The Accidental War

The Sangheili/Human-Marionette War, better known as The Accidental War, was a both naval and planet based war between the Human-Sangheili Alliance, the Unggoy, and the Mgalekgolo, against several occupying Fleets of the Marionette Mind (Navy).

Pre-War
The War began thirty six years after the end of the Human-Covenant-Flood War. In those years, the UNSC (United Nations Space Command) of the Earth and the ISE (Imperium of the Sangheili Empire) of Sanghelios had assisted each other greatly in restoring their mutual powers, as they were constantly under threat from Covenant Remnant forces that had spread out to unknown regions of former Covenant Space. During this time, known to the Sangheili as the First Age of Realization, mutual gains and appropriations between the Humans and Sangheili accorded them superior wealth and expansion not seen since the early days of the Human Empire, and the zenith of the Covenant.

Even though neither side was yet at the power they formerly had before the Human-Covenant War, shared technology and several Combined Fleets accorded the two factions a superior military advantage over their enemies, and would come to aid them in the upcoming war. The Human Fleets had become so advanced by now, that most ships larger than a Frigate had adapted Energy Projectors, and the Marathon-Class Cruiser had been upgraded to the MK-II, and given two Plasma Torpedo launchers.

In addition, technologically speaking, the humans had been able to work on plasma technology so much, that they have been able to adapt and magnify its powers beyond even that of the former Covenant, making both human and Sangheili plasma weaponry far superior to that of the Covenant Remnants.

Beginning
The War began in 2592, three years after the famous first transmitted message from the Marionette Fleet of Horrendous Knowledge:

"The Great Speaker once asked us to join him in life. He offered us death and taboo, and so we come to seek our vengeance"

- The Famous transmission from the Fleet of Horrendous Knowledge to the UNSC S-MAC Station London

A number of other transmissions were also received by Human and Sangheili forces, though the most remarkable and ominous of them all was the first. At this time, the Marionette Fleet had been hovering stationary in the Sol System for three years since the message was received, staying close to the gas giant, Jupiter. It numbered just over 200 ships, all practically identical, though minor differences broke them into two types, though neither of them seemed to have any mounted or concealed weaponry on them. During the three years, humans and Sangheili had attempted to repeatedly contact the Marionettes, but every attempt to approach or contact them was thoroughly ignored by the Marionette ships.

It was then in 2592, that the Sangheili and the UNSC decided to attempt a more direct method of approach, which the Sangheili had been pushing for about two years. The Humans eventually agreed because of disturbing reports of at least two other Fleets of similar description to the stationary Fleet had been sighted near both Balaho, the homeworld of the Grunts, and Te, homeworld of the Mgalekgolo. This was the final straw, after three years of unidentified ships and probes being sent across the system, even to places on Earth by the unknown presence, the UNSC conceded to direct methods. In a terrific display of military might, that had quickly repaired itself after 36 years of peace, the humans and Sangheili formed the Combined Fleet of Adamant Hope, numbering approximately 340 human and Sangheili ships. Several days of stalemate ensued, during which time both humans and Sangheili continuously relayed transmissions to the Marionettes, who again seemed to ignore them after issuing a single statement


 * The Fleet of Horrendous Knowledge has a single purpose, if you or any other wish to stand between it and that purpose, do so at your folly:::

First Battle of Jupiter
Date: 2nd July, 2592CE

Area: Jupiter, Sol System

Forces


 * Combined Fleet of Adamant Hope:
 * Assorted Human and Sangheili ships. (These ships had been rapidly assembled, and no formal record of their amassing exists)


 * Marionette Fleet of Horrendous Knowledge
 * 100 Hollow-Class Carriers
 * 200 Enlightened-Class Destroyers

Commanders

Sangheili: Supreme Commander Dtar ‘Zealonf

Human: Admiral Lord George Hood</span

Marionette: Grand Mastermind Erunus Mio

Outcome

Pyrrhic Human-Sangheili Victory, Marionette defeat

The Battle

It is not known who fired the first shot, but at 13:32 on the 2nd of July, 2592CE, the Allied and Marionette Fleets engaged each other in a very close and vicious naval battle that eventually ended in a Pyrrhic victory for the Human-Sangheili Fleet. The Combined Fleet had been caught off guard by the manner in which Marionette ships engaged enemies, and by how they were defended.

