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Battle for Earth: Difference between revisions

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(At the time of the war, the UEG passed command of humanity over to the UNSC. After the war it was passed back to the UEG)
(Undo revision 1195857 More than just the UNSC fought in the battle. The NMPD, for example. UEG is the correct answer for this.)
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|date    = [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]] - [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]]<ref name="lootcrate2">'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''Crate #2''</ref>
|date    = [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]] - [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]]<ref name="lootcrate2">'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''Crate #2''</ref>
|place    = [[Earth]], [[Sol system]]
|place    = [[Earth]], [[Sol system]]
|result  = Tactical [[UNSC]]/[[Fleet of Retribution]] victory  
|result  = Tactical [[UEG]]/[[Fleet of Retribution]] victory  
*The UNSC successfully prevents the majority of [[Earth]] from being devastated.
*The UEG successfully prevents the majority of [[Earth]] from being devastated.
*The [[UNSC Home Fleet]] suffers heavy casualties.
*The [[UNSC Home Fleet]] suffers heavy casualties.
*A [[Huragok]], [[Quick to Adjust]], is captured and interrogated.
*A [[Huragok]], [[Quick to Adjust]], is captured and interrogated.
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*The Covenant severely damages much of the planet's infrastructure and causes widespread human death.
*The Covenant severely damages much of the planet's infrastructure and causes widespread human death.
*The Covenant successfully manages to uncover the [[Excession at Voi|Excession]] and sends ships through the portal to [[Installation 00]].
*The Covenant successfully manages to uncover the [[Excession at Voi|Excession]] and sends ships through the portal to [[Installation 00]].
|side1 = *[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side1 = *[[Unified Earth Government|UEG]]
*[[Fleet of Retribution]] {{C|post-Great Schism}}
*[[Fleet of Retribution]]
|side2 = [[Covenant|The Covenant]]
|side2 = [[Covenant|The Covenant]]
|commanders1 =
|commanders1 =
Line 74: Line 74:
*[[Forerunner Dreadnought]]
*[[Forerunner Dreadnought]]
*At least 3 {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s and at least 27 {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}s  
*At least 3 {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s and at least 27 {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}s  
|casual1 = Heavy UNSC losses; moderate Fleet of Retribution casualties<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref>
|casual1 = Heavy UEG losses; moderate Fleet of Retribution casualties<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref>
*At least 2 [[Orbital defense platform]]s
*At least 2 [[Orbital defense platform]]s
*Majority of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]]
*Majority of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]]
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{{Quote|We ran from them. They followed. We thought they'd never find us... we were wrong.|[[Cortana]]<ref>''[[Halo 2 commercial]]''</ref>}}
{{Quote|We ran from them. They followed. We thought they'd never find us... we were wrong.|[[Cortana]]<ref>''[[Halo 2 commercial]]''</ref>}}


The '''Battle for Earth''' was one of the largest engagements fought between the [[Covenant]] and the forces of the [[Unified Earth Government]] (primarily those of the [[United Nations Space Command]]), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long<ref group="note">The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.</ref> [[Human-Covenant War]], which took place on and above the planet [[Earth]] from [[2552#October|October 20]] to [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]]. It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its [[UNSC|military]].<ref group="note">While not all of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG/UNSC, the UEG/UNSC claims authority over all of humanity.</ref>
The '''Battle for Earth''' was one of the largest engagements fought between the [[Covenant]] and the forces of the [[Unified Earth Government]] (primarily those of the [[United Nations Space Command]]), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long<ref group="note">The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.</ref> [[Human-Covenant War]], which took place on and above the planet [[Earth]] from [[2552#October|October 20]] to [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]]. It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its [[UEG|government]].<ref group="note">While not all of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG, the UEG claims authority over all of humanity.</ref>


Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.<ref name="HSA">'''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''', co-op introductory cutscene</ref> The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as humanity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the UNSC Home Fleet, it was not long before Regret's flagship fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to replace [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. A second [[Truth's Fleet|fleet]], led by Jiralhanae, appeared in the system and quickly assumed control of all local Covenant forces by killing all Sangheili.
Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.<ref name="HSA">'''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''', co-op introductory cutscene</ref> The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as humanity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the UNSC Home Fleet, it was not long before Regret's flagship fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to replace [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. A second [[Truth's Fleet|fleet]], led by Jiralhanae, appeared in the system and quickly assumed control of all local Covenant forces by killing all Sangheili.

