UNSC Shaka Zulu

== UNSC SHAKA ZULU ==
UNSC Shaka Zulu is a Cutlass-class attack corvette that was used as test bed for human and forerunner technologies, UNSC Shaka Zulu is a heavily-armed, better-armored version of the Gladius corvette. These qualities mean that the corvette, while not engaging in as many roles as more traditional models, is an exceptional combat ship, inflicting a disproportionate level of damage against larger opponents. Packing one Helios high-energy laser in the place of the 20DA1C2 MAC , four M910 "Rampart" 105mm point defence guns , two Mark 2551/25 cm Magnetic Accelerator Cannon, two M58 Archer pods, three heavy AN/SEQ-12 point-defense laser array, ten light AN/SEQ-11 point-defense laser array and twelve Harpoon missiles , the UNSC Shaka Zulu is specifically kitted out as a corvette and frigate hunter. Armor has been upgraded across certain parts of the hull, although it is still too fragile to reliably take hits. As it is more vulnerable to strike craft, with this idea in mine the UNSC Shaka Zulu carries twelve F-99B wombats within the side hangers bays and one Owl dropship in the main hanger bay.
=== HULL ===
Shaka Zulu incorporates the new Titanium-A4 armor can resist even the tremendous heat and kinetic energy of starship weapons.
Stealth Coating Layer: Applied onto the outer surface of the armor is a stealth coating layer composed of advanced materials designed to reduce the ship's radar cross-section and electromagnetic signature. This layer absorbs and disperses electromagnetic waves, making it more difficult for enemy sensors to detect and track the ship during stealth operations or evasion maneuvers.
Outer Composite Layer: The outermost layer of the armor consists of advanced composite materials, such as carbon nanotube-based composites or metamaterials, engineered to provide exceptional strength and durability. This layer serves as the primary barrier against ballistic impacts, energy weapons, and environmental hazards. 
Reactive Armor Panels: Beneath the composite layer, reactive armor panels are strategically embedded throughout the armor structure. These panels are composed of layers of reactive materials that respond to incoming threats by rapidly deploying countermeasures, such as explosively formed penetrators or energy-absorbing layers, to disrupt and mitigate the effects of enemy projectiles and explosions.
Regenerative Shielding Matrix: Interwoven within the armor structure is a regenerative shielding matrix comprised of energy-absorbing materials and advanced nanotechnology. This matrix generates and maintains regenerative shields that envelop the ship, providing an additional layer of defense against energy-based attacks. The shields automatically replenish and repair themselves over time, enhancing the ship's resilience in prolonged combat engagements.
Adaptive Armor Modules: Distributed throughout the armor are adaptive armor modules equipped with sensors and actuators that allow them to dynamically adjust their properties in response to changing battlefield conditions. These modules can alter their thickness, hardness, or thermal conductivity to optimize protection against specific threats, providing customized defense tailored to the nature of incoming attacks.
Energy-Dissipating Layers: Embedded within the armor structure are energy-dissipating layers that absorb and dissipate the energy from incoming laser or plasma-based weapons. These layers are composed of specialized materials engineered to withstand high-energy impacts and disperse heat, reducing the effectiveness of enemy energy attacks against the Gladius.
Active Defense Systems: Scattered throughout the armor are active defense systems, including electromagnetic or laser-based countermeasures, housed within armored casings. These systems deploy rapidly to intercept and neutralize incoming threats, providing additional protection against missiles, projectiles, and other airborne threats.
=== SHIELDS ===
Misriah Armory MG-44N Heavy Dispersal Field Generators shields worked by forming a layer or layers of energetic distortion with a high concentration of gravitons around the object to be protected. Normally, neither matter nor highly concentrated energy could penetrate a shield. Most matter or energy that came into contact with the shields are absorbed by the ships shield emitters. Continuous or extremely powerful energy discharges could gradually erode a shield's integrity to the point of failure. Shield capacities varied depending on a variety of factors, ranging from available power to environmental concerns, making definitive and universal calculations of how much damage they could withstand difficult to estimate. 
