good update

the cover looks awsome but i reckon it should still look like the first three books with the black back of the book and well like the first three

ummm...look at the wikipedia snippet from the MASTER CHIEF article... "In addition to the five Spartans mentioned above, there are in fact three other Spartans who were otherwise engaged on fields of combat too distant to be easily recalled, when the Spartans were gathered on the Pillar of Autumn, prior to the fall of Reach and the events on Installation 04. They may have since fallen to Covenant forces, or are currently en route to Earth (though the former is more likely)." Hmm....how many SPARTANs are on the cover? Three.

Maybe, just maybe, it's a girl in the spartan suite, probably Linda the crazy sniper.

Oh, by the way, I think I should tell Spartan_113... The characters, or letters, were not Chinese, nor Japanese or any other Asian languages so far I've known. Maybe it's a kind of language that used in Atlantis millions of years ago! And this is Spartan117, nice to see you again, buddy.

I'll sign in this site and check your answer once a day or less frequently. And it will be very kind of you to send a mail Directly to my hotmail. Here goes my Hotmail address: DXiOuble@hotmail.com Thanks again!!

Well, Frankie... I'm wondering that would you do me a favor by giving me Eric's E-mail address..or his MSN? I need to have a "talk" with him personally. As my profile shows, I'm Chinese. We've published the three novels of Halo in China last year. And now I'm desirous to arrange about the further cooperation with Eric. I would be glad to settle a bargain. Thank a lot if you could offer me the information needed.

the new armors isnt spartan armor it will be new marine armor deigned to fit in with onyx landscape probably only high ranked marines will get the new armor weird helmet though [Edited on 9/15/2006]

I dunno if someone already put this, but did u notice the japanese or chinese letters on the right of that weird lookin' spartans head?

I am with ya on the weapon end of things. The only thing i wish Bungie does for Halo 3 as far as weapons are concerned, is bring back weapons that will help with the out door, or OPEN environment play. I know there are sniper Rifles that are good for short medium and Long range. I also am aware of the Carbine and Assault rifles that boast a short and Medium range power, but we all know that those two weapons really don't have any effect at Medium range unless you have 6 of them shooting at once. I know the thing that hooked me to Halo, was the OPEN environments, not only were they spacious, but the weapons that Halo had when it was launched, made these environments very playable. I have found that on the open maps in halo 2, that the battles and strategies are confined to certain areas of the maps, and I feel that the weapons are a direct cause of this. It's not that the weapons availble are not good, it's just that they really don't fit to the gameplay of what i think Halo was Born to, and thats Open environments, playable shootable open environments, not just with a sniper rifle, but maybe with 1 or two other weapons, and NO I'm not about to say Bring back the pistol, cause i would get banned for that. but on that Note, you guys ever think that the reason was Not because of it's range, but because of it's power. I understand the deal about the M6D. but, i do think we need a weapon of similar range, and a single shot shooting rate, for accuracy. I only Hope to se a weapon like this in the 3rd and Final installment to "The Arc" story. Like I said, it does not have to kill in 3 Shots, 6 , 8, or even 10 shots would be okay, as long as the weapon has a range to atleast "Tickle" a camping sniper who has the ONLY MID TO LONG RANGE weapon that is actually effective. This would also help the TS games in open Environments. No offense, but I have emptied 3 or 4 CLIPS into an enemy sniper at MID range using the Battle Rifle, and it doesn't do squat. I mean if you get the Sniper on one of these maps, you can literally hold it for the entire match, I thought that was a huge downfall to the Balencing of the game. There is no talent in "sniping" anymore, and there is less talent envolved with taking out a sniper. No offense, but we don't want to crouch walk for 15 minutes just to be able to sneak up on a camping sniper, it's boring and to be quite frank, the game is usually over by the time you get into position to take out the sniper. Please bring back another Mid to long range single shot weapon to the new game, power has no issue, i mean if you can clip someone with a 3 shot and kill him, 6, 8, or 10 shots will just take a longer time, anmd you would have to maintain your accuracy throughout those 6-10 shot squeezes. Even if it's just for a couple of levels in campaign, weapons like that are just so much fun to shoot, and alot of fun to learn to master them.

