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{{Era|RW}}
{{Title|''Halo: Silentium''}}
{{Title|''Halo: Silentium''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Novel infobox
{{Novel infobox
|name=Halo: Silentium
|name=''Halo: Silentium''
|image=[[File:Silentium_cover_front.jpg|200px]]
|variant=Forerunner
|image={{tabcontainer|title1=Original|content1=[[File:Silentium cover front.jpg|300px]]|title2=2014 re-release|content2=[[File:HS Coverart 2014.jpg|300px]]}}
|author=[[Greg Bear]]
|author=[[Greg Bear]]
|publisher=[[Tor Books]]
|cover artist=*[[Nicolas Bouvier]]
|publication=[[2013|March 19, 2013]]
*[[Gabriel Garza]]
*Glenn Israel {{C|Cryptum design}}
|illustrator=
|editor=
|audio=[[Euan Morton]]
|publisher=[[Tor Books]] (2013)<br>[[Simon & Schuster]] (2019)
|publication=[[2013|March 19, 2013]] (original)<br>[[2019|March 26, 2019]] (2019 edition)
|media=Print (paperback, hardcover); audiobook
|media=Print (paperback, hardcover); audiobook
|length=
|length=336 pages (original)<br>320 pages (2019 edition)
|ISBN=
|ISBN=[[Special:BookSources/0230758320|0230758320]], [[Special:BookSources/978-0230758322|978-0230758322]], [[Special:BookSources/978-1982111779|978-1982111779]]
|series=[[The Forerunner Saga]]
|preceded=''[[Halo: Primordium]]
|followed=
|multiseries=
|notable=An epilogue/coda for ''Halo: Silentium'' was released called ''[[Halo: Rebirth|Rebirth]]''.
}}
}}


{{Article Quote|In the last years of the [[Forerunner]] empire, chaos rules. The [[Flood]] — a horrifying shape-changing parasite — has arrived in force, aided by [[05-032 Mendicant Bias|unexpected allies]]. Internal strife within the [[ecumene]] has desperately weakened Forerunner defenses.<br>Too little, too late, the legal [[rate]] of [[Juridical]]s is only now investigating possible crimes by the [[Faber|Master Builder]] and others. Evidence-gathering agents known collectively as [[Catalog]] have been dispatched to collect testimony from the [[Librarian]] and both Didacts: the [[Ur-Didact]], treacherously abandoned in a Flood-infested system, and the [[IsoDidact|Bornstellar Didact]], who accompanies the Librarian as she [[Conservation Measure|preserves specimens]] against the dire possibility of [[Halo Array|Halo]] extermination.<br>Facing the imminent collapse of their civilization, the Librarian and the Ur-Didact reveal what they know about the relationship between the long-vanished [[Precursor]]s and the Flood.<br>The Precursors created many technological species, including humanity and the Forerunners. But the roots of the Flood may be found in an [[Forerunner-Precursor war|act of enormous barbarity]], carried out beyond [[Milky Way|our galaxy]] ten million years before...<br>Because of that barbarism, a greater evil looms. Only the Ur-Didact and the Librarian -- husband and wife pushed into desperate conflict -- hold the keys to a solution.<br>Facing the consequences of a mythic tragedy, one of them must now commit the greatest atrocity of all time — to prevent an insane evil from dominating the entire universe."''<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765323982/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=heaprcom05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creativeASIN=0765323982 '''Amazon.com official book description''']</ref>}}
'''''Halo: Silentium''''' is the third and final novel in ''[[The Forerunner Saga]]'' by [[Greg Bear]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Halo: Primordium]]''. It was released on [[2013|March 19, 2013]], with an audio edition released simultaneously.<ref name="delay">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/22/Tor-Books-Updates-Release-Date-of-the-Third-Halo-Novel-by-Legendary-Science-Fiction-Author-Greg-Bear.aspx '''Tor Books updates release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear''']</ref>


'''''Halo: Silentium''''' is the third and final novel in ''[[The Forerunner Saga]]'' by [[Greg Bear]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Halo: Primordium]]''. It was released on March 19, 2013, with an audio edition released simultaneously.<ref name="delay">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/22/Tor-Books-Updates-Release-Date-of-the-Third-Halo-Novel-by-Legendary-Science-Fiction-Author-Greg-Bear.aspx '''Tor Books updates release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear''']</ref>
==Official summary==
{{Article quote|In the last years of the [[Forerunner]] empire, chaos rules. The [[Flood]] — a horrifying shape-changing parasite — has arrived in force, aided by [[Mendicant Bias|unexpected allies]]. Internal strife within the [[ecumene]] has desperately weakened Forerunner defenses. Too little, too late, the legal [[rate]] of [[Juridical]]s is only now investigating possible crimes by the [[Faber|Master Builder]] and others. Evidence-gathering agents known collectively as [[Catalog]] have been dispatched to collect testimony from the [[Librarian]] and both Didacts: the [[Ur-Didact]], treacherously abandoned in a Flood-infested system, and the [[IsoDidact|Bornstellar Didact]], who accompanies the Librarian as she [[Conservation Measure|preserves specimens]] against the dire possibility of [[Halo Array|Halo]] extermination.


==Synopsis==
Facing the imminent collapse of their civilization, the Librarian and the Ur-Didact reveal what they know about the relationship between the long-vanished [[Precursor]]s and the Flood. The Precursors created many technological species, including humanity and the Forerunners. But the roots of the Flood may be found in an [[Forerunner-Precursor war|act of enormous barbarity]], carried out beyond [[Milky Way|our galaxy]] ten million years before… Because of that barbarism, a greater evil looms. Only the Ur-Didact and the Librarian -- husband and wife pushed into desperate conflict -- hold the keys to a solution. Facing the consequences of a mythic tragedy, one of them must now commit the greatest atrocity of all time — to prevent an insane evil from dominating the entire universe."''<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765323982/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=heaprcom05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creativeASIN=0765323982 '''Amazon.com official book description''']</ref>''}}
{{Spoiler}}
 
==Plot synopsis==
{{Spoiler/begin}}
Like the first two novels in the ''Forerunner Saga'', ''Silentium'' is framed with an in-universe conceit, being presented as a series of Forerunner logs under investigation by [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] in the modern era. The files in question are said to have been extracted from two sources: the carapace of a deceased [[Catalog]] (designated Forerunner remains #879) and a damaged [[monitor]]. Both the "Bornstellar Relation", the fictional document that encompasses the narrative of ''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' and ONI's recovery of [[343 Guilty Spark]] which acts as the framing device for the plot of ''[[Halo: Primordium]]'', are referenced.
Like the first two novels in the ''Forerunner Saga'', ''Silentium'' is framed with an in-universe conceit, being presented as a series of Forerunner logs under investigation by [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] in the modern era. The files in question are said to have been extracted from two sources: the carapace of a deceased [[Catalog]] (designated Forerunner remains #879) and a damaged [[monitor]]. Both the "Bornstellar Relation", the fictional document that encompasses the narrative of ''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' and ONI's recovery of [[343 Guilty Spark]] which acts as the framing device for the plot of ''[[Halo: Primordium]]'', are referenced.


