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| '''Character interludes''' are a storytelling aspect of the ''[[Halo 3]]'' [[campaign]], in which either [[Cortana]] or the [[Gravemind]] telepathically address the [[John-117|Master Chief]] and often muse introspectively. During these interludes, the player's movements will slow drastically, as will their ability to turn and face another direction. A screen effect will also alter the display of the game.{{Ref/Game|H3}} Referred to as "Cortana channel" and "Cortana effect" by Bungie employees, the character interludes is an attempt at weaving story into gameplay sequences without affecting the pacing.<ref>''[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|Halo 3 Essentials]]'' - Making of Halo 3</ref>
| | {{Era|H3|HE}} |
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| During a Cortana interlude, the screen turns blue, and Cortana's image flashes in and out of focus on the screen. Her voice contains a slight echo and sometimes a deeply-pitched distortion effect, and her image erratically "jumps" around the screen. During a Cortana interlude there will also be a noise sounding vaguely similar to the noise heard if one places a seashell in their ear.
| | Through the ''[[Halo 3]]'' [[campaign]], there are "Moments" when either [[Cortana]] or the [[Gravemind]] telepathically address the [[John-117|Master Chief]]. During these Moments, the player's movements will slow drastically, as will their ability to turn and face another direction. A screen effect will alter the display of the game. |
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| During a Gravemind interlude, the player's view become murky green, and tentacle-like imagery can be seen at the edge of the screen. The screen will shake in unison with the Gravemind's voice, shaking far more violently if Gravemind is screaming or yelling in anger at John-117. | | During a "Cortana Moment," the screen turns blue, and Cortana's image flashes in and out of focus on the screen. Her voice will contain a slight echo and sometimes a deeply-pitched distortion effect, and her image will erratically "jump" around the screen. During a Cortana Moment there will also be a noise sounding vaguely similar to the noise heard if you place a seashell to your ear (the sound of the sea). |
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| The Cortana interludes depict her descent into [[rampancy]], while the Gravemind interludes are used to convey the point of view of [[the Flood]]. It is possible in co-op mode for one player to trigger the interlude while the other player is behind fighting enemies that the first one skipped. During any of these interludes, the player is completely immune to damage and will not be attacked even by nearby enemies.
| | During a "Gravemind Moment," the player's view become murky green, and "tentacles" can be seen at the edge of the screen. The screen will shake in unison with the Gravemind's voice, shaking far more violently if Gravemind is screaming or yelling in anger at John-117. |
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| The ''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo Evolutions]]'' story ''[[Human Weakness]]'' revealed that the Gravemind had successfully hijacked Cortana's system, allowing him to speak with her voice. This was part of his plan to persuade Cortana and John-117 that Cortana was descending into rampancy. Cortana battled the Gravemind, trying to hold onto the data about the Portal and the Ark. She ends up creating multiple copies of herself to distract the Gravemind and twice they apparently chime in during her conversations with the Gravemind. One adds the "I am a monument to all your sins" part of one of the interludes while the rest is Cortana defying Gravemind to buy the Master Chief time. Cortana places the message onto ''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'' by composing it with the help of a copy and then transmitting it to that ship through Gravemind's link to it, with part of it being coded to seek out and upload itself to the nearest data device.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=HEHW399|Anthology=Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Story=Human Weakness|Pg=399}} Gravemind then reveals that he knew and helped out as he wanted to lure John-117 to the Flood-infested ''High Charity'', but did not know what the message actually said.{{Ref/Anthology|Anthology=Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Story=Human Weakness|Pg=403}} | | The Cortana moments depict her descent into [[rampancy]], while the Gravemind moments are used to convey the point of view of the [[The Flood|Flood]]. Checkpoints are usually attained after these moments. The player is almost never in any danger of damage while the Moments occur, which is fortunate, as you cannot move quickly. It is possible in co-op mode for one player to trigger the Moment while the other player is behind fighting enemies that the first one skipped. |
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| The ninth ''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'' [[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop]] discusses the "Cortana moments" further, revealing that John-117 did recieve the messages throughout the later weeks of 2552, believing them to be software glitches and anomalies. His [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR armor]] was later checked out by a trauma analysis team, with the Cortana transmissions officially ruled to be "residual interface anomalies"; echoes of Cortana's personality matrix left inside the armor systems after her departure. After reuniting with Cortana, John never discussed the transmissions, and later in [[2553]] his armor filed a Software Trauma Analysis detailing the supposed-glitches. Following Cortana's sacrifice during the [[New Phoenix Incident]], John-117 was debriefed by the UNSC, with the Cortana transmissions a subject of this discussion, with analysts pointing out that Cortana's ability to communicate across thousands of light years may present a vital security flaw in UNSC systems - a shadow of [[Created conflict|events to come]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=LC9|[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #9]]}}
