Halo: Rise of Atriox Issue 5

⇦ Halo: Rise of Atriox Issue 5
Publisher:	Dark Horse Comics
Publication date:	February 7, 2018
Writer(s):	John Jackson Miller
Artist(s):	Jonathan Wayshak (artist); ; Jeremy Colwell (colorist); Aleksi Briclot (cover artist);
Number of pages:	32 pages

Halo: Rise of Atriox Issue 5 was released on February 7, 2018 and is the fifth and last issue in the Halo: Rise of Atriox series of comics.^[1]

Official summary

“

Brute chief, Jovus, believes himself the most dangerous brute in the galaxy. But Atriox's fearsome legend has reached even the most distant UNSC outpost. When the two brutes come face to face, their clash shapes the future of the Banished.

”

Plot synopsis

Issue 5 opens as Jiralhanae raiders assault UNSC Marine forces at Braden Station, a UNSC repair and resupply facility. The Jiralhanae pack's leader, Chieftain Jovus, leaps from a Phantom while brandishing twin Paegaas Workshop Spikers and joins his warriors in the attack. The Marines at the compound are quickly overwhelmed by the Jiralhanae and attempt to barricade themselves inside the station. Despite the soldiers' attempt, the warlord and his raiders breach the facility and wipe out most of the Marines. Jovus grabs the marines' commanding officer and has his devoted legend-keeper, Buca, properly present him to the human. Buca relays Jovus' reputable legend to the human but leaves the man unexpectedly bemused. When Jovus notes the man's lack of expressed fear, Buca reveals that the commander and his soldiers had been under the frightful impression that Jovus was actually the legendary warlord, Atriox. The revelation greatly infuriates Jovus, who kills the commander and then orders his warpack to destroy the entire facility.

Returning to their ship, Jovus hears of Atriox's past exploits from Buca when he inquires about what Atriox had done to gain a bigger reputation. Just as Jovus expresses his desire to challenge Atriox in a battle for dominance, his crew alerts him that Atriox is besieging an old Covenant outpost on the planet Karava. After ordering to crew to set course there, Jovus and his pack arrive to find the assault carrier Enduring Conviction over Karava. Jovus is hailed by the ship's Sangheili shipmaster, Let 'Volir, who recognizes Jovus and asks if he and his forces have come to join the Banished. Upon hearing Jovus' confusion that Sangheili and Jiralhanae would band together, 'Volir relates to Jovus how he came to join Atriox and the Banished. Unmoved and still determined to go up against Atriox, Jovus commands his forces to descend to Karava's surface after 'Volir tells him Atriox's whereabouts. Upon landing down below, Jovus and his pack quickly encounter another member of the Banished, Decimus, who speaks highly of Atriox's deeds and invites Jovus to take up their cause. Jovus instead berates Decimus for acting foolish and then has his warriors prepare to search for Atriox. Before Jovus' pack can act, however, they find themselves entrapped by surrounding Banished troops and are attacked. Gunfire from the likes of Pavium forces Jovus and his men to hastily retreat toward a nearby supply depot. Upon opening the depot's doors, Jovus' pack are confronted by more Banished forces led by Voridus. Jovus and Buca then proceed to fight alongside each other as both sides violently clash at the site. To Jovus' surprise, the battle unexpectedly grinds to a halt when he is wounded in his left arm and yells that he has had enough. As he is aided to his feet by Buca, Jovus is met by Atriox at last. Atriox tells Jovus that he has no intention of killing potential allies and reveals that some within Jovus' own pack have previously contacted him, expressing hope that they could join the Banished. When Jovus asks who contacted him, Buca reveals he did so and tells Jovus that he is great warrior who ought to instead align himself with Atriox. Atriox offers Jovus the opportunity to join the Banished and states that he and his surviving troops would be valued among them. Jovus remarks that he has no say in the matter and then pushes Buca away as he unexpectedly charges forward to attack Atriox head on. Atriox quickly strikes and kill Jovus with a single swing from his gravity mace, Chainbreaker. Bewildered by Jovus' action, Buca asks why Jovus would attack despite being severely outmatched and weakened. Atriox informs Buca that the old Chieftain was accustomed to warring with others for supremacy and strength. He further states that Jovus did not wish to have his life spared, as he traditionally believed that he and his warpack could only respect Atriox if he was unopposed as the strongest and dominant leader around. Atriox announces that he would not view strength as a threat, not when he would put to good use for the Banished. The remaining Jiralhanae then rally to Atriox' side.