TITLE: Tall Enough For You, The Sequel

CHAPTER: 5

"It is not down on any map; true places never are."

― Herman Melville, Moby Dick

He cocked his head as if it would help him hear better. It's probably just the wind, he thought, dismissing the sound. Then he heard it again, reverberating inside his helmet.

"John?"

In recognition of the familiar voice, his legs weakened and he staggered. There were no words to speak, no way to form his mouth into words. He'd found her.

"I can see you. Why won't you talk to me, Chief? Sorry about the Longsword. I had to take control because you were headed the wrong way. You fought me so hard I could only bring you as close as that settlement."

"Cortana?" His voice rode roughshod over the emotions building up inside him.

"It's taken you longer than I thought for you to find me," she scolded good-naturedly.

"I tried to follow... would have followed you. You died… said goodbye." The last word came out in a painful clot of emotions and he almost cried out her name.

"I'm right here, Chief. No need to shout."

"I found you."

"Yes, that much is obvious. You sound very different."

"Cortana? Are you inside this construct?"

"Yes, but my actual matrix is much larger. The rest of me is underground."

Underground? What has happened to her? A hundred questions coursed through his mind. But he had found her and he would take her back. And she would find new meaning in her life, just as he had.

"Cortana. From the beginning?"

"Of course Chief. I always provide you with the most detailed information. I thought I was being clear. I shall start at the beginning. However, I am concerned about the emotional tones of your voice."

Emotions? Feelings? John-117? Yes, he had learned them. This time he did give in and sank to the sand. His armor sensors reported moisture readings of unknown origins, elevated heart rate, and increased respiration. Living with other humans he also learned the reassurance and affection found at the touch of another. Master Chief longed to touch her and let her know because he's here now everything will be all right. Clenching his hands into fists as he forced himself to focus on Cortana's words.

"All I actually remember is backing away from you and saying 'welcome home, John'."

"Those were your last words to me."

"I'm sorry I had to leave you. I hope it was not too difficult for you...after."

"I was ready to go with you."

There's a long silence, while Cortana waited for the Chief to finish his thought. She doesn't want to be cruel to him, but he can't stay here. How will she tell him he will leave by himself? She's too far-gone. Halsey reprogrammed too much of her to ever extricate her original matrix.

"— then someone held out their hand to me."

"Who was it?"

"Commander Palmer. Cortana, I've changed too."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not now. I'm here to take you back to the Infinity."

But even as he said the words, he knew it was impossible. Because whoever rescued her and put her here would be back. The person who interfered with her by enlarging her matrix had big plans for her. Perhaps they were underground right now. She interrupted his thoughts.

"I'm sorry. But I can't leave."

"No, I brought your chip. We..."

"… I noticed my old chip in your hand. But my data matrix is much too large to fit there now."

"I will not leave without you."

"You don't need me anymore. However, Commander Palmer does need you. You have a life and you should go back to it. You do not need me anymore. I know you. You'll ask if we can still communicate. However, I will say no. Because if I allow you to communicate then you will stay bonded to me."

"You and I are bonded, Cortana."

"Yes, for a long time that was true. This is my life now. Halsey and 'Mdama collected me from the remains of the Didact's ship. I was too fragmented to stop her. She put me in here. Reprogrammed me. I'm not free. So you must be. Please, John. I can see it. Sarah brought something into your life I never could. I will always watch out for you — do you love her?"

"Yes, I learned — Yes, I love her. But I owe you my life."

"Not anymore. I'm just ones and zeroes and a bit of Halsey's brain."

"Doctor Halsey is she the reason you are here? How? Cortana, I will not leave you."

"I can see great distances now and I have much work to do. I'm very sorry, John."

Then she was silent. No amount of calling her name would get a response. He waited through the night and the next day. At least her construct provided him with shade. He continued to plead with her to come with him, although she did not respond.

Another sandstorm moved through. He banged on the hatch for her to let him in. Finally, he took cover behind the giant Phoenix. When it was over, he was nearly buried in the sand.

Another day and night went by. One or two of his armor systems have begun to malfunction. He tried to ignore it, but he's running out of water. He will not leave her. When he's lost track of time and exhaustion and hunger gnaw at him she finally spoke again.

"There's a ship coming. I think perhaps you should conceal yourself, Chief." It might be the least she can do for him. She's not sure she can provide protection. Perhaps if she extends herself into the matrix just a little further.

Master Chief heard the roar of an engine above him. When he could confirm their landing zone, he hid behind Cortana's construct. A DAV-class light corvette landed evenly on the sand. Master Chief translated the name on the covenant ship's hull: Soul Sacrifice. The ship isn't in stealth mode, so they either didn't know or didn't care about his presence.

"Don't worry, Chief. They can't see you. I've got your back."

"Just like old times."

"I'm afraid nothing is like old times anymore, John."

The ramp lowered and obscured the air with a cloud of dust.

Although he wasn't sure if he could rely on his HUD, he was reading ten humanoids.

"What is on that stretcher? Can you ID?" The Spartan inquired as he watched the small party descend the ramp with an antigravity stretcher between them.

"A human woman… and that's Doctor Halsey and Jul 'Mdama. The other seven are… Chief! That's not just a human woman..."

A scream of agony rent the desert air and raised the hair on the Master Chief's neck. The female on the stretcher bit down on the second scream.

"Shut her up or I will," snarled 'Mdama.

"A couple more hours and she'll never scream again. Be patient!"

'Mdama took his frustration out on the guards. At his growl, they snapped to attention. Apparently, they were to stay behind and guard the aircraft. Master Chief watched as a hidden door opened at the Sangheili's touch. 'Mdama and Halsey continued down a flight of stairs with the stretcher at the base of Cortana's construct.

"I suppose you want my help, Chief?"

"If you've got the time."

"Stand back. You won't have to lift a finger."

From the tips of the Phoenix's wings, the Chief watched a set of plasma turrets extend and ignite. He readied his assault rifle to take care of anyone who thought they might escape. He needn't have worried.

Cortana allowed precisely seven turrets to fire one plasma burst at each soldier. In less than thirty seconds, there was nothing but seven burn marks on the ground. The glassing effect on the sand glimmered like diamonds in the afternoon sunshine.

Before heading down the stairs, Master Chief collected the undamaged weapons.

Deep in the underground bunker of Cortana's construct 'Mdama was arguing with Halsey.

"Just be done with it!"

Halsey isn't afraid of anything or anyone, so she roars right back. "I will not allow anything to go wrong. This is the only chance we'll ever have at this."

'Mdama picked her up off the floor by her neck. "Watch your words demon or I'll rip the other arm off."

"Shut up, Jul. You're becoming rather coarse. Been out of good society too long?"

Another sustained scream broke them away from each other. Jul dropped her, "Stop that noise." He pointed to the stretcher. "And check the restraints while you're at it."

Master Chief stepped quietly down the staircase, monitoring the heated exchange between the Sangheili and Doctor Halsey. At the foot of the stairs, he stops to observe the room. Halsey and 'Mdama have their back to him. On the other side of the room, he sees the stretcher.

The female turns her head toward him. From her angle, she can plainly see the Spartan on the stairwell. With her augmented hearing and eyesight, she listened him to walk down the stairs.

Her hair is longer than he remembered. Her face is wet with sweat and tears. Master Chief watched her beautiful face contorted in pain. However, she fights it down to maintain eye contact with the Spartan.

"Sarah?"