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Cairo Station (station): Difference between revisions

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{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Title|''Cairo Station''}}
{{Title|''Cairo Station''}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{center|Were you also looking for the [[Halo 2]] level [[Cairo Station]], or the achievement of the [[cairo Station (achievement)|same name]]?}}
{{center|Were you also looking for the [[Halo 2]] level [[Cairo Station]], or the achievement of the [[cairo Station (achievement)|same name]]?}}
{{Individual Ship Infobox
{{Individual ship infobox
|name=''Cairo Station''
|name=''Cairo Station''
|image=[[File:H2A - ODP.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:H2A CairoStation Loadscreen.png|300px]]
|hull code=OWP-142{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|naval architect=*[[Alexander Kerr-Fox|Lead Engineer Alexander Kerr-Fox]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*[[Stephen Loftus (Doctor)|Dr. Stephen Loftus]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|manufacturer=[[Vosper Engineering]], [[Luna]]<ref name="Warfleet">''[[Halo Warfleet]]'', ''p. 30-31''</ref>
|manufacturer=[[Vosper Engineering]], [[Luna]]<ref name="Warfleet">''[[Halo Warfleet]]'', ''p. 30-31''</ref>
|class={{Class|Moncton|orbital weapon platform}}<ref name="Warfleet"/>
|class={{Class|Moncton|orbital weapon platform}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|role=Planetary defense
|role=Planetary defense
|length={{Convert|536|m|ft|sigfig=3}}<ref name="Warfleet"/>
|length={{Convert|536|m|ft|sigfig=3}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|width=
|width=
|height={{Convert|1336|m|ft|sigfig=3}}<ref name="Warfleet"/>
|height={{Convert|1336|m|ft|sigfig=3}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|engine=Station-keeping thrusters<ref name="Warfleet"/>
|engine=Station-keeping thrusters{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|slipspace drive=None<ref name="Warfleet"/>
|slipspace drive=None{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|hull=[[Durasteel]] armor<ref name="Warfleet"/>
|hull=[[Durasteel]] armor{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|armament=
|armament=
*1 [[MAC#"Super" Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|14D4A1 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]<ref name="Warfleet"/>
*1 [[MAC#"Super" Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|14D4A1 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*7 [[M606 Goalkeeper point defense gun]]s<ref name="Warfleet"/>
*7 [[M606 Goalkeeper point defense gun]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|misc4-title=Complement
|misc4-title=Complement
|misc4=*152 [[UNSC Navy|naval personnel]]<ref name="Warfleet"/>
|misc4=*152 [[UNSC Navy|naval personnel]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*136 [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]<ref name="Warfleet"/>
*136 [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*[[Class-3_Bumblebee|SKT-9 Bumblebee]] lifeboats<ref name="Warfleet"/>
*[[Class-3 Bumblebee|SKT-9 Bumblebee]] lifeboats{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*10 [[D77-TC Pelican]]s or [[F-41 Broadsword|F-41D Broadswords]]<ref name="Warfleet"/>
*10 [[D77-TC Pelican]]s or [[F-41 Broadsword|F-41D Broadswords]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|commission=[[2552#September|September 14, 2552]]<ref name="Warfleet"/>
|commission=[[2552#September|September 14, 2552]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|lastsight=  
|lastsight=  
|destroyed=   
|destroyed=   
|battles=[[Battle of Earth]]
|battles=[[Battle for Earth]]
|fleet=
|fleet=
|namedcrew=
|namedcrew=
|captains=[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Lord Terrence Hood]]
|captains=[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Lord Terrence Hood]]
|affiliation=[[UNSC]]  
|affiliation=[[UNSC]]
|pagelabel=Station
}}
}}


