Editing 295 Enduring Bias

{{Status|Canon}}

|name= 295 Enduring Bias  

|began=Before [[97,445 BCE]]<ref name="preview">[http://books.simonandschuster.com/Halo-Broken-Circle/John-Shirley/9781476783598 '''Simon & Schuster''': ''Halo: Broken Circle'']</ref>

|gender=Male

|description= Roughly hexagonal, with three lenses on one side{{Ref/Reuse|preview}}

|affiliation= *[[Forerunner]] [[ecumene]] (formerly)

*[[Ussans]]

|function=[[Monitor]] of [[The Refuge]]{{Ref/Reuse|preview}}

'''295 Enduring Bias''', known as the '''Flying Voice''' to some [[Sangheili]], is a [[Forerunner]] [[monitor]] tasked with maintaining Shield World 0673, also known as [[The Refuge]].{{Ref/Reuse|preview}}

Enduring Bias was brought to Shield World 0673 by the [[Forerunner]]s sometime after it was constructed. However, the shield world's ability to dismantle itself and remain habitable had not yet been tested. Although he once was knowledgeable about the [[Halo Array]], the information was removed by the Forerunners for security concerns. Bias was given the duty of watching over the shield world and repair any possible damages. After the firing of the Halo Array, Bias was puzzled as to why no Forerunner had returned to retrieve him and the monitor eventually determined that he was on his own. As time passed, some of Bias' processes began to fail.<ref name="bc68">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 68-72''</ref>

Sometime before the [[San'Shyuum-Sangheili War]], [[Sangheili]] warrior [['Crecka]] came across the shield world after his ship was attacked by an unidentified species. When he entered the world, he came into contact with Enduring Bias. The [[monitor]] introduced himself and scanned through 'Creck's ship's systems to learn the [[Sangheili language]]. Then, Enduring Bias told 'Crecka that he intended to use the Sangheili for studying purposes. Confused, 'Crecka fled the world and the monitor was unable to stop him due to his failing systems.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 28-29''</ref>

In [[851 BCE]], Enduring Bias once again met with 'Crecka, who had brought [[Ussa 'Xellus]] and his mate, [[Sooln 'Xellus|Sooln]], to the shield world. Ussa intended to use the world as a refuge for his fellow insurgents that were rebelling against the newly-formed [[Covenant]]. Bias allowed the Sangheili to stay on the world, but demanded to know their full intents.{{Ref/Reuse|bc34}} The monitor seemingly accepted Ussa's intentions, as Ussa transported the rest of his allies from [[Sanghelios]] to the shield world shortly after.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 36''</ref>

Bias showed the Sangheili around the world and informed them of its processes and capabilities. As the Sangheili insurgents began to create settlements on the shield world, Sooln would often speak with Enduring Bias about the world.<ref name="bc49">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 49''</ref> During one of these conversations, Bias revealed that the shield world was not entirely completed when the Forerunners disappeared. The shield world had the ability to disassemble itself and have its disparate parts still habitable, although Bias was unsure if the feature was completely reliable. He later spoke with Ussa and Sooln and showed them a [[holography|holographic]] demonstration of the shield world's capabilities.{{Ref/Reuse|bc68}} As Bias was replaying the holographic demonstration to himself, [[Tersa 'Gunok]] saw the holograms and became curious. He questioned Bias on the shield world's "Disassembler" process. Bias' vague explanation caused 'Gunok to begin to doubt Ussa's intentions, as Enduring Bias unintentionally implied that Ussa wished to test the Disassembler process himself—even if it led to the deaths of all Sangheili in the colony.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 80-82''</ref> Bias continued to unintentionally incriminate Ussa and Sooln after a conversation he had with 'Gunok, [[Salus 'Crolon]], and [['Drem]]. He informed the three that Sooln had helped reprogram some of his failing processes and that he was loyal to anyone that programmed him. After he learned that the [[San'Shyuum]] had connections to the [[Huragok]] from Sooln, Bias stated that he would accept the presence of San'Shyuum on the world, as he believed that they would bring along Huragok to fully repair Bias. 'Crolon and 'Drem came to believe that Sooln and Ussa were actually conspiring with the San'Shyuum and began plotting against him.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 90-94''</ref>