In the opening chapter, a [[Juridical|Senior Juridical]] sent under the orders of the [[Master Juridical]] meets the AI [[Haruspis]], who is the guardian of the [[Domain]]. He demands to be granted access to classified information pertaining to the [[Precursor]]s and crimes against the Mantle, but Haruspis refuses him, telling that no one has such authority. The AI only allows him inside when the Juridical tells him he ''does'' have authority to delete him, but the Juridical is quickly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of knowledge the Domain forces into him. The guardian of the Domain grimly notes that the Domain has refused him, because it is coming alive, and it is not happy.
In the opening chapter, a [[Juridical|Senior Juridical]] sent under the orders of the [[Master Juridical]] meets [[Haruspis]], the guardian of the [[Domain]]. He demands to be granted access to classified information pertaining to the [[Precursor]]s and crimes against the Mantle, but Haruspis refuses him, telling that no one has such authority. Just as the Juridical tells Haruspis that he ''does'' have the authority to bypass him, the Domain itself requests to testify to the Juridical, who initially denies that it is even a conscious entity. The Domain then opens itself to the Juridical, who is quickly overwhelmed by the resulting influx of knowledge.


On [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]], Catalog observes the evacuation effort of the planet. Catalog is here to investigate the [[Battle of the Capital]], which resulted in the deaths of the entire Old Council, and demands a testimony from both the Librarian and her husband - the [[IsoDidact]], formerly Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. However, a warning of an approaching [[Flood]] fleet results in the IsoDidact having to leave to defend the territory, so Catalog is sent off with the Librarian. While it accompanies her, she tells it about the events that led to her becoming a Lifeshaper, and her growing split from the original Didact due to their differing opinions about humanity.
On [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]], Catalog observes the evacuation effort of the planet. Catalog is here to investigate the [[Battle of the Capital]], which resulted in the deaths of the entire Old Council, and demands a testimony from both the Librarian and her husband - the [[IsoDidact]], formerly Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. However, a warning of an approaching [[Flood]] fleet results in the IsoDidact having to leave to defend the territory, so Catalog is sent off with the Librarian. While it accompanies her, she tells it about the events that led to her becoming a Lifeshaper, and her growing split from the original Didact due to their differing opinions about humanity.


Over a thousand years earlier, shortly before the Ur-Didact went into exile, he and the Librarian gathered together at their estate on the world of [[Nomdagro]]. An associate of Haruspis visits their home and helps guide the Ur-Didact in the [[Cryptum]]'s preservation process. This is where the signs between the two drifting apart due to humanity become apparent.  
Over a thousand years earlier, shortly before the Ur-Didact went into exile, he and the Librarian gathered together at their estate on the world of [[Nomdagro]]. An associate of Haruspis visited their home and helped guide the Ur-Didact in the [[Cryptum]]'s preservation process. After the Didact's exile, things continued to deteriorate on the Forerunner political scene. To remain seen as an asset to the Master Builder, the Librarian proposed an expedition to a local galaxy known as [[Path Kethona]] to learn about the Flood's origins. Legend dictated that 10 million years ago, ancient Forerunners journeyed to Path Kethona, but actual records detailing this journey had long since vanished. The Old Council approved of this venture and the ship ''[[Audacity]]'' was constructed for the long journey to Path Kethona. The crew consisted of the Librarian, a Builder named [[Keeper-of-Tools]], a [[Miner]] named [[Clearance-of-Old-Forests]], and two Lifeworkers named [[Chant-to-Green]] and [[Birth-to-Light]]. Arriving at Path Kethona, the crew of ''Audacity'' would find it seemingly completely devoid of life. However, they discovered that Precursor architecture existed this far out of the Milky Way. Amongst the artifacts was a vast fleet of ancient Forerunner vessels of war. The Librarian and her crew scanned the Forerunner vessels and found nothing of true interest; any records inside had been destroyed thousands of years ago, as they were uploaded in binary.


After his exile, things continued to deteriorate on the Forerunner political scene. To remain seen as an asset to the Master Builder, the Librarian proposed an expedition to a local galaxy known as [[Path Kethona]] to learn about the Flood's origins. Legend dictated that 10 million years ago, ancient Forerunners journeyed to Path Kethona, but actual records detailing this journey had long since vanished. The Old Council approved of this venture and ten years later, the ship ''[[Audacity]]'' was completed and sped towards Path Kethona. The crew consisted of the Librarian, a Builder named [[Keeper-of-Tools]], a [[Miner]] named [[Clearance-of-Old-Forests]], and two Lifeworkers named [[Chant-to-Green]] and [[Birth-to-Light]]. Arriving at Path Kethona, the crew of ''Audacity'' would find it seemingly completely devoid of life. However, they discovered that Precursor architecture existed this far out of the Milky Way. Amongst the artifacts was a vast fleet of ancient Forerunner vessels of war. The Librarian and her crew scanned the Forerunner vessels and found nothing of true interest; any records inside had been destroyed thousands of years ago, as they were uploaded in binary.
Eventually, the Librarian, Keeper and Chant discovered [[Sedaaro|a planet]] with [[Sedaaro Forerunner|a civilization of primitive Forerunners]] confined to the planet and lacking any form of advanced technology; however, the planet's ecology was completely based upon Forerunner genetics. The crew landed on the planet to encounter the natives in person. An old female named [[Glow-of-Old-Suns]] took the Librarian to a valley where microbiological growths recorded the locals' history - essentially an organic analog to the [[Domain]]. By accessing this information reserve, the Librarian would learn that Warriors drove the Precursors to Path Kethona during the Forerunners' [[Forerunner-Precursor war|genocidal campaign]] against their creators ten million years earlier, and that the planet's inhabitants were descendants of Forerunners exiled there as punishment for refusing to partake in the destruction of the Precursors.


Eventually, the Librarian, Keeper and Chant discovered a planet with a civilization of primitive Forerunners confined to the planet and lacking any form of advanced technology. Despite the protests of the crew, the Librarian decides to encounter the natives in person. They poke and prod her in curiosity; eventually, an old female, Glow-of-Old-Suns, bites her. However, this has a practical purpose: the microbes in her mouth allow the Librarian to understand the natives and opens up their history for her. The Librarian queries Glow-of-Old-Suns about the origins of her people and is taken to a valley where she learns that the history of the natives is contained within a vast growth of moss - an organic Domain. By accessing this information reserve, she would learn that Warriors drove the Precursors to Path Kethona during the Forerunners' genocidal campaign against their creators ten million years earlier, and that the planet's inhabitants were descendants of Forerunners exiled there as punishment for refusing to partake in the destruction of the Precursors.
Back in the present, the Ur-Didact emerges from a [[stasis bubble]] on a broken-down Builder hulk drifting in a [[Burn]] (a Flood-infected star system). Also on-board is a former Promethean named [[Sharp-by-Striking]], another Catalog and a Builder named [[Maker-of-Moons]]. Sharp lost favor with Faber and Maker was going to give Catalog testimony against Faber, so all three found themselves on the broken ship as well. Their destination is a Flood-infested world called [[Uthera Midgeerrd]]. Eventually a Precursor artifact composed of slithering [[star road]]s appears and threatens to destroy the ship. The Ur-Didact, willing to confront whatever lies in the Precursor artifact, remains on the ship while the others escape; only Catalog stays to accompany him.


Back in the present, we are reunited with the Ur-Didact as he emerges from a stasis-bubble on a broken-down Builder hulk drifting in a Burn, the designation for a Flood infected star system. Also on-board is a former Promethean named [[Sharp-by-Striking]], another Catalog and a Builder named [[Maker-of-Moons]]. We learn Sharp lost favor with Faber and Maker was going to give Catalog testimony against Faber, so all three found themselves on the broken ship as well. Their destination is a Flood-infested world called [[Uthera Midgeerrd]]. Eventually a Precursor artifact with slithering star roads appears and threatens to destroy the ship. The Ur-Didact, willing to confront whatever lies in the Precursor artifact, remains on the ship while the others escape; only Catalog stays to accompany him.
The Ur-Didact and Catalog are captured by the Gravemind and the Ur-Didact's sanity is severely shaken by the resulting encounter. The Gravemind then reveals the true nature of the Precursors. They did indeed reject Forerunners for the Mantle and intended for humans to hold it. The Forerunners did not accept this and drove the Precursors from the galaxy and beyond. Some Precursors survived by going dormant, others became powder that could regenerate their old selves in time, but time rendered it defective and it only created sickness and disease. The Precursors vowed that none of their creations would rise against them again and that all life would suffer and be in perpetual agony, through their new form as the Flood.


