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This topic has moved here: Subject: PARDON OUR DUST
  • Subject: PARDON OUR DUST
Subject: PARDON OUR DUST
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Someone's gamertag is Ombudsman. hahaha It means nothing, but it's pretty funny. XD He made his account on 9/27/07 and was last active 9/27/07. XD

  • 09.23.2008 11:32 AM PDT
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Umm, Hi guys, *Red-faced* sorry about the huuuuge shoutfest I had. I was in a terrible mood, and kinda took it out on you lot, its just annoying that I kept having to repeat stuff because people wouldn't check the pages.
In a way, I'm saying I'm sorry for taking it out on you all and especially to those who have been working tirelessly to work out clues. I want to be a part of it again, as I've got the addiction to finding out what it was, and let's face it, we all need help from each other.
Just, please guys, do some research before you post, a lot has already been found out, and its tiresome having to keep explaining to people about already known facts.

After that....have we found anymore out? Anything to do with this Ombudsman that was/is in cam 3? I did have a skim of the last page, but didn't find much reference.

Personally, I think it's Stanforth, as he was in command in many battles with the Covenant whilst there was also a ground engagement. This makes it sound like there is an invasion. and. OMG!, not wanting to do the whole look at me I got it, but, this DARE asks for reinforcements. We know that the Covenant RARELY invade unless the planet is of great importance. Oh damn, that stared us in the face imo!
It must be Reach, Earth(very unlikely) Sigma Octanus IV or another world home to an artifact. The Covenant always glass, they never invade since the Humans can gain the upper hand on the ground, in space the Covenant dominate them!

Anyone else agree with this? Thank you Jumper, your idea spurred me onto this (breakthrough?)
And a special thanks to Next Pro Jumper and SE1rahc for persuading me to come back. Let's hope we can sort this mystery out!

[Edited on 09.23.2008 11:35 AM PDT]

  • 09.23.2008 11:33 AM PDT

Posted by: Next Pro Jumper
Posted by: SpartanL127
ok we know there was an admiral in the pardon or dust conversation, we have to find out who that was, anyone have any ideas who it might of been


I still say Stanforth, as he had Keyes on board his ship in The Fall of Reach. And, he knew Halsey closely. If this book is a prequel, it may very well be him.
The only other possibility would be Stanforth, as he issued a recall of all ships to Reach. He could have been the admiral, then he probably died soon after. Well, he was presumed to be dead, as the entire fleet had to pass him by in the middle of the battle, and the admiral was desperate enough to launch 7 pods of Archer missiles.
I was also thinking it could be Stanforth

  • 09.23.2008 11:33 AM PDT

welcome back Lancast3rUK

-sorry for the double post-

[Edited on 09.23.2008 11:40 AM PDT]

  • 09.23.2008 11:40 AM PDT
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Thanks Spartan, nice to see some people realised I returned. (Jumper, I'm staring RIGHT at you.) ;)

What did you think to the idea of the Covenant never invading unless it's mission critical?

  • 09.23.2008 11:44 AM PDT

lol we still have lancaster jumper and spartan! lol there is hope. im glad you guys are sitcking with it through all these threads

good idea lancaster, all evidence points toward the battle being over Reach. Earth isn't likely, youre right... bungie has had 2 games in a row now with a battle being fought on Earth. Sigma octanus 4 is also unlikely, it was more of a small engagement with the spartans vs smaller covenant forces and the space battle above the planet wasnt really mentioned.

so yeah now it looks like stanforth is fighting above reach and some ONI spook is requesting ground forces (hopefully some form of spartan lol)

i think the ground battle for reach is described in the novel First Strike... is that correct? anyways i remember reading it vividly and wishing they would make a game out of this battle. they were defending the mac gun power generators and stuff and jumping out of pelicans without parachutes, lol yeah that would be a sweet battle scenario

  • 09.23.2008 11:48 AM PDT

it is about the UNSC vs the Innies. If you read Contact Harvest you'll know

  • 09.23.2008 11:49 AM PDT
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There is a lot they could do with it indeed Se1rahc. I for one would defiantely buy a Halo game set in and around the battle for Reach.
Next thing to try and work out is, why does the ONI spook want backup, are they cowards or do they have something important? If it is important, then what is it?

And why does the Admiral change his/her mind just like that? Most of the time such a high rank would have to make an educated decision. Obviously he can see things we can't, but maybe there is a big change to warrant such a decision?

*Edit - I have read Contact Harvest. Twice. I can't make the connection. What do you think you've got?

[Edited on 09.23.2008 11:53 AM PDT]

  • 09.23.2008 11:51 AM PDT

Posted by: FORGEMAN
it is about the UNSC vs the Innies. If you read Contact Harvest you'll know


yeah we all read the books... its definitely a possibilty but if you honestly thought about it for a second there is no concrete evidence of that. dont be so sure of yourself

  • 09.23.2008 11:52 AM PDT

I have to say you are right about the covenant only invading important planets, and dominating space. It seems everything points to Reach

  • 09.23.2008 11:52 AM PDT
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Posted by: SpartanL127
I have to say you are right about the covenant only invading important planets, and dominating space. It seems everything points to Reach


I fail to see how "everything points to Reach."

