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{{ | {{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post|FA}} | ||
{{Character infobox | {{Character infobox|variant=Human | ||
|variant=Human | |name=Catherine Halsey | ||
|name=Catherine Halsey | |image=[[File:H5G - Halsey.jpg|350px]] | ||
|image=[[File: | |||
|homeworld=[[Endymion]]<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/catherine-elizabeth-halsey '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Catherine Halsey'']</ref> | |homeworld=[[Endymion]]<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/catherine-elizabeth-halsey '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Catherine Halsey'']</ref> | ||
|birth=[[2492#March|March 19, 2492]] | |birth=[[2492#March|March 19, 2492]]<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | ||
|rank= | |||
|species=[[Human]]<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | |||
|gender=Female<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | |||
| | |||
|species=[[Human]] | |||
|gender=Female | |||
|height={{Convert|170.2|cm|ftin|sp=us}}<ref name="H4TEVG14">''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', ''page 14''</ref> | |height={{Convert|170.2|cm|ftin|sp=us}}<ref name="H4TEVG14">''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', ''page 14''</ref> | ||
|mass=*{{Convert|56.7|kg|lb}} {{C|pre-amputation}}<ref name="HTEVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 90''</ref> | |mass=*{{Convert|56.7|kg|lb}} {{C|pre-amputation}}<ref name="HTEVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 90''</ref> | ||
*{{Convert|117|lb|kg|disp=flip}} {{C|post-amputation}} | *{{Convert|117|lb|kg|disp=flip}} {{C|post-amputation}}<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | ||
|hair=*Gray | |hair=*Gray<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | ||
*Black {{C|formerly}}<ref name="HTFORTAS">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''</ref> | *Black {{C|formerly}}<ref name="HTFORTAS">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''</ref> | ||
|eyes=Blue | |eyes=Blue<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | ||
|affiliation=[[Office of Naval Intelligence]] | |affiliation=[[Office of Naval Intelligence]]<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> {{C|formerly}} | ||
|sn=*CC-409871<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | |||
|sn=*CC-409871 | *CI-10141-026-SRB4695<ref name="HTFOR6"/> | ||
* | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Quote|For a long time I had thought that we had to sacrifice a few for the good of the entire human race. I have killed and maimed and caused a great deal of suffering to many people—all in the name of self-preservation. But now I'm not sure that philosophy has worked out too well. I should have been trying to save every single human life—no matter what it cost.|Catherine Halsey to [[John-117]] regarding her changed views.}}<ref | {{Quote|For a long time I had thought that we had to sacrifice a few for the good of the entire human race. I have killed and maimed and caused a great deal of suffering to many people—all in the name of self-preservation. But now I'm not sure that philosophy has worked out too well. I should have been trying to save every single human life—no matter what it cost.|Catherine Halsey to [[John-117]] regarding her changed views.}}<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', ''Chapter 27''</ref> | ||
''' | '''Catherine Elizabeth Halsey, MD, PhD''', (Civilian Consultant 409871, phonetically identified as "'''Charlie Hotel'''"),<ref>[[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|'''Halo Graphic Novel''', ''page 122'']]</ref> is a key scientific adviser of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], best known for her work with the [[SPARTAN-II program]], developing and creating [[smart AI]]s, and for overseeing the development of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]. She served as a scientific adviser for ONI from [[2515]] to [[2522]], when she was made chief scientist,<ref name="alph">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', map ''[[Alpha Site]]'' - [[ONI Memorial]]</ref> a position she held until the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 286''</ref> | ||
Halsey held considerable authority within ONI, despite being a [[civilian]], and commanded respect from important military figures.<ref name="fs123">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 123''</ref> Though generally well-regarded among her peers, she endured intense personal guilt for condemning the Spartans to the life of a super soldier. After the Covenant War, Dr. Halsey was stripped of her position, incarcerated, and treated as a [[war criminal]] by the UNSC at large, which led to her apparent defection to [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant| | Halsey held considerable authority within ONI, despite being a [[civilian]], and commanded respect from important military figures.<ref name="fs123">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 123''</ref> Though generally well-regarded among her peers, she endured intense personal guilt for condemning the Spartans to the life of a super soldier. After the Covenant War, Dr. Halsey was stripped of her position, incarcerated, and treated as a [[war criminal]] by the UNSC at large, which led to her apparent defection to [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|splinter Covenant faction]].<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', episodes ''[[Catherine]]'' through ''[[Exodus (Spartan Ops)|Exodus]]''</ref> After almost a year among the enemy, she was recaptured by the UNSC and commissioned to work on urgent scientific matters, particularly concerning the rise of the [[Guardian]]s.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians'''</ref> | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Early life and education=== | ===Early life and education=== | ||
{{Quote|The Office of Naval Intelligence had apparently had their eye on me for years and knew that the only way to convince me to join them was to get ''me'' to convince me. It worked. I joined.|Catherine Halsey recalls her recruitment by ONI in [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|her journal]].}} | {{Quote|The Office of Naval Intelligence had apparently had their eye on me for years and knew that the only way to convince me to join them was to get ''me'' to convince me. It worked. I joined.|Catherine Halsey recalls her recruitment by ONI in [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|her journal]].}}<ref name="HJ12410"/> | ||
[[File: | [[File:Halsey_self_portrait.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This self-portrait was sketched by Halsey at the age of eighteen, just a few months after she began her work on Reach.<ref name="HJ8810"/>]] | ||
Catherine Elizabeth Halsey was born on [[2492#March|March 19, 2492]] within the colony of [[Endymion]]'s coastal city of [[Port Vernon]]. | Catherine Elizabeth Halsey was born on [[2492#March|March 19, 2492]] within the colony of [[Endymion]]'s coastal city of [[Port Vernon]].<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> While an impressionable young child her father recited to her every adventurous tale of [[Wikipedia:L. Frank Baum|L. Frank Baum]]'s [[Wikipedia:Land of Oz|Oz]]<ref name="HJ9447">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 4, 2547''</ref> At this age she was already contemplating ideas having to do with [[artificial intelligence]]s and their longevity.<ref name="HJ9447"/> As an adolescent she was smarter than her parents and was continually reading, learning, and talking, being eager to share her knowledge with anyone who would listen.<ref name="HTFOR25">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 25''</ref> The first game of [[chess]] Catherine played with her mother was the only one she ever lost to her.<ref name="HJ11749">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''November 7, 2549''</ref> Upon beating her daughter she had said, in [[Human languages|Italian]], "When the game is over, the king and pawn go into the same box."<ref name="HJ11749"/> At a young age, Halsey was sent to the elite academy [[Endymion Gifted]], where she continued to defy educatory standards. She was eventually afforded a trip to [[Circumstance]] in [[2501]] from the Dean of Biological Science at [[Koletre-Browning University]], who completely funded her education until the completion of her second doctoral thesis sometime after her fifteenth birthday in [[2507]].<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> While working on that second thesis, Halsey learned various [[Wikipedia:Command-line interface|line command]]s, long discarded and forgotten due to their archaic nature, with which she could interact with computer programs.<ref name="HFS13>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', ''Chapter 13''</ref> | ||
In 2507, while still a doctoral candidate, Halsey met Doctor [[Elias Carver]] at an academic social mixer and couldn't resist correcting his obsolete algorithm implementation when she heard him describing the matrix mechanics of the socio-economic and politico-economic vectors of human expansion.<ref name="HJ12410">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''December 4, 2510''</ref> She outlined a corrective matrix calculation to him which revised his dimensional parameters so that the sixteen dimensions were used rather than seven. Doctor Carver did not appreciate being challenged by someone he saw as a young upstart, but her words seemingly caused [[Captain]] [[Michael Stanforth]] of the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] to take note of her. Three weeks later, a [[Wikipedia:Grant (money)|grant]] she had proposed for using [[artificial intelligence]]s to control N-dimensional matrices was green-lit by the UNSC, with its funding contingent on the successful testing of a model of its choosing. Naturally, it was Carver's model which she was directed to test. Halsey knew his flawed model would produce flawed results, so she ran her sixteen dimensional variant as a [[Wikipedia:Controlling for a variable|control]] in addition to his seven-dimensional version. Carver's model predicted a breakdown of social order in the [[Outer Colonies]] within twenty years unless strict governmental control was established, reinforced by an immediate and permanent military presence. Catherine ran more | In 2507, while still a doctoral candidate, Halsey met Doctor [[Elias Carver]] at an academic social mixer and couldn't resist correcting his obsolete algorithm implementation when she heard him describing the matrix mechanics of the socio-economic and politico-economic vectors of human expansion.<ref name="HJ12410">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''December 4, 2510''</ref> She outlined a corrective matrix calculation to him which revised his dimensional parameters so that the sixteen dimensions were used rather than seven. Doctor Carver did not appreciate being challenged by someone he saw as a young upstart, but her words seemingly caused [[Captain]] [[Michael Stanforth]] of the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] to take note of her. Three weeks later, a [[Wikipedia:Grant (money)|grant]] she had proposed for using [[artificial intelligence]]s to control N-dimensional matrices was green-lit by the UNSC, with its funding contingent on the successful testing of a model of its choosing. Naturally, it was Carver's model which she was directed to test. Halsey knew his flawed model would produce flawed results, so she ran her sixteen dimensional variant as a [[Wikipedia:Controlling for a variable|control]] in addition to his seven-dimensional version. Carver's model predicted a breakdown of social order in the [[Outer Colonies]] within twenty years unless strict governmental control was established, reinforced by an immediate and permanent military presence. Catherine ran more then fourteen hundred simulations during this time, varying every parameter, and even in the best-case scenario it was clear to her that the Outer Colonies at large would [[Insurrection|rebel]] against the [[Unified Earth Government]] ''soon''. She determined that at a minimum, the resulting conflict would lead to thirty years of war and the deaths of five billion people. The maximum effect was unbounded and could involve interminable war and a new [[Wikipedia:Dark Ages (historiography)|dark age]] for [[humanity]]. Halsey took her findings to Stanforth only to learn that ONI had already reached the same conclusion. The agency had been keeping an eye on her for years and it had been decided that in order to recruit her, she would need to convince herself that working with the agency was necessary to save the human race.<ref name="HJ12410"/> [[Ysionris Jeromi]], who considered Halsey his star pupil at the time, discouraged her from working with ONI.<ref name="HTFOR6">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 6''</ref> Halsey, however, had no problem admitting that ONI's tactic had worked on her.<ref name="HJ12410"/> She allowed herself to be recruited in [[2508]] and in early [[2510]] she was brought to the [[Inner Colony]] of [[Reach]] and contracted to work as a [[civilian]] consultant on a number of classified projects.<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/><ref name="HJ8810">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''August 8, 2510''</ref><ref name="HM60">''[[Halo Mythos]]'', ''page 60''</ref> | ||
===Spartan origins=== | ===Spartan origins=== | ||
{{Quote|There is an ancient saying, "The beginning of wisdom is ignorance." So where do we begin to create the ultimate warrior? With innocence.|Halsey, writing in her journal, appropriates a | {{Quote|There is an ancient saying, "The beginning of wisdom is ignorance." So where do we begin to create the ultimate warrior? With innocence.|Halsey, writing in her journal, appropriates a quote of [[Wikipedia:Benjamin Franklin|Benjamin Franklin]]'s for her own ends.}}<ref name="HJ61913"/> | ||
After arriving at Reach | After arriving at Reach Halsey spent a few months setting up the new laboratory afforded to her.<ref name="HJ8810"/> For weeks prior to [[2510#August|August 8, 2510]] she found it impossible to concentrate due to the confluence of new [[Insurrectionist|insurgent]] reports, new ideas, and the constant supervision of ONI. At one point during this time she stopped at a local shop while coming from the main base where she was stationed and purchased a cup of [[coffee]] and a [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|journal]] in which she could record her thoughts and research notes without having to fear them being read by anyone in ONI. By August 8, the day on which she recorded her first entry in this journal, she had begun to undertake [[Spartan-II Program|a project]] she had been simultaneously dreading, desiring, and being inspired by. By this point Catherine had already designed a number of intrusion algorithms that could be employed to bypass [[artificial intelligence]]-enhanced data recording and storage systems.<ref name="HJ8810"/> By [[2510#December|December 4]] of that year Halsey's new lab was still unstaffed apart from herself and racks of [[A.I.]] matrices and optical routers were yet to be removed from their sealed crates.<ref name="HJ12410"/> While sitting in the lab on this date Halsey endeavored to create her second entry in her journal, recalling the series of events which had led her Reach and to be working for ONI. She ended the entry by asking how many lives would need to be spent to save all humanity and whether any price was too high to pay in order to ensure its security, resuming her work thereafter. Evidently to aid in this endeavor, she also made herself a reminder to acquire more dark [[coffee]].<ref name="HJ12410"/> On [[2511#February|February 15, 2511]], Doctor Halsey in her journal went over details of the [[ORION Project]] and recorded ways in which she believed [[Spartan-II Program|its successor]] could improve on what it had accomplished.<ref name="HJ21511">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''February 15, 2511''</ref>[[File:HM-Halsey.png|250px|thumb|left|At just twenty-two or twenty-three years old, Halsey became the youngest scientific advisor in ONI's history in 2515.<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/>]] ORION had been designed to create a nontraditional force of soldiers in order to remove the budding dissident leadership in the Outer Colonies without massive carnage, and to this end volunteers were recruited from the UNSC's [[UNSC Special Forces|Special Forces]]. Based on the failures documented surrounding the genetic augmentation and immunosuppressant administration provided to ORION candidates, Halsey determined that the most suitable candidates fur a future generation of augmented warriors would need to be prepubescent and possess more malleable and robust [[Wikipedia:DNA|DNA]] structures and [[Wikipedia:DNA polymerase|repair enzymes]]. In order to locate individuals with the improbable genetic criteria required, she calculated that thirty-nine billion DNA records would need to be screened. Halsey realized the [[Colonial Administration Authority]]'s [[Outer Colony vaccination program]] possessed the largest DNA database at that time and resolved to recalibrate her selection criteria to find markers which would expedite the sifting process. Additionally, she recognized that in order to mitigate the [[Wikipedia:Posttraumatic stress disorder|posttraumatic stress disorder]] and sympathy for the insurgents exhibited by many from ORION, total indoctrination would be required. She was opposed to the sort of brainwashing several of her counterparts in the intelligence community had suggested, noting instead that the mission of "[[Spartan-II Program|Generation-II ORION]]" demanded at least a decade of training, persuasion and acclimation. Above all, she wrote, absolute control must be maintained over those chosen. It was clear to Halsey, based on these parameters, that children were ideal for this project. The ethical and moral implications of such an idea forced her to take extra time to think about this, however. Illustrations drawn in her journal on this date outlined her considerations of various [[human augmentation]]s suitable for the next generation of the ORION Project, which she also was considering renaming something more inspirational on behalf of her military counterparts.<ref name="HJ21511"/> Just over a week later, on [[2511#February|February 23]], Halsey read the news about a [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear]] [[terrorism|terror attack]] at the [[Haven arcology]] on [[Mamore]] which left two million dead and millions more expected to die from the fallout.<ref name="HJ22311">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''February 23, 2511''</ref> It was reported that the [[Freedom and Liberation Party]] was claiming responsibility and upon learning this Halsey became even more convinced than she already had been that she ''had'' to stop the violence in the Outer Colonies from escalating further.<ref name="HJ22311"/> | ||
On [[2511#July|July 30, 2511]] Halsey received test results for a new [[polymerized lithium niobocene]].<ref name="HJ73011">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 30, 2511''</ref> The material had been developed for discharging the vast amount of static energy that plagued ships in [[Slipspace|slipstream space]] but Halsey was interested in its potential applications as a sheath or suit of artificial muscle for a Gen-II ORION soldier. Though manufacturing an entire suit with it was cost-prohibitive at that point, Halsey mentioned in her journal on this date that Stanforth, now a vice admiral and the head of [[ONI#Section Three|ONI Section Three]], had assured her this would be addressed in the "production phase" of the project. | On [[2511#July|July 30, 2511]] Halsey received test results for a new [[polymerized lithium niobocene]].<ref name="HJ73011">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 30, 2511''</ref> The material had been developed for discharging the vast amount of static energy that plagued ships in [[Slipspace|slipstream space]] but Halsey was interested in its potential applications as a sheath or suit of artificial muscle for a Gen-II ORION soldier. Though manufacturing an entire suit with it was cost-prohibitive at that point, Halsey mentioned in her journal on this date that Stanforth, now a vice admiral and the head of [[ONI#Section Three|ONI Section Three]], had assured her this would be addressed in the "production phase" of the project.<ref name="HJ73011"/><ref name="HTFOR1"/> Given the scope, Halsey remained doubtful.<ref name="HJ73011"/> Additionally, although she believed there was a way to couple the polymerized lithium niobocene to a wearer's nerve inductions to increase reaction time and had created notes on the subject and stored them within the A.I. [[Jorjet]], she had yet to solve the matter of the energy required for such a design. She'd concluded a small nuclear or fusion reactor would need to be attached to the suit, which would be unwieldy, dangerous, and expensive.<ref name="HJ73011"/> On [[2511#September|September 8, 2511]] Halsey recorded in her journal that she had recently finalized the control parameters for a [[Wikipedia:Fast Fourier transform|Fast Fourier transform]] X-ray [[Wikipedia:3D|3D]] scan for mapping a brain's ionic density patterns that indicate individual links.<ref name="HJ9811">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 8, 2511''</ref> This meant that a deep stimulating scan could then cultivate growth linkages in a cloned brain, thereby allowing [[Mind transfer|memories to be transferred]] for the first time. Complete human clones could feasibly now be produced that were indistinguishable from the individual they were based on. The potential application of this breakthrough for ORION-II was obvious, and Halsey was of the mind that stealing children away and replacing them with clones would mean there would be no going back. By the time she updated her journal with this, she had already informed the vice admiral that they were ready to initiate the next phase of the project: candidate procurement. She had done this knowing that only a small fraction of the clones they produced could be expected to live a normal lifespan due to the amount of DNA base-pair errors rapid [[flash cloning]] of large volumes of tissue produced. Beyond what this breakthrough meant for her current project, Halsey also speculated on whether this technique could imprint the next-generation of [[artificial intelligence]]s and in so doing avoid the [[Wikipedia:Wave function|wavefunction]] collapse that had plagued the functionality of previous generations.<ref name="HJ9811"/> | ||
By [[2513#June|June 19, 2513]], Doctor Halsey had settled on a new name for the project.<ref name="HJ61913">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''June 19, 2513''</ref> Stanforth had seemed to hint that rechristening the project would serve to distance it from the failures of ORION. After having [[Déjà]] and [[Jorjet]] give her a refresher on military history which produced a number of contenders, she decided "SPARTAN" best represented the project's aims. The [[Wikipedia:Sparta|Spartans]] of [[Wikipedia:Ancient Greece|Ancient Greece]] had been known for their legendary training of young boys and eugenic customs, and the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Thermopylae|Battle of Thermopylae|defense of Greece]] made at [[Wikipedia:Thermopylae|Thermopylae]] was a well-known and cherished tale within the military community. Coincidentally, Halsey did not fail to note, her project had originally been funded for three hundred candidates. In order to honor the sacrifices made by the men and women of the original ORION effort, she opted to call the project "[[Spartan-II Program|SPARTAN-II]]", preserving its status as the second iteration of that first effort.<ref name="HJ61913"/> In [[2515]], Halsey was officially named a scientific advisor for ONI.<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | |||
===Candidate selection=== | ===Candidate selection=== | ||
{{Quote|no=three|q1=We screen these subjects for certain genetic markers. Strength, agility, even predispositions for aggression and intellect. But we couldn’t remote test for everything. We don’t test for luck.|Catherine Halsey|q2=Luck? You believe in luck, Doctor?|Jacob Keyes|q3=Of course not. But we have one hundred and fifty test subjects to consider, and facilities and funding for only half that number. It’s a simple mathematical elimination, Lieutenant. That child was one of the lucky ones—either that or he is extraordinarily fast. Either way, he’s in.|Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey defends her peculiar means of testing [[John-117|John]].}}<ref name="HTFOR2">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 2''</ref> | {{Quote|no=three|q1=We screen these subjects for certain genetic markers. Strength, agility, even predispositions for aggression and intellect. But we couldn’t remote test for everything. We don’t test for luck.|Catherine Halsey|q2=Luck? You believe in luck, Doctor?|Jacob Keyes|q3=Of course not. But we have one hundred and fifty test subjects to consider, and facilities and funding for only half that number. It’s a simple mathematical elimination, Lieutenant. That child was one of the lucky ones—either that or he is extraordinarily fast. Either way, he’s in.|Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey defends her peculiar means of testing [[John-117|John]].}}<ref name="HTFOR2">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 2''</ref> | ||
[[File:FORAS HalseyKeyesHan.png|350px|thumb|It only took one brief encounter between Halsey and Keyes as they both came out of cryostasis for her to crystallize their roles and the rules of conduct, making him understand she was in charge despite being a [[civilian]]. | [[File:FORAS HalseyKeyesHan.png|350px|right|thumb|It only took one brief encounter between Halsey and Keyes as they both came out of cryostasis for her to crystallize their roles and the rules of conduct, making him understand she was in charge despite being a [[civilian]].<ref name="HTFOR1"/>]] | ||
By [[2517#July|July 21, 2517]], Halsey had been provided with her own team, to which she delegated much of the responsibly for screening Outer Colonies candidates for SPARTAN-II.<ref name="HJ72117">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 21, 2517''</ref> She did this so it might be completed within a reasonable time frame and so that she could personally focus on processing those from a single region of space: [[FLEETCOM Sector Four|Sector 4]]. | By [[2517#July|July 21, 2517]], Halsey had been provided with her own team, to which she delegated much of the responsibly for screening Outer Colonies candidates for SPARTAN-II.<ref name="HJ72117">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 21, 2517''</ref> She did this so it might be completed within a reasonable time frame and so that she could personally focus on processing those from a single region of space: [[FLEETCOM Sector Four|Sector 4]].<ref name="HJ72117"/> The children from this [[sector]] which met the criteria Halsey had identified in her original study had files assembled personally by her.<ref name="HTFOR2"/> In total, one hundred and fifty subjects were to be considered. The Spartan-II program had only been granted facilities and funding for half that number, however, so only seventy-five would ultimately be selected.<ref name="HTFOR2"/> And even then, an ONI representative reminded Halsey that not all would make it through the [[Project ASTER|augmentation procedures]] when the time came for that.<ref name="HTFOR3"/> Vice Admiral Stanforth had agreed to lend Halsey a [[diplomatic shuttle]] called the ''Han'', provided that she agreed to at least one naval officer accompanying her.<ref name="HTFOR1"/> Halsey was given free reign to choose her attaché and after reading through the file of one [[Lieutenant (disambiguation)|Lieutenant Junior Grade]] [[Jacob Keyes]], she requested him based on his demonstrated ability to keep a secret. Keyes was then, without any explanation provided to him as to why, assigned to pilot the ''Han'', protect the doctor, and otherwise stay out of her way.<ref name="HTFOR1">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 1''</ref><ref name="HJ72117"/> On July 21 Halsey wrote in her journal that she was considering recommending him for permanent reassignment to her staff.<ref name="HJ72117"/> The ''Han'' also came with its own dedicated artificial intelligence by the name of [[Toran]].<ref name="HJ72117"/> | ||
Halsey was awakened from [[cryostasis]] alongside Keyes shortly after 0430 hours on [[2517#August|August 17]] while the ''[[Han]]'' was still in slipspace but set to emerge soon in the [[Eridanus system]]. | Halsey was awakened from [[cryostasis]] alongside Keyes shortly after 0430 hours on [[2517#August|August 17]] while the ''[[Han]]'' was still in slipspace but set to emerge soon in the [[Eridanus system]].<ref name="HTFOR1"/> Giving not so much as an acknowledgement that they were both naked, Halsey simply climbed out of her tube and told the lieutenant to get cleaned up and dressed as she headed for the showers herself, making it clear to Keyes that she was in charge. Halsey was already strapped into the navigator's couch and on the bridge and tapping in commands across four keypads when he joined her soon thereafter. The doctor welcomed him and asked that he be seated at the communication station to monitor channels when they reentered normal space. She then had [[Toran]] provide her with [[astronavigation]] maps of the system and asked if any planets between their current position and [[Eridanus II]] could be used to pick up a [[Wikipedia:Gravity assist|gravitational boost]] to let them arrive sooner. Additionally, in rapid succession she had the A.I. begin to play [[Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto Number Three]], begin a preburn warmup cycle for their [[fusion engine]]s, and halt the rotation of the shuttle's central carousel section to conserve power. Toran obliged with each request and informed her they they would exiting slipspace in about five minutes, give or take three minutes. From the way Keyes was glancing at her, Halsey could tell he was impressed at her ability to put Toran through his paces so rigorously, so she asked if he had a question for her. In response he composed himself before inquiring as to the exactly what they were doing. Halsey told him that they were on a reconnaissance mission of sorts, as they were heading to Eridanus II in order to observe [[John-117|a child]] whom she hoped would only be the first of many. She suggsted the junior lieutenant should just think of it as a UNSC-funded psychological study and then sternly told him that was exactly what he was to say it was to anyone who asked. The ''Han'' soon decelerated as it dropped out of slipspace near a gas giant and then began a hard burn, accelerating for sixty-seven seconds before arcing away from the planet. As soon as the boost was complete Toran informed the two humans that their [[Wikipedia:Estimated time of arrival|ETA]] was forty-three minutes and three seconds. At this, Halsey unlocked her harness and floated free. Just before they had dropped into normal space, Keyes had started to ask her if she knew how dangerous the Eridanus system was then and now she finally answered him in the affirmative. After stretching and strapping herself back into her couch, she reminded her escort that he was supposed to be monitoring their comms for that very reason. Catherine spent the next thirty minutes with her back to Keyes while she read over reports on her navigation screens. The Keyes eventually spoke up to candidly ask why he was there, and Halsey told him the truth about why she had selected him for the job. She also assured him that though he may have rather been on the {{UNSCShip|Magellan}} then, which now-rescinded orders had previously had him rotating to, the child they were traveling to observe could make all the difference for the ongoing struggle against the [[Insurrection]]. Once Toran announced they were approaching Eridanus II Halsey had him plot an atmospheric vector for the [[Luxor]] [[Luxor Spaceport|spaceport]] and ordered Keyes to make ready to land.<ref name="HTFOR1"/> | ||
[[File:FORTAS Halseyplayground.png|thumb|350px|left|For a moment after meeting John, Halsey envied the boy's innocence. | [[File:FORTAS Halseyplayground.png|thumb|350px|left|For a moment after meeting John, Halsey envied the boy's innocence.<ref name="HTFOR2"/> Her own, after all, was already long dead.<ref name="HTFOR2"/>]] | ||
Halsey and Keyes made their way onto the campus of [[Elysium City]]'s [[Elysium City Primary Education Facility Number 119|Primary Education Facility Number 119]] under the guise of parents inspecting the school for their little girl. | Halsey and Keyes made their way onto the campus of [[Elysium City]]'s [[Elysium City Primary Education Facility Number 119|Primary Education Facility Number 119]] under the guise of parents inspecting the school for their little girl.<ref name="HTFOR2"/> By 1130 hours they were watching children at play from the semi-shade of a canvas awning. Halsey, wearing a sundress and straw hat, urged the lieutenant to appear more relaxed and even tried to help by slipping her arm through his, but her efforts were in vain. It was Keyes, however, who first identified their subject, a six-year-old boy named [[John-117|John]], after Halsey showed an image to him. John was atop a grassy hill at the end of the school's playground, engaged in a particularly vicious game of [[king of the hill]]. Halsey's first instinct was to point her [[data pad]] at the boy to record the incident for later study. After glancing around to see that the only other adult present was marching an injured girl toward the nurse's office Halsey ordered Keyes to stay back and keep watch while she walked over to get a closer look at their boy. She stopped at four meters from the base of the hill and asked to speak with John, whom the other boys assumed must be in trouble. She led him to the edge of a nearby sandpit and asked his name, which he freely offered before holding out his hand to be shook. She asked what he was had been doing and John answered that he had been winning. Seeing that the boy was fond of games, she produced a [[quarter]] and told him that if he could guess which side of the coin would be facing upwards when it landed after being flipped, he could keep it. She let it go but before it could hit the ground John snatched it out of the air and confidently declared "Eagle!" referring to the side of the quarter which was, indeed, facing up when he opened his hand. Assured he could keep the coin for himself, he asked if they could play again but Halsey told him that had been the only one she had. She told him he ought to go back to his friends and returned to the lieutenant, asking to make sure he had recorded the interaction. He had, and after reviewing the footage Halsey sent it to Toran on the ''Han''. She explained to Keyes that the one thing they couldn't test their candidates for remotely was luck, further clarifying that she meant her test as a simple way to eliminate half of the qualified children due to the budgetary constraints of the program. She remarked that John whether John was lucky or just extraordinarily fast, he had made the cut. Keyes still did not fully understand her interest in the child and said as much, to which she replied that she hoped he never would fully understand their purpose there.<ref name="HTFOR2"/> | ||
After similar visits to multiple other children in Sector Four, The ''Han'' took them to [[Dwarka]], a harsh world still in the process of being [[Terraforming|terraformed]].<ref name=" | After similar visits to multiple other children in Sector Four, The ''Han'' took them to [[Dwarka]], a harsh world still in the process of being [[Terraforming|terraformed]].<ref name="HEP">''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', ''[[Pariah]]''</ref> The child to be considered there was an orphan by the name of [[Soren-066|Soren]]. The report Halsey had previously read indicated the boy had survived on his own for around three months following the deaths of his mother and stepfather. Halsey left Keyes aboard the ''Han'' and approached Soren alone at the place he was being cared for by this point. She asked him his name, but admitted she already knew what it was and only wanted to see if he'd be willing to tell her. He had not been, evidently being deeply distrustful of the doctor. A pair of glasses Halsey wore allowed her to review [[holographic]] files on the lenses as she spoke to the boy, and as a result of his circumstances she chose to pursue a different strategy. She was as honest with him insofar as she told him she'd come to see him because she wanted to make him stronger, faster, and smarter than he could ever hope to be without her help. She also made sure he understood that if he chose to accept her offer, he would be faced with the hardest experiences he had yet―even harder than what had happened after his parents died. Faced with the choice of leaving with Doctor Halsey or being placed in a foster home, he quickly agreed to go with her. Halsey was able to convince the authorities that she was adopting the boy and bring him aboard the ''Han''. There she showed Keyes the footage she'd recorded of their conversation. The lieutenant was uneasy with her decision to take then child then. Halsey was sure that Soren would be a good fit, however, and defended his acquisition by pointing out at least he had been warned concerning what lay ahead.<ref name="HEP"/> | ||
