Editing Codex - The Covenant (section)

===Covenant Fortifications===

'''Mantis:''' The Mantis is the largest and most powerful Anti-Aircraft Cannon produced by the Covenant Empire. The sheer size of the Mantis means that only certain areas is doable enough to support the structure and only the largest of Covenant landcraft is able to support it such as the Scarab. As the Mantis is designated towards aircraft and low-orbiting spacecraft, it is thus, incredibly effective at destroying anything from Thunderhawks to even light Corvettes.

'''Tyrant:''' One of the most oft-used triple A pieces the Covenant use is the Type-38 Tyrant. The giant cannon fires powerful plasma bolts in three round bursts that are powerful and long-ranged enough for it to even be capable of acting as ground to space defences. The Tyrant is not only an artillery piece; it is also a fortification unto itself with multiple levels and cover for the troops stationed there. The Tyrant is powered by a pinch fusion reactor that gives it practically unlimited ammunition. The cost of this is that if the reactor core is destroyed, the artillery will explode.

'''Weevil:''' The Weevil is the heaviest artillery piece in the Covenant that can lob plasma over impressive distances. The differences between it and the Tyrant are only in the gun, they are both built on the same chassis design. Unlike the Tyrant it can only be used for ground engagements but is still capable of devastating anything that is in its range.

'''Deployable Watchtower:''' One of the staple of any temporary fortification built by the Covenant is the deployable watchtower. It can be placed and carried by any phantom or spirit and provides high ground for snipers and troops equipped with heavy weapons.

'''Deployable Energy Shield:''' A deployable energy shield covers a wide area in a spherical bubble that helps protects Covenant infantry and vehicles from artillery barrages, orbital bombardment and aircraft assaults. These fortifications is incredibly mobile and can be carried by either a phantom or spirit.

'''Plasma Turret:''' A more permanent fortification is the automated plasma turret that comes in small, medium and large sizes. Each size is tougher and has more firepower than the last. It is also a modular piece of defense that can be outfitted against infantry, vehicle, and aircraft as needed.

'''Shrike Turret:''' The Shrike Turret is a medium, automated anti-aerospace weapon emplacement system utilized at sites of significant strategic importance. Shrike Turrets are larger and more powerful than normal Shades that is armed with two high-powered plasma cannons. Shrike Turrets unlike conventional Covenant military assets is actually controlled by an A.I., although these artificial intelligence is relatively 'feral' and simple-minded, which is sanctioned and approved by the upper echelons of the Covenant.

'''Mega Turret:''' A giant, static turret used by both Banished and Covenant forces. These behemoths act as defensive artillery by lobbing giant and devastating Plasma Torpedoes that can destroy super-heavy vehicles or a large platoon of infantry in a single shot. They can switch into two firing modes, "Lingering Death" which ignores cover and creates an area denial affect that lasts two turns, reducing infantry to ash and "Compound Detonators" which creates a high strength explosion that can turn even the strongest vehicles inside out. 

'''Covenant Command Base:''' Though a Covenant invasion will usually prefer to eliminate targets by glassing the area, digging up artifacts and then moving on there are sometimes situations where the Covenant will wish to stay in an area for a prolonged period of time. The Command Base is built for these purposes, it is equipped with communications equipment, weapon and ammunition stockpiles, barracks, a war room and even a teleporter so that leaders can be rapidly reinforced in combat.

'''Temporary Strongpoint:''' The Temporary Strongpoint is built whenever the Covenant needs to quickly fortify an important area but does not have the time to erect more permanent fortifications or the need to stay in that area for a prolonged period. The Strongpoint consists of multiple Deployable Watchtowers, deployable cover, emplaced plasma cannons and sometimes a landing pad.

'''Covenant Base:''' These permanent networks are built as a main military base to rally behind whenever the Covenant intends to permanently settle an area. They are stocked with enough supplies to withstand a long siege, are incredibly tough, can contain entire platoons, can be used as landing pads for ships and have powerful turrets to support its defenders. Enemies wishing to take this fortress will expect to have to invest considerable resources in its destruction and suffer heavy losses in the process.