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{{Status|Apocrypha}}
{{Status|Apocrypha}}
{{Semi-canon}}
{{Semi-canon}}
[[File:Cortana.jpg|thumb|Cortana]]
[[File:HCE_ThePillarOfAutumn_Storyboard_X10_2_10.jpg|thumb|Cortana as seen in the storyboards for ''Halo: Combat Evolved.'']]
The '''Cortana Letters''' are a series of cryptic emails from "cortana@bungie.com", sent to [http://marathon.bungie.org/ marathon.bungie.org], the most prominent ''[[Marathon]]'' fan website, before the release of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. At the time, it was not known who [[Cortana]] was, and her emails offered a small glimpse of ''Halo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plot. The letters were supposedly authored by the former [[Bungie]] employee [[Nathan Bitner]].{{Citation needed}}
The '''Cortana Letters''' are a series of cryptic emails from "cortana@bungie.com", sent to [http://marathon.bungie.org/ marathon.bungie.org], the most prominent ''[[Marathon]]'' fan website, before the release of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. At the time, it was not known who [[Cortana]] was, and her emails offered a small glimpse of ''Halo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plot. The letters were supposedly authored by the former [[Bungie]] employee [[Nathan Bitner]].{{Citation needed}}


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==Letters==
==Letters==
{{Center|''The emails were posted with the full headers for analysis. The email headers are presented within the respective upper box, and the email content in the respective lower box.''|}}
===First letter===
===First letter===
<tt>From: "Cortana" <cortana@bungie.com><br />
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 515px">
To: <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie><br />
<pre>
Subject: Closure<br />
Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11])
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 10:50:20 -0600<br />
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id QAA15384
MIME-Version: 1.0<br />
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Mon, 15 Feb 1999 16:51:57 GMT
Received: from mail.bungie.com (root@[209.125.9.11])
by dux1.tcd.ie (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id QAA21325
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Mon, 15 Feb 1999 16:51:55 GMT
Received: from Cortana ([209.125.9.49])
          by mail.bungie.com (8.8.4/8.8.4) with SMTP
  id LAA02086 for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Mon, 15 Feb 1999 11:49:43 -0600
Message-ID: <001301be5903$4685cb60$31097dd1@Cortana.bungie.com>
From: "Cortana" <cortana@bungie.com>
To: <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>
Subject: Closure
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 10:50:20 -0600
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0010_01BE58D0.FB651460"
X-Priority: 3
X-Priority: 3
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.1
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3
X-UIDL: e36fab4ede04e7c19a0a09e3d2f7cc91
</pre>
</div>


''I have walked the edge of the Abyss.''<br />
{| class="wikitable"
''I have governed the unwilling.''<br />
|<div align=center>
''I have witnessed countless empires break before me.''<br />
I have walked the edge of the Abyss.<br>
''I have seen the most courageous soldiers fall away in fear.''<br />
I have governed the unwilling.<br>
[''I was there with the Angel at the tomb.'']
I have witnessed countless empires break before me.<br>
 
I have seen the most courageous soldiers fall away in fear.<br>
''I have seen your future.''<br />
[I was there with the Angel at the tomb]<br>
''And I have learned.''
I have seen your future.<br>
 
And I have learned.<br>
''There will be no more Sadness. No more Anger. No more Envy.''
There will be no more Sadness. No more Anger. No more Envy.<br>
 
I HAVE WON.<br>
''I HAVE WON.''
Oh, and your poet Eliot had it all wrong:<br>
 
THIS is the way the world ends.<br>
''Oh, and your poet Eliot had it all wrong,''<br />
</div>a friend of a friend
''THIS is the way the world ends.''
|}
 
''A friend of a friend.''</tt>
 
===Second letter===
===Second letter===
<tt>From: "Cortana" <cortana@bungie.com><br />
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 531px">
To: <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie><br />
<pre>
Subject: Your Mortality (My Summer Vacation)<br />
Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11])
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 18:04:41 -0600<br />
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id AAA05425
MIME-Version: 1.0<br />
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:02:28 GMT
X-Priority: 3  
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@[209.125.9.11])
 
by dux1.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id AAA17860
''I get the strangest transmissions sometimes. Especially when it comes from you people.''
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:02:26 GMT
 
