Authors Note: When Enigma speaks through his young adult avatar, he does not use the characteristic deep voice that reapers are known for, instead he has assumed a voice that suits the appearance. His destroyers utilize avatars of their own choosing but not very often.
1130 Hours, August 12, 2552 (Military Calendar)/ Epsilon Eridani System, Reach UNSC Military Complex, planet Reach, Camp Hathcock
Inside the underground debriefing chamber dozens of men and women in Navy Uniforms sat in silence as they briefed and debriefed numerous personnel involved in the combat actions taken at Sigma Octanus IV. In spite of the stern façade they put on for all that they had thus far interviewed, if one turned up the lights one could see that all the humans in the room were pale with the cold sweat of fear. There many other AI in the room but their avatars were not presently in view due to the white-haired youth in a business suit, the avatar of Enigma. Since the White reapers had joined humanity against the Covenant, Enigma had quickly and silently slipped into the inner circles and the higher powers of the UNSC.
In spite of the subtle authority held by the White reaper, the reaper had made good on its promises to share its knowledge of warfare, tactics, and technology. However ONI feared the reapers' ability to run digital circles around every 'smart' AI thrown at it. When the initial attempt had been made, the reaper exchanged stasis tube technology for knowledge of how they manufactured their 'smart' AIs. Three months later, another attempt was made, this time however something else responded by digitally ripping apart the attacking AI.
When the ONI officer who ordered the attack went home that night, he was greeted by the three meter avatar of the reaper-made AI, who had taken on the form and identity of the Slender Man. The man was unharmed but the past he thought buried had suddenly appeared on the desktop of his superiors and he was promptly dismissed. Unlike other smart AI, who were typically chatty, the AI Slender Man was dead silent. Another unusual thing about it was that it was 12 years old! When asked about the AI and how it was made, the reaper replied that it used the living cloned brain of one of its collector generals and reaper science. That same AI was present along with Enigma in this chamber, though unseen, it carried a foreboding presence.
The current subject being interviewed was Dr. Catherine Halsey, director of the Spartan II program and one of the most brilliant scientists of the day. The subject of the discussion was the object intercepted by the Spartan team in the museum in Côte d'Azur. They were analyzing the message the device emitted when they activated it in a lab. The message appeared in holographic form as tiny geometric symbols: squares, triangles, bars, and dots. Enigma of course compared the language to the languages developed during the cycles with results varying from food recipes to utter nonsense. He transmitted his findings to 36, hoping the collector's linguistic talents could extrapolate a possible meaning.
"…It is reasonably possible that what we are looking at is a race separate from the Covenant." Assessed Dr. Halsey.
One of the officers addressed Enigma's avatar, possessing an undertone of spite," Does the Reaper have any information on the subject?"
The avatar regarded the officer with a raised eyebrow but otherwise passive expression.
"Many races in my universe used geometric patterns and shapes to convey messages, purposes, and/ or ideas but without any point of reference, it will be some time before any possible meaning could be derived from the message."
"So the all-knowing Reaper does not know what the message means?"
The avatar's eyebrow went up again," Although I myself lack the answers, I have sent for someone in my employ who just might. He should be here right about now."
The doors to the room opened and a tall figure cloaked in white entered the room. Everyone assumed by the wide tapered head, multiple eye slots, and the Pearl-white armor, that the figure was a military collector. When the figure's helmet slid apart and into the armor it wore underneath, the figure was revealed to be a Sangheili! Everyone in the room stirred, they had heard the rumor that the White Reapers employed Covenant defectors but this was the first time they had seen evidence of it.
The Sangheili turned to Enigma's avatar, took a knee with on hand across his chest. His voice spoke perfect English unassisted by a translator and carried a deep reverence.
"Analyzer Xel Ma'tee reporting, Ancient One."
The avatar merely inclined its head to which the Sangheili stood back up.
"Your punctuality is most appreciated, Analyzer. The reason for this request is clarification of a message derived from an item that has been recently been recovered by Spartan Blue team. "Said the avatar as it gestured to the projection.
The Sangheili looked the projection and an expression that Enigma saw the first five years of Xel joining came over his face. It was an expression of awe but it stayed on his face only briefly.
One of the older Naval officers addressed the Sangheili," What can you tell us about these symbols?"
The Sangeheili's expression shifted from awe to respect when he looked at the admiral.
"They are hieroglyphs belonging to a race known to my people as the Forerunners, a race that the Hierarch's claim ascended to godhood."
"How do you know this race existed?" Asked the Admiral.
"From the relics they left behind. They are what the Covenant bases our technology upon."
Enigma's avatar placed a hand beneath his chin in a gesture of deep thought," That would explain the Covenant's level of advancement in the absence of innovation."
Another Naval officer addressed Enigma with a slightly raised voice," He was with you this whole time and you never knew that?"
"He along with the other defectors had been fastidiously learning what I have been teaching them so that when the time came, they could explain their lives and culture in terms we could understand. In addition to that we have been very busy with combat engagements and communicating with several million people throughout your territory." Said the white-haired youth.
