Chapter Summaries

Mike and Leon struggled to plan how to reach ONI’s secret facility without guns, manpower, or detection. Fulgrim proposed using a staged beach explosion as a distraction so he could slip away and infiltrate the facility alone.

• Mike and Leon reviewed the risks of confronting the UNSC and its forces while marking possible routes on tourist maps.
• Fulgrim offered to enter the primeval rainforest alone and break through ONI’s defenses to obtain its core data.
• Fulgrim proposed that Maggie Shaw raid a gang for explosives and plant them near a restricted communications station.
• Fulgrim planned to use a crowded beach detonation to draw attention away while he ran to ONI’s facility, erased surveillance footage, and used magic to remove memories.

Maggie Shaw raided a gang warehouse in southern Piers City and stole plastic explosives for the Investigators’ operation. The next day, explosions erupted at the eastern beach while Leon, Mike, Maggie, and the other Investigators were there.

• Mike ordered Fulgrim to infiltrate the ONI facility once the Investigators had fulfilled the prerequisites and gather intelligence on the Forerunner Ruins.
• Maggie Shaw raced across southern Piers City, killed the gang members guarding a warehouse, and took a briefcase of plastic explosives.
• Maggie left misleading clues and disappeared into the night with the explosives.
• Leon, Mike, Maggie, and the other Investigators lounged on the eastern beach the next day.
• Explosions suddenly shattered the beach’s peaceful atmosphere.

After a staged search for Noeli, Fulgrim crossed the rainforest toward an ONI facility near Forerunner ruins. His attempt to sneak inside triggered an alarm, so he entered through the front gate prepared to use force.

• Mike searched the panicked beach crowd for Noeli and asked patrol officers for help, while the officers directed civilians to shelters.
• Three UNSC Pelicans flew toward the civilian communications station where the explosions had occurred.
• Fulgrim swam away from the beach and used his memorized maps and Psychic Power to reach an ONI facility in the rainforest.
• Fulgrim observed the facility’s defenses and patrols, then knocked two special forces soldiers unconscious.
• An alarm sounded before Fulgrim could continue infiltrating, and he entered the facility through its front gate.

Atlas expanded its military preparations across several universes while Horus traveled to Seattle to coordinate supplies for the planned integration of Earth-02. Just as Guilliman welcomed him at Atlas Headquarters, security reported that an Anomalous Creature called Hera had broken into the lobby.

• Atlas shipped completed vessel modules to Bountiful Star, assembled two ships, and worked to upgrade its orbital defenses and warship designs.
• Horus led troops from the Relic Base toward Earth-02 and promised Sui Yang he would guard the Main Universe against threats from the Warp.
• Horus reviewed reports on Earth-05, where Atlas contained the Zombies and used them to train new personnel and support experiments.
• Horus arrived at Atlas Headquarters, where Guilliman discussed his logistical needs for the Earth-02 operation.
• Guilliman received a security alert that Hera had broken into the building's first-floor lobby.

Hera, claiming to be the Greek goddess and queen of heaven, forced her way into Atlas Headquarters and was detained. Under Guilliman’s interrogation, she revealed that she was the only Olympian still active on Earth and that the other gods had been corrupted or imprisoned on Mars.

• Hera tried to force her way past Atlas Headquarters security and demanded to meet Sui Yang.
• Guilliman arrived with Horus and threatened to extract information from Hera unless she cooperated, prompting her to surrender.
• Horus sensed psychic power from Hera and suspected she might be connected to the Warp.
• Guilliman interrogated Hera and demanded all the intelligence she had about the Greek gods before considering cooperation.
• Hera said she had been the only Olympian active on Earth for four thousand years, while the other gods had been corrupted into demons or imprisoned on Mars.

Hera told Guilliman that Zeus had sacrificed and corrupted the Olympian gods on Mars, then imprisoned the survivors, and asked Atlas for help saving her kin and killing Zeus. Guilliman said he would consult his father and brothers, while assuring Hera that Atlas would not tolerate a threat to humanity in the Solar System.

