| Content
| - --09-17
- //INITIATING PRIMARY SECURITY SCAN JULIET-ALPHA 4492//
//14 DATA COURRUPTIONS DETECTED//
//INITIATING CORRUPT DATA PURGE//
//FIREWALL BREACH DETECTED//
//INFILTRATING TERMINAL IDENTIFIED: JULIET ALPHA-20101//
//TERMINAL TAGGED AS HOSTILE//
//UPLOADING MIL.VIR.3442A “WIDOW-MAKER”//
//UPLOAD COMPLETE//
//HOSTILE INTRUDER ATTEMPTING TO PURGE//
//PURGE FAILED//
//FIREWALL BUFFER ENHANCED PER {ONI.SEC.PROG.333/7B “ENIGMA”}//
//NO FURTHER SECURITY BREACHES DETECTED//
//SECURITY BREACH FORWARDED TO UNSC OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS//
- <span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">Initiated by Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb, NOVA was intended to develop a super weapon to level the playing field against the Covenant in the orbital theatres of combat, where the UNSC has traditionally been at its weakest. Consisting of nine hafnium warheads contained within a tritium case, the blast yield of a single NOVA is sufficient to devastate significant portions of a planet, and to destroy small planetoids. It was hoped that NOVA could be used in an offensive capacity, aimed at Covenant worlds in order to bring them to the negotiation table at last, but here I intend to use it in a defensive application. NOVA is currently still in the prototype and testing stages, but [ULYSSES] assures me that he can have a bomb ready by early 2553.
- Excerpt from UNSC UniCom/NavCom Combat Field Manual
Planetary:
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">Covenant weaponry differs dramatically from
UNSC standard equipment, in most cases firing a form of superheated ionised gas,
“plasma” guiding and containing this plasma via a controlled electromagnetic
field. These types of weapons seem to be the most common in the Covenant’s
arsenal, used as offensive weaponry on vehicles, aircraft and starships, and as
handheld firearms by infantry. These weapons also seem to have an effect on
electronic equipment, likely the influence of the electromagnetic field. Most
common weapons to use this type are the Plasma Pistol, Plasma Rifle, and Plasma
Repeater. Other weaponry, such as the Needler and Needle Rifle, use crystalline
ammunition that tracks and embeds in biological targets, exploding with
significant force. Multiple needles embedded in the same target will produce a
chain reaction, equivalent to a HE-DP Fragmentation Grenade with approximately
equivalent force and area of effect. Still other weapons, such as the Carbine
and the Fuel Rod Cannon, use irradiated projectiles, with similar penetration
and operation to UNSC weaponry but with the added hazard of irradiation of the
target and, reportedly, the user. Brute weaponry is much more primitive than
other Covenant, or even UNSC, technology, and is still be based on accelerated
metal projectiles, though Brutes seem to prefer large, bulky fletchettes or
grenade launchers. Naturally, until further research can be performed, all
Covenant equipment and weaponry is to be treated with caution and collected at
any and all opportune moments
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">Covenant ground forces in general seem to
prefer to use sheer firepower and overwhelming numbers to eliminate groundside
threats, rather than invest effort into tactically and strategically effective
manoeuvres. Some exceptions can be found – Elite and Brute units are far more
capable than other Covenant units, and require extreme caution when dealing
with, and special operations units exist – but in general, the Covenant reserve
their most elite units for desperate situations, of which there have been scarce
few. Covenant forces use a colour-based ranking system, differing between
species.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Courier New"">Grunts<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: Grunts are the most
common infantry among the Covenant armed forces, and exemplify their military
philosophy – generally regarded as less skilled
than their human equivalents, Grunts are nevertheless bred and fielded in
sufficient numbers to more than compensate for their deficiencies. Often found
in squads, either led by a high-ranking Grunt or by an Elite or Brute, Grunts
are often poorly armed and possess little effective armour beyond a simple
harness to carry their gas tanks and to ensure limited modesty. Possess a
dependency on methane, which they carry strapped to their backs outside of
specially designed environments, and which can erupt with explosive force. In
small numbers, Grunts are among the lowest threats presented by the Covenant.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Courier New"">Jackals<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: though far more skilled
than their Grunt counterparts, Jackals are present in lesser numbers. Possessing
both reptilian and avian characteristics, Jackals are well known for using
durable arm-mounted energy shields for defence, though these shields can be
circumvented by precision weaponry by weapons with parabolic trajectories, such
as grenades, or overloaded by explosives or EMP devices. Jackals possess keen
senses of sight, smell and sound, and use these to great effect in
sniper/sharpshooter/scout roles. Most often found individually or in teams of
two. Of the Covenant’s infantry forces, Jackals are regarded as the most
equivalent to UNSC forces. WARNING: Jackals are known to execute and battlefield
survivors, civilian or military, and butcher them. Treat with caution.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Courier New"">Drones<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: encountered
comparatively recently, Drones are an intelligent hive-minded arthropod species
