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|city= New Mombasa
|city= New Mombasa
|image= [[File:Mombasa View 2.jpg|300px]]
|image= [[File:Mombasa View 2.jpg|300px]]
|location= [[Kenya]], [[East African Protectorate]], [[Earth]]
|location= [[Kenya]], [[Africa]], [[Earth]]
|built= *Mombasa- Before the 12th Century
|built= *Mombasa- Before the 12th Century
*New Mombasa- 24th Century
*New Mombasa- 24th Century
|destroyed=October 21st, [[2552]]
|destroyed=[[2552#October|October 21st, 2552]]
|notable= [[Battle of Earth]], [[Battle of Mombasa]]
|notable= [[Battle of Earth]], [[Battle of Mombasa]]
|affiliation= [[Human]]
|affiliation= [[East African Protectorate]]
}}
}}
{{Quote|This is the only place on Earth the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] decided to land. That [[Prophet of Regret|Prophet]] is going to tell us why.| [[Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]}}
{{Quote|This is the only place on Earth the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] decided to land. That [[Prophet of Regret|Prophet]] is going to tell us why.| [[Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]}}


'''New Mombasa''' was a major port city and industrial center on [[Mombasa|Mombasa Island]] in south [[Republic of Kenya|Kenya]], in the [[East African Protectorate]] on [[Earth]]. On the mouth of the river north of the island is the [[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator]], a dominant feature of the city skyline. [[Old Mombasa]] is located on the mainland surrounding the island. Like Earth's other [[Space Elevator|tether]] cities, New Mombasa's infrastructure was managed with the help of a second generation [[Artificial Intelligence #Smart and Dumb AIs|"dumb" AI]], the [[Superintendent (Construct)|Superintendent]].<ref name="odst">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref> It was the main target of the initial [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] attack during the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref name="outskirts">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref> The city was invaded, occupied, and destroyed in the course of the conflict.
'''New Mombasa''' was a major port city and industrial center on [[Mombasa|Mombasa Island]] in south [[Republic of Kenya|Kenya]], in the [[East African Protectorate]] on [[Earth]]. On the mouth of the river north of the island is the [[Mombasa Tether]], a dominant feature of the city skyline. [[Old Mombasa]] is located on the mainland surrounding the island. Like Earth's other [[Space elevator|tether]] cities, New Mombasa's infrastructure was managed with the help of a second generation [[Dumb artificial intelligence|"dumb" AI]], the [[Superintendent]].<ref name="odst">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref> It was the main target of the initial [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] attack during the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref name="outskirts">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref> The city was invaded, occupied, and destroyed in the course of the conflict.


==Description==
==Description==
[[File:Mombasa View From Sky.jpg|thumb|200px|An overhead view of the general area of New Mombasa.]]
[[File:Mombasa View From Sky.jpg|thumb|200px|An overhead view of the general area of New Mombasa.]]
The dramatic rise of sea levels has changed the coastlines of [[Wikipedia:Mombasa Island|Mombasa Island]] and its surroundings. This has also forced a seawall to be built around the city, in order to prevent it from being flooded. [[New Mombasa Coastal Highway|A highway]] runs along the seawall surrounding the island.<ref name="odst"/> While the island was originally about as wide on the north as on the southern side, this has changed due to sea levels rising. Despite them dropping at some point, large areas of former land still remain underwater.
The dramatic rise of sea levels has changed the coastlines of [[Wikipedia:Mombasa Island|Mombasa Island]] and its surroundings. This has also forced a seawall to be built around the city, in order to prevent it from being flooded. [[New Mombasa Waterfront Highway|A highway]] runs along the seawall surrounding the island.<ref name="odst"/> While the island was originally about as wide on the north as on the southern side, this has changed due to sea levels rising. Despite them dropping at some point, large areas of former land still remain underwater.


The northern side of the island still retains more of its original width than the southern section protruding from it. There, sea has occupied larger areas of land, leaving the southern half much more narrow. The narrow southern half houses the city center and the business districts of the city, while on the northern side, industrial structures are more prevalent.<ref name="odst"/>
The northern side of the island still retains more of its original width than the southern section protruding from it. There, sea has occupied larger areas of land, leaving the southern half much more narrow. The narrow southern half houses the city center and the business districts of the city, while on the northern side, industrial structures are more prevalent.<ref name="odst"/>
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The city center is elevated above the surrounding terrain by a large "arcology wall", and houses a concentration of gigantic skyscrapers, the highest - the [[Vyrant Telecom]] building - being 2 kilometers tall.<ref group="notes">''Measurable by using pan-cam coordinates: the height cap is at 615 WU, the building extends a bit over that, and 1WU=~3meters''</ref> At the southeast end of the city center there are several medium-sized skyscrapers. The [[NMPD Headquarters]] is located here. Southeast of the arcology wall, the layout of the city is near-symmetrical, and it is divided to ten sectors. Symmetrical compartmentalization like this is a security precaution taken into account when designing all tether cities, to minimize damage in case the tether were to fall.<ref name="EVO">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]", ''page 366''</ref>
The city center is elevated above the surrounding terrain by a large "arcology wall", and houses a concentration of gigantic skyscrapers, the highest - the [[Vyrant Telecom]] building - being 2 kilometers tall.<ref group="notes">''Measurable by using pan-cam coordinates: the height cap is at 615 WU, the building extends a bit over that, and 1WU=~3meters''</ref> At the southeast end of the city center there are several medium-sized skyscrapers. The [[NMPD Headquarters]] is located here. Southeast of the arcology wall, the layout of the city is near-symmetrical, and it is divided to ten sectors. Symmetrical compartmentalization like this is a security precaution taken into account when designing all tether cities, to minimize damage in case the tether were to fall.<ref name="EVO">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]", ''page 366''</ref>


