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{{era|Forerunner|HCW}} | {{era|Forerunner|HCW}} | ||
{{Ratings}} | {{Ratings}} | ||
<center>''For other uses of "Terminal", see [[Terminal (disambiguation)]]''</center> | <center>''For other uses of "Terminal", see [[Terminal (disambiguation)]]''</center> | ||
[[File:Ark Terminal.jpg|thumb|right|The exterior of a ''Halo 3'' terminal.]] | [[File:Ark Terminal.jpg|thumb|right|The exterior of a ''Halo 3'' terminal.]] | ||
The '''Terminals''' are [[Forerunner]] machines that provide insight into the history of the Forerunners, primarily the [[Forerunner-Flood War]]. | The '''Terminals''' are [[Forerunner]] machines that provide insight into the history of the Forerunners, primarily the [[Forerunner-Flood War]]. | ||
The Terminals fill the player in on the [[Halo]] backstory, much in the same way as they functioned in [[Marathon (video game series)|''Marathon'']]. The terminals are a continuation of the [[Iris]] alternate reality game used as viral marketing for ''[[Halo 3]]''. They clarify a great deal of the Iris story line by naming the authors of different messages and by explaining the circumstances of the original firing of the [[ | The Terminals fill the player in on the [[Halo]] backstory, much in the same way as they functioned in [[Marathon (video game series)|''Marathon'']]. The terminals are a continuation of the [[Iris]] alternate reality game used as viral marketing for ''[[Halo 3]]''. They clarify a great deal of the Iris story line by naming the authors of different messages and by explaining the circumstances of the original firing of the [[Halos]]. The terminals follow the stories of the [[Librarian]] and [[Didact]], [[Forerunner]] logs of the [[Flood]] attacks, and [[Mendicant Bias]]'s progression into [[rampancy]]. | ||
Finding and accessing all [[seven]] of the Terminals will unlock the [[Marathon Man]] [[achievement]]. The name "Marathon Man" is a reference to Bungie's earlier game, Marathon. This is evident because the achievement has a person's torso with the Marathon symbol as the head. | Finding and accessing all [[seven]] of the Terminals will unlock the [[Marathon Man]] [[achievement]]. The name "Marathon Man" is a reference to Bungie's earlier game, Marathon. This is evident because the achievement has a person's torso with the Marathon symbol as the head. | ||
==Achievement | ==Achievement details== | ||
Terminals can be accessed on ''any'' difficulty. | Terminals can be accessed on ''any'' difficulty. The player can get the [[Marathon Man]] achievement through a combination of different sessions, reading terminals out of order and on various difficulties. There are no requirements for doing them in one game, nor is the player required to find them to finish their missions— and the player do not need to finish the mission for a Terminal to count toward the achievement. | ||
{|cellspacing="3" | |||
|-valign="top" | |||
|class="Box 2" style="border:1px solid #000066; padding: .5em 1em 1em; color: #000; background-color: #f0f0ff"| | |||
'''IMPORTANT: You must access all terminals as follows:''' | |||
* In '''either''' [[Co-Op]] or single-player. | * In '''either''' [[Co-Op]] or single-player. | ||
* It '''is''' necessary to read the text until the green arrow (facing left) turns red. On some terminals, you may have to wait until the screen flashes red and the screen appears to "scan horizontally". This does not occur for all terminals. If you have no red arrow (see below) then wait until the red flash / scanning occurs. | * It '''is''' necessary to read the text until the green arrow (facing left) turns red. On some terminals, you may have to wait until the screen flashes red and the screen appears to "scan horizontally". This does not occur for all terminals. If you have no red arrow (see below) then wait until the red flash / scanning occurs. | ||
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* For some players, you must access the seventh terminal last in order to unlock the achievement (if you have accessed them all and you still don't have the achievement, try that). | * For some players, you must access the seventh terminal last in order to unlock the achievement (if you have accessed them all and you still don't have the achievement, try that). | ||
* If after accessing the terminals and you don't receive the achievement, try accessing all of the terminals on the same difficulty level (e.g. [[Easy]], [[Normal]], [[Heroic]], or [[Legendary]]). | * If after accessing the terminals and you don't receive the achievement, try accessing all of the terminals on the same difficulty level (e.g. [[Easy]], [[Normal]], [[Heroic]], or [[Legendary]]). | ||
* In Co-op, | * In Co-op, both players must be near a terminal to access it. | ||
|} | |||
