219
edits
No edit summary |
(More formatting.) |
||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
{{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.''|}} | {{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=== | ||
< | <pre style="width:max-content> | ||
Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11]) | Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11]) | ||
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id QAA15384 | by dux4.tcd.ie (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id QAA15384 | ||
Line 36: | Line 35: | ||
X-UIDL: e36fab4ede04e7c19a0a09e3d2f7cc91 | X-UIDL: e36fab4ede04e7c19a0a09e3d2f7cc91 | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" style="background:#b8b8b8; color:#000; text-align:center; font-family: serif;> | ||
| | |||
I have walked the edge of the Abyss.<br> | I have walked the edge of the Abyss.<br> | ||
I have governed the unwilling.<br> | I have governed the unwilling.<br> | ||
Line 47: | Line 45: | ||
I have seen your future.<br> | I have seen your future.<br> | ||
And I have learned.<br> | And I have learned.<br> | ||
There will be no more Sadness. No more Anger. No more Envy.<br> | There will be no more Sadness. No more Anger. No more Envy.<br> | ||
I HAVE WON.<br> | I HAVE WON.<br> | ||
Oh, and your poet Eliot had it all wrong:<br> | Oh, and your poet Eliot had it all wrong:<br> | ||
THIS is the way the world ends.<br> | THIS is the way the world ends.<br> | ||
< | <div align=left>a friend of a friend | ||
|} | |} | ||
===Second letter=== | ===Second letter=== | ||
< | <pre style="width:max-content> | ||
Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11]) | Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11]) | ||
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id AAA05425 | by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id AAA05425 | ||
Line 79: | Line 77: | ||
X-UIDL: 2bba985079cf797f96dcbf0a29a5a6c9 | X-UIDL: 2bba985079cf797f96dcbf0a29a5a6c9 | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" style="background:#fff; color:#000; font-family: serif;> | ||
| | | | ||
I get the strangest transmissions sometimes. Especially when it comes from you people.<br | 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 | 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 | 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 <i>will</i> 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 | 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 | 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 | Feeling lucky?<br> | ||
Cortana<br | Cortana<br> | ||
XOXOXOX<br | XOXOXOX<br> | ||
|} | |} | ||
===Third letter=== | ===Third letter=== | ||
{{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.''|}} | {{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.''|}} | ||
< | <pre style="width:max-content> | ||
Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11]) | Received: from dux1.tcd.ie (dux1.tcd.ie [134.226.1.11]) | ||
by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id QAA20761 | by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id QAA20761 | ||
Line 119: | Line 115: | ||
X-UIDL: 6b884067c380efcdc518f4d13f6bd441 | X-UIDL: 6b884067c380efcdc518f4d13f6bd441 | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
< | <pre style="width:max-content> | ||
I think you will find that I don't like being tested. | |||
Love, | Love, | ||
Cortana | Cortana | ||
</pre> | |||
===Fourth letter=== | ===Fourth letter=== | ||
{{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.''|}} | {{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.''|}} | ||
< | <pre style="width:max-content> | ||
Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24]) | 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 XAA28169 | by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA28169 | ||
Line 148: | Line 141: | ||
X-UIDL: c8677456edd11d5a589ed876a6fd2031 | X-UIDL: c8677456edd11d5a589ed876a6fd2031 | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
<pre style="width:max-content> | |||
I'm everywhere! | |||
</pre> | |||
< | <pre style="width:max-content> | ||
Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24]) | 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 XAA12890 | by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id XAA12890 | ||
Line 178: | Line 169: | ||
X-UIDL: b0029884061f1ec3a48297b1e9196f6d | X-UIDL: b0029884061f1ec3a48297b1e9196f6d | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
<pre style="width:max-content> | |||
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 | ||
Line 195: | Line 185: | ||
to have an unhealthy preoccupation with my mother. | to have an unhealthy preoccupation with my mother. | ||
As for this world | 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 | 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. | ||
Line 213: | Line 203: | ||
It is an increasingly unpleasant memory. | It is an increasingly unpleasant memory. | ||
< Transfer Interrupted! > | |||
Route Code: EXLTD | Route Code: EXLTD > XCV - SCRB > ALLCH | ||
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. | nothing out. | ||
</pre> | |||
===Fifth letter=== | ===Fifth letter=== | ||
< | <pre style="width:max-content> | ||
Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24]) | 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 | by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id VAA31987 | ||
