John-117: Difference between revisions
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For much of his career, John served as the leader of SPARTAN-II [[Blue Team]]. As the war neared its end, most of John's fellow SPARTAN-IIs were killed in action during the [[Fall of Reach]]. However, John and his AI companion [[Cortana]] fled [[Reach]] and [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|their vessel]] fortuitously arrived at [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 04]], a millennia-old superweapon created by the [[Forerunner]]s to destroy their parasitic enemy, the [[Flood]], by killing all life in the galaxy. Having destroyed Halo, the surrounding Covenant [[Fleet of Particular Justice|fleet]], and the Flood forces on the ring, John-117 returned to [[Earth]] and resisted the Covenant's [[Battle of Earth|impromptu invasion]]. Pursuing the [[Solemn Penance|invaders' flagship]], the Master Chief encountered [[Installation 05]], where [[Great Schism|civil war]] soon broke out within the Covenant. Weeks later, John followed the remaining Covenant forces to [[Installation 00|the Ark]], the Halo Array's control center, which he disabled before the Halos could be fired. | For much of his career, John served as the leader of SPARTAN-II [[Blue Team]]. As the war neared its end, most of John's fellow SPARTAN-IIs were killed in action during the [[Fall of Reach]]. However, John and his AI companion [[Cortana]] fled [[Reach]] and [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|their vessel]] fortuitously arrived at [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 04]], a millennia-old superweapon created by the [[Forerunner]]s to destroy their parasitic enemy, the [[Flood]], by killing all life in the galaxy. Having destroyed Halo, the surrounding Covenant [[Fleet of Particular Justice|fleet]], and the Flood forces on the ring, John-117 returned to [[Earth]] and resisted the Covenant's [[Battle of Earth|impromptu invasion]]. Pursuing the [[Solemn Penance|invaders' flagship]], the Master Chief encountered [[Installation 05]], where [[Great Schism|civil war]] soon broke out within the Covenant. Weeks later, John followed the remaining Covenant forces to [[Installation 00|the Ark]], the Halo Array's control center, which he disabled before the Halos could be fired. | ||
John went missing in action after the [[Battle of Installation 00|war's final battle]] in [[2552#December|December 2552]], having stymied the threat of the Covenant, the Flood, and the Halos.<ref name="epi3">'''Halo 3''', ''Epilogue''</ref> In the interbellum, John was lauded as a hero, and though he was officially declared [[missing in action|MIA]] like all Spartans,<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''[[Prologue]]'' (''"His file reads missing in action."'')</ref> he was ostensibly believed by the UNSC to have perished.<ref name="epi3"/> After his recovery in [[2557#July|July 2557]], he played a key role in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|conflict]] between the UNSC and the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s [[Promethean]] forces and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant devotees]], beginning on the [[shield world]] [[Requiem]]. This culminated in an [[New Phoenix Incident|attack on Earth]] and the Didact's temporary defeat, as well as the loss of | John went missing in action after the [[Battle of Installation 00|war's final battle]] in [[2552#December|December 2552]], having stymied the threat of the Covenant, the Flood, and the Halos.<ref name="epi3">'''Halo 3''', ''Epilogue''</ref> In the interbellum, John was lauded as a hero, and though he was officially declared [[missing in action|MIA]] like all Spartans,<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''[[Prologue]]'' (''"His file reads missing in action."'')</ref> he was ostensibly believed by the UNSC to have perished.<ref name="epi3"/> After his recovery in [[2557#July|July 2557]], he played a key role in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|conflict]] between the UNSC and the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s [[Promethean]] forces and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant devotees]], beginning on the [[shield world]] [[Requiem]]. This culminated in an [[New Phoenix Incident|attack on Earth]] and the Didact's temporary defeat, as well as the loss of Cortana.<ref>''Halo 4''</ref> John subsequently reunited with Blue Team and with their help, [[Skirmish on Installation 03|vanquished the Didact]] for the second time. John and his Spartan compatriots then departed Earth to embark on new missions,<ref name="HE10"/> eventually falling out of contact with the UNSC.<ref name="h2ap">'''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''', ''[[The Heretic|Prologue]]''</ref> | ||
Among most humans John is known simply by his rank as the "Master Chief" or (erroneously) the "Chief". Within the military he is most commonly identified as "SPARTAN-117" or the phonetic callsign "Sierra 117". As with all Spartans, John is regarded by the Covenant (apart from [[Swords of Sanghelios|those allied with humanity]]) as a "[[Covenant religion#Demons|Demon]];" however, John specifically is known as "''the'' Demon", an epithet he earned after the destruction of Installation 04. [[Swords of Sanghelios|Allied Sangheili]] like Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadam]] and Shipmaster [[Rtas 'Vadum]] have referred him simply as "Spartan". | Among most humans John is known simply by his rank as the "Master Chief" or (erroneously) the "Chief". Within the military he is most commonly identified as "SPARTAN-117" or the phonetic callsign "Sierra 117". As with all Spartans, John is regarded by the Covenant (apart from [[Swords of Sanghelios|those allied with humanity]]) as a "[[Covenant religion#Demons|Demon]];" however, John specifically is known as "''the'' Demon", an epithet he earned after the destruction of Installation 04. [[Swords of Sanghelios|Allied Sangheili]] like Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadam]] and Shipmaster [[Rtas 'Vadum]] have referred him simply as "Spartan". | ||
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Early childhood=== | ===Early childhood=== | ||
[[File:Spartan candidate John-117.png|thumb|left| | [[File:Spartan candidate John-117.png|thumb|left|250px|John-117 at age six.]] | ||
Born on [[2511|March 7th, 2511]],<ref name="DK H4TEVG"/> John lived with his mother and father in [[Elysium City]], on the colony world of [[Eridanus II]]. He attended the [[Elysium City Primary Education Facility Number 119]]. As a child, John had brown hair, freckles, and a small gap between his front teeth. In a memory, John recalled that his mother was kind and smelled of soap.<ref name="flood">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 17''</ref> The would-be UNSC Marine [[Lieutenant]] [[Parisa]] was a childhood friend of John's. John once saved her from drowning at [[Lake Gusev]], after which John promised to marry her and keep her safe. A photo of the two was also taken by Parisa's father soon after, and would be kept as a memory by Parisa long after she thought John had passed away.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', ''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]'', ''pages 368-369''</ref> | Born on [[2511|March 7th, 2511]],<ref name="DK H4TEVG"/> John lived with his mother and father in [[Elysium City]], on the colony world of [[Eridanus II]]. He attended the [[Elysium City Primary Education Facility Number 119]]. As a child, John had brown hair, freckles, and a small gap between his front teeth. In a memory, John recalled that his mother was kind and smelled of soap.<ref name="flood">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 17''</ref> The would-be UNSC Marine [[Lieutenant]] [[Parisa]] was a childhood friend of John's. John once saved her from drowning at [[Lake Gusev]], after which John promised to marry her and keep her safe. A photo of the two was also taken by Parisa's father soon after, and would be kept as a memory by Parisa long after she thought John had passed away.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', ''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]'', ''pages 368-369''</ref> | ||
At the age of six, he was identified by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] as one of 150 preliminary candidates for the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. John was an ideal physical and mental candidate, standing a head taller than the majority of his schoolmates, having greater physical proportions, possessing greater strength, exhibiting superior reflexes, and having an aggressive drive for success. By the time he was conscripted, he had a string of forty-five victories in what Dr. Halsey referred to as a "brutal version" of King of the Hill, resulting in him having a chipped tooth and his opponents suffering various bone fractures.<ref>'''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''', ''September 15, 2517''</ref>{{Clear}} | At the age of six, he was identified by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] as one of 150 preliminary candidates for the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. John was an ideal physical and mental candidate, standing a head taller than the majority of his schoolmates, having greater physical proportions, possessing greater strength, exhibiting superior reflexes, and having an aggressive drive for success. By the time he was conscripted, he had a string of forty-five victories in what Dr. Halsey referred to as a "brutal version" of King of the Hill, resulting in him having a chipped tooth and his opponents suffering various bone fractures.<ref>'''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''', ''September 15, 2517''</ref>{{Clear}} | ||
[[File:H4L - John 117 abduction 2.jpg|thumb| | [[File:H4L - John 117 abduction 2.jpg|thumb|250px|John being abducted by ONI agents.]] | ||
{{quote|You like games? So do I.|Dr. Halsey upon meeting John for the first time.}} | {{quote|You like games? So do I.|Dr. Halsey upon meeting John for the first time.}} | ||
