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{{era|H1|H3|FOR|TF|FS}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{ratings}}
[[File:Data crystal in-game.png|thumb|A data crystal chip.]]
[[Image:Data Crystal chip.jpg|right|thumb| A Data Crystal Chip]]
[[Image:Data chip.jpg|150px|right|thumb|[[Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] holding a data crystal chip]]
'''Data Crystal Chips''' are a form of file storage device used by the [[UNSC]]. These data crystal chips are used for transferring "hard" data, meaning data that cannot be transferred over [[Slipspace]] or through a transmission because of the data's sensitive or complex nature. Examples of such data include [[AI]] data, navigation data, weapon technological charts, etc.


==Uses==
A '''data crystal chip''', often referred to as a '''data crystal''',<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 402'' (2010)</ref> a '''memory crystal''',<ref name="fs157">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 157'' (2010)</ref> or a '''data chip''',<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 211''</ref> is a [[human]] file storage and transfer device akin to 21st-century [[Wikipedia:USB flash drive|flash drives]]. Composed of silicon and crystal,<ref name="gl225">'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 225''</ref> 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 [[Wikipedia:matchbook|matchbook]],<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 265''</ref> some may be smaller than a thumb.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 13''</ref> A pea-sized data crystal chip variant is used to store [[Artificial intelligence#"Micro" AI|"micro" AI]]s, like [[Jerrod]]. They are compatible with a [[Portable computer|laptop]]'s auxiliary reader port and can connect to the laptop's [[holography|holographic]] projector.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 147''</ref>
The Data Crystal Chip can be utilized for many things. Here are a few of its uses:


*Carrying the [[Riemann Matrix]] for an [[Artificial Intelligence]] Construct, like [[Cortana]] or [[Deja]].
==Background==
*Carrying star charts, maps, and other navigational data. These chips must be destroyed if contact is ever made with the [[Covenant]], as per the [[Cole Protocol]]. This did not happen aboard the UNSC ''[[Circumference]]'' during the [[Battle of Reach]], so [[Blue Team]] were sent to destroy its Data Crystal Chip.
[[File:Mom, Son, & Daughter.png|thumb|250px|left|Doctor Catherine Halsey supplying [[John-117]] with [[Cortana]]'s data chip.]]
*Carrying sensitive data, such as intelligence. [[Dr. Catherine Halsey]] had compiled two of these with all known information on the [[Flood]] (one had the complete information on it, including how [[Boren's Syndrome]] affects the Flood's ability to assimilate an individual into the Flood super-organism. The other had this data omitted, in that if the complete report were to be found, [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery J. Johnson]] could be killed and dissected by [[ONI]], because of his being afflicted with the disease).
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.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Mona Lisa]]", ''page 169''</ref> Data crystal chips are made up of a ceramic composite, with substrate filaments, conduit tracers, carbon sealant, silicon mesh, and crystal synthesis.<ref name="tfor as">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''', ''Act Two''</ref>


==Appearances==
A relatively common storage medium for the [[Riemann matrix]] of an [[artificial intelligence]] construct—from [[Artificial intelligence#"Micro" AI|"micro" AIs]] to starship-grade [[Smart AI|"smart" AI]]s—a data crystal can be considered the physical entity of an AI.{{Ref/Reuse|gl225}} "Smart" AIs of high importance have a matrix fail-safe that will either destroy the data crystal or render it useless when activated.{{Ref/Reuse|fs157}} Despite this, [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Halsey]]'s personal AI, [[Kalmiya]], was able to reconstruct a fragment of [[SPARTAN-III program|erased information]] from trace ionization that was taken from [[Araqiel]]'s data chip, after Halsey initiated his fail-safe.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 159'' (2010)</ref>
The Data Crystal Chip was seen extensively throughout ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', as the [[Master Chief]] uses a data port on the back of his helmet ferry Cortana between his armor and other computer systems. However, it is not seen or mentioned at any point during ''[[Halo 2]]''. The Master Chief is instead seen directly downloading Cortana via physical contact with his new armor.
[[Image:7466272-Full.jpg|thumb|150px|Cortana moving inside the Data Crystal Chip in ''[[Halo 3]]''.]]


In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the Data Crystal Chip is seen once again. However, unlike the transfer in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', which required physical contact with a system, an AI can now "jump" from chip to system and back, in addition to the physical transfer. This can most noticeably be seen on [[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Halo]], the final level of the ''Halo 3'' [[campaign]]. A possible reason for this is that the the Data Crystal Chip was upgraded along with the Master Chief's new [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]].
For the [[SPARTAN-II program]], by [[2525]], [[Materials Group]]'s [[Chi Ceti IV]] [[Damascus Materials Testing Facility|division]] was developing data crystal chips compatible with the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], given a budget of nearly three million [[credit]]s with materials imported from [[Muroto]].{{Ref/Reuse|tfor as}} With the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] and subsequent versions of the Mjolnir armor, a data crystal chip containing an AI matrix can be inserted into the [[SPARTAN programs|Spartan]] wearer's [[Spartan neural interface|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.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 252'' (2001)</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''</ref> A data crystal chip may also be physically inserted into the systems of a [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] [[warship]]s or military [[space station]]s to allow the AI to infiltrate the ship's [[proselytization network|battle network]] and take control of the ship's systems.<ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 219''</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 77'' (2010)</ref> 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.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 225''</ref> Data crystal chips can also be inserted into numerous terminals and consoles on [[Forerunner]] structures, including [[Installation 04]]<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level, ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]''</ref> and [[Requiem]].<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> 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.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 317'' (2003); ''page 354'' (2010)</ref>
 