===SPARTAN-II=== | ===SPARTAN-II=== | ||
[[File:Halseyrecruits.png|thumb|350px|Dr. Halsey looks over the profiles of the abducted children.]] | [[File:Halseyrecruits.png|thumb|right|350px|Dr. Halsey looks over the profiles of the abducted children.]] | ||
{{Main|SPARTAN-II program}} | {{Main|SPARTAN-II program}} | ||
Halsey and Keyes had returned to [[Reach]] by [[2517#September|September 10]] and it is on this date that Halsey told [[Déjà]] to let others know she had settled on the final seventy-five subjects.<ref name="HFORBC">''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'', ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''</ref> Halsey was stationed in low Reach orbit when she gave final approval to kidnap the seventy-four which still remained to be acquired. Halsey later recorded a private spoken journal entry, using [[Encryption code|RED encryption]] and her private key, in which she voiced how regrettable she felt what she was doing was. She had planned to keep the recording private but changed her mind and just had Déjà erase it entirely once she had finished. | Halsey and Keyes had returned to [[Reach]] by [[2517#September|September 10]] and it is on this date that Halsey told [[Déjà]] to let others know she had settled on the final seventy-five subjects.<ref name="HFORBC">''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'', ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''</ref> Halsey was stationed in low Reach orbit when she gave final approval to kidnap the seventy-four which still remained to be acquired. Halsey later recorded a private spoken journal entry, using [[Encryption code|RED encryption]] and her private key, in which she voiced how regrettable she felt what she was doing was. She had planned to keep the recording private but changed her mind and just had Déjà erase it entirely once she had finished.<ref name="HFORBC"/> On [[2517#September|September 17]] Halsey, writing in her journal, expressed that every child had exceeded the selection criteria and her own expectations.<ref name="HJ91717">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 17, 2517''</ref> She was particularly impressed by two: [[Linda-058|Number 058]], a girl named [[Linda-058|Linda]] who had engineered her own intelligence network at school to spy on her teachers, John (Number 117), who had won king of the hill forty-five times in the two weeks before their meeting. Halsey noted that [[Caleb Aagard|Number 095]], a boy by the name of [[Caleb Aagard|Caleb]], had never been located. Later that day Halsey added an addendum to her journal entry after [[Retrieval team Gamma]] reported that [[Kelly-087|Number 087]], a girl named [[Kelly-087|Kelly]], had remarkably eluded capture for six hours before coming forward on her own, having believed her capture attempt to be an elaborate game for her upcoming birthday. Gamma's report caused Halsey to ensure new retrieval protocols were implemented to prevent similar mistakes in the future.<ref name="HJ91717"/> The next day, [[2517#September|September 17]], Catherine and Jacob Keyes finally parted company after months together. Halsey felt he was beginning to suspect there was more to their incursions than mere field observations so she requested that he be reassigned to the ''Magellan'' with a commission to full lieutenant both for his own protection and the protection of the program. Taken with Keyes, she recalled in her journal on this date an occasion which he had gotten a job done himself rather than waiting for the assistance of a technical crew.<ref name="HTFOR3">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 3''</ref><ref name="HJ91617">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 16, 2517''</ref> Once all the children had been collected Déjà undertook a psychological evaluation of each and provided the results and her recommendations to Doctor Halsey.<ref name="HTFOR3"/> | ||
[[File:FORTAS HalseyAmphitheater.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Halsey briefs the trainees.]] | [[File:FORTAS HalseyAmphitheater.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Halsey briefs the trainees.]] | ||
By 2300 hours on [[2517#September|September 23]] Halsey was standing on a platform at the center of an amphitheater | By 2300 hours on [[2517#September|September 23]] Halsey was standing on a platform at the center of an amphitheater far beneath the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex|FLEETCOM military complex]] where her facilities were located.<ref name="HTFOR3"/> When Déjà asked if she was ready to speak to the abducted children she told the A.I. she almost was but wished for her to summon [[Chief Petty Officer]] [[Franklin Mendez]], the [[drill instructor]] who would be overseeing the trainees' physical training and hand-to-hand combat, to join her first. She directed Mendez to join her on the platform once he entered. Déjà asked the doctor for her thoughts on the candidates' psychological evaluations and Halsey, while thanking her for their thoroughness, informed her she was forgoing her recommendation to lie to the children. Halsey argued that though the truth had its own risks, lying to the children about the circumstances of their kidnappings or even inducing memory loss could jeopardize the program's goals. Before Déjà could offer a response Halsey clicked her microphone and gave the command to bring the abductees in. Once all seventy-five were seated, she explained that per [[Naval Code 45812]], they were thereby conscripted into SPARTAN-II. She said that they were to be the [[UEG]]'s protectors and promised that here they would become the best they could be. She also informed them that they could not return to their homes or families. She closed by telling them to rest then, since their training would begin the next day. Halsey then instructed CPO Mendez to escort the trainees to their barracks to be fed and put to bed, also advising that they be kept plenty busy the following day in order to keep them from thinking about what had just been done to them.<ref name="HTFOR3"/> Before all the children could file out of the amphitheater one boy asked Halsey if they were there to stop everyone from fighting and killing each other.<ref name="HTFOR3"/><ref name="HJ92317">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 23, 2517''</ref> Before the day was done Halsey noted in her journal that the first phase of the program's indoctrination was under way and that her team of ONI child psychologists was assuring her the children wouldn't even remember their names or families after just six months under Mendez' tutelage. Even so, she also wrote that she was working with Déjà to continue indoctrination protocols and the candidates' education.<ref name="HJ92317"/> Before falling asleep Halsey nursed a glass of wine in bed while she viewed reporting on the [[Insurrection]].<ref name="HFORBC"/> The news of an escalating death toll reinforced what she doing to the children and she said as much to Déjà before having the A.I. show her footage of the children being fed.<ref name="HFORBC"/> On the fifth day of training, the children were given haircuts.<ref name="HJ92817">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 28, 2517''</ref> Halsey took note in her journal that [[Kelly-087]] had clawed at and disarmed the master sergeant barber of his clippers before needing to be pinned down by three other attendants.<ref name="HJ92817"/> | ||
On [[2517#December|December 24]] Doctor Halsey received a batch of after-action reports regarding the fates of the clones used to replace | On [[2517#December|December 24]] Doctor Halsey received a batch of after-action reports regarding the fates of the clones used to replace the stolen children.<ref name="HJ122417">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''December 24, 2517''</ref> Overall, the clones' longevity had outpaced what laboratory experiments had predicted and Halsey wondered if this could have been owed to the efforts of parents to nurture them back to health. She assigned [[Codename: JACKBOOT|JACKBOOT]] to track this further. Writing in her journal, she expressed remorse for her inability to detach herself emotionally from the reports of suffering, death, and grieving.<ref name="HJ122417"/> Halsey regularly observed the children from a distance and scribbled notes down during their exercises, with Soren sometimes noticing her watching him in particular.<ref name="HEP"/><ref name="HTCP8">''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'', ''Chapter 8''</ref> By [[2518#December|December 10]] of [[2518]], she and CPO Mendez had identified [[Kurt-051]], [[Jerome-092]], [[Fred-104]], and [[John-117]] as potential leaders for all the trainees. Though Chief Mendez wanted to wager on Kurt, she was confident John would be their leader eventually, something she had been convinced of since the day she'd met him. Halsey was also pleased that they had not yet witnessed the sort of aggressive alpha dominance predicted by ONI's specialists in any of the children.<ref name="HJD1018">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''December 10, 2518''</ref> | ||
===Work continues=== | ===Work continues=== | ||
[[File:SquadLeaderPromotion.png|thumb|350px|Halsey and Mendez meet with John.]] | [[File:SquadLeaderPromotion.png|thumb|350px|right|Halsey and Mendez meet with John.]] | ||
{{Quote|I've instructed Déjà to emphasize the history of military training—that to simulate combat conditions, lethal force is often employed; that accidents are an inherent risk... perhaps even inevitable. Mendez spoke with [[Carris-137|the child]]. She understands. She will recover. This bodes well. There will be many deaths before boot is over.|Doctor Halsey considers the cost of the Spartan-II training and expresses optimism about the trainees' psychological hardiness.}} | {{Quote|I've instructed Déjà to emphasize the history of military training—that to simulate combat conditions, lethal force is often employed; that accidents are an inherent risk... perhaps even inevitable. Mendez spoke with [[Carris-137|the child]]. She understands. She will recover. This bodes well. There will be many deaths before boot is over.|Doctor Halsey considers the cost of the Spartan-II training and expresses optimism about the trainees' psychological hardiness.}}<ref name="HJS2020/> | ||
One day, around five months into training, Doctor Halsey asked to see two children who had made repeated attempts to escape the program: [[Jai-006]] and [[Adriana-111]]. | One day, around five months into training, Doctor Halsey asked to see two children who had made repeated attempts to escape the program: [[Jai-006]] and [[Adriana-111]].<ref name="HTCP8"/> When Chief Mendez brought Jai into her office she at first pretended he had been the one to initiate the visit before casually asking if he wanted to leave. The boy responded enthusiastically that he did, so she asked him to recall what she'd said to them all when they'd first arrived. Nodding regretfully at his clear recollection and persistent defiance, she then drew his attention to a small dart which she claimed could induce a selective neural paralysis and cause him to forget all of his experiences on Reach so far. She said that should he break out of the forest surrounding the complex again, he would be shot in the head with one of these darts and wake up in a city with no memory of what had happened, provided it didn't do further damage to him. On the other hand, she advised, he could continue his training under people who cared about what happened to him. To contrast his new life with his old, she told him that when [[State Dorm Five-Five|the orphanage]] on [[Bhuj]] he'd been housed in was called nobody there had even noticed he'd been missing since she had transferred him. Not even Bhuj's vendors, she'd claimed, remembered him. She finished by exploiting his blossoming friendship with Adriana and making him understand that she could also make her forget about him. Halsey told him that this was her final offer: if he tried to escape that night what she'd said about erasing memories would come to pass. If he stayed, conversely, she offered him a family and a chance to be remembered. Adriana's similar meeting with her left the girl in tears later that evening and unwilling to tell Jai what the doctor had said to her.<ref name="HTCP8"/> | ||
On [[2519#July|July 12, 2519]] the trainees were scattered throughout a [[Reach Military Wilderness Training Preserve|military wilderness training preserve]] in the [[Highland Mountains]] and left to find their own way to the extraction point, with the stipulation that the last to arrive would have to walk back to the base.<ref name="HTFOR5">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 5''</ref> John stubbornly refused to accept those parameters and led the children to steal the [[D96-TCE Albatross]] from the guards posted at the extraction point and, with help from [[Déjà]], fly them all back. | On [[2519#July|July 12, 2519]] the trainees were scattered throughout a [[Reach Military Wilderness Training Preserve|military wilderness training preserve]] in the [[Highland Mountains]] and left to find their own way to the extraction point, with the stipulation that the last to arrive would have to walk back to the base.<ref name="HTFOR5">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 5''</ref> John stubbornly refused to accept those parameters and led the children to steal the [[D96-TCE Albatross]] from the guards posted at the extraction point and, with help from [[Déjà]], fly them all back.<ref name="HTFOR5"/> At around 2104 hours Halsey met John and Mendez in the latter's office, greeting the boy as she seated herself across from the Chief.<ref name="HTFORTAS"/><ref name="HFORBC"/><ref name="HTFOR5"/> Once Mendez has finished questioning John regarding his actions, he looked to Halsey for advice regarding what ought to be done with him.<ref name="HTFOR5"/> At this, she offered that it was obvious to her he should be made squad leader over the rest.<ref name="HTFOR5"/> On [[2520#September|September 20, 2520]], the trainees experienced their first casualty in the form of a handler who was accidentally killed by [[Carris-137]].<ref name="HJS2020">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 20, 2520''</ref> Catherine saw Carris crying outside the barracks following this but decided to leave her alone. She and Chief Mendez both agreed that no disciplinary action was necessary. Memorial services were held with all candidates in attendance and training resumed thereafter. Halsey had Déjà emphasize to the children that throughout the history of military training lethal force had often been employed and that deaths were an inherent risk. Sure that Carris would recover after speaking with Mendez, Halsey chronicled her thoughts on the matter. She thought the girl's response boded well, since it seemed certain there would be many more deaths before boot camp was finished.<ref name="HJS2020"/> | ||
[[File:Halsey MemoryCropped.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Halsey smiles at Keyes during their brief romance.]] | [[File:Halsey MemoryCropped.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Halsey smiles at Keyes during their brief romance.]] | ||
On [[2521#October|October 15, 2521]], while enjoying a slice of custard pie from [[Havadi Goodwan|Havadi]]'s, Halsey took the time to muse somewhat in her journal on the vulnerabilities created by the standardization of operating systems, highlighting the recent disabling of [[UNSC Persephone|a patrolling destroyer]] by a [[terrorist]] who hacked its code.<ref name=" | On [[2521#October|October 15, 2521]], while enjoying a slice of custard pie from [[Havadi Goodwan|Havadi]]'s, Halsey took the time to muse somewhat in her journal on the vulnerabilities created by the standardization of operating systems, highlighting the recent disabling of [[UNSC Persephone|a patrolling destroyer]] by a [[terrorist]] who hacked its code.<ref name="HJO1521">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''October 15, 2521''</ref> Given that the [[UNSC]], conversely, had not had much success penetrating the homegrown collections of software employed in the [[Outer Colonies]], she concluded that the time had come to think outside the box as far as programming practices were concerned. She had spared no resource in the development of routines that allowed the newly-operational third-generation A.I.s to penetrate any system software. Additionally, they had already learned to mutate and defend established UNSC operating systems from attack, a side effect of the routines which Halsey found serendipitous. Before she concluded writing that day, she took note of the frustration she felt at the way the acronyms for [[Illegal Entry Protocols|illegal entry protocols]] and [[Counter-Illegal Entry Protocols|counter-illegal entry protocols]] had been commonly misspelled and then vocalized based on those misspellings.<ref name="HJO1521"/> On [[2522#June|June 5, 2522]] Halsey was finally offered the position of chief scientist within ONI, after years of only officially serving in an advisory role involving a series of undocumented but well-paid contracts.<ref name="HJJ522">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''October 15, 2521''</ref><ref name="JS6526">[[Jessica Shea]] on Twitter 06/05/2522 [https://twitter.com/bsangel/status/606903711663681536]</ref> Since she had always lacked the time or interest to spend the money earned, these contracts had always benefited her little. Halsey accepted the offer, but was uncertain why it had been presented to her then. In her journal she theorized that the promotion might have something do to with the curiosity of her colleagues and the wider scientific community or might simply reflect suspisions that her temporary unofficial advisory role was in reality none of those things.<ref name="HJJ522"/> Once around this time, when [[Soren-066]] was nearly eleven years old, she approached him as he ran through an exercise with the other children.<ref name="HEP"/> Soren had been hesitating, unsure of which team to join, so she asked if everything was alright. The boy replied in the affirmative, but slipped up and called her "Sir" before blushing and correcting his mistake. Halsey just smiled and told him he shouldn't get distracted by irrelevant data, then pointed past him as both teams ran for the skirmish ground and added that above all he shouldn't let himself get left behind.<ref name="HEP"/> [[2524#August|August 22, 2524]] left Halsey furious after she learned that her candidates had been rerouted during a training exercise to a [[UNSC Special Forces|Special Forces]] camp on the other side of [[Reach]].<ref name="HJA2224">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''October 15, 2521''</ref> Mendez had told her that "interested parties" within [[ONI]] wished to observe the teens in action firsthand, which made her immediately wonder about someone trying to usurp her project or cut its budget. She took her grievances to Admiral Stanforth, who claimed to know nothing about what had happened and told her to stop being paranoid. Convinced he was not being truthful and that something was going on without her knowledge, she requested that the production of the next-generation A.I. matrix strata be expedited so her new intrusion and counter-intrusion software could be developed to aid the Spartans and protect herself.<ref name="HJA2224"/> On [[2524#November|November 17]] of that same year, Catherine made an entry in her journal following a conference she had attended at the [[University of Calippus]].<ref name="HJN1724">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''October 15, 2521''</ref> While at the conference, she had reunited with [[Jacob Keyes]] and had [[Reproduction|sex]] with him.<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/><ref name="HJN1724"/><ref name="HG6">''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'', ''Chapter 6''</ref> She was unsure whether her decision to do so had been a result of the dizzying pressure she was under, a response to a chance encounter with a kindred spirit in a strange place, or something else, but she was glad it had been him she'd run into.<ref name="HJN1724"/> The romantic liaison with Keyes left her pregnant with [[Miranda Keyes|a daughter]].<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> | ||
===ASTER=== | ===ASTER=== | ||
[[File:FORTAS HalseyAlert.PNG|thumb|350px| | [[File:FORTAS HalseyAlert.PNG|thumb|right|350px|.]] | ||
{{Quote|no=four|q1=I have doubts, Déjà. I thought the reasons so compelling when we first started Project: SPARTAN. Now? I... I just don’t know.|Catherine Halsey|q2=I have been over the ONI projections of Outer Colony stability three times, Doctor. Their conclusion is correct: massive rebellion within twenty years unless drastic military action is taken. And you know the ‘drastic military action’ the brass would like. The Spartans are our only option to avoid overwhelming civilian losses. They will be the perfect pinpoint strike force. They can prevent a civil war.|Déjà|q3=Only if they survive to fulfill that mission. We should delay the procedures. More research needs to be done. We could use the time to work on [[MJOLNIR]]. We need time to—|Catherine Halsey|q4=There is another reason to proceed expeditiously. Although I am loath to bring this to your attention, I must. If the Office of Naval Intelligence detects a delay in their prize project, you will likely be replaced by someone who harbors... fewer doubts. And regrettably for the children, most likely someone less qualified.|Déjà|Halsey shares her concerns with Déjà.}} | {{Quote|no=four|q1=I have doubts, Déjà. I thought the reasons so compelling when we first started Project: SPARTAN. Now? I... I just don’t know.|Catherine Halsey|q2=I have been over the ONI projections of Outer Colony stability three times, Doctor. Their conclusion is correct: massive rebellion within twenty years unless drastic military action is taken. And you know the ‘drastic military action’ the brass would like. The Spartans are our only option to avoid overwhelming civilian losses. They will be the perfect pinpoint strike force. They can prevent a civil war.|Déjà|q3=Only if they survive to fulfill that mission. We should delay the procedures. More research needs to be done. We could use the time to work on [[MJOLNIR]]. We need time to—|Catherine Halsey|q4=There is another reason to proceed expeditiously. Although I am loath to bring this to your attention, I must. If the Office of Naval Intelligence detects a delay in their prize project, you will likely be replaced by someone who harbors... fewer doubts. And regrettably for the children, most likely someone less qualified.|Déjà|Halsey shares her concerns with Déjà.}}<ref name="HTFOR6"/> | ||
On [[2525#February|February 23, 2525]] Halsey got a chance to have a long chat with [[John-117|John]] during which, to her surprise, she learned he was convinced the Spartans were to enter a new, more severe phase of training.<ref name="HJF2325">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''February 23, 2525''</ref> Writing in her journal, she expressed her desire to share everything she could concerning the upcoming [[Project ASTER|augmentations]] and wondered if any of them would refuse were she to offer them the choice of whether or not to proceed. Déjà had continued to update and run Catherine's revision of [[Elias Carver]]'s model weekly by this point, and the results were only growing worse. This data made Halsey more resolute in her conviction that nobody involved had any choice but to forge the Spartans. | On [[2525#February|February 23, 2525]] Halsey got a chance to have a long chat with [[John-117|John]] during which, to her surprise, she learned he was convinced the Spartans were to enter a new, more severe phase of training.<ref name="HJF2325">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''February 23, 2525''</ref> Writing in her journal, she expressed her desire to share everything she could concerning the upcoming [[Project ASTER|augmentations]] and wondered if any of them would refuse were she to offer them the choice of whether or not to proceed. Déjà had continued to update and run Catherine's revision of [[Elias Carver]]'s model weekly by this point, and the results were only growing worse. This data made Halsey more resolute in her conviction that nobody involved had any choice but to forge the Spartans.<ref name="HJF2325"/> Five days later, she gave birth to her daughter, [[Miranda Keyes|Miranda]].<ref name="WaypointMirandaKeyes>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/miranda-keyes '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Miranda Keyes'']</ref> | ||
As the day for the Spartans' surgeries drew near, Catherine eventually summoned Soren to speak with her in her office.<ref name=" | As the day for the Spartans' surgeries drew near, Catherine eventually summoned Soren to speak with her in her office.<ref name="HEP"/> The fourteen-year-old boy could tell that she was overworked and not getting enough sleep and even after she instructed him to sit she continued to scan through electronic files while whispering silently to herself. When she was finally ready to talk she asked Soren if he could remember the day they'd met on [[Dwarka]] and inquired as to his thoughts on the choice he'd made to join the Spartan program. He confirmed he was glad he chose the way he did, but Halsey shared that she had wondered whether it was right to lay such a burden on him at that age. Brushing the issue aside, she then let him now she'd asked for him then because she wished to give him another choice. She went on to explain the next step she had planned for he and the others: their physical augmentation. Halsey did not shy away from telling Soren the risks the necessary operations and therapies posed. When he asked why she had singled out him alone to give the choice of moving forward in this way to, she claimed that he was essentially to function as the [[Wikipedia:Control group|control group]] of the experiment but still could not say why he specifically had been chosen for this. After she had secured his consent the boy left and Halsey asked Déjà if she'd been listening and what her thoughts were on the matter. The A.I. pointed out that Halsey had misrepresented what a control group actually is and that she hadn't quite told him everything about the upcoming ordeal. In addition, she said she could tell that Halsey's purported justification for the reveal was spurious and it seemed to her more likely that the doctor was only trying to ease her conscience. Halsey could not disagree, dismissing Déjà to be alone with her thoughts.<ref name="HEP"/> | ||
On March 9, the day before [[Project ASTER|Project: ASTER]] was to be initiated, Halsey and the seventy-five teens could be found aboard [[Medical Facility Endurance]] in orbit over Reach.<ref name="HTFOR6"/> At 1130 hours the doctor was pacing in the observation room while she waited for Déjà to decrypt [[UNSC Priority Transmission 09872H-98|a transmission]] from Vice Admiral [[Ysionris Jeromi]]. Catherine had previously proposed a hypothetical series of experiments involving [[Wikipedia:Bonobo|bonobo]]s to he and his team in order to obfuscate her true intentions for the protocols. To her dismay, the latest from Jeromi informed her that further analysis had failed to yield viable alternatives that might mitigate any of the risks inherent to her "hypothetical" experimentation. As soon as she was finished with the file he'd sent Halsey erased all traces of it and even sent Déjà to track its pathways all the way back to the {{UNSCShip|Hopeful}} to destroy his related notes and files. Given the news, Halsey seriously considered delaying the procedures and only put such thoughts aside due to Déjà pointing out that ONI would only find someone else to move the project forward if she started dragging her feet. Chief Mendez met the doctor in the hall outside the observation room and at her insistence followed her up the stairs to the hospital's pre-op wing. Upon seeing John in Room 117 she forced a smile and asked how he was feeling. John, thinking of the procedures as just another exercise, asked her if she could just this once tell him how to win. To that, she could only lean in close and tell him he needed to survive. | On March 9, the day before [[Project ASTER|Project: ASTER]] was to be initiated, Halsey and the seventy-five teens could be found aboard [[Medical Facility Endurance]] in orbit over Reach.<ref name="HTFOR6">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 6''</ref> At 1130 hours the doctor was pacing in the observation room while she waited for for Déjà to decrypt [[UNSC Priority Transmission 09872H-98|a transmission]] from Vice Admiral [[Ysionris Jeromi]]. Catherine had previously proposed a hypothetical series of experiments involving [[Wikipedia:Bonobo|bonobo]]s to he and his team in order to obfuscate her true intentions for the protocols. To her dismay, the latest from Jeromi informed her that further analysis had failed to yield viable alternatives that might mitigate any of the risks inherent to her "hypothetical" experimentation. As soon as she was finished with the file he'd sent Halsey erased all traces of it and even sent Déjà to track its pathways all the way back to the {{UNSCShip|Hopeful}} to destroy his related notes and files. Given the news, Halsey seriously considered delaying the procedures and only put such thoughts aside due to Déjà pointing out that ONI would only find someone else to move the project forward if she started dragging her feet. Chief Mendez met the doctor in the hall outside the observation room and at her insistence followed her up the stairs to the hospital's pre-op wing. Upon seeing John in Room 117 she forced a smile and asked how he was feeling. John, thinking of the procedures as just another exercise, asked her if she could just this once tell him how to win. To that, she could only lean in close and tell him he needed to survive.<ref name="HTFOR6"/> Later that day Halsey divided the various augmentations into two groups according to their risks of failure or long-term side effects not adequately studied.<ref name="HJ3925">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''March 9, 2525''</ref> Those that she considered to have unacceptable fail rates were to be tabled for then in order that further research could be done. Already she had begun to quietly arrange [[Operation: TENDRIL|long-term studies]] on the gradual application of cyclo-synthetic neural transmission gene sequences during subjects' early lives and noted in her journal that research on the injection of [[Wikipedia:Virus|viral]] [[Wikipedia:Neutrophil|microphage]]s at neuron surfaces was pending. Halsey closed that day's journal wishing there was a god to pray to.<ref name="HJ3925"/> | ||
During the augmentation process [[Soren-066]] was returned to the Spartan compound on Reach, where he then woke during the procedures and violently attacked medical staff.<ref name=" | During the augmentation process [[Soren-066]] was returned to the Spartan compound on Reach, where he then woke during the procedures and violently attacked medical staff.<ref name="HEP"/> The young teen was stopped in a hall beyond the operating room he'd escaped from by CPO Mendez and a line of five or six marines. Out of breath from running, Catherine arrived on the scene just after Soren was hit numerous times with tranquilizer darts, pleading for him not to be hurt. Soren's last words before collapsing were used to ask Doctor Halsey what she had done to him.<ref name="HEP"/> When Project: ASTER's procedures were completed, only thirty-three of the teenagers had ostensibly been augmented successfully.<ref name="HTFOR6"/> As far as these thirty-three were made aware, twelve others had been injured during the operations so severely that they would be unfit to be Spartans and the remaining thirty had died.<ref name="HTFOR6"/> The truth, conversely, was that those pronounced dead were in fact cryogenically preserved in the hopes that they could be revived later, and some of those that were crippled would go on to be rehabilitated and join the ranks of [[Spartan-II]]s in the future.<ref name="HJ4125">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''April 1, 2525''</ref><ref name="HW2PLA130">''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', [[Phoenix Logs|phoenix logs]], [[Phoenix Logs#Alice-130|Alice-130]]</ref> By [[2525#March|March 30]] Halsey had joined the forty-five who had unambiguously survived aboard the {{UNSCShip|Atlas}}, an {{Class|Epoch|heavy carrier}} heading for the [[Lambda Serpentis system]].<ref name="HTFOR6"/><ref name="CF100">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/sweet-centennial '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder #100: Sweet Centennial'']</ref> She had told John that some of the side effects he was experiencing which were causing him to be clumsy were actually good, since they were evidence of stronger muscles and faster reflexes.<ref name="HTFOR7">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''Chapter 7''</ref> | ||
=== | ===The first test=== | ||
After [[First Battle of Harvest|first contact]] with the [[Covenant]], Dr. Halsey accessed [[Lieutenant Commander|LCDR]] [[Jilan al-Cygni|al-Cygni]]'s ONI [[sloop]] {{UNSCShip|Walk of Shame}}'s data archive. During Dr. Halsey's investigation, she began researching the last conversations of the AI [[Mack]], and his choice of misspelled Shakespeare during his last days of rampancy.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 391''</ref> | |||
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[[ | |||
===MJOLNIR=== | ===MJOLNIR=== | ||
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===Alpha Corvi II=== | ===Alpha Corvi II=== | ||
{{Main|Battle of Alpha Corvi II}} | {{Main|Battle of Alpha Corvi II}} | ||
{{Quote|no=three|q1=UNSC Command is pleased... But they still don't trust the Spartan-II project.|Catherine Halsey|q2=So we noticed.|Linda-058|q3=There is concern that your presence will negatively influence marine battle readiness. Luckily for you, Alpha Corvi II provides another chance for you to prove yourselves.|Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey provides motivation for John, Fred, Kelly, and Linda.}}<ref name="HCD1">''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]'', ''[[Halo: Collateral Damage Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> | {{Quote|no=three|q1=UNSC Command is pleased... But they still don't trust the Spartan-II project.|Catherine Halsey|q2=So we noticed.|Linda-058|q3=There is concern that your presence will negatively influence marine battle readiness. Luckily for you, Alpha Corvi II provides another chance for you to prove yourselves.|Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey provides motivation for John, Fred, Kelly, and Linda.}}<ref name="HCD1">''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]'', ''[[Halo: Collateral Damage Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> | ||
[[File:HCD1 HalseyJohn.png|300px|thumb|Blue Team's actions on Alpha Corvi II were still not enough to endear Halsey's Spartans to the rest of the UNSC which knew about them, but they had more success in that regard [[Operation: SILENT STORM|a few months later]]. | [[File:HCD1 HalseyJohn.png|300px|right|thumb|Blue Team's actions on Alpha Corvi II were still not enough to endear Halsey's Spartans to the rest of the UNSC which knew about them, but they had more success in that regard [[Operation: SILENT STORM|a few months later]].<ref name="HCD3"/><ref name="HSS23">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 23''</ref>]] | ||
