Indexing in progress…
All of these events take place during Common Era (CE).
2525 // Halo: Reach – Data Pad 8 and 9
#terminal
A series of data pads found throughout Halo: Reach.
A transcript of the data pad is available on Halopedia.
7 October 2525 // Halo Wars: Genesis
#comic
“A prequel comic book that details the events leading to Halo Wars. The novel centres around the Spirit of Fire on a mission to discover why the Covenant are so interested in the human colony world of Harvest.” – Halopedia
A free PDF of the comic is available here.
Dates covered:
- 7 October 2525 // Beginning of the first story arc which reveals why Admiral Preston Cole made the Cole Protocol.
- 1 March 2526
- 21 October 2526
- 13 February 2528
- 24 December 2530 // End of the first story arc.
- 3 January 2531 // The second story arc follows the crew of the Spirit of Fire and shows what happens to Captain James Cutter, Sergeant John Forge and Professor Ellen Anders immediately before the events of Halo Wars. A third story arc also reveals more about the past of Ripa ‘Moramee and how he came to be the Arbiter. [Halopedia]
27 November 2525 // Halo: Fall Of Reach – Covenant
#comic
“Consisting of four issues, Covenant chronicles the early days of the Human-Covenant War. The series mostly follows the plot of the novel (Halo: The Fall Of Reach), though many of the details have been altered to an extent.” – Halopedia
Dates covered (indexing…):
- 27 November 2525 [Issue #1]
- 18 July 2552 [Issue #3 and #4]
3 December 2525 // Halo: Collateral Damage
#comic
“The Master Chief and Blue Team are deployed by the UNSC to an unstable colony world. Their mission: to terminate the Covenant’s efforts to uncover something ancient and powerful beneath the planet’s surface. However, as the mission takes a turn for the unexpected, the Spartan-II strike team realises that the stakes of their mission are higher than they imagined, and they’ll have to rely on each other and a small group of human rebels to survive.“ – Halopedia
2526 // Halo: Reach – Data Pad 10, 11 and 12
#terminal
A series of data pads found throughout Halo: Reach.
A transcript of the data pad is available on Halopedia.
5 March 2526 // Halo: Silent Storm
#book
Petty Officer John-117, has been assigned to lead the Spartans on a desperate counterattack designed to rock the Covenant back on its heels, and to buy humanity the time it needs to gather intelligence and prepare its defences.
But not everyone wants the Spartans to succeed. A coalition of human rebel leaders believes an alliance with the Covenant to be its best hope of finally winning independence from the Unified Earth Government. To further their plans, the insurrectionists have dispatched a sleeper agent to sabotage the UNSC counterattack – and ensure that John-117 and the Spartans never return from battle…
Dates covered:
- 5 March 2526
- 7 March 2526
- 8 March 2526
- 12 March 2526
- 18 March 2526
- 19 March 2526
- 20 March 2526
- 26 March 2026
- 31 March 2526
- 14 April 2526
- 15 April 2526
March 2526 // Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
#film #video #webseries
“The story takes place in the early days of the Human-Covenant War, circa 2526, and resolves around Thomas Lasky, a young cadet at Corbulo Academy of Military Science, and how John-117 inspired him to eventually become a leader.” – Halopedia
5 June 2526 // Halo: Oblivion
#book
Several weeks after the events of Halo: Silent Storm, the Covenant is brutally overrunning the ill-fated planets of the Outer Colonies faster than retreats can be ordered.
If the UNSC has any chance of stemming the tide of the war, the Master Chief and Blue Team must drop onto an empty, hellish world in order to capture a disabled Covenant frigate filled with valuable technology. It has all the markings of a trap, but the bait is far too tempting to ignore – and this tantalising prize is being offered by a disgraced and vengeful Covenant fleet master, whose sole opportunity for redemption lies in extinguishing humanity’s only hope of survival…
Dates covered (indexing…):
- 5 June 2526
2528 // Halo: Reach – Data Pad 13
#terminal
A series of data pads found throughout Halo: Reach.
