Anti-gravity gondolas are Forerunner devices used to ferry individuals or groups of people over long and extensive distances that are otherwise difficult to traverse.[1][2]
Types
Two types of gondolas were encountered on Installation 05, the first over the lake near the Temple ("Temple gondolas"), and the second near the Library (the "Library gondolas"). The smaller Temple gondolas and underwater elevators are the only way to reach the Forerunner temple where the Prophet of Regret initially set up his base of operations during the Battle of Installation 05. These gondolas are supported by anti-gravity "tethers" below and above. The larger Library gondolas and the teleportation grid are the only way to reach Installation 05's Library.[1][2]
Another type of gondola was encountered on the Forerunner shield world Requiem, inside a communications tower that was being used as part of a traffic control system by the Didact. The gondola was used to traverse a large chasm between the tower entrance and the carrier wave generator. Users must traverse a small light bridge to enter the gondola. System overrides found on two separate structures within the tower could be used to halt the gondola's progress. These structures were also connected to the gondola by light bridges.[3]
Gameplay
The Temple gondolas are traveled upon in the level Regret, in Halo 2. It can be started by the player character Master Chief, using its switch. It cannot be stopped manually, though it automatically stops when docking to either boarding platform. The gondola also stops momentarily when passing a gondola moving in the opposite direction. A glitch known as the "Gondola Grunt" exists, wherein trapping a Grunt on the second Gondola will cause its AI to dramatically change tactics and personalities.[1]
The Library gondola is traveled upon in the level Quarantine Zone, in Halo 2. It is started automatically by the player character Arbiter, in a cutscene. It automatically stops when docking to either docking station.[2]
In the Halo 4 level Shutdown, the gondola is activated from a switch on the gondola but is twice stopped remotely from two structures adjacent to the gondola's path. The first is guarded by Covenant and the second by several Promethean Knights. It is stated by Cortana that the Didact gave the Covenant access to the system overrides in order to slow the Spartan's progress. A Forerunner weapons cache can be found on the lower level of the gondola, which can be of great usefulness in combating the enemy.[3]
Gallery
The Temple gondola in motion with anti-gravity "tethers" visible.
The gondola control panel, with starting switch.
- H2 - Gondola renzedvous.png
Two gondolas meet over the Temple lake.
A gondola departing from the Temple.
A gondola docked at a set of towers over the Temple lake.
One of the gondolas leading to the Library.
Two Library gondolas in motion with docking station visible (bottom-right).
A Library gondola traversing a vertical shaft on the way to the inner chamber.
List of appearances
Sources
Related Links
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