Halo: First Strike. Eric Nyland.

REACH FELL, AND WHEN HOPE SEEMED LOST, HUMANITY STOOD FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE POSSIBLE EXTINCTION OF ALL LIFE IN THE GALAXY AND LIVED TO TELL THE TALE.

But that was just one epic battle, and the war rages on....

The Covenant shows no mercy as they continue to assault every human world they can find, but in their way lies humanity's great champion, Spartan 117, the Master Chief. Together with his Al companion Cortana and the last remaining Spartans, the fight continues on two fronts.

One takes a crew of Spartans to the charred surface of Reach, the only planet they've ever known as home. But beneath the surface, Dr. Halsey has discovered an ancient secret... one that could alter the course of the war.

Meanwhile, Master Chief and Cortana head toward a gathering of Covenant warships because the UNSC's worst nightmare has come true: the Covenant has discovered the location of Earth and is forming a massive fleet to destroy it... and all who oppose the will of the Prophets.