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{{era|H2|H3|GOO}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{disambig header|UNSC naval commander and the daughter of [[Jacob Keyes]]|other uses|Keyes (disambiguation)}}
{{Human Character Infobox
{{Character infobox
|variant=Human
|name=Miranda Keyes
|name=Miranda Keyes
|image=[[Image:Miranda Keyes Halo 3.jpg|200px]]
|image=[[File:H2A - Miranda.png|300px]]
|homeworld=Earth
|homeworld=[[Reach]]{{Ref/Site|Id=WaypointHalsey|URL=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414084721/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/catherine-elizabeth-halsey|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Catherine Halsey|D=19|M=03|Y=2023}}{{Ref/Note|Id=Birthworld|Both [https://web.archive.org/web/20210305234934/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/miranda-keyes Halo Waypoint's] and ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''{{'}}s entries on Miranda Keyes list her homeworld as [[Luna]] rather than Reach. However, given that Dr. Halsey was based on Reach during her pregnancy and that Dr. Halsey's Halo Waypoint entry specifically states that Miranda was born on Reach and lived there with her mother until she moved in with her father, Jacob Keyes, on Luna at age six, this article assumes that the birthworld of Reach is correct and the instances of her homeworld being stated as Luna actually refer to the location where she spent much of her childhood.}}
|birth=Between 2522 and [[2532]]
|birth=[[2525|February 28, 2525]]{{Ref/Reuse|news}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P91|Enc22|Page=91}}
|death=[[2553]]
|death=[[2552#December|December 11, 2552]]<ref name="Fortitude">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/video/herofortitude/bfe5038b-314a-4f17-a6be-f7613e0e3788 '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Hero-Fortitude'']</ref>
|rank=[[Commander]]
|causeofdeath=Fatally shot by the [[Prophet of Truth]]
|gender=Female
|parents=*[[Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]]
|height=5'10"
*[[Scientist|Doctor]] [[Catherine Halsey]]
|weapons=*[[SMG|M7 Sub-Machine Gun]]
|siblings=
*[[M6G Pistol]]
|spouses=
*[[M90A Shotgun]]
|children=
|equipment=
|species=[[Human]]
|vehicles=*{{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}
|gender=Female<ref name="WaypointMirandaKeyes">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/miranda-keyes '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Miranda Keyes'']</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}
|height={{Convert|177.8|cm|ftin|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointMirandaKeyes}}{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Enc22P91}}
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican]]
|mass={{Convert|68.5|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointMirandaKeyes}}{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Enc22P91}}
|hair=Brown
|hair=Brown{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointMirandaKeyes}}
|eyes=Green
|eyes=Green{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointMirandaKeyes}}
|cyber=
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]] [[UNSC Navy|Navy]]
|era=
|rank=[[Commander]]<ref name="evg">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 107''</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Enc22P91}}
|types=
|sn=15972-19891-MK{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Enc22P91}}
|notable=Miranda Keyes is the daughter of [[Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]]
|notable=
|affiliation=[[UNSC]] [[UNSC Navy|Navy]]
|hideb=true
}}
}}
<center>''You may also be looking for her father, [[Jacob Keyes]] or the level [[Keyes (Level)|Keyes]].''</center>
{{Quote|Until we kill Truth, stop the Rings from firing... nothing else matters.|Miranda Keyes, during the [[Battle of Installation 00]]}}
{{Quote|Ma'am, squad leaders are requesting a rally point. Where should they go?| Communications Technician}}
{{Quote|To war.| Miranda Keyes, ''[[Halo 3]]'', [[Crow's Nest (Level)|"Crow's Nest"]] While loading her [[M6G]]}}


'''[[Commander]] Miranda Keyes''' was a [[United Nations Space Command]] officer, and the former commanding officer of both the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}. She was the daughter of the late [[Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]]. As of [[2552]], she held the rank of [[Commander]] in the [[UNSC Navy]].
'''Commander Miranda Keyes''',{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} born '''Miranda Halsey'''<ref name="name">'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''April 6, 2550'' ("''Initially, she likely joined the military to impress her father; after all, she had her name legally changed.''")</ref> ([[service number]] '''15972-19891-MK'''),{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} was the daughter of the late [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] and Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} Miranda quickly ascended through the ranks of the [[UNSC Navy]] and served as the [[commanding officer]] of both the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} as well as the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} during the final months of the [[Human-Covenant War]].
Β 
She was also the commander of the human [[Seventh Fleet|expedition force]] to [[Installation 00]] in [[2552#December|late 2552]], leading humanity in the final battle of the war.{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|H3}}{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Enc22P91}}


==Biography==
==Biography==
{{spoilers}}
===Early life and military career===
===Early Life===
[[File:Young Miranda.png|left|thumb|200px|Dr. Halsey's sketches of a young Miranda.]]
Miranda's early life is something of a mystery, as even the most basic yet most important details- such as the identity of her mother- remain unknown at this time. It can be safely assumed that she was born sometime between 2522 and [[2532]]. Miranda Keyes joined the [[UNSC Navy]] at a relatively early age and quickly rose through the officer ranks. Throughout her career, she was forced to confront accusations of nepotism from those who ascribed her rapid rise in rank to the position and influence of her father, [[Jacob Keyes]]. By the year [[2552]], Miranda Keyes had risen to the rank of [[Commander]], and commanded the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}, a part of the [[Home Fleet]]. She accepted her father's posthumous [[Colonial Cross]] on ''[[Cairo Station]]'' immediately before the [[First Battle of Earth]].
Miranda Halsey was born on [[2525#February|February 28, 2525]] on the planet [[Reach]] where her mother, [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Elizabeth Halsey]], lived and worked.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=WaypointHalsey}}{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Enc22P91}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|Birthworld}} Though Miranda occupied Catherine's every non-working thought,{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS22|HSS|Chapter=22}} there were many periods during her first year of life where her mother was absent. Barely a month after giving birth the doctor had left the [[Epsilon Eridani system]], bound for [[Lambda Serpentis system|Lambda Serpentis]] by March 30. The ship she had departed aboard, the {{UNSCShip|Atlas}}, was still patrolling that system by April 22.{{Ref/Novel|Id=TFoR7|TFoR|Chapter=7}} And even after she finally did return to Reach, it was not long before Miranda's mother found herself leaving once more for [[Sargasso]], this time in pursuit of [[Daisy-023|a runaway]] [[Spartan]] trainee.{{Ref/Film|Id=Home|HLeg|Episode=Homecoming}} Another distraction pulled her away later that year and though as of September 11 she had only just returned, she left the planet again the very next morning and didn't come back until November 2. Catherine had only a few days during which she could see her daughter after that, because [[Human-Covenant War|emerging circumstances]] outside of her control took her offworld for a final time that year on November 6. For several months in early [[2526]], Catherine would join the Spartans of [[Blue Team|Blue]], [[Gold Team|Gold]], and [[Green Team]]s on [[Operation: SILENT STORM]], once again leaving Miranda in the care of others.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS5|HSS|Chapter=5}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS27|HSS|Chapter=27}}
Β 
She lived with her mother on [[Reach]] until [[2531]] at the age of six, when she was sent to live with her father because her mother felt that she could not provide the care her daughter deserved. In the following years she changed her last name to Keyes.{{Ref/Reuse|name}} She would live in an apartment at [[Mare Insularum]] on [[Luna]], where her father taught at the [[Academy at Mare Nubium]], or Luna Officer Candidate School.<ref name="journal">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 36''</ref> Dr. Halsey attempted to dissuade Miranda from joining the UNSC military, to no avail.<ref name="apr 6">'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''April 6, 2550''</ref> Miranda was accepted to the Academy's pre-enlistment training at age 16, being the second-youngest to ever have attended the school. After graduating with honors, she immediately requested assignment to active duty.<ref name="news">'''[[Halo: Reach Limited Edition]]''', ''[[Intersystem News]], LCDR Miranda Keyes Awarded Silver Star''</ref>
Β 
[[File:Miranda with Father.png|thumb|200px|A sketch from Halsey's journal depicting Miranda with her father.]]
She was assigned to the {{UNSCShip|Hilbert}}, an older, unarmed science vessel patrolling the outer reaches of UNSC-controlled space. This was due to her mother's influence, who wanted to keep Miranda out of harm's way.{{Ref/Reuse|apr 6}} Despite this, the ship was used by Keyes to play a critical role in the [[Battle of Gamma Pavonis VII]], ramming the ''Hilbert'' into a [[Covenant destroyer]]. Keyes was one of two of the ship's crew to make it to the escape pods. In the following years, Keyes spent most of her time in the front lines, playing a crucial advisory role in the coordination of several major offensive strikes against Covenant targets. This proved invaluable to her as she quickly rose through the ranks of the UNSC. Throughout her career, she was forced to confront accusations of nepotism from those who ascribed her rapid rise in rank to the position and influence of her father, Jacob Keyes.{{Ref/Reuse|news}}