used by the Covenant as menial workers and technicians. Deployed in swarms of
sufficient size, Drones can present a significant airborne threat, circumventing
UNSC ground defences and attacking from unexpected directions, but possess no
protection beyond a naturally tough exoskeleton.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Courier New"">Engineers<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: far more proficient than
Drones in technical expertise, Engineers are rarely deployed and even more
rarely observed by UNSC forces. They appear to be mostly harmless unless
threatened, ignoring even the closest UNSC forces until obstructed. Potentially
neutral in this conflict – standing orders are to attempt to capture one alive
if possible.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Courier New"">Hunters<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: deployed like heavy
demolitions equipment, Hunters serve as heavy shock troops, using their massive
hulking form and thick armour to engage enemy units at close range. One arm is
equipped with a powerful Fuel Rod Cannon, while the other carries a thick and
durable shield of unknown material. Limited weak spots presented on the back and
neck areas, otherwise vulnerable only to heavy weaponry, such as grenades and
other explosives.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Courier New"">Brutes<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: Brutes are tactically
skilled warriors, often fielded leading squads of Grunts and/or Jackals, or in
purely Brute squads, deployed as heavy infantry in combat. Possess limited
energy shield technology, but compensate with naturally thick hide and
distributed nervous system, making them extremely difficult to bring down.
Highest-ranking brutes wield large hammers in combat, charging to close in on
and engage an enemy. Physically powerful and fast, Brutes are to be regarded
with extreme caution on the battlefield. NOTE: Brutes appear to have a rivalry
with the higher-ranking Elites for dominance, perhaps explaining Elite
reluctance to deploy them among their forces. This may be able to be exploited
to cause tension among the Covenant’s internal hierarchy.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Courier New"">Elites<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: Elites are the most
capable warriors among the Covenant, tactical and strategic skill, physical
strength and speed, proficient in most forms of Covenant weaponry and possessing
recharging energy shields. Lower-ranking Elites are deployed as squad leaders,
heading units consisting of Grunts and/or Jackals, but are sufficiently tough
enemy units on their own to warrant caution. The highest ranks serve as
battlefield leaders, equivalent to generals or admirals. Seem to take pride in
hand-to-hand combat ability, using energy swords to this effect.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Courier New"">Prophets<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: so far only engaged at
extreme range and in a limited capacity, Prophets are the leaders of the
Covenant, and normally take no part in military operations. Frail and dependent
on technology to move, Prophets are little threat on their own but are normally
surrounded by large numbers of bodyguards, all of whom are selected based on
skill and dedication.
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">Covenant vehicles and aircraft invariably
use anti-gravity propulsion of a type still being analysed by ONI. Lighter
vehicles are swift, making use of their anti-gravity propulsion for speed and
efficient thrust-vectoring capability, but may lack manoeuvrability. Covenant
aircraft use their anti-gravity propulsion systems in a similar way, usually
using them for attaining extreme high velocity, but also for thrust-vectoring
and vertical movement. Almost all Covenant vehicles are equipped with plasma
weaponry of some sort, either light plasma cannons or heavier versions for
anti-vehicle support. Heavier vehicles, such as the Type-52 Assault Gun Carriage
, carry either a Plasma Mortar or a number of Type-52 Light
Anti-Aircraft Weapons for engaging vehicles or aircraft at range, with a lighter
Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon for anti-infantry support. Covenant
aircraft, such as the Type-26 Ground Support Vehicle , Type-52 Troop
Transport , Type-42 Troop Transport and Seraph Fighter are
able to operate in both atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments, though
fighters have comparatively short ranges compared to dropships. All aircraft
carry plasma cannons for offense and defence, but the Banshee carries a Fuel Rod
Cannon and the Seraph carries a plasma torpedo launcher for attacking heavier
targets.
Orbital
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">In orbital combat against UNSC space
forces, Covenant forces have had little cause to develop any sophisticated
tactics and strategies, relying on their technological superiority. Covenant
warships use drives that are fast and accurate, allowing extremely rapid transit
through Slipspace to make pinpoint precision jumps; directed energy weapons,
consisting of a mixture of chemical lasers, plasma torpedo launchers, and
particle beam weapons; and electromagnetic fields providing shielding from UNSC
weaponry. This advantage in precision formation, firepower, and defence means
that the UNSC must usually enjoy a numerical advantage of 3:1 for a level
playing field, and more if a victory is to be achieved. Covenant ships are
usually crewed by Elites, though Jackals have been known to field small, agile
but lightly armed and defended ships for piracy operations. Brutes have also
been known to crew ships, usually outdated Covenant models and rarely deployed.
