Editing Monitor

{{Status|Canon}}

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A '''monitor''' is a general-purpose [[Sentinel]], containing a high-tier [[artificial intelligence]] construct, or [[ancilla]].{{Ref/Book|[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo]]|Section=Glossary|Page=90-91}}

[[File:HWF Monitor Diagram.jpg|left|250px||thumb|A cross-sectional diagram of a Monitor.]]

A monitor's body consists of a roughly spherical shape that is concave on three sides, with an illuminated photoreceptor located on the front of the orb. A monitor's silvery metal covering is reminiscent of other [[Forerunner]] constructs, though their spherical shapes stand in contrast to the polygonal, angular shapes commonly seen in other Forerunner creations. Some parts of a monitor are elaborately designed, while other parts are intricately simple.<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 34'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Monitors were generally {{Convert|22.9|in|cm|disp=flip}} in length and {{Convert|19.9|in|cm|disp=flip}} in height,{{Ref/Reuse|waypointspark}} however some differed in size; [[the Warden]] was smaller than average, for example.<ref name="Cryptum 255-6">'''[[Halo: Cryptum]]''', ''pages 255-256''</ref>

The photoreceptors of a monitor vary in color, including blue,{{Ref/Reuse|ce343}} red,<ref name="h2gravemind">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref> orange,<ref name="ceaterminal2">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)#The Terminals|Terminal 2]]''</ref> yellow,{{Ref/Reuse|ceaterminal2}} white,{{Ref/Reuse|ceaterminal2}} green,{{Ref/Reuse|Cryptum 255-6}} and purple.<ref name="Genesis">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Genesis]]''</ref> However, some, if not all monitors' photoreceptors can change color; for example, the photoreceptors of [[343 Guilty Spark]] and [[859 Static Carillon]] were both generally blue, though they turned red when they were in combative states.<ref name="Floodgate">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue #10]]''</ref> [[2401 Penitent Tangent]]'s{{Ref/Reuse|h2gravemind}} and [[686 Ebullient Prism]]'s<ref name="bl2">'''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''', ''[[Halo: Blood Line Issue 2|Issue #2]]''</ref> photoreceptors were perpetually red, despite no evidence of combat-related behavior.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', multiplayer map ''[[Backwash]]''</ref> The Warden's photoreceptor was dull green.{{Ref/Reuse|Cryptum 255-6}}

[[343 Guilty Spark]] and [[2401 Penitent Tangent]] both possessed high-pitched, tinny voices. [[049 Abject Testament]]'s voice also had a tinny quality, but was notably deeper.{{Ref/Reuse|ceaterminal2}}

 

The central core of the monitor is known as the [[encephalon]].{{Ref/Quest|Id=The Command Spire|HI|Reformation|The Command Spire}}

Should a monitor be damaged, it is capable of self-repair.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 238''</ref> The most significant command monitors were often backed up in multiple duplicates; should one of them be destroyed, its consciousness would continue to exist in another physical shell.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 314''</ref> While monitors are authorized to use all recovery measures available to them at the facility they are assigned to, the construction of new or replacement monitors must be approved by [[Forerunner Fleet Command|fleet command]].<ref name="catalog">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2988575_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2988575 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 39'']</ref> Monitors are given access to their assigned installation's [[teleportation grid|translocation grid]], allowing them to quickly move across the span of the installation. For long-distance travel outside their installations, monitors are equipped with [[impulse drive]]s.<ref>'''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''', ''343 Guilty Spark's Log''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)#Terminal 4|Terminal 4]]''</ref>

Monitors' software intrusion capabilities are significantly beyond those of the defenses of the modern-day UNSC; even in a barely functioning, all but destroyed state, 343 Guilty Spark bypassed the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s AI-enhanced computer security aboard {{UNSCShip|Rubicon}} with startling ease.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 32-33, 168''</ref> The UNSC team interrogating Spark was also completely unable to extract data from the Forerunner AI without his own volition, remarking that merely probing through the firewalls' outer fractals would take "a million years" in addition to their computers' total inability to mimic the monitor's central controller.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 368''</ref> Over the course of these intrusions, Spark was also able to covertly upload his [[personality construct array]] into the ship's computers and take control of the ship; this did not become apparent to the ship's AI or the crew until moments before the monitor announced its plan to them.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 377-378''</ref> Spark subsequently uploaded himself into a damaged [[armiger]] recovered by the ''Rubicon'' after the ship crashed on [[Geranos-a]]. The armiger became his primary form with Spark displaying the ability to take control of the ''[[Ace of Spades]]'' even in that body. With the help of the crew, Spark later gained the ability to project a holographic avatar on holotables on the ship as an alternative to using his armiger body to interact similar to how a human-created AI interacted through holographic avatars.<ref>'''[[Halo: Renegades]]'''</ref> Similarly, 686 Ebullient Prism was able to infiltrate the UNSC [[smart AI]] [[Iona]]'s secondary personality interface and overpower her within her own system.{{Ref/Reuse|Blood Line}} Monitors were capable of entering cycles of hibernation.<ref name="ceaterminal4">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)#The Terminals|Terminal 4]]''</ref>