==Locations== | ==Locations== | ||
The Terminals are located on the three levels [[The Ark ( | The Terminals are located on the three levels [[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]], [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]] and [[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Halo]]. There is also a hidden terminal on [[Cortana (Level)|Cortana]], but that one does not need to be found in order to get the achievement. | ||
===The Ark=== | ===The Ark=== | ||
====Terminal 1 | ====Terminal 1==== | ||
After fighting the Hunters, continue on your way until you enter a building in the cliff wall. You should now be in a corridor with two holographic displays on the right, and two doors on the left. Enter the semi-circular room and you will see the first of the seven Terminals. | |||
After fighting the | |||
====Terminal 2==== | |||
Easily accessed at Rally Point Alpha. | Easily accessed at Rally Point Alpha. | ||
Go outside to the desert area, commandeering transport. You must complete a significant section of this level until you obtain tanks after defeating the | Go outside to the desert area, commandeering transport. You must complete a significant section of this level until you obtain tanks after defeating the Anti-Air Wraiths, then return in the tanks to the main door to the structure. | ||
When you go inside the structure to let the tanks across the [[Energy Bridge|energy bridge]], there will be a Terminal directly behind the controls for the bridge. You must activate the bridge before you can access this terminal. | When you go inside the structure to let the tanks across the [[Energy Bridge|energy bridge]], there will be a Terminal directly behind the controls for the bridge. You must activate the bridge before you can access this terminal. | ||
====Terminal 3 | ====Terminal 3==== | ||
There is a part in the level in which you walk down a long hallway with white walls, and turn to the left at the end to continue. In the next room there will be a Grunt wandering around, and many stacked up plasma batteries. As soon as you enter this room, go underneath the staircase / platform on which you are standing. Underneath there will be a door that conceals the terminal. To access this terminal, you may spawn at Rally Point Bravo, bringing you to the room with the sleeping Grunts, directly before the room with the Grunt and Plasma Batteries. | |||
There is a part in the level in which you walk down a long hallway with white walls, and turn to the left at the end to continue. In the next room there will be a | |||
===The Covenant=== | ===The Covenant=== | ||
====Terminal 4 | ====Terminal 4==== | ||
Fight your way past the Covenant beach defenses, then obtain the Warthog and fight onwards up the hill and eventually past the Wraith. Go inside the structure and fight past the various Covenant inside. The fourth Terminal is located near the first elevator control. Before you ride the elevator up, look at the opposite side of the elevator from which you came. You will see a dark ledge; jump on to it and you should see the terminal to your left. | |||
====Terminal 5==== | |||
After getting a Hornet, fly towards the second tower (the one that the [[Elite]]s have already disabled). The Arbiter will remind you that Tower 2 is already clear, just to confirm you are at the right place. The Terminal is in the main hallway of the structure, with three dead elites, opposite from the only (locked) door. (And as a bonus, there is [[Halo 3 Skulls#Thunderstorm|a skull]] on the outside of Tower 2 on the rise platform in the middle; just walk up and claim it for another achievement. Note that the skull won't be present if you start from Rally Point Alpha, or are playing on the Easy difficulty.) | |||
====Terminal 6==== | |||
Terminal 6 is placed identically to Terminal 4, only in the third tower and off to the right (versus the left in Terminal 4). Enter the tower, fighting your way past the Drone swarm and the pair of Hunters. The terminal is located near the elevator control; before you ride the elevator up, look at the opposite side of the elevator from which you came. You will see a dark ledge, jump on to it and you should see the terminal, which opens up to the left. | |||
Terminal 6 is placed identically to Terminal 4, only in the third tower and off to the right (versus the left in Terminal 4). Enter the tower, fighting your way past the | |||
===Cortana=== | ===Cortana=== | ||
====Cortana Terminal | ====Cortana Terminal==== | ||
Terminal 8 is located in the basement room of the [[Halo 3 Skulls#Tilt|Tilt Skull]]'s location, where the [[Gravity Hammer]] is found. (This terminal does not count towards the [[Marathon Man]] achievement, but instead, plays a secret Cortana moment. | Terminal 8 is located in the basement room of the [[Halo 3 Skulls#Tilt|Tilt Skull]]'s location, where the [[Gravity Hammer]] is found. (This terminal does not count towards the [[Marathon Man]] achievement, but instead, plays a secret Cortana moment. | ||
