Support NeoGAF

[Tyrus]

As far as I'm aware there are no real concrete details surrounding Jorge's move to Noble team. We do know though that Kat was one of the original members of NOBLE Team, and she left Beta Company after Operation: CARTWHEEL on May 30, 2545. So Jorge wouldn't have joined NOBLE until some point in 2545 at the very earliest, if not later. That's a big difference from 2531/2532 when Kurt and Randall respectively went M.I.A., and Jorge being reassigned at that point wouldn't be as much of a point of interest as a couple Spartans going missing outright so early on.

Good pick-up regarding Kat's join date. I'm still curious as to how Chief Mendez, John-117 and the rest of the Spartan-II cohort would have reacted to Jorge's re-assignment if it was public knowledge within the group - I'm assuming it wasn't, given Noble Team's secretive nature, but it just is weird to me that a member of a tight-knight group like the Spartan-IIs just leaves and none of the future novels post-Halo Reach really try to explain his omission or anything.

I haven't played Halo Reach in ages, but does anyone recall if Dr. Halsey said anything in-game or in her journal about Jorge's re-assignment to Noble Team/when she sees him again in the game? That's the only bit I remember (their brief reunion) but couldn't remember if she said anything interesting about his new role with the Spartan-IIIs, and/or revealed if she knew anything about it.

Just keep in mind the Reach game itself is a massive retconn, a lot of the story bits that differentiates from the novel was never explained. We might be able to see how 343 handles that in the upcoming Fall of Reach animated series.

True, it's felt like that and as a major fan of the books and Eric Nylund's work since the beginning, I always remained baffled as to why Bungie ignored the strong supplementary lore from the novels and just twisted it so much in the games. Why employ Nylund and the other writers to go through so much effort to expand the universe, only to never use it, or contradict it?

I didn't know about the Fall of Reach series either, so thanks for the heads-up, hopefully they fix it.

This. I'm not sure who wrote Reach but boy did they not even bother to look at source material.

Yep. It really annoyed me at the time, and still does now.

 

[GringoSuave89]

So, I really loved Saint's Testimony. Really quick read, but well worth it. Plus,

Spoiler

dem Roland and BB cameos!

Frankie, you need to write more. Really dig your style.

 

[WhiteRabbitEXE]

Stinkles has already said the animated series is more or less a direct adaptation of the novel, albeit with some minor concessions to differences in storytelling-medium and whatnot. Just like the comic book adaptation. Halsey's Journal already serves to somewhat smooth over the issues, and I don't expect 343i to address it any further.

Honestly, I'm fine with leaving things as they are. Ignoring the big issue that the characters in Fall of Reach are seemingly unaware of the ongoing invasion (which, to be fair in some cases, they genuinely would be, due to the hidden and localized nature of some of the Covenant operations, along with the communications issues mentioned throughout the game) it all mashes together decently well enough if you want it to.

Plus, in the grand scheme of things Fall of Reach is still fully canonical and much more directly important to the universe, particularly now, while Reach does not really advance the universe in any crucial ways that have been built upon since. So you can just take Reach as the character story it was intended to be, squint your eyes any time a date pops up on screen, and not even bother plotting it all out or attempting to reconcile every little thing.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

I like to think of Reach the game as some sort of ONI-sanctioned retelling of the actual events. Embellished in some parts, redacted in others. Stuff to show the in-universe people what struggles and loss the UNSC went through trying to survive/win the war.

It's by no means a good theory, but it works for my head cannon.

 

[daedalius]

Has the comic con panel ever been posted?

 

[WhiteRabbitEXE]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501128086/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Sooo... when was this announced? Also, I guess this means that all the digital shorts won't be compiled into a single release like I thought.

 

[VoltySquirrel]

I like to think of Reach the game as some sort of ONI-sanctioned retelling of the actual events. Embellished in some parts, redacted in others. Stuff to show the in-universe people what struggles and loss the UNSC went through trying to survive/win the war.

It's by no means a good theory, but it works for my head cannon.

I'll be honest: it doesn't reflect well on a story when you need to come up with theories in order to make the plot issues make sense.