'''''Cairo Station''''', [[hull classification symbol]] '''OWP-142''', is an [[orbital defense platform]] in [[geosynchronous orbit]] about 35,900 kilometers above [[Earth]]. Named after the [[Egypt]]ian city of [[Wikipedia:Cairo|Cairo]], it is in the same battle cluster as ''[[Athens Station|Athens]]'' and ''[[Malta Station|Malta]]'' stations and seems to be mainly guarding the area above the [[Wikipedia:Mediterranean|Mediterranean]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 294'' (2011 edition)</ref> The station was commanded by [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood]] during the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref name="cairo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station]]''</ref>
'''''Cairo Station''''' ([[hull classification symbol]] '''OWP-142''') is a {{Class|Moncton|orbital weapon platform}} in [[geosynchronous orbit]] about 35,900 kilometers above [[Earth]]. Named after the [[Egypt]]ian city of [[Wikipedia:Cairo|Cairo]], it is in the same battle cluster as ''[[Athens Station|Athens]]'' and ''[[Malta Station|Malta]]'' stations and seems to be mainly guarding the area above the [[Wikipedia:Mediterranean|Mediterranean]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 294'' (2011 edition)</ref> The station was commanded by [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood]] during the [[Battle for Earth]].<ref name="cairo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station]]''</ref>


==History==
==History==
''Cairo Station'' was assembled and put into [[Earth]]'s orbit by [[Vosper Engineering]] in August 23, 2550, and officially commissioned on September 14, 2552 when it was designated as the flagship headquarters of the [[Earth Defense Coordination Zone]]<ref name="Warfleet"/>. In preparation for the inevitable [[Battle for Earth]], [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Joseph Harper]] had {{UNSCShip|Chevalier}} deploy a security team to the station to facilitate the arrival of Fleet Admiral [[Terrence Hood]]. The security team was later assessed before Hood arrived.<ref name="loot2">'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]''</ref>
''Cairo Station'' was assembled and put into [[Earth]]'s orbit by [[Vosper Engineering]] in August 23, 2550, and officially commissioned on September 14, 2552 when it was designated as the flagship headquarters of the [[Earth Defense Coordination Zone]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} In preparation for the inevitable [[Battle for Earth]], [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Joseph Harper]] had {{UNSCShip|Chevalier}} deploy a security team to the station to facilitate the arrival of Fleet Admiral [[Terrence Hood]]. The security team was later assessed before Hood arrived.<ref name="loot2">'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]''</ref>


On [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]], [[John-117]] received the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI armor]] in the ''Cairo'' armory prior to attending an awards ceremony on the station's command center. The ceremony was interrupted by the start of the battle for Earth when thirteen [[Covenant]] {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}s and two {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s attacked Earth. They tried to break through the ''Cairo'''s battle cluster by sending boarding craft to plant bombs on the stations to destroy them. [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Hood]] commanded the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces from the station during the attack. Unlike the ''[[Athens Station|Athens]]'' and the ''[[Malta Station|Malta]]'', ''Cairo'' survived the Covenant attempt to detonate an [[antimatter charge]] on board. In an ironic twist, the bomb was located and used by John-117 to destroy a Covenant assault carrier.<ref name="cairo"/>
On [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]], [[John-117]] received the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI armor]] in the ''Cairo'' armory prior to attending an awards ceremony on the station's command center. The ceremony was interrupted by the start of the [[Battle for Earth]] when a [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|fleet]] of thirteen [[Covenant]] {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s and two {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s attacked Earth. They tried to break through the ''Cairo''{{'}}s battle cluster by sending boarding craft to plant bombs on the stations to destroy them. [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Hood]] commanded the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces from the station during the attack. Unlike the ''[[Athens Station|Athens]]'' and the ''[[Malta Station|Malta]]'', ''Cairo'' survived the Covenant attempt to detonate an {{Pattern|Chershi|void maker|}} [[antimatter charge]] on board thanks to the efforts of John-117 and [[Cortana]] who was acting as the station's AI at the time. In an ironic twist, the bomb was located and used by John-117 to destroy a Covenant assault carrier, ''[[Day of Jubilation]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|cairo}}


