"We all know how it ends. Every fortress, no matter how great, crumbles to ruins. But some had to see it through the destruction. Some had to stay in vain hope of preventing it. Some were not the fortunate ones."
Before the Master Chief set in motions the events that would change the universe, the planet fortress of Reach was besieged. Although protocols had been enacted to hide it amongst the vast emptiness of space, the Covenant found Reach. In a surprise attack, they overwhelmed the UNSC forces there and tried to exterminate them. Yet humanity, the stubborn creatures that they are, pushed back with all their might. They fought for survival - the survival of the human race. They fought the necessary war. There could be no failure. And in these extraordinary times, heroes were born. But these heroes were not clad in Spartan armor: the majority wore combat boots, had their faces exposed to the gritting wind. Billions of humans fought and died over the course of nearly three decades. Millions died for Reach. Millions of Soldiers and Marines: regular people called to defend their home and their species.
This is their story.
July 24th was the date of the invasion. The world would not be glassed until almost a month later on the 30th of August. New Alexandria would not fall under siege until the 18th. The UNSC was always losing: it was just a matter of time.