Sir Arthur C Clarke, author of "2001: A Space Odyssey", passed away today in his home in Sri Lanka. Haruko Momoi's nickname Halko is said to have been inspired by Sir Clarke's most famous character, HAL 9000. Although born sixty years apart, Halko and Sir Clarke share the same western and Chinese Zodiac symbols (Sagittarius and Snake, respectively). Sir Clarke was born on 16 December 1917. Halko was born 14 December 2007.