Cortana displayed the ability to project a small hologram of herself from her data crystal chip{{Ref/Level|H4|[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]}} and transfer herself into the chip just by touching it.{{Ref/Level|H3|[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]}} She could also transfer herself into [[Installation 08]]'s systems by walking off of the chip and into the Control Room's terminal.{{Ref/Level|H3|[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]}}
 
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]].{{Ref/Level|Hi|Foundation}} 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 [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)|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.{{Ref/Game|Hi}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*A Crystal Chip is seen on some of the Cafeteria tables on the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' level [[Pillar of Autumn (Level)|Pillar of Autumn]].
*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 3'', the color of the Crystal has changed to a blueish-purple hue as opposed to the aqua color of the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' Crystal.
*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 Data Crystal Chip did not make an appearance in ''Halo 2''. Instead, Cortana could transfer from the more advanced MJOLNIR Mark VI armor straight to any electronic system in direct contact with the suit. However, despite the armor in ''Halo 2'' being the same suit as in ''Halo 3'', the Data Crystal Chip makes a reappearance, and the direct-transfer system no longer seems to exist. It is possible that this was a deliberate choice to more resemble the transfer system seen in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', although it is also possible that it was merely for dramatic effect; in the opening cutscene, Johnson, thinking the Chief dead, is able to yank the chip out of the suit, and then ask the Chief about her whereabouts when he realizes the chip is empty.
*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 {{UNSCShip|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==
<gallery>
File:Data chip.jpg|[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] holding a data crystal chip in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:CortanaDataKey-large.jpg|[[John-117]] holding Cortana's data crystal chip in ''Halo 3''.
File:7466272-Full.jpg|Cortana transferring into a data crystal chip.
File:HLeg GiveMeThatChip.png|[[Cal-141]] gives [[Cortez]] a data crystal chip containing images captured on [[Heian]].
File:Lazlo's body.png|A data chip beside the body of [[Laszlo Sorvad|Professor Laszlo Sorvad]] in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Reach 7804700 Full.jpg|Cortana's data crystal chip in an [[armored matrix]].
File:KeyesChipCEA.png|Keyes holding a data crystal chip in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:H5 empty Data Chip Crystal.jpg|Cortana's data crystal chip on a dog tag chain in the [[Halo Xbox One announcement trailer]].
File:TFoR AS - Data crystal chip.jpg|Schematics of a chip in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''.
File:HINF DataChip.png|John-117 holding a chip in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF Chief&Weapon 4.png|[[The Weapon]] prepares to transfer herself into a chip in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF Weapon Data Crystal.png|John-117 inserting a crystal chip into his [[GEN3]] [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor]] in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HTV-Emergence Chip.png|Cortana's data crystal chip in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
File:HTV ChipTable Concept 1.jpg|Concept art for the data crystal chip operating table in the series.
File:HTV ChipTable Concept 2.jpg|Concept art for the data crystal chip operating table in the series.
File:HTV ChipTable Concept 3.jpg|Concept art for the data crystal chip operating table in the series.
File:HTV ChipTable Concept 4.jpg|Concept art for the data crystal chip operating table in the series.
</gallery>
 
== List of appearances ==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]'' {{C|Holographic projection only}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Emergence]]''
{{Col-end}}


==Sources==
== Sources ==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


==See also==
[[Category:Human technology]]
*[[Armored Matrix]]
*[[M4 Field Disk]]
[[Category:UNSC]]
[[Category:Technology]]

Latest revision as of 14:38, June 3, 2024

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]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 402 (2010)
  2. ^ a b Halo: First Strike, page 157 (2010)
  3. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 211
  4. ^ a b Halo: Glasslands, page 225
  5. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 265
  6. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 13
  7. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 147
  8. ^ Halo: Evolutions, "The Mona Lisa", page 169
  9. ^ a b Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series, Act Two
  10. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 159 (2010)
  11. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 252 (2001)
  12. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level, The Pillar of Autumn
  13. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 219
  14. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 77 (2010)
  15. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 225
  16. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level, Assault on the Control Room
  17. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Requiem
  18. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 317 (2003); page 354 (2010)
  19. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Requiem
  20. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Cortana
  21. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  22. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign level Foundation
  23. ^ Halo Infinite
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