The Combined Fleet had gone about usual tactics employed by Humans and Sangheili, creating a formation from which they could concentrate fire on the more defencively aligned Marionette vessels. Human MAC rounds hit home, but to their surprise did near nothing to the hulls of the enemy ships. The Sangheili at the same time attempted to barrage the ships with Plasma Torpedoes, but much to the horror of the Combined Fleet, almost all of the Torpedoes stopped in mid-flight, and turned back on the allied ships. Several of the torpedoes had made it through however, and caused some amount of dispersion among the Marionette ranks.

The Combined Fleet tried everything they could; Archer missiles, Plasma Torpedoes, all forms of projectiles aside from the MAC Cannons near always were seemingly caught in mid-flight and sent back. Energy Projectors, Lasers and MAC Cannons made it through, but Plasma weaponry was the only thing that ensured a decent amount of damage, MAC rounds having to be fired several times to punch a firm hole. In the mean time, smaller human and Sangheili ships were reported to be spontaneously exploding or being incapacitated by an unknown phenomenon.

During the Battle, two transmissions were received, but were only translated along with a third message received after the battle, around 17:27. In chronological order they were:


 * Why do you fight us? Do you seek to aid in his taboo?


 * Cease you assault now, or our purpose here is all for naught!


 * He will come for you, if he hasn’t already, and your thoughts will dwell upon your failure to see what we offered to you; salvation from assimilation, and safety from his lies

The Battle ended 14:16, the 2nd of July 2592, when unexpectedly the Marionette Fleet of Horrendous Knowledge fled the system via Slipspace with 13 casualties, including 11 destroyed ships and 2 with significant damage.

The Combined Fleet suffered a total 67 casualties; 43 destroyed and 24 internally disabled.

The War
Communications practically ceased between the two sides after the First Battle of Jupiter, 2592CE, only several random transmissions were ever received from the Marionette Fleets again for the next 11 years. Near to no transmissions were sent from the Allied front to the Marionettes, as it seemed that the Marionettes never heeded them.

In just under a year, both the Unggoy and the Mgalekgolo joined the Sangheili and humans, fearing the Fleets that hovered around their systems that had allegedly done such tremendous damage to the Human-Sangheili Combined Fleet of Adamant Hope.

More Marionette Fleets were found over the galaxy, in and around the former Covenant Empire, but mostly around occupied planets of Humans and former Covenant Species. The most significant battles are noted below.

The Second Battle of Sanghelios
Date: 29th September, 2592CE

Area: Sanghelios, Urs System

Forces


 * Sangheili: The Vanguard Fleet ( Approximated ) 500
 * 100 assorted Carriers
 * 200 assorted medium and heavy Destroyers and Cruisers
 * 200 assorted light ships and defence platforms


 * Marionettes: The Fleet of Righteous Intent ( Approximated) 350
 * 150 Hollow-Class Carriers
 * 200 Enlightened-Class Destroyers)

Commanders

Sangheili: Fleet Master Simu ‘Vithosi

Marionettes: Mind Uhumius Dez

Outcome

Mutual Naval Defeat

Sangheili Ground Victory

The Battle

The Battle began at an unspecified time, though it is known that the Sangheili made the first move. The Marionette Fleet of Righteous Intent had Slipped in into the Urs System, the native system of the Sangheili. It held position and slowly advanced across space towards the planet Sanghelios, launching probes and scout ships as it did so. The Sangheili High Council convened for several days, eventually deciding that the most strategically sound tactic would be for Vanguard Fleet would defend the planet, rather than meet the Marionettes head on in open space.

Several kilometres from the Vanguard Fleet’s kill zone, the Marionettes once again sent out the same message they had sent to the S-MAC station London. This time however, the Fleet began to diverge from the planet, and split into two, one going around the planet to the one side, and the other to the other. The Sangheili Fleet Master, Simu ‘Vithosi, had reportedly believed this to be a divide and conquer tactic by the adversary Fleet; thusly ordered his ships to attack before the Marionettes could set up their positions against the planet.

The Marionette Fleet had been taken by surprise, several of their vessels had taken serious hits from the first shots from Sangheili Energy Projectors. Upon shifting towards the Planet, Enlightened-Class Destroyers shifted ahead towards to the Fleet as approximately five Hollow-Class Carriers forced their way to the surface. The Naval battle concluded with over 80% casualties to the Sangheili forces, including about 30% destroyed, and the Marionettes suffering 60% casualties.

