Mission 2: The Mirror Mantle Counter-Assault

"X50's huge stretches of ice, the Mirror Flats, were flanked by towering ice cliffs. After ordering their main Wraith battalion to assault Research Facility Alpha, the Covenant had quickly deployed Phantoms to set up supporting artillery along the eastern cliff wall. With this artillery operational, a UNSC counter-offensive would be suicide. This rendered Alpha facility a vulnerable target. Spartan Palmer and a detachment of Marines were sent to infiltrate the Covenant positions and destroy the plasma artillery. Navigating the maze of cracks covering Mirror Mantle Ridge would have been a insurmountable challenge for most soldiers, but Palmer was able to use the terrain to her advantage and surprise the artillery positions. Her victory was instrumental in giving Alpha facility a fighting chance."

- Mission summary