I mean to me I just take as it basically is: anything that conflicts between the book and the game, the game is correct because the game is clearly the primary focus of the franchise. Everything else is the same.

 

[wesleyshark]

Reading Saint's Testimony this evening! Stoked for new lore.

I'll be honest: it doesn't reflect well on a story when you need to come up with theories in order to make the plot issues make sense.

I mean to me I just take as it basically is: anything that conflicts between the book and the game, the game is correct because the game is clearly the primary focus of the franchise. Everything else is the same.

Normally I'd agree, but with Reach... Fall of Reach is the canon to focus on over the game. The game is actually really insignificant to what happened on Reach in the entirety of the war. All of the juicy important bits occurred in the book, which was already established.

And given Bungie's bumbling and stumbling with catering good and solid lore in-game in Destiny, what they did with Reach begins to make sense, in that it doesn't make much sense at all.

 

[Fuchsdh]

Honestly a whole lot of The Fall of Reach has been retconned, and a lot of it needed to be for Halo to grow as a franchise (like not encountering Elites in combat until 2552, not having artificial gravity, et al.) Its status as the first book in a franchise not-yet-established always meant it was going to have rough edges. I tend to look at it like a series pilot—usually things get tweaked by the time you go to production.

I hear aways back that Halsey's Journal was actually Microsoft's idea, and to me that makes a lot more sense as to why it tries to smooth over the gaps and questions in lore—I'd always wondered why Bungie would have brought in the author whose work they were essentially ignoring in large part to write the explanations for why they were ignoring it. Seemed like a dick move :|

Will dig in to Saints Testimony now.

 

[wesleyshark]

Honestly a whole lot of The Fall of Reach has been retconned, and a lot of it needed to be for Halo to grow as a franchise (like not encountering Elites in combat until 2552, not having artificial gravity, et al.) Its status as the first book in a franchise not-yet-established always meant it was going to have rough edges. I tend to look at it like a series pilot—usually things get tweaked by the time you go to production.

I hear aways back that Halsey's Journal was actually Microsoft's idea, and to me that makes a lot more sense as to why it tries to smooth over the gaps and questions in lore—I'd always wondered why Bungie would have brought in the author whose work they were essentially ignoring in large part to write the explanations for why they were ignoring it. Seemed like a dick move :|

Will dig in to Saints Testimony now.

Yeah that was strange. I'm glad Nylund got more work, as he is a great fit for Halo, but... Still strange. I hope he will get asked to write another story down the road and that it doesn't get blitzkrieg'd by subsequent material.

I'm so impatient about Saint's Testimony. Might read it on my lunch break lol.

 

[GringoSuave89]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501128086/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Sooo... when was this announced? Also, I guess this means that all the digital shorts won't be compiled into a single release like I thought.

It was never announced, which is odd. Dunno how that'll work with Saint's Testimony, since it's incredibly short.

 

[wesleyshark]

It was never announced, which is odd. Dunno how that'll work with Saint's Testimony, since it's incredibly short.

Nice! I was hoping that would come to paperback eventually.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

Yeah that was strange. I'm glad Nylund got more work, as he is a great fit for Halo, but... Still strange. I hope he will get asked to write another story down the road and that it doesn't get blitzkrieg'd by subsequent material.

I'm so impatient about Saint's Testimony. Might read it on my lunch break lol.

It's like 35 pages or something minus the ads and title pages, you can knock it out during a bathroom break!

And Reach the game just didnt bring anything new or exciting to the table, except NOBLE team, who mostly all

Spoiler

died.

I think the only real takeaways that impacted future canon was

Spoiler

Jun being involved in the SIV program

and some extra interaction with

Spoiler

Buck

.

I enjoyed playing Reach, just still bummed they didnt do more with it, lore wise.

It was never announced, which is odd. Dunno how that'll work with Saint's Testimony, since it's incredibly short.

$9.99 seems a little excessive.

 

[AP90]

Sorry to interrupt..For anyone who has not purchased an Xbox console or would like a second, best buy has an awesome deal right now.

Dailygamedeals.com

Click on the best buy Xbox one console bundle link.

You then have to check the different skus they have that you would like. They also have the $350 500gig version as well.

