Greater Ark: Difference between revisions

{{Status|Canon}}

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The '''greater Ark''', also referred to as '''the Ark''', the '''senescent Ark''',{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P343|Enc22|Page=343}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P366|Enc22|Page=366}} or the '''Beginning Place''',<ref name="cryp317">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 317''</ref>{{Ref/Note|Id=cryptum|Though the Ark featured in ''Halo: Cryptum'' is never identified as the greater Ark and is only referred to as "the Ark" or the "Beginning Place", its description differs considerably from that of Installation 00. ''Halo: Silentium'' further clarifies that the Librarian used the greater Ark as her base of operations before its destruction; because of its use as the Lifeshaper's main base, (combined with the secrecy of Installation 00), the greater Ark was almost universally referred to as "the Ark". As such, it is assumed the Ark described in ''Cryptum'' is the greater Ark. Additionally, it was stated in ''Halo: Silentium'' that only the Master Builder knew the location of the lesser Ark which he eventually gave to the [[IsoDidact]] before his demise in the [[Battle of the greater Ark]] which further suggests that it was the greater Ark in ''Halo: Cryptum''. Though the IsoDidact suggested briefly taking [[Installation 07]] to the lesser Ark in ''Halo: Primordium'', this was not mentioned again and it went to the greater Ark with no explanation for the discrepancy.<br>However, this also raises an apparent discrepancy regarding the lesser Ark and its secret array of six Halos. ''Halo: Cryptum'' describes a separate array of six Halo rings stationed over what is assumed to be the greater Ark for the aforementioned reasons. However, ''Halo: Silentium'' clarifies that the newer array of six Halos was manufactured by, and hidden at, the lesser Ark. This makes the rings' apparent presence at the greater Ark a contradiction, since there are no evident reasons for the six rings (the Forerunners' carefully-guarded last resort) being temporarily transported to the greater Ark. Additionally, ''Halo: Cryptum'' doesn't make it clear if these six rings are supposed to be the newer array or simply replacements for the older rings lost in the recent [[Fate of Maethrillian]] as their size is not given.}} was a [[Forerunner]] megastructure, and the first of the two [[Ark]]s used to manufacture [[Halo Array|Halo rings]]. It produced the original Halo Array, comprised of rings 30,000 kilometers in diameter as opposed to the 10,000 kilometers of the final Array, which was produced by the smaller [[Installation 00]] instead.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 343''</ref> Like Installation 00, the greater Ark was located [[Intergalactic space|outside]] the [[Milky Way|Milky Way galaxy]],<ref name="prim371">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 371''</ref> one-third of the way around the outer boundaries of the galaxy.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 237'' (''"Unbeknownst to most, the lesser Ark, hidden a third of the way around the outer boundaries of the galaxy..."'')</ref>

===Fall to the Flood===

Around [[97,445 BCE]], strategic command of the [[ecumene]] was placed at the greater Ark, as the [[Capital]] system was almost completely conquered by the Flood.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''String 25''</ref> The greater Ark served as the final refuge for most of the surviving Forerunner population, while the Lifeworkers' specimens formerly stored there were relocated on the nearby [[Omega Halo]], the last surviving ring of the original twelve-strong array (excluding the repurposed [[Installation 07]]). The specimens included the Librarian's largest population of [[human]]s, which would later be destroyed when the [[Ur-Didact]] harvested their essences with the [[Composer]]. Shortly after this, the Flood [[Battle of the greater Ark|attacked]] the greater Ark and destroyed it using the [[Precursor]]s' [[star road]]s, leaving the lesser Ark and its new Array of rings as the Forerunners' last resort. The destruction of the greater Ark also led to the death of the majority of the remaining Forerunners, with only a handful escaping to the lesser Ark to carry out their final mission.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''String 34''</ref>

==List of appearances==

**''[[Promises to Keep]]''

*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{Mo}}

==Notes==