"While the brutal Covenant juggernaut sweeps inexorably through space, intent on wiping out humankind, only one stronghold remains...the planet Reach. Practically on Earth's doorstep, it is the last military fortress to defend against the alien onslaught. But Reach's defenders have another, higher priority: to prevent the Covenant from discovering the location of Earth. Outnumbered and outgunned, the soldiers seem to have little chance against the Covenant, but Reach holds a closely guarded secret. It is the training ground for the very first "super soldiers" Code-named SPARTANs, these highly advanced warriors, specially bioengineered and technologically augmented, are the best in the universe...quiet, professional, swift, agile, and deadly. This, is how the SPARTAN program began..."