The Ur-Didact and Catalog are captured by the Gravemind and the Ur-Didact's sanity is severely shaken by the resulting encounter. Speaking to Catalog, the Gravemind then reveals the true nature of the Precursors. They did indeed reject Forerunners for the Mantle and intended for humans to hold it. The Forerunners did not accept this and drove the Precursors from the galaxy and beyond. Some Precursors survived by going dormant, others became powder that could regenerate their old selves in time, but time rendered it defective and it only created sickness and disease. The Precursors vowed that none of their creations would rise against them again and that all life would suffer and be in perpetual agony, through their new form as the Flood.
Back in the [[Orion complex]], Forerunner defenses continue to fall as the Flood begins to reactivate formerly dormant Precursor artifacts across the galaxy and use them to overwhelm Forerunner fleets. The Master Builder is revealed to be alive and well. He rescued the Ur-Didact, who was given power once again. A meeting occurs on Nomdagro between the IsoDidact, Ur-Didact and Librarian that does not go well. Arguments ensue and the Ur-Didact reveals the Gravemind drove him mad and that he would not let humans attain the Mantle. The Flood arrives and ravages Nomdagro as the ''Audacity'' and ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'' leave towards the [[greater Ark]], now the last bastion of the ecumene.


Back in the [[Orion complex]], Forerunner defenses continue to fall as formerly dormant Precursor artifacts across the galaxy begin to reactivate, with their immense power bolstering the Flood's already enormous forces. The Master Builder is revealed to be alive and well. He rescued the Ur-Didact, who was given power once again. A meeting occurs on Nomdagro between the IsoDidact, Ur-Didact and Librarian that does not go well. Arguments ensue and the Ur-Didact reveals the Gravemind drove him mad and that he would not let humans attain the Mantle. A Precursor artifact arrives and ravages Nomdagro as the ''Audacity'' and ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'' leave towards the [[greater Ark]].
On the greater Ark, [[Omega Halo]] is there in anticipation for a Flood assault. A power struggle ensues between the IsoDidact and other Forerunner commanders who think the Ur-Didact should instead lead them. The Master Builder manages to regain control for him and the IsoDidact by revealing that the Ur-Didact is being used as a pawn for the Gravemind; after Faber had recovered him, the Ur-Didact conveyed him a sadistic message from the Gravemind which had absorbed Faber's family.
 
On the greater Ark, [[Omega Halo]] is there in anticipation for a Flood assault. [[Offensive Bias]] stands at the ready, but a power struggle ensues between the IsoDidact and other Forerunner commanders who think the Ur-Didact should instead lead them. The Master Builder manages to regain control for him and the IsoDidact by revealing that the Ur-Didact is being used as a pawn for the Gravemind; after Faber had recovered him, the Ur-Didact conveyed him a sadistic message from the Gravemind which had absorbed Faber's family.


A massive Flood fleet led by Mendicant Bias arrives and chaos erupts. In that confusion, the Ur-Didact uses a [[Composer]] to compose human populations being stored on Omega Halo and retreats towards [[Requiem]]. The Librarian follows behind him, grieving for the loss of her humans. [[343 Guilty Spark|Monitor Chakas]] is tasked with saving the rest of the humans on the Ark and taking them to the [[Installation 00|lesser Ark]], still hidden from the Ur-Didact and the Flood. The IsoDidact and the remaining Forerunner commanders with Faber in tow go to the Halo and activate it to buy time. Although the pulse destroys some of the Precursor star roads and part of the Flood fleet, both the greater Ark and Omega Halo are soon destroyed by the star roads. Faber remains behind while IsoDidact and the other commanders attempt to escape, but they begin to plummet to their deaths as the Halo is torn apart. Chakas manages to save the IsoDidact and takes him to the lesser Ark via Faber's personal [[slipspace portal]].
A massive Flood fleet led by Mendicant Bias arrives and chaos erupts. In that confusion, the Ur-Didact uses a [[Composer]] to compose human populations being stored on Omega Halo and retreats towards [[Requiem]]. The Librarian follows behind him, grieving for the loss of her humans. [[343 Guilty Spark|Monitor Chakas]] is tasked with saving the rest of the humans on the Ark and taking them to the [[Installation 00|lesser Ark]], still hidden from the Ur-Didact and the Flood. The IsoDidact and the remaining Forerunner commanders with Faber in tow go to the Halo and activate it to buy time. Although the pulse destroys some of the Precursor star roads and part of the Flood fleet, both the greater Ark and Omega Halo are soon destroyed by the star roads. Faber remains behind while IsoDidact and the other commanders attempt to escape, but they begin to plummet to their deaths as the Halo is torn apart. Chakas manages to save the IsoDidact and takes him to the lesser Ark via Faber's personal [[slipspace portal]].


At the lesser Ark, the remaining six Halos are assigned their monitor caretakers in preparation for their distribution across the galaxy, [[Installation 07]] having been deployed years prior. The IsoDidact has a brief conversation with Chakas, in which he gives him his new designation, [[343 Guilty Spark]], and assigns him to [[Installation 04]]. The IsoDidact then asks Chakas if he would fire the rings, were it his choice, but receives no response.
At the lesser Ark, the remaining six Halos are assigned their monitor caretakers in preparation for their distribution across the galaxy, [[Installation 07]] having been deployed years prior. The IsoDidact has a brief conversation with Chakas, in which he gives him his new designation, [[343 Guilty Spark]], and assigns him to [[Installation 04]]. The IsoDidact then asks Chakas [[Two Betrayals|if he would fire the rings, were it his choice]], but receives no response.


On Requiem, the Librarian sneaks aboard with the ''Audacity'' by trailing behind the ''Mantle's Approach''. Requiem's defenses also view her as a friendly and let her in. The Librarian uncovers the Ur-Didact's plans with the [[Promethean Knight]]s and finds one Promethean left uncomposed, [[Endurance-of-Will]]. Endurance, a former love interest of the Ur-Didact, is convinced to help the Librarian take down the Ur-Didact and seal him in a Cryptum. Once done, the Librarian tasks Endurance to watch over the Didact for as long as she can. As she leaves Requiem for Earth, the Librarian is confronted by a large group of Knights and wonders if Endurance chose to become one herself.
On Requiem, the Librarian sneaks aboard with the ''Audacity'' by trailing behind the ''Mantle's Approach''. Requiem's defenses also view her as a friendly and let her in. The Librarian finds [[Endurance-of-Will]], a Promethean and former lover of the Ur-Didact. Endurance reveals that the Ur-Didact is using the essences of the composed humans and Prometheans to create mechanical [[Promethean Knight]]s, with which he plans to defeat the Flood and eradicate all species who might challenge the Forerunners in the future. Despite resenting her for being chosen by the Ur-Didact instead of her, Endurance is eventually convinced to help the Librarian take down the Ur-Didact and seal him in a Cryptum. Once done, the Librarian tasks Endurance to watch over the Didact for as long as she can. As she leaves Requiem for Earth, the Librarian is confronted by a large group of Knights, which she takes command of, and wonders if Endurance chose to become one herself.


