Halo: Primordium

"A long time ago, I was a living, breathing human being. I went mad. I served my enemies. They became my only friends..."

- Narration by an unknown character

Halo: Primordium is the second novel in The Forerunner Saga by Greg Bear and is the sequel to Halo: Cryptum. It is set to be released on January 3, 2012, with an audio edition released simultaneously.

Plot
"I’m having great fun working through the action and growing mysteries in Halo: Primordium, as humans engage in an epic odyssey across a damaged, war-torn Halo, facing the Flood, rogue AIs, and the stunning testament of the last Precursor..."

- Greg Bear

Set primarily on the "rogue" Halo ring used by Mendicant Bias during the events of Halo: Cryptum, the novel follows the journey of the humans Chakas and Morning Riser, former companions of Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. They are forced to make their way across the embattled Halo installation, facing the Flood and rogue AI constructs on the way, while the Precursors' ancient plan of vengeance against the Forerunners is revealed. Mendicant Bias will play a major role in the story.

Frank O'Connor has mentioned that the story is "closer to the ground" than that of Cryptum, and that it will have "resonant connections" to Halo 4. Greg Bear has hinted at a connection between John-117 and one of the novel's human characters. He also confirmed that the novel will explore the Precursors' plan, and that it may cover events that occurred up to three billion years before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.

Characters

 * 05-032 Mendicant Bias
 * Chakas
 * Morning Riser
 * The Timeless One

Organizations

 * Ecumene

Trivia
A primordium is an aggregation of cells that is the first stage in the development of an organ or tissue.