Chapter 2: Cortana
Date: 2527 Age:16
Place: UNSC School of the South Star, Earth, Antarctica
Early that morning John and a few others took a small ship to Earth, to the the most barren part, to train for they arrived they immediately were sent to the base. They received their room numbers and uniforms. The also received their AI. John walked into his new home. Oddly enough it was quiet compact. He shuffled over to his kitchen and then into his bedroom. Before him lay his armor and his AI(Artificial Intelligence). He pulled the heavy armor on and inserted the chip into the back of his helmet.
" Hello Chief, John, which one do you prefer," a beautiful female voice echoed through his helmet.
"Either one, it doesn't matter," he said smiling.
"Your blushing Chief," she told him like he didn't know. He felt a little bit of embarrassment with a person always watching him.
"Ready for training," the voice echoed again.
"Not until you tell me your name," John asked her.
"Cortana," she paused. "An AI, service number CTN 0452-9, I hold the world all in my programed fingertips, designed of a clone copy of Doctor Halsey, here to aid everything you need," she finished taking a short breath like a human.
" Thank you for the life story," he said sarcastically.
" You're welcome Chief," she said laughing.
"When can I see you, not just hear you," John asked almost afraid there was not a possibility.
"Whenever you get me to a Halotank," she added.
A bunch of coordinates popped up on his visor, scaring him half to death.
"Pick one," she said quickly.
He chose the one on the main floor, he ran to the elevator and down a long flight of stairs.
He unplugged the chip from his helmet and then inserted it into the console.
A woman appeared, shining blue and purple in the invisible orb floating over the console.
"Hello Chief," she said turning pink and then back to her normal state of blue and purple.
" You're lucky you know," Cortana threw in, "and I too."
"They let me pick. Did I ever tell you that? Chose whichever Spartan I wanted. You know me, for this short while, I did my research. Watch you as you became a young soldier we needed you to be. Like the others, you were strong and swift and brave. A natural leader. But you had something no one saw, but me. Can you guess…? Luck!" she ended.
"Oh," somewhat stunned to know that she knew him before.
Her beautiful short hair seemed to flutter in the invisible holographic wind. She sat down at the bottom of the floating globe.
"The Universe is so huge Chief, but there is so many dark sides to it as well," she said as she reclined against the side of the Halotank.
"The Galaxy is vast; its wonders and beauty are almost unfathomable," she said as she slid her hand in the air to project a miniature space within the globe, encircling herself in planets and stars.
"But the Galaxy hides dark secrets, some of which have lain dormant since time itself," she shuddered and took away the beautiful scene. She now projected brute insect looking creatures, The Covenant.
" There is a danger in secrets, both in seeking and knowing. Some things are meant to be hidden from view. Some mysteries defy understanding, and sometimes even the things we think we know are untrue. Some secrets should remain untouched." She finished clearing everything in the globe.
She popped up information about hidden and unexplored planets and beings.
John moved closer, examining the small details of the odd looking creatures. Most of them have wings and are insect like, bulky and well armored, The Covenant, all in different in stature, strength, and ability. The Forerunners though had no information, only the coordinants to their home planet Ghibalb.
He stepped away as Cortana shut down the images. She ran along the bottom of the orb.
"How 'bout we tour the building," she asked John.
"Okay, whatever you want," he said as he pulled the chip from the console and put it back into his helmet.
"You know that you can press the button on the back of the chip to access the handheld mode, so I can be closer to you, if you want me to," she said shyly.
"You're crazy I can," he asked her with enthusiasm.
"Yes, crazy," Cortana answered. "Unfortunately for both of us we're crazy, but I like crazy," Cortana's laugh echoed through his helmet.
"We better get back to your apartment, she said, " It's kind of getting late."
"I agree,' John said as he started walking towards to the elevator.
Hey guys, I'm back again. i hope you are enjoying this fanfic as much as I am. I'm noticing my fanfics are getting longer and longer, so I am truly sorry for those out there who do not like long fanfics, but I promise it'll be an awesome one. PiinkSkyy