The Librarian then draws the Flood towards Earth to allow the IsoDidact to fire the seven Halo rings. She sends Chant-to-Green off to the lesser Ark with the planet's remaining humans and passes her title of Lifeshaper on to Chant while remaining on Earth herself. During her last days on Earth, the Gravemind sends down ancient human essences, including the Lord of Admirals, to reveal that the Domain was created by the Precursors as the collection of wisdom from over 100 billion years of knowledge and that is was ingrained in Precursor architecture for safekeeping. In short, the Domain is the mythical [[Organon]]. Sadly, the Librarian realizes that the Halos will destroy all of this, and that without the Domain, the Ur-Didact will spend the eons to come in complete silence, dwelling on his own madness and rage. As she watches the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]]'s construction, she sincerely hopes humanity will one day inherit the Mantle.
The Librarian then draws the Flood towards Earth to allow the IsoDidact to fire the seven Halo rings. She sends Chant-to-Green off to the lesser Ark with the planet's remaining humans and passes her title of Lifeshaper on to Chant while remaining on Earth herself. During her last days on Earth, the Gravemind sends down ancient human essences, including the Lord of Admirals, to reveal that the Domain was created by the Precursors as the collection of wisdom from over 100 billion years of knowledge and that it was ingrained in Precursor architecture for safekeeping. In short, the Domain is the mythical [[Organon]]. Sadly, the Librarian realizes that the Halos will destroy all of this, and that without the Domain, the Ur-Didact will spend the eons to come in complete silence, dwelling on his own madness and rage. As she watches the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]]'s construction, she sincerely hopes humanity will one day inherit the Mantle.


At the lesser Ark, the IsoDidact activates the rings and asks for forgiveness. In the end, 343 Guilty Spark reflects on the Halos working their power throughout the galaxy. In that instant, he receives the first signals of a young, previously-unknown civilization, which is swiftly extinguished by the Array's pulse. Compartmentalization processes then erase large portions of Spark's memory and he forgets his old life.
At the lesser Ark, the IsoDidact activates the rings while [[Offensive Bias]] [[Battle of the Maginot Sphere|fends off Mendicant Bias' fleet]], allowing the rings to fire before the latter can reach the Ark. In the end, 343 Guilty Spark reflects on the Halos working their power throughout the galaxy. In that instant, he receives the first signals of a young, previously-unknown civilization, which is swiftly extinguished by the Array's pulse. Compartmentalization processes then erase large portions of Spark's memory and he forgets his old life.


===Epilogue===
===Epilogue===
A code to a hidden audio epilogue, titled ''"Rebirth"'', is included in the form of Forerunner symbols featured in some of the chapter headings for the novel. The code can be used on [[Halo Waypoint]] to unlock a forty-minute narration by Greg Bear, describing the [[reintroduction]] phase from the perspective of [[Riser]]. Having survived the destruction of the greater Ark, Riser, [[Vinnevra]] and other humans are relocated on Installation 00 among many other species, where Forerunners watch over them until they are returned to their homeworld. At Riser's request, [[Florian|his people]] are relocated on a series of islands. Riser meets with the IsoDidact one last time before the Forerunners leave and the humans begin settling in their new home.
{{Main|Rebirth}}
A code to a hidden audio epilogue, titled ''"Rebirth"'', is included in the form of Forerunner symbols featured in some of the chapter headings for the novel. The code can be used on [[Halo Waypoint]] to unlock a forty-minute narration by Greg Bear, describing the [[reintroduction]] phase from the perspective of [[Riser]]. Having survived the destruction of the greater Ark, Riser, [[Vinnevra]] and other humans are relocated on Installation 00 among many other species, where Forerunners watch over them until they are returned to their homeworld. At Riser's request, [[Florian|his people]] are relocated on [[Wikipedia:Flores|a series of islands]]. Riser meets with the IsoDidact one last time before the Forerunners leave and the humans begin settling in their new home. Days after, a new code was revealed, adding 5 additional minutes to the epilogue, describing the trial of Mendicant Bias after its defeat at the [[Battle of the Maginot Sphere]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3YLl2NLVFA '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''The Trial of Mendicant Bias'']</ref>
{{Spoiler/end}}
{{Spoiler/end}}


==Characters==
==Appearances==
===Forerunners===
{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5|title-1=Characters|
;Forerunners
*[[Birth-to-Light]] {{1st}}
*[[Birth-to-Light]] {{1st}}
*[[Bitterness-of-the-Vanquished]] {{1st}}
*[[Bitterness-of-the-Vanquished]] {{1st}}
*[[Boundless (Forerunner)|Boundless]] {{1st}}
*[[Boundless (Forerunner)|Boundless]] {{Fm}}
*[[Carrier-of-Immunity‎]] {{1st}}
*[[Carrier-of-Immunity]] {{1st}}
*[[Catalog]] {{1st}}
*[[Catalog]] {{1st}}
*[[Celebrator-of-Birth‎]] {{1st}}
*[[Celebrator-of-Birth]] {{1st}}
*[[Chant-to-Green]] {{1st}}
*[[Chant-to-Green]] {{1st}}
*[[Clearance-of-Old-Forests]] {{1st}}
*[[Clearance-of-Old-Forests]] {{1st}}
Line 68: Line 83:
*[[Falchion]] {{1st}}
*[[Falchion]] {{1st}}
*[[Glow-of-Old-Suns]] {{1st}}
*[[Glow-of-Old-Suns]] {{1st}}
*[[IsoDidact]]
*[[Haruspis]] {{1st}}
*[[IsoDidact|IsoDidact/Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]]
*[[Keeper-of-Tools]] {{1st}}
*[[Keeper-of-Tools]] {{1st}}
*[[Librarian]]
*[[Librarian]]
*[[Maker-of-Moons]] {{1st}}
*[[Maker-of-Moons]] {{1st}}
*[[Master Juridical]] {{1st}}
*[[Sharp-by-Striking]] {{1st}}
*[[Sharp-by-Striking]] {{1st}}
*[[Tactician]] {{1st}}
*[[Tactician]] {{1st}}
*[[Ur-Didact]]
*[[Ur-Didact]]
 
