Installation 08

This article is about the replacement megastructure. For other uses, see Installation 04 (disambiguation).

Installation 08
General overview
Location:	Over the Ark
Gravitational anchor:	Threshold (intended)
Operation overview
Type:	Halo Installation
Function:	Galactic sterilization/Flood containment and research
Attached AI(s):	343 Guilty Spark (de facto)
Date of construction:	Between September 2552 and December 2552
Date of destruction:	December 11, 2552; destroyed due to premature firing
Structural information
Diameter:	10,000 kilometres (6,200 mi)
Surface width:	318 kilometres (198 mi)
Gravity:	.992G (approx)
Surface temperature:	-23°C to 40°C (-9°F to 104°F) (controlled)
Atmospheric composition:	1 (N2, O2)

"A replacement. For the ring you destroyed."

— Thel 'Vadam observing the second Installation 04's construction alongside John-117.

Installation 08 was a partially completed Halo installation which was constructed at the Ark after the destruction of Installation 04. Incomplete to the point where firing would result in its destruction, this replacement was destroyed by Spartan-II Master Chief John-117, only for yet another replacement to be constructed years later.

Overview

Installation 08 was designed as a very similar replacement to Installation 04, or Alpha Halo, in order to ensure that the Forerunners' Halo network was intact, and therefore able to encompass the entire Milky Way galaxy. Within the Halo Array's firing sequence, Alpha Halo is the first ring to fire, and the destruction of the original Alpha ring in 2552 left a gap in the array that required filling. As a replacement for Installation 04, Installation 08 was built utilising the same construction template as its predecessor - though does bear some notable differences in its design and capabilities. For example, the installation's control room had a broadly similar design to that of the original Alpha Halo, containing a pyramidal structure set into the backdrop of icey chasms - though the exact specifics of how these chasms connected and the structure's overall layout differed.

At the time of its deployment and destruction, Installation 08 was incomplete; although some portions of the ring were nearly finished, with functional environments that included weather patterns and full-grown pine trees, many of its functional and habitation elements were unfinished, with lots of core superstructure left exposed. Despite this, it retained functional life-support systems including atmosphere and gravity. However, the incomplete nature of the ring meant that its superstructure was unable to take the force of its activation, causing the ring to shatter.

Locations

• Control Room
• "Avalanche" - A Forerunner power station set upon a glacial shelf on Installation 08.

History

Construction

Installation 08's unfinished interior surface.

Following the Battle of Installation 04 and its subsequent destruction, Installation 00 was notified, and an automated function began building a new replacement for the missing installation's position. Though it has been alluded to that the ring was partially constructed as part of a failsafe. The main weapon was built first with the surrounding circular metal structure after by using materials that came from the strip mining moon located at the center of Installation 00.

Before it was released into space, the installation had a number of primary features available even though it was still not complete. These included the environment, atmosphere and main structures, and the main weapon, though the ring structure was not yet stable enough to survive this weapon's discharge. This installation was intended to be a replica of Installation 04, as similarities can be noted with the design of the control room for this ring and that of its predecessor. Installation 08 was not a complete replica in every physical characteristic as it was noted that 343 Guilty Spark as custodian of the ring had made modifications and changes to the installation.

At some point prior to the Battle of Installation 00, Cortana became aware of Installation 08's existence. While being held prisoner by the Gravemind on High Charity, she sent a covert message to John-117 on Earth informing him of a "solution to the Flood" that did not require activating the Halo Array.

Discovery

The still-incomplete installation was released into space just above the Ark. John-117 first discovered its existence shortly after he and Thel 'Vadam killed the Prophet of Truth. He decided that the only way to stop the local Flood infestation (which included the Gravemind from Installation 05) was to fire the incomplete Installation, which was out of range of the other rings.

John headed to the Flood-controlled High Charity to retrieve Cortana, as she held the Activation Index from the first Installation 04. Aided in his escape by Thel, John found a crashed Pelican near the exterior of High Charity and piloted it to the incomplete ring. The Pelican crashed in a snowy valley near the ring's Control Room, which was situated atop a high tower. As John and Thel made their way towards the tower, Flood dispersal pods descended from the sky to prevent them from activating the new Halo. The two, aided by Sergeant Major Avery Johnson, fended off the Flood and reunited with 343 Guilty Spark, who let them into the Control Room.

Inside the Control Room, Guilty Spark informed the trio that the installation would be completed in a few more days. However, with Flood reinforcements banging on the Control Room doors, Johnson declared they didn't have time and decided to activate the installation immediately. Guilty Spark, realizing that a premature activation would destroy the new ring, turned against the trio and fatally wounded Sergeant Johnson. The Chief used Johnson's M6 Spartan Laser to seemingly destroy the rampant Monitor. John then proceeded to activate the new Halo with the Index kept by Cortana.

Destruction

Main article: Raid on Installation 08

"When Halo fired, it shook itself to pieces. Did a number on the Ark"

— Cortana briefing John-117 of the aftermath of their escape.