Xbox 1tb MCC
+New controller (one with headphone jack)
+$50 gift card to best buy.

TOTAL: $434.99 after taxes with store pickup. GC is mailed to you.

Cheers!

EDIT: LINK TO BESTBUY
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/null/free-select-controller-with-xbox-one/pcmcat395100050000.c?id=pcmcat395100050000&ref=199&loc=nWAAteHRWjk&acampID=1&siteID=nWAAteHRWjk-Frt2aMqltqb6Z1aX9MJFoQ

 

[Fuchsdh]

I did like the twist to Saints Testimony. Makes sense, when you think about it.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

I did like the twist to Saints Testimony. Makes sense, when you think about it.

I went from being really happy to being kind of sad to being all WTFOMGBBQ.

 

[wesleyshark]

Saint's Testimony was amazing. Beautiful, beautiful story.

I'm sure there's going to be some good discussion from this tiny lore nugget.

Good job frank!

 

[wesleyshark]

Spoiler

The mention of Cortana in the context of mortality evoked a shivering response somewhere in Iona’s layers of simulated emotion, one that rose through the more rational layers and rippled at the surface. An AI who had been monstrously conceived, gloriously realized, and enigmatically evolved through contact with prehuman technology was now missing, perhaps destroyed. What is her current status? Iona mused. Dead? Resurrected? Sublimated?

Spoiler

It's interesting that as of January 2558, ~6 months post-the events of Halo 4, there's still no definitive ruling on the current status of Cortana. This isn't another argument to evidence her survival- it's just interesting. Perhaps they treat the loss of an AI that occured out of their protocols as MIA, like they do for Spartans? In Escalation, John gives his testimony during his debrief, and does confirm that she is gone. But here- it's as if since there's no actual proof of her demise, given her state and the way in which she was confirmed as being gone, they can't make an official statement regarding it?

Spoiler

Also, I really liked how it was BB and Roland all along, behind the scenes. Their back and forth was enjoyable, and gave Roland some depth and it was, of course, nice to see BB again.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

Spoiler

The mention of Cortana in the context of mortality evoked a shivering response somewhere in Iona’s layers of simulated emotion, one that rose through the more rational layers and rippled at the surface. An AI who had been monstrously conceived, gloriously realized, and enigmatically evolved through contact with prehuman technology was now missing, perhaps destroyed. What is her current status? Iona mused. Dead? Resurrected? Sublimated?

Spoiler

It's interesting that as of January 2558, ~6 months post-the events of Halo 4, there's still no definitive ruling on the current status of Cortana. This isn't another argument to evidence her survival- it's just interesting. Perhaps they treat the loss of an AI that occured out of their protocols as MIA, like they do for Spartans? In Escalation, John gives his testimony during his debrief, and does confirm that she is gone. But here- it's as if since there's no actual proof of her demise, given her state and the way in which she was confirmed as being gone, they can't make an official statement regarding it?

Spoiler

Also, I really liked how it was BB and Roland all along, behind the scenes. Their back and forth was enjoyable, and gave Roland some depth and it was, of course, nice to see BB again.

*looks quickly side to side to see if greenleafcm is around*

Spoiler

THATS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT!!

Haha.. its open ended enough for me to go.. well, maybe?

I would assume that to the extent of John-117's (A Spartan) knowledge, she was destroyed, but he's not all-knowing. The "enigmatically evolved" line really caught my eye. If she was evolved.. what was changed/updated/etc?

Gahhhh finally!

 

[wesleyshark]

Spoiler

THATS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT!!

Haha.. its open ended enough for me to go.. well, maybe?

I would assume that to the extent of John-117's (A Spartan) knowledge, she was destroyed, but he's not all-knowing. The "enigmatically evolved" line really caught my eye. If she was evolved.. what was changed/updated/etc?

Gahhhh finally!

Spoiler

Yep. It, once again, falls into the grey area of them not wanting to confirm either way the current state (or lack thereof) of Cortana. This is deliberate haha. Whatever role she has in Halo 5, whether it is tangible or a phantasm of some sort, will be the final word, I'm thinking. They're leaving it a bit murky intentionally.

