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Earth: Difference between revisions

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|image=[[File:Earth.JPG|300px|]]
|image=[[File:Earth.JPG|300px|]]
|name= Earth
|name= Earth
|star, position= [[Sol System]], Sol/Sun, III  
|star, position= [[Sol system|Sol System]], Sol/Sun, III  
|moon(s)= [[Luna]]
|moon(s)= [[Luna]]
|satellite(s)= Many
|satellite(s)= Many
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}}
}}
{{Quote|Fight for her.|Bulletin board poster of Earth}}
{{Quote|Fight for her.|Bulletin board poster of Earth}}
'''Earth''' (known as "'''''Erde-Tyrene'''''" to pre-historic [[human]]s and the [[Forerunner]]s<ref name="Cryptum excerpt">[http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/12/excerpt-halo-cryptum-chapter-one-by-greg-bear? '''Tor.com''' — ''Halo: Cryptum'' chapter one excerpt]</ref>) is the third planet of the [[Sol system]], and one of four terrestrial worlds. Homeworld of the human species, Earth has been at the forefront of galactic history, from encounters with the [[Precursors]]<ref name="Cryptum excerpt"/> to the end of the [[Covenant Empire]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> Inhabited long ago by a pre-historic interstellar human government conquered and dissolved by the [[Forerunners]],<ref name="Cryptum excerpt"/> Earth is currently the capital world of the [[United Earth Government]].  
'''Earth''' (known as "'''''Erde-Tyrene'''''" to pre-historic [[human]]s and the [[Forerunner]]s<ref name="Cryptum excerpt">[http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/12/excerpt-halo-cryptum-chapter-one-by-greg-bear? '''Tor.com''' — ''Halo: Cryptum'' chapter one excerpt]</ref>) is the third planet of the [[Sol system]], and one of four terrestrial worlds. Homeworld of the human species, Earth has been at the forefront of galactic history, from encounters with the [[Precursor]]s<ref name="Cryptum excerpt"/> to the end of the [[Covenant Empire]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> Inhabited long ago by a pre-historic interstellar human government conquered and dissolved by the [[Forerunner]]s,<ref name="Cryptum excerpt"/> Earth is currently the capital world of the [[Unified Earth Government|United Earth Government]].  


Earth was possibly the most populated planet of the human space territories. For a significant amount of humanity's history, it was to them the only known place in the universe to support life.
Earth was possibly the most populated planet of the human space territories. For a significant amount of humanity's history, it was to them the only known place in the universe to support life.
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The Earth first formed about 4.6 billion years ago, and gave rise to the first single-celled organisms about 3.9 billion years ago. About 200,000 years ago, the ancestors of modern humans, ''Homo Sapiens'', evolved in Africa. Indigenous to Eastern Africa, they gradually spread across the entire planet. Eventually, the humans, originally consisting of groups of hunter-gatherers, began to develop into [[wikipedia:civilization|civilizations]]. These civilizations gradually became more and more complex, with some becoming nation-states and empires.
The Earth first formed about 4.6 billion years ago, and gave rise to the first single-celled organisms about 3.9 billion years ago. About 200,000 years ago, the ancestors of modern humans, ''Homo Sapiens'', evolved in Africa. Indigenous to Eastern Africa, they gradually spread across the entire planet. Eventually, the humans, originally consisting of groups of hunter-gatherers, began to develop into [[wikipedia:civilization|civilizations]]. These civilizations gradually became more and more complex, with some becoming nation-states and empires.


Eventually, possibly through contact with the Forerunners, humanity discovered spaceflight and spread across the [[Orion Arm]] of the [[Milky Way Galaxy]]. After being defeated in [[Human-Forerunner War|a war]] against the Forerunner civilization, the humans were exiled back to Earth, with their species devolved and splintered into multiple subspecies and their culture degrading back to a pseudo-industrial state for thousands of years.<ref name="Cryptum excerpt"/>  
Eventually, possibly through contact with the Forerunners, humanity discovered spaceflight and spread across the [[Orion Arm]] of the [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]]. After being defeated in [[human-Forerunner wars|a war]] against the Forerunner civilization, the humans were exiled back to Earth, with their species devolved and splintered into multiple subspecies and their culture degrading back to a pseudo-industrial state for thousands of years.<ref name="Cryptum excerpt"/>  


At some point, Earth came under the charge of the [[Librarian]], who helped the humans slowly work towards rebuilding a primitive civilization. Remnants of their former technology, such as steam power and hot-air balloon flight, were re-learned under her care but later forgotten after the firing of the Halo Array.
At some point, Earth came under the charge of the [[The Librarian|Librarian]], who helped the humans slowly work towards rebuilding a primitive civilization. Remnants of their former technology, such as steam power and hot-air balloon flight, were re-learned under her care but later forgotten after the firing of the Halo Array.


{{Expand-Section}}
{{Expand-Section}}


===Forerunner-Flood War===
===Forerunner-Flood War===
Near the end of their war with the [[Flood]],<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/fanclub/118020/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=12360308 '''Bungie.net''': ''Compound Intelligence: All Five Servers Information Compiled'']</ref> the Forerunners built a [[The Artifact|machine]] to generate a slipspace portal to the [[Installation 00|Ark]] in Africa.<ref>'''[[Halo 3: The Cradle of Life]]'''</ref> They also indexed the human species as a part of their [[Library Project|Conservation Measure]] to preserve life in the galaxy after the activation of the [[Halo Array]]. After the array's activation, human life was planted back on Earth, where it succesfully developed.<ref name="origins">'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[Origins]]''</ref>
Near the end of their war with the [[The Flood|Flood]],<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/fanclub/118020/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=12360308 '''Bungie.net''': ''Compound Intelligence: All Five Servers Information Compiled'']</ref> the Forerunners built a [[The Artifact|machine]] to generate a slipspace portal to the [[Installation 00|Ark]] in Africa.<ref>'''[[Halo 3: The Cradle of Life]]'''</ref> They also indexed the human species as a part of their [[Library Project|Conservation Measure]] to preserve life in the galaxy after the activation of the [[Halo Array]]. After the array's activation, human life was planted back on Earth, where it succesfully developed.<ref name="origins">'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[Origins]]''</ref>


===Civilization and the Modern Age===
===Civilization and the Modern Age===
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After the recovery from the Array, humans reduced back to hunter-gatherers for nearly a hundred thousand years, until civilizations began to form anew.
After the recovery from the Array, humans reduced back to hunter-gatherers for nearly a hundred thousand years, until civilizations began to form anew.