The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] has an important [[ONI Alpha Site|office building]] on the southeast end of the island. The building is surrounded by a pool of water and an additional wall similar to the sea wall surrounding the whole island. Northeast of the Alpha Site, a large artificial island has been constructed to house the Orbital Elevator. This island is full of port structures, including warehouses, docks and cranes.<ref name="odst"/> [[MagLev train]] lines connect the island to the mainland. A highway and a train line connect New Mombasa to other cities such as [[Voi]] and [[Nairobi]], with multiple highways leading to different parts of the continent.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Kikowani Station (level)|Kikowani Station]]''</ref><ref>''[[Sadie's Story]]''</ref>
The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] has an important [[ONI Alpha Site|office building]] on the southeast end of the island. The building is surrounded by a pool of water and an additional wall similar to the sea wall surrounding the whole island. Northeast of the Alpha Site, a large artificial island has been constructed to house the orbital elevator. This island is full of port structures, including warehouses, docks and cranes.<ref name="odst"/> [[MagLev train]] lines connect the island to the mainland. A highway and a train line connect New Mombasa to other cities such as [[Voi]] and [[Nairobi]], with multiple highways leading to different parts of the continent.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Kikowani Station (level)|Kikowani Station]]''</ref><ref>''[[Sadie's Story]]''</ref>


[[Uplift Nature Reserve]], a large park and a wildlife reserve, resides south of the island.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level, ''[[Uplift Reserve (Level)|Uplift Reserve]]''</ref> The city also contains a massive network of underground installations, such as the Superintendent's [[New Mombasa Data Center|data center]] deep beneath the surface. The facility consists of multiple levels, and on the tenth and final level, in a massive cavern with an underground lake on the bottom, resides the AI's data core.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Data Hive (level)|Data Hive]]''</ref>
[[Uplift Nature Reserve]], a large park and a wildlife reserve, resides south of the island.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level, ''[[Uplift Reserve (level)|Uplift Reserve]]''</ref> The city also contains a massive network of underground installations, such as the Superintendent's [[New Mombasa Data Center|data center]] deep beneath the surface. The facility consists of multiple levels, and on the tenth and final level, in a massive cavern with an underground lake on the bottom, resides the AI's data core.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Data Hive]]''</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Mombasa===
===Mombasa===
[[File:Superintendant-alone.svg|thumb|right|100px|[[Superintendent]], the Urban Infrastructure AI of New Mombasa.]]  
[[File:Superintendant-alone.svg|thumb|right|100px|[[Superintendent]], the Urban Infrastructure AI of New Mombasa.]]  
[[File:Orbital Elevator.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator]], an iconic feature of New Mombasa.]]
[[File:Orbital Elevator.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[Mombasa Tether]], an iconic feature of New Mombasa.]]
Mombasa had always been an important port of the [[Wikipedia:Indian Ocean|Indian Ocean]] trade routes and was captured and recaptured countless times by a variety of powers including [[Wikipedia:Portugal|Portugal]], the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|United Kingdom]], and various Arab forces. This violent history led to its [[Swahili]] nickname "Kisiwa Cha Mvita", or "Island of War". The city became part of the independent nation of [[Wikipedia:Kenya|Kenya]] in the 20th century. During this era, Mombasa became a tourist destination, boasting numerous resorts and clean, white beaches. It was also important as a port city, connecting East Africa to the Indian Ocean.
Mombasa had always been an important port of the [[Wikipedia:Indian Ocean|Indian Ocean]] trade routes and was captured and recaptured countless times by a variety of powers including [[Wikipedia:Portugal|Portugal]], the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|United Kingdom]], and various Arab forces. This violent history led to its [[Swahili]] nickname "Kisiwa Cha Mvita", or "Island of War". The city became part of the independent nation of [[Wikipedia:Kenya|Kenya]] in the 20th century. During this era, Mombasa became a tourist destination, boasting numerous resorts and clean, white beaches. It was also important as a port city, connecting East Africa to the Indian Ocean.


===Formation of New Mombasa===
===Formation of New Mombasa===
In 2302, due to its economic stability and prominent location, New Mombasa—at that time the world's busiest sea port—was chosen to be Earth's first [[Space Elevator]] city. The elevator transformed the city; New Mombasa became one of the most important cities on Earth.<ref name="waypoint">'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''' "Space Tether" article</ref>
In 2302, due to its economic stability and prominent location, New Mombasa—at that time the world's busiest sea port—was chosen to be Earth's first [[space elevator]] city. The elevator transformed the city; New Mombasa became one of the most important cities on Earth.<ref name="waypoint">'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''' "Space Tether" article</ref>