Hood remained aboard the station for most of the battle. Hood and a navigation officer aboard ''Cairo'' helped [[Blue Team]] hijack [[Covenant destroyer]] ''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'' and jump into slipspace for [[Onyx]] by providing [[slipstream space]] coordinates and other intel.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''pages 211-220''</ref> When John-117 returned later to Earth, ''Cairo'' was still intact, but appeared damaged from the battle. Lord Hood was still on board and in command of the UNSC forces participating in the Battle of Earth.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey#Ending|The Great Journey]]''</ref> The ''Cairo'', the other MAC platforms, and three [[UNSC fleet]]s held firm against the onslaught of the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s Covenant forces. ''Cairo'' ultimately survived the Battle of Earth.
Hood remained aboard the station for most of the battle. On November 3, Hood and a navigation officer aboard ''Cairo'' helped [[Blue Team]] hijack [[Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer|Covenant destroyer]] ''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'' and jump into slipspace for [[Onyx]] by providing [[slipstream space]] coordinates and other intel.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''pages 211-220''</ref> When John-117 returned later to Earth on [[2552#November|November 17]], ''Cairo'' was still intact, but appeared damaged from the battle. Lord Hood was still on board and in command of the UNSC forces participating in the Battle of Earth. The ''Cairo'', the other MAC platforms, and the [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]] held firm against the onslaught of the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[Truth's fleet|final invasion forces]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey#Ending|The Great Journey]]''</ref> While the great majority of the Home Fleet, hence presumably a large number of other MAC platforms, was destroyed during the final space battle,{{Ref/Level|Id=H3CN|Game=Halo 3|Level=Crow's Nest}} ''Cairo'' ultimately survived the Battle for Earth.


By [[2557#July|July of 2557]], ''Cairo Station'' was still functioning in orbit over Earth. After {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} left the [[Epoloch system]], the vessel intended to dock with ''Cairo''.<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Shutdown]]'' (Interactive console: ''"Information for all hands regarding Infinity return voyage to Cairo Station, Earth..."'')</ref>
By [[2557#July|July of 2557]], ''Cairo Station'' was still functioning in orbit over Earth. After {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} left the [[Epoloch system]], the vessel intended to dock with ''Cairo''.<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Shutdown]]'' (Interactive console: ''"Information for all hands regarding ''Infinity'' return voyage to ''Cairo Station'', Earth..."'')</ref>


==Design==
==Design==
[[File:HWF CairoCS.png|thumb|300px|left|A cross-sectioned view of Cairo Station.]]
[[File:HW cairo station.jpg|thumb|300px|left|A cross-sectioned view of Cairo Station.]]
{{Quote|When I shipped out for Basic, the orbital defense grid was all theory and politics. Now look! The Cairo is just one of three hundred geosync platforms. That [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] gun can put a round clean through a Covenant capital ship.|[[Avery Johnson|Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson]]<ref name="armory">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Armory]]''</ref>}}
{{Quote|When I shipped out for Basic, the orbital defense grid was all theory and politics. Now look! The Cairo is just one of three hundred geosync platforms. That [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] gun can put a round clean through a Covenant capital ship.|[[Avery Johnson|Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson]]<ref name="armory">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Armory]]''</ref>}}
''Cairo Station''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s main purpose is as a defensive station for Earth.<ref name="Warfleet"/> Its main armament is a [[MAC#"Super" Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark V "Super" Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]], capable of causing severe damage to even a shielded [[Covenant]] capital ship with a single hit, and is capable of being operated by an AI such as [[Cortana]].<ref name="armory"/> However, there is an apparent lack of point-defense systems, as enemy boarding craft were able to attack the station unhindered. Presumably, like Reach's orbital weapon platforms, it runs on power transmitted from a [[orbital defense generator|planetside generator]].
''Cairo Station''{{'}}s main purpose is as a defensive station for Earth.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} Its main armament is a [[MAC#"Super" Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark V "Super" Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]], capable of causing severe damage to even a shielded [[Covenant]] capital ship with a single hit, and is capable of being operated by an AI such as [[Cortana]].{{Ref/Reuse|armory}} However, there is an apparent lack of point-defense systems, as enemy boarding craft were able to attack the station unhindered. Presumably, like Reach's orbital weapon platforms, it runs on power transmitted from a [[orbital defense generator|planetside generator]].


