0800 Hours, November 30, 2525 / Aboard UNSC Commonwealth, En Route to Planet Reach
After Action Report – Operation Frost Knife
Author: Spartan‑151, Leonidas
Clearance Level: ONI Section III – Eyes Only
Boarding Action
Objective: Conduct reconnaissance and intelligence gathering aboard disabled Covenant cruiser in low orbit over Chi Ceti IV. Primary goals included identification of alien crew species, weapon systems, ship architecture, and possible technological acquisition. Secondary goal: disable or destroy the vessel to prevent recovery or repair.
Insertion was executed via Pelican (Echo‑216) from UNSC Commonwealth at 1925 hours. All six members of Blue Team were equipped with MJOLNIR Mark IV armor, outfitted with Pilot Revision jump kits and linked Titan AIs (designated TAI-XXX, exception BT-7274 for Spartan-151). Primary armament included VK78 Tactical Rifles, M90 CAWS Shotguns, and M7 SMGs. Supplementary loadouts varied per Spartan. Equipment also included one (1) Fenrir-class nuclear warhead.
Entry point was the Covenant cruiser's aft hangar, which appeared depressurized but was not exposed to vacuum. No hostile resistance was encountered upon initial breach. The interior of the ship exhibited advanced construction materials—purple and cobalt metal alloys with bioluminescent integrated lighting. Surfaces showed no rivets or mechanical fasteners. Internal structure displayed organic curves and non-Euclidean geometry inconsistent with UNSC shipbuilding.
Team progressed through entry corridor using two-man bounds and overlapping fields of fire. Encountered first hostiles at 1947 hours—two (2) unknown avian-reptilian bipeds approximately 2.0 meters tall. Identified as light infantry or skirmishers. Both units wielded compact, crescent-shaped sidearms firing superheated green plasma. Each was also equipped with an energy shield emitted from a wrist-mounted device.
Combat initiated by Spartan-087. Engagement lasted approximately four (4) seconds. Hostiles neutralized via close-quarters engagement and M90 shotgun fire. One intact body recovered for analysis.
No UNSC shielding was available on MJOLNIR Mk IV at the time of this operation. Spartan armor showed signs of surface degradation under plasma fire but maintained structural integrity in all initial encounters.
Following neutralization, team proceeded toward suspected reactor core via central corridor. Covenant doors controlled via holographic interface. Entry achieved through direct AI intrusion (BT-7274). No mechanical or coded interfaces observed—system appears to use waveform logic inaccessible to conventional software.
Team reached central reactor at 1953 hours. Structure extended vertically across at least six visible decks. Reactor exhibited concentric energy bands, continuous pulse patterns. Spartan-117 deployed and armed the Fenrir warhead at reactor base with delay activation.
Initial contact with cloaked hostiles occurred at 1955 hours. One (1) enemy shimmer observed on adjacent bridge. Spartan-151 initiated suppression fire. VK78 fire neutralized one (1) additional enemy unit: tall, heavily armored, approximately 2.4 meters in height. Quadrupedal jaw configuration, dual eyes, bipedal stance. Deployed personal energy shielding, more resilient than light infantry units. Referred to informally post-mission as "Elites."
Following shield collapse, subject was killed via sustained fire to chest cavity.
Multiple enemy units revealed on flanking platforms. Blue Team initiated immediate withdrawal toward aft hangar under sustained fire.
Withdrawal and Asset Loss Prevention
Upon identification of additional Covenant infantry reinforcements—including multiple cloaked elite units and shielded skirmishers—Blue Team initiated tactical withdrawal from the central reactor chamber at 1956 hours. Covenant forces engaged in coordinated fire using energy weapons, including green plasma pistols, blue plasma rifles, and purple crystal-based projectiles exhibiting limited homing characteristics.
Enemy coordination indicated a command structure or inherent battlefield communication beyond visible audio exchange. No apparent vocal command system observed. Elites appeared to gesture and move as independent squad leaders with accompanying Jackal elements operating in fireteam-sized groupings.
During retreat, Blue Team maintained tight formation through curved primary corridors and central junctions. Fire discipline was upheld to control ammunition expenditure. Spartan-058 and Spartan-087 suppressed rear flanks while Spartan-151 and Spartan-104 cleared forward path. Spartan-117 carried and monitored arming status of Fenrir-class nuclear warhead.
At 1959 hours, hostile ambush occurred in corridor Delta-7A. Plasma fire from Jackal unit struck Spartan-117 from a flanking angle. Spartan-034 (Sam) identified threat and interposed himself between plasma discharge and the team leader. Direct impact occurred to center torso of Spartan-034.