We still don't know what the Librarian did to her. The "enigmatically evolved" bit makes me pause.

 

[Fuchsdh]

Spoiler

Yep. It, once again, falls into the grey area of them not wanting to confirm either way the current state (or lack thereof) of Cortana. This is deliberate haha. Whatever role she has in Halo 5, whether it is tangible or a phantasm of some sort, will be the final word, I'm thinking. They're leaving it a bit murky intentionally.

We still don't know what the Librarian did to her. The "enigmatically evolved" bit makes me pause.

There's also the question of how much the AIs know about Cortana, and how much is put into lockdown.

Spoiler

The confirmation that there exist areas "out of bounds" for AI, not even based on classification, was interesting.

 

[wesleyshark]

There's also the question of how much the AIs know about Cortana, and how much is put into lockdown.

Spoiler

The confirmation that there exist areas "out of bounds" for AI, not even based on classification, was interesting.

Spoiler

Yes, that as well. Roland seems to be struggling with purposely limiting Iona to a very controlled limit of knowledge in their farce of a tribunal. I wonder how long Iona has been in this state, and when she was "brought in" so to speak. I'm imagining it was somehwere post-Halo 4's events?

 

[Captain Zyrain]

Spoiler

Yep. It, once again, falls into the grey area of them not wanting to confirm either way the current state (or lack thereof) of Cortana. This is deliberate haha. Whatever role she has in Halo 5, whether it is tangible or a phantasm of some sort, will be the final word, I'm thinking. They're leaving it a bit murky intentionally.

We still don't know what the Librarian did to her. The "enigmatically evolved" bit makes me pause.

There's also the question of how much the AIs know about Cortana, and how much is put into lockdown.

Spoiler

The confirmation that there exist areas "out of bounds" for AI, not even based on classification, was interesting.

I don't have a problem guys..

Spoiler

Seriously! I'm good!

But yeah it does leave the door just cracked open enough in my opinion that "anything can happen" still applies (in my mind).

Spoiler

It is interesting to think that perhaps the AI's are learning more about themselves through this as well. I wonder if she really was the first one to go through this or if they've played with soon-to-be-deactivated AI's in the past.

Hope we get to see more BB action. He should almost be at the end of his time soon, shouldn't he?

 

[GringoSuave89]

It's like 35 pages or something minus the ads and title pages, you can knock it out during a bathroom break!

which is exactly what I did hahaha

$9.99 seems a little excessive.

I'm willing to bet it has some kind of expanded material. Either new story or a bundle with Saint's Testimony. Outside of a street date we have no idea what's included.

Spoiler

Hope we get to see more BB action. He should almost be at the end of his time soon, shouldn't he?

ST Spoilers:

Spoiler

BB was in service August 2552, so as of Saint's Testimony, he would have about 19 months left before his end of life process would start.

 

[wesleyshark]

which is exactly what I did hahaha



I'm willing to bet it has some kind of expanded material. Either new story or a bundle with Saint's Testimony. Outside of a street date we have no idea what's included.



ST Spoilers:

Spoiler

BB was in service August 2552, so as of Saint's Testimony, he would have about 19 months left before his end of life process would start.

- how is the Microsoft Band? I've been debating getting one...

- And that price will drop between now and release date. I always pre-order books really far in advance so I'll automatically get any price drops applied as time passes.

-

Spoiler

That makes me sad. Hopefully there'll be a massive advancement towards meta-stability by that time.

 

[GringoSuave89]

-

Spoiler

That makes me sad. Hopefully there'll be a massive advancement towards meta-stability by that time.

Spoiler

Even if we only get one more story with him being a main character, I'd be happy. Best thing to come out of the Kilo-Five series.

 

[wesleyshark]

Spoiler

Even if we only get one more story with him being a main character, I'd be happy. Best thing to come out of the Kilo-Five series.

Agreed.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

- how is the Microsoft Band? I've been debating getting one...

-

Spoiler

That makes me sad. Hopefully there'll be a massive advancement towards meta-stability by that time.

OT: Target had a sale last week which made it around $125 after price match + coupon so I figured why not.

