Honoring Cortana's Legacy

Games Halo 5: Guardians
9

> 2533274812652989;7:
> > 2533274856723140;3:
> > Perhaps it’s not ‘her’. There was a corruption in the Domain, a virus, probably left behind by the Precursors, a virtual Flood spore, if you will. Most of her was either destroyed or fragmented during the battle with the Didact and the destruction of the Composer. She may have turned to the Domain, either by choice or found it by accident, and was consumed/corrupted by this virus. She may not even be herself anymore, but simply a shell for the virus. It may have taken a life of it’s own and is using Cortana’s image/avatar, memories, and thoughts, to manifest itself and take over. Perhaps it even chose Cortana’s form to try and persuade the ‘Reclaimer’ (ie, Chief) to join it.
> >
> > “Well, a collection of lies is all I am! Stolen thoughts and memories…”
>
>
> The problem is that we just don’t know. Either way though, Cortana, be it a fragment gone wrong or the real deal being manipulated, is making terrible choices that will only harm the galaxy despite whatever intentions are at play. To think the same Cortana who resisted the Gravemind and helped kick the -Yoink- of the Didact would turn so quickly to destruction saddens me.

Which is why I think it’s not really Cortana. Another case of “Hunt the Truth”. Or I’m thinking wayyyy too into it and it’s simply 343 trying to pull at our heartstrings and force us to kill our companion from the last 4 games. But it seems contradictory to what they’ve said before regarding Cortana and her relationship with the Chief.

10

> 2533274806808878;5:
>

H4 enabled her conversion into being an enemy.
If they had just brought her back as an ally I’d be right there with you.

11

> 2533274964189700;10:
> > 2533274806808878;5:
> >
>
>
> H4 enabled her conversion into being an enemy.
> If they had just brought her back as an ally I’d be right there with you.

Perhaps not an ally at first, but I can envision a situation where she races against other groups like the UNSC and whatever is left of the Covenant to shut down Forerunner technology which have become objects that all groups seek out to bolster their armories. Without that stuff to fight over, they may have to listen to what she has to say.

12

I think the difficult part for many is that Cortana’s character transformation takes place previously without directly displaying anything that explains how she shifted gears. It’s like if the movie the Dark Knight had one minute where Harvey Dent is normal and the next he is Two Face going out for vengeance and killing.
Cortana’s change could have many independent or combined factors like the Domain is corrupt, Cortana was infected with the logic plague, or She is just doing the same thing ONI and others have done which is the ends justify the means, lives are just numbers in a greater equation.

1 Like
13

Cortana was created by 2 groups:

  1. The Forerunners. The Librarian intends for humanity to reclaim the Mantle. Cortana is a purposely made piece to that plan.
  2. ONI. They “started” the civil war that was the reason for the Chief’s creation.

So… Is the Chief fighting for the UNSC or humanity? Because if he’s fighting for the UNSC, he’s not fighting for humanity.

Whatever your train of thought is, remember, the UNSC are not the good guys and never have been since this story started over 10 years ago.

Do not think we as Spartans are fighting for humanity at this moment, we are not. The Insurrectionists fight for humanity, the UNSC for their own Mantle. Trying to stop Cortana at this moment is like saying “My imperial ways are better than your imperial ways.”

Myself, I reject both the Mantle and the UNSC. Remember that. I do not believe the UNSC or the Mantle have the galaxy’s best intentions.

1 Like
14

> 2603643534597848;13:
> Cortana was created by 2 groups:
> 1) The Forerunners. The Librarian intends for humanity to reclaim the Mantle. Cortana is a purposely made piece to that plan.
> 2) ONI. They “started” the civil war that was the reason for the Chief’s creation.
>
> So… Is the Chief fighting for the UNSC or humanity? Because if he’s fighting for the UNSC, he’s not fighting for humanity.
>
> Whatever your train of thought is, remember, the UNSC are not the good guys and never have been since this story started over 10 years ago.
>
> Do not think we as Spartans are fighting for humanity at this moment, we are not. The Insurrectionists fight for humanity, the UNSC for their own Mantle. Trying to stop Cortana at this moment is like saying “My imperial ways are better than your imperial ways.”
>
> Myself, I reject both the Mantle and the UNSC. Remember that. I do not believe the UNSC or the Mantle have the galaxy’s best intentions.

Good points, I agree, though I would add that not all Insurrectionists are fighting for humanity, some are just terrible people.

15

Simplest answer: That statement about Cortana’s “legacy” was a lie, just like practically everything else Mr. O’Connor said.

16

One of the things that i found “interesting” about her new appearance in the game, is that she is dressed for the first time. It may seem trivial, but Frank said that the fact that Cortana was “naked” the whole time is because it’s part of her. Maybe that part got lost, and we’re dealing with an incomplete Cortana, a fragment of her that has lost part of her memories and personality.

17

They ought to have you helping write for Halo. You have more lore knowledge and a better grasp of their characters than 343.

