Sanctum is a COG doomsday bunker located on the island of Pahanu.
History[]
Locust War[]
During the Locust War, Chairman Richard Prescott commissioned the construction of Sanctum on Pahanu in secret to guarantee the prolonged, generational safety of Tyran citizens holding strategic importance in the event that return to the Tyran mainland proves to not be possible in a reasonable timeframe.[1] Pahanu was chosen because of its location on the far side of a great abyssal trench that the Locust couldn't dig under, preventing them from ever being able to reach the island.[2] Sanctum was effectively meant to be "the failsafe to the failsafe" in case Azura ever fell and it had facilities to not just survive but to thrive, to raise, train, feed, arm, and coordinate, entire generations of Gears.[3]
However, the volcano that provided the thermal energy that powered the facility proved to be too unstable for long-term sustainability.[4] Captain Paul Dury and the 1st Ephyran Engineers evaluated Sanctum and deemed it to be unsafe and unfit for human habilitation with several areas of the facility suffering heavy damage from high temperatures and magma penetrating the facility.[5] As such, Sanctum was ultimately abandoned by the COG.[4]
Interwar Period[]
After the detonation of the Imulsion Countermeasure Weapon, Sanctum was chosen as one of dozens of Locust burial sites by the COG. Led by Lieutenant Trent Ellis, COG forces buried 6530 metric tons of Locust Shells beneath the facility, suffering only two minor injuries in the process.[6]
Swarm Invasion[]
In 42 AE, the Locust began emerging from their shells as the Swarm. Eventually, the Locust burial site in Sanctum became active and transformed into a Swarm Hive that quickly spread throughout the facility.[4]
Hivebuster Offensive[]
Hivebust of Sanctum[]
As part of the Hivebuster Offensive, Colonel Victor Hoffman targeted the Swarm Hive beneath Sanctum for destruction by Team Scorpio. Lance Corporal Jeremiah Keegan, as an Onyx Guard formerly assigned to protect Azura, had access codes that would allow him to open the facility and access its systems.
Deployed by a King Raven Mark 2 piloted by Tak, Scorpio accessed Sanctum and powered up its systems. However, their original plan to use the elevators to reach the Hive on the 20th and lowest floor was foiled by the fact that the Hive had grown into the upper levels of the facility and thus made using the elevators impossible. Fighting through heavy Swarm forces only to get stopped by a massive pit on Level 3, the frustrated and impulsive Leslie "Mac" Macallister tossed Doctor Hana Cole's Venom Bomb down the pit. However, while the Juvies and Swarm Drones were killed, the heavier Swarm forces such as the Snatchers and Wardens survived. The explosions that rocked the facility from the Venom Bomb going off caused Sanctum's giant metal door to become dislodged and Scorpio escaped by riding it down a river of lava until Tak was able to extract them.[4]
Taking Down the Hive[]
Although the Hivebust of Sanctum was a failure, it revealed that the Venom Bombs weren't strong enough and a plan was developed to enhance them with the acidic venom of the Wakaatu. Mac eventually came up with an alternative way of reaching the heart of the Hive by allowing Team Scorpio to be captured by Snatchers, negating the need for a return to Sanctum to destroy the Hive,[4] a mission which was ultimately successful.[7]
Collectibles[]
Sanctum Citizen Intake Form
Welcome to Sanctum, COG citizen.
While we process your induction, please take a moment to tell us more about yourself.
MARITAL STATUS:
FORMER OCCUPATION:
EDUCATION
DO YOU CURRENTLY PLAN TO HAVE CHILDREN? WHY OR WHY NOT?
IN YOUR OWN WORDS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE VALUES AND IDEALS OF THE COALITION OF ORDERED GOVERNMENTS
HAVE YOU EVER COMMITED AN ACT THAT COULD BE REASONABLY VIEWED AS SEDITION?
This concludes the application. Please return this form to the nearest intake officer and proceed to your assigned temporary quarters. Thank you.[8]
Missive to Prescott
Chairman,
The 1st Ephyran Engineers have completed their assessment of Sanctum's viability. They've concluded overwhelmingly that the structure is unsafe and unfit for human habitation.
Floors 6, 9, 13 and 15 are largely unnavigable due to structural damage and magma penetrating the facility. Temperatures from the fifth floor down are uncomfortable at best, and unlivable at worst.
As a result of the damage, Sanctum's water treatment systems have been compromised, the medical floor is unusable, and the military wing is one big falling hazard. Damage throughout the facility will only continue to get worse.
Put simply: we built this place, but we didn't commit the resources necessary to keep it in working order. The location might not have even been viable to begin with. Thermal energy is only good while it isn't trying to burn our people alive.
If we have to move the population out of Jacinto, we'll need to consider a different option.
Captain Paul Dury[5]
Locust Burial Report
Lahni here.
Back when I was in the Brash Brigade, we deployed to a few different Locust burial sites after V-Day. There were a lot of bodies. Had to get buried somewhere.
