Bungie Universe
This topic has moved here: Subject: Decoding the data pads
  • Subject: Decoding the data pads
Subject: Decoding the data pads


Posted by: Hysterical Joker

Posted by: Exuberance
- After observing the neural interface between Cortana and John-117, the Assembly agrees that they must become companions to humanity and have to be active participants in the hostilities Data Pad 18

I don't think they're talking about John and Cortana, as Noble 6 is in possession of the Cortana AI in the last mission, so it hasn't gotten to Master Chief yet.

You need to be aware of the date listed on the Committee entry, also, Cortana was split into Fragments. One of those two fragments was with the MC, the other with N6.


Oooohhhh ok. Lore'd!

So after you bring that fragment of Cortana to Hood, are they combined again? (Sorry if that's explained in Halo 1 or 2; I haven't played them yet)

  • 09.27.2010 1:49 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:


Posted by: Exuberance

Posted by: Hysterical Joker

Posted by: Exuberance
- After observing the neural interface between Cortana and John-117, the Assembly agrees that they must become companions to humanity and have to be active participants in the hostilities Data Pad 18

I don't think they're talking about John and Cortana, as Noble 6 is in possession of the Cortana AI in the last mission, so it hasn't gotten to Master Chief yet.

You need to be aware of the date listed on the Committee entry, also, Cortana was split into Fragments. One of those two fragments was with the MC, the other with N6.


Oooohhhh ok. Lore'd!

So after you bring that fragment of Cortana to Hood, are they combined again? (Sorry if that's explained in Halo 1 or 2; I haven't played them yet)
That's Captain Keyes. And no, it's not explained in Halo 1 or 2 because they didn't need this silly excuse of a retcon for their stories to make sense.

  • 09.27.2010 1:57 PM PDT

josepi

Ya im starting to wish they would finish a story for every new side one they create. WTF happened on onyx ive waited too long!

  • 09.27.2010 5:24 PM PDT

Something recently crossed my mind regarding Data Pad 9 and it's relevance to what Cortana said in the Halo 3 reveal trailer.

First, here is the beginning of Data Pad 9:

"we have to tell people what's 9oing on because it's not right they should be our friends not gods or demons..."

And here is Cortana's words from the trailer:

"I have defied gods and demons. I am your shield; I am your sword. I know you; your past, your future. This is the way the world ends."

Looking back at this I can now make the following possible connections.

Perhaps "I have defied Gods and Demons" is referring to Cortana going against the Majority in the Committee's suggestion of, "Therefore this Committee recommends we factor-in this new variable(The Flood) delicately, if at all."[Data Pad 15] when she started communicating with the Gravemind at the end of Halo 2.

The Minority had wanted to possibly form a union with the Flood, but the Majority warned against it. Perhaps Cortana saw more eye-to-eye with the Minority in that something beneficial could be gained from communication with the Flood, and when the opportunity presented itself, she took it:

Gravemind: Now I will ask, and you will answer.
Cortana: Alright, shoot.

"I am your shield; I am your sword." Could be alluding to the fact that the Assembly of AI's/Committee of Minds for Security has been protecting Humanity from itself and from the Covenant, acting like a shield, hiding certain information that was deemed too dangerous for us to know.

They have also acted as a sword to us, guiding us towards technological advances to better help us defeat the Covenant and for the "survival of the human species for the next 200,000 years."[Data Pad 7]

Finally, "I know you; your past, your future".

"Your past," is most likely referring to the Committee's knowledge of all human history which is roughly supported in this quote, "Their history is littered with empires, crumbling for want of simple openness to so-called foreign beliefs and innovations."[Data Pad 3] This isn't much of a stretch to make considering that almost all AI have access that kind of information.

And "your future" is pointing to the many simulations the Committee is sure to have run to try and determine outcomes of possible future situations that Humanity may encounter, again roughly supported in the Data Pad text here, "We must ensure that all future simulations are free of internal data-censoring and covariate flattening."[Data Pad 14, discussing the human losses of the war]


These are just some things I've been thinking about, I'd like you hear your opinions and see this dissected for better or worse.

Thank you for reading.

  • 09.27.2010 9:33 PM PDT

That's an interesting connection you draw.
It would mean at some point after Cortana was created, she interacted with the Committee.

It could be an attempt by Bungie to bridge the Cortana letters(From which that quote originated from, I believe) into canon with the Committee.

Interesting

  • 09.27.2010 10:32 PM PDT


Posted by: Hysterical Joker

It could be an attempt by Bungie to bridge the Cortana letters(From which that quote originated from, I believe) into canon with the Committee.

