Halo universe: Difference between revisions

===The Covenant===

{{Main|The Covenant}}

Originally formed by as an alliance between two species; the Prophets ([[San'Shyuum]]) and the Elites ([[Sangheili]]), the Covenant was a theocratic hegemony of multiple alien species. The name "Covenant" is based on the [[Writ of Union|binding Covenant]] formed between the two races, when the Sangheili promised to defend the San'Shyuum as they searched for the "Sacred Rings" ([[Halo Array]]) which are said to start the "[[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]", a term that the Prophets use to explain the disappearance of their Gods, the Forerunner race. The quest of the entire Covenant, the Great Journey is the basis of all of their worship. As the Covenant Empire grew over a millennium, more species were [[Slavery|enslaved]] to their cause, although, up until the [[Great Schism]], none of them were quite as important to the Prophets as the Elites.

===The Flood===

{{Main|Flood}}

'''The Flood''' (called '''The Parasite''' by the Covenant) is a species of virulent, parasitic organisms that thrive by consuming other sentient life of sufficient biomass, no matter where in the universe, thus leading Forerunners to the creation of the Halo Array. The Flood appears to be a hive or communal mind, existing in several stages that eventually lead into the creation of a central intelligence known as the [[Gravemind]].

===The Forerunners===

{{Main|Ecumene}}

Once the dominant civilization in the [[Milky Way]], the Forerunners reached unparalleled technological advancement over 100,000 years before the Human-Covenant War. Believing to be charged by the mysterious [[Precursor]]s with protecting less advanced civilizations in the galaxy, they stumbled upon the Flood and fought a [[Forerunner-Flood war|three-hundred-year long war]] to stop the genocidal parasitic species from overrunning the galaxy. When it looked as if they were going to fail at that task, they built and activated the Halo Array - sterilizing the entire galaxy of sentient life including themselves, starving the Flood into submission, and [[Conservation Measure|repopulating the galaxy]] again with those few species saved from extinction.<ref name="origins">'''Halo: Legends''', ''Origins''</ref>  

{{Center|For more detailed summaries of each faction's technologies, see [[Human technology]], [[Covenant technology]], and [[Forerunner technology]].}}

===Transport===

*[[Slipstream space|Slipspace]] is the primary method of faster-than-light travel in the ''Halo'' universe. Humans have not exacted the science of Slipspace jumping, and can often end up hundreds of thousands of miles away from where they want to be, and therefore they work to be inexact, so as not to end up somewhere like the middle of a planet. The Covenant had worked a way around this, as they can pinpoint jump anywhere in the galaxy, even maintaining their formation. The Forerunners had a superior understanding of slipspace technology, being able to create [[Slipspace bubble|technologies]] which allow for manipulation of space-time through slipspace. One of many technologies created by the Forerunners is [[slipspace translocation]], allowing near-instantaneous transit over short distances.

*Wheeled contrivances similar in appearance to today's vehicles are used by the UNSC. However, the Covenant prefer to use [[anti-gravity technology]] assumed to be based on Forerunner technology.

====Apex Site====

{{Main|Halo Wars: Genesis|Halo Wars|Harvest Campaign|Battle of Arcadia|Battle of the Etran Harborage}}

On, [[2531|January 3, 2531,]] the UNSC [[UNSC Spirit of Fire|''Spirit of Fire'']] is sent to Harvest to assist the crippled [[UNSC Prophecy|UNSC ''Prophecy'']]. When the ''Spirit of Fire'' arrives, the Cole Protocol is then enacted on the ''Prophecy'', in so ensuring its destruction. While scientist [[Ellen Anders]] and captain [[James Cutter]] discuss the northern regions of Harvest, they realize the Covenant might be after something that is specifically there. Cutter sends Sergeant [[John Forge]] to assemble a team and investigate. Forge and his team soon find the presence of a [[Relic (location)|Forerunner relic]], and that the Covenant are after it. After clearing a way through Covenant forces, the UNSC's forces enter the relic and find out where the Covenant have been pointed to— [[Arcadia]]. Following the Covenant fleet there, ''Spirit of Fire'' soon gets entangled in an evacuation process, but they do safely extract some civilians from the colony. After a few more battles, Anders gets taken by the [[Arbiter]], [[Ripa 'Moramee]]. The chase continues as the ''Spirit of Fire'' follows the Covenant fleet to [[Trove]].

During one of these operations, a mysterious [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|Forerunner artifact]] is uncovered and subsequently brought aboard ''Infinity''. After the device teleports [[Henry Glassman|Chief Engineer Glassman]] to the surface of the planet, [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] is brought in to investigate. Glassman is taken captive by the [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] and is ordered to activate the [[Librarian]]'s shrine, though he is not successful. Dr. Halsey begins dialog with an unknown party who shares her interest in the Librarian. The intelligence is actually [[Jul 'Mdama]], who is manipulating Halsey into divulging vital secrets about the Forerunners. Halsey is apprehended after her unwitting communication with 'Mdama is discovered. Meanwhile, [[Gabriel Thorne|Spartan Thorne]] rescues Dr. Glassman and the pair escape custody.

After Dr. Halsey briefly escapes imprisonment and resumes her communication with 'Mdama, ''Infinity'' is boarded by Covenant and [[Promethean]] forces who capture Dr. Halsey. They take her to the Librarian's "shrine", where 'Mdama awaits. Captain Lasky consults with [[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]], head of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], who orders Lasky to assassinate Dr. Halsey. Against Lasky's protests, Commander Palmer departs to execute the order. However, Lasky sends Fireteam Majestic to rescue Dr. Halsey and stop Palmer. Meanwhile, Dr. Halsey successfully activates and enters the Librarian's shrine. The Librarian's essence gives Dr. Halsey an artifact known as the [[Janus Key]], but Jul 'Mdama gets one half of the key. Halsey tosses Gabriel Thorne the other half before she is abducted by 'Mdama.

====The Created====

{{Main|Hunt the Truth|Halo 5: Guardians|Battle of Sunaion|Battle of Genesis}}

[[John-117|Master Chief]] and [[Blue Team]] go absent without leave to pursue the AI construct and Chief's former companion [[Cortana]]. With Blue Team's loyalties called into question, Spartan [[Jameson Locke]] and [[Fireteam Osiris]] are sent to locate and return them to the [[United Nations Space Command]].