Indexing in progress…

All of these events take place during Common Era (CE).

The Third Life (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle)

8 May 2559

Context: This short story takes place on 8 May 2559. However, the bulk of the story takes place on 28 October 2558, immediately following the awakening of the Guardian on Laika III at the end of Hunt The Truth. However, this part of the story is essentially a flashback, as it is introduced and concluded with Ilsa Zane telling Admiral Drake of the New Colonial Alliance about what happened to her on that date and leading up to 8 May 2559.

Summary: Having survived the events of Hunt The Truth, Ilsa Zane is taken prisoner by the Banished. However, she does not stay prisoner for long and finds allies in an unlikely place.

Where to read: This short story is available to read/download/listen to for free from Halo Waypoint.

21 May 2559 // Halo: Fireside

#shortstory #waypointchronicle

Fireside is A Halo Waypoint Chronicle, an ongoing series of short stories available for free from Halo Waypoint.

Sacrifice

circa August 2559

Context: Released for free on Halo Waypoint, this short story takes place after the events of Halo Wars 2: Awakening The Nightmare and a few months before Halo: Shadows of Reach.

Summary: The Jiralhanae chieftain, Minas, has been sent by Atriox to retrieve the remaining shards of a slipspace crystal located within the Forerunner Dreadnaught ship that landed on the Ark during the events of Halo 3. Once retrieved, the Banished will use the shards to open a slipspace portal to Reach.

Learn more: Halopedia

The Official Halo Cookbook

circa 2559

Context: You might be surprised to find a cookbook in this timeline, but as has become frequent within the Halo universe, this book comes with its very own narrative framing device. This framing device takes place a few years after the UNSC Infinity was launched and it makes sense to place it here in this timeline as the in-universe author of the narrative framing device is referenced in our next story, From The Soil To The Stars (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle).

Summary: Having worked as a contract manager within the food industry, Arturo Bustamante, now retired, has curated this collection of his favourite meals from across the galaxy.

Taster: For a taster of what to expect from the narrative framing device in this book, check out the following blog post on Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder: Food For Thought, which features quotes from Arturo and gives a flavour of what to expect.

From The Soil To The Stars (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle)

19 September 2559

Context: Set three weeks before the events of Halo: Shadows of Reach. The planet and space station featured in this short story can be seen in the Halo Infinite “Step Inside” trailer, where you can also see the GEN3 Mjolnir armour being created. As this is the armour that Blue Team are testing in the short story, this trailer could be seen as a prequel. Also, despite the voice over in the trailer sounding like Cortana/The Weapon, the short story actually features the same lines spoken by Dr Halsey, so it makes sense that it is actually her speaking these lines in the trailer.

Summary: As the UNSC Infinity’s crew prepare to return to Reach for Operation: WOLFE, the legendary Spartans of Blue Team field test their GEN3 Mjolnir armor alongside ODSTs of the Ninth Platoon.

Where to read: This short story is available to read/download/listen to for free from Halo Waypoint.

22 September 2559 // Halo: Venezian Sonata

#shortstory #waypointchronicle

Venezian Sonata is A Halo Waypoint Chronicle, an ongoing series of short stories available for free from Halo Waypoint.

The final page takes place on 29 September 2559.

Halo Infinite: Memory Agent

circa late September/early October 2559

Context: Set shortly before Halo: Shadows Of Reach whilst the Master Chief was field testing his new armour. However, the story does not appear to contain any actual connection to Halo: Shadows Of Reach.

Summary: An ONI agent is sent on a mission to provide intel to the Master Chief. There’s just one catch – every seven hours, her memory resets.

Learn more: Halopedia

Halo Infinite | UNSC Audio Logs | Recovered Files | Audio Logs 1 and 2

6 October 2559 to 7 October 2559

Context: There are four audio logs which unlock as you progress through Halo Infinite’s campaign, they are grouped under the Recovered Files section. Audio Log 1 (The Plan) and 2 (The Question) lead directly into the novel Halo: Shadows Of Reach. I have included the description for each log below, as they add additional context.

Summary: As the situation with Cortana escalates, Dr Halsey forms a plan to stop her and it falls on the Master Chief to execute it.

Audio Log 1 (The Plan) description:

// CATHERINE ELIZABETH HALSEY
// CC-409871
// OCT 6, 2559
If this is going to work, we have to move immediately. We're nearing a threshold. A tipping point. Ultimately, this all comes down to John. It always has.

Audio Log 2 (The Question) description:

// CATHERINE ELIZABETH HALSEY
// CC-409871
// OCT 7, 2559
Blue Team must return to Reach. Siblings returning home. I have many regrets, but those four, with all they have accomplished, both together and as individuals, will never be one of them.

Halo: Shadows Of Reach

7 October 2559 to 12 October 2559

Context: Set two months before the opening cut scene of Halo Infinite. As I don’t believe it is clear in the novel, the point of this mission is to recovered the assets Dr Halsey needs to create The Weapon, the Master Chief’s AI companion in Halo Infinite.

Summary: The Master Chief and Blue Team insert onto the planet Reach, where they must penetrate the depths of CASTLE Base and recover top-secret assets from Dr Halsey’s abandoned laboratory.

Recovered Files >> Audio Log 3 (The Mission): The epilogue features and expands upon this audio log, which is grouped under the Recovered Files logs. I recommend reading the epilogue and then listening to the audio log which begins 1:57 minutes into the video below.