===The First Battle of Earth===
Throughout her life, Miranda harbored a resentment for her estranged mother, and she stopped answering Halsey's letters at one point after having her name changed.{{Ref/Reuse|news}} At some point while she was a Midshipman, she sent her mother a message, stating that she was somewhat aware of what Dr. Halsey [[SPARTAN-II program|had done]]. She promised to keep who her mother was a secret, simply because she didn't want her father associated with what she had done. She ended the message promising to make sure she would take after him.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 186''</ref> A rare exception to her silence was when she invited her mother to her promotion ceremony, although Halsey did not come.{{Ref/Reuse|apr 6}} According to AI [[Black-Box]], Miranda kept a journal [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|like Halsey did]], and wondered how Dr. Halsey would feel if she read it.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 148''</ref>
At the start of the [[First Battle of Earth]], Miranda's vessel was docked at Cairo Station, so that she could receive her father's honors. During the awards ceremony, the station was attacked and boarded.Β  Miranda fought her way to her ship with the help of [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]], [[Marcus Banks]], several other marines and [[SPARTAN-117]], the latter of whom also repulsed Covenant boarders along the way. As the Covenant armada began the invasion of Earth, she took the ''In Amber Clad'' down to [[New Mombasa]], where she dispatched multiple [[Pelican]] dropships with [[Marines]] to join the massive battle with the [[Covenant]] in progress there.


During the battle, the ''[[In Amber Clad]]'' was the only vessel close enough to follow the High [[Prophet of Regret]] when his [[Assault Carrier]] entered [[Slipspace]] inside the city. The resulting shockwave of the in-atmosphere Slipspace jump caused a massive cataclysm, and a large portion of the city was destroyed.
In [[2550#April|April 2550]], Miranda was promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant Commander]] in a promotion ceremony at downtown [[Quezon]] on [[Reach]]. [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] also personally awarded her the [[Silver Star]], and it was announced that she would assume command of the {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}} {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}. Immediately following the ceremony, Keyes was deployed back to active duty, having been able to postpone a mandatory leave required for those receiving high-ranking promotions.{{Ref/Reuse|news}}


[[Image:KeyesMiranda.jpg|thumb|300px| Miranda Keyes at the controls of the UNSC ''In Amber Clad'' during the First Battle of Earth.]]
In [[2552]], she accepted her father's posthumous [[Colonial Cross]] on ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'' immediately before the [[Battle of Earth]]. At this time, she was assigned to the Medii Battle Group of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} By this point she had achieved the rank of [[Commander]] at a young age.
{{Clear}}
Β 
===Battle for Earth===
[[File:H2A-KeyesMedal.jpg|thumb|300px|Commander Keyes receiving her father's posthumous Colonial Cross from Fleet Admiral Hood.]]
{{Main|Battle for Earth}}
At the start of the Battle of Earth, Miranda's vessel was docked at ''Cairo Station'', so that she could receive her father's honors. During the awards ceremony, the station was attacked and boarded. Miranda fought her way to her ship with the help of [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]], several [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] and the [[John-117|Master Chief]], the latter of whom also repelled [[Covenant]] boarders along the way.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station]]''</ref> As the Covenant armada began the invasion of Earth, she took ''In Amber Clad'' down to [[New Mombasa]], where she dispatched multiple [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican]] dropships with Marines to join the massive battle with the Covenant in progress there.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref>
Β 
During the battle, ''In Amber Clad'' was one of the only vessels close enough to follow the High [[Prophet of Regret]] when his [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]], ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' entered [[slipspace]] inside the city.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref><ref name="follow">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 185''</ref>{{clear}}


===Delta Halo===
===Delta Halo===
The ''In Amber Clad'' piggy-backed the [[Prophet of Regret|Prophet of Regrets]]Β  Assault Carrier through Slipspace and ended up at [[Installation 05]]. There, she sent a [[platoon]] of [[ODST]]s to assist the [[Master Chief]] in his pursuit of the Prophet of Regret. Once she learned of the
{{Main|Battle of Installation 05}}
[[Prophet of Regret|Prophet of Regret's]] plan to activate [[Halo]], she ordered the [[Master Chief]] to eliminate him.
{{quote|So, this is what my father found...|Miranda upon seeing Delta Halo}}


Meanwhile, [[Commander Keyes]] and [[Sergeant Major Johnson]] went to the [[Library]] of Halo, accompanied by most of the standard Marines of the ship. They attempted to retrieve the [[Index]], and, although Keyes was successful, most of the Marines were killed or infected by the Flood. After a brief fight with the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]], Keyes and Johnson were captured by [[Tartarus]] and his band of [[Jiralhanae]]. The Jiralhanae then took [[Keyes]] and [[Johnson]] to [[High Charity]], where they met the [[High Prophets|High Prophets of Truth and Mercy]]. They were then taken aboard separate Phantom drop ships before the Master Chief could rescue them.
[[File:H2A - In Amber Clad bridge.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Commander Keyes commanding her ship.]]
The ''In Amber Clad'' "piggy-backed" the Prophet of Regret's assault carrier through slipspace and ended up at [[Installation 05]] in the [[Coelest system]]. Unable to engage the assault carrier by herself, she sent a [[platoon]] of [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s to assist the Master Chief in his pursuit of the Prophet of Regret in order to capture or kill him.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo]]''</ref> Once she learned of the Prophet of Regret's plan to activate Delta Halo, she ordered the Master Chief to assassinate him. Miranda sent orders for Johnson and his Marines to get the [[Activation Index]] before the Covenant could.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref>


Keyes was taken to the Control Room of [[Installation 05]] because she had been designated as a Reclaimer by [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]]. Tartarus used her to activate the Installation, when [[Arbiter|the Arbiter]] and Johnson arrived and killed Tartarus. At that moment, she retrieved the [[Index]] and stopped the Halo from firing. When she questioned [[343 Guilty Spark]] about the [[Halos]], [[343 Guilty Spark]] told her about the [[Installation 00|Ark]].
[[File:H2A-Miranda.jpg|thumb|300px|Miranda reaching for the Activation Index.]]
Later, Keyes and Johnson went to the [[Library]] of the installation, accompanied by most of the standard Marines of the ship. They attempted to retrieve the Index, and, although Keyes was successful, most of the Marines were killed or infected by the [[Flood]] that were infecting the installation. Once Keyes and Johnson had the Index, they were ambushed by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadamee]]. Johnson was knocked out, but Keyes was able to take down Arbiter's shields by wielding [[M7 SMG]] before also being knocked unconscious by [[Tartarus]]' [[Fist of Rukt]]. Seconds later, Keyes and Johnson were taken from the Arbiter by Tartarus and his band of [[Jiralhanae]]. The Jiralhanae then took Keyes and Johnson to ''[[High Charity]]'', where they met the remaining [[Hierarchs|High Prophet]]s of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]]. They were then taken aboard separate [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Type-52 Phantom dropships]] and were transported to Delta Halo's surface to aid in the activation of the installation.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref>


