Benjamin Giraud

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"For the first time in my career I can honestly say I don't know the shape of where is this is going. And in fact, the possibilities have me lying awake at night. But I believe we all deserve to know the real story. We need to know where this leads. I know I do."

— Benjamin Giraud^[1]

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Benjamin Giraud is a journalist and a war photographer who for a time worked as a civilian contractor for the Office of Naval Intelligence's Section Two. During the Battle of Mombasa in October 2552, he witnessed Spartan John-117 "saving humanity". This led Giraud to undertake a series of biographical interviews about the Master Chief in 2558.^[1]

Biography

"I was little proud and maybe a little guilty too. Because I knew the truth about the Covenant. But why should I feel bad about helping to deceive people on Earth? The war was hundreds of light years away... And besides, they were paying me very good money."

— Benjamin Giraud reflecting on his job.^[2]

For years Benjamin Giraud covered human-interest stories on Earth and in the Inner and Outer Colonies. He also contracted for the Unified Earth Government and the United Nations Space Command, covering military affairs. By 2552 he worked for the Office of Naval Intelligence in the city of Mombasa, Kenya, on Earth. Ostensibly a public relations consultant for AMG Transport Dynamics' Hog, he actually helped alter battle footage to keep the public unaware of how badly the UNSC was losing the Human-Covenant War.^[2]

Battle of Mombasa

Main article: Battle of Mombasa

"They think this is the attack, that we can fight back, defend the city. But I've seen how the Covenant troops operate... The city was already lost; we're all dead. Because the Covenant come not to dominate or to colonize, but to destroy."

— Benjamin Giraud, as civilians attempt to defend New Mombasa.^[2]

On October 20, 2552, Giraud was injured during the Prophet of Regret's invasion of New Mombasa. He fell in league with a small civilian resistance group trying to hold the Covenant back until Marine reinforcements arrived. He recorded and translated an order from a Sangheili to clear the area before the Covenant could access something called "the Ark". A Marine sergeant ordered Giraud to get the recording out of the city to the Office of Naval Intelligence. He was about to board an evacuation boat but stopped when he saw a lone young girl crying. Giraud calmed her down and handed her his laptop with the recording in it. He presumably asked her to give it to the authorities when she got to the mainland. He remained in the city where he observed the Covenant invasion in a room full of displays.^[2] During the invasion he saw Spartan John-117.^[1]

Post-war investigation

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Giraud was able to find a way out of New Mombasa. By 2558 he had begun an extensive investigation in order to collect information about the Master Chief.^[1]

Personality and traits

"Hey, here's a pitch for a campaign! Instead of lying to the public, we just tell them everything! Y'know, rally support, get everyone involved! What's the worst [that could happen]"

— Benjamin Giraud sarcastically argues with his superiors.^[2]

Giraud had adopted a somewhat cynical attitude toward his job, and the pride he took in his work often overshadowed any guilt he felt for deceiving Earth's populace about the Covenant War. However, he still resented the UNSC's control over his work, particularly their demands to further sanitize battlefield photos. Partly to soothe his own guilt, he would often half-jokingly argue with the ONI representatives that the UNSC should simply tell the public the truth about the current situation, only to be reproved with a series of historical examples to justify the UNSC's media policy.^[2]

Giraud frequently worked in Old Mombasa. Because he had difficulty keeping up with the dialect spoken by the residents, he kept an automated translator running on his laptop when he interacted with the locals. Despite his job in keeping average citizens in the dark, Giraud had no animosity toward civilians and frequently met with locals for photo sales. He demonstrated his compassion for others when he exchanged his spot on a lifeboat with a little girl, letting her escape the city before the Covenant came.^[2]

Giraud wore a set of orange sunglasses at all times until they were knocked off his face in the crowd of refugees attempting to escape New Mombasa. He appeared to be of African descent and his hair was dyed blue.^[2]

Production notes

Giraud was first featured in the Halo Graphic Novel story "Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa", although he remains unidentified in the comic. He was not named until being reintroduced as part of the Hunt the Truth promotional campaign for Halo 5: Guardians. His surname is an homage to Jean "Moebius" Giraud, the illustrator of "Second Sunrise", who passed away in 2012.^[3]
Giraud is voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, an American comedian best know for his work on Mad TV and Key & Peele. Key starred on Mad TV alongside Debra Wilson, the voice of Hocus in Halo 3.

Gallery

Benjamin living in New Mombasa in 2552.
Giraud edits war footage to make it appear less grotesque and more "adventurous".
Giraud records a Covenant message on his laptop.
Giraud without his sunglasses.
Giraud hands his laptop to a young refugee and remains in the city.