A transcript of the data pad is available on Halopedia.
2530 // Halo: Reach – Data Pad 14
#terminal
A series of data pads found throughout Halo: Reach.
A transcript of the data pad is available on Halopedia.
2530 // I Kissed A Boy Once
#shortstory
A short story included with the Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide.
“The story depicts a nurse named Hershey stationed aboard the UNSC Spirit of Fire during her night shift, who picked a discussion with the ship’s AI Serina.” – Halopedia
A digital copy is available for free from the Internet Archive. The story begins on page 26.
2530 // Spirit Of Bloody Fire. Cutter. Bloody Hell.
#shortstory
A short story included with the Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide.
“In the story, Sergeant John Forge awakens in prison and recalls his career. He is approached by Admiral Preston Cole. The two discuss the events that led to Forge being in jail, before the Admiral assigns him to the UNSC Spirit of Fire.” – Halopedia
A digital copy is available for free from the Internet Archive. The story begins on page 22.
2531 // I Have A Bridge To Look After Here
#shortstory
A short story included with the Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide.
“It is about Captain James Cutter and his thoughts about his career and family on board the UNSC Spirit of Fire, while en route to rendezvous with the UNSC Prophecy.” – Halopedia
A digital copy is available for free from the Internet Archive. The story begins on page 20.
2531 // Privilege
#shortstory
A short story included with the Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide.
“It’s about Ripa ‘Moramee as the Prophet of Regret approaches him in a cell anointing him as the Arbiter.” – Halopedia
A digital copy is available for free from the Internet Archive. The story begins on page 48.
2531 // The Day Before
#shortstory
A short story included with the Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide.
“The story depicts the Prophet of Regret as he watches over a Forerunner shield world that has been dormant for many years, but now the Covenant has been in need of its treasures inside.” – Halopedia
A digital copy is available for free from the Internet Archive. The story begins on page 50.
2531 // Sit Down And Strap In
#shortstory
A short story included with the Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide.
“The story depicts Professor Ellen Anderson as she first arrives at the UNSC Spirit of Fire.” – Halopedia
A digital copy is available for free from the Internet Archive. The story begins on page 23.
2531 // Halo: Legends – Homecoming
#shortfilm #video
One of seven short films in the Halo Legends anime-styled series.
“Homecoming focuses on the tragedies involving the Spartan-II conscription, and the supersoldiers coming to terms with their origins.” – Halopedia
2531 // Attacks
#shortstory
A short story included with the Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide.
“The plot follows the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire as its forces are under attack by Jiralhanae.” – Halopedia
A digital copy is available for free from the Internet Archive. The story begins on page 49.
2531 // Halo Wars
#videogame
“Years after the Covenant invaded the colony of Harvest, UNSC forces are still locked in battle on the planet. The story follows the Spirit of Fire and its crew in an effort to stop an ancient fleet of ships from falling into the hands of the genocidal alien Covenant.” – Wikipedia
2531 // Halo: Reach – Data Pad 15
#terminal
A series of data pads found throughout Halo: Reach.
A transcript of the data pad is available on Halopedia.
1 May 2531 // Halo: Ghosts Of Onyx
#book
The Spartan-II program has gone public. Tales of super-soldiers fending off thousands of Covenant has become the stuff of legend. But just how many Spartans are left?
While the Master Chief defends a besieged Earth, and the myriad factions of the Covenant continue their crusade to eliminate humanity, an ultra-secret cell of the Office of Naval Intelligence known as “Section Three” devises a plan to buy the UNSC vital time. They’re going to need hundreds of willing soldiers, though… and one more Spartan to get the job done. Planet Onyx is virtually abandoned and therefore the perfect place to set this new plan in motion.