Over the next eleven years the city experienced explosive growth, but nothing compared to what followed. The city grew out as well as up, its urban sprawl unequaled throughout the continent.<ref name="fieldguide">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3: ODST Field Guide: New Mombasa'']</ref> An influx of trade, citizens, and jobs drastically changed the landscape of the city. Within a century, older housing and hotels on Mombasa Island were replaced with vast industrial complexes and gleaming office towers.<ref name="odst"/>
Over the next eleven years the city experienced explosive growth, but nothing compared to what followed. The city grew out as well as up, its urban sprawl unequaled throughout the continent.<ref name="fieldguide">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3: ODST Field Guide: New Mombasa'']</ref> An influx of trade, citizens, and jobs drastically changed the landscape of the city. Within a century, older housing and hotels on Mombasa Island were replaced with vast industrial complexes and gleaming office towers.<ref name="odst"/>
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By the 26th century the city was a dynamic, cosmopolitan metropolis, boasting such amenities as a mile-long suspension bridge,<ref name="outskirts"/><ref name="h2"/> a highly efficient [[MagLev Train]] system, an automatic highway network, a [[New Mombasa Police Department|large police department]], and large-scale recreational areas.<ref name="odst"/>
By the 26th century the city was a dynamic, cosmopolitan metropolis, boasting such amenities as a mile-long suspension bridge,<ref name="outskirts"/><ref name="h2"/> a highly efficient [[MagLev Train]] system, an automatic highway network, a [[New Mombasa Police Department|large police department]], and large-scale recreational areas.<ref name="odst"/>


The majority of New Mombasa is divided into numbered, symmetrical sectors to limit human casualties and property damage, should disaster befall the Orbital Elevator.<ref name="EVO"/> Some districts such as [[Mbaraki]], [[Kizingo]] or [[Kikowani]] still retain their original names. The original names are often seen in the names of streets or train stations, for example. Some of the districts' names have changed, albeit slightly; areas originally referred to as Tangana and Liwatoni are now referred to as [[Tanaga]] and [[Liwitoni Station|Liwitoni]], respectively. The locations of some districts have changed as well. This is the case with most of the districts on the southern side of the island, where the sea has claimed large areas of land.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Mombasa Streets (Level)|Mombasa Streets]]''</ref>
The majority of New Mombasa is divided into numbered, symmetrical sectors to limit human casualties and property damage, should disaster befall the city's space tether.<ref name="EVO"/> Despite this, some districts such as [[Mbaraki]], [[Kizingo]] or [[Kikowani]] still retain their original names. The original names are often seen in the names of streets or train stations, for example. Some of the districts' names have changed, albeit slightly; areas originally referred to as Tangana and Liwatoni are now referred to as [[Tanaga]] and [[Liwitoni Station|Liwitoni]], respectively. The locations of some districts have changed as well. This is the case with most of the districts on the southern side of the island, where the sea has claimed large areas of land.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Mombasa Streets]]''</ref>


===The Covenant Invasion===
===The Covenant Invasion===
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[[File:Mombasa area.png|thumb|250px|New Mombasa and its surroundings, after the [[Battle of Mombasa]].]]
[[File:Mombasa area.png|thumb|250px|New Mombasa and its surroundings, after the [[Battle of Mombasa]].]]
{{main|Battle of Mombasa}}
{{main|Battle of Mombasa}}
On [[2552 #October|October 20th, 2552]], a small [[Regret's Fleet|fleet]] of Covenant [[Capital Ship|capital ships]] exited [[Slipstream Space|Slipspace]] just off of Earth's [[Orbital Defense Platform|defensive network]]. During the ensuing battle, a Covenant [[Assault Carrier]], ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' breached the orbital fortifications and made its way to the surface. The ship, which carried the Covenant [[Hierarchs|Hierarch]] known as the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]], took position over New Mombasa, deploying troops and vehicles which occupied the city. The city's civilians either evacuated, took shelter, or were killed. In Old Mombasa, announcements in Swahili were broadcast over a public address system. These propagandist announcements encouraged New Mombasa's citizens to fight against the invading "alien zealots", even though there was very little truth to these announcements as they were only intended to increase moral of those that still remained after most of the city evacuated .<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/h2dialogue.html?cat=swahili '''Halo.Bungie.org''': ''Halo 2 Dialogue Snippets - Snippets of Swahili'']</ref>
On [[2552#October|October 20th, 2552]], a [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|small fleet]] of Covenant [[capital ship]]s exited [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]] just off of Earth's [[Orbital defense platform|defensive network]]. During the ensuing battle, a Covenant [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]], ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' breached the orbital fortifications and made its way to the surface. The ship, which carried the Covenant [[Hierarchs|Hierarch]] known as the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]], took position over New Mombasa, deploying troops and vehicles which occupied the city. The city's civilians either evacuated, took shelter, or were killed. In Old Mombasa, announcements in Swahili were broadcast over a public address system. These propagandist announcements encouraged New Mombasa's citizens to fight against the invading "alien zealots", even though there was very little truth to these announcements as they were only intended to increase moral of those that still remained after most of the city evacuated.<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/h2dialogue.html?cat=swahili '''Halo.Bungie.org''': ''Halo 2 Dialogue Snippets - Snippets of Swahili'']</ref>