// CATHERINE ELIZABETH HALSEY
// CC-409871
// OCT 12, 2559
The mission is complete, thanks in part to the efforts of Captain Lasky and Commander Palmer. And now we see if these efforts are worth the cost. Preparations are already underway for the weapon's creation.

Flight of the Falcon

Unknown date

Context: Released on Halo Waypoint as part of Canon Fodder: Falcon Fiction Flight, the transcript below is an excerpt from an in-universe radio show hosted by MCY 5971-3 (“Mercury”). Whilst there is no date for the excerpt, it takes place at some point before Moonrise Over Mombasa (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle), which features the same radio show and host.

Summary: A Waypoint Radio interview with Falcon pilot Warrant Officer Brigitte Wolfram.

Report:

ONI // SECTION TWO

FILE CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL
DOCUMENT ID: ONI-SEC2-MA-987

MATERIAL AUDIT

SUBJECT: Excerpt from Warrant Officer Brigitte Wolfram's Waypoint Radio interview with MCY 5971-3.

CONTEXT: Waypoint Radio host MCY 5971-3 (“Mercury”) conducts an ongoing series of interviews with veterans of Covenant War-era conflicts.

EXCERPT BEGINS//

[BW] “I had always wanted to be a pilot, from a very young age I was immersed in the history of aerial engineering, building models, and visiting air shows with my grandfather. He was a jumpcraft pilot for the CMA, and damn proud of that fact. After school, in my first position as a UNSC civilian contractor, we were given the opportunity to learn how to fly, and I jumped at the chance. They needed all the pilots they could get, you see.”

[MCY] “Of course, they didn’t just put the control stick in your hand and say good luck, right?”

[BW] “The UNSC doesn't trust full automation, so we underwent extensive theoretical instruction prior to any practical application. Upon completion, we were assigned modules based on our aptitude for various airframes. At the time this was mostly civilian airframes—they wanted us to backfill experienced pilots who were needed at the front lines. I gravitated to the rotorcraft. Wasn't too long after that I made the jump from civilian to uniform, and my service was just as fulfilling as it was for my grandfather all those years ago. It’s just part of the family legacy, I suppose. As for my choice of aircraft, I found it was the Falcon that called to me.”

[MCY] “‘The Warthog of the sky,’ they call it!”

[BW] “For good reason. It was very much an ‘easy to learn, hard to master’ type of aircraft with a very quirky set of pilot assists, some of which I initially favored more than others. But I learned very quickly that your preferences are tossed out the window without a parafoil once the bullets start flying.”

[MCY] “We’ll dig deeper into some of those experiences very soon, but I understand you just got a very special birthday present last week, is that right?”

[BW] “My children managed to track down my old CO. She still works in the contracting field. She traded favors to get us some stick time with the latest UH-144s. A little bittersweet given my age and injuries, but it will be good to share that experience with an old friend.”

//EXCERPT ENDS

Halo: Infinite | Repository

circa 8 November 2559

Context: During the Halo Infinite mission Repository, the Master Chief and The Weapon witness a flashback to the destruction of Doisac. Whilst Halo Infinite takes place on 28 May 2560, the events shown in the flashback occur on 8 November 2559.

Summary: Cortana destroys the Jiralhanae home world of Doisac.

Learn More: Doisac

Moonrise Over Mombasa (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle)

circa 8 November 2559

Context: Set approximately one month before the UNSC Infinity deploys to Zeta Halo.

Summary: Earth is under the control of the Created, but acts of resistance against the occupying forces of the rogue AIs are rife among the civilian populace.

Where to read: This short story is available to read/download/listen to for free from Halo Waypoint.

13 November 2559 // Armory Infinitum: MA5K Avenger

#shortstory #webstory

This short untitled story was released for free as part of the Armory Infinitum section of Canon Fodder: Coming Of Age on Halo Waypoint.

I have included the full story below.

UNSC FROM THE ASHES, RECORD MATRIX LOGGED BY NYX 3620-4
CONVERSATION BETWEEN [87964-33127-AC] AND SPARTAN-G059
NOVEMBER 13, 2559

AC: “What’s the good word, Spartan?”

G059: “Recon op. Scuttlebutt says that Covies are making some moves that we need eyes on.”

AC: “Covies? Been a while since we’ve had them on our radar.”

G059: “Ten-four on that. Apparently, some split-jaw bigshot is massing a fleet out there, and at the same time we’ve gotten word that a salvage effort by one of their warlords in Tau Ceti has accelerated. ONI wants to know if there’s a connection.”

NYX: “Reminder logged for SPARTAN-G059 to review file on Operation: WARM BLANKET. High value target profile attached.”

AC: “Alright, got your recon package right here. Two-day supply of smoothers, thruster pack, your usual M6Hs, and a little extra that I picked up on our last stop.”

G059: “Oh?”

AC: “MA5K Avenger. I’m sure you’ve danced with these before, but the fine folks of Misriah made this little number with a few MA40 parts. Sixty-round mags, three-hundred rounds. She’ll serve you well in tight quarters should your ‘recon’ get a little more interesting.”

G059: “Thanks.”

AC: “You bring her back in one piece. She’s expensive.”

G059: “I’ll try, Amber.”

AC: “I was talkin’ to the gun.”

FURTHER READING

The high value target in question is presumably Luro ‘Taralumee. For a detailed profile on this character visit Halopedia.

Halo Infinite | UNSC Audio Logs | Recovered Files | Audio Log 4

11 December 2559

Context: The last of the Recovered Files audio logs from Halo Infinite’s campaign, titled The Weapon, begins 2:32 minutes into the video below.

