Library (feature)

This article is about the Halo: Anniversary feature. For other uses, see Library (disambiguation).

The Library is a feature for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, which is exclusively used in conjunction with the Xbox 360 Kinect.^[1] The feature allows players to scan selected characters, vehicles and objects in the campaign. When the command "analyze" is spoken the game enters scan mode. Items which are able to be scanned glow bright orange; items which have already been scanned glow bright blue. To scan, the player aims their reticule at an orange object and speaks the command "scan". Detailed information on these items, along with their 3D models, will then be stored in the Library. There are a total of 45 items that can be scanned.

Library transcriptions[edit]

The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

Captain Keyes[edit]

SPECIES: Human, Homo sapiens
FULL NAME: Jacob Keyes
SERVICE NUMBER: 01928-19912-JK
BRANCH: UNSC Navy
HOMEWORLD: Earth
DATE OF BIRTH: February 8, 2495
HEIGHT: 6' 4" (194.3 cm)
WEIGHT: 212 lb. (96.2 kg)

Jacob Keyes had already garnered an impressive military career in two decades of active service when he was reassigned to the UNSC Iroquois. While helming that ship, he would execute the daring "Keyes Loop" to single-handedly take out a superior Covenant battlegroup, a maneuver that earned him the rank of captain the esteem of the UNSC. Shortly after, was transferred to the Pillar of Autumn for ONI's top secret Operation: RED FLAG. But when the Covenant struck the planet of Reach, the mission was sidelined, forcing Captain Keyes and the crew of the Pillar of Autumn into slipspace.

Elite Major[edit]

SPECIES: Sangheili, Macto cognatus
HOMEWORLD: Sanghelios
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 7'4" to 8'6" (223 cm to 259 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 301 lb. to 393 lb. (139 kg to 178 kg)

Elite Majors, as the Office of Naval Intelligence has dubbed them, represent the upper echelon of the Covenant's infantry. Known primarily for their crimson armor and ruthlessness, Majors are some of the most skilled and experienced warriors in the field, often leading detachments of Jackals, Grunts and even Elite Minors. Though Majors are part of standard infantry, it is not uncommon to see them in the presence of a shipmaster or fleet master, due to the critical nature of their role at the front lines.

Elite Minor[edit]

SPECIES: Sangheili, Macto cognatus
HOMEWORLD: Sanghelios
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 7'4" to 8'6" (223 cm to 259 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 301 lb. to 393 lb. (139 kg to 178 kg)

Although the lowest and most common of Sangheili ranks, the Elite Minor's threat is not to be underestimated. Most Elites in this class, even the smallest of their kind, can easily overpower and kill almost any human. Known primarily by their iconic blue armor, Minors are usually deployed in small strike teams or in leadership roles above Grunt and Jackal squads, and the Minors, in turn, report to a dedicated Elite Major.

Elite Zealot[edit]

SPECIES: Sangheili, Macto cognatus
HOMEWORLD: Sanghelios
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 7'4" to 8'6" (223 cm to 259 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 301 lb. to 393 lb. (139 kg to 178 kg)

The Sangheili associated with the Zealot class are part of the Covenant's Ministry of Fervent Intercession, and they are easily the most devoted and passionate of their species, many having served on the front lines for decades. Such Elites are often used for reliquary acquisition, where discrete strike teams are sent to acquire (by force if necessary) Forerunner technology. Zealots are commonly seen wearing heavy gold or dark red armor and wielding the Covenant's deadly Energy Sword with incredible precision.

Infection Form[edit]

SPECIES: Flood, Inferi redivivus
HOMEWORLD: [UNKNOWN]
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 2'11" to 4'4" (89.6 cm to 131.4 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 37 lb. to 6 lb. (16.8 kg to 28.6 kg)

Infection forms are relatively small Flood forms that tirelessly seek out hosts to continue the parasite's growth. The bulbous, sack-like bodies and numerous tentacles allow them to travel at high rates of speed and leap surprising distances in pursuit of a new host. They usually attack en masse, overwhelming and overpowering their prey, until one is able to burrow into the victim's flesh, violently transforming them into a Flood combat form (if the host does not die in the process).