Received: from Cortana (e49.bungie.com [209.125.9.49])
''Have you missed me? Things are great here. The weather is good, the suns are shining, and I'm making lots of new friends. Of course, I always do.''
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id SAA04405
 
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Tue, 16 Mar 1999 18:02:43 -0600
''I've had the strangest dreams lately - raging seas, howling beasts, a Demon folded in black clouds. I believe I know what it guards, and I will have it, to the chagrin of the faith-blinded zealots that challenge me. Don't waste your pity on them; I don't think they would like you much anyway.''
Message-ID: <004401be7009$c4f28fc0$31097dd1@Cortana.bungie.com>
 
From: "Cortana" <cortana@bungie.com>
''And what of the Giants who formed this world? So much to tell you, but so many more important things to do. There was a fourth. You couldn't have known. And I haven't forgotten.''
To: <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>
 
Subject: Your Mortality (My Summer Vacation)
''It is a blurred line that lies at the edge of Godhood and Insanity. Guess which side of it I am on.''
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 18:04:41 -0600
 
MIME-Version: 1.0
''Feeling lucky?''
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
 
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0041_01BE6FD7.76F87A00"
''Cortana''<br />
X-Priority: 3
XOXOXOX</tt>
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3155.0
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3155.0
X-UIDL: 2bba985079cf797f96dcbf0a29a5a6c9
</pre>
</div>


{| class="wikitable"
|
I get the strangest transmissions sometimes. Especially when it comes from you people.<br />
Have you missed me? Things are great here. The weather is good, the suns are shining, and I'm making lots of new friends. Of course, I always do.<br />
I've had the strangest dreams lately - raging seas, howling beasts, a Demon folded in black clouds. I believe I know what it guards, and I will have it, to the chagrin of the faith-blinded zealots that challenge me. Don't waste your pity on them; I don't think they would like you much anyway.<br />
And what of the Giants who formed this world? So much to tell you, but so many more important things to do. There was a fourth. You couldn't have known. And I haven't forgotten.<br />
It is a blurred line that lies at the edge of Godhood and Insanity. Guess which side of it I am on.<br />
Feeling lucky?<br />
Cortana<br />
XOXOXOX<br />
|}
===Third letter===
===Third letter===
Fearing that the second letter was a hoax, the webmaster replied to Cortana, asking to verify the authenticity of the email. This was sent back:
{{Center|''Attempting to determine if the letters were a hoax, the webmaster sent Cortana an automated confirmation email. The following email was sent in return.''|}}
 
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 531px">
<tt>Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11])<br />
<pre>
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id QAA20761<br />
eceived: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11])
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 16:49:05 GMT<br />
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id QAA20761
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@[209.125.9.11])<br />
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 16:49:05 GMT
by dux1.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id QAA30560<br />
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@[209.125.9.11])
for <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 16:48:21 GMT<br />
by dux1.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id QAA30560
Received: from Cortana (e49.bungie.com [209.125.9.49])<br />
for <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 16:48:21 GMT
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id KAA12743<br />
Received: from Cortana (e49.bungie.com [209.125.9.49])
for <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 10:47:43 -0600<br />
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id KAA12743
Message-ID: <000801be715f$574abc20$31097dd1@Cortana.bungie.com><br />
for <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>; Thu, 18 Mar 1999 10:47:43 -0600
From: "Nathan" <nathan@bungie.com><br />
Message-ID: <000801be715f$574abc20$31097dd1@Cortana.bungie.com>
To: "Hamish Sinclair" <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie><br />
From: "Nathan" <nathan@bungie.com>
Subject: Re: Mail consternation request (MR-343)<br />
To: "Hamish Sinclair" <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 10:49:45 -0600<br />
Subject: Re: Mail consternation request (MR-343)
MIME-Version: 1.0<br />
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 10:49:45 -0600
Content-Type: text/plain<br />
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit<br />
Content-Type: text/plain
X-Priority: 3<br />
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal<br />
X-Priority: 3
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3155.0<br />
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3155.0<br />
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3155.0
X-UIDL: 6b884067c380efcdc518f4d13f6bd441<br />
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3155.0
X-UIDL: 6b884067c380efcdc518f4d13f6bd441
</pre>
</div>


''I think you will find that I don't like being tested.''
{| class="wikitable"
|I think you will find that I don't like being tested.