A number of land battle had taken place, one especially bloody battle had taken place around the Sanghelios War College in the Iruiru region, where a Sangheili army had fought off superior numbers of Marionette forces. The battle had become so brutal, that swordsmen had run in, plasma grenades thrown everywhere, Marionette dolls flying in pieces along with their masters, Plasma rifles were strewn across the battle field next to their former wielders, and the surrounding buildings of the College had been effectively leveled to the ground. The battle was taxing, but eventually the Marionettes retreated.

The Battle lasted approximately six hours, and ended with the Vanguard Fleet lying practically in ruin, and the Marionette Fleet being expertly pulverized, retreating after sufficient ground forces had retreated from the planet. Sanghelios itself had only been grazed by the land attack, seemingly the Marionette forces had not expected what they found on the planet’s surface, the Sangheili were a fierce and warrior attributed people.

First Battle of the Tala System
Date: 23rd March, 2594CE

Area: Tala System (Unggoy home system)

Forces

Combined Human-Sangheili-Unggoy forces (Total 179 vessels)


 * Sangheili Fleet of Profound Realization:
 * 13 Assault Carriers
 * 34 CCS-Battlecruisers
 * 22 Destroyers
 * 13 cruisers


 * Human Beta Force Fleet:
 * 15 Marathon-Class Cruisers
 * 45 UNSC Frigates
 * 2 UNSC Prowlers
 * 16 UNSC Adapters


 * Balaho Defence Force:
 * 1 Assault Carrier
 * 5 CCS-Battlecruisers
 * 13 Cruisers


 * Marionette Fleet of Particular Decision (Total approximated 350 ships)
 * 100 Hollow-Class Carriers
 * 200 Enlightened-Class Destroyers

Commanders

Sangheili: Supreme Commander Yimr ‘Watronir

Human: Admiral Geoffrey Whitcomb

Unggoy: Captain Gipgid

Marionette: Mind Uphemia Him

Outcome

Marionette Victory, Human-Sangheili-Unggoy retreat

The Battle

The Battle in and on itself was initially an accident. Following the reports of one of the unknown fleets reappearing by the Unggoy homeworld of Balaho, a Combined Fleet of Humans, Sangheili and a small Unggoy force set out to scout the nearby planets. At 09:57, standard Greenwich Earth time, on the 23rd of March, the UNSC Beta Force Fleet intercepted a lone Enlightened-Class Destroyer. The Destroyer quickly attacked, crushing the UNSC Frigate Armour Plated, destroying it instantly.

The Destroyer was engaged and destroyed, but to the horror of the human Fleet, the remaining Fleet sped to the battlefield from a nearby moon. Calling for help, the Fleet of Profound Realization and the Unggoy Defence Force exited Slipspace in the battlefield, and led a coordinated spearhead maneuver to the still forming up Fleet of Particular Decision.

The Battle ended in just under 2 hours; realizing the superior numbers of the Marionette forces, the Sangheili and Human Fleet escaped into Slipspace after the Sangheili Fleet Master ordered a tactical retreat as his Flagship, the Honourable Decision, rammed itself into a Marionette Hollow-Class Carrier. The Flagship had upon it a human nuclear bomb, not as potent as the NOVA bomb, but still it should have annihilated a force of several hundred ships. As the remnants of the Combined Fleet exited Slipspace over a specified rendezvous vector in a former human colonial system, they believed the enemy Fleet to have been destroyed. Unfortunately they were direly mistaken. A single human Marathon-Class Cruiser exited Slipspace in the same vector just a few minutes after the main body of the Fleet did. Apparently it had been internally disabled and drifted away from the main battle, however it managed to re-link the Slipspace drive and make it to the rendezvous point. It relayed a disturbing truth; the Marionette fleet had survived the nuclear blast with seemingly no casualties, merely a number of charred armour.

The Marionettes had lost a total of 31 casualties, unknown numbers destroyed or damaged.

The Combined Fleet had lost a total of 46 ships, 14 destroyed, including the Sangheili Flagship Honourable Decision before the hasty retreat.

No communications had taken place from either side to the other had taken place during the battle.