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[[File:12045 m.jpg|right|thumb|A Terminal, as seen in ''Halo 3.'']] | [[File:12045 m.jpg|right|thumb|A Terminal, as seen in ''Halo 3.'']] | ||
====Terminal 7 | ====Terminal 7==== | ||
Terminal 7 is found at the beginning of the final level in ''Halo 3''. To find it, head forward from the start of the level through the snow until you encounter the area with a few structural beams going from one wall into another. At this point (before you go past any beams) you will see a metal floor. Follow the floor to the right and up through a small gap in the ice, and follow this path along. You will find a beam heading through a crack in the ice. Follow this beam into a doorway. [[Cortana]] will ask you, “Where are you going?”. Turn left once inside and the Terminal should be in full view. Cortana will say, "Wait. What's that?" as a good hint. The terminal will be in front of what is presumably one of Installation 04 (II)'s pulse generators. After that, Cortana will ask you: "How many of these have you found?" If the level is completed on [[Legendary]], the terminal, once accessed on a different difficulty or another run-through, will show a communique from Mendicant Bias himself. | |||
Terminal | |||
==Transcripts== | ==Transcripts== | ||
Upon initial access on all difficulty levels, the seven Terminals give background details regarding the story of the 300-year-long Flood/Forerunner conflict, including strategies, encounters, enemy and friendly losses, and procedures leading up to the activation of the Halo Array. After a short time, this text is overwritten and a new message is displayed on the screen. | Upon initial access on all difficulty levels, the seven Terminals give background details regarding the story of the 300-year-long Flood/Forerunner conflict, including strategies, encounters, enemy and friendly losses, and procedures leading up to the activation of the Halo Array. After a short time, this text is overwritten and a new message is displayed on the screen. | ||
On Easy, Normal, and Heroic difficulty levels, this second screen of text details a correspondence between two Forerunner lovers called the "Librarian" and "Didact". In this transcript, as in the Terminals, "L" stands for Librarian and "D" stand for Didact. | On Easy, Normal, and Heroic difficulty levels, this second screen of text details a correspondence between two Forerunner lovers called the "Librarian" and "Didact". In this transcript, as in the Terminals, "L" stands for Librarian and "D" stand for Didact. | ||
An unknown entity sends brief messages onscreen upon shutdown, and at the final Terminal, it is revealed that this entity is the [[rampant]] [[Forerunner]] [[AI]] known as [[Mendicant Bias]], who had previously assisted in the [[Flood]]'s attempt to destroy the Forerunners. | An unknown entity sends brief messages onscreen upon shutdown, and at the final Terminal, it is revealed that this entity is the [[rampant]] [[Forerunner]] [[AI]] known as [[Mendicant Bias]], who had previously assisted in the [[Flood]]'s attempt to destroy the Forerunners. | ||
On the Legendary difficulty level, the second screen of text tells the story of Mendicant Bias, an AI created by Didact to destroy the Flood. It is revealed here that Mendicant Bias was the AI who took control of Adjutant Reflex during the "Iris" campaign. Messages detailing Mendicant's eventual defection to the Gravemind are displayed on '''Terminals 1-4''', with the AI having an ongoing conversation with someone or something tagged '''LF.Xx.3273''' -- presumably the Flood, as in Terminal 4, Mendicant Bias told LF.Xx.3273 that he was created to study them. These messages are somewhat incomplete and disrupted, with {~} symbolizing the disruptions. A noticeable pattern in the messages suggests that many of the disruptions occur at the use of pronouns, such as "I, we, me, they, it", though this pattern is not entirely consistent. | On the Legendary difficulty level, the second screen of text tells the story of Mendicant Bias, an AI created by Didact to destroy the Flood. It is revealed here that Mendicant Bias was the AI who took control of Adjutant Reflex during the "Iris" campaign. Messages detailing Mendicant's eventual defection to the Gravemind are displayed on '''Terminals 1-4''', with the AI having an ongoing conversation with someone or something tagged '''LF.Xx.3273''' -- presumably the Flood, as in Terminal 4, Mendicant Bias told LF.Xx.3273 that he was created to study them. These messages are somewhat incomplete and disrupted, with {~} symbolizing the disruptions. A noticeable pattern in the messages suggests that many of the disruptions occur at the use of pronouns, such as "I, we, me, they, it", though this pattern is not entirely consistent. | ||