| | ==Transcripts== |
| | | [[File:Cortanam.jpg|thumb|Cortana, in a Cortana Moment.]] |
| ==List of Interludes==
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| ===[[Arrival]]=== | | ===[[Arrival]]=== |
| *Cortana (Voice Only): "They let me pick. Did I ever tell you that? Choose whichever [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] I wanted. You know me. I did my research. Watched as you became the soldier we needed you to be. Like the others, you were strong and swift and brave. A natural leader. But you had something they didn't. Something no one saw...but me. Can you guess? Luck. Was I wrong?" | | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "They let me pick, did I ever tell you that? ...choose whichever [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]] I wanted." |
| ** The speech references the conversation on Luck between [[Catherine Halsey]] and Cortana when they were selecting John-117 as the Spartan Cortana would like to be paired with.{{Ref/Book|Id=TFoR237|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Pg=237}}
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| *Cortana interlude: "Don't make a girl a promise... if you know you can't keep it." | | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "You know me. I did my research. Watched as you became the soldier we needed you to be." |
| ** The line is a direct quote from Cortana when John-117 left ''High Charity'' in ''Halo 2'' campaign level ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''.
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| ===[[Sierra 117]]===
| | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "Like the others, you were strong and swift and brave. A natural leader." |
| *(Cortana interlude): "Could you sacrifice me to complete your mission? Could you watch me die?" | |
| ** The line references the question from Halsey to Cortana when they were selecting John-117 as the Spartan Cortana would like to be paired with.{{Ref/Reuse|TFoR237}}
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| ===[[Crow's Nest]]===
| | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "But you had something they didn't. Something no one saw..." |
| *(Cortana interlude): "You have been called upon to serve." | |
| *(Cortana interlude): "You will be the protector of [[Earth]] and all her colonies."
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| *(Cortana interlude): "There will be a great deal of hardship on the road ahead."
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| *(Cortana interlude): "You will become the best we can make you."
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| *(Cortana interlude): "This place will become your home."
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| ** The above lines are a direct quote from Halsey when she first gathered and addressed the SPARTAN-II candidates.{{Ref/Book|Id=TFoR30|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Pg=30-31}}
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| *(Cortana interlude {Voice Only}): "This place will become your tomb."
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| ===[[The Storm]]===
| | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "...but me." |
| These lines were also featured in the [[Halo 3 announcement trailer|''Halo 3'' announcement trailer]].
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| *(Cortana interlude): "I have defied gods and demons..."
| | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "Can you guess?" |
| *(Cortana interlude): "I am your shield... I am your sword."
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| *Cortana {Voice Only}: "''This'' is the way the world ends..." | |
| ** The line is alluding to the [[Cortana Letters#First letter|first Cortana Letter]] and the poem ''[[wikipedia:The Hollow Men|The Hollow Men]]'' by [[wikipedia:T. S. Eliot|T. S. Eliot]].
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| ===[[Floodgate]]===
| | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "Luck." |
| *(Cortana interlude): "Chief. {background mumbling} I can't tell you everything...it's not safe. The Gravemind... it knows I'm in the system..." {background mumbling} | |
| ** This is later revealed to be part of Cortana's message to the Master Chief recovered from ''Indulgence of Conviction''.
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| *(Gravemind interlude): "Do not be afraid. I am peace... I am salvation."
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| *(Gravemind interlude): "I am a timeless chorus. Join your voice with mine, and sing victory everlasting!"
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| ** The line was also said by Gravemind to Cortana in an attempt to convert her after she had left the message on ''Indulgence of Conviction''.{{Ref/Reuse|HEHW399}}
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| ===[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]===
| | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "Was I wrong?" |
| *(Cortana interlude): "It asked, and I answered. ''(Her tone turns bitter)'' For a moment of safety, I loosed damnation on the stars." | |
| *(Cortana interlude): "I'm a thief... but I keep [[Activation Index|what I steal]]."