Third Battle of Earth


Date: 1st May, 2595CE

Area: Earth, Sol System

Forces

Initially Human vs. Marionette, later Sangheili involvement


 * Human:
 * 3rd Fleet
 * Gamma Force Fleet
 * 8th Fleet
 * Emergency Aggression Fleet
 * 300 Mark.VI S-MAC Stations.


 * Sangheili
 * The Fleet of Decisive Judgment


 * Marionette
 * The Fleet of Vengeful Justice

Commanders

Sangheili: Fleet Mistress Yamn ‘Zealonf

Human: Admiral Lord George Hood

Marionette: Mind Afajus Cuu

Outcome

Human-Sangheili victory, near total destruction of the Marionette Fleet, and the human Home Forces

Change in the Marionette strategy: Unlike almost all previous encounters, the Marionettes had started this battle, and brought it directly to the Allies

The Battle

This battle, was one of the strangest occurrences to the Allied forces. At approximately 11:00 Hours, standard Greenwich Earth time, the UNSC probes on the moon of Io, traced a Slipspace disturbance. Believing that like the First Battle of Earth an enemy Fleet was now either under attack or about to be engaged, Lord Terrence Hood assembled the surrounding Home Fleet to a perimetre in front of the S-MAC stations (It is worthy to note that S-MAC Stations had been upgraded to fire super accelerated Plasma cartridges by this point). He also called in the Emergency Aggression Fleet from the Harvest System, which would arrive approximately 6 hours into the battle.

3 Hours after the alert, several S-MAC platforms and defending vessels had reported enemy ships on their scanners. The AI Artemis of the MAC Platform Munich evaluated it to be a Marionette force, and relayed how many ships there were to Lord Hood who was present on the Baghdad Station.

It was at this point that the UNSC informed the ISE, however many thought that it would not do much good.

Without warning, the Marionette Fleet spearheaded its way towards the Earth defence line, sending several waves of Slipspace Pods into several of the stations. Human defenders were caught off guard, unaware at the time that the Marionettes had such accurate and small Slipspace technology at their disposal. Several stations were lost in the first hour of the battle, Marionette forces engaging the human defenders and battling their way towards the control centres before mysteriously leaving.

The Marionette ships at the time were being held off by the several Fleets accorded to the Earth defence, however after the first hour, the Enlightened-Class Destroyers began to push through. This marked the beginning of a dire and bloody battle, as they came closer and closer to the MAC platforms, each one that came within range of the alien vessels was disabled directly from their control centres.

Lord Hood immediately figured out what they had done, but it was too late, within mere minutes an entire section of the MAC-platform grid was floating limply over the Earth. The Marionette Destroyers then began to form, creating a large perimetre around the disabled defenses, as Hollow-Class Carriers began to lumber towards the Earth.

On Earth, the Marine Corps and UNSC army had mounted incredible defenses, using large Plasma AA-Batteries borrowed from the Sangheili, many of the larger cities on Earth were able to fend off the majority of Marionette forces before they touched ground. However it was at this point that the Marionettes sent a transmission


 * Your Impeding of our noble cause has gone on long enough! I, Mind Afujus Cuu, shall rend you from this galaxy once and for all!

Multiple attempts to send messages back were tried and ignored, as the Marionette forces began their land invasion. The Marionette land forces were incredibly well coordinated, but what made them truly terrifying, was what they brought with them. In several sites where Marionette ships had landed, reports of giant insect-like creatures rampaging across the world began to flood into UNSC High command, which itself was under attack.

With the legions of Marionettes came a product of their biotechnological engineering capabilities. Gigantic creatures with six legs, numerous whip-like tails, and a roar that would put a Mgalekgolo to shame, these huge green beasts smashed human resistance, and lead the way to advancing alien legions.

Meanwhile, in space the battle was closing to a stalemate, the surrounding S-MAC platforms were able to barrage the perimetre of the Marionette lines, and the surrounding fleets, now including the Emergency Aggression Fleet, pounded away at the seemingly unstoppable alien lines. At approximately 19:30 hours, a Sangheili Fleet Slipped near Earth about 30 miles outside of the battle zone, sending a brief message to the MAC-Station Baghdad.


 * This is the ISE Fleet of Decisive Judgment under the direction of Fleet Mistress Yamn ‘Zealonf. All cruisers, fire at will!


