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"What happened to the Captive? Is it stil here?"

Genemender’s whole demeanor altered He squared his shoulders "We wil not speak of that one," he said "We should begin scanning now"

Ti monitors

"Not yet I need to know about the Captive"

Hesitation--then, "It claims to be the last Precursor"

"What are Precursors?"

"Creators of al life in our galaxy The originals They made Forerunners They made humans They made thousands of other species--and erased theo, when it became apparent that the Precursors were about to erase Forerunners, there was a war, and Forerunners erased theain, and I was surrounded by machines No way between thele, who filed the hal--why don’t they have any save me that familiar, stiff look

"They’re not flesh, are they?" I asked "What are they?"

"Spirit, youto the cylinders

"Frozen inside?"

"No Scanned, protected--neutralized They wil not be abused by the Master Builder, or anything else"

"They’re not here physicaly?"

He agreed, and my heart sank further "Then the ones outside

"

"Periodicaly, I rotate the records and refresh their experiences with projected walks around the coive them that impression," Genemender said "The only actual physical presence here is the female ape She, too, enjoys company"

"Where are their bodies?"

"Not essential Scans are sufficient, and easier to control"

"You kiled theer"

"They were al frohtened their circle

"Yes"

They do not look strong, those

"It was the last command of the Librarian, conveyed to this instalation when it returned to the capital," Geneood reason huht to the Halo instalations They contain the memories and life experiences of ancient warriors That erous, and on such a weapon as this--"

Move

The old spirit rose up with furious strength and took charge of s I kicked and flailed at the machines They backed away, and I launched ht have been kindled on Charu happened For abefore me My blows did not land I flew into empty air, to strike the floor beyond and rol to my feet

The machines now kept their distance

Then, the Forerunner reappeared, off to one side--but while his body took a shih the shile dul blue eye

Then, Geneht have been perplexity, or sadness

"You’re dead, too, aren’t you?" I said

No answer

"Did you die to defend the preserve?"

No answer

"You’ve explained everything to ain, but it swiftly shifted away, flickering uncertainly

"You can’t lie," I said "You’re just a aze "Once, I was a Lifeworker I chose this fate rather than serve the Master Builder"

"But you can’t actualy do anything to me without my permission, can you?"

"I offer peace I offer an end to questions that cannot be answered And I am bound to carry out the Librarian’s final instructions"

But the machines stil did not move in

"How do you know the instructions caain the shimmer

"There’s not much power left, is there? Al the power stations have been sabotaged The beacons have been corrupted That girl out there--was it the Librarian’s signal that sent her toward the Captive? Who commands you, realy?"

"I am sure of my instructions" But the stiff expression remained

"There are dead machines, dead Forerunners, everywhere," I said "This Halo is dead"

"Would that it were You refuse the honor of being archived?"

"I refuse"

"You wish to leave?"

That did not seem to require an answer

"Do you knohat awaits you out there?"

"No"

"It is beyond my comprehension, and so it is likely beyond yours