===Defending Earth===
Keyes was taken to the [[Control Room]] of [[Installation 05]] because she had been designated as a [[Reclaimer]] by [[343 Guilty Spark]]. Tartarus then used her to begin the Installation's activation sequence. Shortly afterward Thel 'Vadamee and Johnson arrived, and the three of them were able to kill Tartarus. At that moment, she retrieved the Index and stopped the Halo from firing. However, Spark revealed that the shutdown activated a failsafe system; the rest of the Halos were set to standby mode, and could only be activated remotely from what Spark informed them was [[Installation 00|"The Ark"]]. After the Arbiter asked him its location, Spark gave them coordinates to [[Earth]].<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''page 197''</ref><ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>
From Delta Halo, Commander Keyes eventually returned to [[Earth]], where she is first seen in command of the [[UNSC]] base [[Crow's Nest (Base)|Crow's Nest]]. She, along with most of the other base personnel, were able to evacuate the base after it came under heavy [[Covenant]] attack. As the base was overrun with Loyalist forces, the large explosive device that Keyes ordered left behind was detonated by the [[Master Chief]], destroying a large portion of the attacking Covenant. Miranda then took an active role as the commander of the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, Lord Hood's personal flagship.Β  After the [[Prophet of Truth]] succeeded in opening the [[Portal]] outside [[Voi]], Miranda was permitted by [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Hood]] to follow the [[Covenant Loyalist]] forces through the portal.


===The Ark===
The release of the Flood from the ring, however, would put their plans to get to Earth on hold. The new allies would rendezvous with the Arbiter's comrade, [[Rtas 'Vadumee]], now shipmaster of the recently captured [[assault carrier]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', flagship of the [[Covenant separatists|separatists']] fledgling [[Fleet of Retribution]].<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Shadow of Intent'']</ref> Together, they formulated a plan for sterilization and quarantine. Spark remained with the fleet to coordinate containment efforts while Keyes, Johnson and the Arbiter raced back to Earth aboard one of the fleet's vessels to warn humanity and to locate the Ark.{{Ref/Marketing|Id=LongRoad|Halo Waypoint|The Long Road Home}}<ref name="lootcrate2">'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]''</ref>


[[Image:Halo3 E3 TRAILER 2007 720p30 ST 6300Kbps 005 0001.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Miranda Keyes moments before her eventual death at the hands of Truth]]
===Return to Earth===
Keyes, captaining ''Forward Unto Dawn'', then traveled with [[Rtas 'Vadum]] and the [[Covenant Separatist |Separatist]] fleet to [[Installation 00]]. During the events of the [[Battle of Installation 00]], she landed numerous troops and large quantities of weaponry and armor on [[The Ark]], largely to supplement [[John-117]]'s offensive in search of the Cartographer. When [[John-117]] located [[Truth]] at [[The Ark]]'s control room, she dispatched several [[Pelican Dropships]] to deactivate the shield protecting the control room. When [[Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]] was captured by Truth's forces in the course of this battle, Keyes, attempting to free Johnson, crashed her Pelican at [[Truth]]'s position. She exited her Pelican with an [[M90 Shotgun]], killing one and fatally wounded several others, but ultimately found herself outnumbered. Johnson requested that she kill them both in order to halt [[Truth]]'s plans. Keyes, unwilling to harm Johnson, hesitated. As she paused, the [[Prophet of Truth]] shot her in the back several times with a [[Spiker]], fatally severing her spine. Her body was subsequently rescued from [[Flood]] infection by Johnson, who carried her into the Pelican which he used to escape [[The Ark]]'s control room. It is likely that her body was taken back to [[Earth]], and buried there. Her face is later seen in a photograph on the Memorial to the Fallen on a hillside overlooking [[The Ark]]s Portal, near the photograph of Avery Johnson and the service number of [[Master Chief]] John-117.
{{Main|Battle of Kenya}}
{{Quote|no=two|q1=Now, the Prophet of Truth is looking for something called 'The Ark', where he'll be able to fire all the Halo Rings. If he succeeds, Humanity, The Covenant, every sentient being in the Galaxy...|Miranda|q2=The rings will kill us all.|John-117|Miranda debriefs Chief.}}
[[File:Crow's Nest - Reunion.png|left|thumb|250px|Commander Keyes with Thel 'Vadam, Avery Johnson and the newly retrieved John-117.]]
Upon their return to Earth around November 15, 2552, Keyes took up command at the [[military base|base]] [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]] outside of the town of [[Voi]], near the location of the [[Portal at Voi|supposed Ark]], undergoing excavation.<ref name="lootcrate2"/><ref name="ReferenceA">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest]]''</ref> Truth's [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] arrived two days later, landing directly on the artifact while John-117, who had secretly stowed away during its departure from ''High Charity'', bailed out into the [[Tanzania]]n jungle. Johnson and the Arbiter [[Recovery of John-117|recovered]] the Chief and extracted him back to Crow's Nest, where Keyes detailed her plan to have the Spartan lead an effort to neutralize one of the [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|AA batteries]] defending the excavation site in order to allow [[Battle Group Victory|Lord Hood's ships]] to attack the Dreadnought. However, the base suddenly came under [[Attack on Crow's Nest|heavy Covenant attack]] and as it was overrun, Keyes and the command staff evacuated the wounded Marines and escaped on the last Pelican. A [[Improvised UNSC bomb|large explosive device]] that Keyes ordered left behind was detonated by the Master Chief, destroying a large portion of the attacking Covenant and most of the base itself.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Tsavo Highway]]''</ref> Keyes supported the [[Assault on the Tsavo Highway|offensive towards]] [[Voi]] from Pelican [[Kilo 23]], from which she dropped off supplies for the Master Chief.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>


Due to her actions during the final months of the [[Human-Covenant War]], she was posthumously awarded with the [[Medal of Honor]], the highest award a [[UNSC]] serviceman can receive. <ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Epilogue]]''</ref>
[[File:H3-KeyesCommanding.jpg|250px|thumb|Keyes leading the last of humanity's forces during the end of the war.]]
While [[Battle of Voi|pushing into]] the main town of Voi in an attempt to stop the [[Prophet of Truth]] from activating the now fully uncovered "Ark", Keyes spotted [[Indulgence of Conviction|a single Covenant battlecruiser]] coming towards Earth. However, Hood decided to ignore it, stating that they would not have another shot at stopping Truth. After Truth succeeded in opening and retreating through [[the Portal]] outside Voi, the battlecruiser that Keyes had spotted was revealed to be infected by the [[Flood]]. It crash-landed near the Portal and the Flood began to spread throughout Voi.<ref>'''Halo 3''', ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> Keyes came up with a plan to overload the battlecruiser's engine core to destroy the city and the Flood. Keyes was contacted by the Sangheili of the newly arrived [[Fleet of Retribution]] and informed that [[Cortana]] was seemingly aboard the cruiser. The Master Chief found the small data unit seemingly holding Cortana, but it was simply a damaged [[hologram|holographic]] message. As the Sangheili began to partially glass Voi to destroy the Flood, John-117, Keyes, Johnson, Hood, the Arbiter, [[Rtas 'Vadum]], and [[343 Guilty Spark]] met aboard the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' to discuss the current situation. After Guilty Spark repaired the [[Covenant storage device|Covenant storage unit]], Cortana's damaged message implied that the solution to the Flood was through the Portal. At Keyes' insistence, Hood allowed her to go through the Portal, donating his personal flagship, the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, to aid the Fleet of Retribution in the expedition.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>