Revision as of 21:28, November 20, 2016

This article is about the battle at the end of the Human-Covenant War. For the attack in 2555 or the Ur-Didact's attack in 2557, see Invasion of Earth and New Phoenix Incident.

Previous:

Battle of October 10

Concurrent:

First Battle of Mombasa, Battle of Installation 05, Fall of High Charity, Second Battle of Mombasa, Battle of Onyx, Battle of Mare Erythraeum, Battle of Cleveland, Battle of Havana, Skirmish on Mona Lisa, Third Battle of Mombasa, URNA Southwest Campaign, Operation: MARSH FLASH

Next:

Battle of Installation 00

Battle for Earth
File:H2A-battleofearth.png

Conflict:

Human-Covenant War

Date:

October 20, 2552 - December 3, 2552[1]

Location:

Earth, Sol system

Outcome:

Tactical UEG/Fleet of Retribution victory

  • The UEG successfully prevents the majority of Earth from being devastated.
  • The UNSC Home Fleet suffers heavy casualties.
  • A Huragok, Quick to Adjust, is captured and interrogated.
  • The local Flood infestation is eliminated.
  • The Covenant invaders are driven from Earth.
  • The Covenant is prevented from using the Conduit.

Strategic Covenant victory

  • The Covenant severely damages much of the planet's infrastructure and causes widespread human death.
  • The Covenant successfully manages to uncover the Excession and sends ships through the portal to Installation 00.
Details
Belligerents

The Covenant

Commanders
Strength

Hundreds of Covenant vessels Fleet of Sacred Consecration

Fleet of Furious Redemption The Prophet of Truth's fleet

Casualties

Heavy UEG losses; moderate Fleet of Retribution casualties[2]

Very heavy losses

 

"We ran from them. They followed. We thought they'd never find us... we were wrong."
— Cortana[4]

The Battle for Earth was one of the largest engagements fought between the Covenant and the forces of the Unified Earth Government (primarily those of the United Nations Space Command), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long[note 1] Human-Covenant War, which took place on and above the planet Earth from October 20 to December 3, 2552. It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its government.[note 2]

Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the East African Protectorate in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of Mombasa and Voi, collectively referred to as the first, second, and third battles of Mombasa.[5] The conflict began when the Fleet of Sacred Consecration, under the command of the Prophet of Regret, arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the portal that a luminary in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two Hierarchs and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as humanity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the UNSC Home Fleet, it was not long before Regret's flagship fled to Installation 05. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to replace Sangheili with Jiralhanae and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. A second fleet, led by Jiralhanae, appeared in the system and quickly assumed control of all local Covenant forces by killing all Sangheili.

At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of Sydney, Australia, to Cleveland, URNA, to Havana, Cuba, and to Mount Erebus, Antarctica and multiple other locations. By November 17, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated. It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the Forerunner Dreadnought and with Spartan-117 in tow, arrived and headed straight for the Excession, by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the keyship, the portal was activated and a large contingent of the Covenant fleet departed through the Portal with the intention of activating the Halo Array from the Ark. Almost immediately after this, the Flood arrived aboard a captured CCS-class battlecruiser, which crashed down in the town of Voi. The Fleet of Retribution, allied with the UNSC against Truth, was permitted to glass a large portion of Africa to prevent the parasite's spread. With the threat from the Flood dealt with and the bulk of Covenant forces gone, a lone UNSC frigate accompanied the Fleet of Retribution in pursuit of Truth. The remainder of UNSC forces remained behind to defend Earth from an expected full-scale Flood invasion and also began a major counteroffensive to eliminate all Covenant that remained.[1]

Background

The Human-Covenant War was a decades-long conflict wherein the Covenant hegemony was determined to exterminate all of humanity at the behest of its three Hierarchs, who mistakenly believed humans' to represent the living embodiment, and thus discreditation, of their religion's gods. Also a goal of the empire, from long before first contact with humanity, was the location and activation of the Halo rings. In the aftermath of the Fall of Reach, the UNSC began to pull the majority of its forces back to Earth, with most units assigned to defend Earth's six tether cities.[6] The Prophet of Regret learned "Erde-Tyrene" held a portal which led to the Ark and the Prophet of Truth simultaneously discovered the planet's location through other means.

