Battle of Psi Serpentis: Difference between revisions
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|result = Tactical and Strategic UNSC Victory | |result = Tactical and Strategic UNSC Victory | ||
*Heavy Human Casualties. | *Heavy Human Casualties. | ||
* | *Two entire Covenant fleets vaporized. | ||
*Viperidae reduced to rocky core from super-giant planetary status. | *Viperidae reduced to rocky core from super-giant planetary status. | ||
*Vice Admiral Cole presumed dead. | *Vice Admiral Cole presumed dead. | ||
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|side2 = [[Covenant Empire]] | |side2 = [[Covenant Empire]] | ||
|commanders1 = | |commanders1 = | ||
*[[Vice Admiral]] [[Preston | *[[Vice Admiral|VADM]] [[Preston Cole]]† (presumed KIA) | ||
*[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Lyrenne Castilla]] (speculated) | *[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Lyrenne Castilla]] (speculated) | ||
|commanders2 = | |commanders2 = | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
** 55 battleships | ** 55 battleships | ||
***Modified older UNSC warships | ***Modified older UNSC warships | ||
**** | ****Modified [[UNSC Frigate]] | ||
*****''[[Bellicose]]'' | *****''[[Bellicose]]'' | ||
***Merchant vessels | ***Merchant vessels | ||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
*Over 70 ships | *Over 70 ships | ||
**2 Cruisers | **2 Cruisers | ||
***[[UNSC Everest|UNSC ''Everest'']] | ***[[UNSC Everest|UNSC ''Everest'']] (presumed) | ||
***[[UNSC Io|UNSC ''Io'']] | ***[[UNSC Io|UNSC ''Io'']] | ||
**4 Destroyers | **4 Destroyers | ||
| Line 67: | Line 67: | ||
**Well over 300 vessels in total | **Well over 300 vessels in total | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Battle of Psi Serpentis''' was a battle fought toward the latter half of the [[Human-Covenant War]] in 2543 and had become colloquially known as [[Admiral Cole's Last Stand]] due to the presumed death of [[Preston Cole | {{Article Quote|Is that the best [[Covenant Empire|you]] can do? Watch what [[Preston Cole|one unworthy human]] can do!''<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''' - ''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]'', page 481, Cole's last known transmission directed to the Covenant fleet above Viperidae.</ref>'}} | ||
The '''Battle of Psi Serpentis''' was a battle fought toward the latter half of the [[Human-Covenant War]] in 2543 and had become colloquially known as [[Admiral Cole's Last Stand]] due to the presumed death of [[Admiral]] [[Preston Cole]]. The actions of Admiral Cole and [[UNSC Battle Group India|his fleet]] in the battle rival the accomplishments made by most other heroes of the war.<ref name="HE">'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''' - ''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]'', pages 472-485.</ref> | |||
==Prelude== | |||
Cole spent a great deal of time preparing for the battle. The Admiral ordered massive amounts of Titanium-A plating for his flagship, {{UNSCShip|Everest}}; acquired the {{UNSCShip|Io}} which had previously been damaged in the [[Battle of 18 Scorpii]]; and did extensive theoretical studies of star density and slipspace travel. The purpose of these activities were unknown to Cole's superiors and the UNSC at-large at the time.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''' - ''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]'', pages 474-476.</ref> In addition to these actions, the [[UNSC Prowler|prowler]] {{UNSCShip|Wink of an Eye}} prepared the battlefield in the [[Psi Serpentis System]] for a week by observing the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]'s activities in the system.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''' - ''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]'', page 477.</ref> | |||
==Battle== | ==Battle== | ||
[[Battlegroup India]] jumped into the Psi Serpentis system as a single unit, the resulting wave of radiation rippled through the system and encompassed the three nearest planets. This was a clear warning sign to the waiting Covenant fleet, which swiftly moved to engage Cole's forces. The UNSC battlegroup then performed a previously unheard of in-system jump to the gas giant [[Viperidae]]. A dozen ships limped behind the main task force and were picked off by the Covenant. As the Covenant fleet bore down on Battlegroup India, Cole divided the fleet into two groups, the starboard most of which arced around Viperidae to cut into the pursuing Covenant fleet. The majority Cole's fleet was able to bring their guns to bear on a now divided Covenant fleet. Cole's forces inflicted heavy damage on the the hundred or so Covenant vessels, destroying 23 enemy vessels while losing a third of the fleet.