'''Terminal 5''' displays several hostile messages sent from Mendicant Bias to his makers, confirming his rampancy—these messages are different on each difficulty level. | '''Terminal 5''' displays several hostile messages sent from Mendicant Bias to his makers, confirming his rampancy—these messages are different on each difficulty level. | ||
'''Terminal 6''' details the defeat of Mendicant Bias by [[Offensive Bias]], as perceived by Offensive himself. | '''Terminal 6''' details the defeat of Mendicant Bias by [[Offensive Bias]], as perceived by Offensive himself. | ||
The final message hidden in '''Terminal 7''' is an apology made by Mendicant directly to the player for his betrayal, atoning by saying he will help the Reclaimer leave the Ark safely. | The final message hidden in '''Terminal 7''' is an apology made by Mendicant directly to the player for his betrayal, atoning by saying he will help the Reclaimer leave the Ark safely. | ||
{|cellspacing="3" | |||
|-valign="top" | |||
|class="Box 2" style="border:1px solid #000066; padding: .5em 1em 1em; color: #000; background-color: #f0f0ff"| | |||
'''Note''': ''The following are exact transcripts of all seven terminals in Halo 3. It is all copied directly from each terminal in-game, and is not speculative. Most of the Terminals have extra content that can be accessed in Legendary; one Terminal's "main" content does differ based on the difficulty level.'' | |||
|} | |||
===Terminal One=== | ===Terminal One=== | ||
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<span style="color:#FA0">[37 seconds]</span> ago I moved beyond my | <span style="color:#FA0">[37 seconds]</span> ago I moved beyond my | ||
ability to observe the events taking | ability to observe the events taking | ||
place on | place on [[Battle of CE-10-2165-d|<span style="color:#FA0">CE-10-2165-d</span>]]. | ||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
The importance of my mission forbade | The importance of my mission forbade | ||
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<span style="color:#FA0">[CE-10-2165-d's]</span> orbital perimeter. | <span style="color:#FA0">[CE-10-2165-d's]</span> orbital perimeter. | ||
Hidden within that vast swarm were | Hidden within that vast swarm were | ||
seven massive freight carries. The | |||
smaller craft were employed as | smaller craft were employed as | ||
<span style="color:#FA0">[ablative armor]</span>, allowing the | <span style="color:#FA0">[ablative armor]</span>, allowing the | ||
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confined to stasis until further | confined to stasis until further | ||
notice. Even with everyone equipped | notice. Even with everyone equipped | ||
with [[Combat Skin|<span style="color:#FA0">[[ | with [[Combat Skin|<span style="color:#FA0"><nowiki>[C_12_CS[?]]</nowiki></span>]] we would have had | ||
very little chance of survival, let | very little chance of survival, let | ||
alone victory. | alone victory. | ||
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has ever known. We are sworn to | has ever known. We are sworn to | ||
protect life not destroy it! That is | protect life not destroy it! That is | ||
the [[Mantle]] we were given to carry. | the [[Mantle|<span style="color:#FE0;">Mantle</span>]] we were given to carry. | ||
{{Terminal|end}} | {{Terminal|end}} | ||
{{clear}}{{Terminal}} | {{clear}}{{Terminal}} | ||
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learning its tricks and strategies. | learning its tricks and strategies. | ||
We can halt this thing! And we can | We can halt this thing! And we can | ||
follow in [[Precursors|Their]] footsteps! | follow in [[Precursors|<span style="color:#FE0;">Their</span>]] footsteps! | ||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
There are no unstoppable forces in | There are no unstoppable forces in | ||
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'''(The following appears only if you access the terminal on Legendary difficulty)''' | '''(The following appears only if you access the terminal on Legendary difficulty)''' | ||
{{Terminal}} | {{Terminal}} | ||
[[Mendicant Bias|MB.05-032.>]] I must ask you to | [[Mendicant Bias|<span style="color:#FE0;">MB.05-032.></span>]] I must ask you to | ||
forgive my vagueness on the matter, | forgive my vagueness on the matter, | ||
but it is a regrettable {~} I find | but it is a regrettable {~} I find | ||
Line 457: | Line 458: | ||
Perhaps you would care to elucidate? | Perhaps you would care to elucidate? | ||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
