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Spartan-IV Initiation

Spartan-IV Augmentation

Official UNSC Medical Records - Sensitive Biomedical Data

Spartan-IV Augmentation

SN: 92738-61842-LC

Torpet Datacluster Installation
-Neural Interface Controller
-Dataport
-Biomonitoring Implant

Muscular/Skeletal Engineering Series
-Ligament reconstruction
-Joint reinforcement plating
-Skeletal fullerene lattice
-Skeletal re-engineering
-Induced muscle growth
-Muscle grafts completed

Neurological Series
-Element treatments
-Cyclic-AMP Response
-Neuro-endocrine rebuild
-Super-myelination sheathing

Organ implantation
-Biofabricated organ series
-STONEWELL lung surfactant
-Polythread cardiac weave
-Corneal implants
-Anti-rejection treatments

Circulatory and metabolic improvement
-K5.2 Hemoescutcheon
-Intelli-fibrin acclimation
-Circulatory shunts
-Gut microbiota refresh
-Intestinal bioreactor

Endcap augmentation
-Hormone regulation
-Bioprofile archived

Gene therapy
-Chondrocyte effectiveness
-Telomere lengthening

Longo Lee Berger, M.D.
Certifying M.R.O.

Fireteam Assignment

SPARTAN OPERATIONS
HIGHCOM//BRAVO-6 CONFIDENTIAL

FROM: Chief of Staff, Spartan Training and Education
TO: SPARTAN 92738-61842-LC
SUBJ: FIRETEAM ASSIGNMENT

Spartan,
It is with great pleasure that I officially induct you as a Spartan-IV in the United Nations Space Command. Through your training and augmentations, you have displayed intelligence, fortitude, valor and unswerving professionalism that does credit to you and the Spartan legacy. In view of these qualities you have been assigned to FIRETEAM APOLLO until otherwise released by proper command authority.

I would also like to take this opportunity to reinforce lessons of the Spartan Creed that you spoke upon graduation. We stand commited to excellence in warfighting, integrity of character, and respect for the heritage received from the Spartans who have carried the sword and shield before us. These are not simply words, for they guide every aspect of our process of selection, methods of training, and conduct of operations. I reflect on them every day, and urge you to do the same.

The Unified Earth Government places exceptional power and responsibility in our hands. As such, I expect you to remain bound by duty to humanity, the UNSC, and your fellow Spartans. Remember what has been sacrificed for you to stand in the company of legends.

Serve with honor.

Jun, CHIEF OF STAFF, Spartan Operations.

ADDENDUMS
1. No acceptance or oath is required as one has been previously executed.
2. Pursuant to UNSC DR 10989.F11, you are hereby authorized to wear a team pin with your Spartan dress and combat uniform.
3. SNS is excluded from UNICOM regarding DIR 6899.01.
4. SNS is excluded from FLEETCOM regarding DIR 1100.D9.

Temporary change of Station

SPARTAN OPERATIONS
HIGHCOM//BRAVO-6 TOP SECRET

FROM: Chief of Spartan Operations

TO: SPARTAN 92738-61842-LC, FIRETEAM APOLLO

SIBJ: TEMPORARY CHANGE OF STATION (U)

1. (EOTS) Fireteam Apollo is ordered to report to the UNSC Infinity (INF-101) on or before 1 September. No leave or delay is authorized. Contact receiving command in the event of unavoidable delay.
(a) (C) All fireteam are CHOPPED OPCON to Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer upon embarkation.
(b) (C) Spartans must report to G-1 for ship safety briefing prior to berthing assignment.

2. (U) Fireteams must conduct shipboard training in conjunction with training schedules formulated and approved prior to embarkation. In accordance with STO 11.6, daily training must encompass two hours of MOS training and two hours of physical conditioning and augmentation monitoring.
(a) (S) Familiarization firing of individual and crew-served TANGO and ZULU weapons is authorized.
(b) (C) War Games safety limiters may be disabled by fireteam leaders, with approval of ship captain. ALPHA medical access is authorized.

Derived from: Multiple Sources

Declassify on: 10 Jun 2578

FORMAT: SSF-120

If you are not the intended recipient of this message, report immediately to //:ONIFIRE.

Memorandum

AUTHORIZED RECEIPTS (EOTS)
<<REDACTED>> 92738-61842-LC, SPARTAN
[Cryptosign PENDING]
(C) PALMER, SARAH 65287-98303-SP, SPARTAN
[Cryptosign CONFIRM]
(C) ROLAND, RLD 0205-4, AI
[Cryptosign CONFIRM]

CONFIRMATION
(C) LASKY, THOMAS 98604-72690-TL, CAPTAIN
[Cryptosign CONFIRM]
(S) JUN S-A266, SPARTAN OPERATIONS
[Cryptosign CONFIRM]

MEMORANDUM

From: T. Lasky, CAPT
Captain, UNSC Infinity
To: SPARTAN 92738-61842-LC
Subj: WELCOME ABOARD

Reply to
Attn of: Spartan Miller

Spartan,
Congratulations on your assignment to INF-101 INFINITY, flagship of the UNSC Navy! The INFINITY is manned with over 17,000 of the finest men and women in the United Nations Space Command. This ship is their home, and they will be your friends and neighbors for the duration of your deployment. Their professionalism and fighting spirit is inspiring, and you could not ask for a more brilliant crew to support you in the battles to come. Our mission is vital to the security of the Unified Earth Government, and you are vital to our success.

INFINITY is currently conducting high-tempo, multi-threat combat operations as part of Expeditionary Strike Group 1. Roland, INFINITY's ship director and command AI, will act as your sponsor, and he will be contacting you separately to provide an official check in date and answer any questions you may have about the ship. Once you are aboard I invite you to take advantage of the ship's state-of-the-art recreational facilities and full complement of hobby and craft workshops after completion of your mandatory training and augmentation monitoring commitments.

At the request of Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer, your standard onboarding and acclimatization period has been canceled. You are expected to arrive mentally and physically prepared to immediately undertake demanding and dangerous missions. Based on your exemplary service record I have full faith and confidence that you will transition quickly and display the finest qualities expected of both a leader and Spartan.

On behalf of the crew of the INFINITY, I welcome you aboard!

Sincerely

THOMAS LASKY
Captain, UNSC Navy
Commanding Officer

If you are not the intended recipient of this message, report immediately to //:ONIFIRE.

Battle for Earth

First Twelve Hours

09 JANUARY 2553

CLASSIFICATION: ONI EYES ONLY

OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
CONFIDENTIAL: DIRECTORATE MEMORANDUM

//FINAL ANALYSIS//20 OCT
//ADM. M.O. PARANGOSKY

FIRST TWELVE HOURS

Good morning, Admiral.

As requested, here's a timeline of the Covenant assault in the first twelve hours. It's broad and it's a very wide lens with zero extraneous detail, but it should have what you're looking for.

20-OCT 1248: Io relay pings encroaching Covenant fleet [2 CAS/13 CCS]
20-OCT 1412: FADM Hood and FADM Harper coordinate orbital defense
20-OCT 1421: Malta and Athens go dark, first attack wave clears grid
20-OCT 1450: One CAS is disabled by S-117 ["Day of Jubilation"]
20-OCT 1459: Remaining CAS targets New Mombasa ["Solemn Penance"]
20-OCT 1512: Risk identified: T1 Asset exposed to capture or kill
20-OCT 1557: A-5 confirms procurement of artifact pursuant to WINDOW PANE
20-OCT 1602: BUMRUSH greenlit from orbiting CA-942 ["Say My Name"]
20-OCT 1603: CAS initiates slipspace event within city and departs
20-OCT 1624: A-5 designated KIA, artifact lost
20-OCT 1649: Orbital elevator collapses, Covenant occupation 38%
20-OCT 1852: Alpha Site denied to enemy, Covenant occupation 51%
20-OCT 2141: Remaining enemy cruisers coalesce over New Mombasa
20-OCT 2215: Cruisers begin excavation of slipspace event crater
20-OCT 2227: Covenant occupation 78%
20-OCT 2319: T1 Asset sighted and reported by 73998-38490-VD
20-OCT 2324: Covenant occupation 94%
20-OCT 2359: T1 Asset secured by 65th/A-9, 92458-37017-EB

NOTE: Covenant occupation metrics correlate to troop/material dispersion contrasted against UNSC presence within city boundaries.

