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UNSC Vanishing Point: Difference between revisions
Added information from Silent Storm.
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|shielding= | |shielding= | ||
|armament=[[Archer missile#M42 Archer|M42 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS20|HSS|Chapter=20}} | |armament=[[Archer missile#M42 Archer|M42 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS20|HSS|Chapter=20}} | ||
|complement= | |complement=At least 20 [[S-14 Baselard]]s{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS19|HSS|Chapter=19}} | ||
|crew= | |crew= | ||
|passengers= | |passengers= | ||
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==Specifications== | ==Specifications== | ||
===Layout=== | ===Layout=== | ||
The ''Vanishing Point'' has a large mission preparation hold, which is used by the ship's complement to conduct training exercises. If requested, the hold's [[artificial gravity]] can be deactivated to allow for zero gravity combat scenarios, including those with floating obstacles to provide cover. The vessel features various [[hangar bay]]s meant to perform different duties. This includes a "drop hangar" large enough to comfortably hold the eight hundred members of the [[21st Space Assault Battalion]], twelve [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]]s, and a handful of other naval personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS5}} There is also a "command hangar" where various ceremonies can be held, including funeral services where the dead are jettisoned into space while onlookers are protected by a retractable [[AlON pressure barrier]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS16|HSS|Chapter=16}} Finally, the ''Vanishing Point'' sports multiple small maintenance hangars where hardware can be worked on, including [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS17|HSS|Chapter=17}} | The ''Vanishing Point'' has a large mission preparation hold, which is used by the ship's complement to conduct training exercises. If requested, the hold's [[artificial gravity]] can be deactivated to allow for zero gravity combat scenarios, including those with floating obstacles to provide cover. The vessel features various [[hangar bay]]s meant to perform different duties. This includes a "drop hangar" large enough to comfortably hold the eight hundred members of the [[21st Space Assault Battalion]], twelve [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]]s, and a handful of other naval personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS5}} There is also a "command hangar" where various ceremonies can be held, including funeral services where the dead are jettisoned into space while onlookers are protected by a retractable [[AlON pressure barrier]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS16|HSS|Chapter=16}} Toward the vessel's aft is a "fighter hangar," from which a compliment of [[space fighter]]s can be launched. On at least one of this hangar's bulkheads is a large tactical map that can be used to display fleet and fighter movements.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS19}} Finally, the ''Vanishing Point'' sports multiple small maintenance hangars where hardware can be worked on, including [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS17|HSS|Chapter=17}} | ||
===Countermeasures=== | ===Countermeasures and compliment=== | ||
The ''Vanishing Point'' possesses a kind of communications jamming technology that is capable of blocking all outbound communications from a targeted area, provided the opposing party does not make use of anti-jamming or delayed transmission technology to counteract this.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS7|HSS|Chapter=7}} | The ''Vanishing Point'' possesses a kind of communications jamming technology that is capable of blocking all outbound communications from a targeted area, provided the opposing party does not make use of anti-jamming or delayed transmission technology to counteract this.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS7|HSS|Chapter=7}} During [[Operation: SILENT STORM]], the ''Vanishing Point'' was equipped with a compliment of at least twenty [[S-14 Baselard]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS19}} | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Operation: SILENT STORM=== | ===Operation: SILENT STORM=== | ||
{{Main|Operation: SILENT STORM}} | {{Main|Operation: SILENT STORM}} | ||
On [[2526#March|March 8, 2526]], Vice Admiral Preston Cole held a briefing on the ''Vanishing Point'' for those that would lead [[Task Force Yama]] in | On [[2526#March|March 8, 2526]], Vice Admiral Preston Cole held a briefing on the ''Vanishing Point'' for those that would lead [[Task Force Yama]] in Operation: SILENT STORM. [[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]] [[Halima Ascot]] of the {{UNSCShip|Starry Night}}, [[Colonel]] [[Marmon Crowther]] of the 21st Space Assault Battalion, Spartan-II [[John-117]], [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson]], and Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] were in attendance. Cole had chosen this vessel for the meeting over his own flagship, the {{UNSCShip|Everest}}, for the purpose of operation security. During the briefing, Cole laid out the plan to board key [[Covenant]] vessels and destroy them from within using [[Nuclear weapon|nukes]], crippling the aliens' advance fleets and buying [[human|humanity]] time. It was decided that while Dr. Halsey's presence was very important to the mission, she was too integral to the UNSC's war effort that she would need to remain on the ''Vanishing Point'', which would not be directly partaking in any dangerous fleet actions itself.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS5}} | ||