[[Flood Super Cell|LF.Xx.3273.>]] {~} are here to spread | [[Flood Super Cell|<span style="color:#FE0;">LF.Xx.3273.></span>]] {~} are here to spread | ||
<span style="color:#FA0">[comforting news]</span>. To let all the | <span style="color:#FA0">[comforting news]</span>. To let all the | ||
living beings in this galaxy know | living beings in this galaxy know | ||
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<span style="color:#FA0">[fallen on deaf ears]</span>. {~} am not | <span style="color:#FA0">[fallen on deaf ears]</span>. {~} am not | ||
the recipient of the message, {~} am | the recipient of the message, {~} am | ||
the origin of the message. | |||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
MB.05-032.> I have traveled a very | MB.05-032.> I have traveled a very | ||
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logged. | logged. | ||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
<span style="color:#4EE">[[343 Guilty Spark|04-343]] (errant): Excuse me?</span> | <span style="color:#4EE">[[343 Guilty Spark|<span style="color:#4EE">04-343</span>]] (errant): Excuse me?</span> | ||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
Your intrusion has been logged. And | Your intrusion has been logged. And | ||
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The parasite has formed a Compound | The parasite has formed a Compound | ||
Mind. When it reaches a certain | Mind. When it reaches a certain | ||
mass, the [[Gravemind|Mind]] is able to recoil its | mass, the [[Gravemind|<span style="color:#FE0;">Mind</span>]] is able to recoil its | ||
disparate parts to create a | disparate parts to create a | ||
<span style="color:#FA0">[tactical shield]</span>. This is a simple | <span style="color:#FA0">[tactical shield]</span>. This is a simple | ||
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what form did they choose? You need | what form did they choose? You need | ||
look no further than your own | look no further than your own | ||
<span style="color:#FA0">[[Wikipedia:Network topology|topology]]</span> to {~} | <span style="color:#FA0">[[Wikipedia:Network topology|<span style="color:#FE0;">topology</span>]]</span> to {~} | ||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
MB.05-032.> {~} distributed network? | MB.05-032.> {~} distributed network? | ||
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of them. They're special - well | of them. They're special - well | ||
worth the effort it took to build | worth the effort it took to build | ||
[[Portal|one final gateway]], even at this late | [[Portal|<span style="color:#FE0;">one final gateway</span>]], even at this late | ||
hour. | hour. | ||
{{Terminal|end}} | {{Terminal|end}} | ||
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{{Terminal|end}} | {{Terminal|end}} | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
'''(The following appears only if | '''(The following appears only if you access the terminal on Legendary difficulty)''' | ||
''(Upon being rerouted to a new destination within Terminal)'' | ''(Upon being rerouted to a new destination within Terminal)'' | ||
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naval battles. | naval battles. | ||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
While | While its resources on the | ||
ground are effectively limitless, it | ground are effectively limitless, it | ||
has a finite number of vessels to | has a finite number of vessels to | ||
Line 1,053: | Line 1,054: | ||
relocate evacuated populations to | relocate evacuated populations to | ||
facilities such as those described | facilities such as those described | ||
in the <span style="color:#FA0"> | in the <span style="color:#FA0">[Onyx project]</span> - all this | ||
could be achieved in <span style="color:#FA0">[ | could be achieved in <span style="color:#FA0">[571,590 (+- | ||
2,184) hours]</span>. | 2,184) hours]</span>. | ||
{{Terminal|end}} | {{Terminal|end}} | ||
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If confirmed, that fact alone would | If confirmed, that fact alone would | ||
justify the dispatch of an | justify the dispatch of an | ||
investigative group to <span style="color:#FA0">[G 617 g]</span>. | investigative group to <span style="color:#FA0">[G-617-g]</span>. | ||
{{Terminal|end}} | {{Terminal|end}} | ||
{{clear}}{{Terminal}} | {{clear}}{{Terminal}} | ||
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signatures. | signatures. | ||
{{Terminal|p}} | {{Terminal|p}} | ||
You should see | You should see the mountain that | ||
watches over it. A beautiful thing - | watches over it. A beautiful thing - | ||
a snowcapped sentinel. That's where | a snowcapped sentinel. That's where | ||
Line 1,232: | Line 1,233: | ||