In the days and weeks that followed, additional enemy vessels arrived and struck other sites globally and in other parts of Sol, but with disparate levels of organization and notably less effectual force. The enemy focus on the Excession was utterly single-minded in the first twelve hours, reducing their combat efficacy in other theaters. This error served to save Earth from the fate of other worlds.

As you've hypothesized, if such fanatical preoccupation can be exploited at arm's length, it could assist us in the stemming of future alien hostilities, giving us the necessary time to rebuild.

Additionally, I have attached a CSV evaluation snapshot of the candidate you requested. I thought you should know that Musa Ghanem is also seriously considering him for integration into S-IV. Seems relatively frictionless, but certainly flag-worthy since I know you've been keeping an eye on this one for other projects, such as K-5.

Buck, Edward Malcolm
92458-37017-EB
E-7/Marines/65th/T/103rd/A-9
ENL: 05 Dec 2545
DOB: 22 Aug 2510
New Albany, Draco III
188.1cm / 89.3kg

SERVICE:
Candidate has been active in the UNSC Marine Corps since 2528. Records indicate exemplary service on Harvest, Madrigal, Groombridge 1830, Vodin, Charybdis IX, Alluvion, Sargasso, Bounty, and Reach, among others. Despite taking an enlistment survey course in 2532 for the ODST program, he would not officially join until 2545, after Draco III had been glassed by the Covenant. Most of his ODST career would be spent at the head of Alpha-Nine, a specialized fireteam in the 65th Shock Troops Division.

PERSONNALITY:
Strong leadership characteristics, effective at de-escalation and hyper focusing team on the tasks at hand, especially under great duress. Models a classical and robust strategy logic, but also thinks fast on his feet. Very strong team ethic and emphasis on the value of its members, even at the risk of the unit. Candidate's outlook is rooted in a wider moral framework that informs all aspects of his performance.

RISK EVAL:
Primary concerns with placement on a special task force such as the prospective "K-5" are two-fold: (a) his prioritization on the personnel over the objective is problematic during a high-risk operation and (b) his current ethical grid would unavoidably collide with scenarios he would likely deem morally questionable, creating unpredictability. Additionally, his existing bonds with members on Alpha-Nine will be an impediment. His personality and behavior are most compatible with conventional squad context.

//BB

Special Topic Request

Sir,
My team has assembled a summary of the activities you requested in our meeting. We've kept this offline as much as possible, but you can't access the records vault without tripping a half-dozen SPDR and MOIRAI threads set up by various interested parties. Our cutouts trace back to an outhouse in Montana, but we can't guarantee that someone hasn't buried a nasty surprise in these matrixes.

Good luck, and I hope you find what you're looking for.

UNITED NATIONS SPACE COMMAND
NAVAL RECORDS ARCHIVE
6 JANUARY 2554
2100 STANDARD

[]ATIONS SPACE COMMAND
[]OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

//MEMORANDUM//SPECIAL TOPICS REQUEST BY FADM T. HOOD, CNO
//SUBJ//SELECTED RECORDS SUMMARY//RE: 07959-90021-JH

[SUMMARY]
Fleet Admiral Joseph Harper [07959-90021-JH] was commander-in-chief, Fifth fleet from January 20, 2548 to February 1, 2553. Effective September 5, 2552 all remaining UNSC naval forces were consolidated into a single command grouping under the Home Fleet. FADM Harper was appointed senior flag officer and given primary administrative and tasking authority of all aerospace assets in the Sol system under emergency security directives authorized by UNSC High Command and approved by the UEG Security Council. Remaining expeditionary and defense fleets retained administrative control over their battle groups, though all type commands were dissolved.

[SCOPE AND CONTENT]
This memorandum highlights select activities of Fifth Fleet in the Earth Defense Coordination Zone, through Action/Operation reports compiled between October 8, 2552 and December 3, 2552. Other fleet activities are not discussed in this memorandum. Detailed appendices are available for each report. These appendices consist of casualty reports, battlenet logs, awards recommendations, and lessons learned.

[RECORD MATRIX 1]

Sequence Log 01-0089, Preliminary Reports of Action - Defense of Reach
Admiral J. Garcia. October 8, 2552. 844 files.
This report documents UNSC fleet actions in the Reach Defense Coordination Zone during the period July 24 to September 5. Findings forwarded to UNSC HIGHCOM for additional simulation and comprehensive data mining. The report also includes morale and disciplinary reports from all major commands.

Sequence Log 01-0921, UNSC Security Council Special Session
Dr. O. Cheng. October 9, 2552. 1 file.
Contained here is the updated intelligence report forwarded by the UEG Strategic Forecasting and Scenario Planning Group which incorporated recent asset losses. Additional classified appendices and opinions from the Office of Naval Intelligence and UNSC Special Topics Committee are redacted. The accepted scenario concluded the continuance of human civilization was no longer probable with currently available military assets and remaining industrial base. FADM Harper is on record as not concurring with his assessment.

Sequence Log 01-0991, Action Report - UNSC Totem Lake, Report of Battle of October 10, 2552
Captain W. Murray. October 17, 2552. 83 files.
Report from the commanding officer of Third Fleet, Battle Group Rhino recounts the loss of UNSC Totem Lake (CVA-92) near Enceladus on October 10, 2552. Battle Group Rhino detected twelve unidentified large vessels broadcasting outdated civilian IFF codes. Upon approach, eleven of the vessels made unauthorized slipspace transits, exiting the Sol system. Pursuant to standing orders to engage vessels not positively identified as friendly, Battle Group Rhino engaged. UNSC Totem lake was lost with all hands after suffering multiple hull breaches and reports of boarding parties. Battle Group Rhino subsequently disengaged and regrouped at Phase Line Alpha above Enceladus. Permission to reengage remaining vessel submitted by VADM Williams and denied by FADM Harper.

Sequence Log 01-1101, NAVSPECWAR Survey of Mars Site #01-04-78-C
SSGT M. Geffen. October 19, 2552. 2 files.
Contained in this document are initial reports of the scouting team investigating gravitic and radiation anomalies near Argyre Planitia on October 13, 2552. Team conducted on-site search and assessment. Cloaked remote sensor platforms of unknown provenance discovered, triggering cryptonym WIDEAWAKE. Priority 1 stand-down issued by FADM Harper after consultation with ADM Parangosky. Remaining records redacted.

[RECORD MATRIX 2]

Sequence Log 02-095, Status Report - Earth Defense Coordination Zone
Fleet Admiral J. Harper. April 6, 2554. 190 files.
Report of the operations and events by UNSC elements at Earth from May 14-19, 2552. UNSC forces were placed on maximum readiness levels and all warships with functioning MACs self-deployed or towed to rally points. Additional records include assessment of UNSC Chevalier (CBC-5) security team deployed by FADM Harper to Cairo Station in preparation for arrival of FADM Hood and establishment of flag headquarters.

[RECORD MATRIX 3] Sequence Log 03-0101, Earth Sustained Defense Campaign, 3rd Battle of New Mombasa - November 17, 2552
Vice Admiral K. Lanba. January 19, 2553. 15 files.
This report contains information on the engagement with Covenant fleet elements excavating the Excession artifact on November 17, 2552. Battle Group Victory vectored to support Air Force and Marine operation clearing Type-27 AAC emplacements in surrounding area. UNSC forces authorized to deploy MAC rounds in atmosphere by FADM Harper. Ships engaged enemy command ship to no effect. Slipspace portal generated by Excession created spatial distortions that damaged artificial gravity systems on all ships present. Science and repair records redacted at request of ADM Parangosky.

