ARTIFACT OF SIGMA OCTANUS IV

Sigma Octanus IV - Discovered July 18th 2552

The Artifact appears to be a typical piece of igneous granite and glitters with a few jewel like inclusions. It has an unusual concentration of Aluminum Oxide inclusions - specifically rubies. The artifact is roughly pyramidal. The inclusions on the igneous matrix are unusual in that all possible crystalline morphologies for corundum are present: bi-pyramidal, prismatic, tabular, and rhombohedral. If it is scanned from the tip to the base there appears to be navigational symbols. Symbols that the Covenant use on their ships. 

The symbols from the artifact have startling similarities to star formations of what they were like thousands of years ago. Meaning the symbols were probably used for Forerunner navigation. When Cortana used these co-ordinates hidden within the artifact, it led her and the Pillar of Autumn to Halo. Meaning that the artifact held the secret to its location. The Covenant discovered Halo because they scanned the co-ordinates from the artifact on Sigma Octanus IV before it was captured by the Spartan John 117.  The Artifact is being held in a secret ONI facility.   

ARTIFACT OF HALO

An artifact simply known as "The Index".

The Index is the key to Halo's main weapon, whatever that might be. It is needed to start the activation of Halo's final weapon sequence. Spartan-117 noted in his debriefing of the Halo incident that, if not for Cortana's intervention, he would have accidentally activated the weapon and destroyed all life in the galaxy. Current theories suggest Halo’s main weapon exists primarily in case the Flood manage to escape containment and spread their infection to other planets.

The Index can defy gravity whilst within its "container" but appears as a simple data stick with no special properties when taken from it. The Index can slightly alter reality around it, which can be seen in its chamber within the catacombs beneath Halo, simply referred to as "The Library".

The Index seems to exist in multiple realities. It can be held by sentient beings such as John - 117 but also A.I's such as 343 GS and Cortana as they seem to be able to "hold" and contain the Index within them also which opens up a lot of mystery concerning the Index. Currently Cortana still has the Index.

ARTIFACT OF REACH

An artifact that was extremely well hidden within the underground mines beneath CASTLE base on Reach. Behind a secret door that only the touch of flesh seems to open. Various illusions surrounded the artifact, ranging from space with stars and planets, to tall bamboo-like grass and even a volcano world with no sign of holographic emmiters.

The artifact defies gravity, much like the Index and is like a fist sized crystal, tapered to a point at either end. Its spins and facets along its centerline fold and shift, like pieces of a puzzle. It can emit radiation containing lots of neutrinos but of an unknown type.

The artifact warps the space around it and allows ships to pass in another dimension that isn't Slipspace but emits extremely high levels of radiation whilst in this state. The artifact alters both space and time which is why the Covenant desperately want it. The artifact was destroyed to prevent the Covenant obtaining it but they still managed to capture fragments of it...