted to finish the fight. Spartan-117 was hoping to kill Truth before leaving the Forerunner ship, but was unable to do so.
 
=== High Charity ===
 
The [[Flood]] eventually gained full control of [[High Charity]] and the [[Gravemind]] would take up residence in the fortress. However, the city was disabled with the decoupling of the [[Forerunner Ship]], without power and likely unable to move. [[Cortana]], stranded in High Charity's computer, would be questioned by the Gravemind who turned the city into a massive Flood Hive. Apparently between Halo 2 and 3, the city gets connected to an existing reactor that was probably some sort of back-up and is fully functional once again. In the [[Second Battle of High Charity]], the city is destroyed by the Master Chief who blasts the reactor, causing it to go critical.
 
== Notes ==
 
*The Battle is represented in the [[Halo 2]] levels [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]] and [[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]
*It is possible to get Marines through the entire Gravemind level, but they will not appear in the level High Charity
*Cortana said that if Tartarus tried to activate Delta Halo she would blow ''In Amber Clad'''s fusion reactor like the Chief did with the [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]] on [[Alpha Halo]], but Miranda Keyes stopped the firing of Installation 05 by mere seconds. This oddity fueled speculation that Cortana had gone [[rampant]].
 
==Sources==
<references/>
[[Category:Battle]]
[[Category:Halo 2]]
[[Category:Halo 2 Campaign]]
{{Human-Covenant War}}

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Previous:

Battle of the Quarantine Zone

Concurrent:

Battle for the Control Room

Next:

Battle of Mare Erythraeum

Fall of High Charity
H2A Great Schism.png

Conflict:

Date:

November 3rd, 2552

Location:

High Charity

Outcome:

Flood victory

Details
Belligerents
Commanders
Strength
Casualties
 

"Rise, pack brothers! Cast down the Elites!"
— Tartarus

The fall of High Charity[2] was a large battle for the control of the Covenant capital world High Charity among the Covenant, the Sangheili and those loyal to them, limited UNSC forces, and later, the Flood. The battle marked several significant events, including the start of the Great Schism, SPARTAN John-117's pursuit of the Prophet of Truth to Earth, and the Flood invasion and infestation of High Charity.

Background[edit]

The fracturing of the Covenant[edit]

With the Jiralhanae, who directly competed with the Sangheili, slowly gaining the favor of the San'Shyuum Hierarchs, it was only a matter of time before the latter were overthrown and open warfare began between the two parties. Recent failures of the Sangheili leading up to the battle, including the loss of Installation 04 and the assassination of the Prophet of Regret by the UNSC, damaged the reputation of the Sangheili and further empowered and emboldened the Jiralhanae. These events spurred the Changing of the Guard, giving the Jiralhanae the duty of protecting the Prophets - an honor traditionally held by the Sangheili, further damaging their reputation and position within the Covenant.[3]

Battle of Installation 05[edit]

Main article: Battle of Installation 05

The Prophet of Regret's wayward mission to Earth brought High Charity, John-117 and the UNSC In Amber Clad to Installation 05. The subsequent assassination of Regret by John-117 on November 2, 2552, shocked the entire Covenant ruling structure. The Sangheili-controlled fleet's attempt to kill John-117 from orbit had failed and instead threw him into the clutches of the Gravemind, located deep underneath the Library of Installation 05.[4] With the Gravemind already plotting its way off of the Halo, this would set the tables for the invasion by both the Flood and the "Demon".

It would be Tartarus, however, who put the final pieces of the puzzle into place—some of them inadvertently. After the Arbiter successfully acquired Installation 05's activation index from the Library, Tartarus, on the order of the Hierarchs, attempted to execute him by firing a burst from his Fist of Rukt at the Arbiter and knocking him into the depths of the Library—and into the Gravemind's lair. Tartarus then took the Index and Commander Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Major Avery Johnson as prisoners back to High Charity where the Hierarchs waited.[5]

Encountering the Gravemind[edit]

With the index in the hands of the Covenant, and as ignorant as they might be to the true purpose of the Halos, they were fully intent on firing them - an act that would prove fatal to the Gravemind should it occur. As such, the Gravemind knew that it must not be activated, and for that it brought John-117 and the Arbiter together. After persuading the Arbiter of Halo's true power, it sent John-117 to High Charity and the Arbiter to the local installation's Control Room - the two most likely places for the Index to be. It then prepared to bring the other part of its plan into action - the invasion of High Charity.[6]