<ref name="HE"/> | [[Battlegroup India]] jumped into the Psi Serpentis system as a single unit, the resulting wave of radiation rippled through the system and encompassed the three nearest planets. This was a clear warning sign to the waiting Covenant fleet, which swiftly moved to engage Cole's forces. The UNSC battlegroup then performed a previously unheard of in-system jump to the gas giant [[Viperidae]]. A dozen ships limped behind the main task force due to the random inaccuracies of UNSC [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|trans-light engines]] and were picked off by the Covenant. As the Covenant fleet bore down on Battlegroup India, Cole divided the fleet into two groups, the starboard most of which arced around Viperidae to cut into the pursuing Covenant fleet. The majority Cole's fleet was able to bring their guns to bear on a now divided Covenant fleet. Cole's forces inflicted heavy damage on the the hundred or so Covenant vessels, destroying 23 enemy vessels while losing a third of the fleet.<ref name="HE"/> | ||
The Covenant fleet regrouped and pursued Cole's fleet until a group of Insurrectionist vessels emerged from slipspace. Led by the heavily modified [[Bellicose]], they opened fire on the Covenant, losing a quarter of their number. Once they attacked they smashed through the Covenant formation and withdrew from the system. Cole himself moved | The Covenant fleet regrouped and pursued Cole's fleet until a group of Insurrectionist vessels emerged from slipspace. Led by the heavily modified ''[[Bellicose]]'', they opened fire on the Covenant, losing a quarter of their number. Once they attacked they smashed through the Covenant formation and withdrew from the system. Cole himself moved ''Everest'' deeper into Viperidae's [[Gravity Well|gravity well]] while the UNSC fleet proceeded to disengage. The Admiral then issued a broadcast to the pursuing Covenant ships, boasting of his own achievements while scoffing at their claim to righteousness. Sensing and accepting the challenge, the Covenant moved to attack ''Everest'', but their plasma was deflected by the magnetosphere of the planet.<ref name="HE"/> | ||
Cole moved | Cole moved ''Everest'' past the point of no return from Viperidae's gravity well, and launched a barrage of missiles at the lead ship in the Covenant formation. Nuclear fire destroyed the ship but there was little damage done to the rest of the fleet. Unknown to them, Cole launched one hundred [[Shiva-class Nuclear Missile|Shiva warheads]] into Viperidae's unstable core. The resulting fission event caused the planet to briefly nova into a [[Wikipedia:Brown_dwarf|brown dwarf]]. The resulting shockwave obliterated all of the Covenant ships, reduced Viperidae to a smoldering rock, and presumably destroyed ''Everest''.<ref name="HE"/> | ||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
In addition to the alleged death of Cole, over 300 [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] vessels were completely destroyed when [[UNSC]] [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear missiles]] detonated inside the atmosphere of Viperidae. However, the light show that Cole gave the Covenant, prior to the micro-nova of Viperidae is suspect. A group of archer missiles prematurely detonated in front of | In addition to the alleged death of Cole, over 300 [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] vessels, two fleets, were completely destroyed when [[UNSC]] [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear missiles]] detonated inside the atmosphere of Viperidae. However, the light show that Cole gave the Covenant, prior to the micro-nova of Viperidae is suspect. A group of archer missiles prematurely detonated in front of ''Everest'', and seemed to mimic a slipspace rupture. Prior to the battle, Admiral Cole had done extensive research into slipstream travel which, when reviewed, appeared to be the calculations for an in-atmosphere jump. The next shot of the cruiser, captured by the retreating battlegroup, revealed the silhouette of another vessel, presumably the ''Io''. After another flash of light only one ship remained, and was consumed by the nova event. | ||
This has left Admiral Cole's death subject to speculation, and [[Artificial_Intelligence#Human_A.I.s|AI]]s under [[Codename: SURGEON]]'s command calculated that there was an 89.7% chance that Cole had indeed escaped in an in-atmo slip-space jump.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''' - ''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]'', page 486</ref> Either way, Cole's achievements in this battle alone were only rivaled by the [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE|destruction]] of the ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' and the actions of [[John-117]] throughout the course of the [[Human-Covenant War|war]]. A painting depicting the battle, titled "''[[Admiral Cole's Last Stand]]''" was created, and by [[2552]] it hung on the wall of the [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] on [[Sydney]], Earth.<ref name="HE"/><ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', page 100</ref> | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Revision as of 11:00, February 22, 2010
