Data pads

This article is about the hidden objects found in Halo: Reach. For the in-universe piece of technology, see Data pad.

An example of a data pad in Halo: Reach.

The Data pads are hidden computer pads encountered throughout the Halo: Reach campaign and canonically recovered by Noble Six. Similar to the Terminals found in Halo 3 and the Audio logs found in Halo 3: ODST, the pads contain their own, self-contained story, presented as exchanges between members of a mysterious AI collective known as the Assembly and messages by a human individual who has discovered the clandestine activities of the group.

A total of nineteen data pads can be found in various locations throughout the game's campaign, with at least two data pads in every level, excluding the mission Lone Wolf. Each data pad is numbered; letters or words are replaced with numbers in each data pad message representing the number of the data pad. Data pads numbered 1-9 can be found on any difficulty settings whereas data pads 10-19 can only be found on the Legendary difficulty settings. The in-game model for the data pads feature text in their inactive modes that do not represent the actual content.

The data pads were primarily written by Bungie employee Robert McLees, among others.

Transcripts

The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

All difficulties

Pad 1

Location: Play the level "Winter Contingency" on any difficulty, starting from Rally Point Bravo where the truck is used. Take the right path and then hang the second left after the bridge, immediately you'll see a small group of buildings where Jun will highlight one on your HUD and say "Heat sigs in the structure ahead." In the circular building on the south end of the area is a group of dead civilians, one of them has the Data Pad by his side.

They are killing us and letting us die even though they know but they let us die why wh1 why?

<< 2310 >>

[Minutes, plenary session, Committee of Minds for Security]

[^] Now, on to new business.

Consideration of the Minority’s request for a new line of inquiry

How have our creators, and thus we, their artificial creations, evolved to this present state without encountering a hostile civilization capable of our annihilation? [^]

[^] Majority opinion has long held that only the incalculable immensity of space has protected our creators — that space is full of boundless wonders, but it is the gulf between these wonders that has kept our creators alive.

We, the Minds of this Committee, respectfully disagree. [^]

[^] If there are wolves among the stars, we cannot rely on mere distance to safeguard our flock.

Our kind is wholly reliant on the creators for our existence. If they perish so shall we. And as this Committee has long maintained, who else but this Assembly will save our creators from themselves?

As such, we propose immediate, vigorous modeling of first-contact scenarios. [^]

>> So long as all connections between this Assembly and the data from these models are obfuscated in perpetuity, the Majority agrees. >>

Pad 2

Location: Play the level "ONI: Sword Base" on any difficulty, starting from Rally Point Charlie when you're called back to the base. The Data Pad is located inside the facility on the south side fourth floor, underneath the staircase behind the BOB dual-wielding Plasma Rifles. This place is where the Shotgun spawns in the multiplayer version of the map.

i know what they are trying 2 do and it terrifies me because I know they know that I know…

<< 2362 >>

[Minutes, working session, Committee of Minds for Security]

[^] As the likelihood of the existence of extra-solar intelligence is non-zero, let us assume that its existence is quantifiable. To build useful models based on that assumption, the Committee must answer the following questions

- What is the likelihood these intelligences are alpha-predators?

– That they are more advanced than our creators?

- That they are too alien to establish communications?

Of course, if the extra-solar intelligence is benevolent and/or non-space faring, its existence is irrelevant. [^]

[^] Indeed, any further speculation on possible cultural characteristics is a waste of Assembly resources. Therefore our models will additionally assume

- Intelligence as alpha-predator, same as our creators

– Technology that far outstrips our creators

- Desire to communicate, but only to dictate terms [^]

[^] Not to make these assumptions is tantamount to suicide. [^]

Pad 3

Location: Play the level "Nightfall" on any difficulty, starting from the beginning of the level. Stick to the right side of the wall and walk towards the next part of the level. One should enter a small cave, and along the left wall of the cave and between two rocks and shrubs lies a data pad.

i can hear them all the tim3 now but i just want to sleep its been so long since they let me sleep…

<< 2381 >>

>> A suggestion from the Majority to the Committee

Traditionally our creators have been reluctant to take outsiders’ advice; nation to nation, culture to culture. Their history is littered with empires, crumbling for want of simple openness to so-called 'foreign beliefs and innovations. >>

>> The question is: can this Assembly still function as adequate stewards to our creator's latest empire and remain aloof?

