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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Era|HCW}} |
| {{disambig header|the Covenant structure|other uses of "Spire"|Spire}} | | {{Ratings}} |
| [[File:Spire general.jpg|thumb|300px|One of the many Spires placed on [[Reach]].]] | | <center>''For Halo: Reach's multiplayer map, see [[Spire]].''</center> |
| '''Deployment spires''',{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=225}} or '''shield spires''',{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p221|Enc22|Page=221}} are [[Covenant]] structures that serve as bases of operation during ground [[battle|engagements]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} They function as [[slipspace translocation|teleportation]] hubs for invading forces, and are also capable of projecting [[energy shielding|energy shields]] over a large radius. Covenant forces utilize these teleportation spires during large-scale operations.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}{{Ref/Level|HR|Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace|Quote=That spire was indeed a teleporter linked to a cloaked Covenant super-carrier}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/Detail/spirit/1676cbba-efbb-44b8-9dd3-3f6f38b1320a|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Type-28 Troop Carrier|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Vehicles|D=12|M=07|Y=2012}} | | [[File:HaloReach - Spire.jpg|thumb|300px|One of the many Spires placed on Reach.]] |
| | '''Spires''' are [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] structures that serve as bases of operation during ground engagements. They function as [[teleportation]] hubs for invading forces, and are also capable of projecting [[energy shielding|energy shields]] over a large radius. Covenant forces often utilize these teleportation spires during large-scale operations.<ref name="tip">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]'' (''"That spire was indeed a teleporter linked to a cloaked [[Covenant supercarrier|Covenant super-carrier]]"'')</ref><ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/spirit/1676cbba-efbb-44b8-9dd3-3f6f38b1320a?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Type-28 Troop Carrier'']</ref> |
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| ==Overview== | | ==Description== |
| ===Design details===
| | The Spire consists of multiple sections: a lower section, which projects several energy beams that keep an upper section suspended high above it, as well as a floating shield-generator array. From the upper level, a large dome-like energy shield is extended to the ground. This shield is resistant to conventional weapons, and is capable of disabling any enemy vehicles that pass through it. The Spires are used to transport ground forces to the surface from a large vessel such as a [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarrier]], and also appear to serve as bases and staging areas. |
| Deployment spires are Covenant designs, poorly-based on [[slipspace translocation]] technology originally created by the [[Forerunner]]s.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/haloreach/Maps|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo: Reach - Maps|D=12|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Games/Halo: Reach}} They are designed to transport materiel and personnel seamlessly through [[Slipspace portal|portal]] networks. Typically, a deployment spire is established as a ground base on a given world and linked to an orbiting capital warship such as a [[Covenant carrier|carrier]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Troops teleporting through the spire commonly utilize an air vehicle, generally a [[dropship]] such as a [[Phantom]], as the objects being teleported will materialize in the space between the upper and lower main sections of the structure.
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| The spire itself consists of multiple sections: a lower section which projects several energy beams that keep an upper section suspended high above it as well as powering a floating shield-generator array. From the upper level, a large dome-like energy shield is extended to the ground. This shield is resistant to conventional weapons, and is capable of disabling any enemy vehicles that pass through it via application of an [[electromagnetic pulse]].{{Ref/Level|Id=ToTS|HR|Tip of the Spear}} They can be selectively permeable, and are engineered in such a way as to allow the passage of small vehicles and personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p221}} There are two ways to reach the top of the Spire: via the same [[gravity lift]]s that hold the upper level aloft, or off one of several lifts positioned at intervals around the Spire.{{Ref/Map|Id=SpireMP|HR|Spire (map)|Spire}} A spire's gravity lifts are extremely powerful, and are as such capable of being used in a manner similar to that of a [[space elevator]] - ferrying troops and materiel from ground the space (and vice versa) over massive distances.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=222}}
| | There are two ways to reach the top of the Spire: via the same [[gravity lift]]s that hold the upper level aloft, or off one of several lifts positioned at intervals around the Spire. |
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| Unlike most other forward operations structure and vehicles, Spires do not have an easily accessible reactor core like {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}s or {{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}}s. The shield itself is powered by a [[pinch fusion reactor]], and requires a [[Capital ship|warship]]-level weapon to deplete or collapse.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p221}} The shields generated by the Spire must be deactivated manually through a control interface in the upper portion of the structure.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}} | | Unlike most other forward operations structure and vehicles, Spires do not have an easily accessible reactor core like [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform]]s or [[Type-38 Anti-Aircraft Cannon]]s. The shields generated by the Spire must be deactivated manually through a control interface in the upper portion of the structure. These controls are typically manned by [[Sangheili Ultra]]s. |