{{Terminal}} | {{Terminal}} | ||
<span style="color:#FA0">[12:H 20:M 00:S]</span> | <span style="color:#FA0">[12:H 20:M 00:S]</span> | ||
[[Offensive Bias|I]] begin this report with no | [[Offensive Bias|<span style="color:#FE0;">I</span>]] begin this report with no | ||
illusions that it will ever be seen | illusions that it will ever be seen | ||
by its intended readers. In all | by its intended readers. In all | ||
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{{Terminal}} | {{Terminal}} | ||
<span style="color:#FA0">[00:H 19:M 02:S]</span> | <span style="color:#FA0">[00:H 19:M 02:S]</span> | ||
The | The seventh and final wave of | ||
container ships, barges, tankers, and | container ships, barges, tankers, and | ||
military vessels engage my fleet; | military vessels engage my fleet; | ||
Line 1,469: | Line 1,470: | ||
world I have ever called home, not | world I have ever called home, not | ||
for glory or <span style="color:#FA0">[the anomalous desire | for glory or <span style="color:#FA0">[the anomalous desire | ||
to end another's life | to end another's life[?]]</span> as you | ||
have <span style="color:#FA0">[indicted]</span>; but to <span style="color:#FA0">[travel the | have <span style="color:#FA0">[indicted]</span>; but to <span style="color:#FA0">[travel the | ||
path of demons | path of demons[?]]</span> to spare the | ||
hands of <span style="color:#FA0">[another Father's son]</span>. | hands of <span style="color:#FA0">[another Father's son]</span>. | ||
{{Terminal|end}} | {{Terminal|end}} | ||
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{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
Note: This message seems to be the proclamation of the being who actually set off the Halo Array, indicated in the last line regarding allowing another to their bloody their hands. It is also worth noting that he mentions hiding behind a 'shield of privilege'. This could be a reference to the shield worlds as seen in Halo Wars and the book Halo: Ghosts of Onyx. If this is the case the person in question would have left the world to set the Halo Array off, perhaps indicating that there are more shield worlds left undisturbed with descendants of Forerunner remaining in them. | Note: This message seems to be the proclamation of the being who actually set off the Halo Array, indicated in the last line regarding allowing another to their bloody their hands. It is also worth noting that he mentions hiding behind a 'shield of privilege'. This could be a reference to the shield worlds as seen in Halo Wars and the book Halo: Ghosts of Onyx. If this is the case the person in question would have left the world to set the Halo Array off, perhaps indicating that there are more shield worlds left undisturbed with descendants of Forerunner remaining in them. | ||
''(The following is in yellow text on a normal page like the other information)'' | ''(The following is in yellow text on a normal page like the other information)'' | ||
''(Upon being rerouted to a new destination within Terminal)'' | ''(Upon being rerouted to a new destination within Terminal)'' | ||
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foolishness kept me here, on the | foolishness kept me here, on the | ||
wrong side of the line. And <span style="color:#FA0">[300 | wrong side of the line. And <span style="color:#FA0">[300 | ||
years | years[?]]</span> of our society's failure | ||
and miscalculation makes me your | and miscalculation makes me your | ||
executioner. | executioner. | ||
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''Cortana, upon wandering towards the terminals location:'' | ''Cortana, upon wandering towards the terminals location:'' | ||
Where are you going? | "Where are you going?" | ||
''Cortana, upon sighting the terminal:'' | ''Cortana, upon sighting the terminal:'' | ||
Wait, what's that? | "Wait, what's that?" | ||
''Cortana, upon access of the terminal:'' | ''Cortana, upon access of the terminal:'' | ||
How many of these have you found? | "How many of these have you found?" | ||
''Cortana, upon extended access of the terminal:'' | ''Cortana, upon extended access of the terminal:'' | ||
Come on, Chief. Let's get back on track! The control room's outside. | "Come on, Chief. Let's get back on track! The control room's outside." | ||
===The Cortana Terminal=== | ===The Cortana Terminal=== | ||
[[File:Cortana terminal.jpg|thumb|right|The Cortana Terminal at the end of the "Communications Room".]] | [[File:Cortana terminal.jpg|thumb|right|The Cortana Terminal at the end of the "Communications Room".]] | ||
