: I wouldn't even suggest that a peace between the species was near the most
: consequential plot point of Halo 2 and 3. Especially given the context of
: the interactions at very personal and not broad levels for how those ideas
: are expressed. A few made friends. Most followed orders. Hatred doesn't
: die easy.

: I mean, following WWII the Western and Eastern powers-that-be were not
: exactly friendly, and while the main authoritative bodies didn't engage in
: open wars, the number of shadow and proxy wars in the decades that
: followed are still sewing ramification for us all. You know, like 70 years
: later and all that.

: Halo 4 is 4-5 years after Halo 3? Halo 5 is 8 months after Halo 4.

: Disregarding tensions because two main characters saved the galaxy together
: isn't a logical stretch if you ask me.

And this is a perfectly fine story to tell! The problem is that 343 never bothered to tell it. There was no evidence of dissent among the Elite ranks in Halo 2 or 3. But come Halo 4, that dissent is retconned into existence.

All you needed was Cortana mentioning to Chief in the first level that, according to the Covenant chatter, these Elites are enemies of the Arbiter. But we didn't even get that much.