Carrier Form[edit]

SPECIES: Flood, Inferi redivivus
HOMEWORLD: [UNKNOWN]
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 6'9" to 7'9" (203.9 cm to 220.1 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 323 lb. to 531.1 lb. (146.5 kg to 241 kg)

The monstrosity known as the carrier form represents the final stage in the parasite's cyclical transformation process, a volatile state that turns the host into a type of "living bomb." When combat forms have outlived their functional use, their bodies begin to spontaneously generate infection forms, holding them within the confines of the host's remaining torso. When new potential hosts are sensed nearby, the carrier form allows the rancid gases inside itself to detonate, littering the ground with a cluster of infection forms and further propagating the spread of the Flood.

Elite Combat Form[edit]

SPECIES: Flood, Inferi redivivus
HOMEWORLD: [UNKNOWN]
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 6'6" to 8'5" (236.5 cm to 257.3 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 331.4 lb. to 405.2 lb. (150.3 kg to 183.8 kg)

Elites, just like all other sentient species, can be infected by the Flood. One distinct difference between infected Elites and other combat forms is the surprising resilience of Elite combat armor. The layered undermesh of an Elite combat harness combat harness cannot stop the probing tendrils of the Flood infection forms, which means the parasite infects an Elite without major damage to the armor itself, and the newly transformed host will boast even more protection than most forms of the Flood.

Human Combat Form[edit]

SPECIES: Flood, Inferi redivivus
HOMEWORLD: [UNKNOWN]
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 6'1" to 6'7" (184.4 cm to 201.2 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 214.8 lb. to 261.3 lb. (97.4 kg to 118.5 kg)

Humans represent one of the most vulnerable species currently exposed to the Flood, as their bodies can easily be compromised by infection forms with virtually no protection from UNSC composite armor sets. Once transformed, this variant of the Flood is feared for its agility and swift movement rather than the heavy and dense frame of the Elite combat forms. Like other combat forms, the infection process does not deprive the host of their previous knowledge or memories, allowing them to wield weapons, drive vehicles, and even operate starships.

Proto-Compound Intelligence[edit]

SPECIES: Flood, Inferi sententia
HOMEWORLD: [UNKNOWN]
AVERAGE HEIGHT: [VARIES]
AVERAGE WEIGHT: [VARIES]

As the Flood persists in a given environment, it begins to alter the atmosphere, transitioning the parasite collective from the chaotic and discordant Feral Stage to the strategic and ordered Coordinated Stage. During this process, a centralized intelligence, sometimes referred to as a "compound mind," forms around the dead bodies of its victims. This singular entity, if allowed to reach its full potential, can unify, direct, and control the entire Flood collective (within range), making the parasite even more dangerous than it was in its less conscious state.

Guilty Spark[edit]

FULL NAME: 343 Guilty Spark
RANK/POSITION: Monitor
SERVICE NUMBER: 04-343
HOMEWORLD: Installation 04 (Alpha Halo)
LENGTH: 22.9" (58.2 cm)
WIDTH: 19.9" (50.2 cm)

The Forerunner construct known as 343 Guilty Spark is the caretaker and monitor of Installation 04. According to Forerunner records, his duties revolved around the safeguarding of the Halo megastructure itself as well as the study and maintenance of the mysterious biological specimens the ring contains. Despite having nearly full control of Halo's systems, the monitor is unable to trigger the ring's most important function, a task which requires a Reclaimer to retrieve the Index from the Library and reunify it with the control room's core.

