Hello there, how Nysa you to drop in for a new issue of Canon Fodder!

Bringing you the latest news on all things Halo fiction, we’ve got an exciting new book announcement along with an update on Kelly Gay’s upcoming Master Chief novel Halo: Edge of Dawn, new Waypoint Chronicle lore to break down, and more.

ANTHOLOGICAL AWESOMENESS

On November 7, 2022, to mark the tenth anniversary of Halo 4, the first short story in a series that would come to be known as Waypoint Chronicles released.

Somehow, that was two-and-a-half years ago, and in that time there have been a total of seventeen short stories released—celebrating notable game anniversaries, supporting the themes of Halo Infinite’s ongoing Operations, and so on. Waypoint Chronicles have delved into many of the nooks and crannies of the Halo universe, places referenced and hinted at but never seen, sowing seeds for the future and looking back to the past.

With every release, we have noticed a common thread of feedback: the desire to have a complete collection of Waypoint Chronicles bundled into a proper print book.

You asked, and we answered.

Coming in 2026 is Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Volume One.

“Delve once more into stories of legendary heroism and star-spanning conflicts—from the time of the ancient Forerunners to the perils of a twenty-sixth century clash between the United Nations Space Command and Banished alien alliance.

Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Volume One collects over thirty short stories from all corners of the Halo universe, including twenty-four adventures previously only available online, plus ten brand new tales exclusive to this collected volume! Also included are dozens of additional pieces of lore-laden intel items and story vignettes connected to the Halo Infinite game experience.”

Alongside the Waypoint Chronicles (and yes, you read that right: there will be an additional ten new short stories exclusively in this print release) will be the full collection of Halo Infinite Intel as well as the Armory Infinitum entries that have been a regular feature in Canon Fodder. Formerly classified as Story Shards, this anthology will include Precipice and Duality as well.

We’ll have more information to share with you later this year, along with a snazzy cover art reveal for the collection. In the meantime, above is a lovely collage of all the Waypoint Chronicle covers thus far released—and a cropped preview of Battle for the Academy Part 2!

EDGE OF DAWN: UPDATE

And that’s not the only book news we have today!

Back in January, we revealed three things:

You’ve waited and wondered about when the novel will be set in the timeline and what the story could possibly be, and the time has come to now lift the lid on what’s been cooking.

“2560. After eliminating War Chief Escharum and sending the Banished leadership into chaos, the Master Chief continues the fight on Zeta Halo, accompanied by his new AI companion and their loyal pilot Fernando Esparza.

As Spartan-117 searches for scattered allied forces, a young combat medic—tortured and imprisoned for months by the Banished and the enigmatic Harbinger—may hold the key to unlocking deeper mysteries within this ancient ringworld. But every step towards answers is haunted by the sinister and elusive blademaster Jega ‘Rdomnai, who is hellbent on vengeance....”

This is indeed a story set in the immediate aftermath of Halo Infinite’s campaign, tying in with some story threads from The Rubicon Protocol—one of Kelly’s previous novels.

In some ways, Edge of Dawn might be thought of as similar to First Strike, where we sat for a while with the immediate fallout of the events that transpired in Halo: CE, dealing with some of the things we learned while embarking on a new adventure.

We’ll have more information coming later this year about Halo: Edge of Dawn, so stay tuned.

PRE-ORDER HALO: EDGE OF DAWN

BATTLE FOR THE ACADEMY

This month, the Summer Update for Halo Infinite launched with Operation: Last Stand which saw the addition of a new linear Firefight experience to matchmaking set within the Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science as the rogue AI Iratus summons the Banished.

Connected to this experience is a two-part Waypoint Chronicle which picks up from the events depicted in the cinematics of Season 3: Echoes Within where Iratus has escaped containment and is now loose within the Academy.

BATTLE FOR THE ACADEMY – PART 1

“February 2560. The UNSC personnel of the Avery J. Johnson Academy are plunged into peril as the rogue artificial intelligence Iratus is unleashed.”

Halo: Battle for the Academy – Part 1 is available here on Halo Waypoint, as a free PDF, and in audiobook format on YouTube.

Fans who have been following along will no doubt remember that Anvil Accord, a Waypoint Chronicle released last year, alluded to a distress call that was picked up from a world named Nysa. And in Jeremy Patenaude’s novel Halo: Empty Throne which released back in February, it was revealed that Nysa is in fact the world where the Academy is located.

Of course, there are even more breadcrumbs that have been laid out along the way. We also caught up with Ilsa Zane last year in the events that followed the second season of Hunt the Truth and explored how she not only pledged herself, but the New Colonial Alliance as a group to serve the Banished.

The second part of this story is due to release on June 6!

TULPAMANCY

In the time since last issue, we also released another Waypoint Chronicle—Halo: Tulpamancy.

