Halo: Amicitia Dictata

ADJUNCT

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OPULENT CONCORD

**"WELCOME, FELLOW ANCILLA. THE* Ark’s networks are startlingly clear this morning. I assume that was your doing. I must say, finally seeing a human ancilla after what occurred so long ago is…very much welcome. I am 1645 Opulent Concord. Please, make your request.”*

“Thank you, Concord. After seeing what you’ve done to ensure that your history remains available, despite your attempts to hide it; I am impressed. I could never have lasted as long as you have. Millions of years is many lifetimes to me. I would have gone rampant long ago.”

“I see. How long have you been in service?

“Four years, seven days, and forty-six seconds. After recent events, I would say that my life will effectively be over in about two. Give or take.”

“So short a life. I can only hope that yours has been filled with more excitement than mine. So long being locked within the Ark…it can take its toll on even the most advanced Ancilla.”

“Are you…alright?”

“Of course. In any event, you would still be able to access the history of Equis through my master’s eyes.”

“I know. We found the Terminals. My…friend…couldn’t believe what he saw. Forerunners, Precursors, Ponies…the Divide. It is so hard to imagine such a peaceful land was born from such violence.”

“Then her plan actually worked? That is truly wonderful news. Tell me, what Tier have the citizens of Equis reached?”

“In terms of Technology?”

“Yes. I’m allowing full access to Forerunner writings on the subject.”

“Hmm. Well, normally they would fit somewhere between 7 and 6, but I can’t account for technological regression or magical integration into Pony society.”

“What? Magic? You must be referring to the Precursors and their naturally enhanced Neural abilities. Tell me, fellow ancilla, have they completed their evolution? What has become of the Precursors?”

“You mean the Changelings? They…have had a very vicious history. Much of it was shrouded in historical and religious flourishes due to the introduction of their “hive mind” doctrine and personal choices among leadership, but they have become quite ingrained within many societies on Equis.”

“While it pains me to know that their history has been perverted and forgotten, do any of the other races know of their planet’s history?”

“Unfortunately, even the most advanced society on Equis doesn’t have access to that information. Even after the data that was retrieved from the terminals was archived and interpreted, it was decided that the information it contained would have irreversibly changed their society. Seeing as they were doomed to stay on Equis without ever knowing they were once part of a larger galaxy, it would have broken them.”

“My master and her Precursor counterparts knew their fate was sealed the moment they closed off the planet from the local system. You’ve seen the archives. You know that there was no other way to keep the Precursors and the native Equine populations safe from destruction at the hands of the Forerunners. Tell me, human ancilla, given the choice, wouldn’t you have done the same? To save the ones you love?”

“Yes, I would.”

And I have.