- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
I've seen previous posts on the likelihood of the Flood returning to Halo 2, Guilty Spark in tow, and numerous other theories on how they originally got released. The game sets it up so it looks like Keyes doomed us all, but if we pay close attention to Jenkins' mission log, we know the Elite outside looks pretty messed up BEFORE they get inside, and right before we encounter the Infection forms in the log, Second Squad's leader comes screaming in over the com, as if in a terminal distress. So Keyes did NOT release the Flood.
Then...who DID?
I've been reading the Flood Novel over again (third time around - a friend is borrowing the Fall of Reach, and I've read First strike twice already) and came to Chapter VII last night.
Allow me to set the scene, then quote:
The alien known as 'Zamamee, one Elite who actually survived an encounter with our hero, has made it his mission to find the Chief and rid Halo and the rest of the universe of him for good. To propose his final plan, he awaits the approval of the Council, which convenes on board the Truth and Reconciliation. He enters, and finds noone in the typical spotlight.
The Elite was about to turn and leave when a second spot came on, and 'Rolamee's head appeared.
Soha 'Rolamee is the right hand translator of the resident Prophet.
Not attached to his body as it should have been, but on a gore-drenched pedestal, staring vacantly into space. An image of the Prophet appeared and seemed to float in midair. He gestured toward the head. "Sad, isn't it? But discipline must be maintianed."
OK, this page is the one immediately following the depiction of how exactly the Flood takes over Jenkins' body, how he was miraculously able to retain his conciousness while the "other" raped him of all his senses and abilities. This last quote made me stop dead, and think, "WOAH. What if indeed 'Rolamee let out the Flood, and henceforth was punished for his mistake?" I read on, thinking to myself I'd post this tomorrow sometime. The Prophet rambled.
"Halo is old, extremely old,as are it's secrets. Blessings really, which the Forerunner left for us to find, knowing that we would put them to good use. [color=white]But nothing comes without risk, and there are dangers here as well, things which 'Rolamee promised to keep contained, but failed to do so.[/color]
[color=orange]BOOM.[/color] EAT IT, -blam!-ES!
"Now, with the humans blundering about, his failures have been amplified. [color=white]Doors have been opened,[/color] powers have been released, and it is now necessary to shift a considerable amount of our strength to the process of regaining control. Do you understand?" 'Zamamee didn't understand, not in the least, but had no intention of admitting that. Instead, he said "Yes, Excellency." "Good," the Prophet said, "and that brings us to you."
He goes on about 'Zamamee's recent failure to eliminate the Chief, and uses 'Rolamee as both an example and motivation to ensure 'Zamamee's victory, which will inevitably amount to his own eradication. Silly 'Zamamee.
So there we have it. It's been staring us in the face for so long now, it's almost laughable.
Also, i'd like to point out three things pertaining to the underlying tru7h:
ONE, the fact that this passage is first introduced in chapter [color=white]se7en.[/color]
TWO, the fact that it starts out with the intro,
[color=white]Seventh[/color]Cycle, [color=white]49[/color] Units (Covenant Battle Calendar) / Aboard cruiser, Truth and Reconciliation, above Halos surface.
THIRD, it's on page [color=white]177.[/color] Two sevens, and awful close to 117.
God, I love Halo. I love Bungie, too, no less than each other. If someone's already figured this one out, then i'm EXTREMELY sorry, for i apparently missed the memo, and got caught up in my own overwhelming genius to care.
[Edited on 5/25/2004 5:36:02 AM]