It's cool, takes a little getting used to, but it pairs wonderfully with my Nokia 1520

Spoiler

(God, I'm a Microsoft whore.. sigh)

. The Cortana interaction/usage is pretty cool.

If you don't NEED one, I'd wait for v2.0 which should be out by the end of the year I'd imagine, but I need help exercising anyway.. so...

On topic.. yeah agreed on

Spoiler

BB. One more good story would be nice. Maybe his final resting place or something.

 

[wesleyshark]

OT: Target had a sale last week which made it around $125 after price match + coupon so I figured why not.

It's cool, takes a little getting used to, but it pairs wonderfully with my Nokia 1520

Spoiler

(God, I'm a Microsoft whore.. sigh)

. The Cortana interaction/usage is pretty cool.

If you don't NEED one, I'd wait for v2.0 which should be out by the end of the year I'd imagine, but I need help exercising anyway.. so...

On topic.. yeah agreed on

Spoiler

BB. One more good story would be nice. Maybe his final resting place or something.

- Oh dang that's a good price! I think I'll wait for a v2. I'm also waiting for the dang Surface Pro 4 announcement and flagship Lumias....

-

Spoiler

A proper send off for BB should be a major priority in the main-line lore. I hope that's being considered at least. Maybe he'll bite the bullet to propell another AI forward, or perhaps he'll be one that propells forward. There's so much untapped potential in AI-lore. Saint's was so juicy despite the length- tore right through it, but it was so fulfulling. I think there's a lot in these pages that will be used for call backs later on.

 

[greenleafcm]

*looks quickly side to side to see if greenleafcm is around*

Oh hardy-harr-har.

Spoiler

I already explained last time why I think Iona's limited knowledge of what happened to Cortana doesn't amount to anything, so I won't dredge that up again...

-

Spoiler

That makes me sad. Hopefully there'll be a massive advancement towards meta-stability by that time.

Seeing as how that's something the Forerunners couldn't even get a handle on, I highly doubt that humanity is going to any time soon. Wouldn't mind BB making an another appearance in something though before his time runs out.

 

[wesleyshark]

Seeing as how that's something the Forerunners couldn't even get a handle on, I highly doubt that humanity is going to any time soon. Wouldn't mind BB making an another appearance in something though before his time runs out.

Humanity > Forerunners. The Precurors realized this, and well, we all know what happened after that....

Once the Domain is accessed, there's going to be some major game changes.

 

[greenleafcm]

Humanity > Forerunners. The Precurors realized this, and well, we all know what happened after that....

Greater in potential perhaps, but that has not yet been realized - particularly in regards to technology. That's what I meant mostly.

 

[wesleyshark]

Greater in potential perhaps, but that has not yet been realized - particularly in regards to technology. That's what I meant mostly.

I didn't mean right now- though I worded it that way as I look back at it haha. Defintiely not realized yet. But they aren't far off, potentially.

 

[AlStrong]

all these spoiler tags for a thread about story spoilers.

I didn't mean right now- though I worded it that way as I look back at it haha. Defintiely not realized yet. But they aren't far off, potentially.

I have to wonder though if Humanity wouldn't simply fall into the same hubris as the Forerunner seem to have.

The whole history of species (Forerunner etc) is certainly incomprehensible (to me) when we're dealing with literally thousands of years. For all we know, Ancient Humanity more resembled Forerunner in their earlier years? Almost... pragmatic (burning entire worlds without question)? I don't know. Haven't given it more thought.

The Path Kethona bit in the story was curious regarding the physiological differences (and similarities to humans).

 

[wesleyshark]

all these spoiler tags for a thread about story spoilers.



I have to wonder though if Humanity wouldn't simply fall into the same hubris as the Forerunner seem to have.

The whole history of species (Forerunner etc) is certainly incomprehensible (to me) when we're dealing with literally thousands of years.

- I always spoiler tag the newest stuff. Just in case

- I can see them stumbling as well, especially given the state and pull that ONI has. With great power, comes great responsibility, etc... and let's call back to the Kilo-Five trilogy- ONI has the ability and the means to f*** up a lot of stuff, all in the name of "advancing humanity".

