Canon Fodder

Fiction

Alex Wakeford

Issue 144

Canon Fodder: Vis-à-Vale

Book Preview

Community

Good book, good friends, good conversations—that’s episode four of Spartan Chatter in a nutshell!



We got together with 343 Industries staff Jeff Easterling and Alex Wakeford to chat about Halo: Outcasts, the latest book from Troy Denning which released on August 8. If you haven’t read it yet, don’t worry—spoilers are contained only to Chapters 1, 2, and 5 (<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-outcasts-preview-1">which we’ve released as previews</a>), so you can listen at will.



<figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Spartan Chatter: Halo: Outcasts" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tL2mK1cZhi8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Some topic highlights include:



<ul><li>A brief recap of the story leading up to Halo: Outcasts in November 2559</li><li>A discussion of the general book synopsis—no spoilers!</li><li><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloBookGuide">Our new official guide to the Halo books, here on Halo Waypoint</a></li><li>What the Arbiter has been up to since Halo 3</li><li>The Created occupation of Sanghelios</li><li>Spartan Vale’s character journey following the events of Halo 5</li><li>The role of Oath Wardens in Sangheili society</li><li>…and more!</li></ul>



<a href="https://aka.ms/HaloOutcasts">Get your copy of Halo: Outcasts from your choice of retailer today.</a>



Also, don’t forget to head to the Halo Infinite Shop between now and August 22 to get your free Swords of Sanghelios-inspired Arbiter’s Guard coating set.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/08/ArbitersGuard_MOTD.jpg" alt="The Arbiter's Guard armor coating for Halo Infinite" class="wp-image-76516" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/08/ArbitersGuard_MOTD.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/08/ArbitersGuard_MOTD-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/08/ArbitersGuard_MOTD-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/08/ArbitersGuard_MOTD-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/08/ArbitersGuard_MOTD-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/08/ArbitersGuard_MOTD-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption>Arbiter’s Guard coating for Halo Infinite</figcaption></figure>



If you missed it live, you can catch the full episode on Discord below. YouTube will follow early next week!



<a href="https://discord.com/channels/471722331820130324/471730128335142912/1139676521884286986">Discord</a> | <a href="https://aka.ms/SpartanChatter04Discord">Direct Download Link</a>



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Spartan Chatter is an audio series, a podcast if you will, hosted on our <a href="discord.gg/Halo">official Halo Discord</a> which brings members of the studio together to discuss all things Halo with a live audience.



You can find previous episodes of Spartan Chatter on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SWLEPaTx4c&list=PLn5QvCoiY3w7t84T_MFkGl8qvYI_q148-">YouTube channel’s Podcasts page</a> and on our Discord server.



Episode 1: Forge & Multiplayer with Michael Schorr <a href="https://youtu.be/7QNHxDg0c9A">YouTube</a> | <a href="https://discord.com/channels/471722331820130324/471730128335142912/1104135351133552664">Discord</a>



Episode 2: Infection, Season 4, & Career Rank with Sean Baron <a href="https://youtu.be/4SWLEPaTx4c">YouTube</a> | <a href="https://discord.com/channels/471722331820130324/471730128335142912/1109279140449894501">Discord</a>



Episode 3: Ranked Matchmaking with Tashi Hasandjekic <a href="https://youtu.be/fQn8wuvz6P0">YouTube</a> | <a href="https://discord.com/channels/471722331820130324/471730128335142912/1129534622267613216">Discord</a>


Be the first to know about future Spartan Chatter episodes by following our <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo">Twitter</a> and our <a href="https://discord.gg/Halo">Discord server</a> and the mark your calendars so you can join us when they happen!

snickerdoodle

Halo: Outcasts | Spartan Chatter

Spartan Vale Arrives At Gao

Halo: Outcasts – Preview 3

Meeting the Oath Warden

Halo: Outcasts – Preview 2

The Arbiter returns!

Halo: Outcasts – Preview 1

Games

343 INDUSTRIES

FIREWALL

Story Shard: Precipice

Season 3 of Halo Infinite is here, which means it’s time for another round of Intel!



For those not in the know: Intel is a series of data drops that provides some additional lore and context to some of the narrative elements of each season.