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| Covenant spires are presumably deployed from starships and dropped directly onto their intended location; this is evidenced by at least the nature of the only Spire known to be ever observed at close range, [[Spire One]]. The Spire's base lay partially buried at the center of a massive crater, surrounded by blasted sand. This may have resulted from it being dropped from a great height.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}{{Ref/Reuse|SpireMP}} | | Covenant Spires are presumably deployed from starships and dropped directly onto their intended location; this is evidenced by the nature of the only Spire ever observed at close range, [[Spire One]]. The Spire's base lay partially buried at the center of a massive crater, surrounded by blasted sand. This may have resulted from it being dropped from a great height. |
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| Despite their usage, the rough imitation of Forerunner systems makes Spires a dangerous and enormously inefficient system. As such, they were rarely employed by the Covenant at large.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | ==Use in combat== |
| | Covenant Spires are used primarily as command posts and teleportation sites for troops. Their shields make them difficult to attack, as they can only be disabled by ground forces after they infiltrate the structure. They also presumably make effective watch-towers. |
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| ==Operational history==
| | Spires also appear to be able to somehow generate a "cloaking field," similar to active camouflage. Ships above the Spire (or a network of them) can become completely invisible to both instruments and sight, as seen with the [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarrier]] ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''. |
| A deployment spire may have been employed during the [[Battle for Arcadia]] in [[2531]]. During the ground campaign, a large dome-shield was projected by the invading Covenant forces over the [[Arcadia Forerunner ruins|Forerunner complex]] on [[Arcadia]], allowing them to construct a large [[Covenant citadel|base]] and a {{Pattern|R'awuw|Scarab}} beneath the shield's protection. The shield was ultimately partially disabled by combined artillery fire from a battery of [[M145D Rhino]], allowing for a large [[orbital bombardment]] by {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}} The shield generated in this engagement exhibited many similar properties to that of the deployment spire, though whether it was the site of such a deployment is unknown.
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| Multiple spires were seen during the [[Fall of Reach|Covenant invasion of Reach]]. Covenant ground forces deployed these behemoth structures to cloak the presence of an army deployed by the supercarrier ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'', flagship of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]]. [[Spire One|One]] of these Spires were disabled and destroyed in a [[UNSC]] [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge|counter-offensive operation]].{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}} | | ==Background== |
| | | Multiple Spires were seen during the [[Fall of Reach|Covenant invasion of Reach]].<ref name="tip"/> Covenant ground forces deployed these behemoth structures to cloak the presence of a [[Covenant supercarrier]], ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''.<ref name="tip"/> [[Spire One|One]] of these Spires were disabled and destroyed in a UNSC counter-offensive operation.<ref name="tip"/> |
| During the war, at least four deployment spires' shield generators were captured and used as the basis for experimental R&D by [[Watershed Division]]. The resulting project was {{UNSCShip|Antaeus}}; a "shield ship" consisting of a modified dropfreighter with the shield generators installed.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFDigsiteDiscourse|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-digsite-n-discourse|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Digsite 'n' Discourse|D=24|M=06|Y=2024}}
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| ==Trivia== | | ==Trivia== |
| A similar energy shield structure is encountered in the ''[[Halo Wars]]'' level ''[[Dome of Light]]''. This structure may be a different version of the spires used on Reach. | | *A similar energy shield structure can be seen in the [[Halo Wars]] level [[Dome of Light]]. This structure may be an earlier version of the Spires used on Reach |
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Gallery== |
| {{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
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| <gallery> | | <gallery> |
| File:HR CovenantSpire Concept 1.jpg|Early concept sketches for the Spire. Note the early ideas involving the Spire being comprised of a landed Covenant supercarrier.
| | File:Phantom Teleport.jpg|A Spire teleporting a [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom dropship]]. |
| File:HR CovenantSpire Concept 2.jpg|Refined concept sketches for the Spire.
| | File:Spire_MAC'd.jpg|[[Spire One]] being destroyed. |
| File:HR_CovenantSpireTop_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the top area of the Spire structure.
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| File:HR_CovenantSpireBottom_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the bottom area of the Spire structure.
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| File:HR TotSSpireConcept.jpg|Concept art of a Spire near [[Szurdok Ridge]].
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| File:Spire_afar.jpg|An exterior view of a Spire's shield dome, with two more Spires in the distance.
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| File:HaloReach - Spire.jpg|The top of Spire One, as seen from the ground.
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| File:Phantom Teleport.jpg|A Spire teleporting a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom dropship]]. | |
| File:Spire_MAC'd.jpg|[[Spire One]] being destroyed by the ''[[UNSC Grafton]]''. | |
| File:HR_CovenantPowerModule_Spire.jpg|A [[Covenant power module]] stored in the Spire's control room.
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| </gallery> | | </gallery> |
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| ==List of appearances== | | ==List of appearances== |
| *''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}} | | *''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}} |
| *''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
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| [[Category:Fortifications]] | | [[Category:Covenant technology]] |
| [[Category:Covenant buildings]] | | [[Category:Covenant buildings]] |