Dates covered (indexing):
- 1 May 2531 (Section I: Chapter 1)
- 3 July 2545 (Prologue)
2532 // Halo: Legends – Prototype
#animation #shortfilm #video
One of seven short films in the Halo Legends anime-styled series.
“The story follows Ghost, a UNSC Marine sent to Algolis to destroy a prototype powered armour. When he arrives, he finds the planet is still defended by humans who are under siege by the Covenant. The suit is their only hope for survival.” – Halopedia
/ Midnight In The Heart Of Midlothian
circa 2532
Context: A short story from Halo: Evolutions – Essential Tales from the Halo Universe, set shortly after the events of the Halo Legends short film Prototype.
Summary: An ODST called Michael Baird, wakes up from surgery to find that the Covenant has taken control of his ship. As the only survivor left onboard and with the aid of the ship’s AI,, he must deny the Covenant from keeping their prize.
Adaptation: This story was adapted into an animated film, in the style of a motion comic, which can be watched on the official Halo YouTube channel.
2533 // Birth Of A Spartan
#shortfilm #video
“The short showcases the Spartan-IIIs, members of a project to create economical and expendable super soldiers and successors of the Spartan-Iris. It depicts the transformation of Carter-A259 from a teen trainee to a superhuman Spartan super soldier.” – Halopedia
2535 // Halo: Reach – Data Pad 16
#terminal
A series of data pads found throughout Halo: Reach.
A transcript of the data pad is available on Halopedia.
Halo: The Fall of Reach | Prologue
12 February 2535
Context: Halo: The Fall Of Reach covers the period from 17 August 2517 to 30 August 2552 and itself is broken up into six sections, plus the prologue. As the book covers such a long period of time I have separated it into smaller chunks so that other media taking place during this time period can be inserted where necessary. Whilst the prologue begins the book, it is not actually the start of the story and in fact takes place after chapter 14 (which is the end of Section II: Boot) and before chapter 15 (which begins Section III: Sigma Octanus).
Summary: Master Chief and Spartan Blue Team face insurmountable odds as they fight the Covenant on Jericho VII.
Learn more: Halopedia
2535 // Halo: The Cole Protocol
#book
The story follows Navy Lieutenant Jacob Keys. Thrust back into action after being sidelined, he is saddled with a top secret mission by ONI that will take him deep behind enemy lines to a corner of the universe where nothing is as it seems.
Plus, Spartan Gray Team, a three-man renegade squad, wreak havoc behind enemy lines in any way they see fit.
2537 // Halo Infinite – Winter Update Intel: Headhunter
#shortstory #webstory
The following communication is part of a series of Intel drops released on Halo Waypoint. I have included the Intel below.
HISTORIAN’S NOTE:The following is a formal communique concerning the formation of Spartan-III “Headhunter” units prior to Operation: PROMETHEUS, which would see Alpha Company wiped out.
UNSC COMMREF: J822D01ML-B-31
DATE: [REDACTED], 2537
SND: [045888947]
REC: [103771692]
RE: REALLOCATING RESOURCES
With PROMETHEUS drawing close, we’ve had to move fast to reallocate A266, A282, and A302. I think we might be pushing our luck with A019, but we all know the odds Alpha Company is up against. We need to press Ackerson for as much as we can get while keeping ahead of the probability threshold for operational success.
Still trying to sell him on our little covert initiative. Settled on two Spartan units dedicated to high-priority recon, sabotage, and assassination. Hell, I don’t care if he reassigns them as his private grim reapers. We just need to pull these candidates out of the meat grinder before it’s too late.
Kurt Ambrose
LT, UNSCN / SPECWARCOM
1 January 2537 // Halo: Tales From Slipspace – Something Has Happened
#comic
“It narrates the Flood infestation on the UNSC Spirit of Fire in January 2537.” – Halopedia
Dates covered:
- 1 January 2537
- 2 January 2537
- 3 January 2537
- 4 January 2537
2542 // Halo: Legends – The Babysitter
#animation #shortfilm #video
One of seven short films in the Halo Legends anime-styled series.