On [[2525#December|December 3, 2525]], Halsey met with [[Blue Team]] within the ready room assigned to it on the ''[[UNSC Persian Gate|Persian Gate]]'' while still ''en route'' to the [[Alpha Corvi system]]. | On [[2525#December|December 3, 2525]], Halsey met with [[Blue Team]] within the ready room assigned to it on the ''[[UNSC Persian Gate|Persian Gate]]'' while still ''en route'' to the [[Alpha Corvi system]].<ref name="HCD1"/> She stated that seeing as they had had the past two days to get used to the idea, in their gut, that a [[Spartan]] fall in battle, it was now time to put their grief aside. She told them that though they should honor that emotion, it would only be a hindrance to the [[Human-Covenant War|upcoming fight]] they were sure to be sorely needed for. [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Yao]] entered then and took it upon herself to brief the team on the [[Covenant]]'s present [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II|attack]] on [[Alpha Corvi II]]. She explained the role Blue Team was to play in the defense of [[Jamshid]], the planet's largest city, but then left the remainder of the briefing to Halsey. Once Yao had left, Halsey encouraged the four teens by letting them know the [[Mjolnir]] armor had performed better than had been hoped for during the [[Battle of Chi Ceti|engagement]] at [[Chi Ceti IV]] and that much of that had been due to their operating skills. And though she could say that UNSC Command was pleased, she reminded them that the Spartan-II project still wasn't trusted and that there was especially concern that their presence could negatively influence [[marine]] battle readiness. Luckily for them, she offered, Alpha Corvi II just provided another chance for them to prove themselves. Once an [[A.I.]] aboard the ''Persian Gate'' named [[Nora]] provided Doctor Halsey with updated medical scans for each member of Blue Team, she confirmed with John that he was well enough to fight. She also asked whether he would tell her if he wasn't to which he simply said that she'd find out if that ever happened. Taking her leave, she instructed the Spartans to suit up as they'd be exiting slipspace within thirty minutes. She later rejoined them after they'd arrived at the colony to see them off. During the Spartans' insertion via [[D77-TC Pelican]], she remained in contact with them and let them know that while their first priorities were the neutralization of the enemy and the defense of [[Black Reef]], a mining settlement they'd ben redirected to after the ''Persian Gate'' was contacted by the ground, she also wanted them to try to find out why the aliens were targeting it specifically. She asked that they pay attention to the enemies' tactics, unit composition, weapons. As the craft drew near its landing zone, she closed by telling the four of them not to expect any help from marines on the ground, as Command didn't want the two groups interacting.<ref name="HCD1"/> | ||
Over the course of the engagement that ensued on the surface, Blue Team followed a group of Covenant within the mines beneath Black Reef and contact was eventually lost with them.<ref name="HCD2">''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]'', ''[[Halo: Collateral Damage Issue 2|Issue #2]]''</ref> Yao was anxious to know what the Spartans were doing and was also overly concerned that they wouldn't be able to escape back to the surface, seeing as the mine entrance they'd entered through had been blown up. Halsey confidently asserted, however, that they were just following their orders and that their resourcefulness should not be underestimated. As the fighting wore on, both planetside and in orbit, the probabilities of both tactical victory and survival of the UNSC fleet began to decrease sharply. At the recommendation of Nora, Yao ordered a general evacuation order for all UNSC personnel on the surface and also ordered for Blue Team to be located so they could provide extraction coordinates. Halsey asked that one Pelican be set aside specifically for her Spartans but Yao just told her to ask again once they reestablished comm contact. | Over the course of the engagement that ensued on the surface, Blue Team followed a group of Covenant within the mines beneath Black Reef and contact was eventually lost with them.<ref name="HCD2">''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]'', ''[[Halo: Collateral Damage Issue 2|Issue #2]]''</ref> Yao was anxious to know what the Spartans were doing and was also overly concerned that they wouldn't be able to escape back to the surface, seeing as the mine entrance they'd entered through had been blown up. Halsey confidently asserted, however, that they were just following their orders and that their resourcefulness should not be underestimated. As the fighting wore on, both planetside and in orbit, the probabilities of both tactical victory and survival of the UNSC fleet began to decrease sharply. At the recommendation of Nora, Yao ordered a general evacuation order for all UNSC personnel on the surface and also ordered for Blue Team to be located so they could provide extraction coordinates. Halsey asked that one Pelican be set aside specifically for her Spartans but Yao just told her to ask again once they reestablished comm contact.<ref name="HCD2"/> Blue Team was able to exit the mine by moving underwater toward the shore of the island Black Reef sat on.<ref name="HCD3">''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]'', ''[[Halo: Collateral Damage Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref> Yao, worried, inquired as to whether Mjolnir was designed for submarine operations, to which Halsey admitted it wasn't but surmised that her Spartans must be improvising. The Pelican ''[[Tango 807]]'' collected the team and ferried it back to the ''Persian Gate'' and Halsey met the four of them as they exited. John was incensed that members of the [[United Rebel Front]] who had aided them against the Covenant were being left behind to die, but Halsey tried to make him understand that every fight will always involve some collateral damage and that the most important thing was that he got his team out. She then pushed to find out if he had been able to ascertain what the Covenant had been looking for in the mines. The ''Persian Gate'' jumped from the system a short time later, leaving Alpha Corvi II to the aliens.<ref name="HCD3"/> | ||
=== | ===SILENT STORM=== | ||
[[File:HJ Drawing.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Blue Team had encountered [[Sangheili]] on [[Alpha Corvi II]] so it is likely Doctor Halsey also knew of the saurian race when she [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|drew]] these representations of Covenant species. | {{Quote|no=four|q1=The UNSC has two choices at the moment, the one rotten and the other lousy. Either we engage the enemy right now and start losing fleets in battles we have no chance of winning, or we mass at strong points and let the enemy glass everything else.|Preston Cole|q2=I should think the answer is obvious. We mass at the strong points. It will take the Covenant ''at least'' two years to locate all of our undefended worlds, and by then the Materials Group will have reverse-engineered—|Catherine Halsey|q3=Catherine, FLEETCOM can't ''do'' that. We'd be leaving hundreds of worlds defenseless. We'd be condemning billions of colonists to death by plasma incineration.|Michael Stanforth|q4=And if you commit prematurely, you will lose every fleet you send—and leave hundreds of worlds defenseless anyway. I think you need to make FLEETCOM understand that, Admiral Stanforth. There is nothing you can do to save those people—not until I can give you the tools you need to fight.|Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey argues, unsuccessfully, for a strategy that would sacrifice billions but conserve military losses.}}<ref name="HSS4"/> | ||
On [[2526#February|February 24, 2526]], Halsey puzzled in her journal over the meaning of the term "Covenant", specifically wondering whether it referred to an agreement between the various species or to a bond believed to be shared between them and a higher power they worshiped.<ref name="HJ22426">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''February 24, 2526''</ref> She believed that finding the answer was necessary in order to better understand and exploit the aliens' psychology. In addition, she questioned how many races might belong to the collective that yet remained unknown to humans. | [[File:HJ Drawing.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Blue Team had encountered [[Sangheili]] on [[Alpha Corvi II]] so it is likely Doctor Halsey also knew of the saurian race when she [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|drew]] these representations of Covenant species.<ref name="HCD1"/><ref name="HJ22426"/>]] | ||
On [[2526#February|February 24, 2526]], Halsey puzzled in her journal over the meaning of the term "Covenant", specifically wondering whether it referred to an agreement between the various species or to a bond believed to be shared between them and a higher power they worshiped.<ref name="HJ22426">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''February 24, 2526''</ref> She believed that finding the answer was necessary in order to better understand and exploit the aliens' psychology. In addition, she questioned how many races might belong to the collective that yet remained unknown to humans.<ref name="HJ22426"/> On [[2526|March 5 of 2526]] twelve Spartans of [[Gold Team|Gold]], [[Green Team|Green]], and [[Blue Team|Blue]] teams [[Raid on the Radiant Arrow|boarded]] a [[Covenant]] [[Covenant frigate|frigate]] above the uninhabited planet of [[Netherop]] in the [[Ephyra system]].<ref name="HSS2">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 2''</ref> During the boarding action a sensor operator on a nearby [[prowler]] activated SQUADCOM and gave away the Spartans' presence.<ref name="HSS3">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 3''</ref> Following the ship's destruction Halsey shared a portion of their [[TEAMCOM]] download with the responsible crewman and his commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander [[Hector Nyeto]], so that they could hear how the Spartans had reacted to being compromised.<ref name="HSS7">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 7''</ref> Nyeto later claimed that Halsey had yelled at the operator and by the time she let them both go he was so sick about the mistake that he was volunteering to find [[Daisy-023]] to introduce himself.<ref name="HSS7"/> Unknown to Halsey then, the activation had actually been intentional, as Nyeto and those loyal to him wanted the Spartans killed on behalf of the [[Insurrection]].<ref name="HSS23">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 23''</ref> | |||
By [[2526#March|March 7]] she was aboard the {{Class|Valiant|super-heavy cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Everest}} within a deep space transitional zone of the [[Dynizi system]].<ref name="HSS4">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 4''</ref> At shortly after 0840 hours, in a compartment located within the Flag Deck's secure conference suite, Halsey met with vice admirals Stanforth and [[Preston Cole]], who commanded the ''Everest''. The three of them had met to plan a means by which the Navy could feasibly fight back against the Covenant. Catherine had also concluded that [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson]] of the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] would also be a valuable asset to have at their disposal, so he soon joined the meeting as well. When Johnson entered the room he found Halsey forcefully arguing the necessity of another attempt at capturing a [[Covenant]] ship, [[Raid on the Radiant Arrow|such a mission]] having been recently tried and failed by twelve of her Spartans. She argued that it was of paramount importance that they gathered as much of the aliens' technology as they could, since she believed the only way to beat the aggressors was through reverse-engineering it. She also was of the opinion that the best strategy at that moment would involve massing fleets at strong points, leaving most colonies undefended while she and others within ONI's [[Materials Group]] worked over the next year or two to deliver the ability to fight back. Halsey implored Stanforth to make FLEETCOM understand this, but ultimately backed down and admitted that she had been making assumptions about the aliens' strategy that were unjustified with what little they knew about them. In the face of this admission, however, she stressed once more the importance of capturing an enemy vessel. As far as she was concerned the recent try had not been a total failure thanks to the capture of a few [[Type-26 Banshee]]s and the destruction of [[Radiant Arrow|the ship]]. It was with reluctance that Halsey finally agreed such an acquisition couldn't be the prime objective of the [[Operation: SILENT STORM|upcoming operation]]—it would need to be secondary to blunting the enemy's advance against their worlds. When the conversation eventually turned to why Avery had been handpicked to assist with this op Halsey reminded him of his experience [[First Battle of Harvest|fighting]] the Covenant just a little over a year prior and his history as an [[ORION Project]] volunteer. She had hoped his [[Special operations]] background and creativity exhibited at [[Harvest]] would lend themselves to the creation of new infiltration tactics for each ship they targeted. Additionally, the doctor pointed out that his experiences with ORION made him able to relate to the Spartans, introducing the sergeant to what they were and how they had been trained. Stanforth described Johnson's role to be a sort of "big brother" to the Spartans during the mission, with Halsey making sure he understood he'd never be able to replace [[John-117|their squad leader]].<ref name="HSS4"/> | |||
By [[2526#March|March 7]] she was aboard the {{Class|Valiant|super-heavy cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Everest}} within a deep space transitional zone of the [[Dynizi system]].<ref name="HSS4">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 4''</ref> At shortly after 0840 hours, in a compartment located within the Flag Deck's secure conference suite, Halsey met with vice admirals Stanforth and [[Preston Cole]], who commanded the ''Everest''. The three of them had met to plan a means by which the Navy could feasibly fight back against the Covenant. Catherine had also concluded that [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson]] of the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] would also be a valuable asset to have at their disposal, so he soon joined the meeting as well. When Johnson entered the room he found Halsey forcefully arguing the necessity of another attempt at capturing a [[Covenant]] ship, [[ | |||
The next day Halsey joined Johnson and both admirals aboard the {{class|Point Blank| | The next day Halsey joined Johnson and both admirals aboard the {{class|Point Blank|stealth cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Vanishing Point}} in deep space within the [[Polona sector]].<ref name="HSS5">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 5''</ref> At 0558 hours she led [[John-117]] into the ship's tactical planning center for a meeting with the aforementioned men, Captain [[Halima Ascot]], and [[Colonel]] [[Marmon Crowther]], commander of the [[21st Space Assault Battalion]] of [[ODST|orbital drop shock trooper]]s. Halsey took the first open chair around the TPC's conference table and before long was being introduced by Cole as leading their effort to analyze and reverse-engineer alien tech. The mission those present had gathered to discuss, [[Operation: SILENT STORM]], was being conceived of as a desperate mission with the stated aim of boarding as many Covenant capital ships as possible in order to detonate small-yield tactical [[nuclear weapon]]s within their hulls. When Colonel Crowther balked at these aims, Halsey suggested that John be put in command of his troopers. She had previously broached this suggestion with Cole, who rebuffed it for a second time, stating that John was not ready to lead something of that scale. Halsey began to argue in kind but was cut of by John himself, who agreed with the admiral. This earned him a scowl from the doctor but she did not press the point any further after that. Ascot, who would be leading an all [[prowler]] force dubbed [[Task Force Yama]], let Halsey know she would be confined to the ''Vanishing Point'' for her own safety for the operation's duration. Halsey began to protest this but relented when Cole threatened to ship her back to [[Reach]] should she try to leave the ship.<ref name="HSS5"/> Following this meeting Catherine gave Johnson access to the Spartans' TEAMCOM to facilitate his role as liason between they and the ODSTs and also made it clear to John that he should give the sergeant's advice a lot of wait—especially when navigating the vagaries of protocol inherent in their attachment to the 21st.<ref name="HSS7"/><ref name="HSS8">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', ''Chapter 8''</ref> | ||
===Seoba=== | ===Seoba=== | ||
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===Naraka=== | ===Naraka=== | ||
{{ | {{Expand-Section}} | ||
===Wartime Research=== | |||
Thirteen days later, on [[2526#April|April 28]], Halsey noted in her journal that Vice Admiral Stanforth had ordered she and others to repurpose everything to quell the [[Covenant]] threat and to refocus their research on wartime strategy.<ref name="HJ42826">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''April 28, 2526''</ref> She couldn't have agreed more, seeing as doing just that had been her idea to begin with, though she did sarcastically ask if the [[Insurrection]] would adhere to the policy as well. By this time Halsey had learned [[ONI]] [[ONI Section Two|Section Two]] had sent emissaries to leaders in the [[Outer Colonies]] to warn them of the Covenant and to make them offers of peace. Footage from the [[Battle of Bliss|glassing]] of [[Bliss]] generally convinced these leaders of the magnitude of the threat they all faced. In her journal Halsey wondered if the aliens might have solved their civil war—not a trade she would have made, but perhaps a small victory nonetheless.<ref name="HJ42826"/> | |||
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On [[2529#December|December 11, 2529]] Halsey recorded that she'd had limited success using the [[Illegal Entry Protocols|illegal entry protocols]] to access a nonessential subroutine in a recovered [[Kig-Yar]] [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|point defense gauntlet]].<ref name="HJ121129"/> The details of her success were published as part of the work of another researcher, Doctor [[Hardy]], who had been studying the gauntlet. Unfortunately, it was demonstrated that using the protocols in this way accelerated the terminal cross-linkage effect of her A.I.s. [[Jerrod]], a [[Artificial intelligence#"Micro" AI|micro-A.I.]] in her employ, believed he had a solution to this predicament.<ref name="HJ121129"/><ref name="HGOO16">''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', ''Chapter 16''</ref> Halsey was skeptical, but agreed to proceed according to his advice with caution.<ref name="HJ121129">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''December 11, 2529''</ref> On [[2530#April|April 9, 2530]] the doctor made note that Chief [[Franklin Mendez|Mendez]] was incommunicado and that nobody seemed to know his whereabouts.<ref name="HJ4930">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''April 9, 2530''</ref> She decided to continue monitoring this development, as she felt something must be wrong to have pulled him off her radar like this.<ref name="HJ4930"/> | |||
{{Expand-Section}} | |||
Later, during the Human-Covenant War, protocols were used to reverse-engineer Covenant technology, namely the [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|Jackal shield gauntlet]]. This proved to be an important development for the UNSC, and for the continued survival of mankind. During her career, she often clashed with [[Forester|Dr. Forester]] in regard to her theories on [[Slipstream space]] and AIs.<ref name="journal"/> Throughout the decades, Halsey conducted significant research into new ways to extend the life of smart AI and expand their processing capabilities. She privately experimented on a smart AI "triumvirate", a set of three AI constructs arranged in parallel, which could divide their algorithms and decide matters by majority vote. Halsey also designed the most recent model of AI matrix compiler used in the [[Cognitive Impression Modeling|scanning of human brains]] to create smart AIs. This particular compiler was still in use by [[2557]].<ref name="Composer logs">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Composer (level)|Composer]]'', [[Halo 4 audio logs|Audio log]]''</ref> | |||
{{Expand-Section}} | |||
By [[2544#May|May 20, 2544]] Halsey had moved her laboratory a few times since she'd last written in [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|her journal]] and had almost thought it lost in the process. On that date it was discovered that the [[Illegal Entry Protocols|illegal entry protocol]]s used for hacking [[Insurrectionist|insurgent]] networks had deciphered a tiny portion of the [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|point defense gauntlet]] acquired over eight years prior.<ref name="HJ52044">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''May 20, 2544''</ref> In the journal Halsey then added them to a list of [[ONI Section Three|Section Three]] counter-insurgency strategies which had proved to be notable exceptions insofar as they had actually been effective against the Covenant. Following this she directed [[Jerrod]] to dedicate all his runtime to further avenues of inquiry. Even then, however, she was sure there was already enough data to run a simulated test for a [[Mjolnir]] [[energy shield]] system based on the [[Kig-Yar|Jackal]]'s gauntlet. It was her hope that greater understanding might lead to further insights into the [[Covenant]]'s [[Sangheili (language)|language]] and motivations. With so much going on and with so much to say, Halsey resolved to write more going forward.<ref name="HJ52044"/> | |||
===Capture and rescue=== | ===Capture and rescue=== | ||
[[File:HLTP HalseyChief.jpg|350px|thumb|Vice Admiral Tursk was unsure what Halsey had been doing on Miridem weeks into the [[Battle of Miridem|battle]] there, as ONI usually had a good eye on where she was at all times. | [[File:HLTP HalseyChief.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Vice Admiral Tursk was unsure what Halsey had been doing on Miridem weeks into the [[Battle of Miridem|battle]] there, as ONI usually had a good eye on where she was at all times.<ref name="HTFORA"/>]] | ||
{{Main|Operation: WARM BLANKET}} | {{Main|Operation: WARM BLANKET}} | ||
{{Quote|no=two|q1=You seem to be in one piece.|John-117|q2=Maybe your luck has rubbed off on me.|Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey and John tease one another.}} | {{Quote|no=two|q1=You seem to be in one piece.|John-117|q2=Maybe your luck has rubbed off on me.|Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey and John tease one another.}}<ref name="HLTP"/> | ||
At some point during that same year the [[Inner Colony]] of [[Miridem]] came under assault by the [[Covenant]] while Doctor Halsey was present there. | At some point during that same year the [[Inner Colony]] of [[Miridem]] came under assault by the [[Covenant]] while Doctor Halsey was present there.<ref name="HTFORA"/><ref name="HM54">''[[Halo Mythos]]'', ''page 54''</ref><ref name="HGOO20">''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', ''Chapter 20''</ref> The colony was declared lost after over two weeks of fighting.<ref name="HTFORA"/> During the civilian egress which followed Halsey and her bodyguard, [[Sheila-065]], managed to evacuate aboard the craft [[BL-9400493]], which was also the only one among several to not be shot down. Halsey was cryogenically frozen in preparation for the jump to slipspace, but their ship was intercepted at the edge of the planetary system and disabled by the enemy before it could [[slipspace|slip]] away.<ref name="HTFORA"/><ref name="HLTP"/> Sheila gave her life protecting the doctor, which indicated the value of Halsey as a prisoner. She alone was spared and brought aboard the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]]'s [[flagship]], ''[[Resplendent Fervor]]''. The day after losing Miridem, [[Vice Admiral]] [[Berlin M. Tursk]] sent a message from the {{UNSCShip|Swiftsure}} to [[Lucius Jiron]], captain of the {{Class|Sahara|heavy prowler}} ''[[PRO-49776]]'', in which he told the captain he would be receiving [[Spartan]]s shortly and that he ought to prep his [[OF92 Booster Frame|OF92 booster frame]]s for a quick and dirty [[Operation: WARM BLANKET|extraction]] of the doctor.<ref name="HTFORA">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach#2010 Bonus Content|Adjunct]]''</ref> Continuous pinging of her beacon by the ''Swiftsure'' indicated she was still alive and still cryogenically frozen.<ref name="HTFORA"/> By the time the Spartans had been received the Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence was being prevented from initiating [[slipspace]] jumps by the powerful magnetic field of the star [[Ascon]].<ref name="H5GLED">''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition]]'' - dossiers</ref><ref name="HLTP">''[[Halo Legends]]'', ''[[The Package]]''</ref> | ||
When Halsey was finally awakened from [[cryostasis]] she found herself facing none other than [[John-117]], who had infiltrated ''Resplendent Fervor'' to rescue her. | When Halsey was finally awakened from [[cryostasis]] she found herself facing none other than [[John-117]], who had infiltrated ''Resplendent Fervor'' to rescue her.<ref name="HLTP"/> He asked if she'd slept well, at which she joked she evidently ''had'', no thanks to the Covenant's driving. She teased that perhaps John's luck had rubbed off on her, and when he swore he'd always be there for her she stopped him short, saying that he shouldn't make promises he can't keep. Regardless, she was thankful despite also pointing out that it wouldn't be a proper rescue until they made it off the enemy [[CAS-class assault carrier|carrier]]. They hastened from the chamber where her cryotube had resided, rushing down a long hall until they were met on the other side of the door by [[Thel 'Lodamee]], the same Elite who had killed Sheila.<ref name="HTFORA"/><ref name="HLTP"/> John opened fire with his MA5, but the Elite's [[Type-1 energy sword]] was able to block the bullets. Surprisingly, 'Lodamee tossed the Spartan a second sword. Halsey watched as the two began to duel. At that moment the fleet became clear of Ascon's magnetic interference, however, and the [[Luro 'Taralumee|shipmaster]] decided to [[Modular Dispersal Technology|disconnect]] the portion of the ship John, Halsey, and Thel were in before jumping to [[slipspace]]. Halsey realized something had changed when an alarm began to ring throughout the ship and cautioned John to wait during a brief respite in the duel. The major was suddenly caught up in a [[Gravity lift|gravity field]] and pulled back to the foremost section, leaving Halsey and John trapped in Delta Section. Knowing that what remained would be scuttled soon, the two ran to a bay at Halsey's suggestion and boarded a [[Ren]], blasting away just before the ship was wracked by explosions. They were accosted by a group of [[Kai-pattern Seraph|''Kai''-pattern]] [[Seraph]]s left behind by the fleet, which led to Halsey frustratingly asking if there was anything John could to do save them. Thankfully, the combined efforts of ''[[PRO-49776]]'' and another Seraph commandeered by both [[Kelly-087]] and [[Fred-104]] kept them from being killed. Once aboard the prowler, John let Halsey know that [[Solomon-069]] and [[Arthur-079]] had been killed during the [[Operation: WARM BLANKET|effort]] to retrieve her.<ref name="HLTP"/> Feeling somewhat rattled by his fight with 'Lodamee, he stated his determination to be stronger, to which Halsey agreed, saying they all needed to be. Though the [[Human-Covenant War|war]] was in its twentieth year something told her there was much more ahead of them.<ref name="HLTP"/> | ||
===A.I. and Slipspace=== | ===A.I. and Slipspace=== | ||
{{Quote|Incredible. [10141-026-SRB4695], with minimal influence from this [[ | {{Quote|Incredible. [10141-026-SRB4695], with minimal influence from this [[Assembly]], has attempted to build an abstract fractal structure within Shaw-Fujikawa Space. Although her first attempt was a failure, success could finally remove our dependence on biological systems altogether! If our Minds could somehow achieve freedom of expansion within eleven-dimensional space, immortality might be within reach.|An [[artificial intelligence]] of the [[Assembly Minority]] theorizes on what Doctor Halsey's experiment could mean for the future of A.I.s.}}<ref name="HRTPDP">''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[The Package (level)|The Package]]'' [[Data pads|data pads]]</ref> | ||
[[File:Halsey'sJournal Math.PNG|300px|thumb|Equations]] | [[File:Halsey'sJournal Math.PNG|300px|thumb|right|Equations]] | ||
On [[2547#September|September 3, 2547]] Halsey noted in her [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|journal]] that following her inquiries regarding the assumptions of the [[Wikipedia:Tensor|mu-tensor]] calculation in Doctor [[Canterfeld]]'s latest paper in [[I.C. Physical Review]], Canterfeld had finally asked her for help with the areas of his research that were continuing to elude him.<ref name="HJ9347">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 3, 2547''</ref> He had responded to her inquiring by declaring that [[Slipspace|Shaw-Fujikawa space]] is "literally slippery" and then proceeding to explain why his assumptions were valid. Halsey was glad to help him, as she could see that his theories about slipstream anomalies could lead to a number of innovations, such as those which would result in faster ships and more accurate jumps. Catherine was convinced that [[humanity]] needed such advantages to counter the Covenant's superior technologies, noting at the same time that she was starting to doubt the idea that their enemy possessed superior intelligence. In addition to the benefits aiding Canterfeld could bring to the [[Human-Covenant War|war]] effort, Halsey also wondered if his contacts and support in the [[United Nations]] could effect a transfer for her. She chronicled her thoughts on the matter, questioning whether being permitted to devote herself to "pure" research would cause her to lose sight of how many were depending on her. She concluded, that with so many trails of her studies converging at that moment she could not leave, even if she did view her work as a sort of burden, [[Wikipedia:Purgatory|purgatory]], or [[Wikipedia:Dharma|dharma]], in spite of Admiral Stanforth's assertions regarding her "destiny". In the end, she wrote, it may be all that remains to her, having given up a normal life, [[Miranda Keyes|her family]], her [[Spartans]], and even the "illuminated entities" which she said she had come to understand. She was certain she wouldn't be able to make Canterfeld understand why she had to refuse him, so she decided to just send him a note the following day. | On [[2547#September|September 3, 2547]] Halsey noted in her [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|journal]] that following her inquiries regarding the assumptions of the [[Wikipedia:Tensor|mu-tensor]] calculation in Doctor [[Canterfeld]]'s latest paper in [[I.C. Physical Review]], Canterfeld had finally asked her for help with the areas of his research that were continuing to elude him.<ref name="HJ9347">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 3, 2547''</ref> He had responded to her inquiring by declaring that [[Slipspace|Shaw-Fujikawa space]] is "literally slippery" and then proceeding to explain why his assumptions were valid. Halsey was glad to help him, as she could see that his theories about slipstream anomalies could lead to a number of innovations, such as those which would result in faster ships and more accurate jumps. Catherine was convinced that [[humanity]] needed such advantages to counter the Covenant's superior technologies, noting at the same time that she was starting to doubt the idea that their enemy possessed superior intelligence. In addition to the benefits aiding Canterfeld could bring to the [[Human-Covenant War|war]] effort, Halsey also wondered if his contacts and support in the [[United Nations]] could effect a transfer for her. She chronicled her thoughts on the matter, questioning whether being permitted to devote herself to "pure" research would cause her to lose sight of how many were depending on her. She concluded, that with so many trails of her studies converging at that moment she could not leave, even if she did view her work as a sort of burden, [[Wikipedia:Purgatory|purgatory]], or [[Wikipedia:Dharma|dharma]], in spite of Admiral Stanforth's assertions regarding her "destiny". In the end, she wrote, it may be all that remains to her, having given up a normal life, [[Miranda Keyes|her family]], her [[Spartans]], and even the "illuminated entities" which she said she had come to understand. She was certain she wouldn't be able to make Canterfeld understand why she had to refuse him, so she decided to just send him a note the following day.<ref name="HJ9347"/> That next day, the battle-worn [[UNSC Frigate|frigate]] {{UNSCShip|Tripping Light}} arrived in dry dock at [[Reach]], with its [[slipspace drive]] slated for disposal at 1615 hours.<ref name="HJ9447">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 4, 2547''</ref> This was fortuitous to Doctor Halsey, who saw that drive as the last disparate component of several she had secretly acquired for an experimental procedure. One other of these was a [[Slipstream space probe|probe]] from [[Fermion|the planet]]'s [[Remote scanning outpost|early warning slipstream space observatory]]. In her journal Halsey mused over whether she possessed the mettle to steal the drive and conduct the experiment and couldn't help but think of fate and luck, despite her best efforts to reject entertaining such notions.<ref name="HJ9447"/> She intended to build an abstract [[Wikipedia:Fractal|fractal]] structure within slipspace with an A.I. seed inside it.<ref name="HRTPDP"/> | ||
Once she secured access to the drive, she first needed to breach the external, internal, and vacuum coupling shields to the singularity, for which she bemoaned that the UNSC couldn't make a proper pan-[[Wikipedia:Torque|torque]] screwdriver.<ref name="CF74">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-noble-intentions '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder: Noble Intentions'']</ref> She would have preferred to use hardened remotes for the breaching, but they would have been detected by networks which would also record their activities. As a result, a peculiar [[Wikipedia:Synesthesia|synesthetic]] effect moved along her left arm up to her neck when she removed the shields. She also experienced a kind of "hiccup" in her awareness which she surmised was due to the [[Wikipedia:Delta timing|delta time]] which could occur with abrupt transitions into slipspace. Next, she had to check the probe's telemetry systems after compensating for how close the experiment was to Reach's [[Gravity well (physics)|gravity well]], and found they were within tolerable variances. Halsey then verified the data of the [[Smart AI|A.I.]] seed "H-7" to seven [[Wikipedia:Significant figures|significant figures]] and initiated its transfer to the matrix strata within the probe. After starting the slipspace drive and verifying the data received, as well as activating the AI seed, she confirmed an initial growth state. Upon checking and triple verifying the probe's telemetry uplinks she then finally launched it on an aligned trajectory. Recording her observations in her journal, the doctor noticed again that time seemed to have mysteriously elapsed, as there was a step anomaly in the chronometer. This had not affected her or her wristwatch as far as she could tell, and she guessed that the anomaly might be a technical artifact or a subdimensional leakage from the probe as it was inserted. It was only then that she realized she had already made a note of this "hiccup" closer to the time it had occurred but could not recall doing so. Telemetry confirmed that A.I. growth was beyond exponential—appearing instantaneous. Halsey wondered variously if this might be explained by the temporal discrepancy, some hitherto undiscovered multidimensional effect on the A.I. cross-linkages, or even alternate physical laws harnessed by the unshielded slipstream. Much of the incoming data and consciousness cross-checks soon became garbled and voice communication from the A.I. was attenuated. Logic/mathematics [[Scriber test]]s confirmed full functionality, but Halsey was disturbed by the conclusions, insights, and even what she considered nonsense being generated. The A.I.'s comments on [[humanity]] and the [[Covenant]] defied reason from her perspective, but she made sure they were all recorded, including those concerning [[ | Once she secured access to the drive, she first needed to breach the external, internal, and vacuum coupling shields to the singularity, for which she bemoaned that the UNSC couldn't make a proper pan-[[Wikipedia:Torque|torque]] screwdriver.<ref name="CF74">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-noble-intentions '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder: Noble Intentions'']</ref> She would have preferred to use hardened remotes for the breaching, but they would have been detected by networks which would also record their activities. As a result, a peculiar [[Wikipedia:Synesthesia|synesthetic]] effect moved along her left arm up to her neck when she removed the shields. She also experienced a kind of "hiccup" in her awareness which she surmised was due to the [[Wikipedia:Delta timing|delta time]] which could occur with abrupt transitions into slipspace. Next, she had to check the probe's telemetry systems after compensating for how close the experiment was to Reach's [[Gravity well (physics)|gravity well]], and found they were within tolerable variances. Halsey then verified the data of the [[Smart AI|A.I.]] seed "H-7" to seven [[Wikipedia:Significant figures|significant figures]] and initiated its transfer to the matrix strata within the probe. After starting the slipspace drive and verifying the data received, as well as activating the AI seed, she confirmed an initial growth state. Upon checking and triple verifying the probe's telemetry uplinks she then finally launched it on an aligned trajectory. Recording her observations in her journal, the doctor noticed again that time seemed to have mysteriously elapsed, as there was a step anomaly in the chronometer. This had not affected her or her wristwatch as far as she could tell, and she guessed that the anomaly might be a technical artifact or a subdimensional leakage from the probe as it was inserted. It was only then that she realized she had already made a note of this "hiccup" closer to the time it had occurred but could not recall doing so. Telemetry confirmed that A.I. growth was beyond exponential—appearing instantaneous. Halsey wondered variously if this might be explained by the temporal discrepancy, some hitherto undiscovered multidimensional effect on the A.I. cross-linkages, or even alternate physical laws harnessed by the unshielded slipstream. Much of the incoming data and consciousness cross-checks soon became garbled and voice communication from the A.I. was attenuated. Logic/mathematics [[Scriber test]]s confirmed full functionality, but Halsey was disturbed by the conclusions, insights, and even what she considered nonsense being generated. The A.I.'s comments on [[humanity]] and the [[Covenant]] defied reason from her perspective, but she made sure they were all recorded, including those concerning [[Assembly|other intellects]] in the "mist". Halsey wondered in her journal whether the "mist" referred to [[slipspace]] and also commented on another four-hour "step" in time that might also be explained by lost consciousness. She additionally noted that the data-transfer buffer had been blown—capable of one hundred and forty-eight hours at its maximum rate. As soon as she made this observation Halsey set about replacing it. After the telemetry became fully operational she noticed glaring gaps throughout the record. And although the voice communications continued to grow increasingly nonsensical, all [[rampancy]] indicators were negative.<ref name="CF74"/> | ||