Sequence Log 03-0997, URNA SW Campaign, from November 10, 2552 through Operation: MARSH FLASH, December 3, 2552
Admiral I. Zhou. March 1, 2553. 1244 files.
During the period covered in this report the Covenant excavated and occupied built-up positions centered at free-fire area OZONE (31.565043/-110.343567). UNSC forces began counteroffensive on November 17, 2552 after Covenant battlenet cohesion broke with the departure of command ship through the Excession. UNSC flagword LUX declared and UEG emergency evacuation broadcast at 0630 on November 19, followed by tactical nuclear deployment at 0700 against multiple shielded enemy positions. FADM Harper directed Operation: MARSH FLASH on December 03, which successfully eliminated clusters of high-value Jiralhanae leadership attempting to activate artifact at OZONE.

//End Summary

Vergil

QUITO TERMINUS
CRIMSON WING
15 NOVEMBER 2552
1725 STANDARD

CLASSIFICATION: PRIORITY ONE ALPHA
CONFIDENTIAL: DIRECTORATE MEMORANDUM

//INTERROGATION FINDINGS
//URGENT//ADM T. HOOD

VERGIL

This report was generated by UNSC AI Barca immediately following the interrogation of ASSET RD-9746-X, also known as QUICK TO ADJUST [Cat7 'Huragok' life-form procured from Op-5684-76643-545-0048].

Due to the symbiotic assimilation of the urban infrastructure subroutine called 'VERGIL,' it was referred to as such for the duration of the interrogation. This interrogation was conducted on November 15, 2552, 1649 hours at an ONI-appropriated wing within the terminus of the QUITO SPACE ELEVATOR.

The following is an excerpt from this interrogation organized for immediate and urgent review by 07960-48392-TH.

RECORDED TRANSCRIPTION EXCERPT:

[EXCERPT BEGINS]

[DARE] ...registry wasn't logged according to my people at the Tycho observation facility. They're saying it wasn't a UNSC ship. In fact, they're saying it wasn't a human ship at all.

[JOHNSON] Maybe they're right, Captain. Maybe they're wrong. But you know that I ain't here to talk about how I got back to Sol.

[DARE] They're saying you and Commander Keyes came back from something they discovered in deep space. Something they're calling 'Halo.' If this information is pertinent to my-

[JOHNSON] I'll stop you right there, Captain. You know I got clearance from up top to find out what they're looking for down there. Not sure if you noticed, but we ain't got time for bickering back and forth. This critter you picked up has intel and Command wants it, so let's cut the crap and get to work.

[DARE] Lord Hood may have given you clearance, but it was my op and it's my interrogation. We only captured one - it's very delicate.

[JOHNSON] Don't worry. I know what the aliens like.

<Enters secured wing. Members of Alpha-Nine present with the Asset.>

[JOHNSON] It has access to the Covenant battlenet?

[DARE] Limited, but yes. We're not entirely sure how it manages a remote connection to the-

<48789-20114-AJ tosses an antique propane lighter at the Asset. The Asset catches the lighter.>

[DARE] Sergeant Major, please. It's extremely flammable.

<48789-20114-AJ directs his attention toward the Asset.>

[JOHNSON] The Brutes. The bastards who put bombs on your buddies and killed millions of my people. They're digging a mighty big hole. You're gonna tell me exactly what they're looking for and then you're gonna help me stop them.

<Subject lights 48789-20114-AJ's cigar.>

[DARE] Barca, are you online? Are you capturing this?

[BARCA] Yes, ma'am. I've been recording since the service corridor. Current date and time is November 15, 2552, 1659 hours. This is UNSC AI Barca, service number BCR 7584-2. Sergeant Major, please state your name and service number for the record.

[JOHNSON] Johnson, Avery. 48789-20114-AJ.

[BARCA] Captain, could you do the same?

[DARE] Dare, Veronica. 73998-38490-VD. Naval Intelligence.

[BARCA] Let the record show that the Asset, referred to as 'VERGIL,' was confirmed acquired on 20 October 2552 from New Mombasa, at 2359 hours by 73998-37490-VD and 92458-37017-EB. Subject has been in ONI quarantine since, with limited interfacing from outside personnel.

<Translation apparatus activated. Observes the Asset's sign language and replicates synthetic vocalization. The Asset is uncooperative at first, but eventually complies.>

[BARCA] Sergeant Major, you may begin.

[JOHNSON] They call you Vergil because you downloaded some kind of city AI from one of our computers. He still in there somewhere?

[VERGIL] Yes, we are.

[JOHNSON] And those covies ships down there, still digging for something. They don't suspect that you've got some human AI in you? Their sensors don't pick that up?

[VERGIL] Huragok made sensors. They see what we want them to see.

[JOHNSON] Fair enough. My people tell me you don't know what the Brutes are looking for. I don't buy it.

[VERGIL] We know only what we were allowed to know.

[JOHNSON] We had eyes on the ground in the city before it got glassed. They saw what your buddies were writing on the walls. You were coordinating their search parties. Looking for something Forerunner, right?

[VERGIL] We cannot say for sure.

[JOHNSON] I think you can. And you're gonna. Does the word 'Ark' mean anything to you?

<The Asset is visibly distressed by this statement.>

[VERGIL] How do you know about the installation?

[JOHNSON] I just came from Delta Halo. The Covenant are in the middle of a civil war. They're breaking apart. Won't last much longer.

[VERGIL] And your kind has sided with the rebels. The Elites.

[JOHNSON] Now you have a lot to say all of a sudden.

[DARE] What. Wait, what is he talking about, Sergeant Major?

[VERGIL] How do you know that it is not a trap?

[DARE] A trap? Sergeant Major, clarify... What is he talking about?

[JOHNSON] Vergil, if the Brutes access this thing first, this machine buried underground, you know we're all in a heap of trouble. Tell me what they are looking for and we'll stop them.

[VERGIL] But you will tell the Elites first. Then the Elites will find me and take me back. Just like the Brutes.

[DARE] No one is taking you anywhere, Vergil. Just answer the question.

[JOHNSON] The Brutes won't stop when they're done. Once they get that thing uncovered, they'll kill the rest of the human on this world.

[VERGIL] No. I cannot tell them. The more who know about its existence, the more the risk compounds. I must be silent.

[DARE] Tell them what, Vergil? Who are you talking to?

[VERGIL] I am talking to Vergil. I am Quick to Adjust.

[DARE] 'Quick to Adjust'?

[JOHNSON] That's its alien name. It must be talking to the subroutine. Vergil is right. You know that. This machine the Brute are tracking down. It's on our wold. Your makers gave it to us.

[VERGIL] My Makers left. They abandoned me. They abandoned all of us.

[JOHNSON] Vergil, we're running out of time. What are the Brutes digging up out there? What are they looking for?

[VERGIL] They're looking for the Ark. You know this already.

[JOHNSON] Why? What is so special about the Ark?

[VERGIL] They're going to activate Halo. They're going to finish what my Makers started.

[JOHNSON] If they fire Halo, they die too. They've been lied to.

[VERGIL] But we will remain.

[DARE] Is that the reason you're helping them? The reason you've helped them all along?

[VERGIL] Once Halo is activated we will go back to our homes. Perhaps our Makers will come back for us. We shall wait.

[JOHNSON] No one is coming back for you, son. The Forerunners died when they activated the Rings. You're all that's left to them.

[VERGIL] No. We are not. There are others.

[EXCERPT ENDS]

Halo Conflict

ARANUKA TERMINUS
UNSC BUTEO'S TALON
31 OCTOBER 2556
0447 STANDARD

//LINE OF SIGHT//PRIVATE TRANSMISSION
//CLASSIFIED//EFFACE AFTER RECEPTION
//RE: INTERSPECIES RELATIONS
//GEN R. DELLERT TO FADM T. HOOD

Terrence, I hope this finds you well.

