Activation index: Difference between revisions

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{{Era|Forerunner|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{disambig header|the Forerunner artifact|the campaign level|Sacred Icon}}
{{disambig header|the Forerunner artifact|the campaign level|Sacred Icon}}
{{Forerunner infobox
{{Forerunner infobox
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}}
}}
{{Quote|We must collect the Index before we can activate the installation.|[[343 Guilty Spark]]}}
{{Quote|We must collect the Index before we can activate the installation.|[[343 Guilty Spark]]}}
The '''Activation Index''', often simply referred to as the '''Index''' and known as the '''Sacred Icon''' by the [[Covenant]], is an object found in every [[Halo Array|Halo installation]]'s [[Library]]. The Activation Index is the key needed to operate the installation's most critical systems, the most notable of which is its main weapon, an energy pulse that will kill all [[Sentience|sentient]] life within the ring's effective range. Its secondary purpose is to simultaneously initiate the [[Conservation Measure]], the repopulation process of the worlds sterilized by the Halo's pulse.<ref name="library">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''' - ''[[Library (feature)|Library]]'', ''"Activation Index"''</ref> An Index cannot be used to activate any Halo besides the one to which it is assigned.<ref name="h3h">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref>  
The '''Activation Index''', often simply referred to as the '''Index''' and known as the '''Sacred Icon''' by the [[Covenant]], is an object found in every [[Halo Array|Halo installation]]'s [[Library]]. The Activation Index is the key needed to operate the installation's most critical systems, the most notable of which is its main weapon, an energy pulse that will kill all [[Sentience|sentient]] life within the ring's effective range. Its secondary purpose is to simultaneously initiate the [[Conservation Measure]], the repopulation process of the worlds sterilized by the Halo's pulse.<ref name="library">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''' - ''[[Library (feature)|Library]]'', ''"Activation Index"''</ref>{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/the-new-halo-encyclopedia-is-out-today|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=The New Halo Encyclopedia is Out Today|D=11|M=03|Y=2023}} An Index cannot be used to activate any Halo besides the one to which it is assigned.<ref name="h3h">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref>  


==Overview==
==Overview==
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The activation index of [[Installation 04]] was retrieved by [[John-117]] at the guidance of [[monitor]] [[343 Guilty Spark]] in accordance with the proper [[containment protocol]]s after the [[Flood]] was released during the [[Battle of Installation 04]] on [[2552#September|September 21, 2552]]. Following protocol to the letter, the monitor led the Spartan through the [[Library]] until every security barrier protecting the index could be lifted. Upon reaching the facility's top floor, the Master Chief descended on the [[Index Chamber]]'s central [[elevator]] back to the bottom, where the index lay suspended over the main chasm.{{Ref/Reuse|h1l}} John obtained the index from its storage casket but Guilty Spark immediately took custody of the artifact in accordance with protocol. After the two [[Slipspace translocation|teleported]] to the [[Control Room (Installation 04)|control room]], the monitor relinquished the index back to the [[Reclaimer]] as only he was allowed to reunify the index with [[the Core]]. The Master Chief inserted the index to the Core, but [[Cortana]] immediately prevented the installation's activation, having been informed of Halo's true purpose.{{Ref/Reuse|twobetrayers}} Cortana downloaded the index's data into her systems and it remained in her possession over the coming months. On [[2552#December|December 11, 2552]], Cortana used the digital index to activate [[Installation 08|Installation 04's replacement]] constructed by [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|h3h}}
The activation index of [[Installation 04]] was retrieved by [[John-117]] at the guidance of [[monitor]] [[343 Guilty Spark]] in accordance with the proper [[containment protocol]]s after the [[Flood]] was released during the [[Battle of Installation 04]] on [[2552#September|September 21, 2552]]. Following protocol to the letter, the monitor led the Spartan through the [[Library]] until every security barrier protecting the index could be lifted. Upon reaching the facility's top floor, the Master Chief descended on the [[Index Chamber]]'s central [[elevator]] back to the bottom, where the index lay suspended over the main chasm.{{Ref/Reuse|h1l}} John obtained the index from its storage casket but Guilty Spark immediately took custody of the artifact in accordance with protocol. After the two [[Slipspace translocation|teleported]] to the [[Control Room (Installation 04)|control room]], the monitor relinquished the index back to the [[Reclaimer]] as only he was allowed to reunify the index with [[the Core]]. The Master Chief inserted the index to the Core, but [[Cortana]] immediately prevented the installation's activation, having been informed of Halo's true purpose.{{Ref/Reuse|twobetrayers}} Cortana downloaded the index's data into her systems and it remained in her possession over the coming months. On [[2552#December|December 11, 2552]], Cortana used the digital index to activate [[Installation 08|Installation 04's replacement]] constructed by [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|h3h}}


Despite using the index to activate Installation 08, Cortana still possessed at least fragments of it by the time of her destruction. In [[2560#May|May 2560]], [[the Weapon]] noted that the framework that she had used to lock down Cortana contained these fragments and, in order to keep them out of the hands of the [[Banished]], the Master Chief allowed her to absorb the framework and the index fragments into herself.{{Ref/Level|Hi|[[Foundation]]}}
Cortana still possessed at least fragments of the index by the time of her destruction. In [[2560#May|May 2560]], [[the Weapon]] noted that the framework that she had used to lock down Cortana contained these fragments and, in order to keep them out of the hands of the [[Banished]], the Master Chief allowed her to absorb the framework and the index fragments into herself.{{Ref/Level|Hi|[[Foundation]]}}{{Ref/Note|It is unclear at this moment whether Cortana obtained the Index from Zeta Halo or retained a copy or fragments of the Index from [[Installation 04]]. However taking into account that the Weapon utilised the Index in the framework to trap Cortana, it is possible that fragments of the Alpha Halo Index were retained.}}


===Installation 05===
===Installation 05===
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File:H4-ActivationIndex-Closeup-Screen.jpg|The Activation Index of Installation 03 aboard [[Ivanoff Station]].
File:H4-ActivationIndex-Closeup-Screen.jpg|The Activation Index of Installation 03 aboard [[Ivanoff Station]].
File:H2A - Index - concept art.jpg|Concept art of the index in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A - Index - concept art.jpg|Concept art of the index in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HINF Weapon Fragment.png|Framework also containing fragments of the Activation Index.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{Mo}}
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==