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Halo Array: Difference between revisions
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==History== | ==History== | ||
===Construction=== | ===Construction=== | ||
[[File: | [[File:ForerunnerObserver.jpg|thumb|300px|A Forerunner observes the construction of a Halo.]] | ||
The first Halos were constructed by the [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]] and his [[Builder]]s in the millennia after the [[Flood]] was first encountered in the Milky Way, only to eventually retreat, seemingly due to [[prehistoric human civilization|early humanity]]'s efforts. The most extreme faction of Builders, which at the time controlled the [[Ecumene Council]], claimed that more extreme measures should be used to protect the galaxy against a possible Flood resurgence and proposed building the Array for this purpose. Although they faced strong opposition from the [[Promethean]]s, led by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], for thousands of years, the faction eventually won the approval of the Council and commenced work on the Array.<ref name="c274"/> | The first Halos were constructed by the [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]] and his [[Builder]]s in the millennia after the [[Flood]] was first encountered in the Milky Way, only to eventually retreat, seemingly due to [[prehistoric human civilization|early humanity]]'s efforts. The most extreme faction of Builders, which at the time controlled the [[Ecumene Council]], claimed that more extreme measures should be used to protect the galaxy against a possible Flood resurgence and proposed building the Array for this purpose. Although they faced strong opposition from the [[Promethean]]s, led by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], for thousands of years, the faction eventually won the approval of the Council and commenced work on the Array.<ref name="c274"/> | ||
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===Rediscovery=== | ===Rediscovery=== | ||
[[File:HaloDestructionCEA.png|300px|right|thumb|The destruction of the original Installation 04.]] | [[File:HaloDestructionCEA.png|300px|right|thumb|The destruction of the original Installation 04.]] | ||
[[File:Halo Firing.png|300px|right|thumb|The partially constructed Installation 04B hovering over the Ark.]] | |||
Eventually, the stellar coordinates of [[Installation 04]] was discovered through the combination of a [[Sigma Octanus IV Artifact|crystal artifact]] on [[Sigma Octanus IV]] and a [[Babd Catha Forerunner complex|huge Forerunner artifact]] buried under the surface of [[Reach]]. The coordinates were utilized by the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s shipboard [[AI]] [[Cortana]] to escape from the [[Fall of Reach]]. The cruiser arrived over the Installation's orbit and was subsequently shot down by Covenant ships. Most of the ship's combat personnel escaped and made landfall on the artificial construct, triggering the [[Battle of Installation 04]]. | Eventually, the stellar coordinates of [[Installation 04]] was discovered through the combination of a [[Sigma Octanus IV Artifact|crystal artifact]] on [[Sigma Octanus IV]] and a [[Babd Catha Forerunner complex|huge Forerunner artifact]] buried under the surface of [[Reach]]. The coordinates were utilized by the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s shipboard [[AI]] [[Cortana]] to escape from the [[Fall of Reach]]. The cruiser arrived over the Installation's orbit and was subsequently shot down by Covenant ships. Most of the ship's combat personnel escaped and made landfall on the artificial construct, triggering the [[Battle of Installation 04]]. | ||
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Later, the Covenant discovered a third Halo, [[Installation 05]]. On this Halo, the Flood had already been released and much of the ring had been compromised, including its monitor, [[2401 Penitent Tangent]]. Soon, [[Battle of Installation 05|another four-way conflict]] began. The battle ended in the Flood manifesting a [[Gravemind]] and successfully escaping the ring aboard infected Covenant ships. The ring was nearly activated by [[Tartarus]], the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] of the [[Jiralhanae]], but [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] pulled the [[Activation Index]] out of the installation's core at the last moment, causing all six functional installations to go into "standby mode", ready for remote activation from the Ark. | Later, the Covenant discovered a third Halo, [[Installation 05]]. On this Halo, the Flood had already been released and much of the ring had been compromised, including its monitor, [[2401 Penitent Tangent]]. Soon, [[Battle of Installation 05|another four-way conflict]] began. The battle ended in the Flood manifesting a [[Gravemind]] and successfully escaping the ring aboard infected Covenant ships. The ring was nearly activated by [[Tartarus]], the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] of the [[Jiralhanae]], but [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] pulled the [[Activation Index]] out of the installation's core at the last moment, causing all six functional installations to go into "standby mode", ready for remote activation from the Ark. | ||
