From the Jason Jones Interview-
Q:
Do you see Bungie's work as a whole (from Minotaur and PID onwards) to be a continuous progression reflecting the same ideals and themes? Are there any primary influences that have been drawn upon for the bulk of Bungie's creative output; something profound that has somehow manifested itself in all of Bungie's incarnations?
A:
Wasn’t it obvious after Gheritt White, even if you missed it in Pathways?
So my question is, who is he? Maybe he is the link to Marathon-Halo, who knows...