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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{battle
{{Battle infobox
|name       = Battle of Arcadia
|name= Battle for Arcadia
|image       = [[File:Arcadiaoutskirts.png|350px]]
|image= [[File:HW ArcadiaOutskirts.png|350px]]
|prev       =[[Harvest Campaign]]
|prev= [[Harvest campaign]]
|conc       =
|conc=
|next       = [[Battle of Shield 0459]]
|next= [[Battle of Trove]]
|conflict   = [[Human-Covenant War]]
|conflict= [[Human-Covenant War]]
|date       = [[2531|February 9th, 2531]]
|date= [[2531|February 9–10, 2531]]{{Ref/Game|Id=HWTE|HW|Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline Events}}
|place       = [[Arcadia]], [[Procyon system]]
|place= [[Arcadia]], [[Procyon system]]
|result     = *UNSC strategic victory
|result= ;UNSC tactical victory
**Covenant Forces successfully repelled
*Covenant forces successfully repelled
*Covenant tactical victory  
;Covenant strategic victory  
**Professor [[Ellen Anders]] abducted
*Professor [[Ellen Anders]] abducted
**Location of Arcadia learned
|side1= [[United Nations Space Command]]
|side1       = [[United Nations Space Command]]
|side2= [[Covenant]]
|side2       = [[Covenant Empire]]
|commanders1 = [[James Cutter|Captain James Cutter]] <br>
|commanders1 =
[[John Forge|Sergeant John Forge]] <br>
* [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[James Gregory Cutter|James Cutter]]
[[Jerome-092]] <br>
*[[Sergeant]] [[John Forge]]
[[Preston Cole|Admiral Preston Cole]] (later in battle) <br>
*[[Jerome-092]]
[[Terrence Hood|Captain Terrence Hood]] (later in battle)
|commanders2 = [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] (Later in battle)
|commanders2= [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] (later in battle)
|forces1     =
|forces1=*[[UNSC Navy]]
*{{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}
**{{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}
*{{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}
**{{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}
*{{UNSCShip|Armstrong}}
**{{UNSCShip|Roman Blue}}
*{{UNSCShip|Belfast}}
**{{UNSCShip|Armstrong}}
*{{UNSCShip|Texas}}
**{{UNSCShip|Belfast}}
*Ground Forces
**{{UNSCShip|Texas}}
*Nine [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]] - ([[Red Team]] and [[Team Omega|SPARTAN Team Omega]])
**Nine [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] - ([[Red Team]] and [[Team Omega|SPARTAN Team Omega]])
*[[Arcadian Patrol]]
*[[John Forge]]
*[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
*[[Hellbringers]]
*[[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s
*[[AV-14 Hornet|AV-14 Attack VTOLs]]
*[[AC-220 Vulture|AC-220 Gunships]]
*[[D77-TC Pelican]]s
*[[D77-TC Pelican]]s
*[[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]]s
*[[AV-14 Hornet]]s
*[[M808B Main Battle Tank]]s
*[[M808B Scorpion]]s
*[[SP42 Cobra]]s
*[[SP42 Cobra]]s
*[[M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank|M9 Main Anti-Air Tanks]]
*[[M-145D Rhino]]s
*[[M-145D Rhino]]s
*Numerous captured Covenant vehicles
*[[M9 Wolverine]]s
|forces2     =  
*[[M12 Warthog]]s
*[[Fleet of Glorious Interdiction]]
*[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
**Two [[CCS-class battlecruiser]]s
**[[Hellbringers]]
**[[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s
*[[Arcadian Patrol]]
*Numerous captured Covenant vehicles  
|forces2= *[[Fleet of Glorious Interdiction]]
**2 {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s
***''[[CCS-U624]]''
***''[[CCS-U624]]''
***''[[CCS-U321]]''
***''[[CCS-U321]]''
**5 {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}s{{Ref/Comic|Id=esc5|HEsc|Issue=5}}
***''[[Radiant Perception]]''
*{{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}}s
*{{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}}s
*[[Type-26 Banshee]]s
*1 {{Pattern|R'awuw|Scarab}}
*{{Pattern|Shua'ee|Locust}}s
*{{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}s
*{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s
*1 [[Covenant citadel]]
*Ground forces
*Ground forces
**[[Mgalekgolo]]
**[[Sangheili]]
**[[Huragok]]
**[[Kig-Yar]]
**[[Unggoy]]
**[[Unggoy]]
**[[Sangheili]]
|casual1=*2 UNSC ships
**[[Kig-yar]]
**{{UNSCShip|Belfast}}
**[[Mgalekgolo]]
**{{UNSCShip|Texas}}
*[[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle]]
*[[Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage]]s
*[[Locust]]s
*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft]]
*[[Vampire]]s
*[[Type-28 Troop Carrier|Type-25 Troop Carriers]]
*One [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Super Scarab]]
|casual1     =
*{{UNSCShip|Belfast}}
*{{UNSCShip|Texas}}
*Numerous ground forces
*Numerous ground forces
*At least three Rhinos
*At least three Rhinos
*At least one civilian transport
*At least one civilian transport
*Hundreds of civilians
*Hundreds of civilians
|casual2     =
|casual2=*''CCS-U321''
*''[[CCS-U321]]''
*''Radiant Perception''
*Substantial ground losses
*Substantial ground losses
*One Super [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab]]
*One [[Covenant citadel]]
*One {{Pattern|R'awuw|Scarab}}
}}
}}