When Dr. Halsey and [[Jacob Keyes|LTJG Jacob Keyes]] visited Eridanus II in 2517 to study him, they were impressed with his intellect and luck. In a final test of his viability as a candidate, he was asked to determine which side [[Quarter|an old coin]] would land on. He watched the coin as it flew in the air and caught it before it could land; correctly stating which side was face-up, on the side of the eagle. Later that same year, John and 74 other six-year-old children were conscripted to [[Reach]]: they were covertly kidnapped from their homes and replaced with [[Flash cloning|flash clones]] to cover up the kidnappings.<ref group="note">''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp]]'' originally showed John being abducted by ONI agents at the back of a van after school; he also sees his clone during the process. However, in the ''[[Scanned]]'' live-action trailer, he is seen being abducted by night during his sleep.</ref> All of the clones would later die of natural causes as a result of their accelerated growth process. | When Dr. Halsey and [[Jacob Keyes|LTJG Jacob Keyes]] visited Eridanus II in 2517 to study him, they were impressed with his intellect and luck. In a final test of his viability as a candidate, he was asked to determine which side [[Quarter|an old coin]] would land on. He watched the coin as it flew in the air and caught it before it could land; correctly stating which side was face-up, on the side of the eagle. Later that same year, John and 74 other six-year-old children were conscripted to [[Reach]]: they were covertly kidnapped from their homes and replaced with [[Flash cloning|flash clones]] to cover up the kidnappings.<ref group="note">''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp]]'' originally showed John being abducted by ONI agents at the back of a van after school; he also sees his clone during the process. However, in the ''[[Scanned]]'' live-action trailer, he is seen being abducted by night during his sleep.</ref> All of the clones would later die of natural causes as a result of their accelerated growth process. | ||
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John and the rest of the children chosen to the SPARTAN-II program were brought in the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex]], their new home for the next several years. There, Dr. Halsey informed the children of their new purpose: they were destined to become the protectors of [[Unified Earth Government|Earth]] and [[Human colonies|all its colonies]]. The next morning John discovered his service tag, stitched into his training uniform, and his new name: '''John-117'''. John began adjusting to his new life, training with other Spartans under [[Chief Petty Officer]] [[Franklin Mendez]]. | John and the rest of the children chosen to the SPARTAN-II program were brought in the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex]], their new home for the next several years. There, Dr. Halsey informed the children of their new purpose: they were destined to become the protectors of [[Unified Earth Government|Earth]] and [[Human colonies|all its colonies]]. The next morning John discovered his service tag, stitched into his training uniform, and his new name: '''John-117'''. John began adjusting to his new life, training with other Spartans under [[Chief Petty Officer]] [[Franklin Mendez]]. | ||
In their first training exercise, John was grouped with fellow trainees [[Kelly-087]] and [[Samuel-034]] in a game of "Ring the Bell". John rushed ahead of his teammates and crossed the finish line first; however, he was befuddled to learn that his team had lost, as Kelly and Sam came last. This taught John the importance of teamwork and the next day, his team scored higher. John soon bonded with Kelly and Sam, who would become his first and | In their first training exercise, John was grouped with fellow trainees [[Kelly-087]] and [[Samuel-034]] in a game of "Ring the Bell". John rushed ahead of his teammates and crossed the finish line first; however, he was befuddled to learn that his team had lost, as Kelly and Sam came last. This taught John the importance of teamwork and the next day, his team scored higher. John soon bonded with Kelly and Sam, who would become his first and closest friends among the trainees.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 40-45''</ref> For eight years John was schooled in history, military strategy and tactics, and weapons, and was given extreme physical training. During his training, John used to tease [[Serin Osman|Serin-019]] and her habit of eating leftovers from meals of the other candidates.<ref name="HMD15">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''Chapter 15''</ref> | ||
John quickly proved himself to be considered one of the program's top candidates. Both Dr. Halsey and Chief Mendez identified him as one of four emerging leaders within the SPARTAN-II group, along with [[Kurt-051]], [[Jerome-092]], and [[Fred-104]]. Dr. Halsey believed John held both the skills and natural ability to lead the entire Spartan-II group. CPO Mendez disagreed with her assessment, instead believing Kurt would fulfill the role as team leader.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''December 10, 2518''</ref> John's leadership skills were correctly observed, as the result from their mission clearly solidified his role as the overall leader of the Spartan-IIs. He also became the established leader of SPARTAN-IIs [[Blue Team]]. | John quickly proved himself to be considered one of the program's top candidates. Both Dr. Halsey and Chief Mendez identified him as one of four emerging leaders within the SPARTAN-II group, along with [[Kurt-051]], [[Jerome-092]], and [[Fred-104]]. Dr. Halsey believed John held both the skills and natural ability to lead the entire Spartan-II group. CPO Mendez disagreed with her assessment, instead believing Kurt would fulfill the role as team leader.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''December 10, 2518''</ref> John's leadership skills were correctly observed, as the result from their mission clearly solidified his role as the overall leader of the Spartan-IIs. He also became the established leader of SPARTAN-IIs [[Blue Team]]. | ||
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===Insurrection=== | ===Insurrection=== | ||
[[File:H4L Awakening 3.jpg| | [[File:H4L Awakening 3.jpg|250px|thumb|right|John being equipped with his original MJOLNIR armor.<!--This is John's original MJOLNIR suit. It would not be renamed "Mark IV" until 2535.-->]] | ||
John-117's [[Assault on Eridanus Secundus|first mission]] was against Insurrectionists within the asteroid belt of the [[Eridanus system]], where his homeworld was located. He was shot in the side while leading his squad to capture the rebel leader [[Colonel]] [[Robert Watts]]. The official results of the mission listed eleven dead enemy soldiers and an unknown number of rebel civilians. He received a [[Purple Heart]] upon the completion of the mission.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 75-94''</ref> | John-117's [[Assault on Eridanus Secundus|first mission]] was against Insurrectionists within the asteroid belt of the [[Eridanus system]], where his homeworld was located. He was shot in the side while leading his squad to capture the rebel leader [[Colonel]] [[Robert Watts]]. The official results of the mission listed eleven dead enemy soldiers and an unknown number of rebel civilians. He received a [[Purple Heart]] upon the completion of the mission.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 75-94''</ref> | ||
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===Circinius IV=== | ===Circinius IV=== | ||
{{Main|Battle of Circinius IV}} | {{Main|Battle of Circinius IV}} | ||
[[File:H4FUD-MasterChief-M41LAAG.jpg| | [[File:H4FUD-MasterChief-M41LAAG.jpg|250px|thumb|John during the Fall of Circinius IV.]] | ||
{{Quote|Stay close to me. It's your best chance of survival.|John-117 warning cadets about danger posed by the enemy.}} | {{Quote|Stay close to me. It's your best chance of survival.|John-117 warning cadets about danger posed by the enemy.}} | ||
In [[2526]], John, Kelly and [[Fred-104|Fred]] were sent to support Marine forces in a search-and-capture mission against an Insurrectionist leader; the skirmish quickly escalated as the Covenant's arrival forced the UNSC troops to briefly side with the rebels.<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 3''</ref> Sometime later, he and Blue Team were sent to [[Circinius IV]] to reinforce the UNSC's defenses there. The Spartans eventually received a distress signal from a [[Hastati Squad|cadet squad]] pinned down at the [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]]. John defeated the [[Sangheili Zealot]] that had been pursuing the squad, and radioed Kelly to rendezvous with him and the survivors at an extraction point up north. John, who identified himself only as "Master Chief", cleared the way to the deceased [[Black|General Black's]] Warthog and ordered [[Thomas Lasky|Cadet Thomas Lasky]] to drive.<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 4''</ref> | In [[2526]], John, Kelly and [[Fred-104|Fred]] were sent to support Marine forces in a search-and-capture mission against an Insurrectionist leader; the skirmish quickly escalated as the Covenant's arrival forced the UNSC troops to briefly side with the rebels.<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 3''</ref> Sometime later, he and Blue Team were sent to [[Circinius IV]] to reinforce the UNSC's defenses there. The Spartans eventually received a distress signal from a [[Hastati Squad|cadet squad]] pinned down at the [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]]. John defeated the [[Sangheili Zealot]] that had been pursuing the squad, and radioed Kelly to rendezvous with him and the survivors at an extraction point up north. John, who identified himself only as "Master Chief", cleared the way to the deceased [[Black|General Black's]] Warthog and ordered [[Thomas Lasky|Cadet Thomas Lasky]] to drive.<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 4''</ref> | ||
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===Operation: WARM BLANKET=== | ===Operation: WARM BLANKET=== | ||
{{Main|Operation: WARM BLANKET}} | {{Main|Operation: WARM BLANKET}} | ||
[[File:LegendsPackage-HalseyAndJohn117-rescue.jpg| | [[File:LegendsPackage-HalseyAndJohn117-rescue.jpg|250px|thumb|Master Chief and Dr. Halsey escaping ''Resplendent Fervor''.]] | ||
