Catherine Halsey: Difference between revisions

Catherine Halsey (edit)

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 ===Wartime Research===
 [[File:Halseys Journal Covenant Language Symbols.png|thumb|right|300px|Doctor Halsey questioned whether the orientation of Covenant symbols such as these mattered, as well as the significance of the slightly elevated triangles in the places they appeared.<ref name="HJ52537"/>]]
-Thirteen days later, on [[2526#April|April 28]], Halsey noted in her journal that Vice Admiral Stanforth had ordered she and others to repurpose everything to quell the [[Covenant]] threat and to refocus their research on wartime strategy.<ref name="HJ42826">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''April 28, 2526''</ref> She couldn't have agreed more, seeing as doing just that had been her idea to begin with, though she did sarcastically ask if the [[Insurrection]] would adhere to the policy as well. By this time Halsey had learned [[ONI]] [[ONI Section Two|Section Two]] had sent emissaries to leaders in the [[Outer Colonies]] to warn them of the Covenant and to make them offers of peace. Footage from the [[Battle of Bliss|glassing]] of [[Bliss]] generally convinced these leaders of the magnitude of the threat they all faced. In her journal Halsey wondered if the aliens might have solved their civil war—not a trade she would have made, but perhaps a small victory nonetheless.<ref name="HJ42826"/> On [[2526#May|May 3]] Catherine reviewed in her journal the distinctions between so-called "[[Smart AI|"smart"]] and [[Dumb AI|"dumb"]] artificial intelligences and why the "smart" ones are susceptible to [[rampancy]].<ref name="HJ5326">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''May 3, 2526''</ref> She noted that she had devised new matrix strata with random-access optical couplers that could theoretically extend as "smart" A.I.'s lifespan, though by exactly how much she was unsure. In simulations a randomly coupled matrix also boosted correlation effects such as accurate guessing. As "smart" A.I.s were needed then more than ever to counter the Covenant threat, Vice Admiral [[Michael Stanforth|Stanforth]] had authorized a test run of Halsey's protocols. After leaving herself a reminder to investigate the polarization of topological [[Wikipedia:Soliton|soliton]] pulse transfers she concluded that day's writing by questioning whether she was playing the role of [[Wikipedia:God|God]] or mother in breeding life from non-life, or perhaps simply being beguiled by sentimental anthropomorphism.<ref name="HJ5326"/>
+Thirteen days later, on [[2526#April|April 28]], Halsey noted in her journal that Vice Admiral Stanforth had ordered she and others to repurpose everything to quell the [[Covenant]] threat and to refocus their research on wartime strategy.<ref name="HJ42826">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''April 28, 2526''</ref> She couldn't have agreed more, seeing as doing just that had been her idea to begin with, though she did sarcastically ask if the [[Insurrection]] would adhere to the policy as well. By this time Halsey had learned [[ONI]] [[ONI Section Two|Section Two]] had sent emissaries to leaders in the [[Outer Colonies]] to warn them of the Covenant and to make them offers of peace. Footage from the [[Battle of Bliss|glassing]] of [[Bliss]] generally convinced these leaders of the magnitude of the threat they all faced. In her journal Halsey wondered if the aliens might have solved their civil war—not a trade she would have made, but perhaps a small victory nonetheless.<ref name="HJ42826"/> On [[2526#May|May 3]] Catherine reviewed in her journal the distinctions between so-called "[[Smart AI|"smart"]] (volitional) and [[Dumb AI|"dumb"]] artificial intelligences and why the "smart" ones are susceptible to [[rampancy]].<ref name="HJ5326">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''May 3, 2526''</ref> She noted that she had devised new matrix strata with random-access optical couplers that could theoretically extend as "smart" A.I.'s lifespan, though by exactly how much she was unsure. In simulations a randomly coupled matrix also boosted correlation effects such as accurate guessing. As volitional A.I.s were needed then more than ever to counter the Covenant threat, Vice Admiral [[Michael Stanforth|Stanforth]] had authorized a test run of Halsey's protocols. After leaving herself a reminder to investigate the polarization of topological [[Wikipedia:Soliton|soliton]] pulse transfers she concluded that day's writing by questioning whether she was playing the role of [[Wikipedia:God|God]] or mother in breeding life from non-life, or perhaps simply being beguiled by sentimental anthropomorphism.<ref name="HJ5326"/>
