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{{Era|GOO|HE}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Center|''Were you looking for [[Onyx (material)|Onyx]], the material or [[Sarcophagus]], the [[Dyson sphere]] located at the former site of Onyx?''}}
 
{{Planet infobox
<center>''Were you looking for [[Onyx (Material)|Onyx]], the material?''</center>
|name=Onyx
 
|image=[[File:Onyxbetter.jpg|300px]]
{{Planet
|system=[[Zeta Doradus system]]
|name= Onyx (XF-063)
|body=[[Zeta Doradus]]
|image= [[Image:Onyx.jpg|300px]]
|position=Fourth planet
|moon(s)= Natural Satellite
|moon(s)=[[XF-063 IV-1]]<ref name="ONI S3 DD1">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/news/headline/office-of-naval-intelligencesection-3-data-drop-one/230711 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Office of Naval Intelligence//Section 3 - Data Drop One'']</ref>
|atmosphere= Oxygen-Nitrogen gas
|diameter= {{Convert|14829|km}}{{Ref/Reuse|ONI S3 DD1}}
|population= Trillions of Sentinels
|gravity=0.998 G{{Ref/Reuse|ONI S3 DD1}}
|species= Sentinels, Habitable by Humans and most likely many animal species as well
|daylength= 28.728 hours{{Ref/Reuse|ONI S3 DD1}}
|yearlength= 415.394 days{{Ref/Reuse|ONI S3 DD1}}
|atmosphere= 1.031 ([[Wikipedia:Nitrogen|N<sub>2</sub>]], [[Oxygen|O<sub>2</sub>]], [[Argon|Ar]]){{Ref/Reuse|ONI S3 DD1}}
|temperature= -25°C to 47°C (-13°F to 116.6°F){{Ref/Reuse|ONI S3 DD1}}
|demonym=
|species=[[Human]]s
|population=
|colonized=[[2491]]
|government=Formerly [[Ecumene]] and later, [[Unified Earth Government]]
}}
}}
{{Quote|XF-063 is a rare jewel of a find.|[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[D. F. Lambert]]<ref name="goo123">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 123''</ref>}}
'''Onyx''', officially known to the [[UNSC]] as "'''XF-063'''" or '''Zeta Doradus IV''',<ref name="mythos 136">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 136'' ("...Onyx's boundless interior surface...")</ref> was a planet-sized [[Forerunner]] megastructure located in the [[Zeta Doradus system]], and formerly the external component of the [[shield world|shield installation]] designated [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]]. While it had a [[human]]-habitable surface and a seemingly terrestrial crust, Onyx was internally composed of trillions of [[Onyx Sentinel]]s.<ref name="disintegrate">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 377-378''</ref> The artificial planet's ultimate purpose was to guard the entrance to the shield world proper, a [[Dyson sphere]] held in a miniature [[slipspace bubble]].<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 120''</ref> During the [[Human-Covenant War]], Onyx served as the headquarters of the [[SPARTAN-III program]] and was the location of the massive, three-sided [[Onyx Conflict]] in late [[2552]]. At the conclusion of the battle, Onyx itself disintegrated, only leaving the Dyson sphere in its core intact. After the disintegration of the artificial planet, the name "Onyx" has often been applied to the Dyson shell that remains in its stead,{{Ref/Reuse|mythos 136}}<ref name="lessons">'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', "[[Lessons Learned]]"</ref> and can be regarded as the overall name for the shield installation, comprising both the planetary shell and the Dyson sphere.{{Ref/Reuse|mythos 136}}<ref>'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 113'' ("Onyx was, in fact, a Forerunner shield world...")</ref>


{{Quote|XF-063 is a rare jewel of a find.|[[Captain]] [[D. F. Lambert]]<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]], page 123</ref>}}
==Overview==
 