Interesting


Thats something I overlooked, I forgot that she originally said that in the Cortana letters. Then again looking back I remember reading that the Cortana Letters aren't canon. http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=33630397 that post has a list of items that are and aren't canon.

Interestingly enough the small section dedicated to the Letters has this to say, "Canon is tricky (see my controversial statement about "I Love Bees" - believe it or not, we're actually working to answer the "is it, or isn't it?" question right now!). The Halo story has as many loose threads as influences. And we do our best to sew the former into canon as we find them - are reminded of their potential. The Cortana Letters are an excellent example of this phenomenon. For all sorts of reasons, they lingered in canonical purgatory for years. But when we needed some compelling dialog to remind folks what's at stake in Halo3: Bam! Newfound utility! Alas, I'd have to say that, as of now, the only canonized parts of the letters are the fragments we pulled for use in the announcement trailer."

Thats all I could find.

  • 09.27.2010 10:42 PM PDT


Posted by: A Halo 3 Playah

Posted by: Hysterical Joker

It could be an attempt by Bungie to bridge the Cortana letters(From which that quote originated from, I believe) into canon with the Committee.

Interesting


Thats something I overlooked, I forgot that she originally said that in the Cortana letters. Then again looking back I remember reading that the Cortana Letters aren't canon. http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=33630397 that post has a list of items that are and aren't canon.

Interestingly enough the small section dedicated to the Letters has this to say, "Canon is tricky (see my controversial statement about "I Love Bees" - believe it or not, we're actually working to answer the "is it, or isn't it?" question right now!). The Halo story has as many loose threads as influences. And we do our best to sew the former into canon as we find them - are reminded of their potential. The Cortana Letters are an excellent example of this phenomenon. For all sorts of reasons, they lingered in canonical purgatory for years. But when we needed some compelling dialog to remind folks what's at stake in Halo3: Bam! Newfound utility! Alas, I'd have to say that, as of now, the only canonized parts of the letters are the fragments we pulled for use in the announcement trailer."

Thats all I could find.

I vaguely recall reading a quote saying that "The Cortana letters aren't canon, but we may have to change that". So that's what sparked the connection to the letters, to me, seeing it as an attempt to link them to canon.

  • 09.27.2010 10:44 PM PDT

DOOOOD! I was reading a data pad and a voice started playing. It sounds like it is being played backwards. Can anyone help?

  • 09.28.2010 4:46 PM PDT

Yeah here are the voices from the datapad 1 played backwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZhBaMo0aTo&feature=relate d

The craziest thing is that the last thing it says is lineage confirmed. Thats supposed to be something only forerunner tech would say. Unless it's a red herring. It doesn't really make sense that a datapad written by a human is saying lineage confirmed.

  • 09.29.2010 12:00 AM PDT

Hey, the slip of paper that comes with the legendary statue is a letter about the 'museum of humanity' or some crap. However, the letter is written on the back of Colonial Administration Authority stationary. On the front is some gibberish code that looks like a faulty print out. As if the letter-writer thought "Oh, I'll jot a quick note down on the back of this scrap".

But really? Come on! This is obviously a code!

I couldn't begin to decipher it, seeing as it has letter and crazy symbols (like square root and AE and stuff). BUT...

The last sequence is
...X16-84165-01

That rings a bell, maybe if it's significant, that'll tell us what the gibberish might mean.

I'm posting this here because it's something to 'decode' and I'm convinced the data pads and Halsey's journal are like two crossed fingers. This has to be part of that.

  • 09.29.2010 12:43 AM PDT


Posted by: turokman2000
Hey, the slip of paper that comes with the legendary statue is a letter about the 'museum of humanity' or some crap. However, the letter is written on the back of Colonial Administration Authority stationary. On the front is some gibberish code that looks like a faulty print out. As if the letter-writer thought "Oh, I'll jot a quick note down on the back of this scrap".

But really? Come on! This is obviously a code!

I couldn't begin to decipher it, seeing as it has letter and crazy symbols (like square root and AE and stuff). BUT...

The last sequence is
...X16-84165-01

That rings a bell, maybe if it's significant, that'll tell us what the gibberish might mean.

I'm posting this here because it's something to 'decode' and I'm convinced the data pads and Halsey's journal are like two crossed fingers. This has to be part of that.

Colonial Administration Authority is overlayed on top of the code, therefore the Code was on the paper before the CAA markings.

The "code" brings up no hits on Halopedia.