 On [[2529#December|December 11, 2529]] Halsey recorded that she'd had limited success using the [[Illegal Entry Protocols|illegal entry protocols]] to access a nonessential subroutine in a recovered [[Kig-Yar]] [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|point defense gauntlet]].<ref name="HJ121129"/> The details of her success were published as part of the work of another researcher, Doctor [[Hardy]], who had been studying the gauntlet. Unfortunately, it was demonstrated that using the protocols in this way accelerated the terminal cross-linkage effect of her A.I.s. [[Jerrod]], a [[Artificial intelligence#"Micro" AI|micro-A.I.]] in her employ, believed he had a solution to this predicament.<ref name="HJ121129"/><ref name="HGOO16">''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', ''Chapter 16''</ref> Halsey was skeptical, but agreed to proceed according to his advice with caution.<ref name="HJ121129">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''December 11, 2529''</ref> On [[2530#April|April 9, 2530]] the doctor made note that Chief [[Franklin Mendez|Mendez]] was incommunicado and that nobody seemed to know his whereabouts.<ref name="HJ4930">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''April 9, 2530''</ref> She decided to continue monitoring this development, as she felt something must be wrong to have pulled him off her radar like this.<ref name="HJ4930"/> On [[2531#July|July 12, 2531]], Halsey noted that Section Three had begun to use a new-generation A.I. of its own to conduct surveillance and protect its assets. She had noticed that her network codes, keystroke style, and even her voiceprint all triggered its counter-intrusion measures. Though she could devote time to clandestinely pursuing this to sate her curiosity, she knew she'd be detected. As such, she was left to just wonder [[SPARTAN-III program|what]] ONI was hiding from her. It was by this date as well that [[Jacob Keyes]] had agreed to take in [[Miranda Keyes|Miranda]], which her mother figured would be for the best.<ref name="HJ71231">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 12, 2531''</ref> On [[2532#January|January 18, 2532]], Halsey recorded her thoughts upon learning that several of the chemical precursors used in [[Project ASTER|Project: ASTER]] had been routed to Section Three laboratories on [[Algolis]], [[Meridian]], and [[Ariel]].<ref name="HJ11832">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''January 18, 2532''</ref> She was enraged at the possibility that the Spartan-II program might be being [[Spartan-III program|replicated]] without her guidance and couldn't fathom what the implications of that might be. She made sure to track all those who had "washed out" during the augmentation procedures in [[2525]] but as far as she could tell, none of them had been repurposed. Those that had been rehabilitated were on track to be recommitted soon and whatever was going on, she reasoned, must not involve them. The doctor noted the peril at which she was maneuvering outside of Stanforth's protection and the terms of her charter. She figured her enemies must think the threat of being charged with espionage or with the violation of any particular military regulation would keep her from pursuing leads in order to preserve her position, but she judged that to be an underestimation of her.<ref name="HJ11832"/>
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 {{Quote|I'm delighted with Cortana. She has assumed a rather simple human appearance (much to my relief; so many of the ONI A.I.s adopt such theatrical personas). Her face resembles mine when I was fresh out of college—so wonderful and naïve, and eager to learn. It's almost like looking in a mirror.|Doctor Halsey's written thoughts on Cortana's chosen avatar.}}
 [[File:H5G Cortanabirthcropped.PNG|thumb|350px|right|Cortana's face resembles the way Doctor Halsey's appeared when she was fresh out of college.<ref name="HJ11749"/> Part of her also resembles Halsey's daughter [[Miranda Keyes|Miranda]] and yet another part is purely Cortana's invention.<ref name="HJ11749"/>]]
-On [[2549#March|March 24, 2549]] Halsey made a note in which which she reminded herself to soon finish field tests experimenting with direct [[human]]-to-A.I. neural linkages.<ref name="HJ32449"/> She believed such a linkage would serve as the final necessary upgrade incumbent to Mjolnir's [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] platform, as well as the last gift she had to offer her Spartans. And though she felt she had no other choice but to proceed in this direction, she did worry that in combining Spartans and A.I.s it felt as if she was losing both somehow.<ref name="HJ32449">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''March 24, 2549''</ref> On [[2549#May|May 21]] Doctor Halsey [[Flash cloning|cloned]] herself twenty times, thereby breaking civilian laws, [[UNSC Armed Forces|UNSC military]] regulations, and (far from the first time) the [[UN]] [[UN Colonial Mortal Dictata|Colonial Mortal Dictata]].<ref name="HTFOR25"/><ref name="HJ52149">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''May 21, 2549''</ref> She believed her third-generations "smart" A.I.s required better material to use as A.I. matrix seeds than that offered by the new candidates she was being presented with, which she saw as lacking both physical and intellectual agility. To create the clones she used the same equipment that had been used years prior to make the [[flash clone]]s needed for [[SPARTAN-II]]. This time, however, she enhanced their neural physiology at the expense of other biological functions. She made sure the equipment was hidden and secure from all save herself, though the cloning had been arranged by [[ONI]] at her insistence. As such, there were a few others who also knew about it, but she was confident that these particular individuals could be trusted to keep the information secret. The clones developed at a breakneck pace, for on the same day she had first began the process they were already exhibiting familiar anatomy and curling into fetal positions, malformed as they were. In her journal Halsey noted how disquieting this was to watch, grieving for them and wishing she could allay their suffering somehow.<ref name="HJ52149"/> A little over two months later, on [[2549#July|July 29]], Halsey successfully excised all of the clones' brains and transferred them to cryogenic units.<ref name="HJ72949">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 29, 2549''</ref> All remaining organic substrates were flash-incinerated. She planned at this time to complete her [[Mind transfer|personality transfer]] seven weeks later and was still uncertain whether or not she should tell them they were clones of her.<ref name="HJ72949"/>
