So the puzzle pieces have all been discovered and pieced together.

Click on the graphic below to make bigger. Followed by the short semi animated cover art video.

Now there are some things of significance here that should be pointed out.

So these first two are close-ups of Locke then Chief’s helmets. Not too much to look at here for clues. Except..it seems something reflected off of Chief’s visor is smoldering or on fire itself. The faint vertical light blue lines on Locke’s helmet seems to say Forerunner. As a reflection, not part of the visor itself.

Now the different Spartan teams. First up is Locke’s Hunter Squad.

Locke of course is in the foreground, or the third from left to right. So who are spartans 1, 2, and 4? Well, we know that Buck is part of the squad and it’s highly likely he is #4 (furthest right) in the pic. Why? Well, simply put, the helmet. It’s still ODST. For the other two, it’s believed that Romeo (the other surviving squad mate of Buck’s and now a Spartan himself) is on the team. If so, then I’d guess he #1 (left most spartan). Why? Again, the helmet. Yes, it’s not ODST, but somewhat close. That leaves us with #2 (yes yes, crack you poop jokes here…). What some people think is a given now may or may not be. But for the sake of what many in the community (myself included) think, we’ll say this is Macer. You remember Macer right? The Sedran military solider who went with Locke’s ONI team to the Halo shard from Halo: Nightfall.  Why, well, that armor is slightly similar to the armor Tedra Grant of Fireteam Majestic wore in Halo 4. Also, we can see a little bit of the hip in the pic. Doesn’t necessarily look like a man’s hip to me.

Now for Chief’s squad.

This is MUCH easier to decipher. If you haven’t been keeping up with the Halo Escalation comic book title from Darkhorse, then you have missed the reintroduction of Blue team. Yes, THAT Blue team. Master Chief’s old squad. From left to right they are:

Linda, Chief, Kelly, Fred (squatting). You can see their reintroduction in issue #8 of Halo Escalation.

So what are the repercussions and/or meaning of this? Two Spartan squads?

Well, I have the sneaking suspicion that we’ll be able to play as either team. Not just one team for one mission and another team for another mission. (Except for possibly the last mission in the campaign.)

My thinking is that we might be able to play the campaign all the way through as one team. As Locke and his team, you’ll be on track to hunt down Chief. It’s may be likely if then that the missions you play will be similar to the ones for Chief’s squad. With one exception, as Locke, you’ll be arriving at a later time frame than Chief’s squad. So some things may be rearranged on the maps. Clusters of enemies, different vehicles, turrets, etc.

As Chief’s squad, if not hunting down Locke, then they are going to the Ark. Somehow Chief has convinced his team that they have a mission there. Really though, it’s doubtful they’d need much convincing as he is the Master Chief after all.

The final mission (or possibly next to last) will see both squads finally meet up against one another. Now, here’s the hard part and of course complete conjecture… There will be two from each team who will be killed in the battle. This may bee seen as a cut scene after the main battle though. The reason being is that if you have a full squad of 4 to play co-op campaign, well, you can’t really have 2 die and then just watch the remaining battle. This is where the cut scene comes into play then. Of the squads it’s likely that Romeo and Macer die, leaving Locke and Buck. And as hard as it is to say, Fred and Kelly would be the ones from Chief’s squad.

This would leave us with 4 spartans. Either the campaign ends there, OR, those four have to work together to defeat a powerful foe on the Ark. Thus a new team will be born from the two.

Again, all of that is just wild speculation. I happen to enjoy having fun thinking of where the story might go. If I’m wrong, no worries. I’m not basing this on any proof and have said I’m guess.

Alright, the last two images.

A nice close up of Locke and Chief from the side.

As that scene pans out, the final cover art is shown.

Pay attention to the center just below the Halo 5 logo. That definitely seems to be the same construct from the E3 2013 video. As I posted yesterday, my friends at HaloArchive believe this to be a Forerunner Guardian Sentinel. Unless there is something more conclusive than this, I am agreeing with them.

The burning in the mid ground at bottom center (seen above blown up-no pun intended) is a bit curious. Since we have many clues that at least part of the campaign will take place on Sanghelios. I believe this city to be just that. Now where though?  My hunch is that it’s Vadam Keep. (The Arbiter’s Keep/HQ/Base of Operations)

With E3 not too far away now, we’re sure to get more clues and some information about not only what’s above, but other aspects of Halo 5 Guardians.

I for one am EXCITED!

-Sal