UNSC Cradle

The UNSC Cradle was a UNSC Refit Station capable of intersystem travel.
==Operational History==
In July 2552, it was present at the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV. The Cradle was used as a shield for the Fleet when the Covenant attacked and it was sacrificed so that the rest of the UNSC Fleet could be protected from a salvo of plasma fire.Halo: The Fall of Reach - Page 192-193 No escape lifeboats were launched and the entire crew was killed. They were avenged moments later when the UNSC Fleet destroyed seven Covenant ships and damaged many others with their MAC volley fire. The remains of the station were pushed into high orbit above Sigma Octanus IV after the battle.
===Legacy===
The tactic would be reused at the Fall of Reach with all three of that planet's repair stations and some human ships, in order to protect the planet's MAC guns from Covenant Plasma Torpedoes for a short time.Halo: The Fall of Reach - Page 344-349
==Design==
The UNSC Cradle was essentially a large square plate of Titanium-A armor, a kilometer to a side, capable of refitting six destroyers - three from her upper surface and three from her lower surface - in a matter of hours or days.Halo: The Fall of Reach - Page 156
==Crew==
It was crewed by only 30 people (in addition to the EVA crews). Repair crews used Arc welding to repair ships.Halo: The Fall of Reach - Page 157 Commander Richard Lash's father was a crewman engineer on the ship and was killed when it was destroyed.Halo: Ghosts of Onyx - Page 186 
==Trivia==
*The Covenant equivalent to the Cradle is believed to be the Unyielding Hierophant.
*The statement of the UNSC Cradles ability to repair/refit 6 destroyers simultaneously in a matter of hours to days is not to suggest her maximum number of docks for ships to dock is 6. (It is quite likely to be even more)
==Gallery==
===Concept Art===
Gvnytrf.JPG|Concept art for two possible designs for the UNSC Cradle.
===Exterior Shots===
Battle_of_Sigma_Octanus_4.jpg|The UNSC Cradle (bottom center) in the midst of a fleet.
HTFoR UNSCCradle2.png|The UNSC Cradle amidst in the same fleet.
HTFoR UNSCCradle3.png|The Cradle and her crew sacrificing themselves to save the fleet from a Covenant attack.
HTFoR UNSCCradle4.png|The UNSC fleet making her sacrifice worthwhile by attacking the aggressors.
==Appearances==
*Halo: The Fall of Reach 
*Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
==Sources==
Category:UNSC Navy Vessels