I don't want to sound like some neerd speculating (although i did a bit on my last post) but i wounder if any of those guns on the cover (which i think are the MA2Bs from early in the series) are going to be in halo 3? Some said to me it could be a replacement for the SMG. I said NAARRR! For starts it isn't a SMG. It looks more like a LAR (or light assault rifle for those who don't speak army) or a carbine. However do we realy need another rapid fire bullet spewing gun? I'm sure that the guys at bungie being so greate as they are (don't mistake the compliment for sarcasm bungie) would probably give it some special feature such as being able to change the rate of fire or something.

Since the end of halo 2 and all the talk of the ark form the moniter i started thinking about this theory i had thought up about the forerunners. I thought the ark was some place when the forerunners left all there genetic profiles or DNA stored in stasis or something and that it would be released when all the flood starved to death. Then thinking about how Halo 2 was set on Africa reinforced my theory. We know the first men and women evolved from africa. So I guesed something must be buried under the african soil. This was years before the Halo 3 trailer. I'm sure every one else thought the same. I as a lot of people now thought the forerunner were ancient humans. But being so advanced i bet the forerunners did a lot of genetic engineering. Perhaps the Flood are a failed experiment gone wrong. But what i'm trying to say is maybe O.N.I discoverd forerunner DNA or something on this new planet and is makeing new super spartans from this DNA. Perhaps Onyx has an ark as well?

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] shaun dc well i know what u mean by the s standing for spartans! but didn't ackerson hate dr hasley so i dont think he would call his project spartans aswell! most likely it does stand for spartans tho! i jst hate the people coming up with stuff like its forerunner guys in the new armor! even tho they are supposed to be whiped out thousands of years ago! and the different armor has to be new and upgraded! why would thay send people in older armor that is crap and outdated! come on its obvioulsy for ackerson's team! and for the guy in the different armor looking smaller than the other spartans is maybe because its a drawing and not to scale! and the fact he's crouching may have somthing to do with him looking smaller and he's BEHIND the spartan, meaning farther away from view as in smaller looking![/quote] I was Not trying to be smug, god knows I don't know a thing about Halo and the Novels. I think yea, it could be a "Forerunner" only cause I think that the "Forerunners" are infact Humans. But on that Note, why would the Forerunners run around in snazzy Armour if they are so Technologically advanced? I mean yea, maybe press some Buttons from a control room or something, but actually get physical? I don't see the need for them to get dressed up in Armour and actually fight. I do however think that the "Ancients" (forerunners) are going to help the Alience of Living organizms, IE: Humans, Covenant, and Cyborgs, and whatever life(s) need their help. Maybe dishing out some Snazzy Armour to some Earthlings is their way of helping us, but like I said before, we are all probably wrong and really don't have a clue. But I do know this ! That is Non-Spartan Armour for a fact. And as Far as the size of them, yea.... I think It's Obvious that that Middle Armour is a Much Smaller Figure. I know it is kneeling, but proportionally, if they are the same size, then the Spartan in the Back should appear much smaller, but it doesnt. In proportion, I think he looks alot smaller than the actual spartans. And yes, I think it is a member of a new team, I don't know from where, but i would have to say that it is definately not a cyborg....it's just too small.And especially with that Backstory on the book, I don't see how anyone can think it is a Cyborg in anyway. I don't think many people realize this but it's not like the MC or John 117 just hoped into that Armour and "POOF" we have the Master Chief 117. if that were the case, then im pretty sure it would have been easier to get MORE SPARTANS. from what I understand, before even getting into the Armour, the Humans were transformed molded and trained into Half Human Half Cyborg Beings, Making them ALOT bigger, stronger, and Faster than your ordinary Marine, in any type of Armour. I think people think that it is the Armour that Makes MC 117 the Cyborg, and sadly, they are mistaken. John 117 is a Cyborg with or without that Armour on, if he weren't, wouldn't he have issues when he takes off his Helmet? If the Armour were actually part of Him, he wouldn't be able to remove any pieces of it. I mean, if just any Human could Hop into Spartan Armour, don't you think that we would have had ALOT more MC's to help fight? I know i would, but I think, not sure but pretty sure that the process of becoming a MC or Spartan is Un Reversable... meaning it is permanent. That would certainly be a turnoff to me. Not ever have the chance to be a 100% Human Being again i'm sure turned away ALOT of good candidates! well anyways, nice chattin with ya.... I wanted to see if we can vote on my Names for the New "Sick Under Water Gun" which I have named the "SUWG". And also on my name for the new water vehicle which I refer to as the "Aquatic Water Transport~With A Cool Weapon" on it. Which I have named the "AWT~WACW" for short and specific reasons, I'm going to call it A "Worter Hog" Frankie, can I get any confirmation on either of these? especially the "Worter Hog" ? I really think I got something here!?................... ANYONE second this?!>>>>>>>>>>> [Edited on 9/13/2006]

