Disclaimer: I do not own Halo.
Would You Do It?
343 Guilty Spark hovered above the commotion below him and scanned the bulkhead door for any imperfections that would allow the great scourge within to free themselves of their prison. The Flood were a dangerous parasite to the intellegent races of the galaxy, and were nearly impossible to contain, for though they possessed limited sentience, they were notorious problem-solvers.
Guilty Spark was fascinated by the creatures, for all their virus-like way of life and sapient behavior, the Flood were an intricate paradox that he would enjoy observing and keeping under guard.
The humanoid Forerunners finished wielding and sealing the door before the revered Reclaimer summoned him.
The Reclaimer deserved his title, for he was only Forerunner who was capable of successfully combating the Flood. He was overseeing the imprisonment of all Flood on every Fortress World that had been such far built and armed.
The Reclaimer looked at Guilty Spark with a stern look upon his face.
"I wish such measures were not necessary," the Foreunner said quietly, speaking of the great powers of the Fortress World. "I know what is expected of this place, but in my heart I feel as if there should be another way."
Guilty Spark, not wholly understandingthe Reclaimer's feelings, remained silent.
The two remained in place until the crew had finished their work. Neither spoke.
"The facility is complete," Guilty Spark broke the silence. "We are now ready to arm the Pulse Shockwave Projector."
The Reclaimer gave Guilty Spark a dubious look and then frowned.
"Is this even the way it should be done?" he asked aloud.
"It is not my primary function to question my programming," Guilty Spark answered, dispite the question not even being posed to him.
"You have sentience," the Reclaimer said. "Your programming is merely a guideline, not a purpose. There is a task before you, one that you are required to complete if the need arise, but it is well within your capabilities to question whether this task is worthwhile."
"Capability is not purpose, Reclaimer. I am not required to do any of the things that are within my capabilities, only the tasks I am given," the cybernetic conscience retorted.
"Here I have built a weapon of unparalleled power, the so-called gun pointed at the head of the universe," the Reclaimer held out his hand, cradled in his grip was the all-important Index. "Here in my hand is the trigger. I have the full ability to end this threat once and for all, right now, yet I don't."
He looked to the floting metal orb before him. "I am capable, and from that capability arises choice. I faced a choice, and I made my decision. So now the choice is before you, or any other who will come in my stead to end the Flood. I ask you to ponder this: You now have the capability to destroy the Flood, but would you do it, knowing the consequences?"
With that, the Reclaimer turned and left the robot alone in the containment facility.
------My first non-Final Fantasy fanfic! I don't really know what inspired this, but I wrote it on a spur-of-the-moment thing while playing through Halo on the Legendary difficulty level. It's may seem confusing, but it makes sense to me.
Would You Do It?
343 Guilty Spark hovered above the commotion below him and scanned the bulkhead door for any imperfections that would allow the great scourge within to free themselves of their prison. The Flood were a dangerous parasite to the intellegent races of the galaxy, and were nearly impossible to contain, for though they possessed limited sentience, they were notorious problem-solvers.
Guilty Spark was fascinated by the creatures, for all their virus-like way of life and sapient behavior, the Flood were an intricate paradox that he would enjoy observing and keeping under guard.
The humanoid Forerunners finished wielding and sealing the door before the revered Reclaimer summoned him.
The Reclaimer deserved his title, for he was only Forerunner who was capable of successfully combating the Flood. He was overseeing the imprisonment of all Flood on every Fortress World that had been such far built and armed.
The Reclaimer looked at Guilty Spark with a stern look upon his face.
"I wish such measures were not necessary," the Foreunner said quietly, speaking of the great powers of the Fortress World. "I know what is expected of this place, but in my heart I feel as if there should be another way."
Guilty Spark, not wholly understandingthe Reclaimer's feelings, remained silent.
The two remained in place until the crew had finished their work. Neither spoke.
"The facility is complete," Guilty Spark broke the silence. "We are now ready to arm the Pulse Shockwave Projector."
The Reclaimer gave Guilty Spark a dubious look and then frowned.
"Is this even the way it should be done?" he asked aloud.
"It is not my primary function to question my programming," Guilty Spark answered, dispite the question not even being posed to him.
"You have sentience," the Reclaimer said. "Your programming is merely a guideline, not a purpose. There is a task before you, one that you are required to complete if the need arise, but it is well within your capabilities to question whether this task is worthwhile."
"Capability is not purpose, Reclaimer. I am not required to do any of the things that are within my capabilities, only the tasks I am given," the cybernetic conscience retorted.
"Here I have built a weapon of unparalleled power, the so-called gun pointed at the head of the universe," the Reclaimer held out his hand, cradled in his grip was the all-important Index. "Here in my hand is the trigger. I have the full ability to end this threat once and for all, right now, yet I don't."
He looked to the floting metal orb before him. "I am capable, and from that capability arises choice. I faced a choice, and I made my decision. So now the choice is before you, or any other who will come in my stead to end the Flood. I ask you to ponder this: You now have the capability to destroy the Flood, but would you do it, knowing the consequences?"
With that, the Reclaimer turned and left the robot alone in the containment facility.
------My first non-Final Fantasy fanfic! I don't really know what inspired this, but I wrote it on a spur-of-the-moment thing while playing through Halo on the Legendary difficulty level. It's may seem confusing, but it makes sense to me.