 

[WhiteRabbitEXE]

all these spoiler tags for a thread about story spoilers.

It's a thread for discussing Halo lore in general, of which there is an enormous amount. I don't think it's fair to assume that everyone here has consumed every single piece of a lore already, particularly material less than 24 hours old. So I'd say it's proper to spoiler at least new plot details. People should be able to discuss the material they have consumed without worrying about material that they haven't yet.

 

[Toa TAK]

Couldn't sleep so I went through Saint's Testimony.

Spoiler

Fascinating short and I loved the twist. BB and Roland's dialogue at the end proved very interesting, especially since they're both Smart AIs themselves. I don't think it would've had the same effect if it were two humans discussing her simulated trial and AI mortality otherwise. If the simulated trial is already being used as an example or basis for others, does this mean, should it ever happen, that the real thing could happen? Does this set up anything for the future regarding Cortana should she ever come back? Is it even possible? Iona seemed to think that was a possibility. I don't know but it's exciting to see the conversation about AIs in Halo evolve.

Excellent read.

 

[wesleyshark]

Couldn't sleep so I went through Saint's Testimony.

Spoiler

Fascinating short and I loved the twist. BB and Roland's dialogue at the end proved very interesting, especially since they're both Smart AIs themselves. I don't think it would've had the same effect if it were two humans discussing her simulated trial and AI mortality otherwise. If the simulated trial is already being used as an example or basis for others, does this mean, should it ever happen, that the real thing could happen? Does this set up anything for the future regarding Cortana should she ever come back? Is it even possible? Iona seemed to think that was a possibility. I don't know but it's exciting to see the conversation about AIs in Halo evolve.

Excellent read.

I've got a large bandage on my thumb atm so excuse any typos lol

Spoiler

I've been waiting and hoping that the current lore would take us down this road of what's going to happen to human AIs as they continue to evolve and advance, and in many ways, become their own entity; their own person. I think we're starting to see that gap bridged in a lot of ways, and it's only a matter of time until it happens in a complete sense. I think it'll be one AI, or maybe two, who'll cross the threshold first, and pave the way. Iona found the door and cracked it open. Now it needs to be opened.

It's also sort of revelatory to what's going on in our own world today- in a culture that still refuses to accept everyone as equals. Blacks, women, Hispanics, gays, etc... There's been some very long roads traveled to get to where we are, and a whole lot of pain endured by pioneers of their push to be treated as equals... And even in some cases, be treated as human.

In the setting of Halo, humanity has more or less moved beyond all of those things...or at least, it's not big enough of a social issue to bring it up in the lore. We have the insurrectionists, but that's more of a governmental divide than a human rights one.

And despite all that, and despite how far humanity has gone, those old threads still reveal themselves when an highly advanced AI steps forward to plead her case and to parade the plight of all advanced AIs...AIs scanned from, and in rare cases, cloned from, human minds. Are AIs on equal footing? Will they be? Can they be? Are they already? And if Iona is where she is now, where does that leave Cortana? Where will that leave BB and Roland and countless others?

If Cortana is still out there, it would be very interesting what happens in the narrative. Though the tribunal was conjured, it most assuredly reflected what actual humans would be saying or how they would be reacting to her testimony. A functional and inconceivably evolved Cortana would be cause for alarm and worry, but also hope and exhilaration...depending on whom was in the know.

I think the biggest reason why I still hope she's out there is because her arc as an AI was never completed. If another AI is to be that forerunner of achieving what no AI has achieved, then that will suffice. It's just that given her long running relationship with John, her meddling with forerunner and precursor technology, her glimpses of the Domain, her ability to adapt and fight her rampancy... That's more than any other AI can lay claim to. Who better would be a character to stay on that journey?

But she could be dead for good, and that's fine. Not every character reaches their potential or desired end. This is scifi after all. Expect the unexpected haha.

 

[SmartWaffles]

Finished Saint's Testimony, what a fantastic read.

Spoiler

"We’re a beautiful moment of balance in gravity’s fight against entropy." What a boss quote.

