A Proposal for Halo Legends II began as a springboard for impossible stories, a way to envision the tales and trials of Halo’s niche heroes. Since the release of its first chapter in July of 2018, the series has grown in scale and scope. I could never have imagined the monumental reception, from casual fans to forefront creators. For those of you who have supported this endeavor, whether by pledge or share, you have my sincerest thanks.



The hiatus between Chapters Five and Six gave me an opportunity to re-examine the Legends II blueprint. I considered the proposal’s effectiveness in real life application, and concluded that it was lacking something important: continuity. Rooting each vignette within a converging plot thread resulted in a thorough contextual overhaul. With this overhaul, each chapter will contribute to a greater narrative arc, through direct tie-ins such as the inclusion of established characters, or indirect thematic fulfillment.

Winter Contingency is only a glimpse of the retooled Legends II, acting as a prelude to the next chapter. Introducing the imminent conflict through familiar eyes, the golden hour gives way to a ferocious predator.

Winter Contingency

Key Frame by Joshua Ezzell

A serrated rim ripped through the tranquil air, accompanied by a chattering hiss. Smoke billowed from its bleeding edge, creeping up an elaborate frame. The mud below sparked with each descending swing, scorched and speckled with plasma. It soared, lifting from the placid ground to part alloy and armour. Time tempered with each swing, every movement premeditated. Voices faded beneath the hilt’s persistent hum, an inflection of death droning on a would-be battlefield. A patrol left waylaid, one voice pleaded, hope delivered in the static chime of a tac-pad.

“The Covenant have found New Tretyakov! Initiate WINTER CONTINGENCY protocols! I repeat, inita—”



The Sangheili’s blade slashed upward, lifting the marine into the air. It plummeted as quickly as it had risen, colliding with the chassis of an M12 Warthog. Striking at an angle, the soldier’s helmet rang out with a thunderous clang!, his spine bent on impact. The dash was intricately painted by the whiplash, crimson blemish set alight by plasma. His skin singed, instantly cauterizing as the surrounding Titanium-A relented. A final gasp escaped his lungs, shepherded by the plaintive air, and suffocated in its bullets and shells.

Storyboarding

Illustration by Kevin Anderson

Winter Contingency can be most effectively compared to CW’s The Flash in how it portrays its central threat. Exceptional agility, when utilized by the show’s antagonists at the height of their power, can be terrifying, leaving the villains imperceptible. Fear in fiction often stems from perception, as what is displayed to the audience is just as important as what is left to interpretation.

The Sangheili is evasive, visible initially to create a monolithic image, as well as in key moments of particular brutality, but otherwise hidden beneath smoke and shadow. Deliberate focus is placed on its blade, an extension of the Sangheili’s athleticism, and likewise its animalistic tenacity.

Representative of the Covenant assembly, their presence in Winter Contingency alludes to a great rift. The sadism exhibited by the Sangheili is emblematic of a struggle for humanity brewing within an alien collective. These themes are the primary focus of Chapter Six, further contextualized by the morning skirmish on display. In Ironclad, the unrest within the Covenant will be further explored, as slow-burn of the war takes its toll on the Jiralhanae.

The following directory contains every episode of my Halo Legends II pitch:

Chapter One — Home

Chapter Two — House of Glass

Chapter Three — There’ll Be Another Time

Chapter Four — Good Morning, Alice

Chapter Five — Gobgab’s Holiday Spectacular

Exploring these concepts has been a dream of mine for years, and a continuation of this endeavor lies in the near future. This is by no means a confirmation of Halo Legends II, but it will hopefully broaden horizons for such a continuation. I fully understand the variety of hurdles faced in such an undertaking and the lack of audible cause to even face such challenges. However, as it stands, I see a significant void in Halo‘s roster of lore outlets, a space which begs to be occupied by talented storytellers and animators. Opportunity is not and has never been a lengthy visitor, and there is no time greater than the present to capitalize on Halo‘s forgotten channel.

Special thanks to my Patrons:

Joshua Ezzell

EuclidGamer

Lewis Tindale

ArdentPrayer

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