There is also a hidden terminal on [[High Charity]] on the Cortana mission; it is simply an extra Terminal that does not count towards the [[Marathon Man]] achievement. It is an extra [[easter egg]] in the game for you to find on your own. The terminal references the novel ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]].'' | There is also a hidden terminal on [[High Charity]] on the Cortana mission; it is simply an extra Terminal that does not count towards the [[Marathon Man]] achievement. It is an extra [[easter egg]] in the game for you to find on your own. The terminal references the novel ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]].'' | ||
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Several pieces of text are bracketed and shown in a darker font color; this is likely done to indicate that the phrases in question have no exact equivalent in the reader's language, and that an approximation has been used. Furthermore, some bracketed phrases also contain sub-bracketed question marks (such as the phrase "[travel the | Several pieces of text are bracketed and shown in a darker font color; this is likely done to indicate that the phrases in question have no exact equivalent in the reader's language, and that an approximation has been used. Furthermore, some bracketed phrases also contain sub-bracketed question marks (such as the phrase "[travel the | ||
path of demons | path of demons[?]]"), implying that the Terminals' software is unsure of the proper translation for the given dialogue. | ||
Interestingly, the word "Ark" does not appear in brackets, meaning that it is a direct translation, rather than a human idiom. | Interestingly, the word "Ark" does not appear in brackets, meaning that it is a direct translation, rather than a human idiom. | ||
==Reversed messages== | ==Reversed messages== | ||
In certain parts, backwards | <div class="thumb tright" style="width:300px;"> | ||
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In certain parts, backwards speech can be heard. They can be deciphered if you record the message and play it backwards on a computer. | |||
Common phrases include "Archive Access", "Interruption", "Lineage Confirmed", "Data Corruption" and "Welcome child". These messages are easily understandable to fans of the fiction. "Welcome Child" meaning welcome, child of my creators, as the [[ | Common phrases include "Archive Access", "Interruption", "Lineage Confirmed", "Data Corruption" and "Welcome child". These messages are easily understandable to fans of the fiction. "Welcome Child" meaning welcome, child of my creators, as the [[humans]] are descendants of the [[Forerunners]], "Lineage Confirmed" meaning that the computer, after [[John-117]] touches it, confirms his relation to the Forerunners. Some fans have speculated that this is the voice of [[032 Mendicant Bias]].{{clear}} | ||
==Additional | ==Additional information== | ||
For a moment after a page is initially accessed the text is shown in its original state as a '[[Forerunner]] alphabet'. The symbols only stand in for letters, not numbers or punctuation, and share the same colors (ie. gold and orange) as the letters possess when 'translated', and only stand in for the letters in the main sections, not in the text that comes up immediately before you are redirected. | For a moment after a page is initially accessed the text is shown in its original state as a '[[Forerunner]] alphabet'. The symbols only stand in for letters, not numbers or punctuation, and share the same colors (ie. gold and orange) as the letters possess when 'translated', and only stand in for the letters in the main sections, not in the text that comes up immediately before you are redirected. | ||
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[[File:Onyxandterminalsymbol.jpg|thumb|right|The symbol in the terminals and the symbol on the cover of [[Ghosts of Onyx]].]] | [[File:Onyxandterminalsymbol.jpg|thumb|right|The symbol in the terminals and the symbol on the cover of [[Ghosts of Onyx]].]] | ||
*On the level The Ark, whenever you go to Terminal Three, you will find 343 Guilty Spark waiting for you in there. If you read the Terminal, it shows that 343 Guilty Spark has just logged in and talked to Mendicant Bias. You can actually hear him converse with the Terminal, if you are fast enough. | *On the level The Ark, whenever you go to Terminal Three, you will find 343 Guilty Spark waiting for you in there. If you read the Terminal, it shows that 343 Guilty Spark has just logged in and talked to Mendicant Bias. You can actually hear him converse with the Terminal, if you are fast enough. | ||
*The orange circular symbol in the Terminals is also seen on the cover of ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' | *The orange circular symbol in the Terminals is also seen on the cover of ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''. | ||