I'm wondering what are BB and Roland's exact thoughts on the appeal and testimony, it is a "threat" of some sorts that they, as smart AIs will eventually face one day unless humans made a breakthrough in meta-stability before their coming of the end.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

Spoiler

snip

I can see them pushing to expand on AI "rights" and also alien rights. With some aliens living among humans, and with the "Sapian Sunrise" now a canonical thing.. I am sure we'll explore that aspect more in future novels.

If Cortana did come back, she'd have to be a lot different/more evolved than when she left, so I doubt she'd even be subject to UNSC tribunals, or let herself be subject to them! That'd definitely make her, or any AI a serious potential adversary, depending on their motivation (see: Mendicant Bias).

Finished Saint's Testimony, what a fantastic read.

Spoiler

"We’re a beautiful moment of balance in gravity’s fight against entropy." What a boss quote.

I'm wondering what are BB and Roland's exact thoughts on the appeal and testimony, it is a "threat" of some sorts that they, as smart AIs will eventually face one day unless humans made a breakthrough in meta-stability before their coming of the end.

Spoiler

I am curious when and how this "singularity" will come around. BB seemed to think, or imply that it may happen in his lifetime, and that he'd certainly 'enjoy' it. I'd be wary of him!

Having an advanced AI 'defect' to the enemy, a la Mendicant Bias would be an interesting repeat of history. I suppose this could be a story arc for Cortana if she's somehow still intact. Or would be a good plot device if she's gone, but someone is impersonating her.

Have we seen any in-universe examples of a human AI going rampant?

(okay, let me google that for myself)

Okay, Cortana. Didn't really get to see that play out though.

Sif & Mack on Harvest.. again they were generally helpful and then destroyed in battle.

Juliana in the Rubble.. again, helped people and was then destroyed.

I'm curious to see or read a tale of an AI going rampant and then actually being bad/doing bad things.

 

[Nephtes]

I'm replaying Halo 1-4 via Halo MCC in preparation for Halo 5, and I have a serious lore question.

Forerunner technology is EONS old, Covenant technology is literally alien... How Is Chief able to plug Cortana's chip into the computer systems on Halo, High Charity, and Requiem?

USB 10.0?

It's USB 10.0 isn't it?

 

[Human_me]

I'm replaying Halo 1-4 via Halo MCC in preparation for Halo 5, and I have a serious lore question.

Forerunner technology is EONS old, Covenant technology is literally alien... How Is Chief able to plug Cortana's chip into the computer systems on Halo, High Charity, and Requiem?

USB 10.0?

It's USB 10.0 isn't it?

Space Magic.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

I'm replaying Halo 1-4 via Halo MCC in preparation for Halo 5, and I have a serious lore question.

Forerunner technology is EONS old, Covenant technology is literally alien... How Is Chief able to plug Cortana's chip into the computer systems on Halo, High Charity, and Requiem?

USB 10.0?

It's USB 10.0 isn't it?

I would guess that Covenant systems are loosely based on Forerunner technology and design, so if she could interface with Forerunner tech then she might be able to get into Covenant.

How she can get into Forerunner tech.. I dunno! USB 10.0 sounds plausible.

But I mean she's a literal Smart AI, maybe she can piggyback on wireless signals or who-knows-what. The strangest thing for me is why the data chip would fit maybe it's made of nanomachines.

 

[Nephtes]

The strangest thing for me is why the data chip would fit maybe it's made of nanomachines.

That's what I'm talking about....who designed this perfect port in the Forerunner times that crossed eons of time and was adapted for use by no less than 7 species in the future?

Also, what's the transfer medium? How is the port shaped? Can we discuss the implications of an AI written for one OS to upload herself into another OS and work without compatibility issues?

I mean have you ever tried to run a Windows program on Linux?

 

[Fuchsdh]

That's what I'm talking about....who designed this perfect port in the Forerunner times that crossed eons of time and was adapted for use by no less than 7 species in the future?

Also, what's the transfer medium? How is the port shaped? Can we discuss the implications of an AI written for one OS to upload herself into another OS and work without compatibility issues?

I mean have you ever tried to run a Windows program on Linux?

