. . .

THE YEAR IS 2026.
HUMANITY IS AT WAR WITH THE GREATER GAMING ZEITGEIST, AN ALLIANCE KNOWN AS 'MODERN GAMING'.

WE ARE LOSING.

MODERN GAMING HAS BURNED OUR DISCS, CUTTING FEATURE AFTER FEATURE IN THEIR CAMPAIGN TO HAVE US OWN NOTHING.
HALO IS OUR LAST BASTION - A SILENTLY REVERED CLASSIC STILL PLAYABLE IN SPLIT-SCREEN.

BUT NOT ANYMORE.

MEGACORPORATIONS MOVE TO BREACH HALO'S DEFENSES AND ATTACK OUR CHILDHOODS.
NOW IS THE TIME WE MUST PREPARE OUR RESPONSE...

A TEAM OF MODERATELY-SKILLED 'BOOMERS' ARE READY TO LAUNCH A GAMING EVENT COUNTER-MEASURE - A LAN TO REMIND US WHY WE NEED HALO, WHY WE NEED HEROES.

THIS IS A NEAR-SUICIDAL MISSION.

BUT THESE BOOMERS ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST.
AND SAVING HALO COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT MISSION OF THEIR CAREERS.
WE CAN NEVER GO BACK, BUT WE CAN VISIT THE --

. . .

MISSION BRIEF
UNSC NAVCOM has authorized the proceeding training exercise (Codename: LAST EXIT) as a response to the growing Covenant threat. ONI Intelligence reports indicate exactly what the brass have feared; troop morale over the last decade has suffered extensively due to recent engagements and losses in Sector X-B0-X , resulting in record-low recruitment numbers in the Inner Colonies. The goal of this event will be to gather vidmasters from across the systems to compete in virtual-fire exercises, recounting battles and victories of old -- and reminding all of humanity what unites us and why we need to stand together. To accomplish this, the ONI spooks believe immersing our guests in the fictional world and lore of the civilian entertainment series H4L0 will boost tactical drill assimilation by one-hundred-seventeen percent. The eggheads were apparently inspired by some similar symposium back on Harvest near the beginning of the war (see addendum A) and will be working hard to recreate the atmosphere of "stepping into that world" with in-universe props and staging.

< // add. A - H4L0: Outpost Discovery // >

COMMAND STRUCTURE
Taskmasters Admiral [REDACTED] (Codename: BONES) and Vice-Admiral [REDACTED] (Codename: REVENANT) will be spear-heading this operation and coordinating all logistical requisitions.

LAUNCH TIME-FRAME
Operation: LAST EXIT will run between Friday, May 22nd and remain in effect until Sunday, May 24th, with primary virtual-fire exercises occurring on Saturday, May 23rd. NAVSPECWEP 'Tier-1' assets will be operational in the area prior to official go-live orders (as well as after) to assist with deployment.

OPERATIONAL THEATRE
Localized System: Sol
Planet: Earth
Province: West Atlantic Protectorate
City: New Indianapolis (formerly Indianapolis)
Geo-coordinates: [REDACTED]
< // AI.SKULLY - More information available upon request // >

LOGISTICS
UNSC NAVCOM will be coordinating primary fleet deployments and providing for the following line items --

• Vidmaster lodging and quartering costs (three-days, two nights)
  
• Vidmaster mess hall meal costs (three days, two nights)
  
• Vidmaster supplemental commissary costs (including snacks, drinks, and spirits)
  
• Vidmaster basic operational equipment and devices (including screens, monitors, consoles, controllers, and networking supplies)
  
• Vidmaster pre-operation prep gear (including in-universe assorted goodies)

Vidmasters will be politely asked to arrange personal travel and cover related expenses, as this is outside NAVSPECWEP's operational budget, but shouldn't need any other additional gear to participate. Additionally, should the Vidmasters require their own specialized or individual equipment for participating in the virtual-fire exercises, NAVCOM will be able to incorporate those devices into the event but will be unable to coordinate the additional travel logistics.

RECREATION
Operation: Last Exit will focus on more classically-oriented virtual-fire exercises meant to foster teamwork and implement tactical planning in objective-based scenarios, including the following simulations below. Additionally, UNSC NAVCOM has identified ruck march trails in the operational vicinity, should vidmasters or any other UNSC personnel feel the need for additional PT exercise while on-station.

H4L0: MCC (primary sub-routine)

• H4L0: CE
  
• H4L0 2
  
• H4L0 3
  
• H4L0 3: 0DST
  
• H4L0 RE4CH

H4L0 1NF1N1TE (secondary sub-routine)

ENLISTMENT & COMMS
UNSC NAVCOM has approved spending for limited additional headcount to troop deployment totals, but this operation is volunteer-for-selection only. Any civilian vidmasters or UNSC personnel wishing to participate will need to submit electronic notice to the below comm channel prior to the go-live date. As naval assets are spun-up, these submissions will be reviewed and finalized by operation Taskmasters on a first-come-first-serve basis.

GMAIL - Civilian Inter-System Mailing App:
Codename: BONES - maawilhelm@gmail.com

Please include the following information in any communique --

• Subject: HLE LAN
  
• Body: ExtraNet Forum Handle // Vidmaster Gamertag // CivID Full Name // UNSC Service Number (if applicable)
  
• Sub-Body: A short, three-paragraph description of your combat service record and reason for submission of vidmaster
  
• < // AI.SKULLY - Or perhaps just your favorite H4L0-related memory *wink* // >

< // END TRANSMISSION // >

THE YEAR IS 2026.
HUMANITY IS AT WAR WITH THE GREATER GAMING ZEITGEIST, AN ALLIANCE KNOWN AS 'MODERN GAMING'.

WE ARE LOSING.

MODERN GAMING HAS BURNED OUR DISCS, CUTTING FEATURE AFTER FEATURE IN THEIR CAMPAIGN TO HAVE US OWN NOTHING.

🫡