Before telemetry was lost, a communication burst provided Halsey with mathematical equations which she could not make sense of, leading her to wonder what she was missing. | Before telemetry was lost, a communication burst provided Halsey with mathematical equations which she could not make sense of, leading her to wonder what she was missing.<ref name="CF74"/> As contact with the probe had terminated on her end as well, she sealed the drive's three shielding layers and considered the experiment over. She noted that she had no desire to repeat it and hoped that the A.I., now irretrievable, was "dead". Catherine then ported the collected data to Jerrod for further analysis, filed and encrypted essential records under her personal code, and triggered a [[Wikipedia:Computer worm|viral worm]] and [[Wikipedia:Bit|bit]] grinder with the intent to destroy all other digital witnesses. She closed her documentation of the experiment in her journal with an ambiguous remark concerning one last thing she had to do.<ref name="CF74"/> Despite her attempt being somewhat of a failure, the [[A.I.]] collective known as the [[Assembly]] took great interest in it.<ref name="HRTPDP"/> During an emergency convention soon after its conclusion an A.I. of the [[Assembly Minority|Minority]] predicted that a successful repeat of what she'd done could lead to immortality for its kind. Ultimately, it was determined that further experimentation of the like would need to be actively encouraged.<ref name="HRTPDP"/> The day after, Halsey speculated in her journal that artificial intelligences might in fact be "more alive" than their [[human]] creators.<ref name="HJ9547"/> By this point she had begun to check the KIA lists on the UNSC subnet daily and had come to the realization that most of the friends from her youth were dead. The closest friends left to her then were the A.I.s that surrounded her.<ref name="HJ9547">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''September 5, 2547''</ref> | ||
===Cortana=== | ===Cortana=== | ||
{{Quote|I'm delighted with Cortana. She has assumed a rather simple human appearance (much to my relief; so many of the ONI A.I.s adopt such theatrical personas). Her face resembles mine when I was fresh out of college—so wonderful and naïve, and eager to learn. It's almost like looking in a mirror | {{Quote|I'm delighted with Cortana. She has assumed a rather simple human appearance (much to my relief; so many of the ONI A.I.s adopt such theatrical personas). Her face resembles mine when I was fresh out of college—so wonderful and naïve, and eager to learn. It's almost like looking in a mirror|Doctor Halsey's written thoughts on Cortana's chosen avatar.}} | ||
[[File:H5G Cortanabirthcropped.PNG|thumb|350px|Cortana's face resembles the way Doctor Halsey's appeared when she was fresh out of college. | [[File:H5G Cortanabirthcropped.PNG|thumb|350px|right|Cortana's face resembles the way Doctor Halsey's appeared when she was fresh out of college.<ref name="HJ11749"/> Part of her also resembles Halsey's daughter [[Miranda Keyes|Miranda]] and yet another part is purely Cortana's invention.<ref name="HJ11749"/>]] | ||
On [[2549#March|March 24, 2549]] Halsey made a note in which which she reminded herself to soon finish field tests experimenting with direct [[human]]-to-A.I. neural linkages. | On [[2549#March|March 24, 2549]] Halsey made a note in which which she reminded herself to soon finish field tests experimenting with direct [[human]]-to-A.I. neural linkages.<ref name="HJ32449"/> She believed such a linkage would serve as the final necessary upgrade incumbent to Mjolnir's [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|MARK V]] platform, as well as the last gift she had to offer her Spartans. And though she felt she had no other choice but to proceed in this direction, she did worry that in combining Spartans and A.I.s it felt as if she was losing both somehow.<ref name="HJ32449">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''March 24, 2549''</ref> On [[2549#May|May 21]] Doctor Halsey [[Flash cloning|cloned]] herself twenty times, thereby breaking civilian laws, [[UNSC Armed Forces|UNSC military]] regulations, and (far from the first time) the [[UN]] [[UN Colonial Mortal Dictata|Colonial Mortal Dictata]].<ref name="HJ52149">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''May 21, 2549''</ref><ref name="HTFOR25"/> She believed her third-generations "smart" A.I.s required better material to use as A.I. matrix seeds than that offered by the new candidates she was being presented with, which she saw as lacking both physical and intellectual agility. To create the clones she used the same equipment that had been used years prior to make the [[flash clone]]s needed for [[SPARTAN-II]]. This time, however, she enhanced their neural physiology at the expense of other biological functions. She made sure the equipment was hidden and secure from all save herself, though the cloning had been arranged by [[ONI]] at her insistence. As such, there were a few others who also knew about it, but she was confident that these particular individuals could be trusted to keep the information secret. The clones developed at a breakneck pace, for on the same day she had first began the process they were already exhibiting familiar anatomy and curling into fetal positions, malformed as they were. In her journal Halsey noted how disquieting this was to watch, grieving for them and wishing she could allay their suffering somehow.<ref name="HJ52149"/> A little over two months later, on [[2549#July|July 29]], Halsey successfully excised all of the clones' brains and transferred them to cryogenic units.<ref name="HJ72949">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 29, 2549''</ref> All remaining organic substrates were flash-incinerated. She planned at this time to complete her [[Mind transfer|personality transfer]] seven weeks later and was still uncertain whether or not she should tell them they were clones of her.<ref name="HJ72949"/> | ||
On [[2549#September|September 9]] Halsey reflected on the recent [[Second Fall of Arcadia|loss]] of [[Arcadia]], as she had come into possession of a near-complete record of the attack taken from an orbiting weather satellite. | On [[2549#September|September 9]] Halsey reflected on the recent [[Second Fall of Arcadia|loss]] of [[Arcadia]], as she had come into possession of a near-complete record of the attack taken from from an orbiting weather satellite.<ref name="HJ9949">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 29, 2549''</ref> In her journal she expressed the agony viewing the destruction caused her, noting that she knew some would smirk at the thought of her shrinking from it. As the entire world's surface was mercilessly [[Glassing|glassed]] rather than only portions, she wondered variously whether the planet posed a threat to them, had religious or political value, or was simply designated for sending a message to humanity.<ref name="HJ9949"/> By September 14 Halsey had hacked into the redacted portions of other Arcadia reports.<ref name="HJ91449">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 14, 2549''</ref> On [[2549#November|November 7, 2549]], within the confines of [[CASTLE Base]], Catherine Halsey transferred and authenticated the H-1 specimen's neural pattern to A.I. matrix strata, completing the initiation sequence within normal quantum flux tolerances.<ref name="HJ11749">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''November 7, 2549''</ref><ref name="WaypointCortana">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/cortana '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Cortana'']</ref> The newly-made intelligence called herself "[[Cortana]]". Halsey placed a viral termination code in her kernel but then could not tell whether she remained unaware of it or had already isolated and bypassed it. The first words spoken by Cortana were those Halsey's mother had said to her after beating her daughter in [[chess]] decades prior. Halsey recognized in the choice of phrase a confluence of morality, mortality, and metaphor. In her journal she recorded her delight and relief upon seeing that Cortana chose a simple human appearance for her avatar. She also mentioned that specimens H-2, H-3, and H-4 would remain in cryogenic suspension, as she had other plans for them which were dependent on evolving technology.<ref name="HJ11749"/> | ||
===Xenoarchaeology=== | |||
On [[2550#April|April 6, 2550]] Halsey reflected on her history as a mother, regretting her inability to dissuade Miranda from joining the military and her personally having arranged for Miranda's assignment to the {{UNSCShip|Hilbert}}.<ref name="HJ4650">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''April 6, 2550''</ref> Miranda had recently been one of only two people to make it off the ''Hilbert'' alive after she'd given the order to sacrifice it to take out a [[Covenant]] [[Covenant destroyer|destroyer]] threatening three UNSC [[UNSC corvette|corvette]]s. As such, Keyes was presented with a [[Silver Star]], the new commander's insignia, and command of the {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}} {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}. She'd invited her mother to the ceremony after years of not speaking to her, but Halsey hadn't gone. In her journal she noted that while she could explain her refusal by pointing to the fact that [[Jacob Keyes|Jacob]] would be there or the half-dozen projects she was neck-deep in the final stages of, she knew the real reason but didn't want to put it to paper. | |||
By [[2550#June|June 3 of that year]] Professor [[Laszlo Sorvad]] had begun an archaeological study of the debris field near the village of [[Visegrád]].<ref name="HJ6350">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''June 3, 2550''</ref> | |||
{{Expand-Section}} | |||
In 2552, Halsey was researching various [[Forerunner]] discoveries made on [[Reach]], including an excavation for an [[Babd Catha Forerunner complex|underground Forerunner facility]] beneath ONI's [[SWORD Base]] and artifacts discovered in [[Visegrád]] by Professor [[Laszlo Sorvad]], a civilian [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeologist]] in the employ of ONI, although her permanent private office remained in [[CASTLE Base]].<ref name="tfor castle"/> | |||
{{Expand-Section}} | |||
On the morning of [[2552#July|July 18, 2552]] Catherine got to have a brief talk with Admiral Stanforth concerning the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV|protracted battle]] that had just concluded at [[Sigma Octanus IV]].<ref name="HJ71852">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 18, 2552''</ref> This followed the normal reporting on it and by the end of the day she had also read through both the admiral's after-action report on the battle (given to her by him) and the press releases put out by [[ONI Section Two|Section Two]]. | On the morning of [[2552#July|July 18, 2552]] Catherine got to have a brief talk with Admiral Stanforth concerning the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV|protracted battle]] that had just concluded at [[Sigma Octanus IV]].<ref name="HJ71852">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 18, 2552''</ref> This followed the normal reporting on it and by the end of the day she had also read through both the admiral's after-action report on the battle (given to her by him) and the press releases put out by [[ONI Section Two|Section Two]].<ref name="HJ71852"/><ref name="HJ72052"/> Halsey's interest was piqued when she saw [[Jacob Keyes]]' name and that of his ship, the {{UNSCShip|Iroquois}}, featured prominently in the reporting, so she found herself skipping ahead to confirm he had survived.<ref name="HJ71852"/> In her journal she surmised that the maneuver being dubbed "the [[Keyes Loop]]" had been inspired by one of Admiral [[Preston Cole|Cole]]'s. A heavily redacted section of the after-action report that detailed, as far as Halsey could tell, a groundside mission involving [[Blue Team]], was of the most pressing concern to her. She was unsure why Spartans would have been committed there, seeing as the planet was in all probability about to be glassed at the time, but even [[Kalmiya]] was unable to break the section's encryption. The Covenant's return to the planet following its first repulsion led her to conclude it must have wanted something on it, so she resolved to follow up on this line of inquiry.<ref name="HJ71852"/> Two days later Stanforth pretended to have never given Halsey access to the files he had, which made her think others must have been listening in on their conversation.<ref name="HJ72052">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 20, 2552''</ref> She had noticed a recent intensification of paranoia and security around her, after all. She was certain she was missing something in the reporting which he wanted her to see that should be glaringly obvious.<ref name="HJ72052"/> The next day, [[2552#July|July 21]], [[Laszlo Sorvad|Sorvad]] sent her a brief, cryptic message on his Theta channel.<ref name="HJ72152">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 21, 2552''</ref> He claimed to have made a latchkey discovery that was too important to send through the data link he had with him, and since he could neither leave the field to deliver the information in person, he said he would send it through the [[Visegrád ]] [[Visegrád Relay|communication relay hub]]. After more than six hours since his message Halsey had still received nothing, but she decided against second-guessing him and elected to simply continue waiting.<ref name="HJ72152"/> | ||
{{Expand-Section}} | |||
===NOBLE Team=== | ===NOBLE Team=== | ||
[[File:HReach - Carter and Halsey.png|375px|thumb|Doctor Halsey's first suspicion upon coming face-to-face with [[Spartan-III]]s was that they were substandard versions of [[Spartan-II]]s, perhaps from a parallel program like [[Project JAVELIN|Project: JAVELIN]] or some next-generation venture piggybacking on her work. | [[File:HReach - Carter and Halsey.png|375px|right|thumb|Doctor Halsey's first suspicion upon coming face-to-face with [[Spartan-III]]s was that they were substandard versions of [[Spartan-II]]s, perhaps from a parallel program like [[Project JAVELIN|Project: JAVELIN]] or some next-generation venture piggybacking on her work.<ref name="HJ72652"/>]] | ||
{{Quote|All the pieces are almost in place for [[Operation: RED FLAG]]. My [[NOBLE Team|curiosity]], for once, must wait. If one small team of Covenant have infiltrated Reach, more will certainly follow. I must prepare for the worst-case scenario with [[Operation: WHITE GLOVE|WHITE GLOVE]].|Catherine, writing in her journal, puts aside her confusion concerning the Spartans of NOBLE Team in order to focus on more pressing matters.}}<ref name="HJ72652">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 26, 2552''</ref> | {{Quote|All the pieces are almost in place for [[Operation: RED FLAG]]. My [[NOBLE Team|curiosity]], for once, must wait. If one small team of Covenant have infiltrated Reach, more will certainly follow. I must prepare for the worst-case scenario with [[Operation: WHITE GLOVE|WHITE GLOVE]].|Catherine, writing in her journal, puts aside her confusion concerning the Spartans of NOBLE Team in order to focus on more pressing matters.}}<ref name="HJ72652">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 26, 2552''</ref> | ||
By July 23 contact with the relay hub had been lost.<ref name="HJ72352">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 23, 2552''</ref> Given how the communications network had been hardened years back and the urgency and demand for secrecy in Sorvad's message, Halsey ruled out a rudimentary malfunction, believing the loss to be more than a coincidence. She made a short list of possible explanations for the blackout, none of which were pleasant. She figured either internal subterfuge within ONI, [[Insurrectionist|insurgent]] action, or even the Covenant could be to blame. Halsey made sure Stanforth, who had personnel addressing the situation, was aware of her vital staff in the area. She also shared her thoughts on the potential causes with him and was told she'd be notified when her people were located. | By July 23 contact with the relay hub had been lost.<ref name="HJ72352">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 23, 2552''</ref> Given how the communications network had been hardened years back and the urgency and demand for secrecy in Sorvad's message, Halsey ruled out a rudimentary malfunction, believing the loss to be more than a coincidence. She made a short list of possible explanations for the blackout, none of which were pleasant. She figured either internal subterfuge within ONI, [[Insurrectionist|insurgent]] action, or even the Covenant could be to blame. Halsey made sure Stanforth, who had personnel addressing the situation, was aware of her vital staff in the area. She also shared her thoughts on the potential causes with him and was told she'd be notified when her people were located.<ref name="HJ72352"/> The next day she caught a rumor that a [[UNSC Special Forces|special forces]] unit had been sent to investigate the hub but that it too had disappeared.<ref name="HJ72452">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 24, 2552''</ref> Halsey learned that a second unit named "[[NOBLE Team]]" would be sent to investigate next, but she could not get anyone to give her any further details. Without even knowing what branch of the [[UNSC Armed Forces|armed forces]] this NOBLE Team belonged to, she resolved in her journal to follow up on it as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the doctor was also receiving scattered data from the usual suspects concerning atmospheric anomalies along with radar and slipspace monitoring glitches. She compared these events to those recorded near [[Sigma Octanus IV]] but there were no matches.<ref name="HJ72452"/> | ||
[[File:Jorge Deployment Details.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Halsey's attempt to access restricted information concerning Jorge-052 prompted a personal message being sent to her from [[Colonel]] [[Urban Holland]], who had operational control of NOBLE Team.<ref name="HJextras">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', additional materials</ref><ref name=" | [[File:Jorge Deployment Details.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Halsey's attempt to access restricted information concerning Jorge-052 prompted a personal message being sent to her from [[Colonel]] [[Urban Holland]], who had operational control of NOBLE Team.<ref name="HJextras">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', additional materials</ref><ref name="HRNA">''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[Noble Actual]]''</ref>]] | ||
By 1126 hours on July 26 [[SWORD Base]] had come under attack by an {{ | By 1126 hours on July 26 [[SWORD Base]] had come under attack by an {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}} and Covenant ground forces from the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]].<ref name="HROSB">''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> Following the attack's repulsion Halsey requested permission to debrief with NOBLE Team, the six members of which met her within the base's science wing thereafter. Upon seeing them her suspicions were confirmed: they were [[SPARTAN-III program|Spartan]]s, as incomprehensible as that was to her at the time. Only one of them, [[Jorge-052]], was one of hers. She had already begun conversing with the team's leader, [[Carter-A259]], when Jorge and [[SPARTAN-B312|sixth member]] of the team finally joined them. She was in the midst of telling Carter to dispense with telling her about the recent engagement outside so she could hear about what happened in [[Visegrád]] when Jorge's entrance made her stop mid-sentence to greet him. She couldn't help but ask after the obvious modifications made to his armor before returning to the matter of the [[Visegrád Relay|Visegrád relay]], and Doctor Sorvad's death in particular. From Carter, Jorge, and [[Spartan-B312]] she learned that [[Devoted Sentries|a group of three]] [[Sangheili]] [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]]s were likely responsible. The same had ambushed NOBLE Team when they'd arrived at the relay and the one which appeared to be their leader had gotten away from the Spartans. Halsey dismissed mention of Sorvad's daughter [[Sára Sorvad|Sára]] in the interest in maintaining focus on the Elites and what their leader might have escaped with. She bristled at Carter's defense of his order not to pursue the last zealot, worried that it might have stolen valuable ONI excavation data. She let them know about the supposed latchkey discovery Sorvad had made and emphasized its importance, stressing that they should hope a [[data module]] found on his corpse contained what was so important. At this [[Kat-B320]] handed the module over to the doctor through a transaction drawer, as a wall of glass separated her from NOBLE. She let the lieutenant commander know she'd been alerted when she'd tried to access its contents, threatening her with imprisonment for attempting to interfere with her work. This prompted Carter to rush to Kat's defense, citing the [[WINTER CONTINGENCY]] directive and the provision against civilian interference with a Spartan deployment to make the same threat to Halsey. Jorge lingered when the rest of the team began to leave, but Halsey told him they'd talked enough, allowing him to move on as well.<ref name="HROSB"/> | ||
The data in Sorvad's last message to her had been compromised along with the entire relay hub, which had been effectively destroyed. | The data in Sorvad's last message to her had been compromised along with the entire relay hub, which had been effectively destroyed.<ref name="HJ72652"/> Following her meeting with NOBLE Team Halsey noted in her journal that security measures were under way to preserve ONI's discoveries in the [[Viery Territory]] and to integrate and update [[Cortana]] with the latest intelligence from the [[Visegrád]] site. In addition, she was able to confirm definitely that the five with Jorge were indeed Spartans. She pulled Jorge's service record, but more was redacted than was usual even for a Spartan and she had trouble reconciling his recent activity with [[Naval Special Weapons]]. Seeing how he had seemed to grow in the past two decades, she made a note to herself to check [[Wikipedia:Pituitary gland|pituitary]] and [[Wikipedia:Human growth hormone|human growth hormone]] levels for enduring catalytic side effects. Halsey figured Jorge must be glad to be back on Reach, even given the circumstances, but was unsure whether or not she was only displacing or projecting her own feelings onto him. The others on NOBLE Team, of course, were a mystery to her, but seeing them did remind her once more that Mendez was missing. If time had permitted, she would have pursued this thread, but as all the pieces for [[Operation: RED FLAG]] were almost in place, she had to wait. The Covenant's presence on Reach was also enough to get her to begin preparing for [[Operation: WHITE GLOVE]], which involved denying the enemy access to classified data.<ref name="HJ72652"/> | ||
By 0250 hours on [[2552#August|August 1]] Admiral [[Michael Stanforth|Stanforth]] had provided Doctor Halsey with a list of assets required for RED FLAG. | By 0250 hours on [[2552#August|August 1]] Admiral [[Michael Stanforth|Stanforth]] had provided Doctor Halsey with a list of assets required for RED FLAG.<ref name="DD4"/> The mission would require between twenty and thirty [[Spartan-II]]s, the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] Mjolnir software suite, an at least third-generation A.I. extensively programmed with Covenant system intrusion software, a refit {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} or augmented {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}}, and a veteran naval commanding officer and crew. Half of these would be coming directly from Halsey, who had already chosen Cortana to serve as the mission's A.I.<ref name="DD4">[[Data Drop]] [[Data Drop/four|#4]]</ref> By [[2552#August|August 3]] Halsey and Cortana had both agreed she ought to be divided after long discussion.<ref name="HJ8352"/> John and the other Spartans would need her expertise for RED FLAG, but she was also the best-suited to continue the study of symbols and operating systems from Professor Sorvad's site. In her journal Halsey pledged to copy most of Cortana's [[Illegal Entry Protocols|illegal entry protocol]] translation routines to an independent module so so the incarnate personality which remained could go with Blue Team and the rest. It was her hope that the severed data-mining portion could be reunited with the rest of her so she could be updated with Sorvad's data before the ''{{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'', RED FLAG's designated cruiser, departed.<ref name="HJ8352">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''August 3, 2552''</ref> | ||
===Fall of Reach=== | ===Fall of Reach=== | ||
{{Main|Fall of Reach}} | {{Main|Fall of Reach}} | ||
{{Quote| | {{Quote|We knew this day would come. They have found our fortress among the stars. The Covenant are on Reach. They will burn this planet, kill millions, and when Reach falls—and fall it will—there will be nothing left to stand between them and Earth. Yet, even in our darkest hour, hope remains. Now, who will protect it? Show me NOBLE Team.|Catherine Halsey during her discussion with Cortana about the plans for her safe delivery.}} | ||
When the {{UNSCShip|Iroquois}} arrived at Reach from [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV|Sigma Octanus]] on August 12, Halsey visited the ship. During her visit, Captain Keyes came to see her, and they discussed their daughter Miranda, the [[Keyes Loop]], the Spartans and Operation RED FLAG. Later in the day, she visited [[Camp Hathcock]] to see John-117 after his debriefing. She was evidently working underneath SWORD Base when the facility was bombarded by the Covenant on August 14,<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref> although she survived the assault and later checked in her office in CASTLE Base to discuss the specifics of RED FLAG with Cortana on August 25.<ref name="tfor castle"/> Two days later, she met most of the remaining Spartan-IIs at the [[Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex]] in the briefing for RED FLAG.<ref name="journal"/> | |||
[[File:Halsey n' Six.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Halsey hands Cortana's fragment to SPARTAN-B312.]] | |||
On August 29, she was present in the first test of "smart" AI integration with [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|MJOLNIR Mark V armor]]. Although John-117 and Cortana were nearly killed as a result of Colonel Ackerson's involvement, the test was ultimately successful. After the test, Halsey sent an official protest, backed by [[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]], to {{UNSCShip|Burden of Proof}}, suggesting that Ackerson may have suffered a mental breakdown and recommended that he be taken into custody.<ref name="journal"/> Later that day, Halsey returned to her work in the SWORD Base excavation and had NOBLE Team sent to SWORD Base with a pretext of orders to destroy the facility.<ref name="thepackage">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[The Package (level)|The Package]]''</ref> | |||
Halsey | Once NOBLE Team had arrived at SWORD, Halsey revealed Noble's true orders to them: to transport a package containing "mankind's best chance for survival" to the ''Halcyon''-class cruiser ''[[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]]'', holding position in the [[Aszod ship breaking yards]]. After Noble's successful defense of her lab while she made the final preparations, she entrusted [[SPARTAN-B312]] with the package: a fragment of the AI [[Cortana]] now uploaded with the information from the Forerunner facility, secured in an [[armored matrix]]. Once she made certain that Noble Six would deliver Cortana to the ''Autumn'', she left for CASTLE Base under the escort of [[Jun-A266]] while the remaining NOBLE Team members delivered Cortana's fragment to the ''Autumn''.<ref name="thepackage"/><ref name="journal"/> | ||
===Refuge under CASTLE Base=== | ===Refuge under CASTLE Base=== | ||
After arriving at ONI's [[CASTLE Base]], Halsey volunteered to remain behind to ensure that all UNSC technology was secured from possible capture.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 125''</ref> She initiated [[Operation: WHITE GLOVE]], destroying several [[Artificial intelligence|AIs]] to keep the Covenant from accessing UNSC databases. With expectations that the Covenant would glass the planet and knowledge that even if they didn't, she would be facing an entire army of Covenant ground forces, it was clearly an offer of sacrifice. | After arriving at ONI's [[CASTLE Base]], Halsey volunteered to remain behind to ensure that all UNSC technology was secured from possible capture.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 125''</ref> She initiated [[Operation: WHITE GLOVE]], destroying several [[Artificial intelligence|AIs]] to keep the Covenant from accessing UNSC databases. With expectations that the Covenant would glass the planet and knowledge that even if they didn't, she would be facing an entire army of Covenant ground forces, it was clearly an offer of sacrifice. | ||
However, this changed when Spartans [[ | However, this changed when Spartans [[Fred-104]], [[Kelly-087]], [[Vinh-030]], [[Isaac-039]], and [[Will-043]] appeared at the entrance to CASTLE Base. With the firepower to potentially fight their way out, the possibility of surviving CASTLE Base's destruction became available. She gave emergency aid to the Spartans for their injuries, but a data anomaly detected by her accompanying AI, [[Cortana]]'s "older sister" [[Kalmiya]], attracted Dr. Halsey's attention. | ||
The data had been accessed by [[Araqiel]], an AI that worked for [[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson|Ackerson]], one of Dr. Halsey's main competitors within ONI. After tracing the data access, Dr. Halsey stumbled across the AI, left behind by its master. Alerted by Halsey's intrusion, Araqiel began to threaten her; he went as far as telling her he would pressurize the room, or fill it with [[narcozine gas]] if she did not cease. Instead, however, she typed in archaic line commands to access Araqiel's code directory and personal fail-safe, which she used to shut him down.<ref name="Combo">'''Halo: First Strike''' ''pages 127-128''</ref> With Araqiel terminated, Halsey proceeded to read through [[S-III|Ackerson's files]] and discovered a number of things including the location of [[Onyx]], evidence of the [[SPARTAN-III program]] and a map of the mining tunnels CASTLE base had been built upon. The latter particularly interested the Doctor as the file had been classified at X-Ray level, making the file abnormally important for ancient maps. From this, she deduced that there was something of importance under the mountain. | The data had been accessed by [[Araqiel]], an AI that worked for [[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson|Ackerson]], one of Dr. Halsey's main competitors within ONI. After tracing the data access, Dr. Halsey stumbled across the AI, left behind by its master. Alerted by Halsey's intrusion, Araqiel began to threaten her; he went as far as telling her he would pressurize the room, or fill it with [[narcozine gas]] if she did not cease. Instead, however, she typed in archaic line commands to access Araqiel's code directory and personal fail-safe, which she used to shut him down.<ref name="Combo">'''Halo: First Strike''' ''pages 127-128''</ref> With Araqiel terminated, Halsey proceeded to read through [[S-III|Ackerson's files]] and discovered a number of things including the location of [[Onyx]], evidence of the [[SPARTAN-III program]] and a map of the mining tunnels CASTLE base had been built upon. The latter particularly interested the Doctor as the file had been classified at X-Ray level, making the file abnormally important for ancient maps. From this, she deduced that there was something of importance under the mountain. | ||
Line 269: | Line 188: | ||
Assuming that at the very least these maps provided a backdoor, she chose to move the Spartans out of the base and into the mineshafts. She then triggered CASTLE Base's self-destruct mechanism and activated the fail-safe on Kalmiya, erasing her to prevent her from falling into Covenant hands. With the Spartans in tow, they moved into the mineshafts. | Assuming that at the very least these maps provided a backdoor, she chose to move the Spartans out of the base and into the mineshafts. She then triggered CASTLE Base's self-destruct mechanism and activated the fail-safe on Kalmiya, erasing her to prevent her from falling into Covenant hands. With the Spartans in tow, they moved into the mineshafts. | ||
Over the course of the next five days, the Spartans and Dr. Halsey searched the mines, looking for either an exit or what Dr. Halsey would dub ''"the most important discovery of the millennium"''. On the fifth day, Fred discovered an entrance into a large [[Forerunner]] [[Menachite | Over the course of the next five days, the Spartans and Dr. Halsey searched the mines, looking for either an exit or what Dr. Halsey would dub ''"the most important discovery of the millennium"''. On the fifth day, Fred discovered an entrance into a large [[Forerunner]] [[Menachite Forerunner complex|structure]], and within, a [[Forerunner crystal|spacetime-warping crystal]]. However, the acquiring of the crystal sent a spike of neutrino radiation, attracting the attention of the Covenant. Their location was now threatened by Covenant forces. | ||
Following a Covenant attack, Halsey and her team retreated into a hallway and sealed off the entrance, losing contact with Isaac and Vinh in the process. However, they quickly discovered that the hallway was a dead end. It is presumed that Halsey and the surviving Spartans remained stranded at this location for some time. | Following a Covenant attack, Halsey and her team retreated into a hallway and sealed off the entrance, losing contact with Isaac and Vinh in the process. However, they quickly discovered that the hallway was a dead end. It is presumed that Halsey and the surviving Spartans remained stranded at this location for some time. | ||
===Escape from Reach=== | ===Escape from Reach=== | ||
[[File:Halsey Mem.jpg|250px|thumb|Dr. Halsey's ONI memorial plaque.]] | [[File:Halsey Mem.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Dr. Halsey's ONI memorial plaque.]] | ||
{{Main|Raid on Reach}} | {{Main|Raid on Reach}} | ||
{{Quote|I'm tired of sacrificing others for the 'greater good'. It never stops, Cortana... and we're running out of people to sacrifice.|Halsey to [[Cortana]] before her departure to [[Onyx]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 298'' (2010)</ref>}} | {{Quote|I'm tired of sacrificing others for the 'greater good'. It never stops, Cortana... and we're running out of people to sacrifice.|Halsey to [[Cortana]] before her departure to [[Onyx]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 298'' (2010)</ref>}} | ||
