The Battle of Circumstance

Reach wasn't the only planet orbiting Epsilon Eridanus. Circumstance, a planet known for it's courts and military academies. If Reach is Humanity's "Fortress among the stars," then Circumstance is truly the "Utopia". While Tribute is plagued with hundreds, if not thousands, of Insurrectionist sympathizers, Circumstance has no such problem. The people here live lives of happiness, and would almost be oblivious to the troubles around them if were it not for the occasional Innie sympathizer that is brought before the court. The cadets that enroll in the naval academies have gone on to obtain distinguished military careers, rivaling those even on Luna. Truly, this colony was what every space-faring race desired to achieve.


However, that all changed when the Covenant arrived in-system. After Reach fell, the Covenant fleet spread themselves around Epsilon Eridanus' orbiting planets. They barricaded Tribute and Circumstance, Invaded Beta Gabriel, and Epsilon Eridanus IV was burnt to cinders.

Only one thing stood between the Epsilon Eridanus system and total annihilation; a UNSC fleet that arrived a few days after Reach fell, led by the Marathon-class Cruiser, the Lady Liberty. Aided by the remnant UNSC ships in-system, the fleet was able to stave off Covenant advances on Beta Gabriel and Tribute (Thanks to Spartan Black Team), and are now doing the best they can to breach the barricade on Circumstance and evacuate the civilian population.

The Vice Admiral aboard the Lady Liberty had sent the UNSC Midnight-class stealth frigate, the Aeolus, ahead of the main battle group to infiltrate the barricade and drop thousands of Marines, ODSTs, and even Spartans, to aid the Army to secure the city of Mira and it's sister city, Kuiper, and save all the people they can.