Grunt Major[edit]

SPECIES: Unggoy, Monachus frigus
HOMEWORLD: Balaho
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 5'6" (167 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 260.1 lb. (118 kg)

The Unggoy occupy the bottom rank of the Covenant's military hierarchy and are used primarily as cannon fodder during large-scale ground engagements. The highest rank within Grunt standard infantry is that of the Major - boasting a heavier-grade armor befitting the more experienced and battle-hardened of their kind. Grunt Majors can lead small detachments of Grunt Minors, but they are more often seen providing infantry support for Elite Majors.

Grunt Minor[edit]

SPECIES: Unggoy, Monachus frigus
HOMEWORLD: Balaho
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 5'6" (167 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 260.1 lb. (118 kg)

Pressed into service from the brackish and frigid planet of Balaho, the Grunt species was integrated into the Covenant in 2142 and has since been the lowest tier within the alien's elaborate military structure. Only after a brief but vicious rebellion in 2462 were the Unggoy even allowed to carry energy weapons. The role of Grunt minor is the lowest in combat, and it is easily the most prominent and frequently observed, typically outnumbering other troop ranks by the thousands.

Hunter[edit]

SPECIES: Mgalekgolo, Ophis congregatio
HOMEWORLD: Te
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 12'1" (368.7 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 10,500 lb. (4,800 kg)

The Hunter is perhaps the most alien creature found within the Covenant's diverse ranks. While it typically appears in a combat-ready, bipedal form (referred to as Mgalekgolo), this individual is, in effect a colony of eel-like creatures called Lekgolo, which combine to form larger, functionally shaped schools. Hunters are incredibly strong and usually operate in bonded pairs, each heavily armed and armored. Ironically, human ballistic weapons are extremely effective against Hunters, as once a bullet finds its way past the creature's armor, that bullet will typically ricochet numerous times along the interior of the defensive plating, wreaking havoc on the vulnerable Lekgolo within.

Jackal Minor[edit]

SPECIES: Kig-Yar, Perosus Iatrunculus
HOMEWORLD: Eayn
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 6'2" to 6'8" (190 cm to 203 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 195 lb. to 206 lb. (88 kg to 93 kg)

The Jackals were a space-faring species that had populated several planets within their own star system by the time the Covenant discovered them in 1342. Unable to defend their territory, the Kig-Yar were subsumed into the Covenant military as standard infantry and scouts. Jackal Minors represent the lowest tier within the species, though they are usually well-armed and carry personal shield gauntlets that provide excellent defense.

Jackal Major[edit]

SPECIES: Kig-Yar, Perosus Iatrunculus
HOMEWORLD: Eayn
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 6'2" to 6'8" (190 cm to 203 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 195 lb. to 206 lb. (88 kg to 93 kg)

Jackal Majors represent the highest Kig-Yar rank within the standard infantry, although their SPECIES can at times assume certain leadership and specialized roles. Majors are slightly better armed than their Minor counterparts and, as they are more experienced in combat, they are given better supplemental equipment. In general, the Kig-Yar operate best in small groups and as scouting parties, but they can play the role of precision marksmen when required.

Sentinel[edit]

ROLE: Automated containment drone
CLASS: Aggressor
LENGTH: 8'2" (248 cm)
WIDTH: 5'4" (162 cm)
WEIGHT: 769.3 lb. (348.9 kg)

Sentinels are categorically a broad set of automated drones of varying sizes, shapes and functions, the most commonly observed being the Aggressor. Often encountered supporting a Flood outbreak, the Sentinel Aggressor consists of a limited AI in an anti-gravity shell with a heavy, front-mounted energy weapon used primarily for the cauterization of the Flood infestation. It can also be used, with some measure of effectiveness, against non-infected intruders.