 * This is the Orbital MAC station Baghdad. Music to my ears, Fleet Mistress, welcome to the fray

Engaging in a Pincer-Movement, the Sangheili fleet broke a significant hole in the Marionette forces, trapping them between Human defenders and Sangheili assault ships, as numerous Carriers swarmed toward the Earth.

Once upon the Earth, the Carriers began to drop armies of Sangheili, Unggoy and Mgalekgolo, deploying much needed reinforcements and armour, including Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platforms (Scarab Tanks), which did successful battle against the large insectoid walkers employed by the Marionettes.. Already weakened from their battle with the thoroughly entrenched human defenders, the Marionettes all over the planet did not expect to be enclosed between humans and ISE forces.

The Third Battle of Earth ended with the near annihilation of the Marionette Fleet. After sustaining heavy losses from numerous poundings from both sides, the remaining 15-20 ships entered Slipspace to an unknown vector after scooping up as many of their ground forces as possible.

The battle was costly on both sides, it was suspected that the Marionette Flagship had been destroyed and its Commander killed, but the state of the Earth left after the assault was utterly devastating. Not only had much of the Home Fleet been annihilated, but an entire section of the orbital MAC platform grid had been ripped asunder from the inside out. Lord George Hood remarked on the Battle:


 * If it were not for the greater threat of these Marionettes, I suspect we would be overthrown by our allies, and we would have little at our disposal to stop them with. That’s probably my father talking, the Elites have proven our greatest allies since the Covenant War, but you know… you never truly know someone as well as you think

The Third Battle of Sanghelios


Date: 6th July, 2596CE

Area: Sanghelios, Urs System

Forces

ISE-Sangheili, Unggoy, Mgalekgolo, and the 54th ODST Regiment vs. Marionette Fleet of Truth and Judgment, and ground forces.


 * Sangheili
 * Vanguard Fleet
 * Fleet of the Arbiter’s Valour
 * Fleet of Benign Intent (Slipped in during the battle)
 * 130 Ground-to-Space Plasma Cannons


 * Human
 * 54th ODST Regiment


 * Marionette
 * Fleet of Truth and Judgment

Commanders

The Arbitrator, Imperial Admiral V’thi Raman

Field Captain Arthur Mont

Mind Elophia Riz

Outcome

Near Destruction of the Sanghelios Vanguard Fleet. Eventual Marionette tactical retreat.

Blow to the Sangheili Honour, makes the next seven years of war even more bloody

The Battle

The Battle began as strangely as it had for Earth. The Vanguard Fleet of Sanghelios is reported to have been on it routine patrol, its Plasma defence grid fashioned from the human concept, and adapted to Sangheili liking, was positioned over the on Sanghelios. Not as numerous as those over Earth, however the Vanguard Fleet was more numerous than the Earth Home Fleet.

At an unspecified time to the UNSC, a Marionette Fleet Slipped in over Sanghelios, ships of the Fleet appearing in and between the Vanguard Fleet without warning. Taken by surprise, the Vanguard Fleet hurried to form up around the invading Marionette vessels. The Marionette Fleet on the other hand, had already Slipped directly into formation, and had proceeded to land their armies onto Sanghelios, surrounding the Capital City, and taking out several of the Ground-to-Space Cannons.

Terrestrial defenders engaged Marionette armies in and around the city, Scarab Tanks waged titanic duels against the Marionette insect walkers, as Sangheili, Unggoy and Mgalekgolo lead concentrated efforts on exposed Marionette attackers. The terrain worked beautifully to the defenders advantage, Sanghelios being primarily a flat and desert-like planet, the Marionettes had no choice but to advance in plain sight, making them easy targets for Sangheili and human ODST snipers. The Walkers battle went somewhat differently. The Scarab tanks were not only outnumbered, but the Marionettes seemed to have them tactically outmaneuvered.

In space, the battle was becoming dire, the Vanguard Fleet was having vast trouble getting into formation, where as the Marionette Fleet had already been able to infiltrate and disable many of the surprised vessels.

Approximately 30 minutes into the battle, the Arbitrator’s personal Fleet, the Fleet of Benign Intent slipped in over Sanghelios. Utilizing a full frontal assault, the newly arrived Fleet unleashed a barrage of fire upon the undefended rear of the Marionette Fleet, causing it to momentarily break. Seizing the opportunity, the Vanguard Fleet formed a perimetre around the Marionette Fleet and began its own barrage, closing in upon the reforming enemy Fleet.

