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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Era|HCW}} |
| {{Center|''For [[Halo: Reach|Halo Reach's]] multiplayer map, see [[Spire (map)|Spire]].''}} | | {{Center|''For [[Halo: Reach|Halo Reach's]] multiplayer map, see [[Spire]].''}} |
| [[File:Spire general.jpg|thumb|300px|One of the many Spires placed on [[Reach]].]] | | [[File:Spire_general.jpg|thumb|300px|One of the many Spires placed on [[Reach]].]] |
| '''Deployment spires''' are [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] structures that serve as bases of operation during ground [[battle|engagements]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=225}} They function as [[slipspace translocation|teleportation]] hubs for invading forces, and are also capable of projecting [[energy shielding|energy shields]] over a large radius. Covenant forces utilize these teleportation spires during large-scale operations.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}{{Ref/Level|HR|Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace|Quote=That spire was indeed a teleporter linked to a cloaked Covenant super-carrier}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/Detail/spirit/1676cbba-efbb-44b8-9dd3-3f6f38b1320a|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Type-28 Troop Carrier|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo_Waypoint/2009_to_2014/Universe/Vehicles|D=12|M=07|Y=2012}} | | '''Spires''' are [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] structures that serve as bases of operation during ground engagements. They function as [[slipspace translocation|teleportation]] hubs for invading forces, and are also capable of projecting [[energy shielding|energy shields]] over a large radius. Covenant forces utilize these teleportation spires during large-scale operations.<ref name="tip">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]'' (''"That spire was indeed a teleporter linked to a cloaked [[Covenant supercarrier|Covenant super-carrier]]"'')</ref><ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/spirit/1676cbba-efbb-44b8-9dd3-3f6f38b1320a?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Type-28 Troop Carrier'']</ref> |
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| ==Overview== | | ==Description== |
| ===Design details===
| | The spire consists of multiple sections: a lower section, which projects several energy beams that keep an upper section suspended high above it as well as powering a floating shield-generator array. From the upper level, a large dome-like energy shield is extended to the ground. This shield is resistant to conventional weapons, and is capable of disabling any enemy vehicles that pass through it. |
| Deployment spires are Covenant designs, poorly-based on [[slipspace translocation]] technology originally created by the [[Forerunner]]s.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/haloreach/Maps|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo: Reach - Maps|D=12|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo_Waypoint/2009_to_2014/Games/Halo:_Reach}} They are designed to transport materiel and personnel seamlessly through [[Slipspace portal|portal]] networks. Typically, a deployment spire is established as a ground base on a given world and linked to an orbiting capital warship such as a [[Covenant carrier|carrier]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Troops teleporting through the spire commonly utilize an air vehicle, generally a [[dropship]] such as a [[Phantom]], as the objects being teleported will materialize in the space between the upper and lower main sections of the structure.
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| The spire itself consists of multiple sections: a lower section which projects several energy beams that keep an upper section suspended high above it as well as powering a floating shield-generator array. From the upper level, a large dome-like energy shield is extended to the ground. This shield is resistant to conventional weapons, and is capable of disabling any enemy vehicles that pass through it via application of an [[electromagnetic pulse]].{{Ref/Level|Id=ToTS|HR|Tip of the Spear}} They can be selectively permeable, and are engineered in such a way as to allow the passage of small vehicles and personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p221}} There are two ways to reach the top of the Spire: via the same [[gravity lift]]s that hold the upper level aloft, or off one of several lifts positioned at intervals around the Spire.{{Ref/Map|Id=SpireMP|HR|Spire (map)|Spire}} A spire's gravity lifts are extremely powerful, and are as such capable of being used in a manner similar to that of a [[space elevator]] - ferrying troops and materiel from ground the space (and vice versa) over massive distances.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=222}}
| | One of the main functions of the spires is to teleport ground forces to the surface from a large vessel such as a [[CSO-class supercarrier|supercarrier]]. Troops teleporting through the spire commonly utilize an air vehicle, generally a [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom dropship]], as the objects being teleported will materialize in the space between the upper and lower main sections of the structure. This technology is loosely modeled after the [[Forerunner]]s' [[Slipspace translocation|translocation system]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141012170538/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/haloreach/Maps '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: Reach - Maps'']</ref> |
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| Unlike most other forward operations structure and vehicles, Spires do not have an easily accessible reactor core like {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}s or {{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}}s. The shield itself is powered by a [[pinch fusion reactor]], and requires a [[Capital ship|warship]]-level weapon to deplete or collapse.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p221|Enc22|Page=221}} The shields generated by the Spire must be deactivated manually through a control interface in the upper portion of the structure.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}