Battle[edit]

Opening skirmish[edit]

"The Demon has infiltrated the Council Chamber?! Protect the Hierarchs! Seal the exits!"
— Tartarus commanding his Jiralhanae on loudspeakers.[6]

By the time John-117 arrived at High Charity, the High Charity defense fleet was in chaos. Sangheili and Jiralhanae-controlled ships engaged one another among the vast number of ships protecting the city. Unrest had begun within the city, with numerous Unggoy and Kig-Yar rioters attempting to access the Council Chamber while being held back by Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen. Within the Council Chamber, Truth, with Mercy next to him, was giving a speech to the Covenant acknowledging the release of the Flood and announcing Tartarus' successful acquisition of the "sacred icon". As Truth's speech drew to a close, John-117 was teleported into the room by the Gravemind, appearing right beside the Unggoy who was filming the speech. He acquired the Unggoy's Needler and aimed it at the Hierarchs, but the Honor Guardsmen protected the Prophets in order for them to escape.[6]

John-117 soon eliminated the Honor Guardsmen in the room. Tartarus publicly announced to the city that the "demon" had infiltrated the Council Chamber, and promptly sealed the exits. Multiple lances of Unggoy and Jiralhanae soon entered in an attempt to kill the intruder but the Spartan prevailed. After clearing out the Covenant in the chamber, John-117 inserted Cortana into High Charity's security systems so she could open the doors to the room. She then opted to remain in the system as she felt it would provide her the greatest opportunity to aid him. With the Index clearly in the possession of the Prophet of Truth, the Spartan chased after the fleeing Prophet. He fought his way out onto the balcony formerly used to torture Thel 'Vadamee, engaging many Covenant troops and defenses including plasma cannons and a Jiralhanae Captain. Cortana used her access to High Charity's systems to reverse a gravity lift on the balcony which allowed the Spartan to travel to a lower level of the tower. As the Master Chief traversed a series of corridors, Cortana informed him that there were Marine transponders somewhere below his position. After clearing out a two-tiered room of a pack of Jiralhanae, Cortana activated another gravity lift. The Spartan was carried downwards into a large prison area. After a prolonged battle that saw the Master Chief defeating waves of Covenant entering from various doors, the Spartan was successful in rescuing five Marines who joined him in his hunt for the Prophet. The Covenant refused to give up the prison without a fight, however; more troops, including Unggoy Heavies with plasma cannons, descended from the gravity lift the Chief used to enter the prison. The UNSC force was successful in repelling the attack, and left the prison.[6]

The Great Schism begins[edit]

Former Sangheili Honor Guardsmen fight with the Jiralhanae on High Charity.

"The Elites have failed to protect the Prophets, and in doing so, have put all our lives at risk. Let no warrior forget his oath, "Thou, in faith, shall keep us safe, whilst we find the Path". With my blessing, the Brutes now lead our fleets! They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it."
— Prophet of Truth making announcements throughout the city[6]

Soon after the Marines were rescued by the Master Chief, the Prophet of Truth declared that the Jiralhanae were now in charge of all Covenant fleets. The Jiralhanae within High Charity, under the secret order of Truth, instigate a citywide attack on the Sangheili, and the conflict that was already occurring within the defense fleet spread into High Charity itself. The Kig-Yar and Yanme'e remained loyal to the Jiralhanae-led Covenant while the majority of the Mgalekgolo remained loyal to the Sangheili. The Unggoy were present on both sides, as they generally remained loyal to whoever was commanding them. The Jiralhanae focused on attacking Sangheili in the towers of the city, then spread out to the lower levels. Meanwhile, the fighting above and around the city continued, with the Jiralhanae and San'Shyuum Prelates initially winning the battle against the Sangheili.[7]

John-117 and the rescued Marines made their way through corridors full of battling members of different species as the Covenant fragmented around them. Many former Sangheili Honor Guardsmen reacquired the armor that they lost during the Changing of the Guard, fighting against the Covenant and the Prophets that they once protected. Swarms of Yanme'e flitted through the corridors, providing aerial support for the Jiralhanae as they led Kig-Yar against the Sangheili. The human force sometimes opted to watch as the two sides fought rather than becoming directly involved. As the Master Chief and his Marines entered the first Valley of Tears, they witnessed brutal up-close fighting between Jiralhanae and Sangheili soldiers, while a lone Mgalekgolo attempted to fend off surrounding Jiralhanae and Kig-Yar Snipers. Above these combatants, aerial conflict between Sangheili Rangers and Yanme'e raged. Taking advantage of the in-fighting Covenant, the UNSC team was able to traverse through the environment module. As they made their way into one of the city's Hanging Gardens, the crack of a slipspace rupture filled the air as the UNSC In Amber Clad emerged, passing over the humans and crashing into a tower ahead of their position, although it would be a while until the humans knew the truth around the frigate's arrival.[6]

A Special Operations Sangheili faces off with a Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman.