Later that day, [[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]] was deployed into [[Old Mombasa]] to assist [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces to liberate the city from the Covenant. After fighting through the maze-like streets of the mainland, the Master Chief crossed the empty beach below the seawall and then entered the highway system and the bridge to New Mombasa. After a series of quick battles in a public park and the city streets, the Chief boarded and destroyed a Covenant [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab]] as it passed through the city's artificial canals. Instantly after destroying the Scarab, the Chief returned to the {{UNSCship|In Amber Clad}}.<ref name="h2"/> At this point, the Covenant troops were retreating back into the ''Solemn Penance'', which was preparing to leave. Meanwhile in orbit, an ODST task force was preparing to hot-drop onto the carrier and make their way inside. However, [[Dare's Shock Trooper Squad|one of the ODST squads]] was assigned to a classified mission by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] to drop into the premises of the ONI Alpha Site and secure the [[Vergil]] subroutine of the Superintendent, and prevent it from falling into Covenant hands - a task they were not informed of until in mid-drop.<ref name="odst"/> While the ODSTs were on their way down, ''Solemn Penance'' jumped into [[Slipstream Space|slipspace]], with the ''In Amber Clad'' in pursuit.
Later that day, [[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]] was deployed into [[Old Mombasa]] to assist [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces to liberate the city from the Covenant. After fighting through the maze-like streets of the mainland, the Master Chief crossed the empty beach below the seawall and then entered the highway system and the bridge to New Mombasa. After a series of quick battles in a public park and the city streets, the Chief boarded and destroyed a Covenant [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab]] as it passed through the city's artificial canals. Instantly after destroying the Scarab, the Chief returned to the {{UNSCship|In Amber Clad}}.<ref name="h2"/> At this point, the Covenant troops were retreating back into the ''Solemn Penance'', which was preparing to leave. Meanwhile in orbit, an ODST task force was preparing to hot-drop onto the carrier and make their way inside. However, [[Dare's Shock Trooper Squad|one of the ODST squads]] was assigned to a classified mission by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] to drop into the premises of the ONI Alpha Site and secure the [[Vergil]] subroutine of the Superintendent, and prevent it from falling into Covenant hands - a task they were not informed of until in mid-drop.<ref name="odst"/> While the ODSTs were on their way down, ''Solemn Penance'' jumped into [[Slipstream space|slipspace]], with the ''In Amber Clad'' in pursuit.


The ensuing shockwave and [[Electromagnetic Pulse|EMP]] engulfed the whole city, causing heavy damage to its digital infrastructure, and scattering the ODSTs' [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|drop pods]] around the city. Their eventual fate is unknown, though at least [[Dare's Shock Trooper Squad|six]] survived landing. Although the whole of Mombasa Island was consumed by the explosion, only some buildings close to the Slipspace vortex were sucked through. The slipspace rupture also created a large crater to the mainland, north of Mombasa Island. This was where the Covenant would eventually begin their excavation for the Forerunner structure under the region.<ref name="odst"/>
The ensuing shockwave and [[Electromagnetic Pulse|EMP]] engulfed the whole city, causing heavy damage to its digital infrastructure, and scattering the ODSTs' [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|drop pods]] around the city. Their eventual fate is unknown, though at least [[Dare's Shock Trooper Squad|six]] survived landing. Although the whole of Mombasa Island was consumed by the explosion, only some buildings close to the Slipspace vortex were sucked through. The slipspace rupture also created a large crater to the mainland, north of Mombasa Island. This was where the Covenant would eventually begin their excavation for the Forerunner structure under the region.<ref name="odst"/>


After the Slipspace event, a Covenant [[Jiralhanae]]-operated [[Truth's fleet|fleet]] arrived at Earth, inserting an occupation force into the city in order to capture Vergil, under orders from the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]].<ref>'''Halo Waypoint''' "Ten Twenty" article</ref> The remaining [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]] and [[New Mombasa Police Department|NMPD]] fought against the Covenant occupiers for the rest of the day. Eventually, the fleet bared down over the city, [[glassing]] the northern sectors in order to uncover the [[Forerunner]] [[Artifact|structure]] the city was built over. After a costly holding action, the surviving Marine and ODST forces were forced to abandon the city as it was glassed by the Covenant.<ref name="odst"/>
After the Slipspace event, a Covenant [[Jiralhanae]]-operated [[Truth's fleet|fleet]] arrived at Earth, inserting an occupation force into the city in order to capture Vergil, under orders from the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]].<ref>'''Halo Waypoint''', "Ten Twenty" article</ref> The remaining [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]] and [[New Mombasa Police Department|NMPD]] fought against the Covenant occupiers for the rest of the day. Eventually, the fleet bore down over the city, [[glassing]] the northern sectors in order to uncover the [[Forerunner]] [[The Artifact|structure]] the city was built over. After a costly holding action, the surviving Marine and ODST forces were forced to abandon the city as it was glassed by the Covenant.<ref name="odst"/>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
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In the [[Halo 2 E3 Demo|E3 presentation]] of ''[[Halo 2]]'', the city appeared vastly different than its later versions.
In the [[Halo 2 E3 Demo|E3 presentation]] of ''[[Halo 2]]'', the city appeared vastly different than its later versions.


The [[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator]] was nowhere to be found. Instead, the Space Elevator's site in the heart of the city was occupied by a massive tower shaped like an African baobab tree, composed of massive skyscrapers, and surrounded by spires. The city was much larger than its future incarnations, with the urban metropolis sprawling into the horizon as far as one could see. The internal architecture of the city also differed greatly in the final version of ''Halo 2''.<ref>'''[[Halo 2 E3 Demo]]'''</ref>
The [[Mombasa Tether]] was nowhere to be found. Instead, the space elevator's site in the heart of the city was occupied by a massive tower shaped like an African baobab tree, composed of massive skyscrapers, and surrounded by spires. The city was much larger than its future incarnations, with the urban metropolis sprawling into the horizon as far as one could see. The internal architecture of the city also differed greatly in the final version of ''Halo 2''.<ref>'''[[Halo 2 E3 Demo]]'''</ref>
[[File:SpaceElevator.jpg|thumb|200px|The center of New Mombasa, in ''Halo 2''.]]
[[File:SpaceElevator.jpg|thumb|200px|The center of New Mombasa, in ''Halo 2''.]]