===Topography and ecology===
'''Onyx''', officially known by the [[UNSC]] as "XF-063", was a planet-sized, [[Forerunner]] construct located in the [[Zeta Doradus System]]. While it had a [[Human]] habitable surface and a seemingly terrestrial crust, internally, it was actually composed of trillions of [[Sentinels]].<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 378 - "''The drones were the planet Onyx.''"</ref> Onyx's ultimate purpose was to guard the entrance to a [[Shield World]]. It was the location of the massive, three-sided [[Battle of Onyx]].
Onyx, named by the [[UNSC Engineering Corps]] due to the unusually large [[Onyx (material)|onyx]] quarries found in the planet's crust, had an [[oxygen]]-[[Wikipedia:Nitrogen|nitrogen]] gas atmosphere, of suitable pressure for human life with a temperate weather cycle. It also had an unusually large number of indigenous species of flora and fauna, some of which were edible by humans and posed no threatening danger. The transplanting of [[Earth]] species was immediately possible.{{Ref/Reuse|goo123}}
 
==Background==
So named by the [[United Earth Government]] due to the unusually large onyx quarries found in the planet's crust, Onyx had an Oxygen-Nitrogen gas atmosphere, of suitable pressure for [[Human]] life with a temperate weather cycle. It also had an unusually large number of indigenous species of flora and fauna, some of which were edible by Humans and posed no threatening danger. The transplanting of [[Earth]] species was possible.
 
Some notable anomalies were that it had no detectable tectonic activity, an unusually strong planetary magnetic field, and slightly higher than normal background radiation. All of this may possibly be explained by the presence of large numbers of [[Sentinels]] beneath the planet's surface.
 
== Structure ==
Onyx's surface was composed of seemingly infinite amounts of [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels]], with a massive Forerunner city hidden under the terraformed ground layer. Under the surface, there was a vast network of underground tunnels and installations, including a map room and an immense [[Sentinel Constructor Factory #Onyx|Sentinel production facility]] under the northern polar region.
 
In the core of Onyx, there was a large room, the [[Core Room Antechamber]]. It contained a [[Slipspace]] rift that would be open for a short time after the [[Halo Array]] was put into standby mode, allowing evacuation to the [[Micro Dyson Sphere]] within.
 
In the center of Onyx resides a Slipspace bubble containing a massive Dyson Sphere habitat, which in normal space, is only some meters in diameter, and inside the Slipspace bubble, has a diameter of approximately 300 million kilometers. The megastructure has a habitable, terraformed surface and in the center, a G2-type star.<ref>[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]</ref>
 
==History==
Onyx was discovered by the [[UNSC Engineering Corps]] sometime around May, [[2491]]. In [[ENGCORP Field Report A76344]], [[Captain]] [[D. F. Lambert]] stated "''XF-063 is a rare jewel of a find''" and recommended colonization.
 
On February 19, [[2492]], in [[ENGCORP Field Report A79052]] [[Lieutenant]] [[W. K. Davidson]] stated that Geological Expedition Four found an entire phylum of possible alien taxonomy and recommended a follow-up survey with specialists in Paleobiology, [[Xenobiology]] and Biochemistry.
 
In [[2511]], when archaeological expeditions uncovered massive subterranean [[Forerunner]] constructions in [[Zone 67]], [[ONI]] immediately took control of the world, going so far as to remove Onyx from [[UNSC]] navigational databases and suspending any prospective colonization and [[Terraforming]] attempts. However, further attempts to determine the purpose of the structures, or even to extract any usable technology, yielded no results. In [[2525]], the operation was scaled down and only a minimum ONI garrison and a single [[AI]] remained. The planet's location remained secret. Regular scans continued to yield little of value.
 
With the onset of the [[Human-Covenant War]], [[Vice Admiral]] [[Margaret O. Parangosky]] authorized the construction of the [[SPARTAN-III]] training base on Onyx in [[2531]] (there were three companies trained, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma). This base, designated [[Camp Currahee]], was constructed perilously close to Zone 67, which had been declared strictly off limits. However, during a routine exercise north of Currahee, [[Beta Company]] [[Team X-ray]] trespassed into Zone 67, entered a Forerunner structure, and disappeared without trace. An ONI investigation into the matter was inconclusive, although X-Ray was rumored to have encountered a "[[Onyx Sentinel|glowing eye]]," which detonated upon discovery.
 
===Battle of Onyx===
In [[2552]], Onyx's Sentinels were roused to action by the standby signal from [[Installation 05]], instigating the [[Battle of Onyx]] and revealing Onyx's true nature. The AI [[Endless Summer]] took command of all military personnel on Onyx to immediately defend Zone 67 per [[General Order 98.93.120]], after Onyx's Sentinels first started to attack the SPARTAN-III's. Endless Summer sent [[Kurt]] a flash transmission sending attached files directly into Kurt's retina. An explosion stopped Endless Summer's transmission before Kurt could finish scanning the new threat.
 
