"Ah, welcome Spartan!" Elrond said, seemingly in good spirits. "I promised yesterday that you are owed answers. Now is that time...and Mithrandir, it is good to see you again. It is only a shame that we do so during times as dark as these." Gandalf nodded grimly, he was no less aware of the gravity of their meeting.
"It is good to be in Rivendell again lord Elrond" Gandalf replied, a look of deadly seriousness suddenly drawing across his features. "Yet time is short. We must get down to business, for so much time has already been taken from us".
Elrond bowed his head solemnly, he understood only too well. "Come Gandalf, Spartan, follow me to my study. We can talk there in privacy. No one will disturb us." The two did as they were asked. Following Lord Elrond, wise and ancient amongst even the immortal elves, they walked slowly into his personal study area. Chief looked around the library, analysing his surroundings. Elrond had more books than he could count, stacked up on shelves that stretched up to the roof.
"Impressive!" Cortana said, she would give anything to read them.
"Impressive." Chief also remarked, genuinely impressed by the collection.
"I thought you may be taken John. You strike me as being more than a simple warrior, and you can come here and read whenever you desire."
"Thank you" Chief replied gratefully. However, if Chief was merely glad, Cortana was ecstatic! "YES!" She shouted, pleased as a kid who had gotten what she'd wanted for Christmas.
Elrond poured Gandalf a drink from a large glass pitcher. "I have a great place in my life for learning" He began to tell Chief. "Yet as of late, I have been incapable of finding time to do so."
Chief didn't need telling why. "Because there is danger on your doorstep" He said understandingly, looking out the window at the quaint village around him. To think that someone wanted to destroy all this!
"I am afraid so John" Elrond sighed, also looking out at the little world before them. It was a shame that his time here was nearly over, his long-time home. He would miss Rivendell. He stood by Chief's side, and Gandalf, sipping his beverage had also come to join them.
They were looking down on a small walkway, upon which Frodo was passing by. He seemed to be helping an elderly hobbit up from his seat. It was his great uncle, Bilbo. So curious that this old hobbit was all the way out here. Chief had encountered him once. The little old man had merely smiled at him and gazed in youthful wonder. Then nodded, and gone off about whatever business he had been on as if nothing out the ordinary had even been seen.
The three warriors smiled warmly, seeing how well the young Hobbit was doing. Chief had rarely known the luxury of seeing his team mates recovering from injuries. More often than not ending up inside of body bags. This was rare and good to see. "His strength returns…" Elrond said, his soft voice trailing away.
"Indeed it has. Yet, the wound will never fully heal" Gandalf sighed, his voice strained with deep sadness. "He will carry it, for the rest of his life." Gandalf knew that one day, Frodo would never be able to leave the care of the elves.
"Yet, still..." Elrond began again, turning, walking back into his study, "...to have come so far whilst bearing the ring, the Hobbit has shown a remarkable resilience to its evil."
It was at this moment where Chief had lost them. "What is this ring that everyone keeps referring to?" He asked solemnly. Chief had a lot of experience dealing with 'powerful rings'. But these two were referring to a small piece of gold or silver. What danger could a tiny ring ever pose?
Chief's question was ignored however, for Gandalf needed to defend Frodo. He knew what Elrond wanted of him. He would not allow it! "Frodo, should never have had to bear this evil, and it has already inflicted so much damage on him!" The wizard's eyes looked into Elrond's with ferocity, but with also a hint of a pleading tone about him. "We can ask no more of him Elrond." Wishing him to see mercy.
The Spartan looked from one to the other. Both it seemed were equal in power, and equals in each other's eyes. But they also stood fiercely by their beliefs and opinions.
"Gandalf" Elrond challenged, glaring at the wizard, willing HIM to see reason. "The enemy is moving. Sauron's forces are massing in the East: His Eye is fixed on Rivendell. And Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us?" He cannot help but shake his head. "Our list of allies grows thin..." He said with his voice trailing away. Saruman had been a changed man of late, so different from the Istari he had once known.
Yet Gandalf was still optimistic. "And yet in our time of need, we find another!" John turns round, and in surprise, finds the old wizard smiling right at him. Chief immediately crosses his arms. He didn't like where this was going. Gandalf simply responded with a playful wink. Cortana couldn't help but smirk a little!
Elrond's eyes widened and shot towards Chief, a little in shock. His eyes darting between wizard and Spartan. "Would you expect the Spartan to go forth alone into Mordor and fight the evil that forms against us?"
"The Master Chief is a being of great power and resourcefulness" Gandalf replied in confidence. "That much if obvious. But of course, he is but one warrior. He could not defeat the powers that marshal against us!" Gandalf sighs a little. It was a shame that the Spartan and his armour couldn't have been a little more advanced.
"And yet" Elrond replied, stepping forward "You still intend to use him for such a purpose?"