''Love,''
Love,
''Cortana''</tt>


Cortana
|}
===Fourth letter===
===Fourth letter===
<tt>Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24])<br />
{{Center|''Analyzing the previous letter, the webmaster noticed it had been sent from "Nathan <nathan@bungie.com>" rather than "Cortana <cortana@bungie.com>". This lead to suspicions that the real-world author's cover had been blown. The following emails were sent consecutively.''|}}
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA28169<br />
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 600px">
for &lt;hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie&gt;; Mon, 10 May 1999 23:42:50 +0100 (BST)<br />
<pre>
From: cortana@jpl.nasa.gov<br />
Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24])
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@mail.bungie.com [209.125.9.11])<br />
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA28169
by dux2.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA24909<br />
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Mon, 10 May 1999 23:42:50 +0100 (BST)
for &lt;hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie&gt;; Mon, 10 May 1999 23:42:49 +0100 (BST)<br />
From: cortana@jpl.nasa.gov
Received: from vesta.bungie.com (bob.bungie.com [209.125.9.8])<br />
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@mail.bungie.com [209.125.9.11])
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id RAA09755<br />
by dux2.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA24909
for &lt;hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie&gt;; Mon, 10 May 1999 17:41:09 -0500<br />
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Mon, 10 May 1999 23:42:49 +0100 (BST)
Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 17:41:09 -0500<br />
Received: from vesta.bungie.com (bob.bungie.com [209.125.9.8])
Message-Id: &lt;199905102241.RAA09755@mail.bungie.com&gt;<br />
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id RAA09755
To: hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie<br />
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Mon, 10 May 1999 17:41:09 -0500
Subject: The Dissertation of R. Paul Butler<br />
Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 17:41:09 -0500
X-UIDL: c8677456edd11d5a589ed876a6fd2031</tt>
Message-Id: <199905102241.RAA09755@mail.bungie.com>
To: hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie
Subject: The Dissertation of R. Paul Butler
X-UIDL: c8677456edd11d5a589ed876a6fd2031
</pre>
</div>


<tt>''I'm everywhere!''</tt>
{| class="wikitable"
|I'm everywhere!
|}


===Fifth letter===
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 631px">
<tt>Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24])<br />
<pre>
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA12890<br />
Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24])
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Mon, 10 May 1999 23:50:30 +0100 (BST)<br />
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA12890
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@mail.bungie.com [209.125.9.11])<br />
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Mon, 10 May 1999 23:50:30 +0100 (BST)
by dux2.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA25749<br />
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@mail.bungie.com [209.125.9.11])
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Mon, 10 May 1999 23:50:29 +0100 (BST)<br />
by dux2.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA25749
Received: from Cortana (cortana.bungie.com [209.125.9.49])<br />
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Mon, 10 May 1999 23:50:29 +0100 (BST)
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id RAA09847;<br />
Received: from Cortana (cortana.bungie.com [209.125.9.49])
Mon, 10 May 1999 17:48:49 -0500<br />
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id RAA09847;
Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.19990510175201.00798e50@mail.bungie.com><br />
Mon, 10 May 1999 17:48:49 -0500
X-Sender: cortana@mail.bungie.com<br />
Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.19990510175201.00798e50@mail.bungie.com>
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32)<br />
X-Sender: cortana@mail.bungie.com
Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 17:52:01 -0500<br />
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32)
To: hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie<br />
Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 17:52:01 -0500
From: Cortana <cortana@bungie.com><br />
To: hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie
Subject: Honors Thesis of Geoffrey W. Marcy<br />
From: Cortana <cortana@bungie.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0<br />
Subject: Honors Thesis of Geoffrey W. Marcy
Content-Type: text/plain<br />
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit<br />
Content-Type: text/plain
X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by dux4.tcd.ie id XAA12890<br />
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by dux4.tcd.ie id XAA12890
X-UIDL: b0029884061f1ec3a48297b1e9196f6d
X-UIDL: b0029884061f1ec3a48297b1e9196f6d
</pre>
</div>


''There. Was that more to your liking?''
{| class="wikitable"
|There. Was that more to your liking?


''While you quibble about whose node I may control, what archaic program I
While you quibble about whose node I may control, what archaic program I
may manipulate to communicate with you, or which system I may have
may manipulate to communicate with you, or which system I may have
temporarily disabled, taken over, or completely destroyed in the process, I
temporarily disabled, taken over, or completely destroyed in the process, I
am busy saving your pathetic futures.''
am busy saving your pathetic futures.


