Dismissing the Theories of The Ark and Mendicant Bias

[Lord of Admirals]

So, two major theories about the next Halo is that Master Chief is back on the Ark, and the Forerunner automaton rising out of the sand is Mendicant Bias. 

 

First, let's address the idea that the construct is in fact Mendicant Bias. I'd first like to show all of you how people reached this conclusion. 

 

"Two massive angular arms rising from the pedestal on the desert sand."

 

"From below the rock and sand out of the Ark's deepest foundation, a massive tomb was being prepared. A void had already been cleared to receive the coffin."

"Bornstellar, Riser, Trial, Chant, and all the rest watched silently as the rest of Mendicant Bias, locked in eternal exile, was covered by sand."

 

Bits and parts of other quotes were used to also justify the fact it is Mendicant. However, these quotes are taken out of context.

 

Here's a section of the full passage:

 

 

"The great ship descended slowly through a vivid blue sky. Swarms of Sentinels rose to greet it, thin beams of energy tethering it to them so they could guide it safely to the dock. Two massive angular arms rising from the pedestal on the desert sand. Riser stood by Bornstellar's side watching the proceeding from a platform high above the ground. He felt awkward in the presence of these Forerunners, their bulky armor shaped for ceremony, but there were also a few other humans."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       "As the ship approached, its drive pulsed deep notes that resonated within the Florian's chest. The dock arms reached up to meet it, locking onto the ships broad hull and lowering it carefully into place. The ship touched down with a loud and final boom. Near the ship's bow, a three winged door retracted. Cold fog welled up inside, puffed out, then swirled away in the rising heat. A hardlight ramp flickered into being. Through the last of the inner mist emerged a massive structure. An oblong of silver grey metal, its surface inscribed with glowing blue lines that pulsed in rhythmic patterns. The oblong descended to float just above the ground, for[?] a flock of sentinels received it and dragged it forward with Hardlight[?] tethers. Riser was reminded of pallbearers carrying a coffin."

 

Those arms referenced earlier were in fact actually dock arms used to recieve descending ships. Later in the section, Mendicant Bias is actually described as being an oblong of silver metal. Later in the passage, he is entombed under the sand in his oblong coffin. So unless that coffin can transform into a 50 foot mechanical bird....

 

Also, here's the icing on the cake:

 

 

"The voice now echoed off far bluffs and canyons, 'Judge themselves, judge themselves...' " 

 

"The machine's final words spread accross the false desert and echoed moments later from the false mountains."

Obviously, these land formations were not present in the background. 

 

 

Now, to address the idea that Master Chief is possibly back on the Lesser Ark...

 

First off, I'd just like to say, I think the Ark Theory is the best theory we have right now and the most likely to come true. But, there are some inconsistencies.

 

 

This picture shows the interesting similarities between the Teaser Trailer, and the Lesser Ark as it appears in Halo 3. 

 

Everything seems to line up. But, if you notice, the planetoid in the Teaser hasn't been as mined away. Secondly, there's actually an in-game view of the planetoid standing at the edge of the Foundry. 

 

This is the planetoid when you stand at the edge of the Foundry.

 

 

Half the planet is submerged by mists and clouds, while the other half is a considerable distance away. Now, even if the firing of the Halo knocked the planetoid out of it's original spot, it wouldn't look as big as it does if the planet we see is in fact the planetoid at the Ark. Especially since Chief is nowhere near the edge of the Foundry if he's on the Ark.

 

 

 

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In conclusion, I do think Mendicant Bias will play a major role in the Reclaimer Saga, and there is a good chance we will return to the Lesser Ark since the Excession at Voi was reactivated, and an expidition team went through to recover 343 Guilty Spark. The popular theories may have the right idea at what's coming up, but they make too many far fetched and unrealistic conclusions.

[Azeraph]

Hey? that quote that was used to bring about the bias theory, where in all the books is that? I haven't caught up on any new material, is that in a new book?

[Victory Element]

I am more curious about why chief would even be seeking mendicant bias....

[Lord of Admirals]

Hey? that quote that was used to bring about the bias theory, where in all the books is that? I haven't caught up on any new material, is that in a new book?

It's not technically in any of the books. The Epilogue of Silentium was not included in the novel itself. Instead, hidden throughout the book, are Forerunner Glyphs that you can input as a code. Inputting the code into Waypoint unlocks this video:

 

In addition to that, encrypted files hidden in that audio narrative lead to this:

 

 

If you have trouble listening to audio books, I've transcribed all 45 Minutes of the epilogue into text.

 

I am more curious about why chief would even be seeking mendicant bias....

The possibility of the Flood returning has been hinted at ever since it was revealed they are extragalactic. Mendicant Bias was not dismantled or destroyed because he has intimate knowledge of the Flood since he worked very closely with the Graveminds, Keyminds, and the Timeless One. 

 

I've also heard a theory that Mednicant Bias could possibly be the Absolute Record. I don't know how that idea came about or how credible it is, but it's interesting. 

