Halo: Glasslands

Halo: Glasslands is the first novel in a multi-book deal between Tor Books and bestselling writer Karen Traviss, taking place within the Halo universe.

Traviss has clarified the term "sequel" in regards to the statement by saying: "It isn't a sequel to Ghosts of Onyx in the sense that you mean a sequel, i.e. a continuation of the same story with the same cast&mdash;these novels are just set after it and follow the events of Halo 3. There'll be new characters and new storylines."

It was released October 25, 2011.

Plot
The prologue begins within the Micro Dyson Sphere, where Dr. Halsey, Senior Chief Petty Officer Mendez, and the surviving Spartan II's and III's continuing their venture to find a way to escape their confinement in the sphere, and continuing to ponder the current situation of the Human-Covenant War and the fate of the human race.

The story switches to two ONI operatives: Captain Serin Osman, accompanied by professor Evan Phillips, meeting with a Sanghelli Field Master known as Avu Med 'Telcam, who refers to himself as "The Servant of Abiding Truth", on the former human colony of New Llanelli in the Brunel system. The Captain discusses the post-war climate of both their worlds. Telcam accuses the human race and the Arbiter of spreading lies about the Forerunners and the Halos, citing that these revelations have created significant religious and political divisions amongst the Sangheili, creating fear of another civil war. Osman says that his side could win, not the Arbiter's, and that dead allies aren't of much value and proceeds to offer to arm Telcam's splinter group with Covenant weapons, on the condition that they stay as far away from humanity as possible upon their victory. Telcam, fixated on his desire to kill the "Infidels", agrees to the arrangement and the two sides part ways. Upon reaching her shuttle, Captain Osman is immediately contact by vice Admiral Margaret Parangosky, asking for details on the meeting's proceedings, and is promptly reassured by Osman who then ends the transmission. During take-off Phillips ask Osman where the best Turkish bar is in Sydney, Australia, due to her Mediterranean coloring. Osman says she doesn't know and avoids any further friendly banter with him, believing if she was wearing her ID badge labelled Spartan-019, he would be acting much differently.

The book skips to the viewpoint of two ODSTs Staff Sergeant Mal Geffen, and Corporal Vaz Beloi who are searching for the Parthenon Bar to keep a promise to their fallen comrade Emanuel Barakat before heading to their meeting with Vice Admiral Parangosky. Along the way come across several destroyed buildings and roads. discussing whether or not peace with the Sangheili is possible due to the countless numbers of dead on both sides. Upon reaching the supposed location of the bar they find nothing but a crater and few construction workers one of whom gives them her bottle of juice so they may make their toast. They proceed further down the road to find a larger intact road with a cab driver waiting for any military personnel who could use the lift and drove them to the ONI facility Bravo-six.

The story switches back to the Micro Dyson sphere where the group discover a species of lizard but were disappointed by it's lack meat to sustain them and various vegetation deducing that there must be insects and small animals for pollination later confirmed by the discovery of a beetle. They make their most critical discovery when they discover a black bottle sized cylinder that appeared to be monitoring them but it escapes capture (even from the superfast Kelly).

The story Switches Back to Earth where Serin is waiting to meet with Vice Admiral Parangosky. there she meets the Minister of the colonies David agnoli. once she is admitted Serin meets Parangosky's Personal AI Black box also known as "BB". Once reaching Parangosky's office they begin to discuss the events that transpired at Onyx, Parangosky voices her disbelief that Dr. Halsey is dead and displays the information retrieved by the UNSC corvette Glamorgan showing the transponder of Spartan 051 confirming his death. The report also displays numerous electromagnetic anomalies. Parangosky moves onto the battle report from the UNSC dusk detailing her kidnapping of spartan 087, her persuasion to have Lord Hood send Blue team to Onyx and summerizes that she had also used some form of forerunner technology. Parangosky openly voices her anger toward Halsey's actions. Serin deduces the possibility of leading a team designated as kilo-5 to Onyx. Paran gosky states that the sanghelli schism mission is still top priority and that she only needs to be ready to divert to Onyx if anything is found there. Parangosky proceeds to discuss the status of the personel involved with Kilo-5 BB states that SSgt Mal Geffen, sgt Lian Devereaux, Cpl Vaz Beloi, Dr. Evan Phillips and Naomi 010 are all prepared for their briefing. with that Parangosky passes control of BB onto Serin.

On Sanghelios a former Sanghelli shipmaster by the name of Jul 'Mdama who is argueing with his wife over which is more important the rearming of their race to kill the humans or the sustainability of their food supply. Jul gives up on the argument by saying he needs to make his way towards the Mdama keep to attend an address by the Arbiter. Jul meets with his aide and now personal driver Gusay who arrives in a revenant to escort Jul to the Kaidon's keep. Upon reaching the keep and taking his seat he is quickly noticed by his friend and fellow shipmaster Forze who voices his discomfort at the pace of the Sanghelli council's decision making Jul doubts the need for a council at all. Their debate is cut short by the entrance of the Kaidons Levu 'Mdama and Thel 'Vadam. Thel pleads for unity, copperation and the regaining of their independence, he also casts blame of their current stituation on the Great Schism rather then the humans. Jul is quick to voice his opinion that they should wipe out humanity while their guard is down. Thel states that they never fully defeated the humans and trying a second time would be foolish, but instead chooses stability thus announcing his intention to sign a peace agreement with humanity. Jul once again is quick to voice his opposition regarding humans as liars and thieves, Thel reiterates stating that there are honorable humans and that he intends to follow through with his actions, and states that Sanghelli law states that any Sanghelli who doesn't agree with him that attempting to assassinate him is their legal right.

Internal

 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Unnamed Halo novel series

External

 * Halo Portal — Bestselling Author Karen Traviss Set To Explore The Halo Universe
 * Karen Traviss Blog — Master Chief insists