Down on the Planet, around 3 hours into battle, the newly arrived Fleet had been thus far unable to land any troops until two Assault Carriers, one carrying the Arbitrator himself, managed to penetrate passed the Marionette formation and encircle the Capital City.

Deploying surges of Phantoms, the Arbitrator and survivors of the High Council decided that the best option would be to extract as many ground forces as possible, and obliterate the entire area.

With a heavy heart, the Arbitrator gave the order, and within a minute of the Phantoms returning, the Capital City, and all of its surrounding attackers were crushed under the power of the two Assault Carrier’s Gravity Lifts. It was about this time that the Marionettes sent a transmission to the Imperial Admiral V’thi ‘Raman’s flagship:


 * You fight with fervor, and act with haste. You destroy your own city merely to rid yourself of us. You’re more like the Forerunner than like the Speakers

Moments later, the Marionette Fleet, suffering only 2-3 confirmed destroyed ships escaped into Slipspace, the Sangheili forces too battered to follow.

Suffering shattering losses to the Vanguard Fleet, and the loss of about 40% of the Capital City defenders, this was a bitter loss for the Sangheili, and the ODST’s. Vengeance would be sworn on this day.

The Battle of Te


Date: 28th December, 2600CE

Area: Svir System

Forces


 * Sangheili
 * Fleet of Imperial Victory
 * Fleet of Decisive Judgment


 * Human
 * Theta-Force Fleet
 * 8th Fleet
 * Delta-Force Fleet


 * Mgalekgolo
 * Te Defense Fleet (Ships supplied by the ISE)
 * Fleet of Exacting
 * Fleet of Hope
 * Fleet of Divinity


 * Marionette
 * Fleet of Horrendous Knowledge
 * Fleet of Particular Decision
 * Remnants of The Fleet of Vengeful Justice

Commanders

Sangheili: Imperial Admiral V’thi ‘Raman and Fleet Mistress Yamn ‘Zealonf

Human: Admiral G. Montgomery, Vice Admiral H. Denver, and Vice Admiral R. Hingley

Grand Mastermind Erunus Mio, and Mind Uphemia Him

Outcome

The single largest space battle of the war, the Battle of Te marked as one of the single most heated and sacrificial battles for the UNSC, the ISE, and their allies, and one of the largest assaults by the Marionette Fleets.

Eventual Stalemate

The Battle

The Battle began near the Lekgolo homeworld of Te, which lies in the Svir system. A Combined Fleet of humans and Sangheili had assembled in the system to design a search-and-destroy plan on the Marionette forces, based on their last intended vectors, which had once again been around several Unggoy owned planets.

The meeting of the combined Fleet took part several parsecs away from the Lekgolo homeworld. Merely 10 minutes after the Fleets had met, a large Marionette force broke from Slipspace several hundred kilometres from the conferring Fleet’s kill-zone.

Taking near immediate notice, the Sangheili and Human Fleets began to form up a line against the rapidly inbound Marionette hoard. The Sangheili Super-Carrier Projected Reasoning, the meeting place of the Sangheili and Human Admiralty, and the Sangheili Flagship, received a message of sorts. Instead of the usual transmission, all of the crew upon the Flagship heard what they report as “a deep, resonating, melodious voice” speak into their minds, accompanied by one that was “softer and more light spoke”, and was also described to be a female voice:


 * Ahh, now we see! You plot against us! Against our grand design!


 * It is against us that you develop your plans, when against the speaker we directed our vengeance


 * But now, your interference is unacceptable! The Forerunner had more sense than you, and the Speaker had more than enough of them!


 * We must remove you to proceed onto his destruction, we are sincerely sorry for this, however you have brought upon yourselves this folly when you interrupted our great work

The cryptic message was documented by the Admiralty, however its meaning and logic at the time was questionable.

The battle however, had already begun, the Vanguard ships of each side had engaged each other, and desperately tried to force the other back. Through their superior durability and knowledge of the allied forces ship designs, the Marionette Combined Fleet was able to cut a deep hole into the middle of the Allies. Sensing what was coming, Imperial Admiral V’thi ‘Raman ordered his Battlecruisers to form a semi-circle formation over the upper half of the Marionette forces. In a deft and clever display of power, around 40-55 Battlecruisers unleashed a continuous barrage of energy projectors onto the enemy ships. Several of the Marionette ships seemed to be incapacitated, and their formation began to divide. Seizing the opportunity, the Human Fleets began the classic human “hammer” formation, concentrating all of their larger ships to the centre and firing continuously ahead.

