The Infinity Briefing Packet is a booklet handed out to SPARTAN-IV personnel upon assignment to UNSC Infinity. This page describes the briefing packet received by Spartan Gabriel Thorne on February 6, 2558. Thorne wrote a journal entry to the last page of the booklet, describing his thoughts on his new status as a Spartan and the little history the supersoldiers had.
Contents
- Formal welcome by Infinity Spartan Commander, Sarah Palmer (accompanied by an informal, handwritten note by Palmer on the preceding page)
- UNSC Infinity schematic and information
- Aft Armory Notice with basic information on several weapons (MA5D assault rifle, BR85HB battle rifle, ARC-920 railgun, M739 SAW, M395 DMR, SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle, M363 sticky detonator)
- Instructions for Spartan-IVs aboard Infinity by Chief Mechanized Repair Officer Gordon Kushner
- Spartan Specialist recruitment briefing by Commander Palmer
- Ship R&R opportunity schedule
- Gabriel Thorne's journal entry
Accompanying items
- Briefing sheet for one of Fireteam Majestic's missions on Requiem; either Operation: CHATTERBOX, THREE-CARD MONTE, LAND GRAB, ACADEMIC or ALL-SEEING EYE.[note 1]
- Restricted ONI message from Margaret Parangosky to Dr. Catherine Halsey, found on Infinity intraship network by Spartan Hoya
- War Games session summary
- Gabriel Thorne's MJOLNIR GEN2 requisition sheet
Excerpts
FROM THE DESK OF CHIEF MECHANIZED REPAIR OFFICER GORDON KUSHNER, UNSC INFINITY
All Spartan-IV-class operatives must take the following measures in order to maintain their bodies' healthfulness following their participation in the Spartan-IV Augmentation Program:
|
CARE FOR ARMOR
a. All Spartan-IV Armor care is performed on S-Deck in the Armor Bay by qualified Class-61 Techs. Spartan-IVs are never to attempt any care or maintenance of the armor themselves. b. Each set of Spartan-IV Armor can be outfitted with modifications that enhance the base functionality. Spartans can requisition mods based on mission needs or personal combat ability. c. Individual armor pieces can be requisitioned for each Spartan based on mission need, but selecting based purely on cosmetic desires is discouraged. Any customization of armor color must conform to UNSC Equipment Code Rule 20.00.62.EXERCISE
a. Standard UNSC PT practices should still be followed. However, due to physical augmentations, basic gym equipment should be considered unsafe for use. All exercise must be performed only on Spartan-IV-class, operative-approved equipment, locked in the S-Deck Armor Bay. SLEEP
a. Spartan-IV-class operatives can expect to perform optimally with a minimum of two-and-one-half hours of sleep per forty-eight (48) hour cycle. b. Cryosleep best practices for UNSC personnel are applicable to Spartan-IVs as well. |
DIET
a. All Spartan-IV-class operatives will consume meals only from the designated Mess Hall aboard Infinity. Spartan-IV meals are specially prepared with two guidelines in mind to meet the specific needs of each individual.
CONTINUED MEDICAL CARE
a. Before and after each sortie, Spartan-IV-class operatives shall report to S-Deck Armor bay for physiological scans, reviews, and treatment. |
SHIP R&R OPPORTUNITY SCHEDULE
Greetings, all Infinity crew members! The following dates are a great time for you to plan your R&R. Please clear all requests for time off with your supervising officers at least 14 days in advance. Note that all events are subject to change should Infinity's operations require.