MJOLNIR Mk IV armor failed to disperse plasma heat entirely. Chestplate integrity compromised. Pressure seal along collarbone junction fractured, exposing Spartan-034 to slow depressurization. Despite injury, Spartan-034 continued returning fire and eliminated three hostiles during continued egress. No loss of mobility observed at time of exfil.
Exfiltration achieved at 2002 hours via Pelican Echo-216. Spartan-151 piloted craft under evasive vector to reach safe detonation distance. Estimated standoff range achieved at 2005 hours.
At 2006 hours, Spartan-117 activated remote detonation of Fenrir warhead.
Due to Pelican model lacking rear viewport, no visual confirmation of detonation observed. However, structural vibration and sensor readings confirmed destruction of Covenant cruiser. No surviving enemy transmissions recorded following detonation event.
Return to UNSC Commonwealth at 2008 hours. Spartan-034 transferred to medbay under stable but critical condition. Breach to armor and depressurization identified as source of threat. Pressure trauma and plasma burns treated. No neurological trauma or loss of limb. Spartan-034 is expected to make a full recovery following suit integrity upgrades.
Debrief completed by 2040 hours. Covenant weapons recovered include:
One (1) plasma pistol (green energy, Jackal unit) One (1) plasma rifle (blue energy, Elite unit) Fragmented crystal launcher (purple projectiles, observed only) — not recoverable due to combat conditions
Post-Engagement Recommendations and Technological Advancement Proposals
Following Operation Frost Knife, it is the opinion of this operative that immediate re-evaluation of current MJOLNIR capabilities and UNSC military doctrine is required. The operation confirmed that Covenant infantry possess energy shielding technology far superior to current UNSC defensive assets. The shielding observed on both skirmisher and elite units rendered ballistic munitions ineffective until shield failure was forced through volume fire.
It is recommended that captured Covenant shielding modules be prioritized for reverse engineering under ONI Section III oversight. Of particular note is the personal shielding employed by the Elite-class units: it demonstrated a dynamic energy dispersion pattern responsive to kinetic and thermal input, with rapid failure and recharge cycles. This technology must be studied, miniaturized, and adapted for MJOLNIR integration. Application to standard infantry combat armor should be considered once field-tested.
In the interim, development and immediate deployment of my proposed Tungrahene-X alloy is strongly advised. This tungsten-graphene composite showed theoretical resistance to high-heat plasma exposure during lab trials and has been cleared for limited prototype integration. Pending further testing, I recommend application of Tungrahene-X to:
MJOLNIR Mk V and future iterations UNSC Marine Corps infantry armor UNSC Army field and combat armor UNSC Air Force pilot and ground crew armor ODST exo-combat suits and EVA-rated kit
Initial scaling costs will be high, but strategic investment in material survivability will yield exponential returns in prolonged Covenant engagements.
Additionally, I recommend expansion of Titan-class mechanized combat development. The existing Titan AI integration model (TAI Series) has shown significant utility in combat and logistics applications. Titan platforms offer critical advantages in mobility, vertical dominance, and firepower delivery that will be decisive in atmospheric and zero-G combat scenarios.
To ensure proper integration and battlefield efficiency, I propose adapting current ODST units for Pilot designation training, including:
Titan neural-link orientation 3D spatial combat navigation Zero-G and rapid insertion protocols Anti-vehicle and extended-duration combat operations
This transition should focus on combat-proven ODST personnel. Pilot programs can begin with elite drop shock squads already trained in high-risk operational environments.
Weapons doctrine must also evolve. Covenant infantry routinely withstood intermediate-caliber rounds during Operation Frost Knife. It is my assessment that current standard-issue arms (e.g., MA5 series, M7 SMG) are underpowered against shielded and armored targets.
Recommendation:
Accelerated development and deployment of high-caliber ballistic weaponry (.50 caliber minimum) Refitting of existing platforms (e.g., DMRs, LMGs) to accept heavier munitions with tungsten and HEAT core options Introduction of anti-shield munitions utilizing conductive or EM-variant payloads
Finally, I submit for consideration a new civil defense initiative—Project VAULTLIGHT. Based loosely on pre-war theoretical studies (e.g., the Vault Program from historical fiction), this proposal would create a network of self-sufficient underground population preservation facilities. Each installation would be designed to withstand planetary glassing events, support long-term civilian survival, and operate independently of surface supply lines.
Each facility should include:
Power generation and water reclamation systems Agricultural space and closed-loop food production Medical infrastructure Communications uplink with ONI Section Zero nodes Security staff and defense hardpoints
Objective: minimize civilian casualties and ensure species survival in the event of total planetary loss, as observed on Harvest.