Internally, it is very similar to [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] ships with set out decks and specialized rooms. Like all United Nations Space Command space constructs it featured regular bulkheads for protection against hull breaches but seemed especially adept for fending off boarding parties. It had large stockpiles of [[combat barrier]]s, large supplies of [[M247 General Purpose Machine Gun|M247 GPMGs]], security booths providing defense points and regular weapons lockers in the walls containing [[BR55 Battle Rifle|Battle Rifles]] and [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|SMGs]]. It is possible that these weapons are a substitute for point defenses. These extra defenses against boarding parties are an obvious precaution, as the ODPs like the Cairo would be large targets for Covenant forces. Unlike the ''Athens'' or the ''Malta'', the ''Cairo<nowiki>'</nowiki>s'' hangars were outfitted to support [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican dropships]] and [[F-41 Broadsword|F-41D Broadswords]] fighters.<ref name="Warfleet"/>
Internally, it is very similar to [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] ships with set out decks and specialized rooms. Like all United Nations Space Command space constructs it featured regular bulkheads for protection against hull breaches but seemed especially adept for fending off boarding parties. It had large stockpiles of [[combat barrier]]s, large supplies of [[M247 machine gun|M247 GPMGs]], security booths providing defense points and regular weapons lockers in the walls containing [[BR55 Battle Rifle|Battle Rifles]] and [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|SMGs]]. It is possible that these weapons are a substitute for point defenses. These extra defenses against boarding parties are an obvious precaution, as the ODPs like the Cairo would be large targets for Covenant forces. Unlike the ''Athens'' or the ''Malta'', the ''Cairo''{{'}}s hangars were outfitted to support [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican dropships]] and [[F-41 Broadsword|F-41D Broadsword]] fighters.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}


===Locations===
===Locations===
Line 84: Line 88:


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Cairo Station}}
*If the player walks into the loading arm of the MAC gun in the Firing Control Center in the level "Cairo Station", they will be crushed and sometimes fall down into the cutscene hangar, where the Chief jumps out with the Covenant bomb. However, if the player does this too many times, they may be sent back to the previous checkpoint.
*If the player walks into the loading arm of the MAC gun in the Firing Control Center in the level "Cairo Station", they will be crushed and sometimes fall down into the cutscene hangar, where the Chief jumps out with the Covenant bomb. However, if the player does this too many times, they may be sent back to the previous checkpoint.
*Despite being called ''Cairo Station'', the platform is located more towards central Africa than Cairo, much like the misplacement of Athens and Malta. If this was an intentional reference or merely a coincidence is not known.
*Despite being called ''Cairo Station'', the platform is located more towards central Africa than Cairo, much like the misplacement of Athens and Malta. If this was an intentional reference or merely a coincidence is not known.
*Athens, Malta, and Cairo were all cities involved in the 1985 hijacking of [[Wikipedia:EgyptAir Flight 648|EgyptAir Flight 648]], which was en route to Cairo from Athens and forced to land in Malta.
*Athens, Malta, and Cairo were all places involved in the 1985 hijacking of [[Wikipedia:EgyptAir Flight 648|EgyptAir Flight 648]], which was en route to Cairo from Athens and forced to land in Malta.
*Cairo is credited as being co-designed by a Doctor [[Stephen Loftus]], an homage to community member Stephen Loftus who is well known for his study of Halo technical details, and frequent contributor to officially published media.<ref name="Warfleet"/>
*Cairo is credited as being co-designed by a Doctor [[Stephen Loftus]], an homage to community member Stephen Loftus who is well known for his study of Halo technical details, and frequent contributor to officially published media.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Development images===
<gallery>
File:H2 Cairo Station Launch Bay Concept Art.png|Concept art of ''Cairo Station''{{'}}s fighter launch bay for ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:H2 Cairo Station Fighter Launch Bay.png|''Cairo Station''{{'}}s fighter launch bay pre-release screenshot.
File:H2_EarlyCairoStation.jpg|A work-in-progress model of ''Cairo'' early in ''Halo 2''{{'}}s development.
File:H2_CairoBridge_Geo.jpg|The geometry used for the bridge in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2A_CairoBridge_Concept.jpg|Paintover of the previous image used for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' concept art.
File:H2A-pavel-belov-cairo-external.jpg|Concept art of ''Cairo''{{'}}s exterior in Halo 2: Anniversary.
File:H2A Concept CairoDoors.jpg|Concept art of several doors on ''Cairo Station''.
File:H2A Concept DoorAndRacks.jpg|Concept art of a door and weapon racks on ''Cairo Station''.
File:H2A Concept CairoLift.jpg|Concept of a lift system on ''Cairo Station''.
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:WF Cairo.jpg
File:H2_EarlyCairoStation.jpg|A work-in-progress model of ''Cairo'' early in ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s development.
File:CairoStationCallouts.jpg|A diagram of ''Cairo''.
File:CairoStationCallouts.jpg|A diagram of ''Cairo''.
File:H2_CairoBridge_Geo.jpg|The geometry used for the bridge in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2A_CairoBridge_Concept.jpg|Paintover of the previous image used for ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art.
File:H2A - Cairo bridge.jpg|The command bridge of ''Cairo''.
File:H2A - Cairo bridge.jpg|The command bridge of ''Cairo''.
File:Macstationcairolarge1ki.jpg|''Cairo Station'' right before the [[Battle of Earth]].
File:H2-SMACODP-CairoStation.jpg|Full view of ''Cairo Station''.
File:Hood.jpg|Lord [[Terrence Hood]], SgtMaj [[Avery Johnson]], and [[John-117]] on ''Cairo Station''.
File:H2A-fleet readout.jpg|A viewscreen on the bridge of ''Cairo Station'' in the opening stages of the [[Battle of Earth]].  
File:H2A-fleet readout.jpg|A viewscreen on the bridge of ''Cairo Station'' in the opening stages of the [[Battle of Earth]].  
File:H2A Admiral Hood.png|Fleet Admiral Hood commanding UNSC forces from the bridge of ''Cairo Station''.
File:H2A Admiral Hood.png|Fleet Admiral Hood commanding UNSC forces from the bridge of ''Cairo Station''.
File:H2A-Commons B-01.jpg|An overhead view of [[Commons B-01]].
File:H2A-Commons B-01.jpg|An overhead view of [[Commons B-01]].
File:H2A-Security B-01.jpg|A view of [[Security B-01]], overlooking [[Commons B-01]].
File:H2A-Security B-01.jpg|A view of [[Security B-01]], overlooking [[Commons B-01]].
File:HTMCC-H2A Cairo Tram Station.jpg|A view of a tram station onboard ''Cairo Station''.
File:H2A-Tram car.jpg|One of the tram cars aboard ''Cairo Station''.  
File:H2A-Tram car.jpg|One of the tram cars aboard ''Cairo Station''.  
File:H2ACampaign CairoTramLine.png|The tram line aboard ''Cairo Station''.  
File:H2ACampaign CairoTramLine.png|The tram line aboard ''Cairo Station''.  
Line 113: Line 131:
File:H2ACampaign PortsideShippingLift.png|A view of the lift in [[Portside Shipping]].
File:H2ACampaign PortsideShippingLift.png|A view of the lift in [[Portside Shipping]].
File:H2ACampaign CairoFireControl.png|A view of the Fire Control Center aboard ''Cairo Station''.
File:H2ACampaign CairoFireControl.png|A view of the Fire Control Center aboard ''Cairo Station''.
File:H2ACampaign CairoFireControl2.png|A view of ''Cairo Station'''s primary firing mechanism.
File:H2ACampaign CairoFireControl2.png|A view of ''Cairo Station''{{'}}s primary firing mechanism.  
File:Hood.jpg|Lord [[Terrence Hood]], SgtMaj [[Avery Johnson]], and [[John-117]] on Cairo Station.
File:H2AWeaponrack.jpg|John-117 engages an [[Unggoy Minor]] near one of the many weapon racks onboard ''Cairo Station''.
File:Macstationcairolarge1ki.jpg|Cairo Station right before the [[Battle of Earth]].
File:H2-SMACODP-CairoStation.jpg|Full view of the "Super" MAC Orbital Defense Platform Cairo Station.
File:H2AWeaponrack.jpg|John-117 engages an [[Unggoy Minor]] near one of the many weapon racks onboard Cairo Station.
File:H2A - Cairo Station Bay.jpg|John-117 ejecting from ''Cairo'' with the bomb.
File:H2A - Cairo Station Bay.jpg|John-117 ejecting from ''Cairo'' with the bomb.
File:H2A-pavel-belov-cairo-external.jpg|Concept art of ''Cairo'''s exterior in Halo 2: Anniversary.
File:Cairo station Alarm screen.png|An alert screen on ''Cairo Station''.
File:Cairo station Alarm screen.png|Cairo Station alarm screen.
File:WF Cairo.jpg|A cross-section of ''Cairo Station'' in ''[[Halo: Warfleet]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Armor Testing]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''