The '''Battle of Arcadia''' was a millitary engagement fought between the [[United Nations Space Command]] and the [[Covenant Empire]] on the Human colony world of [[Arcadia]] during the early parts of the [[Human-Covenant War]] in [[2531]].<ref name="city">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level, ''[[Arcadia City]]''</ref>
The '''Battle for Arcadia'''{{Ref/YouTube|Id=halo101|dBpnVngCeu8|Halo|Halo 101: The Battle for Arcadia|D=10|M=6|Y=2016}} was a military engagement fought between the [[United Nations Space Command]] and the [[Covenant]] on the human colony world of [[Arcadia]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] in [[2531]].{{Ref/Level|Id=city|HW|Arcadia City}}
 
==Prelude==
Shortly after one of the last battles of the [[Harvest campaign]], [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] and his ships quickly left the system after learning the location of Arcadia from a [[Forerunner]] [[Relic (location)|artifact]] buried under [[Harvest]]'s north pole. Professor [[Ellen Anders]] briefly examined the artifact and learned that it pointed in the direction of another planetary system. At her  suggestion, and with permission from [[Preston Cole|Admiral Preston Cole]], the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} followed the [[Covenant fleet]] in hot pursuit.{{Ref/Reuse|city}}
 
==The battle==
===Space battle===
Upon reaching Arcadia, two [[Covenant]] {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s exited slipspace. The {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} arrived soon after. The {{UNSCShip|Belfast}}, {{UNSCShip|Texas}}, {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, and {{UNSCShip|Armstrong}} engaged the two battlecruisers immediately, catching one of them, designated ''[[CCS-U321]]'', with its shields down and destroying it. However, the UNSC force suffered for its part in the battle. The ''Texas'' and ''Belfast'' were both destroyed, the ''Armstrong'' was venting atmosphere due to damage, and the ''Autumn'' suffered severe damage. After disabling the remaining UNSC vessels, the second battlecruiser, designated ''[[CCS-U624]]'', moved towards Arcadia. Meanwhile, the ''Autumn'' and the ''Armstrong'' were assisted by the ''Spirit of Fire''.{{Ref/Reuse|city}}
 
At some point in the battle, [[Preston Cole|Admiral Preston Cole]] and his fleet arrived at Arcadia and engaged the Covenant forces.{{Ref/Game|Id=journal|HR|Dr. Halsey's personal journal}} Before the ''Spirit of Fire'' left the Procyon system, it dropped a [[log buoy]] which [[Terrence Hood]], captain of the {{UNSCShip|Roman Blue}}, was assigned to recover. However, as the colony was already deemed lost by UNSC command, ''Roman Blue'' was also ordered to withhold from engaging the enemy in combat. Hood, enraged by the massive losses the Covenant had already inflicted on humanity, ordered his crew to attack the {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}} ''[[Radiant Perception]]''. Overwhelmed, Hood was forced to retreat. Consequently, the ''Spirit of Fire's'' log buoy was not recovered and Hood would view himself as responsible for the ''Spirit of Fire's'' disappearance.{{Ref/Reuse|esc5}} The log buoy was recovered by the ''Radiant Perception'', but the ship was shot down on [[Laconia]] during the battle.{{Ref/Novel|SaS}} The space engagement ended with the destruction of most Covenant vessels, with the remaining ones fleeing from the system.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}}
 
