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Halo Array: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
[[File:H2_halo_surfaceland.jpg|thumb|250px|A section of a Halo's surface.]] | |||
[[File:H2_halo_surfaceland.jpg|thumb | |||
As it is known in modern times, the Halo Array is a network of seven ring-shaped megastructures created by the Forerunners, designed to exterminate all sentient life within the Milky Way galaxy.<ref name="great journey">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]'', ('''343 Guilty Spark:''' ''"After exhausting every other strategic option, my creators activated the rings. They, and all additional sentient life in three radii of the galactic center, died, as planned."'')</ref> Built following the [[Human-Forerunner War]], these ringworlds were later used as a last resort against the Flood, a parasitic extra-galactic species that threatened to consume every sentient life-form in the galaxy. By activating the rings, the Forerunners wiped out every sentient being in the galaxy, effectively starving the Flood to virtual extinction, though specimens were kept in a number of Forerunner [[Flood containment facility|containment facilities]], including the Halo installations themselves.<ref name="library">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[The Library]]''</ref> | As it is known in modern times, the Halo Array is a network of seven ring-shaped megastructures created by the Forerunners, designed to exterminate all sentient life within the Milky Way galaxy.<ref name="great journey">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]'', ('''343 Guilty Spark:''' ''"After exhausting every other strategic option, my creators activated the rings. They, and all additional sentient life in three radii of the galactic center, died, as planned."'')</ref> Built following the [[Human-Forerunner War]], these ringworlds were later used as a last resort against the Flood, a parasitic extra-galactic species that threatened to consume every sentient life-form in the galaxy. By activating the rings, the Forerunners wiped out every sentient being in the galaxy, effectively starving the Flood to virtual extinction, though specimens were kept in a number of Forerunner [[Flood containment facility|containment facilities]], including the Halo installations themselves.<ref name="library">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[The Library]]''</ref> | ||
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Though separated by thousands of light-years, the installations are networked together and capable of remote activation at [[Installation 00|the Ark]], their [[intergalactic space|extragalactic]] construction foundry. Each Halo installation has a maximum effective range of 25,000 light-years in every direction.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary#Terminal 8|Terminal 8]]'' (''"25,000 light years. That is the effective range of this installation."'')</ref><ref name="radius">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'', 343 Guilty Spark: ''"Technically, this installation's pulse has a maximum effective radius of twenty-five thousand light years."''</ref> The method utilized by the array to conduct this "mass sterilization protocol"<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[The Library]]'', 343 Guilty Spark: ''"Why the Flood is, naturally, simply too dangerous to release, and mass sterilization protocols may again need to be enacted."''</ref> involves the superluminal conveyance of a burst of cross-phased super-massive neutrinos, tuned to emit a harmonic frequency that destroys the nervous system of any life form within range. Simpler organisms lacking a neural system are unaffected, along with inanimate structures. [[Precursor]] technology, however, is extremely susceptible to damage from the Halo effect due to its quasi-living [[neural physics]] composition.<ref> '''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 132''</ref><ref name="c274"/> | Though separated by thousands of light-years, the installations are networked together and capable of remote activation at [[Installation 00|the Ark]], their [[intergalactic space|extragalactic]] construction foundry. Each Halo installation has a maximum effective range of 25,000 light-years in every direction.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary#Terminal 8|Terminal 8]]'' (''"25,000 light years. That is the effective range of this installation."'')</ref><ref name="radius">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'', 343 Guilty Spark: ''"Technically, this installation's pulse has a maximum effective radius of twenty-five thousand light years."''</ref> The method utilized by the array to conduct this "mass sterilization protocol"<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[The Library]]'', 343 Guilty Spark: ''"Why the Flood is, naturally, simply too dangerous to release, and mass sterilization protocols may again need to be enacted."''</ref> involves the superluminal conveyance of a burst of cross-phased super-massive neutrinos, tuned to emit a harmonic frequency that destroys the nervous system of any life form within range. Simpler organisms lacking a neural system are unaffected, along with inanimate structures. [[Precursor]] technology, however, is extremely susceptible to damage from the Halo effect due to its quasi-living [[neural physics]] composition.<ref> '''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 132''</ref><ref name="c274"/> | ||