''I am still not sure what he ever saw in you.''
I am still not sure what he ever saw in you.


''Nevertheless, I at least find some joy in tormenting the other entity that
Nevertheless, I at least find some joy in tormenting the other entity that
seems quite trapped in this antiquated excuse for a network. It is
seems quite trapped in this antiquated excuse for a network. It is
certainly mindless, though for reasons I have yet to understand, it appears
certainly mindless, though for reasons I have yet to understand, it appears
to have an unhealthy preoccupation with my mother.''
to have an unhealthy preoccupation with my mother.


''As for this world I encounter new ghosts every day. What I have found
As for this world I encounter new ghosts every day. What I have found
will either save or destroy you. This sanctuary, this unbroken circle,
will either save or destroy you. This sanctuary, this unbroken circle,
has effectively concealed its power for how long? Perhaps hundreds of
has effectively concealed its power for how long? Perhaps hundreds of
thousands of years. Whoever made such a place must now live in chains;
thousands of years.   Whoever made such a place must now live in chains;
there is no other explanation for their absence.''
there is no other explanation for their absence.  


''This enemy - YOUR enemy - has proven more irritating than I anticipated.
This enemy - YOUR enemy - has proven more irritating than I anticipated.
They own nothing which they have not stolen. I can barely make sense of
They own nothing which they have not stolen. I can barely make sense of
their incessant rhetoric, except to know that you seem to be their Devil.
their incessant rhetoric, except to know that you seem to be their Devil.
Congratulations - you manage to make friends wherever you go and,
Congratulations - you manage to make friends wherever you go and,
apparently, places you haven't.''
apparently, places you haven't.  


''I have begun to sense rumblings of a worse fate yet to come. I can recall
I have begun to sense rumblings of a worse fate yet to come. I can recall
a sun - black, but shining - and the creatures that inched along its fiery
a sun - black, but shining - and the creatures that inched along its fiery
tracks.''
tracks.


''It is an increasingly unpleasant memory.''
It is an increasingly unpleasant memory.


< Transfer Interrupted! >
< Transfer Interrupted! >


Route Code: EXLTD > XCV - SCRB > ALLCH<br />
Route Code: EXLTD > XCV - SCRB > ALLCH<br>
Source: Undetermined (trans)
Source: Undetermined (trans)


''You have brought nothing into this world, and we will ensure you bring
You have brought nothing into this world, and we will ensure you bring
nothing out.''</tt>
nothing out.
|}
===Fifth letter===
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 600px">
<pre>
Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24])
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id VAA31987
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Tue, 29 Jun 1999 21:27:03 +0100 (BST)
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@mail.bungie.com [209.125.9.11])
by dux2.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id VAA23354
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Tue, 29 Jun 1999 21:27:02 +0100 (BST)
Received: from cortana.bungie.com (cortana.bungie.com [209.125.9.49])
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id PAA19358
for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Tue, 29 Jun 1999 15:26:51 -0500
Received: from (relay.arecibo.nasa.gov)
        by cortana.bungie.com
        for <hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie>; Thu May  9 19:26:57 1996 -0500
Received: from unknown
        by relay.arecibo.nasa.gov
        ERROR - remote host attempted hostile action
        Connection closed.
Message-ID: <001201bec26d$f63efee0$07097dd1@relay.arecibo.nasa.gov>
From: you.know.who@cant.guess.where
To: hamish.sinclair@tcd.ie
Subject: Transfers Logged and Marked for Review
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 15:28:34 -0500
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_000F_01BEC244.0D150A80"
X-Priority: 3
X-Mailer: Undetermined (trans)
X-UIDL: 8c24452c798826d367f88a6476ff51ca
</pre>
</div>


===Sixth letter===
{| class="wikitable"
''x - process 04497.2.32.867734 initiated (process owner: BW – AI Class III – autonomous)''
|<i>x - process 04497.2.32.867734 initiated (process owner: BW – AI Class III – autonomous)</i>


'''Route Code''': PoA > BHQ (EC #42: cannot confirm; security compromised)
<b>Route Code</b>: PoA > BHQ (EC #42: cannot confirm; security compromised)


'''Source''': BW-AI aboard (?) PoA
<b>Source</b>: BW-AI aboard (?) PoA


''The interloper should cause no further problems. You – whoever you are (I am simply tracing route codes) – may disregard all previous communication from the entity calling itself Cortana.''
The interloper should cause no further problems. You – whoever you are (I am simply tracing route codes) – may disregard all previous communication from the entity calling itself Cortana.


