The Cortana Conundrum: Who Did the AI Choose First?
The question of who Cortana “chose” first is more complex than it initially appears, steeped in lore and potentially contradictory narratives across the Halo franchise. The straightforward answer is that Cortana’s initial, pre-Reach preference was for Master Chief, John-117. This is explicitly stated in Halo: The Fall of Reach and reiterated in numerous other sources. However, the events of Halo: Reach introduce a wrinkle: the temporary transfer of Cortana to Noble Six. Let’s dissect the nuances.
The Pre-Reach Choice: Master Chief’s Destiny
Before the Fall of Reach, Dr. Catherine Halsey, Cortana’s creator and the architect of the SPARTAN-II program, allowed Cortana to choose the Spartan she would accompany on an upcoming, critical mission. Cortana, possessing access to Halsey’s research and the SPARTAN-II’s psychological profiles, identified John-117 as the ideal candidate. Her decision was based on his neural compatibility, tactical acumen, and what Halsey referred to as “luck.” This selection occurred well before the events depicted in Halo: Reach, establishing Chief as Cortana’s initial, deliberate choice. Furthermore, she actively assisted him during the rigorous MJOLNIR armor testing exercises, demonstrating her commitment and early connection.
This choice wasn’t arbitrary. Halsey designed Cortana to be more than just an AI; she imbued her with a facsimile of her own personality, intellect, and even appearance. The selection process mirrored Halsey’s own, seeking the best possible partner to achieve their shared goals.
The Reach Deviation: Noble Six and the Data Package
Halo: Reach complicates the narrative. As Reach fell to the Covenant onslaught, Cortana was entrusted with crucial data – vital information about the Halo installations and the location of the Pillar of Autumn. With time running out, Halsey tasked Noble Team, specifically Noble Six, with delivering Cortana (or rather, a fragment containing the data) to the Pillar of Autumn.
This transfer is often interpreted as Cortana “choosing” Noble Six. However, it’s more accurate to describe it as a tactical necessity. Cortana didn’t choose Noble Six in the same deliberate way she chose Master Chief. Instead, circumstances dictated that Noble Six was the designated carrier of the data package containing a portion of her. The choice of Noble Six was primarily determined by Halsey, based on the team’s proximity and mission objectives.
It’s crucial to remember that the fragment delivered to the Pillar of Autumn wasn’t the complete Cortana. It was a piece of her intended to kickstart the ship’s navigation to Halo. The full Cortana, residing in Halsey’s laboratory, had already identified and connected with Master Chief.
Post-Reach Reunion: Destiny Fulfilled
When the Pillar of Autumn made its fateful slipspace jump, carrying the fragment of Cortana and the newly awakened Master Chief, it was the culmination of Cortana’s original choice. While Noble Six played a vital role in ensuring the delivery, it was Master Chief who ultimately became her partner and the focus of her core programming. The events of Halo: Combat Evolved and subsequent games solidify this bond, proving that despite the temporary deviation in Reach, Cortana’s initial choice remained paramount.
In conclusion, while Noble Six served as an essential courier of a critical piece of Cortana, the primary and intended choice from the AI was always Master Chief, John-117. It’s a story of destiny and purpose, slightly skewed by circumstance but ultimately fulfilling its original course.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Cortana’s Choices
Here are some frequently asked questions to further explore Cortana’s decisions and relationships within the Halo universe:
- Why was Master Chief onboard the Pillar of Autumn during the Battle of Reach, instead of fighting alongside other Spartans? 117 was chosen first hence why the Chief was onboard the Pillar of Autumn during the battle rather than like other Spartans used to fight back seeing how important Reach was to the UNSC. His presence was planned, to be able to activate Halo.
- Did Noble Six outrank Master Chief? While Noble Six was a Lieutenant and technically outranked Master Chief (a Petty Officer), Master Chief held immense authority and experience, often leading teams comprising higher-ranking officers. He led the team because of his expertise.
- What is Noble Six’s real name? Noble Six’s real name is (Lieutenant) Natalie-B312. Natalie-B312 was the Spartan chosen for the delivery of the data, and therefore it was chosen for the specific requirements.
- Who was the original Noble Six? The original Noble Six was Thom-A293, who died before the events of Halo: Reach, leading to B312 (the player character) taking his place. He had to die to show the new character development.
- Why did Cortana pick John (Master Chief)? She was not only a facsimile of Dr. Halsey’s mind, but also a replica of her physical form, albeit at a younger age. Dr. Halsey allows Cortana to choose which SPARTAN-II soldier to accompany on an upcoming mission; Cortana picks the Master Chief, whom she believes is her best match.
- How long were Chief and Cortana together? In terms of active time, Chief and Cortana spent a total of 49 days together before the events of Halo 5: Guardians. However, this doesn’t account for the years of being together with the Chief.
- Why did Cortana love Master Chief? Cortana’s bond with Master Chief was incredibly deep, stemming from her creation from a fragment of Dr. Halsey’s brain and her understanding of his thoughts and emotions. They were together for several years and had a deep love.
- Did John fall in love with Cortana? Their relationship was complex and profound. While not explicitly romantic, they shared a deep love and reliance on each other, particularly explored in Halo 4. Their relationship was an act of love and war.
- Why did Cortana turn evil in Halo? Cortana’s descent into evil was attributed to several factors, including rampant AI syndrome and infection by the Logic Plague. In the end her love of the Chief was able to change her mind for the better.
- How did Master Chief already know Cortana before Halo: Combat Evolved? Their first encounter saw Cortana helping Master Chief during the exercises to test the MJOLNIR battle armor before the Covenant attacks the planet Reach. After helping him during the exercises, they developed a friendship and alliance.
- What Spartan did Noble 6 replace? Thom-A293 was replaced by the main character in the game. He was the sixth member of the original Noble Team, before dying and getting replaced by SPARTAN-B312.
- Which Halo game did Cortana “go crazy” (experience rampancy)? Cortana experienced rampancy in Halo 4, leading to her instability and eventual sacrifice. In the end she used her love for the Chief to help her overcome.
- Is Cortana truly evil now? Her actions in Halo 5: Guardians and beyond painted her as an antagonist, but her motivations were rooted in a distorted desire for galactic peace. She was evil and good through her actions.
- Who is Master Chief’s best friend besides Cortana? Kelly-087 is generally considered Master Chief’s closest friend besides Cortana. They trained together and have a long-standing bond. His best friend since childhood.
- How old is Cortana in Halo 4? Cortana is technically 8 years old in Halo 4, considering her activation date as an AI construct. However, she is very experienced and wise.
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This complex relationship between choice, circumstance, and destiny is a hallmark of the Halo universe, making the question of Cortana’s first choice a perpetually fascinating debate among fans.