By the year 1914, much of the world was divided into two factions, the Triple Entente, or Allies: the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|United Kingdom]], France, Russia, and later the [[United States of America]], and the Triple Alliance, or Central Powers: [[Germany]], Austria-Hungary, and other nations of similar ideals. The Central Powers were defeated at the end of World War I in 1918, resulting in a decade of prosperity for the Allies, followed by an economic depression and the rise of Fascism, Nazism, and Communism in many countries. In 1939, another World War erupted, between the Allies (Britain, the Soviet Union, later the United States, and many other nations) and the Axis (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Empire of Japan). In 1945, the Allies defeated the Axis. Later that year, the victorious nations, in an attempt to prevent more World Wars, founded the [[United Nations]], an international assembly of peaceful nations, whose goal was to settle international disputes peacefully, and was the predecessor to the UNSC. In 1957, Humanity finally made their way into space with unmanned probes and by 1961, Humans themselves had gone into space. In 1969, Humanity had finally stepped on an extraterrestrial surface-Earth's Moon.
By the year 1914, much of the world was divided into two factions, the Triple Entente, or Allies: the [[United Kingdom]], France, Russia, and later the [[United States of America]], and the Triple Alliance, or Central Powers: [[Germany]], Austria-Hungary, and other nations of similar ideals. The Central Powers were defeated at the end of World War I in 1918, resulting in a decade of prosperity for the Allies, followed by an economic depression and the rise of Fascism, Nazism, and Communism in many countries. In 1939, another World War erupted, between the Allies (Britain, the Soviet Union, later the United States, and many other nations) and the Axis (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Empire of Japan). In 1945, the Allies defeated the Axis. Later that year, the victorious nations, in an attempt to prevent more World Wars, founded the [[United Nations]], an international assembly of peaceful nations, whose goal was to settle international disputes peacefully, and was the predecessor to the UNSC. In 1957, Humanity finally made their way into space with unmanned probes and by 1961, Humans themselves had gone into space. In 1969, Humanity had finally stepped on an extraterrestrial surface-Earth's Moon.


After World War II, Humanity would lack war on that scale, although smaller wars and conflicts erupted, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, [[wikipedia:Cold War|Cold War]], and the first and second Iraq War. In the early 21st century, terrorism became a particular thorn in the side for the nations on Earth and small wars broke out along with civil unrest in many countries. However, no full wars on the same scale as past World Wars erupted.
After World War II, Humanity would lack war on that scale, although smaller wars and conflicts erupted, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, [[wikipedia:Cold War|Cold War]], and the first and second Iraq War. In the early 21st century, terrorism became a particular thorn in the side for the nations on Earth and small wars broke out along with civil unrest in many countries. However, no full wars on the same scale as past World Wars erupted.
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===Interplanetary colonization and conflicts===
===Interplanetary colonization and conflicts===
{{Main|Interplanetary War}}
{{Main|Interplanetary War}}
After years of overcrowding on Earth and the other planets in the [[Sol System]], dissident factions emerged. The Neo-[[Communism|Communist]] [[Koslovics]] and [[Fascism|Fascist]] [[Frieden]], the two major movements, began to battle one another and the United Nations.
After years of overcrowding on Earth and the other planets in the [[Sol system|Sol System]], dissident factions emerged. The Neo-[[Communism|Communist]] [[Koslovics]] and [[Fascism|Fascist]] [[Frieden]], the two major movements, began to battle one another and the United Nations.


In March-June [[2160]], Jovian secessionists attacked [[UN Colonial Advisors|United Nations Colonial advisers]] on the moon Io, which led to three months of fighting between the Earth military and Jovian ''Frieden'' forces. [[National Governments]] began to support their own colonies which sparked proxy wars off-planet, leading to tension and militarization on Earth. In [[2162]] armed conflict ripped through [[South America]], starting the [[Rain Forest Wars]], as [[Koslovic]], [[Frieden]], and UN forces all clashed over ideological differences, sparking additional conflicts off-planet. In December of [[2163]], the three factions clashed, this time on [[Mars]]. This was the first extraterrestrial use of [[United Nations Marine Corps|Marines]], who launched lightning raids on Koslovic positions, permanently affecting military doctrine for centuries. In [[2164]] UN forces began a massive military build-up and began the first true interplanetary war. The UNSC was bolstered by a massive propaganda campaign running on the victories on [[Mars]] and over the next six years took back the [[Sol System]] and drove the dissident factions to destruction. Now with a massive military with no enemy to fight, overpopulation, famine, and a collapsing economy, the newly unified Earth faced an uncertain future.  
In March-June [[2160]], Jovian secessionists attacked [[United Nations colonial advisers|United Nations Colonial advisers]] on the moon Io, which led to three months of fighting between the Earth military and Jovian ''Frieden'' forces. [[National government|National Governments]] began to support their own colonies which sparked proxy wars off-planet, leading to tension and militarization on Earth. In [[2162]] armed conflict ripped through [[South America]], starting the [[Rain Forest Wars]], as [[Koslovics|Koslovic]], [[Frieden]], and UN forces all clashed over ideological differences, sparking additional conflicts off-planet. In December of [[2163]], the three factions clashed, this time on [[Mars]]. This was the first extraterrestrial use of [[United Nations Marine Corps|Marines]], who launched lightning raids on Koslovic positions, permanently affecting military doctrine for centuries. In [[2164]] UN forces began a massive military build-up and began the first true interplanetary war. The UNSC was bolstered by a massive propaganda campaign running on the victories on [[Mars]] and over the next six years took back the [[Sol system|Sol System]] and drove the dissident factions to destruction. Now with a massive military with no enemy to fight, overpopulation, famine, and a collapsing economy, the newly unified Earth faced an uncertain future.  


It was not until [[2291]] that this problem was solved when researchers created the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] and gained access to [[Slipspace]]. In [[2310]] the UNSC unveiled their first line of colony ships and the best and brightest from both civilian walks of life and the military set out to form the Inner Colonies. This eased the overpopulation problem upon Earth which became the capital of the [[Unified Earth Government]], while the inner colony of [[Reach]] would later became the headquarters of the UNSC.
It was not until [[2291]] that this problem was solved when researchers created the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] and gained access to [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]]. In [[2310]] the UNSC unveiled their first line of colony ships and the best and brightest from both civilian walks of life and the military set out to form the Inner Colonies. This eased the overpopulation problem upon Earth which became the capital of the [[Unified Earth Government]], while the inner colony of [[Reach]] would later became the headquarters of the UNSC.