• Guilliman realized Hera’s account placed the Olympian gods and Chaos forces on Mars, then asked her to explain.
• Hera described how humanity’s faith had sustained the gods and how Zeus built a teleportation Matrix to Mars to escape their dependence on worship.
• Hera revealed that Zeus sacrificed countless gods and servants to a powerful higher-dimensional species, then slaughtered, corrupted, and imprisoned the survivors.
• Hera explained that her son Ares sacrificed himself to help her escape Mars, after which she destroyed the Summit Temple and Matrix to prevent Zeus from following.
• Hera said she had watched Atlas for years and asked Guilliman to help save her kin and kill Zeus.
• Guilliman said he needed to consult his father and brothers, but promised Atlas would not tolerate a threat to humanity within the Solar System.

Sui Yang authorized Guilliman, Sanguinius, and Horus to investigate and purge Chaos forces on Mars, then began planning a Ghost Agents project using potentially uncorrupted Greek Gods. Fulgrim and the investigators returned with intelligence needed to investigate Shield World 0459.

• Sui Yang reviewed reports and estimated that preparations for the planned missions to Shield World 0459 and Reach would take four to five months.
• Guilliman briefed Sui Yang on suspected Warp forces and imprisoned Greek Gods at the Olympus Mountains on Mars, and Sui Yang authorized him to lead the operation with Sanguinius and Horus assisting.
• Sui Yang assigned reinforcements from Terraria to Guilliman and began drafting a Ghost Agents project to recruit the Greek Gods as instructors and fighters against Chaos.
• Sui Yang and Leman went outside as a Silver Gull landed at the Frontline Base.
• Mike, Leon, Maggie, the other Investigators, and Fulgrim arrived carrying their belongings, bringing intelligence for the investigation of Shield World 0459.

Guilliman, Sanguinius, Horus, and Hera traveled to Space City before joining Queen Tinas Lothrian and her Elven forces aboard an Atlas Fleet bound for Mars. The six ships prepared to activate their Antimatter Engines and set course for the planet.

• A Luna Transport Craft escorted by two Ghost III fighters docked at Space City, where Guilliman, Sanguinius, Horus, and Hera disembarked.
• Hera considered Atlas's hidden history and how to deal with the fallen Zeus and the Greek gods as she prepared to travel to Mars.
• Queen Tinas Lothrian introduced herself to Guilliman and agreed to work with the Human Emperor's Firstborn against the corrupt forces ravaging the Main Universe.
• Guilliman's group and the Elven elite boarded the Fides-class Frigate, which departed Space City with two Serenity-class Transport Ships.
• The three vessels rendezvoused with three more Serenity-class Transport Ships and passed the Moon.
• The captain of the Fides-class Frigate Future ordered the fleet to activate its Antimatter Engines together and head for Mars.

The Atlas Fleet approached Mars as Guilliman gathered the department heads to plan an assault on Mount Olympus. He ordered Lieutenant Colonel Breya and her Hunters to scout the temples for captives and prioritize their own safety, leaving the fleet to prepare an orbital bombardment.

• The Atlas Fleet traveled toward Mars aboard the Future and five Serenity-class Transport Ships, using slipspace engines to extend Atlas's reach.
• Aya Brea, referred to as Breya during the briefing, completed a thousand training repetitions and received orders to report to the combat conference room.
• Guilliman explained that the fallen Greek gods held captives in temples beneath Mount Olympus and that a fissure in a canyon led to the temples.
• Guilliman ordered Breya and her Hunters to scout the canyon and locate the captives, warning them to withdraw or request fleet fire support if their stealth failed.
• Guilliman said the fleet would prepare an orbital bombardment, after which the two colonels and the Primarchs would handle cleanup.

The Atlas Fleet reached Mars, and Colonel Breya led a Hunter force from the Terns into a fissure in the Olympus Mountains. After a six-hour advance, they discovered an underground palace complex illuminated by a miniature crimson-purple sun.

• The stealthy Atlas Fleet entered low Mars orbit and launched five Tern Assault Craft toward the Olympus Mountains.
• Aya Brea, also called Breya, located the fissure and directed the Terns to land on a natural platform beside it.
• Breya left Fourth Platoon to guard the landing zone while she led First, Second, and Third Combat Platoons into the fissure.
• The Hunters used probes to navigate the fissure and, after six hours, reached a cavern with warm, humid air and methane.
• Breya led the Hunters through a final tunnel, where they found a vast underground space containing a miniature sun and an ancient Greek-style palace complex.

Breya and the Hunters surveyed the vast palace complex and gathered intelligence on its fallen gods and defenses. When the hostile sun exposed their position and a swarm of creatures pursued them, Breya ordered a retreat and requested an immediate bombardment.