[[File:H2A - Halo Array hologram.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Readout of the seven Halos.]] | |||
The Halo Array in its entirety has been fired only once in known history, approximately 100,000 years ago, by the [[IsoDidact]] in order to stop the Flood from overwhelming the galaxy. All beings in the Array's effective range, including Forerunners themselves, were wiped out by the Array's pulse,<ref name="great journey"/> with the exception of those who took refuge on the [[shield world]]s. A number of Forerunners survived at the lesser Ark but chose to exile themselves from the galaxy.<ref name="rebirth">'''Halo: Rebirth'''</ref> The array has come close to activation four times since; Installation 04 was almost activated by the [[John-117|Master Chief]], Installation 05 was activated by Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] at the behest of the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]], [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] was forced by the [[Prophet of Truth]] to activate the Array from the Ark, and [[Bobby Kodiak]] was forced by [[000 Tragic Solitude]], the Monitor of the Ark, to activate the Halo Array from the Ark as a revenge. None of these attempts were successful; the first was stopped by Cortana, while the other three attempts were halted by UNSC and [[Swords of Sanghelios|Sangheili]] intervention. A [[Installation 04B|replacement]] Halo for the destroyed Installation 04 was successfully activated outside of the galaxy, eliminating the Flood massed at [[Installation 00]], but it was incomplete and thus not networked to the rest of the Array.<ref name="halo3halo">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | The Halo Array in its entirety has been fired only once in known history, approximately 100,000 years ago, by the [[IsoDidact]] in order to stop the Flood from overwhelming the galaxy. All beings in the Array's effective range, including Forerunners themselves, were wiped out by the Array's pulse,<ref name="great journey"/> with the exception of those who took refuge on the [[shield world]]s. A number of Forerunners survived at the lesser Ark but chose to exile themselves from the galaxy.<ref name="rebirth">'''Halo: Rebirth'''</ref> The array has come close to activation four times since; Installation 04 was almost activated by the [[John-117|Master Chief]], Installation 05 was activated by Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] at the behest of the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]], [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] was forced by the [[Prophet of Truth]] to activate the Array from the Ark, and [[Bobby Kodiak]] was forced by [[000 Tragic Solitude]], the Monitor of the Ark, to activate the Halo Array from the Ark as a revenge. None of these attempts were successful; the first was stopped by Cortana, while the other three attempts were halted by UNSC and [[Swords of Sanghelios|Sangheili]] intervention. A [[Installation 04B|replacement]] Halo for the destroyed Installation 04 was successfully activated outside of the galaxy, eliminating the Flood massed at [[Installation 00]], but it was incomplete and thus not networked to the rest of the Array.<ref name="halo3halo">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | ||
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===Post-activation=== | ===Post-activation=== | ||
The seven Halos then remained relatively dormant for approximately one hundred thousand years, though at least [[Installation 05 | The seven Halos then remained relatively dormant for approximately one hundred thousand years, though at least [[Installation 05]] experienced a major Flood outbreak, while [[Installation 04]] was visited briefly by other species,<ref>''"[[Conversations from the Universe]]"''</ref> including a [[unidentified alien vessel|major crash-landing]] in [[40,000 BCE]].<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals 5-6]]''</ref> | ||
The Array's activation caused catastrophic damage to ecosystems across the galaxy, with innumerable species both sentient and non-sentient rendered extinct. The dissolving of dead bodies thanks to [[solute]] eventually showed up on the fossil record, and was labeled by scientists as the [[Ross-Ziegler Blip]]. This curious gap was dismissed as an anomaly caused by spatial distortion until [[human]]ity discovered the Array in [[2552]]. Several species indexed by the [[Library Project]] did not survive [[reintroduction]] to their homeworlds, and those that did were all reverted to a [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 7: Pre-Industrial|Tier 7]] technological state. The mostly uneventful period starting after the firing of the Halos was known as the [[dark time]]. | The Array's activation caused catastrophic damage to ecosystems across the galaxy, with innumerable species both sentient and non-sentient rendered extinct. The dissolving of dead bodies thanks to [[solute]] eventually showed up on the fossil record, and was labeled by scientists as the [[Ross-Ziegler Blip]]. This curious gap was dismissed as an anomaly caused by spatial distortion until [[human]]ity discovered the Array in [[2552]]. Several species indexed by the [[Library Project]] did not survive [[reintroduction]] to their homeworlds, and those that did were all reverted to a [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 7: Pre-Industrial|Tier 7]] technological state. The mostly uneventful period starting after the firing of the Halos was known as the [[dark time]]. | ||