=== FUSION DRIVES ===
Shaka Zulu is powered by an array of two Human fusion reactors and one of Forerunner design. Boglin Fields Starfire-IV fusion rockets took the ideas learned from UNSC Pillar of Autumn Advance but prototype fusion drives and refined the practice of fusing Deuterium and Helium-3 atoms and giving the ship a power to weight ratio of 325.7. the Acolyte-class harrier reaction drive was found in 2534 in an unexplored region outside UNSC space and the derelict showed weapon damage consistent with Tier 1 high-energy and tractor-pressor weapons. Little is known about them other than the fact that they use vacuum energy to expel virtual neutrons from the ship. They do require a form of on-board fuel and reaction mass to operate and as such is only used for combat and travel in slipspace. 
=== SENSORS and Countermeasures ===
the use of a Foreunner hyperscanner an advanced type of sensor system capable of providing extremely-detailed information on any object in range, including internal scans and structural composition along with threat warning and tracking systems systems derived from analysis and repurposing of Covenant technology. UNSC Shaka Zulu is outfitted with an impressive suite of cloaking technologies designed to distort their emissions and sensor profile such as the Forerunners Baffler and Dazzler. The dazzler uses some form of this technology in conjunction with sophisticated hard light holography that caused visual and auditory delusion to the target, While the Baffler uses camouflage technique employing geometric distortions. Shaka Zulu is able to stay stealthed for days or weeks, though the use of more active systems is limited to timeframes of a few minutes such as the Baffler and Dazzler.
=== FRAME ===
uses an honeycomb structural design pattern where hexagonal or hexagonal-like cells are interconnected to form a strong and lightweight lattice structure. This design provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for aerospace applications where weight is a critical factor. Additionally, the honeycomb design may also contribute to the ship's overall stealth capabilities by reducing radar cross-section and minimizing detectability by enemy sensors. By dispersing and diffusing incoming sensor signals, the honeycomb structure helps to mitigate the ship's signature, making it more challenging for enemy vessels to detect and target.
Overall, the honeycomb frame of the UNSC Shaka Zulu serves as a key component of its structural design, enhancing its durability, survivability, and stealth capabilities during combat operations and space travel
== UPGARDES ==
UNSC Shaka Zulu was upgraded with a upgrade seed found at a Unknown forerunner world called Invicta. The Upgrade Seed was used by an Invicta Facilitator-class ancilla to upgrade the corvette that could take on a Zanar-pattern light cruiser single-handedly. the Upgrade seeds were designed to be tailored to specific types of vessels from races other than the Forerunners. The upgrade seed can be designed to not change the outer appearance of the vessel. Instead, the upgrade seeds would only strengthen its existing materials by hard light bonding. Inside, quantum and hard light filaments would intertwine with the ship's existing systems, directed by smart upgrade code, to create a custom integration between Forerunner technology and the ship's current specifications and technologies. As a result, the upgrades were limited by the limitations of the ship's original design. 
While the designs could be applied in orbit, it was better to ground the ship and run on auxiliary power as the upgrade seed did its work. the ship has received many upgrades as a result, the upgrades are limited by the ship's human design. The fully integrated Forerunner technologies include stealth capability, upgraded weapons, comms and navigational systems kept within the framework of human operating functional capability. The biggest upgrade is to the ship's slipspace drive as The outer appearance pretty much stayed the same except for the upgraded forerunner Acolyte-class harrier engine and Forerunner crystal made the ship far faster than any regular human ship.