At the conclusion of the battle, Onyx was effectively destroyed, although not before [[Bloody Arrow]] was declared and [[Blue Team]], [[Team Saber]], [[Team Katana]], [[Dr. Halsey]], and [[SCPO Mendez]] escaped to the safety of the Shield World.


== Locations on Onyx ==
Some notable anomalies were that it had no detectable tectonic activity, an unusually strong planetary magnetic field, and slightly higher than normal background radiation.{{Ref/Reuse|goo123}} All of this was explained when it was revealed that the planet's crust was composed of large numbers of dormant Sentinels.{{Ref/Reuse|disintegrate}}
====Locations====
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
Line 50: Line 35:
**Armory
**Armory
**[[NCO]] quarters
**[[NCO]] quarters
**NCO's Inspection yard
**NCO's inspection yard
**Infirmary
**Infirmary
**Camp Commandant's residence.
**Camp Commandant's residence
*[[Currahee Special Assembly Plant 2]]
*The [[Tree House]]
*The [[Tree House]]
*[[Zone 67]]
*[[Zone 67]]
**[[Slipspace COM Launcher]]
**[[Slipspace COM launcher]]
*[[Twin Forks River]]
*[[Twin Forks River]]
*[[Gregor Canyon]]
*[[Gregor Canyon]]
*[[El Morro Point]]
*[[El Morro Point]]
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Shield World]]
*[[Shield World]] [[Sarcophagus]]
**[[Core Room Antechamber]]
*[[Core room antechamber]]
**[[Sentinel Constructor Factory #Onyx|Sentinel Production Facility]]
*[[Sentinel manufacturing facility#Onyx|Sentinel production facility]]
*Natural Satellite (Onyx's Moon)
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
===Structure===
Onyx's foundational structure was composed of trillions of Onyx Sentinels, arranged into a crystalline latticework in which the Sentinels' central spheres served as spherical joints, connected by rods which, in the Sentinel's normal arrangement, surrounded the central sphere.{{Ref/Reuse|disintegrate}}<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 303''</ref> The planet's Earth-like landmass was laid over this structure, which also contained a vast network of subterranean tunnels and installations, at least one massive Forerunner city,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 349''</ref> a [[Cartographer|map room]], and an immense [[Sentinel manufacturing facility#Onyx|Sentinel production facility]] under the northern polar region.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 313''</ref>
In the core of Onyx, there was a large room, referred to as the [[core room antechamber]]. It contained a [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] rift that would be open for a short time after the [[Halo Array]] was put on standby mode, allowing evacuation to the [[Dyson sphere|micro Dyson sphere]] within, acting as an escape from the Array's destructive firing.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 364-365''</ref>
The Dyson sphere habitat, approximately 300 million kilometers in diameter, was located wholly within a maintained [[slipspace bubble]], which was only 23 centimeters in diameter in normal space.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 230''</ref> The megastructure has a habitable, terraformed surface and in the center, a G2-type star to provide terrestrial lighting.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 380''</ref>
== History ==
===Rise of humanity===
[[File:Onyx Surface 01.png|thumb|left|250px|A UNSC complex on the surface of Onyx.]]
Onyx was discovered by the [[UNSC Engineering Corps]] sometime around May, [[2491]]. In [[ENGCORP Field Report A76344]], Captain [[D. F. Lambert]] stated "''XF-063 is a rare jewel of a find''" and recommended colonization. The [[The Assembly|Assembly]] quickly moved to keep colonization from occurring, as they had discovered the presence of Forerunner artifacts independently of the UNSC and feared that humanity would not be ready to learn about the existence of alien life.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', ''[[Data pads|Data pad 6]]''</ref>
On February 19, [[2492]], in [[ENGCORP Field Report A79052]] [[Lieutenant]] [[W. K. Davidson]] stated that [[Geological Expedition Four]] found an entire phylum of possible alien taxonomy and recommended a follow-up survey with specialists in paleobiology, [[xenobiology]], and biochemistry.
Professor [[Ellen Anders]] of [[Rishard University]] noted that [[Bliss]], [[Cote d'Azure]], and Onyx had "large-scale engineered features", implying the presence of previous activity from an unknown species.{{Ref/Comic|[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]}}
[[File:Enc22 CampCurrahee.jpg|200px|thumb|Camp Currahee on Onyx.]]
In [[2511]], when archaeological expeditions uncovered massive subterranean Forerunner constructions in what would after be called [[Zone 67]], [[ONI]] immediately took control of the world, going so far as to remove Onyx from UNSC navigational databases and suspending any prospective colonization and [[terraforming]] attempts. However, further attempts to determine the purpose of the structures, or even to extract any usable technology, yielded no results. In [[2525]], with the coming of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the operation was scaled down and only a minimal ONI garrison and a single [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] remained. Three consecutive AIs served in this post, replacing one another once the former AI's lifespan ended; [[Eternal Spring]], [[Deep Winter]] and [[Endless Summer]]. Due to the site's importance, a secret [[Slipspace COM launcher]] was later constructed within Zone 67.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 176''</ref> The planet's location remained secret. Regular scans continued to yield little of value.