Formation of the Home Fleet

From May 14-19, 2552, UNSC forces in the Earth Defense Coordination Zone were placed at maximum readiness levels and all warships with magnetic accelerator cannons self-deployed or towed to rally points. Cairo Station was established as flag headquarters. On September 5, 2552, all remaining naval forces were consolidated into a single command grouping: the UNSC Home Fleet. Fleet Admiral Joseph Harper was appointed senior flag officer and given primary administrative and tasking authority over all assets in the Sol system under emergency directives authorized by UNSC High Command and approved by the UEG Security Council. Remaining expeditionary and defense fleets retained administrative control over their battle groups, though all type commands were dissolved.[1]

Earth compromised

Erde-Tyrene, as represented by the luminary discovered on Meridian.
Main article: Operation: FIRST STRIKE

The Prophet of Truth discovered the location of Earth after the Fall of Reach, but withheld knowledge of this discovery from the rest of the Covenant leadership.[7] To attack the human homeworld, he ordered an assault fleet to secretly assemble at Unyielding Hierophant station in the Tau Ceti system. The fleet would overwhelm Earth's defenses in a single decisive strike.[7][8] The fleet was discovered by the UNSC AI Cortana and preemptive strike was led by Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb and a SPARTAN-II, strike team, which successfully destroyed Unyielding Hierophant and almost the entirety of the assembled fleet, some five hundred ships.[9][7] Earth was granted a small reprieve.

The Prophet of Regret also independently learned of the location of Earth as the location of a Forerunner artifact, the Portal leading to the Ark. This revelation came after long study by stewards of a Forerunner luminary taken from the moon, Meridian, in 2551. Not being privy to Truth's information, Regret set off to uncover the artifact without any knowledge that Earth was the humans' homeworld. Regret unknowingly led his small fleet, a mere two assault carriers and thirteen battlecruisers, straight into Earth's formidable defenses.[7] Truth belatedly learned of Regret's expedition to Earth, and dispatched a large Jiralhanae-led fleet to reinforce the attack. They arrived mere hours after Regret had fled.[7]

Battle

Regret's arrival

"Something's not right. The fleet that destroyed Reach was fifty times this size!"
— Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood

Regret's fleet was detected near Jupiter's moon Io, as a series of slipspace "whispers".[10] Probes were sent to investigate, but shortly afterwards the Covenant fleet exited slipspace near Earth, just outside the killzone of the planet's orbital defense platforms. UNSC forces went to TACCON Alpha 2. Fleet Admiral Harper ordered his battle group to attack, but quickly received new orders from Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood to fall back and defend the ODPs. Having expected an overwhelming enemy offensive in the style of the Battle of Reach, the relative weakness of the attack puzzled the defenders.

The assault carriers converged on the battle cluster including Athens Station, Cairo Station and Malta Station.[10] The ODPs opened fire as the enemy entered range. Covenant troops boarded the stations, intending to demolish them with an antimatter charge each. As each bomb was planted the Covenant withdrew. Athens and Malta were demolished in quick succession. Cortana, aboard Cairo, deduced the nature of the threat and John-117 was dispatched to prevent the same fate from befalling Cairo.

Cortana directed the SPARTAN-II to the bomb's location in Cairo's fire control center. En route to the bomb, John-117 rescued Commander Miranda Keyes and allowed her to board UNSC In Amber Clad. The frigate departed Cairo to join the fray.

Meanwhile, Harper's Fifth Fleet continued to engage the Covenant task force in Earth orbit, sustaining huge losses in the wake of the Covenant's superior firepower but still prevailing through sheer numbers against the unusually small Covenant force. However, even as their escorts were effectively routed by the UNSC, the two assault carriers pushed onward, bypassing much of the already battered human fleet even as they too came under fire.

Covenant breakthrough

"The carriers are breaking through sir, they're headed straight for the Cairo!"
— Fleet Admiral Harper

The two assault carriers began to break through toward Cairo. Cortana directed Cairo's MAC against the Solemn Penance, but the ship did not stop to engage and instead made directly for New Mombasa on the surface.[10] Admiral Harper led the attack on the second carrier and depleted its shields. Keyes volunteered to attack the carrier immediately, but Hood was unwilling to pit a single frigate against so large a target.

The solution to the second carrier came from an unexpected angle. John-117 and Cortana managed to defuse and capture the Covenant antimatter bomb aboard Cairo, and the Spartan volunteered to go EVA and personally plant the bomb on the last carrier. With Lord Hood's approval, John-117 leapt out of an airlock with the bomb using only the initial explosive decompression for impulse. Longsword interceptors opened a breach in the carrier's hull and allowed the Spartan to infiltrate and plant the bomb internally. The detonation destroyed the ship. John-117 escaped using the same means he had arrived and free fell to the UNSC In Amber Clad.[10]

Regret flees

Main article: Battle of Mombasa

"Dear humanity, we regret being alien bastards, we regret coming to Earth, and we most definitely regret the Corps just blew up our raggedy-ass fleet!"
— Avery Johnson commenting on Regret's message
The Template:UNSCship destroyed during the opening stages of the battle passed by ODSTs being deployed into New Mombasa.