| FEB 2 | Join the Infinity 5k charity fun run for Earth-based personnel. Jog from stem to stern of the UNSC's flagship. [Attention Spartans - no armor during the fun run!] |
| FEB 9 | UNSC Infinity Poker Night! Tickets for Poker Night are on sale now in all Mess Halls or via Infinity's Waypoint intranet. This month's Grand Prize: priority seating on all intra-ship shuttlecraft and trains. |
| FEB 14 | Atrium Park Valentine's Dance. Start time: 2015 hours. [Please note, all UNSC Personal Relationship Forms should be filed with your senior officer prior to attendance.] |
| FEB 18 | Saturday Night (Cage) Fight! Infinity crew members put their pugilistic skills to the test. BONUS! Spartans from Sydney Team participate in an ancient "cage match" martial arts battle with no holds barred! |
| FEB 21 | Infinity Day. Come mark the anniversary of Infinity's christening for service as the flagship of the UNSC. Festivities include a speech from the captain and Infinity-themed cupcakes. |
| FEB 25 | Chili Cook-Off! This event will be held in Forward Mess Hall. To enter, contract Master Chef Jonathan Lowell. To attend as a taster, pick up your tickets any time before February 25! |
Thorne's journal entry
Feb 6 '58
I’m a Spartan now, after months of surgery and training just so I could survive using the armor. So here I am, sitting on Infinity, sore as hell from the War Games runs today. Commander Palmer says we’re on the line at 0500, but wouldn't say what to expect. I learned in the Army that when somebody high up wants you ready, but won’t tell you why, it means a fight is coming.
I was reading up on how, 500 years ago, a military group called the “Air Force” split off the Army to form its own branch. It got me thinking about how little Spartan history there is. I can tell you that Carl Spaatz was the Air Force’s first Chief of Staff. But when I try to find out where 117 came from, there’s nothing. Not his real name, or how he trained. I can’t even find out for sure if there were other S-IIs. Some say there were, but others say the Master Chief was the only one.
It’s almost as hard to piece together the story of the Spartan-IIIs—just a few mentions from around when the Covenant hit Reach.
Us, though, the Spartan-IVs - we’re official as can be. Like with Infinity, the UNSC press corps can’t enough of talking about how we’re the best of the best. But even then, there are rumors. Where we’re stationed. How we’re recruiting more to build our forces.
Maybe someday, when I’m retired, I’ll tell the real story of the Spartan-IVs. And I’ll tell everyone how damn proud I felt tonight, here, on Infinity.
Mission briefings
CODENAME: LAND GRAB
ASSIGNED TO: FIRETEAM MAJESTIC
ASSIGNED BY: SPARTAN SARAH PALMER (IC)
ASSIGNMENT DATE: FEBRUARY, 7, 2558
MISSION LOCATION: REQ-931-B
MISSION GOAL:
FIRETEAM MAJESTIC will aid in the initial assault on COVENANT cultists holding continent loc req-931. At mission origin, FIRETEAM MAJESTIC will rendezvous
with UNSC MARINE forces with explicit goal of eliminating all COVENANT forces and establishing a secure area for a research base to be established. FIRETEAM MAJESTIC
has command of mission. All standard inter-agency secrecy practices are in effect.
EXPECTED RESISTANCE:
UNKNOWN
Expect COVENANT forces, with possible reinforcements
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
UNSC MARINES
UNSC vehicles as available
CODENAME: ALL-SEEING EYE
ASSIGNED TO: FIRETEAM MAJESTIC
ASSIGNED BY: SPARTAN SARAH PALMER [IC]
ASSIGNMENT DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2558
MISSION LOCATION: REQ-626-C
MISSION GOAL:
Recon of location for possible base establishment. Identify any COVENANT cultist threats. Neutralize as required. INFINITY SCIENCE requests extensive exploration of location and recording of all environmental data via armor systems. FIRETEAM MAJESTIC is free from worry re: inter-agency secrecy practices as data scrub will be handled post-mission before passing to INFINITY SCIENCE.
EXPECTED RESISTANCE:
UNKNOWN
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
Additional weapons procured on site
CODENAME: CHATTERBOX
ASSIGNED TO: FIRETEAM MAJESTIC
ASSIGNED BY: SPARTAN SARAH PALMER (IC)
ASSIGNMENT DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2558
MISSION LOCATION: REQ-814-D
MISSION GOAL:
SENIOR INFINITY NAVAL STAFF requests base establishment at location: REQ-626-C. This requires removal of COVENANT cultists at both of these locations: REQ-814-B and REQ-814-D. FIRETEAM MAJESTIC will work in concert with CRIMSON TEAM, both operating under direct supervision of SPARTAN PALMER (IC). FIRETEAM MAJESTIC operations begin at REQ-814-D with focus on destroying COVENANT communications array.