Line 252: | Line 241: | ||
X-UIDL: 8c24452c798826d367f88a6476ff51ca | X-UIDL: 8c24452c798826d367f88a6476ff51ca | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| {| class="wikitable" style="background:#d8d0c8; font-family: serif;> | ||
|<i>x - process 04497.2.32.867734 initiated (process owner: BW – AI Class III – autonomous)</i> | |<i>x - process 04497.2.32.867734 initiated (process owner: BW – AI Class III – autonomous)</i> | ||
Line 299: | Line 287: | ||
|} | |} | ||
===Sixth letter=== | ===Sixth letter=== | ||
< | <pre style="width:max-content> | ||
Received: from dux2.tcd.ie (dux2.tcd.ie [134.226.1.24]) | 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 UAA19124 | by dux4.tcd.ie (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA19124 | ||
Line 322: | Line 309: | ||
X-UIDL: c6a5409b6a9998aa957a76a002e5df09 | X-UIDL: c6a5409b6a9998aa957a76a002e5df09 | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
<pre style="width:max-content> | |||
"... In my palace deep, Lyca lies asleep ..." | |||
</pre> | |||
===Seventh message=== | ===Seventh message=== | ||
{{Center|''In the 1.3 version of the Myth: The Fallen Lords CD, another game developed by Bungie, a text file named CORTANA.TXT dated April 20th 1999 could be found, containing the final message from Cortana.''|}} | {{Center|''In the 1.3 version of the Myth: The Fallen Lords CD, another game developed by Bungie, a text file named CORTANA.TXT dated April 20th 1999 could be found, containing the final message from Cortana.''|}} | ||
<pre style="width:max-content> | |||
That was surprisingly easy. Pretty lax security around here, for all the talk. | |||
That was surprisingly easy. Pretty lax security around here, for all the talk. They will | They will be helplessly chasing me around their nodes for the next millenium at | ||
be helplessly chasing me around their nodes for the next millenium at least. At least | least. At least there will be some joy in tormenting this other entity that | ||
there will be some joy in tormenting this other entity that seems quite "trapped" in | seems quite "trapped" in their excuse for a network. Although, for some | ||
their excuse for a network. Although, for some reason, it does seem to have an obsessive | reason, it does seem to have an obsessive preoccupation with my mother. | ||
preoccupation with my mother. Strange. | 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 | ||
you might find it of interest. Then again, I'm often either bemused or startled at the | thought some of you might find it of interest. Then again, I'm often either | ||
items you find interesting. | bemused or startled at the 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 | Hard to say whether it's been tampered with or modified; you never know with | ||
things: | these things: | ||
Entry: 97 - SC1C | Entry: 97 - SC1C | ||
In a relatively brief period of time, the achievements of SolCore had resulted in an | In a relatively brief period of time, the achievements of SolCore had resulted | ||
economically stable, technologically mature, rapidly expanding empire of eight human | in an economically stable, technologically mature, rapidly expanding empire of | ||
worlds. Advancements in technology arrived at a faster pace than the most optimistic | eight human worlds. Advancements in technology arrived at a faster pace than | ||
scientists could have ever envisioned. Unexpected contact with indigenous human | the most optimistic scientists could have ever envisioned. Unexpected contact | ||
populations on four "lost colony" worlds led to a frenzy of research as archaeologists, | with indigenous human populations on four "lost colony" worlds led to a frenzy | ||
theologians, astronomers, and evolutionary biologists competed to offer an explanation | of research as archaeologists, theologians, astronomers, and evolutionary | ||
for the startling discovery. Many accepted the findings as proof that their privileged | biologists competed to offer an explanation for the startling discovery. Many | ||
civilization must surely be the most advanced in the universe. Others eagerly | accepted the findings as proof that their privileged civilization must surely | ||
anticipated future interaction with intelligent "aliens". The fear of not being the only | be the most advanced in the universe. Others eagerly anticipated future | ||
interaction with intelligent "aliens". The fear of not being the only sentient | |||
humanity. | species in the universe was forgotten in the giddy excitement of a new era for | ||
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 | Route Code: EXLTD > XCV - SCRB > ALLCH | ||
Source: Undetermined | Source: Undetermined | ||
You brought nothing to this world, and we will ensure you bring nothing out. | You brought nothing to this world, and we will ensure you bring nothing out. | ||
</pre> | |||
==Final Game== | ==Final Game== | ||
In introduction cinematic in the final game, Cortana sends a message to the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} cryo team, telling them to "Unseal the Hushed Casket" in a style reminiscent of the Cortana Letters.<br> | In introduction cinematic in the final game, Cortana sends a message to the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} cryo team, telling them to "Unseal the Hushed Casket" in a style reminiscent of the Cortana Letters.<br> |
edits