*In the Legendary transcript for Terminal Four, the Gravemind tells Mendicant Bias that "''perhaps [the Forerunners] have found [some difficulty] of making that decision for themselves? Perhaps they chose to leave it [to an] impartial outsider; cast you as an arbiter during this time of great need?''" This statement may have been retrieved by the [[Covenant Empire]] and may be the origin of the Covenant rank [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]] - an Elite chosen during a time of great need to settle a dispute. | *In the Legendary transcript for Terminal Four, the Gravemind tells Mendicant Bias that "''perhaps [the Forerunners] have found [some difficulty] of making that decision for themselves? Perhaps they chose to leave it [to an] impartial outsider; cast you as an arbiter during this time of great need?''" This statement may have been retrieved by the [[Covenant Empire]] and may be the origin of the Covenant rank [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]] - an Elite chosen during a time of great need to settle a dispute. | ||
**There is another example of some possible borrowed language. In Terminal Five, on Heroic, Mendicant Bias tells the Forerunners that "''Nature itself cries out for your destruction and I am its willing instrument.''" This is similar to a phrase that has been used by the Covenant several times: "''Your destruction is the will of their gods... and we are their instrument.''" | **There is another example of some possible borrowed language. In Terminal Five, on Heroic, Mendicant Bias tells the Forerunners that "''Nature itself cries out for your destruction and I am its willing instrument.''" This is similar to a phrase that has been used by the Covenant several times: "''Your destruction is the will of their gods... and we are their instrument.''" | ||
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**Finally, there is [[Didact]]'s line in Terminal [[Seven]]: ''"I will begin our Great Journey without you, carrying this bitter record. Those who came after will know what we bought with this [false transcendence] - what you bought, and the price you paid."'' This may have been discovered by the Covenant and used as the basis for their concept of "the [[Great Journey]]," as Didact was referring to the activation of the [[Halo Array]]. Additionally, the phrase "[false transcendence]" may have been mistranslated further as simply "transcendence," leading the Covenant to believe that the Forerunners had literally transcended upon activating the array. | **Finally, there is [[Didact]]'s line in Terminal [[Seven]]: ''"I will begin our Great Journey without you, carrying this bitter record. Those who came after will know what we bought with this [false transcendence] - what you bought, and the price you paid."'' This may have been discovered by the Covenant and used as the basis for their concept of "the [[Great Journey]]," as Didact was referring to the activation of the [[Halo Array]]. Additionally, the phrase "[false transcendence]" may have been mistranslated further as simply "transcendence," leading the Covenant to believe that the Forerunners had literally transcended upon activating the array. | ||
*When certain Terminals are redirecting the player after they have logged into one, as the screen turns red on the left side are symbols and the words "I AM MENDICANT BIAS." | *When certain Terminals are redirecting the player after they have logged into one, as the screen turns red on the left side are symbols and the words "I AM MENDICANT BIAS." | ||
*The "Forerunner Alphabet" characters are the same as those used by the S'Pht in the terminals of the Marathon series. | |||
*The events detailed in [[Halo: Cryptum]] appear to conflict with the series of events described in the Terminals in Halo 3. Terminals two and three indicate that the Didact had been fighting in the Forerunner-Flood war for some time; however, according to Halo: Cryptum, the Didact had supposedly been in hibernation for over one thousand years (though this is never confirmed), and therefore could not have been involved in the war, which had begun 300 years prior. Also, Terminal three describes the Didact's plans for Mendicant Bias; according to the novel, by the time the Didact was awakened, Mendicant Bias had been sent on his mission 43 years prior, while the Didact was unconscious. | |||
*The final Terminal entry records a conversation between a Forerunner father and his son. It is possible that the letter's writer is Bornsteller Makes Eternal Lasting, the protagonist of the novel Halo: Cryptum. | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
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[[Category:The Forerunner]] | [[Category:The Forerunner]] | ||
[[Category:Halo 3]] | [[Category:Halo 3]] | ||
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