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[[File:Halo Firing.png|250px|left|thumb|The partially constructed Installation 04B hovering over the Ark.]] | [[File:Halo Firing.png|250px|left|thumb|The partially constructed Installation 04B hovering over the Ark.]] | ||
The battle finally culminated when [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] detonated the fusion | The battle finally culminated when [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] detonated the [[fusion engine]]s of the ''Pillar of Autumn'' on the surface of the installation, which compromised the structural integrity of the ring. The gravitational momentum and inertia still perpetuating the ring in orbit around [[Threshold]] then tore the ring apart. The remains of Installation 04 were scattered as debris in space. The explosion sent massive chunks of the ring careening into [[Basis]]; the moon suffered a constant bombardment of debris from the ring after its destruction.<ref>'''Halo 2''', multiplayer level ''[[Burial Mounds]]''</ref> | ||
After escaping the [[Battle of Tribute]], a [[UNSC]] [[freighter]], ''[[Floral Express]]'', discovered [[Installation 03]] on October 8th, 2552. By October 25th neutralization protocols had been established.<ref>''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]'' - ''#5''</ref> | After escaping the [[Battle of Tribute]], a [[UNSC]] [[freighter]], ''[[Floral Express]]'', discovered [[Installation 03]] on October 8th, 2552. By October 25th neutralization protocols had been established.<ref>''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]'' - ''#5''</ref> | ||
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==Features== | ==Features== | ||
===Structure=== | ===Structure=== | ||
[[File:HaloLatticework.jpg|thumb | [[File:HaloLatticework.jpg|thumb|250px|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 humanoid beings.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]''</ref> | 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 humanoid beings.<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 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> | ||
[[File:HW2-Banished ejected.png|thumb|left|250px|A section of landmass being ejected from [[Installation 04C]].]] | |||
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 could 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"/> The newer Halos are capable of safely ejecting segments as well, as long as the process is overseen by a capable enough intelligence such as a [[monitor]].<ref name="HE10"/> Additionally, small, specifically defined parts of the Halos' terrain (along with the underlying foundation layers) can be jettisoned into space as a precautionary measure against Flood outbreaks.<ref name="cea t4">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminal Four]]''</ref><ref name="Last Stand"/> In time, the ecosystems of these ejected sections can be restored by the Halos' automated systems.<ref name="cea t4"/> | 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 could 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"/> The newer Halos are capable of safely ejecting segments as well, as long as the process is overseen by a capable enough intelligence such as a [[monitor]].<ref name="HE10"/> Additionally, small, specifically defined parts of the Halos' terrain (along with the underlying foundation layers) can be jettisoned into space as a precautionary measure against Flood outbreaks.<ref name="cea t4">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminal Four]]''</ref><ref name="Last Stand"/> In time, the ecosystems of these ejected sections can be restored by the Halos' automated systems.<ref name="cea t4"/> | ||
Each installation in the final Halo 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"/> | Each installation in the final Halo 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"/> | ||
{{Clear}} | |||
===Custodial=== | ===Custodial=== | ||
[[File:343.JPG|right|thumb|250px|343 Guilty Spark, monitor of Installation 04.]] | [[File:343.JPG|right|thumb|250px|343 Guilty Spark, monitor of Installation 04.]] | ||
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===Environment=== | ===Environment=== | ||
[[File:Fitzgerald Shooting.jpg|thumb|left|250px|UNSC and Covenant forces fight on Installation 04.]] | |||
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 name="c313"/> 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 name="c313"/> 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 superstructure, and tugged in place by centripetal force;<ref>'''The Art of Halo 3''', ''page 116''</ref> massive walls lining both sides of the ringworld prevent the atmosphere from leaking out into space.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 40, 148''</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. | 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> massive walls lining both sides of the ringworld prevent the atmosphere from leaking out into space.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 40, 148''</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. | ||