Assessment and Recommendations for UNSC Naval Combat Doctrine
The events of Operation Frost Knife exposed significant and dangerous deficiencies in current UNSC space combat doctrine. These weaknesses are rooted in legacy tactics and strategic assumptions carried over from centuries of human-on-human naval warfare.
Linear Engagement Doctrine – Obsolescence Noted
Modern UNSC fleet engagements emphasize MAC cannon broadsides and missile saturation delivered by ships in fixed formations. This method mirrors wet-navy battleship doctrine and relies on 2D combat positioning—ship lines, heading alignment, and projectile vectors all grounded in horizontal axis thinking.
Against Covenant forces, this approach is insufficient. During Operation Frost Knife, UNSC Commonwealth—a fully operational frigate—required two MAC rounds at ~60% and ~70% power respectively to cripple, not destroy, a single CCS-class Covenant battlecruiser. The second shot successfully dropped shields and caused critical hull damage, but enemy systems and structure remained intact. It is this operative's opinion that, given time, the enemy vessel could have resumed limited operation.
This highlights the inadequacy of kinetic-only solutions against energy-shielded targets.
Energy Weapon Gap – Casaba-Howitzer Application Recommended
UNSC lacks practical shipboard energy weaponry, creating a critical disadvantage. However, a dormant Cold War-era concept—Casaba-Howitzer technology—offers a potential solution. Developed under Project Orion, this system repurposes nuclear charges to create directional plasma jets capable of extreme damage at range.
This weapon concept could be revived and adapted for anti-shield or hull penetration roles. Recommended: ONI and UNSC R&D initiate viability testing of Casaba-Howitzer ordnance, including controlled plasma behavior in vacuum and integration with existing torpedo delivery systems.
Lack of 3D Combat Doctrine – Urgent Revision Required
UNSC fleet operations remain grounded in two-dimensional strategy, largely due to MAC cannon alignment and gravity-based ship designs. Covenant vessels demonstrate multi-axis maneuverability, including unpredictable vertical vectors and near-instant reorientation.
Suggested doctrinal advancements:
Deploy Titan-class mechs in space for independent 3D maneuver warfare, tethered to zero-G staging platforms powered by orbital boosters for wall-running. Mechs can serve as anti-fighter, anti-bomber assets in orbital engagements. This mirrors Gundam-style combat frameworks, previously considered science fiction, now feasible with modern thrust vectoring and armor miniaturization. Platform-based combat suits should never be deployed in-atmosphere. Mass, balance, and heat dissipation restrict these to space-only operations.
Gravity Manipulation – Untapped Tactical Asset
UNSC vessels currently employ artificial gravity to maintain 1G internal stability. It is recommended that this technology be repurposed for offensive and defensive capabilities.
Proposed applications:
Gravity-distorting munitions: Tactical deployment of temporary localized gravity wells to redirect, delay, or destabilize enemy projectiles. Trajectory-modifying gravity nodes: Adjust MAC round vectors mid-flight to evade interception or render enemy prediction algorithms obsolete. Field disruption of strike craft: Artificial gravity spikes may disorient or even destroy fast-moving Covenant fighters in close-range engagements.
Research into mobile or drone-mounted gravity nodes is highly encouraged.
Autonomous Defense and Interception Systems
Covenant vessels deploy multiple strike craft per engagement. Current UNSC turret and fighter responses are insufficient due to pilot reaction lag and low saturation.
Recommended:
Deployment of autonomous drone interceptors equipped with spherical railgun arrays capable of firing in any direction. Integration with AI target prediction models to allow for 360-degree threat response at high velocity. Units must include ECM shielding and reactive armor, and be deployable from capital ship hangar bays or external launch ports.
Reduction in Human Crew Dependency – Tactical Necessity
Current ship classes rely heavily on full human crews. This leads to significant casualties in the event of hull breach, catastrophic failure, or successful boarding action.
Proposal:
Transition to drone fleets controlled by Smart AI cores, supported by a minimal human engineering crew for physical oversight and critical systems management. AI can manage navigation, targeting, propulsion, and damage control faster than any human-led command structure. Spartan‑151 recommends prototype fleet be developed within 12 months for system testing in the Outer Colonies.
Conclusion
Covenant space combat capabilities demand a total reassessment of UNSC naval doctrine. The above recommendations represent a path forward to close the technological and strategic gap before further planetary losses are incurred. We cannot afford to wage yesterday's war against an enemy from tomorrow.