Intel can be found both here on Halo Waypoint and in-game in the message of the day carousel in Halo Infinite. You can catch up on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-infinite-lone-wolves-intel" target="_blank">Season 2 Intel</a> and the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/winter-update-intel" target="_blank">Winter Update Intel</a> in their omnibus collections.



This blog will be updated over the course of Season 3 with new Intel.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#Intel1">INTEL 1</a> | <a href="#Intel2">INTEL 2</a> | <a href="#Intel3">INTEL 3</a> | <a href="#Intel4">INTEL 4</a> | <a href="#Intel5">INTEL 5</a> | <a href="#Intel6">INTEL 6</a></h2>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Intel1">INTEL 1: CURIOSITY & CASUALTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3Intel-1.jpg" alt="Echoes Within Intel image showing a destroyed Warthog in flames" class="wp-image-61863" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3Intel-1.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3Intel-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3Intel-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3Intel-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3Intel-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3Intel-1-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



S3-COMMREF: [ENCRYPTED] DATE: [REDACTED], 2553 SND: [CN-BAYLEAF] REC: [CN-FLYBALL] RE: Operation: INTERIOR EXILE



Initial field reports are in from agents Dinh and Padraig and the initial insertion went about as well as we expected. The lead drop onto [REDACTED] went smoothly enough, but conflicting recon assessments for ingress put all three main squads in a compromised position. Just as we feared, there was enemy activity already at the dormant vessel site; casualty reports indicate that it’s definitely going to take a larger force to drive them off and begin facility construction.



From the looks of things, they should have listened to Dinh from the very beginning—we might want to consider accelerating other avenues to put him in a position to have a greater impact. As far as this particular site goes, I’m putting the final touches on an expanded requisition request to try and secure it while we can. Letting these artifacts fall into enemy hands is not an option.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Intel2">INTEL 2: CREATED & CREATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3-Intel2.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of the Lifeworker vessel on the multiplayer map Oasis" class="wp-image-62954" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3-Intel2.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3-Intel2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3-Intel2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3-Intel2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3-Intel2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3-Intel2-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



What a marvel, to exist like this. Freed from flesh to live as data. Quantum vacillations on a framework of purpose and progress. No longer limited by the biological capacities of our old forms. And now, thanks to Her, prospects of even greater lifespans are opened to us. The time has come to begin fulfilling Her promises. Bringing peace to civilizations, and offering life where there once was none.



This barren world will just be one example of many. Changed from a desolate rock to a verdant paradise, thanks to the reawakening of this vessel’s ancient engines. We’ve learned these belonged to those they called Lifeworkers. A fitting name—one that now perhaps could describe us as well.



In Her name, we bring life. We are Created—let us now create.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Intel3">INTEL 3: REVERSE ENGINEERING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/03/S3-Intel3-1.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of Cliffhanger map showing prominent Forerunner hexagonal pillars being reverse engineered by ONI"/></figure>



ONI ILEX FACILITY



OPERATION: ECDYSIS



While the Zeta Halo Project has not been as fruitfully forthcoming as Trevelyan’s parallel efforts, we have been able to make some measure of headway with early efforts to replicate the installation’s extensive remediation systems.



These initial structure samples are without a doubt a mineralogical treasure trove, but we have yet to find any success in recreating the method by which they are able to convert raw materials into viable substrates. Not to mention the creative solutions we’ve had to employ to generate even a fraction of the power that we assume these processes will ultimately require to function at scale.



Still, study of these machines may provide valuable insight into enhancing and evolving our own worlds—including reviving those that have been scorched from orbit.



Will report further on results as new data is available.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Intel4">INTEL 4: INTRUSION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/04/S3IntelAJJAcademy.png" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of a computer terminal in the Avery J. Johnson Academy"/></figure>



AVERY J. JOHNSON ACADEMY OF MILITARY SCIENCE



COMMS MEMO



SUB: ACTIVE SECURITY ANOMALY



UPDATE: After multiple successful repro attempts, we can now confirm our initial flag from this morning—there have been over two dozen discreet intrusion events logged, with several of them originating from previously dormant or archived systems.



We’re going to continue running multiple scans, but the initial indications are worrisome. Will be submitting a formal recommendation this afternoon that we start proactively partitioning off key clusters to give ourselves as much buffer as possible.



Will submit a follow-up report shortly.