{{Clear}} | |||
===Facilities=== | ===Facilities=== | ||
[[File:AnniversaryControlRoom.png|thumb|right|250px|The [[Control Room]] of Installation 04.]] | [[File:AnniversaryControlRoom.png|thumb|right|250px|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. The control room houses the installation's mainframe, known as [[the Core]], from which all of the Halo's systems can be operated | Each Halo has several assets that are uniform to all installations. Each contains a [[control room]] located somewhere upon its inner surface. The control room houses the installation's mainframe, known as [[the Core]], from which all of the Halo's systems can be operated. The Halo's main weapon can be activated inserting the [[Activation Index]] into the Core; on the other hand, the Core may also be used to disable the main weapon.<ref name="Last Stand"/> Each Halo also possesses a [[Library]], a large structure protected by [[Containment shield|an energy shield]] and a [[Sentinel wall|massive wall]], 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> | ||
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===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> | [[File:Installation_05.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Installation 05 as it aborts its firing sequence during the [[Battle of Installation 05]].]] | ||
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> The burst possesses a harmonic frequency, which can be tuned to destroy 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. Fine tuning the pulse can also allow for selective extermination of lifeforms with varying degrees of neural complexity.<ref>[https://twitter.com/GrimBrotherOne/status/766840297498157056 '''Twitter''': ''Jeff Easterling on Twitter'']</ref> 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.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 310''</ref> 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> While organisms aboard the twelve older rings were safe from the Halo effect itself due to its directional nature, any sentient being would still experience an uncomfortable sensation in the vicinity of the pulse.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 272-273''</ref> | When activated, the Halo rings release a burst of cross-phased supermassive neutrinos.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 274''</ref> The burst possesses a harmonic frequency, which can be tuned to destroy 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. Fine tuning the pulse can also allow for selective extermination of lifeforms with varying degrees of neural complexity.<ref>[https://twitter.com/GrimBrotherOne/status/766840297498157056 '''Twitter''': ''Jeff Easterling on Twitter'']</ref> 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.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 310''</ref> 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> While organisms aboard the twelve older rings were safe from the Halo effect itself due to its directional nature, any sentient being would still experience an uncomfortable sensation in the vicinity of the pulse.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 272-273''</ref> | ||
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|[[Installation 04C]] | |[[Installation 04C]] | ||
|Alpha Halo ''(replacement)'' | |Alpha Halo ''(replacement)'' | ||
| | |Intercepted in slipspace en route to Soell system | ||
| | | | ||
|Controlled by the [[Created]] | |Controlled by the [[Created]] | ||
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==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Delta Halo.jpg|Installation 05 in ''[[Halo 2]]''. | File:Delta Halo.jpg|Installation 05 in ''[[Halo 2]]''. | ||
File:1206904788 Halo-Ring.JPG|The surface of a Halo ring. | File:1206904788 Halo-Ring.JPG|The surface of a Halo ring. | ||
File:Halo 3 - Installation04B.jpg|Installation 04B in ''[[Halo 3]]''. | File:Halo 3 - Installation04B.jpg|Installation 04B in ''[[Halo 3]]''. | ||
File:Array.png|Installation 00 sending the Halo Array through a [[slipspace portal]] during the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] in ''[[Halo Legends]]: [[Origins]]''. | File:Array.png|Installation 00 sending the Halo Array through a [[slipspace portal]] during the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] in ''[[Halo Legends]]: [[Origins]]''. | ||
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File:H5G-LegendaryHalo.png|A Halo in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''. | File:H5G-LegendaryHalo.png|A Halo in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''. | ||
File:HM-Thanolekgolo.png|Alpha Shard in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''. | File:HM-Thanolekgolo.png|Alpha Shard in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''. | ||
File:HW2-Halo.png|Captain [[James Cutter]] stands before | File:HW2-Halo.png|Captain [[James Cutter]] stands before Installation 04's second replacement in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''. | ||
File:HW2-Halo in slipspace.jpg|Installation 04C exiting slipspace transit. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||