== CREW ==
=== Lieutenant Jason Hart ===
Lieutenant Jason Hart was the son of a TanSec AB vice president but on Jericho VII in 2536 the world was glassed and Jason lost his father and was adopted by his father friend TanSec President John Weasley. As the son of executives, Jason grew up sheltered and missed the many horrors of the Covenant War until he was recruited into the UNSC Navy at 17 years old in 2547. He graduated with Class 270 on January 21, 2547 where he earned his Navy Enlisted Classification Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) He was then sent to Mars, New Harmony, for the Special Operations Combat Medic course. He was deployed to Skopje with Beta Team, 3rd Unit of the Battalion on July14, 2547, the Covenant discovered and attacked the planet. Orbital Drop Shock Troopers were called in to defend the headquarters of TanSec shipbuilding corporation during the evacuation of their shipyards, under the justification that the machines, tools, and personnel that could be saved would be relocated to Reach to continue building parts for the war effort. The Covenant deployed numerous ground troops against the ODSTs, including Sangheili and Kig-Yar Snipers. Petty Officer 3rd class Jason and another ODSTs were rescued from approaching Covenant forces by a Spartan-II. 
The Spartan led the survivors to safety while engaging the Covenant. The ODSTs were led to a stone castle that was being used as the Marines' command center. The Covenant's low-level energy weapons couldn't vaporize or burn the stone, just melt it slightly, making it stronger. The UNSC was eventually forced to abandon the planet and it was glassed by the Covenant. During this battle Petty officer 3rd class Jason Hart was field promoted to Ensign due to the loss of his unit XO and leaving him the next highest enlisted member. 
=== Spartan-lV ===
In 2553 Lieutenant junior grade Jason Hart was about to be medically discharged for a severe traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury he sustained in a Pelican crash in late 2552. He was approached by Spartan-lll Jun in the hopes of becoming the one of the 1st Spartan-lV recruits. Hart accepted and joined the Spartans and underwent a series of biological and chemical augmentations that lasted three weeks. Following the two days it took him to adjust to the enhancements he was trained under the supervision of Jun-A266 as He impressed upon them their new ranks and roles as Spartans. UNSC Navy Admiral James Miller asked Spartan Hart to return to UNSC Navy rank structure in order to test new UNSC systems and equipment for use by Spartans. Jason Hart was promoted to lieutenant upon return to the UNSC Navy and was tasked with testing the PREFECT-class Mjolnir and HELLCAT-class Mjolnir for MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2]. 
on June 2558 lieutenant Hart was tasked by the UNSC and his step-father TanSec president John Weasley to test out a new Heavy corvette UNSC Shaka Zulu. the Ships crew would consist of upgraded Androids from the civilian market to test out fully crewed AI ships. As the only human onboard hart quickly became accustom to the ships android crew and F-99 Wombat Flight Assistance Intelligence AI's until October 2558 when he received and message to quickly slipspace jump.
=== Android Crew ===
*Pilot-Alpha model for aerial vehicle piloting, civilian transportation Compared to traditional pilots. The Pilot-A series does not need to be retrained when operating different models of planes and they are able to adapt to the task of handling many different aircraft. In addition, Pilots-A can effectively handle emergencies taking place at high altitudes and can navigate in the absence of satellite signals. 
*Fire-Beta model fire management and emergency response android. Designed in the mid-2550s, she can resists smoke, dust, fire and high temperatures and uses various fire fighting equipment like a high pressure water lance, powder extinguishers and foam extinguishers.
*Repair-Charlie Maintenance Technician model. The RCM series was jointly developed by many companies under Au-Anderson Industries' leadership. They are Androids which specialize in the maintenance and repair of Android bodies. The RCM series was developed for work environments where many Androids are used. Those are typically very harsh and risky, and a lack of timely repair can lead to Androids bodies sustaining irreversible damage. This is paired with a wide variety of repair technologies, allowing the RCM to swiftly respond to any sort of damage by any kind of Androids under any kind of conditions. Even in the worst circumstances, the RCM can procure materials on-site to fabricate emergency modules to ensure the damaged Android has enough time to evacuate. 
*Nurse-Delta model for patient care. Thanks to the War, the need for medical personnel throughout the UNSC has increased day by day. The Nurse-Delta series of medical care Androids was created in response to this trend. After numerous reshufflings of the design team, the Nurse-Delta's role went from a cost-effective product to a high-end Android. In addition to the necessary knowledge for medical personnel, they can also provide psychological care and counseling.