;Artificial intelligences
===Artificial intelligences===
*[[Chakas]]/[[343 Guilty Spark]]
*[[343 Guilty Spark]]
*[[Haruspis]] {{1st}}
*[[Mendicant Bias]]
*[[Mendicant Bias]]
*[[Offensive Bias]]
*[[Offensive Bias]]
*The [[Warden]] {{mo}}
*[[Warden]] {{Mo}}
;Humans
*[[Forthencho]]
*[[Riser]] {{Mo}}
*[[Vinnevra]] {{Mo}}
;Others
*[[Gravemind]]
*[[Primordial]] {{Mo}}
|title-2=Species|
*[[Flood]]
*[[Forerunner]]
**[[Sedaaro Forerunner]] {{1st}}
*[[Human]]
*[[Pheru]] {{Mo}}
*[[Precursor]]
*[[San'Shyuum]] {{Mo}}
*[[Taratovire]] {{1st}}
|title-3=Organizations|
*[[Ecumene]]
**[[Ecumene Council]]
***[[Capital Court]]
**[[Forerunner fleet]]
**[[Builder]]
***[[Builder Security]]
**[[Juridical]] {{1st}}
**[[Lifeworker]]
**[[Miner]]
**[[Warrior-Servants]]
***[[Prometheans]]
*[[Erde-Tyrene civilization]]
*[[Prehistoric human civilization]]
*[[Unified Earth Government]]
**[[United Nations Space Command]]
***[[UNSC Navy]]
****[[Office of Naval Intelligence]]
|title-4=Locations|
*[[Charum Hakkor system]] {{Mo}}
**[[Charum Hakkor]] {{Mo}}
***[[Citadel Charum]] {{Mo}}
***[[Orbital arch]] {{Mo}}
**[[Faun Hakkor]] {{Mo}}
*[[Epoloch system]]
**[[Requiem]]
*[[Far Nomdagro]] system {{1st}}
**[[Nomdagro]] {{1st}}
*[[Greater Ark]]
**[[Cartographer#Greater Ark|Greater Ark's Cartographer]] {{1st}}
*[[Installation 00]]
**[[Cartographer#Installation 00|Installation 00's Cartographer]]
**[[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]]
**[[Foundry (location)|Foundry]]
*[[Installation 04]]
*[[Installation 07]]
*[[Jad Sappar]] {{Fm}}
*[[Kan Pakko]] {{1st}}
*[[Keth Sidon]] {{Fm}}
*[[Large Magellanic Cloud]] {{1st}}
**[[Tarantula Nebula]] {{1st}}
***[[Sedaaro]] {{1st}}
*[[Omega Halo]]
*[[Orion complex]]
**[[Capital]] {{Mo}}
*[[Path Kural]] {{Fm}}
*[[Path Nachryma]] {{1st}}
*[[Secunda]] {{Fm}}
*[[Sol system]]
**[[Earth]]
***[[Africa]]
****[[Djamonkin Crater]] {{Mo}}
****[[Marontik]]
****[[Portal at Voi]]
*[[Trevelyan]]
*[[Uthera Midgeerrd]] {{1st}}
|title-5=Events|
*[[Forerunner-Flood war]]
**[[Battle of Kan Pakko]] {{1st}}
**[[Battle of the 78th Thema]] {{1st}}
**[[Battle of the Capital]] {{Mo}}
**[[Battle of the greater Ark]] {{1st}}
**[[Battle of the Maginot Sphere]] {{Mo}}
*[[Forerunner-Precursor war]] {{Mo}}
*[[Human-Forerunner wars]] {{Mo}}
**[[Siege of Charum Hakkor]] {{Mo}}
*[[Kradal conflicts]] {{Fm}}
|title-6=Vehicles|
*''[[Audacity]]'' {{1st}}
*{{Class|Despair|fighter}}
*[[second-order fast frigate]] {{1st}}
*[[Forerunner cruiser]]
*[[Forerunner dreadnought]]
*{{Class|Fortress|vessel}}
*{{Class|Gargantua|transport}} {{1st}}
*{{Class|Harrier|vessel}} {{1st}}
*[[Keyship]]
*''[[Mantle's Approach]]''
*[[Seeker (vehicle)|Seeker]]
*{{UNSCShip|Rubicon}} {{Mo}}
*[[War sphinx]]
|title-7=Weapons|
*[[Z-750 binary rifle]]
|title-8=Technology|
*[[Activation index]] {{Mo}}
*[[Ancilla]]
*[[Artificial intelligence]]
*[[Cartographer]]
*[[Composer]]
*[[Contender-class artificial intelligence]]
*[[Cryptum]]
*[[Domain]]
*[[Forerunner mutation]] {{Mo}}
*[[Forerunner personal armor]]
*[[Geas]]
*[[Halo Array]]
*[[Line installation]]
*[[Logic plague]]
*[[Maginot Line]]
*[[Mind transfer]]
*[[Monitor]]
*[[Probability mirror]] {{1st}}
*[[Promethean Knight]]
*[[Promethean Watcher]]
*[[Sentinel]]
**[[Aggressor Sentinel]]
*[[Servitor]]
*[[Shield world]]
*[[Slipspace bubble]]
*[[Slipspace flake]]
*[[Slipspace portal]]
*[[Star road]]
*[[Stasis field]]
*[[Timelock]]
*[[Torsion field]] {{1st}}
}}


===Humans===
==Production notes==
*[[Forthencho]]
The novel was originally set to be released on January 8, 2013,<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/11/Tor-Books-Reveals-Title-Cover-Art-And-Release-Date-of-Third-Halo-Novel-By-Greg-Bear.aspx '''Tor Books reveals title, cover art, and release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear''']</ref> but the release was later delayed to March 19.{{Ref/Reuse|delay}} For the last three months of the novel's writing process, Greg Bear worked closely with 343 Industries Franchise Writer [[Jeremy Patenaude]] to incorporate story elements from ''Halo 4'' and other fiction and to ensure that the stories fit together seamlessly.<ref name="sparkast">[http://waypointassets.blob.core.windows.net/mobilecontent/legacysupport/content/assets/en-us/podcast/343Sparkast_017.mp3 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''343 Sparkast 017'']</ref><ref>[http://www.gregbear.com/blog/display.cfm?id=6817 '''Greg Bear Discussion Board''': ''Halo: Silentium'']</ref> A number of additional references to previous continuity were also included to the novel as a result of this collaboration. Greg Bear jokingly noted that he and Patenaude bonded as "blood brothers" and stated that he calls Patenaude "boss".{{Ref/Reuse|sparkast}}
*[[Riser]]
 
*[[Vinnevra]]
The preliminary cover art for the novel, illustrated by [[Nicolas Bouvier|Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier]], depicts a vast Forerunner structure with a [[Cryptum]] floating in the center and several ships flying by, while the final cover art depicts the Ur-Didact observing a hologram of a Cryptum and his wife, the [[Librarian]]; the preliminary cover image remains in the background, although the Cryptum in the background is absent. The original cover illustration was used to promote the novel without giving spoilers as to the appearance of the Forerunner characters, which was not revealed until ''[[Halo 4]]''. The final cover art was done as a collaboration between Sparth and ''Halo 4'' concept artist [[Gabriel Garza]].<ref>[http://sparth.tumblr.com/post/37282071285/greg-bear-silentium-book-covers-we-actually-had '''SPARTH''']</ref>


==Promotion==
==Promotion==
On February 11, 2013, an announcement was released on [[Halo Waypoint]] that in the weeks leading up to the release of ''Silentium'' Tor Books and 343 Industries would be sending out encrypted communications via halowaypoint.com bulletins and forums, which will allow fans to unlock additional content. There will also be embedded data in the text of the ''Halo: Silentium'' paperback and e-book editions.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/02/11/Halo-Fans-Can-Unlock-Additional-Content-and-Gain-XP-with-the-Release-of-Halo-Silentium.aspx '''Halo Waypoint Blogs''': ''Halo Fans Can Unlock Additional Content and Gain XP with the Release of Halo Silentium'']</ref> Players can unlock this content in the [[Halo Waypoint#Classified|Classified menu]] at Halo Waypoint. The unlocked contents are 20,000 experience points for multiplayer and an audio video called "''Rebirth''", a story narrated by Greg Bear and acts as an epilogue for ''Silentium''. It tells the story of [[Riser]] and his last encounter with the IsoDidact. Days after, the content of the code was updated, now adding 50,000 XP, a new emblem (Overachiever), and 5 additional minutes to Epilogue "Rebirth", which consist of a trial made ​​by the Forerunners survivors and Riser to Mendicant Bias after the latter's defeat in the Battle of Maginot Sphere.
On February 11, 2013, an announcement was released on [[Halo Waypoint]] that in the weeks leading up to the release of ''Silentium'' Tor Books and 343 Industries would be sending out encrypted communications via halowaypoint.com bulletins and forums, which will allow fans to unlock additional content. There will also be embedded data in the text of the ''Halo: Silentium'' paperback and e-book editions.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/02/11/Halo-Fans-Can-Unlock-Additional-Content-and-Gain-XP-with-the-Release-of-Halo-Silentium.aspx '''Halo Waypoint Blogs''': ''Halo Fans Can Unlock Additional Content and Gain XP with the Release of Halo Silentium'']</ref> Players can unlock this content in the [[Halo Waypoint#Classified|Classified menu]] at Halo Waypoint. The unlocked contents are 20,000 experience points for multiplayer and an audio video called "''Rebirth''", a story narrated by Greg Bear and acts as an epilogue for ''Silentium''. It tells the story of [[Riser]] and his last encounter with the IsoDidact. Days after, a new code was revealed, adding 50,000 XP, a new emblem (Overachiever), and 5 additional minutes to Epilogue "Rebirth", which consist of a trial made by the Forerunners survivors to Mendicant Bias after the latter's defeat against Offensive Bias.
 