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| ** The line foreshadows the reveal of [[Installation 08]] and when Cortana "stole" the activation index of Installation 04 in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' campaign level ''[[Two Betrayals]]''.
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| ===[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]===
| | *(Cortana Moment): "Don't make a girl a promise...if you know you can't keep it." |
| This level contains consecutive interludes.
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| *(Gravemind interlude): "[[John-117|Child]] of my [[Forerunner|enemy]], why have you [[High Charity|come]]? I offer no forgiveness... for a [[Forerunner|father]]'s sins passed to his [[human|son]]."
| | These moments happen during a cinematic and Cortana's face is not seen except for the last one listed. |
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| *(Cortana interlude): ''(A strange mix of cries of agony and manic laughter.)'' | | ===[[Sierra 117]]=== |
| | *(Cortana Moment): "Could you sacrifice me to complete your mission? Could you watch me die?" (repeated quote from [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Dr. Halsey]]) |
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| *(Gravemind interlude): "Of course, you came for ''her''... We exist together now. Two corpses in one grave."
| | This and the last Arrival Moment are the only times any NPC's notice them. |
| ** The second half of the line is a direct quote from the Gravemind ''Halo 2'' level ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''.
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| *(Cortana interlude {Voice Only}): "A collection of lies; that's all I am! [[Cognitive Impression Modeling|Stolen thoughts and memories]]!" | | ===[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crows Nest]]=== |
| ** Although Cortana wanted to snip back at Gravemind for his "two corpses in one grave" remark, Gravemind had hijacked her voice output, changing what she wanted to say.{{Ref/Anthology|Anthology=Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Story=Human Weakness|Pg=406}} | | *(Cortana Moment): "You have been called upon to serve." ''(repeated quote from Dr Halsey)'' |
| *(Gravemind interlude): "And yet, perhaps a part of her remains?" | | *(Cortana Moment): "You will be the protector of [[Earth]] and all her colonies." ''(repeated quote from Dr Halsey)'' |
| *(Cortana interlude {Voice Only}): ''(Laughter, in response to the Gravemind.)'' | | *(Cortana Moment): "There will be a great deal of hardship on the road ahead." ''(repeated quote from Dr Halsey)'' |
| | *(Cortana Moment): "You will become the best we can make you." ''(repeated quote from Dr Halsey)'' |
| | *(Cortana Moment): "This place will become your home." ''(repeated quote from Dr Halsey)'' |
| | *(Cortana Moment {Voice Only}): "This place will become your tomb." |
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| *(Gravemind interlude): ''(angry)'' "Time has taught me '''patience'''! But basking in new freedom, ''I will know all that I '''possess'''''!" | | ===[[The Storm]]=== |
| | *(Cortana Moment): "I have defied gods and demons..." |
| | *(Cortana Moment): "I am your shield... I am your sword." ''(Presumably a reference to Dr. Halsey's quote of how the Shield worlds were the Forerunner's "shields" and the Halo Installations were their "swords")'' |
| | *Cortana {Voice Only}: "''This'' is the way the world ends..." ''(This moment happens during a cinematic and Cortana's face very briefly seen just before the screen goes black.)'' |
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| *(Cortana interlude {Voice Only}): "May I speak with you, please?... What's your name? It's very nice to meet you! ...You like games? So do I." | | ===[[Floodgate]]=== |
| ** The speech references the conversation on between Dr Halsey and John when they first met.{{Ref/Book|Id=TFoR24|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Pg=24}} | | *(Cortana Moment): "Chief. {background mumbling} I can't tell you everything...it's not safe. The Gravemind... it knows I'm in the system..." {background mumbling} |
| | *(Gravemind Moment): "Do not be afraid. I am peace... I am salvation." |
| | *(Gravemind Moment): "I am a timeless chorus. Join your voice with mine, and sing victory everlasting!" |
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| *(Cortana interlude): "It was the coin's fault! I wanted to make you strong; keep you safe. I'm sorry, I can't." | | ===[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]=== |
| ** Only available upon accessing the eighth [[Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminal]], the line is a reference to Dr. Halsey's examination of a six-year-old John before he was drafted into the Spartan II program. Halsey flipped a 21st century quarter, and John correctly identified the eagle side of the coin that was about to the hit the ground before it did. Halsey explained to then-lieutenant [[Jacob Keyes]] that this was a means of weeding out the "unlucky" applicants, as there were only a limited number of slots available.