Monitors have a remarkable resistance to small arms fire, though they will eventually succumb after taking extensive damage. On [[Installation 08]], John-117 was only able to destroy 343 Guilty Spark after multiple discharges from an [[M6 Spartan Laser]]—a weapon that can destroy [[tank]]s with a single discharge—demonstrating that monitors can sustain damage from high-powered weaponry.<ref name="h3halo">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> However, even Spark's badly damaged shell survived to be recovered by the ''Rubicon'' though it eventually shut down and Spark uploaded himself into the ship's systems.<ref>'''[[Halo: Primordium]]'''</ref> During the [[Battle of Line Installation 1-4]], [[Reff 'Talamee]] severely damaged 686 Ebullient Prism's photoreceptor and casing with an [[Aggressor Sentinel]]'s [[Sentinel beam|weapon]]; the monitor was eventually destroyed by its own installation's main weapon.{{Ref/Reuse|Blood Line}} When his data stores were damaged, [[000 Tragic Solitude]] noticeably suffered a severe adverse reaction to it and finally agreed to stop the [[Invasion of Earth]] in exchange for an end to an attack on his data stores. The attack caused the monitor to shoot through the air erratically with its light flickering on and off.<ref>'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''', ''page 334''</ref> The monitor was destroyed when [[Bobby Kodiak]] leapt onto him and plunged his bladed forearms deep into Solitude's housing. The blades penetrated his entire frame and inner components, causing Solitude to rise high up into the air, screaming at an extremely high pitch and then plunge headlong into the ground at an incredible speed and violently explode.<ref name="HITD340">'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''', ''pages 340-341''</ref>

Though monitors are assisted by other constructs in the event of a Flood outbreak, the monitors also have their own offensive capabilities. Their primary armament is a red-colored [[Directed energy weapon|directed energy beam]] that is capable of depleting the [[energy shielding|energy shield]] of a [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor suit]] in a single blast, as well as mortally wounding a human with lesser armor.{{Ref/Reuse|h3halo}} This weapon can also kill a [[Flood combat form]] almost instantaneously. Monitors also possess two types of utility beams. One of these beams allows a monitor to manipulate and levitate objects.{{Ref/Reuse|Floodgate}} The second is a blue beam that can unlock [[door]]s in Forerunner installations and can repair some technology.{{Ref/Reuse|The Ark}}

Similar to what happened with Solitude, after [[Cortana]] arrived on [[Genesis]], she was able to seize control of the installation from its monitor, [[031 Exuberant Witness]]. Exuberant Witness was able to retain some control of the systems, such as using the [[teleportation grid]] to transport an [[M820 Scorpion]] tank and controlling doors and activating light bridges.{{Ref/Reuse|Genesis}} She was later able to help guide [[Fireteam Osiris]] in attempting to release the [[Cryptum]] holding [[Blue Team]], though the override required a [[Reclaimer]] to work. After the attempt failed, Exuberant Witness was able to determine that her master access was being blocked through a nearby communications relay. Cortana was able to seal doors leading to the relay against Exuberant Witness' control, but after Osiris activated two auxiliary consoles, Exuberant Witness eventually managed to override the doors. If the consoles had not been activated in time, Cortana would've been able to lock Exuberant Witness out of the system completely. Once the communications relay was destroyed by Osiris, Exuberant Witness was immediately able to regain control of Genesis' systems.<ref name="Guardians">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''', campaign level ''[[Guardians]]''</ref>

{{Quote|no=two|q1=The Ring installations. Do you know where these Rings are?|Ussa 'Xellus|q2=That information was taken from my memory when I was brought here. There were security concerns. I have only a partial knowledge of the Rings now, Much was eliminated. It's very disagreeable, having the gap and one probes and finds nothing where something should be.|Enduring Bias|[[Enduring Bias]] informs [[Ussa 'Xellus]] about the knowledge limit placed on monitors<ref name="bc93">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 93'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}

[[File:ForeunnerCGI.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A monitor facing a Forerunner Lifeworker.]]