| | There are two ways to reach the top of the Spire: via the same [[gravity lift]]s that hold the upper level aloft, or off one of several lifts positioned at intervals around the Spire. |
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| Covenant spires are presumably deployed from starships and dropped directly onto their intended location; this is evidenced by at least the nature of the only Spire known to be ever observed at close range, [[Spire One]]. The Spire's base lay partially buried at the center of a massive crater, surrounded by blasted sand. This may have resulted from it being dropped from a great height.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}{{Ref/Reuse|SpireMP}}
| | Unlike most other forward operations structure and vehicles, Spires do not have an easily accessible reactor core like [[Type-47B Scarab]]s or [[Type-38 Anti-Aircraft Cannon]]s. The shields generated by the Spire must be deactivated manually through a control interface in the upper portion of the structure. |
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| Despite their usage, the rough imitation of Forerunner systems makes Spires a dangerous and enormously inefficient system. As such, they were rarely employed by the Covenant at large.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | Covenant spires are presumably deployed from starships and dropped directly onto their intended location; this is evidenced by the nature of the only Spire ever observed at close range, [[Spire One]]. The Spire's base lay partially buried at the center of a massive crater, surrounded by blasted sand. This may have resulted from it being dropped from a great height. |
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| ==Operational history== | | ==Use in combat== |
| A deployment spire may have been employed during the [[Battle for Arcadia]] in [[2531]]. During the ground campaign, a large dome-shield was projected by the invading Covenant forces over the [[Arcadia Forerunner ruins|Forerunner complex]] on [[Arcadia]], allowing them to construct a large [[Covenant citadel|base]] and a {{Pattern|R'awuw|Scarab}} beneath the shield's protection. The shield was ultimately partially disabled by combined artillery fire from a battery of [[M145D Rhino]], allowing for a large [[orbital bombardment]] by {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}} The shield generated in this engagement exhibited many similar properties to that of the deployment spire, though whether it was the site of such a deployment is unknown.
| | Covenant Spires are used primarily as command posts and teleportation sites for troops. Their shields make them difficult to attack, as they can only be disabled by ground forces after they infiltrate the structure. They also presumably make effective watch-towers. |
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| Multiple spires were seen during the [[Fall of Reach|Covenant invasion of Reach]]. Covenant ground forces deployed these behemoth structures to cloak the presence of an army deployed by the supercarrier ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'', flagship of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]]. [[Spire One|One]] of these Spires were disabled and destroyed in a [[UNSC]] [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge|counter-offensive operation]].{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}} | | ==Background== |
| | Multiple Spires were seen during the [[Fall of Reach|Covenant invasion of Reach]].<ref name="tip"/> Covenant ground forces deployed these behemoth structures to cloak the presence of a [[Covenant supercarrier]], ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''.<ref name="tip"/> [[Spire One|One]] of these Spires were disabled and destroyed in a UNSC counter-offensive operation.<ref name="tip"/> |
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| ==Trivia== | | ==Trivia== |
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Gallery== |
| <gallery> | | <gallery> |
| File:HR CovenantSpire Concept 1.jpg|Early concept sketches for the Spire. Note the early ideas involving the Spire being comprised of a landed Covenant supercarrier.
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| File:HR CovenantSpire Concept 2.jpg|Refined concept sketches for the Spire.
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| File:HR_CovenantSpireTop_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the top area of the Spire structure. | | File:HR_CovenantSpireTop_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the top area of the Spire structure. |
| File:HR_CovenantSpireBottom_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the bottom area of the Spire structure. | | File:HR_CovenantSpireBottom_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the bottom area of the Spire structure. |
| File:HR TotSSpireConcept.jpg|Concept art of a Spire near [[Szurdok Ridge]].
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| File:Spire_afar.jpg|An exterior view of a Spire's shield dome, with two more Spires in the distance. | | File:Spire_afar.jpg|An exterior view of a Spire's shield dome, with two more Spires in the distance. |
| File:HaloReach - Spire.jpg|The top of Spire One, as seen from the ground. | | File:HaloReach - Spire.jpg|The top of Spire One, as seen from the ground. |
| File:Phantom Teleport.jpg|A Spire teleporting a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom dropship]]. | | File:Phantom Teleport.jpg|A Spire teleporting a [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom dropship]]. |
| File:Spire_MAC'd.jpg|[[Spire One]] being destroyed by the ''[[UNSC Grafton]]''. | | File:Spire_MAC'd.jpg|[[Spire One]] being destroyed. |
| File:HR_CovenantPowerModule_Spire.jpg|A [[Covenant power module]] stored in the Spire's control room. | | File:HR_CovenantPowerModule_Spire.jpg|A [[Covenant power module]] stored in the Spire's control room. |
| </gallery> | | </gallery> |
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
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| [[Category:Fortifications]] | | [[Category:Fortifications]] |
| [[Category:Covenant buildings]] | | [[Category:Covenant buildings]] |