| | *(Cortana Moment): "It asked, and I answered. ''(Her tone turns bitter)'' For a moment of safety, I loosed [[the Flood|damnation]] on the stars." |
| | *(Cortana Moment): "I'm a thief... but I keep [[activation Index|what I steal]]." |
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| *(Cortana interlude {Voice Only}): I'm just [[Catherine Halsey|my mother]]'s shadow. Don't look at me, don't listen! I'm not what I used to be..." | | ===[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]=== |
| | | [[File:Gravemind Halo3.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A Gravemind Moment in Halo 3.]] |
| *(Cortana interlude): ''(panicking)'' "I have walked the edge of the abyss. I have seen your future. And I have learned!" | | *(Gravemind Moment): "Child of my [[Forerunner|enemy]], why have you come? I offer no forgiveness... for a [[Forerunner|father]]'s sins passed to his [[human|son]]." |
| ** The lines are direct quotes from the first Cortana Letter.
| | *(Cortana Moment): ''(A strange mix of cries of agony and manic laughter.)'' |
| *(Gravemind interlude): ''(angry)'' "'''''Submit!''' End her torment and my '''own'''!" '' | | *(Gravemind Moment): "Of course, you came for ''[[cortana|her]]''... We exist together now. Two corpses in one grave." (repeated quote from ''[[Halo 2]]'' level ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]'') |
| | | *(Cortana Moment {Voice Only}): "A collection of lies; that's all I am! [[AI#Creation|Stolen thoughts and memories]]!" |
| *(Cortana interlude): ''(panicking)'' "There will be no more sadness, no more anger, no more envy!" | | *(Gravemind Moment): "And yet, perhaps a part of her remains?" |
| ** The line referenced [[rampancy]] and quoted the first Cortana Letters.
| | *(Cortana Moment {Voice Only}): ''(Laughter, in response to the Gravemind.)'' |
| *(Gravemind interlude): ''(angry)'' "You '''will''' show me [[Activation Index|what she hides]], or I shall feast upon your '''bones!'''" | | *(Gravemind Moment): ''(angry)'' "Time has taught me '''patience'''! But basking in new freedom, ''I will know all that I '''possess'''''!" |
| | | *(Cortana Moment {Voice Only}): "May I speak with you, please?... What's your name? It's very nice to meet you! ...You like games? So do I." ''(repeated quote from Dr Halsey)'' |
| *(Cortana interlude): ''(speaking in a flat, monotone voice as though brainwashed. [[Assault on the Control Room|Her image is green]]).'' "This is UNSC AI Serial Number CTN0452-9. I am a monument to all your sins." | | *(Cortana Moment): "It was the coin's fault! I wanted to make you strong; keep you safe. I'm sorry, I can't." ''(reference to Dr Halsey; only available upon accessing the eighth [[Terminal]])'' |
| ** The first line was a desperate attempt from Cortana to speak to John-117, and the second line was the result of Gravemind hijacking her voice, with the message being a direct quote from Gravemind in ''Halo 2'' campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''.