• Breya ordered the Hunters to conceal their observation equipment and survey the palace complex.
• Breya identified statues of Greek gods, observed fallen creatures indulging themselves, and spotted fused armored soldiers patrolling the complex.
• Breya sent the Fleet intelligence about the armored soldiers while the Hunters continued observing ahead of a planned bombardment.
• The sun churned and focused its light on the fissure entrance, incapacitating several demolition specialists as tens of thousands of winged human-serpent creatures flew toward the Hunters.
• Breya requested that the Fleet commence bombardment immediately and urged the Hunters to retreat quickly while keeping a safe distance.

The Atlas Fleet bombarded the Olympus Mountains and the Fallen Gods’ palace complex, then sent aircraft and ground forces to destroy the survivors. As the rescue and cleanup began, Sanguinius and Horus sped toward the Central Temple to confront Zeus.

• The captain of the Future ordered the Atlas Fleet to fire its main and secondary guns at the crater, then launch a nuclear bombardment.
• The fleet’s weapons devastated the palace complex, and the captain ordered combat units and carrier aircraft to land on Mars and eliminate the remaining Fallen Gods.
• A Phantom III gunner targeted surviving heat signatures with air-to-ground missiles as carrier aircraft attacked the ruined complex.
• ODST troopers landed in the crater and advanced toward the southern sector, followed by the Emergency Countermeasures Unit and Tyrants to sweep the ruins.
• Sanguinius and Horus bypassed the rescue and cleanup forces and raced toward the Central Temple where Zeus was.

Carlos Oliveira and the ODST joined the assault on Mars, fought through Fallen Demigods and Cerberus, and found imprisoned Greek Gods while Sanguinius and Horus attacked the Central Temple. The brothers defeated four Chief Gods, but their victory gave way to a strange childhood memory and a darkness filled with watching eyes.

• Carlos and the ODST advanced through Mars’s landing zone and drove back Fallen Demigods with help from Elves.
• The squad fought Cerberus with Gauss and Plasma weapons and grenades, then continued into the dungeon despite Carlos’s injuries.
• Carlos and his comrades found imprisoned Greek Gods, but a supernatural barrier kept them from opening the cells.
• Sanguinius and Horus reached the Central Temple and killed Artemis, Apollo, Poseidon, and Aphrodite.
• The brothers prepared to face whatever awaited them, then saw a childhood memory with their father before the hall darkened and strange eyes surrounded them.

Sanguinius and Horus broke free of Slaanesh’s illusions and confronted the Chaos God, who retreated when Horus’s golden Psychic Power frightened Her. Their attacks struck Zeus after Slaanesh severed Her connection to him, killing him and allowing his corrupted soul to be plundered.

• Sanguinius and Horus saw false memories and visions of a future in which their service was overlooked while their brothers received humanity’s acclaim.
• Horus shattered the illusion with Grey Wolf Fang, and Sanguinius joined him after piercing his own false vision with Imperial Spear.
• The brothers stood back-to-back as Slaanesh revealed Herself and tried to lure them into Her embrace.
• Sanguinius hurled Imperial Spear at Slaanesh while Horus attacked with golden Psychic Power lightning.
• Slaanesh recoiled from Horus’s golden energy and severed Her connection to Zeus, returning the Central Temple to normal.
• Imperial Spear and Horus’s lightning struck Zeus, killing him and completely plundering his corrupted soul.

Sanguinius and Horus killed Zeus and secured the Olympus site, while Sui Yang planned Atlas’s next moves involving Shield World 0459, Catherine Halsey, and Warp threats. The chapter ended with Sui Yang joining Leman and his young sons, then shifted to adolescents waiting in a rainforest at night.

• Sanguinius and Horus killed Zeus, and technical teams began collecting the gods’ remains as Hera accompanied Sanguinius to the southern prison.
• Apu reported Shield World 0459’s coordinates and warned that claiming it could alert the Covenant; Sui Yang maintained the plan and ordered more AIs to help decrypt Forerunner technology.
• Sui Yang reviewed Atlas’s plans to send Courage toward Reach, seize Catherine Halsey and the Spartan-II Program, and encourage Sangheili independence from the Covenant.
• Sui Yang planned a Supernatural Phenomena Control Department, informally called the Gray Adjudicators, using Athena and surviving Greek gods to investigate Warp corruption.
• Sui Yang found Leman teaching Corax and Mortarion to walk, and the scene then shifted to adolescents waiting in a nighttime rainforest.

