Data crystal chip

A data crystal chip.

A data crystal chip, often referred to as a data crystal,^[1] a memory crystal,^[2] or a data chip,^[3] is a human file storage and transfer device akin to 21st-century flash drives. Composed of silicon and crystal,^[4] a data chip can store immense amounts of data, such as the Riemann matrix of an artificial intelligence. Although most data chips are the size of a small matchbook,^[5] some may be smaller than a thumb.^[6] A pea-sized data crystal chip variant is used to store "micro" AIs, like Jerrod. They are compatible with a laptop's auxiliary reader port and can connect to the laptop's holographic projector.^[7]

Background[edit]

Doctor Catherine Halsey supplying John-117 with Cortana's data chip.

Data crystal chips are often used to store data that cannot be sent via wireless transmissions because of the data's sensitive or complex nature. They are used by the United Nations Space Command to store navigation and weapons data as well as strategic and tactical intelligence.^[8] Data crystal chips are made up of a ceramic composite, with substrate filaments, conduit tracers, carbon sealant, silicon mesh, and crystal synthesis.^[9]

A relatively common storage medium for the Riemann matrix of an artificial intelligence construct—from "micro" AIs to starship-grade "smart" AIs—a data crystal can be considered the physical entity of an AI.^[4] "Smart" AIs of high importance have a matrix fail-safe that will either destroy the data crystal or render it useless when activated.^[2] Despite this, Doctor Catherine Halsey's personal AI, Kalmiya, was able to reconstruct a fragment of erased information from trace ionization that was taken from Araqiel's data chip, after Halsey initiated his fail-safe.^[10]

For the SPARTAN-II program, by 2525, Materials Group's Chi Ceti IV division was developing data crystal chips compatible with the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, given a budget of nearly three million credits with materials imported from Muroto.^[9] With the Mark V and subsequent versions of the Mjolnir armor, a data crystal chip containing an AI matrix can be inserted into the Spartan wearer's neural interface; this allows the AI and Spartan to synchronize on a mental level, fine-tuning the supersoldier's reflexes to an even greater degree.^[11]^[12] A data crystal chip may also be physically inserted into the systems of a Covenant fleet warships or military space stations to allow the AI to infiltrate the ship's battle network and take control of the ship's systems.^[13]^[14] When a smart AI, Black-Box, was inserted into the systems of Pious Inquisitor, the AI instantly absorbed all the ship's information in the vessel's data banks and transferred it to his data chip.^[15] Data crystal chips can also be inserted into numerous terminals and consoles on Forerunner structures, including Installation 04^[16] and Requiem.^[17] An armored matrix may be used to transport and protect an AI's data crystal chip; this is often done when no holotank is available.^[18]

Cortana displayed the ability to project a small hologram of herself from her data crystal chip^[19] and transfer herself into the chip just by touching it.^[20] She could also transfer herself into Installation 08's systems by walking off of the chip and into the Control Room's terminal.^[21]

When the Master Chief and the Weapon were paired together, the AI initially transferred herself from Installation 07's systems into her data crystal chip by physically touching it like Cortana had earlier done while escaping from High Charity.^[22] However, the Weapon was subsequently able to transfer herself into systems by manifesting a hologram of herself over the left hand of the Master Chief's GEN3 armor and then walking off of it into a terminal. By touching her hologram, the Master Chief could then transfer the AI back into his armor without ever removing the data crystal chip.^[23]

Trivia[edit]

Though Cortana's data crystal chip is featured prominently in Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 3, and Halo 4, her method of transfer varies between each game. In Halo: Combat Evolved, Cortana's matrix is transferred only when the chip is directly inserted into an access port. In Halo 2, Cortana is capable of transferring from the MJOLNIR Mark VI's gauntlets to any electronic system in close proximity without using the chip. The chip returns in Halo 3, though Cortana is seen transferring herself remotely to and from the device, much as she did via the suit's gauntlets in Halo 2. Halo 4 reintroduces the direct-insertion system from Halo: Combat Evolved, despite Cortana having upgraded the suit since the events of Halo 3. This may be due to Cortana's deteriorating state of rampancy, as at one point she mentions being "unable to move on her own".^{[citation needed]}
In Halo Infinite, the Weapon first transfers into the chip by touching it in the same way that Cortana did in Halo 3 before transferring into other systems by the Master Chief touching them as Cortana did in Halo 2, albeit with the Master Chief first manifesting a hologram of her above his hand.
The Master Chief appears to use multiple data crystal chips for Cortana in the series, particularly in Halo: First Strike. When taking Cortana with him aboard Ascendant Justice, it's mentioned that he downloads her into a data chip which is last seen inserted into a maintenance terminal aboard the vessel. Cortana later copies herself into another chip aboard the UNSC Gettysburg which is subsequently left in the reactor subsystem aboard the Unyielding Hierophant, meaning that he would've needed a new chip for Cortana by the time of Halo 2.

Gallery[edit]

Captain Jacob Keyes holding a data crystal chip in Halo: Combat Evolved.
John-117 holding Cortana's data crystal chip in Halo 3.
Cortana transferring into a data crystal chip.
Cal-141 gives Cortez a data crystal chip containing images captured on Heian.
A data chip beside the body of Professor Laszlo Sorvad in Halo: Reach.
Cortana's data crystal chip in an armored matrix.
Keyes holding a data crystal chip in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
Cortana's data crystal chip on a dog tag chain in the Halo Xbox One announcement trailer.
Schematics of a chip in Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series.
John-117 holding a chip in Halo Infinite.
The Weapon prepares to transfer herself into a chip in Halo Infinite.
John-117 inserting a crystal chip into his GEN3 Mark VI MJOLNIR armor in Halo Infinite.
Cortana's data crystal chip in Halo: The Television Series.
Concept art for the data crystal chip operating table in the series.
Concept art for the data crystal chip operating table in the series.
Concept art for the data crystal chip operating table in the series.
Concept art for the data crystal chip operating table in the series.