Regret's carrier came to stop over New Mombasa in the East African Protectorate and deployed troops into the city and the surrounding area.[11] UNSC high command wished to discover why the Covenant were landing only in Mombasa, and John-117 was ordered to capture Regret for interrogation. The Spartan deployed with marines and ODST in a trio of Pelicans from the UNSC In Amber Clad near the city. The dropships were shot down by a Covenant Scarab in Old Mombasa. John-117 and the survivors regrouped and pursued the walker to NM 105E, and across the bridge to New Mombasa Sector B. The Scarab was eventually trapped and destroyed at the end of a canal. Covenant forces started to withdraw to the carrier for slipspace departure.[12]

In orbit the Home Fleet began deploying ODST to Mombasa in SOEIVs, intending to aid Master Chief in an assault on the carrier. One squad, deploying from the UNSC Say My Name and led by Captain Veronica Dare, was diverted by ONI to secure the city's infrastructure AI.[13]

Regret's means of escape took the UNSC by surprise. The carrier initiated a slipspace jump while still over the city. The UNSC In Amber Clad quickly recovered John-117 and followed in the fleeing ship's wake. The slipspace rupture severely damaged the city[12] and generated an EMP. Many ODST had not yet landed when the carrier escaped and were caught in the EMP and blast. Drop pods were disabled in flight and plunged into uncontrolled freefall. They were scattered across the city.[13]

Truth's fleet arrives

"The Covenant have found Earth. They own New Mombasa. Anyone that could've driven them off is dead, or gone. I'd say that makes for desperate times."
— Edward Buck
The Covenant occupation fleet uncovering the Portal at New Mombasa.

Immediately following the slipspace event, Prophet of Truth's Jiralhanae-led reinforcements arrived.[14] The Jiralhanae absorbed the remainder of Regret's fleet, which had been taken over by Regret's Jiralhanae, and deployed more troops into New Mombasa. Sangheili crews and infantry were killed as part of Truth's plan to place the Jiralhanae as the Covenant's primary warrior race.[7]

Surviving UNSC forces in the city, aided by the New Mombasa Police Department, continued to resist, but were eventually overwhelmed. The Covenant began glassing Mombasa and the surrounding area, uncovering the Portal to the Ark. Captain Dare and her ODST squad managed to secure the city's infrastructure AI and escape before the city fell to the enemy.[15]

Covenant occupation

The battle spread over the globe in the following weeks. The diminishing UNSC Home Fleet, in conjunction with the Second, Seventh, and Sixteenth Fleets,[16] remained to contest Earth orbit, but the Covenant continued to raid the surface in search of Forerunner artifacts, mostly concentrating in east Africa.[17]

The Spartan Blue Team, consisting of Frederic-104, Linda-058, and William-043, were constantly engaged for the first two weeks. They repelled enemy ships in orbit in numerous zero-gee operations whilst on the surface they neutralized Covenant excavations, first on Ross Island in Antarctica,[16] and then underwater off the Yucatan Peninsula. On November 3, they were deployed to Havana, Cuba, where they stole the enemy destroyer Bloodied Spirit, and destroyed another destroyer and the Centennial Orbital Elevator. They subsequently redeployed aboard the stolen ship to the Forerunner shield world Onyx to aid Dr. Catherine Halsey, the creator of the SPARTAN-II program.[18]

Covenant forces invade Cleveland.

