Threshold gas mine: Difference between revisions

Threshold gas mine
Facility information
Location:	Threshold, Soell System
Purpose:	Hydrogen, helium and methane collection and refinement; Flood containment and research (later);
Complement:	Aggressor Sentinels
Historical information
Built:	Before c. 97,445 BCE
In use:	Forerunner-Flood war
Destroyed:	October 20, 2552
Notable info:	Base of operations for Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction

Latest revision as of 22:22, November 1, 2024

"This mining facility predates Installation Alpha by several hundred years. It was retrofitted to research possible offensive and defensive measures against the Flood. Indeed, I designed and oversaw the construction of this facility's various outbreak management systems."

— 343 Guilty Spark

The Threshold gas mine was a large Forerunner structure suspended in the atmosphere of the gas giant Threshold, the planet around which Installation 04 orbited. It was an expansive automated facility that was created and used by the Forerunners and later, by Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction. It was destroyed when it fell into Threshold and was crushed by the planet's gravity.^[2] It was one of many similar facilities on Threshold.^[4]

Design[edit]

A schematic of the gas mine.

The gas mine was originally intended to be used to mine hydrogen, helium, and methane from Threshold's atmosphere.^[1] Hanging from a larger installation higher in the atmosphere, the mine was shaped somewhat like a grappling hook, with one center shaft and many legs bending down, and inwards it has three tubes extracting gas from Threshold. The station was divided into five modules: two gas refinement arms, each with its own cargo hangar, two laboratory modules for the research of the Flood, and the final module was the control section of the mine. Each of these modules could be accessed by catwalks or landing sites.

The main cable was held in place by three equidistant holds on the top level; supposedly the holds could be released by the main control of the station. The inside of the gas mine was a curious mix of Forerunner aesthetic and factory, with dozens of moving energy conveyor belts carrying gas canisters about. There was a large gas storage hold, which was accessed by a large circular lift. This hold contained hundreds of canisters, most of which contain Flood. A series of three cables connected the mine to the larger structure overhead; this was a fail-safe in case of a Flood infestation.^[5]

History[edit]

The gas mine was created by the Forerunners several centuries before the construction of Installation 04,^[2] with the sole purpose of mining gas from the atmosphere of Threshold. It operated on a completely automated basis for "untold centuries" with a resident contingent of Sentinels to maintain the facility.^[4]

However, after the Flood was discovered, the Forerunners retrofitted several areas of the gas mine into laboratories to study Flood specimens. 343 Guilty Spark, the future monitor of Installation 04, personally oversaw some of these modifications. A few hundred years passed, however, with no successful defense against the Flood, eventually forcing the Forerunners to activate their weapon of last resort; the Halo Array.

The gas mine was unaffected by the first activation of the rings and its contained Flood remained intact and untouched for over 100,000 years, until the year 2552.

Raid on the gas mine[edit]

Main article: Raid on the Threshold gas mine

In 2552, the Fleet of Particular Justice stumbled upon the system when pursuing the UNSC Pillar of Autumn. The Prophet of Stewardship sent an artifact retrieval team led by Sesa 'Refumee and Loka 'Bandolee to the gas mine attempting to retrieve any useful Forerunner technologies they could find;^[1]^[6] however, at the conclusion of the Battle of Installation 04, the group found itself marooned on the mine.

While there, the group encountered 343 Guilty Spark, having arrived at the gas mine from the remains of Installation 04.^[7] Listening to his words and finding out the truth about the Halos and the Great Journey, Sesa 'Refumee led a rebellion and began broadcasting their beliefs across Covenant communications channels, attracting the attention of other Covenant personnel, including the High Prophets. Dubbing his movement "heresy", the High Prophets ordered Special Operations forces led by Rtas 'Vadumee and Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee to attack the gas mine and end 'Refumee's movement forever.

Covenant forces deployed to the gas mine.