{{Spoiler End}}
===Battle of Installation 00===
==Gameplay==
{{Main|Operation: BLIND FAITH}}
In-game, Keyes appears as a [[non-playable character]] and is invulnerable to damage. When meleed, she won't bleed, she'll only bleed when shot at or when caught in a [[grenade]] explosion. If you do either of the aforementioned for a period of time in the [[Halo 2]] level [[Cairo Station]] she will moan. If you shoot her for some time or [[melee]] her in [[Halo 3]] she will scream.
{{quote|We have priorities, too. Until we kill Truth, stop the Rings from firing... nothing else matters.|Miranda underlining the importance of their mission.}}
<br clear="all">
Keyes and the rest of the expedition force arrived at the real Ark--[[Installation 00]]β€”on [[2552#December|December 11]].{{Ref/Reuse|Fortitude}} Although the ''Dawn'' was unable to best [[Truth's fleet]] in direct combat, Miranda was able to fend them off long enough to reach the Ark. During the [[Battle of Installation 00]], she landed troops and large quantities of weaponry and armor on the Ark, largely to supplement John-117's search for the [[Cartographer]] facility. Throughout the battle, she worked with Guilty Spark and 'Vadum to fight off the Covenant forces. Although Guilty Spark wished to find terminals near the core of the installation to aid in the repair of Cortana's storage unit to find the solution to the Flood, Keyes and 'Vadam agreed to focus on eliminating the Prophet of Truth to prevent the firing of the [[Halo Array]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref>
Β 
When John-117 located Truth at the Ark's [[Installation 00 Citadel|control room]], she dispatched several Pelican dropships to deactivate the shield protecting the Citadel. During the process, Keyes lost contact with Johnson and his Marines due to their capture by Jiralhanae forces. Though the UNSC and the separatist forces were able to deactivate the shield, the battle was interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Flood-infested ''[[High Charity]]''. The ''Shadow of Intent'' suffered heavy damage upon the Flood's arrival, and was unable to open fire on the Citadel. Guilty Spark tried to convince the group to contain the Flood outbreak before it could spread, but Keyes insisted that stopping Truth was more important. Having no effective way to destroy the Citadel from above, Miranda ordered John-117 and the Arbiter to storm the tower and stop Truth.<ref name="covenant">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>
Β 
===Death and legacy===
[[File:Keyes last stand.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Miranda Keyes moments before her death at the hands of the Prophet of Truth.]]
Realizing that John and Thel 'Vadam would never get there in time to stop Truth, Keyes decided to stall Truth herself. She crashed her Pelican into Truth's position, intending to stop the Array's firing and rescue Sergeant Johnson, who had been captured by Truth's forces. She exited her Pelican with an [[M90 shotgun|M90A shotgun]] and an [[M6G magnum]]. She was able to kill two Jiralhanae, and wounded (some fatally) several others but ultimately found herself outnumbered. Johnson demanded that she kill them both in order to halt Truth's plans. Keyes, unwilling to harm Johnson, hesitated. As she paused, the Prophet of Truth shot her in the back with a [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker]], killing her.{{Ref/Reuse|covenant}}
Β 
[[File:H3 Miranda Keyes Death.png|250px|thumb|Miranda Keyes surprised after being shot in her spine as her life quickly fades.]]
Her death greatly disheartened and demoralized Johnson and he didn't resist when Truth used him to activate the Ark. Truth viewed Miranda's unwillingness to kill Johnson as proof that humans were weak and unable to set aside their compassion, which was why the Forerunners had left them behind. After the Master Chief and the Arbiter stopped Truth, Keyes' body was subsequently rescued from Flood infection by Johnson, who carried her into the Pelican which he used to escape the Ark's control room.{{Ref/Reuse|covenant}} It is likely that her body was taken back to Earth, and buried there.
Β 
Her face is later seen in a photograph on the [[Voi Memorial|Memorial]] to the fallen on a hillside overlooking the Portal to the Ark, near the photograph of Avery Johnson and the service number of Master Chief John-117. Due to her actions during the final months of the [[Human-Covenant War]], she was posthumously awarded the [[UNSC Legion of Honor]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', ''[[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Epilogue]]''</ref> Catherine Halsey, despite having been estranged from her daughter, mourned Miranda's death and often cried in her sleep, whispering Miranda's name to herself.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''', ''page 267''</ref>
{{clear}}


===Easter Eggs===
==Personality and traits==
[[File:H2A-KeyesWithSMG2.jpg|thumb|250px|Keyes with an [[M7 SMG]].]]
Like her father, Miranda Keyes was known for being one of the bravest officers in the UNSC. This was demonstrated by her decision to follow Regret's [[flagship]], ''[[Solemn Penance]]'', into slipspace during the Battle of Mombasa, when she crashed the {{UNSCShip|Hilbert}} into the Covenant destroyer over [[Gamma Pavonis VII]], and leading the [[Battle of Installation 00|final battle of the war]], when she crashed her Pelican through the Citadel's window in a last-ditch effort to rescue Avery Johnson moments before her death.


In Halo 3 at the beginning of the 3rd level follow her around in theater mode andΒ  [[Image:Miranda cheek.JPG|thumb|250px|Miranda Keyes' left cheek with the number seven engraved.]]after about 1 minute she will go either left or right. If she goes right under the big screen follow her and keep zoomed in on her face.Β  After 1 minute and 55 seconds give or take she will look at you and say " Got a little something special for you Chief ". You will then hear a kiss sound.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfbB8dNOOHg/</ref>
Due to her unexpected move to follow Regret's ship into slipspace, she was described by [[Commander (UNSC)|Commander]] [[Richard Lash]] as "the ballsiest officer in the Fleet". He further suggested that she may have been trying to live up to the reputation of her father or that she was simply "nuts".{{Ref/Reuse|follow}}


On Miranda Keyes' left cheek there is the number [[seven]] engraved.
Although she and her [[Jacob Keyes|father]] were not particularly close, Miranda identified with him more than she did with her [[Catherine Halsey|mother]]. This is suggested by her decision to take up her father's surname after being raised by her mother. As a child, Miranda was often curious and excited about her father's assignments.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 23''</ref> While her father was serving in the [[Outer Colonies]], Miranda would often learn about naval tactics by herself for her own enjoyment. Even at a young age, she did not require much affection from Jacob, though she did enjoy walking down [[Armstrong Alley]] with him to admire the scenery.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 357''</ref>
This can be seen on the final cutscene before the credits, the opening Delta Halo cutscene, when you meet her and [[Johnson]] on the [[Cairo Station]] and the ending Quarantine Zone cutscene in [[Halo 2]]. Due to the size of the number, it is very hard to see. It can also be found in Halo 3. Using the theater is the best way, at the beginning of [[Crow's Nest (Level)|Crows Nest]].


