Slight problem [quote]I'm surprised, I have to say. [b]Although perhaps I shouldn't be. It does save time to run experiments in parallel. I see the benefit to the colonization effort, but I can't support those plans.[/b] I won't help you. Strictly speaking, Zarin, your participation isn't necessary.[/quote] This confirms that Siva was already being researched. Clovis Bray 2 appears to back this up [quote]What I’ve been working on will solve all those problems. Developed in these laboratories built to my specifications, by my handpicked team, these nanites will double, triple, maybe even quadruple construction rates, reduce colonist casualties, and serve us in our spread across the system, then across the stars. [b]Our first replication chamber sits beside the Cosmodrome, ready to outfit the colony ships. [/b] Dr. Willa Bray herself came to congratulate me. [b]“You’ll be able to expand soon,” she said. “Into the space currently occupied by the Shirazi Lab.”[/b] “Are they relocating?” I said. “Moving on to other opportunities.” “I can’t imagine a better place to be,” I said.[/quote] The Siva replication chamber was already in place by the time Dr Zhang took over the Shirazi lab space. The prototype for Siva was presented to Bray before they moved into the new labs [quote]Does the new research facility meet your expectations? It surpasses them. We presented you with this sample of SIVA on your desk six months ago, and the speed of our prototyping was the direct result of our generous budget.[/quote] -- Lastly Bungie have stated that Siva requires a mind to control it, and there's the following that confirms this. [quote]I can feel the mites buzzing, pushing against my sub-mind. They try to steal fragments of memory, but I do not let them. [b]They have no will,[/b] but they want to BE. [b]I exert electronic will: pushing, shaping. Forcing stasis on perpetual motion.[/b] They are quiet then, but I can still sense them. [/quote] The Sub-mind isn't sure he is strong enough to use Siva fully, but Rasputin expected him to control Siva to build new worlds. [quote]I fear my will is not strong enough to shape these worlds. Only the Tyrant can do that, but he will not be a part of my journey. Even his reach has limits, and we will be nine billion miles away. [/quote] Rasputin was that mind that controlled Siva against the Iron Lords, now it's Kovik - though he hadn't mastered the control when we got involved.