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Posted by: Ninja2000
When infecting a host, the Flood probes the nervous system of said host to gain a better understanding of how to use the body, almost like test-firing a weapon.
Likewise, the Flood then sift through the memories and thoughts of the host taking what they desire out of the subconsciousness. Information such as piloting a cruiser, using a weapon, coordinating a Slip-space jump, etc... can all be gleaned from a host whose mind holds said information. Because the Flood work as a collective, should the thought spread amongst them, it will become wide-spread, allowing even the newly infected to perform tasks such as driving a warthog.
With Keyes, the Proto-Gravemind had access to UNSC defense tactics, colony worlds, Fleet/troop deployment, and much more. Also worth noting is that while the Proto-Gravemind knew he had such information, the fact that Keyes willed himself not to share it made the Flood entity more determined to rip it out of him. Keyes instead used his neural lace to repeat his service number to the Gravemind, essentially stalling him as long as necessary.
Yeah, they probably used Keyes because he was a smart dude. I guess the next question is, why was he not totally obsorbed into the blob that is the proto-gravemind? Was he added recently and therefore not entirely encased in the surrounding goop? That's my theory. Heh, before I knew about the graveminds, I thought it was just a plot hole, but now it makes more sense. Also, I think it's kinda cool how Keyes gets kidnapped twice and taken to the same ship both times, only by a different foe each time! Even that makes sense actually, because all the other ships in the covie fleet were ordered to stay away from the flood, but the Truth and Reconciliation was damaged and couldn't leave. I love how Bungie thinks things through! Brings a smile to my face. :)