The UNSC's loss of their garrison on Mars following the Battle of Mare Erythraeum led to a dramatic increase in Covenant force deployments on Earth.[19] Shortly after the loss of Mars, Covenant also invaded the city of Cleveland on Earth, looking for an artifact known as the "Key of Osanalan". The Key turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by Colonel James Ackerson; this attack was ultimately repelled due to the Colonel's act of self-sacrifice, and that of his civilian brother, Ruwan.[20]

Sydney, Australia was one of the cities invaded by the Covenant during the engagement. Though the city suffered heavy damage by Covenant bombardment, the UNSC's HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6 remained undamaged.[21]

Near the conclusion of the Battle of Installation 05, the Prophet of Truth departed High Charity, near Halo Installation 05, in the Forerunner Dreadnought on November 3, arriving at the Sol system on the 8th.[22] The prophet sought to activate the Ark, fire the Halo Array, and begin what he thought would be the "Great Journey". Unbeknownst to the Covenant, John-117 had stowed away aboard the ship.[17]

Whilst on Installation 05, Commander Miranda Keyes, Sergeant Major Avery Johnson, and Arbiter Thel 'Vadam learned of the Prophet of Truth's intentions and departed the installation after the Dreadnought while Rtas 'Vadum and the Sangheili under his command stayed behind on Installation 05 in order to quarantine and glass the Halo ring as well as quarantine High Charity in order to stop the escape of the Flood and the Gravemind from both the Halo and the city. Upon arrival at Earth they took up station in an old military base, Crow's Nest, near Voi, and waited for John-117 to arrive.[17][note 3]

Truth's arrival

Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood: "Master Chief, you mind telling me what you're doing on that ship?"
Master Chief: "Sir, finishing this fight."
— Admiral Terrence Hood and John-117, as the Keyship arrived at Earth.

The Forerunner Dreadnought arrived at Earth on November 17, spearheading the final contingent of Truth's forces. The Covenant fleet breached the Lunar perimeter, devastating the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet. The subsequent bombardment caused "extreme" casualties.[17] As the Dreadnought entered Earth's atmosphere, John-117 left the ship by leaping off during re-entry and crashing into the East-African jungle.[23][24] By this time the Covenant had set up heavy AA batteries and other defenses near Voi and in the surrounding area to protect their work at the Portal.[17]

During Spartan-117's re-entry, a pair of ODSTs used a laser designator during the Battle of Sector Six in Afghanistan to track the Spartan's fall.[25] The data made it easier for Sergeant Johnson and Thel 'Vadam to locate the Spartan. After making their way through the jungle, they were extracted by a dropship, despite Covenant resistance, and taken to Crow's Nest.[24] The Covenant tracked them back to the base, however, and launched an attack.[17]

UNSC counterattack

Main article: Battle of Voi

"Marines, the Prophet of Truth doesn't know it yet, but he's about to get kicked right off his throne. You will take our city back. And drive our enemy into the grave they've been so happily digging. One final effort is all that remains."
— Admiral Terrence Hood

Commander Keyes proposed to destroy the Covenant anti-air defenses at Voi, allowing low flying frigates to strike the Forerunner Dreadnought now landed on the Portal. Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood had only a few frigates left, but was willing to commit to the risky plan with John-117's recovery.[17]

File:Storm3.jpg
The UNSC initiates an attack on the Forerunner Dreadnought.

Just before the UNSC offensive began, the Covenant attacked Crow's Nest. Miranda Keyes evacuated and destroyed the base with a bomb before it could be occupied. John-117 barely managed to escape the destruction of the facility but met up with Gunnery Sergeant Reynolds and set out in Warthogs on Tsavo Highway to head for Voi, as did scattered UNSC forces, engaging Covenant heavy vehicles along the way.[17] [26]

At Voi, the UNSC broke through Covenant defenses, as John-117 and Thel 'Vadam disabled a Covenant AA battery. With the path to the Portal cleared, Fleet Admiral Hood ordered three frigates and multiple Longswords to attack the Forerunner Dreadnought. Despite MAC fire, the enemy ship remained intact and was able to activate the Portal. The Dreadnought and the remaining Covenant ships departed Earth through the resulting Slipspace portal.[27]

The Flood on Earth

"Quickly! Let us find their ship. Make short work of this abomination!"
— Thel 'Vadam
The Flood-infected battlecruiser arrives.

While the battle for Earth raged, the Covenant had been attempting to maintain a quarantine of the Flood-infested High Charity and Installation 05. The Flood-controlled Indulgence of Conviction escaped and arrived at Earth as the Prophet of Truth departed through the Portal. The ship crashed in Voi and began infesting the area. John-117 and Thel 'Vadam quickly made for the crash site intending to overload the ship's reactor. The explosion would destroy the city but would hopefully stop the spreading infestation as well.[28]

Sangheili ships, led by Fleet Master Rtas 'Vadum aboard the assault carrier Shadow of Intent, arrived in pursuit of the Flood. The Sangheili believed Cortana was aboard the Flood ship; Rtas 'Vadum could give his own troops and the UNSC only a little time to recover the AI before Voi and the surrounding area were cleansed by glassing. John-117 found the small storage device containing the AI; he entrusted to 343 Guilty Spark for repairs and they were extracted by Phantom to Shadow of Intent.[28]

