Inspired by the Siege of Reach and Halo: The Tide of War.
UNITED NATIONS SPACE COMMAND PRIORITY TRANSMISSION
ENCRYPTION CODE: DELTA-ONE
FROM: Codename: MERLIN
TO: Codename: ROBIN HOOD, Codename: CROSSBOW
DATE: JULY 30th, 2552
LOCATION SENT FROM: UNSC Inner Colonies Forces Command HQ, New Alexandra, State of Eposz, Republic of Viery, United Commonwealth of Reach, Epsilon Eridanus System, UN Inner-Rim Colonies
SUBJECT: WINTER Contingency
CLASSIFACTION: EYES ONLY, RECIPENT
/START/
Dear Admiral of the Fleet Lord Terrence Hood and Fleet Admiral Arthur Cross,
As of 08:20 hours July 26th, (Earth time) during a routine search and rescue in Visegrad, SPARTAN Team Noble made contact with an advance team of Covenant ground forces lead by Several Zealots, after which NOBLE ONE [Carter-A259] informed Epsilon Eridanus High Command of this encounter and DEFCON Three was declared, while SPARTAN-A259 recommended to Epsilon Eridanus High Comm to have WINTER Contingency declared for the entire system; but without the evidence of a Covenant invasion force, it was denied. Four days later at 21:00 hours, the UNSC Marathon (CA-020), was on patrol near the Federal Republic of Tribute, when a Covenant light cruiser [CRS-class] exited slipspace, the Marathon promptly engaged the CRS, and said light cruiser destroyed at 21:56 hours, the cruiser may have executed a blind jump as it's defenses were down, the UNSC Marathon took very few casualties and minor damage. Unfortunately the Marathon's cyber warfare AI [VRA-643-9087 "Veronica"] failed to jam the light cruiser's communications array and the cruiser's captain sent a message somewhere in Covenant space. ONI analysts on UNSC September Rain (SS-15) and Reach Gamma Station (SS-7) managed to decrypt and translate a portion of the enemy message.
"The infidels are here, send word to the High Charity to send a fleet here, so we may burn their colonies in the system, for the Holy Covenant and the Great Journey!"
There were a series of coordinates, possibly the Epsilon Eridanus system itself. I've already convinced Epsilon Eridanus High Comm and the colonial governments in the system to begin an immediate evacuation of all civilians and anything needed to keep humanity's infrastructure and economy afloat will be moved to PINDAR and any other secure colonies. All Epsilon Eridanus Defense Force units are being rallied and nearby UNSC units are being rerouted to the defend Reach and the other colonies in the system. The twelve Armored Fighting Brigades equipped with the HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX "Mantis" and Mark VIII "Algolis" Armor Defense Systems have deployed to hold key areas across the entire system. I gave the go ahead for MARSOC Regiment Charlie to defend Halsey's lab from anymore attacks and they are setting up more adequate defenses.
The UNSC Invincible (DN-01) is currently the flagship of the fleet (as well as the battleships and the battlecruisers) that has assembled in the Epsilon Eridanus System. The size of the Epsilon Eridanus Defense Fleet stands at the 450 combat and support vessels. Currently, the Epsilon Eridanus Defense Fleet are now holding position in the system ready to provide cover for evacuation flights. The carriers already in the system will assist in evacuating the other colonies. The UNSC Trafalgar (CVG-01) and the 74th Carrier Task Force will return after receiving refits over Mars and will arrive within the next six to ten hours.
We are trying to evacuate Reach, but there isn't enough ships to get everyone. All refugees are going to be sent to the PINDAR colonies. Furthermore there's a dark zone in and beyond the outskirts of New Volgograd, any teams, satellites, and drones that go in it, lose connection to Epsilon Eridanus HQ. Investigating that dark zone is a top priority.
If the Infinity and Task Force Dakota is ready for combat, send them to Reach as soon as possible, we'll be needing Task Force Dakota's firepower. Admirals, please respond soon, Reach will be under siege soon.