===The Insurrection and the Human-Covenant War===
===The Insurrection and the Human-Covenant War===
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Humanity would enter a period of peaceful stability for the next two hundred years, until [[Insurrection|civil unrest began]] to spread in the Outer Colonies, with various groups seeking secession from Earth and the UEG. The scale of the unrest would steadily rise, eventually becoming a major threat by 2517 to the UEG's existence, and in response the UNSC began the [[SPARTAN-II Program]].
Humanity would enter a period of peaceful stability for the next two hundred years, until [[Insurrection|civil unrest began]] to spread in the Outer Colonies, with various groups seeking secession from Earth and the UEG. The scale of the unrest would steadily rise, eventually becoming a major threat by 2517 to the UEG's existence, and in response the UNSC began the [[SPARTAN-II Program]].


All this was suddenly and violently rendered a moot point when a single alien ship made an unprovoked attack on the colony of Harvest, humanity's first encounter with an alien civilization - [[Covenant Empire|the Covenant]]. Over the next [[Human-Covenant War|twenty seven years]], Humanity would wage a brutal war for survival, losing hundreds of colonies, including all of the Outer Colonies in 2536; and on August 31st, 2552, the UNSC's largest military installation, the planet Reach, was discovered and invaded by the Covenant. During the entire course of the conflict, the UNSC followed the [[Cole Protocol]], which declared that no UNSC vessel targeted by the Covenant was to retreat to Earth, as a means of ensuring the secrecy and security of the planet's location.
All this was suddenly and violently rendered a moot point when a single alien ship made an unprovoked attack on the colony of Harvest, humanity's first encounter with an alien civilization - [[Covenant Empire|the Covenant]]. Over the next [[Human-Covenant War|twenty seven years]], Humanity would wage a brutal war for survival, losing hundreds of colonies, including all of the Outer Colonies in 2536; and on August 31st, 2552, the UNSC's largest military installation, the planet Reach, was discovered and invaded by the Covenant. During the entire course of the conflict, the UNSC followed the [[United Nations Space Command Emergency Priority Order 098831A-1|Cole Protocol]], which declared that no UNSC vessel targeted by the Covenant was to retreat to Earth, as a means of ensuring the secrecy and security of the planet's location.


Despite the effectiveness of this law, on October 20th, 2552, the Covenant launched their first attack upon Earth, rendering the Cole Protocol moot and initiating the final confrontation between UNSC forces and the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page ??''</ref><ref name="BoE1">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]</ref>
Despite the effectiveness of this law, on October 20th, 2552, the Covenant launched their first attack upon Earth, rendering the Cole Protocol moot and initiating the final confrontation between UNSC forces and the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page ??''</ref><ref name="BoE1">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]</ref>


===Pre-Battle of Earth===
===Pre-Battle of Earth===
Prior to the Covenant invasion of Earth, there had been a suppressed influx of information by ONI, resulting in people going about their normal lives even up until the attack. The forces stationed at Earth were heavy, with the [[Second Fleet]], [[Seventh Fleet]], the [[Sixteenth Fleet]] and the 6th Battle Group along with large amounts of Marines, Army Troopers, and [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]] present, five [[SPARTAN-II]]s, [[Admiral Hood]] and Earth's most prominent means of defense, three hundred [[Orbital Defense Platform]]s, each sporting a Mk. V "Super" [[MAC]]. Also, there were numerous human colonies on various moons, a large naval shipyard and factories at Mars, and a listening post at [[Io]].
Prior to the Covenant invasion of Earth, there had been a suppressed influx of information by ONI, resulting in people going about their normal lives even up until the attack. The forces stationed at Earth were heavy, with the [[Second Fleet]], [[Seventh Fleet]], the [[Sixteenth Fleet]] and the 6th Battle Group along with large amounts of Marines, Army Troopers, and [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]] present, five [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]], [[Terrence Hood|Admiral Hood]] and Earth's most prominent means of defense, three hundred [[Orbital defense platform|Orbital Defense Platforms]], each sporting a Mk. V "Super" [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]]. Also, there were numerous human colonies on various moons, a large naval shipyard and factories at Mars, and a listening post at [[Io]].


===Battle of Earth===
===Battle of Earth===
[[File:Pelican and warthog.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[UNSCDF]] forces in a counter-offensive engagement in response to the Covenant occupation of Mombasa.]]
[[File:Pelican and warthog.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[United Nations Space Command Defense Force|UNSCDF]] forces in a counter-offensive engagement in response to the Covenant occupation of Mombasa.]]
{{Main|Battle of Earth}}
{{Main|Battle of Earth}}
{{Quote|The entire population of Earth was cut in half as the first battle of Earth began...|[[Halo Encyclopedia]]<ref name="ENC"/>}}
{{Quote|The entire population of Earth was cut in half as the first battle of Earth began...|[[Halo Encyclopedia]]<ref name="ENC"/>}}
On October 20th, 2552, the first Covenant forces entered the [[Sol system]]. A Covenant expeditionary force consisting of {{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}s and [[Covenant assault carrier]]s arrived in system, first detected around Io, the third largest moon of Jupiter.<ref name="BoE1"/> After the existence of the Covenant presence was confirmed by probes, the UNSCDF forces went to full alert. The option was taken to wait for the Covenant forces to come to them rather than let [[Fleet Admiral Harper]] launch a counter attack. The Covenant began to work on punching a hole through the orbital defenses by taking out the stations in the battle cluster above the Mediterranean Sea via bombs planted by boarding parties.<ref name="BoE1"/> After the Covenant fleet attempted to rush through the newly formed gap the UNSC fleet annihilated them, destroying most of the Covenant battlecruisers but failing to destroy the assault carriers. One of the assault carrier, commanded by the [[High Prophet of Regret]], assaulted the city of [[Mombasa]] in [[Kenya]].<ref name="BoE2">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Outskirts (level)|Outskirts]]</ref>
On October 20th, 2552, the first Covenant forces entered the [[Sol system]]. A Covenant expeditionary force consisting of {{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}s and [[Covenant assault carrier]]s arrived in system, first detected around Io, the third largest moon of Jupiter.<ref name="BoE1"/> After the existence of the Covenant presence was confirmed by probes, the UNSCDF forces went to full alert. The option was taken to wait for the Covenant forces to come to them rather than let [[Harper|Fleet Admiral Harper]] launch a counter attack. The Covenant began to work on punching a hole through the orbital defenses by taking out the stations in the battle cluster above the Mediterranean Sea via bombs planted by boarding parties.<ref name="BoE1"/> After the Covenant fleet attempted to rush through the newly formed gap the UNSC fleet annihilated them, destroying most of the Covenant battlecruisers but failing to destroy the assault carriers. One of the assault carrier, commanded by the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]], assaulted the city of [[Mombasa]] in [[Kenya]].<ref name="BoE2">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Outskirts]]</ref>