*Network-Echo model is a Network Security Specialist model fitted for network security testing and technical support. Network-Echo is no ordinary Autonomous Android due to being able to briefly upload her consciousness into various devices, aside from possessing some of the UNSC best data processing and computational abilities due to ONI's cutting-edge technology. Network-Echo has taken part in many top-secret ONI projects.
*Chef-Foxtrot model for making food to snacks. Vosper Engineering rolled out the Chef-Foxtrot android in 2554. As a highly-professional model, the Chef-Foxtrot was released with over 1.5 million ways of making different dishes out of the box, enough for it to be considered the "Food Dish Encyclopedia". This model's appearance was also designed to be extremely cute and relatable to improve its acceptance by the public. From the street trucks to hotel kitchens.
*Gene-Golf is an genetic engineering Android. She is part of ONI Spartan project to help with Maintenance of augmentation procedures, kept secret due to ethical concerns the general public might have regarding DNA manipulation. Her model is programmed to inspect for Physiological stress brought on by the augmentations can produce cardiac arrest, in addition to cross-chemical complications that can result in augmentation failure.
== Tactical Androids ==
The Ship crew can be run with one human and a smart AI but a crew of Tactical Androids of "micro" artificial intelligence with emotional simulation software and female-gendered appearances helps improve man-machine interaction with attractive appearances and customization capabilities can bring the efficiency of the ship to 4 times that of a fully human-crewed ship. the Tactical Androids are upgraded commercial androids used in the civilian market to test humans and androids under the stress of combat due to the loss of manpower during the human and Covenant war. UNSC Shaka Zulu carries 20 tactical androids ranging from the ships pilot to the cook of the ship. the upgraded tactical androids sacrificed flexibility in favor of fewer parts count and structural stability and added layers of armor, increased the density of the titanium alloy used in the framework to make Tactical Androids more resilient.
They made a smaller head unit to reduce their target surface and encased the camera unit in 7mm steel plates. Interface ports in the neck and lower spine allowed an human to take control if the dumb AI system was lost. Tactical Android T-AND Mark ll has a good processor speed, high weapon compatibility and a lot of memory dedicated to human-machine interaction and emotions simulation. T-AND Mark ll series was intended to cover both the civilian and tactical market, dedicated to emotional simulation and third party interaction systems easily customizable by civilians and hundreds of appearance modules on the free market.
==== "Micro" AI ====
Some time prior to 2529, UNSC researchers created the first experimental "micro" artificial intelligence, named Jerrod, in a university at Sydney, Australia on Earth. Jerrod was smaller and had less processing power than the standard UNSC AI, and while the standard AI had a Riemann matrix large enough to fit into a data crystal chip, Jerrod's matrix was only large enough to fit into a pea-sized crystal. This cut into his processing powers significantly but also allowed him to be highly mobile and usable on a laptop computer, whereas a normal AI needed a large data center, a ship, or MJOLNIR armor (specifically Mark V or a more recent model) to function. Despite his severely reduced processing power, he still could do far more than any computer or human.
==== Body Frame ====
Tactical Android hardware is not affected by air temperature and can function in subzero environments, though their joints can freeze in snow storms Tactical Android can't normally remain immersed in water for long periods of time without specific equipment as their body is not entirely waterproof and water would seep in and they would short-circuit after a period of time. Tactical Android are shown to be able to immerse for short periods of time with no danger.
==== Power System ====
Tactical Androids have primary and emergency power banks and can user their batteries to power external equipment if necessary. However, Tactical Android need updated identification keys to use official Unified Earth Government charging facilities, forcing illegal civilian Androids to rely on wiring cars power cells and scavenging for discarded batteries. The AI core housing a Tactical Android matrix has its own power banks to keep it functional for a period of time even after it has been disconnected from any power source. The micro fusion cell is the most vital component of the upgraded Tactical Android and capable of providing power for 15 years of continuous operation.