To kill Miranda Keyes in [[Halo 2]], enter the campaign on [[easy]] difficulty, preferably with a second player and play the level [[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]. During the last part of the level in which you fight [[Tartarus]], jump to the platform where she is standing with [[343 Guilty Spark]] and keep throwing [[plasma grenades]] at her until she jumps onto the center platform (if you run out of [[plasma grenade]]s, have one player fall to their death and they will respawn with 2 grenades) where Tartarus is. Tartarus will attack Commander Keyes, ignoring all other enemies. Tartarus's should attack Commander Keyes until she falls off of the edge of the platform from which she will not respawn.
==Gameplay==
In-game, Keyes appears as a [[non-playable character]] and is invulnerable to damage. When [[melee]]d, she will not bleed, instead only bleeding when shot at or when caught in a [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|grenade]] explosion. If either of the aforementioned is done for a period of time in the ''[[Halo 2]]'' level Cairo Station she will moan. If shot at for some time or meleed in ''[[Halo 3]]'' she will scream hysterically.
{{clear}}
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
{{Notice/Silver|category=no}}
===Silver Timeline===
{{Main|Miranda Keyes/Silver}}
'''Doctor Miranda Keyes''' is a UNSC Navy Commander in charge of studying the Covenant language and technology.{{Ref/Site|Id=halseycomputer|URL=https://halotheseries.tv/|Site=Halo: The Series|Page=Dr. Catherine Halsey's Computer|D=25|M=3|Y=2022|LocalArchive=Dr. Catherine Halsey's Computer}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Her name could be a [[7]] Reference: [[7]] letters in her name.
{{Linkbox|quote=yes|gallery=yes}}
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', she is portrayed by [[Justis Bolding]], instead of [[Julie Benz]], because [[Bungie]] wanted somebody with an accent.<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting=%7B586AE81D-35CC-4DE1-AAD8-920B33FDDDFC%7D Dexter's No. 1 Gal β€” Julie Benz β€” Previews a Killer Finale] Friday, December 15, 2006 <br />'''''TVGuide.com:''' Are you all done with your voice work for the Halo 3 video game?<br /><br />
*Miranda Keyes was voiced by [[Julie Benz]] in ''Halo 2''. In ''Halo 3'', she was portrayed by [[Justis Bolding]] instead, allegedly because [[Bungie]] wanted Keyes to have a distinct accent.<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting=%7B586AE81D-35CC-4DE1-AAD8-920B33FDDDFC%7D Dexter's No. 1 Gal β€” Julie Benz β€” Previews a Killer Finale] Friday, December 15, 2006 <br />'''''TVGuide.com:''' Are you all done with your voice work for the ''Halo 3'' video game?''
'''Julie Benz:''' You know what? I am actually not a part of [[Halo 3]]. I was informed a couple of weeks ago that they are actually changing the voice of Commander Miranda Keyes, and giving her an accent.''</ref>
'''''Julie Benz:''' You know what? I am actually not a part of ''Halo 3''. I was informed a couple of weeks ago that they are actually changing the voice of Commander Miranda Keyes, and giving her an accent.''</ref> However, Keyes' voice in ''Halo 3'' has no discernible accent. In ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', Keyes' facial appearance is modeled after actress {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2298278/ Courtney Munch]}}, who also provides the motion capture for her remastered animations.<ref>'''[[Remaking the Legend]]'''</ref>
*Miranda's preferred sidearm is a [[Pistol]], which is clipped to her side by magnetic plates woven into her standard-issue [[UNSC Navy]] fatigues.
*Keyes would have had a larger role and a full introduction in the deleted ''Halo 2'' level [[Covenant Ship]], in which Keyes and a group of [[ODST]]s would have been aboard a Covenant [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]] alongside [[John-117]]. Additionally, one of [[Jason Jones]]' original central ideas for ''Halo 2'' was that Miranda would betray the UNSC by forming a deal with the [[San'Shyuum]] of the Covenant, as she believed that the UNSC was responsible for [[Jacob Keyes|her father]]'s death. In order to get revenge against John, whom she believed [[Keyes|directly killed]] her father aboard ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'', Keyes would have strapped a bomb to the Master Chief's armor.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBi_xx26ClM '''YouTube''': ''Halo 2: Developer Commentary Playthrough (2007)'']</ref> Although Jones was highly insistent about including this particular plot point, [[Joseph Staten]] was not fond of the idea and "just couldn't figure out how to make [it] work".<ref>[https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/the-complete-untold-history-of-halo-an-oral-history '''Vice.com''': ''The Complete, Untold History of Halo'']</ref>
*Hackers have found a [[Dialogue Placeholders|Dialogue Placeholder]] for Miranda Keyes' quote "Thanks Chief, I owe you one". The Dialogue Placeholder reads "Thanks Chief, I owe you one. Take me now!".
*Notably, Keyes was born seventeen days after the Human-Covenant War began and died during its last major battle.
*The number of spikes that killed Miranda were [[7]]. Possibly another [[Bungie]] [[7]] reference.
*In both ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', she has the number [[seven]] engraved on her cheek.
*In [[Halo 2]] Miranda has a Silver Oak leaf (meaning [[Commander]]), but in [[Halo 3]] she has a Gold Oak leaf (meaning [[Lieutenant Commander]]). This could mean she was demoted or the ranking system has changed.
*In ''Halo 2'', Keyes' uniform collar bears the silver oak leaf of a commander and she is addressed as "Commander" in a formal setting. In ''Halo 3'', her uniform's collar has the golden oak leaf of a lieutenant commander, though its shoulder boards and sleeve ends bear the three full bars of a commander rather than the two full bars and one thinner bar of a lieutenant commander. ''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' confirms that she held the rank of commander at the time of her death.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}
*She was the final human casualty in the [[Human-Covenant War]].
*The ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'' mistakenly claims that Keyes was killed by a Brute Honor Guardsman, though she was actually killed by the Prophet of Truth.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 73''</ref>
*In gameplay[[Commander Keyes]] is invinciblr, unlike [[Sergeant Johnson]] and the [[Arbiter]], who will go "unconscious" instead of dying before waking up again.
Β 
*When you melee Miranda, she occasionally gives out a very high-pitched scream.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2-CmdrMirandaKeyes-FullBody.png|Full-body portrait of Miranda Keyes in UNSC Navy dress uniform in ''Halo 2''.
File:KeyesJohnson.png|Miranda aboard the Cairo, attempting to get back aboard the In Amber Clad.
File:KeyesMiranda.jpg|Commander Keyes at the controls of the UNSC ''In Amber Clad'' during the Battle of Earth.
File:KeyesFamily.png|Art of Miranda Keyes in ''The Art of Halo 3'', and art of her [[Jacob Keyes|father]] from ''Halo Mythos''.
File:H3-Concept-CmdrMirandaKeyes-02.jpg|More concept art of Commander Keyes in uniform in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Commander Miranda Keyes.png|Miranda Keyes in ''Halo 3''.
File:UNSC navy officer uniform.png|Full-body portrait of Miranda Keyes in her UNSC Navy dress uniform in ''Halo 3''.
File:Crow's Nest - Demon.png|Miranda Keyes with Thel 'Vadam and John-117, watching Truth's broadcast before the Covenant infiltration of Crow's Nest.
File:Miranda -Origins.png|Miranda Keyes as seen in ''[[Halo Legends]]{{'}}'' ''[[Origins]]''.
File:Miranda Memory.jpg|Jacob Keyes' final memory of Miranda before he was fully assimilated by the [[proto-Gravemind]] in a ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' terminal.
File:H2A-MirandaDressUniform.jpg|Keyes wearing her dress uniform in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A-InGameMirandaKeyes.jpg|Keyes leaving the Cairo Station to board her Frigate
File:H2A - Tartarus capturing Keyes.jpg|Tartarus captures Miranda, taking the Index of Installation 05.
File:H2ainambercladcrash.png|Miranda observing the ''In Amber Clad'' crash site.
File:H2A - Tartarus with Keyes and Spark.jpg|Tartarus takes Miranda to the Control Room.
File:H2A-Tartarus&Co.jpg|Miranda being held captive by Tartarus.
File:H2A - GuiltyJohnsonMiranda.png|Miranda with 343 Guilty Spark and Johnson looking at a readout of the primed [[Halo Array]] in [[Installation 05]]'s [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]].
File:Enc22_MirandaKeyes.jpg|Miranda Keyes in the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''.
</gallery>
Β 
==List of appearances==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach#2010 bonus content|Adjunct]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
**''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{C|Photo only}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
{{col-end}}


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


==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}


[[Category:UNSC Naval Personnel]]
[[Category:Human characters|Keyes, Miranda]]
[[Category: Humans (Characters)|Keyes]]
[[Category:UNSC Navy officers|Keyes, Miranda]]
[[Category: Characters]]

Latest revision as of 05:02, July 29, 2024

This article is about UNSC naval commander and the daughter of Jacob Keyes. For other uses, see Keyes (disambiguation).
Miranda Keyes
Miranda Keyes in Halo 2: Anniversary.
Biographical information

Homeworld:

Reach[1][Note 1]

Born:

February 28, 2525[2][3]

Died:

December 11, 2552[4] (aged 27)

Cause of death:

Fatally shot by the Prophet of Truth

Parents:

Personal details

Species:

Human

Gender:

Female[5]

Height:

177.8 centimeters (5 ft 10.0 in)[5][3]

Weight:

68.5 kilograms (151 lb)[5][3]

Hair color:

Brown[5]

Eye color:

Green[5]

Political and military information

Affiliation:

United Nations Space Command Navy

Rank:

Commander[6][3]

Service number:

15972-19891-MK[6][3]

 

"Until we kill Truth, stop the Rings from firing... nothing else matters."
— Miranda Keyes, during the Battle of Installation 00

Commander Miranda Keyes,[6] born Miranda Halsey[7] (service number 15972-19891-MK),[6] was the daughter of the late Captain Jacob Keyes and Doctor Catherine Halsey.[6] Miranda quickly ascended through the ranks of the UNSC Navy and served as the commanding officer of both the UNSC In Amber Clad as well as the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn during the final months of the Human-Covenant War.