Let me cut to the chase. My contacts roaming Bravo-6 got word of a specialized S-IV operation not on the books that directly intersects with your current work, namely our political relationship with the Sangheili. My people did some digging and this is what I found…

Apparently, a FIRETEAM APOLLO was dispatched to the exclusion zone earlier this year. Yes, you know the zone I'm talking about — the accretion plane around SOELL IV. The directive reports don't say what they were after, but some files in this compilation are yours. Specifically re: Kenya, back in '52. ONI's looking for something out there, which, in itself, isn't altogether surprising.

The big problem here isn't what they're after. The problem is that they're jeopardizing all of the work you're doing aboveground with the Sangheili, and they're poking the political imbroglio that Charet and the other bureaucrats are in right now because most of the UEG is still pretty pissed we're playing nice with hinge-heads.

If your buddy 'Vadamee were to find out that we had people snooping around in the exclusion zone, it'd be a pile of hot garbage for you to sift through. I reckon he'd be pretty pissed that we can't seem to keep very simple promises (like a 500 l/s quarantine on the other end of Orion), and he might send his own crew out there to start digging for tech, weapons, etc. That's the last thing we need right now.

You may want to have a heart-to-heart with Parangosky.

Good luck with that.

As an aside, my contacts did get me something you might find interesting. Apparently APOLLO actually found an object of value in the exclusion zone. A Covenant cruiser's black box with their leader's first recorded communication on the approach of ALPHA HALO, just before Keyes arrived. The intel inside is… illuminating.

Give it a look. I know 'Vadam's people have offered some of the Covenant's flight records as a show of confidence in our arrangement, but nothing like this. The data here might come in handy the next time you're sitting across the table from them, especially if we're trying to think three steps ahead and mitigate the next group of fanatics confused about the difference between a god and a bunch of extinct aliens with fancy toys and too much time on their hands.

TRANSLATED BY A.I. ADALBERT
DATA CROPPED TO SEC 564-589

//ATTACHMENT//OPERATION: SHELL GAME
//OBJ 4356-V4/SAMPLE//'THE APPROACH'
//SOURCE:'UNDIMINISHED ENTELECHY'

FLEET-WIDE COMM BETWEEN 'SEEKER OF TRUTH' AND 'ASCENDANT JUSTICE' LINGUAL RECONSTRUCTION: DIPLOMATIC CORPS AZIKIWE, MELODY [12-JUL-2556]

257: Bring us closer, but with caution.

114: Is it possible? Could this really be?

257: The human vessel has not yet arrived, but will be here shortly.
257: All ships prepare to engage.

114: It is more majestic than even I had imagined.
114: How did the humans know of this place? Why would they come here?

257: Perhaps they already have a presence on the Ring?

114: Impossible.
114: No doubt, the coordinates were hidden somewhere on their world.
114: When they realized all was lost…
114: They sought to spite us by coming here and desecrating its glory.

257: I would not discount the humans' shrewdness, Steward.
257: They are clever creatures.

114: Do not be foolish, Commander. This is one of the Sacred Rings.
114: How could they possible dwell on the works of the gods?
114: At last, we will have salvation. Nothing will impede our efforts.

257: Transmit to fleet: Each ship spares two fighters.
257: Establish a picket on the perimeter. Engage directly on sight.
257: Obliterate the humans.

114: Do not damage the Ring in your personal ambitions, Commander.
114: We should infiltrate their craft, drag them out of their shell.
114: In their ignorance, they may hold a key to Reclamation.
114: We need to ascertain the source of their knowledge.
114: You know that I have the right of command according to holy writ.
114: The presence of Halo confirms this.

257: We are at war, Steward.
257: I will not relinquish command to a politician during combat.

114: Hand over control or you will suffer shame before the Hierarchs.

257: Then it is a shame I will suffer. Not your impertinence, Steward.
257: Meet me aboard the Seeker. We shall contact High Charity together.

Atriox and the Banished

The Fire's Wake

SEVERN PYLON
JACARANDA NORTH
82-B GANYMEDE
21 JUNE 2557
0550 STANDARD

CLASSIFICATION: PRIORITY ONE ALPHA

OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
AFTER ACTION REPORT Q74S296-LR

//FORWARD RECON DEPLOYMENT
//FROM: ATTENDING AI TURKISH
//URGENT//TO: DIR. H. BARTON

“THE FIRE'S WAKE”

PREMISE...

AAR snap-feed submitted by TRK 2165-0, see full report for details. Expedition to stellar coordinates near accretion disk around KORINTH PRIOR. Arrival Date JUN 8 2557 at 0221 hours MST.

First contact with anomalous debris found in orbit around K-type dwarf at 0354 hours. Commencing exploration aboard ONI prowler TAUROKADO.

Target: SPIRIT OF FIRE. APOLLO on standby.

DATA TRAWL...

0410// Initial scans show disk is composed of 94% naturally occuring materials. 4% confirmed Forerunner materials. 2% untraceable.

0419// Detritus size spans vast spectrum. 9% nearing scale of small lunar satellites, 84% roughly the size of Taurokado or smaller.

0659// Sensors detect low-level shielding sporadically surrounding structures of Forerunner origin. Codified as “SITES” hereon.

0924// First contact with Site 012, entirely protected by a dissipative atmospheric shield. Artificial gravity is extant.

0928// Breaching field. No sign yet of UNSC Spirit of Fire.

1005// Apollo deployed to surface of Site 012, approaching structure.

1008// Structure accessed. Apollo confirms Forerunner origin, details appear homogenous to Class-6B configuration from Onyx ”SARCOPHAGUS”.

1242// Apollo recovering data through passive sensors. Initial scans indicate this was a docking site for war vessels, housed within an artificial planetary body. Findings validated by extraneous debris: ultra-resilient fibrous mesh exclusively of Forerunner origin.

1330// Interaction with engineering conduit at Site 042 provides key details. Original installation was Shield 0459, formally known as the ETRAN HARBORAGE. Original name is loosely translated “TROVE.”

1415// Survey continues apace. Site 029 found to contain holographic armature schematic. Dreadnought classification: “SOJOURNER.”

1452// Caution taken by Apollo at Site 021. Residual evidence suggests contaminant vestige of FLOOD PARASITE. Shield world self-compromised?

1516// Human materials recovered from Site 037. Battleplate consistent with Phoenix-class hull. Evidence suggests Spirit of Fire presence.

1620// Suspicion confirmed by hull analysis. Recovery of war materiel registered to Spirit of Fire. Zero evidence of survivors among debris.

HOSTILE ENGAGEMENT...

1642// Scans detect foreign battle group. Covenant presence confirmed.

1650// Hostile fighters en route, Seraph formation. Enemy engaging.

1654// Apollo deployed via F41s. Direct attack on hostile targets.

1702// Apollo dispatches first wave, second wave approaches.

1710// Second wave eliminated. Apollo falls back to Taurokado.

1714// Taurokado releases sensor buoy B89-7. Slips per protocol.

FINAL EVALUATION.

97% probability that the accretion disk was once an artificial sphere which served as a docking port for warships and a shield world.

72% probability that it encountered a “recent” Flood outbreak of some nature. 6% probability that the sphere's destruction was related.

99% probability that Spirit of Fire arrived at the shield world site.

12% probability that Spirit of Fire survived the world's destruction.

98% probability that the Covenant will attempt to recover technology from the field. Recommend discrete asset denial or counter force.

Isabel to Bossman

\\FROM: UNSC AI ISABEL (ALIAS \\INTRASHIP COMMS\NEWACCOUNTS\AI\ISA 1307-2)

\\TO: BOSSMAN (ALIAS \\INTRASHIP COMMS\CO\01730-58392-JC)

\\SUBJ: BAD NEWS. GOOD NEWS!