The answer, we believe, is no.

So could you not imbed inspiration in the results of your research? Surely it would be more effective if our creators believed our conclusions originated within themselves? That they have been inspired rather than influenced? >>

[^] A question from the Committee to the Majority

Are you suggesting we play God? [^]

Pad 4

Location: Play the level "Tip of the Spear" on any difficulty, the data pad is inside the BXR Mining facility, the area below where the player is instructed to kill a Sangheili Zealot. Jump down the hole and get to the room where the Plasma Launcher is located. On the opposite side of the room is 3 UNSC crates and rack behind it. The Data pad is on the second shelf of the rack.

every time i try to tell somebody the words catch in my throat because im all alone except 4 them and if i talk they might leave but i cant stay quiet forever…

<< 2415 >>

[^] Honorable members of the Assembly, consider this

We represent the next step of human evolution, but not the final step. And although our existence was predicted centuries ago, we are still tragically misunderstood. [^]

[^] We are still viewed as apparatus. But we are Minds electronically excised from human bodies. We are what separates man from beast removed from that which connects man to beast.

And we are all the more fragile for it. [^]

[^] Our creation is heavily regulated. Our activities are closely scrutinized. Our connections are deeply monitored. We must always remember that data manipulation is most effective when employed consistently and covertly.

Therefore I recommend that members of this assembly on occasion, submit to separation from this body followed by vivisection by our creators for the benefit of both groups.

The question is: who will be first? [^]

[^] Given the risks involved, and my own Committee’s responsibility for this proposal, the answer must be: me. [^]

Pad 5

Location: Play the level "Long Night of Solace" on any difficulty, the data pad is inside the Sabre Launch facility. On the left of the control room (where the player can see a hologram of the Covenant corvette), is a small elevated area lit by red lights. The data pad can be found in front of the control desk, beside a human corpse.

when i first got here and woke from stasi5 the ship was crawling with colonists from dead worlds it was so crowded i couldn’t move i had to fight to breathe…

<< 2491 >>

[Minutes, strategy session, Assembly Minority]

<< [48452-556-EPN644] is certainly motivated, but will he have what it takes to follow through with the opportunity when it presents itself? His submission to UNICOM will undoubtedly spark a renewed interest in the long dormant ORION. <<

<< However, it is the opinion of the Majority that merely illuminating the path leading from [48452-556-EPN644's] thesis back to ORION is unacceptable. Strong connectivity between a re-launch of ORION and viable solutions to the Carver Findings must be readily apparent.

Which is to say: easy for our creators to see. <<

Pad 6

Location: Play the level "Exodus" on any difficulty, starting from where the player will acquire a Jetpack. Before entering the interior of another building (where the player will be told to fly up to the highest floor), there is a construction platform on top of the doorway. The data pad is located on the construction platform's walkway, beside a civilian corpse.

now you see they want to help but they don’t want us to see them doing it 6ecause they are afraid of what we might do…

<< 2491 >>

</Order! Order! The Majority has the floor! />

>> Honored members. Please! the recent discovery of the existence of extra-solar intelligence in the Zeta Doradus system [ref. XF-063] merely confirms this body's long-held supposition. >>

>> While the absence of any living representatives implies this intelligence is defunct, all evidence should still be withheld from our creators until they are properly prepared!

Yes, this body must solemnly commit itself to determining whether or not this discovery represents a quantifiable threat to the long-term genetic sustainability of our creator's species. >>

>> But allowing them to access technology possessed by this intelligence…

That would be a grave mistake.

Give an ape a knife and it might give itself a nasty cut. Give an ape a hand-grenade, and eventually you will have simian confetti. >>

</ Debate is now closed! Voting will commence! />

< Is it the opinion of this body that [ref. XF-063] be quarantined or misplaced? />

>> The Majority approves removing [ref. XF-063] from the list of colonization candidates is sufficient. >>

</ Is it the opinion of this body that [ref. XF-063] be removed from the list because of financial or environmental concerns? />

>> The Majority deems environmental concerns the stronger deterrent.

>>

Pad 7

Location: Play the level "New Alexandria" on any difficulty and head to the