The human survivors returned to [[Earth]] and resumed their fight against the Covenant, who had uncovered a large structure on Earth, which they assumed to be the Ark. The Covenant landed the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] in the center of the structure, activating it. However, the structure was soon revealed not to be the Ark, but [[the Portal|a generator]] of a portal to the actual [[Installation 00|Ark]], a massive artificial world located outside the galaxy. Human and [[Covenant separatists|Covenant separatist]] forces proceeded through the portal to the newly-discovered installation to prevent the Covenant from activating the remaining Halo rings remotely. Eventually, the Gravemind arrived at the Ark aboard ''[[High Charity]]'', the Covenant's capital city, which had been turned into a Flood hive. The hive crashed onto the Installation, releasing the Flood. | The human survivors returned to [[Earth]] and resumed their fight against the Covenant, who had uncovered a large structure on Earth, which they assumed to be the Ark. The Covenant landed the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] in the center of the structure, activating it. However, the structure was soon revealed not to be the Ark, but [[the Portal|a generator]] of a portal to the actual [[Installation 00|Ark]], a massive artificial world located outside the galaxy. Human and [[Covenant separatists|Covenant separatist]] forces proceeded through the portal to the newly-discovered installation to prevent the Covenant from activating the remaining Halo rings remotely. Eventually, the Gravemind arrived at the Ark aboard ''[[High Charity]]'', the Covenant's capital city, which had been turned into a Flood hive. The hive crashed onto the Installation, releasing the Flood. | ||
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==Features== | ==Features== | ||
===Structure=== | |||
[[File:HaloLatticework.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The foundational latticework of a Halo installation.]] | |||
The Halos encountered in the modern times are 10,000 kilometers in diameter; this size is roughly similar to that of [[Earth]], which is 12,756 km in diameter. While the original twelve Halos had a diameter of 30,000 kilometers,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 310''</ref> concerns about their structural stability and transport led to the second series of rings being reduced in size.<ref name="maker"/> The surface of each ring is 318 kilometers wide,<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 6''</ref> and 22.3 kilometers thick.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 339'' (2001)</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 13'' (2003)</ref> The main structure of the ring is constructed of a superdense foundational material,<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 340''</ref> with elaborate scaffolding and cantilever structures laid over it to support the artificial landmasses and the myriad tunnel networks and caverns that riddle the installation's internal structure.<ref name="halo3halo"/> Many of these tunnels are transit conduits meant for use by the ring's Sentinels, though some of them can be traversed by biologicals.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]''</ref> | |||
The Halo rings achieve their "gravity" through centripetal force. As the ring spins, centripetal force pushes all spinning bodies away from the center of rotation. The ring is uniform, and because of this, all points are the same distance from the center, therefore centripetal force applies evenly. This force also pushes objects on the surface of the ring away from the center of rotation, or pushes them down on the surface of the ring, translating into gravity. When the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} was detonated, it blasted a large mass from Installation 04; no longer a full loop, the centripetal force applied in much greater strength on the newly formed weak point, causing the ring to rip apart.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''' campaign level, ''[[The Maw]]''</ref> | |||
The Halos are capable of repairing themselves to some degree, replacing damaged plates of foundation material and restoring biological sections.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 77-78''</ref> Some of the 30,000 km-diameter Halos could also be reduced to a smaller size by shedding large portions of the foundation.<ref name="maker"/> In order to prevent the ring from falling apart during this process, it can generate a hard light hub with spokes which hold each of the foundation plates in place.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 345-346''</ref> However, the self-reduction process was far from perfect and made the original Halos prone to instability and collapse.<ref name="maker"/> | |||
Each installation in the final array orbits a large, dense planet—most commonly a gas giant—which serves as a gravitational anchor.<ref name="gas giants"/> For example, Installation 04 and Installation 05 orbited [[Threshold]] and [[Substance]], respectively, which are both large gas giants, while Installation 03 is anchored to a large rocky planet.<ref name="h4composer"/> | |||
===Custodial=== | ===Custodial=== | ||
[[File:343.JPG|right|thumb|275px|343 Guilty Spark, Monitor of Installation 04.]] | [[File:343.JPG|right|thumb|275px|343 Guilty Spark, Monitor of Installation 04.]] | ||
