After contacting the potential, he contacted his superior. Cerebro, while a 'dumb' AI, was no fool, and he knew that at least one person would be upset that he'd acted so quickly. He opened up communications without any delay, guarding himself against any hostility which might greet him.

"Cerebro? Is something wrong?" He was shocked she didn't already know, but then again, it had happened only moments ago.

"No, nothing is wrong. I was just going to update you on the progress thus far." Cortana raised one elegant eyebrow, turning her full attention towards him.

"There is already progress? I thought that they were still hesitant to get anything done."

"They were, but they have no choice now: the process is under way and as we speak the potential is on her way to a store which will clean her up and prepare her for the state dinner tonight."

"But, all the seats are already assigned!" As she spoke, a hologram of the seating at the dinner appeared.

"I've taken the liberty of placing her between the Arbiter and the Master Chief." Cortana sighed as he indicated this with a slight change in the seating arrangement. "This will allow both to assess her and—hopefully—a bond to form." Shaking her head, Cortana turned, looking through a different connection at her savior.

"I hope you know what you're doing... and the repercussions there could be if this doesn't work." There was silence for a moment. "What does she look like?" Cerebro hesitated for a moment, then pulled up the most recent picture he had; one of her talking with him on the phone. Cortana looked at her, then stared at Cerebro.

"What? This experience will be just as beneficial to her as it will be to us... and she'll look better tonight."

"Who is going to go and pick her up for the dinner?"

"I was hoping that she might be escorted by the Chief." Cortana raised an eyebrow again. Before she could speak, he continued with his reasoning. "This will make it clear what her purpose is to be... and make it less of a shock when she sits beside him. Also, it will allow you to go with him to assess her first." Cortana sighed, before turning away, preparing to break communication.

"Very well. We'll pick her up on our way there. And Cerebro?" She shot a glare over her shoulder, "Next time, wait until I say; I'm not sure if the Arbiter or Master Chief is ready to face this challenge."


AN: And Cortana makes an appearance! I hope you don't think any of these chapters are frivolous-though to me they seem to be at times. Please review and let me know what you think!