Groundside, the Covenant assault carrier had already deployed its ground forces and had already occupied city. The Covenant ground forces immediately constructed defense emplacements and structures to reinforce their newly-acquired sites against the counter-offensive UNSC forces. The {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} was the first UNSC ship to respond to the Covenant occupation. The ship sent in their complements consisting of [[SPARTAN-II]] [[John-117]], [[Sergeant Avery Johnson]] and elements of the [[7th Orbital Drop Shock Trooper Battalion]].<ref name="BoE2"/> The Covenant were subsequently dislodged from [[Old Mombasa]] and, following the destruction of a [[Scarab]], from New Mombasa as well.<ref name="BoE2"/><ref name="BoE3">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis (level)|Metropolis]]</ref> The High Prophet of Regret eventually ordered a general retreat and had his assault carrier to initiate a slipspace jump while still over the city. The ''In Amber Clad'' followed in the carrier's wake, at the cost of the city being severely damaged by the rupture.<ref name="BoE3"/>
Groundside, the Covenant assault carrier had already deployed its ground forces and had already occupied city. The Covenant ground forces immediately constructed defense emplacements and structures to reinforce their newly-acquired sites against the counter-offensive UNSC forces. The {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} was the first UNSC ship to respond to the Covenant occupation. The ship sent in their complements consisting of [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II]] [[John-117]], [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Avery Johnson]] and elements of the [[7th Shock Troops Battalion|7th Orbital Drop Shock Trooper Battalion]].<ref name="BoE2"/> The Covenant were subsequently dislodged from [[Old Mombasa]] and, following the destruction of a [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab]], from New Mombasa as well.<ref name="BoE2"/><ref name="BoE3">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]</ref> The High Prophet of Regret eventually ordered a general retreat and had his assault carrier to initiate a slipspace jump while still over the city. The ''In Amber Clad'' followed in the carrier's wake, at the cost of the city being severely damaged by the rupture.<ref name="BoE3"/>


[[File:Portal odst.png|thumb|200px|right|A larger Covenant fleet arriving shortly after Regret's departure and excavating around Mombasa.]]
[[File:Portal odst.png|thumb|200px|right|A larger Covenant fleet arriving shortly after Regret's departure and excavating around Mombasa.]]
Prior during the event, a contingency of ODSTs were dropped from the {{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} to assist the ''In Amber Clad''<nowiki />'s counter-offensive efforts.<ref name="H3R">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref> The slipspace rupture prevented the assist from taking place, plunging the ODSTs into uncontrolled freefall and scattered across the city. However, [[Dare's Squad|one particular squad of ODSTs]] survived and continued their operation in securing the city's [[Superintendent|infrastructure AI]].<ref name="H3R"/> During the operation, the squad witnessed the arrival of a larger Covenant fleet after escaping the city.<ref name="H3R"/>
Prior during the event, a contingency of ODSTs were dropped from the {{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} to assist the ''In Amber Clad''<nowiki />'s counter-offensive efforts.<ref name="H3R">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref> The slipspace rupture prevented the assist from taking place, plunging the ODSTs into uncontrolled freefall and scattered across the city. However, [[unidentified Shock Trooper squad|one particular squad of ODSTs]] survived and continued their operation in securing the city's [[Superintendent|infrastructure AI]].<ref name="H3R"/> During the operation, the squad witnessed the arrival of a larger Covenant fleet after escaping the city.<ref name="H3R"/>


The Covenant returned in force following the Prophet of Regret's abortive attack and Covenant assault forces succeeded in penetrating the orbital defenses. At [[Mount Erebus]], the sea floor off of the the [[Yucatan Peninsula]], and at the [[Centennial Orbital Elevator]] in [[Havana]], [[Republic of Cuba|Cuba]], the Covenant were stymied by three [[SPARTAN-II]]'s, only to have those SPARTAN-IIs get re-deployed to [[Onyx]].<ref name="onyx">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page ??''</ref> However, UNSC forces were unable to repulse and route Covenant landings in [[Kenya]]. After breaking Earth's [[UNSC Home Fleet|space defenses]], the Covenant bombarded Earth in east Africa.
The Covenant returned in force following the Prophet of Regret's abortive attack and Covenant assault forces succeeded in penetrating the orbital defenses. At [[Mount Erebus]], the sea floor off of the the [[Yucatan Peninsula]], and at the [[Centennial Orbital Elevator]] in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]], the Covenant were stymied by three [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II]]'s, only to have those SPARTAN-IIs get re-deployed to [[Onyx]].<ref name="onyx">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page ??''</ref> However, UNSC forces were unable to repulse and route Covenant landings in [[Kenya]]. After breaking Earth's [[UNSC Home Fleet|space defenses]], the Covenant bombarded Earth in east Africa.


The arrival in-system of SPARTAN-117 in a Covenant-controlled [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], freshly escaped from the [[Battle of Installation 05]], was unexpected.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Sierra 117]]''</ref> SPARTAN-117 disembarked from the dreadnought in Earth's atmosphere, later recovered by Marines and taken to [[Crow's Nest (Base)|Crow's Nest]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref> With the aid of the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]], [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]], and Sergeant Avery Johnson, SPARTAN-117 [[Battle of Voi|breached the Covenant anti-air defenses]] near the excavated Artifact, clearing the way for an aerial strike on the artifact.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Tsavo Highway]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Storm (level)|The Storm]]''</ref> The strike was unable to disable the device or prevent the [[Prophet of Truth]] from traveling through the portal. After a brief intervention by the [[Flood]] a joint Separatist/UNSC force departed through the portal in pursuit.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>
The arrival in-system of SPARTAN-117 in a Covenant-controlled [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], freshly escaped from the [[Battle of Installation 05]], was unexpected.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Sierra 117]]''</ref> SPARTAN-117 disembarked from the dreadnought in Earth's atmosphere, later recovered by Marines and taken to [[Crow's Nest]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref> With the aid of the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]], [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]], and Sergeant Avery Johnson, SPARTAN-117 [[Battle of Voi|breached the Covenant anti-air defenses]] near the excavated Artifact, clearing the way for an aerial strike on the artifact.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Tsavo Highway]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> The strike was unable to disable the device or prevent the [[Prophet of Truth]] from traveling through the portal. After a brief intervention by the [[The Flood|Flood]] a joint Separatist/UNSC force departed through the portal in pursuit.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>