===Ground battle===
{{Quote|It's a blood bath here! We need some cover now!|An [[Arcadian Patrol]] officer{{Ref/Reuse|city}}}}
Shortly after the first space engagement, the second Covenant vessel, ''CCS-U624'', was engaged in "surface activity" on Arcadia, attacking [[civilian]] targets and [[Pirth City]], Arcadia's capital.{{Ref/Reuse|city}} The initial Covenant attack heavily damaged the planetary tram system; intact tram stations instead served as temporary shelters for refugees.{{Ref/Level|HW|Arcadia City|Detail=Tram System Station - Console description|Quote=A planetary network of high-speed rails, the Arcadian tram system was heavily damaged in the initial Covenant assault. Intact tram stations are serving as temporary shelters for evacuating refugees.}} The [[Arcadian Patrol]], the primary police force of Arcadia, was deployed to counter the Covenant invaders but, being a civilian force, was easily overwhelmed. As the Arcadian Patrol was evacuating civilians in Pirth City's [[spaceport]]s, Covenant forces began to move in on them in an attempt to deny the civilians' escape. [[Red Team|SPARTAN Red Team]] and forces under the command of [[Sergeant]] [[John Forge]] assisted in rescuing civilians, evacuating hundreds to several [[Banta-class transport|civilian transports]] abandoning the city. The Covenant, unfortunately, were successful in destroying several of these transports, resulting in massive civilian casualties.{{Ref/Reuse|city}}


==Space battle==
However, despite several repeated assaults, the UNSC was successful in saving at least a portion of the population before being forced to retreat to the city's outskirts, where they were reinforced by [[Team Omega|SPARTAN Team Omega]]. Forge's team fortified the outskirts and linked up with several groups of stragglers. These forces, led by the Spartans, teamed up to destroy a Covenant field base, from which the UNSC survivors suffered several assault attempts by the Covenant. After a majority of the Covenant forces were eliminated around Pirth City, Team Omega departed and Forge was ordered to return to the bridge of the ''Spirit of Fire''.{{Ref/Level|HW|Arcadia Outskirts}} During the Covenant's assault on Pirth City, all other major population centers on the planet were discovered and destroyed by Covenant forces.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}}
Shortly after the [[Harvest Campaign#Final Liberation of Harvest|final battle]] of the Harvest campaign, the [[Ripa 'Moramee|Arbiter]] and his ships quickly left the system after learning the location of Arcadia from a [[Forerunner]] [[relic|artifact]] buried under [[Harvest]]'s north pole. Under the suggestion of Professor [[Ellen Anders]] and permission from [[Preston Jeremiah Cole|Admiral Cole]], the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} followed in hot pursuit.<ref name="point">'''Halo Wars''' ''cutscene [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erPDrK3CBP8 "All it Did Was Point"]''</ref>


Upon reaching Arcadia, two [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[CCS-class battlecruiser|CCS-class Battlecruisers]] exited Slipspace. The ''Spirit of Fire'' arrived soon after. The {{UNSCship|Belfast}}, {{UNSCship|Texas}}, {{UNSCship|Pillar of Autumn}}, and {{UNSCship|Armstrong}} engaged the two ships immediately, catching one of them with its shields down and destroying it. However, the UNSC force suffered for its part in the battle. The ''Texas'' and ''Belfast'' were both destroyed, the ''Armstrong'' was venting atmosphere due to damage, and the ''Autumn'' suffered severe damage before being assisted by the ''Spirit of Fire''.<ref name="point"/>
Following this, the UNSC forces established a base of operations at a [[Arcadia ONI facility|deserted ONI base]] in a jungle on the far side of Arcadia.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/alice-130|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Alice-130|D=28|M=10|Y=2021}} Anders aboard the ''Spirit of Fire'' discovered a massive dome-shaped Covenant [[Energy shielding#Covenant energy shielding|energy barrier]] on the planet. Determined to find out what the Covenant were after, the ''Spirit of Fire'' attacked the shield dome with [[M145D Rhino]]s supplied by the ''Pillar of Autumn''. The UNSC forces became constantly harassed by Covenant air patrols, but were successful in repelling them. After the shield dome was partially disabled by the Rhinos, the ''Spirit of Fire'' barraged the area with several MAC round blasts to take out the shield's generators.{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}}