===Human-Covenant war===
[[Vice Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]] authorized the construction of the Spartan-III training base on Onyx in [[2531]]. This base, designated [[Camp Currahee]], was constructed perilously close to Zone 67, which had been declared strictly off limits. However, during a routine exercise north of Currahee, Spartan [[Team X-ray]] trespassed into Zone 67, entered a Forerunner structure, and disappeared without trace. An ONI investigation into the matter was inconclusive, although the Spartans were rumored to have encountered a "glowing eye" which detonated upon discovery.
====Onyx Conflict====
{{Main|Onyx Conflict}}
On [[2552#September|September 21, 2552]], Onyx's Sentinels were roused to action by the [[John-117]]'s aborted attempted firing of [[Installation 04]],{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Page=175|Quote=Halsey: That timing coincides with the activation of an alien weapon world - before John thankfully destroyed it. It is no coincidence that the Sentinels appeared then. It must be part of a larger Forerunner plan.}}, instigating the [[Onyx Conflict]] on [[2552#October|October 31]] and revealing Onyx's true nature. The AI Endless Summer took command of all military personnel on Onyx to immediately defend Zone 67 per [[General Order 98.93.120]], after Onyx's Sentinels first started to attack the Spartan-IIIs. Endless Summer sent [[Kurt-051|Kurt Ambrose]] a flash transmission of several classified files pertaining to Onyx, but was interrupted by an explosion. Soon after, the surviving UNSC forces on Onyx regrouped and declared [[Bloody Arrow]].
[[File:HM OnyxDestruction.jpg|thumb|250px|Onyx is destroyed.]]
Kurt, [[Franklin Mendez|CPO Mendez]] and the Spartan-IIIs were soon joined by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] and later, [[Blue Team]], and they eventually made their way into an excavated Forerunner city in [[Zone 67]]. Meanwhile, both the [[Joyous Exultation Covenant|Covenant]] and the UNSC sent battle groups to retrieve Onyx's Forerunner technologies. The [[Patterson's battle group|UNSC battle group]] was destroyed in the ensuing battle.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 376''</ref> The humans, led by Kurt, fell back into the interior of Onyx and discovered its map room, where they were redirected by Endless Summer to destroy Onyx's Sentinel factory. Eventually, the survivors made a last stand against the Covenant in the core room antechamber, before retreating into the safety of the shield world. After the gateway into the shield world had closed, Kurt detonated two [[FENRIS nuclear warhead|nuclear warheads]], ensuring the Covenant did not follow his comrades. Immediately afterward, the Sentinels that had made up Onyx's foundational structure obliterated the terrestrial surface and decimated the Covenant fleet.{{Ref/Reuse|disintegrate}}
Months later, in [[2553#January|January 2553]], a series of concentric rings of debris radiated from where Onyx had once been.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 47-48''</ref> The slipspace bubble housing the shield world, however, had survived intact and the Dyson sphere was eventually transitioned into normal space. ONI soon converted the shield world into a research facility, named "Trevelyan" in reference to Kurt-051's original surname.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 397''</ref> By [[2554]], the shield world was under joint control by the UNSC and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], with the two factions conducting the [[Onyx United Research Project]] there.{{Ref/Reuse|lessons}}
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
[[File:HTVS2 - KaiWithSPIRegiment.png|200px|thumb|[[Kai-125/Silver|Kai-125]] on Onyx in the Silver Timeline.]]
===Silver Timeline===
{{Main|Onyx/Silver}}
Onyx is a planet under [[UNSC]] control. There members of the [[SPARTAN-III program/Silver|SPARTAN-III program]] were trained.{{Ref/Film|Id=Aleria|TV|Episode=[[Aleria (TV Series)|Aleria]]}}
{{clear}}
==Trivia==
*In ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} was said to have taken part in an ongoing conflict with the [[Covenant]] near the [[Zeta Doradus system]], which is where Onyx was located. The conflict was not further expanded upon nor has it been mentioned again, but Onyx, which remained completely free of Covenant influence until after the portal to the [[shield world]] became active, was certainly uninvolved.
*According to [[Frederic-104]], Onyx is located weeks away from [[Earth]] in even humanity's fastest [[slipspace]]-capable ships. In contrast, Covenant ships can cross that distance in a matter of hours.
*Physically, Onyx is the first [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] located by the UNSC though only the outer planetary shell was known about until [[2552]]. In [[2531]], [[Trove]]'s outer planet and its inner Dyson sphere were discovered and destroyed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}. However, as the ''Spirit of Fire'' became trapped in deep space, the UNSC were left unaware of this discovery.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Onyx.jpg|A full view of Onyx and its [[XF-063 IV-1|moon]].
File:OnyxPelican.jpg|A Pelican leaving Onyx.
File:XF-063 04-02-2491 150x150 p1.png|A star chart depicting Onyx.
File:Enc22_CampCurrahee.jpg|Art of Camp Currahee created for the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''.
</gallery>


