Proto-Gravemind

A **Proto-Gravemind** is the beginning stages of the Flood evolution from an instinctive Feral stage to a more intelligent and nefarious Coordinated stage. One of the most notable Keymind Command forms. The presence of a Proto-Gravemind signals grave peril to the entire galaxy as it is one step towards the establishment of a Gravemind and onwards to the Interstellar stage.

## Overview and Background

A Proto-Gravemind is formed when a particularly important host, whether it is a captain with crucial navigational intel or a political figure is infected by the Flood. The sheer level of information that the host carries is of much importance to the Flood.

Once this happens, this host would be merged with several dozen other hosts to form a large Flood biomass called the Proto-Gravemind. Proto-Graveminds varies in size, from something as large as a tank to monsters reaching truly gargantuan heights. As such, the size and sheer intelligence of said Proto-Gravemind is purely dependent on the number of biomass the Flood has accumulated.

Nevertheless, all Proto-Graveminds share the following characteristics. The first is immobility; as Proto-Graveminds are still in the process of forming a true Gravemind, its primary objective is to conserve energy and methodically siphon away knowledge and intelligence of the host rather than being mobile. The second is the dependency of being defended by lesser Flood forms. Due to its immobility and general importance, the Proto-Gravemind is unable to properly protect itself, resulting in lesser Flood forms to vigorously defend it. Exceptions exist of course, but the Proto-Gravemind commands the Flood rather than fight alongside it. Finally, Proto-Graveminds are the central neural network for the Flood before the creation of a proper Gravemind. Proto-Graveminds could command ships, give lesser forms strategy and tactics and is able to scatter the cohesion of the Flood if it is compromised.

## History

During the Flood outbreak of Installation 04. Captain Keyes and his forces were trying to escape the Ring from both Covenant and Flood forces. Whereas Sergeant Johnson was fortunate enough to escape via a Pelican, Keyes was not as fortunate and decided to return to the Truth and Reconciliation and hopefully hijack a Covenant dropship to escape. Unfortunately for the Captain, however, the Flood caught up to him. Keyes was unable to hold off the onslaught and was promptly captured, infected and turned into a Proto-Gravemind. Once John-117 managed to fight his way through the Covenant Cruiser, it was already too late. To prevent the Flood from gaining further knowledge on humanity's homeworld, the Master Chief punched through Keyes' skull to receive his neural implants and escaped. The loss of Keyes as a host greatly crippled the forces of the Flood, forcing them to find a new spaceship, which was the wreck of the Pillar of Autumn.

## Trivia

* Originally, the Master Chief was meant to retrieve Keyes' neural implants by burning his skull away with a Flamethrower. However, this was deemed too graphic for Bungee and opted for the Chief to pulverize his skull instead.
* In SPV3, multiple faces of marines were plastered on the skin of the Proto-Gravemind. This was to make the Proto-Gravemind even more gruesome than it already is.

## Gallery

Captain Keyes as a Proto-Gravemind.The back of the Proto-Gravemind.