Bloodied but not beaten, the Marionettes recovered quickly, utilizing a previously unseen tactic. To the utter horror of the Allied fleets, entire ships, broken or disabled began to hurtle into them indiscriminately, knocking and breaking ships upon impact, as their usual onslaught of telekinetically crushing vessels continued.

The Imperial Admiral and Admiral Montgomery wracked their minds for a solution to this, until finally Vice Admiral Hingley and Fleet Mistress Yamn ‘Zealonf proposed something. Taking the idea as the only thing they had at the moment, the Admiralty ordered the Fleets to take up defencive formations. In a shocking display of desperation, the Allied Fleet unleashed waves of fighters and drop ships, swarming the Marionette ships while the Fleets themselves kept up a barrage to occupy the Marionette defenders. Utilizing the same tactic Covenant forces had done during the First Battle of Earth, human and Sangheili forces deployed onto Marionette ships, leaving several Anti-Matter bombs within each one they boarded.

Once again the Marionette vessels seemed to break formation in panic, as the Allied vessels began to set up various formations to confuse and derange the enemy as they regrouped. After 7 hours of fighting, neither side showed any sign of giving up, the Marionette Fleets remained stubbornly intent on the Allied Fleet’s destruction, and the UNSC-ISE Combined Fleets remained steadfast the same. At approximately this time, records show that three Mgalekgolo Fleets, the Fleets of Exacting, Hope and Divinity appeared from Slipspace.

The battle lasted a total of 23 hours, both sides engaged in new, more flexible strategies that seemed to be undone by the other side as they too adapted eagerly. In the end the supremacy of marionette technology and unified attempts were stalemated by the Allies superior numbers and numerous strategic formations. At this time, the Marionette Combined Fleet entered Slipspace, as the Allied Admiralty also began to consider retreat. The Sangheili had been against it however, as they still raged with anger over their previous losses, Yamn ‘Zealonf especially embittered by the Death of her Father two years prior.

Destruction of Installation 02


Date: October 15th, 2603CE

Area: Installation 02

Forces


 * Sangheili
 * Fleet of Decisive Judgment


 * Human
 * Delta Force Fleet


 * Marionette
 * Fleet of Horrendous Knowledge

Commanders

Sangheili: Fleet Mistress Yamn ‘Zealonf

Human: Admiral Lord George Hood

Marionette: Grand Mastermind Erunus Mio

Outcome

Beginning of Peace talks

The Battle

The Battle was never really a battle of sorts, it was more simply a naval meeting. In the early hours of October 15th, standard Greenwich time, the ISE Fleet of Decisive Judgment and the Human Delta-Force Fleet found and attempted to engage the Marionette Fleet of Horrendous Knowledge, which had been found holding position over a gaseous nebula. As though they had already been seen, the Marionette Fleet escaped the Allied Fleets into Slipspace. Giving chase, the Allied Fleets followed the Marionette Slipspace trail. Exiting several hours later, the two Fleets came across an equally surprising and dreadful sight. The Marionette Fleet had deployed itself around a Halo Ring, the entire Fleet forming a perimetre around the inactive Galactic annihilator. At the same time however, the Ring itself was doing something peculiar; as if being grasped by a giant invisible hand, the ring world was being crushed, it splintered and snapped under some invisible force, eventually grinding and glowing with a warm orange as its pieces set alight.



Feeling it best to find out what was going on, the two Fleets stayed on the opposing side of the Gas Giant the former Installation orbited, and deployed multiple drones and a single UNSC Prowler. Approximately 45 minutes later, the prowler returned, accompanied by a Forerunner Monitor Construct, and several of its Sentinels. The Monitor, upon being questioned, introduced itself:


 * Greeting! I am 7 Aberrant Synapse, Monitor of… they destroyed my ring! The Decipius Inferi, how could they!? A simple activation of the array would have subjugated the local infestation!

In short, the Monitor explained that 50 years prior, the Flood had awakened and began assaulting his Sentinels. For those 50 years, the Monitor had attempted to contain them, however it had no means of activating the Ring. He also explained that the Marionettes attempted to remove him from the Ring, but he turned his Sentinels on them when they explained that they were going to destroy the Installation. Subsequently they retreated to their vessels and began to tear apart the Fortress World.