Fighting through dueling Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen and Special Operations Sangheili in the Hanging Gardens, the Spartan and his Marines entered the Mid Tower, where more fighting between aerial Covenant units was taking place. Even as the Prophet of Truth delivered reassuring announcements through the city's loudspeakers, the Jiralhanae within the city began to make headway against the Sangheili, forcing them out of the second Hanging Garden and back towards the Mausoleum of the Arbiter. John-117 arrived in the garden just in time to see several Jiralhanae slaughtering a group of panicking Unggoy. The Sangheili-led Covenant made a firm stand against the Jiralhanae in the second Valley of Tears, deploying a unit of Special Operations Unggoy and Sangheili into the area. The bridge leading into the Mausoleum saw some of the most intense fighting, as the Sangheili, along with Mgalekgolo and heavy weapon-wielding Unggoy battled to deny the Jiralhanae entrance to the Mausoleum. Despite their efforts, a group of Jiralhanae managed to make it through and fighting spread to the central chamber of the Mausoleum itself. A massive battle between the Jiralhanae, a number of Ultras and another Mgalekgolo pair occurred around the sarcophagus that once housed the armor of the Arbiter. Despite the odds, the Master Chief succeeded in eliminating all Covenant between him and the Prophet of Truth, although all of his accompanying Marines died in the process.[6]

Invasion of the Flood[edit]

Tartarus and the Honor Guard defend the Prophets from the Flood.

"This isn't good. I'm getting confirmed reports of Flood leaving In Amber Clad's wreckage. Lets get the Index and find a way out of here, before things get really ugly."
— Cortana to John-117 as he leaves the Mausoleum tower.[6]

Even as John-117 closed in on the Prophet of Truth, the truth about the In Amber Clad soon made itself known; the UNSC frigate had become infested by the Flood while over Installation 05's Quarantine Zone. With the ship having deployed most of its forces onto the surface of the ring to aid in the push through the Quarantine Zone, the Flood easily overwhelmed the under-strength ship and the Gravemind himself used the ship to deliver himself onto High Charity. Swarms of Pod infectors seeped out of rents in the frigate's hull while the ship's remaining Pelicans were used to deploy Flood forms across the city.[8] As the Flood threat became apparent, the ships crewed by San'Shyuum Prelates began to depart from the ongoing naval battle around High Charity to descend to High Charity's lower stalks in order to rescue the San 'Shyuum from the city.[7]

"The Great Journey waits for no one, brother...not even you."
— Prophet of Truth talking to Mercy as the latter suffers from a Pod infector.[6]

Shortly after the battle in the Mausoleum, Truth made it to his escape Phantom on the Far Tower and handed the Index over to Tartarus to commence the "Great Journey". Tartarus prepared to take the Index along with 343 Guilty Spark and UNSC prisoners Commander Keyes and Sergeant Major Johnson to Installation 05 to activate the Halo. Before they could leave, however, Pod infectors attacked them. Tartarus and Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen tried to defend the Prophets of Truth and Mercy, but one of the Pod infectors got through their screen and landed on Mercy. When Tartarus tried to remove the infector, Truth ordered him to let the Prophet die so Truth himself could be the sole Hierarch ruling the Covenant.[6]

Evacuations[edit]

"This crisis will not be the end of us. It is but one last hurdle before the Journey and salvation!"
— Prophet of Truth as he retreats to his Dreadnought.[8]
Cortana watches as the Forerunner Dreadnought departs High Charity, with both Truth and John-117 bound for Earth.