She was also the commander of the human expedition force to Installation 00 in late 2552, leading humanity in the final battle of the war.[8][3]

Biography[edit]

Early life and military career[edit]

Dr. Halsey's sketches of a young Miranda.

Miranda Halsey was born on February 28, 2525 on the planet Reach where her mother, Doctor Catherine Elizabeth Halsey, lived and worked.[1][3][Note 1] Though Miranda occupied Catherine's every non-working thought,[9] there were many periods during her first year of life where her mother was absent. Barely a month after giving birth the doctor had left the Epsilon Eridani system, bound for Lambda Serpentis by March 30. The ship she had departed aboard, the UNSC Atlas, was still patrolling that system by April 22.[10] And even after she finally did return to Reach, it was not long before Miranda's mother found herself leaving once more for Sargasso, this time in pursuit of a runaway Spartan trainee.[11] Another distraction pulled her away later that year and though as of September 11 she had only just returned, she left the planet again the very next morning and didn't come back until November 2. Catherine had only a few days during which she could see her daughter after that, because emerging circumstances outside of her control took her offworld for a final time that year on November 6. For several months in early 2526, Catherine would join the Spartans of Blue, Gold, and Green Teams on Operation: SILENT STORM, once again leaving Miranda in the care of others.[12][13]

She lived with her mother on Reach until 2531 at the age of six, when she was sent to live with her father because her mother felt that she could not provide the care her daughter deserved. In the following years she changed her last name to Keyes.[7] She would live in an apartment at Mare Insularum on Luna, where her father taught at the Academy at Mare Nubium, or Luna Officer Candidate School.[14][15] Dr. Halsey attempted to dissuade Miranda from joining the UNSC military, to no avail.[16] Miranda was accepted to the Academy's pre-enlistment training at age 16, being the second-youngest to ever have attended the school. After graduating with honors, she immediately requested assignment to active duty.[2]

A sketch from Halsey's journal depicting Miranda with her father.

She was assigned to the UNSC Hilbert, an older, unarmed science vessel patrolling the outer reaches of UNSC-controlled space. This was due to her mother's influence, who wanted to keep Miranda out of harm's way.[16] Despite this, the ship was used by Keyes to play a critical role in the Battle of Gamma Pavonis VII, ramming the Hilbert into a Covenant destroyer. Keyes was one of two of the ship's crew to make it to the escape pods. In the following years, Keyes spent most of her time in the front lines, playing a crucial advisory role in the coordination of several major offensive strikes against Covenant targets. This proved invaluable to her as she quickly rose through the ranks of the UNSC. Throughout her career, she was forced to confront accusations of nepotism from those who ascribed her rapid rise in rank to the position and influence of her father, Jacob Keyes.[2]

Throughout her life, Miranda harbored a resentment for her estranged mother, and she stopped answering Halsey's letters at one point after having her name changed.[2] At some point while she was a Midshipman, she sent her mother a message, stating that she was somewhat aware of what Dr. Halsey had done. She promised to keep who her mother was a secret, simply because she didn't want her father associated with what she had done. She ended the message promising to make sure she would take after him.[17] A rare exception to her silence was when she invited her mother to her promotion ceremony, although Halsey did not come.[16] According to AI Black-Box, Miranda kept a journal like Halsey did, and wondered how Dr. Halsey would feel if she read it.[18]

In April 2550, Miranda was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in a promotion ceremony at downtown Quezon on Reach. Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood also personally awarded her the Silver Star, and it was announced that she would assume command of the Stalwart-class light frigate UNSC In Amber Clad. Immediately following the ceremony, Keyes was deployed back to active duty, having been able to postpone a mandatory leave required for those receiving high-ranking promotions.[2]

In 2552, she accepted her father's posthumous Colonial Cross on Cairo Station immediately before the Battle of Earth. At this time, she was assigned to the Medii Battle Group of the UNSC Home Fleet.[6] By this point she had achieved the rank of Commander at a young age.

Battle for Earth[edit]

Commander Keyes receiving her father's posthumous Colonial Cross from Fleet Admiral Hood.
Main article: Battle for Earth

At the start of the Battle of Earth, Miranda's vessel was docked at Cairo Station, so that she could receive her father's honors. During the awards ceremony, the station was attacked and boarded. Miranda fought her way to her ship with the help of Sergeant Major Avery Johnson, several Marines and the Master Chief, the latter of whom also repelled Covenant boarders along the way.[19] As the Covenant armada began the invasion of Earth, she took In Amber Clad down to New Mombasa, where she dispatched multiple Pelican dropships with Marines to join the massive battle with the Covenant in progress there.[20]

During the battle, In Amber Clad was one of the only vessels close enough to follow the High Prophet of Regret when his assault carrier, Solemn Penance entered slipspace inside the city.[21][22]

Delta Halo[edit]

Main article: Battle of Installation 05

"So, this is what my father found..."
— Miranda upon seeing Delta Halo
Commander Keyes commanding her ship.

The In Amber Clad "piggy-backed" the Prophet of Regret's assault carrier through slipspace and ended up at Installation 05 in the Coelest system. Unable to engage the assault carrier by herself, she sent a platoon of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers to assist the Master Chief in his pursuit of the Prophet of Regret in order to capture or kill him.[23] Once she learned of the Prophet of Regret's plan to activate Delta Halo, she ordered the Master Chief to assassinate him. Miranda sent orders for Johnson and his Marines to get the Activation Index before the Covenant could.[24]

Miranda reaching for the Activation Index.

Later, Keyes and Johnson went to the Library of the installation, accompanied by most of the standard Marines of the ship. They attempted to retrieve the Index, and, although Keyes was successful, most of the Marines were killed or infected by the Flood that were infecting the installation. Once Keyes and Johnson had the Index, they were ambushed by Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee. Johnson was knocked out, but Keyes was able to take down Arbiter's shields by wielding M7 SMG before also being knocked unconscious by Tartarus' Fist of Rukt. Seconds later, Keyes and Johnson were taken from the Arbiter by Tartarus and his band of Jiralhanae. The Jiralhanae then took Keyes and Johnson to High Charity, where they met the remaining High Prophets of Truth and Mercy. They were then taken aboard separate Type-52 Phantom dropships and were transported to Delta Halo's surface to aid in the activation of the installation.[25]

Keyes was taken to the Control Room of Installation 05 because she had been designated as a Reclaimer by 343 Guilty Spark. Tartarus then used her to begin the Installation's activation sequence. Shortly afterward Thel 'Vadamee and Johnson arrived, and the three of them were able to kill Tartarus. At that moment, she retrieved the Index and stopped the Halo from firing. However, Spark revealed that the shutdown activated a failsafe system; the rest of the Halos were set to standby mode, and could only be activated remotely from what Spark informed them was "The Ark". After the Arbiter asked him its location, Spark gave them coordinates to Earth.[26][27]

The release of the Flood from the ring, however, would put their plans to get to Earth on hold. The new allies would rendezvous with the Arbiter's comrade, Rtas 'Vadumee, now shipmaster of the recently captured assault carrier Shadow of Intent, flagship of the separatists' fledgling Fleet of Retribution.[28] Together, they formulated a plan for sterilization and quarantine. Spark remained with the fleet to coordinate containment efforts while Keyes, Johnson and the Arbiter raced back to Earth aboard one of the fleet's vessels to warn humanity and to locate the Ark.[29][30]

Return to Earth[edit]

Main article: Battle of Kenya

Miranda: "Now, the Prophet of Truth is looking for something called 'The Ark', where he'll be able to fire all the Halo Rings. If he succeeds, Humanity, The Covenant, every sentient being in the Galaxy..."
John-117: "The rings will kill us all."
— Miranda debriefs Chief.
Commander Keyes with Thel 'Vadam, Avery Johnson and the newly retrieved John-117.

