Phoenix Logs/The Ark/The Ark

A gigantic structure situated outside of any known star system, the Ark was

constructed by the Forerunners with two guiding principles. First, to fabricate,

repair and transport all components of the ringworld installations known

collectively as Halo, a weapon designed to wipe out all sentient life in the galaxy

in a desperate attempt to stop the unstoppable parasitic Flood threat.

Secondly, it needed to be able to provide a safe and stable habitat for a vast

number of life forms collected from across the galaxy.

These two paradigms led to the unique, flower-like design, with immense arms

splayed around a central foundry. Where the production of the Halo installations

occurs. The Ark's surface was covered by vast, world-sized paddocks called

Refugia, divided by massive walls and containment barriers to preserve the life

forms collected by The Librarian, to be reseeded after the Flood had been

starved out.