Sergeant Johnson[edit]

SPECIES: Human, Homo sapiens
FULL NAME: Avery Junior Johnson
SERVICE NUMBER: 48789-20114-AJ
BRANCH: UNSC Marine Corps
HOMEWORLD: Earth
DATE OF BIRTH: [CLASSIFIED]
HEIGHT: 6'2" (187.2 cm)
WEIGHT: 210 lb. (95.5 kg)

Avery Johnson's service record in the UNSC is impressive, despite much of it being classified top secret. He served in numerous operations such as ORION, KALEIDOSCOPE, TANGLEWOOD, and TREBUCHET, and in late August of 2552, he found himself on Gamma Station during the fall of the UNSC fortress world Reach. He and is squad were rescued by Spartan Blue Team, then brought aboard the Pillar of Autumn to be folded into the ship's existing contingent of marines. In this new role, he would support Captain Jacob Keyes and the Master Chief as the UNSC attempted to unlock the mysteries of Halo.

Spec Ops Elite[edit]

SPECIES: Sangheili, Macto cognatus
HOMEWORLD: Sanghelios
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 7'4" to 8'6" (223 cm to 259 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 307 lb. to 393 lb. (139 kg to 178 kg)

Within the Covenant's Special Warfare Group exists Special Operations (SpecOps), a division that focuses on unconventional warfare, stealth infiltration, and classified missions personally commissioned by a High Prophet. Dominated by Elites, these SpecOps detachments are led by skilled warriors who have proven themselves on the battlefield in both martial combat and in their abilities as marksmen.

Spec Ops Grunt[edit]

SPECIES: Unggoy, Monachus frigus
HOMEWORLD: Balaho
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 5'6" (167 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 260.1 lb. (118 kg)

The Special Operations division is not only powered by Sangheili blood but also Unggoy. Though rare, skilled and brave Grunts can be assigned to SpecOps detachments at a commander's discretion. More commonly, Grunts find themselves unwilling to members of SpecOps due to the promotion of their commanding Elite, as when a standard infantry Elite is folded into a SpecOps squad, his Grunt enclave will likely follow suit.

Stealth Elite[edit]

SPECIES: Sangheili, Macto cognatus
HOMEWORLD: Sanghelios
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 7'4" to 8'6" (223 cm to 259 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 307 lb. to 393 lb. (139 kg to 178 kg)

Though part of the Special Warfare Group, Stealth Elites report through Fleet Security as their job concentrates more on the acquisition of intel and strategic countermeasures than combat. Their controllers are usually part of the high-ranking fleet leadership and can even be Prophets, depending on the nature of their service. While Stealth Elites need not be armed, and several subgroups like the Ossoona very specifically are not, most still brandish at least a few standard-issue weapons in preparation for any new assignment.

Banshee[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft
CREW: 1 pilot
LENGTH: 22.8 ft (7 m)
WIDTH: 24.7 ft (7.5 m)
ARMAMENT: Medium Plasma Cannon (2), Fuel Rod Cannon

First documented in combat in 2526, the Banshee represents the Covenant's primary single-pilot, ground-support vehicle and is a signature vehicle of the Covenant military juggernaut across nearly all planetside theatres of combat. Relatively lightweight and possessing impressive maneuverability, the T-26 is capable of providing direct air-to-air fire, assisting in groundside suppression, and offering scouting support when needed. The Banshee is armed with twin plasma cannons and a fuel rod cannon, both capable of causing a great deal of damage to even heavily armored targets.

Bumblebee[edit]

DESIGNATION: Class-3 Enclosed Heavy Lifeboat, Controlled
CREW: 1 pilot + 8 passengers
LENGTH: 34.6 ft. (10.6 m)
WIDTH: 17.2 ft. (5.2 m)

The Bumblebee is a sixth-generation, class- 3 lifeboat with a pilot-operated guiding system similar to that of the SKT-13 and SKT-21 shuttlecrafts. This specific classification of lifeboat is usually found in UNSC cruisers and is deployed only when the ship and its crew are in grave danger. Well-armored and reliant on an elaborate braking chute system, Bumblebees are one of the safer methods of UNSC ship escape or evacuation.

