GAIA's rendition of the Extinction Signal.
The Extinction Signal, formerly known as the Mysterious Signal, was a signal broadcast by Nemesis in an attempt to make Earth unviable for Far Zenith to flee to.
History[]
Purpose[]
The Extinction Signal was intended to give consciousness to HADES so that it will destroy Earth's biosphere to prevent giving Far Zenith a viable stop as they escaped from their own creation,[1] as well as information on how to deactivate their shields.[2]
Broadcast and Immediate Results[]
Nemesis began broadcasting the Extinction Signal continuously starting in January 3012.[3] Due to the distance between Sirius and Earth, it took 8.6 years to arrive at GAIA Prime on August 26, 3020.[4] While it was only intended to affect HADES,[5][6] the Extinction Signal gave all the subordinate functions consciousness. HADES attempted to do what it was designed to do, but GAIA ordered the GAIA Prime reactor to overload, which would destroy her and HADES. HADES then released a virus throughout the system, dissolving the code shackles that held it and the other sub-functions to GAIA, allowing them to escape destruction while GAIA was destroyed.[7]
HADES found refuge in the processing orb of a derelict Horus within the Jewel. Unable to enact its purpose, HADES sent a transmission out to call for help, which Sylens detected and discovered HADES.[8] Meanwhile, AETHER escaped to the computer system below the Memorial Grove, triggering a vision that Hekarro, who had only conquered the Grove minutes before, saw and inspired him to pursue a peaceful future for the Tenakth tribe.[9] DEMETER travelled to the remains of the Greenhouse, where it began having machines spread some modified Adamantine Wreaths out in preparation for a second Faro Plague.[10] HEPHAESTUS fled into the Cauldron network, taking control of the Cauldrons and Zero Dawn machines. With this control, it came to the conclusion that humans were a direct threat to its machines, flora and fauna, and the biosphere itself, deciding to make the machines increasingly aggressive towards humans, including constructing new machines and modifying existing ones purely for combat against humans in order to cull their population.[11] This phenomenon is known by the tribes as the Derangement.
Upon receiving notice from HADES,[12] Nemesis ceased the Extinction Signal after 17.22 years of continuous broadcasting. Thus, eight years later, HADES notes that the Extinction Signal has ended.[5][6]
Post-Signal Results[]
Horizon Zero Dawn[]
With Sylens' help, HADES founded a cult of the Shadow Carja, known as the Eclipse, in an attempt to gain access to the Spire and broadcast a reactivation code for the deactivated Faro Plague, which would then destroy the biosphere for HADES.[13] However, Aloy was able to prevent this from succeeding.[14]
Horizon Forbidden West[]
Sylens learned about the details about the Extinction Signal during his interrogation of HADES,[15][16] which he later discussed with Aloy, omitting the truth about the source of the signal. When Aloy brought up the concern that the Extinction Signal could repeat and affect a rebooted GAIA, Sylens assures her that it won't, but even if it does, the Extinction Signal requires HADES to take effect and if Aloy deletes HADES from any GAIA backup she finds, GAIA will be safe.[17]
Using the information available to her from Sylens' interrogation of HADES, GAIA concluded that the signal originated 8.6 lightyears away, concluding that Sirius was the most likely source as it was Far Zenith's intended destination aboard the Odyssey, leading them to believe that Far Zenith sent the Extinction Signal.[18]
During their raid on the Zenith base, Alva discovered that the Zeniths were planning to leave Earth, with many files referencing Nemesis. Once reunited, Aloy and Beta learned about Nemesis's existence, with Tilda explaining the truth about Nemesis, including that it was responsible for the Extinction Signal, not Far Zenith.
Trivia[]
- GAIA described the Extinction Signal as "exceptionally precise and highly advanced" and that had its purpose been less malevolent, she would've admired the intellect(s) used to create it.[12]
References[]
- ↑ As mentioned by Tilda van der Meer during Singularity.
- ↑ As mentioned by Sylens during Singularity.
- ↑ Dagger in my Boot
- ↑ Operations Log
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 As mentioned by HADES during Death's Door.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 HADES in Hell
- ↑ GAIA's Dying Plea
- ↑ First Meeting
- ↑ As mentioned by Hekarro during The Broken Sky.
- ↑ As mentioned by GAIA after completing Seeds of the Past.
- ↑ M/ALL-US-W CM LOG 329G
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 As mentioned by GAIA during The Eye of the Earth.
- ↑ As mentioned by Sylens during The Mountain That Fell.
- ↑ The Face of Extinction
- ↑ Interrogation Log
- ↑ As mentioned by Sylens during Death's Door.
- ↑ Death's Door
- ↑ The Eye of the Earth
[]
| Technology | |
|---|---|
| Devices | Black Box - Ectogenic Chamber - Focus - Gene Locked Hatch - Machine Lure - Ornament - UltraWeave Mk7.1 |
| Facilities | Cradle |
| Robots | @lfred - Machine - Multiservitor - Survey Drone - Thrasher - Ti-D-O |
| Signals | Extinction Signal |
| Software | AI - Poly-Phasic Entangled Waveforms |
| Vehicles | Ascension - Odyssey - Vert |
| Other Technology | Biomass Conversion - Mutiny Suppression Protocol - Override |