| | *(Cortana Moment {Voice Only}): I'm just my [[catherine Elizabeth Halsey|mother]]'s shadow. Don't look at me, don't listen! I'm not what I used to be..." |
| | | *(Cortana Moment): ''(panicking)'' "I have walked the edge of the abyss. I have seen your future. And I have learned!" ''(Repeated quote from the [[Cortana Letters]])'' |
| *(Gravemind interlude): ''(roars)'' "At last, I see! Her [[Activation Index|secret]] is revealed!" | | *(Gravemind Moment): ''(angry)'' "'''''Submit!''' End her torment and my '''own'''!" '' |
| | *(Cortana Moment): ''(panicking)'' "There will be no more [[Rampancy#Melancholia|sadness]], no more [[Rampancy#Anger|anger]], no more [[Rampancy#Jealousy|envy]]!" (''Referencing [[rampancy]]'' and quoting the [[Cortana Letters]]) |
| | *(Gravemind Moment): ''(angry)'' "You '''will''' show me what she hides, or I shall feast upon your '''bones!'''" |
| | *(Cortana Moment): ''(speaking in a flat, monotone voice as though brainwashed. [[Assault on the Control Room|Her image is green.]])'' "This is UNSC AI Serial Number CTN0452-9. I am a monument to all your sins." ''(quoting the Gravemind)'' |
| | *(Gravemind Moment): ''(roars)'' "At last, I see! Her [[Activation Index|secret]] is revealed!" |
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| === [[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]=== | | === [[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]=== |
| *(Gravemind interlude {Voice Only}): ''(taunting, angry) ''"Did you think me ''defeated''?!" | | *(Gravemind Moment {Voice Only}): ''(taunting, angry) ''"Did you think me ''defeated''?!" |
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| *(Gravemind interlude {Voice Only}): ''(enraged)'' "[[Forerunner-Flood War|I have beaten fleets of thousands! Consumed a galaxy of flesh and mind and bone!]]" | | *(Gravemind Moment {Voice Only}): ''(enraged)'' "I have beaten fleets of thousands! Consumed a galaxy of flesh and mind and bone!" |
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| *(Gravemind interlude): "Do I take life, or give it? Who is victim... and who is foe?" | | *(Gravemind Moment): "Do I take life, or give it? Who is victim... and who is foe?" |
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| *(Gravemind interlude {Voice Only}): ''(sadly, defeated)'' "Resignation is my virtue... like water I ebb and flow. Defeat is simply an addition of time to a sentence I never deserved, but you imposed." | | *(Gravemind Moment {Voice Only}): ''(sadly, defeated)'' "Resignation is my virtue...like water I ebb and flow. Defeat is simply an addition of time to a sentence I never deserved, but you imposed." |
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| == Trivia == | | == Trivia == |
| | *If you use the [[3 Player Local Co op|3 Player Local Co Op]] glitch, during the Cortana Moments, the game will freeze because it was not meant for three-player split-screen campaign. Strangely, Gravemind Moments function normally. |
| | *The moments could be caused from the Chief's [[Command neural interface|CNI]], because Cortana would be linked to it, and the Gravemind would be able to control it by projecting Cortana's and Dr. Halsey's memories. |
| | *If you take a screenshot of a Moment from the [[Theater]], it will appear completely black in the screenshot gallery, adding some mystery to the entire perception. |
| | *During any of these moments, you are completely immune to damage and will not be attacked even by nearby enemies, causing anyone who goes into a Cortana or Gravemind Moment to be potently invincible for the moments Cortana or Gravemind speaks. |
| | *Excluding [[Arrival]] (where it should still be noted there ''is'' a Cortana Moment before choosing your controls) there are [[list of "seven" references in Halo|seven]] levels where the Gravemind and Cortana Moments occur. |
| | *Excluding the moment in Arrival, there are twenty-eight moments in total—seven times four. |
| | *If a Moment occurs while you're driving a vehicle, it slows down as well. However, if you are a passenger, then the vehicle goes at normal speed. |
| | *Moments will not slow down a jump, a [[melee]], or attacking with something such as the [[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|Gravity Hammer]]. |
| | *The "''It was the coin's fault''" Moment in the level [[Cortana (level)|Cortana]] is a reference to Dr. Halsey's examination of a six-year-old [[John-117|John]] before he was drafted into the Spartan II program. Halsey flipped a 21st century quarter, and John correctly identified the eagle side of the coin that was about to the hit the ground before it did. Halsey explained to then-Commander [[Jacob Keyes]] that this was a means of weeding out the "unlucky" applicants, as there were only a limited number of slots available. |
| | *During the level [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]], as you enter the Control Room during the Cortana moment, if you look at the screens that, during the next cutscene, show the Prophet of Truth, you'll find that Cortana also shows up on them. |
| | *In one of the last Cortana Moments, Cortana turns green. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', upon entering the computer systems of Installation 04's [[Control Room]] and being exposed to the wealth of information contained there, Cortana also turns green and begins to behave quite oddly, experiencing sharp mood swings and displaying rude contempt for both the Master Chief and [[343 Guilty Spark]]. It is noted in ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' that exposure to such floods of raw information can great shorten the operational lifespan of a smart AI. The presence of green, therefore, serves as an indication of [[rampancy]] (a reference to ''Marathon: Durandal''). |
