Covenant comm node

The Spike of Obeisance, a comm node on Forge World.

Covenant comm nodes,^[1] also known as Covenant comm relays^[2] or Spikes of Obeisence,^[2]^[3]^{[Note 1]} are mobile communication devices employed by the Covenant for strategic ground command and control.^[2]

Overview

Design details

The comm nodes come in several different variants, with the most common Spikes of Obeisence^[2] depicted as tall devices, consisting of a stalk protruding from a round central structure, supported by a trio of 'legs'. They are primarily magenta, black, and silver in color.^[4] Some comm nodes feature a tall antenna, but with a single large base structure,^[5] while others are similar in appearance to the Covenant supply case, bearing three equilateral antennas and a keyboard extending from within the base.^[6]

Usage

Comm nodes are primarily deployed on ground in areas requiring tactical communication between separate Covenant operators. They were used by the Covenant as a means to interlink their battle network and functioned as a combination of proselytism, network up-links, communication hubs, and sensor relay nodes.^[2]^[3]

Operational history

Covenant comm relays were used extensively during the Covenant's vicious assault on the planet Reach,^[4] and the follow-up Battle of Installation 04^[6] as well as during the Battle for Earth^[7] the Battle of Installation 05,^[8] and the Battle of Installation 00.^[9]

Trivia

The comm will remain active if one of its legs has been broken off, and can still be picked up in Forge. To completely destroy it, one must break the tower from the base.^[1]
On the main body of the node, something resembling the Marathon symbol can clearly be seen.^[4]

Gallery

A closeup of the Halo: Combat Evolved comm node, bearing more resemblance to the Covenant supply case.
The Halo: Combat Evolved comm node.
Cutout of the Combat Evolved comm node.
The Covenant comm node as depicted in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
A comm node in Halo 2
A comm node in Halo 3
Concept art of a Covenant communication antenna in Halo: Reach.
A communications antenna in Reach.
A comm node in Halo: Reach
Concept art of a comm node in Halo 4.
The Halo 2: Anniversary comm node on High Charity.
A comm node beside several Covenant supply cases.

List of appearances

Halo: Combat Evolved (First appearance)
Halo 2
Halo 3
Halo: Reach
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
Halo: Spartan Assault
Halo 2: Anniversary
Halo: Spartan Strike
Halo: Ground Command
Halo: Oblivion (Mentioned only)

Notes

^ The name "Spikes of Obeisence" was attributed to the 'Covenant comm relay' modeled after its identical appearances in Halo 3 and Halo: Reach. Whether or not this title applies to other depictions (such as those featured in Halo: CE, Halo 2, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4) is unspecified.

Sources

^ ^a ^b Halo 3, Forge
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Spartan Games: Make your Halo table look awesome!
^ ^a ^b Halo Waypoint - Community Update: Into the Storm
^ ^a ^b ^c Halo: Reach, campaign level, Tip of the Spear
^ Halo 2
^ ^a ^b Halo: Combat Evolved
^ Halo 3 campaign level, Sierra 117
^ Halo 2 campaign level, Uprising
^ Halo 3 campaign level, The Covenant

[hld-4] The name "Spikes of Obeisence" was attributed to the 'Covenant comm relay' modeled after its identical appearances in Halo 3 and Halo: Reach. Whether or not this title applies to other depictions (such as those featured in Halo: CE, Halo 2, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4) is unspecified.

[Forge-1] Halo 3, Forge

[Spartan_Games-2] Spartan Games: Make your Halo table look awesome!

[Announcement-3] Halo Waypoint - Community Update: Into the Storm

[TotS-5] Halo: Reach, campaign level, Tip of the Spear

[6] Halo 2

[HCE-7] Halo: Combat Evolved

[8] Halo 3 campaign level, Sierra 117

[Uprising-9] Halo 2 campaign level, Uprising

[10] Halo 3 campaign level, The Covenant

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[Note 1]

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