Attack on UNSC Outpost Independence

>  We're going to introduce ourselves to whoever took it out, then Kat's going to get it back online.
>
> - Carter-A259

**Attack on the UNSC Outpost Independence** was a ground engagement when the Covenant Empire staged an assault to capture the Outpost , having learned information that Forerunner artifacts were on the planet. This was a Noble Team led defence, alongside UNSC Marines and Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.

## **Prelude**

### Buildup of Covenant forces

The Covenant tracking probe that was attached to Iroquois led them to the planet known as Reach, after scanning the planet they learn of the Forerunner artifacts and high human presence on Reach, having reported this to the High Prophets they order the Covenant fleet to Reach, leading to a massive build up of troops at covertly established Covenant spire in preparation of the assault. The UNSC would catch wind of this as reports of that communication with Outpost Independence have went dead. This would lead to the mobilization of an UNSC Marine fireteam to investigate, ordered by Colonel Holland.

All this tension culminated on the night of July 23rd, 2552, when the Relay at Outpost Independence was shut off. The UNSC thinking it is an Insurrectionist plot, sent out the UNSC Marine team 1 Alpha. After several hours of no response, Colonel Holland orders the mobilisation of Noble Team to deploy, followed by UNSC Frigate *Grafton* and fireteam of ODST on standby.

## The Battle

Noble Team boarded a Pelican, after departing FOB Claudia, they headed for Outpost Independence to investigate the Communication Array going offline. With the arrival of their pelican to the landing coordinates, Noble Team disembark their pelican and proceed on foot to the Outpost. Once arrived, Noble Team were engaged by the Covenant, beginning the fight.

>  Contacts? It's the damn Covenant!
>
> - Jorge-052

Noble Team took up positions within the Outpost, attacking the Covenant as they maintain their position until UNSC Frigate *Grafton's* reinforcements arrive. While Noble Team hold their position well, UNSC Frigate *Grafton* arrives with reinforcements*.* Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST) are deployed down through SOEIV pods to the outpost. Now that the battlefield was levelled out, the UNSC forces continued to resist the Covenant assault. ODST deployment granted UNSC forces an easier fighting chance defending from the Covenant assault. While the ODST held the outpost on the ground, Carter-A259 orders Noble Six and Jorge to accompany him to the ridgeline of the top of the base to clear out the Silent Shadow on the ridge.

After securing both ridgeline of the Outpost and the ground, Carter-A259 orders Kat-B320 and Jun-A266 to remain on watch out on the ridgeline of the Outpost, as they prepare to advance with the rest of Noble Team and ODST inside the Outpost to engage the residual Covenant presence, to finally secure the whole facility.

## Aftermath

After the UNSC forces secured Outpost Independence, Kat-B320 assess the damage to the Outpost. The Relay's communications components were very badly damaged, and it would've taken roughly two weeks to fix. Despite this, Kat-B320 managed to set up a field communication link with Command. Having established contact with Colonel Holland, Carter-A259 reports that there were no Rebels, it was the Covenant and that WINTER CONTINGENCY must be declared.