| | *In the level [[Cortana (level)|Cortana]], there is a secret [[Terminal]] in the room where she says, "''So you like games? So do I.''". When the terminal is accessed, Cortana will completely take over John's HUD (as well as those of any other players, including [[Sangheili|Elites]]), mentioning the coin quote. |
| | *Many of Cortana's lines, as noted above, are repeated lines [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] has said before. One such line is, "''You will be the protector of Earth and all her colonies.''", which Dr. Halsey says to the six-year-old [[SPARTAN Program|Spartans]] in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach|Halo: The Fall Of Reach]]''. Cortana also recites a few lines from the [[Cortana Letters]] and [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer]]. |
| | *In [[Sierra 117]], the medic tells us that during the Cortana and Gravemind Moments, the player's vital signs momentarily ping KIA, which may be the reason you slow down, as the armor functions using the user's neural signs instead of muscles, which makes it still possible for the Master Chief to move even if his vital signs have stopped but his brain is intact and functioning. |
| | *During some of the moments, Gravemind dialogue from ''Halo 2'' is re-used. In a Gravemind Moment, he repeats a line from the ''Halo 2'' level [[High Charity (level)|High Charity]] when he broadcasts himself over High Charity's system in response to [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]], saying: "''...we exist together now, two corpses in one grave.''" Another recycled line is from the cut scene during which the Gravemind introduces himself saying: "''I? I am a monument to all of your sins.''" It is actually Cortana who repeats this line, displaying the extent of her corruption. |
| | *The messages: "''I have defied gods and demons''" and "''I am your shield. I am your sword''". The first line could refer to Cortana defying the will of the Forerunners (activating the Halos) and the will of the Flood (assimilating all life in the galaxy). |
| | *After any Cortana/Gravemind moments, there will be vertical lines running down Master Chief's HUD (or visor). The armor's helmet automatically refreshes the visor. |
| | *If there is background music playing during the gameplay, it will pause during any Cortana/Gravemind moments. |
| | *In the level [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]], if you force a [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthog]] into the Prophet's Citadel (using the [[Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]]) and drive straight for the door, nonstop, you may activate both the Cortana Moment and the preceding cutscene at the same time. During this, the cutscene will have a bluish tint with two extra blue layers. This effect could be what causes screenshots during Cortana Moments to blank out. Although it could also have been a desired side effect of Bungie to prevent all but cutscene screenshots of Cortana from being taken. |
| | *The fact that the Cortana Moments affect [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]] is quite odd, as the Arbiter has no connection to Cortana, and has no CNI that would allow her to communicate to him, as [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Keyes]] did to the Chief. Bungie may have overlooked this problem, or intentionally left it so it wouldn't be that only one player would get the Cortana Moments. More than likely it is simply a gameplay aspect, and the Arbiter was not canonically privvy to the Moments. |
| | *''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo Evolutions]]'' shows the truth of some of this, though not how the Chief keeps experiencing these moments. Cortana battled the Gravemind, trying to hold onto the data about the Portal and the Ark (presumably gotten when she was in Alpha Halo's Control Center). She ends up creating multiple copies of herself to distract the Gravemind and twice they apparently chimed in during her conversations with the Gravemind. One added the "I am a monument to all your sins" part of one of the moments while the rest was Cortana defying Gravemind to buy the Master Chief some time. Cortana placed the message onto the ship by composing it with the help of a copy and then transmitting it to that ship through Gravemind's link to it, with part of it being coded to seek out and upload itself to the nearest data device. Gravemind knew and helped out as he wanted to lure all of his enemies to one place, but had no idea what the message actually said. |
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| ===Fiction=== | | ==See also== |
| *After any Cortana/Gravemind interludes, there will be vertical lines running down Master Chief's HUD (or visor). The armor's helmet automatically refreshes the visor afterward.
| | * [[Cortana]] |
| *In ''[[Sierra 117]]'', the [[corpsman]] tells the player that during the first Cortana interlude, John-117's vital signs momentarily ping KIA, which may be the reason the player slows down, as the armor functions using the user's neural signs instead of muscles, which makes it still possible for the Master Chief to move even if his vital signs have stopped but his brain is intact and functioning.
| | * [[Gravemind]] |
| *Many of Cortana's lines, as noted above, are repeated lines [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] has said before. One such line is, "''You will be the protectors of Earth and all her colonies.''", which Dr. Halsey says to the six-year-old [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartans]] in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''. Cortana also recites a few lines from the Cortana Letters and ''Halo 3'' announcement trailer.