Shortly after the [[Battle of Miridem]] in [[2544]], John, along with Fred-104, Kelly-087, [[Solomon-069]] and [[Arthur-079]], was part of a mission to rescue Dr. Catherine Halsey from a [[Covenant fleet]]. The team utilized [[Open Frame 92/Extra-Vehicular Activity|OF92/EVA "Booster Frame" fighters]], which were designed for ship boarding actions, and infiltrated the [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]] ''[[Resplendent Fervor]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''' (2010), ''Adjunct''</ref> While clearing the assault carrier, John encountered [[Sangheili Major]], [[Thel 'Lodamee]], who challenged John to an [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|energy sword]] duel. Near victory, Thel was forced out of the duel when his [[Luro 'Taralumee|Fleet Master]] separated the lower section of the assault carrier to kill the Spartans, recalling him back into the upper section. Both soldiers were left with their battle unfinished. The Spartans completed their mission and rescued Dr. Halsey, but Arthur and Solomon were killed in the battle. John was saddened by his teammates' deaths and swore he would become stronger, vowing to keep his comrades alive at all costs.<ref>'''Halo Legends''': ''The Package''</ref> | Shortly after the [[Battle of Miridem]] in [[2544]], John, along with Fred-104, Kelly-087, [[Solomon-069]] and [[Arthur-079]], was part of a mission to rescue Dr. Catherine Halsey from a [[Covenant fleet]]. The team utilized [[Open Frame 92/Extra-Vehicular Activity|OF92/EVA "Booster Frame" fighters]], which were designed for ship boarding actions, and infiltrated the [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]] ''[[Resplendent Fervor]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''' (2010), ''Adjunct''</ref> While clearing the assault carrier, John encountered [[Sangheili Major]], [[Thel 'Lodamee]], who challenged John to an [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|energy sword]] duel. Near victory, Thel was forced out of the duel when his [[Luro 'Taralumee|Fleet Master]] separated the lower section of the assault carrier to kill the Spartans, recalling him back into the upper section. Both soldiers were left with their battle unfinished. The Spartans completed their mission and rescued Dr. Halsey, but Arthur and Solomon were killed in the battle. John was saddened by his teammates' deaths and swore he would become stronger, vowing to keep his comrades alive at all costs.<ref>'''Halo Legends''': ''The Package''</ref> | ||
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After successfully destroying the fusion reactors on the ''Pillar of Autumn'', John-117 used a [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|Warthog]] to reach the extraction point where Pelican ''[[Echo 419]]'' was to recover him. John-117 reached the extraction point, only to witness the Pelican crashing after being shot down by a pair of Banshees. Quickly making his way to the ship's [[Launch Bay 7]], John used the sole [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] fighter stored there to escape Halo just before the ''Autumn''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s engines went critical.<ref name="flood"/> | After successfully destroying the fusion reactors on the ''Pillar of Autumn'', John-117 used a [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|Warthog]] to reach the extraction point where Pelican ''[[Echo 419]]'' was to recover him. John-117 reached the extraction point, only to witness the Pelican crashing after being shot down by a pair of Banshees. Quickly making his way to the ship's [[Launch Bay 7]], John used the sole [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] fighter stored there to escape Halo just before the ''Autumn''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s engines went critical.<ref name="flood"/> | ||
=== | ===Return to Reach=== | ||
[[File:Fight on Ascendant Justice.png|right|thumb| | [[File:Fight on Ascendant Justice.png|right|thumb|250px|John-117 fighting aboard ''Ascendant Justice''.]] | ||
After the destruction of Alpha Halo, Cortana and John discovered three cryotubes floating nearby, one containing [[Linda-058]], and retrieved them. Soon after, the Covenant [[flagship]] ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' and several cruisers appeared from behind [[Threshold]], having taken cover from Halo's destruction.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''' (2010), ''[[Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit]]''</ref> A nearby Pelican dropship which had docked on an asteroid floating among Halo's debris field fired at the cruiser to distract it. After a successful escape from the Covenant battle group, John linked the two vessels and brought its passengers aboard the Longsword; these included [[Elias Haverson|Lieutenant Elias Haverson]], [[Locklear|Corporal Locklear]], [[Sheila Polaski|Warrant Officer Sheila Polaski]] and [[Avery Junior Johnson|then-Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 48-49''</ref> After a joyful reunion, the surviving humans aided John in capturing the ''Ascendant Justice''. The survivors commandeered the ship and traveled to Reach to look for any Spartans who may have escaped the planet's glassing. | After the destruction of Alpha Halo, Cortana and John discovered three cryotubes floating nearby, one containing [[Linda-058]], and retrieved them. Soon after, the Covenant [[flagship]] ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' and several cruisers appeared from behind [[Threshold]], having taken cover from Halo's destruction.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''' (2010), ''[[Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit]]''</ref> A nearby Pelican dropship which had docked on an asteroid floating among Halo's debris field fired at the cruiser to distract it. After a successful escape from the Covenant battle group, John linked the two vessels and brought its passengers aboard the Longsword; these included [[Elias Haverson|Lieutenant Elias Haverson]], [[Locklear|Corporal Locklear]], [[Sheila Polaski|Warrant Officer Sheila Polaski]] and [[Avery Junior Johnson|then-Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 48-49''</ref> After a joyful reunion, the surviving humans aided John in capturing the ''Ascendant Justice''. The survivors commandeered the ship and traveled to Reach to look for any Spartans who may have escaped the planet's glassing. | ||
John succeeded in locating some of his fellow SPARTANs on Reach, along with [[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]] and Dr. Catherine Halsey. They returned to the super-carrier and linked it with the damaged [[UNSC frigate]] ''[[UNSC Gettysburg|Gettysburg]]''. Before traveling to Earth, they decided to head into the [[Eridanus system]] where they discovered that the [[Insurrectionist#Eridanus cell|rebel]] base, [[Eridanus Secundus]], was still intact, now led by [[Jacob Jiles|Governor Jacob Jiles]]. After receiving some repairs, they were forced to abandon the rebels in the face of a Covenant assault, and made their way toward the Covenant refit-and-repair station, ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'', where [[Truth's fleet|an enormous fleet]] was poised to invade Earth. | John succeeded in locating some of his fellow SPARTANs on Reach, along with [[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]] and Dr. Catherine Halsey. They returned to the super-carrier and linked it with the damaged [[UNSC frigate]] ''[[UNSC Gettysburg|Gettysburg]]''. Before traveling to Earth, they decided to head into the [[Eridanus system]] where they discovered that the [[Insurrectionist#Eridanus cell|rebel]] base, [[Eridanus Secundus]], was still intact, now led by [[Jacob Jiles|Governor Jacob Jiles]]. After receiving some repairs, they were forced to abandon the rebels in the face of a Covenant assault, and made their way toward the Covenant refit-and-repair station, ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'', where [[Truth's fleet|an enormous fleet]] was poised to invade Earth. | ||
===Operation: FIRST STRIKE=== | |||
{{Main|Operation: FIRST STRIKE}} | |||
{{Quote|We're going to take this fight to the Covenant. We're going to launch a first strike.|John-117 to his team about mission ahead of them.}} | |||
John and remaining SPARTAN-IIs Linda-058, [[Grace-093]], [[Will-043]], and [[Fred-104]], focused on finding a way to stop the Covenant from reaching [[Earth]], the location of which had been compromised. They decided to destroy the ''Unyielding Hierophant'' in order to slow the fleet's departure. The SPARTAN-IIs infiltrated the station, and after spending eleven hours on board, they arrived at a temple where a copy of Cortana warned them of the nearby [[Jiralhanae]] guards. Linda took up a sniping position and the other four Spartans entered the temple. John was nearly killed by ambushing Brutes, but the team managed to slay their attackers quickly. Grace, however, was torn in half by three [[Type-25 Grenade Launcher|Brute Shot]] rounds. John activated the [[Fail-safe detonation system|fail-safe]] on her armor, denying her body to the Covenant. | |||
The team then sabotaged the generators in the ''Unyielding Hierophant'', and as they escaped through a side door, the fail-safe on Grace's armor activated, disintegrating a pursuing Covenant [[lance]]. John, Fred, and Will were quickly spotted by Banshees, but their pilots were killed by Linda's precision sniper fire. The Banshees were then recovered by the Spartans. John doubled back to retrieve Linda and the team escaped by destroying a glass atrium, exfiltrating via space-walk and arrived back at the ''Gettysburg''. | |||
Vice Admiral Whitcomb and Lieutenant Haverson piloted the ''Ascendant Justice'' straight into the ''Unyielding Hierophant''. Whitcomb discussed the battles of the [[Battle of the Alamo|Alamo]] and [[Battle of Thermopylae|Thermopylae]] briefly with John, then prepared to fight the Covenant off while the ''Unyielding Hierophant'''s fusion reactor detonated. Each of the five hundred Covenant ships maneuvered next to the ''Ascendant Justice'', desperately to recover a Forerunner navigation crystal. The Admiral and the Lieutenant were both killed when the station's fusion reactor exploded, annihilating 486 ships of the Covenant fleet, leaving only around a dozen intact. The paltry survivors of the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s fleet would later be committed to reinforce the Prophet of Regret's botched attack against [[New Mombasa]] on Earth. John left after witnessing Whitcomb's and Haverson's sacrifice, and arrived at Earth with the last members of his team, Linda, Will, and Fred, as well as Johnson and Cortana. They also brought with them news of the Covenant's imminent invasion.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 329-336''</ref> | |||
Before she left the group to embark on her own mission, Dr. Halsey presented John with a dilemma regarding the combat data on the Flood which she had analyzed. Providing the standard data set to Lieutenant Haverson would protect Sergeant Johnson from possible experimentation by ONI. However, providing him the complete data, which contained reference to Sergeant Johnson's escape from the Flood due to his [[Boren's Syndrome]], would supposedly result in Johnson's death.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 242-246'' (2003)</ref> While John initially gave the complete data to Haverson, after the lieutenant's self-sacrifice he decided to spare Johnson's life and destroyed the crystal containing the full data.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 336'' (2003)</ref> | |||
