X50: Difference between revisions

{{Era|Post}}

|description=Moon-like device  

|location=[[Draetheus system]], orbiting [[Draetheus V]]  

|type=Artificial moon

|constructed=Before [[100,000 BCE]]

|destroyed=[[2553]]-[[2557]] (sabotaged)

'''X50''' 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 device capable of building and destroying planets, constructed by the [[Forerunners]]. It was orbiting the former Forerunner colony of [[Draetheus V]]. 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.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/games/halo_spartan_assault/b/pc/archive/2013/06/04/343-industries-reveals-halo-spartan-assault.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''343 Industries Reveals Halo: Spartan Assault'']</ref>

===Battle of Draetheus V===  

X50 became a battleground during the [[Battle of Draetheus V]] sometime between [[2553]] and [[2557]], when [[Merg Vol]]'s [[Covenant remnant|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-IV Program|SPARTAN-IV]]s.<ref name="Image">[[:File:HSA mission overview.jpg|Image of Draetheus mission briefing]]</ref>  

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.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 2: The Mirror Mantle Counter-Assault|The Mirror Mantle Counter-Assault]]''</ref> 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 Tank]]s, he began establishing air defenses west of the facility at a location designated [[Glacial Perch]].<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 3: Reinforcement of the Perch|Reinforcement of the Perch]]''</ref>  

During the battle, the Covenant discovered that X50 was actually a giant Forerunner device that built and destroyed planets. The Covenant remnant attempted to use the device to destroy Draetheus V,<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''' - ''Operation C: Monolith''</ref> 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.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''' - ''Operation D: Captured Chance''</ref> Later, Spartan [[Sarah Palmer]] went to the moon to kill Merg Vol and sabotaged the artifact.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''' - ''Operation E: Frostbite''</ref>

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 remnant soldiers, Palmer discovered that the message had originated from Davis, moments before his death. She shut the device down in order to allow her friend to pass away peacefully.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''' - ''[[Operation F: Hydra]]''</ref>

*[[Arid Ripple]]

*[[Arid Sea]]  

*[[Cistern]]

*[[Basalt Maze]]  

*[[Glacial Perch]]

*[[Mirror Flats]]

X50's status as a spherical, planet-destroying superweapon is likely an homage to the [[w:c:starwars:Death Star|Death Stars]] of the ''Star Wars'' universe. The superweapon's disguise as a moon may be a nod to [[w:c:starwars:Obi-Wan Kenobi|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 [[w:c:starwars:Concave Dish Composite Beam Superlaser|main weapon]] of the Death Stars.

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[[Category:X50 locations]]