== Trivia==
==List of appearances==
*The [[Terminals]] mention that there were indeed [[Forerunners]] on Onyx. However, the Terminals were probably referring to the Onyx Sentinels being on Onyx or the construction of it to become a Shield World to be protected from any of the the [[Halo Array|Halos]].
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{1st}}
*The Sentinels on Onyx were much stronger than the ones on [[Installation 04]] and [[Installation 05]], being able to combine forms, and were capable of space flight.
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*Onyx on the Mohs hardness scale is seven (a possible reference to the number seven).
**[[Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminals]] {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]] {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Headhunters (short story)|Headhunters]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Remember Reach]]''
**''[[Birth of a Spartan]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
**''[[Data pads]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Primordium]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Fractures]]''
**''[[Lessons Learned]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}}


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Forerunner2}}
{{Forerunner|array}}
[[Category:Onyx]]
[[Category:Onyx| ]]
[[Category:UNSC Colonies]]
[[Category:Human colonies]]
[[Category:The_Forerunner]]
[[Category:Shield worlds]]
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:Human]]
[[Category:UNSC]]

Latest revision as of 02:59, November 7, 2024

Were you looking for Onyx, the material or Sarcophagus, the Dyson sphere located at the former site of Onyx?
Onyx
Onyxbetter.jpg
Astrographical

System:

Zeta Doradus system

Orbiting:

Zeta Doradus

Orbital position:

Fourth planet

Moon(s):

XF-063 IV-1[1]

Physical

Diameter:

14,829 kilometres (9,214 mi)[1]

Gravity:

0.998 G[1]

Length of day:

28.728 hours[1]

Length of year:

415.394 days[1]

Atmosphere:

1.031 (N2, O2, Ar)[1]

Surface temperature:

-25°C to 47°C (-13°F to 116.6°F)[1]

Societal

Species:

Humans

Colonized:

2491

Government:

Formerly Ecumene and later, Unified Earth Government

 

"XF-063 is a rare jewel of a find."
— Captain D. F. Lambert[2]

Onyx, officially known to the UNSC as "XF-063" or Zeta Doradus IV,[3] was a planet-sized Forerunner megastructure located in the Zeta Doradus system, and formerly the external component of the shield installation designated Shield World 006. While it had a human-habitable surface and a seemingly terrestrial crust, Onyx was internally composed of trillions of Onyx Sentinels.[4] The artificial planet's ultimate purpose was to guard the entrance to the shield world proper, a Dyson sphere held in a miniature slipspace bubble.[5] During the Human-Covenant War, Onyx served as the headquarters of the SPARTAN-III program and was the location of the massive, three-sided Onyx Conflict in late 2552. At the conclusion of the battle, Onyx itself disintegrated, only leaving the Dyson sphere in its core intact. After the disintegration of the artificial planet, the name "Onyx" has often been applied to the Dyson shell that remains in its stead,[3][6] and can be regarded as the overall name for the shield installation, comprising both the planetary shell and the Dyson sphere.[3][7]