Latest revision as of 19:47, February 15, 2024

Were you also looking for the Halo 2 level Cairo Station, or the achievement of the same name?
Cairo Station
H2A CairoStation Loadscreen.png
Production information

Hull code:

OWP-142[1]

Naval architects:

Manufacturer:

Vosper Engineering, Luna[1]

Class:

Moncton-class orbital weapon platform[1]

Role:

Planetary defense

Specifications

Length:

536 metres (1,760 ft)[1]

Height:

1,336 metres (4,380 ft)[1]

Engine:

Station-keeping thrusters[1]

Slipspace drive:

None[1]

Hull:

Durasteel armor[1]

Armament:

Complement:

Service information

Commissioned:

September 14, 2552[1]

Participated battles:

Battle for Earth

Known commanders:

Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood

Affiliation:

UNSC

 

Cairo Station (hull classification symbol OWP-142) is a Moncton-class orbital weapon platform in geosynchronous orbit about 35,900 kilometers above Earth. Named after the Egyptian city of Cairo, it is in the same battle cluster as Athens and Malta stations and seems to be mainly guarding the area above the Mediterranean.[2] The station was commanded by Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood during the Battle for Earth.[3]

History[edit]

Cairo Station was assembled and put into Earth's orbit by Vosper Engineering in August 23, 2550, and officially commissioned on September 14, 2552 when it was designated as the flagship headquarters of the Earth Defense Coordination Zone.[1] In preparation for the inevitable Battle for Earth, Fleet Admiral Joseph Harper had UNSC Chevalier deploy a security team to the station to facilitate the arrival of Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood. The security team was later assessed before Hood arrived.[4]

On October 20, 2552, John-117 received the MJOLNIR Mark VI armor in the Cairo armory prior to attending an awards ceremony on the station's command center. The ceremony was interrupted by the start of the Battle for Earth when a fleet of thirteen Covenant Ket-pattern battlecruisers and two CAS-class assault carriers attacked Earth. They tried to break through the Cairo's battle cluster by sending boarding craft to plant bombs on the stations to destroy them. Fleet Admiral Hood commanded the UNSC forces from the station during the attack. Unlike the Athens and the Malta, Cairo survived the Covenant attempt to detonate an Chershi-pattern antimatter charge on board thanks to the efforts of John-117 and Cortana who was acting as the station's AI at the time. In an ironic twist, the bomb was located and used by John-117 to destroy a Covenant assault carrier, Day of Jubilation.[3]

Hood remained aboard the station for most of the battle. On November 3, Hood and a navigation officer aboard Cairo helped Blue Team hijack Covenant destroyer Bloodied Spirit and jump into slipspace for Onyx by providing slipstream space coordinates and other intel.[5] When John-117 returned later to Earth on November 17, Cairo was still intact, but appeared damaged from the battle. Lord Hood was still on board and in command of the UNSC forces participating in the Battle of Earth. The Cairo, the other MAC platforms, and the Home Fleet held firm against the onslaught of the Prophet of Truth's final invasion forces.[6] While the great majority of the Home Fleet, hence presumably a large number of other MAC platforms, was destroyed during the final space battle,[7] Cairo ultimately survived the Battle for Earth.