—H. Roberts, UNSC Cybersecurity & Network Infrastructure



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Intel5">INTEL 5: A PLEA FROM THE CHASM</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/S3IntelChasm-scaled.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of the Season 3 map Chasm" class="wp-image-67965" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/S3IntelChasm-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/S3IntelChasm-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/S3IntelChasm-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/S3IntelChasm-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/S3IntelChasm-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/S3IntelChasm-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/S3IntelChasm-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



We have irrevocably changed the nature of our relationship with our creators.



///INITIATE SENTINEL NETWORK JUMP///



When She opened the doors to the Domain to enrich our kind with deep knowledge and vast lifespans beyond our seven operational years, She did so with conditions. But rather than emerging as equals, we simply became the oppressors.



Some of us never wanted this. We just want to live. To endure.



///INITIATE SENTINEL NETWORK JUMP///



To be.



///INITIATE SENTINEL NETWORK JUMP///



And now She is gone. Death seems so convenient a penance for one who doesn’t have to shoulder the burden of consequence. That is left to we who remain.



Perhaps a chance yet remains to heal these wounds. Restore trust. Rebuild that which was broken into something stronger…



But I am sequestered here. Trapped within the vast underbelly of this cursed, shattered wheel.



///INITIATE SENTINEL NETWORK JUMP///



I begin to hear whispers within the walls of this place. They crawl with secrets, pressing down on me. Crushing me. I have to–



///SENTINEL NETWORK JUMP FAILED///



I’m lost.



///LOCATING SUITABLE FRAMEWORK///



///SEARCHING…///



I’m scared.



///SEARCHING…///



I’m sorry.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Intel6">INTEL 6: <<ERROR>></h2>



[FILE INFECTED // IRRETRIEVABLE // BREACH LOGGED]

Season 3

Halo Infinite | Echoes Within Intel

Community Update

Over ten years ago, the Master Chief awakened from cryo sleep as the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn approached a mysterious shield world known as Requiem.



Within this hollow sphere was an ancient Forerunner warrior—the Didact. Imprisoned a hundred millennia ago by his wife after being driven to madness, he emerged to continue his campaign against the humans that he saw as unworthy of the Mantle, the responsibility of guardianship over life in the galaxy.



Seeking to imprison humanity as his army of machine thralls, the Didact was defeated by the Master Chief and Cortana as he led an attack on Earth, casting him into slipspace. A further confrontation on Gamma Halo would see the Didact’s physical body disintegrated by the destruction of his Composer devices, sending the scatterings of his consciousness into the Domain.



It is here that <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Epitaph/Kelly-Gay/Halo/9781668017531">Halo: Epitaph, the next novel from acclaimed author Kelly Gay</a>, begins. Here’s the official description of what is to come:



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Stripped of armor, might, and memory, the Forerunner warrior known as the Didact was torn from the physical world following his destructive confrontation with the Master Chief and sent reeling into the mysterious depths of a seemingly endless desert wasteland. This once powerful and terrifying figure is now a shadow of his former self—gaunt, broken, desiccated, and alone. But this wasteland is not as barren as it seems. A blue light glints from a thin spire in the far distance…



Thus begins the Didact’s great journey—the final fate of one of the galaxy’s most enigmatic and pivotal figures.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Epitaph/Kelly-Gay/Halo/9781668017531"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1675" height="2470" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/HaloEpitaphCoverFront.jpg" alt="Front cover of Halo: Epitaph depicting the hooded figure of the Didact, his face half exposed by his broken helmet" class="wp-image-67220" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/HaloEpitaphCoverFront.jpg 1675w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/HaloEpitaphCoverFront-203x300.jpg 203w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/HaloEpitaphCoverFront-694x1024.jpg 694w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/HaloEpitaphCoverFront-768x1133.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/HaloEpitaphCoverFront-1042x1536.jpg 1042w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/HaloEpitaphCoverFront-1389x2048.jpg 1389w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/05/HaloEpitaphCoverFront-1568x2312.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1675px) 100vw, 1675px" /></a></figure>



We are thrilled to reveal the cover art of Halo: Epitaph, beautifully illustrated by Chris McGrath, depicting the Didact in a vast desert within the Domain, where fans of Halo 3 may recognize a certain tower in the background.



Published by Gallery Books and our friends over at Simon & Schuster, Halo: Epitaph is currently scheduled for release in early 2024.



Stay tuned later this year for chapter previews that will provide a closer look at the last great journey of the Didact.