18

I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.

It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…

Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.

I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”

1 Like
19

> 2533274931864540;18:
> I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.
>
> It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…
>
> Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
> He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.
>
> I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”

One thing that doesn’t work in your theory that it is not Cortana at all. She genuinely seems to care for John, even when he is taking his 10000 year nap and no longer useful to her.

20

> 2533274806808878;5:
> This story is a massive pile and a slap in the face to fans. Cortana should have stayed dead, you ruin the emotional impact of her death in H4. Thus making H4 UTTERLY POINTLESS! Screw this rushed, pointless excuse of a story. Also screw 343 for their improper representation of the fall of reach in the animated movie. Hey look we’re going to shove our designs down your throats even in eras of Halo that predate their designs.

She DID die. What we’re seeing in H5 isn’t Cortana, it’s a rampant version of herself that she divided out of herself.

1 Like
21

> 2533274931864540;18:
> I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.
>
> It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…
>
> Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
> He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.
>
> I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”

I hope you are right, because I share that thought. And that would be a really good plot for the story in the next games. Cortana activating a Halo in the legendary ending? Maybe Didact’s will.

22

> 2533274854576722;19:
> > 2533274931864540;18:
> > I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.
> >
> > It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…
> >
> > Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
> > He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.
> >
> > I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”
>
>
> One thing that doesn’t work in your theory that it is not Cortana at all. She genuinely seems to care for John, even when he is taking his 10000 year nap and no longer useful to her.

Maybe John is needed for some other reason.

23

> 2533274792211571;20:
> > 2533274806808878;5:
> > This story is a massive pile and a slap in the face to fans. Cortana should have stayed dead, you ruin the emotional impact of her death in H4. Thus making H4 UTTERLY POINTLESS! Screw this rushed, pointless excuse of a story. Also screw 343 for their improper representation of the fall of reach in the animated movie. Hey look we’re going to shove our designs down your throats even in eras of Halo that predate their designs.
>
>
> She DID die. What we’re seeing in H5 isn’t Cortana, it’s a rampant version of herself that she divided out of herself.

That is only an assumption one can make.

24

> 2533274854576722;19:
> > 2533274931864540;18:
> > I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.
> >
> > It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…
> >
> > Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
> > He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.
> >
> > I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”
>
>
> One thing that doesn’t work in your theory that it is not Cortana at all. She genuinely seems to care for John, even when he is taking his 10000 year nap and no longer useful to her.

What’s better than making your worst enemy (at that time) experience the same punishment you once had to suffer from?
I you really hate someone to death, you won’t just kill him of. You would make him suffer, break him at his core and enjoy every moment of this.
So it’s totally how I imagine the didacts revenge: Imprison MC, obtain the so loved Mantle and then show him what is left of the humanity he fought for his whole life

1 Like
25

> 2535442775540159;21:
> > 2533274931864540;18:
> > I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.
> >
> > It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…
> >
> > Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
> > He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.
> >
> > I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”
>
>
> I hope you are right, because I share that thought. And that would be a really good plot for the story in the next games. Cortana activating a Halo in the legendary ending? Maybe Didact’s will.

Yeah I guess so, since it’s the fastest way to wipe out the human race once again and this time he would win because he would be the immortal non-biological king of the galaxy with a lot of guardians to police what may have survived or is reseeded.

now one might ask why he reunited the guardians? Easy, they are a perfect way to stop everyone from stopping you (guess that’s why Cortana/didact asked for Infinty; biggest ship=biggest threat to your plan)

> 2533274819303871;22:
> > 2533274854576722;19:
> > > 2533274931864540;18:
> > > I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.
> > >
> > > It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…
> > >
> > > Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
> > > He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.
> > >
> > > I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”
> >
> >
> > One thing that doesn’t work in your theory that it is not Cortana at all. She genuinely seems to care for John, even when he is taking his 10000 year nap and no longer useful to her.
>
>
> Maybe John is needed for some other reason.

Also a likely alternative…

Ps: Sorry for the double post, one of the posts I was referring to was on the first side of the thread.

26

> 2533274812652989;23:
> > 2533274792211571;20:
> > > 2533274806808878;5:
> > > This story is a massive pile and a slap in the face to fans. Cortana should have stayed dead, you ruin the emotional impact of her death in H4. Thus making H4 UTTERLY POINTLESS! Screw this rushed, pointless excuse of a story. Also screw 343 for their improper representation of the fall of reach in the animated movie. Hey look we’re going to shove our designs down your throats even in eras of Halo that predate their designs.
> >
> >
> > She DID die. What we’re seeing in H5 isn’t Cortana, it’s a rampant version of herself that she divided out of herself.
>
>
> That is only an assumption one can make.

Like I have stated before, I really like the story, but I do think more explanation would have helped certain things. Having more info on who Cortana is now is one of those things.