Overview[edit]

Topography and ecology[edit]

Onyx, named by the UNSC Engineering Corps due to the unusually large onyx quarries found in the planet's crust, had an oxygen-nitrogen gas atmosphere, of suitable pressure for human life with a temperate weather cycle. It also had an unusually large number of indigenous species of flora and fauna, some of which were edible by humans and posed no threatening danger. The transplanting of Earth species was immediately possible.[2]

Some notable anomalies were that it had no detectable tectonic activity, an unusually strong planetary magnetic field, and slightly higher than normal background radiation.[2] All of this was explained when it was revealed that the planet's crust was composed of large numbers of dormant Sentinels.[4]

Locations[edit]

Structure[edit]

Onyx's foundational structure was composed of trillions of Onyx Sentinels, arranged into a crystalline latticework in which the Sentinels' central spheres served as spherical joints, connected by rods which, in the Sentinel's normal arrangement, surrounded the central sphere.[4][8] The planet's Earth-like landmass was laid over this structure, which also contained a vast network of subterranean tunnels and installations, at least one massive Forerunner city,[9] a map room, and an immense Sentinel production facility under the northern polar region.[10]

In the core of Onyx, there was a large room, referred to as the core room antechamber. It contained a slipspace rift that would be open for a short time after the Halo Array was put on standby mode, allowing evacuation to the micro Dyson sphere within, acting as an escape from the Array's destructive firing.[11]

The Dyson sphere habitat, approximately 300 million kilometers in diameter, was located wholly within a maintained slipspace bubble, which was only 23 centimeters in diameter in normal space.[12] The megastructure has a habitable, terraformed surface and in the center, a G2-type star to provide terrestrial lighting.[13]

History[edit]

Rise of humanity[edit]

A UNSC complex on the surface of Onyx.

Onyx was discovered by the UNSC Engineering Corps sometime around May, 2491. In ENGCORP Field Report A76344, Captain D. F. Lambert stated "XF-063 is a rare jewel of a find" and recommended colonization. The Assembly quickly moved to keep colonization from occurring, as they had discovered the presence of Forerunner artifacts independently of the UNSC and feared that humanity would not be ready to learn about the existence of alien life.[14]

On February 19, 2492, in ENGCORP Field Report A79052 Lieutenant W. K. Davidson stated that Geological Expedition Four found an entire phylum of possible alien taxonomy and recommended a follow-up survey with specialists in paleobiology, xenobiology, and biochemistry.

Professor Ellen Anders of Rishard University noted that Bliss, Cote d'Azure, and Onyx had "large-scale engineered features", implying the presence of previous activity from an unknown species.[15]

Camp Currahee on Onyx.
Camp Currahee on Onyx.

In 2511, when archaeological expeditions uncovered massive subterranean Forerunner constructions in what would after be called Zone 67, ONI immediately took control of the world, going so far as to remove Onyx from UNSC navigational databases and suspending any prospective colonization and terraforming attempts. However, further attempts to determine the purpose of the structures, or even to extract any usable technology, yielded no results. In 2525, with the coming of the Human-Covenant War, the operation was scaled down and only a minimal ONI garrison and a single AI remained. Three consecutive AIs served in this post, replacing one another once the former AI's lifespan ended; Eternal Spring, Deep Winter and Endless Summer. Due to the site's importance, a secret Slipspace COM launcher was later constructed within Zone 67.[16] The planet's location remained secret. Regular scans continued to yield little of value.

Human-Covenant war[edit]

Vice Admiral Margaret Parangosky authorized the construction of the Spartan-III training base on Onyx in 2531. This base, designated Camp Currahee, was constructed perilously close to Zone 67, which had been declared strictly off limits. However, during a routine exercise north of Currahee, Spartan Team X-ray trespassed into Zone 67, entered a Forerunner structure, and disappeared without trace. An ONI investigation into the matter was inconclusive, although the Spartans were rumored to have encountered a "glowing eye" which detonated upon discovery.