+On [[2549#March|March 24, 2549]] Halsey made a note in which which she reminded herself to soon finish field tests experimenting with direct [[human]]-to-A.I. neural linkages.<ref name="HJ32449"/> She believed such a linkage would serve as the final necessary upgrade incumbent to Mjolnir's [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] platform, as well as the last gift she had to offer her Spartans. And though she felt she had no other choice but to proceed in this direction, she did worry that in combining Spartans and A.I.s it felt as if she was losing both somehow.<ref name="HJ32449">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''March 24, 2549''</ref> On [[2549#May|May 21]] Doctor Halsey [[Flash cloning|cloned]] herself twenty times, thereby breaking civilian laws, [[UNSC Armed Forces|UNSC military]] regulations, and (far from the first time) the [[UN]] [[UN Colonial Mortal Dictata|Colonial Mortal Dictata]].<ref name="HTFOR25"/><ref name="HJ52149">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''May 21, 2549''</ref> She believed her third-generation "smart" A.I.s required better material to use as A.I. matrix seeds than that offered by the new candidates she was being presented with, which she saw as lacking both physical and intellectual agility. To create the clones she used the same equipment that had been used years prior to make the [[flash clone]]s needed for [[SPARTAN-II]]. This time, however, she enhanced their neural physiology at the expense of other biological functions. She made sure the equipment was hidden and secure from all save herself, though the cloning had been arranged by [[ONI]] at her insistence. As such, there were a few others who also knew about it, but she was confident that these particular individuals could be trusted to keep the information secret. The clones developed at a breakneck pace, for on the same day she had first began the process they were already exhibiting familiar anatomy and curling into fetal positions, malformed as they were. In her journal Halsey noted how disquieting this was to watch, grieving for them and wishing she could allay their suffering somehow.<ref name="HJ52149"/> A little over two months later, on [[2549#July|July 29]], Halsey successfully excised all of the clones' brains and transferred them to cryogenic units.<ref name="HJ72949">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 29, 2549''</ref> All remaining organic substrates were flash-incinerated. She planned at this time to complete her [[Mind transfer|personality transfer]] seven weeks later and was still uncertain whether or not she should tell them they were clones of her.<ref name="HJ72949"/>
 On [[2549#September|September 9]] Halsey reflected on the recent [[Second Fall of Arcadia|loss]] of [[Arcadia]], as she had come into possession of a near-complete record of the attack taken from from an orbiting weather satellite.<ref name="HJ9949">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 29, 2549''</ref> In her journal she expressed the agony viewing the destruction caused her, noting that she knew some would smirk at the thought of her shrinking from it. As the entire world's surface was mercilessly [[Glassing|glassed]] rather than only portions, she wondered variously whether the planet posed a threat to them, had religious or political value, or was simply designated for sending a message to humanity.<ref name="HJ9949"/> By September 14 Halsey had hacked into the redacted portions of other Arcadia reports.<ref name="HJ91449">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''July 14, 2549''</ref> On [[2549#November|November 7, 2549]], within the confines of [[CASTLE Base]], Catherine Halsey transferred and authenticated the H-1 specimen's neural pattern to A.I. matrix strata, completing the initiation sequence within normal quantum flux tolerances.<ref name="HJ11749">''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'', ''November 7, 2549''</ref><ref name="WaypointCortana">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/cortana '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Cortana'']</ref> The newly-made intelligence called herself "[[Cortana]]". Halsey placed a viral termination code in her kernel but then could not tell whether she remained unaware of it or had already isolated and bypassed it. The first words spoken by Cortana were those Halsey's mother had said to her after beating her daughter in [[chess]] decades prior. Halsey recognized in the choice of phrase a confluence of morality, mortality, and metaphor. In her journal she recorded her delight and relief upon seeing that Cortana chose a simple human appearance for her avatar. She also mentioned that specimens H-2, H-3, and H-4 would remain in cryogenic suspension, as she had other plans for them which were dependent on evolving technology.<ref name="HJ11749"/>