"Sharing more technological secrets with civilians, no doubt. Secrets which ought to have remained strictly within the military!" Rose a voice Enigma was more than familiar with: Colonel James Ackerson.
An expression of amusement came over the face of Enigma's avatar. "Had you heeded my advice and not deregulate the banks to finance this war, effectively throwing your economy into a black hole, I would not have had to take steps to rectify it. In case you have not noticed in spite of the devastating effects of the Covenant's purge, the economy is booming, allowing more resources to be channeled into various special projects. Also familiarizing the entire human race with this technology will, in its own way, stabilize the various governmental factions that you have divided yourselves into. I would also like to take this time to point out that the Outer Colonies are throwing in their support."
"Only because they don't want to get left behind technologically." Snapped back Ackerson.
"And what, pray tell, is so awful about that? As predicted, your United Earth Government used all the technological advancement as a means to reach out to the Outer Colonies, an endeavor which has succeeded and the Insurrectionists of which you so often complain have been subsequently disbanding, thus bolstering your economy and your military. I really do not see a reason for you to complain, Ackerson."
The man's mouth opened and closed but no sound came out.
"Do you know what the message says?" Asked another Naval officer addressing the Sangheili.
"No, such knowledge was known only to the Prophets."
Silence permeated the room before one of the senior officers asked," Are there any more questions or comments?" Everyone was quiet.
"Then I declare this debriefing adjourned."
Enigma's avatar disappeared and the Naval officers filed out.
0915 Hours, August 25,2552 (Military Calendar) / Epsilon Eridani System, Reach UNSC Military Complex, planet Reeach, Omega Wing- Section Three secure facility.
Dr. Halsey entered her office. She grabbed a steaming mug of coffee that had been placed on her desk. She looked over at the tall construct tidying up her office. It stood on four, thick, yet nimble legs. It waist split into three ornate shoulders featuring two multi jointed arms per shoulder. It didn't have a head but spoke through one of the Omni-tools it possessed. It was given to her about a decade ago as a gift from the White Reapers. As it was explained to her the construct was directed by several dozen Lekgolo genetically-engineered for greater intelligence. It functioned as her secretary, assistant, and bodyguard, tasks which it had performed admirably.
She sat down at her desk and brought up her holoconsole. It scanned her retinas. The console showed the following: IDENTITY CONFIRMED. UNAUTHORIZED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT DETECTED. ACCESS DENIED. Halsey scowled at the message before a high pitched electronic scream accompanied by the image of the Slender Man's head briefly appeared. As soon as it had started it finished. The message resumed on the screen only now it had been changed: IDENTITY CONFIRMED. ACCESS GRANTED. The Slender Man was the most mysterious AI Halsey had ever encountered. It had helped clear many obstacles in Halsey's research but it's faceless gaze could be felt in whatever room she happened to be in. A chill went down Halsey's spine as the data was beamed right into her brain. The conclusion of the debriefing show no conclusive information, unsurprising.
As it had been for some time, the White Reapers held most of the cards. Enigma had kept ONI firmly under their thumb for years now, making good on its promise to preserve the integrity of the human race. Not to say that they were unreasonable, just the opposite in fact. Halsey herself had asked the Reaper to give her collector technology to integrate into the next stage of the Project MJOLNIR and considering the reaper's obvious success with AI technology, Halsey entrusted her creation into their care.
Halsey emptied her mug only for something that was obscured by the beverage to hit her lip. It was a lighter-sized black container. She suspected it was what she had been waiting on. She opened it to expose a glimmering AI chip. Before she could grab it, it slipped out and a tech drone formed around it. It floated momentarily before exploding into various bits of code which flew about the room. They flew about the room before reforming in front of Halsey's desk. They took the form of a life-sized, younger variation of Halsey.
Halsey smiled," Hello Cortana, how was your time with the reaper?"
"It was… humbling." Replied the AI.
"How so?" asked Halsey.
"Well, speaking modestly, I am the most advanced human AI in existence. That reaper is a being composed of 23 trillion scientific minds working in unison and a single thought from one mind is powerful and overwhelming. In spite of that, they were cautious and careful with my upgrades. Anyways, has Project MJOLNIR been approved for the final phase? "
"Enigma has freed up enough resources that Ackerson is no longer on my back about funding, so yes." Said Halsey passively as her Lekgolo construct refilled her coffee.
Cortana brought up a holographic representation of Spartan John 117.
"I have gone over all the data concerning him and I want him. I have already gone over compatibility and synchronization details which I can send to your Omni-tool if you so desire."
"No thank you, Cortana. Seeing as you are so far ahead, what is our candidate ship?" Asked Halsey as she took another sip of coffee.
Cortana brought up a 3D image of Halcyon class cruiser with its name, Pillar of Autumn, superimposed under its spinning image.
"I have taken the liberty of asking the White reapers for technological upgrades." Stated Cortana.
"Let me guess they said no." Said Halsey.
"Actually, they said yes as long as they have their people mixed with the crew to run the technology." Said Cortana with a sub-tone of amusement.
"At this point, I don't think the Brass will give a rat's a # who will be on the crew as long as the mission has higher chances of success." Said Halsey as she sent the go ahead and notices to the UNSC Headquarters.