Similar to the preceding novels, a sneak peek of the first two chapters of the novel was released on Halo Waypoint and Tor.com on March 13, 2013.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/03/13/Silentium-Sneak-Peek.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Silentium Sneak Peek'']</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*[[Wiktionary:Silentium|"Silentium"]] is [[Latin]] for "silence", "stillness", "inactivity" or "cessation", which reflects the effect of the Halo Array's galaxy-wide activation on the Forerunner civilization and life in the galaxy.
===Miscellaneous===
*The preliminary cover art, illustrated by [[Nicolas Bouvier|Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier]], depicts a vast Forerunner structure with a [[Cryptum]] floating in the center and several ships flying by, while the final cover art depicts the Didact observing a hologram of a Cryptum and his wife, the [[Librarian]]; the preliminary cover image remains in the background, although the Cryptum in the background is absent. The original cover illustration was used to promote the novel without giving spoilers as to the appearance of the Forerunner characters, which was not revealed until ''[[Halo 4]]''. The final cover art was done as a collaboration between Sparth and ''Halo 4'' concept artist [[Gabriel Garza]].<ref>[http://sparth.tumblr.com/post/37282071285/greg-bear-silentium-book-covers-we-actually-had '''SPARTH''']</ref>
*[[Wiktionary:Silentium|"Silentium"]] is [[Latin]] for "silence", "stillness", "inactivity" or "cessation", which reflects the effect of the Halo Array's galaxy-wide activation on the Forerunner civilization and life in the galaxy. It is also the last word in the novel, appearing as a line spoken by 343 Guilty Spark as the Halo Array fires and he forgets his humanity.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 330''</ref>
*The novel was originally set to be released on January 8, 2013,<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/11/Tor-Books-Reveals-Title-Cover-Art-And-Release-Date-of-Third-Halo-Novel-By-Greg-Bear.aspx '''Tor Books reveals title, cover art, and release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear''']</ref> but the release was later delayed to March 19,<ref name="delay"/> as additional time was required to make the story of the novel fit seamlessly with that of ''Halo 4''.<ref>[http://www.gregbear.com/blog/display.cfm?id=6817 '''Greg Bear Discussion Board''': ''Halo: Silentium'']</ref>
*The Ur-Didact exclaims "And loose damnation on the stars?" in retort to the IsoDidact's statement that using the Halos may be the Forerunners' only chance to stop the Flood.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 224''</ref> This is a reference to a line spoken by [[Cortana]] on the level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'' in ''[[Halo 3]]'': ''"For a moment of safety, I loosed damnation upon the stars."''.
*During his final conversation with 343 Guilty Spark, before deploying the Halo Array, the IsoDidact asks the monitor ''"Tell me, Chakas, if this was your choice, after all we have seen and survived... would you fire the rings?"''<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 314''</ref> This references a statement made by Guilty Spark to [[John-117]] in the opening cinematic of the level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'' in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'': ''"Last time, you asked me, if it were my choice, would I do it? Having had considerable time to ponder your query, my answer has not changed."''
**However, despite the second half of 343 Guilty Spark's comment suggesting he responded in the affirmative, in ''Silentium'', Spark does not actually reply to the IsoDidact's question.
*The novel describes a gathering of the Halo installation monitors aboard a Lifeworker vessel over the lesser Ark before the deployment of the Halos. This was first shown in the [[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|terminals]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
*The description of the Halo Array being launched from the lesser Ark via a portal closely echoes the [[:File:Array.png|depiction]] of the event from ''[[Origins]]''. However, ''Origins'' shows all seven of the final Halos entering the portal, whereas in ''Silentium'' there are only six, as [[Installation 07]] had been deployed years earlier.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 315''</ref>
*The Didact's pose in the cover art (with his hands closing around his Cryptum) foreshadows the manner in which Precursor [[star road]]s destroy planets.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 100: Line 254:
File:Halo Silentium Cover.jpg|The preliminary cover for ''Halo: Silentium''.
File:Halo Silentium Cover.jpg|The preliminary cover for ''Halo: Silentium''.
File:Silentium preliminary coverart.jpg|Full preliminary cover illustration.
File:Silentium preliminary coverart.jpg|Full preliminary cover illustration.
File:Halo Silentium carousel main.png|Full final jacket artwork.
File:HSil CoverArt.jpg|Full final jacket artwork.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Books}}
{{Navbox/Media/Novels}}
[[Category:Novels|Silentium]]
[[Category:Novels|Silentium]]
[[Category:Canon|Silentium]]
[[Category:Canon|Silentium]]

Latest revision as of 08:30, March 22, 2024

Halo: Silentium
Original
Silentium cover front.jpg
2014 re-release
February 18, 2014 edition of Halo: Silentiums cover.
Attribution information

Author(s):

Greg Bear

Cover artist(s):

Audio book narrator(s):

Euan Morton

Publication information

Publisher:

Tor Books (2013)
Simon & Schuster (2019)

Publication date:

March 19, 2013 (original)
March 26, 2019 (2019 edition)

Media type:

Print (paperback, hardcover); audiobook

Pages:

336 pages (original)
320 pages (2019 edition)

ISBN:

0230758320, 978-0230758322, 978-1982111779

Series information

Series:

The Forerunner Saga

Halo: Primordium

Halo: Silentium

Other information

Notable info:

An epilogue/coda for Halo: Silentium was released called Rebirth.

 

Halo: Silentium is the third and final novel in The Forerunner Saga by Greg Bear. It is the sequel to Halo: Primordium. It was released on March 19, 2013, with an audio edition released simultaneously.[1]

Official summary[edit]

“ In the last years of the Forerunner empire, chaos rules. The Flood — a horrifying shape-changing parasite — has arrived in force, aided by unexpected allies. Internal strife within the ecumene has desperately weakened Forerunner defenses. Too little, too late, the legal rate of Juridicals is only now investigating possible crimes by the Master Builder and others. Evidence-gathering agents known collectively as Catalog have been dispatched to collect testimony from the Librarian and both Didacts: the Ur-Didact, treacherously abandoned in a Flood-infested system, and the Bornstellar Didact, who accompanies the Librarian as she preserves specimens against the dire possibility of Halo extermination.