“The Babysitter is focused around an ODST squad aboard the UNSC Kronstadt, who are sent on a mission to investigate alien ruins and assassinate a Covenant Prophet on Heian, a world in Covenant-controlled space. It explores the rivalry between the Spartan-II commandos and the ODSTs.” – Halopedia
2544 // Halo: Legends – The Package
#animation #shortfilm #video
“The Package follows John-117 and a squad of Spartans as they execute a top-secret mission to retrieve a highly valuable UNSC asset on a Covenant assault carrier.” – Halopedia
2547 // Halo: Reach – Data Pad 17
#terminal
A series of data pads found throughout Halo: Reach.
A transcript of the data pad is available on Halopedia.
Free Frontier Education: The Sundered Legion
Unknown date
Context: A short story included in the 2024 rerelease of Halo: Battle Born which is presented in the form of an in-universe educational holo-film. The exact date of the holo-film’s release is not mentioned, however, it appears to be sometime after the Human-Covenant War. We know this because the holo-film is presented by Myras Tyla, a character who first appeared in Halo: Uprising. It is there that we learn she is a famous musician and it appears she has since gone on to present this holo-film. However, the history that is told only goes so far as the 2520s. Therefore, it makes more sense to place this story here on the timeline as it provides a good background to the novel Halo: Battle Born.
Summary: Presented as part of an in-universe holo-film series called “The History Of Meridian,” this short story tells a small part of the planet’s history.
Learn more: Myras Tyla
2548 // Halo: Battle Born
#book
When the Covenant lay siege to the middle-of-nowhere colony world of Meridian, four teens find themselves stuck above ground, locked out of the town shelter where the rest of the survivors are gathered. Together, Saskia, Dorian, Evie and Victor are thrust into battle with nothing but a few scavenged weapons and an injured Spartan.
Each chapter rotates perspective across the four main characters and the 2024 re-release of the audiobook has four different narrators reading each of the character perspectives.
2549 // Halo: Meridian Divide
#book
A sequel to Halo: Battle Born set three months later.
Under the close watch of the military, Evie, Dorian, Saskia and Victor have been put into an accelerated training program with ONI. And to the teens’ surprise, ONI has a mission for them: return to their hometown on Meridian and monitor the Covenant’s efforts to retrieve an ancient Forerunner artifact of untold power and extract it for ONI to study.
Each chapter rotates perspective across the four main characters and the 2024 re-release of the audiobook has four different narrators reading each of the character perspectives.
2550 // Cortana and Solipsil
#shortstory
Short story from Conversations From The Universe, a booklet included with the limited collector’s edition of Halo 2.
This story depicts a conversation between Cortana and the AI Solipsil, where they compare AIs to Spartans.
A transcript is available on Halopedia.
Halo 4 | Audio Log: Cortana’s Origin
11 February 2550
Context: The following is a transcript of an audio log found in Halo 4.
TRANSCRIPT:
Unknown voice: Catherine Halsey Research excerpt, 11 February 2550.
Halsey: The interesting factor here isn't that H-1 disabled the viral termination code I implanted in her matrix. These metrics imply its success wasn't just unlikely, but that even the accepted 7-year life cycle estimates may not apply. Thus far, I've determined that the unique circumstances of her creation have triggered what I can only refer to as a recessive variant in the A.I. seed. As her architect, I'm currently at a loss as to the origin of this rogue element. Very curious.
Learn more: The original audio log can be heard in this YouTube video at 6:17 minutes.
2551 // Headhunters
#animation #book #shortfilm #shortstory #video
Short story from Halo: Evolutions – Essential Tales from the Halo Universe (Volume I).
“Roland-B210 and Jonah-B283, two top-echelon Spartan-IIIs selected by ONI Section Three to serve in a special unit under the Beta-5 Division, are sent deep into Covenant territory to deal serious damage behind enemy lines.” – Halopedia
Available to borrow from the digital library Internet Archive.
