Ancilla

Ancillas are a type of Forerunner artificial intelligence construct. They come in several varieties, each designed for different purposes and possessing differing capabilities. Known models include the Monitors, the Contender-class AIs, and the personal ancillas carried by most Forerunners. They can be stored within a Forerunner's body armor and can be accessed by the user at will. Ancillas can also be housed within personal shells like those of the Monitors, as well as ships, buildings, and various forms of machinery. They typically possess personalities approximating that of a Forerunner; in this respect, they are quite similar to human "Smart" AIs. The most powerful ancilla, next to the Contender-class, is the Metarch-class ancilla which were used exclusively to the forerunner Council.

Trivia

 * Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting's relationship with his ancilla is strikingly similar to that of John-117 and Cortana. Like Cortana, Bornstellar describes his ancilla as a "blue female figure in the back of [his] mind".
 * "Ancilla" is Latin for 'female servant' or 'maid'.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Flood
 * The Forerunner Saga
 * Halo: Cryptum