Canon

Draetheus V

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

Draetheus V
HSA Draetheus V.jpg
Astrographical

System:

Draetheus system

Orbital position:

Fifth planet

Moon(s):

X50

Societal

Species:

Human

Colonized:

2553[1]

Government:

Unified Earth Government

 

"There were these big damn plants, like tentacles. I swear, it was like the planet was fighting us, too."
— Lieutenant Caitlin de Sauveterre

Draetheus V[Note 1] was a human colony world in the Draetheus system.[2][3] It had one moon, designated X50; unbeknownst to the colonists, the moon was actually a Forerunner orbital reformer.[2] The planet had a unique magnetic signature.[4]

Overview[edit]

Exotic plant forest on Draetheus V.

Astronomical features[edit]

Draetheus V possessed a vibrant planetary aurora, likely due to its unique magnetic field.[4]

Topography and ecology[edit]

The planet had "forests" of exotic plant-like life.[4] In addition to grasses and cryptogam growth like moss or lichen, there were at least three unique species present on the planet: Faraday Base and Epsilon Expanse were home to a tall, stalky growth with white-on-red mottling along its trunk and extended honeycomb-like repoductive organs at its apex that caused the "plant" to bow downwards, creating an overhead canopy. These protrusions suggest either fungus-like spores or animal-assisted reproduction. Epsilon Expanse was home to numerous tall purple-pink flowering plants with large segmented spines similar to agave comprising most of their structure. They also bowed downwards, with bioluminescent stamen. Finally, Epsilon Expanse and Red Slate Plateau were home to large vase-like growths similar to some species of sea sponge, with luminescent filaments extending from one bulb to another, suggesting either clonal propagation or a network for communication/nutrient exchange. Their root-like structures were spear-shaped and could be seen piercing through geological shelves. These were the brightest of the three plant-like organisms, casting long shadows from their dense growth clusters. The bioluminescent properties of these plants and their vibrant colors suggest either attraction of pollinators or deterrents for grazing herbivores. Motes of light could be seen drifting among these forests, either small insects or bioluminescent pollen.[5] Insect and animal calls could be heard on the planet.[6][7]

Locations[edit]

History[edit]

The planet was once a Forerunner colony and a part of their ecumene.[8]

Post-war[edit]

Following the Human-Covenant War, the United Nations Space Command discovered the world and established a number of research facilities on the planet and its moon to study objects left behind by the Forerunners.[8] Numerous magnetic reactor stations were also built around the planet.[6]

Battle of Draetheus V[edit]

Main article: Battle of Draetheus V
Draetheus V and X50 at the moment of the latter's deactivation.

In 2554, a faction of the former Covenant attacked the planet, and X50, and clashed with the UNSC for the Forerunner relics present there, led by Zealot Merg Vol. Two SPARTAN-IVs, Sarah Palmer and Edward Davis, participated in the campaign. The UNSC was successful in alerting the planet of the remnant's attack, and evacuation began. While Merg Vol's Covenant quickly took control of the moon[9], Palmer was holding ground with numerous Marine forces on the planet's surface. Palmer helped defend Draetheus V's main military outpost, Faraday Base, against the attacking forces. Although the Marines were taking heavy casualties, they succeeded in defending Faraday and the planet's reactor facilities, largely due to the help of Spartan Palmer.[10]

Later in the battle, Merg Vol discovered the true purpose of Draetheus V's moon. It was a Forerunner device that was used to build or destroy planets. Merg Vol's Covenant forces activated the primary weapon of the X50 construct. Directed toward the planet, the beam began to disintegrate Draetheus V, destabilizing it. Spartan Davis managed to stop the device, but it was too late, as Draetheus V had already begun to break up.[11] Enormous slabs of rock were slowly floating away from the planet's surface and both UNSC and Covenant troops were scrambling to get to safety as the UNSC continued to evacuate the planet.[12] Merg Vol's Covenant continued to attack the planet and the UNSC quickly realized that Draetheus V was ill-prepared for a full evacuation. There was not enough transportation to allow everyone to leave Draetheus V. However, the UNSC raided a Covenant airfield and stole numerous Covenant aircraft. With Palmer's help, 23 Covenant Spirit dropships carrying civilians made it off the planet.[13]

While defending the moon, Davis was killed by an overwhelming amount of Sangheili forces. In order to ensure the safe evacuation of the colonists, Palmer was dispatched to X50 to kill Merg Vol, so he couldn't rally his forces. Palmer succeeded in killing Merg Vol and sabotaging X50 to ensure that no one would ever be able to use it again, allowing the Draetheus V colonists to escape safely.[14]

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.[15] It was discovered that the disintegration of Draetheus V had caused large chunks of the planet's crust to crash into the moon's surface, revealing parts of a massive Forerunner structure miles wide.[16] After fighting through numerous Covenant soldiers, Palmer discovered that the message had originated from her Spartan compatriot Davis, moments before his death. She shut the device down in order to allow her friend to pass away peacefully.[15]

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • Extraction of Draetheus V.

    Extraction of Draetheus V.

  • Concept art of Draetheus V and its moon X50 in space.

    Concept art of Draetheus V and its moon X50 in space.

  • The surface of Draetheus V.

    The surface of Draetheus V.

  • X50's beam striking Draetheus V.

    X50's beam striking Draetheus V.

  • Concept art for Pelicans flying over Draetheus V.

    Concept art for Pelicans flying over Draetheus V.

  • A Pelican landing among the plant life in an arid region of Draetheus V.

    A Pelican landing among the plant life in an arid region of Draetheus V.

  • A Spirit flies over a forest of exotic plant life while Draetheus V undergoes reformation.

    A Spirit flies over a forest of exotic plant life while Draetheus V undergoes reformation.

  • The reproductive organs of the stalky plants

    The reproductive organs of the stalky plants

  • The spiny plants of Draetheus V. Note Sarah Palmer for scale.

    The spiny plants of Draetheus V. Note Sarah Palmer for scale.

  • The bioluminescent sponge-like growths. Note the strong light and scale alongside Sarah Palmer.

    The bioluminescent sponge-like growths. Note the strong light and scale alongside Sarah Palmer.

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Official material from 343 Industries (including the game itself) consistently renders the planet's name as "Draetheus-V". The same naming scheme is used for Circinius IV from Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. However, Halopedia omits the hyphen for the sake of convenience and for consistency with other planetary designations (e.g. Jericho VII and Draco III).

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 50
  2. ^ a b Image of Draetheus mission briefing
  3. ^ Youtube Spartan Assault Walkthrough (41:00)
  4. ^ a b c Halo: Spartan Assault, Hunt for the Sangheili Command
  5. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault
  6. ^ a b Halo: Spartan Assault, Reactor Field Relief
  7. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Battle at Red Slate
  8. ^ a b GameInformer: 343 Industries Reveals Halo: Spartan Assault
  9. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Live to Fight
  10. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Siege of Faraday
  11. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault - Operation C: Monolith
  12. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Escape from the Southern Fields
  13. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Defense of the Enemies' Airbase
  14. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Battle for the Moon
  15. ^ a b Halo: Spartan Assault - Operation F: Hydra
  16. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Superstructure Assault
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