==Ground battle==
Under the shield dome, the UNSC forces found a series of [[Arcadia Forerunner ruins|Forerunner ruins]] guarded by an incomplete {{Pattern|R'awuw|Scarab}} the Covenant were upgrading with technology from the ruins.{{Ref/Reuse|halo101}} The ''Spirit of Fire's'' forces then advanced on the Scarab's construction site, taking cover behind the Forerunner ruins as the Scarab fired on them. However, the Scarab was only partially operational and only its "head" was active. After a considerable effort on the part of the UNSC, they destroyed the Scarab and proceeded to investigate the site.{{Ref/Level|HW|Scarab (level)|Scarab}}
The second Covenant vessel was engaged in "surface activity" on Arcadia, attacking [[civilian]] targets and [[Pirth City]], Arcadia's capital. The [[Arcadian Patrol]], the primary police force of Arcadia, was deployed to counter the Covenant invaders but, being a civilian force, was easily overwhelmed. [[Red Team|SPARTAN Red Team]] and forces under the command of [[Sergeant]] [[John Forge]] assisted in rescuing civilians, evacuating hundreds to several [[unidentified civilian cargo ship|civilian transports]] abandoning the city. The Covenant, unfortunately, were successful in destroying several of these transports, resulting in massive civilian casualties.<ref name="city"/> However, despite several repeated assaults, the UNSC was successful in saving at least a portion of the population before being forced to retreat to the city's outskirts, where they were reinforced by [[Team Omega|SPARTAN Team Omega]]. Forge's team fortified the outskirts and linked up with several groups of stragglers. These forces, led by the SPARTANs, teamed up to destroy a Covenant field base, from which the UNSC survivors suffered several assault attempts by the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level, ''[[Arcadia Outskirts]]''</ref>


Following this, the UNSC forces established a base of operations at a [[arcadia ONI facility|deserted ONI base]] in the jungle. They used experimental [[M-145D Rhino|Rhinoes]] to break through a massive dome-shaped Covenant [[Energy Shield#Covenant Energy Shielding|energy barrier]] concealing several [[Arcadia Forerunner ruins|Forerunner ruins]] with technology the Covenant were using to upgrade<ref>'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''Battle for Arcadia''</ref> an incomplete [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform #Super Scarab|Super Scarab]]. The UNSC forces were constantly harassed by Covenant air patrols, but were successful in repelling them. After the shield dome was disabled, the Spirit of Fire barraged the area with several MAC round blasts then advanced on the Scarab's construction site, taking cover behind the Forerunner ruins as the Scarab fired on them. After a considerable effort on the part of the UNSC, they destroyed the Scarab and proceeded to investigate the site.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level, ''[[Scarab (level)|Scarab]]''</ref>
Under orders from the [[Prophet of Regret]], [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] traveled back to Arcadia and captured [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] while she was investigating the ruins of the Scarab the next day.{{Ref/Reuse|HWTE}} After a brief fight with Forge, 'Moramee captured Anders and fled the system.{{Ref/Level|Id=signal|HW|Anders' Signal}}


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Despite the victory, the UNSC suffered a major setback as it investigated the Forerunner ruins on Arcadia. Under orders from the [[Prophet of Regret]], [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] traveled back to Arcadia and captured [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]], with the intention of using her to activate [[the Apex]]. The ''Spirit of Fire'' chased his ship to [[Shield 0459]], unable to alert the UNSC of their target destination.
Despite the victory, the UNSC suffered a major setback as it investigated the Forerunner ruins on Arcadia. With Anders captured by Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee, he delivered her to the Prophet of Regret with the intention of using her to unlock the [[Sojourner-class dreadnought|Forerunner dreadnought]]s held at the [[Apex Site]]. The ''Spirit of Fire'' was able to follow his ship to [[Trove]], beginning the [[Battle of Trove]].{{Ref/Reuse|signal}}