Sweeet i cant wait to read this one, i only read the 1st Halo book. And that was truly the best book i had ever read. My friend vince has the other 2 Im readin them when hes done.

......................WOW!!!.........................

well i know what u mean by the s standing for spartans! but didn't ackerson hate dr hasley so i dont think he would call his project spartans aswell! most likely it does stand for spartans tho! i jst hate the people coming up with stuff like its forerunner guys in the new armor! even tho they are supposed to be whiped out thousands of years ago! and the different armor has to be new and upgraded! why would thay send people in older armor that is crap and outdated! come on its obvioulsy for ackerson's team! and for the guy in the different armor looking smaller than the other spartans is maybe because its a drawing and not to scale! and the fact he's crouching may have somthing to do with him looking smaller and he's BEHIND the spartan, meaning farther away from view as in smaller looking!

yea, ya think the "S' maybe stands for "Spartan"? I dunno, maybe it stands for "Sunshine"? I really don't think it is a Cyborg in anyway, just look at how small he/she is, smaller than the furthest "Spartan", infact that figure looks like a Child next to those Two! Maybe it's a Baby Cyborg......... I say it is one of "Hundreds of Willing Soldiers", like it says in the Backstory of the Novel. I mean c'mon, even the Hell Jumpers had armour in Halo 2. It's about time our UNSC got equiped with something other than "Wise-Ass" comments......hahaha. But Hopefully, the Helmet doesn't interfere with their mouths.........

well im getting frustrated with all these posts from people making these half ass guesses! take a step back and calm down and look at whats in front of you! first : at the end of first strike, the master chief, linda, fred and will are on ther way back to earth!! they would get the new armor from halo 2! second : kelly was takin from the other spartans!!! which means she did not recieve the halo2 armor!!!!!! SO in the cover we see three sets of armor! the halo2 armor most likely has either the good old master chief, linda, fred or will in it! next u see the old armor from halo one! which is most likely kelly, as again she didn't get the new armor because she was takin! and then the new armor we see! this is obvioulsy the S III's that Ackerson was working on! frankie said its none spartan armor! ackerson project isn't called spartans its called S III's. so this has to be the armor for them! oh who said it could be for elites! sorry but the was just stupid as some mentioned the legs wouldn't fit. and did the elites shrink there fingers and grow a few extra fingers to fit into thos gloves! i mean look at the picture dude how did u think it was an elite!