Summary: The Master Chief’s new AI companion, The Weapon, is almost ready to be deployed against Cortana.

Audio Log 4 (The Weapon):

// CATHERINE ELIZABETH HALSEY
// CC-409871
// DEC 11, 2559
I realize how difficult this could be for John. But he has strength in him that very few posses. The strength to carry out his mission, no matter the opposition. And even the strength to forgive.

Halo Infinite | UNSC Audio Logs | Infinity’s Approach

12 December 2559

Context: Set immediately before the opening cutscene of Halo Infinite.

Summary: These audio logs chart the UNSC Infinity’s approach to Zeta Halo, where they are ambushed by the Banished.

Learn more: UNSC Infinity

Halo Infinite | Campaign Opening Cutscene

12 December 2559

Context: The opening cutscene of Halo Infinite takes place approximately 6 months before the rest of the game.

Summary: The Master Chief fights back Banished boarders in the UNSC Infinity’s hanger bay.

Learn more: Halopedia

12 December 2559 // Halo Infinite: Spartan Audio Logs – Evacuation

#audiolog #terminal

Spartan fireteams evacuate the UNSC Infinity and attempt to secure a beachhead on Zeta Halo. Focuses on Spartan Griffin, Spartan Sorel, Spartan Malkovich and others.

These audio logs are featured and expanded upon in the book, Halo: The Rubicon Protocol.

12 December 2559 // Halo Infinite: Spartan Audio Logs – Ringfall

More UNSC forces land on the ring and are forced to fight the Banished, from 12 December to 13 December 2559.

These audio logs are featured and expanded upon in the book, Halo: The Rubicon Protocol.

12 December 2559 // Halo: The Rubicon Protocol

#book

Halo: Epitaph

13 December 2559

Context: This book actually begins immediately after the events of The Next 72 Hours story arc from Halo: Escalation Issues #8, #9 and #10, so should begin on 28 July 2557. However, from there the story progresses alongside the events of Halo 5: Guardians and continues to weave between some of the events that lead into Halo Infinite. The story is fairly self contained up until events that take place on 13 December 2559, which is why I have decided to place it here on the timeline. Saying that, if you’ve not played Halo Infinite first, I highly recommend that you do before reading this book.

Summary: Torn from the physical world after his destructive confrontation with the Master Chief, the Didact is sent reeling into the depths of a vast desert wasteland. Stripped of armor, might, and memory, a shadow of his former self, the Didact’s final great journey begins.

Learn more: Didact

15 December 2559 // Halo Infinite: Spartan Audio Logs – Reverie

#audiolog #terminal

The UNSC survivors seek shelter in the wreckage of the Mortal Reverie, as the Banished begin establishing control of Zeta Halo and the ring repairs itself.

These audio logs cover 15 December 2559 to 20 January 2560, and are featured and expanded upon in the book, Halo: The Rubicon Protocol.

Meridian Homecoming

circa December 2559

Context: Meridian Homecoming is a short story included in the 2024 rerelease of Halo: Meridian Divide set shortly after the events of Halo: Epitaph.

Summary: Having returned to Meridian, the A.I. High Auxiliary Sloan inhabits the body of a Promethean Knight and wanders the planet contemplating what is to become of him.

Learn more: Sloan

Halo Infinite | Academy | Tutorial

circa December 2559

Context: This sequence of videos make up the cinematics from the Halo Infinite training tutorial and introduces the character of Spartan Commander Agryna, as well as the location of the Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science. Whilst the exact date is unknown, Spartan Agryna states, “We just got word that the Infinity is missing. The ring… gone. No one knows where.” Therefore, this likely places it shortly after 13 December 2559, when Zeta Halo is transported to an unknown location, taking the UNSC Infinity with it. Agryna later restates, “It’s been confirmed that a portion of our forces are missing. Chief. The other Spartans. Gone.”

Learn more: Halopedia

Precipice

circa 2560

Context: Set after the defeat of Cortana and during the early days of the creation of the AI Iratus, who first appears in Halo Infinite: Season 2.

Summary: High Auxilary Sloan was one of Cortana’s most loyal lieutenants. With Cortana’s piece now removed from the game board, Sloan has set the FIREWALL contingency into motion – a living simulation meant to leverage intimate knowledge of Forerunner armiger technology and Mjolnir armor schematics to accelerate the exploration and development of cybernetic essence vessels designed to usher the human mind into its inevitable and digital future, immortal and untethered.

Adaptation: Whilst the full choose-your-own-adventure short story is available to read on Halo Waypoint, JumperScape Media has taken the best narrative path through this short story and unofficially adapted it into an audio drama as part of their Stories From Waypoint series.

Armory Infinitum: Vestige Carbine

4 January 2560

Context: A short story released on Halo Waypoint as part of Canon Fodder: Falcon Fiction Flight which introduces the vestige carbine to Halo Infinite.

Summary: Two Sangheili and their Spartan escort work to unlock a San’Shyuum trove of weapons.

Story:

QIKOST // JANUARY 4, 2560 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR)

Spartan Abalan held her weapon ready at the mouth of the cavern’s ingress point, guarding the approach as the duo of Sangheili artisan-armorers—Oebrin and Silset ‘Chava—bickered incessantly among themselves.

“You must reset the arum once again,” Oebrin huffed. “Your previous rotation was off by four degrees.”

Silset ushered his brother off. “Your concern is not warranted. I am certain that I felt the layers connect.”

“I am certain that if you are mistaken, we shall all be locked out of the trove beyond and its contents shall be immolated.”

