2183

The year 2183

## Timeline

February 25

An experimental stealth frigate is designed in a cooperative project by humans and turians: the UNSC *Normandy**,* the lead ship of the *Normandy*-class. David Anderson is given command of the ship, Commanders John and Jane Shepard were assigned as executive officers, and Jeff "Joker" Moreau is assigned as the pilot of the *Normandy*.

March 25

Eden Prime Attack. Eden Prime is invaded by Geth led by Saren Arterius, after the discovery of a Prothean beacon. The Shepards pursue him, to no avail. Many believe this to be the beginning of the end for humanity, as there was no way for them to fight the Covenant AND the Geth, along with their numerous other issues.

March 26

The Shepards are appointed the first human Spectres, given command of the *Normandy*, and tasked with finding and apprehending Saren.

May 20

Rhodey locates the Watchtower, and begins formulating her plan for the Vindicates Initiative. She also begins modifying the Iron Man MK 7 armor on the station into IRONMAN GEN2 MKI.

June 21

Rhodey rescues Samus from the Federation base in Earth’s orbit. Samus becomes the first Vindicates recruit.

June 22

Saren Arterius’ Geth fleet, headed by the Reaper, Sovereign, attack the Citadel. Due to the actions of John Shepard, the UNSC Fifth Fleet aids the Citadel, defeating the attackers. Due to their selflessness, humanity is granted a seat on the Council.

July 1

Humanity's status as a Council race is made official, and the Citadel declares war upon the Covenant.

July 3

Stark Industries obtains the rights to produce *Normandy*-class stealth frigates; construction of the *Normandy* SR2 begins.

July 9

Battle of Cyone. One of the turians' prized Superdreadnoughts is boarded and captured by Shipmaster Oro 'Varamee, who had enlisted the aid of several Terminus Systems gangs to supplement his forces.

July 17

Battle of Sigma Octanus IV. Geth attack the planet, shortly before the Covenant arrive, escalating into a threeway battle. It nonetheless results one of the single greatest UNSC victories in the war.

July 23

A massive Collector ship launches a surprise attack on the *Normandy*, destroying it, and killing both Shepards.

July 24

Rhodey and Samus find what remains of the *Normandy*, and investigate the USG *Ishimura*, and recruit Isaac Clarke into the Vindicates.

July 25

Beginning of the Fall of Reach. Fighting is kept on one hemisphere, with the other being completely in the dark, as a preparation for Operation RED FLAG. Special Warfare Group Three unit Noble Team is critical in fighting back.

July 27

Rhodey, Samus, and Isaac infiltrate Cerberus’ Lazarus Station, in order to obtain information on human revival.

August 2

Liara T'soni brings both of the Shepards' bodies to the Watchtower, believing Rhodey to be the best bet for resurrecting them. Rhodey begins her revival attempts right away.

Oro 'Varamee attempts to recruit the Krogans of Clan Urdnot to aid the Covenant, to no avail.

August 6

Raid on Thedus. Cybertronians bearing Decepticon markings attack the human colony, taking energon for themselves. The IMC’s Titans finally get to be used for their intended purpose, engaging Decepticons, with a 39% success rating.

August 7

The Shepards awaken, and are recruited into the Vindicates.

The Vindicates launch their investigation of a Weyland-Yutani research station in inter-UEGA/Federation space. Fighting Xenomorphs there alongside UNSC and Federation forces, they eventually escape and destroy the station, gaining numerous recruits in the process.

August 8

Vindicate missions to find Oro 'Varamee, obtain a Rom-Kar mech prototype, investigate a possible Collector attack on Freedom's Progress, and see what occured on Thedus are launched.

August 9

Completion of the missions undergone the day before. Oro is added to the Vindicates' intelligence network, the turian mech is captured, Collector attack is confirmed on Freedom's Progress, and the Decepticon attack is repelled.

The Vindicates visit Omega, seeking information and possibly recruits.

August 10

The Vindicates return to the Watchtower, new recruits in tow.

August 22

The Shadow Council meets to discuss the Vindicates.

August 30

The final day of the Fall of Reach. Several Covenant fleets besiege the planet, and the Fleet of Particular Justice chases the UNSC *Pillar of Autumn**,* with the Master Chief and Noble Six onboard. Noble Team proves instrumental in covering the cruiser's escape. Just as Covenant victory is assured, they are beaten back by the unexpected arrival of Citadel forces. Despite enormous casualties, Reach is saved from complete annihilation. Noble Team escapes on a turian vessel.

September 8

Siege of Atlas. Covenant forces regrouping after Reach headed to Atlas, where one of the bloodiest battles of the war would commence, dragging on for the remaining months of the war.

September 9

The Third Battle of Arcadia marked the first ground engagement where UNSC, Citadel, Quarian, and Krogan forces fought side-by-side. Regardless, it didn’t stop the full glassing of the planet.

September 13

Operation FIRST STRIKE. Spartan-IIs temporally displaced by a Forerunner artifact destroy the Covenant station Unyielding Hierophant, along with its enormous fleet. In terms of Covenant casualties, it is the single greatest victory for the UNSC in the entire war. The invasion of Earth is delayed.

September 15

Battle of the Ismar Frontier. With a decisive victory, taking the important mass relay, the Covenant gains a straight shot deeper into Citadel territory.

September 19

The *Pillar of Autumn* reaches Installation 04, a Halo Ring, and crash lands on it. The crew begin a guerrilla campaign against the Covenant on the Ring.

September 22

John-117 and Noble Six destroy the Halo.

September 24

The Covenant attack Illium, believing it to be an easy target. Their mistake is costly, with the battlegroup beaten back by allied Citadel and Eclipse warships.

September 26

An absolutely colossal turian battlefleet besieges the Sangheili world of Malurok. The attack is considered to be of equivalent damage to the Covenant as the Fall of Reach was to humanity.