 

Another possibility is that Mendicant Bias could possibly have a fragment of Cortana. Back at the end of Halo 3, it was theorized that Cortana had encountered Mendicant Bias at some point. This theory was further supported by a Forerunner Glyph appearing in her eye during Halo Legends in the episode 'Origins'.

 

Whatever the reason is, Mendicant Bias has very important information, and his decision to send Master Chief to Requiem to atone for his sins raises further questions on the extent of his involvement with the Librarian's plans.

[Azeraph]

It's not technically in any of the books. The Epilogue of Silentium was not included in the novel itself. Instead, hidden throughout the book, are Forerunner Glyphs that you can input as a code. Inputting the code into Waypoint unlocks this video:

 

In addition to that, encrypted files hidden in that audio narrative lead to this:

 

If you have trouble listening to audio books, I've transcribed all 45 Minutes of the epilogue into text.

The possibility of the Flood returning has been hinted at ever since it was revealed they are extragalactic. Mendicant Bias was not dismantled or destroyed because he has intimate knowledge of the Flood since he worked very closely with the Graveminds, Keyminds, and the Timeless One. 

 

I've also heard a theory that Mednicant Bias could possibly be the Absolute Record. I don't know how that idea came about or how credible it is, but it's interesting. 

 

Another possibility is that Mendicant Bias could possibly have a fragment of Cortana. Back at the end of Halo 3, it was theorized that Cortana had encountered Mendicant Bias at some point. This theory was further supported by a Forerunner Glyph appearing in her eye during Halo Legends in the episode 'Origins'.

 

Whatever the reason is, Mendicant Bias has very important information, and his decision to send Master Chief to Requiem to atone for his sins raises further questions on the extent of his involvement with the Librarian's plans.

 

 

Thanks Admiral. This only points out i never followed the story properly, Lol. The Halo story is great but wait til you follow a story that has taken over 20 years to complete. Robert Jordans "The wheel of Time" series. 14 books, the first written in 93, the last completed last year by Brandon Sanderson who was chosen by Jordans wife to finish the series when Robert died.

 

The E3 trailor can't be used other than there are new things to face. Remember H3's first trailor? and H4's first trailor? There was not much to go on, they were just teasers.

 

Have you a link to your transcryption?

[Lord of Admirals]

Despite what we saw in the Halo 3, and 4 Trailers, they were loosely based on events that did end up happening. Everything shown is assumed to show up in the game at some point.

 

That series sounds quite impressive.

 

Let me get a link. I'll eventually post it to this site in its own thread but for now, linking you to it on Halo Waypoint will have to do.

 

Rebirth Transcript

[Azeraph]

I'm going to ask the next obvious Q. Where and when did the chief first meet Mendicant Bias? On the Ark? If the trial audio is correct then there would be no fragments of this A.I anywhere?

[Lord of Admirals]

I'm going to ask the next obvious Q. Where and when did the chief first meet Mendicant Bias? On the Ark? If the trial audio is correct then there would be no fragments of this A.I anywhere?

It's hard to determine how canon Master Chief's interations with the Halo 3 Terminals are. The first time Mendicant Bias ackowledges Chief's presence in Terminal 3. 

 

In Terminal 4, he acknowledges the Covenant's presence. 

 

In Terminal 5 he remarks that background processes are attempting to stop his communication with Chief.

 

Then, in Terminal 7 he sends Chief a direct message through the Terminal: 

 

You don't know the contortions I had to go through to follow you here, Reclaimer. I know what you're here for. What position do I take? Will I follow one betrayal with another?

You're going to say I'm making a habit of turning on my masters.

 

But the one that destroyed me long ago, in the upper atmosphere of a world far distant from here, was an implement far cruder than I. My weakness was capacity - unintentional though it was! - to choose the Flood. A mistake my makers would not soon forgive.

But I want something far different from you, Reclaimer.

 

Atonement.

 

And so here at the end of my life, I do once again betray a former master. The path ahead is fraught with peril. But I will do all I can to keep it stable - keep you safe. I'm not so foolish to think this will absolve me of my sins. One life hardly balances billions.

 

But I would have my masters know that I have changed.

 

And you shall be my example.

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Fragments of Mendicant Bias still exist. When he was captured by the IsoDidact aboard Installation 07, he was dismantled for study as their Ancilla's had never turned on them before. His parts were spread all throughout the Ecumene. However, when the Flood began to gain ground in the war, they came across Mendicant's pieces. They rebuilt him out of all the pieces they could find. As such, there were still pieces of him in the Ecumene still under Forerunner control. 

 

So when he made his final assault to try and prevent the Halo Array from being fired, his fleets were defeated as the Halo Pulse wiped out intelligent life aboard his ships. He himself was taken back to the Ark and reprogrammed to think one thought for the rest of his existence. Atonment. So while he isn't at full capacity, he still can interface with certain systems. Because not all of his fragments were recovered though, some still exist in the Orion Arm. One of those being aboard the Forerunner Keyship Truth brought to the Ark. When Mendicant Bias was reunited with that piece, it seems to free him from his locked processes.