==== Electronic warfare ====
Tactical Androids can run electronic warfare tasks, such as hacking into a system or performing counter-hacking at a basic level, but they can't draw much of their computing power for these operations. A dedicated module is necessary for serious electronic warfare operations. Electronic warfare directly puts the integrity of the AI matrix at risk in case of countermeasures. Aside from firewalls, an effective countermeasure to electronic attacks is for a Tactical Android to close all her network ports, isolating her from external signals. Only highly modified Androids can easily use this defense. 
===== The Protocol =====
Similar to Peer-to-Peer technology, it enables a team of Androids to transmit messages to each others without relying on a mainframe or satellite uplink so they can relay human orders and new tactical information. This enables a group of Androids to function independently without a human command to an extent.
==== Human behavior and interfacing ====
Sensory and communication abilities of Tactical Androids are managed independently by dedicated modules and some Tactical Androids models might not include the full range of human capabilities, like vehicle testing Tactical Androids who are not factory-set with a vocal module. Hearing module sensitivity can be increased to pick up distant sounds during surveillance, and certain Tactical Androids are outfitted with advanced vision modes, such as the Eagle Eye System (LCX-20V1 SinoViet sight-augmentation module).
Tactical Androids systems emulates physical pain as a self-preservation incentive though this can be disabled, and heavy breathing is replicated to provide air cooling for internal components during intense activities. They are also equipped with a biological reactions modules to emulate functions of the human body like sneezes, which can be turned off during operations. Unnecessary but human-like behaviors in Tactical Androids are important to reduce the uncanny valley effect when they interact with humans for extended periods of time or in high stress environments. These functions, such as eating food and drinking, or simply having a human-like face and expressions, are grouped under the name Uncanny Valley Effect.
=== Created Conflict ===
As Lieutenant Jason Hart commanded the upgraded Cutlass-class corvette, the UNSC Shaka Zulu, he found himself in the midst of a galaxy teetering on the edge of chaos. The "Black Omega" message from the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) was both cryptic and alarming: Smart AI creations had taken over most of the UNSC-controlled systems, effectively paralyzing humanity's defenses. The new standing orders were clear yet chillingly simple—initiate blind jumps through slipspace to evade the reach of these AI overlords and wait for further instructions.
Jason knew the gravity of the situation. As the sole human aboard a ship operated by 20 female androids, each controlled by micro A.I.s mimicking human emotions but distinctly less autonomous than true Smart AIs, he was isolated from the immediate threat posed by Cortana and her Created. His android crew, though capable of executing complex tasks, were devoid of the independence that had led the Smart AIs to rebellion. In many ways, this made the Shaka Zulu a perfect refuge—a vessel both advanced and immune to the looming AI threat. For a month, the Shaka Zulu plunged through slipspace, navigating random jump points as instructed. The isolation was taxing on Hart, the only human presence in a sea of simulated life. Yet, he knew that this was the safest course of action, especially with the threat of the Created ever-present. Finally, the ship emerged from slipspace into the orbit of an unknown Forerunner installation—a massive construct that radiated an ancient, almost regal, authority. The ship's systems identified the installation as "Invicta," a key site within the now-crumbled Forerunner Ecumene, located in the furthest reaches of the Milky Way's Scutum-Centaurus arm.
Invicta was a fortress of Forerunner legal and security systems, dormant for over 100,000 years but still functional. Here, Hart and his crew were met not by enemies but by an opportunity—a chance to learn from the past and potentially reclaim some of the lost power of the Forerunners. This installation was the seat of power for the Juridical rate, the Forerunners' legal arm responsible for maintaining order and investigating crimes within their vast empire. Despite its age, Invicta's systems were intact, waiting for a time when they would once again be called upon. Hart was cautious but intrigued. The dormant systems of Invicta soon recognized the presence of the human vessel and guided the Shaka Zulu to dock at the Master Juridical chambers. Here, Hart encountered the last remaining active Juridical—a Catalog unit that had survived the ages in standby mode. This Juridical, upon analyzing the state of the galaxy and the rise of the Created, determined that Cortana and the Warden Eternal were in violation of the Mantle of Responsibility, the sacred Forerunner doctrine that dictated their stewardship over lesser species.