Covenant Battlecruiser[edit]

DESIGNATION: CCS-class battlecruiser
LENGTH: 5,847 ft. (1,782 m)
BEAM: 2,827 ft. (862 m)
ARMAMENT: Ventral Cleansing Beam, Anterior Plasma Cannon, and Point Laser Defense

Easily the most prominent ship within the Covenant Navy, the CCS-class battlecruiser is a powerful and versatile vessel used in larger-scale naval combat, planetary occupation, and the aliens' genocidal plasma bombardment, colloquially known to humans as "glassing." Outside of a fleet or battle group, battlecruisers are quite self-sufficient, even in engagements opposite multiple UNSC capital ships. Battlecruisers truly are the burning heart of the Covenant's immense naval war machine.

Ghost[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type-32 Rapid Attack Vehicle
CREW: 1 operator
LENGTH: 13.8 ft. (4.2 m)
WIDTH: 12.6 ft. (3.9 m)
ARMAMENT: Medium Plasma Cannon (2)

The Ghost is an agile single-operator craft that can service in both direct attack and reconnaissance capacities. The vehicle comes standard equipped with twin plasma cannons, class-2 directed energy weapons, which are most effective against lightly armored targets. Though it is certainly one of the Covenant's least armored vehicles, its speed and maneuverability compensate for this and make it particularly lethal against clustered infantry on open terrain.

Longsword[edit]

DESIGNATION: GA-TLI Interceptor/Strike Fighter
CREW: 1 pilot + 1 copilot + 1 navigator + 1 systems technician
LENGTH: 210.2 ft. (64.1 m)
WIDTH: 245.9 ft. (75 m)
ARMAMENT: M9109 ASW/AC 50mm MLA (2), ASGM-10 (4)

The UNSC utilizes a number of space-optimized strike fighters, but the most dominant is the Longsword. Capable of interception, bombing runs, and air-superiority combat, these fighters are most often employed as escorts for larger capital ships such as cruisers and frigates. There are a number of Longsword variants currently in production, including the C708, C709, and the C712, all weaponized at different capacities to serve separate roles.

Pelican[edit]

DESIGNATION: D77 - Troop Carrier/Infantry
CREW: 3 crew + 10 passengers
LENGTH: 102.3 ft. (31.2 m)
WIDTH: 83.7 ft. (25.5 m)
ARMAMENT: HE Anvil-II Air-to-Surface Missile Launcher (2), M370 Autocannon

The Pelican is the most common deployment vehicle for the UNSC infantry, even though it is built and armed more like a gunship than a dropship. Usually fitted with high-explosive Anvil-II launcher pods and an M370 "chin gun," the dropship is fully capable of executing infil/exfil scenarios in the most contested of areas. The Pelican's flexible design platform has been historically leveraged for a variety of unorthodox means, such as the ability to carry 25 SPARTAN-II super-soldiers as part of classified Operation: RED FLAG.

Scorpion[edit]

DESIGNATION: M808 Main Battle Tank
CREW: 1 operator + 1 machine gunner + 4 passengers
LENGTH: 33.6 ft. (10.2 m)
WIDTH: 25.5 ft. (7.8 m)
ARMAMENT: M512 90 mm Smooth-Bore High-Velocity Cannon, 7.62 mm Medium Machine Gun

The UNSC has an array of main battle tanks at its disposal, but the most common is the Scorpion due to both its affordability and its impressive combat record. The combination of four-track independently controlled suspension system and the M512 heavy cannon is consistently lethal, allowing the MBT to deftly navigate almost any battlefield and quickly eliminate targets. Although it is not the most powerful or the quickest of the UNSC MBTs, the Scorpion is considered by most to be the best possible marriage of those two attributes.

Shade[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type-29 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun
AMMUNITION: Superheated Plasma
ENERGY CAPACITY: Unlimited
HEIGHT: 8.7 ft. (2.6 m)
LENGTH: 14.4 ft. (4.4 m)

"Shade" is a broad term for a handful of different Covenant anti-infantry guns discovered early on in the war. The T-29 Shade, for example, is a low-mounted, operator-controlled plasma turret resting on three legs and capable of a 360-degree line of fire. One notable feature of this Shade variant is its prong-housed firing channel, which offers such impressive range and low rate of energy dissipation that this weapon can serve in an anti-aircraft capacity when needed.