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=== ''Halo 3: ODST'' ===
=== ''Halo 3: ODST'' ===
[[File:New Mombasa Island.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The island of New Mombasa in ''Halo 3: ODST''.]]
[[File:New Mombasa Island.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The island of New Mombasa in ''Halo 3: ODST''.]]
The city's architecture was changed again considerably in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. While the areas seen in ''Halo 2'' are not visited, the city's in-game model from in the level ''[[Prepare To Drop (Level)|Prepare to Drop]]'' reveals that the large canal cutting into the island seen in ''Halo 2'' is absent. It should be noted that this implies that the Scarab boarding event that took place during ''Halo 2'' could not have occurred, at least not in the same way as it did, as the side passage of the canal that the Scarab walked down no longer exists. It is unsure of how this continuity error is resolved. The northwest side of the island is also much more angular than the ''Halo 2'' version, which mostly followed the shape of the real-world Mombasa Island. The famous bridge crossed in ''Halo 2'' is also absent. The absence of most of the elements seen in ''Halo 2'' could be due to the fact ''ODST'' takes place on the other side of the city and the locations seen in ''Halo 2'' are never visited, and thus, they aren't modelled as accurately.
The city's architecture was changed again considerably in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. While the areas seen in ''Halo 2'' are not visited, the city's in-game model from in the level ''[[Prepare to Drop]]'' reveals that the large canal cutting into the island seen in ''Halo 2'' is absent. It should be noted that this implies that the Scarab boarding event that took place during ''Halo 2'' could not have occurred, at least not in the same way as it did, as the side passage of the canal that the Scarab walked down no longer exists. It is unsure of how this continuity error is resolved. The northwest side of the island is also much more angular than the ''Halo 2'' version, which mostly followed the shape of the real-world Mombasa Island. The famous bridge crossed in ''Halo 2'' is also absent. The absence of most of the elements seen in ''Halo 2'' could be due to the fact ''ODST'' takes place on the other side of the city and the locations seen in ''Halo 2'' are never visited, and thus, they aren't modeled as accurately.


The skyscrapers in the city appear more sleek and tall than in ''Halo 2'', and very similar to those later seen in the city of [[New Alexandria]] on [[Reach]] in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. The orbital elevator's base now resides away from the city center, surrounded by water at all sides. Its base structure is different, notably being less immense in size than in ''Halo 2''. The internal architecture of the city is much more detailed, with the streets ramping up and down, and elevated walkways surrounding them. In many ways, it resembles the city seen in the ''Halo 2'' E3 demo more than the version actually seen in ''Halo 2'', albeit with much more detail. The "hub" area visited in-game is essentially symmetrical, and divided into ten sectors.<ref name="odst"/>
The skyscrapers in the city appear more sleek and tall than in ''Halo 2'', and very similar to those later seen in the city of [[New Alexandria]] on [[Reach]] in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. The orbital elevator's base now resides away from the city center, surrounded by water at all sides. Its base structure is different, notably being less immense in size than in ''Halo 2''. The internal architecture of the city is much more detailed, with the streets ramping up and down, and elevated walkways surrounding them. In many ways, it resembles the city seen in the ''Halo 2'' E3 demo more than the version actually seen in ''Halo 2'', albeit with much more detail. The "hub" area visited in-game is essentially symmetrical, and divided into ten sectors.<ref name="odst"/>
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**[[Mbaraki]]
**[[Mbaraki]]
**[[ONI Alpha Site]]
**[[ONI Alpha Site]]
**[[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator|Orbital Elevator]]
**[[Mombasa Tether]]
**[[Section 14]]
**[[Section 14]]
**[[Tanaga]]
**[[Tanaga]]
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*[[Tterrab Industries]], a corporation in downtown New Mombasa, is the Bungie level designer [[Chris Barrett|Chris Barrett's]] name reversed.
*[[Tterrab Industries]], a corporation in downtown New Mombasa, is the Bungie level designer [[Chris Barrett|Chris Barrett's]] name reversed.
*"[[Mtangulizi Kampuni]]," printed on a welcome mat at the entrance to the building that leads to the canals, is Swahili for "[[Forerunner]] Company".<ref>[http://www.yale.edu/swahili/ '''The Internet Living Swahili Dictionary''']</ref>
*"[[Mtangulizi Kampuni]]," printed on a welcome mat at the entrance to the building that leads to the canals, is Swahili for "[[Forerunner]] Company".<ref>[http://www.yale.edu/swahili/ '''The Internet Living Swahili Dictionary''']</ref>
*Originally, it was assumed that the slipspace jump of the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s Assault Carrier had completely destroyed the city, creating the crater seen later in ''[[Halo 3]]''. It was revealed in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' that it did in fact create a crater, although much smaller than what was originally assumed. This crater was where the Covenant begun their excavation of the Forerunner structure, [[the Artifact]].
*Originally, it was assumed that the slipspace jump of the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s Assault Carrier had completely destroyed the city, creating the crater seen later in ''[[Halo 3]]''. It was revealed in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' that it did in fact create a crater, although much smaller than what was originally assumed. This crater was where the Covenant began their excavation of the Forerunner structure, [[the Artifact]].
*In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', there are multiple buildings belonging to [[Jotun Heavy Industries]], first mentioned in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''.
*In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', there are multiple buildings belonging to [[Jotun Heavy Industries]], first mentioned in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''.
*The massive tree-like structure from the early version of ''Halo 2'' is present in the colony development sequence in Part II of [[Origins]].
*The massive tree-like structure from the early version of ''Halo 2'' is present in the colony development sequence in Part II of [[Origins]].
Line 183: Line 183:
File:Mombasa Area Map.png|A map of New Mombasa, with major locations marked.
File:Mombasa Area Map.png|A map of New Mombasa, with major locations marked.
File:New and Old Mombasa Skyline.jpg|Panorama of the New Mombasa skyline, as viewed from the Uplift Nature Reserve.
File:New and Old Mombasa Skyline.jpg|Panorama of the New Mombasa skyline, as viewed from the Uplift Nature Reserve.
File:Mombasa View.jpg|Mombasa island and the Orbital Elevator.
File:Mombasa View.jpg|Mombasa island and the orbital elevator.
File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|New Mombasa being [[Glassing|glassed]].
File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|New Mombasa being [[Glassing|glassed]].
File:ODST_Arcology_concept_11.jpg|A design sheet for the city center's arcologies.
File:ODST_Arcology_concept_11.jpg|A design sheet for the city center's arcologies.
Line 193: Line 193:
File:City concept.png|Early environmental concept art for ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:City concept.png|Early environmental concept art for ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:Halo3-ODST EnvConcept-12.jpg|Concept art for the damaged New Mombasa.
File:Halo3-ODST EnvConcept-12.jpg|Concept art for the damaged New Mombasa.
File:Concept tether.png|Concept art of New Mombasa after the Slipspace incident.
File:Concept tether.png|Concept art of New Mombasa after the slipspace incident.
File:ODST_park_concept_23.jpg|Concept art of a park in New Mombasa.
File:ODST_park_concept_23.jpg|Concept art of a park in New Mombasa.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Images link|Images of Mombasa}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''

