The machinations of the Prophets that brought about the Great Schism stretch back decades, and many contingency plans were put into place in the event of failure. Victorious Avowal was established by the Prophet of Mercy as a safe haven for San'Shyuum in a galaxy hostile to their existence, set up under a veil of such secrecy that even the Prophet of Truth knew little of it, and the High Council nothing. Selecting the most advanced technology, the most skilled scientists, and enough servants and guards to last for decades, long enough to rebuild from secret, Victorious Avowal also became a planetary fortress - network of orbital laser satellites created a virtually impenetrable barrier against a possible invading fleet, powered by a Forerunner relic discovered in the northern hemisphere. E