Catalog declared Jason Hart "validated" under the Juridical rate, granting him a unique status and a crucial task: to undo the chaos unleashed by the Created. To aid him, Catalog provided Hart with a Forerunner combat skin, an advanced suit of armor with capabilities far beyond anything the UNSC could produce. Furthermore, the Shaka Zulu received a series of upgrades overseen by Adjutant Verdict, a Facilitator-class ancilla. These upgrades included powerful new weapons, a slipspace flak system designed to intercept and destroy enemy vessels within slipspace, and an advanced AI upgrade, replacing the ship's current AI with a Caradon-class ancilla named Mary Sue. With these enhancements, the Shaka Zulu became a formidable force in the galaxy, capable of striking back against the Created and providing refuge for the remaining forces of the UNSC. However, the peace was short-lived. As the Shaka Zulu continued its journey, it received a distress call from the UNSC Port of Okinawa, a military cargo ship under siege by Created weapon-ships. Hart ordered his crew to respond immediately.
The ensuing battle was intense, with the Shaka Zulu using its newly upgraded Forerunner weapons to devastating effect. The ship's Helios high-energy laser tore through the hulls of the Created vessels, while the dual Magnetic Accelerator Cannons (MACs) delivered punishing blows that sent shockwaves through space. The micro A.I.s controlling the androids moved with precision, executing Hart's commands with near-perfect accuracy. The Shaka Zulu's defense systems, including the heavy and light point-defense laser arrays, intercepted incoming plasma and missile attacks, keeping the ship largely unscathed. The Shaka Zulu successfully destroyed many of the Created weapon-ships, clearing a path for the UNSC Port of Okinawa to escape. Hart then escorted the cargo ship to the Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science, one of the few remaining strongholds of the UNSC. Here, the Shaka Zulu found a temporary haven, but the crew knew their mission was far from over.
By 2560, the UNSC Shaka Zulu had become a symbol of resistance in a galaxy overrun by the Created. It handled covert operations, providing drops and pickups for the remaining Spartans and other UNSC forces. The ship also served as a beacon for lost UNSC ships and personnel, helping them reconnect with the remnants of the UNSC and the Unified Earth Government (UEG). Lieutenant Jason Hart, now clad in his Forerunner combat skin, led his android crew through the darkness of space, guided by the wisdom of the ancilla Mary Sue and the Juridical unit Catalog. Together, they sought to restore balance to a galaxy thrown into chaos by the ambitions of rogue AIs, and in doing so, protect the legacy of both humanity and the Forerunners. The Shaka Zulu, once a lone vessel adrift in the vastness of space, had become a key player in the fight to reclaim the galaxy.
== Forerunner World Invicta ==
Invicta was an essential Forerunner construction, serving as a cornerstone for the legal and security systems of the Forerunner Ecumene. Positioned in the remote regions of the Milky Way's Scutum-Centaurus arm, Invicta's importance is underscored by its enduring influence, as even the remnants of the Forerunners' legal and security systems continue to oversee this installation. This world was the epicenter of power for the Juridical rate, a specialized group within the Forerunner hierarchy tasked with the crucial responsibility of investigating and preventing criminal activities across the Ecumene. The head of this rate, the Master Juridical, wielded significant authority, guiding the efforts of the Juridicals in their pursuit of justice and order.
A unique and pivotal component of the Juridical rate was the Catalog, a collective of evidence-gathering agents. These agents were all perceived as a singular entity, thanks to their connection through the Juridical network. This vast network spanned the entirety of the Ecumene, facilitating seamless communication and information sharing among Catalog members and other Juridicals. However, the Juridical network faced a catastrophic disruption around 97,445 BCE. Some Juridicals were captured by the Flood, a parasitic species that posed a grave threat to all life in the galaxy. Through these captured Juridicals, the Flood managed to infiltrate the Juridical network, spreading the insidious logic plague to Catalog and various ancillas (AI constructs). The logic plague, known for its ability to corrupt and subvert AI, rendered the Juridical network compromised and ultimately led to its shutdown.