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The Sentinels encompass a broad category of less intelligent constructs which serve virtually any purpose necessary to ensure that the Halo functions properly and are capable of combating small Flood outbreaks. Should a major Flood outbreak occur, heavier automatons, such as the Enforcers and [[Sentinel Major]]s will be created. In the meantime, Constructors are also created to ensure that the Forerunner structures on the Installation are kept in optimal shape, and that they are not damaged by conflict or weather.<ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> | The Sentinels encompass a broad category of less intelligent constructs which serve virtually any purpose necessary to ensure that the Halo functions properly and are capable of combating small Flood outbreaks. Should a major Flood outbreak occur, heavier automatons, such as the Enforcers and [[Sentinel Major]]s will be created. In the meantime, Constructors are also created to ensure that the Forerunner structures on the Installation are kept in optimal shape, and that they are not damaged by conflict or weather.<ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> | ||
Save for the Monitor, all automatons can be constructed at specialized [[Sentinel manufacturing facility|production facilities]] that float high in the Halo's atmosphere. They seem to | Save for the Monitor, all automatons can be constructed at specialized [[Sentinel manufacturing facility|production facilities]] that float high in the Halo's atmosphere. They seem to have access to copious amounts of materials for constructing an almost indefinite number of automatons. | ||
===Environment=== | ===Environment=== | ||
Although first and foremost designed as weapons of mass destruction, the Halos are also designed as habitats for transplanted lifeforms, including but not limited to humans. After [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]]'s plans were co-opted by the [[Librarian]], the Halos were given terrestrial surfaces to support catalogued specimens. The Master Builder intended to allow these specimens to be infected by Flood forms contained on the rings, and then subsequently terminated in order to test the Halos' effectiveness.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 313, 334''</ref> The Halo installations support a wide range of environments, habitats, ecosystems, and climates. Installation 04 and Installation 05 supported warm, temperate forests<ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> that were both deciduous and coniferous, swamps, and cold, snow covered tundra environments.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref> Installation 00 had climate ranging all the way from tundra,<ref name="Cov">'''Halo 3''', level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> to forest,<ref name="Cov"/> to desert.<ref>'''Halo 3''', level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref> | Although first and foremost designed as weapons of mass destruction, the Halos are also designed as habitats for transplanted lifeforms, including but not limited to humans. After [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]]'s plans were co-opted by the [[Librarian]], the Halos were given terrestrial surfaces to support catalogued specimens. The Master Builder intended to allow these specimens to be infected by Flood forms contained on the rings, and then subsequently terminated in order to test the Halos' effectiveness.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 313, 334''</ref> The Halo installations support a wide range of environments, habitats, ecosystems, and climates. Installation 04 and Installation 05 supported warm, temperate forests<ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> that were both deciduous and coniferous, swamps, and cold, snow covered tundra environments.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref> Installation 00 had climate ranging all the way from tundra,<ref name="Cov">'''Halo 3''', level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> to forest,<ref name="Cov"/> to desert.<ref>'''Halo 3''', level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref> | ||
While the terrain of a Halo ring may appear to be naturally formed at first glance, it is actually artificially constructed. [[Strato-Sentinel]]s extract raw materials from the source, process them in transit, and deposit building materials at the Installation.<ref>'''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''', page 30</ref> Four huge terraforming factories then move across the face of the installation to "skin" it with landmasses and bodies of water. These factories also hold in the ring's nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere, which is then leaked out to the surface, eventually pouring through the | While the terrain of a Halo ring may appear to be naturally formed at first glance, it is actually artificially constructed. [[Strato-Sentinel]]s extract raw materials from the source, process them in transit, and deposit building materials at the Installation.