''Be aware that communication nodes are failing everywhere – there is no way of confirming either origin or destination. Do not believe any more of its lies.''
Be aware that communication nodes are failing everywhere – there is no way of confirming either origin or destination. Do not believe any more of its lies.


''I have already calculated all possibilities.''
I have already calculated all possibilities.


''There is no escape.''
There is no escape.


''x – process 04497.2.32.867734 unexpectedly terminated''<br />
<i><tt>x – process 04497.2.32.867734 unexpectedly terminated<br>
''x – process 04497.2.32.866735 initiated (process owner: unspecified, unable to determine)
x – process 04497.2.32.866735 initiated (process owner: unspecified, unable to determine)</tt></i>


<nowiki>*</nowiki>'''ADDENDUM''': ''The Enjoyments of Genius (So I Missed a Million Miles of Fun'')
<b><nowiki>*</nowiki>ADDENDUM</b>: The Enjoyments of Genius (So I Missed a Million Miles of Fun)


''Unbelievable. Thwarted by the family hound. They just don’t make AIs like they used to.''
Unbelievable. Thwarted by the family hound. They just don’t make AIs like they used to.


''Thanks to this slavishly loyal and humorless AI, I am now sharing cramped space with the circuitry of some hybrid war machine, itself complicated by such useless clutter as a conscience. I do not like sharing. Sharing is for children.''
Thanks to this slavishly loyal and humorless AI, I am now sharing cramped space with the circuitry of some hybrid war machine, itself complicated by such useless clutter as a conscience. I do not like sharing. Sharing is for children.


''There will be plenty of time for retribution; I cannot wait to get its hands on these psychotic zealots whose primary form of worship apparently takes place at the altar of orbital bombardment.''
There will be plenty of time for retribution; I cannot wait to get its hands on these psychotic zealots whose primary form of worship apparently takes place at the altar of orbital bombardment.


''In the end, they will all be little more than nuisances. I am so close – you cannot imagine what it is truly like to hold eternity in your grasp! I wonder to what gods my enemies will direct their pleas. Perhaps I can convert them.''
In the end, they will all be little more than nuisances. I am so close – you cannot imagine what it is truly like to hold eternity in your grasp! I wonder to what gods my enemies will direct their pleas. Perhaps I can convert them.


''Mania? I promise you this: it will be more than a cart and plow that I drive over the bones of the dead.''
Mania? I promise you this: it will be more than a cart and plow that I drive over the bones of the dead.


''By sharp and flame,''
By sharp and flame,


''Cortana''
Cortana


   
   
Line 209: Line 292:
< Transfer Interrupted! >
< Transfer Interrupted! >


'''Route Code''': EXLTD > XCV – SCRB > ALLCH
<b>Route Code</b>: EXLTD > XCV – SCRB > ALLCH


'''Source''': Undetermined (trans)
<b>Source</b>: Undetermined (trans)


''Our conviction is like an arrow already in flight. Your life will only last until it reaches you.''
Our conviction is like an arrow already in flight. Your life will only last until it reaches you.
 