Following the victory at the Battle of Earth and the [[Battle of Installation 00]], the [[Human-Covenant War]] ended in March 2553.
Following the victory at the Battle of Earth and the [[Battle of Installation 00]], the [[Human-Covenant War]] ended in March 2553.
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====[[Africa]]====
====[[Africa]]====
*[[Diego Garcia]] - Island in the Indian Ocean and a major [[UNSC]] base.
*[[Diego Garcia]] - Island in the Indian Ocean and a major [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] base.
*[[Arab Republic of Egypt]]
*[[Egypt|Arab Republic of Egypt]]
**[[Cairo (City)|Cairo]]
**[[Cairo (city)|Cairo]]
*[[Republic of Kenya]]
*[[Kenya|Republic of Kenya]]
**[[Mombasa]] - Major African city that was the first landing site of Covenant forces on Earth, destroyed in ensuing attack and retreat during the Battle of Earth.
**[[Mombasa]] - Major African city that was the first landing site of Covenant forces on Earth, destroyed in ensuing attack and retreat during the Battle of Earth.
***[[New Mombasa]]
***[[New Mombasa]]
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***[[Old Mombasa]]
***[[Old Mombasa]]
****''[[Turf]]'' - The "backstreets"<ref>'''Halo 2''', multiplayer map ''[[Turf]]''</ref> of Old Mombasa, and the location of a downed Scarab destroyed by [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]]
****''[[Turf]]'' - The "backstreets"<ref>'''Halo 2''', multiplayer map ''[[Turf]]''</ref> of Old Mombasa, and the location of a downed Scarab destroyed by [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]]
***[[Tombstone (level)|UNSC Munitions Testing Facility]] - A decommissioned, hazardous facility turned into an industrial wasteland on the outskirts of Mombasa<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12358 '''Bungie.net''': ''An Affinity for Art'']</ref>
***[[Tombstone|UNSC Munitions Testing Facility]] - A decommissioned, hazardous facility turned into an industrial wasteland on the outskirts of Mombasa<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12358 '''Bungie.net''': ''An Affinity for Art'']</ref>
**[[Nairobi]] - The capital city of Kenya
**[[Nairobi]] - The capital city of Kenya
**[[Voi]] - A town further inland from Mombasa and a source of major battles late in the [[Battle of Earth]]
**[[Voi]] - A town further inland from Mombasa and a source of major battles late in the [[Battle of Earth]]
Line 104: Line 104:
***[[Traxus Factory Complex 09]]
***[[Traxus Factory Complex 09]]
**[[Tsavo]]
**[[Tsavo]]
***[[Tsavo Highway (Location)|Tsavo Highway]] - An overpass highway bridging Voi, Mombasa, Arusha, and other cities together.
***[[Tsavo Highway]] - An overpass highway bridging Voi, Mombasa, Arusha, and other cities together.
***[[Outpost C9]]
***[[Outpost C9]]
***[[Crow's Nest (Base)|UNSC Underground Facility "Crow's Nest"]]
***[[Crow's Nest|UNSC Underground Facility "Crow's Nest"]]
*[[United Republic of Tanzania]]
*[[Tanzania|United Republic of Tanzania]]
**[[Mount Kilimanjaro]]
**[[Mount Kilimanjaro]]
**[[Nkuu River]]
**[[Nkuu River]]
***[[GWC Trans-African Pipelines]]
***[[GWC Trans-African Pipelines]]
**[[Zanzibar Island]] - Location of [[Wind Power Station 7]]
**[[Zanzibar Island]] - Location of [[Wind Power Station 7]]
***[[Wind Power Station 7]] - Decommissioned wind wheel<ref>'''Halo 2''', multiplayer map ''[[Zanzibar]]''</ref>, which was acquired by the UNSC as [[SPARTAN]] training grounds.<ref>'''Halo 3''', multiplayer map ''[[Last Resort]]''</ref>
***[[Wind Power Station 7]] - Decommissioned wind wheel<ref>'''Halo 2''', multiplayer map ''[[Zanzibar]]''</ref>, which was acquired by the UNSC as [[Spartan|SPARTAN]] training grounds.<ref>'''Halo 3''', multiplayer map ''[[Last Resort]]''</ref>


====[[Australia|Oceania]]====
====[[Australia|Oceania]]====
*[[Commonwealth of Australia]]
*[[Commonwealth of Australia]]
**[[Sydney]]
**[[Sydney]]
***[[HighCom Facility Bravo-6]] - Home of [[HIGHCOM]] and HQ of the UNSC.  
***[[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6|HighCom Facility Bravo-6]] - Home of [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] and HQ of the UNSC.  
***[[Sydney Synthetic Intellect Institute]] - [[Artificial Intelligence|A.I.]] research institute.
***[[Sydney Synthetic Intellect Institute]] - [[Artificial intelligence|A.I.]] research institute.
**[[Western Australia]]
**[[Western Australia]]
***[[Perth]]
***[[Perth]]
Line 125: Line 125:


====[[Asia]]====
====[[Asia]]====
*[[Korea]]
*[[United Korea|Korea]]
**[[Kyonggi Province]]
**[[Kyonggi Province]]
***[[Songnam]]
***[[Seongnam|Songnam]]
****[[Special Warfare Center]] - Testing and training area, famous for testing the [[MJOLNIR|MJOLNIR MK VI]] and the [[CQB Armor|C]] and [[EVA Armor|V]] variants.
****[[Special Warfare Center]] - Testing and training area, famous for testing the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR MK VI]] and the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/C variant|C]] and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/V variant|V]] variants.
*[[Pakistan]]
*[[Pakistan]]
*[[China]]
*[[China]]
Line 138: Line 138:
**[[Massachusetts]]
**[[Massachusetts]]
***[[Boston]]
***[[Boston]]
****[[Chawla Base]] - An ONI base that housed the artifact from [[I Love Bees]]
****[[Chawla Base]] - An ONI base that housed the artifact from [[I love bees|I Love Bees]]
**[[Ohio]]
**[[Ohio]]
***[[Cleveland]] - Site of the [[Battle of Cleveland]]; underneath the city is the [[Key of Osanalan]]
***[[Cleveland]] - Site of the [[Battle of Cleveland]]; underneath the city is the [[Key of Osanalan]]
**[[Illinois]]
**[[Illinois]]
***[[Chicago]]
***[[Greater Chicago Industrial Zone|Chicago]]
****[[Industrial Zone 08]]
****[[Industrial Zone 08]]
*****[[Tactical Autonomous Robotic Defense System]]<ref>'''Halo 2''', multiplayer map ''[[Foundation]]''</ref>
*****[[Tactical Autonomous Robotic Defense System]]<ref>'''Halo 2''', multiplayer map ''[[Foundation]]''</ref>
Line 148: Line 148:
***[[New York City]] - The Morelli family from I Love Bees all live or were born here.
***[[New York City]] - The Morelli family from I Love Bees all live or were born here.
**[[Commonwealth of Kentucky]] - [[Rani Sobeck]] from I Love Bees lives here or was born here.
**[[Commonwealth of Kentucky]] - [[Rani Sobeck]] from I Love Bees lives here or was born here.
**[[Oregon]] - [[Fueder Construction|A construction company]] in the [[United States]] is located here.
**[[Oregon]] - [[Fueder Construction|A construction company]] in the [[United States of America|United States]] is located here.
***[[Salem]]
***[[Salem]]
**[[Missouri]]
**[[Missouri]]
Line 155: Line 155:
**[[Mexico City]]
**[[Mexico City]]
***[[Base Segundo Terra]] - Mexico City, Mexico. Used as the staging area to attack the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] incursions on Havana and the Yucatan Peninsula.  
***[[Base Segundo Terra]] - Mexico City, Mexico. Used as the staging area to attack the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] incursions on Havana and the Yucatan Peninsula.  
*[[Republic of Cuba]]
*[[Cuba|Republic of Cuba]]
**[[Havana]]
**[[Havana]]
***[[Centennial Orbital Elevator]] - A 200 year old antiquated Space Elevator that was destroyed during the Battle of Earth.
***[[Centennial Orbital Elevator]] - A 200 year old antiquated Space Elevator that was destroyed during the Battle of Earth.


====[[South America]]====
====[[South America]]====
*[[Republic of Chile]]
*[[Chile|Republic of Chile]]
*[[Wikipedia:Ecuador|Republic of Ecuador]]
*[[Wikipedia:Ecuador|Republic of Ecuador]]
**[[Quito]] - Home to the [[Quito Space Tether]], one of Earth's six Space Elevators.
**[[Quito]] - Home to the [[Quito Space Tether]], one of Earth's six Space Elevators.
Line 166: Line 166:
====[[Europe]]====
====[[Europe]]====
*[[United Kingdom]]
*[[United Kingdom]]
**[[Great Britain|England]]
**[[United Kingdom|England]]
***[[London]]
***[[London]]
***[[Bristol]]
***[[Bristol]]
Line 175: Line 175:
***[[Portsmouth]]
***[[Portsmouth]]
***[[Islington]]
***[[Islington]]
**[[Scotland]]
**[[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]]
***[[Edinburgh]]
***[[Edinburgh]]
*[[Federal Republic of Germany]]
*[[Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]]
**[[Essen]]
**[[Essen]]
***[[Beweglichrüstungsysteme|Beweglichrüstungsysteme Testing Facility]] - Testing site of the C Variant MJOLNIR MK. VI
***[[Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme|Beweglichrüstungsysteme Testing Facility]] - Testing site of the C Variant MJOLNIR MK. VI


====[[Antarctica]]====
====[[Antarctica]]====
Line 190: Line 190:


===Orbital===
===Orbital===
*''[[Athens Station]]'' - An [[Orbital Defense Platform|ODP]] defending Earth, destroyed by boarders in the Battle of Earth.
*''[[Athens Station]]'' - An [[Orbital defense platform|ODP]] defending Earth, destroyed by boarders in the Battle of Earth.
*''[[Cairo Station]]'' - An ODP defending Earth. It was the command center of Earth's defense by [[Admiral Hood]].
*''[[Cairo Station]]'' - An ODP defending Earth. It was the command center of Earth's defense by [[Terrence Hood|Admiral Hood]].
*''[[Malta Station]]'' -  An ODP defending Earth, destroyed by boarders in the Battle of Earth.
*''[[Malta Station]]'' -  An ODP defending Earth, destroyed by boarders in the Battle of Earth.
*''[[Nassau Station]]'' - An ODP defending earth.
*''[[Nassau Station]]'' - An ODP defending earth.
Line 197: Line 197:


===[[Luna]]===
===[[Luna]]===
*[[Luna OCS Academy]] - The Moon-based training academy for [[UNSC]] Naval officers.
*[[Academy at Mare Nubium|Luna OCS Academy]] - The Moon-based training academy for [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] Naval officers.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 203: Line 203:
File:Zanzibarfull.jpg|[[Wind Power Station 7]] on [[Zanzibar Island]], [[Tanzania]].
File:Zanzibarfull.jpg|[[Wind Power Station 7]] on [[Zanzibar Island]], [[Tanzania]].
File:Tanaga_District.png|[[Tanaga]] district of [[New Mombasa]], with the [[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator]] in the background. This is seconds prior to the New Mombasa Slipspace incident.
File:Tanaga_District.png|[[Tanaga]] district of [[New Mombasa]], with the [[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator]] in the background. This is seconds prior to the New Mombasa Slipspace incident.
File:FoundationH2.jpg|[[Tactical Autonomous Robotic Defense System]] testing grounds in Industrial Zone 08 of [[Chicago]], United States of America.
File:FoundationH2.jpg|[[Tactical Autonomous Robotic Defense System]] testing grounds in Industrial Zone 08 of [[Greater Chicago Industrial Zone|Chicago]], United States of America.
File:Earth Orbit.jpg|Earth seen from orbit.
File:Earth Orbit.jpg|Earth seen from orbit.
File:UNSC Home Fleet.JPG|The UNSC Home Fleet prior to the arrival of the Covenant.
File:UNSC Home Fleet.JPG|The UNSC Home Fleet prior to the arrival of the Covenant.
File:Earthshot.jpg|[[UNSCDF]] [[Orbital Defense Platform]]s in [[geosynchronous]] orbit around Earth.
File:Earthshot.jpg|[[United Nations Space Command Defense Force|UNSCDF]] [[Orbital defense platform|Orbital Defense Platforms]] in [[geosynchronous orbit|geosynchronous]] orbit around Earth.
File:The coming Storm.jpg|[[The Artifact]], buried thousands of years on Earth, unveiled by the Covenant.
File:The coming Storm.jpg|[[The Artifact]], buried thousands of years on Earth, unveiled by the Covenant.
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 234: Line 234:
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[I love Bees]]''
*''[[I love bees|I love Bees]]''
*''[[Iris]]''
*''[[Iris]]''
*''[[Dead or Alive 4]]''
*''[[Dead or Alive 4]]''

