- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Well it isn't random, that's for sure.
The covenant fleet that approach it, only just get to it before it begins to open... to me, that says that they either triggered the opening, or they caught word of it and were racing to it so they wouldn't miss the show.
A third verision might be that they wanted to find it BEFORE it opened, which is why when it did open, they backed off. Maybe.
IF connected, Cortana's words 'this is the way the world ends' seems to back up the notion that the structure is the ark... I doubt it's a dream or flashback sequence, but it may not be all that it seems.
Consider what Bungie could do with the story, if the Halo's were activated a 1/3 of the way through the game. Suddenly, rather than playing to the end to see a 'will they, won't they' finish, it happens early. Something doesn't go to plan and people are still alive... Could the great Journey have some substance? Who knows, but we would have 2/3 of the game to find out. They could introduce forerunners (whatever they are), create conflicts, resolve differences... introduce surprise elements (other spartans? (please no flaming)).
That sounds like a plan to me.
[Edited on 7/6/2006]