To me the actual physical interface is the biggest hurdle for me to overcome; the H2 "palm this!" usage makes far more sense than the H3 and especially H4 implementation with regards to logic. I guess you can make the suggestion that Requiem is reacting to the Chief in the same way that the weapons do since he's a Reclaimer, but it still seems too easy to me (and it ignores the pragmatic gameplay consideration that I got really tired of sticking Cortana into terminals.)

To me it seems reasonable that a super-advanced smart AI could essentially write herself her own software bridge to interface with another system, faster and with less issues than, say, a guy running WINE; as far as we know Forerunner and Covenant computers break down to binary at their most basic levels, so beyond that it doesn't seem like an insurmountable problem.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

That's what I'm talking about....who designed this perfect port in the Forerunner times that crossed eons of time and was adapted for use by no less than 7 species in the future?

Also, what's the transfer medium? How is the port shaped? Can we discuss the implications of an AI written for one OS to upload herself into another OS and work without compatibility issues?

I mean have you ever tried to run a Windows program on Linux?

To be fair, I also haven't been able to figure out faster-than-light travel (Sooooo close!), so I'm fairly accepting of 'stuff I don't understand' in my Sci-Fi.

By the point in Halo: CE where Cortana directly interfaces with the Ring, humans have been studying Forerunner artifacts for some time, so it's plausible they came up with some way to directly connect, or perhaps had theories that Cortana finally put to use.

Perhaps Forerunner devices just need touch or proximity vs a direct pin-to-pin connection like we do in the piddly 21st century.

 

[Nephtes]

To be fair, I also haven't been able to figure out faster-than-light travel (Sooooo close!), so I'm fairly accepting of 'stuff I don't understand' in my Sci-Fi.

By the point in Halo: CE where Cortana directly interfaces with the Ring, humans have been studying Forerunner artifacts for some time, so it's plausible they came up with some way to directly connect, or perhaps had theories that Cortana finally put to use.

Perhaps Forerunner devices just need touch or proximity vs a direct pin-to-pin connection like we do in the piddly 21st century.

From a stand point of where we were in Halo CE with the SOP being to delete every piece of info that could lead to earth, I imagine they'd want to design Cortana's interface as proprietary as possible.

I mean a LOT of plasma was slung in the Chief's direction, the probability of him biting it and the Covenant "capturing" Cortana seems super high...

Why make it easy for the Covenant to plug her into their computers and learn everything she knows?

 

[Captain Zyrain]

From a stand point of where we were in Halo CE with the SOP being to delete every piece of info that could lead to earth, I imagine they'd want to design Cortana's interface as proprietary as possible.

I mean a LOT of plasma was slung in the Chief's direction, the probability of him biting it and the Covenant "capturing" Cortana seems super high...

Why make it easy for the Covenant to plug her into their computers and learn everything she knows?

I would guess the Smart AI would be able to self destruct in some way. Most of them had server housing, which were created with self destruct contingencies in place (For capture and/or rampancy I'd guess).

Since Cortana was on a single chip, I don't know the details, but I would assume there would be something similar in place.

The Gravemind managed to somewhat corrupt Cortana during his time with her, but not completely. Though we don't know the extent of what actually happened to her during that time. If her interface was as open as you suggest she surely wouldn't have been able to resist.

Smart AI's are not like Linux or Windows or a typical program.

 

[Monocle]

I just finished Saint's Testimony. Beautiful writing, Frank. Top stuff.

Out of all the Halo fiction I've read, which is all but three of the full length Halo novels, I'd put this short story near the top of the stack.

If you're up for writing a longer piece, you'll have my pre-order.

 

[wesleyshark]

I just finished Saint's Testimony. Beautiful writing, Frank. Top stuff.

Out of all the Halo fiction I've read, which is all but three of the full length Halo novels, I'd put this short story near the top of the stack.

If you're up for writing a longer piece, you'll have my pre-order.

Saint's Testimony is up there for me too, easily. So far up there, in fact, that I can legitimately say that it's my 2nd favorite piece of extended fiction, behind the masterwork that is Silentium.

Saint's Testimony, though short, is exuberantly rich.

I'm with ya Monocle. If a longer piece was something he felt he could tackle, I'd definitely be all in for it.