The surprise attack went well; the Covenant forces were able to infiltrate the facility and pursue 'Refumee, destroying many heretic Banshees along the way.^[3] But complications arose when the Flood were released from their restraints by the Heretics,^[2] and overran the entire facility. The Flood multiplied quickly, infecting and killing most of the heretic forces, making it difficult for the Covenant to secure the facility. 'Refumee locked himself in the inner section of the mine, safe from both the Flood and an approaching maelstrom, but the Arbiter responded bluntly by cutting the cables holding the mine up, sending it into freefall. This forced the heretic leader to escape his hideout with an attempt to evacuate aboard a Kai-pattern Seraph fighter, but the Arbiter caught up to him and they had a intense battle where he was killed. Shortly thereafter, Tartarus appeared in a Phantom, and he, the Arbiter, the special operations forces, and 343 Guilty Spark escaped the mine before it fell into Threshold's inner atmosphere, where it was subsequently destroyed along with the surviving Heretic forces within and the Flood.^[2]

Trivia[edit]

On The Oracle, if the player jumps just before the station is detached, the entire station will freefall out from under the player, sending them toward a kill barrier.
The gas mines are the setting of a cut Halo 2 multiplayer level named Anchor Point.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

A sketch of the gas mine from the Art of Halo
Concept art of the gas mine above Threshold in the Art of Halo.
Concept art of the facility's hangar for Halo 2: Anniversary.
Concept art of an exterior platform on the gas mine.
Concept art of the cans containing Flood pod infectors.

Screenshots[edit]

Three Phantoms approaching the mine in order to eradicate Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction in Halo 2.
The gas mine, high above a storm raging on the planet Threshold.
The gas mine in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A platform exposed to Threshold's atmosphere.
The triple-cable system at the top level of the gas mine.
The gas mine in free-fall.
The gas mine in Threshold's atmosphere.
A schematic of the gas mine.

List of appearances[edit]

Halo 2 (First appearance)
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
- Terminals
Halo 2: Anniversary
- Terminals

Sources[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Halo Waypoint: Threshold gas mine
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle
^ ^a ^b Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
^ ^a ^b The Art of Halo
^ Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle: 343 Guilty Spark monologue
^ Halo: The Flood: Adjunct: Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit
^ Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Terminal 11

[HW-1] Halo Waypoint: Threshold gas mine

[oracle-2] Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle

[ReferenceA-3] Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter

[art-4] The Art of Halo

[5] Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle: 343 Guilty Spark monologue

[6] Halo: The Flood: Adjunct: Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit

[7] Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Terminal 11

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Era|H2}}
+{{Status|Canon}}
-{{ratings}}
+{{Base infobox
+|image=[[File:H2A - Threshold gas mine.jpg|300px]]
+|location=[[Threshold]], [[Soell System]]<ref name="HW">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/threshold-gas-mine ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Threshold gas mine'']</ref>
+|purpose=*[[Hydrogen]], [[helium]] and [[methane]] collection and refinement{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
+*[[Flood]] containment and research{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} {{C|later}}
+|length=
+|armament=
+|complement= [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s{{Ref/Reuse|oracle}}
+|built=Before c. [[97,445 BCE]]
+|destroyed=[[2552#October|October 20, 2552]]
+|usage=[[Forerunner-Flood war]]
+|controlledby=
+|notable=Base of operations for [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]]{{Ref/Reuse|ReferenceA}}}}
+{{Quote|This mining facility predates [[Installation 04|Installation Alpha]] by several hundred years. It was retrofitted to research possible offensive and defensive measures against the [[Flood]]. Indeed, I designed and oversaw the construction of this facility's various outbreak management systems.|[[343 Guilty Spark]]}}
-[[File:Gasgiant.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The gas mine high above a storm raging on the planet Threshold.]]
+The '''Threshold gas mine''' was a large [[Forerunner]] structure suspended in the atmosphere of the gas giant [[Threshold]], the planet around which [[Installation 04]] orbited. It was an expansive automated facility that was created and used by the Forerunners and later, by [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]]. It was destroyed when it fell into Threshold and was crushed by the planet's gravity.{{Ref/Level|Id=oracle|H2|[[The Oracle]]}} It was one of many similar facilities on Threshold.<ref name="art">''[[The Art of Halo]]''</ref>
-{{quote|This mining facility predates [[Installation 04|Installation Alpha]] by several hundred years. It was retrofitted to research possible offensive and defensive measures against the [[The Flood|Flood]]. Indeed, I designed and oversaw the construction of this facility's various outbreak management systems.|[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]]}}
-The '''Gas Mine''' was a large structure suspended in the atmosphere of the Gas Giant [[Threshold]], the planet around which [[Installation 04]] orbited. It was an expansive automated facility that was created and used by the [[Forerunner]]s and later, the [[Heretics]]. It was destroyed when it fell into Threshold and was crushed by the planet's gravity. It was one of many similar structures on Threshold.<ref>'''[[The Art of Halo]]'''</ref>
+==Design==
+[[File:GasMineSchematic.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A schematic of the gas mine.]]
+The gas mine was originally intended to be used to mine [[hydrogen]], [[helium]], and [[methane]] from [[Threshold]]'s atmosphere.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} Hanging from a larger installation higher in the atmosphere, the mine was shaped somewhat like a grappling hook, with one center shaft and many legs bending down, and inwards it has three tubes extracting gas from Threshold. The station was divided into five modules: two gas refinement arms, each with its own cargo hangar, two laboratory modules for the research of the [[Flood]], and the final module was the control section of the mine. Each of these modules could be accessed by catwalks or landing sites.
-== Description ==
+The main cable was held in place by three equidistant holds on the top level; supposedly the holds could be released by the main control of the station. The inside of the gas mine was a curious mix of Forerunner aesthetic and factory, with dozens of moving energy conveyor belts carrying gas canisters about. There was a large gas storage hold, which was accessed by a large circular [[lift]]. This hold contained hundreds of canisters, most of which contain Flood. A series of three cables connected the mine to the larger structure overhead; this was a fail-safe in case of a Flood infestation.{{Ref/Level|H2|[[The Oracle]]|Detail=343 Guilty Spark monologue}}
-Hanging from a support superstructure higher in the atmosphere, the mine is shaped somewhat like a grappling hook, with one center shaft and many legs bending down, and inwards it has three tubes extracting gas from Threshold (although only two are operating during the game) the station is divided into five modules: two Gas Refinement arms (each one with its own cargo hangar), two Laboratory modules for the research of the [[Flood]], and the final module is the control section of the mine. Each of these modules can be accessed by catwalks or landing sites (there are no other visible means for access).
-The main cable is held in place by three equidistant holds on the top level; supposedly the holds could be released by the main control of the station. The inside of the gas mine is a curious mix of forerunner and factory, with dozens of moving energy conveyor belts carrying gas canisters about. There is a large gas storage hold, which is accessed by a large circular [[lift]]. This hold contains hundreds of canisters, most of which contain [[Flood]].
+==History==
+The gas mine was created by the Forerunners several centuries before the construction of [[Installation 04]],{{Ref/Reuse|oracle}} with the sole purpose of mining gas from the atmosphere of Threshold. It operated on a completely automated basis for "untold centuries" with a resident contingent of [[Sentinel]]s to maintain the facility.{{Ref/Reuse|art}}
-== History ==