Sometimes the burials would draw Locust survivors. They must have viewed us as defilers, or some such thing.
We buried 'em too.
[The following is the content of the report:]
MILITARY WASTE DISPOSAL FORM
AMOUNT DISPOSED: 6530 metric tons
LOCATION: Sanctum, Pahanu
SUPERVISOR: Trent Ellis
RANK: Lieutenant
COMMENTS:
(1) Disposal completed.
(2) Two minor injuries. Private Wilkerson suffered a burn from exposed lave flow, and Corporal Mae received several cuts and bruises from the collapse of a walkway.
I, the undersigned, affirm that the above record is truthful.
Lieutenant Trent Ellis[6]
Hydroponics Handbook
SECTION 12. D: GLOWBE FRUIT
The Glowbe: if it can feed a ravenous horde of genocidal monsters, it can feed your bunker.
The Glowbie is a hardy, bioluminescent fruit native to the Inner Hollows, known to feature heavily in the diet of both Locust Drones and Rock Worms.
It is easy to grow, resistant to disease, and requires minimal light and water, making them well suited to situations where the preservation of water and power are crucial.
The fruit itself is the most nutrient dense of all crops included in the Sanctum Horticultural Program. Unfortunately it is also widely regarded as the least appetizing. Glowbies have a mushy, greasy texture and pungent, sour taste.
For this reason, it is recommended that they be served in rotation with different, more palatable foodstuffs whenever possible.[9]
Sovereign Directive 34724
COMMISSIONING ORDER: MASS-REFUGE FACILITY, DESIGNATION "SANCTUM"
By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Fortification Act of 1AE, and as Chairman of the Coalition of Ordered Governments, the establishment of the site designated "Sanctum" is hereby ordered.
Section 1. Construction of Sanctum (a) For the purposes of supreme secrecy and defensibility, Sanctum is to be located on the strategic island of Pahanu of the South Islands.
(b) All information and materials related to Sanctum and its construction are on a strict need-to-know basis at all levels of the Coalition.
(c) Construction is to begin with the soonest possible timeframe. In the event that the Jacinto Plateau is penetrated, all options for the relocation of our population must be available.
Section 2. Purpose of Sanctum (a) Sanctum is a mass-refuge facility, built to accomodate the swift relocation of Tyran citizens holding strategic importance.
(b) Sanctum shall guarantee the prolonged, generational safety of this population in the event that return to the Tyran mainland is not possible within a reasonable timeframe.
(c) Key science personnel and military leadership are to remain at Azura. In the events that Azura is compromised, Sanctum must be prepared to accommodate them.
Chairman Richard Prescott
THE HOUSE OF SOVEREIGNS[1]
Sanctum Welcome Brochure
Welcome VIP, to paradise.
Welcome to Sanctum.
Sanctum is the most secure haven on all of Sera: a sanctuary for humanity, located on the serene island of Pahanu.
WHY PAHANU?
Besides the locale's astounding natural beauty, Pahanu and its surrounding islands are tectonically isolated by a great abyssal trench, preventing the possibility of Locust incursion and guaranteeing your safety in the years to come.*
How's that for peace of mind?
WHY YOU?
You, VIP, have been hand-picked by the Coalition of Ordered Governments to lead humanity into the post-war future. Through the efforts of you and your peers, you will help realize a new human age of prosperity.
Remember: to those bravely facing the Locust Horde on the mainland, you are their hope. You are what they are fighting for.
Thank you, and good luck, VIP!
- By the estimation of certified experts.[2]
Map of Sanctum
Keegan reporting.
Look at it. It's a goddamn marvel. Only the COG could build something like this.
Sure, it's no Pinnacle Tower, but it's impressive in ways of its own. While Azura lavished in its own aesthetics, Sanctum favored functionality, versatility, and sustainability. It had to. If Azura fell, humanity's last stand was meant to be here. The failsafe to the failsafe.
At Sanctum, you've got the means to not just survive, but thrive. Fight back. It had facilities to raise, train, feed, arm, and coordinate, entire generations of Gears. Gotta admit, a part of me hoped to one day see it in action.
Unfortunately, Sanctum's high ambition is working against us now. Twenty Swarm-infested floors won't be easy to navigate, but that's the mission. And I'm here to see it through.[3]
Appearances[]
- Gears: Hivebusters (First appearance)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gears: Hivebusters Collectible: Sovereign Directive 34724
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gears: Hivebusters Collectible: Sanctum Welcome Brochure
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gears: Hivebusters Collectible: Map of Sanctum
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Gears: Hivebusters
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gears: Hivebusters Collectible: Missive to Presscott
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gears: Hivebusters Collectible: Locust Burial Report
- ↑ Gears of War: Hivebusters
- ↑ Gears: Hivebusters Collectible: Sanctum Citizen Intake Form
- ↑ Gears: Hivebusters Collectible: Hydroponics Handbook