Battle for Arcadia

The Battle of Arcadia was an engagement fought between the United Nations Space Command and the Covenant on the Human colony world of Arcadia during the Human-Covenant War in 2531 .

The Battle

Shortly after the Third Battle of Harvest, the Arbiter and his ships quickly left the system after learning the location of Arcadia from a Forerunner artifact buried under Harvest's north pole. Under the suggestion of Professor Ellen Anders, the UNSC Spirit of Fire followed in hot pursuit.

Upon reaching Arcadia, two Covenant vessels exited Slipspace. The Spirit of Fire arrived soon after. The UNSC Belfast, Texas, Pillar of Autumn, and Armstrong engaged the two ships immediately, catching one of them with its shields down and destroying it. However, the UNSC force suffered its part of the battle. The Texas and Belfast were destroyed, the Armstrong was venting atmosphere due to damage, and the Autumn suffering severe damage.

Ground Battle

The second Covenant vessel was engaged in "surface activity" on Arcadia, attacking Civilian targets and glassing the capital. SPARTAN Red Team and forces under the command of Sergeant John Forge assisted in rescuing civilians, before being forced to retreat to the city's outskirts. Following this, the UNSC forces used experimental Rhinos to break through a Covenant shield concealing a Scarab building site. After considerable effort on the part of the UNSC, they destroyed the Scarab.

Aftermath

Under orders from the Prophet of Regret, the Arbiter used the opportunity of the battle to capture Ellen Anders, with the intention of using her to activate The Apex. The Spirit of Fire chased his ship to the Shield World