Abalan checked her mission timer which informed her that the two Sangheili had been having this back-and-forth for seventeen minutes—or, as their species measured smaller units of time, approximately twenty-eight centals. They had been studying the cavern for much longer.

“Time check,” Abalan said, raising her voice for the Sangheili to hear. “We’ve got ten mikes before we need to start thinking about regrouping with the rest of Jorogumo Two.”

“Patience, Spartan,” Silset did not turn from the device attached to the semi-circular stone door as he waved a dismissive hand in their direction. “This is a San’Shyuum puzzle lock. It is as cunning and deceptive as their kind.”

Abalan had served more than her share of protection detail jobs during her years as an ODST, but the last three months babysitting this dynamic duo had considerably stretched her patience. She was certain that their back-and-forth quarrelling was the cause of the grey hair she had found the other day... but still, she tolerated them.

Her own brothers had not been so different before--

“Ha!” Silset exclaimed in triumph. “Did I not tell you those layers connected, my brother? Did I not say?”

Oebrin sighed in defeat as Silset held up the arum—its many concentric layers were arranged to reveal a “tunnel” into the center of the device, within which a small activation device was contained.

“If you concede,” Silset’s mandibles tightened in what looked like the Sangheili equivalent of a dirt-eating grin, “I shall allow you the honor of opening the trove.”

“I concede to your wisdom.” Oebrin shook his head as Silset allowed him to take the thumb-sized device and activate it. “Let us see that this diversion was worthwhile.”

Even filtered through Abalan’s helmet, the sound of stone scraping against stone was unpleasant to her ears and she instinctively grit her teeth. Ancient gears were now turning after millennia of stillness. It came as no small relief when the semi-circular door finally parted in a Y-shaped split.

Naturally, Silset rushed inside with reckless abandon.

The trove was, fortunately, not a particularly large room—perhaps the length of two Warthogs and change. Still, that didn’t mean there weren’t traps.

“Hey,” Abalan called out, “before you take another step, I need to sweep this place.”

“It is no worry, Spartan.” To Abalan’s surprise, it was Oebrin—the more sensible of the two, by Abalan’s estimation—who addressed her. “The San’Shyuum placed these puzzle-vaults here because, in their arrogance, they did not believe any but a handful of Sangheili would ever be able to access them, let alone risk charges of heresy.”

“Behold!” Silset called as he strode towards them with a new weapon in his hand.

It looked similar to the Mosa-pattern carbine—itself modified by the ‘Chava brothers—that Abalan herself wielded, though the elongated barrel was much thicker and appeared almost claw-like.

“It is indeed a vestige,” Oebrin scrutinized the weapon. “From this design, I would suggest it is from somewhere around the Third Age of Reclamation.”

“Utilized by warriors stationed aboard the Prophets’ agricultural support vessels which were patterned in the same era,” his brother eagerly added.

“Alright,” Abalan said, eager to wrap the party up. “We’ve got what we came for. Grab what you can from the vault and let’s get going.”

The 'Chava brothers took only four from the trove, then sealed the doors once more and reset the arum.

Apparently having noticed that Abalan must have conveyed some kind of puzzlement in her stance, Oebrin said, “It is not for us to plunder arcana from the past. We shall take only what we need. An original pattern model, two for us to modify and experiment upon,” the Sangheili held out one of the vestige carbines, “and a gift—for you.”

23 January 2560 // Halo Infinite: Spartan Audio Logs – Retaliation

An Assassination attempt against the Banished Leader is made, and the Banished order an assault on the UNSC camp at the Reverie.

These audio logs cover 23 January 2560 to 2 February 2560, and are featured and expanded upon in the book, Halo: The Rubicon Protocol.

BONUS STORY

Sometime between 31 January (Audio Log 7: Red Tide) and 2 February (Audio Log 8: The Retreat) Boulder Squad are ambushed by Jega ‘Rdomnai as detailed in an untitled short story, released for free as part of the Armory Infinitum section of Canon Fodder: Decennial Delights on Halo Waypoint.

I have included the full story below.

An acrid breeze blew through a dead forest, the trees blackened by bombing runs and plasma fire. As Zeta Halo slowly rotated and the nearest star began to dip below the far containment wall that made up the ring band's edge, what passed for dusk began to settle across the fractured landscape. Amidst a backdrop of charred bark and broken limbs, the subtle shift of black armor was the only evidence of Jega 'Rdomnai's presence.

The cybernetically enhanced Sangheili warrior waited patiently in the shadows, anticipating the arrival of a group of UNSC Marines designated Boulder Squad. 'Rdomnai had observed and catalogued the group's patterns and patrol routes for several cycles, and the time drew near for him to make his move.

'Rdomnai gave a quick but choreographed sweep over his weaponry to make sure all was in peak operating order. In the relative stillness of the moment, he allowed his focus to deviate just slightly towards wistful recollection. His left cybernetic arm housed the reforged remnants of his old personal energy sword—an intimidating, custom-shaped, twin-blade monstrosity named Ghostpierce.

In his right hand, he slowly turned over the hilt of his most recent weapon of choice, a more traditional Sangheili bloodblade that itself had already claimed more victims than he could count. The crimson-hued energy sword remained nameless, but 'Rdomnai subconsciously vowed to bestow upon it a new monicker when their job was finally done on this ring. Something befitting of such a monumental victory.

Something befitting the death of a demon.