The UNSC regained control of the planet, but now that its location was known to the Covenant, most of its inhabitants abandoned the colony. A small number of colonists remained, establishing the settlement of [[Abaskun]] on the [[Mu]] continent, which supplied the UNSC with much-needed foodstuffs until the Covenant [[Fall of Arcadia|returned]] to the colony in 2549, [[glassing]] it.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events]]''', ''2549''</ref>
After the battle, out of guilt, [[Terrence Hood|Captain Hood]] provided financial support for both Cutter's legitimate family (his apparent widow [[Mary Cutter|Mary]] and [[Cutter's daughter|their daughter]]) and his secret one, supporting [[Daniel Clayton]]'s mother for years.{{Ref/Reuse|esc5}}
 
The UNSC regained control of the planet, but now that its location was known to the Covenant, most of its inhabitants abandoned the colony. A small number of colonists remained, establishing the settlement of [[Abaskun]] on the [[Mu]] continent, which supplied the UNSC with much-needed foodstuffs until the Covenant [[Fall of Arcadia|returned]] to the colony in 2549, [[glassing]] it.{{Ref/Reuse|HWTE}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery type="slideshow" position="center" widths="175px">
<gallery>
File:Vlcsnap-118798.png|The ''Spirit of Fire'' arrives at Arcadia.
File:HW-Arcadia-Procyon.png|The ''Spirit of Fire'' arrives at Arcadia.
File:HW CargoDefense.png|Red Team defends a civilian transport from Covenant forces.
File:HW ArcadiaSubwayExit.png|Covenant forces attacking civilians at the subway exit.
File:Cargo ship.png|Civilians approaching Cargo 3.
File:HW_ArcadiaOutskirtsRetreat.jpg|UNSC forces retreat from the city.
File:SCN05 MegaTurret-screenshot.jpg|UNSC launches an assault on a Covenant Antlion.
File:Dome o' Light.png|The crew of the ''Spirit'' review the plan of disabling the Covenant shield dome.
File:Dome o' Light.png|The crew of the ''Spirit'' review the plan of disabling the Covenant shield dome.
File:Super Scarab.png|The Super Scarab at the Forerunner ruins.
File:Super Scarab.png|The Super Scarab at the Forerunner ruins.
File:Anderssignal2.png|Forge and Anders at the ruin site after the destruction of the Scarab.
File:Anderssignal2.png|Forge and Anders at the ruin site after the destruction of the Scarab.
File:Arcadia Escalation.png|The ''Spirit of Fire'' joining the battle at Arcadia.
File:Roman Blue attacking a CPV destroyer.jpg|The ''UNSC Roman Blue'' attacks a ''CPV''-class heavy destroyer.
File:HE Hood ordering retreat.jpg|Captain Terrence Hood orders a retreat after sparring with a ''CPV''-class heavy destroyer above Arcadia.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
**''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
**''[[Into the Fire]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]''


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


{{Human-Covenant War}}
{{Human-Covenant War}}
[[Category:UNSC Victories]]
[[Category:Battles of the Human-Covenant War|Arcadia]]
[[Category:Covenant Victories]]
[[Category:UNSC victories|Arcadia]]
[[Category:Covenant victories|Arcadia]]

Latest revision as of 11:16, September 25, 2024

Previous:

Harvest campaign

Next:

Battle of Trove

Battle for Arcadia
UNSC troops retreating from Arcadia City. From the opening cinematic of the Halo Wars level "Arcadia Outskirts".

Conflict:

Human-Covenant War

Date:

February 9–10, 2531[1]

Location:

Arcadia, Procyon system

Outcome:

UNSC tactical victory
  • Covenant forces successfully repelled
Covenant strategic victory
Details
Belligerents

United Nations Space Command

Covenant

Commanders

Captain James Cutter
Sergeant John Forge
Jerome-092
Admiral Preston Cole (later in battle)
Captain Terrence Hood (later in battle)

Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee (later in battle)

Strength
Casualties
  • 2 UNSC ships
  • Numerous ground forces
  • At least three Rhinos
  • At least one civilian transport
  • Hundreds of civilians
 

The Battle for Arcadia[3] was a military engagement fought between the United Nations Space Command and the Covenant on the human colony world of Arcadia during the Human-Covenant War in 2531.[4]

Prelude[edit]

