"The war with the Covenant was the most devastating war that we as species have ever fought, but at least the Elites gave us a hand; and thank god for that. I can't believe it's finally over." Commander-in-Chief of Army Special Operations (ARSOC) General Urban Holland being interviewed by a Colonial News Network reporter, circa May 28th 2553. The Great War of 2525-53, known to the Covenant as the The War of Vain Attrition, was a interstellar conflict that happened between February 11th, 2525 to March 3rd, 2553, nearly spanning three decades.