Cortana (level)

Looking for Cortana, the Human AI?

Cortana is the eighth campaign mission of Halo 3.

It takes place in a Flood infested High Charity and is involved with the Index from Installation 04.

Upon completing it on the Normal, Heroic, or Legendary difficulties, the player will earn the "The Key" achievement and 40 Gamerpoints.

A curious note to add to this level is that if you listen carefully, Cortana will say some quotes by Dr. Halsey from Halo: The Fall of Reach. Also at the end she says something she says in the original Halo at the beginning of the game. She tells the chief to keep his head down, that there are two of them there now. She says this in the first level of Halo if you lose a bar of health.

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Transcript
NOTE: The transcript is still incomplete.

Rampant
Gravemind: Child of my enemy, why have you come? I offer no forgiveness. A father's sins passed to his son.

{Sometime later}

Gravemind: Of course, you came for her. We exist together now. Two corpses in one grave.

Cortana: A collection of lies; that's all I am! Stolen thoughts and memories!

Gravemind: And yet, perhaps part of her remains.

Cortana: (laughs)

(In the large room where the Tilt skull is located, a Terminal can be activated, but does not count towards the Marathon achievement. If activated, it displays another Cortana Moment)

Cortana (Terminal): It was the coin's fault! I wanted to make you strong, keep you safe. But sorry, I can't.

(after some fighting)

Cortana: I'm just my Mother's shadow... don't look at me, don't listen! I'm not what I used to be...

(Right before you enter the reactor room)

Cortana: I have walked the edge of the abyss. I have seen the future. And I have learned.

Gravemind: SUBMIT! END YOUR TORMENT AND MY OWN!

(As you leave the reactor room)

Cortana: There will be no more Sadness. No more Anger. No more Envy.

Gravemind: You will tell me her secret, or I shall feast upon your bones!

(Right before you enter the room Cortana's in.)

Cortana: This is UNSC AI Serial Number CCN0452-9. I am a monument to all your sins.

Cutscene:

Cortana: You found me.

(Chief leans closer towards the panel Cortana's on.)

Cortana: But so much of me is wrong, out of place. You might be too late.

Chief: You know me. When I make a promise,

Cortana: You...keep it. I do know how to pick 'em.

Chief: Lucky me. Do you still have it?

Cortana: The activation index, from the first Halo ring. A little souvenir I hung onto, just in case. Got an escape plan?

Chief: Thought I'd try shooting me way out, mix things up a little.

(Chief inserts Cortana into his armor.)

Cortana: Just keep your head down, there's two of us in here now.

Nor Hell A Fury...
(If you stay in the room Cortana was in) Cortana: Chief, get me out of here. I... I don't want to stay.

Gravemind: (ROARS) At last, her secret is revealed!

Cortana: Wait, we need to buy some time. This reactor... destroy it. Destroy High Charity.

(After you destroy all three reactor pylons) Gravemind: (Roars in pain)

Cortana: You hurt it, Chief. But not for long.

{Near the end of the level} Cortana: I'm got a friendly contact. Who would be crazy enough to come in here?

{Chief and Cortana find the Arbiter battling Flood with a Flamethrower.}

Cortana: Wait, you two made nice?! What else have you been up to...?