Template:Ratings Template:Battle Template:Article Quote
The Battle of Psi Serpentis was a battle fought toward the latter half of the Human-Covenant War in 2543 and had become colloquially known as Admiral Cole's Last Stand due to the presumed death of Admiral Preston Cole. The actions of Admiral Cole and his fleet in the battle rival the accomplishments made by most other heroes of the war.[1]
Prelude
Cole spent a great deal of time preparing for the battle. The Admiral ordered massive amounts of Titanium-A plating for his flagship, UNSC Everest; acquired the UNSC Io which had previously been damaged in the Battle of 18 Scorpii; and did extensive theoretical studies of star density and slipspace travel. The purpose of these activities were unknown to Cole's superiors and the UNSC at-large at the time.[2] In addition to these actions, the prowler UNSC Wink of an Eye prepared the battlefield in the Psi Serpentis System for a week by observing the Covenant's activities in the system.[3]
Battle
Battlegroup India jumped into the Psi Serpentis system as a single unit, the resulting wave of radiation rippled through the system and encompassed the three nearest planets. This was a clear warning sign to the waiting Covenant fleet, which swiftly moved to engage Cole's forces. The UNSC battlegroup then performed a previously unheard of in-system jump to the gas giant Viperidae. A dozen ships limped behind the main task force due to the random inaccuracies of UNSC trans-light engines and were picked off by the Covenant. As the Covenant fleet bore down on Battlegroup India, Cole divided the fleet into two groups, the starboard most of which arced around Viperidae to cut into the pursuing Covenant fleet. The majority Cole's fleet was able to bring their guns to bear on a now divided Covenant fleet. Cole's forces inflicted heavy damage on the the hundred or so Covenant vessels, destroying 23 enemy vessels while losing a third of the fleet.[1]
The Covenant fleet regrouped and pursued Cole's fleet until a group of Insurrectionist vessels emerged from slipspace. Led by the heavily modified Bellicose, they opened fire on the Covenant, losing a quarter of their number. Once they attacked they smashed through the Covenant formation and withdrew from the system. Cole himself moved Everest deeper into Viperidae's gravity well while the UNSC fleet proceeded to disengage. The Admiral then issued a broadcast to the pursuing Covenant ships, boasting of his own achievements while scoffing at their claim to righteousness. Sensing and accepting the challenge, the Covenant moved to attack Everest, but their plasma was deflected by the magnetosphere of the planet.[1]
Cole moved Everest past the point of no return from Viperidae's gravity well, and launched a barrage of missiles at the lead ship in the Covenant formation. Nuclear fire destroyed the ship but there was little damage done to the rest of the fleet. Unknown to them, Cole launched one hundred Shiva warheads into Viperidae's unstable core. The resulting fission event caused the planet to briefly nova into a brown dwarf. The resulting shockwave obliterated all of the Covenant ships, reduced Viperidae to a smoldering rock, and presumably destroyed Everest.[1]
Aftermath
In addition to the alleged death of Cole, over 300 Covenant vessels, two fleets, were completely destroyed when UNSC nuclear missiles detonated inside the atmosphere of Viperidae. However, the light show that Cole gave the Covenant, prior to the micro-nova of Viperidae is suspect. A group of archer missiles prematurely detonated in front of Everest, and seemed to mimic a slipspace rupture. Prior to the battle, Admiral Cole had done extensive research into slipstream travel which, when reviewed, appeared to be the calculations for an in-atmosphere jump. The next shot of the cruiser, captured by the retreating battlegroup, revealed the silhouette of another vessel, presumably the Io. After another flash of light only one ship remained, and was consumed by the nova event.
This has left Admiral Cole's death subject to speculation, and AIs under Codename: SURGEON's command calculated that there was an 89.7% chance that Cole had indeed escaped in an in-atmo slip-space jump.[4] Either way, Cole's achievements in this battle alone were only rivaled by the destruction of the Unyielding Hierophant and the actions of John-117 throughout the course of the war. A painting depicting the battle, titled "Admiral Cole's Last Stand" was created, and by 2552 it hung on the wall of the HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6 on Sydney, Earth.[1][5]
Sources
- ^ a b c d e Halo: Evolutions - The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole, pages 472-485.
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole, pages 474-476.
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole, page 477.
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole, page 486
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 100
