The Cauldron: Difference between revisions

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'''The Cauldron''', designated '''Site Req//8934-8829''',<ref name="VIS">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'''</ref> was the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] codename for a location on the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Requiem]].  

Buried within a large volcanic mountain range, the site dubbed "The Cauldron" appeared to be a thermal processing system created by the Forerunners to power large-scale tension modifiers, which were used to stabilize atmosphere pockets deep within the planet. The Cauldron was the site of numerous conflicts, and eventually led to the discovery of a valuable artifact the [[Covenant remnants|Covenant]] desperately sought. This object and the secrets it held made The Cauldron one of the most significant battleground sites on Requiem, later leading the UNSC to the mysterious [[Janus Key]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/requiem '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Requiem'']</ref>

During the [[Second Battle of Requiem|Requiem campaign]] in [[2558]], Covenant archaeological teams were operating in this location, and the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} sent [[SPARTAN-IV Program|Spartan-IV]] [[Fireteam Crimson]] to investigate the area. After dispatching the Covenant forces in the area, Fireteam Crimson was attacked by [[Promethean]] forces. The Spartans then found [[Requiem translocation artifact|a Forerunner artifact]] hidden in the facility. The team extracted the artifact and evacuated the area.<ref>'''Halo 4''', Spartan Ops Episode 1 Chapter 5 ''[[S1/Departure/Core|Core]]''</ref>

A science team was deployed to the base, led by Dr. [[Morgan Rivera]]. They came under attack by Covenant forces and were forced to flee behind an energy shield. Fireteam Crimson responded to their distress beacon and cleared out the Covenant forces. The science team was rescued.<ref>'''Halo 4''', Spartan Ops Episode 2 Chapter 2 ''[[S1/Artifact/For Science|For Science]]''</ref> However, the Cauldron later fell again to the Covenant.

Fireteam Crimson later tracked [[Jul 'Mdama]] to this location in their continued pursuit of him and gave chase before he narrowly escaped an airstrike coordinated by [[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]] and [[Robert Dalton]] and teleported to safety. In his hasty getaway, he dropped a mysterious artifact known as the '[[Didact's Gift]]', which was later retrieved by Crimson and transported to [[Galileo Base]] for further study.<ref>'''Halo 4''', Spartan Ops Episode 4 Chapter 4 ''[[S1/Didact's Hand/The Chase|The Chase]]''</ref>

Sometime later, UNSC forces set up a forward operations base known as "[[Magma Base|Magma]]" in the area. Magma Base came under attack by Covenant forces, forcing them to send a distress signal. Fireteam Crimson was sent in response. The Covenant focused their attack on the base's generators. The Spartans, along with [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System|Mantises]] and [[M3063 Deployable Turret|autoturrets]] support, were able to hold off multiple Covenant waves. After successfully holding off the attack, [[Roland (AI)|Roland]] noticed [[Gabriel Thorne]]'s IFF tag in the area, when Crimson went to investigate they only found the tag, leaving Roland and [[Jared Miller|Miller]] to wonder what happened.<ref>'''Halo 4''', Spartan Ops Episode 5 Chapter 4 ''[[S1/Memento Mori/The Cauldron Base|The Cauldron Base]]''</ref>

The Covenant later launched another counterattack on the base, in which they successfully shot down and captured a [[UNSC Army]] [[D79-TC Pelican]], which was then brought back to [[Lockup]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', Spartan Ops Episode 8 Chapter 4 ''[[S1/Expendable/Crystal Ball|Crystal Ball]]''</ref> Later, Jul 'Mdama returned to the Cauldron to activate Requiem's self-destruction, prompting the shield world to eventually collide with its sun.<ref>'''Halo 4''', Spartan Ops Episode 10 ''[[S1/Exodus|Exodus]]''</ref>

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