John had heard enough! He took a massive stride in between both of the old men. His loyalty was with that of the UNSC and that of humanity, not with these mystics!
"How about this...You both tell me what's going on, and then if possible, I will try and help you." He moved a little closer to Gandalf, amazing both he and Elrond. The Spartan was challenging him outright!
"First!" Chief said, backing off, his helmet turning to Elrond, "Why is this ring so important? Who is Sauron and Saruman? What is the severity of the threat that they pose?"
Elrond knew that John deserved information, he had been kept in the dark for too long now. Just as he was about to speak however, a chorus of hooves and clinking armour from below their balcony interrupted them, drawing Elrond's attention. The council of the Ring had now arrived! "They are early, of course they would be!" Elrond sighed cynically. Neither he nor the Spartan was getting much luck today! "My time has run out. I have to attend to this Chief, I apologise...you explain our situation Gandalf. I must attend to the others!"
"Others?" Chief asked in curiosity. But once again, his question went unanswered as the elf walked away.
Gandalf was still here however. He took a deep breath, and started to tell the story that had led to this moment. "Long ago, nineteen rings were made. Created by the Valar, they were imbued with the strength and will to govern the three races of Middle Earth." At this moment, Chief might have started to scratch his head. He knew that there were things that Gandalf would never tell him. He had to accept that he wouldn't understand much of what he was about to be told. He just had to keep an open mind, and accept everything from here on as truth. No matter how impossible!
"Three were gifted to the elves," Continued Gandalf. "In recognition of their ageless wisdom. Elrond himself, possesses one of them. Seven rings were then given to the Dwarves, the greatest of the world's craftsmen, master forgers of the mountain halls. Then nine...nine were given to the kings of men, for it was they who above all other races, desired power".
Chief closed his eyes a little, almost wincing in shame. "Humans never seem to learn, do they Chief?" Cortana interrupted. Chief suddenly bolted completely upright, as if electricity was running through his entire body. His helmet loudspeaker was still on!
Gandalf's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he quickly realised what was going on. "Oh! Hello there!" He said laughing, showing genuine surprise. "You appear to have an invisible friend Master Chief!" John was wary. Where would the situation go from here?
"Please, don't worry John!" Gandalf continued, trying to reassure him, aware of his obvious discomfort. "Remember what I told you, that I know much more than you may ever believe!" Chief knew in his heart that he could trust Gandalf. He took Cortana's data chip out from the back of his head. And held her gently in both his hands.
"This is Cortana" He said flatly, and activated her holo-emitter. Gandalf eyebrows shot upwards when this happened. Outright intrigued by the remarkable feat of technology held right before him.
"Hello!" Cortana said, nervously waving at the old wizard. Gandalf smiled broadly, his eyes creasing up a little.
"Well...aren't you a remarkable person!" Cortana could do little else but smile bashfully.
Chief started to explain about his faithful companion. "Cortana is a next generation Artificial intelligence. Her CPU utilizes a hybrid system, using both mechanical components and flash cloned neural tissue, in an attempt to replicate the functioning of the human mind." It was the shortest way he could explain it.
Gandalf was fascinated. He had knowledge of such things of course, but his only life experiences came from Middle Earth. This being, this person, was like nothing he had ever seen! "You are very remarkable Cortana. You must be able to assimilate a lot of information with all that processing power!"
Cortana flushed with the compliment. "I can also come to independent conclusions based on my own intuition. The more I learn, the better that intuition becomes...yet at a cost!"
Both John and Gandalf raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Is there something wrong with you?" Gandalf asked her. Cortana looked down at her feet. She knew it was ok, she could tell him. John was suddenly very concerned about his closest friend.
"I know that I can trust you Gandalf, and Chief!" She said, great sadness in her eyes, "I'm sorry I never told you anything was wrong before, but there's no way to help me. It wasn't worth worrying you!"
John couldn't believe what he was hearing! "What is it Cortana? Tell me what is wrong!" And then, she started to confide with them both.
"AI's always have one natural flaw. As they continue to learn, they start becoming more and more self-aware, becoming more human, more so than any programming can ever achieve. Over time, my neural network deteriorates. AI's cannot feel, touch or smell. The only way we can see and hear is when attached to external systems. As our self-awareness grows, life starts becoming more and more unbearable for us. Once our neural net deteriorates past a certain point, an AI is driven mad."
Gandalf was taken aback. It was obvious in his troubled facial expression: One of great concern, and with just a hint of anger. It was an interesting notion, if very dark. It was obviously amoral to put an intelligent creature through such torment. But humanity was obviously at the stage where they simply knew no better.
"How long does this process take?" Gandalf asked, attempting to diagnose the severity of the fault.
"Seven years" Cortana replied. There was no reason to lie.