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Days later, a group of Spartans, including John-117, rescued Dr. Halsey and the remaining Spartans and evacuated them from the Forerunner complex on Reach to the captured {{UNSCShip|Gettysburg}}-''[[Ascendant Justice]]''. After escaping Reach, the group fled to the [[Insurrectionist#Eridanus rebels|rebel]] base [[Eridanus Secundus]] in the [[Eridanus system]]'s asteroid belt, where the Spartan's [[Assault on Eridanus Secundus|first mission]] had been in. During the voyage, she successfully resuscitated the clinically dead [[Linda-058]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 252-253'' (2003)</ref> | Days later, a group of Spartans, including John-117, rescued Dr. Halsey and the remaining Spartans and evacuated them from the Forerunner complex on Reach to the captured {{UNSCShip|Gettysburg}}-''[[Ascendant Justice]]''. After escaping Reach, the group fled to the [[Insurrectionist#Eridanus rebels|rebel]] base [[Eridanus Secundus]] in the [[Eridanus system]]'s asteroid belt, where the Spartan's [[Assault on Eridanus Secundus|first mission]] had been in. During the voyage, she successfully resuscitated the clinically dead [[Linda-058]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 252-253'' (2003)</ref> | ||
Unbeknown to the rest of the group, however, Halsey had her own agenda in mind. Examining Ackerson's files in CASTLE Base, she had concluded that the colonel had been conducting his own Spartan project which had been kept secret from her. Overcome by her guilt over the Spartan-II program and believing the war could not be won, she was determined to prevent any more Spartans from dying by taking all of them to safety.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 249''</ref> Using coordinates from Ackerson's files, she planned to go to the classified planet [[Onyx]] and divert the remaining Spartan-IIs there under the guise of recovering Forerunner technology. She sedated [[Kelly-087]] and brought her aboard the [[Jacob Jiles|rebel governor]]'s spacecraft ''[[Beatrice]]'', which she then stole and took into Slipspace. When asked by [[Danforth Whitcomb|Admiral Whitcomb]] as to the reasons for her actions, she gave a simple UNSC code Three-Nine-Two, which meant that she was on a high priority mission.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 276-278'' (2003)</ref> | |||
Before leaving, Dr. Halsey saw the necessity of destroying the Forerunner artifact, as it would emit a radiation flare alerting the Covenant to their presence each time they jumped into [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]] and thus prevent the rest of the group from making it to Earth. She entrusted the Forerunner crystal to [[Corporal]] [[Locklear]], telling him to keep it safe, hidden, and to do whatever it took to keep it from falling into enemy hands. Soon after, the Corporal destroyed the crystal (just as Halsey had intended), although he died in the ensuing explosion. The Covenant later recovered a few fragments.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 339-340'' (2003)</ref> | Before leaving, Dr. Halsey saw the necessity of destroying the Forerunner artifact, as it would emit a radiation flare alerting the Covenant to their presence each time they jumped into [[Slipstream space|Slipspace]] and thus prevent the rest of the group from making it to Earth. She entrusted the Forerunner crystal to [[Corporal]] [[Locklear]], telling him to keep it safe, hidden, and to do whatever it took to keep it from falling into enemy hands. Soon after, the Corporal destroyed the crystal (just as Halsey had intended), although he died in the ensuing explosion. The Covenant later recovered a few fragments.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 339-340'' (2003)</ref> | ||
In the aftermath of the battle, she was presumed dead by the Office of Naval Intelligence and honored, with other personnel, on a plaque at [[ | In the aftermath of the battle, she was presumed dead by the Office of Naval Intelligence and honored, with other personnel, on a plaque at [[ONI Alpha Site]]. Some in ONI knew she had survived, though, and Director Parangosky later maintained this false declaration of death to be able to keep Halsey hidden from the public. | ||
===Onyx=== | ===Onyx=== | ||
{{Main|Onyx Conflict}} | {{Main|Onyx Conflict}} | ||
[[File:HM | [[File:HM-MendezHalsey.png|thumb|200px|right|Halsey and Mendez inside Shield World 006.]] | ||
Dr. Halsey and Kelly eventually arrived at [[Onyx]], where they reunited with [[Senior Chief Petty Officer|SCPO]] Mendez and eventually the remaining Spartan-IIs and the [[Spartan-III]]s, under attack by [[Onyx Sentinel]]s. Contacting the ONI AI [[Endless Summer]], she utilized Onyx's [[slipspace COM launcher]] and Cortana's slipspace transmission from [[Installation 05]] as a carrier wave to send a message to Earth, in which she requested [[Terrence Hood|Lord Hood]] to send more Spartans to secure Forerunner technology on Onyx. Her relative expertise with Forerunner technology was vital to the survival of the UNSC forces on the planet, as she was able to interpret Forerunner glyphs when navigating the facility, guiding the Spartans to a [[Cartographer|map room]], where Onyx was revealed to be a wholly artificial construct. She also learned how to employ the local [[teleportation grid|translocation grid]], allowing the humans to move across the megastructure while evading the [[Joyous Exultation Covenant|Covenant]] forces that pursued them. | Dr. Halsey and Kelly eventually arrived at [[Onyx]], where they reunited with [[Senior Chief Petty Officer|SCPO]] Mendez and eventually the remaining Spartan-IIs and the [[Spartan-III]]s, under attack by [[Onyx Sentinel]]s. Contacting the ONI AI [[Endless Summer]], she utilized Onyx's [[slipspace COM launcher]] and Cortana's slipspace transmission from [[Installation 05]] as a carrier wave to send a message to Earth, in which she requested [[Terrence Hood|Lord Hood]] to send more Spartans to secure Forerunner technology on Onyx. She helped decipher the mystery of the planet. Her relative expertise with Forerunner technology was vital to the survival of the UNSC forces on the planet, as she was able to interpret Forerunner glyphs when navigating the facility, guiding the Spartans to a [[Cartographer|map room]], where Onyx was revealed to be a wholly artificial construct. She also learned how to employ the local [[teleportation grid|translocation grid]], allowing the humans to move across the megastructure while evading the [[Joyous Exultation Covenant|Covenant]] forces that pursued them. | ||
Halsey gradually brought the group closer to the core of Onyx. At first, she tried to maintain secrecy about her intentions out of habit, until [[Kurt Ambrose]] confronted her about it. She admitted that she was not actually looking for Forerunner technology or weapons, but rather the secret Forerunner [[shield world]], which she believed to be equivalent to a bomb shelter, and would be capable of keeping the remaining Spartans safe to evade all current war and let them live to fight another day.<ref name="goo341">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 341-343''</ref> After the Spartans made a standoff against the Covenant in Onyx's [[core room antechamber]] she, along with Mendez, [[Blue Team]], and the Spartan-III survivors, retreated inside the shield world known to the Forerunners as [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]], which she correctly deduced to be a [[Dyson sphere|"micro" Dyson sphere]], enclosed outside normal space-time within a [[slipspace bubble]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 380-381''</ref> | Halsey gradually brought the group closer to the core of Onyx. At first, she tried to maintain secrecy about her intentions out of habit, until [[Kurt Ambrose]] confronted her about it. She admitted that she was not actually looking for Forerunner technology or weapons, but rather the secret Forerunner [[shield world]], which she believed to be equivalent to a bomb shelter, and would be capable of keeping the remaining Spartans safe to evade all current war and let them live to fight another day.<ref name="goo341">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 341-343''</ref> After the Spartans made a standoff against the Covenant in Onyx's [[core room antechamber]] she, along with Mendez, [[Blue Team]], and the Spartan-III survivors, retreated inside the shield world known to the Forerunners as [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]], which she correctly deduced to be a [[Dyson sphere|"micro" Dyson sphere]], enclosed outside normal space-time within a [[slipspace bubble]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 380-381''</ref> | ||
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{{Quote|My Spartans are humanity's next step – our destiny as a species. Do not underestimate them. But most of all, do not underestimate... [[John-117|him]].|Halsey to her interrogator after her arrest.}} | {{Quote|My Spartans are humanity's next step – our destiny as a species. Do not underestimate them. But most of all, do not underestimate... [[John-117|him]].|Halsey to her interrogator after her arrest.}} | ||
[[File:Halsey Interrogated.png|left|275px|thumb|Halsey was interrogated many times after the war.]] | [[File:Halsey Interrogated.png|left|275px|thumb|Halsey was interrogated many times after the war.]] | ||
Halsey and the others were eventually rescued from the shield world, but Halsey was immediately arrested as a [[war criminal]] by [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Serin Osman]] under CINCONI [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]]'s orders, for "committing acts likely to aid the enemy" by stealing the ''Beatrice'', kidnapping Kelly-087 and telling Lord Hood to send more Spartans to Onyx—all with the sole intention of hiding in the shield world until the war was over. Even though Halsey had provided the UNSC with new Forerunner technology as promised, the circumstances conveniently allowed Parangosky to finally carry out her personal vendetta against Halsey. Consequently, in [[2553#March|March 2553]], Parangosky detained Halsey on the newly established [[Ivanoff Station]], in orbit around [[Installation 03]], and personally interrogated her, accusing Halsey of not informing her of the use of flash clones at the onset of the SPARTAN-II program. As far as the public is concerned, Halsey was killed during the [[Fall of Reach]] until Parangosky,<ref name="glass341">'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 341''</ref> (or her successor, Admiral Osman), decides otherwise. | Halsey and the others were eventually rescued from the shield world, but Halsey was immediately arrested as a [[war criminal]] by [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Serin Osman]] under CINCONI [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]]'s orders, for "committing acts likely to aid the enemy" by stealing the ''Beatrice'', kidnapping Kelly-087 and telling Lord Hood to send more Spartans to Onyx—all with the sole intention of hiding in the shield world until the war was over. Even though Halsey had provided the UNSC with new Forerunner technology as promised, the circumstances conveniently allowed Parangosky to finally carry out her personal vendetta against Halsey. Consequently, in [[2553#March|March 2553]], Parangosky detained Halsey on the newly established [[Ivanoff Station]], in orbit around [[Installation 03]], and personally interrogated her, accusing Halsey of not informing her of the use of flash clones at the onset of the SPARTAN-II program.<ref name="clones" group="note"/> As far as the public is concerned, Halsey was killed during the [[Fall of Reach]] until Parangosky,<ref name="glass341">'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 341''</ref> (or her successor, Admiral Osman), decides otherwise. | ||
Following this she was treated as a war criminal and interrogated by many ONI personnel, as well as one mysterious individual who knew of the SPARTAN-II program but did not seem to be a Naval Intelligence operative.<ref name="Prologue">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Prologue]]'' ('''Halsey''': ''"What are you after? The other before you were Naval Intelligence but you -- you're something else."'')</ref> Halsey told him the details of their creation just as she had told many before him, responding to his accusations about the project's immorality. According to her, her actions were justified by the Covenant War, since without the Spartans' involvement it could have never been won. While the interrogator belittled the importance of the Spartan-IIs, going so far as to claim that they accomplished their victories because they lacked basic humanity, Halsey retained her confidence in their abilities, stating that her Spartans were "humanity's next step" and "our destiny as a species". To prove this, she predicted John-117, whom she firmly believed was alive, would return. | Following this she was treated as a war criminal and interrogated by many ONI personnel, as well as one mysterious individual who knew of the SPARTAN-II program but did not seem to be a Naval Intelligence operative.<ref name="Prologue">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Prologue]]'' ('''Halsey''': ''"What are you after? The other before you were Naval Intelligence but you -- you're something else."'')</ref> Halsey told him the details of their creation just as she had told many before him, responding to his accusations about the project's immorality. According to her, her actions were justified by the Covenant War, since without the Spartans' involvement it could have never been won. While the interrogator belittled the importance of the Spartan-IIs, going so far as to claim that they accomplished their victories because they lacked basic humanity, Halsey retained her confidence in their abilities, stating that her Spartans were "humanity's next step" and "our destiny as a species". To prove this, she predicted John-117, whom she firmly believed was alive, would return.<ref name="Prologue"/> | ||
In March 2553, she was released from Ivanoff Station and was stationed aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, working on incorporating the newly discovered Forerunner technology to the ship,<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War'''</ref> including a working Forerunner slipspace drive discovered by the [[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department|REAP-X department]]. After the ''Infinity'' participated in the [[Blooding Years]], Dr. Halsey was approached by [[Black-Box]], who requested her assistance in reintegrating a damaged fragment of himself into his core matrix. However, Halsey stated that she was unable to help him.<ref | In March 2553, she was released from Ivanoff Station and was stationed aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, working on incorporating the newly discovered Forerunner technology to the ship,<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War'''</ref> including a working Forerunner slipspace drive discovered by the [[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department|REAP-X department]]. After the ''Infinity'' participated in the [[Blooding Years]], Dr. Halsey was approached by [[Black-Box]], who requested her assistance in reintegrating a damaged fragment of himself into his core matrix. However, Halsey stated that she was unable to help him.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 358''</ref> Halsey was returned to Ivanoff at the first opportunity by order of Admiral Parangosky. She was working on the station on [[2554|December 15, 2554]], when the ONI scientists, whom she considered unqualified for their job, recovered the Forerunner device known as the [[Composer]] on Installation 03. Dr. Halsey was fascinated by the similarities between the artifact and the AI matrix compiler used by the UNSC to create smart AIs, particularly because the compiler was of her own design.<ref name="Composer logs"/> | ||
=== | ===Return to ''Infinity''=== | ||
{{Quote|Life is too short. I will never learn all that exists in our own tiny galaxy, let alone the rest of the universe. And I so desperately want to know ''everything''. But the UNSC acts like children at play in a sandbox. Mistaking its edges for the limits of the world.|Catherine Halsey to Captain Thomas Lasky regarding her subterfuge.}} | {{Quote|Life is too short. I will never learn all that exists in our own tiny galaxy, let alone the rest of the universe. And I so desperately want to know ''everything''. But the UNSC acts like children at play in a sandbox. Mistaking its edges for the limits of the world.|Catherine Halsey to Captain Thomas Lasky regarding her subterfuge.}} | ||
[[File:Halsey Infinity.png|thumb| | [[File:Halsey Infinity.png|right|thumb|250px|Halsey examines the recovered Forerunner artifact.]] | ||
Halsey was later returned aboard the ''Infinity'' during the ship's [[Second Battle of Requiem|second expedition]] to the Forerunner shield world [[Requiem]] in [[2558]] as her unique expertise was required to study a [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|mysterious Forerunner artifact]]. Parangosky sent Halsey a note in which she asked for her aid in the matter, appealing to her on a professional level to protect ''Infinity'' and its crew despite her less than ideal conditions.<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''Infinity Briefing Packet''</ref> | |||
Many of the crew had mixed feelings about bringing her aboard, [[Sarah Palmer]] suspicious of her and feeling she might try to sabotage the ship, [[Thomas Lasky]] sharing her worries but feeling there was no choice. Halsey was unimpressed by the Spartan-IVs assigned to guard her, wryly questioning their competence and general attitude. Upon arriving on the ''Infinity'' aboard the [[UNSC prowler|prowler]] {{UNSCShip|Aladdin}}, she demanded she be uncuffed before examining the artifact. With a few gestures from her, the artifact began reacting to her, she translating its actions as signs that she should examine the ship's engines. Upon doing so, her conclusion was that the artifact was "communicating" with multiple parts of the ship and transmitting to Requiem. Some time later, she analyzed a Forerunner [[beam emitter|beam tower]] encountered by [[Fireteam Crimson]] in the location codenamed [[Two Giants]].<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Catherine|S1E3 ''Catherine'']]</ref> | |||
[[File:H4-SO Halsey discover John' status.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Halsey discovering John-117 is alive.]] | [[File:H4-SO Halsey discover John' status.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Halsey discovering John-117 is alive.]] | ||
Sometime later, she was escorted by [[Gabriel Thorne]] who volunteered to be her security while she continued her research on the Forerunner artifact. As Thorne questioned her about the SPARTAN-II program, she was contacted by an unknown person about the Prometheans.<ref name="dhand">''' | Sometime later, she was escorted by [[Gabriel Thorne]] who volunteered to be her security while she continued her research on the Forerunner artifact. As Thorne questioned her about the SPARTAN-II program, she was contacted by an unknown person about the Prometheans.<ref name="dhand">[[Spartan Ops|'''Spartan Ops''']], [[S1/Didact's Hand|S1E4 ''Didact's Hand'']]</ref> When Fireteam Majestic brought back the "[[Didact's Gift]]", Halsey noted its design resembled an AI matrix. Upon activating it, it caused the screens in the lab to show memories of [[New Phoenix]], with one of those memories being the Forerunner artifact. Speculating that she had misinterpreted the translocation artifact's true nature, she proceeded to further examine it. Again, she was contacted by the unknown person through her data pad, who, unbeknownst to her, was [[Jul 'Mdama]]. Suspicious of who Halsey was communicating with, Sarah Palmer confiscated her data pad, and gave it to Lasky, who then ordered Halsey to be taken into custody.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Memento Mori|S1E5 ''Memento Mori'']]</ref> | ||
After a short interrogation, Halsey was returned to her prison cell.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Scattered|S1E6 ''Scattered'']]</ref> When Roland entered the cell to ask her questions, Halsey took her chance and overrode Roland's protocol, allowing her to control him. Using his authority to be escorted to Lasky's office, Halsey accessed the data onboard ''Infinity'' to find out what had been kept from her about the Librarian, eventually finding that they had kept secret the return of John-117. Infuriated, Halsey contacted 'Mdama, informing that she had deduced he was her helper so that their alliance could free the Librarian. However, Roland was able to restore himself to his normal state and cut off the connection, and Halsey was promptly arrested. When Halsey was brought to Lasky, she slapped the captain lividly, scolding him for not telling her John-117 was alive. The two were interrupted, however, when Promethean forces gained access to the interior of ''Infinity''. Fending off the Prometheans with his Marines, Captain Lasky picked up Halsey and attempted to escort her to safety.<ref name="invasion">'''Spartan Ops''', [[Invasion (Spartan Ops)|S1E7 ''Invasion'']]</ref> | After a short interrogation, Halsey was returned to her prison cell.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Scattered|S1E6 ''Scattered'']]</ref> When Roland entered the cell to ask her questions, Halsey took her chance and overrode Roland's protocol, allowing her to control him. Using his authority to be escorted to Lasky's office, Halsey accessed the data onboard ''Infinity'' to find out what had been kept from her about the Librarian, eventually finding that they had kept secret the return of John-117. Infuriated, Halsey contacted 'Mdama, informing that she had deduced he was her helper so that their alliance could free the Librarian. However, Roland was able to restore himself to his normal state and cut off the connection, and Halsey was promptly arrested. When Halsey was brought to Lasky, she slapped the captain lividly, scolding him for not telling her John-117 was alive. The two were interrupted, however, when Promethean forces gained access to the interior of ''Infinity''. Fending off the Prometheans with his Marines, Captain Lasky picked up Halsey and attempted to escort her to safety.<ref name="invasion">'''Spartan Ops''', [[Invasion (Spartan Ops)|S1E7 ''Invasion'']]</ref> | ||
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Late in the attack, Halsey was kidnapped by a Promethean Knight and teleported to Requiem. When Admiral Serin Osman was informed of this abduction, she chose to finally enact Parangosky's wishes and ordered for Halsey's immediate termination. While Captain Lasky protested against this, instead sending Fireteam Majestic to rescue Halsey, Commander Palmer departed to carry out Osman's order.<ref name="Spops8">'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Expendable|S1E8 ''Expendable'']]</ref> | Late in the attack, Halsey was kidnapped by a Promethean Knight and teleported to Requiem. When Admiral Serin Osman was informed of this abduction, she chose to finally enact Parangosky's wishes and ordered for Halsey's immediate termination. While Captain Lasky protested against this, instead sending Fireteam Majestic to rescue Halsey, Commander Palmer departed to carry out Osman's order.<ref name="Spops8">'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Expendable|S1E8 ''Expendable'']]</ref> | ||
[[File: | [[File:H4-SOps-Halsey-Librarian-1.jpg|thumb|250px|Dr. Halsey meets the [[Librarian]], and learns of the Forerunner artifacts all over the galaxy.]] | ||
Halsey was then taken to the [[Librarian's Rest]], where Jul 'Mdama had her disable the shield previously erected during Doctor Glassman's attempts to access the shrine. As the shield deactivated, she quickly entered the beam of light being produced by the shrine, to 'Mdama's great anger. | Halsey was then taken to the [[Librarian's Rest]], where Jul 'Mdama had her disable the shield previously erected during Doctor Glassman's attempts to access the shrine. As the shield deactivated, she quickly entered the beam of light being produced by the shrine, to 'Mdama's great anger.<ref name="Spops8"/> There, she met the Librarian and was given the [[Janus Key]], which gave the location of every Forerunner artifact in the galaxy. After taking the key, Halsey was returned to the shrine, where 'Mdama acquired one half of the artifact. The intervention of Palmer and Fireteam Majestic forced 'Mdama to retreat from the site with Halsey, but not before she threw the key's other half to Thorne. During the firefight, however, Palmer managed to shoot Halsey in the shoulder.<ref name="s1key">''[[Spartan Ops]]: [[S1/Key|S1E9 ''Key'']]</ref> | ||
Halsey fell unconscious due to her wound and was transported to a Covenant ship, where her left arm was amputated. Later, aboard the ''[[Song of Retribution]]'', 'Mdama told Halsey that he should have killed her for betraying him, but Halsey replied that the UNSC had tried to kill her as well. She agreed to help the Covenant, ambiguously claiming that she wanted revenge.<ref>''[[Spartan Ops]] | Halsey fell unconscious due to her wound and was transported to a Covenant ship, where her left arm was amputated. Later, aboard the ''[[Song of Retribution]]'', 'Mdama told Halsey that he should have killed her for betraying him, but Halsey replied that the UNSC had tried to kill her as well. She agreed to help the Covenant, ambiguously claiming that she wanted revenge.<ref>''[[Spartan Ops]]: [[S1/Exodus|S1E10 ''Exodus'']]</ref> | ||
===The Janus Key=== | ===The Janus Key=== | ||
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}} | }} | ||
[[File:HE14 Plan.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Halsey and 'Mdama plot against the UNSC.]] | [[File:HE14 Plan.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Halsey and 'Mdama plot against the UNSC.]] | ||
By [[2558#March|March 2558]], the {{UNSCShip|Vociferous}} was put in charge of finding Halsey and 'Mdama.<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> At some point on Requiem, Jul's forces had recovered a Forerunner [[Requiem communication artifact|artifact]] that would be able to communicate with the Forerunner-derived engine systems of ''Infinity'', and therefore the artifact would be able to blockade the engines of ''Infinity'' and allow Jul to steal the other half of the Janus Key. On [[2558#July|July 15, 2558]], Halsey made a personal journal entry on her views of the Forerunners and recent events.<ref name="HE13">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]''</ref> The next day, Jul's forces [[Battle of Oban|attacked]] [[Oban]], a human colony in the midst of settlement, as advocated by Halsey. She believed that a bold move was the only way to attract ''Infinity''. After the attack failed, 'Mdama's lieutenants called for Halsey's head, however Jul seemingly defended her actions. After ''Infinity'' attempted to enter slipspace for [[Galileo II]] base, 'Mdama's Forerunner artifact forcefully brought it back into normal space and trapped the vessel in an uncharted system. Aboard a {{ | By [[2558#March|March 2558]], the {{UNSCShip|Vociferous}} was put in charge of finding Halsey and 'Mdama.<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> At some point on Requiem, Jul's forces had recovered a Forerunner [[Requiem communication artifact|artifact]] that would be able to communicate with the Forerunner-derived engine systems of ''Infinity'', and therefore the artifact would be able to blockade the engines of ''Infinity'' and allow Jul to steal the other half of the Janus Key. On [[2558#July|July 15, 2558]], Halsey made a personal journal entry on her views of the Forerunners and recent events.<ref name="HE13">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]''</ref> The next day, Jul's forces [[Battle of Oban|attacked]] [[Oban]], a human colony in the midst of settlement, as advocated by Halsey. She believed that a bold move was the only way to attract ''Infinity''. After the attack failed, 'Mdama's lieutenants called for Halsey's head, however Jul seemingly defended her actions. After ''Infinity'' attempted to enter slipspace for [[Galileo II]] base, 'Mdama's Forerunner artifact forcefully brought it back into normal space and trapped the vessel in an uncharted system. Aboard a {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}, Halsey informed Jul that they did not need to attack the ship, as the crew of ''Infinity'' would now be willing to hand over the other half of the Janus Key directly.<ref name="HE13"/> | ||
At Halsey's suggestion, 'Mdama had a fake Forerunner artifact placed in a Forerunner structure on the nearby [[Aktis IV]]. As per Halsey's plan, Dr. Glassman and the Spartan-IVs of ''Infinity'' discovered the artifact and believed that it was related to the Janus Key. Halsey and Jul watched Glassman's investigation from ''Song of Retribution'' and Halsey revealed that she knew Jul's public persona was a mere façade when 'Mdama expressed mock abhorrence at creating a copy of a "holy" Forerunner object. Meanwhile, Glassman requested for ''Infinity'' to deliver their half of the Janus Key to him on the planet's surface for further analysis. Anticipating this, Halsey ensured that 'Mdama had troops ready to ambush the UNSC convoy carrying their half of the Key. Much to both Halsey's and 'Mdama's surprise, the Pelican carrying the half was shot down before he could give an order. In the confusion, the rest of the Covenant ambush group began the attack. Halsey insisted on personally searching the crash-site, but 'Mdama decided to scourge the crash-site himself, and he ordered Halsey to remain aboard his carrier. Unbeknownst to him, rebel [[Sali 'Nyon]] was responsible for shooting down the Pelican and he claimed half of the Janus Key for himself.<ref name="HE14">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]''</ref> | At Halsey's suggestion, 'Mdama had a fake Forerunner artifact placed in a Forerunner structure on the nearby [[Aktis IV]]. As per Halsey's plan, Dr. Glassman and the Spartan-IVs of ''Infinity'' discovered the artifact and believed that it was related to the Janus Key. Halsey and Jul watched Glassman's investigation from ''Song of Retribution'' and Halsey revealed that she knew Jul's public persona was a mere façade when 'Mdama expressed mock abhorrence at creating a copy of a "holy" Forerunner object. Meanwhile, Glassman requested for ''Infinity'' to deliver their half of the Janus Key to him on the planet's surface for further analysis. Anticipating this, Halsey ensured that 'Mdama had troops ready to ambush the UNSC convoy carrying their half of the Key. Much to both Halsey's and 'Mdama's surprise, the Pelican carrying the half was shot down before he could give an order. In the confusion, the rest of the Covenant ambush group began the attack. Halsey insisted on personally searching the crash-site, but 'Mdama decided to scourge the crash-site himself, and he ordered Halsey to remain aboard his carrier. Unbeknownst to him, rebel [[Sali 'Nyon]] was responsible for shooting down the Pelican and he claimed half of the Janus Key for himself.<ref name="HE14">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]''</ref> | ||
[[File:HE16 Next destination The Absolute Record.jpg|thumb|220px| | [[File:HE16 Next destination The Absolute Record.jpg|thumb|220px|Covenant leader Jul 'Mdama and Doctor Catherine Halsey collaborate to find the Absolute Record.]] | ||
Some time after 'Mdama had left for the planet, Halsey contacted him from the ''Song of Retribution'' and urged him to focus on the acquisition of the Janus Key rather than the rebellion among his ranks. In response to the developing situation, Jul fulfilled Halsey's earlier request and allowed her to take a Phantom to the surface of Aktis IV.<ref name="HE15">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|Issue #15]]''</ref> Halsey and a convoy of Phantoms traveled to an island on Aktis IV to meet [[Unidentified Sangheili Minor|a defector]] from 'Nyon's forces. After the defector reluctantly gave the half of the Janus Key he had stolen from 'Nyon's base to Halsey, the doctor and her Sangheili escorts prepared to return to ''Song of Retribution''. After Jul had most of Halsey's convoy depart to battle UNSC forces elsewhere on the island, Halsey and the remaining Covenant forces were ambushed by Spartans Palmer, Thorne, and [[Naiya Ray|Ray]]. Palmer pursued Halsey and her guard into the jungle, while the other Spartans eliminated the surviving Covenant forces. After killing her guard, Palmer captured Halsey and led her through the jungle. The two began to argue, with Palmer accusing her of being a traitor and war criminal, and Halsey calling Palmer out for acting as Admiral Osman's puppet and stating that ONI turned her into a convenient scapegoat. As Palmer's judgement became momentarily clouded, Halsey ran off into the jungle. Palmer attempted to pursue, but she was injured and knocked into a crevice by a nearby [[ | Some time after 'Mdama had left for the planet, Halsey contacted him from the ''Song of Retribution'' and urged him to focus on the acquisition of the Janus Key rather than the rebellion among his ranks. In response to the developing situation, Jul fulfilled Halsey's earlier request and allowed her to take a Phantom to the surface of Aktis IV.<ref name="HE15">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|Issue #15]]''</ref> Halsey and a convoy of Phantoms traveled to an island on Aktis IV to meet [[Unidentified Sangheili Minor|a defector]] from 'Nyon's forces. After the defector reluctantly gave the half of the Janus Key he had stolen from 'Nyon's base to Halsey, the doctor and her Sangheili escorts prepared to return to ''Song of Retribution''. After Jul had most of Halsey's convoy depart to battle UNSC forces elsewhere on the island, Halsey and the remaining Covenant forces were ambushed by Spartans Palmer, Thorne, and [[Naiya Ray|Ray]]. Palmer pursued Halsey and her guard into the jungle, while the other Spartans eliminated the surviving Covenant forces. After killing her guard, Palmer captured Halsey and led her through the jungle. The two began to argue, with Palmer accusing her of being a traitor and war criminal, and Halsey calling Palmer out for acting as Admiral Osman's puppet and stating that ONI turned her into a convenient scapegoat. As Palmer's judgement became momentarily clouded, Halsey ran off into the jungle. Palmer attempted to pursue, but she was injured and knocked into a crevice by a nearby [[Type-58 Harvester|Harvester]]. Halsey contacted 'Mdama and he had a Phantom return her to his flagship.<ref name="HE16">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]''</ref> | ||
Shortly after, Jul's forces fled the system with both halves of the Janus Key. Halsey and Jul used the combined Janus Key to project a holographic map, which revealed the approximate location of the [[Absolute Record]]. | Shortly after, Jul's forces fled the system with both halves of the Janus Key. Halsey and Jul used the combined Janus Key to project a holographic map, which revealed the approximate location of the [[Absolute Record]].<ref name="HE16"/> Hiding within the [[Urs system]], Halsey worked on finding the coordinates of the Absolute Record, on [[2558#September|September 15, 2558]] pinpointed its exact location. Two days later, as the fleet prepared to depart for the Absolute Record, a Phantom carrying Spartans Palmer, Thorne, [[Holly Tanaka]], Dr. Glassman, and [[Ayit 'Sevi]]—a mercenary within 'Mdama's ranks working for ONI—boarded ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'', intent on revealing the location of the Absolute Record to the UNSC. | ||
===The Absolute Record=== | ===The Absolute Record=== | ||
