In 301 HE, the Battle of New Haven was fought in Haven City between the Freedom League under Ashelin Praxis against the KG Robots under Cyber Errol during the War for Haven City.
Why did it happen?
When Ashelin became Governor of Haven City in 300 HE, she went about reforming what her father, Baron Praxis, had enforced. Along with the reformation of the Krimzon Guard into the New Krimzon Guard and later the Freedom League, she also renovated the Water Slums, turning it into New Haven City. With their headquarters at Freedom HQ, Ashelin and Torn directed Freedom League war efforts during the War for Haven City. After the Siege of Haven Palace, Ashelin became concerned over the growing power of the KG Robots, stating, “The KG robots are growing stronger. That floating war factory of theirs is spitting out more robots every day” (Naughty Dog, 2004). When Jak successfully reunited the Freedom League’s forces after the Battle of the Industrial Zone, the KG made a surprise attack on New Haven using armoured dropships.
Who was involved?
The Freedom League forces at New Haven numbered 2,000 soldiers. After the Siege of Haven Palace, which led to the destruction of Mar Memorial Stadium and Main Town, the total human population of Haven City was reduced from 250,000 citizens to 137,300. On paper, the Freedom League could muster 12,000 soldiers, although many of these troops were either stationed in the Fortress or tied down in battles with the KG Robots on the border between the Slums and Industrial Zone. The KG Robot forces at New Haven numbered 3 KG Robot Transports and 1,500 Death Bots, Spy Bots, and Sentinels. The KG plan at New Haven was to strike at the Freedom League before Torn and Ashelin could reunite their forces. The KG would attack in two waves: the first wave would involve 1 Transport and 500 Death Bots, while the second wave would involve 2 Transports and 1,000 Death Bots.
What happened?
After a KG Robot Transport appeared on the grounds outside Freedom HQ, intitating a large-scale assault, Ashelin ordered Jak and the garrison of Freedom League soldiers to repel the invader. Although the Transport unleashed its cargo of Death Bots and fired missiles against the Freedom League forces, Jak was successful in destroying it with his Peace Maker gun. Immediately after this, Torn alerted Jak that two more KG Robot Transports were inbound. The second wave of KG forces incurred heavy casualties on the Freedom League while the Transports unleashed multi-laser beams which cut through the Freedom League lines. Although Jak was successful in destroying the second Transport with his Plasmite RPG gun, the Freedom League forces began to waver. At that point, reinforcements from the rest of New Haven arrived in support of Jak and the remaining garrison. Assisted by these reinforcements, Jak was successful in destroying the last KG Robot Transport, although the Freedom League incurred 18 casualties during the battle.
What changed as a result?
The Battle of New Haven was a Freedom League victory. In the aftermath of the battle, Count Veger intervened and tried to denounce Samos and Ashelin’s suggestion that Jak should lead an expedition into the Catacombs. However, all Freedom League representatives sided with Jak after the revelation that it was Veger himself who bombed Haven Palace and not the Metal Heads. Ashelin subsequently dissolved the Grand Council and stripped Veger of his title, command, and all privileges. With Ashelin’s governorship secure, she realised that to win the war, the KG War Factory had to be shut down. While Jak led a raid on the War Factory using a Hellcat Cruiser and was successful in shutting it down, Torn led an assault to retake the Industrial Zone from the KG. In response, the KG Robots invaded the Slums and New Haven, which continued to be fought over for the rest of the war. After Cyber Errol’s death during the Last Charge of the Dark and Light Brigade in the Wasteland, the KG and Metal Heads were left leaderless and subsequently, the Freedom League emerged victorious.
Bibliography:
Naughty Dog. Jak 3. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 2. 2004.
Schrader, Nathali. Jak 3: The Official Guide. London, Piggyback, 2004.
Shah, Reuben. Jak 3 Design Bible. Raleigh, Naughty Dog, 2003.
Tim H. “New Haven map.” Jak and Daxter Wiki. Accessed September 30, 2022. www.jakanddaxter.fandom.com/wiki/New_Haven?file=New_Haven_map.png