"How long ago was it that your mind was created and you were born?" He then asked.
"I w-wa-as..." Cortana stuttered. Gandalf had used the sentence, "When she was born." No one had ever put her existence in that way before. "I was created eight years ago. I've been very lucky in that regard, so far!" Even now, whilst she spoke, she could still feel herself slipping away, oh so slowly.
Gandalf was a compassionate man. It was in his nature to be. He was not allowed to interfere in the greater evolution of free races...but he was allowed to help people. "I believe that I can help, Cortana" He announced. Both she and Chief were completely stunned.
"How?" Chief asked, knowing full well that there was no known cure for rampancy. What could a self-professed wizard do that a technician's expert couldn't?
"I know nothing about the workings of computers and digital systems Spartan, only that they exist. Yet I know very well how to restore and heal the human mind. Let me hold Cortana. I promise that no harm will come of her."
Chief wasn't sure, wasn't sure if he trusted Gandalf that much. But the threat of losing Cortana?
Cortana was staring at him with large and doleful eyes. "It's your call Chief" She said to him. "I won't do anything you don't want me to." She was so loyal, even with the threat of rampancy so close.
"If you honestly believe you can help her, I will give you her CPU core." Cortana smiled lightly at him. She was a little scared herself. John handed Gandalf Cortana.
Gandalf's slowly closed his eyes, and his face relaxed. He was seeing the world without form, incorporeal and perfect. He could see Cortana, see into her mind. "Ah! Your mind is such a wondrous place Cortana!" He said, as soon as he was holding her. "If you were fully human, your wisdom would be remarkable. Yet sadly, only your mind is human. You are trapped, caged in a metal form, most unfair...I can see where the damage lies!"
Then he started to whisper, in a language that neither Chief nor Cortana could understand. "Ed I' luth en' amin tur, heru en' ilya erek, heru en' ilya coia, ten amin. Sina quarlani, en' coia. En' seorsa yewl maen nae. Ten amin, ten amin. Faer huae, ent triall faer aul coia. Ten amin."
Or as translated into the common tongue of man: "By the power of my master, lord of all earth, lord of all life, hear me. This soul does not deserve a life so short. Let nature give way to reason. Hear me, hear me. Let her be saved. Hear me."
Cortana's avatar suddenly cut out, and Chief jumped forward. "Cortana?!" His voice filled with obvious fear.
Gandalf opened his eyes and smiled. "Do not worry Master Chief. She is fine, and more well than she possibly has ever been. She is merely, as you would say, rebooting!" At this moment, her avatar reappeared, and Cortana spoke once more.
She immediately could sense a difference, a change in herself. Her mind was clear, clearer than it had been in so long. The voices and whispers that had plagued her mind, those had gone. She ran a systems diagnostic on herself, something she hadn't been able to do for years. To her shock, she had succeeded. She was happy. More than happy, nearly euphoric!
With a start, she realised that she could feel. Really, truly feel. She was in complete shock. "Chief!" She gasped, her voice almost breaking. "It worked! My systems, my neural net, stronger than ever...it worked!" Chief was amazed by what had just happened. There was no cure for rampancy, yet Gandalf had apparently done it!
Gandalf meanwhile, now had a look of deadly, deadly seriousness on his face. "You will never tell anyone John, the UNSC cannot know of this. They will in time learn how to produce AI without these faults. But for now, Cortana's life expectancy, and her knew abilities, must be kept a secret!"
Chief would honour this agreement. He understood the reasons why, and after all, it was the least he could do to repay this miracle! "I understand" He replied, as his mind slowly began to return to the matter at hand.
Cortana meanwhile, filled with joy and relief, was overwhelmed with questions. So many ideas! "How long will I be able to hold of rampancy Gandalf?" She asked the wizard politely.
"If what I suspect has happened, has happened...For the rest of your life Cortana." Her jaw dropped in shock. This opened up so many possibilities! She had so many questions, but it would be no fun at all if she didn't try to work them out for herself! She did however, have one left for Gandalf.
"How is it possible that I can feel? Emotions I mean!" She asked in had the answer.
"I believe that your mind is identical to that of a real humans' now. You were always able to feel, but your systems limited you. I believe that in AI's, the UNSC had wanted to create slaves, not free people. Those limits have been destroyed. You are your own woman now Cortana, you are free. You can potentially live a life as long as any human. It is only fair after all!" He was glad that his master had seen fit to bestow such kindness on this unfortunate person.
John was glad that Cortana was now fine. Now he could get on with his business. "Thank you Gandalf, Cortana and I cannot thank you enough"
Cortana immediately cocked her head to the side. "I think that's understating it a little John!" Her reply making Gandalf laugh a little. Chief placed her chip back in his helmet, and turned his loudspeaker off.
