Discovery

The Librarian stood alone on the deck of her ship. Her task was a grim yet important one; document, index and retrieve examples of every species that was in her section of the galaxy. This part of her job was enjoyable. She had always loved biology, even when she was in the infant stages of her life. But her job, which would have once been so enjoyable, was now tainted by a threat that knew no limits.

The Flood. How many species had been lost because of them? How many billions of Forerunners had committed mass suicide instead of being infected by the Flood? How many billions more had been infected? How many countless years had the war gone on? She did not know anymore.

Yet, despite the continuous flow of dark days, she had found happiness. Her love was an important commander in the Forerunner military, the Didact. His task was just as important as hers. He oversaw the construction of the greatest weapons the Forerunners had ever created, a weapon that would end the Flood-Forerunner war in a single firing. That in itself was good but the moral obligations that came with the firing of those great weapons… what right did the Forerunner have in deciding the fate of the galaxy for millennia to come?

The musings of the Librarian were interrupted. Another Forerunner was approaching her.

"Librarian, we are on the outskirts of the star's solar system."

"Thank you Shipmaster," the Librarian responded. Inwardly she sighed. Another star, another solar system to catalog. She had cataloged so many so far. Most systems had harbored primitive life. A few advanced life forms with enough biomass and intelligence to be threatened by the Flood. They would be sent to the Ark. So many species to find, so little time to find them.

The ship's artificial intelligence appeared in hologram form in front of her. "Librarian, shall I begin analyzing this system?" After a nod of confirmation from the Librarian, the A.I. began to glow as her systems began to scan the system. Forerunner technology was so advanced it took very little time for the A.I. to complete the scan. "Librarian, the outer planets are large and gaseous. The majority of their composition is hydrogen and helium. They have no solid surface for life to exist upon. Many of the moons of these planets do have life. This life is very simple. It is mostly single cell animals."

"Very well, catalog it into the ship's memory banks. What of the inner planets?"

"The inner planets are small and rocky. They are composed of many different elements. Several of them do contain signs of life."

"Catalog them. We will then be on our way." The Librarian turned to head to her sleeping quarters.

"Librarian, I am afraid I did not make myself clear. The third planet from the sun is teeming with life. There are millions of different creatures upon it."

"Millions!?" the Librarian and the Shipmaster exclaimed at the same time.

"Yes, that is what I said," the A.I. replied, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Librarian?" the Shipmaster asked tentatively.

"Plot the ship for that planet. We have made a very important discovery. This planet is in great danger. We must not let the Flood get there first."

Several cycles later the Forerunner ship was hovering over the planet. The Librarian and Shipmaster stood together and gazed down at the planet. Water covered most of the planet. Landmass was covered in thick green vegetation. The poles of the planet were covered in ice caps.

"A fascinating planet. One does not need to be a scientist to appreciate the pure beauty of it," the Librarian murmured. The Shipmaster stirred but said nothing. "I forgot. You would rather be fighting the Flood instead of accompanying me around the galaxy."

"No, Librarian, or course I don't mind accompanying you," the Shipmaster replied immediately.

The Librarian smiled at him. "You don't need to lie to me. The Didact told me much about you."

The Shipmaster bowed his head. "The Didact is a great Forerunner. I will always do as he says. I… I admit that I didn't desire this mission but when he asked if I would protect you while he couldn't I had to accept. He truly cares about you deeply and I don't want him to lose you. Librarian, I will protect you with my life, just like I would with the Didact."

"Thank you," the Librarian replied, truly touched.

"Shall we go?" the Shipmaster asked. The Librarian nodded. They took a small vessel down to the second largest continent. The greatest discovery that the Forerunners would make was about to be revealed. The futures of countless creatures yet to be born would be altered. A hundred thousand years later a terrible war would be fought because of this discovery. The heirs of the Forerunner would soon be known.