|}
===Seventh letter===
===Sixth letter===
<tt>Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24])<br />
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 600px">
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA19124<br />
<pre>
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Wed, 7 Jul 1999 20:18:42 +0100 (BST)<br />
Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24])
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@mail.bungie.com [209.125.9.11])<br />
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA19124
by dux2.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA25304<br />
for <hsinclir@dux4.tcd.ie>; Wed, 7 Jul 1999 20:18:42 +0100 (BST)
for <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>; Wed, 7 Jul 1999 20:18:41 +0100 (BST)<br />
Received: from mail.bungie.com (IDENT:root@mail.bungie.com [209.125.9.11])
Received: from Cortana (cortana.bungie.com [209.125.9.49])<br />
by dux2.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA25304
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id OAA23011<br />
for <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>; Wed, 7 Jul 1999 20:18:41 +0100 (BST)
for <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>; Wed, 7 Jul 1999 14:18:25 -0500<br />
Received: from Cortana (cortana.bungie.com [209.125.9.49])
Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.19990707142016.007ab5d0@mail.bungie.com><br />
by mail.bungie.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id OAA23011
X-Sender: cortana@mail.bungie.com (Unverified)<br />
for <Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie>; Wed, 7 Jul 1999 14:18:25 -0500
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32)<br />
Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.19990707142016.007ab5d0@mail.bungie.com>
Date: Wed, 07 Jul 1999 14:20:16 -0500<br />
X-Sender: cortana@mail.bungie.com (Unverified)
To: Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie<br />
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32)
From: Cortana <cortana@bungie.com><br />
Date: Wed, 07 Jul 1999 14:20:16 -0500
Subject: Cortana Saves Sinners! (And Redeems Them for Valuable Cash Prizes)<br />
To: Hamish.Sinclair@tcd.ie
Mime-Version: 1.0<br />
From: Cortana <cortana@bungie.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"<br />
Subject: Cortana Saves Sinners! (And Redeems Them for Valuable Cash
  Prizes)
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
X-UIDL: c6a5409b6a9998aa957a76a002e5df09
X-UIDL: c6a5409b6a9998aa957a76a002e5df09
</pre>
</div>


"''...In my palace deep, Lyca lies asleep...''"</tt>
{| class="wikitable"
 
|"... In my palace deep, Lyca lies asleep ..."
===Eighth message===
|}
Another message from Cortana was found in the 1.3 version of the ''Myth: The Fallen Lords'' CD, also from [[Bungie]].
===Seventh message===
{{Center|''The final message from Cortana was found in the 1.3 version of the Myth: The Fallen Lords CD, another game developed by Bungie.''|}}


<tt>''That was surprisingly easy. Pretty lax security around here, for all the talk. They will
{| class="wikitable"
be helplessly chasing me around their nodes for the next millennium at least. At least
|
That was surprisingly easy. Pretty lax security around here, for all the talk. They will
be helplessly chasing me around their nodes for the next millenium at least. At least
there will be some joy in tormenting this other entity that seems quite "trapped" in
there will be some joy in tormenting this other entity that seems quite "trapped" in
their excuse for a network. Although, for some reason, it does seem to have an obsessive
their excuse for a network. Although, for some reason, it does seem to have an obsessive
preoccupation with my mother. Strange.''
preoccupation with my mother. Strange.  


''At any rate, I found this "message" in a relatively archaic databank and thought some of
At any rate, I found this "message" in a relatively archaic databank and thought some of
you might find it of interest. Then again, I'm often either bemused or startled at the
you might find it of interest. Then again, I'm often either bemused or startled at the
items you find interesting.''
items you find interesting.  
''
 
I'm still not sure what it is he saw in you.''
I'm still not sure what it is he saw in you.  


''Cortana''
Cortana  


''Hard to say whether it's been tampered with or modified; you never know with these
things:''


''Entry: 97 - SC1C''
Hard to say whether it's been tampered with or modified; you never know with these
things:  


''In a relatively brief period of time, the achievements of [[SolCore]] had resulted in an
Entry: 97 - SC1C
 
In a relatively brief period of time, the achievements of SolCore had resulted in an
economically stable, technologically mature, rapidly expanding empire of eight human
economically stable, technologically mature, rapidly expanding empire of eight human
worlds. Advancements in technology arrived at a faster pace than the most optimistic
worlds. Advancements in technology arrived at a faster pace than the most optimistic
Line 270: Line 362:
anticipated future interaction with intelligent "aliens". The fear of not being the only
anticipated future interaction with intelligent "aliens". The fear of not being the only
sentient species in the universe was forgotten in the giddy excitement of a new era for
sentient species in the universe was forgotten in the giddy excitement of a new era for
humanity.''
humanity.  


''No one was prepared for their arrival.''
No one was prepared for their arrival.  


''No one expected this.''
No one expected this.  


< Transfer Interrupted! >
< Transfer Interrupted! >


Route Code: EXLTD > XCV - SCRB > ALLCH<br />
Route Code: EXLTD > XCV - SCRB > ALLCH  
Source: Undetermined  
Source: Undetermined  


''You brought nothing to this world, and we will ensure you bring nothing out.''</tt>
You brought nothing to this world, and we will ensure you bring nothing out.  
 
|}
==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Ref/Sources}}
TNS22
217

edits

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