Sydney: Difference between revisions

Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast and is the state capital of New South Wales; it was also the site of the first European colony in Australia, established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, leader of the First Fleet from Britain. The city is built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour, hence the nickname, "the Harbour City". It is Australia's largest financial center and the economic capital. Sydney is a major international tourist destination, often referred to as the international gateway of Australia. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and contains many bays, rivers and inlets. By the 26th century, Sydney's distinctive landmark, the [[Wikipedia:Sydney Opera House|Sydney Opera House]], still stands in the Sydney Harbour.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary#Terminal 9|Terminal 9]]''</ref>

During the [[Battle of Earth]] in [[2552]], Sydney was devastated by [[Covenant]] forces due to its importance to the UNSC war effort.<ref name="enc297"/> By [[2553|January 26, 2553]]—Australia Day—only one flagpole remained standing in Sydney Harbor.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 26''</ref> However, Facility Bravo-6 survived the battle undamaged.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 33''</ref>  

Much of the city was rebuilt by [[2558]],<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> the Sydney skyline now often populated by [[civilian]] transports ferrying goods from ships in orbit and [[F-41 Broadsword]] patrols, with the [[frigate]] {{UNSCShip|Plateau}} standing guard in the lower atmosphere above Sydney. In [[2558#October|October 2558]], the [[Created]] sent a [[Guardian]] to neutralize forces opposing the newly established empire's rule. When the Guardian arrived over Sydney, ''Plateau'' and the patrolling Broadswords engaged the massive construct, though the fighters were easily destroyed and the frigate's armaments proved ineffective. The Guardian proceeded to release an [[electromagnetic pulse]] across the city, disabling ''Plateau'' and sending the frigate falling towards Sydney. The city's fate is unknown; if ''Plateau'''s engine core detonated upon impact, Sydney would have been destroyed. Only a handful of individuals, including [[Terrence Hood]] and [[Serin Osman]], escaped Sydney.<ref name="rw"/>