Later, when Ussa was putting 'Drem and 'Crolon on trial, contemplating if the two were being treasonous, Enduring Bias arrived. At Ussa's request, Bias projected footage of 'Drem and 'Crolon conspiring against Ussa. 'Crolon claimed that Bias fabricated the footage. While Bias admitted that he had the capability to do so, he claimed that he did not as it was not necessary. 'Drem was then executed when he attempted to escape and 'Crolon was imprisoned to await a public execution for [[treason]]. After the situation was settled, Ussa and Bias conversed in private.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 144-146''</ref>

The Sangheili insurgents—now referred to as the [[Ussan]]s—worked to rebuild on the "Refuge" and create their own Sanghelios with Bias. However, the Refuge's Primary Section was struck by a comet fragment and Bias was heavily damaged in the incident. The monitor became deactivated and showed no signs of "life". Enduring Bias' remains were placed inside a sphere of glass, known as the Homage to Enduring Bias, which was cleaned daily. Ussa later wrote that he believed that the monitor would become active at some point in the future and that it was possible that Enduring Bias was slowly repairing itself. <ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 205''</ref> Although inactive, Enduring Bias was still sometimes able to listen to the conversations of others.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 284''</ref>

{{Quote|My original bias, my general programming intent, is fogged by the ages, and, to the extent I'm aware of it, apparently irrelevant now.|Enduring Bias commenting on his current status{{Ref/Reuse|bc34}}}}

Enduring Bias was capable of incredible feats and was very intellectual, like most [[monitor]]s. However, he was often very casual in conversation—no matter the topic. [[Ussa 'Xellus]] believed that the monitor lacked dignity and was unable to comprehend the seriousness of certain situations. When the [[Forerunner]]s removed information from Bias' memory storage, a "gap" was left in his mind, which he found problematic.{{Ref/Reuse|bc68}} For example, Bias had forgotten to mention the [[Flood]] to the Sangheili until after the Disassembler process occurred.{{Ref/Reuse|bc182}} During their time on the shield world, Enduring Bias came to bond with several of the [[Sangheili]] inhabitants, particularly Ussa 'Xellus and his mate, [[Sooln 'Xellus|Sooln]]. Sooln often engaged in long conversations with the monitor, curious to learn the information he held.{{Ref/Reuse|bc49}} She repaired some of the monitor's broken processes, causing Bias to become very loyal to Sooln and he considered her one of his programmers. Bias was saddened to find the memorials of Ussa and Sooln had been vandalized by the rebels of the [['Greftus Faction]].<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 290''</ref> Enduring Bias came to respect the Sangheili and adhered to their culture and customs. He spoke with a male voice, knowing that it would gain him more respect among the Sangheili.{{Ref/Reuse|bc93}}

Similar to [[343 Guilty Spark]], Enduring Bias experienced loneliness on the shield world and expressed a desire for company. He admitted that having no one to talk to for numerous millennia left him over-talkative and unfocused. After he realized that he had been left alone on the shield world, Bias was confused as he was never given a clear-cut purpose.{{Ref/Reuse|bc68}} The monitor experienced an existential crisis of sorts when he met the [[Sangheili]] [['Crecka]]. Bias learned that the [[Librarian]]'s [[Conservation Measure]] was a success and that the shield worlds—and by extension, his own purpose and function—were ultimately unnecessary.{{Ref/Reuse|bc34}} The monitor often spoke to himself in a language that was once used by the Forerunners.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 80''</ref> Although many Sangheili came to respect Enduring Bias and even worshipped him, some remained reluctant to trust him or feared the monitor entirely. [['Drem]] even called the monitor the "dark angel".<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 91''</ref>

{{Ref/Sources|2}}