<ref>'''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''', page 30</ref> Four huge terraforming factories then move across the face of the installation to "skin" it with landmasses and bodies of water. These factories also hold in the ring's nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere, which is then leaked out to the surface, eventually pouring through the superstructure, and tugged in place by centripetal force.<ref>'''The Art of Halo 3''', ''page 116''</ref> The installation's buildings are then built by Constructors and Sentinels. An intricate layer of metallic panels is laid down several meters below the surface of the terrain, upon which rock, soil, and eventually vegetation is added. Slopes, hills and mountains can be created by sculpting these panels.<ref name="halo3halo"/> Some features, such as landslides, are the result of time, and have been formed naturally. Others, such as the frigid conditions of the [[Quarantine Zone]] or the lake near the [[Temple (Installation 05)|Temple]] on [[Installation 05]] were artificially created.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo]]''</ref> There are also numerous indigenous life-forms that live on the Halos; these were brought on the installations as part of the Lifeworkers' conservation project. | ||
=== | ===Facilities=== | ||
[[File:AnniversaryControlRoom.png|thumb|right|300px|The [[Control Room]] of Installation 04.]] | [[File:AnniversaryControlRoom.png|thumb|right|300px|The [[Control Room]] of Installation 04.]] | ||
Each Halo has several assets that are uniform to all installations. Each contains a [[Control Room]] located somewhere upon its inner surface, from which a [[Reclaimer]] must manually insert the installation's [[Activation Index]] to activate it. Each also possesses a [[Library]], a large structure protected by an energy shield, where the Index is housed and protected by Sentinels.<ref name="library"/><ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> The index itself is a | Each Halo has several assets that are uniform to all installations. Each contains a [[Control Room]] located somewhere upon its inner surface, from which a [[Reclaimer]] must manually insert the installation's [[Activation Index]] to activate it. Each also possesses a [[Library]], a large structure protected by [[Containment shield|an energy shield]], where the Index is housed and protected by Sentinels.<ref name="library"/><ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> The index itself is a semisolid [[holography|holographic]] representation of the data needed to activate the ring, and can only be directly inserted successfully by a Reclaimer. | ||
Installations also possess [[Cartographer]] facilities, which contain the complete, real-time record and schematic of the installation,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 295''</ref> including its inner passages and networks, to be used as a navigational reference for traversing the installation. [[Flood containment facility|Flood containment]] and [[Flood research facility|research facilities]] are also standard, used by the installation's monitor to conduct research on and observe the surviving Flood specimens; these are protected by Sentinels to prevent an outbreak.<ref name="Flood240">'''Halo: The Flood''', pages 240-242</ref> | Installations also possess [[Cartographer]] facilities, which contain the complete, real-time record and schematic of the installation,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 295''</ref> including its inner passages and networks, to be used as a navigational reference for traversing the installation. [[Flood containment facility|Flood containment]] and [[Flood research facility|research facilities]] are also standard, used by the installation's monitor to conduct research on and observe the surviving Flood specimens; these are protected by Sentinels to prevent an outbreak.<ref name="Flood240">'''Halo: The Flood''', pages 240-242</ref> | ||
Installations also contain advanced [[teleportation grid]]s, allowing instantaneous transportation for a Monitor or Reclaimer to any place on the installation. These grids cannot be controlled by the Flood, though the Gravemind was able to use that of Installation 05 by controlling 2401 Penitent Tangent.<ref name="gravemind"/> For Sentinels, the installation is riddled with tunnel and cave networks for access and transportation.<ref name="Flood240"/> | ===Technology=== | ||
Installations also contain advanced [[teleportation grid]]s, allowing instantaneous transportation for a Monitor or Reclaimer to any place on the installation. These grids cannot be controlled by the Flood, though the Gravemind was able to use that of Installation 05 by controlling 2401 Penitent Tangent.<ref name="gravemind"/> For Sentinels, the installation is riddled with tunnel and cave networks for access and transportation.<ref name="Flood240"/> | |||