/END/
UNITED NATIONS SPACE COMMAND PRIORITY TRANSMISSION
ENCRYPTION CODE: DELTA-ONE
FROM: Codename: ROBIN HOOD
TO: Codename: MERLIN
DATE: JULY 30th, 2552
LOCATION SENT FROM: UNSC Supreme Headquarters, New York City, NY, United States of America, United Republic of North America, Republic of Earth and Luna, Sol System, UN Core Systems
SUBJECT: Re: WINTER Contingency
CLASSIFACTION: EYES ONLY, RECIPENT
/START/
Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb,
Reach and the rest of the Epsilon Eridanus will and cannot fall under our watch; not while millions of not just our fellow soldiers, but also 7 billion of our fellow citizens of the United Nations of Earth and Her Colonies are there. I have ordered Admiral Stanforth and his fleet to return to Epsilon Eridanus, expect them to arrive in-system after you read this. Within this fleet is the heavily modified Halcyon-class light cruiser UNSC Pillar of Autumn (CL/R-709) [Halcyon-class light cruiser], (Arthur is also thinking of introducing a class of heavy cruisers based off of the Autumn, so any and all Halcyon husks are to be sent to secure colonies for an immediate overhaul), with the SPARTANs that were assigned to Operation: RED FLAG. I'm also sending four more Armored Fighting Brigades equipped with the "Mantis" and "Algolis" Mechs to reinforce the ones already there.
As for the evacuations, I'm sending 18 Phoenix-class colony ships, 95 Olympic-class cruise liners, and 162 Forward-class cargo freighters (all of which have been recommissioned as evacuation ships), will arrive with their escorts in five hours. Evacuate the isolated and outlying settlements first, then the cities. Any and all spare vessels will provide protection for the convoy to make sure they get out of harms way and to the PINDAR colonies. Danny, don't worry about Sol, the Big Sticks can gut any Covenant ship that turns it's way on Earth, Luna, Mars, the Jovian Moons, or Titan and the Home Fleet has been rallied.
Additionally, seventy-percent of the First Fleet is preparing for combat and deployment in Epsilon Eridanus and will arrive by the 15th, the remaining thirty percent will evacuate and escort UN citizens in FLEETCOM Sector One to the PINDAR Colonies and join the battle on 16th. Fleet Admiral Harper and the Eighth Fleet is unavailable due to deployment to Lambda Secundus, and the Second and Tenth Fleets have been pulled back to the Core Systems. The Third Fleet will arrive sometime later.
As per UNSC Emergency Directive B-37940, you are authorized to use TACTICAL NUCLEAR BOMBARDMENT on Covenant-held areas. NAPALM has also been authorized on any and all Covenant ground units as per Directive X-24769.
Try to minimize civilian casualties.
Best of luck and Godspeed.
List of Escorts for the convoy:
2 Iowa-class fast battleships: UNSC Ohio (BBF-014) and UNSC Georgia (BBF-043)
2 Marathon-class heavy cruiser: UNSC Union Jack (CA-189) and UNSC Defender (CA-163)
2 Springfield-class light cruisers: UNSC Chicago (CL-086) and UNSC Springfield (CL-061)
6 Halcyon-class light cruisers: UNSC Halcyon (CL/R-159), UNSC Watts' Last Stand (CL/R-689), UNSC Soviet Connection (CL/R-706), UNSC Freedom of the People (CL/R-632), UNSC D-Day's Legacy (CL/R-703), and the UNSC Legacy of the Titanic (CL/R-678)
8 Midolithian-class heavy destroyers: UNSC Vegas or Bust (DDH-342), UNSC Akono Menteith (DDH-372), UNSC Gorgon II (DDH-468), UNSC Preston Jeremiah Cole (DDH-326), UNSC Lyrnne Castilla-Cole (DDH-313), UNSC Judgment Day (DDH-399), UNSC Henry Misriah (DDH-356), and the UNSC Gotta Scrap 'em All (DDH-381)
17 Achilles-class light destroyers
23 Fletcher-class destroyer escorts
29 Paris-class heavy frigates
8 Midsummer Night-class stealth frigates
36 John K. "Strident" Stride-class strike/escort frigates
12 Yuri Gagarin-class strike/aviation frigates
23 George H. W. Bush-class strike/transport frigates
42 Charon-class light transport frigates
48 Stalwart-class light aviation frigates
50 Anaconda-class sloops
50 Mako-class corvettes
/END/
UNITED NATIONS SPACE COMMAND PRIORITY TRANSMISSION
ENCRYPTION CODE: DELTA-ONE
FROM: Codename: CROSSBOW
TO: Codename: MERLIN
LOCATION SENT FROM: UNSC Enterprise (CVN-26), Sol System, UN Core Systems
SUBJECT: Re: WINTER Contingency
CLASSIFACTION: EYES ONLY, RECIPENT
/START/
Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb,
Thank you for informing us about the situation in the Epsilon Eridanus system. Third Fleet is gearing up for combat. One of my priorities is looking into that Dark-Zone. NVPD has been informed as well as the city's militia and local Army/Marine Corps units. I would also like to note that UNSC Science Division Delta have been targeted by local Insurrectionists, something to do with O'Donnell's Project: BONE, FBI Agent Norris has been deployed to investigate. I've activated local C-SOC units, including the Reach-based Republican Guard units, this is their first deployment on a major colony since Miridem, Iota Eridanus II, and New Harmony, the Covies won't know what hit them.