Revision as of 07:33, July 31, 2011

Template:Ratings Template:City

"This is the only place on Earth the Covenant decided to land. That Prophet is going to tell us why."
— Admiral Terrence Hood

New Mombasa was a major port city and industrial center on Mombasa Island in south Kenya, in the East African Protectorate on Earth. On the mouth of the river north of the island is the Mombasa Tether, a dominant feature of the city skyline. Old Mombasa is located on the mainland surrounding the island. Like Earth's other tether cities, New Mombasa's infrastructure was managed with the help of a second generation "dumb" AI, the Superintendent.[1] It was the main target of the initial Covenant attack during the Battle of Earth.[2] The city was invaded, occupied, and destroyed in the course of the conflict.

Description

An overhead view of the general area of New Mombasa.

The dramatic rise of sea levels has changed the coastlines of Mombasa Island and its surroundings. This has also forced a seawall to be built around the city, in order to prevent it from being flooded. A highway runs along the seawall surrounding the island.[1] While the island was originally about as wide on the north as on the southern side, this has changed due to sea levels rising. Despite them dropping at some point, large areas of former land still remain underwater.

The northern side of the island still retains more of its original width than the southern section protruding from it. There, sea has occupied larger areas of land, leaving the southern half much more narrow. The narrow southern half houses the city center and the business districts of the city, while on the northern side, industrial structures are more prevalent.[1]

From the northern side of the island, a massive suspension bridge connects the island to the mainland. Starting at some point near the city center, the highway NM 105 E leads over the bridge, to the old city. Near the end of the bridge on the island is New Mombasa's industrial district, where companies such as Tterrab Industries have their headquarters. Here are also located multiple gargantuan industrial buildings, some with sky bridges connecting them.[2][3]

The city center is elevated above the surrounding terrain by a large "arcology wall", and houses a concentration of gigantic skyscrapers, the highest - the Vyrant Telecom building - being 2 kilometers tall.[notes 1] At the southeast end of the city center there are several medium-sized skyscrapers. The NMPD Headquarters is located here. Southeast of the arcology wall, the layout of the city is near-symmetrical, and it is divided to ten sectors. Symmetrical compartmentalization like this is a security precaution taken into account when designing all tether cities, to minimize damage in case the tether were to fall.[4]

The Office of Naval Intelligence has an important office building on the southeast end of the island. The building is surrounded by a pool of water and an additional wall similar to the sea wall surrounding the whole island. Northeast of the Alpha Site, a large artificial island has been constructed to house the orbital elevator. This island is full of port structures, including warehouses, docks and cranes.[1] MagLev train lines connect the island to the mainland. A highway and a train line connect New Mombasa to other cities such as Voi and Nairobi, with multiple highways leading to different parts of the continent.[5][6]

Uplift Nature Reserve, a large park and a wildlife reserve, resides south of the island.[7] The city also contains a massive network of underground installations, such as the Superintendent's data center deep beneath the surface. The facility consists of multiple levels, and on the tenth and final level, in a massive cavern with an underground lake on the bottom, resides the AI's data core.[8]

History

Mombasa

Superintendent, the Urban Infrastructure AI of New Mombasa.
The Mombasa Tether, an iconic feature of New Mombasa.

Mombasa had always been an important port of the Indian Ocean trade routes and was captured and recaptured countless times by a variety of powers including Portugal, the United Kingdom, and various Arab forces. This violent history led to its Swahili nickname "Kisiwa Cha Mvita", or "Island of War". The city became part of the independent nation of Kenya in the 20th century. During this era, Mombasa became a tourist destination, boasting numerous resorts and clean, white beaches. It was also important as a port city, connecting East Africa to the Indian Ocean.

