Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
Well, interesting points Cookie...
Oh wait, I'm Cookie aren't I. Doh! Didn't realise you were talking to me.
Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
...but I'm curious why you think of A being that way.
From what I've gathered Harvest was the point of actual contact between the two, besides the two transport raids which happened a short time before Harvest.
I'm just flicking through Halsey's journal now, 18th January 2524 what I believe to be High Charity is spotted from Mars. A year before firstg contact.
Now I realise this is circumstantial, not 'hard' evidence, but I cannot see how something that big, of alien origin could get so close without a massive military action being taken.
I therefore suggest that not only did ONI cover up the covenant, but also that they had contact with them. That is before Truth and his posse got to power. Had they had power at this point, a first strike by the UNSC would have been a prudent course of action surely?
Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron
Though yeah, the nuking of the colony is really a bleh to bring in. I mean, we don't know why and if the UNSC nuked it, I'm fairly sure the rebel uprising was not peaceful protesting for more food.
I think we have to remember that the UNSC was fighting terrorists, not the peaceful movements. The lines between the two are often blurred, often to the advantage of the terrorists, as a way for them to justify horrendous actions.
To sum up, the SPARTAN IIs were a safety net for ONI should the covenant become hostile, and served the duel purpose of being a very effective stand-alone anti-terorist unit.
Anyway, this is all my opinion taken from evidence provided. Take from it what you will and feel free to tear it apart. :)