Introduction

The once-peaceful planet of Arcadia is now a disastrous pyre of displaced citizens, desperately fleeing the advancing Covenant armies. After a valiant stand in Arcadia City, Forge and his remaining troops are forced to the outskirts and grimly hold their position against overwhelming odds. The tide begins to turn when proto-soldiers known as Spartans are hot-dropped to aid Forge’s beleaguered forces. Soon afterwards, a secret ONI base is found, protected by a massive Covenant energy dome. Once the dome is punctured, the Covenant’s secret is revealed.