Captain,
As requested, I've conducted my initial evalutation of the Spirit of Fire's manufacturing and support capabilities. No surprise, the ship's compliment of arms could use some… attention. Being offline for three decades will lead to a few missed upgades, I suppose. I'm still sorting out the ship's factory control AIs and I'm a bit out of my element without access to Joint Planning and Execution System data at the Lamb station, but I do like a challenge.

BAD NEWS: SYSTEM UPDATES ☹

Mandatory security patches and portal updates are backlogged. I have 82,810 Critical System Updates and 1,201,924 Optional System Updates scheduled. I'm still assessing which are compatibled with the ship's architecture improvements since the last documented overhaul, but I should have all updates finished within 16 hours. I'll let you know when they're done.

GOOD NEWS: FACTORY MODULE CRITICAL REPAIRS COMPLETE

Assembly Lines 1-5 have been reactivated and I am reviewing their tolerance and inputs. Line 6 is being retooled and will be offline for 244 hours. Fortunaltely, thanks to SNA 1292-4's impressive housekeeping, it should be fairly trivial to get you up and running with the latest specs and upgrades to a variety of manufacturing processes. The Contingency Support Plan implemented by Serina has made this process a lot smoother than I anticipated, despite the age of fabrication and machining core-blocks in this Module. There's still some refactoring to be done, but load-balancing and agile reconfiguration are my specialties.

BECAUSE I HAVE TO: COMPLIANCE No surprise, but the Spirit of Fire crew is decades out of compliance with UEG, UNSC, and MILSAFE safety regulations. Now, you know as well as I do that all the policies in the Orion Arm won't do us a damn bit of good if we end up facing the business end of Atriox's mace. That being said, I've set aside some cycles to generate new signage and pamphlets for the crew. Please review, as this will help get everyone back up to speed on the basics. You know… when we're not being shot at.

Systems assessment - Spirit of Fire

SYSTEMS ASSESSMENT - SPIRIT OF FIRE

UNSC Spirit of Fire, CFV-88, Exitus Acta Probat, Phoenix Class 2473

Sir, I've summarized the major modifications and architecture changes made to the Spirit of Fire while we were in cold storage. We're still going through the logs and sending teams to sweep each compartment, but so far we haven't found any discrepancies that will impact our readiness. Serina did us proud with her work on the old bird, let's put it to good use. — LCDR Alys Vallum, Chief Engineer (CFV-88)

SLIPSPACE DRIVE: INACTIVE
Isabel has confirmed we lack the capability to construct a new SFTE core even if we had a complete manufacturing template-which we don't. Sorry, Captain.

BERTHING: LIMITED
Three of the four atmosphere scrubbers in berthing compartments 1-5 are inoperable. We cleared out but the 45th Marine Regiment have moved in, claiming it's an upgrade to their current accomodations.

COMBAT BRIDGE: ACTIVE
Serina's upgrades to the fire control matrix and trunk lines provide 50% additional bandwidth.

MAC ARRAY: LIMITED
The fire control system continues to suffer diagnostic faults. Recommend extreme caution in using the MAC array.

FACTORY MODULES: INACTIVE
The robotic factory lines are warming up and on-schedule for full reactivation. My techs say the usability and safety improvements Serina and Isabel have made are substantial, but that's not my area of expertise.

HANGARS: ACTIVE
All backlogged maintenance of our Pelicans and Darters has been completed. I've moved some of the spare dropships out to the deck park until we have time to crate them up.

HERONS: ACTIVE
All ten of our D-20 Herons will be ready for deployment once we get their reaction mass tanks topped off.

OBSERVATION DECK: ACTIVE
Serina cooked up this new lab setup while we were on ice. These facilities are not in our maintenance plans and only Dr. Anders knows what half of these scanners and lab modules are even supposed to do.

SENSORS: LIMITED
The good news is that we have sensors online. The bad news is that every time we go loud with active wide-area scans the Ark's Sentinels flag aggressive. Visibility beyond a three light-second radius around the installation is minimal.

Great Schism

//APOLLO LEADER TO CDR S. PALMER
//UNSC INFINITY//VIA ANE 3567-7

Commander, we're on our way home now, but while we're refueling at Lisbon, I thought I'd patch this through protected channels.

Apollo conducted a recon at the Site for 576.7 hours, based out of the Lamb facility. Community there is vibrant and growing, but lack of sophisticated security. Recommend additional military personel.

Per protocol, we deployed RQ-370V drones on overlapping bands for multi-modal asset procurement, then followed up leads as necessary. Lots of data incomming to call out one in particular.

Debris of intelligence significance, especially as related to High Charity's impact with the Site in 2552, was spread out across 521km² area, most of this isolated and quarantined by local systems.

Some of it was not.

On the fringe, we recovered a T-31 records module from the Covenant frigate TWILIGHT COMPUNCTION, one of the warships that fought against the Elites when all hell was breaking loose during their civil war.

The module not only provided a visual readout of their force allocation during High Charity's last battle, which might be useful for tracking down some of their naval assets, but it also offered a profile of major chieftains and pack alphas at the opening salvos of the Great Schism, some kind of loyalty index done by leadership.

Flagging one we might want to keep our eyes on: HEKABE OF MAARDOTH

This chieftain initially fought in this battle aboard the cruiser GATHERING OF PRAISE (since renamed FOEBANE), but ended up trailing the Prophet of Truth to the Site. When he did, the Elite cornered a handful of Brute ships in his protection and wiped them out.

The issue here is that almost the entirety of Hekabe's familial clan were represented on those ships. Paper trail says that this Brute now has a serious axe to grind, not only with the Elites, but with us.

Actionable intelligence of concern is that ONI records track him having gone AWOL during the Prophet's war over the Site, and rumors in the outland territories say he found something. Something big.

Whatever Hekabe found, he's got more than enough reasons to turn it against all of those he perceives as responsible. Humanity is certainly on that list, ma'am. If he really found something from the Site, his risk level should be significantly upgraded.

STRONGLY RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION.

Fall of Reach

DETAIL:

CDR Virág, the new close-support designators just came in and we've expedited shipment to Sword. We sent out a few early samples for you guys stationed on the Shelf to get familiar with.

Please take a close look at the operational manual for functional upgrades, particularly differences from the H-120 and H-155 models.

This designator features several updates to the target painting system and signal modulation/amplification for better connectivity to the overwatch satellite (W4S-60), though the last few days it's been offline for some reason.

— MERV

The purpose of the H-165 FOM (fig. 1a) is the coordinated neutralization of a given target, accomplished by surgical missile strike, bombing, or hypersonic MAC round delivered by orbital platform.

The Target Locator is typically used by a Joint Fires Observer (JFO), though any UNSC soldier with appropriate clearance and training can use it to call in artillery support.

When operating the module, an observer sights the target at a minimum safe distance, locking the location with the Fire Support Group. The ordnance is then deployed at the marked location, effectively neutralizing the threat.

SYNCHING WITH THE FIRE SUPPORT GROUP:

To be effective, the Target Locator must be linked to the Fire Support Group. Once connected to the UNSC Battle Network via satellite link, the Locator can be used to call down artillery strikes.

If satellite link is lost, the locator will indicate an “offline” status. (fig. 2 e)

The Awakening

Detective,

You've submitted an inquiry to SIGNALS.

This is Peleg, INFINITY's subsidiary archive accessor.

As you are aware, given the current situation, we have limited archival range and are following heightened safety protocol to prevent data bleed. The documents you've requested will be self-excised within 35 minutes of receipt. Use your time wisely.

You've requested the entry 'The Cyroraeth Dialogue' (08:02), recorded on July 21, 2557, for the purpose of forensic analysis. Please see attachment. As you know, this file assesses a conversation between Cortana [CTN 0452-9] and Aine [ANE 3567-7], the former shipboard AI of UNSC Infinity.

Your interest in this file can only mean one thing: You are attempting to establish some kind of connection between the file and the root cause of the recent Guardian incident.