John-117 arrived just in time to see the three Phantoms depart from the Far Tower, two of them departing High Charity for Installation 05 while the third, Truth's, headed into the city. It didn't take him long to find the place where the Prophet of Mercy lay, struggling with the Pod infector and nearing death. In his interrogation of the Prophet, he learned that the Prophet of Truth was intending to make his way to Earth. The Chief then killed the Pod infector, killing the frail Prophet in the process. Cortana determined that Truth was heading towards the Forerunner Dreadnought which stood in the middle of the city. Cortana stated that she could detonate In Amber Clad's reactors if it was needed to destroy the Halo installation. Cortana determined that she could not trust the fail-safe detonation of In Amber Clad to any copy of herself and so she had to remain behind. As the Chief prepared to move, a Flood-controlled Pelican crashed nearby, spilling Flood combat forms onto the Far Tower. As John-117 moved back into the Mausoleum tower, Cortana informed the Spartan that there was a conduit connecting to the Dreadnought nearby. While John-117 fought his way through the city which was by this point rapidly falling to the Flood and was beginning the process of becoming a Flood hive, Cortana was forced to contend with a fragment of the ancient Forerunner Ancilla Mendicant Bias to delay the launch of the Dreadnought. John-117 barely made to the Dreadnought in time through the conduit. Before he left, the Chief promised to come back for Cortana.[8]

As the Anodyne Spirit left, a group of San'Shyuum managed to flee the station thanks to the efforts of Prelate Dhas Bhasvod. An important figure apart of this group, was Jom G'e'qth.[9]

Closing[edit]

Since the Forerunner Dreadnought served as the power source to High Charity, most of the lighting shut down as a result of the Dreadnought leaving the city's power grid, worsening the catastrophe. In pitch black darkness, the Flood spread virulently through the High Charity, attacking and infecting the warring Jiralhanae and Sangheili. As Flood forms swarmed the Tower Districts, the Covenant forces led by the Jiralhanae were overrun after the Sangheili were wiped out.[8] After the Tower Districts fell, the Flood moved on to the city's many other levels, quickly overwhelming the remaining populace despite fierce resistance.[7] The large body count from the battle only fueled the Flood's progress and they soon spread all over the city, including the docks where countless ships were trying to evacuate from the doomed city.[7] The air soon became saturated with Flood spores and blisters began to grow throughout the station. Mere hours after the Flood arrived, High Charity had completely fallen.[10] The Vice Minister of Abnegation Alo Sebukah, managed to flee High Charity as the Gravemind began to torture the now trapped Cortana.[11]

It didn't take long for Flood-infested ships to start launching from High Charity, intending to spread the infection to the warring ships in the airspace around the city. At least one Sangheili, Voro 'Mantakree, managed to negotiate a temporary truce between the Jiralhanae and Sangheili ships in order to focus their efforts on preventing the Flood from escaping.[12] This truce was short-lived, as the Jiralhanae began to target Sangheili ships again before all of the Flood had been wiped out. At some point during the battle, the assault carrier Shadow of Intent glassed part of High Charity in an attempt to combat the Flood aboard it.[7]

Eventually the Sangheili ships were successful in defeating the Jiralhanae, many of whom retreated to follow Truth's Dreadnought to Earth. The Sangheili subsequently set up a naval blockade around High Charity and Installation 05, with the aim of preventing the Flood from leaving the Coelest system. Despite their efforts, at least one Flood-infested cruiser managed to escape, and it was pursued by the Fleet of Retribution to Earth.[13]

Aftermath[edit]

Tartarus and Installation 05[edit]

Tartarus eventually arrived at Installation 05's Control Room with Miranda Keyes and 343 Guilty Spark, and began the firing sequence for Installation 05. However, the Chieftain was confronted by the Arbiter and Sergeant Johnson. The Arbiter attempted to convince Tartarus about the true purpose of the Halo Array but the Jiralhanae refused to listen, forcing Thel, Sergeant Johnson and a group of Sangheili to engage him while the firing sequence initiated. Tartarus was eventually slain and the firing sequence was aborted by Miranda Keyes, putting all remaining Halo installations into standby mode, readying them for a final activation from Installation 00.[14]

Anodyne Spirit[edit]

Five days after departing from High Charity, the Forerunner Dreadnought arrived in the Sol system,[15] along with the remaining Jiralhanae-held ships from the battle around High Charity. As the Dreadnought approached Earth John-117, who had stowed away as it left High Charity, informed Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood of his presence aboard the ship.[14] At some point during the Dreadnought's journey, the Spartan attempted to assassinate Truth, but he was unable to do so[16] and is forced to leave the Forerunner Dreadnought as it entered Earth's atmosphere, landing in the jungles of Tanzania, Africa.