Upon their return to Earth around November 15, 2552, Keyes took up command at the base Crow's Nest outside of the town of Voi, near the location of the supposed Ark, undergoing excavation.[30][31] Truth's Forerunner Dreadnought arrived two days later, landing directly on the artifact while John-117, who had secretly stowed away during its departure from High Charity, bailed out into the Tanzanian jungle. Johnson and the Arbiter recovered the Chief and extracted him back to Crow's Nest, where Keyes detailed her plan to have the Spartan lead an effort to neutralize one of the AA batteries defending the excavation site in order to allow Lord Hood's ships to attack the Dreadnought. However, the base suddenly came under heavy Covenant attack and as it was overrun, Keyes and the command staff evacuated the wounded Marines and escaped on the last Pelican. A large explosive device that Keyes ordered left behind was detonated by the Master Chief, destroying a large portion of the attacking Covenant and most of the base itself.[31][32] Keyes supported the offensive towards Voi from Pelican Kilo 23, from which she dropped off supplies for the Master Chief.[32]

Keyes leading the last of humanity's forces during the end of the war.

While pushing into the main town of Voi in an attempt to stop the Prophet of Truth from activating the now fully uncovered "Ark", Keyes spotted a single Covenant battlecruiser coming towards Earth. However, Hood decided to ignore it, stating that they would not have another shot at stopping Truth. After Truth succeeded in opening and retreating through the Portal outside Voi, the battlecruiser that Keyes had spotted was revealed to be infected by the Flood. It crash-landed near the Portal and the Flood began to spread throughout Voi.[33] Keyes came up with a plan to overload the battlecruiser's engine core to destroy the city and the Flood. Keyes was contacted by the Sangheili of the newly arrived Fleet of Retribution and informed that Cortana was seemingly aboard the cruiser. The Master Chief found the small data unit seemingly holding Cortana, but it was simply a damaged holographic message. As the Sangheili began to partially glass Voi to destroy the Flood, John-117, Keyes, Johnson, Hood, the Arbiter, Rtas 'Vadum, and 343 Guilty Spark met aboard the Shadow of Intent to discuss the current situation. After Guilty Spark repaired the Covenant storage unit, Cortana's damaged message implied that the solution to the Flood was through the Portal. At Keyes' insistence, Hood allowed her to go through the Portal, donating his personal flagship, the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, to aid the Fleet of Retribution in the expedition.[34]

Battle of Installation 00[edit]

Main article: Operation: BLIND FAITH

"We have priorities, too. Until we kill Truth, stop the Rings from firing... nothing else matters."
— Miranda underlining the importance of their mission.

Keyes and the rest of the expedition force arrived at the real Ark--Installation 00β€”on December 11.[4] Although the Dawn was unable to best Truth's fleet in direct combat, Miranda was able to fend them off long enough to reach the Ark. During the Battle of Installation 00, she landed troops and large quantities of weaponry and armor on the Ark, largely to supplement John-117's search for the Cartographer facility. Throughout the battle, she worked with Guilty Spark and 'Vadum to fight off the Covenant forces. Although Guilty Spark wished to find terminals near the core of the installation to aid in the repair of Cortana's storage unit to find the solution to the Flood, Keyes and 'Vadam agreed to focus on eliminating the Prophet of Truth to prevent the firing of the Halo Array.[35]

When John-117 located Truth at the Ark's control room, she dispatched several Pelican dropships to deactivate the shield protecting the Citadel. During the process, Keyes lost contact with Johnson and his Marines due to their capture by Jiralhanae forces. Though the UNSC and the separatist forces were able to deactivate the shield, the battle was interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Flood-infested High Charity. The Shadow of Intent suffered heavy damage upon the Flood's arrival, and was unable to open fire on the Citadel. Guilty Spark tried to convince the group to contain the Flood outbreak before it could spread, but Keyes insisted that stopping Truth was more important. Having no effective way to destroy the Citadel from above, Miranda ordered John-117 and the Arbiter to storm the tower and stop Truth.[36]

Death and legacy[edit]

Miranda Keyes moments before her death at the hands of the Prophet of Truth.

Realizing that John and Thel 'Vadam would never get there in time to stop Truth, Keyes decided to stall Truth herself. She crashed her Pelican into Truth's position, intending to stop the Array's firing and rescue Sergeant Johnson, who had been captured by Truth's forces. She exited her Pelican with an M90A shotgun and an M6G magnum. She was able to kill two Jiralhanae, and wounded (some fatally) several others but ultimately found herself outnumbered. Johnson demanded that she kill them both in order to halt Truth's plans. Keyes, unwilling to harm Johnson, hesitated. As she paused, the Prophet of Truth shot her in the back with a Paegaas Workshop Spiker, killing her.[36]

Miranda Keyes surprised after being shot in her spine as her life quickly fades.

Her death greatly disheartened and demoralized Johnson and he didn't resist when Truth used him to activate the Ark. Truth viewed Miranda's unwillingness to kill Johnson as proof that humans were weak and unable to set aside their compassion, which was why the Forerunners had left them behind. After the Master Chief and the Arbiter stopped Truth, Keyes' body was subsequently rescued from Flood infection by Johnson, who carried her into the Pelican which he used to escape the Ark's control room.[36] It is likely that her body was taken back to Earth, and buried there.

Her face is later seen in a photograph on the Memorial to the fallen on a hillside overlooking the Portal to the Ark, near the photograph of Avery Johnson and the service number of Master Chief John-117. Due to her actions during the final months of the Human-Covenant War, she was posthumously awarded the UNSC Legion of Honor.[37] Catherine Halsey, despite having been estranged from her daughter, mourned Miranda's death and often cried in her sleep, whispering Miranda's name to herself.[38]

Personality and traits[edit]

Keyes with an M7 SMG.

Like her father, Miranda Keyes was known for being one of the bravest officers in the UNSC. This was demonstrated by her decision to follow Regret's flagship, Solemn Penance, into slipspace during the Battle of Mombasa, when she crashed the UNSC Hilbert into the Covenant destroyer over Gamma Pavonis VII, and leading the final battle of the war, when she crashed her Pelican through the Citadel's window in a last-ditch effort to rescue Avery Johnson moments before her death.

Due to her unexpected move to follow Regret's ship into slipspace, she was described by Commander Richard Lash as "the ballsiest officer in the Fleet". He further suggested that she may have been trying to live up to the reputation of her father or that she was simply "nuts".[22]

Although she and her father were not particularly close, Miranda identified with him more than she did with her mother. This is suggested by her decision to take up her father's surname after being raised by her mother. As a child, Miranda was often curious and excited about her father's assignments.[39] While her father was serving in the Outer Colonies, Miranda would often learn about naval tactics by herself for her own enjoyment. Even at a young age, she did not require much affection from Jacob, though she did enjoy walking down Armstrong Alley with him to admire the scenery.[40]

Gameplay[edit]

In-game, Keyes appears as a non-playable character and is invulnerable to damage. When meleed, she will not bleed, instead only bleeding when shot at or when caught in a grenade explosion. If either of the aforementioned is done for a period of time in the Halo 2 level Cairo Station she will moan. If shot at for some time or meleed in Halo 3 she will scream hysterically.

