Conversations from the Universe

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Conversations from the Universe is a booklet that comes with the Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition. It has different 'letters' from various characters in the Halo universe video game.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Contents

The first 'letter' is a "volunteered" passage from a log kept by 343 Guilty Spark, the Monitor of the first Halo about the events depicted in Halo: Combat Evolved. Of note is the final log entry, which tells of 'assistance approaching' after the Halo has been obliterated.

The second letter is from an archaeologist to his partner, seemingly, about an apparent Forerunner installation on an undisclosed planet called 'Coral.' (a reference to alternate reality game ilovebees, where Coral is mentioned as the destroyed homeplanet of several characters. Also, the book Ghosts of Onyx , originally had the working title Ghosts of Coral.) It mentions that ONI agents have joined him, as well as other UNSC personnel.

The third letter (also the longest) is titled as a transcript from the black box of a ship of undisclosed ownership called 'Sacred Promise.' It recalls a terrific space battle that Sacred Promise and another ship called 'Commitment and Patience' did not survive. Another mentioned is 'Devotion.' It is possible that all ships mentioned are in fact Covenant and that the battle is the very battle above Earth at the start of Halo 2. This theory is due to the names of the ships (which are in contrast to human ship names like "In Amber Clad", "Gettysburg" or "Pillar of Autumn"), the fact that Commitment and Patience is destroyed by solid projectiles (as opposed to the primarily guided-energy weapons of the Covenant), that the 'Primary Satellite' mentioned has an 'almost non-existent' atmosphere (i.e. our Moon), the fact that the captain mentions the ship having shields and orders the crew to "redirect twenty percent (20%) shields aft," and that the side mentioned appear to be losing. A more accurate theory is that the battle was the one that took place over the first Halo between the Pillar of Autumn and the pursuing Covenant fleet, as our moon does not have enough atmosphere to warrant "if we survive atmospheric entry," but the moon Basis near Halo would. The Sacred Promise was one of the ships that followed the Pillar of Autumn from Reach, and would have been among the ships that engaged the Pillar of Autumn, and lost.

The fourth letter is a conversation communications data stream between Cortana and another AI construct called 'Solipsil.' The letter's title says that this conversation occurred two years prior to Halo: Combat Evolved. Basically it is a conversation about the similarities between AI constructs and the Spartan-II's, and the ethical and moral complications compared between them.

The fifth letter is another conversation, this time between two Elites. No personal details are given (beyond one of them being called 'Commander'), but it is a conversation evidently occurring between Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2. It details the Elites' feelings about Humans (which are surprisingly respectful), the 'Demon' (Master Chief), how the war is going (which also makes mention of something called a Sharquoi, which could be anything from the deleted Drinol creature to some military strategy, or even the Scarab Excavation Walker). But in particular the elites discuss why the Prophets have shown absolutely no mercy. The Conversation ends when an Elite says, "Let us discuss this at a more prudent moment, a Jiralhanae (a Brute) approaches."

The sixth letter is almost indecipherable. The writers of 'Conversations from the Universe' seemingly did not want this letter read easily as the writing appears quite jumbled, and it is written in a not-too-easily-read font. It is also worded in a very "holy" fashion typical of the higher classes of the Covenant. However, the title is definitely "Letter from Truth to Mercy about Regret," revealing that it is quite likely a clue about the events in Halo 2. A translation of the letter has been released, and it reveals that the Prophet of Truth is sending a letter to Mercy about how they feel that Regret has become too rash with his actions.

The released version of the letter:

To thine own eyes, Prophet of Mercy.

Dearest Brother, I hope this finds you well. My sorrow and anger precede me with regard to the atrocity and herecy at Halo. We shall avenge this destruction with some of our own. Work proceeds apace on our battle plan. The Sangheili will do what is asked of them, and the Jiralhanae will show the humans what our strength looks like at close quarters. But this message concerns neither the planning nor the discovery of the human homeworld. Rather I question Brother Regret's suitability for this great purpose. I am aware of his tenacity and ambition, but I believe his youth and feckless reaching may prove to be grave risks to the perfection of this undertaking. You have noted his rashness in the past, and yet neither of us has acted. I suggest that we continue as planned, but we would both do well to pay mind to Brother Regret, and provide wisdom and guidance as needed. This matter is too important to be left to inexperienced hands. Piety is no substitute for wisdom. Perhaps I worry too much. You know that I embrace caution, but we cannot have inexperience or arrogance at this great juncture.

Be pure, be vigilant, and never rest. By my own hand Prophet of Truth

The seventh letter is from the 'Prophet of Supposition' to the Covenant's Council of Deed and Doctrine titled "The Flood: A question of Faith." It reveals that the Flood were, apparently, completely unexpected by the Covenant, and that the Covenant have no idea as to how it got there. It is possible to think, according to the contents of the letter ("[The Flood] may prove an ally]"), that the Covenant may construct Flood-based weapons.

The eighth letter is once more between two Covenant, this time two Grunts, one of which is named 'Mehmep' during the conversation. The title informs the reader that the conversation is an audio intercept by Corporal C. Errera(Deceased), a sniper/spotter from the Reach campaign. The grunts reveal in their banter that the Prophets appeared to be showing the Brutes favour long before the events of Halo 2.

The final letter is very ambiguous it is from a woman named Cassandra and addressed simply to "117"; the Master Chief. It details Cassandra's feelings toward the Master Chief. It is speculated that Cassandra was one of the Spartan II candidates that went through the augumentation and came out of it with severe side effects. It is unknown if this story will play any role in future Halo games, but it clearly does not have any role in Halo 2.

On the back of the booklet is a comparison of Covenant species names, the names humanity has given the Covenant species, and the slang for those species, apparently composed by 343 Guilty Spark.