===Battle of Earth=== | ===Battle of Earth=== | ||
[[File:H2A-JohnWithCovenantBomb.jpg|thumb| | [[File:H2A-JohnWithCovenantBomb.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Master Chief gives the Covenant back their bomb, turning the tide of the Battle of Earth.]] | ||
{{Main|Battle of Earth}} | {{Main|Battle of Earth}} | ||
{{Quote|no=two|q1=What if you miss?|Cortana|q2=I won't.|John-117|John-117 confidently reassuring Cortana before returning the Covenant bomb.}} | {{Quote|no=two|q1=What if you miss?|Cortana|q2=I won't.|John-117|John-117 confidently reassuring Cortana before returning the Covenant bomb.}} | ||
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===Installation 05=== | ===Installation 05=== | ||
[[File:H2A - Prophet of Regret hologram.jpg|thumb| | [[File:H2A - Prophet of Regret hologram.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Master Chief on Installation 05 hunting down the Prophet of Regret.]] | ||
{{Main|Battle of Installation 05}} | {{Main|Battle of Installation 05}} | ||
{{Quote|This is not your grave...But you are welcome in it.| Gravemind to John-117 while capturing him.}} | {{Quote|This is not your grave...But you are welcome in it.| Gravemind to John-117 while capturing him.}} | ||
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===Return to Earth=== | ===Return to Earth=== | ||
[[File:S117returnstoEarth2552.jpg| | [[File:S117returnstoEarth2552.jpg|250px|thumb|right|John-117 and the Forerunner Dreadnought return to Earth, with John using a piece of the Dreadnought as a shield.]] | ||
{{Quote|multi=yes|q1=Master Chief, you mind telling me what you're doing on [[Forerunner Dreadnought|that ship]]?|Lord Hood|q2=Sir, finishing this fight.|John-117|A brief conversation between the Chief and Lord Hood after his arrival in the Forerunner Dreadnought}} | {{Quote|multi=yes|q1=Master Chief, you mind telling me what you're doing on [[Forerunner Dreadnought|that ship]]?|Lord Hood|q2=Sir, finishing this fight.|John-117|A brief conversation between the Chief and Lord Hood after his arrival in the Forerunner Dreadnought}} | ||
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John and the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] [[Raid on Kilimanjaro|traveled through the jungle]], searching for evacuation to a nearby military base. Johnson and his team split up from John and the Arbiter. The sergeant and his squad were captured by Prophet-loyalist Covenant Brutes, although they were soon rescued by John and 'Vadam. After taking heavy fire from [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantoms]], a Pelican dropship evacuated the team to a UNSC base known as [[Crow's Nest]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Sierra 117]]''</ref> | John and the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] [[Raid on Kilimanjaro|traveled through the jungle]], searching for evacuation to a nearby military base. Johnson and his team split up from John and the Arbiter. The sergeant and his squad were captured by Prophet-loyalist Covenant Brutes, although they were soon rescued by John and 'Vadam. After taking heavy fire from [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantoms]], a Pelican dropship evacuated the team to a UNSC base known as [[Crow's Nest]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Sierra 117]]''</ref> | ||
[[File:Master Chief & The Arbiter.jpg|left| | [[File:Master Chief & The Arbiter.jpg|left|250px|thumb|John-117 and the Arbiter prepare to fight through the jungle.]] | ||
The hidden facility soon came under attack, but not before [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] told John his plan to counterattack the Covenant forces above and surrounding the excavated Forerunner artifact near Voi. Lieutenant Commander Keyes decided to evacuate all troops before Truth could launch his assault. John, Thel and the remaining UNSC Marines defended the base during its evacuation, planting a [[Unidentified UNSC bomb|massive bomb]] to destroy the base along with the invading Covenant forces. The Master Chief fought his way through dozens of Jiralhanae warriors, escaping the explosion in an [[elevator]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref> He met up with several Marine survivors underground, and they escaped the base and headed for the city of [[Voi]] along [[Tsavo Highway]], [[Battle of Tsavo Highway|crushing Covenant resistance]] on their way.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Tsavo Highway (level)|Tsavo Highway]]''</ref> | |||
At the [[Battle of Voi]], John dashed towards what was believed to be [[Installation 00|the Ark]]. Instead, the [[The Portal|artifact opened a slipspace portal]] ''to'' the Ark. With Marine support, John and Thel 'Vadam destroyed three [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery|Anti-Air Wraiths]], a Scarab, and a [[Type-27 Anti-Aircraft Cannon|Covenant anti-aircraft battery]], allowing Lord Hood's remaining [[UNSC frigate|frigates]] to fire upon Truth's Dreadnought. Unfortunately, MAC rounds had little effect on the Forerunner Dreadnought, and Truth fled through the Portal with his remaining loyalist forces. The UNSC remained behind on Earth to determine their next move.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> | At the [[Battle of Voi]], John dashed towards what was believed to be [[Installation 00|the Ark]]. Instead, the [[The Portal|artifact opened a slipspace portal]] ''to'' the Ark. With Marine support, John and Thel 'Vadam destroyed three [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery|Anti-Air Wraiths]], a Scarab, and a [[Type-27 Anti-Aircraft Cannon|Covenant anti-aircraft battery]], allowing Lord Hood's remaining [[UNSC frigate|frigates]] to fire upon Truth's Dreadnought. Unfortunately, MAC rounds had little effect on the Forerunner Dreadnought, and Truth fled through the Portal with his remaining loyalist forces. The UNSC remained behind on Earth to determine their next move.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> | ||
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Recognizing the fate of all life within the galaxy was at stake, the UNSC-Sangheili task force was determined to stop Truth from activating the remaining six Halos at any cost. The infantry strike team descended in Pelicans and Phantoms while the Shipmaster's [[Fleet of Retribution|fleet]] fought a 3:1 battle against an armada of Brute controlled ships. John landed on the surface of the Ark, eliminating Covenant loyalists in the area to secure a landing zone for UNSC frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, and to find the Ark's [[Cartographer]]. Traveling in Scorpions, Warthogs, and captured [[Type-52 Infantry Support Vehicle|Prowlers]], John and other Marines located the Cartographer and learned that Truth was in the Installation's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], a structure where the entire Halo Array could be activated. John then escaped from the Cartographer and proceeded to assault the fortress.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref> After his arrival to Installation 00, John-117 began to discover a [[Terminal/Halo 3|number of]] [[Z-9930 Information Vector Console|terminals]] containing ancient Forerunner communications logs, as well as direct messages from the Forerunner [[ancilla]] [[05-032 Mendicant Bias]].<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 129''</ref> | Recognizing the fate of all life within the galaxy was at stake, the UNSC-Sangheili task force was determined to stop Truth from activating the remaining six Halos at any cost. The infantry strike team descended in Pelicans and Phantoms while the Shipmaster's [[Fleet of Retribution|fleet]] fought a 3:1 battle against an armada of Brute controlled ships. John landed on the surface of the Ark, eliminating Covenant loyalists in the area to secure a landing zone for UNSC frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, and to find the Ark's [[Cartographer]]. Traveling in Scorpions, Warthogs, and captured [[Type-52 Infantry Support Vehicle|Prowlers]], John and other Marines located the Cartographer and learned that Truth was in the Installation's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], a structure where the entire Halo Array could be activated. John then escaped from the Cartographer and proceeded to assault the fortress.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref> After his arrival to Installation 00, John-117 began to discover a [[Terminal/Halo 3|number of]] [[Z-9930 Information Vector Console|terminals]] containing ancient Forerunner communications logs, as well as direct messages from the Forerunner [[ancilla]] [[05-032 Mendicant Bias]].<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 129''</ref> | ||
[[File:ArbiterRoar-large.jpg|thumb|left| | [[File:ArbiterRoar-large.jpg|thumb|left|250px|John watches silently as Thel 'Vadam roars after Truth's death.]] | ||
John-117, Thel 'Vadam, and a squad of Marines were assigned to separately attack three [[barrier tower]]s, which were emitting a protective shield around the Citadel. Although John and 'Vadam managed to deactivate two of the towers, Sergeant Johnson was captured at the third, spared only to activate the Halos from the Ark's Citadel. John, 'Vadam, and the Elites deactivated the last tower, lowering the shield. Just as the ''Shadow of Intent'' was about to destroy the Citadel, the Flood-controlled ''[[High Charity]]'' exited Slipspace, bringing the Flood into the conflict and disabling the ''Shadow of Intent''.<ref name="coven">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> | John-117, Thel 'Vadam, and a squad of Marines were assigned to separately attack three [[barrier tower]]s, which were emitting a protective shield around the Citadel. Although John and 'Vadam managed to deactivate two of the towers, Sergeant Johnson was captured at the third, spared only to activate the Halos from the Ark's Citadel. John, 'Vadam, and the Elites deactivated the last tower, lowering the shield. Just as the ''Shadow of Intent'' was about to destroy the Citadel, the Flood-controlled ''[[High Charity]]'' exited Slipspace, bringing the Flood into the conflict and disabling the ''Shadow of Intent''.<ref name="coven">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> | ||
