97,495 BCE

In approximately 100,043 BCE the Forerunners send 032 Mendicant Bias to combat the Flood threat and Gravemind. On its way to the mission, the AI test fires a Halo ring near Charum Hakkor, destroying all life and Precursor structures in the system and accidentally liberating the Timeless One. After the Timeless One is transported to the ring, both Mendicant Bias and the Halo disappear for 43 years. Mendicant Bias would eventually turn against his makers and fight for the Gravemind.

At the same time the Librarian returns to Earth to index the human species. Sample members of the species are removed from the planet and held on the Ark.