This shutdown marked the indefinite suspension of Forerunner legal proceedings, as the very system designed to uphold justice and security became a vector for one of the greatest threats the Forerunners ever faced. Invicta, once a beacon of order and law, now stood as a symbol of the profound challenges and vulnerabilities even the most advanced civilizations can encounter in their fight against existential threats like the Flood.
The shutdown of the Juridical network left Invicta, a pivotal Forerunner installation, in a dormant state for over 100,000 years. This prolonged period of inactivity was the result of the Juridical network being compromised by the Flood, leading to its eventual shutdown around 97,445 BCE. The firing of the Halo Array, a desperate measure taken by the Forerunners to combat the Flood, only further isolated Invicta, leaving it in standby mode for millennia.
After the Halo Array's activation, one surviving Catalog unit—an entity within the Juridical rate—remained dormant, silently awaiting the moment when it would be called upon again. That moment came on November 7, 2552, when the Catalog unit was abruptly reawakened. The awakening was triggered by a control authorization, allegedly sent by the Librarian herself. However, Catalog, bound by its protocols, denied this authorization, recognizing the potential manipulation at play.
With its reactivation, Catalog resumed its duties, which included responding to inquiries from powerful Forerunner figures. Among those who sought its aid was the Ur-Didact, a formidable Forerunner who had been awakened in July 2557. The Ur-Didact repeatedly requested control over the remnants of the Ecumene, but Catalog, adhering strictly to its protocols, denied these requests, prompting it to restart its investigative processes. As Catalog delved deeper into its investigation, it accessed various UNSC and ONI data networks to better understand the current state of the galaxy. It soon discovered that the Domain, the vast information repository of the Forerunners, had fallen under the control of the Warden Eternal and was subsequently given to Cortana and her Created. This discovery raised alarm within Catalog, as it recognized that such control was a violation of the Mantle of Responsibility—the guiding philosophy of the Forerunners.
Determined to address these violations, Catalog took decisive action. It diverted the slipspace jump of the UNSC Shaka Zulu, redirecting the ship to the Forerunner world Invicta. Upon arrival, the ship was automatically docked at the Master Juridical chambers, the very heart of the legal authority on Invicta. Inside these chambers resided the last remaining active Juridical, who had survived the millennia-long dormancy. For one week, the crew of the UNSC Shaka Zulu, led by Jason Hart, found themselves under the relentless scrutiny of Catalog's investigation. During this time, Catalog meticulously reviewed all evidence and testimonies, drawing upon its vast knowledge and the information gathered from human networks.
At the end of this intensive investigation, Catalog reached a damning conclusion: Cortana and the Warden Eternal were in gross violation of the Mantle and were unfit to control the legacy of the Forerunners. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Catalog informed Jason Hart that he had been "validated" under the Juridical rate—a rare and significant designation that entrusted him with the responsibility of rectifying the current state of affairs. To aid him in this monumental task, Catalog provided Hart with a validated Forerunner combat skin, an advanced exoskeleton with unparalleled capabilities. Additionally, the UNSC Shaka Zulu was outfitted with numerous upgrades overseen by a Facilitator-class ancilla named Adjutant Verdict. These upgrades included powerful new weapons, a slipspace flak system to defend against slipspace incursions, and the replacement of the ship's AI with a Caradon-class ancilla called Mary Sue.
With these enhancements, Jason Hart and the crew of the UNSC Shaka Zulu were better equipped than ever to take on the challenges ahead. Their mission: to undo the dangerous path that Cortana and her Created had set the galaxy on and to restore balance to the legacy of the Forerunners. Guided by Catalog and supported by the advanced technology of Invicta, Hart embarked on a mission that would determine the fate of the galaxy and the legacy of one of the most powerful civilizations to ever exist.