Library

The Library is the name of a structure present on each of the Forerunner Halos. The Library's true function is unknown, but it is speculated to be a collection of cloned DNA sequences whose location and identity can be established by mapping the genome of a particular organism, this information is contained in the Index used for activation of the Halo. The Library is also where the Index is housed. It is kept safe from the Flood by having the only access be an Anti-Gravity Gondola from a Forerunner base, which is protected by an energy shield and a large wall filled with Sentinels and Enforcers. Then, beyond the wall is an artificial lake. On both Installation 04 and Installation 05 the flood has still somehow managed to get past the wall and into The Library. This might prove that the Library also is an containment factory for the flood. It should be noted that one may access the Library through the Halo's teleportation grid. The Libraries consist of multiple hallways interconnected to each other, finally leading to the Index Room.

Library of Installation 04
343 Guilty Spark teleports the Master Chief from the swamp that was part of the previous level (called 343 Guilty Spark) into the Library of Installation 04. Equipped initially with a Pistol and an Assault Rifle, he must battle through the Flood-filled levels to reach the Index chamber. It is in this level that 343 makes reference to the Forerunners' technological superiority. He wonders why the Chief had brought "such ineffective weapons" to combat the Flood, and recommends that the Chief upgrades from the MJOLNIR armor, which, according to some unknown Forerunner ranking system, is only Class 2, to a Class 12 Combat Skin, which he says is necessary to combat the Flood.

Somewhere in the 3rd or 4th section of the Library, the Chief encounters the body of a Marine who was the most recent failed Reclaimer. In the second Halo novel, The Flood, this Marine is said to have been so mutilated that the Flood could not possibly take over him. He is identified to be Staff Sergeant Marvin Mobuto.

Library of Installation 05
In Halo 2, while the Master Chief goes after the Prophet of Regret, Commander Miranda Keyes, Sergeant Johnson and most of the Marines go into the Library of Installation 05 to find the Index. Because of its significantly larger Flood outbreak, the Library of Installation 05 is damaged and filled with more Flood than that of Installation 04.

The Arbiter, instead of the Master Chief, is the playable character that has to travel the Library of Delta Halo. This journey encompasses the Sacred Icon (Level) and Quarantine Zone (Level).

Dropped in the wall from Tartarus' Phantom, the character must go through the wall's area, down pistons and fighting Sentinels to find a gondola. By removing the containment plugs, the Containment Shield guarding the Quarantine Zone can be lowered, enabling the Arbiter to enter the Library properly. Unfortunately, this also releases the Flood.

After battling his way through corridors filled with Flood in all three varieties, as well as Sentinels and Enforcers, the Arbiter finds an open-air area where he meets with some air-dropped Elite comrades and reunites with Half-Jaw, the Spec Ops Commander. He now has to defend the Elite encampment from waves of Flood Combat Forms.

After the waves of Flood have ceased their siege, the player, in the guise of the Arbiter, is given the option of choosing either a Ghost or a Spectre to go through the Quarantine Zone with. While battling through the Quarantine Zone, other vehicles, including Warthogs, Wraiths, and a Scorpion can be found. It is first learned here that Flood Combat Forms now know how to drive vehicles. After going through an open-air section, a mine-like area (which is a downed sentinel constructor factory, which can be seen falling near the end of the Sacred Icon level), and another open-air section, the Arbiter reaches yet another gondola, where Half-Jaw leaves to take care of an approaching group of Flood. Tartarus calls Half-Jaw a coward from the safety of his Phantom and sends a few Elites to aid the Arbiter. The Arbiter takes the gondola into the depths of the Library to find the Index chamber. On the way, he must fend off assaults by Combat Form Flood wielding a variety of weapons. When he finds the Index, he easily takes it from UNSC forces (namely Sergeant Johnson and Miranda Keyes. Tartarus, however, arrives in person to collect the Index and betrays the Arbiter by knocking him off the Index's platform. Nearly falling to his death, he is rescued by the Gravemind, who then held him captive for his own motives. It should be noted that in the Index Room there is what appears to be multiple destroyed Enforcers, as well as a few of the Gravemind's tentacles.

Related Links

 * Index
 * Halo