+However, after the Flood was discovered, the Forerunners retrofitted several areas of the gas mine into laboratories to study Flood specimens. [[343 Guilty Spark]], the future [[monitor]] of [[Installation 04]], personally oversaw some of these modifications. A few hundred years passed, however, with no successful defense against the Flood, eventually forcing the Forerunners to activate their weapon of last resort; the [[Halo Array]].
-[[File:Mine.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Gas Mine.]]
-The Gas Mine was created by the Forerunners with the sole purpose of mining gas from the atmosphere of [[Threshold]]. It operated on a completely automated basis for "untold centuries" with only a handful of [[Sentinels]] to maintain the facility.<ref>'''[[The Art of Halo]]'''</ref> It is unclear why the gas was needed, but the gas canisters found in the Gas Mine could be found on the [[Halos]], thus explaining why the installations were built around gas giants. It is also possible that the gas mined from facilities similar to these were used for powering the keyships. That would explain why most of High Charity is powered by one of the keyships.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''{{Levelname|Quarantine Zone}}''</ref>
-However, after the [[Flood]] was discovered, the Forerunners retrofitted several areas of the gas mine into laboratories to study [[Flood]] specimens. 343 Guilty Spark, the future [[Monitor]] of [[Installation 04]] (proving at least some monitors were not made exclusively for the Halo Installations construction), personally oversaw some of these modifications. A few hundred years passed, however, with no successful defense against the Flood. Thus, the Forerunners constructed the Halo Rings.
+The gas mine was unaffected by the first activation of the rings and its contained Flood remained intact and untouched for over 100,000 years, until the year [[2552]].
-The Gas Mine was unaffected by the first activation of the rings and its contained Flood remained intact and untouched for over 100,000 years, until the year [[2552]].
+===Raid on the gas mine===
+{{Main|Raid on the Threshold gas mine}}
+In 2552, the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] stumbled upon the system when pursuing the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}. The [[Prophet of Stewardship]] sent an artifact retrieval team led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] and [[Loka 'Bandolee]] to the gas mine attempting to retrieve any useful Forerunner technologies they could find;{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}{{Ref/Novel|TF|Detail=Adjunct: ''[[Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit]]''}} however, at the conclusion of the [[Battle of Installation 04]], the group found itself marooned on the mine.
-===Battle of the Gas Mine===
+While there, the group encountered [[343 Guilty Spark]], having arrived at the gas mine from the remains of Installation 04.<ref>''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminal 11]]''</ref> Listening to his words and finding out the truth about the Halos and the [[Great Journey]], Sesa 'Refumee led [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|a rebellion]] and began broadcasting their beliefs across Covenant communications channels, attracting the attention of other Covenant personnel, including the [[High Prophets]]. Dubbing his movement "heresy", the High Prophets ordered [[Special Operations]] forces led by [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee to attack the gas mine and end 'Refumee's movement forever.
-[[File:Gas Mine.jpg|thumb|300px|Three [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantoms]] approaching the mine, in order to eradicate the [[Heretics|Heresy]].]]
-In 2552, when the [[Covenant]] discovered Installation 04, they sent the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] to scour the ring and the system. An Artifact Retrieval team led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]], landed on the Gas Mine attempting to retrieve any useful Forerunner technologies they could find; however, at the conclusion of the [[Battle of Installation 04]], the group found itself marooned on the mine.
-While there, the group encountered 343 Guilty Spark, drifting in space from the remains of Installation 04. Listening to his words and finding out the truth about the Halos and the [[Great Journey]], Sesa 'Refumee led a rebellion, his [[Elites]] and [[Grunts]] shed their former armor for the colors of the Elite homeworld<ref>'''[[Joyride Studios]]''': ''[[Joyride_Studios/Halo_2_Series_7#Heretic_Elite|Heretic Leader]] [[Action Figure]]''</ref> and began broadcasting their beliefs into space, attracting the attention of other Covenant personnel, including the [[High Prophets]]. Dubbing his movement "[[Heretics|Heresy]]", the High Prophets ordered [[Special Operations]] forces led by [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] and the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] to attack the gas mine and end 'Refumee's movement forever.
+[[File:H2A-Gas mine raid.png|thumb|250px|Covenant forces deployed to the gas mine.]]
+The surprise attack went well; the Covenant forces were able to infiltrate the facility and pursue 'Refumee, destroying many heretic [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshees]] along the way.{{Ref/Level|Id=ReferenceA|H2|[[The Arbiter]]}} But complications arose when the [[Flood]] were released from their restraints by the Heretics,{{Ref/Reuse|oracle}} and overran the entire facility. The Flood multiplied quickly, infecting and killing most of the heretic forces, making it difficult for the Covenant to secure the facility. 'Refumee locked himself in the inner section of the mine, safe from both the Flood and an approaching maelstrom, but the Arbiter responded bluntly by cutting the cables holding the mine up, sending it into freefall. This forced the heretic leader to escape his hideout with an attempt to evacuate aboard a {{Pattern|Kai|Seraph}} fighter, but the Arbiter caught up to him and they had a intense battle where he was killed. Shortly thereafter, [[Tartarus]] appeared in a Phantom, and he, the Arbiter, the special operations forces, and 343 Guilty Spark escaped the mine before it fell into Threshold's inner atmosphere, where it was subsequently destroyed along with the surviving Heretic forces within and the Flood.{{Ref/Reuse|oracle}}