Nearly an hour passed before the first sounds of the encroaching Marines could be heard. Soon, Boulder Squad was in sight. As the squad crept closer, every step became a silent countdown to mark each human soldier's end. Low voices turned from casual communication to concern and confusion as multiple red energy blades ignited just inside the tree line, the forest suddenly a charcoal painting come to life, giving birth to a monster made of metal and mandibles.

The screams lasted longer than the frantic gunfire, a still silence welcoming Boulder into its eternal embrace. A moment later, the red glow of the blades disappeared, and Jega 'Rdomnai became shadow once more.

2 February 2560 // Halo Infinite: Banished Audio Log – Outpost Intel (Audio Log 15)

In Audio Log 15 (In Your Honour), the Banished rename the site of the crashed UNSC Mortal Reverie as Outpost Tremonius, in honour of their victory over the humans, which was led by Tremonius.

The log starts at 11:24 minutes.

Trial of Reckoning (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle)

circa 3 February 2560

Context: This short story takes place on Zeta Halo immediately following the Banished assault on the crashed UNSC Mortal Reverie, as depicted in Halo: The Rubicon Protocol. In addition, this story takes place on the Halo Infinite multiplayer map House of Reckoning Firefight, which is featured as part of Halo Infinite’s Firefight: King of the Hill. There you can play a Spartan caught in the same Banished game depicted in the short story. Similarly, Halo Infinite’s Firefight: Classic is an alternative firefight mode which features a map called House of Reckoning 2F. For the best experience, I recommend playing both of these after reading the short story.

Summary: A handful of survivors from the battle for the UNSC Mortal Reverie have been brought to the iron halls of the House of Reckoning where they are forced to take part in a twisted new war game.

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.

Battle for the Blood-Moon (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle)

5 February 2560

Context: This short story is set in the wake of the events from Halo: Outcasts and the opening of Halo Infinite where the UNSC Infinity is ambushed by the Banished and Cortana sacrifices herself, moving Zeta Halo into slipspace.

Summary: The Swords of Sangheilios attempt to retake Suban – one of the moons of Sanghelios and also referred to as the blood-moon – back from the Banished.

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 the production value is of a professional standard.

Halo Infinite | Season 2: Lone Wolves

January to February 2560

Context: The following story elements include cutscenes from Season 2: Lone Wolves of Halo Infinite, along with Intel drops (story elements released on Halo Waypoint). All of the Intel from each season has also been archived on Halopedia.

Intro: Cortana’s domain has ended, but the merciless forces of the Banished have rushed to fill the void, decimating all who stand in their way. Spartan Commander Agryna has enlisted a new generation of Spartans and is preparing them to face the Banished – and perhaps even more dangerous foes. But a few scattered Spartans remain in the field. These Spartans are rugged and resourceful. Hunters in the dark. And they call themselves… Lone Wolves.

INTEL 1:

HISTORIAN’S NOTE:The following is an exchange between two Lux Voluspa representatives regarding concerning developments about a network intrusion.

///COMMS TAP///CIV.CORP.LUXVOLUSPA///MSG:
LV106: According to the breach logs, the intrusion package was cycling an internally sourced encryption, but the retrieval signature was Jiralhanae.

LV038: I'm not surprised. Expanding our neural matrix donor pool beyond humanity was always going to draw some attention eventually. Knowing what they took, it makes complete sense.

LV106: That project was a walled garden. No one on the outside should have even known about it.

LV038: Looks like we overestimated the strength of those walls.

LV106: What would the Banished be able to do with our tech? How would they even kno--

LV038: I don't know. Nobody does. And that's what scares me the most.

INTEL 4:

HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is a reconnaissance report from Spartan Sigrid Eklund concerning Banished activity on the colony world Camber.

CAMBER SITE RECON

UNSC COMMDROP: SY4822J93-U-71
ENCRYPTION TAG: [KARLSKRONA]
SND: [SPARTAN EKLUND, SIGRID | 82271-20098-SE]
REC: [OPEN-BAND/CLEARANCE-RESTRICTED]

Dinh and I knew there had been a recent spike in activity on Camber but didn’t realize how far it went until we arrived. The Banished have set up shipbreaking operations in fortified positions around the Chiltift Basin—turning our own dead ships against us. There’s something more here as well, but it’s hard to get a read on exactly what just yet. Whatever it is, we don’t think they’re just camping out for scrap metal and spare parts. We're almost finished with initial recon sweeps of the perimeter and plan to press further when the next dust storm rolls through in a few hours, assuming Dinh doesn’t find trouble on his own first, of course.

- Eklund

15 February 2560

18 February 2560

INTEL 2:

HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is a communique to Spartan Commander Agryna regarding isolation and instance replication of the Iratus AI for further study and training purposes.

//SND:S.MELVOIN//REC:L.AGRYNA//SUB:BAN SUITAI

Commander Agryna, we’ve finished the requested process and are ready for selective deployment. It wasn’t easy with the limited resources we have on site, but we managed to isolate a viable instance of the Iratus construct thanks to the recent exploits of your new cohort. This instance is undergoing quarantine and will be prepared for replication and distribution to qualified S-IV operatives to test within the simulation environment. Hopefully by observing these personality shards on the battlefield we’ll be able to learn more about what it’s ultimately capable of. All preliminary readings show that the contained instances should be inert and safe for integration, but we’ll be monitoring each user closely nonetheless.

INTEL 6:

HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is a communique between Jun-A266 and another individual regarding the current status of the Avery J. Johnson Academy.

SURVIVAL

OFFICE BLOCK: 7421.UO
COMMREF: 88FG0H83W-B-91

EXTUSR: So the academy remains active?

