Mod:DUST Survival Simulator/HELIOS One

HELIOS One is a pre-War Poseidon Energy concentrated solar power plant that used to, and potentially still could, generate and provide power to the New Vegas Strip and the regional power grid. It also contains the control system for two experimental satellite weapon systems, the self-defense system Archimedes I and the offensive system Archimedes II.

Before the War
Established before the Great War as a next-generation solar power plant, hailed as the Dawn of a Golden Age, HELIOS One was more than just a renewable source of energy. It doubled as a research and development facility for the U.S. Army's top-secret orbital energy cannon, Archimedes II. Having joined the "Poseidon Family" when they began work, employees of HELIOS One were expected to keep company projects a secret, as carelessly discussing developments could pose a threat to national security if the communists got wind of Poseidon projects.

The military side of affairs was handled by Brigadier General Scott Lowe, who oversaw the testing of the weapon on site. Tests of the orbital weapon proved to be less than successful, as while both the orbital cannon (Archimedes II) and the array of smaller lasers dedicated to facility defense (Archimedes I) were successful, they resulted in a 2.5-minute downtime at the facility and system-frying power fluctuations in nearby installations, including Hidden Valley and Black Mountain. Further development was precluded by the destruction brought by the Great War.

Operation: Sunburst
After centuries of disuse, the Brotherhood of Steel discovered the facility. The occupation of HELIOS One was a decision made by Elder Elijah who intended to unlock the secrets of the power plant. The Mojave chapter operated freely amid the Vegas wastes for several years, carrying out many reclamation missions without serious opposition. In 2274, the NCR officially set up a base at McCarran International Airport. From there, the NCR set its sights on the HELIOS One solar plant. Elijah, still believing that the plant contained an unprecedented military advantage, refused to leave the plant, and forced the paladins to continue defending it. Two years of guerilla fighting against the NCR followed, culminating in Operation: Sunburst in 2276.

The NCR launched the operation to capture HELIOS One. Outnumbered by NCR soldiers, a pitched battle took place. Despite the Brotherhood being in control of far superior equipment, such as energy weapons and power armor, the Brotherhood had no reinforcements and were gradually worn down by NCR's attacks. By the time the retreat signal was given by Paladin McNamara, more than half the chapter lay dead in the dust. The chapter's leader, Elder Elijah, disappeared without a trace. Brotherhood survivors retreated to Hidden Valley, while the NCR regrouped at the newly occupied HELIOS. When they finally set out to locate and destroy remaining Brotherhood forces, they were nowhere to be found.

Under NCR control
As NCR soldiers explored the interior of the plant, they discovered that the Brotherhood had left them with one last nasty and spiteful goodbye in the solar collection tower before departing. The building's automated defense system had been activated, and the halls and corridors were now crawling with active and heavy-armed security robots and turrets, meaning that the getting at the innards of the building was extremely dangerous. Not being willing to divert manpower and resources towards such a hazardous undertaking, and with no way of remotely shutting down the security system, the NCR command ordered the tower to be on lock-down, and had it secured in a way that required permission from two separate security terminals before it could be entered.

Power plant
The power plant is a large pre-War industrial complex. After the fall, cannibals have taken over the facility and NCR presence is nowhere to be found. Cannibals populate the interior as well.

Mirror yard
Behind the main building are the solar collection tower and an array of computer-controlled mirrors. There are two mirror control terminals in small shacks, and several tents set up next to them. The western terminal is guarded by mines, bear traps, and a rigged shotgun, while the eastern terminal is guarded by dogs. The terminals have no use since the quest 'That Lucky Old Sun' cannot be given by lieutenant Haggerty. Cannibals sleep nearby the tents, with their beds out in the open.