Revision as of 23:25, May 14, 2011

Template:Ratings

Template:SeeWikipedia Template:Planet

"Fight for her."
— Bulletin board poster of Earth

Earth (known as "Erde-Tyrene" to pre-historic humans and the Forerunners[1]) is the third planet of the Sol system, and one of four terrestrial worlds. Homeworld of the human species, Earth has been at the forefront of galactic history, from encounters with the Precursors[1] to the end of the Covenant Empire.[2] Inhabited long ago by a pre-historic interstellar human government conquered and dissolved by the Forerunners,[1] Earth is currently the capital world of the United Earth Government.

Earth was possibly the most populated planet of the human space territories. For a significant amount of humanity's history, it was to them the only known place in the universe to support life.

History

Pangaea, the super-continent 250 million years ago that was the amalgamation of all current present-day continents.

Prehistory

Main article: Prehistoric human civilization

The Earth first formed about 4.6 billion years ago, and gave rise to the first single-celled organisms about 3.9 billion years ago. About 200,000 years ago, the ancestors of modern humans, Homo Sapiens, evolved in Africa. Indigenous to Eastern Africa, they gradually spread across the entire planet. Eventually, the humans, originally consisting of groups of hunter-gatherers, began to develop into civilizations. These civilizations gradually became more and more complex, with some becoming nation-states and empires.

Eventually, possibly through contact with the Forerunners, humanity discovered spaceflight and spread across the Orion Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. After being defeated in a war against the Forerunner civilization, the humans were exiled back to Earth, with their species devolved and splintered into multiple subspecies and their culture degrading back to a pseudo-industrial state for thousands of years.[1]

At some point, Earth came under the charge of the Librarian, who helped the humans slowly work towards rebuilding a primitive civilization. Remnants of their former technology, such as steam power and hot-air balloon flight, were re-learned under her care but later forgotten after the firing of the Halo Array.

Template:Expand-Section

Forerunner-Flood War

Near the end of their war with the Flood,[3] the Forerunners built a machine to generate a slipspace portal to the Ark in Africa.[4] They also indexed the human species as a part of their Conservation Measure to preserve life in the galaxy after the activation of the Halo Array. After the array's activation, human life was planted back on Earth, where it succesfully developed.[5]

Civilization and the Modern Age

Main articles: Human, World War II

After the recovery from the Array, humans reduced back to hunter-gatherers for nearly a hundred thousand years, until civilizations began to form anew.

By the year 1914, much of the world was divided into two factions, the Triple Entente, or Allies: the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and later the United States of America, and the Triple Alliance, or Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other nations of similar ideals. The Central Powers were defeated at the end of World War I in 1918, resulting in a decade of prosperity for the Allies, followed by an economic depression and the rise of Fascism, Nazism, and Communism in many countries. In 1939, another World War erupted, between the Allies (Britain, the Soviet Union, later the United States, and many other nations) and the Axis (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Empire of Japan). In 1945, the Allies defeated the Axis. Later that year, the victorious nations, in an attempt to prevent more World Wars, founded the United Nations, an international assembly of peaceful nations, whose goal was to settle international disputes peacefully, and was the predecessor to the UNSC. In 1957, Humanity finally made their way into space with unmanned probes and by 1961, Humans themselves had gone into space. In 1969, Humanity had finally stepped on an extraterrestrial surface-Earth's Moon.

After World War II, Humanity would lack war on that scale, although smaller wars and conflicts erupted, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War, and the first and second Iraq War. In the early 21st century, terrorism became a particular thorn in the side for the nations on Earth and small wars broke out along with civil unrest in many countries. However, no full wars on the same scale as past World Wars erupted.

Interplanetary colonization and conflicts

Main article: Interplanetary War

After years of overcrowding on Earth and the other planets in the Sol System, dissident factions emerged. The Neo-Communist Koslovics and Fascist Frieden, the two major movements, began to battle one another and the United Nations.

In March-June 2160, Jovian secessionists attacked United Nations Colonial advisers on the moon Io, which led to three months of fighting between the Earth military and Jovian Frieden forces. National Governments began to support their own colonies which sparked proxy wars off-planet, leading to tension and militarization on Earth. In 2162 armed conflict ripped through South America, starting the Rain Forest Wars, as Koslovic, Frieden, and UN forces all clashed over ideological differences, sparking additional conflicts off-planet. In December of 2163, the three factions clashed, this time on Mars. This was the first extraterrestrial use of Marines, who launched lightning raids on Koslovic positions, permanently affecting military doctrine for centuries. In 2164 UN forces began a massive military build-up and began the first true interplanetary war. The UNSC was bolstered by a massive propaganda campaign running on the victories on Mars and over the next six years took back the Sol System and drove the dissident factions to destruction. Now with a massive military with no enemy to fight, overpopulation, famine, and a collapsing economy, the newly unified Earth faced an uncertain future.

It was not until 2291 that this problem was solved when researchers created the Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine and gained access to Slipspace. In 2310 the UNSC unveiled their first line of colony ships and the best and brightest from both civilian walks of life and the military set out to form the Inner Colonies. This eased the overpopulation problem upon Earth which became the capital of the Unified Earth Government, while the inner colony of Reach would later became the headquarters of the UNSC.

The Insurrection and the Human-Covenant War

Main articles: Insurrection, Human-Covenant War

Humanity would enter a period of peaceful stability for the next two hundred years, until civil unrest began to spread in the Outer Colonies, with various groups seeking secession from Earth and the UEG. The scale of the unrest would steadily rise, eventually becoming a major threat by 2517 to the UEG's existence, and in response the UNSC began the SPARTAN-II Program.

