Codename: SURGEON

SURGEON was a code name adopted by a male ONI operative and leader of Operation: HYPODERMIC in 2552. "Surgeon", was contacted by Codename: COALMINER of a potential breach of security when Cortana broke into the ONI database and discovered that the Circumference was an ONI Prowler. "Coalminer" then deleted the ship from the Reach database. On December 31, 2552 Surgeon filed a report to Codename: USUAL SUSPECTS entitled, "Hystorical/Psychological Analysis of Cole, Preston J." The extensive report outlined the life and career of Admiral Preston Cole and postulated that he was in fact alive and living outside UNSC-controlled space.

Identity
"Surgeon"'s true name and rank are unknown. It is plausible, though not probable, that he is Colonel James Ackerson, but this is in no way confirmation. It is also possible that Surgeon is a medical doctor, similar to Dr. Halsey, in her command of the SPARTAN-II's. Surgeon is used once again in Halo: Ghosts of Onyx when a transition about the S-III project is sent to him or her by Codename: COALMINER. Surgeon's report on Cole provides additional clues as to his or her identity. The date at which the report was filed would suggest that it is not in fact Ackerson, who was captured, tortured and killed by Brutes following the Battle of Mare Erythraeum earlier that year; this is also corroborated by Cortana during the short story Human Weakness. The final line of the report however could suggest that Surgeon is in fact Ackerson if he was still alive at the filing of the report. Surgeon attempts to answer the question of what should happen if Cole should return and side against the UNSC, stating:'' "I, for one, have lost my stomach for killing legends." ''This is likely a reference to Ackerson (or anyone else involved in either SPARTAN project); but for Ackerson it could refer to his attempt to kill John-117.