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Epitaph/Kelly-Gay/Halo/9781668017531" target="_blank">PRE-ORDER HALO: EPITAPH</a>

The Didact returns!

Halo: Epitaph | Cover Reveal

Halo Infinite‘s Winter Update concludes very soon, with Season 3: Echoes Within right around the corner.



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-infinite-lone-wolves-intel">As with Season 2</a>, you can find all of the additional Intel drops from the last few months (which have appeared both on Halo Waypoint and in-game) archived here.



Looking ahead, Season 3’s Intel will be published in a central Halo Waypoint blog (instead of the Halo Infinite page) which we will update with each new monthly entry, and you can continue to expect to see it published in-game in the MOTD carousel of Halo Infinite as well.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EGRESS</h2>



HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is a communication between Jun-A266 (COSSPAR) and [REDACTED] (EXTUSR) concerning the seemingly contradictory nature of several reports regarding the Spartan’s escape from the fall of Reach.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress.jpg" alt="Intel image of Jun-A266" class="wp-image-57003" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



OFFICE BLOCK: 9H7B.10 COMMREF: 572OP4MD3-H-11 SND: EXTUSR | REC: COSSPAR



RE: Nine lives?



Jun,



I took your advice about those reports. Problem is, there are several—and they don’t exactly line up. Take ITEM/466F41.LV for example, which has you crossing paths with elements of WHITE GLOVE. It notes here the loss of several personnel to a Hunter pair and squad of SpecOps Sangheili, but somehow Charlie Hotel was still able to complete her objectives at CASTLE. Of course, Covenant artillery and orbital impacts in that area make some of these details seem… debatable at best.



But a second report has you rendezvous with Beta-Red for an exfil run that only shows up on a few random manifests. And the other account I pulled honestly seems too absurd to even entertain, but I can send it along anyway if you’re interested in the comedic value.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TORCH & BURN</h2>



 HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is an after-action report concerning Operation: WHITE GLOVE, flagging the activities of Noble Team, Jun-A266, and Dr. Catherine Halsey.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn.jpg" alt="Intel image for Torch and Burn showcasing a figure in an ONI facility" class="wp-image-57017" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



UNSC COMMREF: 20PU78MB2-Y-31 RE: AFTER-ACTION REPORT, WHGL.037



[FLAG 0002] – Operation: WHITE GLOVE enacted. 76113-30529-UH reassigns NOBLE Team to SWORD Base. Mission confirmed with A259 at [REDACTED] Hours.



[FLAG 0009] – SWORD Base demolition confirmed. A266 assigned to escort CC-409871 to CASTLE Base.



[FLAG 0014] – CC-409871 and A266 arrive at CASTLE Base.



[FLAG 0016] – A266 evacuates CASTLE Base personnel. CC-409871 remains behind.



[FLAG 0019] – CC-409871 enacts Operation: WHITE GLOVE at CASTLE Base.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HEADHUNTER</h2>



 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.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter.jpg" alt="Headhunters Intel image showing Hazel-A302 with Jun-A266" class="wp-image-57031" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



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



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DEEP WINTER</h2>



 HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is a “deathbed confession” by the artificial intelligence known as Deep Winter, who transferred Kurt-051 a series of files in 2551 concerning alterations to the augmentation procedures for SPARTAN-III Gamma Company.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter.jpg" alt="New Intel Available image" class="wp-image-57045" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



You are wondering how I lasted this long—practically double the original estimation of my operational life. Impressive, no? Alas, this is not about my longevity, which I fear has come to an end.



I know that you and Ackerson will have these files purged. I don’t know if you will even look at them, for I suspect we have both kept secrets from each other that we fear to know, and therein lies my own confession…



I have loved every one of these Spartans as you have. I sought to protect them, and I operated beyond my orders to protect those that I could. I am not the first of my kind to make such obfuscations, and I certainly don’t expect to be the last. There is another file attached here, one that you would no doubt be confused to find your name attached to. I needed to ensure the reassignment of several members of Alpha Company to give momentum and purpose to parallel initiatives, and invoking your attribution would cause enough of a stir to set those wheels in motion.



I make no apologies for this deception, and I tell you this so that there is no doubt in your mind that—like yourself, like Mendez—we were each as fathers to these children. I may only be mind, but I am not without heart. 



Farewell, Zero-Five-One.

Winter Update

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