-The surprise attack went well; the SpecOps forces were able to infiltrate the facility and pursue the Heretic Leader, even destroying the Heretic Air Force along the way.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''{{Levelname|The Arbiter}}''</ref> But complications arose when the Flood were released from their restraints by the Heretics,<ref name="oracle">'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''{{Levelname|The Oracle}}''</ref> and overran the entire facility. The Flood multiplied quickly, infecting and killing most of the Heretic forces, making it difficult for the SpecOps Elites to secure the facility. The Heretic leader locked himself in the inner section of the mine, safe from both the Flood and an approaching maelstrom, but the Arbiter responded bluntly by cutting the cables holding the mine up, sending it in a stoic free-fall. This forced the Heretic Leader to escape his hideout with an attempt to evacuate aboard a Covenant [[Seraph]] fighter, but the Arbiter caught up to him and they had a intense battle where he was killed. Shortly thereafter, [[Tartarus]] appeared in a [[Phantom]], and he, the Arbiter, the SpecOps [[Elite]]s, and 343 Guilty Spark escaped the mine before it fell into Threshold's inner atmosphere, where it was subsequently destroyed.<ref name="oracle"/>
+== Trivia ==
+*On ''[[The Oracle]]'', if the player jumps just before the station is detached, the entire station will freefall out from under the player, sending them toward a kill barrier.
+*The gas mines are the setting of a cut ''[[Halo 2]]'' multiplayer level named ''[[Anchor Point]]''.
+==Gallery==
+===Concept art===
+<gallery>
+File:H2-Concept-ThresholdGasMine-Sketch.jpg|A sketch of the gas mine from the ''[[Art of Halo]]''
+File:H2-ThresholdGasMine-Concept.jpg|Concept art of the gas mine above Threshold in the ''Art of Halo''.
+File:H2A GasMineHangar Keyshot Concept.jpg|Concept art of the facility's hangar for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
+File:H2A Concept GasMinePlatform.jpg|Concept art of an exterior platform on the gas mine.
+File:H2A Concept CannedFlood.jpg|Concept art of the cans containing Flood [[pod infector]]s.
+</gallery>
+===Screenshots===
+<gallery>
+File:Gasmine.jpg|Three [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantoms]] approaching the mine in order to eradicate [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]] in ''Halo 2''.
+File:Gasgiant.jpg|The gas mine, high above a storm raging on the planet Threshold.
+File:H2A TheArbiter Loadscreen.png|The gas mine in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
+File:H2A TheOracle Loadscreen.png|A platform exposed to Threshold's atmosphere.
+File:H2A-Gas mine cable.png|The triple-cable system at the top level of the gas mine.
+File:H2A-Gas mine free-fall.png|The gas mine in free-fall.
+File:Threshold Gas Mine Waypoint.jpg|The gas mine in Threshold's atmosphere.
+File:Threshold Gas Mine Waypoint 2.jpg|A schematic of the gas mine.
+</gallery>
-== Trivia ==
+==List of appearances==
-*This was the location for ''[[Halo 2]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first playable mission as [[Thel 'Vadamee|the Arbiter]].
+*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
-*According to 343 Guilty Spark, the cables supporting the Gas Mine, which the Arbiter cut by an [[Energy Sword]], are actually a fail-safe function to prevent the Flood from escaping the mine, should an outbreak occur.
+*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
-*The Sentinels found around the Mine are thought to be controlled by Guilty Spark, based on the fact that he is the only Monitor AI seen there, and by hearing a conversation between two Heretic [[Sangheili]]. It can be assumed these Sentinels are in fact his, since he oversaw the facility while it was being fitted to study Flood.
+**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
-*The Gas Mine is potentially the oldest Forerunner construct encountered during gameplay.
+*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
-*The last cutscene in Halo: Combat Evolved, after the end credits, shows that 343 Guilty Spark did escape the destruction of Installation 04 and made his way to the nearest Forerunner installation, being the Gas Mine, and also demonstrates that he is capable of space travel at sub-light speed.
+**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
-*On {{Levelname|The Oracle}}, if you jump just before it detaches the entire station will freefall right out from under you and you'll be sucked right out of the top of the station where you will hit a kill barrier. You must be in midair when the station detaches or you won't go anywhere.
-*At the beginning of the level, right after you got off the phantom. If you stand on the '''very edge''' of the LZ and zoom in (just the regular zoom on your persons) on the phantoms after they go out of sight, you can still see them going and they will eventually crash into the maps wall and you can see them death spin into the storm or other random spirals.
-== References ==
+==Sources==
-<references/>
+{{Ref/Sources}}
-{{Forerunner2}}
+{{Forerunner|array}}
-[[Category:Places]]
+[[Category:Space stations]]
-[[Category:The Forerunner]]
+[[Category:Forerunner installations]]
-[[Category:Military Bases]]
+[[Category:Military bases]]
-[[Category:The Covenant]]