Formation of New Mombasa

In 2302, due to its economic stability and prominent location, New Mombasa—at that time the world's busiest sea port—was chosen to be Earth's first space elevator city. The elevator transformed the city; New Mombasa became one of the most important cities on Earth.[9]

Over the next eleven years the city experienced explosive growth, but nothing compared to what followed. The city grew out as well as up, its urban sprawl unequaled throughout the continent.[10] An influx of trade, citizens, and jobs drastically changed the landscape of the city. Within a century, older housing and hotels on Mombasa Island were replaced with vast industrial complexes and gleaming office towers.[1]

Mombasa would change dramatically with the arrival of the interstellar era. By 2430, New Mombasa had absorbed the entire island and many of the surrounding towns, which became overrun by residents of Mombasa. The switch of name was never official, and though many of the neighborhoods within direct line of sight to the Mombasa Tether still distributed newspapers and chatter directories under their previous names, all municipalities within a 74-kilometer radius of the island became referred to as "Old Mombasa".[10]

By the 26th century the city was a dynamic, cosmopolitan metropolis, boasting such amenities as a mile-long suspension bridge,[2][3] a highly efficient MagLev Train system, an automatic highway network, a large police department, and large-scale recreational areas.[1]

The majority of New Mombasa is divided into numbered, symmetrical sectors to limit human casualties and property damage, should disaster befall the city's space tether.[4] Despite this, some districts such as Mbaraki, Kizingo or Kikowani still retain their original names. The original names are often seen in the names of streets or train stations, for example. Some of the districts' names have changed, albeit slightly; areas originally referred to as Tangana and Liwatoni are now referred to as Tanaga and Liwitoni, respectively. The locations of some districts have changed as well. This is the case with most of the districts on the southern side of the island, where the sea has claimed large areas of land.[11]

The Covenant Invasion

A hologram of New Mombasa, with Solemn Penance above it.
New Mombasa and its surroundings, after the Battle of Mombasa.
Main article: Battle of Mombasa

On October 20th, 2552, a small fleet of Covenant capital ships exited Slipspace just off of Earth's defensive network. During the ensuing battle, a Covenant assault carrier, Solemn Penance breached the orbital fortifications and made its way to the surface. The ship, which carried the Covenant Hierarch known as the High Prophet of Regret, took position over New Mombasa, deploying troops and vehicles which occupied the city. The city's civilians either evacuated, took shelter, or were killed. In Old Mombasa, announcements in Swahili were broadcast over a public address system. These propagandist announcements encouraged New Mombasa's citizens to fight against the invading "alien zealots", even though there was very little truth to these announcements as they were only intended to increase moral of those that still remained after most of the city evacuated.[12]

Later that day, Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 was deployed into Old Mombasa to assist UNSC forces to liberate the city from the Covenant. After fighting through the maze-like streets of the mainland, the Master Chief crossed the empty beach below the seawall and then entered the highway system and the bridge to New Mombasa. After a series of quick battles in a public park and the city streets, the Chief boarded and destroyed a Covenant Scarab as it passed through the city's artificial canals. Instantly after destroying the Scarab, the Chief returned to the Template:UNSCship.[3] At this point, the Covenant troops were retreating back into the Solemn Penance, which was preparing to leave. Meanwhile in orbit, an ODST task force was preparing to hot-drop onto the carrier and make their way inside. However, one of the ODST squads was assigned to a classified mission by the ONI to drop into the premises of the ONI Alpha Site and secure the Vergil subroutine of the Superintendent, and prevent it from falling into Covenant hands - a task they were not informed of until in mid-drop.[1] While the ODSTs were on their way down, Solemn Penance jumped into slipspace, with the In Amber Clad in pursuit.

The ensuing shockwave and EMP engulfed the whole city, causing heavy damage to its digital infrastructure, and scattering the ODSTs' drop pods around the city. Their eventual fate is unknown, though at least six survived landing. Although the whole of Mombasa Island was consumed by the explosion, only some buildings close to the Slipspace vortex were sucked through. The slipspace rupture also created a large crater to the mainland, north of Mombasa Island. This was where the Covenant would eventually begin their excavation for the Forerunner structure under the region.[1]

After the Slipspace event, a Covenant Jiralhanae-operated fleet arrived at Earth, inserting an occupation force into the city in order to capture Vergil, under orders from the High Prophet of Truth.[13] The remaining UNSC Marines and NMPD fought against the Covenant occupiers for the rest of the day. Eventually, the fleet bore down over the city, glassing the northern sectors in order to uncover the Forerunner structure the city was built over. After a costly holding action, the surviving Marine and ODST forces were forced to abandon the city as it was glassed by the Covenant.[1]

Appearances

The overall appearance and shape of the city of New Mombasa have changed greatly over the years, but the general architectural direction has stayed fairly similar.

New Mombasa in the Halo 2 E3 demo.

Halo 2 E3 Demo

In the E3 presentation of Halo 2, the city appeared vastly different than its later versions.

The Mombasa Tether was nowhere to be found. Instead, the space elevator's site in the heart of the city was occupied by a massive tower shaped like an African baobab tree, composed of massive skyscrapers, and surrounded by spires. The city was much larger than its future incarnations, with the urban metropolis sprawling into the horizon as far as one could see. The internal architecture of the city also differed greatly in the final version of Halo 2.[14]

The center of New Mombasa, in Halo 2.

Halo 2

In Halo 2, the city was shaped more like its real-world counterpart, with the metropolis residing on the Mombasa island instead of the whole surrounding area having been filled with a gargantuan megalopolis. The massive central structure from the E3 demo was scrapped because the designers wanted New Mombasa to feel more like a real city.[15] The space elevator was located in the city center, surrounded by massive skyscrapers. A large artificial canal cut through the island, built to house dock facilities for the space elevator. The city's streets appeared more simple and plain than in the E3 Demo, although with more trees and plants. The color palette was also different, now mostly featuring shades of light brown instead of the mostly gray city in the E3 demo.[3] An effort had been made to try to design the city as realistically as possible, using photographs of the current-day city as reference material and envisioning what the city would look like after 500 years of advancement.[15]

Halo 3

New Mombasa is not seen for much of the duration of Halo 3, but if one looks across from the Artifact they can see the smoking ruins of the city in the distance. Most of the action on the ground takes place around the market city of Voi instead.[16]

One can see signs pointing to New Mombasa on Tsavo Highway.

