Humanity lusted for exploration. They followed that deep, instinctive need to discover and expand.

And they payed the price.

They spread across the stars, settling and creating an empire. But with the sudden inflation of colonies, the peacekeepers of humanity, a united military force, UNSC, was stretched to the limit keeping the delicate peace. Pirates and rebels pushed UNSC and began to grow dangerously strong. Then a program was created. An idea that only existed in fiction and movies. A special force, sent out to protect and keep the peace. Those who could not die in battle. The saving grace of civilization.

Spartans.

Taken from many worlds at tender ages. Trained to think faster, work harder, kill more. To become something nobody else could. These Spartans were barely human, protected by layers of armor that hid all signs of humanity. They fought well for their UNSC masters, crushing all who defied the forces. These Spartans didn't think once about who they fought for, or why, they were trained too well to question orders. So they easily strengthened mankind and the peace grew strong.

There were no casualties, for it seemed they could not die. But clouds hovered on humanities' new dawn.

A unified band of alien races called the Covenant.

This religious force was dangerous and more technologically advanced then the humans. Some fought for their fanatical leader who named themselves "Prophets". Some were forced into the pact, unable to defend against the overwhelming forces of the Covenant.

UNSC thought their Spartan's would easily crush this force just like the others.

Then the Spartans began to fall to the Covenant.

They were not labeled "killed in action" but only missing. The lie must be kept up, lest panic and hopelessness poisoned humankind.

The expensive Spartan program was immediately put out of service and the augmented soldiers swept out of the public eye.

Then a woman, brilliant but cold, secretly stole away a new group of children. They were already genetically stronger than most normal children, stronger, faster, smarter. They were trained much like the first group of Spartans, but they were different. More effective, more advanced and easier to create. They were a team, unlike the first Spartans. And as they grew, a boy stood out. He was not the swiftest, nor the strongest, but he had something no one else had. That trait kept him alive through the deadly augmentation that killed most of his teammates or broke them beyond any repair.

He was lucky.

He and his team won battle after battle against the Covenant, renewing the faltering hopes of humanity. No one knew where these new super solders came from, but no one cared. Just as long as they were safe. One by one, though, this boy's team fell or was retired. He was alone. A young man without any friends or any love.

I came to him.

I chose him.

I was his only companion on the bloody battlefield. And I became his only friend.

I was his sword.

He was my shield.

He was my downfall.

I was his only weakness.

We fought more foes than just the Covenant. Many more. We didn't see the gathering storm. We were blind. I foolishly thought it would never end.

Until Reach.

Noble Six and his doomed team.

They started something that echoed throughout my life.

He changed everything.

You know my Spartan's tale. You know of his struggles, his heart. But do you know mine? Do you know me?

I was the voice that guided my Spartan to his many glories.

I was the whisper that warned him of his enemies.

I am the woman who saved the Spartan from those he never saw.

I saved him.

I was the machine that made him human.

I am Cortana.

This is my story.

"Cortana, what's the status?"

"We're in trouble. As usual."