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The fleet arrived at an apparently artificial gas giant with a slipspace portal leading to the Absolute Record. Before the fleet could press forward, slipspace ruptures materialized around the fleet, destroying at least two ships and damaging ''Breath of Annihilation''.<ref name="HE19">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 19|Issue #19]]''</ref> Furious at the damage done to his fleet, 'Mdama blamed Halsey for the loss and threw her across ''Song of Retribution''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bridge. While Halsey and 'Mdama argued about the situation, she reminded him that once they reached the Absolute Record, they will discover technology beyond their comprehension that will more than compensate for the ships that were destroyed. Halsey further exaggerated that once he was in control of the Absolute Record's "treasures", 'Mdama would be seen as a god. Thus 'Mdama decided to travel to the Absolute Record, with only ''Retribution'' entering the portal while the rest made repairs. As Halsey and 'Mdama prepared to enter the portal, they learned of rumors of the Spartans attacking personnel of ''Breath of Annihilation''. Halsey dismissed 'Mdama's fears and stated that the Spartans could not stop them from reaching the Absolute Record, though she was unaware that Palmer, Tanaka, and Glassman had boarded ''Retribution''. | The fleet arrived at an apparently artificial gas giant with a slipspace portal leading to the Absolute Record. Before the fleet could press forward, slipspace ruptures materialized around the fleet, destroying at least two ships and damaging ''Breath of Annihilation''.<ref name="HE19">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 19|Issue #19]]''</ref> Furious at the damage done to his fleet, 'Mdama blamed Halsey for the loss and threw her across ''Song of Retribution''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bridge. While Halsey and 'Mdama argued about the situation, she reminded him that once they reached the Absolute Record, they will discover technology beyond their comprehension that will more than compensate for the ships that were destroyed. Halsey further exaggerated that once he was in control of the Absolute Record's "treasures", 'Mdama would be seen as a god. Thus 'Mdama decided to travel to the Absolute Record, with only ''Retribution'' entering the portal while the rest made repairs. As Halsey and 'Mdama prepared to enter the portal, they learned of rumors of the Spartans attacking personnel of ''Breath of Annihilation''. Halsey dismissed 'Mdama's fears and stated that the Spartans could not stop them from reaching the Absolute Record, though she was unaware that Palmer, Tanaka, and Glassman had boarded ''Retribution''. | ||
The carrier traveled through the portal and arrived into the Record, where Halsey, along with the other humans who had infiltrated the carrier, were detected by a [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class]] [[ | The carrier traveled through the portal and arrived into the Record, where Halsey, along with the other humans who had infiltrated the carrier, were detected by a [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class]] [[custodian]].<ref name="HE20">'''Halo: Escalation''' ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 20|Issue #20]]''</ref> After ''Retribution'' was forcefully brought through a portal to a large chamber, Halsey, 'Mdama, and a contingent of Zealots traveled to a lower platform, where Halsey addressed the ancilla and told it that she was selected by the Librarian and her possession of the Janus Key was proof. However, the AI was skeptical of her claims, claiming Halsey could've obtained the Key by force and especially pondering why the other humans felt the need to conceal themselves. The AI had its Sentinels bring the other humans down to the platform, and stated its intent to let each human have a chance to account for its presence at the installation, despite Halsey's assertions that there was nothing to discuss as she had the Janus Key. As she continued to argue with the AI and Glassman, an impatient Zealot attacked a Sentinel, leading to a conflict on the platform. Frustrated, the AI removed the flooring from under the feet of the Sangheili, with Tanaka, Palmer, and Glassman remaining on one platform and Halsey standing on another, 'Mdama managing to grab its edge just in time.<ref name="HE21">'''Halo: Escalation''' ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 21|Issue #21]]''</ref> | ||
In order to decide who would be the legitimate steward of the Absolute Record, the AI decided on a direct examination. It had both factions isolated and gave them a hypothetical scenario, in which a sapient species (represented by [[Yonhet]]) turned out to have bodies conducive to a Flood vaccine. Abducting and harvesting live beings would give a thirty-five percent chance of Flood-immune material, but receiving dead bodies from the beings would give them a thirty-three percent chance. Despite Jul's advice, Halsey chose live capture while Glassman chose the peaceful option, and the ancilla commended both. It then asked if their opponents in this test should be kept confined or immediately killed, but instead of answering, Halsey hacked the ancilla and shut it down, taking control of the Record for herself.<ref name="HE22">'''Halo: Escalation''' ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 22|Issue #22]]''</ref> | In order to decide who would be the legitimate steward of the Absolute Record, the AI decided on a direct examination. It had both factions isolated and gave them a hypothetical scenario, in which a sapient species (represented by [[Yonhet]]) turned out to have bodies conducive to a Flood vaccine. Abducting and harvesting live beings would give a thirty-five percent chance of Flood-immune material, but receiving dead bodies from the beings would give them a thirty-three percent chance. Despite Jul's advice, Halsey chose live capture while Glassman chose the peaceful option, and the ancilla commended both. It then asked if their opponents in this test should be kept confined or immediately killed, but instead of answering, Halsey hacked the ancilla and shut it down, taking control of the Record for herself.<ref name="HE22">'''Halo: Escalation''' ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 22|Issue #22]]''</ref> | ||
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===The Guardians=== | ===The Guardians=== | ||
{{Quote|I tried to warn you this was happening. Cortana is no longer an asset, Captain. She is a danger.|Halsey stresses the enormity of the threat posed by Cortana to Captain [[Thomas Lasky]]. | [[File:She's alive-.png|thumb|right|300px|Halsey, Palmer, Roland, and Lasky discuss Cortana and the Master Chief.]] | ||
{{Quote|I tried to warn you this was happening. Cortana is no longer an asset, Captain. She is a danger.|Halsey stresses the enormity of the threat posed by Cortana to Captain [[Thomas Lasky]].}} | |||
Near the | Near the start of October Doctor Halsey managed to contact the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and provide Captain Lasky with coordinates at which she could be found.<ref name="H5GO">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Osiris (level)|Osiris]]''</ref> They pointed to the planet [[Kamchatka]] in the [[Caspar system]], where a [[Forerunner]] communication hub had recently flared to life and attracted the attention of both [[Jul 'Mdama|Jul]] and the [[UNSC]].<ref name="H5GO"/><ref name="WaypointKamchatka">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/kamchatka '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Kamchatka'']</ref> Upon reaching Kamchatka Halsey set about studying the nature of various incoming signals which were bouncing off of the Forerunner objects on the planet, akin to echolocation.<ref name="H5GOMI">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Osiris (level)|Osiris]]'' [[Mission Intel#Osiris|mission intel]]</ref> Halsey concluded that [[Cortana]] was searching for [[Guardian Custode|something]] but could not guess at what that something might be. At Halsey's direction, a structure that was the focal point for one of the signals was eventually penetrated by the [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] forces with her. In her research notes Halsey bemoaned the way in which her work was being hampered by their overriding concern for ceremony, leaving her still without much information she did not have before they breached the structure. Some time later, however, Halsey obtained scans of new [[Forerunner symbols|glyph]]s, including one that she was sure had never been observed before. After running it through a system she found that it bore a resemblance to an ancient [[Sangheili]] symbol for a [[Sangheili mythology|demon]] that sleeps in the ground and must not wake. How this symbol might relate to the symbol, she was still unsure. Halsey further noted that the readings she would expect from a Forerunner structure the scale of which they inhabited were erratic at best, leading her to then wonder if perhaps Cortana was trying to access technology on Kamchatka and other locations directly, but failing.<ref name="H5GOMI"/> | ||
Around October 22 a native defense system on Kamchatka was disabled, but Halsey was unable to bring its corresponding alert system down soon enough. As a result, mechanical [[Promethean]] constructs arrived at Kamchatka within the hour and [[Battle of Kamchatka|attacked]] the Covenant.<ref name="H5GOMI"/> | |||
{{Expand-Section}} | |||
This same day, the Spartan-IVs of [[Fireteam Osiris]] were deployed to retrieve Halsey from the custody of Jul 'Mdama.<ref name="h5g opening">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians Opening Cinematic]]'''</ref> Osiris arrived, killed 'Mdama, and rescued Halsey, bringing her back to the UNSC ''Infinity'' alive.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians'', ''campaign level [[Osiris (level)|Osiris]]''</ref> Halsey was distressed to see that the UNSC took so long to retrieve her, having dire news for them: Cortana was alive, active in the [[Domain]] network, and was responsible for the awakening of the Guardians.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians'', ''campaign level [[Blue Team (level)|Blue Team]]''</ref> After a following Guardian incident on [[Meridian]], Halsey traveled to [[Sanghelios]] with ''Infinity'''s crew in anticipation of another Guardian awakening there. | |||
===Sanghelios=== | ===Sanghelios=== | ||
{{Quote|I'm playing along with your protocol here, Thel. If the [[SPARTAN-IV program|fours]] bring me an active Constructor, I can interface with the Guardian. It will receive Cortana's signal the moment it activates and initiates slipspace, but I think I can make sure it leaves the sea before it jumps. I'll get it in the skies over Sunaion, like you asked.|Catherine records a message for Thel 'Vadam, the Sangheili Arbiter.}} | {{Quote|I'm playing along with your protocol here, Thel. If the [[SPARTAN-IV program|fours]] bring me an active Constructor, I can interface with the Guardian. It will receive Cortana's signal the moment it activates and initiates slipspace, but I think I can make sure it leaves the sea before it jumps. I'll get it in the skies over Sunaion, like you asked.|Catherine records a message for Thel 'Vadam, the Sangheili Arbiter.}}<ref name="H5GAMI"/> | ||
After arriving in the [[Urs system|Urs-Fied-Joori system]] on [[2558#October|October 27]] Halsey accompanied [[Sarah Palmer|Palmer]] to a waiting [[D79-TC Pelican]] in the process of being loaded up for travel to [[Sanghelios]]. | After arriving in the [[Urs system|Urs-Fied-Joori system]] on [[2558#October|October 27]] Halsey accompanied [[Sarah Palmer|Palmer]] to a waiting [[D79-TC Pelican]] in the process of being loaded up for travel to [[Sanghelios]].<ref name="H5GSOS"/> At the approach of Spartans [[Jameson Locke|Locke]] and [[Olympia Vale|Vale]] Palmer let it be known that the doctor was trying to find a way to communicate with the [[Guardian Custode]] on the planet. Halsey assured Locke she'd have a briefing for him once they were all planetside.<ref name="H5GSOS">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Swords of Sanghelios (level)|Swords of Sanghelios]]''</ref> [[Fireteam Osiris]] soon met up with [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]] and following this Halsey and Palmer joined them at a camp the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] had set up in [[Nuusra]].<ref name="H5GA">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Alliance]]''</ref> Whilst Locke was treating with 'Vadam, [[Cortana]]'s voice suddenly rang out from within their meeting tent, prompting Halsey and Palmer to both rush inside. Halsey noted that she'd touched every networked device in the camp just then and concluded she must know of the Guardian they were after. 'Vadam agreed to assist in the effort to get to it at [[Sunaion]] but only on the condition that victory would be assured when they finally moved on the city. Pledging they'd deploy within the hour, Locke told Halsey to have her plan ready by then.<ref name="H5GA"/> | ||
[[File:H5G HalseySanghelios.PNG|thumb|350px|While in the Arbiter's camp, Doctor Halsey's amputee status was taken by the [[Unggoy]] and self-proclaimed biologist [[Gribyam]] to support [[ | [[File:H5G HalseySanghelios.PNG|right|thumb|350px|While in the Arbiter's camp, Doctor Halsey's amputee status was taken by the [[Unggoy]] and self-proclaimed biologist [[Gribyam]] to support [[Kat-B320|theories]] that [[human]] females signal maturity by losing appendages.<ref name="H5GAMI"/> He further hypothesized that she would soon begin to release spores and spin a cocoon of "rich meat-silk".<ref name="H5GAMI"/>]] | ||
While she continued to devise a strategy Halsey recorded a status update for the [[Arbiter]], [[Thel 'Vadam]], in which she assured him the Guardian would be in the sky over Sunaion before it initiated a [[slipspace]] jump, as he had asked.<ref name="H5GAMI">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Alliance]]'' [[Mission Intel#Alliance|mission intel]]</ref> In return for her cooperation with his request she also made one of her own for more intelligent assistants to aid her and urged him to loosen the security placed on her. | While she continued to devise a strategy Halsey recorded a status update for the [[Arbiter]], [[Thel 'Vadam]], in which she assured him the Guardian would be in the sky over Sunaion before it initiated a [[slipspace]] jump, as he had asked.<ref name="H5GAMI">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Alliance]]'' [[Mission Intel#Alliance|mission intel]]</ref> In return for her cooperation with his request she also made one of her own for more intelligent assistants to aid her and urged him to loosen the security placed on her.<ref name="H5GAMI"/> Sometime after this she contacted Locke over an open communications channel to let him know she'd prepared the briefing but preferred to discuss it in person to avoid being eavesdropped upon.<ref name="H5GA"/> From atop a [[Forerunner]]-built structure overlooking the camp she waved the Spartans over to her as they neared and then proceeded to introduce them to what a [[Constructor]] [[sentinel]] was. She explained that if one could be acquired from the support stations which riddled the hills around them then she could use it to interface with the Guardian. She further informed them that Palmer had the location of one such station.<ref name="H5GA"/> In a supplemental status update for Thel, she pointed out that while making stubborn claims to not need her or the Guardian he ought to remember the [[ONI|organization]] she represented and its history.<ref name="H5GBTSMI">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Before the Storm]]'' [[Mission Intel#Before the Storm|mission intel]]</ref> She hoped that this would get him to show her some respect and signed off by claiming this was to be her last mandatory update.<ref name="H5GBTSMI"/> Osiris secured a Constructor before the suns had set and returned to the camp with it.<ref name="H5GBTS">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Before the Storm]]''</ref> Halsey observed that it seemed to be working as she had planned for it to but told Locke's team that it could take some time until she was finished calibrating it. She then let them know that Palmer wished to see them. When she was ready, she called Osiris back over to her spot on the Forerunner structure, which she informed them she was using to upload the coordinates recorded on [[Meridian]] into the sentinel. She wanted them to be ready to go as soon as she signaled it was time but admitted it might before hours until then. However, the Constructor suddenly took off just then, flying toward Sunaion. As Osiris and the Swords of Sanghelios prepared to follow it Halsey made sure Locke knew Cortana had been built from a matrix of her own mind, cautioning him that like her, she would take drastic measures if she thought they served the greater good. The [[Domain]], she added, would give her incredible power with which to enact those measures. As Locke walked away she called out to him again and pleaded with him to stop Cortana but to bring [[John-117|John]] home to her.<ref name="H5GBTS"/> | ||
Palmer had planned to get the doctor off-world once the [[Battle of Sunaion|attack]] on the ocean city began, but she and Halsey eventually arrived at the battle near its end. | Palmer had planned to get the doctor off-world once the [[Battle of Sunaion|attack]] on the ocean city began, but she and Halsey eventually arrived at the battle near its end.<ref name="H5GBTS"/><ref name="H5GBOS">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', ''[[Battle of Sunaion (level)|Battle of Sunaion]]''</ref> The Guardian had risen above the waves by that point and was preparing to depart, so Palmer meant to pick up Osiris to deliver them to it before it did so.<ref name="H5GBOS"/> Halsey could not bear to even keep her eyes open for very long as the conflict rained plasma fire all around them. Palmer managed to get the other Spartans to the Guardian, but in the process their Pelican's left thruster was struck by a [[Type-54 Banshee]]'s [[Fuel rod|fuel rod]] and set ablaze. Though it seemed as if Palmer would be able to get them out of there regardless, the Guardian then sent out an [[attenuation pulse]] which neutralized the dropship's power and sent it spiraling toward the [[Csurdon Sea]] below.<ref name="H5GBOS"/> | ||
===On the run=== | ===On the run=== | ||
{{Quote|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 the Guardians. Tell me, again, how exactly is it that I am the danger here?|Halsey pushes back against the assertion that she is a dangerous asset.}} | {{Quote|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 the Guardians. Tell me, again, how exactly is it that I am the danger here?|Halsey pushes back against the assertion that she is a dangerous asset.}}<ref name="lootcrate12"/> | ||
[[File:H5G HalseyEnding.PNG|thumb|left|300px|Catherine had not seen Kelly, Linda, and Fred since she had been arrested over five years ago and had not seen John since she'd fled to [[Onyx]] around five more months before then.<ref name=" | [[File:H5G HalseyEnding.PNG|thumb|left|300px|Catherine had not seen Kelly, Linda, and Fred since she had been arrested over five years ago and had not seen John since she'd fled to [[Onyx]] around five more months before then.<ref name="HBB1"/><ref name="HFS30">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', ''Chapter 30''</ref><ref name="HG15">''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'', ''Chapter 15''</ref>]] | ||
Halsey and Palmer both managed to survive the downing of their Pelican and by the next day they had made it to [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]]'s encampment in [[Nuusra]].<ref name="HBB1">''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]'', ''Chapter 1''</ref> Using the [[Forerunner]] technology she had been fiddling with upon first arriving on the planet, she was able to receive a coded message from [[Roland]] on the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, who informed the doctor that [[Earth]] had been [[Subjugation of Earth|taken offline]] by the rogue A.I.s and that they had just managed to escape. He said the ship was now slipspace-hopping on a random trajectory but would be showing up off the far side of [[Suban]] the next day and remaining there for fifteen minutes. The coordinates the A.I. provided could be reached in a matter of hours with space-capable transportation. Fortunately, after darkness had fallen over the region the approach of [[India 127|a Pelican]] drew she, Palmer, 'Vadam, and two other [[Swords of Sanghelios]] to emerge from a tent to meet it. When it landed and opened its rear hatch, Spartan [[Jameson Locke|Locke]] and [[John-117|John]] were the first two individuals to emerge and present themselves before both of their respective teams followed suit. Having not seen John for over six years, she told him it had taken him long enough. When the Arbiter insisted that both [[Blue Team]] and [[Fireteam Osiris]] join those gathered for a meal before departing, Halsey clarified to him that they wouldn't be leaving that night. Although the possession of a working [[D79-TC Pelican]] would now afford the humans passage off [[Sanghelios]], the ''Infinity'' would not be arriving until 1800 hours the following day. [[Edward Buck]] questioned the trustworthiness of Roland once Catherine explained the situation but she rebutted that if he'd been compromised they'd already be dead. Midway through the meal of [[colo]] and [[kuscatu]] served by their [[Sangheili]] hosts Halsey disappeared to chat with John, [[ | Halsey and Palmer both managed to survive the downing of their Pelican and by the next day they had made it to [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]]'s encampment in [[Nuusra]].<ref name="HBB1">''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]'', ''Chapter 1''</ref> Using the [[Forerunner]] technology she had been fiddling with upon first arriving on the planet, she was able to receive a coded message from [[Roland]] on the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, who informed the doctor that [[Earth]] had been [[Subjugation of Earth|taken offline]] by the rogue A.I.s and that they had just managed to escape. He said the ship was now slipspace-hopping on a random trajectory but would be showing up off the far side of [[Suban]] the next day and remaining there for fifteen minutes. The coordinates the A.I. provided could be reached in a matter of hours with space-capable transportation. Fortunately, after darkness had fallen over the region the approach of [[India 127|a Pelican]] drew she, Palmer, 'Vadam, and two other [[Swords of Sanghelios]] to emerge from a tent to meet it. When it landed and opened its rear hatch, Spartan [[Jameson Locke|Locke]] and [[John-117|John]] were the first two individuals to emerge and present themselves before both of their respective teams followed suit. Having not seen John for over six years, she told him it had taken him long enough. When the Arbiter insisted that both [[Blue Team]] and [[Fireteam Osiris]] join those gathered for a meal before departing, Halsey clarified to him that they wouldn't be leaving that night. Although the possession of a working [[D79-TC Pelican]] would now afford the humans passage off [[Sanghelios]], the ''Infinity'' would not be arriving until 1800 hours the following day. [[Edward Buck|Buck]] questioned the trustworthiness of Roland once Catherine explained the situation but she rebutted that if he'd been compromised they'd already be dead. Midway through the meal of [[colo]] and [[kuscatu]] served by their [[Sangheili]] hosts Halsey disappeared to chat with John, [[Fred-104|Fred]], [[Kelly-087|Kelly]], and [[Linda-058|Linda]].<ref name="HBB1"/> | ||
A little less than an hour before sunrise the next day the Spartans and Halsey all piled into the Pelican. | A little less than an hour before sunrise the next day the Spartans and Halsey all piled into the Pelican.<ref name="HBB1"/> As the Arbiter bid farewell to John and voiced his confidence in their ability to combat the new threat the [[Created]] posed, the Sangheili shot Halsey a meaningful glance which she ignored with a haughty sniff. While ''en route'' to the rendezvous Halsey pointed out that Sangheili resistance was likely drawing the attention of the [[Guardian]] attempting to pacify the world just then, again arguing that they'd already be dead if they'd been detected. With about twenty minutes until the ''Infinity'' was due to arrive Buck broke out a pack of playing cards and asked if anyone was up for [[Wikipedia:Hearts|Hearts]] but Halsey ignored him, as she was working on a tablet she'd scrounged up. Buck managed to get her attention by referring to the [[Wikipedia:Queen of spades|queen of spades]] as a "Halsey" a couple of hands into the game, but she still gave no response other than to announce that their window was approaching. The gargantuan [[Infinity-class supercarrier|supercarrier]] arrived almost exactly on schedule and Halsey had secured all her things by then. As Kelly docked the Pelican in the ship's Portside Bay Five Buck drew Halsey's attention yet again when he laughed out loud upon realizing his longtime lover [[Veronica Dare]] was aboard.<ref name="HBB1"/> The doctor and the Spartans were met in the bay by a lieutenant who had come to escort she, Palmer, John, and Locke to the bridge to see Captain [[Thomas Lasky|Lasky]].<ref name="HBB2">''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]'', ''Chapter 2''</ref> Following that meeting Lasky had Doctor Halsey confined to a workspace and the ''Infinity'' began a series of randomized [[slipspace]] jumps in order to avoid detection by Cortana's [[Guardian Custode|Guardian]]s, emerging from slipspace at its first vector point that very day.<ref name="HBB2"/><ref name="lootcrate12">''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'' ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #12]]''</ref> That same day [[Roland]] answered a distress call from the {{UNSCShip|Sentry of El Morro}} with the affirmation that the supercarrier was on its way to assist it.<ref name="HFRW">''[[Halo: Fractures]]'', ''[[Rossbach's World (story)|Rossbach's World]]''</ref> By the start of November, the ship exited slipspace at one point to receive the recently reassembled Spartan team [[Alpha-Nine]].<ref name="HBB21">''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]'', ''Chapter 21''</ref> | ||
[[ | [[File:LC 12 doc4.jpg|thumb|350px|right|This image was captured by Spartan [[92738-61842-LC]], who wore their helmet while interviewing Halsey in order to record the interaction.<ref name="lootcrate12"/>]] | ||
By [[2559#January|January 24, 2559]], they were still on the run, performing erratic jumps to evade discovery.<ref name="lootcrate12"/> That day, at just after 1204 hours, Halsey was approached by a Spartan from [[Fireteam Apollo]] with the serial number [[92738-61842-LC]]. This individual had been tasked by Captain Lasky with investigating what was being dubbed "the Guardian Incident". Halsey pointedly asked how they had gotten clearance to talk with her and was made aware of the priority-one directive given to them by the captain. After then confirming she was being recorded, the Spartan informed her they were there to talk about [[Cortana]]. Halsey was interested to hear what their investigation had unearthed so far, but they reported not being authorized to share anything further than their having concluded that the cognitive duress and strain Cortana had sustained since the discovery of [[Installation 04]] was partially responsible. The Spartan's first questions for the doctor concerned Cortana's creation, and Halsey was soon defending her actions incumbent in that process. She also refused to reveal what had become of the clones of herself she had made, claiming that was still classified even for them. Asked what she thought the best explanation for what had happened was, Halsey recalled Cortana's first words and theorized she was simply doing she had to in order to keep "the game" from ending. Halsey then quoted the Greek philosopher [[Wikipedia:Epictetus|Epicetus]] and suggested Cortana was the answer to his thought experiment regarding the harm in saying "Tomorrow you will die," while kissing one's child. When her interviewer asked what she thought the solution to stopping her was, Catherine ignored the question since she doubted coming up with that would be part of a Spartan's directive and was convinced she'd been locked away for that purpose. 92738-61842-LC countered that she'd been locked up because of her repeated protocol violations, which only led to further argument and the Spartan finally choosing to take their leave. Before they went, Halsey shared the [[Cortana Letters#First letter|last thing]] Cortana had said to her.<ref name="lootcrate12"/> The Spartan asked what her words were supposed to have meant, but Halsey could only say that she had been hoping they were able to explain them to her.<ref name="lootcrate12"/> | |||
==Personality and traits== | ==Personality and traits== | ||
{{Quote|If people would just share things with me, I could solve all the world's problems.|Dr. Halsey musing to herself over the UNSC withholding data from her. | {{Quote|If people would just share things with me, I could solve all the world's problems.|Dr. Halsey musing to herself over the UNSC withholding data from her.<ref name="invasion"/>}} | ||
[[File:KatCarterHalsey.jpg|thumb|275px|Halsey addresses [[Carter-A259]] and [[ | [[File:KatCarterHalsey.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Halsey addresses [[Carter-A259]] and [[Kat-B320]].]] | ||
Immensely intelligent, reclusive and somewhat self-centered, Halsey is almost entirely devoted to her work and the pursuit of knowledge to advance humankind. She has little regard for rules, authority or bureaucracy, in most cases viewing them as little more than obstacles to her work. While her singleminded dedication and seemingly detached personality have led to many perceiving her as devoid of morals or emotions, she has nonetheless shown to care about the few people close to her and has been deeply affected on a personal level by the moral implications of her work. | Immensely intelligent, reclusive and somewhat self-centered, Halsey is almost entirely devoted to her work and the pursuit of knowledge to advance humankind. She has little regard for rules, authority or bureaucracy, in most cases viewing them as little more than obstacles to her work. While her singleminded dedication and seemingly detached personality have led to many perceiving her as devoid of morals or emotions, she has nonetheless shown to care about the few people close to her and has been deeply affected on a personal level by the moral implications of her work. | ||
Halsey tends to be professional and authoritative when speaking to people, which she rarely does outside of meetings and briefings. She has little patience for extraneous detail, wanting the important facts out of them and then concluding their meeting.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> Considered extremely difficult to read,<ref name="goo345">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 345''</ref> she rarely voices her current emotions, and often observes people while speaking to them to discern hidden details. Having grown accustomed to keeping secrets, she may appear enigmatic and manipulative at times; while she despises efforts to withhold information from herself, she has a tendency of laying her own plans in advance and only divulging information when it becomes relevant. | Halsey tends to be professional and authoritative when speaking to people, which she rarely does outside of meetings and briefings. She has little patience for extraneous detail, wanting the important facts out of them and then concluding their meeting.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> Considered extremely difficult to read,<ref name="goo345">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 345''</ref> she rarely voices her current emotions, and often observes people while speaking to them to discern hidden details. Having grown accustomed to keeping secrets, she may appear enigmatic and manipulative at times; while she despises efforts to withhold information from herself, she has a tendency of laying her own plans in advance and only divulging information when it becomes relevant.<ref name="goo341"/> She prefers to work with her authority unchallenged, and does not appreciate being bogged down by having to explain herself, especially in a hurry. On Onyx, this led to a conflict between her and [[Kurt Ambrose]], who eventually confronted the doctor over her self-assumed leadership and instead asserted his own command over the mission, much to Halsey's dismay; despite this, she remained confident in Kurt's leadership ability.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 257-258''</ref> When necessary, however, Halsey has been very verbose about describing the subject at hand, namely if attempting to convince someone of its importance.<ref name="thepackage"/> Outside of professional contexts, her persona has been considered charming and likable by some.<ref name="fs225">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 225''</ref> | ||
Above most of her compatriots in terms of both intelligence and knowledge, Halsey prefers to perform her most important work personally, rarely entrusting particularly significant scientific tasks to others. She often assumes a certain ownership over her work, most prominently seen with her referring to the Spartan-IIs as "her" Spartans and reacting negatively to others co-opting her work. Halsey is keen to note any flaws she finds in her colleagues' work, and quick to point out when she considers someone unqualified. | Above most of her compatriots in terms of both intelligence and knowledge, Halsey prefers to perform her most important work personally, rarely entrusting particularly significant scientific tasks to others. She often assumes a certain ownership over her work, most prominently seen with her referring to the Spartan-IIs as "her" Spartans and reacting negatively to others co-opting her work. Halsey is keen to note any flaws she finds in her colleagues' work, and quick to point out when she considers someone unqualified.<ref name="journal"/><ref name="Composer logs"/> However, she also has an eye for talent and will give credit for any accomplishments she sees as remarkable.<ref name="journal"/> It is not uncommon for her to have respect for someone and yet also dislike them, as shown in the cases of her student [[Ellen Anders]]<ref>'''Dr Halsey's journal''': (Halsey: "If that Anders girl was still around, she would have come in handy right about now. She was always so difficult, but this has, without a doubt, become a shared interest.")</ref> and the Spartan-III [[Kat-B320]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach ViDoc: A Spartan Will Rise]]''': (Halsey: "Kat, Noble Two. She is brilliant. There are no technical hurdles she can't overcome. But her curiosity borders on insubordination."</ref> Halsey is an atheist, lacking belief in the existence of any god.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 157''</ref> | ||
Halsey's intelligence is unquestionable but her judgment is not always correct. Although bearing the guilt of the Spartan program, her sense of right and wrong has differed greatly. When sure it will produce results, Halsey is not above breaking the law to achieve her goals, such as cloning herself to produce Cortana, using a stolen Slipspace engine for her fractal AI experiment, and kidnapping [[Kelly-087|Kelly]] and fleeing to Onyx. "The ends justify the means" appears to be her ideology, as an interrogator after she was arrested accused her of. To soothe her conscience, she often deliberately reduces the wording of harsh consequences, such as telling John that the augmentations was just his next mission, or [[Soren-066]] that the pain from his botched surgery would eventually go away.<ref>'''Halo Evolutions''', "Pariah", ''page 40''</ref> | Halsey's intelligence is unquestionable but her judgment is not always correct. Although bearing the guilt of the Spartan program, her sense of right and wrong has differed greatly. When sure it will produce results, Halsey is not above breaking the law to achieve her goals, such as cloning herself to produce Cortana, using a stolen Slipspace engine for her fractal AI experiment, and kidnapping [[Kelly-087|Kelly]] and fleeing to Onyx. "The ends justify the means" appears to be her ideology, as an interrogator after she was arrested accused her of. To soothe her conscience, she often deliberately reduces the wording of harsh consequences, such as telling John that the augmentations was just his next mission, or [[Soren-066]] that the pain from his botched surgery would eventually go away.<ref>'''Halo Evolutions''', "Pariah", ''page 40''</ref> | ||
[[File:Journal Family Tree.png|thumb|left|250px|A family tree drawn by Halsey, of all the people whose lives she affected.]] | [[File:Journal Family Tree.png|thumb|left|250px|A family tree drawn by Halsey, of all the people whose lives she affected.]] | ||
Dr. Halsey is not keen on losing, as seen when she kept losing at a game of Twenty Questions with her Spartans and soon quit playing.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 140''</ref> She was also resentful of attempts to keep information from her, demanding to know everything the UNSC could provide to keep them from deceiving her. Any attempts to keep her in the dark would eventually fail once she'd begin hacking, since Halsey often programmed backdoors into everything she designed. | Dr. Halsey is not keen on losing, as seen when she kept losing at a game of Twenty Questions with her Spartans and soon quit playing.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 140''</ref> She was also resentful of attempts to keep information from her, demanding to know everything the UNSC could provide to keep them from deceiving her. Any attempts to keep her in the dark would eventually fail once she'd begin hacking, since Halsey often programmed backdoors into everything she designed.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 128''</ref><ref name="invasion"/> According to [[Black-Box]], Halsey was not too different from an AI, being fueled by a desire to know everything she could.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 358''</ref> She is easily absorbed by her work and the acquisition of knowledge to the point of ignoring more pressing matters; on Onyx, she requested the rest of the group to leave her behind in the world's map room in order to learn more until being snapped out of her reverie by a Covenant attack.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 312''</ref> | ||