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The Gravemind then betrayed John and 'Vadam, laughing as it had successfully used the pair again for its own ends. After fighting past waves of Flood, the two escaped with their lives. As they were leaving the Citadel, John saw a vision of Cortana that led him to the exit. There, he learned her plan: [[Installation 04B|a replacement for Installation 04]] had been built by the Ark, but was not yet connected with the rest of the Array. Since the Ark and the ring were so far from the inhabited galaxy, John decided to activate Installation 04B and destroy the Flood once and for all. But first, he headed to the remains of ''High Charity'' to keep a promise to Cortana.<ref name="coven"/> | The Gravemind then betrayed John and 'Vadam, laughing as it had successfully used the pair again for its own ends. After fighting past waves of Flood, the two escaped with their lives. As they were leaving the Citadel, John saw a vision of Cortana that led him to the exit. There, he learned her plan: [[Installation 04B|a replacement for Installation 04]] had been built by the Ark, but was not yet connected with the rest of the Array. Since the Ark and the ring were so far from the inhabited galaxy, John decided to activate Installation 04B and destroy the Flood once and for all. But first, he headed to the remains of ''High Charity'' to keep a promise to Cortana.<ref name="coven"/> | ||
[[File:CortanaIndex-large.jpg|thumb|right| | [[File:CortanaIndex-large.jpg|thumb|right|250px|John reunites with Cortana.]] | ||
{{Quote|no=two|q1=You know me. When I make a promise...|John-117|q2=You...keep it. I do know how to pick 'em.|Cortana|John-117 reminding Cortana of his promise}} | {{Quote|no=two|q1=You know me. When I make a promise...|John-117|q2=You...keep it. I do know how to pick 'em.|Cortana|John-117 reminding Cortana of his promise}} | ||
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===Activating the Halo=== | ===Activating the Halo=== | ||
{{Main|Raid on Installation 04B}} | {{Main|Raid on Installation 04B}} | ||
[[File:DeathofAveryJohnson.jpg| | [[File:DeathofAveryJohnson.jpg|250px|left|thumb|The Master Chief, caught unaware by 343 Guilty Spark's sudden attack on Johnson.]] | ||
The final mission of the war for John, 'Vadam, and Cortana was to destroy the Flood forever by activating the replacement Installation 04. The three landed on the Halo, discovering that the Gravemind was already trying to rebuild itself on the Installation. [[Flood dispersal pod]]s released combat forms against John and the Arbiter, forcing them to fight their way up to the Control Room, where the ring could be activated. During the battle, Sergeant Johnson arrived and assisted the Chief.<ref name="h3l">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | The final mission of the war for John, 'Vadam, and Cortana was to destroy the Flood forever by activating the replacement Installation 04. The three landed on the Halo, discovering that the Gravemind was already trying to rebuild itself on the Installation. [[Flood dispersal pod]]s released combat forms against John and the Arbiter, forcing them to fight their way up to the Control Room, where the ring could be activated. During the battle, Sergeant Johnson arrived and assisted the Chief.<ref name="h3l">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | ||
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===Stranded in space=== | ===Stranded in space=== | ||
{{Quote|Wake me... when you need me.|John's last words before entering cryostasis}} | {{Quote|Wake me... when you need me.|John's last words before entering cryostasis}} | ||
[[File:H4 Chief in cryochamber.png|thumb|right| | [[File:H4 Chief in cryochamber.png|thumb|right|250px|John-117 in cryostasis.]] | ||
John-117 and Cortana managed to survive the explosion of [[Installation 04B]] in the remaining cargo portion of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'', but it was nearly powerless and could not be properly navigated. Cortana, relieved that John had survived, explained this to the Chief, and that it could take years before anyone could discover their distress signal. In a similar conversation to one after the destruction of Installation 04, Cortana listed what John had done and told him, ''"It's finished,"'' and this time, he agreed with her. John entered a cryotube, at which point Cortana stated that she would miss him. John replied her to wake him when she needed him.<ref name="epi3"/> | John-117 and Cortana managed to survive the explosion of [[Installation 04B]] in the remaining cargo portion of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'', but it was nearly powerless and could not be properly navigated. Cortana, relieved that John had survived, explained this to the Chief, and that it could take years before anyone could discover their distress signal. In a similar conversation to one after the destruction of Installation 04, Cortana listed what John had done and told him, ''"It's finished,"'' and this time, he agreed with her. John entered a cryotube, at which point Cortana stated that she would miss him. John replied her to wake him when she needed him.<ref name="epi3"/> | ||
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In [[2557|July 2557]], nearly five years after John went into cryo-sleep, the aft half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' entered orbit above [[Requiem]], a Forerunner [[shield world]]. As [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant remnant]] forces near Requiem began to board the ''Dawn'', Cortana awakened John from cryosleep. With Cortana's assistance, John fought off the intruders across the ship and used one of the ship's [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|nuclear missiles]] to destroy an incoming [[CRS-class light cruiser|Covenant cruiser]]. Shortly afterward, however, Requiem's access gateway opened, pulling the remains of the ''Dawn'', as well as any Covenant ships in immediate proximity, into the interior of the shield world.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn (level)|Dawn]]''</ref> Having crashed on Requiem, John took notice of Cortana's escalating signs of rampancy and she explained that her condition may be reversible if they managed to get to Earth and find Dr. Halsey in time.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> Fighting their way through numerous Covenant forces occupying the structure, John was attacked by advanced Forerunner defense drones which Cortana identified as [[Promethean]]s. Evading or destroying pursuit, John attempted to warn the approaching {{UNSCship|Infinity}} of the dangerous gravity field that had disabled the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.<ref name="forel">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> | In [[2557|July 2557]], nearly five years after John went into cryo-sleep, the aft half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' entered orbit above [[Requiem]], a Forerunner [[shield world]]. As [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant remnant]] forces near Requiem began to board the ''Dawn'', Cortana awakened John from cryosleep. With Cortana's assistance, John fought off the intruders across the ship and used one of the ship's [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|nuclear missiles]] to destroy an incoming [[CRS-class light cruiser|Covenant cruiser]]. Shortly afterward, however, Requiem's access gateway opened, pulling the remains of the ''Dawn'', as well as any Covenant ships in immediate proximity, into the interior of the shield world.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn (level)|Dawn]]''</ref> Having crashed on Requiem, John took notice of Cortana's escalating signs of rampancy and she explained that her condition may be reversible if they managed to get to Earth and find Dr. Halsey in time.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> Fighting their way through numerous Covenant forces occupying the structure, John was attacked by advanced Forerunner defense drones which Cortana identified as [[Promethean]]s. Evading or destroying pursuit, John attempted to warn the approaching {{UNSCship|Infinity}} of the dangerous gravity field that had disabled the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.<ref name="forel">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> | ||
[[File:H4 John-117 Didact first encounter.jpg|thumb|left| | [[File:H4 John-117 Didact first encounter.jpg|thumb|left|250px|John is overpowered by the recently-awakened [[Ur-Didact|Didact]].]] | ||
After John disabled two energy pylons preventing them from contacting ''Infinity'' and attempted to use the supposed relay satellite in Requiem's core to establish contact, it became clear that a great threat had been imprisoned within Requiem. Instead of contacting the ''Infinity'', John had accidentally released the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], an ancient Forerunner warrior, from his [[Cryptum]]. Easily disabling John with his powerful abilities, he declared the return of the Forerunners as the galaxy's rulers and saviors. Humanity remained weak and unworthy in his eyes of inheriting the [[Mantle]]. Having always revered the Forerunners as gods, the Covenant quickly swore alliance to the Didact and his armies.<ref name="forel"/> | After John disabled two energy pylons preventing them from contacting ''Infinity'' and attempted to use the supposed relay satellite in Requiem's core to establish contact, it became clear that a great threat had been imprisoned within Requiem. Instead of contacting the ''Infinity'', John had accidentally released the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], an ancient Forerunner warrior, from his [[Cryptum]]. Easily disabling John with his powerful abilities, he declared the return of the Forerunners as the galaxy's rulers and saviors. Humanity remained weak and unworthy in his eyes of inheriting the [[Mantle]]. Having always revered the Forerunners as gods, the Covenant quickly swore alliance to the Didact and his armies.<ref name="forel"/> | ||
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===Conflicting loyalties=== | ===Conflicting loyalties=== | ||
[[File:H4 John-117 and Librarian.PNG|thumb| | [[File:H4 John-117 and Librarian.PNG|thumb|250px|John-117 encounters the Librarian's essence.]] | ||
{{Quote|The Didact has to be stopped. If you won't do that... I will.| John-117 to Cpt. Del Rio before disobeying his order.}} | {{Quote|The Didact has to be stopped. If you won't do that... I will.| John-117 to Cpt. Del Rio before disobeying his order.}} | ||