Currently, we know that there is a ship (Say My Name) that's fighting for it's life, and an S1 is wanting a "squad."

There's next to nothing that points to Reach. It's simply only a possibility.

  • 09.23.2008 11:55 AM PDT
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Posted by: poffyCakes
Posted by: SpartanL127
I have to say you are right about the covenant only invading important planets, and dominating space. It seems everything points to Reach


I fail to see how "everything points to Reach."

Currently, we know that there is a ship (Say My Name) that's fighting for it's life, and an S1 is wanting a "squad."

There's next to nothing that points to Reach. It's simply only a possibility.


True, but there is a helluva lot pointing to Reach from the educated guesses we've made.

  • 09.23.2008 11:56 AM PDT

Posted by: poffyCakes
Posted by: SpartanL127
I have to say you are right about the covenant only invading important planets, and dominating space. It seems everything points to Reach


I fail to see how "everything points to Reach."

Currently, we know that there is a ship (Say My Name) that's fighting for it's life, and an S1 is wanting a "squad."

There's next to nothing that points to Reach. It's simply only a possibility.
i said it seems

  • 09.23.2008 11:56 AM PDT
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Posted by: SpartanL127
Posted by: poffyCakes
Posted by: SpartanL127
I have to say you are right about the covenant only invading important planets, and dominating space. It seems everything points to Reach


I fail to see how "everything points to Reach."

Currently, we know that there is a ship (Say My Name) that's fighting for it's life, and an S1 is wanting a "squad."

There's next to nothing that points to Reach. It's simply only a possibility.
i said it seems


A better way to state a highly theoretical hypothesis (which doesn't have a lot of proof or evidence), is to state that it's a "possibility".

  • 09.23.2008 11:58 AM PDT

Yep, as of now I'd say Reach is the prime candidate for the battle described in PARDON OUR DUST.

The conversation between the ONI operative and the Admiral is a very strange depiction of words for the military indeed... any regular military personell would never speak to a superior that way... that means the ONI spook is probably pretty high up, even though he/she is outranked by the Admiral...

However, throughout the books, ONI always had a certain disregard for the UNSC military hierarchy, and usually did whatever they wanted to get done what they needed to be done

Another idea is a personal aquaintance, someone like Halsey and Keyes or John and Mendez, those types of relationships still followed a formal military outline, but and emotional/personal tone was often taken

  • 09.23.2008 11:59 AM PDT
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True, I don't think Halsey was linked with Section 1. Thats a very good idea about personal relationships in there. What about Colonel James Ackerson? Or was he Section 3? I know he was very arrogant and often talked down to his superiors.

  • 09.23.2008 12:02 PM PDT

Posted by: poffyCakes
Posted by: SpartanL127
Posted by: poffyCakes
Posted by: SpartanL127
I have to say you are right about the covenant only invading important planets, and dominating space. It seems everything points to Reach


I fail to see how "everything points to Reach."

Currently, we know that there is a ship (Say My Name) that's fighting for it's life, and an S1 is wanting a "squad."

There's next to nothing that points to Reach. It's simply only a possibility.
i said it seems


A better way to state a highly theoretical hypothesis (which doesn't have a lot of proof or evidence), is to state that it's a "possibility".
ok, ill make sure to include that next time ; )

  • 09.23.2008 12:04 PM PDT
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I know my part is so microscopic, but I'm proud to say I am here for topic 2 after reading all of topic 1.

I am embarrassed to say that I haven't read this one at all yet. Sooooo, time to do some research....

  • 09.23.2008 12:04 PM PDT

But is the thought of another book, maybe more in depth the subject here. ...
and does this link help at all...just found it

http://www.tobiasbuckell.com/2008/06/16/halo-the-cole-protoco l-and-welcome-to-all-you-new-readers/

its about the author of halo books

  • 09.23.2008 12:06 PM PDT

those boxes have been sitting there for an entire day, why would a professionaly company like bungie just leave stuff sitting in the fron entrance lol

  • 09.23.2008 12:08 PM PDT
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Posted by: lThe Gruntinator
i was voted prom king and queen, and then I got to -blam!- myself. It was great.

i'd say its still WAY too early to try and guess
for all we know, this all occurs after Halo 3, maybe involves some Spartan III's
oh and hi

  • 09.23.2008 12:08 PM PDT

Posted by: URSCREWED 10
But is the thought of another book, maybe more in depth the subject here. ...
and does this link help at all...just found it

http://www.tobiasbuckell.com/2008/06/16/halo-the-cole-protoco l-and-welcome-to-all-you-new-readers/

its about the author of halo books
fixed http://www.tobiasbuckell.com/2008/06/16/halo-the-cole-protoco l-and-welcome-to-all-you-new-readers/

  • 09.23.2008 12:09 PM PDT
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who is SI plz message me and tell me!

  • 09.23.2008 12:10 PM PDT

im gonna be busy for the next few hours guys. ill try to check back in periodically tho, pm me if something ridiculous happens

  • 09.23.2008 12:11 PM PDT