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Endless Summer froze for a full second as it processed this "There is no such launch facility on this planet Funding for such--"

"I wrote the subroutines that you are now accessing to generate that falsehood," Dr

Halsey said "I do recognize , the files on the Cote d'Azure rock, and the scant data collected on the ruins and crystal found under Castle Base on Reach--copied them to the AI's file transfer directory

Endless Suht "I see," he whispered "The Forerunner technology… Halo… such an a hypotheses"

"Then you agree we need to get a y, or failing that, destroy it"

He set aside his spear and held up both hands "I… delayed using the COM probe I had hoped we could survive until scheduled reinforcements arrive in three weeks"

Dr Halsey sensed a microsecond hesitation in his words

"That is not the entire truth," she said "What are you o?"

He crossed his arms "Colonel Ackerson is wise to fear you Very well, Doctor, the COM probe launches froht generator then focuses the Slipspace rent in high orbit to avoid the obvious ramifications of an in-atmosphere transition"

"The probe launch and transition," she said, "would be like sending up a signal flare"

Endless Suhost

"The Sentinels will find the launch facility," he said, "and perhaps the passages that lead to the heart of the Zone 67 base, and me"

"Override self-perversion imperative," Dr Halsey whispered "Command FOXINTHEHENHOUSE /427-KNB"

"There is no need Doctor," Endless Summer said, and held up his hand "I understand my duty all too well If they find es in place I aood death Are you?"

They starred at each other for a e was a trick, a programe," she said "I know precisely who at FLEETCOM to send it to

They'll listen to me"

"Of course," Endless Summer said with a careless wave "I find such low-level hu," she said "Here arethe collected Forerunner data You deserve to know everything"

She dropped her notes into his FTP directory--along with a capture worm in the footer of the data It would copy and transmit every file Endless Summer accessed with her notes open

Multiple files ian to flash-transfer to her laptop

"Thank you," he said and his eyebrows quirked up "Your logic is impeccable"

"Allow me a moment to draft the note," she said

Endless Suram faded

Dr Halsey decrypted the stolen files, and alien hieroglyphs strea closer

"Forerunner language sa with theoretical translation variants"

She searched for pattern , and then cross-referenced the stellar coordinates embedded in the Cote d'Azure rock There was a match: the symbol for the Halo construct

She double-checked the stone and found coordinates for Onyx and asymbol in Endless Summer's database

"What does thatto a double-lobed icon

"This," she whispered, "roughly translated, itto call a place," he observed

In a h to see a glimmer of the Forerunners' plan

For every coordinated military effort there were offensive and defense aspects: attack, reinforcement, and, if needed, retreat The Halo construct was only part of the Forerunner plan Whatever was happening on this world was another portion of their strategy--triggered when Halo had been activated

Onyx, the "shield," it was soht be able to use for her own purposes

She rapid-fire typed a ethat the Forerunner technology here s and the other data… in case Admiral Whitcomb and the other SPARTANTIs never ram pad warmed and Endless Sumenerator capacitors charged," he said

"You have the e Doctor?"

She sent hiance," Endless Summer remarked "What I have come to expect from human communication"

"Upload and send it," Dr Flalsey told him

"Accelerator prie dimmed "COM probe away"

Endless Suh his i the Slipspace nostic"

"Explain," Dr Halsey denal, bounced fro inside Slipstream space" He furrowed his brows "This should not be possible The energy required would be more than the output of all UNSC assets coy," Dr Halsey said "Download that e"

A woman's voice filled the bunker It was static-filled and choppy

And une from UNSC MIL AI SERIAL NUMBER: CTN 0452-9

"All UNSC personnel heed and stand to

"I aency codes Bandersnatch and Hydra"

"Bandersnatch" was the code for radiological- or energy-based disaster Dr Halsey had heard this used before fro the UNSC nuking of the Far Isle Colony to put down the rebellion of 2492

"Hydra," however, she had never heard used before It was reserved for iical weapons of mass destruction

"In Amber Clad has successfully followed the Covenant ship from New Mombassa to its destination, another Halo construct (stellar coordinates embedded)

"We discovered there are alaxy

"Covenant base ship and fleet are here enDelta Halo