Facing the imminent collapse of their civilization, the Librarian and the Ur-Didact reveal what they know about the relationship between the long-vanished Precursors and the Flood. The Precursors created many technological species, including humanity and the Forerunners. But the roots of the Flood may be found in an act of enormous barbarity, carried out beyond our galaxy ten million years before… Because of that barbarism, a greater evil looms. Only the Ur-Didact and the Librarian -- husband and wife pushed into desperate conflict -- hold the keys to a solution. Facing the consequences of a mythic tragedy, one of them must now commit the greatest atrocity of all time — to prevent an insane evil from dominating the entire universe."[2]

”

Plot synopsis[edit]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Like the first two novels in the Forerunner Saga, Silentium is framed with an in-universe conceit, being presented as a series of Forerunner logs under investigation by ONI in the modern era. The files in question are said to have been extracted from two sources: the carapace of a deceased Catalog (designated Forerunner remains #879) and a damaged monitor. Both the "Bornstellar Relation", the fictional document that encompasses the narrative of Halo: Cryptum and ONI's recovery of 343 Guilty Spark which acts as the framing device for the plot of Halo: Primordium, are referenced.

In the opening chapter, a Senior Juridical sent under the orders of the Master Juridical meets Haruspis, the guardian of the Domain. He demands to be granted access to classified information pertaining to the Precursors and crimes against the Mantle, but Haruspis refuses him, telling that no one has such authority. Just as the Juridical tells Haruspis that he does have the authority to bypass him, the Domain itself requests to testify to the Juridical, who initially denies that it is even a conscious entity. The Domain then opens itself to the Juridical, who is quickly overwhelmed by the resulting influx of knowledge.

On Erde-Tyrene, Catalog observes the evacuation effort of the planet. Catalog is here to investigate the Battle of the Capital, which resulted in the deaths of the entire Old Council, and demands a testimony from both the Librarian and her husband - the IsoDidact, formerly Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. However, a warning of an approaching Flood fleet results in the IsoDidact having to leave to defend the territory, so Catalog is sent off with the Librarian. While it accompanies her, she tells it about the events that led to her becoming a Lifeshaper, and her growing split from the original Didact due to their differing opinions about humanity.

Over a thousand years earlier, shortly before the Ur-Didact went into exile, he and the Librarian gathered together at their estate on the world of Nomdagro. An associate of Haruspis visited their home and helped guide the Ur-Didact in the Cryptum's preservation process. After the Didact's exile, things continued to deteriorate on the Forerunner political scene. To remain seen as an asset to the Master Builder, the Librarian proposed an expedition to a local galaxy known as Path Kethona to learn about the Flood's origins. Legend dictated that 10 million years ago, ancient Forerunners journeyed to Path Kethona, but actual records detailing this journey had long since vanished. The Old Council approved of this venture and the ship Audacity was constructed for the long journey to Path Kethona. The crew consisted of the Librarian, a Builder named Keeper-of-Tools, a Miner named Clearance-of-Old-Forests, and two Lifeworkers named Chant-to-Green and Birth-to-Light. Arriving at Path Kethona, the crew of Audacity would find it seemingly completely devoid of life. However, they discovered that Precursor architecture existed this far out of the Milky Way. Amongst the artifacts was a vast fleet of ancient Forerunner vessels of war. The Librarian and her crew scanned the Forerunner vessels and found nothing of true interest; any records inside had been destroyed thousands of years ago, as they were uploaded in binary.

Eventually, the Librarian, Keeper and Chant discovered a planet with a civilization of primitive Forerunners confined to the planet and lacking any form of advanced technology; however, the planet's ecology was completely based upon Forerunner genetics. The crew landed on the planet to encounter the natives in person. An old female named Glow-of-Old-Suns took the Librarian to a valley where microbiological growths recorded the locals' history - essentially an organic analog to the Domain. By accessing this information reserve, the Librarian would learn that Warriors drove the Precursors to Path Kethona during the Forerunners' genocidal campaign against their creators ten million years earlier, and that the planet's inhabitants were descendants of Forerunners exiled there as punishment for refusing to partake in the destruction of the Precursors.

Back in the present, the Ur-Didact emerges from a stasis bubble on a broken-down Builder hulk drifting in a Burn (a Flood-infected star system). Also on-board is a former Promethean named Sharp-by-Striking, another Catalog and a Builder named Maker-of-Moons. Sharp lost favor with Faber and Maker was going to give Catalog testimony against Faber, so all three found themselves on the broken ship as well. Their destination is a Flood-infested world called Uthera Midgeerrd. Eventually a Precursor artifact composed of slithering star roads appears and threatens to destroy the ship. The Ur-Didact, willing to confront whatever lies in the Precursor artifact, remains on the ship while the others escape; only Catalog stays to accompany him.

The Ur-Didact and Catalog are captured by the Gravemind and the Ur-Didact's sanity is severely shaken by the resulting encounter. The Gravemind then reveals the true nature of the Precursors. They did indeed reject Forerunners for the Mantle and intended for humans to hold it. The Forerunners did not accept this and drove the Precursors from the galaxy and beyond. Some Precursors survived by going dormant, others became powder that could regenerate their old selves in time, but time rendered it defective and it only created sickness and disease. The Precursors vowed that none of their creations would rise against them again and that all life would suffer and be in perpetual agony, through their new form as the Flood.

Back in the Orion complex, Forerunner defenses continue to fall as the Flood begins to reactivate formerly dormant Precursor artifacts across the galaxy and use them to overwhelm Forerunner fleets. The Master Builder is revealed to be alive and well. He rescued the Ur-Didact, who was given power once again. A meeting occurs on Nomdagro between the IsoDidact, Ur-Didact and Librarian that does not go well. Arguments ensue and the Ur-Didact reveals the Gravemind drove him mad and that he would not let humans attain the Mantle. The Flood arrives and ravages Nomdagro as the Audacity and Mantle's Approach leave towards the greater Ark, now the last bastion of the ecumene.

On the greater Ark, Omega Halo is there in anticipation for a Flood assault. A power struggle ensues between the IsoDidact and other Forerunner commanders who think the Ur-Didact should instead lead them. The Master Builder manages to regain control for him and the IsoDidact by revealing that the Ur-Didact is being used as a pawn for the Gravemind; after Faber had recovered him, the Ur-Didact conveyed him a sadistic message from the Gravemind which had absorbed Faber's family.

A massive Flood fleet led by Mendicant Bias arrives and chaos erupts. In that confusion, the Ur-Didact uses a Composer to compose human populations being stored on Omega Halo and retreats towards Requiem. The Librarian follows behind him, grieving for the loss of her humans. Monitor Chakas is tasked with saving the rest of the humans on the Ark and taking them to the lesser Ark, still hidden from the Ur-Didact and the Flood. The IsoDidact and the remaining Forerunner commanders with Faber in tow go to the Halo and activate it to buy time. Although the pulse destroys some of the Precursor star roads and part of the Flood fleet, both the greater Ark and Omega Halo are soon destroyed by the star roads. Faber remains behind while IsoDidact and the other commanders attempt to escape, but they begin to plummet to their deaths as the Halo is torn apart. Chakas manages to save the IsoDidact and takes him to the lesser Ark via Faber's personal slipspace portal.

At the lesser Ark, the remaining six Halos are assigned their monitor caretakers in preparation for their distribution across the galaxy, Installation 07 having been deployed years prior. The IsoDidact has a brief conversation with Chakas, in which he gives him his new designation, 343 Guilty Spark, and assigns him to Installation 04. The IsoDidact then asks Chakas if he would fire the rings, were it his choice, but receives no response.