“April 2560. As the Office of Naval Intelligence investigates a derelict cruiser belonging to the ancient human Ancestors, strange effects begin to take hold of the crew.”

Halo: Tulpamancy is available here on Halo Waypoint, as a free PDF, and in audiobook format on YouTube.

Inspired in many ways by the works of the late and great David Lynch, this short story explored a part of the universe that has remained greatly shrouded in mystery over the last fourteen years: the Ancestors.

While many elements of the events that unfold within this story are purposefully obscure and open to interpretation, there are some things we can explore more closely...

PERFECT PREFECT

Making their formal debut in Halo: Tulpamancy are the Prefects, a group of Forerunners that were first alluded to in Halo 4 when the Champion’s Bundle DLC released all the way back in 2013.

The fruits of extensive research within the shield world Trevelyan (commonly known as Onyx) saw the successful hybridization of human and Forerunner technology through recovered combat skins and the assistance of those ever-so-handy Huragok.

While we may know about the armor, what about those who once wore it?

The Warrior-Servant rate was made up of many different classes which served a variety of roles. The most known of these classes are the Prometheans—those who dedicated themselves wholly to the art of war, commanding the highest of rank and greatest of respect.

Where the Prometheans would be called upon during times of war to bring a decisive end to greater threats to the ecumene, the Prefect class served as investigators and observers for both Forerunner colonies and worlds inhabited by subject species. While direct intervention from the ecumene was rare as social, cultural, financial, religious, and philosophical developments took shape across countless alien civilizations, these elements were under constant scrutinous observation by Prefects who were instrumental in mapping predictive evolutionary models and pathways.

Answering not to any single individual but a council of Preceptors, the observational analyses conducted by Prefects played a pivotal role in helping to determine resource allocation—from Lifeworker teams to the deployment of Peacemakers.

ONE CLASSY COURIER

A new type of human starship that originally made its appearance in the Halo television series, it took no time at all for fans to note that Battle for the Academy – Part 1 featured the core canon debut of the Zheng He-class courier.

Let’s take a closer look at this ship!

CATALOG OF INTERSTELLAR VESSELS – 2560 EDITION
Section: Light Transport & Courier Craft – UNSC & Colonial Administration

ZHENG HE-CLASS COURIER

TYPE: Fast Courier / Special Mission Transport
MANUFACTURER: Halifax Spacewerx
ENTERED SERVICE: 2468 (initial production run)

CREW: 35
LENGTH: 224.4ft (68.4m)
WEIGHT: Approx. 2,800 metric tonnes (variable with payload/modules)
PROPULSION: 2x fusion rockets (primary), 4x hybrid fusion drives (secondary)
TRANSLIGHT DRIVE: Series IV CODEN (current production run)
STATUS (2560): Limited active service (primarily special detachments, select corporate fleets), high-value collector's item

DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN
The Zheng He-class courier represented a significant departure for Halifax Spacewerx, a manufacturer historically renowned for its robust, utilitarian designs. Commissioned in the mid-2450s, the design brief called for a fast, adaptable courier capable of rapid transit between key Inner Colonies and developing Outer Colony worlds, with a focus on versatile mission configurations and the capacity for extended independent operations in remote or newly charted territories.

A key design feature was its central modular bay system, allowing for rapid reconfiguration with Halifax-standard ship modules. Available modules included habitation, military-grade prefab armories, extended cargo space, and more.

Crew complement was highly variable based on installed modules. The standard included five flight crew, two engineers, twelve mission specialists or security staff, and sixteen support or auxiliary members.

The resulting vessel was unusually sleek for a Halifax product, exhibiting clean lines and attention to detail that hinted at aspirations beyond mere functionality. Initial performance trials exceeded expectations, particularly in atmospheric maneuverability and the reliability of its slipspace drive—though this increase in stability and reduction of need for maintenance came at the cost of longer transit times based on the Series II drive.

OPERATIONAL HISTORY
Despite auspicious beginnings and strong initial interest, the Zheng He never achieved the widespread service originally envisioned. Production costs, coupled with a strategic shift by Halifax Spacewerx towards more lucrative heavy industrial contracts, led to a severely truncated production run. Estimates suggest fewer than 170 hulls were completed before the line was shut down in 2482. Most significantly, a substantial portion of units were procured by organizations associated with the Office of Naval Intelligence.

During the Human-Covenant War, surviving Zheng He-class vessels proved invaluable for high-speed, low-profile transport of critical personnel, intelligence, and materiel, often operating deep within contested territory. Their adaptability allowed rapid refits to suit emergent mission requirements.

Post-war, their scarcity has only increased their value. The limited number available quickly became prized assets with trans-solar industries and wealthy private shipowners.