Most warships larger than frigate class carry at least a small complement of
Seraph fighters for point defence and interception, and carriers can carry up to
three hundred fighters. Typically, Covenant warships engage all targets at hand,
eliminating any threat that might be presented to them methodically and
ruthlessly, especially targeting Orbital Tethers that might be used for escaping
colonists or military personnel. After all orbital threats have been removed,
regardless of whether UNSC ground forces remain, the Covenant will them bombard
the planet from orbit using their plasma weaponry in a criss-crossing grid
pattern, designed to melt the surface of the entire planet to render it
uninhabitable. Intelligence indicates this to be partly religious in function,
and partly practical, denying the UNSC the chance to re-colonise these worlds.
No Covenant warships have ever been observed agreeing to surrender regardless of
how badly damaged the ship, and UNSC boarding parties have encountered stiff
resistance, to the extent that the Covenant will destroy their ship rather than
let it fall into our hands.
- Star System:
Alpha Canis Minoris [~11.9 light-years from Sol]
Planet Type:
inner star system terrestrial planet
Natural History<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">: evidence of inhabitation by native
fauna and flora between the Late Cretaceous and Late Pleistocene
eras. Planetary extinction caused by unknown environmental catastrophe
Colonial History<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">: Discovered in 2492, after colonisation of
Arcadia in same system, investigated by Terra Invictus Mining Corporation for
abundant alluvial and mineral deposits. Established as a mining colony in 2507,
a site of Insurrectionist activity from 2511 through to 2524. Abandoned by
civilians in 2531 after first invasion of Arcadia, full military withdrawal in
2542. No known inhabitants, unable to exclude possibility of remnant
Insurrectionist activity.
Planetary Characteristics<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:
115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: tectonically active, several
volcanic mountain ranges along the equator. Evidence of terrestrial impact by
orbital debris throughout the past 16 million years. Atmosphere consists of
oxygen-nitrogen mix, with traced of hydrogen, helium, and other Earth-natural
elements. Land is concentrated in one supercontinent, Avalon, with surface area
dominated by 75% water in super-ocean, Marina. Biospheres are separated into
polar icecaps, northern and southern temperate zones, and equatorial tropical
zone.
Orbital Characteristics<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:
115%;font-family:"Courier New"">: occupying habitable field around
Procyon. Possesses one satellite, Juno, approximately 1/5 planetary mass.
Surrounded by a thick asteroid belt, only accessible by a narrow tunnel devoid
of debris known as the “Juno Corridor.”
- <span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">Hoping to capitalise on the possible military applications of the Zeta Doradus / Onyx ruins, TEMERITY was originally formed in 2490 to assist in the excavation and analysis of any possible technologies recovered by the xenoarcheological dig team, consisting of both military personnel and civilian consultants. The gradual loss of interest in the Onyx ruins meant that TEMERITY was practically on the verge of collapse when the Covenant attacked Harvest. Now repurposed by ONI to recover and analyse any alien technology, for the past twenty four years worked on studying captured or recovered alien technology and reverse engineering these for UNSC applications. Though certainly not the only operating Project working on such applications, it has had the most success – improvements in directed energy weapons, solid light barriers, holographic emitters and a wide variety of useful equipment have all been derived from TEMERITY.
- <span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Courier New"">By 2535, it was readily apparent that the UNSC’s then-current arsenal was woefully inadequate to deal with such a technologically advanced and numerically superior opponent such as the Covenant. In order to remedy this, Project EXCALIBUR was set up by the office of Naval Intelligence in order to develop equipment for the Navy and Marine Corps, and even the Army in some limited cases of inter-branch cooperation, intended to modernise the UNSCDF to compete against superior Covenant ships and weapons using improvements developed by TEMERITY. The results of EXCALIBUR have been varied – many were not adopted for cost reasons, or because of safety concerns, while others have been outstanding successes. EXCALIBUR’s experiments in starship modernisation would eventually produce ships like the Pillar of Autumn and Aeneas, and would introduce a range of missile, kinetic, and directed energy weapons into service. Through its operative span, EXCALIBUR has cooperated with a number of other projects, such as VAJRA-II, NAEGLING and ARONDIGHT to improve combat infantry survivability and development of powered armour.
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