Thel 'Vadam convinced Rtas 'Vadum to exercise restraint when glassing. Thus, only an area of Africa was glassed instead of a much wider area.[28]

Shortly after the initial skirmishes with the Flood, the Flood-infested High Charity jumped out of slipspace further out in the Sol system. Shortly after discovering the presence of the Portal at Voi, the Gravemind conducted an arcane bridging maneuver allowing it to transport the former holy city to the Ark from the vicinity of Mars rather than physically accessing the portal on Earth; the human homeworld thus escaped further Flood contamination.[29]

Aftermath

Terrence Hood: "And you, Shipmaster, just glassed half a continent! Maybe the Flood isn't all I should be worried about."
Rtas 'Vadum: "One single Flood spore can destroy a species. Were it not for the Arbiter's counsel, I would have glassed your entire planet!"
— Admiral Terrence Hood and Rtas 'Vadum, after the Flood infection of Voi.

Admiral Hood and Commander Keyes joined John-117, Thel 'Vadam, and Rtas 'Vadum aboard Shadow of Intent where 343 Guilty Spark repaired Cortana's damaged storage device. The device contained only a message from the AI; it warned the Flood-infested High Charity was en route to Earth, but that beyond the Portal there was a solution to the Flood without firing the Halo Array.[28]

File:Floodgate1.jpg
The Fleet of Retribution leaves through the Portal.

Admiral Hood was determined to make his stand against the Flood on Earth. The Sangheili believed this to be foolish; there was little hope Earth could withstand a full Flood invasion, and they decided to place faith in Cortana and journey beyond the Portal. John-117 and Keyes convinced a weary Hood to allow them, and a UNSC task force to accompany the Sangheili.[28]

With the majority of Truth's forces now bound for the Ark, High Command initiated Operation: MARSH FLASH to eradicate the remaining Covenant forces on Earth. The majority of them retreated to North America, where they were finally defeated by the rallying UNSC forces.

High Charity and the Flood arrived in the Sol system shortly thereafter, but instead performed a slipspace jump from Mars orbit in join the battle of Installation 00, an action that spared Earth from a second contamination. It was at the massive installation that the Flood and the remnants of the Covenant were defeated by the UNSC and Sangheili. Despite suffering enormous military and civilian losses, the UNSC retained control of Earth. The battle, and the Human-Covenant War, was over.

The Battle of Earth inflicted extensive infrastructural damage to the planet and Earth's population was reduced considerably. The UNSC Home Fleet was left in ruins and much of Earth's military might was destroyed. However, the defeat of the Covenant loyalists and the Flood at Installation 00 resulted in nothing less than the survival of the human species. The UNSC is currently undergoing an extensive rebuilding process.

Timeline

October 20, 2552

October 21, 2552

  • Eventually, the city of New Mombasa occupied and its surroundings glassed by the Covenant, to uncover the Portal, ending the battle of Mombasa in a Covenant victory. However, the UNSC manages to extract a defecting Huragok from the city and use it to gain intel on the Covenant's goals.

October 20 through November 3, 2552

November 3, 2552

November 8, 2552

  • The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives in the Sol system and proceeds to Earth at near-relativistic speeds. However, the presence of John-117 inside the ship prompts the Covenant soldiers to decelerate the ship and focus on killing the Spartan as well as the protect the Prophet of Truth against him.[30]

November 17, 2552

  • The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives at Earth. Spartan 117 ejects, landing in Kenyan jungle. In the following morning, Spartan-117 is recovered by a group of Marines led by Sergeant Johnson.
  • The Marines, with Spartan-117, make their way to Crow's Nest, where a plan for a counterattack is devised. The base is invaded by the Covenant, and eventually destroyed by the UNSC.
  • The UNSC forces regroup along Tsavo Highway, eventually assaulting the Covenant-held town of Voi.
  • UNSC Forces neutralize Covenant anti-air defenses in Voi. A battle group from the UNSC Home Fleet initiate the assault on the Forerunner Dreadnought, with no effect. The Portal is activated. Covenant Loyalist forces flee to Installation 00 through the Portal.
  • Immediately thereafter, a Flood-controlled ship emerges from Slipspace over Voi, crashing to the town. Flood infestation starts spreading around the region. The Sangheili Fleet of Retribution, having given chase, arrives at Earth and glasses Voi as well as its surroundings.
  • A transmission from the UNSC AI Cortana is retrieved from the Flood ship. The Sangheili fleet, along with the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet, go through the Portal to the Ark.