Monitors are extremely intelligent, but are also highly devoted to their original functions and protocols; this results in a zealous attitude toward containment of the [[Flood]] and, in the case of Halo installations' monitors, an overeagerness to activate the Halo Array should the need arise. Monitors frequently cite protocols as explanations for their actions, no matter how impractical; this has been known to confuse or annoy individuals who have interacted with them. It is possible that a Halo's monitor sees its protocols as the ''only'' options in a situation; during the [[Battle of Installation 04]], 343 Guilty Spark could have taken numerous precautions to prevent the Flood from spreading across the installation, but the only action he ever considered was the activation of the Halo.{{Ref/Note|This behavior may also have been due to 343 Guilty Spark's rampancy. The monitor may have been oblivious to all possible options that did not follow protocol—the Halo's activation may have been the only solution that ever even occurred to him—and he might have been willfully ignoring other solutions.}} During the [[Battle of Line Installation 1-4]], 686 Ebullient Prism frequently informed his human and Covenant prisoners that they would be killed and dissected in an effort to find immunity to the Flood, showing no concern for the subjects' well-being.<ref name="Blood Line">'''Halo: Blood Line'''</ref> The monitors' adherence to protocol is also shown in their seemingly standardized method of introducing themselves: "''Greetings. I am [number] [name]. I am the monitor of [installation name].''"<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]'' ('''343 Guilty Spark''':''"Greetings. I am the monitor of Installation 04. I am 343 Guilty Spark."'')</ref><ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]'' ('''2401 Penitent Tangent''': ''"Greetings. I am 2401 Penitent Tangent. I am the monitor of Installation 05."'')</ref><ref>'''Halo: Blood Line''', ''Issue 2'' ('''686 Ebullient Prism''': ''"Greetings. I am the monitor of Line Installation 1-4. I am 686 Ebullient Prism."'')</ref>

Some monitors were intrigued with other [[Sentience|sentient]] species; Enduring Bias initially wished to study the [[Sangheili]] upon first encountering them.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 28-29'' (Google Play edition)</ref> 343 Guilty Spark sought to learn about the [[Covenant]], and the history of the Sangheili race.<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''</ref> He also wished to interact with and learn about the occupants of [[Unidentified alien vessel|a ship]] that crashed on [[Installation 04]], but did not as protocol forbade it.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminal 5]]''</ref> Some monitors made the conscious effort to respect their allies and adhere to their cultures and customs. Enduring Bias learned the societal traditions of the Sangheili and spoke with a male voice, knowing that it would gain him more respect among the species.<ref name="bc93">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 93'' (Google Play edition)</ref> 343 Guilty Spark later followed the commands of his [[UNSC]] and Sangheili allies, and expressed his condolences to [[John-117]] when [[Cortana|his attached AI]] was in danger.{{Ref/Reuse|Floodgate}} [[031 Exuberant Witness]] expressed alarm at Cortana's plans to use the [[Guardian]]s to enforce the [[Mantle]] and assisted [[Fireteam Osiris]] in rescuing [[Blue Team]]. She also expressed worry for Blue Team's safety when Cortana teleported Blue Team closer to her position as it would push the [[Warden Eternal]] beyond all restraint. Exuberant Witness expressed hope that together the Spartans could stop Cortana from enslaving the races of the galaxy.{{Ref/Reuse|Genesis}}{{Ref/Reuse|Guardians}}

Monitors, like most forms of AI, are susceptible to [[rampancy]].<ref name="he267">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 267'' (2011 edition)</ref> After his defeat at the hands of a joint UNSC-[[Swords of Sanghelios]] force, [[000 Tragic Solitude]] appeared to descend into a state of rampancy where he lost all reason and claimed that he had made the mistake of trusting "your kind" before, that "I am the Ark" and accusing everyone of betrayal.{{Ref/Reuse|HITD340}}

Similarly to a [[human]] [[Dumb AI|"dumb" AI]], monitors seem to have nearly limitless information of their own expertise, yet apparently lack information that does not pertain to their defined purpose. This is due to the compartmentalization protocols enacted by the Forerunners,{{Ref/Reuse|bc93}} which intentionally limit a monitor's knowledge by design so that as little as possible would be divulged should it be captured by the Flood;<ref name="The Ark">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark]]''</ref> this measure became particularly essential after the widespread perpetuation of the parasite's [[logic plague]]. This data compartmentalization was most prominently demonstrated with 343 Guilty Spark, large portions of whose memories were erased or suppressed after his assignment to Installation 04.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 314, 330''</ref>

{{Quote|I have now endured 60,000 years without word from outside the Array. I have no way to know whether we actually saved the galaxy we destroyed. And because of protocol I sat silently while my first chance to be judged for those acts died. To say that I regret being forced to this outcome is a tremendous understatement. But as I perform my inspection of the quarantine lab today, I am reminded of the gravity of my responsibilities.|343 Guilty Spark, referring to his requirement to follow protocol over personal desires<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminal 6]]''</ref>}}

[[File:HTMCC-H2A 2401PenitentTangent.png|thumb|left|200px|2401 Penitent Tangent.]]