COSSPAR: All reports coming out of AJAMS confirm so.

EXTUSR: That’s good news, Jun. And impressive, if I’m being honest.

COSSPAR: Spartans have a way of surviving, no matter the odds.

EXTUSR: Well, you would know as good as anyone. Which reminds me, you never did tell me how you made it off Reach back in '52.

COSSPAR: You’ll just have to read the reports yourself.

EXTUSR: Unfortunately, I see your sense of humor has also survived.

Learn more: Halopedia

Halo Infinite | Season 3: Echoes Within

20 February to 29 February 2560

Context: The following sequence of videos are cutscenes from Halo Infinite Season 3: Echoes Within and continue the Spartan academy storyline previously told in the academy tutorial and Season 2: Lone Wolves. The final two videos (Vault Lines and Unbound) take place on 29 February 2560 and immediately lead into the short story Battle for the Academy (A Waypoint Chronicle).

Intro: Spartan Dinh picked up something dangerous in the field… Since returning to the Academy with Spartan Eklund, a Banished menace has haunted his dreams and memories, threatening to extend its reach. Confident they have contained the threat, Commander Agryna devotes herself to rebuilding the UNSC, training her Spartan recruits for the inevitable coming conflict with the Banished. Still, Dinh can’t shake the feeling that something deeper is at play. Time to burrow into the heart of the Academy and root out the source of the echoes within.

Learn more: Halopedia

Battle For The Academy (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle)

29 February 2560 to 4 March 2560

Context: Battle for the Academy is a short story told in two parts, both of which are available for free from Halo Waypoint (Part 1, Part 2), and concludes the academy storyline started in Halo Infinite’s Academy Tutorial and continued through Season 2: Lone Wolves and Season 3: Echoes Within. In addition, Halo Infinite’s Firefight: Battle for the Academy is a multiplayer mode that ties into this storyline and takes place during part 2. If you pause reading between 3 March and 4 March, it is best played here.

Summary: The Spartans and marines of the Avery J. Johnson Academy must hold the line as Iratus has taken control of the Academy and Banished reinforcements are on their way.

Further reading: An additional story element was released on Halo Waypoint as the Armory Infinitum section of Canon Fodder: Anthology Assemble. I have included the full story element below which is meant to be read in between part 1 and part 2.

HALBASHI WORKSHOP | CHIEFTAIN ATTICUS
FWD: MUTILATOR

Ghost of Kholo,

For many lunar cycles, we have plundered and pillaged the strongholds of our foes. The notoriety of your clan increases with every victory, and the time has now come to face our greatest raid yet.

As daskalo, I speak this wisdom. When the fight is over and the Spartans’ home lies in ruins, the greater glory lies not simply in what we take, but in what you give.

The Jiralhanae are without a home. Nysa will not replace Doisac, nor will it ever serve as a true home for my people, but your clan will secure their position and value by offering Nysa as neutral ground for all Banished who would seek safe harbor. The planetary data we have received from the AI reveals that it is a lush world rich in resources—perhaps not for building machines of war, but for providing other means of survival.

War Chief Severan will be forced to acknowledge this. He will say that the gift of a thousand worlds cannot replace what was taken from us by the humans, but he is not so foolish that he will not recognize what a boon this offering will be.

I offer a tool for you to carve this truth.

The Halbashi Workshop has perfected a weapon that shall serve as an extension of your will, for you carry within your blood the rage of a berserker and the sharpened edge of a surdkar.

Upon this tool, I accord the daskalo's invocation: May this weapon serve you well in the battles to come. May its power bring fear to your enemies and fell a thousand legions to bring you glory. And may it never be set down—for as long as you draw breath, its task shall never be done.

3 March 2560 // Halo: Anvil Accord

#shortstory #waypointchronicle

Anvil Accord is A Halo Waypoint Chronicle, an ongoing series of short stories available for free from Halo Waypoint.

3 March 2560 // Halo Infinite: Spartan Audio Logs – Scattered

#audiolog #terminal

The remaining UNSC survivors attempt to delay and resist the Banished with whatever they have, being whittled down after months of constant pitched warfare. Includes the stories of Spartans Makovich and Sorel, two dead Spartans encountered during the Conservatory mission of Halo Infinite.

These audio logs cover 3 March 2560 to 26 May 2560, and are featured and expanded upon in the book, Halo: The Rubicon Protocol.

After Action Report: Battle of Nysa

circa March 2560

Context: This after action report serves as a short epilogue to the Battle for the Academy story.

Summary: Commander Laurette Agryna has submitted an after-action report on the fall of Nysa to help provide some clarity on the overall tapestry of events that led to this point as she awaits summary analysis and further orders from her superiors.

Report:

AFTER ACTION REPORT: BATTLE OF NYSA

TO: COSSPAR
FROM: Spartan Commander Laurette Agryna
SUBJECT: Nysa, Avery J. Johnson Academy

The Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science on Nysa has been compromised and is considered a total loss.

A full accounting of casualties and material losses is ongoing. Evacuation efforts facilitated by reinforcements from Anvil Station enabled the extraction of key personnel.

This report outlines the sequence of events leading to the incident. A detailed timeline of relevant events is appended below for review.

I accept full responsibility for the operational decisions made under my command.

>> JANUARY 24, 2560
RECON OP

Spartans Sigrid Eklund and Hieu Dinh were deployed to Camber on a reconnaissance mission where the Banished had set up an extensive operation in the Chiltift Basin, home to a shipbreaking yard that they discovered was being run by an artificial intelligence known as Iratus—the first of his kind, as he was uniquely mapped from a Jiralhanae brain and aligned with the Banished.