Jialan Clovey and the other young Adaptants survived Pandora’s wilderness trial and received orders to join Atlas’s Fleet for a unification operation on Earth-02. After returning to the vast Pandora base, the cadets prepared to board a fleet that included a Valiant-class Super-heavy Cruiser.

• Jialan and his companions ambushed and killed a Hammerhead Titanothere, then butchered and ate it in the rainforest.
• Jialan received an order directing all Adaptants to hold position for pickup and prepare to accompany the Fleet to Earth-02.
• A Falcon Assault Craft collected Jialan’s group and flew them back to Atlas’s military base, where Seris Muir wondered whether they would go straight to space.
• Jialan and the other cadets returned to their dormitory to collect their belongings as transports carried supplies and personnel to the Fleet above Pandora.
• The chapter described the seven Cadet Corps and the Fleet’s sixteen vessels, including its 1,100-meter Valiant-class Super-heavy Cruiser flagship.

Horus prepared Atlas’s fleet for a surprise operation to unify Earth-02, while Corax and Mortarion learned a lesson about responsibility from Tinas. The chapter ended with Sui Yang reviewing Ada’s plan to capture Catherine Elizabeth Halsey.

• Atlas completed three Valiant-class cruisers and expanded its fleet in preparation for conflict across the Halo universe and Earth-02.
• Horus reviewed intelligence showing Earth-02 was weakened by colonial rebellions and ordered the fleet to prepare for a forceful unification operation.
• Horus planned to use aerial decapitation strikes and borrowed more than seven thousand Astartes Adaptants for the campaign’s ground forces.
• Corax caught a bird for Mortarion, but Tinas reminded the brothers to consider what others wanted before making decisions.
• Corax and Mortarion eagerly agreed to take responsibility for mythical-beast pets if Sui Yang approved.
• Sui Yang reviewed Ada’s operation plan to capture Catherine Elizabeth Halsey.

Sui Yang reviewed Ada Wang’s plan to capture Catherine Elizabeth Halsey on Reach and considered the coming expedition to Shield World 0459. He then agreed to let Corax and Mortarion travel with Tinas to Terraria before the story shifted to Reach on June 8.

• Sui Yang reviewed the Investigation Department’s plan to capture Halsey and noted that the Spartan-II facilities remained undiscovered.
• The Investigation Department had infiltrated Reach and identified Halsey’s location, while the Diana-class vessel supported its covert operation.
• Corax and Mortarion told Sui Yang that Lady Lothrian had agreed to arrange pets for them.
• Sui Yang allowed Corax and Mortarion to accompany Tinas to Terraria, on the condition that they return within five days.
• The narration introduced the Epsilon Eridani system and described Reach as a beautiful human colony in its second orbit.

Leon S. Kennedy and Ada Wang surveilled Halsey in a New Alexandria mall while Atlas’s team prepared to arrest her. As Leon and Ada closed in, Chris and the Special Operations Group detonated explosives on the roof to begin the operation.

• Atlas maintained a covert presence on Reach, with a stealth vessel above the desert and a surface base supporting its investigators and special operatives.
• Leon S. Kennedy and Ada Wang posed as a married couple while tracking Halsey through a New Alexandria mall.
• Ada explained that she had joined the operation because her experience and familiarity with Leon made them effective at overt surveillance.
• Leon and Ada identified Halsey leaving a lingerie store and moved closer as Chris and the others monitored their view.
• Chris and the Special Operations Group detonated plastic explosives in an unoccupied area on the mall roof.

Leon and Ada abducted Catherine Halsey from a New Alexandria mall while Atlas forces blocked the police and ONI from reaching her. They brought her to an underground hall at the Action base, where the Molecular Locator began preparing an Ark Transmission.

• Chris and his team detonated explosives in the mall, causing a panic that Leon and Ada used to separate Halsey from her ONI guards.
• Leon incapacitated the five ONI agents protecting Halsey, then followed her and Ada through the fleeing crowd.
• An unknown sniper and camouflaged Atlas fighters pinned down the SWAT team outside the mall, while Lucas R. Junior ordered them to rescue Halsey and then directed ONI to search Reach for her.
• Leon and Ada escorted Halsey through the sewers, boarded a stealth-enabled Silver Gull II, and flew with her to the Action base in the desert.
• At the base, an announcement began the Molecular Locator countdown as a water-like sphere formed in the hall around Halsey.