Spirit[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type-25 Troop Carrier
CREW: 1 pilot + 30 passengers
LENGTH: 108.4 ft. (33 m)
WIDTH: 59.5 ft. (18.1 m)
ARMAMENT: Heavy Plasma Cannon

The dropship known as the Spirit is one of two primary airborne troop transport vessels that the Covenant have at their disposal. The Spirit has a design that closely resembles the architecture of their capital ships, with the operator cabin in the rear of the vessel. Similar in shape to a tuning fork (and often given that colloquial name on the field), the Spirit is capable of carrying up to 30 passengers and can deploy a ground vehicle such as the Wraith.

Warthog[edit]

DESIGNATION: M12 Force Application Vehicle
CREW: 1 driver + 1 gunner + 1 passenger
LENGTH: 19.7 ft. (6 m)
WIDTH: 9.9 ft. (3 m)
ARMAMENT: M41 Vulcan Light Anti-Aircraft Gun

Perhaps the most recognizable machine in all of the UNSC, the Warthog is a remarkably versatile, all-terrain vehicle that usually sports a mounted weapon in the rear bed. A plethora of variants exist, both in the military and private sector, as the Warthog's overall purpose is multi-faceted, including advanced scouting, applying direct fire, and even operating in a hunter-killer capacity. When toting the M41 LAAG, the Warthog is referred to as the M12 Light Reconnaissance vehicle and is capable of shattering infantry lines, softening heavy armor, and carving light airborne vehicles out of the sky.

Wraith[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage
CREW: 1 driver + 1 gunner
LENGTH: 29 ft. (8.8 m)
WIDTH: 30.1 ft. (9.2 m)
ARMAMENT: Heavy Plasma Mortar, Medium Plasma Cannon

The Wraith is the Covenant's Primary tank, a heavily armored vehicle with an absolutely lethal plasma mortar. Unlike much of the UNSC's armor, which requires line of sight to hit their targets, the Wraith's mortar lobs a concussively destructive ball of plasma, allowing it to strike distant targets without having to see them. Throughout the war, a number of variants of the T-26 Wraith have been observed, including those both with and without an alternate gunner bucket, and even one that uses some form of actuator system to automatically target nearby infantry without needing a second operator.

Assault Rifle[edit]

DESIGNATION: MA5 Individual Combat Weapon Systems
AMMUNITION: M118 7.62 x 61mm FMJ-AP
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 60 rounds
LENGTH: 38.9" (98.9 cm)
FIRING MODE: Automatic

Designed and tested by the Misriah Armory, the Assault Rifle represents an entire platform of weapon systems geared to be reliable across a number of hostile battlefield conditions. For the Marine Corps, the MA5 variant is, without a doubt, the most common - a rugged, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed automatic rifle that fires 7.62 x 51 mm rounds with reasonable accuracy at close range. Although it is not the most proficient rifle for those who favor precision marksmanship, its resiliency, even on harsh frontier worlds, is unquestionable and has won it much favor.

Frag Grenade[edit]

DESIGNATION: M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Antipersonnel Grenade
FILLER: ComL
FILLER AMOUNT: 6.7 oz. (190 g)
DIAMETER: 3.7in (9.4 cm)
KILLING RADIUS: 16 ft. (5 m)
CASUALTY RADIUS: 49.2 ft. (15 m)

The fragmentation grenade or "frag" is a tried-and-true element of the UNSC's standard infantry armament. Designed hundreds of years earlier, few improvements have been made to what is a sufficiently lethal fragmentary explosive. With the incorporation of a digital timer fuse and the use of ComL as a filler, the M9 has a variety of applications beyond antipersonnel, including anti-matériel and diversionary. Interestingly, fragmentation grenades have on occasion been altered and upsized for use by Spartans, offering those super-soldiers slightly more firepower in combat.