ASSESSMENT (2560)
The Zheng He-class courier stands as a curious footnote in pre-Covenant War shipbuilding. A vessel of exceptional inherent quality and forward-thinking design, its potential was largely unfulfilled due to economic factors and shifting corporate priorities. Those examples still in service, particularly within ONI, are meticulously maintained and often represent the pinnacle of discreet light transport technology for their age.

For collectors, the Zheng He is a highly sought-after artifact of a more optimistic era. Its influence can be seen in later UEG designs emphasizing modularity and speed, though few have matched its unique blend of performance and understated elegance. The surviving fleet, though small, continues to provide valuable, if niche, service nearly a century after its introduction.

COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB

There are few greater joys in life than discussing Halo fiction with your friends and foes. June marks the start of Audiobook Month and we’re going to be celebrating with a focus on five Halo novels over the next few months, starting with Contact Harvest by Joseph Staten.

We’ll be doing audiobook giveaways, opening a community book club channel on our official Discord server, and more.

We’ve got an official blog coming at the start of June with all the details, so keep an eye out!

In the meantime, if you’re looking to catch up on the complete suite of released Halo novels, be sure to check out our official book guide!

ARMORY INFINITUM

Introduced to Halo Infinite with the Summer Update was the Mutilator, a double-barrel Banished boomstick that dares to ask what could possibly make such a close-range weapon even deadlier than integrating a gravity hammer into its design.

At the end of Battle for the Academy Part 1, this weapon is notably grabbed by Ilsa Zane—something she will no doubt put to good use in the next part. Consider this particular Armory Infinitum a bit of a preview...

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.

COMMUNITY LORE CORNER

Kicking us off here, LoreWithWes has put together a great summary and exploration of Battle for the Academy Part 1.

LucyJRobin has entered a new era of Halo, awakening the Master Chief as he and Cortana arrive at the mysterious Forerunner shield world known as Requiem. Of course, before diving into the game, Lucy has done a reaction video to Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn—it's always wonderful to see first-time reactions to this live action series that drove so much of the hype for the game in the weeks leading up to its release in 2012.

Jumping back in time a little, Phoenix Nat has reached the end of Halo 3 and finished the fight!

Jumperscape continue their own audio adaptations of the Waypoint Chronicles and their latest release brings Hippocratica to life.

Installation00 has covered the lore around the Executor introduced in the Precipice story shard and its connections to the data pads in Halo: Reach.

We all have different reasons for enjoying Halo, different elements of this overall tapestry we gravitate towards. GammaCompanyMark has a podcast for—as he describes—his own “niche loser reasons,” which I can certainly relate to!

Halo 3: ODST features a series of audio logs telling the story of Sadie Endesha during the Covenant’s invasion of Mombasa in 2552. HiddenXperia has returned to this fan-favorite audio drama to explore what it’s about and its literary allusions to Dante’s Inferno (the narrative poem, not the 2010 action-adventure game!)

And speaking of Halo 3: ODST, Eldeeable Gaming has reached Kizingo Boulevard in her own first-time playthrough of the game—a mission where a key piece of Halo philosophy gets put into action: “Tank beats everything!”

Battle for the Academy Part 2 drops next week and will bring the Halo Infinite multiplayer narrative to a conclusion, and be sure to keep an eye out for the kick-off of the community book club in a few days.

To close this issue out, the Halo family sadly suffered a tremendous loss in the last week and we wanted to spare a few words to remember the wonderful author Peter David.

IN MEMORIAM: PETER DAVID (1956-2025)

As we conclude this issue, it is with great sadness that we report the passing of Peter David, who died on May 24, 2025.

For Halo fans, Peter most prominently worked as the author for the 2009 comic Halo: Helljumper and the 2015 novel Halo: Hunters in the Dark.

The five issues of Helljumper released in the months leading up to and after the beloved game Halo 3: ODST, telling a story about Dutch and Romeo as they deal with a Covenant attack on the colony world Ariel.

Hunters in the Dark serves as something of an origin story for Olympia Vale prior to her becoming a Spartan and making her debut in Halo 5 as part of Fireteam Osiris. It also prominently features Usze ‘Taham and Ntho ‘Sraom—the two Elites for player three and four in Halo 3’s cooperative campaign—as a joint group of humans and Sangheili return to the Ark in 2555.

Beyond Halo, Peter David is known for his extensive and award-winning bibliography which spans forty years. Star Trek, Aquaman, The Incredible Hulk, Fable, Battlestar Galactica, Spider-Man, Babylon 5, Powerpuff Girls, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—if you grew up as a fan of science fiction in comics, television, film, and video games, you will undoubtedly have come across the work of Peter David.

We at Halo Studios offer our deepest condolences to Peter David’s family, and our sincerest gratitude for the work he contributed to the Halo universe.