All this was suddenly and violently rendered a moot point when a single alien ship made an unprovoked attack on the colony of Harvest, humanity's first encounter with an alien civilization - the Covenant. Over the next twenty seven years, Humanity would wage a brutal war for survival, losing hundreds of colonies, including all of the Outer Colonies in 2536; and on August 31st, 2552, the UNSC's largest military installation, the planet Reach, was discovered and invaded by the Covenant. During the entire course of the conflict, the UNSC followed the Cole Protocol, which declared that no UNSC vessel targeted by the Covenant was to retreat to Earth, as a means of ensuring the secrecy and security of the planet's location.

Despite the effectiveness of this law, on October 20th, 2552, the Covenant launched their first attack upon Earth, rendering the Cole Protocol moot and initiating the final confrontation between UNSC forces and the Covenant.[6][7]

Pre-Battle of Earth

Prior to the Covenant invasion of Earth, there had been a suppressed influx of information by ONI, resulting in people going about their normal lives even up until the attack. The forces stationed at Earth were heavy, with the Second Fleet, Seventh Fleet, the Sixteenth Fleet and the 6th Battle Group along with large amounts of Marines, Army Troopers, and ODSTs present, five SPARTAN-IIs, Admiral Hood and Earth's most prominent means of defense, three hundred Orbital Defense Platforms, each sporting a Mk. V "Super" MAC. Also, there were numerous human colonies on various moons, a large naval shipyard and factories at Mars, and a listening post at Io.

Battle of Earth

The UNSCDF forces in a counter-offensive engagement in response to the Covenant occupation of Mombasa.
Main article: Battle of Earth

"The entire population of Earth was cut in half as the first battle of Earth began..."
— Halo Encyclopedia[8]

On October 20th, 2552, the first Covenant forces entered the Sol system. A Covenant expeditionary force consisting of CCS-class Battlecruisers and Covenant assault carriers arrived in system, first detected around Io, the third largest moon of Jupiter.[7] After the existence of the Covenant presence was confirmed by probes, the UNSCDF forces went to full alert. The option was taken to wait for the Covenant forces to come to them rather than let Fleet Admiral Harper launch a counter attack. The Covenant began to work on punching a hole through the orbital defenses by taking out the stations in the battle cluster above the Mediterranean Sea via bombs planted by boarding parties.[7] After the Covenant fleet attempted to rush through the newly formed gap the UNSC fleet annihilated them, destroying most of the Covenant battlecruisers but failing to destroy the assault carriers. One of the assault carrier, commanded by the High Prophet of Regret, assaulted the city of Mombasa in Kenya.[9]

Groundside, the Covenant assault carrier had already deployed its ground forces and had already occupied city. The Covenant ground forces immediately constructed defense emplacements and structures to reinforce their newly-acquired sites against the counter-offensive UNSC forces. The UNSC In Amber Clad was the first UNSC ship to respond to the Covenant occupation. The ship sent in their complements consisting of SPARTAN-II John-117, Sergeant Avery Johnson and elements of the 7th Orbital Drop Shock Trooper Battalion.[9] The Covenant were subsequently dislodged from Old Mombasa and, following the destruction of a Scarab, from New Mombasa as well.[9][10] The High Prophet of Regret eventually ordered a general retreat and had his assault carrier to initiate a slipspace jump while still over the city. The In Amber Clad followed in the carrier's wake, at the cost of the city being severely damaged by the rupture.[10]

A larger Covenant fleet arriving shortly after Regret's departure and excavating around Mombasa.

Prior during the event, a contingency of ODSTs were dropped from the UNSC Say My Name to assist the In Amber Clad's counter-offensive efforts.[11] The slipspace rupture prevented the assist from taking place, plunging the ODSTs into uncontrolled freefall and scattered across the city. However, one particular squad of ODSTs survived and continued their operation in securing the city's infrastructure AI.[11] During the operation, the squad witnessed the arrival of a larger Covenant fleet after escaping the city.[11]

The Covenant returned in force following the Prophet of Regret's abortive attack and Covenant assault forces succeeded in penetrating the orbital defenses. At Mount Erebus, the sea floor off of the the Yucatan Peninsula, and at the Centennial Orbital Elevator in Havana, Cuba, the Covenant were stymied by three SPARTAN-II's, only to have those SPARTAN-IIs get re-deployed to Onyx.[12] However, UNSC forces were unable to repulse and route Covenant landings in Kenya. After breaking Earth's space defenses, the Covenant bombarded Earth in east Africa.

The arrival in-system of SPARTAN-117 in a Covenant-controlled Forerunner Dreadnought, freshly escaped from the Battle of Installation 05, was unexpected.[13] SPARTAN-117 disembarked from the dreadnought in Earth's atmosphere, later recovered by Marines and taken to Crow's Nest.[14] With the aid of the Arbiter, Commander Miranda Keyes, and Sergeant Avery Johnson, SPARTAN-117 breached the Covenant anti-air defenses near the excavated Artifact, clearing the way for an aerial strike on the artifact.[15][16] The strike was unable to disable the device or prevent the Prophet of Truth from traveling through the portal. After a brief intervention by the Flood a joint Separatist/UNSC force departed through the portal in pursuit.[17]

Following the victory at the Battle of Earth and the Battle of Installation 00, the Human-Covenant War ended in March 2553.

Earth locations

Planetside

Planetside, Earth has seven continents of extremely varied climates and cultures.

Africa

Oceania

Asia

North America

South America

Europe

Antarctica

Arctic

Orbital

Luna

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d Tor.com — Halo: Cryptum chapter one excerpt
  2. ^ Halo 3, level Halo
  3. ^ Bungie.net: Compound Intelligence: All Five Servers Information Compiled
  4. ^ Halo 3: The Cradle of Life
  5. ^ Halo Legends, Origins
  6. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page ??
  7. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  8. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ENC
  9. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level Outskirts
  10. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  11. ^ a b c Halo 3: ODST
  12. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page ??
  13. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Sierra 117
  14. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Crow's Nest
  15. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Tsavo Highway
  16. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Storm
  17. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  18. ^ Halo 2, multiplayer map Turf
  19. ^ Bungie.net: An Affinity for Art
  20. ^ Halo 2, multiplayer map Zanzibar
  21. ^ Halo 3, multiplayer map Last Resort
  22. ^ Halo 2, multiplayer map Foundation
  23. ^ Halo 3, multiplayer map Blackout
Retrieved from "https://www.halopedia.org/index.php?title=Earth&oldid=913169"