The Halo installations are also equipped with drive engines spaced along their rim. In the event of an emergency, a Halo can maneuver itself to avoid damage from a collision or weaponry.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum,''', ''page 314''</ref> In addition, they possess [[hard light]] reinforcement to stabilize and protect them against tidal and gravitational forces from other objects.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 311''</ref> One of the most extraordinary systems possessed by the Halos is their ability to lock entire sections of the ring, or, if necessary, the entirety of it, into reflective slipspace stasis. This effectively suspends these sections in time and renders them invulnerable to damage from the outside and allows the occupants of the ring to survive the main weapon's firing. However, it also consumes an enormous amount of energy.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 331-332''</ref> | The Halo installations are also equipped with drive engines spaced along their rim. In the event of an emergency, a Halo can maneuver itself to avoid damage from a collision or weaponry.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum,''', ''page 314''</ref> In addition, they possess [[hard light]] reinforcement to stabilize and protect them against tidal and gravitational forces from other objects.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 311''</ref> One of the most extraordinary systems possessed by the Halos is their ability to lock entire sections of the ring, or, if necessary, the entirety of it, into reflective slipspace stasis. This effectively suspends these sections in time and renders them invulnerable to damage from the outside and allows the occupants of the ring to survive the main weapon's firing. However, it also consumes an enormous amount of energy.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 331-332''</ref> | ||
===Firing method=== | ===Firing method=== | ||
The seven installations in the final Halo Array function via form of lethal radiation designed to kill all [[sentience|sentient]] life in the installation's three-dimensional radius of 25,000 light-years; when fired in concert with the rest of the Array, this sterilizing effect covers the entire galaxy.<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''pages 170-174''</ref><ref name="terminal8">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminal Eight]]''</ref> | The seven installations in the final Halo Array function via form of lethal radiation designed to kill all [[sentience|sentient]] life in the installation's three-dimensional radius of 25,000 light-years; when fired in concert with the rest of the Array, this sterilizing effect covers the entire galaxy.<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''pages 170-174''</ref><ref name="terminal8">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminal Eight]]''</ref> | ||
When activated, the Halo rings release a burst of cross-phased supermassive neutrinos.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 274''</ref> This burst of neutrinos is carefully tuned to possess a harmonic frequency, which destroys the nervous system of any macroscopic organism that possesses one, even one as rudimentary as a notochord, as shown in the aftermath of a low-powered test firing of a Halo performed by [[Mendicant Bias]] in [[Charum Hakkor system|the system]] of Charum Hakkor. The Halo effect is able to target and eliminate | When activated, the Halo rings release a burst of cross-phased supermassive neutrinos.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 274''</ref> This burst of neutrinos is carefully tuned to possess a harmonic frequency, which destroys the nervous system of any macroscopic organism that possesses one, even one as rudimentary as a notochord, as shown in the aftermath of a low-powered test firing of a Halo performed by [[Mendicant Bias]] in [[Charum Hakkor system|the system]] of Charum Hakkor. The Halo effect is able to target and eliminate most forms of neural structures, from biological nervous systems to esoteric [[neural physics]] constructs, although the effect does not extend to [[artificial intelligence]]s. Simpler life forms that do not possess a neural system, such as microbes, fungi, algae, mosses, and traditional plants are unaffected.<ref name="c131">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 131-133''</ref> | ||
Like virtually all Forerunner technology, the Halos are powered by [[vacuum energy]]. When the main weapon is fired, vacuum energy is siphoned from local space-time to near-depletion.<ref name="s270"/> The pulse of the main weapon is amplified by a series of [[phase pulse generator]]s and channeled toward the Halo's center. A concentration of energy collects into the hub of the installation, which, when the weapon is fully charged, blasts outward in all directions.<ref name="terminal8"/> If the activation is canceled, a burst of energy is fired from the control center into the hub, causing the collected energy to violently implode, then dissipate harmlessly.<ref name="great journey">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> | Like virtually all Forerunner technology, the Halos are powered by [[vacuum energy]]. When the main weapon is fired, vacuum energy is siphoned from local space-time to near-depletion.<ref name="s270"/> The pulse of the main weapon is amplified by a series of [[phase pulse generator]]s and channeled toward the Halo's center. A concentration of energy collects into the hub of the installation, which, when the weapon is fully charged, blasts outward in all directions.<ref name="terminal8"/> If the activation is canceled, a burst of energy is fired from the control center into the hub, causing the collected energy to violently implode, then dissipate harmlessly.<ref name="great journey">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> | ||