UNSC Cradle

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UNSC Cradle
Production information

Class:

Repair/Refit Station

Specifications

Slipspace drive:

Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine

Crew:

30 crewmen (not counting EVA work crews)

Service information

Last sighted:

Orbit over Sigma Octanus IV

Destroyed:

Battle of Sigma Octanus IV

Participated battles:

Battle of Sigma Octanus IV

Noteworthy crewmembers:

Commander Richard Lash's father

Affiliation:

UNSC Navy

 

The Cradle was a UNSC Refit Station capable of intersystem travel.

Background

The Cradle was essentially a large square plate of Titanium-A armor, a kilometer to a side, capable of refitting six destroyers, three from her upper surface, and three from her lower surface, in a matter of hours or days.[1] It was crewed by only 30 people (in addition to the EVA work crews).

Operational History

In July 2552, it was present at the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV. The Cradle was used as a shield for the Fleet when the Covenant attacked and it was sacrificed so that the rest of the UNSC Fleet could be protected from a salvo of plasma fire. [2] No escape Lifeboats were launched and the entire crew was killed. They were avenged moments later when the UNSC Fleet destroyed seven Covenant ships and damaged many others with their MAC volley fire. The remains of the station were pushed into high orbit above Sigma Octanus after the battle.

Legacy

The tactic would be reused at the Fall of Reach with all three of that planet's repair stations and some human ships, in order to protect the planet's MAC guns from Covenant plasma torpedoes. In retrospect, this was a grisly sacrifice, for such temporary gain.

Trivia

Sources