Onyx Conflict[edit]

Main article: Onyx Conflict

On September 21, 2552, Onyx's Sentinels were roused to action by the John-117's aborted attempted firing of Installation 04,[17], instigating the Onyx Conflict on October 31 and revealing Onyx's true nature. The AI Endless Summer took command of all military personnel on Onyx to immediately defend Zone 67 per General Order 98.93.120, after Onyx's Sentinels first started to attack the Spartan-IIIs. Endless Summer sent Kurt Ambrose a flash transmission of several classified files pertaining to Onyx, but was interrupted by an explosion. Soon after, the surviving UNSC forces on Onyx regrouped and declared Bloody Arrow.

Onyx is destroyed.
Onyx is destroyed.

Kurt, CPO Mendez and the Spartan-IIIs were soon joined by Dr. Catherine Halsey and later, Blue Team, and they eventually made their way into an excavated Forerunner city in Zone 67. Meanwhile, both the Covenant and the UNSC sent battle groups to retrieve Onyx's Forerunner technologies. The UNSC battle group was destroyed in the ensuing battle.[18] The humans, led by Kurt, fell back into the interior of Onyx and discovered its map room, where they were redirected by Endless Summer to destroy Onyx's Sentinel factory. Eventually, the survivors made a last stand against the Covenant in the core room antechamber, before retreating into the safety of the shield world. After the gateway into the shield world had closed, Kurt detonated two nuclear warheads, ensuring the Covenant did not follow his comrades. Immediately afterward, the Sentinels that had made up Onyx's foundational structure obliterated the terrestrial surface and decimated the Covenant fleet.[4]

Months later, in January 2553, a series of concentric rings of debris radiated from where Onyx had once been.[19] The slipspace bubble housing the shield world, however, had survived intact and the Dyson sphere was eventually transitioned into normal space. ONI soon converted the shield world into a research facility, named "Trevelyan" in reference to Kurt-051's original surname.[20] By 2554, the shield world was under joint control by the UNSC and the Swords of Sanghelios, with the two factions conducting the Onyx United Research Project there.[6]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

Kai-125 with Semi-Powered Infiltration armor-clad soldiers.
Kai-125 on Onyx in the Silver Timeline.

Silver Timeline[edit]

Main article: Onyx/Silver

Onyx is a planet under UNSC control. There members of the SPARTAN-III program were trained.[21]

Trivia[edit]

  • In Halo: The Fall of Reach, the UNSC Pillar of Autumn was said to have taken part in an ongoing conflict with the Covenant near the Zeta Doradus system, which is where Onyx was located. The conflict was not further expanded upon nor has it been mentioned again, but Onyx, which remained completely free of Covenant influence until after the portal to the shield world became active, was certainly uninvolved.
  • According to Frederic-104, Onyx is located weeks away from Earth in even humanity's fastest slipspace-capable ships. In contrast, Covenant ships can cross that distance in a matter of hours.
  • Physically, Onyx is the first Forerunner shield world located by the UNSC though only the outer planetary shell was known about until 2552. In 2531, Trove's outer planet and its inner Dyson sphere were discovered and destroyed by the UNSC Spirit of Fire. However, as the Spirit of Fire became trapped in deep space, the UNSC were left unaware of this discovery.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Waypoint: Office of Naval Intelligence//Section 3 - Data Drop One
  2. ^ a b c Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 123
  3. ^ a b c Halo Mythos, page 136 ("...Onyx's boundless interior surface...")
  4. ^ a b c d Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 377-378
  5. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 120
  6. ^ a b Halo: Fractures, "Lessons Learned"
  7. ^ Halo Mythos, page 113 ("Onyx was, in fact, a Forerunner shield world...")
  8. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 303
  9. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 349
  10. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 313
  11. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 364-365
  12. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 230
  13. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 380
  14. ^ Halo: Reach, Data pad 6
  15. ^ Halo Wars: Genesis
  16. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 176
  17. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 175: "Halsey: That timing coincides with the activation of an alien weapon world - before John thankfully destroyed it. It is no coincidence that the Sentinels appeared then. It must be part of a larger Forerunner plan."
  18. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 376
  19. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 47-48
  20. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 397
  21. ^ Halo: The Television Series, episode Aleria

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