So, sorry for the delay, but here is the next installment of The Halo Collection. Just a note about this chapter. It didn't turn out exactly how I hoped it would turn out, but no matter the changes it still wouldn't work. In the end, I just used the original version. That being said, I hope you enjoy Rampancy Part II, a continuation of Ramapancy.

1200 HOURS, AUGUST 16, 2563 (MILITARY CALENDER)\

SOL SYSTEM, PLANET EARTH \ FLEETCOMHQ SYDNEY

"As I am sure everyone here already knows, thirty-six hours ago we recovered Spartan-117. The news is sure to seem great to some, and indeed it is. However, along with the Spartan's recovery, another, very discomforting, discovery was made.

"During the final days of the War, the Master Chief was accompanied by an artificial intelligence, by the name of Cortana. We have also recovered her, still fully operational, despite her having reached, and exceeded, her seven-year life span," the Admiral began.

"What are you saying? A seventh generation AI that is still operational? That's preposterous!" a Captain said.

"Gentlemen, please. Seeing as how this is slightly alarming, I have gone to the-" the Admiral started, before being interrupted by a Colonel to his left.

"Slightly alarming!? If the public finds out that an AI is capable of living over the seven year limit, they'll be screaming for blood. I am sure that everyone here is familiar with the panic of 2411. That was a closed off, semi-intelligent AI that went rampant. More than 200 personnel were killed in that little "accident." For weeks afterwards, people were too scared to come out of their own homes for fear of being mowed down by the autonomous garbage collection units. We need to shut down, strip, and then purge this AI immediately. We know that she was trapped with the Gravemind for some time. For all we know, she could –"

"Enough! Colonel, your outbreak was unnecessary and out of line, not to mention plain out rude. As I was saying before being interrupted, I have gone to the trouble of bringing Doctor Ian Brackman here today. I think that he will be able to explain this situation in a bit more detail."

With that, an elderly man entered the conference room. He sat at the end of the table, opposite the Admiral.

"Doctor, you are the leading expert on AIs. How could something like this happen in the first place?"

"Well, Admiral. I have done quite a bit of research, and I found out that this AI was cloned from living brain tissue, from Doctor Halsey to be specific. As you all know, AIs are usually cloned from deceased brain matter," the doctor began.

"Yes we are all quite familiar with the process, Doctor. But how does this relate to anything relevant?" the Colonel inquired, annoyance seeping into his voice.

"Well the problem is that the virus implanted within AIs usually had no trouble because the brain matter the AI had been cloned from was already dead. Since, Cortana had been made from living brain matter, the ingrown human passion for life was still active. For lack of a more scientific explanation, Cortana's will to live was stronger than the virus's will to destroy her."

"And why has this never happened before?" an officer asked, ignorance filling his voice.

"Listen to what I've been saying, you fools!" the doctor cried, annoyed at the lack of understanding on the part of the "Defenders of Humanity." "No other AI had, or has, ever been made from living brain tissue. There was, and truth be told, still is no way to know what would have happened and what still could happen to her. As for destroying her, that is absolutely out of the question. Taking her off-line now, would be the exact same thing as ending another woman's life in cold blood. I truly hope that we haven't descent to that level of barbarism." The doctor got up, turned around and left, leaving behind him a very confused Admiralty.

Well, there it is. Good? Bad? Ugly? Yes, there is a cameo here too. Something to who ever finds it. Also, I'm implementing a new rule concerning elegibility for the cameo finding thing: To be Elegible for this Contest, all Participants must first submit a Review towards the Part in question. (HA! no more free give-a-ways.

Also, I have uploaded a new version of A Conversation. Please go back and reread it. For those of you who are OCD enough), I have placed the original copy in my profile page so if you want to the the one and only major difference, you know where to find it.

On a closing note, please review.