The Flood and High Charity[edit]

The Flood gained full control of High Charity and the Gravemind took up residence in the fortress, turning the city into a massive Flood hive. Cortana, who was stranded in High Charity's computer systems, was questioned by the Gravemind who interrogated and tortured her.[17] This drove her to the point of rampancy, but she managed to send a message to Earth and hold onto an important secret.[13] Although the Forerunner Dreadnought decoupled from the city, the Flood managed to transport the High Charity to Installation 00 via slipspace during the Battle of the Citadel by using the city's backup reactors. The city crashed on to the surface, spreading Flood infection and adding chaos to the final battle of the Human-Covenant War.[18] After Truth's death, John-117 returned to the city to rescue Cortana, destroying the city by overloading its reactors, which caused it to go critical and detonate.[19]

Legacy[edit]

Many years after the destruction of High Charity, rumors about the fate of the holy city, and the possible survival of the Flood within the wreckage were dismissed by Voridus and other members of the Banished as old Covenant propaganda while making their way towards the ruins of the city to search for salvage to aid in their ongoing conflict against the forces of the UNSC Spirit of Fire on the Ark. Unfortunately for the Banished, the threat soon proved real, with surviving Flood from High Charity's wreckage pouring out after the Banished breached a section of the containment shield with a Scarab. After a brief struggle, Voridus and Pavium were able to destroy a proto-Gravemind moments away from it becoming a Gravemind and the installation's Sentinels soon arrived, once again quarantining any remaining Flood inside High Charity's remains.[20]

Gallery[edit]

  • The Flood-controlled In Amber Clad glides over High Charity on a deliberate collision course with the city below.

    The Flood-controlled In Amber Clad glides over High Charity on a deliberate collision course with the city below.

  • John-117 engages a Jiralhanae Captain in combat.

    John-117 engages a Jiralhanae Captain in combat.

  • Sangheili Minors under the attack of Yanme'e.

    Sangheili Minors under the attack of Yanme'e.

  • A Sangheili Honor Guardsman killing a Jiralhanae with an energy sword.

    A Sangheili Honor Guardsman killing a Jiralhanae with an energy sword.

  • Sangheili Rangers and Yanme'e battling in the Mid Tower.

    Sangheili Rangers and Yanme'e battling in the Mid Tower.

  • A berserking Jiralhanae charges into a panicking Unggoy Minor in one of High Charity's Hanging Gardens.

    A berserking Jiralhanae charges into a panicking Unggoy Minor in one of High Charity's Hanging Gardens.

  • Close quarters combat between Sangheili and Jiralhanae soldiers.

    Close quarters combat between Sangheili and Jiralhanae soldiers.

  • A Kig-Yar Sniper firing his particle beam rifle in one of High Charity's environmental modules.

    A Kig-Yar Sniper firing his particle beam rifle in one of High Charity's environmental modules.

  • Jiralhanae forces launch a plasma grenade volley at a Sangheili position.

    Jiralhanae forces launch a plasma grenade volley at a Sangheili position.

  • The Prophet of Mercy is killed by a Pod infector.

    The Prophet of Mercy is killed by a Pod infector.

  • Flood combat forms spill out onto High Charity from a crashed UNSC Pelican dropship.

    Flood combat forms spill out onto High Charity from a crashed UNSC Pelican dropship.

  • Covenant and Flood forces battling in an environmental module.

    Covenant and Flood forces battling in an environmental module.

  • Massive Flood tendrils spreading throughout High Charity as the city falls to the Flood.

    Massive Flood tendrils spreading throughout High Charity as the city falls to the Flood.

  • The Forerunner Dreadnought leaves High Charity while the ships from the defense fleet continue to engage in combat.

    The Forerunner Dreadnought leaves High Charity while the ships from the defense fleet continue to engage in combat.

  • John and Cortana discuss their options for destroying Halo and the Flood.

    John and Cortana discuss their options for destroying Halo and the Flood.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent
  2. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent, page 63 (Google Play edition)
  3. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Sacred Icon
  4. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Regret
  5. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Quarantine Zone
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo 2, campaign level Gravemind
  7. ^ a b c d e Halo: Shadow of Intent
  8. ^ a b c d Halo 2, campaign level High Charity
  9. ^ Halo: Divine Wind, chapter 7
  10. ^ Halo 2, Legendary Ending
  11. ^ Halo Legendary Crate, Data drop #8
  12. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 197
  13. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  14. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
  15. ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 01/23/09
  16. ^ Halo: Uprising
  17. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, Human Weakness
  18. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  19. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Cortana
  20. ^ Halo Wars 2, Awakening the Nightmare

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