Shortly after one of the last battles of the Harvest campaign, Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee and his ships quickly left the system after learning the location of Arcadia from a Forerunner artifact buried under Harvest's north pole. Professor Ellen Anders briefly examined the artifact and learned that it pointed in the direction of another planetary system. At her suggestion, and with permission from Admiral Preston Cole, the UNSC Spirit of Fire followed the Covenant fleet in hot pursuit.[4]

The battle[edit]

Space battle[edit]

Upon reaching Arcadia, two Covenant Ket-pattern battlecruisers exited slipspace. The UNSC Spirit of Fire arrived soon after. The UNSC Belfast, UNSC Texas, UNSC Pillar of Autumn, and UNSC Armstrong engaged the two battlecruisers immediately, catching one of them, designated CCS-U321, with its shields down and destroying it. However, the UNSC force suffered for its part in the battle. The Texas and Belfast were both destroyed, the Armstrong was venting atmosphere due to damage, and the Autumn suffered severe damage. After disabling the remaining UNSC vessels, the second battlecruiser, designated CCS-U624, moved towards Arcadia. Meanwhile, the Autumn and the Armstrong were assisted by the Spirit of Fire.[4]

At some point in the battle, Admiral Preston Cole and his fleet arrived at Arcadia and engaged the Covenant forces.[5] Before the Spirit of Fire left the Procyon system, it dropped a log buoy which Terrence Hood, captain of the UNSC Roman Blue, was assigned to recover. However, as the colony was already deemed lost by UNSC command, Roman Blue was also ordered to withhold from engaging the enemy in combat. Hood, enraged by the massive losses the Covenant had already inflicted on humanity, ordered his crew to attack the Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer Radiant Perception. Overwhelmed, Hood was forced to retreat. Consequently, the Spirit of Fire's log buoy was not recovered and Hood would view himself as responsible for the Spirit of Fire's disappearance.[2] The log buoy was recovered by the Radiant Perception, but the ship was shot down on Laconia during the battle.[6] The space engagement ended with the destruction of most Covenant vessels, with the remaining ones fleeing from the system.[5]

Ground battle[edit]

"It's a blood bath here! We need some cover now!"
— An Arcadian Patrol officer[4]

Shortly after the first space engagement, the second Covenant vessel, CCS-U624, was engaged in "surface activity" on Arcadia, attacking civilian targets and Pirth City, Arcadia's capital.[4] The initial Covenant attack heavily damaged the planetary tram system; intact tram stations instead served as temporary shelters for refugees.[7] The Arcadian Patrol, the primary police force of Arcadia, was deployed to counter the Covenant invaders but, being a civilian force, was easily overwhelmed. As the Arcadian Patrol was evacuating civilians in Pirth City's spaceports, Covenant forces began to move in on them in an attempt to deny the civilians' escape. SPARTAN Red Team and forces under the command of Sergeant John Forge assisted in rescuing civilians, evacuating hundreds to several civilian transports abandoning the city. The Covenant, unfortunately, were successful in destroying several of these transports, resulting in massive civilian casualties.[4]

However, despite several repeated assaults, the UNSC was successful in saving at least a portion of the population before being forced to retreat to the city's outskirts, where they were reinforced by SPARTAN Team Omega. Forge's team fortified the outskirts and linked up with several groups of stragglers. These forces, led by the Spartans, teamed up to destroy a Covenant field base, from which the UNSC survivors suffered several assault attempts by the Covenant. After a majority of the Covenant forces were eliminated around Pirth City, Team Omega departed and Forge was ordered to return to the bridge of the Spirit of Fire.[8] During the Covenant's assault on Pirth City, all other major population centers on the planet were discovered and destroyed by Covenant forces.[5]

Following this, the UNSC forces established a base of operations at a deserted ONI base in a jungle on the far side of Arcadia.[9] Anders aboard the Spirit of Fire discovered a massive dome-shaped Covenant energy barrier on the planet. Determined to find out what the Covenant were after, the Spirit of Fire attacked the shield dome with M145D Rhinos supplied by the Pillar of Autumn. The UNSC forces became constantly harassed by Covenant air patrols, but were successful in repelling them. After the shield dome was partially disabled by the Rhinos, the Spirit of Fire barraged the area with several MAC round blasts to take out the shield's generators.[10]

