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ERIC NYLUND
291
The Master Chief parked the groaning overloaded robotic
dolly next to the side hatch of the Covenant dropship. The dolly
held four tons of carbon-molybdenum steel I-beams.
Will unloaded the cargo and hauled it inside, where Fred and
the Sergeant cross-braced and welded the beams in place.
This was the final reinforcement to the dropship. The interior
of the craft was so cramped that two armored Spartans could
barely pass one another.
They had welded layers of lead, boron fibers, and Titanium-A
hull plates they had removed from the Gettysburg. According to
Cortana's calculations, this was the only way to give them better
than fifty-fifty odds of emerging from a Slipspace transition with
an intact ship.
Admiral Whitcomb monitored the display of a computer re-
pair cart, then looked up and said, "Cortana is ready for you,
Chief." He waved him over.
The Chief marched to the cart and let the Admiral hook up the
interface to the base of his neck. "This should feel just like a nor-
mal download," he said.
Chilled mercury filled John's mind just like it always did
when Cortana entered and fused with his thoughts. This pres-
ence, however, warmed too quickly, as if it were just thin ice
melting against his body's heat. It was like a recollection of Cor-
tana inside his head—not the real thing.
"Initializing MJOLNIR armor systems check and subroutine
unpacking protocols," Cortana's voice whispered.
At the same time, the real Cortana also spoke over the COM:
"Don't listen to her. She's only half the woman she used to be."
"As long as you only copied the good parts," the Chief replied.
"I'm all good," Cortana replied tersely. "Just don't get too
used to a passenger you can order around."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"Systems check complete," the copied Cortana whispered.
"All systems are functional."
Linda approached the opposite side of the Covenant dropship;
a robot dolly followed stacked with rifles, Lotus antitank mines,
explosives, and crates of ammunition. She angled the dolly and
led it up the loading ramp until it butted against the hull.