X50
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| X50 | |
|---|---|
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| General overview | |
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Description: |
Moon-like device |
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Location: |
Draetheus system, orbiting Draetheus V |
| Operation overview | |
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Type: |
Artificial moon |
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Function: |
Build and destroy planets |
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Date of construction: |
Before 97,445 BCE |
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Date of destruction: |
2554 (sabotaged) |
X50, designated OR-3-212 e by the Forerunners,[1] is an artificial satellite of the former Forerunner world of Draetheus V. The United Nations Space Command conducted a number of research projects on the moon, in particular the plentiful ice-covered sinkholes in its northern continent. X50 has an icy surface with numerous rocky formations.
History
X50 was a Forerunner Miner installation capable of building and destroying planets.[1] It orbited the former Forerunner colony of Draetheus V. X50 housed an unknown "sublimation device" not recorded in files accessible to Catalog.[1]
Following the Human-Covenant War, the United Nations Space Command discovered the Draetheus system and set up a colony on Draetheus V. Numerous research facilities were placed on both the planet and on X50 to study Forerunner artifacts.[2]
Battle of Draetheus V
- Main article: Battle of Draetheus V
X50 became a battleground during the Battle of Draetheus V in 2554, when Merg Vol's Covenant forces invaded the system, seeking to claim the Forerunner relics present on the planet and the moon for themselves. This engagement saw one of the first major deployments of the SPARTAN-IVs.[3]
The UNSC ground forces on X50 were lead by Spartan Edward Davis. The Covenant forces attacked the UNSC station Research Facility Alpha on Mirror Flats in large numbers, but the UNSC was able to hold their ground.[4] Davis noticed the Covenant's heavy reliance on drop ship insertion on the moon. Spartan Davis realized they would be vulnerable to focused anti-aircraft fire, so, using M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tanks, he began establishing air defenses west of the facility at a location designated Glacial Perch.[5]
During the battle, the Covenant discovered that X50 was actually a giant Forerunner device that built and destroyed planets. The Covenant attempted to use the device to destroy Draetheus V,[6] but were stopped by Spartan Davis. Although the Spartan managed to stop the artifact before being overrun and killed by a large group of Sangheili, it managed to destabilize the planet.[7] Later, Spartan Sarah Palmer went to the moon to kill Merg Vol and sabotaged the artifact.[8]
Shortly after the battle, the UNSC discovered a looping transmission of low-frequency static from X50. Palmer and UNSC forces returned to the moon to investigate. However, the UNSC quickly realized that Covenant forces remained on the moon. After fighting through numerous Covenant soldiers, Palmer discovered that the message had originated from Davis, moments before his death, and that Davis' remains were now being absorbed into a mysterious Forerunner device. She shut the device down in order to allow her friend to pass away peacefully.[9]
Locations
Production note
X50's status as a spherical, planet-destroying superweapon is likely a homage to the Death Stars of the Star Wars universe. The superweapon's disguise as a moon may be a nod to Obi-Wan Kenobi's iconic line, "That's no moon. It's a space station." Additionally, the firing sequence of X50's planet-destroying weapon, consisting of several green beams combining into one in the middle, closely resembles that of the main weapon of the Death Stars.
Gallery
Extraction of X50.
X50 seen over the horizon of Draetheus V.
X50 orbiting Draetheus V.
The destabilized Draetheus V and X50.
Both Draetheus V after being fired upon and X50 after being sabotaged.
X50's main weapon is activated.
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
List of appearances
- Halo: Spartan Assault (First appearance)
Sources
- ^ a b c Waypoint: Catalog Interaction page 14
- ^ GameInformer: 343 Industries Reveals Halo: Spartan Assault
- ^ Image of Draetheus mission briefing
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, The Mirror Mantle Counter-Assault
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Reinforcement of the Perch
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault - Operation C: Monolith
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault - Operation D: Captured Chance
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault - Operation E: Frostbite
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault - Operation F: Hydra