Halsey has a notable fondness for classical music, especially [[Wikipedia:Claude Debussy|Debussy]]. When getting to work, Halsey has a habit of issuing a series of commands to AIs in a rapid sequence (often ending with her requesting the AI to play one of her preferred pieces of classical music), which has on some occasions given less sophisticated AIs a pause to process the information. | Halsey has a notable fondness for classical music, especially [[Wikipedia:Claude Debussy|Debussy]]. When getting to work, Halsey has a habit of issuing a series of commands to AIs in a rapid sequence (often ending with her requesting the AI to play one of her preferred pieces of classical music), which has on some occasions given less sophisticated AIs a pause to process the information.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 16''</ref><ref name="fs123"/><ref name="goo148">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 148''</ref> She has a bad habit of keeping a messy office and drinking cold coffee, tending to prepare the drink and then become distracted by work, only remembering it hours, sometimes days, later.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 230''</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 125-126''</ref> She preferred darker coffees than those grown on Reach.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''December 4, 2510''</ref> On January 9, [[2535]] she met with [[Chief Petty Officer]] [[J. G. Jimes]] in order to procure quality Beniese coffee.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''January 7, 2535''</ref> | ||
An ONI-commissioned [[Hemley & Aubourn Behavior Analysis|psychological evaluation]] conducted by [[B.M. Parkes]] in [[2551]] largely correlated with observed aspects of Halsey's personality, demonstrating exceedingly high cognitive performance (which was noted to possibly obfuscate the rest of the results) but a markedly low score in teamwork and an uncommonly high "liability" index, 64% higher than the average ONI rating due to her demonstrated disregard for authority. The analysts suggested that she be placed under closer surveillance, with two or three handlers accompanying her at all times at both of her primary working sites on Reach | An ONI-commissioned [[Hemley & Aubourn Behavior Analysis|psychological evaluation]] conducted by [[B.M. Parkes]] in [[2551]] largely correlated with observed aspects of Halsey's personality, demonstrating exceedingly high cognitive performance (which was noted to possibly obfuscate the rest of the results) but a markedly low score in teamwork and an uncommonly high "liability" index, 64% higher than the average ONI rating due to her demonstrated disregard for authority. The analysts suggested that she be placed under closer surveillance, with two or three handlers accompanying her at all times at both of her primary working sites on Reach.<ref name="DD3"/> | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
===SPARTAN-II program and guilt=== | ===SPARTAN-II program and guilt=== | ||
[[File:Halsey Eyes.png|thumb|300px|Halsey battled guilt over the SPARTAN-II project. She knew that moral lines had been crossed to save humanity.]] | [[File:Halsey Eyes.png|thumb|right|300px|Halsey battled guilt over the SPARTAN-II project. She knew that moral lines had been crossed to save humanity.]] | ||
{{Quote|Spartans never die? If only that were true.|Catherine Halsey, reflecting her guilt over the SPARTAN-II program.<ref>'''''Halo: First Strike''''', ''page 249''</ref>}} | {{Quote|Spartans never die? If only that were true.|Catherine Halsey, reflecting her guilt over the SPARTAN-II program.<ref>'''''Halo: First Strike''''', ''page 249''</ref>}} | ||
Dr. Halsey carried extraordinary guilt because of the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II project]], in the feeling that she had exploited the children and destroyed their lives. Although she continued to support the Spartans and gained monumental prestige for her efforts, she also felt responsible for each one who died. She could never bring herself to justify the Spartans' exploitation as a necessary sacrifice. | Dr. Halsey carried extraordinary guilt because of the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II project]], in the feeling that she had exploited the children and destroyed their lives. Although she continued to support the Spartans and gained monumental prestige for her efforts, she also felt responsible for each one who died. She could never bring herself to justify the Spartans' exploitation as a necessary sacrifice.<ref name="fs129"/><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 243-245''</ref> | ||
Her involvement with the SPARTAN-II program, then codenamed "ORION Project Generation II", was born out of her own initiative, although ONI had long intended to recruit her for the task. Improving upon [[Elias Carver|Dr. Elias Carver]]'s projections for predicted colonial aggression, she privately ran over 1,400 simulations with varied parameters, always coming to the conclusion that the Outer Colonies would go into all-out war against the Inner Colonies and Earth within a short span of time. If the UNSC did not act, this would mean a minimum of thirty years of open war and billions of casualties, while the worst-case scenario was indefinite conflict and the potential collapse of human civilization. Viewing it as her personal responsibility to prevent this scenario from coming to pass, she presented her results to [[Michael Stanforth|Vice Admiral Stanforth]], then-head of ONI Section III, only to find that the UNSC had already come to the same conclusions with their own projections. As it turned out, ONI had been monitoring her for years, but they had waited for her to come up with the numbers on her own, knowing that she could not be convinced to work for them otherwise. Although she was distrustful of ONI, she agreed to work for them on the program out of her personal commitment to humanity's cause. | Her involvement with the SPARTAN-II program, then codenamed "ORION Project Generation II", was born out of her own initiative, although ONI had long intended to recruit her for the task. Improving upon [[Elias Carver|Dr. Elias Carver]]'s projections for predicted colonial aggression, she privately ran over 1,400 simulations with varied parameters, always coming to the conclusion that the Outer Colonies would go into all-out war against the Inner Colonies and Earth within a short span of time. If the UNSC did not act, this would mean a minimum of thirty years of open war and billions of casualties, while the worst-case scenario was indefinite conflict and the potential collapse of human civilization. Viewing it as her personal responsibility to prevent this scenario from coming to pass, she presented her results to [[Michael Stanforth|Vice Admiral Stanforth]], then-head of ONI Section III, only to find that the UNSC had already come to the same conclusions with their own projections. As it turned out, ONI had been monitoring her for years, but they had waited for her to come up with the numbers on her own, knowing that she could not be convinced to work for them otherwise. Although she was distrustful of ONI, she agreed to work for them on the program out of her personal commitment to humanity's cause.<ref name="HJ12410"/> The nuclear bombing of the [[Haven arcology]] by the [[Freedom and Liberation Party]] further reinforced her determination.<ref name="HJ22311"/> | ||
At the conceptual phase of the SPARTAN-II project, Halsey evidently failed to fully understand its moral implications; she was constantly revolted upon seeing her work in practice, and the notion of "sacrificing the few to save the many" rarely worked to soothe her conscience.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''December 24, 2517''</ref> While she attempted to maintain a professional distance to the SPARTAN-II candidates, she could never bring herself to view them as mere test subjects and always addressed them by their first names.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 26, 54''</ref> She held considerable respect for the Spartans and easily recognized them through subtle habits in their postures even with their armor on, which seemed to greatly annoy them.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 120-121''</ref> In turn, the Spartans greatly respected Dr. Halsey, (with [[Jorge-052|one]] stating that he had been ''"All hers half [his] life"''),<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> and would follow her orders and suggestions in the absence of those from a superior officer.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 123-124''</ref> The doctor is also privy to many of the recruits' secrets, having taught several to them as children, such as the ''[[Oly Oly Oxen Free]]'' security tune.<ref name="thunk">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 119''</ref> Despite her admiration of the Spartans, Halsey always kept these feelings to herself so as to not make them feel excluded due to the special treatment they get from most other humans. | At the conceptual phase of the SPARTAN-II project, Halsey evidently failed to fully understand its moral implications; she was constantly revolted upon seeing her work in practice, and the notion of "sacrificing the few to save the many" rarely worked to soothe her conscience.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''December 24, 2517''</ref> While she attempted to maintain a professional distance to the SPARTAN-II candidates, she could never bring herself to view them as mere test subjects and always addressed them by their first names.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 26, 54''</ref> She held considerable respect for the Spartans and easily recognized them through subtle habits in their postures even with their armor on, which seemed to greatly annoy them.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 120-121''</ref> In turn, the Spartans greatly respected Dr. Halsey, (with [[Jorge-052|one]] stating that he had been ''"All hers half [his] life"''),<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> and would follow her orders and suggestions in the absence of those from a superior officer.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 123-124''</ref> The doctor is also privy to many of the recruits' secrets, having taught several to them as children, such as the ''[[Oly Oly Oxen Free]]'' security tune.<ref name="thunk">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 119''</ref> Despite her admiration of the Spartans, Halsey always kept these feelings to herself so as to not make them feel excluded due to the special treatment they get from most other humans.<ref name="fs123"/> | ||
Despite ONI's intentions to continue with the SPARTAN-II program, Dr. Halsey began having difficulty finding a suitably large number of candidates that fit her genetic and age profiles. Additionally, most of her budget was now being used to maintain the MJOLNIR armor in service. Eventually, ONI discontinued the SPARTAN-II program, reassigned most of its personnel to other projects (such as the [[SPARTAN-III program]], held secret from Halsey), relocated Halsey from her former workplace at [[Camp Hathcock]] to [[CASTLE Base]], | Despite ONI's intentions to continue with the SPARTAN-II program, Dr. Halsey began having difficulty finding a suitably large number of candidates that fit her genetic and age profiles. Additionally, most of her budget was now being used to maintain the MJOLNIR armor in service. Eventually, ONI discontinued the SPARTAN-II program, reassigned most of its personnel to other projects (such as the [[SPARTAN-III program]], held secret from Halsey), relocated Halsey from her former workplace at [[Camp Hathcock]] to [[CASTLE Base]],<ref name="journal"/> and cut off her access to classified material. ONI's reticence vanished, her budget mushroomed overnight, and she was offered a corner office in [[Olympic Tower]] in [[New Alexandria]]. However, Halsey decided to remain in CASTLE as a means of revenge against ONI, which would now have to spend half the day going through security checks.<ref name="tfor castle">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', '''2010''', ''pages 261-262''</ref> Halsey was stationed primarily on the planet [[Reach]] throughout her decades of work for ONI. By [[2551]], she lived in the community of [[Csongrád]], near CASTLE Base.<ref name="DD3">[[Data Drop]] [[Data Drop/Three|Three]]</ref> Aside from her continued work on the SPARTAN-II and MJOLNIR projects, Halsey made huge contributions to many other ONI Section III projects, including the creation and deployment of AI constructs. She supervised the creation of the template for third-generation [[smart AI]]s,<ref name="HFS13"/> the first ones of which became operational in [[2521]].<ref name="journal"/> | ||
The 'recruited' children were replaced with [[flash cloning|flash clones]], all of whom died due to various neurological and physiological diseases that were the natural side effects of making an entire human flash clone. In the early stages of the program, Halsey attempted to cover up the program's use of flash clones, both by withholding information from [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]] and by using one of her AIs to cover fiscal evidence;<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 345''</ref> | The 'recruited' children were replaced with [[flash cloning|flash clones]], all of whom died due to various neurological and physiological diseases that were the natural side effects of making an entire human flash clone. In the early stages of the program, Halsey attempted to cover up the program's use of flash clones, both by withholding information from [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]] and by using one of her AIs to cover fiscal evidence;<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 345''</ref><ref group="note">Halsey's attempt to hide the cloning aspect of the program would have had to have occurred in its conceptual phase, as it would have been impossible to cover up when the cloning was put into practice; even if Halsey did manage to hide the data involving the funding, numerous ONI operatives and scientists were involved in the replacement operation and Halsey was not in a position to keep them from relaying the information to Parangosky. In addition, with ONI constantly monitoring the progress of the program, Halsey would have had no way to keep such a large-scale operation secret in the long term.</ref> Parangosky eventually discovered the cloning scheme, which would contribute to Halsey's arrest by ONI decades later.<ref name="clones" group="note">This seems to exhibit a double standard on Parangosky's part, as she had authorized the deaths of hundreds of children through the SPARTAN-III program. However, Parangosky viewed the Spartan-IIIs as a necessary sacrifice, whereas the use of flash clones was not strictly necessary and caused excessive trauma to the already beleaguered parents of the SPARTAN-II candidates. Though she was angered by Halsey's refusal to admit the use of flash clones, her true quarrel with the doctor was based on her motivation for using the clones. While Halsey insisted that the flash clone project was meant to ease the parents' suffering and stifle suspicion, Parangosky was adamant that it was intended, (perhaps subconsciously), to ease Halsey's guilt and comfort her ego.</ref> With the assistance of [[Chief Petty Officer]] [[Franklin Mendez]] and the AI [[Déjà]], she proceeded to train the Spartans. She supervised their augmentation procedures, combat training, and education, and studied the effects of the Spartan lifestyle on the children. She kept in close contact with them all throughout their lifetimes, from her base under Reach. To the minor annoyance of the Spartans, Dr. Halsey was capable of identifying them even underneath heavy combat gear or their MJOLNIR armor, and used their first names to prove this time and again. | ||
[[File:Halsey John Wakes Up.png|thumb|left|230px|"Your mother is gone. Everything you know is gone. Now get up. There are things you have to do."]] | [[File:Halsey John Wakes Up.png|thumb|left|230px|"Your mother is gone. Everything you know is gone. Now get up. There are things you have to do."]] | ||
Due to her burdened conscience, Halsey was consistently at odds with ONI Section Three over the course of the SPARTAN-II program. She was irritated by the aloof demeanor exhibited by most ONI personnel toward the moral considerations of the program as well as their constant underestimation of the Spartan candidates, whom she always held in high regard.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''September 23, 2517''</ref><ref name="apr1">'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''April 1, 2525''</ref> ONI also had little patience for hesitation or delays in what they viewed as their prize project, and often compelled Halsey to implement easier and more straightforward—and often also more unethical—solutions, while Halsey tried to do her best to ensure the safety of the candidates,<ref name="for29">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 29''</ref> despite knowing that she could not save them all. When an ONI representative labeled the Spartan washouts as "acceptable losses", Halsey did not view any of them as acceptable.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 31''</ref> Even at the onset of the augmentation procedures, which she knew would kill or cripple a large portion of the candidates, she was considering that they should take more time to test the chemicals before applying them. However, [[Déjà]] pointed out that if she proceeded too slowly and ONI detected a delay, they might replace Halsey with someone less concerned with ethics—and most likely someone less qualified as well, prompting Halsey to stay on board with the project for the sake of the candidates' safety.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 58''</ref> After a number of the SPARTAN-II candidates "washed out" in the augmentations, Halsey had their bodies frozen in cryostasis with no autopsies performed, hoping to find solutions to resuscitate them in time. She guessed that the ONI personnel reporting on the project's progress to the upper echelons of ONI would respond to her apparent unwillingness to let go with their characteristic detachment. | Due to her burdened conscience, Halsey was consistently at odds with ONI Section Three over the course of the SPARTAN-II program. She was irritated by the aloof demeanor exhibited by most ONI personnel toward the moral considerations of the program as well as their constant underestimation of the Spartan candidates, whom she always held in high regard.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''September 23, 2517''</ref><ref name="apr1">'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''April 1, 2525''</ref> ONI also had little patience for hesitation or delays in what they viewed as their prize project, and often compelled Halsey to implement easier and more straightforward—and often also more unethical—solutions, while Halsey tried to do her best to ensure the safety of the candidates,<ref name="for29">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 29''</ref> despite knowing that she could not save them all. When an ONI representative labeled the Spartan washouts as "acceptable losses", Halsey did not view any of them as acceptable.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 31''</ref> Even at the onset of the augmentation procedures, which she knew would kill or cripple a large portion of the candidates, she was considering that they should take more time to test the chemicals before applying them. However, [[Déjà]] pointed out that if she proceeded too slowly and ONI detected a delay, they might replace Halsey with someone less concerned with ethics—and most likely someone less qualified as well, prompting Halsey to stay on board with the project for the sake of the candidates' safety.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 58''</ref> After a number of the SPARTAN-II candidates "washed out" in the augmentations, Halsey had their bodies frozen in cryostasis with no autopsies performed, hoping to find solutions to resuscitate them in time. She guessed that the ONI personnel reporting on the project's progress to the upper echelons of ONI would respond to her apparent unwillingness to let go with their characteristic detachment.<ref name="apr1"/> | ||
By the time she was rescued from Reach by ''Ascendant Justice'', she simply wanted to save as many lives as she could, believing that the war was not one that the UNSC could possibly win. She knew that "her own" Spartans, the Spartan-IIs, could not be persuaded to turn from the war. However, she believed the Spartan-IIIs may not yet have been fully determined to win the war and she set out to try and weaken their resolve to fight.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 342''</ref> Although she was worried about Ackerson co-opting her work on the Spartan augmentations potentially ending in disaster, | By the time she was rescued from Reach by ''Ascendant Justice'', she simply wanted to save as many lives as she could, believing that the war was not one that the UNSC could possibly win. She knew that "her own" Spartans, the Spartan-IIs, could not be persuaded to turn from the war. However, she believed the Spartan-IIIs may not yet have been fully determined to win the war and she set out to try and weaken their resolve to fight.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 342''</ref> Although she was worried about Ackerson co-opting her work on the Spartan augmentations potentially ending in disaster,<ref name="journal"/> Halsey respected the Spartan-IIIs themselves and felt responsible for them.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 173-178''</ref> She believed that the [[Spartan-IV]]s were incapable of being ''true'' Spartans due to their nature as adult volunteers and perceived lack of professionalism. Nonetheless, she did imply that some, (namely [[Gabriel Thorne]]), came closer to her ideals than others.<ref name="dhand"/> | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
At some point, Halsey gave a eulogy for [[SPARTAN-B312]], in which she commended the Spartan's courage and sacrifice. She noted that Noble Six's choice to remain behind in | At some point, Halsey gave a eulogy for [[SPARTAN-B312]], in which she commended the Spartan's courage and sacrifice. She noted that Noble Six's choice to remain behind in Aszod allowed humanity to discover the Halos, ultimately leading to victory against the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Lone Wolf]]''</ref> | ||
===Reputation=== | ===Reputation=== | ||
[[File:FoR - Ackerson n Halsey.png|thumb|250px|Halsey and her rival, Colonel James Ackerson.]] | [[File:FoR - Ackerson n Halsey.png|right|thumb|250px|Halsey and her rival, Colonel James Ackerson.]] | ||
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|1=Sarah Palmer | |1=Sarah Palmer | ||
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Halsey's projects and the results they yielded gained her widespread acclaim and sympathies among many high-ranking members of the UNSC military, such as [[Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth|Stanforth]], her most powerful ally within ONI, and [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood|Hood]], who deeply respected Halsey and her Spartans who had saved his own life twice, to the extent that he verbally rebuked Colonel Ackerson for detracting the Spartan-IIs.<ref name="hood">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 104'' (2003)</ref> However, she also garnered a number of competitors and opponents over the decades. The most notable of her rivals was [[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson|Ackerson]], who constantly tried to spy on her and co-opted her work while attempting to sabotage the SPARTAN-II program. Her former student [[Ellen Anders]] also resented Halsey, saying "She hated me and I hated her."<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''' ''manual, character profiles''</ref> ONI Commander-in-Chief, [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]], was resentful of Halsey, perceiving the doctor's aversion for control and her general lack of loyalty to ONI as a threat. The Admiral only tolerated Halsey because she was so crucial to the war effort,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 48''</ref> but had her detained immediately after the end of the war. Parangosky's antipathy for Halsey was passed on to [[Serin Osman]], a Spartan-II washout whom the Admiral specifically indoctrinated and groomed to become her successor to secure her personal legacy within ONI, and ultimately culminated in Osman ordering Halsey's assassination after the Covenant abducted the doctor during the [[Requiem | Halsey's projects and the results they yielded gained her widespread acclaim and sympathies among many high-ranking members of the UNSC military, such as [[Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth|Stanforth]], her most powerful ally within ONI, and [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood|Hood]], who deeply respected Halsey and her Spartans who had saved his own life twice, to the extent that he verbally rebuked Colonel Ackerson for detracting the Spartan-IIs.<ref name="hood">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 104'' (2003)</ref> However, she also garnered a number of competitors and opponents over the decades. The most notable of her rivals was [[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson|Ackerson]], who constantly tried to spy on her and co-opted her work while attempting to sabotage the SPARTAN-II program. Her former student [[Ellen Anders]] also resented Halsey, saying "She hated me and I hated her."<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''' ''manual, character profiles''</ref> ONI Commander-in-Chief, [[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]], was resentful of Halsey, perceiving the doctor's aversion for control and her general lack of loyalty to ONI as a threat. The Admiral only tolerated Halsey because she was so crucial to the war effort,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 48''</ref> but had her detained immediately after the end of the war. Parangosky's antipathy for Halsey was passed on to [[Serin Osman]], a Spartan-II washout whom the Admiral specifically indoctrinated and groomed to become her successor to secure her personal legacy within ONI, and ultimately culminated in Osman ordering Halsey's assassination after the Covenant abducted the doctor during the [[Second Battle of Requiem]]. Parangosky's, and later Osman's, AI attaché [[Black-Box]] also had an intense dislike of Halsey. This was, at least partly, passed on from his brain donor, [[Graham Alban|Dr. Graham Alban]], who worked with Halsey on the SPARTAN-II program and eventually committed suicide over his guilt. Both Alban and BB doubted the sincerity of Halsey's doubts about the ethics of her work and viewed her as genuinely amoral.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''pages 490-492''</ref> | ||
Many of those unfamiliar with the internal dynamics of ONI and the SPARTAN-II program have come to interpret Halsey and her work in a highly negative light. Despite the predominant role of ONI and the UNSC Naval leadership in the conception and execution of the SPARTAN-II program, Dr. Halsey is often perceived as the sole individual responsible, due to her conspicuous position as the project head.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 178''</ref> Taking advantage of this, ONI prefers to attribute some of the more controversial aspects of the project to their alleged lack of sufficient oversight.<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=96218485&postcount=40 '''NeoGaf:''' ''Was Dr. Halsey justified, ultimately, in creating the Spartan-II program in Halo? — View Single Post''] ([[Frank O'Connor]]: ''"Other even less savory characters are trying to harm her legacy to boost their own careers. And they're doing it by illuminating her prior actions in an ugly way."'')</ref> [[Black-Box]] even privately acknowledges to Serin Osman that the main reason for Halsey's fall from grace is to conceal or minimize the responsibility of the many others who participated in the project.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata'''</ref> Although she was responsible for much of the program's scientific basis and harbored no illusions otherwise, Halsey was under ONI's constant supervision and was even repeatedly pressured by Section III to use more inhumane means for faster results. | Many of those unfamiliar with the internal dynamics of ONI and the SPARTAN-II program have come to interpret Halsey and her work in a highly negative light. Despite the predominant role of ONI and the UNSC Naval leadership in the conception and execution of the SPARTAN-II program, Dr. Halsey is often perceived as the sole individual responsible, due to her conspicuous position as the project head.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 178''</ref> Taking advantage of this, ONI prefers to attribute some of the more controversial aspects of the project to their alleged lack of sufficient oversight.<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=96218485&postcount=40 '''NeoGaf:''' ''Was Dr. Halsey justified, ultimately, in creating the Spartan-II program in Halo? — View Single Post''] ([[Frank O'Connor]]: ''"Other even less savory characters are trying to harm her legacy to boost their own careers. And they're doing it by illuminating her prior actions in an ugly way."'')</ref> [[Black-Box]] even privately acknowledges to Serin Osman that the main reason for Halsey's fall from grace is to conceal or minimize the responsibility of the many others who participated in the project.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata'''</ref> Although she was responsible for much of the program's scientific basis and harbored no illusions otherwise, Halsey was under ONI's constant supervision and was even repeatedly pressured by Section III to use more inhumane means for faster results.<ref name="for29"/> Many have also interpreted her primary motivation as a supposed perverse scientific curiosity, ignoring—or unaware of—her sincere determination to prevent further excessive bloodshed in the Insurrection and her initial naiveté in failing to grasp the full moral ramifications of her work until witnessing it in practice.<ref name="HJ12410"/> | ||
[[File: | [[File:Spops_HalseyMarines.jpg|thumb|left|275px|Two Marines escort a handcuffed Halsey aboard UNSC ''Infinity''.]] | ||
Such views often have their basis on information provided by the Office of Naval Intelligence, which has frequently used highly selective or outright false information to shift the blame for some of ONI's more questionable decisions (that she could be reasonably connected to) on Halsey alone. While she was publicly declared to have died on Reach, | Such views often have their basis on information provided by the Office of Naval Intelligence, which has frequently used highly selective or outright false information to shift the blame for some of ONI's more questionable decisions (that she could be reasonably connected to) on Halsey alone. While she was publicly declared to have died on Reach,<ref name="glass341"/> she would be branded as a dangerous war criminal in the eyes of any UNSC personnel she would come in contact with, such as the crew of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. This campaign was headed by Admiral Parangosky, who had sought to place the doctor under tighter control for decades; Parangosky's policies were carried on to her heir, Serin Osman, seemingly unchanged.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 82''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''pages 109-110''</ref> [[Musa-096]] also demonstrated resentment toward Halsey due to the questionable ethics of the SPARTAN-II program.<ref>'''[[Halo: Initiation]]''', [[Halo: Initiation Issue 1|Issue 1]]''</ref> While working with [[Kilo-Five]], [[Naomi-010]] also adopted a less sympathetic view of Halsey. Some of the [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]] have also accepted this perspective on Halsey, particularly [[Sarah Palmer]], who regards the doctor with a particular contempt (though this may be due to Halsey's own open disdain for the SPARTAN-IV program); [[Gabriel Thorne]], on the other hand, was less quick to judge Halsey and sought to uncover the reasons behind her decisions rather than condemning her based on the official story alone.<ref name="dhand"/> | ||
[[Franklin Mendez|CPO Franklin Mendez]], the chief instructor for the Spartan-IIs and later the Spartan-IIIs, was on amicable terms with Halsey at the time of their involvement with the SPARTAN-II program. After being reunited with Halsey on Onyx, however, Mendez began to reflect on his own past and, still in denial about his own major part in ONI's morally questionable projects, he quickly became disillusioned with the doctor. The two clashed verbally several times while trapped in the [[Trevelyan|shield world]], with Mendez attempting to project his own guilt on Halsey by delivering lengthy harangues impugning her perceived faults and her work on the SPARTAN-II project.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''pages 269-271, 331-334''</ref> | [[Franklin Mendez|CPO Franklin Mendez]], the chief instructor for the Spartan-IIs and later the Spartan-IIIs, was on amicable terms with Halsey at the time of their involvement with the SPARTAN-II program. After being reunited with Halsey on Onyx, however, Mendez began to reflect on his own past and, still in denial about his own major part in ONI's morally questionable projects, he quickly became disillusioned with the doctor. The two clashed verbally several times while trapped in the [[Trevelyan|shield world]], with Mendez attempting to project his own guilt on Halsey by delivering lengthy harangues impugning her perceived faults and her work on the SPARTAN-II project.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''pages 269-271, 331-334''</ref> | ||
The [[ | The [[Assembly]] took note of Halsey's work early on and concluded that she would be instrumental in initiating the course of events leading up to their own elusive goals. Additionally, they speculated that her supposed ruthlessness may have been the result of an undiagnosed or deliberately obfuscated chemical imbalance.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Data pads|Data pad 7]]''</ref> | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
===Personal life and relationships=== | ===Personal life and relationships=== | ||
Halsey is a generally asocial person, extremely devoted to her work and personal goals, and rarely partakes in any social activities, apart from her occasional attendance in academic and military social gatherings despite her dislike of such events. | Halsey is a generally asocial person, extremely devoted to her work and personal goals, and rarely partakes in any social activities, apart from her occasional attendance in academic and military social gatherings despite her dislike of such events.<ref name="fs225"/><ref name="HJ12410"/> Though she had distanced herself from most of her friends from her youth, she would often browse through casualty lists within the [[UNSC subnet]], finding the majority of them dead by the final years of the war.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''September 5, 2547''</ref> She remained rather indifferent to her parents' deaths when Endymion was glassed, as she had not seen them in years and had grown aloof from them.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 267''</ref> She prefers the company of AIs and admires their complexity in comparison to humans despite being angered at being mentally defeated by them.<ref name="fs129">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 129''</ref> | ||
Nevertheless, she remained particularly close to a few people, even if she rarely saw them. When listing her most important relationships and connections in her journal, she mentioned [[Michael Stanforth|"the Vice Admiral"]], [[Franklin Mendez|Mendez]], [[:Category:Spartan-IIs|her Spartans]], [[Alizée]], [[Kalmiya]] and [[Jorjet]], as well as [[Jacob Keyes|Jacob]] and [[Miranda Keyes]]. | Nevertheless, she remained particularly close to a few people, even if she rarely saw them. When listing her most important relationships and connections in her journal, she mentioned [[Michael Stanforth|"the Vice Admiral"]], [[Franklin Mendez|Mendez]], [[:Category:Spartan-IIs|her Spartans]], [[Alizée]], [[Kalmiya]] and [[Jorjet]], as well as [[Jacob Keyes|Jacob]] and [[Miranda Keyes]].<ref name="journal"/> | ||
====Jacob Keyes==== | ====Jacob Keyes==== | ||
[[File:Halseykeyes.png|250px|thumb|Jacob Keyes accompanies Dr. Halsey.]] | [[File:Halseykeyes.png|250px|thumb|right|Jacob Keyes accompanies Dr. Halsey.]] | ||