Needler[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
AMMUNITION: Crystalline Shards
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 20 shards (varies)
LENGTH: 29.3" (74.3 cm)
FIRING MODE: Automatic

The Needler is a short-to-midrange automatic weapon that fires chemically-powered self-guided explosive projectiles. It is unique, even among Covenant weapons, in that it incorporates a hybrid of energy and ballistic ammunition (crystalline needle-like shards) which actively track a target. Upon contact, the needles burrow into the target's soft tissue, generating a chemical reaction, which is often explosive. When more than one needle finds purchase, they explode collectively - a generally deadly result.

Pistol[edit]

DESIGNATION: M6 PDWS (Personal Defense Weapon System)
AMMUNITION: M225 12.7 x 40 mm SAP-HE
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 12 rounds
LENGTH (standard): 9" (22.8 cm)
LENGTH (upsized): 14" (35.5 cm)
FIRING MODE: Semiautomatic

Standard issue for all branches of the UNSC, the M6 is a personal sidearm with impressive range and stopping power. There are a number of models available with varying roles and attachments, including those that have been upsized for use by Spartan super-soldiers. Some pistols even include a smart-linked optical scope, which synchronizes with the user's heads-up display, allowing for improved accuracy during ranged combat. Sturdy, powerful, and effective, the M6 pistol remains a critical part of the UNSC infantry's armament.

Plasma Grenade[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type - 1 Antipersonnel Grenade
FILLER: Latent Plasma
DIAMETER: 5.75" (14.6 cm)
KILLING RADIUS: 12.9 ft. (3.9 m)
CASUALTY RADIUS: 42.3 ft. (12.9 m)

The plasma grenade is the most commonly observed antipersonnel explosive used by the covenant. This spherical device contains latent plasma, which, when armed, briefly engulfs the grenade in a white flame. In this state, the explosive can reactively cling to an individual's or vehicle's mass, guaranteeing significant damage to the target weapon detonation takes place. Often called a "stick grenade" by personnel in the field, this Covenant implement is yet another example of the alien's impressive technology.

Plasma Pistol[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol
AMMUNITION: Charged Plasma Bursts
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 100 units
LENGTH: 14.5" (37 cm)
FIRING MODE: Semiautomatic

Ubiquitous across the Covenant infantry's front lines, the Plasma Pistol is the alien's standard sidearm. Like most other Covenant weaponry it is reliant on battery power and does not require cumbersome ballistic ammunition to be carried around with it. The Plasma Pistol has two primary firing modes: semiautomatic and a "scaled burst" - where the user holds down the firing bolt while the weapons builds a charge, and then releases it, resulting in a massive discharge of guided energy that is often used to buckle an opponent's energy shielding.

Plasma Rifle[edit]

DESIGNATION: Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle
AMMUNITION: Superheated Plasma
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 100 units
LENGTH: 24.5in (62.1 cm)
FIRING MODE: Automatic

The Plasma Rifle is the Covenant's most prominent rifle, often used in the same capacity as a submachine gun or other fully-automatic short-range weapons wielded by humans. Thought it is not terribly accurate or efficient in mid- to long-range combat, it deals incredible damage to energy shields by overpowering a shield's cohesiveness through rapid bursts of superheated plasma.

Rocket Launcher[edit]

SERIES: M41 SSR Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon
AMMUNITION: M19 Surface-to-Surface 102mm High-Explosive Shaped-Charge
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 2 rockets
LENGTH: 56.8in (144.3 cm)
FIRING MODE: Semi-automatic

Yet another product of the Misriah Armory, the M41 Rocket Launcher is a surface-to-surface, anti-vehicle weapon which delivers incredible stopping power to enemy matériel. Capable of semi-automatically firing twin M19 102mm HESC Rockets, the M41 is normally carried by heavy weapon specialists to target both light and heavy armor, thought its exceptional impact upon enemy personnel should not be overlooked.