The story was also adapted into a motion comic.
2551 // Halo 2 (Anniversary): Terminal 14 – Beholden
#terminal #video
The Covenant discover a Luminary on the Human Colony world of Meridian.
Halo Infinite | Season 2: Lone Wolves | Intel 5
6 December 2551
Context: The following transcript is part of a series of written Intel drops released on Halo Waypoint as part of Season 2: Lone Wolves of Halo Infinite.
TRANSCRIPT:
HISTORIAN’S NOTE:The following is an action report from UNSC Army Sergeant Sigrid Eklund in 2551 regarding a strategic victory against Covenant forces on the colony world Concord.
CONCORD ACTION REPORT
UNSC COMMREF: B7D002F78-L-44
ENCRYPTION TAG: [CALCITE]
DATE: 06 DEC 2551
SND: [SGT EKLUND] | REC: [CMD RENNA]
RE: GYPSUM
At 0720Z [MST], we cleared out the last Covenant emplacement from the Caravelle province. Lost two Wolverines to Banshee fire, but we made sure that was all they took from us. We’re making final preparations to depart from our current location and redeploy to one of the mass driver stations. Local Concordian militia groups there are holding firm but growing thin... hopefully support from the Rangers will be a welcome sight when we arrive. Still awaiting reports on yesterday’s activity at the combat fields outside Lethbridge—let us know if you receive any updates on your end, or if we need to reprioritize our focus in order to secure that location.
- Eklund
Learn more: Halopedia
Winter Contention (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle)
12 December 2551
Context: This story is set four months before the Deliver Hope trailer for Halo: Reach.
Summary: Though the Covenant invasion of Concord has seen a rare UNSC victory, the Spartans of Noble Team find themselves stranded in a remote hinterland town. Though the Covenant’s orbital presence has been neutralised, the remaining alien survivors have regrouped and prepare to make a devastating final stand. With dwindling time and no reinforcements, Kat-B320 comes up with a daring plan to do what Spartans do best and turn the tide – and it’s up to Thom-A293 and Rosenda-A344 to make it happen.
Adaptation: JumperScape Media have unofficially adapted this short story into an audio drama as part of their Stories From Waypoint series. Whilst it is a fan made production, it is 100% faithful to the source material and of a very high production value.
2552 // Halo: Reach – Data Pad 18 and 19
#terminal
A series of data pads found throughout Halo: Reach.
A transcript of the data pad is available on Halopedia.
January 2552 // Halo: Helljumper
#comic
Halo: Helljumper is a five issue comic now included in the Halo: Legacy Collection, which collects Helljumper and two other comic series.
“It chronicles the stories of a squad of ODSTs. The story centres around Taylor “Dutch” Miles and Kojo “Romeo” Agu before the events of Halo 3: ODST, with Romeo serving as the narrator of the story.” – Halopedia
April 2552 // Deliver Hope
#shortfilm #trailer #video
“A live action trailer for Halo: Reach that takes place before the events in the actual game, during the battle on the colony of Fumirole, where Noble Team destroys a Covenant Battlecruiser using a Medium Fusion Destructive Device.” – Halopedia
July 2552 // Blunt Instruments
#book #shortstory
Short story from Halo: Evolutions – Essential Tales from the Halo Universe (Volume II).
“The story shows Spartan Team Black when the demolition of a Covenant Beacon on Verge goes terribly awry.” – Halopedia
Available to borrow from the digital library Internet Archive.
Halo: Blood Line
circa July 2552
Context: Set before the fall of Reach, this comic follows Spartan Black Team on another mission.
Summary: After crash landing on an unknown moon and getting separated, Spartan Black Team make an unlikely alliance with a crashed Covenant squad in order to regroup and find a way home.
Where to read: This comic is now available as part of the Halo: Legacy Collection, along with Halo: Uprising and Halo: Helljumper.
HALO FICTION TIMELINE 