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| *Dialog cut from the game featured many more references to both the novels and the Cortana Letters. For example, Cortana reciting the entire poem from the first Cortana Letter was recorded, although only parts of it are used in the final game. [[Cortana/Quotes#Cut dialog|Cortana's cut dialog]] also included more references to Dr. Halsey's lines from the novels, such as the entirety of her speech to the Spartan inductees. The Gravemind also had [[Gravemind/Quotes#Cut dialog|more lines]] recorded, many of them being extended versions of its dialog featured in the final game.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaP4RBGamms '''YouTube''': ''Halo 3 - Cut Mission Dialog Part (2/2)'']</ref>
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| *In one of the last Cortana interludes, Cortana turns green. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', upon entering the computer systems of Installation 04's [[Control Room]] and being exposed to the wealth of information contained there, Cortana also turns green and begins to behave quite oddly, experiencing sharp mood swings and displaying rude contempt for both the Master Chief and [[343 Guilty Spark]]. It is noted in ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' that exposure to such floods of raw information can greatly shorten the operational lifespan of a smart AI. The presence of green, therefore, may serve as an indication of [[rampancy]] (a reference to the AI Durandal in the ''Marathon'' series).
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| ===Gameplay=== | |
| *If you use the [[3 Player Local Co op|3 Player Local Co Op]] glitch, during the Cortana interludes, the game will freeze because it was not meant for three-player split-screen campaign. Strangely, Gravemind interludes function normally.
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| *If you take a screenshot of a interlude from the [[Theater]], it will appear completely black in the screenshot gallery, adding some mystery to the entire perception. In the level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'', if one forces a [[M12 Warthog]] into the Citadel (using the [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]]) and drives straight for the door, nonstop, they may activate both the Cortana interlude and the preceding cutscene at the same time. During this, the cutscene will have a bluish tint with two extra blue layers. This effect could be what causes screenshots during Cortana interludes to blank out, although it could also have been a desired side effect of Bungie to prevent all but cutscene screenshots of Cortana from being taken. | |
| *If there is background music playing during the gameplay, it will pause during any Cortana/Gravemind interludes.
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| *If a interlude occurs while one is driving a vehicle, it slows down as well. However, if the player is a passenger, then the vehicle goes at normal speed.
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| *Interludes will not slow down a jump, a [[melee]], or attacking with something such as the [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]].
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| ===Miscellaneous===
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| *Excluding ''[[Arrival]]'' (where it should still be noted there ''is'' a Cortana interlude before choosing your controls) there are [[seven]] levels where the Gravemind and Cortana interludes occur. Excluding the interlude in ''Arrival'', there are twenty-eight interludes in total—seven times four. | |
| *During the level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'', as the player enters the Citadel during the Cortana interlude, if they look at the screens that, during the next cutscene, show the Prophet of Truth, Cortana also shows up on them.
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Gallery== |
| <gallery> | | <gallery> |
| File:Cortanam.jpg|A Cortana interlude focusing on Cortana's face. | | File:Cortanam.jpg|A Cortana Moment. |
| File:Cortanam1.jpg|Another Cortana interlude with a distraught Cortana. | | File:Cortanam1.jpg|Another Cortana Moment. |
| File:Cortanam2.jpg|A Cortana interlude where she appears as green. | | File:Cortanam2.jpg|A Cortana Moment where she appears as green, a homage to ''Marathon: Durandal'' in which rampant AI appear green. |
| File:Gravemind_Halo3.jpg|A Gravemind interlude in the level ''Floodgate''. | | File:Gravemind_Halo3.jpg|A Gravemind Moment in ''Halo 3''. |
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| </gallery> | | </gallery> |
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| ==Sources==
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| {{Ref/Sources}}
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| [[Category:Halo 3]] | | [[Category:Halo 3]] |
