Operation: FORTRESS SIEGE

Operation: FORTRESS SIEGE, also known as the Liberation of the Epsilon Eridani system, was the last major operation conducted by the United Nations Space Command during the Human-Covenant War. UNSC High Command and members of the Schismatics met to plan the retaking of the Epsilon Eridani system in January of 2553, following the end of the Battle for Earth.

Background
Following the Battle for Earth's conclusion in December of 2552, the UNSC High Command announced preparations for the immediate recapture of the Epsilon Eridani System, in a mission that would be jointly organized with Arbiter Thel 'Vadam's Schismatics, whose leader had yet to return from the Ark at the time. This was as much done out of patriotism and politics, as out of necessity. Politically, a tactical victory in what was once humanity's most populous system outside of Sol itself would prove that the UNSC-Sangheili alliance was strong enough to deter the disorganized fleets of the former Covenant hegemony, silencing doubts about its viability. Its capture would also be a vital symbol that humanity was finally in a position to recapture their territory. However, there were more pragmatic reasons for focusing on Epsilon Eridani immediately after the Ark.

Firstly, the system itself was strategically important because seven other sliplanes connected to stars that did or currently host a human colony, with its occupation extending slipspace transit times by up to 90 days. Capturing the system was vital for the UNSC's ability to deter ex-Covenant raiders in the Inner Colonies, and act as a junction for not only where the liberation of the rest of human space can be conducted, but also the resettlement effort. Secondly, while Reach was glassed beyond repair and space stations had been utterly annihilated, the other planets - Circumstance, the colonies around the outer giant planets and the asteroids, and to a lesser extent Tribute - were largely spared. Some of their planetary infrastructure could be reused or at least recycled, which would allow the UEG to offload the vast numbers of refugees they accumulated during the war. Some of these intact facilities also contained sensitive communiques and research prior to their abandoning, which CONI Admiral Parangosky believed could be used against the UNSC.

Meanwhile, the Covenant had not been sitting idly by. Following the system's capture, their military command had authorized the construction of several large naval bases and shipyards, which could now be used by the Covenant loyalists to continuously batter down the defenses of Earth without risk to their precious ships. Fortunately, Schismatic intelligence (which consisted of some officers who were previously assigned there) knew that they were still under construction. The longer they waited, the stronger the defenses would be and the more brute ships could be recalled to protect them, making it imperative for the allied forces to destroy the entire installation as soon as possible.

Order of Battle

 * UNSC


 * Truth loyalists
 * Fleet of Boundless Wrath
 * 3 capital ships
 * 11 CCS-class battlecruisers
 * 5 frigates
 * Fleet of Enduring Flame
 * 8 capital ships
 * 17 CCS-class battlecruisers
 * 7 frigates
 * Fleet of Imminent Triumph
 * 4 capital ships
 * 14 CCS-class battlecruisers
 * 24 frigates