With a momentary lull in the fighting, John was called to a strategy meeting with [[Andrew Del Rio]], Captain of the ''Infinity''. Skeptical of the threat of the Prometheans, Rio ordered an immediate attack on a Forerunner gravity well preventing the ship from leaving.<ref name="infil"/> A strike force of Spartans led by John was deployed with a [[Mobile Anti-Aircraft Weapons Platform M510 Siegework/Ultra-Heavy|Mammoth]] ultra heavy ground vehicle supporting the attack. Facing daunting odds, the UNSC was able to defeat a large armored strike force of Covenant and Prometheans and disabled the gravity beam. Diverted to an underground facility along the way, John was confronted with a vision from the [[Librarian]], who warned him of the Didact's plans to enslave humanity with a device known as the [[Composer]]. The Librarian also provided John with a gift: a medical treatment to counteract the Forerunners' devolution of the human genome, and a means to resist the effects of the Composer.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> | With a momentary lull in the fighting, John was called to a strategy meeting with [[Andrew Del Rio]], Captain of the ''Infinity''. Skeptical of the threat of the Prometheans, Rio ordered an immediate attack on a Forerunner gravity well preventing the ship from leaving.<ref name="infil"/> A strike force of Spartans led by John was deployed with a [[Mobile Anti-Aircraft Weapons Platform M510 Siegework/Ultra-Heavy|Mammoth]] ultra heavy ground vehicle supporting the attack. Facing daunting odds, the UNSC was able to defeat a large armored strike force of Covenant and Prometheans and disabled the gravity beam. Diverted to an underground facility along the way, John was confronted with a vision from the [[Librarian]], who warned him of the Didact's plans to enslave humanity with a device known as the [[Composer]]. The Librarian also provided John with a gift: a medical treatment to counteract the Forerunners' devolution of the human genome, and a means to resist the effects of the Composer.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> | ||
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{{Main|New Phoenix Incident}} | {{Main|New Phoenix Incident}} | ||
{{Quote|no=two|q1=Now what do we do?|Cortana|q2=Plan B.|John-117| John-117 and Cortana after crash landing aboard Mantle's Approach .}} | {{Quote|no=two|q1=Now what do we do?|Cortana|q2=Plan B.|John-117| John-117 and Cortana after crash landing aboard Mantle's Approach .}} | ||
[[File:Chief ready to armor down.jpg|thumb|right| | [[File:Chief ready to armor down.jpg|thumb|right|250px|John gets ready to take off his armor for the first time in years.]] | ||
With the Didact approaching Earth, planning to imprison all of humanity into digital form, John pursued the Promethean aboard an [[F-41 Broadsword]] fighter on the outer hull of the Promethean's ship. As the ship exited slipspace near Earth, John was surprised to find the ''Infinity'' and the rest of the [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]] ready and waiting for the Didact. John was able to destroy the ship's point defense guns, giving ''Infinity'' the chance to punch through the vessel's hull. Entering the breach, John fought his way to the Forerunner's location.<ref name="midnight">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> Despite the UNSC's best efforts, the Didact began to fire on Earth with the Composer, annihilating the population of [[New Phoenix|New Phoenix, Arizona]]. Armed with a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon|HAVOK warhead]], John confronted the Didact for the second time. While John was unable to hurt the Forerunner with conventional attacks, the dying Cortana disabled the Didact's armor and immobilized him with [[hard light]] shackles. With the last of his strength, John used a [[pulse grenade]] to destroy the Forerunner's armor, sending him down into a slipspace rupture beneath the Composer. With time having already run out, John detonated the nuclear bomb manually as a desperate last resort.<ref name="midnight"/> | With the Didact approaching Earth, planning to imprison all of humanity into digital form, John pursued the Promethean aboard an [[F-41 Broadsword]] fighter on the outer hull of the Promethean's ship. As the ship exited slipspace near Earth, John was surprised to find the ''Infinity'' and the rest of the [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]] ready and waiting for the Didact. John was able to destroy the ship's point defense guns, giving ''Infinity'' the chance to punch through the vessel's hull. Entering the breach, John fought his way to the Forerunner's location.<ref name="midnight">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> Despite the UNSC's best efforts, the Didact began to fire on Earth with the Composer, annihilating the population of [[New Phoenix|New Phoenix, Arizona]]. Armed with a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon|HAVOK warhead]], John confronted the Didact for the second time. While John was unable to hurt the Forerunner with conventional attacks, the dying Cortana disabled the Didact's armor and immobilized him with [[hard light]] shackles. With the last of his strength, John used a [[pulse grenade]] to destroy the Forerunner's armor, sending him down into a slipspace rupture beneath the Composer. With time having already run out, John detonated the nuclear bomb manually as a desperate last resort.<ref name="midnight"/> | ||
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===The Composer's Forge=== | ===The Composer's Forge=== | ||
{{Main|Skirmish on Installation 03}} | {{Main|Skirmish on Installation 03}} | ||
[[File:BrutalDidact2.png|thumb| | [[File:BrutalDidact2.png|thumb|200px|The Didact crushes John's helmet]] | ||
{{Quote|Chief, is there anything you'd like to advise us on right now?| Fred-104 to John-117 upon arrival to Composer's Abyss}} | {{Quote|Chief, is there anything you'd like to advise us on right now?| Fred-104 to John-117 upon arrival to Composer's Abyss}} | ||
On [[2557#July|July 25, 2557]] John was debriefed by the [[UNSC Security Council]], though this questioning session as well as his survival were kept secret from Doctor Halsey.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Invasion|S1E7 ''Invasion'']]</ref> John confirmed that Cortana and the Composer were both destroyed over Earth, but he was unable to confirm the Didact's death. With there being no proof of a living [[Forerunner]], the Council decided to tell the general public that the attack on New Phoenix was caused by the [[Covenant remnants]] and ended by the return of a hero, the Master Chief. Following his meeting with the Security Council, the Master Chief met with [[Terrence Hood|Lord Terrence Hood]]. Hood asked the Master Chief if he could advise a team on Installation 03 to investigate the loss of contact with a science team escorted by Spartan [[Black Team]] on the ring. The Master Chief then reunited with Blue Team, consisting of Fred-104, Kelly-087, and Linda-058. | On [[2557#July|July 25, 2557]] John was debriefed by the [[UNSC Security Council]], though this questioning session as well as his survival were kept secret from Doctor Halsey.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Invasion|S1E7 ''Invasion'']]</ref> John confirmed that Cortana and the Composer were both destroyed over Earth, but he was unable to confirm the Didact's death. With there being no proof of a living [[Forerunner]], the Council decided to tell the general public that the attack on New Phoenix was caused by the [[Covenant remnants]] and ended by the return of a hero, the Master Chief. Following his meeting with the Security Council, the Master Chief met with [[Terrence Hood|Lord Terrence Hood]]. Hood asked the Master Chief if he could advise a team on Installation 03 to investigate the loss of contact with a science team escorted by Spartan [[Black Team]] on the ring. The Master Chief then reunited with Blue Team, consisting of Fred-104, Kelly-087, and Linda-058. | ||
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Blue Team returned to the surface of Gamma Halo from the Composer's Abyss, arriving just in time as the Didact's new Composer rose from the pit. John fell behind while the Didact attacked and prepared to kill the others, starting with Kelly. Before he could do so, the Master Chief sneaked behind the Didact and stabbed him in the eye with his combat knife. Intending to correct his mistake of not having killed the Spartan when he had the chance, the Didact grabbed John by the head, lifted him in the air and squeezed,<ref name="HE9"/> cracking his visor. However, the rest of Blue Team intervened, prompting the Didact to throw John aside. The Forerunner quickly disabled all four Spartans, but Static Carillon arrived and teleported the Didact into the Halo's [[Control Room (Installation 03)|control room]] before he could finish them off.<ref name="HE10">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue #10]]''</ref> | Blue Team returned to the surface of Gamma Halo from the Composer's Abyss, arriving just in time as the Didact's new Composer rose from the pit. John fell behind while the Didact attacked and prepared to kill the others, starting with Kelly. Before he could do so, the Master Chief sneaked behind the Didact and stabbed him in the eye with his combat knife. Intending to correct his mistake of not having killed the Spartan when he had the chance, the Didact grabbed John by the head, lifted him in the air and squeezed,<ref name="HE9"/> cracking his visor. However, the rest of Blue Team intervened, prompting the Didact to throw John aside. The Forerunner quickly disabled all four Spartans, but Static Carillon arrived and teleported the Didact into the Halo's [[Control Room (Installation 03)|control room]] before he could finish them off.<ref name="HE10">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue #10]]''</ref> | ||
After recovering, John picked up the ring's [[Activation Index]] the Didact had dropped and intended to confront the Forerunner in the control room while the rest of the team returned to their Longsword. Using the Index to override the system's safeties, the Master Chief gave control of the Halo to Static Carillon who then ejected the section of the ring housing the control room, causing it to plunge toward the planet below. The monitor teleported John away just as the segment struck the Composer's Forge | After recovering, John picked up the ring's [[Activation Index]] the Didact had dropped and intended to confront the Forerunner in the control room while the rest of the team returned to their Longsword. Using the Index to override the system's safeties, the Master Chief gave control of the Halo to Static Carillon who then ejected the section of the ring housing the control room, causing it to plunge toward the planet below. The monitor teleported John away just as the segment struck the Composer's Forge and the Didact was digitized by the Composers. John and Static Carillon materialized aboard Blue Team's Longsword, where the monitor bade farewell to the Reclaimer before departing to take Gamma Halo to an undisclosed location.<ref name="HE10"/> | ||