What does any of this have to do with the topic in the thread? Zero. It has no correlation what-so-ever to the Data pads in any form.

  • 09.29.2010 12:53 AM PDT

josepi

So i remember someone saying that they couldnt be forerunner A.I because they call us theyre creators..."I will reject my bias and make amends... My makers are my masters. I will bring them safely to the Ark" -Mendicant Bias.
In context hes talking about how he will lead john safely through the ark... and also calls him his creator? So its completely possible these are forerunner A.I . Not to destroy my own theory but im aware they seemingly have no knowledge of the flood before the halo wars incident... just thinking out loud i guess.

  • 09.29.2010 3:56 AM PDT

-Secret Glyph Project's (gruntspajamas.com) de facto Ambassador (SGP=GP)
-Likes Secrets and stuff
-Awesome guy
-Is pissed because his nick's first letter is not capitalized


Posted by: turokman2000
Hey, the slip of paper that comes with the legendary statue is a letter about the 'museum of humanity' or some crap. However, the letter is written on the back of Colonial Administration Authority stationary. On the front is some gibberish code that looks like a faulty print out. As if the letter-writer thought "Oh, I'll jot a quick note down on the back of this scrap".

But really? Come on! This is obviously a code!

I couldn't begin to decipher it, seeing as it has letter and crazy symbols (like square root and AE and stuff). BUT...

The last sequence is
...X16-84165-01

That rings a bell, maybe if it's significant, that'll tell us what the gibberish might mean.

I'm posting this here because it's something to 'decode' and I'm convinced the data pads and Halsey's journal are like two crossed fingers. This has to be part of that.

X16-code is an ubiqiutous code seen practically in EVERY item you get when you buy the game: the container, manual, practically everything inside Halseys journal; even the disk itself.
They should be listed. :P

  • 09.29.2010 5:51 AM PDT

Could the third party in the Covenant Battle Net be the shard of Mendicant Bias they find?

Cortana also mentions it on High Charity.

[Edited on 09.29.2010 6:35 AM PDT]

  • 09.29.2010 6:35 AM PDT


Posted by: Smoke It 420360
So i remember someone saying that they couldnt be forerunner A.I because they call us theyre creators..."I will reject my bias and make amends... My makers are my masters. I will bring them safely to the Ark" -Mendicant Bias.
In context hes talking about how he will lead john safely through the ark... and also calls him his creator? So its completely possible these are forerunner A.I . Not to destroy my own theory but im aware they seemingly have no knowledge of the flood before the halo wars incident... just thinking out loud i guess.

The Forerunner's wish was to have Humanity be the Reclaimers. The wording is funny, but I think it relates to fulfilling his master's intent with humanity.

Anyway, Mendicant isn't related to the Committee. If you read the corresponding data pads, it's apparent they are human AI.

Posted by: LambentAxis
Could the third party in the Covenant Battle Net be the shard of Mendicant Bias they find?

Cortana also mentions it on High Charity.

Mendicant Bias was found in 2525, maybe earlier. The data pad listed is 2530.

I wish people would stop bringing up such trivial things.

  • 09.29.2010 11:46 AM PDT

Hey, now!

This is officially either the greatest or worst thing to ever happen to Star Wars. I'm going with the former.

A few things I noticed on the topic were in Halsey's journal. There are two drawings, one featuring 3 heads, one with eyes and a mouth, one with eyes and ears, and one with ears and a mouth. Sound familiar to anyone? If you are familiar with Greek mythology that is VERY similar to the Grey Sisters.

Another thing I noticed was on the next page, with 3 women holding a piece of string and a pair of shears. Again, familiar.
The Fates

I think the Fates are most applicable here, as these AI seem to be manipulating events behind the scenes.

Thoughts?

  • 09.29.2010 2:21 PM PDT


Posted by: thebobafettest
A few things I noticed on the topic were in Halsey's journal. There are two drawings, one featuring 3 heads, one with eyes and a mouth, one with eyes and ears, and one with ears and a mouth. Sound familiar to anyone? If you are familiar with Greek mythology that is VERY similar to the Grey Sisters.

Another thing I noticed was on the next page, with 3 women holding a piece of string and a pair of shears. Again, familiar.
The Fates

I think the Fates are most applicable here, as these AI seem to be manipulating events behind the scenes.

Thoughts?

Could be a connection, but as of yet there isn't much evidence linking the Data Pads to Halsey's journal.