As the ''Vanishing Point'' travelled through [[slipspace]] to [[Biko]], the Spartan-IIs trained with the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]] of the Black Daggers in the vessel's mission preparation hold. The Spartans made short work of the marines in every exercise until Staff Sergeant Johnson taught they some new, unorthodox strategies that were much more effective. After four days of this training, Colonel Crowther had them all gather in the drop hangar to discuss the specifics of the plan. His plan would have split up the Spartans, with each of the twelve carrying a [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] for a single platoon. This way they could destroy many targets at once, but it severely diminished the effectiveness of the Spartans. John-117 expressed his disagreement with Crowther, who brought up his suspicions that they were "just kids" and therefore less reliable than his experienced marines. Daisy broke formation and angled herself at Crowther in a challenging manner. In response, he marched up to her and requested that she tell him her age. John told her to stand down, but she stood her ground and proclaimed that their age did not matter; it was their training that made them superior. Crowther replied saying that combat experience matters more.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS5}} | As the ''Vanishing Point'' travelled through [[slipspace]] to [[Biko]], the Spartan-IIs trained with the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]] of the Black Daggers in the vessel's mission preparation hold. The Spartans made short work of the marines in every exercise until Staff Sergeant Johnson taught they some new, unorthodox strategies that were much more effective. After four days of this training, Colonel Crowther had them all gather in the drop hangar to discuss the specifics of the plan. His plan would have split up the Spartans, with each of the twelve carrying a [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] for a single platoon. This way they could destroy many targets at once, but it severely diminished the effectiveness of the Spartans. John-117 expressed his disagreement with Crowther, who brought up his suspicions that they were "just kids" and therefore less reliable than his experienced marines. Daisy broke formation and angled herself at Crowther in a challenging manner. In response, he marched up to her and requested that she tell him her age. John told her to stand down, but she stood her ground and proclaimed that their age did not matter; it was their training that made them superior. Crowther replied saying that combat experience matters more.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS5}} | ||
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Only a handful of senior officers and the six Spartans that were not in the infirmary remained to hear about their next course of action from Nyeto. The lieutenant commander approached John-117 and complemented him on accomplishments the previous day, promising that he and his compatriots would continue to see action despite their young ages. Colonel Crowther contested this yet again, saying that the Spartans reported to him. In response, Nyeto reminded Crowther that he now reported to ''him'', and that Admiral Cole surely knew about their unique situation before assigning them to the operation. What followed was a heated debate that ultimately ended in Nyeto conceding to Crowther after being threatened with a report to a UNSC board of inquiry. As the remaining personnel departed from the hangar in a shocked silence, Johnson was joined by Crowther on the walk back to the Black Daggers' quarters. Crowther apologized to him for having that exchange in front of everyone, but he told the colonel that he had seen worse. He also warned Crowther that his disagreement with Nyeto was not a "pissing match" he was going to win, as it had been decided far above his pay grade that the Spartans were ''not'' children and that they were the right fit for the mission. Crowther agreed with this sentiment, saying that the young supersoldiers had saved them at Seoba and that they were ready for battle. He then revealed that he was suspicious of Nyeto and his strange attitude toward the Spartans. It had seemed to him that Nyeto had purposefully stalled in supporting them during the previous day's battle. As such, Crowther wanted to keep the Spartans away from Nyeto until he figured out what was going on. To keep the Spartans away for a time, the colonel informed Johnson that he was sending them on [[Battle over Etalan|a mission]] to sabotage the Covenant's supply chain at [[Etalan]].