Check out the [url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/Previews/22-703?page=0]Preview[/url], then buy Issue #3 digitally [url=https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/4258.halo-escalation-3/]here[/url] or buy the physical copy [url=http://www.tfaw.com/Profile/Halo-Escalation-3___442433]here.[/url]
Miss out on Issue #2? Read the summary and lore notes [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/63237929]here![/url]
[url=http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa473/onyx0193/417A23B5-8BD1-425B-B140-8E776062773A_zps3mlei62n.png]'Gajat and Co[/url]
[url=http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa473/onyx0193/B6B6E4DB-DC06-4969-80AF-B718F26CE3BA_zpssyvaat9h.png]Master Chief[/url]
[url=http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa473/onyx0193/89142EC6-5655-4B69-ABF5-7BA931E08AE3_zpsa3smbzoa.png]Palmer kills Scruggs[/url]
[url=http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa473/onyx0193/022215CD-DF1D-4AE2-9106-59FC0754ABBD_zpsrsdmc1bm.png]Palmer and DeMarco[/url]
[url=http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa473/onyx0193/573E4EFB-482C-4612-9948-A8B0B666BD07_zpsgcyfhqpd.png]Spartan Coffins[/url]
[quote][b][u]Summary:[/u][/b]
Making their way to the power supply in their Banshees, Ray clears the area and signals the all clear for Lasky. Once on the ground, they are met with infantry resistance. Eventually, they find the power supply: a pinch fusion reactor. Ray throws a plasma battery into the reactor and blows it up with her assault rifle, destroying the area.
Meanwhile, all of the delegates and remaining Spartans arrive at the redoubt. Palmer spots a Type-38 Tyrant AA Cannon and gets a waypoint from Scruggs while Lydus continues to criticize the Arbiter, accusing him of only wanting peace just to take the Brute's resources. Lord Hood steps in and assists the Arbiter telling Lydus that this deal will bring prosperity to the Brutes as they need a strong leader, something Chieftain Lydus can provide. Palmer then points out that discussing politics right now is highly counterproductive.
Scruggs steps in and tells them that worrying about productivity is the least of their worries as he takes Hood hostage, holding a magnum to his temple. Palmer pulls her magnums on Scruggs in shock, and Lydus issues a death threat in response to seeing his pack mates dead. The Arbiter calms Lydus and asks what Scruggs' demands are. Scruggs responds that he's got a long list they can discuss when his associates arrive.
On board Infinity, Bradley receives word that the Brute ships are deploying a division strengthening assault force, and the Elites are mobilizing in response. This prompts Bradley to order the Infinity in between the two fleets to act as a buffer zone. With the jammer down, Lasky is finally able to make communications with Infinity. He informs the bridge that they've been attacked by Covenant forces. Bradley then tells him they've got a more important matter because the Brutes and Elites are about to tear each other apart in orbit. Lasky orders Bradley to patch him through to the Brute and Elite ships, informing them that the delegates are under attack and need cooperative assistance. Ray, able to track Covenant craft with the jammer down, warns Lasky that even at best speed, the Brutes and Elites won't reach the delegates before the Covenant fleet does.
Aboard 'Gajat's personal ship, the unknown human approaches him and says that his informant on the ground has eliminated Fireteam Jackknife, and the delegates should be in hand soon. The human then asks if he's given thought to what Jul 'Mdama will do when he finds out he's been moonlighting. 'Gajat says he shouldn't mind given how his greed is Jul's priority.
Back at the redoubt, Palmer accuses Scruggs of being an insurrectionist, but Scruggs responds saying things aren't so simple, that there aren't just two sides anymore. Scruggs then goes on to ask some provocative questions. Why did the UNSC blame the Covenant Remnant for the attack on New Phoenix? Why hasn't the Arbiter been able to make peace on his own for the last 5 years? What about Master Chief, have you even heard from him recently? He finishes by telling her that she doesn't even know half of what's going on.
Palmer apologizes to Scruggs' surprise. However, she clarifies that it's not directed at him. She then shoots Lord Hood in the thigh, removing Scruggs' advantage with his hostage. Palmer then tackles Scruggs out the window. When they regain their footing, Palmer throws her knife through Scruggs' wrist, forcing him to drop his only weapon. Palmer then moves in and beats up Scruggs, killing him by removing the knife from his wrist, and stabbing him through the throat, severing his spinal cord.
Lasky contacts Palmer and informs her that they've got ten heavy cruisers bearing on their position. Palmer asks DeMarco for a sitrep and he responds telling her that they've got an AA gun with it's targeting computer removed and a cargo transport. Lasky having heard all of that, orders Palmer to seal up the delegates in the cargo transport and have DeMarco and his team man the AA gun and keep the Covenant off their backs. Palmer asserts she's not going anywhere without her Spartans, but much to Palmer's upset, Lasky gives her a direct order to leave her Spartans and escort the delegates.
Knowing her Spartans will probably die, she goes to talk to DeMarco. She tells him the situation, and he responds telling her it's his birthday today. Palmer asks if she can do anything for him. All he wants is for her to tell Madsen he read the book he lent him, even though he didn't. As the delegates move out, the AA gun receives heavy fire, heavily injuring DeMarco. Aboard 'Gajat's ship, they learn that they are in danger of being ID'd and decide to bug out before Infinity can move in. DeMarco stills mans the AA guns and destroys a banshee trailing the transport just as another banshee swoops in and kills him.
Aboard Infinity, a funeral is held for Fireteam Bailey. Lasky gives some final words saying that the saying "Spartans never die" isn't fair anymore. They deserve to have their sacrifices made available to all instead of being immortalized. As Palmer morns for her fallen Spartans, Lasky tries to talk to her, but she makes it clear she's upset with him and disagrees with his orders even though she carried them out.
A week later, Lasky and Hood are discussing the matter of the events of Ealen IV. Hood points out that the location of the meeting was on a need to know basis, meaning Scruggs couldn't have organized the meeting. Hood then notes that it scares him how compromised the UNSC is right now.[/quote]
[b][u]Lore Notes:[/u][/b]
-Jammer power supply is a pinch fusion reactor
-UNSC blames Covenant Remnant for attack on New Phoenix
-Type-38 Tyrant AA Cannons can be controlled manually
-'Gajat's ship is SDV-Class Heavy Corvette
-'Gajat's fleet at least 10 ORS-Class Heavy Cruisers
-Aftermath of the Battle for Ealen IV:
---Spartan Fireteam Jackknife: KIA
---Spartan Fireteam Bailey: KIA
---Elite Entourage: KIA
---Brute Entourage: KIA
---Negotiations: Unsuccessful
---Covenant Remnant: Unsuccessful
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Finished the Lore notes. Not this much this time around.