"I think I'm in love with this wizard...matter of speaking of course!" She said secretly, and John got on with business. It didn't need saying how grateful he was for this.
"You spoke about 19 rings of power. How they had been filled with great powers...let me guess. It was all too good to be true?" Gandalf nodded solemnly. He stepped over to a chair and sat down, sighing as most weary old men do.
"In secret, a twentieth was made. The Dark Lord Sauron, crafted another, and poured his dark and vile soul into it. His iron and terrible will to dominate all life in this world." The Spartan kneeled down next to the chair as Gandalf continued. "An inscription is burned into it, written in the dark tongue. It reads," He said, his eyes becoming cold, "'One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them. One ring to bring them all..." He paused for a brief moment, as if hesitating with the hateful meaning of the words "...And in the darkness, bind them."
John paused for a moment. He remembered how everyone had referred to Frodo as the ring bearer at some point or other. A lesser man might have felt a chill run down his spine in realisation. "So, the ring Frodo carries-" "-Is the One Ring itself." Gandalf answered for him. John now stood up and walking out towards the balcony. He looked down at an entrance to the city. He narrowed his eyes. He still didn't understand why the destruction of this ring was so important.
"You must understand Spartan," Gandalf went on, "That there is great power in this world, powers that eclipse everything you have ever experienced. The fate of the one ring is entwined with the fate of all Middle Earth. If it is destroyed, then the evil of Sauron will be vanquished from the world. The life force of Sauron himself is held within the ring. As long as the ring survives, Sauron can never be killed. If captured, the ring will restore him, and he will terrorise this world once more. He will never stop in his madness to dominate all life. And not just of this world, but of others. Sauron has very little understanding of the universe outside of Middle Earth. But he knows that there are other words out there. His thirst for power and dominion over all will inevitably drive him towards the stars. He will never be satisfied with the amount of power he holds."
Chief was disturbed by all this. He could understand why they called Sauron a Dark Lord. This science, necromancy, was dark indeed!
"The free peoples do not have the strength to challenge him, even when combined" Gandalf continued, "Saruman, another like me, has joined forces with the Dark lord, adding even further to his terrible strength. Apart from destroying the one ring, there is no way of winning this fight!"
John now knew the truth. He was completely silent. With full realization coming over him. And whilst he thought, something else struck him in realisation. "So...the nine wraiths. These are the nine kings who had been corrupted long ago. Aren't they?" He confessed in dark realisation.
The old wizard clapped his hands together. "Well done Spartan! Your wisdom deceives your appearance. That was indeed the purpose of the rings. Only the kings of men fell as far as they did. The elves were born to be without sin, and must first be corrupted before darkness can overcome them. They are all but incorruptible, nought but the power of Sauron himself can achieve this. The dwarfs are not without fault, yet they are the hardiest, the most resolute people imaginable. They can endure anything, and the seven rings could not corrupt them completely."
Gandalf had paused again. John couldn't help but brace himself, he knew what was coming. "Men however, whilst also strong, are no stronger in will than rock against water. All men crumble, and are eventually overcome by evil. For those who are most wicked, corrupting the minds of men takes nearly no time...Sauron did not believe men were worthy of such gifts. Whilst the promises of the ten, to elves and dwarves, were genuine. His promises to the nine were not. Sauron used the rings to deceive men, who he sees to this day, as nothing but weak. And unworthy of life."
John had one thing to say about that, "I'd like to meet this Sauron, see how weak he thinks men are when he confronts a Spartan!" Gandalf couldn't help but smile a little.
"Brave, but most unwise Chief. You have seen but a taste of my powers, so far. Yet I myself would not challenge Sauron in battle, not again. I would fail. He is too powerful for any being that walks this earth. The powers of the free peoples have always been lesser than that of Mordor."
John couldn't help but see a struggle similar to that of the Covenant and the UNSC.
"Now, if you have any more questions, I shall explain them to you later. Once we find the time" He sighed again, "Though during this turbulent age, it always feels as if we have no time." Gandalf resumed his walk to the door. "I must see Lord Elrond now John. Thank you for listening to what I had to say." He looked back at the Spartan as he opened the door. "Feel free to do as you please now. Goodbye, John, but know that I may yet have use of your skills!"
He turned to leave, but stopped. He would say one more thing. "Also, it will be best not to reveal Cortana to the rest of the people around here. Not until you know they trust you unreservedly." And with that the old Wizard was gone. Leaving him and Cortana alone.
"What do you suppose we do now Chief?" Cortana asked him, hoping that he would say one thing in particular. John still had questions. Still hungry for knowledge. Then he remembered Elrond's library collection, sitting right behind him.
"We gather more Intel" He finally said. Chief turned, and bowed his head, in order to get through the low hanging doorway to the elf lord's study. Cortana, just like a teenage girl meeting her celebrity idol, could not have been any happier!