Under the shield dome, the UNSC forces found a series of Forerunner ruins guarded by an incomplete R'awuw-pattern Scarab the Covenant were upgrading with technology from the ruins.[3] The Spirit of Fire's forces then advanced on the Scarab's construction site, taking cover behind the Forerunner ruins as the Scarab fired on them. However, the Scarab was only partially operational and only its "head" was active. After a considerable effort on the part of the UNSC, they destroyed the Scarab and proceeded to investigate the site.[11]

Under orders from the Prophet of Regret, Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee traveled back to Arcadia and captured Professor Ellen Anders while she was investigating the ruins of the Scarab the next day.[1] After a brief fight with Forge, 'Moramee captured Anders and fled the system.[12]

Aftermath[edit]

Despite the victory, the UNSC suffered a major setback as it investigated the Forerunner ruins on Arcadia. With Anders captured by Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee, he delivered her to the Prophet of Regret with the intention of using her to unlock the Forerunner dreadnoughts held at the Apex Site. The Spirit of Fire was able to follow his ship to Trove, beginning the Battle of Trove.[12]

After the battle, out of guilt, Captain Hood provided financial support for both Cutter's legitimate family (his apparent widow Mary and their daughter) and his secret one, supporting Daniel Clayton's mother for years.[2]

The UNSC regained control of the planet, but now that its location was known to the Covenant, most of its inhabitants abandoned the colony. A small number of colonists remained, establishing the settlement of Abaskun on the Mu continent, which supplied the UNSC with much-needed foodstuffs until the Covenant returned to the colony in 2549, glassing it.[1]

Gallery[edit]

  • The Spirit of Fire arrives at Arcadia.

    The Spirit of Fire arrives at Arcadia.

  • Red Team defends a civilian transport from Covenant forces.

    Red Team defends a civilian transport from Covenant forces.

  • Covenant forces attacking civilians at the subway exit.

    Covenant forces attacking civilians at the subway exit.

  • Civilians approaching Cargo 3.

    Civilians approaching Cargo 3.

  • UNSC forces retreat from the city.

    UNSC forces retreat from the city.

  • UNSC launches an assault on a Covenant Antlion.

    UNSC launches an assault on a Covenant Antlion.

  • The crew of the Spirit review the plan of disabling the Covenant shield dome.

    The crew of the Spirit review the plan of disabling the Covenant shield dome.

  • The Super Scarab at the Forerunner ruins.

    The Super Scarab at the Forerunner ruins.

  • Forge and Anders at the ruin site after the destruction of the Scarab.

    Forge and Anders at the ruin site after the destruction of the Scarab.

  • The Spirit of Fire joining the battle at Arcadia.

    The Spirit of Fire joining the battle at Arcadia.

  • The UNSC Roman Blue attacks a CPV-class heavy destroyer.

    The UNSC Roman Blue attacks a CPV-class heavy destroyer.

  • Captain Terrence Hood orders a retreat after sparring with a CPV-class heavy destroyer above Arcadia.

    Captain Terrence Hood orders a retreat after sparring with a CPV-class heavy destroyer above Arcadia.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo Wars, Timeline Events
  2. ^ a b c Halo: Escalation, issue 5
  3. ^ a b YouTube - Halo, Halo 101: The Battle for Arcadia (Retrieved on Jun 10, 2016)
  4. ^ a b c d e f Halo Wars, campaign level Arcadia City
  5. ^ a b c Halo: Reach, Dr. Halsey's personal journal
  6. ^ Halo: Smoke and Shadow
  7. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Arcadia City: Tram System Station - Console description "A planetary network of high-speed rails, the Arcadian tram system was heavily damaged in the initial Covenant assault. Intact tram stations are serving as temporary shelters for evacuating refugees."
  8. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Arcadia Outskirts
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint, Alice-130 (Retrieved on Oct 28, 2021) [archive]
  10. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Dome of Light
  11. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Scarab
  12. ^ a b Halo Wars, campaign level Anders' Signal

v • d • e
 
⇦ Battles of the Human-Covenant War ⇨
Unknown date
Alpha Cephei (pre-2541) • HEMORRHAGE (pre-2552) • Odenli'sh (pre-2552) • DIRE MORNING • FANCY DRESS
Overarching campaigns
Outer Colonies (2525-2536) • Inner Colonies (2536-2552)
By victor
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