Im with ya, I just Can't wait to Fire my new "SUWG" (that's "Sick Under Water Gun") and drive my new "AWT-WACW" (Thats "Aquatic Water Transport-With a Cool Weapon") In the new Halo 3 water level(s)... if we get them. I've named the Water Transport a "Worter Hog".... and I'm sticking with it! [Edited on 9/12/2006]

To all the super-noobs spewing rampant and rabid speculation all over the forums... Firstly, the gun that the Mk 5 Spartan and the...Damned-if-I-know-what-it-is are carrying is [i]probably (not definitely) the [b]MA2B[/b] mentioned in the earlier books. This is a cut-down version of the MA5B Assault Rifle, which can be fitted with a Suppressor and various other goodies. Plus it probably has no relation to the BR-55 whatsoever, because those kind of carrying handles can be added to any gun. (And no, it's not the MA3B or the BAAR-55 or the SMGAR....do your research for pete's sake) Second, no one has a damn clue what the Damned-if-I-know-what-it-is, is. All we do know is that that is one frakked up helmet. and Third: Stop -blam!-ing at the people who make your games and give you the info you so rabidly hunger for. If it means that much to you to know the latest tidbits about Halo 3, so much so that your life revolves around friday updates, then it's YOUR problem, not Bungie's. Honestly, if Halo were made by...oh, say...Electronic Arts (*shudders and knocks on wood*), then you wouldn't even get all these wallpapers and screenshots, let alone an update on their progress every week. In summary: Leave Frankie alone, and do your research before you start infesting forums all over the collective internets. Oh, and Go Earth.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Snow White Lion [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] c0mfor7a31y_Num3 and no, i am not going to comment on the armour that a human marine is wearing, you kids who don't read already made about a ZILLION of the same exact comments already.... and I want to point out THAT IT IS NOT SPARTAN ARMOUR YOU MORONS !!!!!! how many of you idiots still think it is or even why you think it is is beyond me... well i know why, ITS CAUES YOU DO NOT READ ! thanks for listening as always and I hope I'm not going to see anymore "that weird spartan armour is ......." or "that weird spartan armour........ ITS NOT SPARTAN ARMOUR, NEW OR OLD ! I think It's Armour designed for "Hundreds of willing Soldiers, Though....and one more Spartan..."... what was your first clue that it was spartan Armour in anyway ...I want to know......did Frankie send all you guys private messages saying he made a mistake in the update on the Novel backstory and that Armour was infact spartan Armour and just descided to not send it to anyone else? I am Curious.......... [/quote] ok then what makes you think it isnt spartan armor? if you remember by READING the ODST's outfits were jet black and that is not black the main reason everyone thinks it is SPARTAN armor is because of the color[/quote] Um...cause Frankie said "It is NON spartan Armour" in the Update !.. whats your guess that it IS spartan armour? like i said, im curious to see where your info comes from, mine comes from the Updates. And quotes of Frankie. I also want to point out that it can't be Armour used by any Spartan, New or Old. It simply would not fit. I never said it was NOT MJolnir Armour, it does seem practical that a well known company making the spartan armour, eventually come up with something for a Full Blown Human Being, and Not a half Cyborg half Human being. If it looks like a croos between new and old spartan armour is, probably because it is a cross between them. But it it Is not, never was, and never will be Spartan Armour. I actually thought the "design" on that particular Armour looked newer, and not older like many of you are guessing. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Snow White Lion yeah i do have one question though a lot of people have posted the Frankie said that that third one wasnt spartan, now WHERE exactly did he say this because i never saw it and i dont think Frankie would say something like that because Bungie wants us thinking about a lot so we HAVE to get the book to find out so our heads dont EXPLODE[/quote] Go read the update you Ritalin needer! Heres the Quote, and How you missed it is Beyond me.... It's RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE FIRST PICTURE OF THE BOOK COVER ! but you were probably in such a rush to look at the second picture you, like ALOT of others missed this important detail !!!!! "ZOMG! What's that crazy looking non-Spartan armor? Oh, wouldn't YOU like to know..." Quoted directly from the update...Frankies words, exactly ! It's quoted like a "Caption" for the picture,. It is so obviously there, it is not even Funny. How don't some people see this is mind boggling? Now why dont you go "Read" the update instead of just looking at the pictures! [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Drummer 317 Just because it isn't SPARTAN armor doesn't mean its not MJOLNIR armor. The armor, since it was at stage IV-V when the SPARTAN-II's got it, would have had to be developed a long time ago. I imagine that the wierd MJOLNIR armor on the front cover is like the earlier versions. Think about it. This version of armor looks like a bulkier, less complex version of the MJOLNIR mark V's and mark VI's on the cover when you compare them. And, c0mfor7a31y_Num3, the story isn't called "The Arc". What they meant is this story arc, or part of the story that is described here. Kind of like a segment of the circumference of a circle is called an arc.[/quote] No, I am Pretty sure that in an interview with Bungie, after Halo 3 officially was announced, they asked if this was infact the last Halo story? I believe Bungie replied something to this effect. It is the last installment for the story The Arc. But I could be wrong.. I will find a link and post it here below. Okay, I was wrong it is not "The Arc"... it's just "Arc" heres the Q&A. Its under halo 3 in the FAQ section. And I think what you are talking about when you say Half circle, is actually "Arch" with an "H"...... I think you have it wrong when you think of the Half circle thing, try and think of it more as a PLACE or a STRUCTURE of somsort... Kinda like Noahs "Arc"........an "Arc" and "Arch".. are two completely different things. Q: Is this the last ever Halo game? A: It is the conclusion to this story arc. and the link to the full FAQ..... http://www.bungie.net/games/halo3/content.aspx?link=Halo3Anno unceFAQ there you have it, "Arc" is infact the story. And not something used to describe Halo as you thought....although if i didn't think much I may think you were right..you know causae Halo is Round... hense "Arch"...NOT "Arc"... then maybe yea.....half circle... But "Arc" in Halo, is actually a NOUN, and not an adjective used to describe "Halo(s)" or a Half finished story...."Arc" is infact a Place or Structure in the Halo Universe.... I can't wait to see exactly what it is and what it contains, not to mention what it can do? I actually think that the "Arc" in Halo is directly linked or related to Noahs "Arc" in the Bible. It makes sense, if you want to survive the "Flood", you better get in the "Arc". I think the "Arc" is infact the sanctuary for survivors of the flood. Not just Humans either, all walks of life that are in threat of the "Flood", if they can will be saviored by The "Arc". I think when we do find the "Arc", we will find many Alive things in there, Including ancients, Humans and some Covenant. The "Arc" was built as a last resort, and Much Like Noahs "Arc", it was designed specifically to hold live things OTHEr than Humans. Noahs "Arc" was Built for Mostly animals to survive the "Flood" and a few Humans.. I expect something of a similar fashion to be revealed as what the purpose of the "Arc" is. A super weapon that can ONLY be Used as a last resort, and also ONLY in Defense! I also fear that ANYONE caught outside the "Arc" when it does go off will be the fate of a subliminal weapon beyond anyones imagination and will wipe out EVERYTHING in sight, including Earth! Better hope you (and atleast 1 female ) are inside! [Edited on 9/12/2006]

Yeah, It definately looks like some sort of new (or perhaps an old?) armour. The weapon that the two front spartans are holding.. Well, I'd like to guess that they are MA2B carbines, but I don't know... they certainly [i]look[/i] like stripped down MA5B's. I'm too curious =( its unhealthy.

I have a couple of thoughts on the Ghosts of Onyx Cover. After many minutes of hard thinking i have 2 conculsions about the mysterious Figure on the cover: 1. It may be Mark IV Spartan armor 2. Could be new type of armor not mjonir made for spartans

"Today, humanity feels and thin with only ghosts to defend her heart." Cassandra, 'Conversations from the Universe" A portent of things to come?

moma always said life was like a box of chocolate, i guess this book are the coconut ones:D:D:DXDXDXD

I CAN"T WAIT FOR THIS BOOK WHEN IT COMES OUT I A GOING TO BUY IT......TWICE