EXPECTED RESISTANCE:
HEAVY
COVENANT resistance expected
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
Additional weapons procured on site
CODENAME: ACADEMIC
ASSIGNED TO: FIRETEAM MAJESTIC
ASSIGNED BY: SPARTAN SARAH PALMER (IC)
ASSIGNMENT DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2558
MISSION LOCATION: REQ-815-A
MISSION GOAL:
FIRETEAM MAJESTIC will advance on COVENANT cultist outpost with goal of eradicating all resistance at location. Recon reports COVENANT archaeology teams active at location. INFINITY SCIENCE requests extensive exploration of location and recording of all data via armor systems. FIRETEAM MAJESTIC is free from worry re: inter-agency secrecy practices as data scrub will be handled post-mission before passing to INFINITY SCIENCE
EXPECTED RESISTANCE:
HEAVY
COVENANT resistance expected
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
Airstrikes available
CODENAME: THREE-CARD MONTE
ASSIGNED TO: FIRETEAM MAJESTIC
ASSIGNED BY: SPARTAN SARAH PALMER (IC)
ASSIGNMENT DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2558
MISSION LOCATION: REQ-822-D
MISSION GOAL:
MAJESTIC is tasked with search-and-destroy on multiple COVENANT cultist outposts. Expect support from TOWER, CASTLE, and DOMINO TEAMS at locations REQ-822-A, REQ-822-B, REQ-822-C. All teams will work in concert, operating under direct supervision of SPARTAN PALMER (IC). COVENANT outposts are expected to contain data regarding requiem-cult leadership. Search for and retrieve this data. FIRETEAM MAJESTIC is free from worry re: inter-agency secrecy practices as data scrub will be handled post-mission before passing to INFINITY SCIENCE.
EXPECTED RESISTANCE:
HEAVY
COVENANT resistance expected
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
Additional weapons on site
Restricted ONI Message
<<REDACTED DATE>> X18-23G21-01
RESTRICTED ONI MESSAGE
To: <<REDACTED CIVILIAN RECIPIENT>>
I realize this is an awkward note. We're both old and wise enough to know there's no love lost between us, but I do know that,
differences aside, you do care about our success. I also realize you're not here under ideal conditions. You should accept both the
reasoning behind and, bluntly, your own responsibility, for this matter.
When we started this project, it was a desperate dream. Create a <<REDACTED>> that could engage the Covenant on it's own level.
With brute force, with massive firepower, and with unflinching, unyielding ferocity.
We built it in the <<REDACTED>>. Hidden from view at the very outer periphery of our Solar System. It was one of the best-kept secrets
in the history of human endeavor. We pulled it together in utter darkness from rock and iron and ice. It simply couldn't have been built in any other way. The tonnage alone would have beggared mountains on <<REDACTED>>.
But out there, where the Sun's wan light is as frozen and distant and pale as a specter, we lit our last torch. Our final hope. A starship, <<REDACTED>> miles long. More powerful, deadlier than anything we, or the Covenant, could make spaceworthy.
Of course, the Spartans, or more accurately, <<REDACTED>>, saved us. And your agency in this is not unappreciated - in some circles. They stopped the war before the <<REDACTED>> was complete. The brief moments of peace we had were not wasted. Some of us knew this couldn't last. So we kept going. And now our desperate dream is real.
But things have changed. We are not fighting the kind of war we all lived through. So <<REDACTED>> has become something new. It has become a missive we fire out into the Universe that will give our enemies a simple warning: we are not afraid. We will not shrink from battle. We will not be cowed. We will meet force with greater force. We are Humanity. And we are ascendant.
The engines work because you <<REDACTED>>. The <<REDACTED>> was completed because of your research. But this is bigger than you. Bigger than us. I have no right to ask anything of you on a personal level, so I am appealing to you on a professional level.
Take care of <<REDACTED>>. Protect its crew. Protect Earth.
Regards,
M.
Trivia
- A real-world facsimile of the Infinity Briefing Packet was included in the Halo 4 Limited Edition, similar to Dr. Halsey's personal journal that shipped with the special editions of Halo: Reach.
- In his journal entry, Thorne expresses uncertainty as to whether John-117 was the only Spartan-II. However, ONI Section II began promoting the Spartan-IIs' existence to the public beginning in 2547, at which point there were still dozens of active Spartan-IIs.
Gallery
Academic Mission Briefing
Notes
- ^ The different mission briefings are randomly distributed to the Halo 4 Limited Edition boxes.