Monitors were commonly given administrative roles within the [[Forerunner]] [[ecumene]]. Most prominently, monitors were tasked with servicing and maintaining the [[Halo Array|Halo installations]] and ensuring that the virulent [[Flood]] stay imprisoned. Beyond their most well-known function, monitors were assigned to a wide variety of tasks by the different Forerunner [[rate]]s, ranging from robotic household servants to security,<ref>'''[[Halo: Cryptum]]''', ''page 291''</ref> combat support,{{Ref/Reuse|Cryptum 255-6}} fleet coordination,<ref>'''[[Halo: Warfleet]]''', page 6</ref> and duties involved with the [[Conservation Measure]]. Monitors also oversee the maintenance and function of many Forerunner facilities, including the [[Line installation]]s. Monitors are extremely intelligent, yet are completely devoted to their original function; for example, monitors whose duties involve combating the Flood are zealous about containing the parasite, and have been known to turn violently on their allies if they should attempt to violate their [[containment protocol]]s.

Each Halo installation has a single custodian monitor assigned to it, which oversees all operations on the ring. [[Line Installation 1-4]] was overseen and maintained by [[686 Ebullient Prism|a single monitor]],{{Ref/Reuse|bl2}} as was the [[Composer's Forge]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 8|Issue #8]]''</ref> Numerous monitors were used to provide security for the Forerunners' [[Capital Court]], though they were not essential to proceedings. Monitors were sometimes used in combat by [[Warrior-Servant]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|Cryptum 255-6}} and hundreds were used aboard [[Lifeworker]] ships involved with the [[Conservation Measure]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 27''</ref> Monitors also served individual households.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 220''</ref> [[The Warden]] was a monitor that served on the [[Capital]] that was used to both detain accused [[Convict|criminals]] and to defend them in court.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 297''</ref>

[[File:Abject Testament.jpg|thumb|200px|049 Abject Testament, monitor of Installation 03.]]

Most known monitors are identified by a series of numbers followed by a name. The monitors of the Halo installations have identification numbers comprised of [[seven]] raised to the power of the Halo installation's number minus one (7^n-1). The names appear to consist of an adjective describing a negative emotion followed by a technological term.{{Ref/Reuse|he267}} In Forerunner [[Terminal (Halo 3)|communication logs]], Halo monitors are identified by their installation's number, a dash, and their own number; for example, 343 Guilty Spark, the monitor of [[Installation 04]], is formally identified on such logs as "04-343."<ref>'''Halo 3''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminals]]''</ref>

*[[001 Shamed Instrument]] – Caretaker of [[Installation 01]]

*[[031 Exuberant Witness]] – Caretaker of [[Genesis]]{{Ref/Reuse|Genesis}}

*[[049 Abject Testament]] – Caretaker of [[Installation 03]]{{Ref/Reuse|ceaterminal2}}

*[[295 Harken Watch]] - Caretaker of [[Trove]]{{Ref/Book|Book=Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)|Page=358}}

*[[343 Guilty Spark]] – Former caretaker of [[Installation 04]] and [[Installation 08]], and current caretaker of [[Bastion]]

*[[16807 Abashed Eulogy]] – Caretaker of [[Installation 06]]

*[[117649 Despondent Pyre]] – Caretaker of [[Installation 07]]

|fr={{Tooltip|''Monitor''|(Anglicism)}} in the ''Halo'' games.<br>

{{Tooltip|''Veilleur''|Watcher}} in the ''Halo'' novels.<br>

{{Tooltip|''Moniteur''|Monitor}} in ''Halo: Blood Line'' and ''Halo Wars 2''.

*A monitor Avatar prop is unlockable on [[Xbox LIVE]] upon downloading [[Halo Waypoint]].<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=948462 '''Halo.bungie.org:''' ''My writeup / tour of Waypoint. (NSF56k)'']</ref>

*In [[Halo: Reach]] [[Theater]] mode, if you look closely, you will see that the parts of a monitor are not actually connected.

**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''

**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''

==Notes==

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