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

HTV-SilverTeam logo.png
 This article contains information about the Silver Timeline, and is not a part of the established Halo canon.

Silver Timeline[edit]

Main article: Miranda Keyes/Silver

Doctor Miranda Keyes is a UNSC Navy Commander in charge of studying the Covenant language and technology.[41]

Trivia[edit]

Graphic Halo.png Check out our collection of quotes related to Miranda Keyes on its quotes page.
Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • Miranda Keyes was voiced by Julie Benz in Halo 2. In Halo 3, she was portrayed by Justis Bolding instead, allegedly because Bungie wanted Keyes to have a distinct accent.[42] However, Keyes' voice in Halo 3 has no discernible accent. In Halo 2: Anniversary, Keyes' facial appearance is modeled after actress Courtney Munch, who also provides the motion capture for her remastered animations.[43]
  • Keyes would have had a larger role and a full introduction in the deleted Halo 2 level Covenant Ship, in which Keyes and a group of ODSTs would have been aboard a Covenant assault carrier alongside John-117. Additionally, one of Jason Jones' original central ideas for Halo 2 was that Miranda would betray the UNSC by forming a deal with the San'Shyuum of the Covenant, as she believed that the UNSC was responsible for her father's death. In order to get revenge against John, whom she believed directly killed her father aboard Truth and Reconciliation, Keyes would have strapped a bomb to the Master Chief's armor.[44] Although Jones was highly insistent about including this particular plot point, Joseph Staten was not fond of the idea and "just couldn't figure out how to make [it] work".[45]
  • Notably, Keyes was born seventeen days after the Human-Covenant War began and died during its last major battle.
  • In both Halo 2 and Halo 3, she has the number seven engraved on her cheek.
  • In Halo 2, Keyes' uniform collar bears the silver oak leaf of a commander and she is addressed as "Commander" in a formal setting. In Halo 3, her uniform's collar has the golden oak leaf of a lieutenant commander, though its shoulder boards and sleeve ends bear the three full bars of a commander rather than the two full bars and one thinner bar of a lieutenant commander. Halo: The Essential Visual Guide confirms that she held the rank of commander at the time of her death.[6]
  • The Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition) mistakenly claims that Keyes was killed by a Brute Honor Guardsman, though she was actually killed by the Prophet of Truth.[46]

Gallery[edit]

  • Full-body portrait of Miranda Keyes in UNSC Navy dress uniform in Halo 2.

    Full-body portrait of Miranda Keyes in UNSC Navy dress uniform in Halo 2.

  • Miranda aboard the Cairo, attempting to get back aboard the In Amber Clad.

    Miranda aboard the Cairo, attempting to get back aboard the In Amber Clad.

  • Commander Keyes at the controls of the UNSC In Amber Clad during the Battle of Earth.

    Commander Keyes at the controls of the UNSC In Amber Clad during the Battle of Earth.

  • Art of Miranda Keyes in The Art of Halo 3, and art of her father from Halo Mythos.

    Art of Miranda Keyes in The Art of Halo 3, and art of her father from Halo Mythos.

  • More concept art of Commander Keyes in uniform in Halo 3.

    More concept art of Commander Keyes in uniform in Halo 3.

  • Miranda Keyes in Halo 3.

    Miranda Keyes in Halo 3.

  • Full-body portrait of Miranda Keyes in her UNSC Navy dress uniform in Halo 3.

    Full-body portrait of Miranda Keyes in her UNSC Navy dress uniform in Halo 3.

  • Miranda Keyes with Thel 'Vadam and John-117, watching Truth's broadcast before the Covenant infiltration of Crow's Nest.

    Miranda Keyes with Thel 'Vadam and John-117, watching Truth's broadcast before the Covenant infiltration of Crow's Nest.

  • Miranda Keyes as seen in Halo Legends' Origins.

    Miranda Keyes as seen in Halo Legends' Origins.

  • Jacob Keyes' final memory of Miranda before he was fully assimilated by the proto-Gravemind in a Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary terminal.

    Jacob Keyes' final memory of Miranda before he was fully assimilated by the proto-Gravemind in a Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary terminal.

  • Keyes wearing her dress uniform in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    Keyes wearing her dress uniform in Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • Keyes leaving the Cairo Station to board her Frigate

    Keyes leaving the Cairo Station to board her Frigate

  • Tartarus captures Miranda, taking the Index of Installation 05.

    Tartarus captures Miranda, taking the Index of Installation 05.

  • Miranda observing the In Amber Clad crash site.

    Miranda observing the In Amber Clad crash site.

  • Tartarus takes Miranda to the Control Room.

    Tartarus takes Miranda to the Control Room.

  • Miranda being held captive by Tartarus.

    Miranda being held captive by Tartarus.

  • Miranda with 343 Guilty Spark and Johnson looking at a readout of the primed Halo Array in Installation 05's Control Room.

    Miranda with 343 Guilty Spark and Johnson looking at a readout of the primed Halo Array in Installation 05's Control Room.

  • Miranda Keyes in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).

    Miranda Keyes in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b Both Halo Waypoint's and Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)'s entries on Miranda Keyes list her homeworld as Luna rather than Reach. However, given that Dr. Halsey was based on Reach during her pregnancy and that Dr. Halsey's Halo Waypoint entry specifically states that Miranda was born on Reach and lived there with her mother until she moved in with her father, Jacob Keyes, on Luna at age six, this article assumes that the birthworld of Reach is correct and the instances of her homeworld being stated as Luna actually refer to the location where she spent much of her childhood.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Catherine Halsey (Retrieved on Mar 19, 2023) [archive]
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo: Reach Limited Edition, Intersystem News, LCDR Miranda Keyes Awarded Silver Star
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 91
  4. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Hero-Fortitude
  5. ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint: Miranda Keyes
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 107
  7. ^ a b Dr. Halsey's personal journal, April 6, 2550 ("Initially, she likely joined the military to impress her father; after all, she had her name legally changed.")
  8. ^ Halo 3
  9. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 22
  10. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, chapter 7
  11. ^ Halo Legends, episode Homecoming
  12. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 5
  13. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 27
  14. ^ Halo: Reach, Dr. Halsey's personal journal
  15. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 36
  16. ^ a b c Dr. Halsey's personal journal, April 6, 2550
  17. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 186
  18. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 148
  19. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  20. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Outskirts
  21. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  22. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 185
  23. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Delta Halo
  24. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Regret
  25. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
  26. ^ Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe, page 197
  27. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
  28. ^ Halo Waypoint: Shadow of Intent
  29. ^ Halo Waypoint marketing, The Long Road Home
  30. ^ a b Halo Legendary Crate, Data Drop #2
  31. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level Crow's Nest
  32. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level Tsavo Highway
  33. ^ Halo 3, The Storm
  34. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  35. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  36. ^ a b c Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  37. ^ Halo 3, Epilogue
  38. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 267
  39. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 23
  40. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 357
  41. ^ Halo: The Series, Dr. Catherine Halsey's Computer (Retrieved on Mar 25, 2022) [local archive] [external archive]
  42. ^ Dexter's No. 1 Gal β€” Julie Benz β€” Previews a Killer Finale Friday, December 15, 2006
    TVGuide.com: Are you all done with your voice work for the Halo 3 video game? Julie Benz: You know what? I am actually not a part of Halo 3. I was informed a couple of weeks ago that they are actually changing the voice of Commander Miranda Keyes, and giving her an accent.
  43. ^ Remaking the Legend
  44. ^ YouTube: Halo 2: Developer Commentary Playthrough (2007)
  45. ^ Vice.com: The Complete, Untold History of Halo
  46. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 73
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