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Exerpt from official report on the Idiran-Humanity War
Fifth of March, 2593. Sensor arrays orbiting Titan contracted a sophisticated computer virus stemming from an incomprehensible transmission. After two hours and fourteen minutes the virus receded. A message reading 'Harmony' in every known language showed up on all networks, along with a set of co-ordinates for a meeting.
Twentieth of April, 2593. A small UN diplomatic fleet, led by Capital ship [-UNSC Hospitality-] reach the co-ordinates specified by the message. Sensory information suggests that their comms were jammed and all ships boarded. Hindsight reasoning for this points to tactical espionage of UNSC systems and vehicles to find weaknesses.
First of May, 2593. Colonies in the Xeno Delta, Argos Rho and the Pegasus Nebula report being attacked by advanced orbital weaponry. UNSC fleets are dispatched to protect the colonies. Earth and all off-world colonies are put on a war footing. The Tindrel Subservience offer their full support, sending one million warriors to assist the besieged colonies.
Ninth of May, 2593. Combined UNSC and TS armies drive back the probing invader forces, culminating in the battle of New Kamchatka. Reports commend Admiral Baltimore Gregory's 501st Fleet for resisting a determined offensive, with the aid of Ts'rrk Bravo's Tindrel Artillery. Idiran scouts feign full retreat and the colonies begin rebuilding.
Sixteenth of August, 2593. An overwhelming Idiran invasion strikes Human colonies in dozens of flashpoints. The fleets are slow to respond, having fallen for the ruse created by the Idiran skirmishing party. The Tindrel Subservience are hit hard, and with their Human protectors fully occupied, billions die in weeks. Human fleets kept in reserve form a defensive cordon around what are known as the 'Inner Worlds'.
Twenty ninth of December, 2593. After months of intense fighting, the UN fleets are exhausted and the Idirans break through into the Inner Worlds. Evacuation protocol 'Exodus' is initiated, and the appropriate Admirals are ordered to gather refugees and jump out of the system. Fierce resistance of the Idiran conversion programme continues on a local level, with rag-tag militias directing guerrilla style raids.