Slipstream space probe

A slipspace probe returning to RSO Fermion.

Slipstream space probes, also referred to as slipspace science probes, are scanning devices utilized by United Nations Space Command Remote Scanning Outposts. They can be dropped into slipspace by an RSO station, where they remain for a very short amount of time while they survey the region around them, before dropping back into regular space to report their findings. They can be used for a variety of applications, with the most common being for the military to watch slipspace for signs of incoming threats to a given colony world and for organisations such as UNSC Astrophysics to conduct scientific research on slipspace itself.

Overview

In regular operations, scanning stations deploy three probes, referred to as Alpha, Beta and Gamma, respectively. These probes are designed to survive the transition into slipstream space; as a result they are almost solid Titanium-A. They journey into slipspace for two secons each, during which time they send out radio pings and analyze the electromagnetic spectrum from radio to X-ray. The probes then re-emerge back into normal space and broadcast the data collected back to their stations.

Readings taken by slipspace probes are generally fairly consistent, picking up traces of spacecraft, clouds of hydrogen, and the odd asteroid or comet that has somehow managed to find itself in slipspace. Due to the peculiarities of interdimensional space, tracking even basic information about a given object can be difficult, including information such as its mass, trajectory, heading, shape, and timing. Groups of smaller objects, such as a fleet of warships, may be mistaken for one large object. Due to this odd nature, slipspace probes may at times return to normal space exactly where they had originally left, or re-emerge millions of kilometers away. Likewise they may also return at different times. In some cases, probes never return back at all. Once the probes have returned to normal space, they are collected by automated drones so that the cycle can be repeated again. The probes are not designed to function in the vicinity of gravity wells.

The method of operation for a slipspace probe is similar to that of the UNSC's long range stealth orbital drop pods, and their slipspace COM launchers which enable superluminal communications. When comparing them, Vice Admiral Ysionris Jeromi described the operation of slipspace probes and the long range drop pods as akin to "a turd swirling around in an old-fashioned gravity toilet", versus the superior capabilities of a COM launcher - the latter of which is capable of freely navigating through slipspace to an assigned target.

Usage

Archimedes RSO probes

On July 17, 2552, the probes of RSO Archimedes at the edge of the Sigma Octanus system detected a Covenant fleet en route to the planet Sigma Octanus IV. The Station's Alpha probe detected a large mass approaching the system. The Beta probe then reported the same findings as the Alpha Probe and gave the mysterious object a mass of 20,000 metric tons (20,000 LT; 22,000 ST). When the Gamma probe reappeared, it reported the same findings but its spectroscopic analysis proved to be inconclusive. William Lovell, who was stationed aboard the Archimedes at the time, noticed the object's trajectory was parabolic and believed it would pass through Sigma Octanus IV. He collected the relevant data and logged the anomaly, believing it would only be of interest as a footnote for UNSC Astrophysics. Such an anomaly had been previously described by Fhajad-084 in an astrophysics paper published in 2540. This note later allowed Commander Jacob Keyes to properly alert the other ships in the system of an impending attack on the colony.

Fermion RSO probes

The probes of RSO Fermion in the Epsilon Eridani system were the first to detect the silhouette of the massive Covenant armada which struck the final blow in the Fall of Reach on August 30, 2552. At 0447 hours, the station's Alpha probe detected a large object more than 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) in diameter inbound to the station. CPO McRobb recognized the anomaly and immediately ordered the crew of the Fermion to enact the Cole Protocol. Shortly after, the station's Beta Probe re-appeared into normal space partially damaged. When the station's Gamma Probe did not transmit a signal upon returning to normal space, Lieutenant Brightling suspected that the probe may have translated on a temporal axis. However, Chief McRobb knew the probe had likely been destroyed or jammed by the incoming fleet. Shortly after, a fleet of 315 Covenant starships emerged from slipspace and proceeded to attack and destroy Reach.

Other uses

In 2547, Doctor Catherine Halsey used a slipspace probe she had procured from Reach's early warning slipspace observatory (likely Fermion) to launch an AI seed into slipspace as part of an experiment to construct a virtually unlimited AI housing fractal. While the AI became functional Halsey lost contact with the probe soon after, leaving its fate unknown.

In October 2558, the prowler (presumably Winter-class) used to escort Admirals Serin Osman and Lord Terrence Hood, plus Spartan Orzel, away from Earth carried a cargo of six dozen (or, 72) probes. During their year-long exile on Rossbach's World, Lord Hood periodically fired off a slipspace probe in a random direction, hoping to use it to gain some insight as to the status of the rest of the galaxy. The probes used by Hood appeared to be capable of traversing long distances in slipspace and intercepting communications; they allowed the admirals to keep up with the Created subjugation of the Sol system, and the destruction of places and ships that refused to comply (such as UNSC Sentry of El Morro). During their exile on Rossbach's World, Osman was given charge of a briefcase with nine HIGHCOM AIs (including Black-Box, Gabriela, and Tethys), which she could potentially use, destroy, or even grant the freedom to join the Created. Should the AIs have wished to join the Created, Osman would have been able to use a slipspace probe to transport the AIs to the Created without compromising the security of Rossbach's World, though ultimately she elected to keep the AIs in storage until her extraction in November 2559.

List of appearances

• Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
• Halo: First Strike (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Ghosts of Onyx (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Fall of Reach
  • Invasion
• Halo: Reach
  • Dr. Halsey's personal journal (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Fractures
  • Rossbach's World
• Halo: Empty Throne (Indirect mention)