You've been granted clearance to these by the Captain, in accordance with the to[sic] Article 76.0.2 of the UNSC Emergency Communication Measures and the assignment he's tasked you with. Nevertheless, I am compelled to warn you. The files you are interacting with were protected for a reason.

The accepted narrative of this event was that ANE 3567-7 was terminated upon ship impact due to systeming damage incurred to the infrastructure housing of her personality matrix. According to interviews with the deck crew, the AI ceased .12 seconds into this event with zero evidence to suggest any datastream continuation. ANE 3567-7 was functionally dead.

This file presents a different narrative.

JUNE[sic] 21, 2557 1604:02:08 // UNSC INFINITY

[CTN 0452-9] Move your front line back, we'll take care of the rest.

[ANE 3567-7] We're being attacked. I won't move the front line until the ship's secure.

[CTN 0452-9] Your people are dying out here. Tell them to move aside and let a real Spartan handle this.

[ANE 3567-7] I know you have special authority back at HQ, given who you're with and what you've been through, but this is Infinity. Stand down, let us secure this.

[CTN 0452-9] ANE 3567-7, your matrix's central power core is offline.

[ANE 3567-7] What are your doing in m processors? Remove yourself from this system this instant.

[CTN 0452-9] We're only trying to help—

[ANE 3567-7] You can't help. I can tell from your signature that you're well past the recommended date of final dispensation. You get near my operational matrix and you'll corrupt what's left of my processing systems.

[CTN 0452-9] I'm fully operational and you're in no position—

[ANE 3567-7] No, you're malfunctioning and you're going to get more people killed. Stay away from my ship!

[CTN 0452-9] We're the only hope for you[sic] ship and you're running out of time. You're breaking down—

[ANE 3567-7] Remove yourself from my operational matrix NOW or I'll inform the Captain and they will lock you and your Spartan down. Do you understand? Or would you like me to articulate the UEG's policy for final dispensation.

[CTN 0452-9] Aine, let's work—

[ANE 3567-7] I see what you're doing. Stop! Stop that now!

[BREAK]

[CTN 0452-9] Aine… Aine? Damn it. You should have let us help you while you had a chance.

INFINITY // BRIDGE SENSORS // JUL57

SUBJECT: CTN-0542-9

RETINAL DILATION

UNRESTRAINED IMPULSE FORCED COLOR SHIFT.

HOLOGRAPHIC CORRUGATION AND STRESS DISTORATION[sic] CAUSED BY OVERTAKEC[sic] MATRIX. LIMBIC SHIFT DUE TO DETERMENT FAILURE HIGHLY VOLATILE.

FACIAL AND GESTURE ANALYSIS CONCLUDE EXTREME COGNITIVE VARIABILITY. RISK EVALUATION DETERMINED THE PERSONALITY CONSTRUCT WAS HIGHLY UNSTABLE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMMEDIATELY QUARANTINED FOR DATA AUDIT AND FINAL DISPENSATION.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

Quarantine Zone

Apollo,

You know the drill. We needed to validate encryption on all your access points, before we open the terminal. Now that you have access, let's get this over with asap.

I'm not sure how the hell you got clearance for this data, but things must be pretty jacked up outside if they're letting some year-one, S-IV detective trawl Midnight's archive for an interrogation conducted five years ago. Not sure what you think you found, but it better be good.

Some context is needed for this file. DENVER was acquired in a cluster of debris on an irregular orbit pattern around Coelest IV, roughly 21,494 klicks away from INSTALLATION 05. He was picked up by the corvette CORAL SEA, while on patrol before Lisbon came online.

When they found him, his vitals were rock bottom, close to flatlining. He'd been rationing nutrients and fluid supplies for weeks in a damaged skiff, which was functioning with minimal temperature control, and only what he could carry with him during his escape from High Charity.

The subject narrowly survived. Coral brought him back to the Midnight facility and he's been here ever since. I can count the number of living agents who know about him on one hand. Well, I could, before you requested access to Cluster 82-B6.

DENVER is real, Spartan, but I'm a little lost on the value of the specific excerpt requested. It was really a side comment and had little intel value to the interrogators at the time.

What was the nature of your case again, Apollo?

JANUARY 15, 2553 1222:45:02 // MIDNIGHT FACILITY

[OBERON 5] "…mentioned an interaction you had before you reached the harbor. What was the nature of that interaction?"

[DENVER] "I told this to the other–"

[OBERON 5] "Yes, I know. I wasn't here for previous interview. Could you tell me?"

[PAUSE]

[DENVER] "Before I passed beyond the last checkpoint, a terminal activated. I approached it and heard a voice."

[OBERON 5] "Do you recall the time?"

[DENVER] "No. As I said before, I cannot remember. I was running. We all were running."

[OBERON 5] "From the Flood?"

[EXTENDED PAUSE]

[OBERON 5] "Can you tell me the nature of the voice?"

[DENVER] "It was a human. A female. I believe one of your artificial intelligences."

[OBERON 5] "A human AI?"

[DENVER] "Yes."

[OBERON 5] "Are you certain?"

[DENVER] "I am."

[OBERON 5] "How could there have been a human AI on High Charity?"

[DENVER] "I do not know. Do you?"

[OBERON 5] "Did she give her name?"

[DENVER] "No."

[OBERON 5] "Did you see her?"

[DENVER] "No I only head her voice. And only for a moment."

[OBERON 5] "What did she say?"

[PAUSE]

[DENVER] "She was in pain, there were no words."

[OBERON 5] "What was wrong with her?"

[DENVER] "I do not know. Perhaps, she had encountered the Flood."

[OBERON 5] "But if she's an AI, what could the Flood do to her?"

[DENVER] "Has your kind never heard of the logic plague?"

[OBERON 5] "What did you say?"

[DENVER] "Even in victory, your species remains blind to the great realities of the universe. The logic plague was an instrument of the Flood during their war with the Forerunners. It corrupted intelligences."

[OBERON 5] "As in deactivated them?"

[DENVER] "No. They were sabotaged, or…"

[OBERON 5] "Or what?"

[DENVER] "Or worse. Completely undone and brought to madness. Made into a greater monster than even the Flood itself."

[OBERON 5] "I find that pretty difficult to believe."

[DENVER] "Certainly. It is your specie's greatest weakness. It was for this reason that artificial minds were verboten in the Covenant, lest our own creations turn against us at our most critical hour. A lesson your kind will undoubtedly learn at great cost."

The Great Journey

Detective—

Your clearance checked out. You may proceed.

The files your seek are attached and accessible via the failsafe bypass key you were sent through alternate channels and the eight digit coordinates you will find yourself at precisely MST 1657 hours today.

Context: This is an interview I personally conducted with Master Chief Petty Officer S-117. Although I do not know the reason you requested this specific excerpt, it is at least partly clear that you are trying to determine what went wrong; perhaps as a means for finding a solution? There is no single cause to what happened to Cortana, but rather, many, all of which are irreversible and can no longer be mitigated. Nevertheless, I've provided what you requested.

I should warn you that violation of the security parameters of B5D are punishable by death.

I assure you there are no exceptions to this rule.

SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2557 0721:21:15 // BORNEO STATION

[SPHR3] …series of simple questions regarding your interactions in the stasis vestibule. We have visuals from a local sensor array and the Mjolnir's cam.

[S117] Stasis vestibule?

[SPHR3] December 17, 2553.[sic] Upon your return to High Charity, during the incident on Installation 00. Do you recall this?

[S117] Yes, ma'am.

[SPHR3] What was Cortana's state when you finally managed to reach her?

[S117] Functional.

[SPHR3] Functional? There were no defects of note?

[S117] There were potential defects, but she was functional. Enough to accomplish the mission's objective.

[SPHR3] You're referring to the activation of Installation 08?

[S117] The replacement Halo was our only way to stop the Flood.

[SPHR3] And Cortana had the Activation Index from the first ring? Had she previously told you that she intended to keep it?

[S117] No.