Shotgun[edit]

DESIGNATION: M45E Tactical Shotgun
AMMUNITION: 8-Gauge Magnum
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 12 shells
LENGTH: 46.4" (117.9 cm)
FIRING MODE: Semiautomatic

Misriah Amory's M45 Tactical Shotgun proved a powerfully efficient close-quarters combat solution to the many violent MOUT operations conducted during the Insurrection. So much so that Weapon System Technology recreated a more economical and practical version of the M45E in their M90 and Close Assault Weapon System, and the M90 has since dominated both the military and private sector. Nevertheless, most experienced marine detachments recognize the M45's heritage and reliability, and it is quite common for both models to be present in weapons lockers across the UNSC.

Sniper Rifle[edit]

DESIGNATION: Sniper Rifle System 99 Anti-Matériel
AMMUNITION: 14.5 x 114 mm APFSDS
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 4 rounds
LENGTH: 65.4" (166.1 cm)
FIRING MODE: Semiautomatic

The SRS99 is a series of rifles designed to provide accuracy over extreme distances for snipers, scouts and other marksman classes. First entering service with the Army in 2460, its success in the field and modular upgradability led to a more widespread distribution in all UNSC branches by 2521. Like most sniper rifles, the SRS99-AM has extraordinary stopping power and can claim most enemy personnel with one well-placed shot, even those wearing advanced armor systems.

Cryo-Chamber[edit]

MANUFACTURER: Jakubaitis Standard Systems
DESIGNATION: Mark VIII Cryogenic Suspension Chamber
LENGTH: 15.5 ft. (4.7 m)
WIDTH: 5 ft. (1.5 m)

Commonly referred to as the "cryo-pod" or "cryo-tube," these suspension chambers are designed to safely sustain human personnel on long journeys, such as those experienced across interstellar space. They are slender, elongated machines, constantly monitored by a variety of automated systems to carefully maintain the occupant's spark of life while the body is effectively frozen. The chamber's occupant remains fast asleep for the duration of the given trip and does not age during that time.

UNSC Marine[edit]

SPECIES: Human, Homo sapiens
HOMEWORLD: Earth
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 5'11" (180 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 198.4 lb. (90 kg)

The Marine Corps are a major branch of the United Nations Space Command, administratively existing alongside the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Operationally, however, the Corps are folded into the Navy. Heavily-trained, well-armed, and battle-hardened, most marines living today cannot remember a time when humanity was not at war with the Covenant. Marines wear a variety of BDU configurations largely dependent on combat type and environment, as well as their specific role - though all are resourceful and independent enough to improvise when needed.

UNSC Armored Marine[edit]

SPECIES: Human, Homo sapiens
HOMEWORLD: Earth
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 5'11" (180 cm)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 198.4 lb. (90 kg)

The Marine Corps are a major branch of the United Nations Space Command, administratively existing alongside the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Operationally, however, they Corps are folded into the Navy. Heavily-trained, well-armed, and battle-hardened, most marines living today cannot remember a time when humanity was not at war with the Covenant. Marines wear a variety of BDU configurations largely dependent on combat type and environment, as well as their specific role - though all are resourceful and independent enough to improvise when needed.

Activation Index[edit]

ORIGIN: Forerunner
ARTIFACT TYPE: Key
LENGTH: 11.9" (30.2 cm)
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Activation of Halo
SECONDARY PURPOSE: Initiation of Conservation Measure

Buried within the massive archive complex known as the Library is the Activation Index: the most significant artifact found on Halo. At its core the Index is only a key - a tool for activating the Halo Array to combat an outbreak of the Flood. As a secondary purpose, though arguably more important, the Index also once triggered an elaborate Forerunner plan known as the Conservation Measure, an effort to repopulate certain worlds with sentient species indexed into the Library's vast records. This conservation process happened once more than a hundred thousand years ago and could be required again if the Flood threat were to ever resurface in the galaxy.