Participants

Ships

UNSC

Covenant

Units

UNSC

UNSC Marine Corps
UNSC Navy

Covenant

Sangheili (post-Schism)

Personnel

UNSC

Covenant

Sangheili (post-Schism)

Forerunner constructs

Vehicles

UNSC

Trivia

Many fans, as well as Halopedia, used to regard the Battle of Earth as two separate battles. Namely, the "First" was believed to comprise the events of Halo 2 and the "Second" was thought to cover the events of John-117's return at the beginning of Halo 3. Later sources have established that Truth's reinforcements arrived just hours after Regret fled, indicating that the "two" battles were one and the same. However, the Halo Encyclopedia (even the 2011 revised edition) lists them as two separate battles; this is one of several elements of the Encyclopedia that is seemingly lifted from this wiki.

Gallery

  • Concept art of the space battle taking place around Cairo Station for Halo 2: Anniversary.

    Concept art of the space battle taking place around Cairo Station for Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • The Fleet of Sacred Consecration arrives in the Sol System near Io Station.

    The Fleet of Sacred Consecration arrives in the Sol System near Io Station.

  • Lord Hood views a readout of the opposing fleets as they prepare to engage.

    Lord Hood views a readout of the opposing fleets as they prepare to engage.

  • The UNSC Home Fleet prior to the arrival of the Covenant.

    The UNSC Home Fleet prior to the arrival of the Covenant.

  • The space battle as viewed from Cairo Station as the Home Fleet holds its ground against the Covenant assault.

    The space battle as viewed from Cairo Station as the Home Fleet holds its ground against the Covenant assault.

  • The Home Fleet engages the Covenant fleet above Earth in full force.

    The Home Fleet engages the Covenant fleet above Earth in full force.

  • CCS-class battlecruisers engaging the UNSC Home Fleet above Earth.

    CCS-class battlecruisers engaging the UNSC Home Fleet above Earth.

  • The Master Chief battles Covenant boarding parties on Cairo Station.

    The Master Chief battles Covenant boarding parties on Cairo Station.

  • Several ODPs were destroyed through the course of the battle in space.

    Several ODPs were destroyed through the course of the battle in space.

  • The Master Chief prepares to descend into Earth orbit with the Covenant bomb in hand as the space battle rages.

    The Master Chief prepares to descend into Earth orbit with the Covenant bomb in hand as the space battle rages.

  • A Marathon-class heavy cruiser is destroyed in Earth orbit by plasma fire from a Covenant assault carrier.

    A Marathon-class heavy cruiser is destroyed in Earth orbit by plasma fire from a Covenant assault carrier.

  • The Chief glides past the UNSC cruiser as it explodes.

    The Chief glides past the UNSC cruiser as it explodes.

  • The second assault carrier explodes as the Master Chief escapes in free fall.

    The second assault carrier explodes as the Master Chief escapes in free fall.

  • The UNSC In Amber Clad descends towards Africa to aid in the ground battle unfolding.

    The UNSC In Amber Clad descends towards Africa to aid in the ground battle unfolding.

  • H2A - Carrier over Mombasa.jpg

    The Prophet of Regret's flagship holds position over New Mombasa as the battle for the city rages.

  • UNSC forces of the UNSC In Amber Clad approaching New Mombasa during the early stages of the Battle of Earth.

    UNSC forces of the UNSC In Amber Clad approaching New Mombasa during the early stages of the Battle of Earth.

  • A convoy of Warthogs race through the streets of Mombasa to reinforce the UNSC forces moving against the Covenant occupational forces.

    A convoy of Warthogs race through the streets of Mombasa to reinforce the UNSC forces moving against the Covenant occupational forces.

  • The UNSC reinforcements are engaged by the Covenant Scarab as it lays waste to the cityscape of Old Mombasa.

    The UNSC reinforcements are engaged by the Covenant Scarab as it lays waste to the cityscape of Old Mombasa.

  • UNSC forces approaching New Mombasa during the early stages of the Battle of Earth in Halo 2.

    UNSC forces approaching New Mombasa during the early stages of the Battle of Earth in Halo 2.

  • The Scarab is destroyed by the Master Chief, stalling the Covenant assault.

    The Scarab is destroyed by the Master Chief, stalling the Covenant assault.