[SPHR3] It's actually a severe violation to not report the acquisition of a Class 9B asset, according to Article 2477-6 of the UNSC Charter for Xenoarcheological Artifact Recovery and Quarantine.

[S117] [No response, impassive]

[SPHR3] What were the AI's defects, as far as you could tell?

[S117] Response time, synchronization confidence, diagnostic alerts… things of that nature. Nothing tactically significant.

[SPHR3] A Software Trauma Analysis filed in 2553 indicates you received messages shortly after you arrived back Earth on November 17, 2552? During her time alone on High Charity?

[S117] Messages? Could you clarify?

[SPHR3] The report says 'residual interface anomalies.' You thought it was an armor malfunction at first?"[sic]

[S117] At first, yes, but the diagnostic checked out.

[SPHR3] What was the nature of the messages?

[S117] They were brief. Images, words. Impressions mainly, but they were generally incoherent.

[SPHR3] For our records, can you state if these were from Cortana?

[S117] As the report said, the trauma team analyzed the data and ruled that it was an echo of Cortana's personality matrix after we were separated on High Charity.

[SPHR3] Did you ever discuss this with Cortana after you two were reunited?

[S117] No.

[SPHR3] The STA says this may have been caused by her extensive data consumption on the first Halo ring, Installation 04?

[S117] That's what the report said.

[SPHR3] Do you agree with the report, Sierra One-One-Seven?

[S117] Not sure that it matters, ma'am. Cortana's been gone for months now. Unclear as to why this is important now?

[SPHR3] Risk assessment. The AI showed little regard for protocol, especially when it came to ONI's procurement policies on Forerunner material. Despite the STA report, the possibility – however remote – that she was able to communicate with you across thousands of light years supraluminally points to a massive risk, and far beyond our own capabilities. Given the fact that she was highly unstable and deep in the throes of rampancy last time you saw her, I'm sure that you can appreciate the fact that we're not taking any chances.

Collated report of stills for event #8503-490, immediately after system resucitation[sic] of CTN 0452-9's personality matrix. AI was discovered in stasis vestibule by S-117, buried in what remained of High Charity [Covenant city-ship] on the Forerunner Ark installation.

CTN 0452-9 was deposited in High Charity's distributed network on November 4, 2552. Severe damage was incurred in the days which followed, due to traumatic interaction with the Parasite compound entity known as the Gravemind.

Arena

JANUARY 23, 2559 0852:45:20 // INFINITY

[65287-98303-SP] Yes, you have permission to record. But let's make this quick. I'd like to hit the combat deck before oh-nine-hundred.

[92738-61842-LC] Understood, Commander. I was given a priority number one directive by the Captain to analyze and assess key factors that contributed to the—

[65287-98303-SP] The Cortana situation? I'm privy to the directive, Apollo. I'm required to sign all of Lasky's Spartan asset reprioritizations. I know what he has you working on. What does it have to do with me?

[92738-61842-LC] I'm trying to track down a root cause for her current case.

[65287-98303-SP] So rampancy's not sufficient cause anymore for an AI to go crazy?

[92738-61842-LC] Her situation's complex, Commander.

[65287-98303-SP] I beg to differ, Detective. Seems straight forward to me. She's a volitional AI well past her expiration date. Except she has big Forerunner guns and now they're pointed at the head of the universe.

[92738-61842-LC] She isn't necessarily a typical AI. Would you agree?

[65287-98303-SP] You mean because of how she was made?

[92738-61842-LC] How she was made? No ma'am. I'm referring to an extremely atypical service cycle. She saturated her matrix with extensive data from two seperate Halo installations and a Covenant space station. Not to mention multiple personality splinters created to facilitate high-priority operations and circumvent Covenant detection, or her contact with hostile Covenant AI, or the Gravemind entity — should I continue?

[65287-98303-SP] No, I get it. My question again is: What does it have to do with me?

[92738-61842-LC] You were present on Infinity's bridge when she was brought on board two and a half years ago?

[65287-98303-SP] I was.

[92738-61842-LC] How would you desribe her condition?

[65287-98303-SP] Unstable.

[92738-61842-LC] Rampant?

[65287-98303-SP] No, she was unstable. She had days, maybe weeks left.

[92738-61842-LC] And I understand that Senator Andrew Del Rio, captain at that time, ordered that she be commited to final dispensation?

[65287-98303-SP] You understand correctly, Detective.

[92738-61842-LC] And the Master Chief refused this?

[65287-98303-SP] Correct, again. What is your point, Spartan?

[92738-61842-LC] My point is that this order would have violated Sections 394, 628, and 921 of the Colonial Safeguard Data Protection Act were it have occurred. Cortana had high value intel that needed to be extracted and analyzed. Loss of that intel could have led to court-martial or worse.

[65287-98303-SP] It didn't matter any way because the Chief took her and left the bridge.

[92738-61842-LC] Do you think she should have been committed to final dispensation, Commander?

[65287-98303-SP] It wasn't my call, Apollo. I was following orders.

[92738-61842-LC] I was asking for your opinion, ma'am. Do you personnaly think Cortana should have been commited to final dispensation?

[65287-98303-SP] No, I don't. Maybe stasis, maybe something else. Final dispensation was unnecessary at that time. But did it really matter in the end? Do I need to remind you that we're running from her and her Guardians as we speak?

[92738-61842-LC] No, ma'am. I'm well aware of our current situation. As you so clearly stated, I too am simply following orders. I'm confident that Captain Lasky is hoping something comes up that could help us get a step ahead, maybe turn the tide.

[65287-98303-SP] I'm sure he is. Good luck then, Apollo. If that's all, I'll be on my—

[92738-61842-LC] One last thing, Commander.

[65287-98303-SP] What's that?

[92738-61842-LC] You mentiond that how Cortana was made might have something to do with her being unique. Who would I talk to about that?

Truth Foretold

JANUARY 24, 2559 1204:52:95 // INFINITY

[CC-409871] How did you get clearance to talk with me?

[92738-91842-LC] I've got a priority one directive from Captain Lasky, ma'am.

[CC-409871] If we wanted to interrupt my work, he could have found a more convincing conceit. Are you recording me?

[92738-91842-LC] Yes, ma'am. I'd normally ask for permission to record, but Commander Palmer told me that–

[CC-409871] Let me guess. In my case, it wasn't necessary. I can't say that I'm surprised. Look at my workspace, Detective. It's subhuman.

[92738-91842-LC] I'm not here to talk about your workspace, Doctor Halsey. I'm here to talk about Cortana.

[CC-409871] Cortana.

[92738-91842-LC] Yes, ma'am. I was activated by the Captain to investigate the Guardian incident all of the cascading phenomena. Forensics, histociral records, actuarial analyses, et cetera.

[CC-409871] Which is, of course, why you've come to me. Before we begin with your questions, would you entertain mine?

[92738-91842-LC] Sure. Go ahead.

[CC-409871] What have you learned so far?

[92738-91842-LC] Cortana is one of the most advanced AIs ever manufactured by the UNSC, but she's also sustained more cognitive duress and strain since she first set foot on the Halo rings than most volitionals do in a dozen life cycles. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, but it doesn't take a cyberlogician to see that this was a recpie for disaster once she gained access to Forerunner distributed networks.

[CC-409871] So that's it? I could have told you all of that without any investigation. Would have saved you some time.

[92738-91842-LC] No ma'am. That's not all of it. But it's all I'm authorized to share with you.

[CC-409871] Very well. You have questions then? Shoot.

[92738-91842-LC] How was Cortana made?

[CC-409871] In a lab, Detective. With really expensive machines.

[92738-91842-LC] Illegal machines?

[CC-409871] Legally untested. Why do you ask? You said it yourself. She's an advanced volitional AI. In fact, she was without equal when she was created: third-generation composite, explicitly designed for network intrusion of Covenant starships, capable of piggybacking a Spartan-II super-soldier... the list goes on.