On Requiem, the Librarian sneaks aboard with the Audacity by trailing behind the Mantle's Approach. Requiem's defenses also view her as a friendly and let her in. The Librarian finds Endurance-of-Will, a Promethean and former lover of the Ur-Didact. Endurance reveals that the Ur-Didact is using the essences of the composed humans and Prometheans to create mechanical Promethean Knights, with which he plans to defeat the Flood and eradicate all species who might challenge the Forerunners in the future. Despite resenting her for being chosen by the Ur-Didact instead of her, Endurance is eventually convinced to help the Librarian take down the Ur-Didact and seal him in a Cryptum. Once done, the Librarian tasks Endurance to watch over the Didact for as long as she can. As she leaves Requiem for Earth, the Librarian is confronted by a large group of Knights, which she takes command of, and wonders if Endurance chose to become one herself.

The Librarian then draws the Flood towards Earth to allow the IsoDidact to fire the seven Halo rings. She sends Chant-to-Green off to the lesser Ark with the planet's remaining humans and passes her title of Lifeshaper on to Chant while remaining on Earth herself. During her last days on Earth, the Gravemind sends down ancient human essences, including the Lord of Admirals, to reveal that the Domain was created by the Precursors as the collection of wisdom from over 100 billion years of knowledge and that it was ingrained in Precursor architecture for safekeeping. In short, the Domain is the mythical Organon. Sadly, the Librarian realizes that the Halos will destroy all of this, and that without the Domain, the Ur-Didact will spend the eons to come in complete silence, dwelling on his own madness and rage. As she watches the Portal's construction, she sincerely hopes humanity will one day inherit the Mantle.

At the lesser Ark, the IsoDidact activates the rings while Offensive Bias fends off Mendicant Bias' fleet, allowing the rings to fire before the latter can reach the Ark. In the end, 343 Guilty Spark reflects on the Halos working their power throughout the galaxy. In that instant, he receives the first signals of a young, previously-unknown civilization, which is swiftly extinguished by the Array's pulse. Compartmentalization processes then erase large portions of Spark's memory and he forgets his old life.

Epilogue[edit]

Main article: Rebirth

A code to a hidden audio epilogue, titled "Rebirth", is included in the form of Forerunner symbols featured in some of the chapter headings for the novel. The code can be used on Halo Waypoint to unlock a forty-minute narration by Greg Bear, describing the reintroduction phase from the perspective of Riser. Having survived the destruction of the greater Ark, Riser, Vinnevra and other humans are relocated on Installation 00 among many other species, where Forerunners watch over them until they are returned to their homeworld. At Riser's request, his people are relocated on a series of islands. Riser meets with the IsoDidact one last time before the Forerunners leave and the humans begin settling in their new home. Days after, a new code was revealed, adding 5 additional minutes to the epilogue, describing the trial of Mendicant Bias after its defeat at the Battle of the Maginot Sphere.[3]

Spoilers end here.

Appearances[edit]

Characters

Forerunners
Artificial intelligences
Humans
Others

Species

Organizations

Locations

Events

Vehicles

Weapons

Technology



Production notes[edit]

The novel was originally set to be released on January 8, 2013,[4] but the release was later delayed to March 19.[1] For the last three months of the novel's writing process, Greg Bear worked closely with 343 Industries Franchise Writer Jeremy Patenaude to incorporate story elements from Halo 4 and other fiction and to ensure that the stories fit together seamlessly.[5][6] A number of additional references to previous continuity were also included to the novel as a result of this collaboration. Greg Bear jokingly noted that he and Patenaude bonded as "blood brothers" and stated that he calls Patenaude "boss".[5]

The preliminary cover art for the novel, illustrated by Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier, depicts a vast Forerunner structure with a Cryptum floating in the center and several ships flying by, while the final cover art depicts the Ur-Didact observing a hologram of a Cryptum and his wife, the Librarian; the preliminary cover image remains in the background, although the Cryptum in the background is absent. The original cover illustration was used to promote the novel without giving spoilers as to the appearance of the Forerunner characters, which was not revealed until Halo 4. The final cover art was done as a collaboration between Sparth and Halo 4 concept artist Gabriel Garza.[7]

Promotion[edit]

On February 11, 2013, an announcement was released on Halo Waypoint that in the weeks leading up to the release of Silentium Tor Books and 343 Industries would be sending out encrypted communications via halowaypoint.com bulletins and forums, which will allow fans to unlock additional content. There will also be embedded data in the text of the Halo: Silentium paperback and e-book editions.[8] Players can unlock this content in the Classified menu at Halo Waypoint. The unlocked contents are 20,000 experience points for multiplayer and an audio video called "Rebirth", a story narrated by Greg Bear and acts as an epilogue for Silentium. It tells the story of Riser and his last encounter with the IsoDidact. Days after, a new code was revealed, adding 50,000 XP, a new emblem (Overachiever), and 5 additional minutes to Epilogue "Rebirth", which consist of a trial made by the Forerunners survivors to Mendicant Bias after the latter's defeat against Offensive Bias.

Similar to the preceding novels, a sneak peek of the first two chapters of the novel was released on Halo Waypoint and Tor.com on March 13, 2013.[9]

Trivia[edit]

Miscellaneous[edit]

  • "Silentium" is Latin for "silence", "stillness", "inactivity" or "cessation", which reflects the effect of the Halo Array's galaxy-wide activation on the Forerunner civilization and life in the galaxy. It is also the last word in the novel, appearing as a line spoken by 343 Guilty Spark as the Halo Array fires and he forgets his humanity.[10]
  • The Ur-Didact exclaims "And loose damnation on the stars?" in retort to the IsoDidact's statement that using the Halos may be the Forerunners' only chance to stop the Flood.[11] This is a reference to a line spoken by Cortana on the level The Covenant in Halo 3: "For a moment of safety, I loosed damnation upon the stars.".
  • During his final conversation with 343 Guilty Spark, before deploying the Halo Array, the IsoDidact asks the monitor "Tell me, Chakas, if this was your choice, after all we have seen and survived... would you fire the rings?"[12] This references a statement made by Guilty Spark to John-117 in the opening cinematic of the level Two Betrayals in Halo: Combat Evolved: "Last time, you asked me, if it were my choice, would I do it? Having had considerable time to ponder your query, my answer has not changed."
    • However, despite the second half of 343 Guilty Spark's comment suggesting he responded in the affirmative, in Silentium, Spark does not actually reply to the IsoDidact's question.
  • The novel describes a gathering of the Halo installation monitors aboard a Lifeworker vessel over the lesser Ark before the deployment of the Halos. This was first shown in the terminals of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
  • The description of the Halo Array being launched from the lesser Ark via a portal closely echoes the depiction of the event from Origins. However, Origins shows all seven of the final Halos entering the portal, whereas in Silentium there are only six, as Installation 07 had been deployed years earlier.[13]
  • The Didact's pose in the cover art (with his hands closing around his Cryptum) foreshadows the manner in which Precursor star roads destroy planets.

Gallery[edit]

  • The preliminary cover for Halo: Silentium.

    The preliminary cover for Halo: Silentium.

  • Full preliminary cover illustration.

    Full preliminary cover illustration.

  • Full final jacket artwork.

    Full final jacket artwork.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Tor Books updates release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear
  2. ^ Amazon.com official book description
  3. ^ Halo Waypoint - The Trial of Mendicant Bias
  4. ^ Tor Books reveals title, cover art, and release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear
  5. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: 343 Sparkast 017
  6. ^ Greg Bear Discussion Board: Halo: Silentium
  7. ^ SPARTH
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint Blogs: Halo Fans Can Unlock Additional Content and Gain XP with the Release of Halo Silentium
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint: Silentium Sneak Peek
  10. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 330
  11. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 224
  12. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 314
  13. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 315

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