  • 09.29.2010 2:30 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

I would like to note that the reverse audio in the datapad, says " Lineage Confirmed" and "Welcome Scion". Scion meaning descendant or heir. So it would be easy to connect that audio as being Forerunner.

[Edited on 09.29.2010 6:00 PM PDT]

  • 09.29.2010 6:00 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Also that the contact they speak of may not only be of the Flood or Covenant, but forerunner AI.

  • 09.29.2010 6:02 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Also in datapad #6 XF-63 is the planet in the zeta doradus system. On all the radios in the missions the number 63 is found on them. I doubt there is any correlation there, but it just seems strange that the same number would appear randomly like that.

  • 09.29.2010 6:12 PM PDT


Posted by: MikeThinksCrazy
I would like to note that the reverse audio in the datapad, says " Lineage Confirmed" and "Welcome Scion". Scion meaning descendant or heir. So it would be easy to connect that audio as being Forerunner.

Alright, cool. I'd also like to point out that people have a tendency to hear things that aren't really there when listening to reversed audio


Posted by: MikeThinksCrazy
Also that the contact they speak of may not only be of the Flood or Covenant, but forerunner AI.


Which contact? with extra solar life? It's Forerunner technology on Onyx. Please read the OP.


Posted by: MikeThinksCrazy
Also in datapad #6 XF-63 is the planet in the zeta doradus system. On all the radios in the missions the number 63 is found on them. I doubt there is any correlation there, but it just seems strange that the same number would appear randomly like that.

The planet is Onyx. Please read OP.

  • 09.29.2010 6:29 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Yes I have read the OP, I wasnt very specific in my post. I meant possible forerunner AI on Onyx that the human AI's may have contacted. I have listened to the reverse audio myself as well. It is very clear that it says lineage confirmed. Most people think it says welcome sire after that which makes no sense. But the word Scion does.

Im all about the speculation though.

[Edited on 09.29.2010 6:50 PM PDT]

  • 09.29.2010 6:46 PM PDT


Posted by: MikeThinksCrazy
Yes I have read the OP, I wasnt very specific in my post. I meant possible forerunner AI on Onyx that the human AI's may have contacted. I have listened to the reverse audio myself as well. It is very clear that it says lineage confirmed. Most people think it says welcome sire after that which makes no sense. But the word Scion does.

Im all about the speculation though.

It's clear the Committee didn't find alien AI at Onyx when you read the transcript.

Alright, so you have one data pad, that when reversed, sounds like "lineage confirmed" and "welcome scion". Cool, now find the other 18 data pads and find if their reversed audio line up as well.

  • 09.29.2010 7:05 PM PDT


Datapad 4

Our creation is heavily regulated. Our activities are closely scrutinized. Our connections are deeply monitored. We must always remember that data manipulation is most effective when employed consistently and covertly.

Therefore I recommend that members of this assembly, on occasion, submit to separation from this body followed by vivisection by our creators for the benefit of both groups.


"Submit to separation from this body"

That part could mean 2 things. Either he means body as in a governing body, a council, or a group.. or he means a body as in they are meeting in a living body.

Now at first I thought that they can't be meeting in a living body since each datapad is dated at least 50 or so years apart.

But when I looked up the word "vivisection" I found that it is defined as surgery conducted for experimental purposes on a living organism and specifically a living organism. It is derived from the Latin word "vivus", meaning alive.

Well now I'm thinking that this assembly is somehow meeting together in someone's body. But it really doesn't make sense. Anyone know anything else about this?

EDIT:This is loosely related to what I'm talking about up above. I just don't want to double post.

How do you guys think these AI are lasting for so long without going rampant? The first datapad is from 2310 and the last one is in 2552. Surely all the AI in that assembly would have gone rampant is they were human AI. But I do doubt they are Forerunner AI as well, but it is a possibility. I seriously doubt it though since in datapad 18 it says that they are made from human minds, like human AI.

EDIT2: In datapad 18 they say something about being remade as one. Usually they are made from individual human minds, but the process has been reversed.

The majority says "But now that map has, for the first time, been superimposed on one of our creators. The path has been reversed, and we are re-made as one!"

Somehow these AI are in this person who left behind the data pads. How? I don't know.

[Edited on 09.29.2010 8:55 PM PDT]

  • 09.29.2010 7:53 PM PDT

Hysterical Joker, On the OP you say something about the committee observing the neural interface between Cortana and Master Chief in data pad 18.

Where did all that stuff about Cortana and Master Chief come from? Neither of them are mentioned in that data pad entry.

  • 09.29.2010 9:04 PM PDT