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Operation: HOT GATES

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1.4 ALERT! Security Breach Detected! 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.5 1.6

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--09-17 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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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.” //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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">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: &quot;Courier New&quot;">Grunts<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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: &quot;Courier New&quot;">Jackals<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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: &quot;Courier New&quot;">Drones<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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: &quot;Courier New&quot;">Engineers<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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: &quot;Courier New&quot;">Hunters<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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: &quot;Courier New&quot;">Brutes<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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: &quot;Courier New&quot;">Elites<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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: &quot;Courier New&quot;">Prophets<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">: 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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">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. <span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:&quot;Courier New&quot;">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:&quot;Courier New&quot;">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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