{{Ref/Reuse|HSS16}} | Only a handful of senior officers and the six Spartans that were not in the infirmary remained to hear about their next course of action from Nyeto. The lieutenant commander approached John-117 and complemented him on accomplishments the previous day, promising that he and his compatriots would continue to see action despite their young ages. Colonel Crowther contested this yet again, saying that the Spartans reported to him. In response, Nyeto reminded Crowther that he now reported to ''him'', and that Admiral Cole surely knew about their unique situation before assigning them to the operation. What followed was a heated debate that ultimately ended in Nyeto conceding to Crowther after being threatened with a report to a UNSC board of inquiry. As the remaining personnel departed from the hangar in a shocked silence, Johnson was joined by Crowther on the walk back to the Black Daggers' quarters. Crowther apologized to him for having that exchange in front of everyone, but he told the colonel that he had seen worse. He also warned Crowther that his disagreement with Nyeto was not a "pissing match" he was going to win, as it had been decided far above his pay grade that the Spartans were ''not'' children and that they were the right fit for the mission. Crowther agreed with this sentiment, saying that the young supersoldiers had saved them at Seoba and that they were ready for battle. He then revealed that he was suspicious of Nyeto and his strange attitude toward the Spartans. It had seemed to him that Nyeto had purposefully stalled in supporting them during the previous day's battle. As such, Crowther wanted to keep the Spartans away from Nyeto until he figured out what was going on. To keep the Spartans away for a time, the colonel informed Johnson that he was sending them on [[Battle over Etalan|a mission]] to sabotage the Covenant's supply chain at [[Etalan]].{{Ref/Reuse|HSS16}} | ||
===Skirmish over Biko=== | ===Skirmish over Biko=== | ||
{{Main|Battle of Biko}} | {{Main|Battle of Biko}} | ||
Later that day, the ''Vanishing Point'' was resting at liberation point three on the opposite side of Biko from Seoba when the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience|expected Covenant fleet]] arrived in-system. From aboard the stealth cruiser, Colonel Crowther ordered his Black Daggers to deploy alongside the prowlers of Task Force Yama, hoping to board as many ships as possible. However, as the roughly hundred-strong Covenant fleet rapidly approached Biko and its meager navy, a tight fighter screen formed around its capital ships, preventing any prowlers from getting close. This forced Crowther to call off boarding attempts until an opportunity presented itself. In the meantime, he had Johnson visit John-117 and the rest of [[Blue Team]] in one of the ''Vanishing Point''{{'}}s maintenance hangars, where they were watching the battle unfold as their armor received maintenance and repair. When Johnson told the Spartans about their new mission, they were highly skeptical of Crowther's apparent shift in attitude toward them. However, they agreed to take the mission after Johnson revealed that Crowther was being cautious due to his mistrust of Nyeto, a feeling that they also shared.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS17}} | Later that day, the ''Vanishing Point'' was resting at liberation point three on the opposite side of Biko from Seoba when the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience|expected Covenant fleet]] arrived in-system. From aboard the stealth cruiser, Colonel Crowther ordered his Black Daggers to deploy alongside the prowlers of Task Force Yama, hoping to board as many ships as possible. However, as the roughly hundred-strong Covenant fleet rapidly approached Biko and its meager navy, a tight fighter screen formed around its capital ships, preventing any prowlers from getting close. This forced Crowther to call off boarding attempts until an opportunity presented itself. In the meantime, he had Johnson visit John-117 and the rest of [[Blue Team]] in one of the ''Vanishing Point''{{'}}s maintenance hangars, where they were watching the battle unfold as their armor received maintenance and repair. When Johnson told the Spartans about their new mission, they were highly skeptical of Crowther's apparent shift in attitude toward them. However, they agreed to take the mission after Johnson revealed that Crowther was being cautious due to his mistrust of Nyeto, a feeling that they also shared.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS17}} | ||
===Striking back=== | |||
{{Main|Battle over Etalan}} | |||
The ''Vanishing Point'' left the Kolaqoa system later that day with two prowlers serving as escort. On [[2526#March|March 22]], the three ships dropped out of slipspace close to Etalan, and the ''Vanishing Point''{{'}}s analysts spent the next four days observing the logistics fleet's movements, trying to discern which vessel served which purpose, and which would thus be prime targets. By [[2526#March|March 26]], they felt confident that four of the fleet's fifteen vessels were equipment [[freighter]]s that carried spare parts and other materials used to keep the Fleet of Inexorable Obedience operational in the field. At this point, the logistics fleet was seemingly preparing to break from orbit over Etalan, evidenced by the fact that they had begun syncing their orbits and bringing their [[fusion reactor]]s to full power. Since time was running out, [[Gold Team|Gold]] and [[Green Team]]s were deployed from the ''Vanishing Point'' in S-14 Baselards, with the intent to destroy the equipment freighters. The plan called for each of them to pilot one of the [[Type-27 Banshee|Banshee]]s that the Spartans had captured in [[Skirmish over Netherop|a mission]] over [[Netherop]] a few weeks earlier. They would fly the Banshees straight into the hangars of the target vessels, crash the fighters with a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]] in the cockpit, and then go [[Extra-vehicular activity|EV]] and await prowler pickup. As Gold and Green Teams embarked on this mission, Blue Team remained in the ''Vanishing Point''{{'}}s aft fighter hangar, deciding on which vessels they should target in their phase of the mission.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS19}} | |||
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