Exactly how Dinh and Eklund ended up bringing a commandeered Phantom to Nysa is, I’m sure, outlined in their own classified reports on that particular mission. I have only been privy to select details with the assurance that their method of interstellar transport did not violate the Cole Protocol articles we revived to keep Nysa hidden.

To contain Iratus, Dinh placed the AI’s data chip into his helmet. The ploy was successful, but he rendered himself effectively comatose.

>> FEBRUARY 15, 2560
ACADEMY ARRIVAL

Spartans Dinh and Eklund arrived at Nysa in their commandeered Phantom.

As we examined Dinh’s condition, Eklund reported that Iratus was also guarding an archive on Camber containing information on the Banished operation—clan affiliations, who they were building ships for, upcoming operations. I determined that this would be valuable resource, so we devised a trap with the goal to extract what we needed.

>> FEBRUARY 18, 2560
CONTAINMENT

After recreating the Camber facility in our war games simulator, I sent the Academy’s Spartan recruits in to lure Iratus out of Dinh’s head by presenting the AI with new targets.

We managed to recreate limited copies from isolated instances of Iratus himself, which helped us to better understand him. The strategy worked, and as soon as Iratus entered our servers, we shut the door behind him. The AI was contained, seemingly along with whatever information he had from the Camber archive.

>> FEBRUARY 20, 2560
DINH AWAKENS

Dinh awakened shortly after we achieved containment and described his experience with Iratus, likening it to an invasion of his memories. From what I could tell, it seemed to exact a heavy toll. He declined a psychological evaluation.

>> FEBRUARY 21, 2560
INFECTION

As we continued standard training exercises, we discovered several oddities in the war games simulator.

While Iratus was contained, the transfer of his core matrix caused some damage to our servers. The simulator’s systems suffered visual glitches and occasional data spikes, holo emitters from the sims and the Spartans’ own armor manifested the AI’s form. Our techs set to work, stabilizing these issues with varying degrees of success, though with the benefit of hindsight it is clear that this was more than just a caged creature rattling its bars.

>> FEBRUARY 29, 2560
UNLEASHED

Spartan Dinh and one of our recruits managed to locate an entrance to the Academy’s old ONI facilities. There, they discovered that Iratus had broken containment and was sifting through the Academy’s systems.

We did move to respond, but in the end this was all just a distraction, keeping us preoccupied with minor incursions while he scavenged our data banks and absorbed a significant amount of classified data on the SPARTAN programs.

From there, the situation began to deteriorate and, well, the rest is covered in my preliminary report.

The oath of a Spartan states: “We stand committed to excellence in warfighting, integrity of character, and respect for the heritage received from the Spartans who have carried the sword and shield before us.”

I fear that is an example I have failed to live up to. The Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science was lost under my command.

I wish to recommend posthumous commendations for all who fell in defense of Nysa, and I am standing by to await further orders.

Tulpamancy (A Halo Waypoint Chronicle)

April 2560

Context: Set four months after the disappearance of Zeta Halo.

Summary: As ONI investigates a derelict cruiser belonging to the ancient human ancestors, strange effects begin to take hold of the crew.

Where to read: This short story is available to read/download/listen to for free from Halo Waypoint. The audiobook version is presented in a semi-audio-drama fashion, with multiple voice actors and music.

April 2560 // Halo Infinite: Banished Audio Logs – Escharum’s Testimony (Audio Logs 1, 2, 3 and 6)

#audiolog #terminal

In Audio Log 1 (Loss), Escharum accepts and laments the loss of Atriox who was thought to have died when Cortana destroyed a portion of Zeta Halo on 13 December 2559. [Halopedia]

In Audio Log 2 (Cylix), Escharum posthumously acknowledges the wisdom of Atriox after Tremonius finds the Cylix in April 2560.

In Audio Log 3 (Harbinger), Escharum talks of distrusting the Harbinger who was freed from her Cylix on 18 April 2560.

In Audio Log 6 (Home), Escharum recalls dreaming of his home world Doisac. Technically this Audio Log comes after Audio Log 5 (Reformation) which was recorded during the events of Halo Infinite. However, as all of the events from Halo Infinite take place on the same day, 28 May 2560, it seems unlikely that Escharum would have slept during that day and then recorded Audio Log 6 (Home), therefore, it feels more natural to place it here.

April 2560 // Halo Infinite: UNSC Audio Logs – The Prisoner (Audio Logs 1 to 3)

#audiolog #terminal

“On 23 April, Spartan Kovan sneaks into Outpost Tremonius where she is reunited with captured Combat Medic, Lucas Browning. Although she can’t rescue him, Kovan gives Browning several recording transmitters, instructing him to learn whatever he can about the Harbinger or the Banished, and leaves a tracking beacon in Browning’s neck.” – Halopedia

These audio logs are Lucas Browning’s transmissions, and are featured and expanded upon in the book, Halo: The Rubicon Protocol.

Audio Logs 1 (Not My Fault), 2 (What Was Inside) and 3 (She Was Smiling) are part of the same transmission.

May 2560 | Halo Infinite: Banished Audio Logs – Archaeological Findings

#audiolog #terminal

Several days before the Master Chief touches down on Zeta Halo, a Sangheili studymaster (Ciar ‘Yaham) and his Kig-Yar companion (Dahk’rah) discover Forerunner secrets at the locations of four beacons.