The UNSC Mother of Invention (FFH/S-636) [Midsummer Night-class heavy frigate, stealth] is also on station, the Invention has been equipped with M34 'Thunder' EMP Mines so use them to disable enemy shields. Those mines served me well during Operation: COLONIAL LIBERATION, I'm sure they'll do the same for you. There are ex-FREELANCER operatives are aboard as well, they follow my command so don't worry about them, and their current CO, due to the disappearence of Agent: CAROLINA, is Second Lieutenant James Yorkshire (Agent: NEW YORK), he's from Reach as well, so he has the home field advantage.
List of C-SOC Units in (or en route to) the Epsilon Eridanus system:
J-SOC Task Force 141
3rd (Reach) Republican Guards Division
8th (Reach) Republican Guards Division
23rd (Reach) Republican Guards Division
78th (Reach) Republican Guards Division
64th (Reach) Republican Guards Division
5th (Reach) Republican Guards Division
Legionnaires of New Alexandria (12th Republican Guards Regiment)
409th Shock Troops Division
90th Army Special Forces Group
61st Ranger Regiment
Ranger Unit Three-Hotel
34th Special Air Service Regiment
MARSOC Regiment Charlie
MARSOC Regiment Dog
MARSOC Regiment X-Ray
MARSOC Regiment Zulu
105th Shock Troops Division (en route)
List of ex-FREELANCER operatives under C-SOC jurisdiction on board the UNSC Mother of Invention (FFH/S-636):
Second Lieutenant James Yorkshire (Agent: NEW YORK; ODST)
Sergeant Major Neil H. O'Conner (Agent: NORTH DAKOTA; Marine Force Recon)
Gunnery Sergeant Samantha H. O'Conner (Agent: SOUTH DAKOTA; Marine Force Recon)
Flight Lieutenant 2nd Class Sophia Haverson (Agent MARYLAND/479er; Air Force Special Operations Command)
Lieutenant Junior Grade Valerie Sulzer (Agent: MONTANA; ONI Special Activities Division)
Staff Sergeant Victor Blune (Agent: GEORGIA; Army Corps of Engineers)
Senior Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Samuelson (Agent: MINNSOTA; NAVSPECWAR)
Master Sergeant Natasha Demidov (Agent: HAWAII; ODST)
I'm afraid that Task Force Dakota is still undergoing shakedown procedures, and will not be able to join the battle for sometime. I hope all the assets under C-SOC command in the Epsilon Eridanus System will be of great help to you Danny, and my fleet should be there within one to two weeks. Good luck and godspeed.
/END/
UNITED NATIONS SPACE COMMAND PRIORITY TRANSMISSION
ENCRYPTION CODE: DELTA-ONE
FROM: Codename: MERLIN
TO: Codename: ROBIN HOOD, Codename: CROSSBOW
DATE: JULY 30th, 2552
LOCATION SENT FROM: UNSC Inner Colonies Forces Command HQ, New Alexandra, State of Eposz, Republic of Viery, United Commonwealth of Reach, Epsilon Eridanus System, UN Inner-Rim Colonies
SUBJECT: re: WINTER Contingency
CLASSIFACTION: EYES ONLY, RECIPENT
/START/
Many thanks Lord Hood and Fleet Admiral Cross, the fleet here will be able to hold for now.
/END/
List of metropolitan areas:
*New Alexandria; population: 64,908,032 million people
*Quezon; population: 58,233,117 million people
*New Volgograd; population: 51,962,104 million people
*Manassas; population: 49,667,087 million people
*Pálháza; population: 48,312,259 million people
*Esztergom; population: 32,988,532 million people
*Nastrond; population: 25,093,684 million people
*Little Rock; population: 20,987,322 million people
*Csongrád; population: 19,562,101 million people
*Mohács; population: 15,998,366 million people
*Lábatlan; population: 11,303,221 million people
*New Southampton: 10,456,097 million people
Total Population: 903,641,500 million people
UNSC Home Fleet: 576 vessels; 300 ODPs
Epsilon Eridanus Defense Fleet: 456 vessels; 90 ODPs
First Fleet: 368 vessels
Third Fleet: 743 vessels
This is preview to my upcoming story: The Invasion of Reach. Note, the UNSC has restarted light cruiser production with the Springfield as the first ship to be produced, which means that the UNSC light cruiser hull classification number starts from CL-001, instead of 700-something.