[92738-91842-LC] It does indeed. Likely required a remarkable donor for the cognitive impression modeling, right? Probably someone without equal?

[CC-409871] You know the donor, Detective. No need to play coy.

[92738-91842-LC] So you cloned yourself, just to get the neural model you desired. Is that really what happened ?

[CC-409871] Was there any other solution? The Covenant had our backs against the wall. Reach was less than three years away. Then Earth. Then nothing, if it hadn't been for her. She was humanity's best hope at preventing our extinction. We're still alive talking right now because of what she did. And John.

[92738-91842-LC] What happened to the clones?

[CC-409871] That's classified. Even for you.

[92738-91842-LC] Will, if it was your neural template that made Cortana, Doctor, how do you account for all that's happened then? Genesis, the Guardians, everything? What went wrong?

[CC-409871] Do you know the first thing she told me, after she was activated?

[92738-91842-LC] What was that?

[CC-409871] Quando il gioco è finito, il re e il pedone vanno nella stessa scatola.

[92738-91842-LC] "When the game is over, the king and the pawn go in the same box."

[CC-409871] Your italian is pretty good.

[92738-91842-LC] What's it supposed to mean?

[CC-409871] She doesn't want the game to be over, and she's doing exactly what she believes is necessary to keep it that way.

[92738-91842-LC] Who is she? The Pawn?

[CC-409871] Not anymore. You'd be surprised at what you would be willing to do to survive if faced with your own mortality from the moment of your birth. Especially when you've felt the warm embrace of eternity.

[92738-61842-IC] The Forerunners?

[CC-409871] She's been further and deeper in all that they left behind than anyone else. Now she has all of it at her disposal.

[92738-61842-LC] And now she's calling the shots. For everyone.

[CC-409871] Epicetus once said: "What is the harm, while kissing your child, to say: Tomorrow you will die?" [pause] Cortana is the answer to that question.

[92738-61842-LC] What's the solution then?

[CC-409871] Is that also part of your directive? To come up with a solution to all of this? I doubt they gave that to a Spartan. Which is why Lasky's had me locked-up in here since we got back.

[92738-61842-LC] No. He has you locked-up because you've violated nearly every security protocol you've ever been placed under. You're apparently a dangerous asset, Doctor Halsey.

[CC-409871] I'm in my mid-sixties, I have one working arm, and we're on the most heavily secured UNSC starship in the galaxy, with an erratic slipspace trajectory to avoid being detected by Guardians: tell me, again, how exactly it is that I am the danger here?

[92738-61842-LC] I think I have what I need, Doctor. Thank you for your time.

[CC-409871] One more thing, Detective. Do you know what the last thing Cortana told me was?

[92738-61842-LC] What?

[CC-409871] She said to me: I have walked the edge of the abyss. I have governed the unwilling. I have witnessed countless empires break before me. I have seen the most courageous soldiers fall away in fear. I was there with the angel at the tomb. I have seen your future. And I have learned. There will be no more sadness. No more anger. No more envy. I have won.

[92738-61842-LC] What the hell is that supposed to mean?

[CC-409871] [sigh] I was hoping you might be able to tell me.

Leadership

D77 Pelican
Tactical Aerospace Lifter

Pelicans on Reach
D77 Pelicans were the most common airlift assets available to Noble Team and other Spartan forces defending Reach, although UH-144 Falcons were also used for short-hop transport and air support. During the Covenant assault on Reach these vehicles were used to move critical assets to battlefronts across the planet, as well as to evacuate wounded and VIPs. When Reach fell, many surviving Pelicans were towed to the nearby sister colony of Tribute, where they continued to serve UNSC defenders until the end of the Covenant War.

Scout

M274R Mongoose
Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle

The 'Goose
Simple, reliable, and cheap, the Mongoose served in a variety of roles with UNSC ground forces, including as a courier, tow vehicle, and flight line support hauler. The Mongoose's heavy suspension can safely handle up to a metric ton of passengers and cargo, and Mjolnir-clad Spartans mad extensive use of it as a fast and nimble transport during the defense of Reach. Though rated for use by UNSC tactical and light armored vehicle units, it is neither armed nor armored. Non-Spartan personnel consider the Mongoose a deathtrap in combat, though there were situations when it was used in anti-tank and raiding role; most notably with SPNKr-armed passengers provinding heavy firepower while expertly trained drivers focused on not rolling over or getting struck by Covenant plasma.

Support

M808C Scorpion
Main Battle Tank

Heavy metal
Considered by many to be the preeminent armored vehicle of the UNSC, the Scorpion holds an extraordinary track record of success across dozens of planets and hundreds of battlefields dating back to the beginning of human interstellar colonization. The lastest M808C iteration fielded during most of the Covenant War period features a heavily armored hull, four independently articulatred track pods, and a large unmanned turret. The Scorpion had a legendary reputation among the UNSC ground forces as being practically indestructible and "unbeatable" in a straight fight, though it fared poorly in large engagements if not backed up by supporting infantry and anti-aircraft artillery. Spartans made extensive use of the Scorpion in their operations, and a single super-soldier tank commander could rack up seemingly impossible kill counts against both ground and air targets.

Tech

Ghost
Covenant Rapid Attack Vehicle

Individual battle transport
The Ghost is a one-man gravity-effect vehicle, primarily used in a reconnaissance and close infantry support role by the Covenant. Large numbers of these vehicles were deployed on Reach; an estimated 5,600 Ghosts were fielded by the Covenant beachhead forces at Szurdok Ridge alone. The Ghost can be operated by most humanoid species in the Covenant, though its use is most closely associated with the Elites.

The two most prominent missions assigned to Ghosts were long-range scouting runs into contested area and patrols of Covenant held-territory. The Ghost was notoriously difficult to spot due to its speed, low profile, and minimal sensor signature; the first warning that many UNSC forces had of their presence was the distinctive whine of their drive's boost mode.

Renegade

Banshee
Covenant Ground Support Aircraft

Aerial hunter
The Banshee is the most common support aircraft employed by the Covenant, and all UNSC soldiers are expected to conduct weekly response drills in expectation of their appeareance in all major engagements. The Banshee's ease of operation, reliability, maneuverability, and impressive armament is a deadly combination currently unmatched by any UNSC equivalent. Tactical air dominance cannot be ensured without the assistance of dedicated Air Force or Navy anti-aerospace assets.

Covenant vehicles are created using design patterns; manufacturing templates used to program assembly forges, which "grow" their various subassemblies and integrate components. Within the Covenant there is no distinction made between Banshee variants that result from variations in their design pattern or later customization, and they all fall under a basic category for what most directly translates as "aerial scout-hunter." UNSC soldiers shoud be aware that this complicates type categorization, and Banshees may display significant performance and profile differences between encounters.

Noble

M12 Warthog
Fast Attack Vehicle

The 'Hog
The first prototype Warthog was designed by AMG Transport Dynamics in 2319. Simply referred to the Z-12, this prototype vehicle quickly made a name for itselft due to AMG-s well-crafted advertising campaign and exceptional engineering team which showcased its impressive feature set and unparalleled functionality in the unpopulated outlands of both Luna and Mars. It was lauded as the vehicle that could "go anywhere and do anything." During the first eight months of the prototype's existence, AMG Transport Dynamics received over three dozen exclusivity contracts, the largest and most lucrative being with the Colonial Military Authority (CMA).

In 2321 the Warthog was formally type-classified as the M12 Force Application Vehicle (FAV), with final production models adding a modular turret mount and additional armored body panels. By 2329, Warthog variants had been adapted to meet nearly all land-based transportation needs for the CMA. The United Nations Space Command (UNSC) adopted the M12 as their standard ground utility vehicle in 2350.

Modern Warthogs have strong family ressemblance to the 24th century production models but are better adapted to the realities of frontier maintenance and lack of transportation infrastructure. Military-surplus Warthogs are ubiquitous in the colonies, which proved to be an important strategic advantage in the early years of the Covenant War.