Posted by: InnerDemon117
Well, if we look at general speculation, and make some basic assumptions; that being that Sierra 259 is, in fact, a Spartan, we know right there that's a retcon, and from the numbers given in Fall Of Reach and later novels, any additional Spartans qualify as a Retcon.
The Spartan II program never reached that high of a number, that would have to be a second class, which has been implied never got off the ground, that's a retcon.
Joe confirming Spartans, that's a retcon, as we're either playing as new Spartans, or Spartans mentioned in the books, and this event is a retcon, out of the two options, both are retcons.
So, no matter how you slice it, we've got retcons out the ass. Which I'm fine with. I enjoy the property and I'm no canon zealot, I just know how things work.
How Wars was a retcon, that team of Spartans, by the original numbers, they didn't exist. They were retroactively added into the ranks, but still don't fit in with the established novels that came before, hell, the books themselves ignore each other. Numbers are all over the place on Spartans, but the general, accepted canon is that Spartans didn't get near the 259 number, or above, so, if both of these individuals are Spartans, we've got retcons, per Joe's confirmation, and putting the pieces together.
Still confused?
IMO Halo Wars is not cannon, and the books took many liberties where they shouldn't have.
I wouldn't take Bungie changing history involved in the books as retcon(retrofitting continuity, or some such) in this case. They stepped out of line.
You are right.
Any way you look at it though, there will be conflict somewhere, unless the story is a direct play by play from the book, and I think that would be quite lame and short.
I do not, however, think that Sierra has to stand for "Spartan". Alpha team, bravo company, etc. Who's to say MC wasn't part of a team? In the act of verbal communication you can't say Bravo company 234, 345097, and 2435098702349. He did do an aweful lot of fighting with marines (dying)at his side through the entire Halo 3 campaign.