Halo 3: ODST

The island of New Mombasa in Halo 3: ODST.

The city's architecture was changed again considerably in Halo 3: ODST. While the areas seen in Halo 2 are not visited, the city's in-game model from in the level Prepare to Drop reveals that the large canal cutting into the island seen in Halo 2 is absent. It should be noted that this implies that the Scarab boarding event that took place during Halo 2 could not have occurred, at least not in the same way as it did, as the side passage of the canal that the Scarab walked down no longer exists. It is unsure of how this continuity error is resolved. The northwest side of the island is also much more angular than the Halo 2 version, which mostly followed the shape of the real-world Mombasa Island. The famous bridge crossed in Halo 2 is also absent. The absence of most of the elements seen in Halo 2 could be due to the fact ODST takes place on the other side of the city and the locations seen in Halo 2 are never visited, and thus, they aren't modeled as accurately.

The skyscrapers in the city appear more sleek and tall than in Halo 2, and very similar to those later seen in the city of New Alexandria on Reach in Halo: Reach. The orbital elevator's base now resides away from the city center, surrounded by water at all sides. Its base structure is different, notably being less immense in size than in Halo 2. The internal architecture of the city is much more detailed, with the streets ramping up and down, and elevated walkways surrounding them. In many ways, it resembles the city seen in the Halo 2 E3 demo more than the version actually seen in Halo 2, albeit with much more detail. The "hub" area visited in-game is essentially symmetrical, and divided into ten sectors.[1]

City organizations

Locations

The sectors in New Mombasa's business district, near the southeast end of the city.

Trivia

  • Tterrab Industries, a corporation in downtown New Mombasa, is the Bungie level designer Chris Barrett's name reversed.
  • "Mtangulizi Kampuni," printed on a welcome mat at the entrance to the building that leads to the canals, is Swahili for "Forerunner Company".[17]
  • Originally, it was assumed that the slipspace jump of the Prophet of Regret's Assault Carrier had completely destroyed the city, creating the crater seen later in Halo 3. It was revealed in Halo 3: ODST that it did in fact create a crater, although much smaller than what was originally assumed. This crater was where the Covenant began their excavation of the Forerunner structure, the Artifact.
  • In Halo 3: ODST, there are multiple buildings belonging to Jotun Heavy Industries, first mentioned in Halo: Contact Harvest.
  • The massive tree-like structure from the early version of Halo 2 is present in the colony development sequence in Part II of Origins.
  • The Halo 2 E3 demo-era design of the city was later used to represent a Forerunner structure covered in Flood biomass in the Halo Legends episode, Origins.[18]
  • The tree like structure and design of the city can be seen as an Easter egg in Halo 2. The old version of the city can be seen in the reflection of a glass window at the ground floor of the building with the giant soccer ball.
  • The tree like structure and design can also bee seen in the reflection of the large glass side of one of the buildings in the multiplayer level Headlong.

Gallery

  • The emblem of the city.

    The emblem of the city.

  • MombasaMap.jpg

    An obsolete, Halo 2-era map of New Mombasa.

  • A map of New Mombasa, with major locations marked.

    A map of New Mombasa, with major locations marked.

  • Panorama of the New Mombasa skyline, as viewed from the Uplift Nature Reserve.

    Panorama of the New Mombasa skyline, as viewed from the Uplift Nature Reserve.

  • Mombasa island and the orbital elevator.

    Mombasa island and the orbital elevator.

  • New Mombasa being glassed.

    New Mombasa being glassed.

  • ODST Arcology concept 11.jpg

    A design sheet for the city center's arcologies.

  • ODST buildings concept 10.jpg

    Concepts for different varieties of buildings in the city.

  • ODST buildings concept 9.jpg

    More designs of building variations.

  • The city in the "Keep it Clean" teaser.

    The city in the "Keep it Clean" teaser.

  • Earthcity colormatte.jpg

    Early concept art for Halo 2.

  • NM h2 concept earthcity.jpg

    An early concept art piece of architecture in the city.

  • City concept.png

    Early environmental concept art for Halo 3: ODST.

  • Halo3-ODST EnvConcept-12.jpg

    Concept art for the damaged New Mombasa.

  • Concept tether.png

    Concept art of New Mombasa after the slipspace incident.

  • ODST park concept 23.jpg

    Concept art of a park in New Mombasa.

List of appearances

Template:Images link

Notes

  1. ^ Measurable by using pan-cam coordinates: the height cap is at 615 WU, the building extends a bit over that, and 1WU=~3meters

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo 3: ODST
  2. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level Outskirts
  3. ^ a b c d Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  4. ^ a b Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "Palace Hotel", page 366
  5. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Kikowani Station
  6. ^ Sadie's Story
  7. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level, Uplift Reserve
  8. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Data Hive
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint "Space Tether" article
  10. ^ a b Bungie.net: Halo 3: ODST Field Guide: New Mombasa
  11. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Mombasa Streets
  12. ^ Halo.Bungie.org: Halo 2 Dialogue Snippets - Snippets of Swahili
  13. ^ Halo Waypoint, "Ten Twenty" article
  14. ^ Halo 2 E3 Demo
  15. ^ a b YouTube: First Look Halo 2
  16. ^ Halo 3, campaign levels Tsavo Highway and The Storm
  17. ^ The Internet Living Swahili Dictionary
  18. ^ Halo Legends; Origins (Screenshot)
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