- Fin5434p
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"but you already knew that, I mean, how couldn't you?
Only when no Human brick is left atop another, shall we be satisfied with your destruction.
It seems to depend on the 'firing mode' the Array is in at the time.
In Cryptum the Halos are not linked, and can be used in a 'tactical' manner to cleanse solar systems (or presumably larger areas out to 25,000Ly).
in the 'default' state the Forerunner left them in after defeating the Flood they are linked in an array and firing one will set off the entire Array. Guilty Spark states this in Two Betrayals:
Cortana: And that's exactly what Halo is designed to do; wipe the galaxy clean of all sentient life. You don't believe me? Ask him.
(Master Chief turns to 343 Guilty Spark)
MASTER CHIEF:
Is this true?
343 GUILTY SPARK:
(pauses) More or less. Technically, this installation's pulse has a maximum effective radius of twenty-five thousand light years. But, once the others follow suit, this galaxy will be quite devoid of life, or at least any life with sufficient biomass to sustain the flood. (pause) But you already knew that. I mean, how couldn't you?
CORTANA:
Left out that little detail, did he?
Level transcript is here
At the end of Halo 2 however the removal of the Index puts the entire Array into a 'failsafe mode', where it is impossible to fire the Array from any one Halo, control is given to The Ark. Presumably because one has to be absoloutely sure of what they are doing when firing up a superweapon like that, and if you can't make that decision (say, starting it then cutting it off...) then that deciscion is given to someone else who is better able.
Transcript from The Great Journey here.
COMMANDER KEYES (referring to hologram):
What's that?
343 GUILTY SPARK:
A beacon.
COMMANDER KEYES:
What's it doing?
343 GUILTY SPARK:
Communicating at superluminal speeds with a frequency of-
COMMANDER KEYES:
Communicating with what?
343 GUILTY SPARK:
The other installations.
COMMANDER KEYES:
Show me.
The hologram expands to show the seven Halo rings, including the one that the Master Chief destroyed, which is tagged with a red marker.
343 GUILTY SPARK:
Fail-safe protocol: in the event of unexpected shut-down, the entire system will move to standby status. All platforms are now ready for remote activation.
COMMANDER KEYES:
Remote activation? From here?
343 GUILTY SPARK:
Don't be ridiculous.
Johnson gestures at the Monitor.
SGT. JOHNSON:
Listen, tinker-bell, don't make me-
The Commander puts her hand on his shoulder.
COMMANDER KEYES:
Then where? Where would someone go to activate the other rings?
343 GUILTY SPARK:
Why... the Ark, of course.