The descriptions for these audio logs detail this exchange whilst the actual audio is what they discover.

For ease of reading, I have transcribed the Sangheili/Kig-Yar exchange below and afterwards include the audio log.

CIAR ‘YAHAM >> DAHK’RAH
Dahk’rah, I have discovered a latent data stream that breads the unmistakable mark of the Forerunners. I plan to make similar scans at the other beacons – I would urge you to do the same.

I will send word to the House of Reckoning. This installation appears ready to spill its secrets.


DAHK’RAH >> CIAR ‘YAHAM
Certain, yes. Beacon studied… signals found. Incomplete, but promising. Will send knowledge to engage at once, yes?


CIAR ‘YAHAM >> DAHK’RAH
Your findings were of immense help. I have visited another beacon and found more of the script hidden within the stream’s transient folds. I will continue to survey and report my findings appropriately to the team at Annex Ridge.


CIAR ‘YAHAM >> [LOCAL HOLD]
Astounding. With the help of one of our Skirmishers, these ancient conduits seem to have been given a voice. I am trying to make sense of our findings, but it is at the moment beyond me. I must seek further guidance if we are to understand its full value.

Further information on the actual audio from these logs position within the Halo fiction timeline can be found on The Forerunner Legacy page.

28 May 2560 // Halo Infinite

#videogame

Dates covered (indexing in progress):

• 28 May 2560 – Mission 1: Warship Gbraakon
• 28 May 2560 – Banished Audio Logs: Escharum’s Testimony (Audio Log 4: Demon) – At the end of Mission 1, Escharum finds out that the Master Chief is still alive. In this audio log he reflects upon what that means for him.
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 2: Foundtion – In the opening cutscenes Escharum refers to feeling invigorated by the unexpected return of the Master Chief. Therefore, the audio log Escharum’s Testimony 4: Demon is likely recorded during this mission. Although, due to the Master Chief defeating Tremonius at the end of this mission, it makes sense to place the aforementioned audio log before this mission.
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 3: Outpost Tremonius
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 4: Recovery/The Tower
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 5: Excavation Site
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 6: Conservatory
• 28 May 2560 – Whilst the Master Chief is in the Conservatory the Harbinger summons the rings Spires, meanwhile, Escharum records his fifth testimony (Escharum’s Testimony 5: Reformation) where he questions the Harbinger’s motivations for helping the Banished.
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 7: Spire
• 28 May 2560 – After the Master Chief destroys the first Spire at the end of the previous mission, Escharum records his seventh audio log (Escharum’s Testimony 7: Loyalties) where he loses patience with the Harbinger and talks of betraying her.
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 8: Pelican Down
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 9: Sequence
• 28 May 2560 – At some point on 28 May the brute Balkarus made a personal log about the Riven Mangler. This appears in an untitled short story , released for free as part of the Armory Infinitum section of Canon Fodder: Blightlands and Brigands on Halo Waypoint. I have included the full story below.

>>PERSONAL LOG
>>BALKARUS
>>RIVEN MANGLER

When we were on Oth Liqattu, I received the glory of being counted among the Exodus Guard—those chosen to accompany Atriox himself back to our galaxy. It was with the aged Horatius that I conversed during the  journey, and through him learned the history of the mangler—a weapon we have used since long before we were brought into the Covenant’s fold.

The warlord recounted to me a tale of his pack on Doisac as they hunted a great beast through the Malkadyr wastes, pinning it to a tree with the weapon’s powerful spikes. He noted that the adoption of plasma weaponry had been swift when the Prophets appropriated the Jiralhanae for their purposes, and while there was great power in their technological gifts it was our duty to keep to the paths we carved for ourselves with blood and grit and pain.

I shall walk both paths. I shall wield the boons of the Covenant against our foes, but I shall always give deference to the works we have forged ourselves. To that end, I personally commissioned the alchemy corps stationed at Riven Gate to alter the mangler’s design, creating a variant that may fire slower—for I have always valued my precision—but unleashes three powerful spikes at once. A single burst shall be as if several Jiralhanae were firing upon a target. Glorious devastation!

My forces and I are presently stationed on the patrol path around the Forge of Teash and one of the humans’ former bases, as word of the Demon’s exploits continues to grip our brothers with a mix of anticipation and—in the case of the Unggoy—fear. With their constant chattering, I now understand why many tossed these slothful cowards into the cloaking fields. But once we are finished here, I hope to present this newly forged weapon to Horatius himself. After it has been appropriately bloodied to carve my path into the ranks of the Hand of Atriox, of course.

• 28 May 2560 – Mission 10: Nexus
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 11: Command Spire
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 12: Repository
• 28 May 2560 – With the Master Chief getting close, Escharum records his eighth audio log (Escharum’s Testimony 8: Victory), where he sets in place a succession plan for the Banished should he fall in battle with the Master Chief.
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 13: The Road
• 28 May 2560 – With the House of Reckoning now open to the Master Chief, Escharum records his final audio log (Escharum’s Testimony 9: Legacy), where he contemplates his own legacy.
• 28 May 2560 – Mission 14: House Of Reckoning
• 28 May 2560 – Halo: Whispers From The Pyre – A Halo Waypoint Chronicle. Part of an ongoing series of short stories available for free from Halo Waypoint.

• 28 May 2560 – Mission 15: Silent Auditorium

Legendary Ending:

Whilst the audio from the legendary ending is set in 97,368 BCE, the visuals take place shortly after Halo Infinite’s main story.

2560 // Halo Encyclopaedia

#book

More coming soon…

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