After contemplating this, and relaying several messages to the UNSC HIGHCOM and the ISE High Council, it was deduced that the Marionette’s true intention had bee the elimination of the Flood all along.

To test this theory, numerous transmissions on all frequencies were dispatched to the Marionette Fleet, explaining about the events of Installation 00, the Ark, that had occurred 50 years ago. Unlike previous transmissions, the Marionettes replied, thoroughly interested in hearing about the event.

Aftermath of the “Accidental War”


The Negotiations began swiftly and promptly. Inviting the Grand Mastermind, Erunus Mio and his Commanders to Earth, the Sangheili Arbitrator, Imperial Admiral, several Fleet Masters and High Councilors, and the UNSC HIGHCOM began discussions of negotiating peace on the 3rd November 2603CE.

The Marionette Commanders first considered the opening statements of the UNSC and ISE. They seemed surprised that their three years, unannounced presence over several of their worlds had been the primary cause for their direct actions against them.

The Grand Mastermind then explained the Marionettes perspective. Several Millennia ago, an extra-galactic threat had forced them from the Milky Way Galaxy to defend their homeworld. Realizing the Forerunner were suffering from the same affliction, the Marionettes entered a seemingly endless war that finished in Marionette victory approximately 100,000 years ago. Unfortunately, approximately 55 years prior, the same enemy began to speak to them, taunting them to come and fight him, this being known by the Marionettes as “The Great Speaker”.

The Marionettes had however, remained at peace for many centuries, so had few Fleets that they could spare to a War. When enough ships were assembled and armed, the Marionettes drove into the Milky Way on a search and destroy mission to find and kill the Great Speaker, who had mysteriously remained quite.

Human and Sangheili interference with their designs had not been anticipated. The Marionettes followed the Great Speaker through mental patterns, however these seemed to be reverberating from all over the Orion arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. Splitting their Combined Fleet, they searched over the planets with the strongest reverberations.

(It was later found that they had been following mixed brain patterns from assimilated species by the Flood. As such, near ever planet or area they searched actually belonged to humans, Sangheili, Jiralhanae, and various other species that had come into contact with the Flood)

Because of increased interference by the UNSC and ISE, several of the Marionette Commanders had suggested that they remove them first before carrying out their grand design.



Negotiations continued for several months, ending for the most part quite well. Formal apologies were made on both sides, even though several bitter feelings remained.

Terms of the Peace Negotiations :


 * 1) All Vincicitum Fleets are to keep well within the laws and parameters of UNSC, ISE, and Allied space directions.


 * 1) The Vincicitum Invasionary Task Force is permitted to patrol within and outside of Allied Territory for traces of Flood infection for as long as they require so long as guidelines are adhered to.


 * 1) Allied Fleets are not permitted to interfere in Vincicitum affairs. All Vincicitum aberrations against or intended against Allied guidelines will be dealt with by the UNSC HIGHCOM, and the ISE High Council.


 * 1) Attempts at trade, negotiation, or transmission must be adhered to, and all Codes of War as dictated by the UNSC and ISE are in effect within the confines of the Milky Way Galaxy.


 * 1) Assistance to Vincicitum Fleets is prohibited except under direct order of HIGHCOM, or the ISE Government, as agreed to and adhered to by the Vincicitum Invasionary Task Force


 * 1) Any and all Prisoners of War, regardless of their state, shall henceforth be released from custody of their apprehenders and be returned to their respective territories. This is to be adhered to within one month of the agreement.


 * 1) Flood Forms found by the Vincicitum Invasionary Task Force shall be liable to the Vincicitum Command. All breakouts of Flood Infection must be appropriately dealt with in one of the following fashions:
 * 2) Plasma designated Energy Projector “Glassing” by ISE or UNSC Forces
 * 3) Orbital Plasma Cartridge MAC Bombardment by UNSC or ISE Forces
 * 4) Orbital Telekinetic Obliteration of the Area by the Vincicitum Invasionary Task Force.



A formal Alliance was proposed and made within 2 years of the wars ending. The Marionette Invasionary Task Force remained in the Milky Way Galaxy until the year 2634CE.

To the ISE, this new peace ushered in the 1st Age of Understanding.