> 2533274931864540;24:
> > 2533274854576722;19:
> > > 2533274931864540;18:
> > > I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.
> > >
> > > It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…
> > >
> > > Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
> > > He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.
> > >
> > > I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”
> >
> >
> > One thing that doesn’t work in your theory that it is not Cortana at all. She genuinely seems to care for John, even when he is taking his 10000 year nap and no longer useful to her.
>
>
> What’s better than making your worst enemy (at that time) experience the same punishment you once had to suffer from?
> I you really hate someone to death, you won’t just kill him of. You would make him suffer, break him at his core and enjoy every moment of this.
> So it’s totally how I imagine the didacts revenge: Imprison MC, obtain the so loved Mantle and then show him what is left of the humanity he fought for his whole life

That is a possibility. The moment that really made me think it was (at least a small part) truly Cortana was when Cortana’s Guardian goes into slipspace, and she yells John, it sounds more sorrowful, like she is losing him. I would think the Didact, even pretending to be Cortana, would sound more angry at his revenge being taken away.

So, being pretty new to these forums, does 343 post here? It would be nice to have a little more info.

27

I’m trying to reconcile what Forthencho told the librarian, that the Halo firing would destroy the precursor artifact, the Organon, that contained the domain since it too used Neural Physics.

28

> 2533274854576722;26:
> > 2533274812652989;23:
> > > 2533274792211571;20:
> > > > 2533274806808878;5:
> > > > This story is a massive pile and a slap in the face to fans. Cortana should have stayed dead, you ruin the emotional impact of her death in H4. Thus making H4 UTTERLY POINTLESS! Screw this rushed, pointless excuse of a story. Also screw 343 for their improper representation of the fall of reach in the animated movie. Hey look we’re going to shove our designs down your throats even in eras of Halo that predate their designs.
> > >
> > >
> > > She DID die. What we’re seeing in H5 isn’t Cortana, it’s a rampant version of herself that she divided out of herself.
> >
> >
> > That is only an assumption one can make.
>
>
> Like I have stated before, I really like the story, but I do think more explanation would have helped certain things. Having more info on who Cortana is now is one of those things.
>
>
>
>
> > 2533274931864540;24:
> > > 2533274854576722;19:
> > > > 2533274931864540;18:
> > > > I’m sorry if this is totally out of place, but I think it’s neither the original cortana nor one of the rampant pieces of her.
> > > >
> > > > It’s just nothing she said really sounded like cortana to me in any possible way, all those quotes from the didact, her behavior itself and the explanation she gave for still being alive. That was just not her…
> > > >
> > > > Okay I have to admit that I hate myself for bringing up the old didact theme once again, but the first explanation for her behavior that jumped to my mind was that the didact is the person kicking this off and cortana is just his puppet.
> > > > He uses her image to trick John into helping him once more, he tricks all other AI into following him by using the image of the most popular ai and telling them about immortality and she uses her image just to cover up his return after being composed.
> > > >
> > > > I mean look at the obsession for the Mantle of Responsibility, the methods used to obtain it (follow or die), the blind hate against humans and the ignorance for millions of dead people and why would Cortana be searching for the infinity? Everything in me screams “It’s not her, it’s him using a mask”
> > >
> > >
> > > One thing that doesn’t work in your theory that it is not Cortana at all. She genuinely seems to care for John, even when he is taking his 10000 year nap and no longer useful to her.
> >
> >
> > What’s better than making your worst enemy (at that time) experience the same punishment you once had to suffer from?
> > I you really hate someone to death, you won’t just kill him of. You would make him suffer, break him at his core and enjoy every moment of this.
> > So it’s totally how I imagine the didacts revenge: Imprison MC, obtain the so loved Mantle and then show him what is left of the humanity he fought for his whole life
>
>
> That is a possibility. The moment that really made me think it was (at least a small part) truly Cortana was when Cortana’s Guardian goes into slipspace, and she yells John, it sounds more sorrowful, like she is losing him. I would think the Didact, even pretending to be Cortana, would sound more angry at his revenge being taken away.
>
> So, being pretty new to these forums, does 343 post here? It would be nice to have a little more info.

I didn’t noticed she was yelling John until you told me :smiley: I always thought she said noooo.

So now I see your point, I guess we’ll have to wait 3years until we get to know which one of us was right…

First of all, welcome to waypoint. To your question, yes it happens but the chances are really low the only employee posting frequently is Grim in the universe section (he writes the canon fodder). Otherwise you have a good chance to get an answer from one on twitter but I don’t see them commenting on such essential plot points.

> 2533274874353940;27:
> I’m trying to reconcile what Forthencho told the librarian, that the Halo firing would destroy the precursor artifact, the Organon, that contained the domain since it too used Neural Physics.

Yeah it would have but we know that the Halo effect isn’t really affecting slipspace and Cortana says: “I was pulled into slipspace, thats where I found access to the forerunner domain”

So it could’ve survived in slipspace, at least a part of it