By July of 2557, Cairo Station was still functioning in orbit over Earth. After UNSC Infinity left the Epoloch system, the vessel intended to dock with Cairo.[8]

Design[edit]

A cross-sectioned view of Cairo Station.

"When I shipped out for Basic, the orbital defense grid was all theory and politics. Now look! The Cairo is just one of three hundred geosync platforms. That MAC gun can put a round clean through a Covenant capital ship."
— Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson[9]

Cairo Station's main purpose is as a defensive station for Earth.[1] Its main armament is a Mark V "Super" Magnetic Accelerator Cannon, capable of causing severe damage to even a shielded Covenant capital ship with a single hit, and is capable of being operated by an AI such as Cortana.[9] However, there is an apparent lack of point-defense systems, as enemy boarding craft were able to attack the station unhindered. Presumably, like Reach's orbital weapon platforms, it runs on power transmitted from a planetside generator.

Internally, it is very similar to UNSC ships with set out decks and specialized rooms. Like all United Nations Space Command space constructs it featured regular bulkheads for protection against hull breaches but seemed especially adept for fending off boarding parties. It had large stockpiles of combat barriers, large supplies of M247 GPMGs, security booths providing defense points and regular weapons lockers in the walls containing Battle Rifles and SMGs. It is possible that these weapons are a substitute for point defenses. These extra defenses against boarding parties are an obvious precaution, as the ODPs like the Cairo would be large targets for Covenant forces. Unlike the Athens or the Malta, the Cairo's hangars were outfitted to support Pelican dropships and F-41D Broadsword fighters.[1]

Locations[edit]

Armories
Bridge
Commons modules
Communications deck
Firing control
Habitat Alpha
Habitat Delta
Hangar bays
MAC Storage
Shipping bays

Recreation R-01

Security facilities
Tram system
Umbilicals

Trivia[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • If the player walks into the loading arm of the MAC gun in the Firing Control Center in the level "Cairo Station", they will be crushed and sometimes fall down into the cutscene hangar, where the Chief jumps out with the Covenant bomb. However, if the player does this too many times, they may be sent back to the previous checkpoint.
  • Despite being called Cairo Station, the platform is located more towards central Africa than Cairo, much like the misplacement of Athens and Malta. If this was an intentional reference or merely a coincidence is not known.
  • Athens, Malta, and Cairo were all places involved in the 1985 hijacking of EgyptAir Flight 648, which was en route to Cairo from Athens and forced to land in Malta.
  • Cairo is credited as being co-designed by a Doctor Stephen Loftus, an homage to community member Stephen Loftus who is well known for his study of Halo technical details, and frequent contributor to officially published media.[1]

Gallery[edit]

Development images[edit]

  • Concept art of Cairo Station's fighter launch bay for Halo 2.

    Concept art of Cairo Station's fighter launch bay for Halo 2.

  • Cairo Station's fighter launch bay pre-release screenshot.

    Cairo Station's fighter launch bay pre-release screenshot.

  • A work-in-progress model of Cairo early in Halo 2's development.

    A work-in-progress model of Cairo early in Halo 2's development.

  • The geometry used for the bridge in Halo 2.

    The geometry used for the bridge in Halo 2.

  • Paintover of the previous image used for Halo 2: Anniversary concept art.

    Paintover of the previous image used for Halo 2: Anniversary concept art.

  • Concept art of Cairo's exterior in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    Concept art of Cairo's exterior in Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • Concept art of several doors on Cairo Station.

    Concept art of several doors on Cairo Station.

  • Concept art of a door and weapon racks on Cairo Station.

    Concept art of a door and weapon racks on Cairo Station.

  • Concept of a lift system on Cairo Station.

    Concept of a lift system on Cairo Station.

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Halo Warfleet, p. 30-31
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 294 (2011 edition)
  3. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  4. ^ Halo Legendary Crate, Data Drop #2
  5. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 211-220
  6. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
  7. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Crow's Nest
  8. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Shutdown (Interactive console: "Information for all hands regarding Infinity return voyage to Cairo Station, Earth...")
  9. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Armory
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