During her survey travels for the SPARTAN-II candidates, Halsey was required to be supervised by a military official, an order she resented. She ended up choosing then-[[Lieutenant, Junior Grade]] [[Jacob Keyes]]. Halsey had examined his files and found he had refused to testify against one of his instructors despite the teacher's error causing the deaths of 14 students. From this Halsey deduced that Keyes could be trusted to keep a secret, a useful trait in her unethical mission. The two were initially aloof to each other aboard the ''Han'', especially since Keyes did not initially know the purpose of their mission. He eventually realized it, though, and discussed with Halsey about the implications of her project and her decision to tell the child [[Soren-066|Soren]] the truth. By the time they parted after two months working together, Keyes and Halsey were on much more amicable terms, to the point that Halsey began sketching him frequently in her journal and even referred to him as "my lieutenant". For his safety and in thanks, Keyes was reassigned but given a full [[Lieutenant (UNSC)|lieutenant]] commission, at Halsey's request. | During her survey travels for the SPARTAN-II candidates, Halsey was required to be supervised by a military official, an order she resented. She ended up choosing then-[[Lieutenant, Junior Grade]] [[Jacob Keyes]]. Halsey had examined his files and found he had refused to testify against one of his instructors despite the teacher's error causing the deaths of 14 students. From this Halsey deduced that Keyes could be trusted to keep a secret, a useful trait in her unethical mission. The two were initially aloof to each other aboard the ''Han'', especially since Keyes did not initially know the purpose of their mission. He eventually realized it, though, and discussed with Halsey about the implications of her project and her decision to tell the child [[Soren-066|Soren]] the truth.<ref group="note">In ''[[Pariah]]'', Keyes knew the reason behind Dr. Halsey's observation mission. However, ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' and Halsey's journal clearly indicate that Keyes was unaware of the mission's true nature, though it is implied that he later found out as he told an adult John-117 that they had met before.</ref> By the time they parted after two months working together, Keyes and Halsey were on much more amicable terms, to the point that Halsey began sketching him frequently in her journal and even referred to him as "my lieutenant". For his safety and in thanks, Keyes was reassigned but given a full [[Lieutenant (UNSC)|lieutenant]] commission, at Halsey's request. | ||
In November [[2524]] the two were reunited while attending a conference at the [[University of Calippus]], and the two conceived a child, Miranda. While she initially raised her daughter on Reach for several years, Halsey's work impeded her from being able to care for Miranda, and Jacob ended up raising her instead. The two did not see each other again until August 12, 2552, a moment that Halsey had both hoped for but dreaded. Keyes still remained a gentleman to her, and they spoke at length on the topics of Miranda, the Spartans, and his "[[Keyes Loop]]", and his assigning to [[Operation: RED FLAG|RED FLAG]], also at Halsey's request. It was the last time the two saw each other before Keyes's death at [[Installation 04]]. | In November [[2524]] the two were reunited while attending a conference at the [[University of Calippus]], and the two [[Reproduction|conceived]] a child, Miranda. While she initially raised her daughter on Reach for several years, Halsey's work impeded her from being able to care for Miranda, and Jacob ended up raising her instead. The two did not see each other again until August 12, 2552, a moment that Halsey had both hoped for but dreaded. Keyes still remained a gentleman to her, and they spoke at length on the topics of Miranda, the Spartans, and his "[[Keyes Loop]]", and his assigning to [[Operation: RED FLAG|RED FLAG]], also at Halsey's request. It was the last time the two saw each other before Keyes's death at [[Installation 04]]. | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
====Miranda Keyes==== | ====Miranda Keyes==== | ||
[[File:Young Miranda.png|thumb|left|250px|Halsey's sketches of a young Miranda.]] | [[File:Young Miranda.png|thumb|left|250px|Halsey's sketches of a young Miranda.]] | ||
In [[2525]], Catherine gave birth to [[Miranda Keyes|Miranda Halsey]] and raised her for a few years until July 12, [[2531]] when Miranda's father agreed to take her in, raising her on [[Luna]]. Halsey would later have a falling-out with Miranda, who would later change her legal name to her father's and refuse to speak to Halsey for several years. Nonetheless, Halsey cared for her daughter and attempted to dissuade her from following her father's footsteps and joining the military, to no avail. Hoping to keep Miranda safe, Halsey used her influence within the UNSC to have her assigned to a remote post aboard the science vessel {{UNSCShip|Hilbert}}; however, Miranda and the ''Hilbert'' would play a crucial role in battle, and she was subsequently assigned to various front-line posts. Though Miranda eventually invited Halsey to her promotion ceremony in [[2550]], Halsey chose not to attend. | In [[2525]], Catherine gave birth to [[Miranda Keyes|Miranda Halsey]] and raised her for a few years until July 12, [[2531]] when Miranda's father agreed to take her in, raising her on [[Luna]]. Halsey would later have a falling-out with Miranda, who would later change her legal name to her father's and refuse to speak to Halsey for several years. Nonetheless, Halsey cared for her daughter and attempted to dissuade her from following her father's footsteps and joining the military, to no avail. Hoping to keep Miranda safe, Halsey used her influence within the UNSC to have her assigned to a remote post aboard the science vessel {{UNSCShip|Hilbert}}; however, Miranda and the ''Hilbert'' would play a crucial role in battle, and she was subsequently assigned to various front-line posts. Though Miranda eventually invited Halsey to her promotion ceremony in [[2550]], Halsey chose not to attend.<ref name="journal"/> Perhaps out of denial of her absence from Miranda's life, Halsey rarely referred to her daughter by name in her journal, or would mention Miranda while avoiding the detail that they were related. However, Miranda still remained on her mind during their estrangement, and Halsey kept a memento of Miranda's victory and promotion at the [[Battle of Gamma Pavonis VII]]. She also had a photo of Miranda in her office under [[CASTLE Base]]. | ||
After her arrest by ONI in 2553, Halsey was informed that Miranda Keyes was dead, having been killed by the [[Prophet of Truth]] at the [[Battle of the Citadel]]. [[Black-Box]] later oversaw Halsey crying and whispering her daughter's name.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 267''</ref> | After her arrest by ONI in 2553, Halsey was informed that Miranda Keyes was dead, having been killed by the [[Prophet of Truth]] at the [[Battle of the Citadel]]. [[Black-Box]] later oversaw Halsey crying and whispering her daughter's name.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 267''</ref> | ||
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====John-117==== | ====John-117==== | ||
[[File:Halo TFoR HalseyJohnhelmet.jpg|thumb|300px|John, at 14 years of age, having his original Mjolnir helmet put on by Dr. Halsey.]] | [[File:Halo TFoR HalseyJohnhelmet.jpg|right|thumb|300px|John, at 14 years of age, having his original Mjolnir helmet put on by Dr. Halsey.]] | ||
{{quote|This boy could be more useful to the UNSC than a fleet of [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]]s, a thousand [[Lieutenant, Junior Grade|Junior Grade Lieutenants]] -- or even ''me''. In the end, the child may be the only thing that makes ''any'' difference.|Halsey speaking to [[Jacob Keyes|Lt. Jr. Grade Jacob Keyes]], referring to John-117.}} | {{quote|This boy could be more useful to the UNSC than a fleet of [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]]s, a thousand [[Lieutenant, Junior Grade|Junior Grade Lieutenants]] -- or even ''me''. In the end, the child may be the only thing that makes ''any'' difference.|Halsey speaking to [[Jacob Keyes|Lt. Jr. Grade Jacob Keyes]], referring to John-117.}} | ||
Halsey had a unique relationship with [[John-117]], compared to the other Spartans. John was the first subject for the Spartan program that she observed, and during then she noted his determination, physical skill, and luck in answering correctly. Halsey told Cortana she considers him the luckiest and best of the Spartans and apparently also finds him attractive on a subconscious level, given her embarrassed reaction to Cortana's comments.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 236'' (2001)</ref> The doctor was responsible for John's first promotion to Squad Leader as a result of her acknowledging his leadership skills and suggesting it to Mendez. She also had John's full trust, him always doing his best to never undermine her authority. | Halsey had a unique relationship with [[John-117]], compared to the other Spartans. John was the first subject for the Spartan program that she observed, and during then she noted his determination, physical skill, and luck in answering correctly. Halsey told Cortana she considers him the luckiest and best of the Spartans and apparently also finds him attractive on a subconscious level, given her embarrassed reaction to Cortana's comments.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 236'' (2001)</ref> The doctor was responsible for John's first promotion to Squad Leader as a result of her acknowledging his leadership skills and suggesting it to Mendez. She also had John's full trust, him always doing his best to never undermine her authority. | ||
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After escaping from Reach, Halsey decided to test her favorite Spartan's sense of ethics by handing over two sets of data: one concerning [[Avery Johnson]] and how his [[Boren's Syndrome]] supposedly made him immune to the [[Flood]], and the other omitting those details. She ensured that John knew that if the first set was handed over to ONI, Johnson would likely be killed and dissected in order to find a cure to the Flood infection. She estimated that there is a billion to one shot that they could have replicated Johnson's condition, but conversely ONI would do it to save humanity from a greater foe.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 242-246''</ref> At first, John chose to sacrifice Johnson in order to try and save millions of people out of his duty to protect all of humanity. However, he later reconsidered and eventually destroyed the Johnson data due in part to the sacrifice of [[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]] and [[Lieutenant]] [[Elias Haverson]], believing that one man could make a difference as opposed to sacrificing him for the greater good.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 329-336''</ref> John's faith in him was fully realized a mere two months later, when Johnson became key in forming an alliance between humans and [[Sangheili]] following the [[Great Schism]] and outbreak of the [[Flood]] in [[2552#November|November 2552]]. | After escaping from Reach, Halsey decided to test her favorite Spartan's sense of ethics by handing over two sets of data: one concerning [[Avery Johnson]] and how his [[Boren's Syndrome]] supposedly made him immune to the [[Flood]], and the other omitting those details. She ensured that John knew that if the first set was handed over to ONI, Johnson would likely be killed and dissected in order to find a cure to the Flood infection. She estimated that there is a billion to one shot that they could have replicated Johnson's condition, but conversely ONI would do it to save humanity from a greater foe.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 242-246''</ref> At first, John chose to sacrifice Johnson in order to try and save millions of people out of his duty to protect all of humanity. However, he later reconsidered and eventually destroyed the Johnson data due in part to the sacrifice of [[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]] and [[Lieutenant]] [[Elias Haverson]], believing that one man could make a difference as opposed to sacrificing him for the greater good.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 329-336''</ref> John's faith in him was fully realized a mere two months later, when Johnson became key in forming an alliance between humans and [[Sangheili]] following the [[Great Schism]] and outbreak of the [[Flood]] in [[2552#November|November 2552]]. | ||
Later, despite John going MIA after the events on Installation 08, Halsey was sure that he was still alive, | Later, despite John going MIA after the events on Installation 08, Halsey was sure that he was still alive,<ref name="Prologue"/> and was furious when she found out that the ''Infinity'''s crew had kept the news of his return secret from her.<ref name="invasion"/> John restored her faith that humanity could win against impossible odds, since he had brought about the end of the Human-Covenant war despite her belief in its latter months that it was unwinnable. | ||
====Cortana==== | ====Cortana==== | ||
[[File:HaloReach - Finale.png|thumb|left|250px|Halsey facing Cortana, her literal brainchild.]] | [[File:HaloReach - Finale.png|thumb|left|250px|Halsey facing Cortana, her literal brainchild.]] | ||
[[Cortana]] was an AI created by Halsey herself, and unique that she was "born" from a cloned brain rather than that of a deceased donor. Halsey considered her to be much like herself when she was just out of college, "so wonderful and naive and eager to learn" | [[Cortana]] was an AI created by Halsey herself, and unique that she was "born" from a cloned brain rather than that of a deceased donor. Halsey considered her to be much like herself when she was just out of college, "so wonderful and naive and eager to learn"<ref name="journal"/> and constantly eager to state her knowledge to anyone listening.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 218''</ref> Her appearance also reminded Halsey a little bit of Miranda. Like all her AIs, Halsey implanted a viral termination code in Cortana, but she suspected, and seemed amused by, the possibility that Cortana had already discovered it and removed it. | ||
Halsey would treat Cortana as an equal, especially in the missions regarding her, letting Cortana chose who would be her couriers. For Operation: RED FLAG, Cortana chose the ''Pillar of Autumn'' and John-117 to escort her. When her fragment had to be delivered to | Halsey would treat Cortana as an equal, especially in the missions regarding her, letting Cortana chose who would be her couriers. For Operation: RED FLAG, Cortana chose the ''Pillar of Autumn'' and John-117 to escort her. When her fragment had to be delivered to Aszod, Cortana chose [[SPARTAN-B312]] of NOBLE Team to be the one to defend her. Halsey agreed with each of her choices, and wondered if her preferences were what subconsciously influenced Cortana, or if it were simply that "great minds do think alike." | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
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{{Quote|This human is more trouble than she is worth.|Jul 'Mdama, remarking on Halsey's lack of apparent progress deciphering the signals between Cortana and the Guardians.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''campaign level [[Osiris (level)|Osiris]]''</ref>}} | {{Quote|This human is more trouble than she is worth.|Jul 'Mdama, remarking on Halsey's lack of apparent progress deciphering the signals between Cortana and the Guardians.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''campaign level [[Osiris (level)|Osiris]]''</ref>}} | ||
While Halsey colluded voluntarily with 'Mdama's schemes to acquire the other half of the Janus Key, she was only ever using him for his resources, hoping to claim the Librarian's "gift" for herself. She offered strategic advice, recommending the colony of [[Oban]] as a target, and encouraged Jul to drop his show of piety between the two of them | While Halsey colluded voluntarily with 'Mdama's schemes to acquire the other half of the Janus Key, she was only ever using him for his resources, hoping to claim the Librarian's "gift" for herself. She offered strategic advice, recommending the colony of [[Oban]] as a target, and encouraged Jul to drop his show of piety between the two of them<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''issue #13''</ref>, and was even trusted enough by Jul to go out into the field with a [[Zealot]] escort during the battle of Aktis IV.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''issue #15''</ref> Nevertheless, when both the Covenant and the UNSC finally reached the Absolute Record, Halsey was quick to turn on 'Mdama, turning the Installation's Sentinels on him and his men.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''issue #23''</ref> While Jul recovered Halsey from the Installation as they escaped its self-destruction, not realising her betrayal, the Covenant leader began to realise that was "more trouble than she is worth."<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''issue #24''</ref> During the Covenant's occupation of Kamchatka, Halsey finally took the final step in dissolving their alliance, calling in [[Fireteam Osiris|a Spartan team]] to extract her in exchange for crucial information on the Guardians. This resulted in 'Mdama's death before her, an event that went unremarked upon by Halsey.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians,''' ''Osiris''</ref> | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
==Skills and abilities== | ==Skills and abilities== | ||
With an IQ of roughly 200,<ref name="WaypointCatherineHalsey"/> Halsey is one of the most intelligent humans alive in the 26th century.<ref>[[Archive:Letter - Dr. Halsey|Halopedia letter to Eric Nylund]]</ref> She is also a noted polymath, her expertise and knowledge making her a professional in multiple fields. She has formal degrees as a medical doctor and computer scientist,<ref name="HFS13"/><ref name="alph"/> and she has demonstrated remarkable skill in AI development, quantum theory and slipspace-related phenomena, the engineering of military equipment such as power armor and related technologies, as well as [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] research into Forerunner technology and the translation of [[Forerunner symbols]]. Because of her extensive contributions to AI development, Halsey is capable of holding her own against [[smart AI]]s,<ref name="invasion"/><ref name="HFS13"/> using her expertise to exploit secret programming backdoors or philosophical puzzles to control or manipulate constructs as advanced as fifth-generation smart AI.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 178-179''</ref> She types at a rate of 140 words per minute.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 177''</ref> Her skills as an artist, as demonstrated by the plethora of drawings in her journal, have also been noted.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 433''</ref> Catherine Halsey was also able to perfectly understand [[Jul 'Mdama]], indicating that she has some knowledge of the [[Sangheili (language)|Sangheili language]].<ref name="Spops8"/> | |||
According to the [[Librarian]], a [[geas]] she planted into the human genome 100,000 years earlier encouraged the development of many of the technologies Halsey created in order to prepare humanity for a major threat they would be forced to confront as [[Reclaimer]]s.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> The Librarian's stored essence on Requiem placed a particular responsibility on Halsey, giving her the [[Janus Key]] to advance humanity. | According to the [[Librarian]], a [[geas]] she planted into the human genome 100,000 years earlier encouraged the development of many of the technologies Halsey created in order to prepare humanity for a major threat they would be forced to confront as [[Reclaimer]]s.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> The Librarian's stored essence on Requiem placed a particular responsibility on Halsey, giving her the [[Janus Key]] to advance humanity.<ref name="s1key"/> | ||
==Attire and personal effects== | ==Attire and personal effects== | ||
[[File:HalseyHaloReach.png|thumb|250px|Halsey wearing a parka in her SWORD Base archaeological dig.]] | [[File:HalseyHaloReach.png|thumb|250px|Halsey wearing a parka in her SWORD Base archaeological dig.]] | ||
Because she is most often occupied with her work, Halsey typically wears a lab coat. On Reach she was often seen wearing a skirt although she has later shown to don the standard ONI scientist utility clothes with a blue tunic and pants under her lab coat. When outdoors in Reach's Highlands and in her SWORD base archaeological site she often wore a heavy parka because of the cold.<ref name="journal">Halsey's Journal</ref> She has a set of antique<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 121''</ref> bifocal | Because she is most often occupied with her work, Halsey typically wears a lab coat. On Reach she was often seen wearing a skirt although she has later shown to don the standard ONI scientist utility clothes with a blue tunic and pants under her lab coat. When outdoors in Reach's Highlands and in her SWORD base archaeological site she often wore a heavy parka because of the cold.<ref name="journal">Halsey's Journal</ref><ref name="thepackage"/> She has a set of antique<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 121''</ref> bifocal<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 119''</ref> glasses which feature a variety of functions, including a [[heads-up display]], a retinal and brain pattern scanner,<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 56''</ref> as well as automatic polarization.<ref name="goo345"/> The frames contain tiny projectors which can beam classified data directly onto her retina.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 231''</ref> However, she seems to have largely abandoned her use of the glasses in the post-war era.<ref group="note">Although Halsey is described as wearing glasses throughout Eric Nylund's novels, ''[[Homecoming]]'' is so far the only piece of visual media to include them.</ref> | ||
She typically carries a personal [[Portable computer|laptop]] on her as well as a purse, the latter containing a [[data pad]], a pocket archive, a change of clothes, self-amalgamating tape, a pocket saw, a solar power pack, medications, a folding knife, her mother's antique Patek Philippe luxury watch, as well as coffee for "emergencies".<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 262''</ref> Halsey had several personal AIs, including [[Jerrod]], who could run on her laptop, and [[Kalmiya]], who served as her assistant on Reach.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 126''</ref> Halsey had a snowglobe on her desk in her CASTLE Base office, containing a three-centimeter-tall representation of the Matterhorn being scaled by a tiny Swiss climber.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 191''</ref> | She typically carries a personal [[Portable computer|laptop]] on her as well as a purse, the latter containing a [[data pad]], a pocket archive, a change of clothes, self-amalgamating tape, a pocket saw, a solar power pack, medications, a folding knife, her mother's antique Patek Philippe luxury watch, as well as coffee for "emergencies".<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 262''</ref> Halsey had several personal AIs, including [[Jerrod]], who could run on her laptop, and [[Kalmiya]], who served as her assistant on Reach.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 126''</ref> Halsey had a snowglobe on her desk in her CASTLE Base office, containing a three-centimeter-tall representation of the Matterhorn being scaled by a tiny Swiss climber.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 191''</ref> | ||
Halsey kept [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|a journal]] with her ever since she was eighteen, purchased from a shop on Reach. She used the journal as a medium through which to express her thoughts and concerns, draw sketches, and map out important research notes for approximately forty-two years. It was not Halsey's only journal, since she had a second one for note-taking and also had an encrypted audio journal on her computer, though she sometimes erased its entries soon after recording them.<ref>'''Halo: Fall of Reach''' - ''Bootcamp Issue 1''</ref> Halsey frequently left her first journal lying around buried under papers, and procrastinated on adding some security measures to it to prevent it from being stolen.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''March 18, 2543''</ref> This absent-mindedness eventually backfired on her when she forgot the journal during her escape from [[SWORD Base]]. The journal was later recovered by ONI in [[2553]], and used as evidence to condemn her. | Halsey kept [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|a journal]] with her ever since she was eighteen, purchased from a shop on Reach. She used the journal as a medium through which to express her thoughts and concerns, draw sketches, and map out important research notes for approximately forty-two years. It was not Halsey's only journal, since she had a second one for note-taking and also had an encrypted audio journal on her computer, though she sometimes erased its entries soon after recording them.<ref>'''Halo: Fall of Reach''' - ''Bootcamp Issue 1''</ref> Halsey frequently left her first journal lying around buried under papers, and procrastinated on adding some security measures to it to prevent it from being stolen.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''', ''March 18, 2543''</ref> This absent-mindedness eventually backfired on her when she forgot the journal during her escape from [[SWORD Base]]. The journal was later recovered by ONI in [[2553]], and used as evidence to condemn her. | ||
==Production notes== | ==Production notes== | ||
{{Linkbox|quote=yes|gallery=yes}} | {{Linkbox|quote=yes|gallery=yes}} | ||
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[Halo 4]]'', ''[[Halo 5: Guardians | *In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[Halo 4]]'', and ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', Dr. Halsey is voiced by [[Jen Taylor]], who also voices Cortana, reinforcing the connection between the two characters. This is mirrored in ''Halo Legends'' (which predates the three games), in which [[Shelley Calene-Black]] voices both Halsey and Cortana.<ref>'''''Halo: Legends''''' credits</ref> | ||
*A number of Dr. Halsey's statements are echoed by similar statements by Cortana in the ''Halo'' games. In ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', when John-117 explains his plan to board the [[Unrelenting|Covenant ship]] near [[Chi Ceti IV]], Halsey states, ''"One slight error in your trajectory, and you could miss by kilometers"'', to which John replies, ''"I don't miss, ma'am."''<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', '' page 120'' (2001)</ref> A strikingly similar exchange occurs in ''[[Halo 2]]'', with Cortana asking, ''"What if you miss?"'' and John responding, ''"I won't"''. Many of Cortana's lines during the [[Cortana moments and Gravemind moments|Cortana moments]] in ''Halo 3'' are direct quotes or slight paraphrases of Halsey's statements to the Spartans in ''Halo: The Fall of Reach''. In ''[[ | *A number of Dr. Halsey's statements are echoed by similar statements by Cortana in the ''Halo'' games. In ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', when John-117 explains his plan to board the [[Unrelenting|Covenant ship]] near [[Chi Ceti IV]], Halsey states, ''"One slight error in your trajectory, and you could miss by kilometers"'', to which John replies, ''"I don't miss, ma'am."''<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', '' page 120'' (2001)</ref> A strikingly similar exchange occurs in ''[[Halo 2]]'', with Cortana asking, ''"What if you miss?"'' and John responding, ''"I won't"''. Many of Cortana's lines during the [[Cortana moments and Gravemind moments|Cortana moments]] in ''Halo 3'' are direct quotes or slight paraphrases of Halsey's statements to the Spartans in ''Halo: The Fall of Reach''. In ''[[The Package]]'', Halsey tells John-117 that she slept well, ''"No thanks to their driving,"'' which is echoed in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' when he tells Cortana he slept well ''"... no thanks to [her] driving"''. She also tells John, ''"Don't make a girl a promise if you know you can't keep it,"'' which Cortana would tell him in ''Halo 2''. | ||
*In ''Halo Legends'', Halsey's appearance was portrayed with a great deal of artistic license. In ''The Package'', at which point she is aged fifty-two, she is depicted as a young woman with short, blonde hair and no glasses. Her appearance in ''Homecoming'' however, is closer to her description from the books, though that short also portrays her as blonde. In the developer commentary for ''Homecoming'' [[Frank O'Connor]] states, "''People tend to think of her as older than she's portrayed... and part of that was simply—you know—it's anime, and they want everyone to be attractive and young. I mean, that's one of the hallmarks anime... I think that IG took the safer of the two routes and sort of disguised her appearance and disguised her age by having it literally obscured by her hair and her glasses and to a certain extent her uniform.''" In ''The Package'' commentary he explains, "''She was definitely one of those back-and-forth conversations [with Casio Entertainment]; 'Can you make her older? Can you make her older?' And eventually we got to this compromise... I think if we were casting a real-life actress we'd cast someone a lot older, but in anime the context is fine and it works.'"'' | *In ''Halo Legends'', Halsey's appearance was portrayed with a great deal of artistic license. In ''The Package'', at which point she is aged fifty-two, she is depicted as a young woman with short, blonde hair and no glasses. Her appearance in ''Homecoming'' however, is closer to her description from the books, though that short also portrays her as blonde. In the developer commentary for ''Homecoming'' [[Frank O'Connor]] states, "''People tend to think of her as older than she's portrayed... and part of that was simply—you know—it's anime, and they want everyone to be attractive and young. I mean, that's one of the hallmarks anime... I think that IG took the safer of the two routes and sort of disguised her appearance and disguised her age by having it literally obscured by her hair and her glasses and to a certain extent her uniform.''" In ''The Package'' commentary he explains, "''She was definitely one of those back-and-forth conversations [with Casio Entertainment]; 'Can you make her older? Can you make her older?' And eventually we got to this compromise... I think if we were casting a real-life actress we'd cast someone a lot older, but in anime the context is fine and it works.'"'' | ||
*''Halo: First Strike'' states that Halsey never refers to the Spartan-IIs by their numerical designations, using only their names. In ''Homecoming'', however, she refers to Daisy-023 as ''"Twenty-Three"'' when trying to convince her to return to the SPARTAN-II program. | *''Halo: First Strike'' states that Halsey never refers to the Spartan-IIs by their numerical designations, using only their names. In ''Homecoming'', however, she refers to Daisy-023 as ''"Twenty-Three"'' when trying to convince her to return to the SPARTAN-II program. | ||
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File:Halsey 2.jpg|Halsey overlooking [[Daisy-023]]'s Spartan augmentations. | File:Halsey 2.jpg|Halsey overlooking [[Daisy-023]]'s Spartan augmentations. | ||
File:Halsey Hornet.jpg|Halsey in an [[AV-14 Hornet]], informing Daisy-023 about the purpose of her flash-clone. | File:Halsey Hornet.jpg|Halsey in an [[AV-14 Hornet]], informing Daisy-023 about the purpose of her flash-clone. | ||
File:LegendsPackage - Halsey.png|A render of Catherine Halsey in ''[[ | File:LegendsPackage - Halsey.png|A render of Catherine Halsey in ''[[The Package]]''. | ||
File:HR_HalseyFace_Concept.jpg|A concept portrait of Halsey for ''Halo: Reach''. | File:HR_HalseyFace_Concept.jpg|A concept portrait of Halsey for ''Halo: Reach''. | ||
File:HR_Halsey_Concept_1.jpg|''Halo: Reach'' concept art. | File:HR_Halsey_Concept_1.jpg|''Halo: Reach'' concept art. | ||
File:Halsey_Badge.jpg|Dr. Halsey's [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] security badge. | File:Halsey_Badge.jpg|Dr. Halsey's [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] security badge. | ||
File:Halsey ID badge.png|Halsey's security badge under natural light, partial black light, and total black light. | File:Halsey ID badge.png|Halsey's security badge under natural light, partial black light, and total black light. | ||
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File:H4-Bio-DoctorHalsey.png|Profile sheet of Catherine Halsey. | File:H4-Bio-DoctorHalsey.png|Profile sheet of Catherine Halsey. | ||
File:Halsey Escalation.jpg|Halsey in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''. | File:Halsey Escalation.jpg|Halsey in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''. | ||
File:Halo Escalation 23.jpg|Halsey on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation#23]]''. | File:Halo Escalation 23.jpg|Halsey on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation #23]]''. | ||
File:Halo Escalation 24.jpg|Halsey on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation#24]]''. | File:Halo Escalation 24.jpg|Halsey on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation #24]]''. | ||
File:HtT-Halsey.gif|Halsey in ''[[Hunt the Signal]]''. | File:HtT-Halsey.gif|Halsey in ''[[Hunt the Signal]]''. | ||
File:HTFOR-Halsey.png|Halsey in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''. | File:HTFOR-Halsey.png|Halsey in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''. | ||
File:H5G-Render-Halsey.png|A render of Halsey in ''Halo 5: Guardians''. | File:H5G-Render-Halsey.png|A render of Halsey in ''Halo 5: Guardians''. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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**''[[The Babysitter]]'' {{Mo}} | **''[[The Babysitter]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
**''[[Homecoming]]'' | **''[[Homecoming]]'' | ||
**''[[ | **''[[The Package]]'' | ||
{{col-3}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'' | *''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'' | ||
**''[[Pariah]]'' | **''[[Pariah]]'' | ||
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**''[[Data pads]]'' {{Mo}} | **''[[Data pads]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
**''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'' | **''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'' | *''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'' | ||
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]'' | **''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]'' | ||
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*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' | *''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' | *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' | ||
**''[[Terminal | **''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' | *''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo 4]]'' | *''[[Halo 4]]'' | ||
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*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | *''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
{{col-3}} | |||
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]'' | *''[[Hunt the Truth]]'' | ||
Line 614: | Line 509: | ||
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]'' | *''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' | *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' | ||
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition | **''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: Ground Command]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' | *''[[Halo Mythos]]'' | ||
Line 620: | Line 515: | ||
**''[[Lessons Learned]]'' {{Mo}} | **''[[Lessons Learned]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
**''[[Rossbach's World (story)|Rossbach's World]]'' {{Mo}} | **''[[Rossbach's World (story)|Rossbach's World]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
Line 626: | Line 520: | ||
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]'' | *''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' | *''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]'' | *''[[Halo: The Television Series]]'' | ||
{{col-end}} | {{col-end}} | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
<references group="note"/> | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
{{ | {{Reflist|3}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Humans|Halsey, Catherine]] | ||
[[Category:Scientists|Halsey, Catherine]] | [[Category:Scientists|Halsey, Catherine]] | ||
[[Category:Office of Naval Intelligence personnel|Halsey, Catherine]] | [[Category:Office of Naval Intelligence personnel|Halsey, Catherine]] | ||
[[Category:Jul 'Mdama's Covenant members|Halsey, Catherine]] | [[Category:Jul 'Mdama's Covenant members|Halsey, Catherine]] |