  • Solemn Penance prepares to jump into slipspace above New Mombasa.

    Solemn Penance prepares to jump into slipspace above New Mombasa.

  • Regret's jump into slipspace initiates a massive shockwave of energy that consumes New Mombasa, causing widespread damage.

    Regret's jump into slipspace initiates a massive shockwave of energy that consumes New Mombasa, causing widespread damage.

  • The slipspace rupture consumes all of Mombasa.

    The slipspace rupture consumes all of Mombasa.

  • Covenant warships swarm into New Mombasa to resume excavation of the Forerunner artifact.

    Covenant warships swarm into New Mombasa to resume excavation of the Forerunner artifact.

  • The Forerunner Dreadnought ferrying Truth jumps into Earth Orbit where the space battle continues to rage.

    The Forerunner Dreadnought ferrying Truth jumps into Earth Orbit where the space battle continues to rage.

  • Surveillance footage captures the Covenant glassing of New Mombasa, revealing the Portal and laying waste to the African landmass.

    Surveillance footage captures the Covenant glassing of New Mombasa, revealing the Portal and laying waste to the African landmass.

  • ODSTs deploy into Cleveland to rescue the city's enslaved population.

    ODSTs deploy into Cleveland to rescue the city's enslaved population.

  • The UNSC Home Fleet engages newly-arrived Covenant forces led by the Prophet of Truth.

    The UNSC Home Fleet engages newly-arrived Covenant forces led by the Prophet of Truth.

  • John-117 and the Dreadnought entering Earth's atmosphere.

    John-117 and the Dreadnought entering Earth's atmosphere.

  • Screens showing force deployments late in the battle.

    Screens showing force deployments late in the battle.

  • UNSC frigates fire their MACs on the Forerunner Dreadnought.

    UNSC frigates fire their MACs on the Forerunner Dreadnought.

  • The Portal begins to activate after the UNSC's failed assault on the Dreadnought.

    The Portal begins to activate after the UNSC's failed assault on the Dreadnought.

  • The Fleet of Retribution ships glass Voi and its surroundings to contain the Flood threat.

    The Fleet of Retribution ships glass Voi and its surroundings to contain the Flood threat.

  • UNSC and Sangheili leaders hold their meeting aboard the Shadow of Intent after the battle.

    UNSC and Sangheili leaders hold their meeting aboard the Shadow of Intent after the battle.

List of appearances

Notes

  1. ^ The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.
  2. ^ While not all of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG, the UEG claims authority over all of humanity.
  3. ^ The Sangheili vessel carrying the Arbiter and the survivors of In Amber Clad arrived at Earth hours (if not days) before Truth's Keyship, despite the latter leaving Delta Halo's orbit well ahead of the former. While this may appear strange given that Forerunner slipspace travel can vastly outpace that of the Covenant, the apparent discrepancy is explained by the Keyship exiting slipspace in the outer edges of the Sol system on November 8 and not landing on Earth until November 17. The reason behind this delay was that the Covenant soldiers inside the Keyship focused on killing John instead of proceeding, as they feared he would kill the Prophet of Truth.

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d Halo Legendary Crate, Crate #2
  2. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, Crow's Nest
  3. ^ Halo: Glasslands, chapter 6
  4. ^ Halo 2 commercial
  5. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, co-op introductory cutscene
  6. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "Palace Hotel", page 367
  7. ^ a b c d e f Halo Waypoint, "Ten Twenty"
  8. ^ Halo: First Strike, page ??
  9. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 333
  10. ^ a b c d Halo 2, campaign level, Cairo Station
  11. ^ Halo 2, Outskirts
  12. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level, Metropolis
  13. ^ a b Halo 3: ODST, campaign level, Prepare To Drop
  14. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level, Tayari Plaza
  15. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level, Coastal Highway
  16. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 204-205
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo 3, campaign level, Crow's Nest
  18. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 220
  19. ^ Halo: Uprising, Issue 3
  20. ^ Halo: Uprising, Issue 4
  21. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 26-33
  22. ^ Halo: Uprising, "Issue ??"
  23. ^ Halo: Uprising, "Issue ??"
  24. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level, Sierra 117
  25. ^ Halo: Landfall
  26. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, Tsavo Highway
  27. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, The Storm
  28. ^ a b c d e Halo 3, campaign level, Floodgate
  29. ^ Halo Waypoint - The Halo Bulletin: 9.24.14
  30. ^ Halo 101: Long Road Home

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