===Self-reassignment=== | ===Self-reassignment=== | ||
{{Quote|no=two|q1=Where to this time?|Kelly-087|q2=Anywhere we're needed.|John-117| John-117 informing Blue team about their next assignment}} | {{Quote|no=two|q1=Where to this time?|Kelly-087|q2=Anywhere we're needed.|John-117| John-117 informing Blue team about their next assignment}} | ||
[[File:H2A-holoJohn.jpg|thumb| | [[File:H2A-holoJohn.jpg|thumb|250px|Agent Locke shows the Arbiter a hologram of John-117]] | ||
John returned to Earth with Blue Team where he was debriefed by Fleet Admiral Hood. The damage to his armor (including his broken helmet and the prominent gash on his chest plate) was also seemingly repaired. While Lord Hood believed the Didact to be dead, the Master Chief considered it safer to call him "contained". Hood ordered John and the other Spartans to take a leave from combat, but upon returning to his team the Master Chief instead told them they were embarking on a new mission — evidently one of his own making.<ref name="HE10"/> Blue Team then departed for their new activities; their whereabouts in the coming months would remain classified.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]'' ('''[[Vladimir Scruggs]]''': ''"What about your pal, the Master Chief? Any of you heard of him lately?"'')</ref> After their departure, the Master Chief's behavior was discussed by two high-level individuals within ONI, who deemed his self-reassignment a predictable consequence of his nature and unwavering dedication to his career.<ref name="HE10"/> | John returned to Earth with Blue Team where he was debriefed by Fleet Admiral Hood. The damage to his armor (including his broken helmet and the prominent gash on his chest plate) was also seemingly repaired. While Lord Hood believed the Didact to be dead, the Master Chief considered it safer to call him "contained". Hood ordered John and the other Spartans to take a leave from combat, but upon returning to his team the Master Chief instead told them they were embarking on a new mission — evidently one of his own making.<ref name="HE10"/> Blue Team then departed for their new activities; their whereabouts in the coming months would remain classified.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]'' ('''[[Vladimir Scruggs]]''': ''"What about your pal, the Master Chief? Any of you heard of him lately?"'')</ref> After their departure, the Master Chief's behavior was discussed by two high-level individuals within ONI, who deemed his self-reassignment a predictable consequence of his nature and unwavering dedication to his career.<ref name="HE10"/> | ||
Eventually ONI lost track of the Master Chief and, believing he had gone AWOL, tasked a special unit to recover him. Led by Lieutenant Commander [[Jameson Locke]], the Spartan-IV team consulted John's "old friend", [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], for the Spartan's whereabouts.<ref | Eventually ONI lost track of the Master Chief and, believing he had gone AWOL, tasked a special unit to recover him. Led by Lieutenant Commander [[Jameson Locke]], the Spartan-IV team consulted John's "old friend", [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], for the Spartan's whereabouts.<ref name="h2ap"/> | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
==Personality== | ==Personality== | ||
[[File:Master Chief - Social outcast - wide shot.png|thumb| | [[File:Master Chief - Social outcast - wide shot.png|thumb|250px|While he is almost universally known to the public as humanity's champion, only a select few have gotten to know John personally.]] | ||
{{Quote|Our duty as soldiers | {{Quote|Our duty as soldiers is to protect humanity, whatever the cost.|Master Chief about what it takes to protect human lifes}} | ||
Until the age of six, John lived a normal life with his family on the colony of Eridanus II. His conscription into the SPARTAN-II program was to shape much of his personality in the years to come. However, despite his difficulty relating to non-SPARTAN personnel, John nevertheless showed great depth of character throughout his many years of service. | Until the age of six, John lived a normal life with his family on the colony of Eridanus II. His conscription into the SPARTAN-II program was to shape much of his personality in the years to come. However, despite his difficulty relating to non-SPARTAN personnel, John nevertheless showed great depth of character throughout his many years of service. | ||
As with all Spartans, John strives to win at any situation, at all costs. Although the drive to win was ingrained to the Spartans as part of their indoctrination, John appears to have possessed such an inclination even prior to his conscription; as a child, he would win at any game he played, including chess, [[gravball]] or King of the Hill.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 25''</ref> He is extremely determined to complete any mission at hand, and often disregards his personal safety to do so. He is also noted for his exceptional luck, which, along with his combat skills and unyielding persistence, has allowed him to emerge victorious from situations many would consider impossible. Although he is not devoid of fear, he simply acknowledges the feeling and puts it aside.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 205''</ref> He is calm in the face of danger but not foolhardy, as demonstrated during his first encounter with the Gravemind, when he warned the Arbiter that his arrogance was likely to get him killed.<ref name="gravem"/> | As with all Spartans, John strives to win at any situation, at all costs. Although the drive to win was ingrained to the Spartans as part of their indoctrination, John appears to have possessed such an inclination even prior to his conscription; as a child, he would win at any game he played, including chess, [[gravball]] or King of the Hill.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 25''</ref> He is extremely determined to complete any mission at hand, and often disregards his personal safety to do so. He is also noted for his exceptional luck, which, along with his combat skills and unyielding persistence, has allowed him to emerge victorious from situations many would consider impossible. Because of his many years of constant combat and military conditioning, John is not as emotional or sensitive as he once was, especially to fear. Although he is not devoid of fear, he simply acknowledges the feeling and puts it aside.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 205''</ref> He is calm in the face of danger but not foolhardy, as demonstrated during his first encounter with the Gravemind, when he warned the Arbiter that his arrogance was likely to get him killed.<ref name="gravem"/> | ||
John is generally stoic and taciturn, but not devoid of a sense of humor. He often makes dry remarks about the situation in hand; however, this seems to be more frequent when interacting with Cortana than anyone else, such as the other Spartans. He does not see himself as a superior being and fears for the lives of others before his own, putting himself in harm's way for the safety of civilians, and fellow soldiers, and does not judge others. | John is generally stoic and taciturn, but not devoid of a sense of humor. He often makes dry remarks about the situation in hand; however, this seems to be more frequent when interacting with Cortana than anyone else, such as the other Spartans. He does not see himself as a superior being and fears for the lives of others before his own, putting himself in harm's way for the safety of civilians, and fellow soldiers, and does not judge others. Indeed, he is known to show an exceptional care for soldiers under his command and has shown great respect for the baseline humans he has fought alongside. An example of this is during the Battle of Installation 04. When making his way up to the [[Silent Cartographer]], two Helljumpers, PFC [[Hosky]] and [[Unnamed Corporal|another Corporal]], were killed by two Hunters. Afterward he regretted their loss, blaming himself for their deaths.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 165''</ref> This, and his reaction to [[Avery Johnson|Johnson]]'s death on [[Installation 04B]] show that he does exhibit care and sympathy for soldiers under his command, even if he does do a good job of concealing his feelings. He was also impressed by the humans who comprised his team following his escape from Installation 04, including [[Sheila Polaski]] and [[Locklear|Corporal Locklear]], regarding the latter "as much a warrior as any Spartan".<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 334'' (2003)</ref> | ||
[[File:1578649590 bd337a0283 b.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Thel 'Vadam, Avery Johnson and the Master Chief in Installation 04B's Control Room]] | |||
John is also known as a man of his word and will strive to keep any promise he makes, even at great personal risk. As he was forced to leave Cortana behind on High Charity, John promised to come back for her after dealing with the [[Prophet of Truth]]. Cortana chided him not to make a promise when he knew he couldn't keep it. However, despite incredible odds, John did keep his promise, as he fought his way through the Flood into High Charity to retrieve her. Upon finding her, Cortana was in a weak and damaged state. Unfazed, the Master Chief told her, "You know me. When I make a promise..." to which Cortana replied, "You keep it." This encouragement gave her the strength to compose herself after enduring the mental tortures of the Gravemind. | John is also known as a man of his word and will strive to keep any promise he makes, even at great personal risk. As he was forced to leave Cortana behind on High Charity, John promised to come back for her after dealing with the [[Prophet of Truth]]. Cortana chided him not to make a promise when he knew he couldn't keep it. However, despite incredible odds, John did keep his promise, as he fought his way through the Flood into High Charity to retrieve her. Upon finding her, Cortana was in a weak and damaged state. Unfazed, the Master Chief told her, "You know me. When I make a promise..." to which Cortana replied, "You keep it." This encouragement gave her the strength to compose herself after enduring the mental tortures of the Gravemind. | ||
