Cortana Letters: Difference between revisions

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{{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===
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 515px">
<pre style="width:max-content>
<pre>
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
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X-UIDL: e36fab4ede04e7c19a0a09e3d2f7cc91
X-UIDL: e36fab4ede04e7c19a0a09e3d2f7cc91
</pre>
</pre>
</div>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="background:#b8b8b8; color:#000; text-align:center; font-family: serif;>
|<div align=center>
|
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>
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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>a friend of a friend
<div align=left>a friend of a friend
|}
|}
===Second letter===
===Second letter===
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 531px">
<pre style="width:max-content>
<pre>
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
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X-UIDL: 2bba985079cf797f96dcbf0a29a5a6c9
X-UIDL: 2bba985079cf797f96dcbf0a29a5a6c9
</pre>
</pre>
</div>


{| 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.''|}}
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 531px">
<pre style="width:max-content>
<pre>
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>
</div>
<pre style="width:max-content>
 
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
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.''|}}
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 600px">
<pre style="width:max-content>
<pre>
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>
</div>


{| class="wikitable"
<pre style="width:max-content>
|I'm everywhere!
I'm everywhere!
|}
</pre>


<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 631px">
<pre style="width:max-content>
<pre>
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
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X-UIDL: b0029884061f1ec3a48297b1e9196f6d
X-UIDL: b0029884061f1ec3a48297b1e9196f6d
</pre>
</pre>
</div>


{| class="wikitable"
<pre style="width:max-content>
|There.  Was that more to your liking?
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
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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.  
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It is an increasingly unpleasant memory.
It is an increasingly unpleasant memory.


< Transfer Interrupted! >
&lt; Transfer Interrupted! &gt;


Route Code:  EXLTD > XCV - SCRB > ALLCH<br>
Route Code:  EXLTD &gt; XCV - SCRB &gt; 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===
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 600px">
<pre style="width:max-content>
<pre>
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>
</div>


{| 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>


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|}
|}
===Sixth letter===
===Sixth letter===
<div style="font-family: Monospace; width: 600px">
<pre style="width:max-content>
<pre>
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>
</div>


{| class="wikitable"
<pre style="width:max-content>
|"... In my palace deep, Lyca lies asleep ..."
"... 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.''|}}


{| class="wikitable"
<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
sentient species in the universe was forgotten in the giddy excitement of a new era for
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 <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.  
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>
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