John greatly dislikes being kept in the dark, ambushes and fighting human soldiers. Once, when cornered by four large ODSTs in a gym, he did his best to avoid a confrontation. In the end, he was forced to defend himself with lethal force. While killing Covenant never placed a burden of guilt on John, ending the lives of fellow human beings was something he never felt comfortable remembering. As a soldier, John knows when it is appropriate and inappropriate to fight, and has great control over his emotions thanks to a clear state of mind. Due to his augmentations, he reacts much faster than an average human, seeing events at a fraction of normal speed. It is almost a clairvoyant state of mind, and as a result of this, has an acute intuitive insight and perception of any situation combat or non-combat. | John's unfaltering, determined nature also serves to mask his feelings on many occasions, as he prefers to devote all attention to the goal at hand. He is cautious and observant, only making changes in his plans if they are of the utmost necessity. John realizes his duty as a Spartan is to serve and help those in need, and can work professionally with anyone he is sent into battle with. Although John has difficulty understanding the 'undisciplined' lifestyle of civilians, he is fiercely protective of their lives and humanity as a whole. The mass slaughter of civilians at the hands of the Covenant was enough to drive even the stoic John into a cold rage. After the [[Battle of Draco III|massacre on Draco III]], John and his Spartans remained on-site until every Covenant soldier responsible for the atrocity was dead. | ||
[[File:H2A - Chief and Johnson on Cairo.jpg|thumb|250px|Avery Johnson and the Master Chief on Cairo Station]] | |||
John greatly dislikes being kept in the dark, ambushes and fighting human soldiers. Once, when cornered by four large ODSTs in a gym, he did his best to avoid a confrontation. In the end, he was forced to defend himself with lethal force. While killing Covenant never placed a burden of guilt on John, ending the lives of fellow human beings was something he never felt comfortable remembering. As a soldier, John knows when it is appropriate and inappropriate to fight, and has great control over his emotions thanks to a clear state of mind. Due to his augmentations, he reacts much faster than an average human, seeing events at a fraction of normal speed. It is almost a clairvoyant state of mind, and as a result of this, has an acute intuitive insight and perception of any situation combat or non-combat. He has been known to have vivid and long-enduring memories of the past, such as in dreams. No matter how well-adjusted he is, however, John always seems to need to have a quiet place away from crowds after a battle in order to feel at peace. | |||
While reflecting on his life during his battle with the Didact John stated that he did not remember anything from his childhood from before his conscription: not his name, his family, his home, except the King of the Hill game he played with the other children in his school's playground. Through thirty years of warfare he was always prepared to die in battle, but when he was about to die by Didact's hand on Gamma Halo, he discovered he was not ready to die. After defeating the Didact, John continued to obsessively embark on new battles even after receiving an R&R order from Lord Hood.<ref name="HE10"/> | |||
When Lord Hood offered John a commission, even suggesting he could be conferred the rank of admiral, the Master Chief jokingly replied, "The Admiral doesn't have quite the same ring to it".<ref name="HE8"/> | |||
===Relationships=== | ===Relationships=== | ||
{{Quote|When you first came here, you fought the trainers when they took this away from you — broke a few fingers as I recall...It has an eagle on one side. That bird is like you — fast and deadly.|CPO Mendez presenting to John an ancient silver [[quarter]] during their last meeting}} | |||
{{Quote|When you first came here, you fought the trainers when they took this away from you — broke a few fingers as I recall...It has an eagle on one side. That bird is like you — fast and deadly.|CPO Mendez presenting to John an ancient silver [[quarter]] during their last meeting}} | [[File:Mom, Son, & Daughter.png|thumb|250px|Dr. Halsey presenting Cortana to John.]] | ||
John holds a personal respect for his trainer and mentor SCPO Mendez, | John does not open easily to strangers, and is withdrawn even by Spartan standards; he seems to prefer being referred to as "Master Chief" by civilians, and has shown an aversion to taking his helmet off in the presence of others unless necessary. Friendships are made for life, however—once given, his trust is forever, one example being [[Cortana]], whom he initially doubted. Like most Spartan-IIs, he thinks of Doctor Catherine Halsey as a nearly mother-like figure, and holds a deep personal respect for his trainer and mentor SCPO Franklin Mendez. The Spartans, Cortana, Dr. Halsey, and SCPO Mendez, being the only family he really ever had, assume a larger-than-life importance for John-117. | ||
John formed close friendships with the other Spartans he grew up with since his childhood, most notably [[Samuel-034]] and [[Kelly-087]], his first friends within the group. While still feeling the loss of comrades deeply, he has grown more accustomed to combat than most soldiers. Nevertheless, he was deeply affected by the deaths of each of the Spartans, particularly Sam. He was also saddened by Linda-058's apparent death aboard Gamma Station and was greatly relieved after Dr. Halsey successfully resuscitated her. However, having accepted the responsibility of command for the SPARTAN-IIs, he maintains a certain professional distance to his comrades and mostly keeps his feelings to himself to maintain his authority.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 268'' (2003)</ref> | |||
====Cortana==== | |||
In a strange twist of fate, one of John's closest friendships was with the [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Cortana]], a construct "born" from the mind of Dr. Halsey herself. Despite some initial hesitation towards working with an AI out of fear of conflicting directives, John and Cortana quickly formed a formidable team. After a near-fatal training exercise masterminded by ONI Colonel Ackerson, John realized that Cortana would be a great help instead of a liability. Their relationship evolved from a partnership to a close friendship over the course of the Battle of Installation 04, probably due in part to the amount of time the two spent with each other. During their adventures, John showed absolute trust in Cortana, believing in her when even Lord Hood was unsure of her reliability, even willing to trust her enough to risk Earth on her word that she had a way to stop the Flood. Years later, on Requiem, he went as far as to disobey a direct order to give her up for decommissioning. The two also had similar personalities: they both had a propensity to blow things up, with John commenting he wasn't sure which one of them was better at it. The pair also enjoyed executing dangerous plans. After Cortana explained to John his strategy to use a disabled bomb to blow up a Covenant carrier was crazy, he offered to leave her behind. Instead, she quipped, "Unfortunately for us both, I like crazy." Cortana ultimately sacrificed herself to save him and John was clearly devastated by her death. | In a strange twist of fate, one of John's closest friendships was with the [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Cortana]], a construct "born" from the mind of Dr. Halsey herself. Despite some initial hesitation towards working with an AI out of fear of conflicting directives, John and Cortana quickly formed a formidable team. After a near-fatal training exercise masterminded by ONI Colonel Ackerson, John realized that Cortana would be a great help instead of a liability. Their relationship evolved from a partnership to a close friendship over the course of the Battle of Installation 04, probably due in part to the amount of time the two spent with each other. During their adventures, John showed absolute trust in Cortana, believing in her when even Lord Hood was unsure of her reliability, even willing to trust her enough to risk Earth on her word that she had a way to stop the Flood. Years later, on Requiem, he went as far as to disobey a direct order to give her up for decommissioning. The two also had similar personalities: they both had a propensity to blow things up, with John commenting he wasn't sure which one of them was better at it. The pair also enjoyed executing dangerous plans. After Cortana explained to John his strategy to use a disabled bomb to blow up a Covenant carrier was crazy, he offered to leave her behind. Instead, she quipped, "Unfortunately for us both, I like crazy." Cortana ultimately sacrificed herself to save him and John was clearly devastated by her death. | ||
====Thel 'Vadam==== | |||
[[File:Chiefarbiter.jpg|thumb| | [[File:Chiefarbiter.jpg|thumb|250px|right|John-117 and Thel 'Vadam fighting alongside each other]] | ||
John and [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s first meeting on Delta Halo was hostile, with the Arbiter continually refer to the Spartan as "Demon" and John's insistence that the San'Shyuum were making a "big mistake" (by activating the Halos). Upon their next meeting on Earth, John was quick to try and kill the Sangheili before Johnson stopped him. They remained initially wary of one another, but they learned to trust each other in combat against the Covenant and the Flood. Thel proved his trustworthiness to John by actions like helping him rescue Sergeant Johnson, or counseling the Elites to not glass all of Earth when the Flood arrived on it. When they reached the Ark, the two's reliance on each other was cemented, and John showed respect for Thel by letting him be the one to kill the Prophet of Truth. The Arbiter also came to his aid on ''High Charity'' despite having no need to and chose to fight with him to the end of the fight with the Flood. 'Vadam was the last one to see John alive before the latter went missing-in-action after the war, and afterward expressed to Lord Hood mild doubt that John might be dead. After the [[Battle of Ealen IV|events]] on [[Ealen IV]] and learning that John was indeed still alive, Thel believed that he was the key to the galaxy's future. | |||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
==Age== | ==Age== | ||
