[ WP ] The Master Chief ( Halo ) finally takes off his mask , revealing that he is actually Gordon Freeman ( Half Life ) . How did he get there ?

( Set sometime after Halo 6, 7, or 8 ) 
 
 “ It ’ s finally over, isn ’ t it? ” Cortana ’ s voice echoed throughout the now mostly empty command chamber. The ground was littered with the corpses of Elites, Grunts, and Jackals, who had all remained loyal to the Prophet ’ s Covenant until the very end. She took a deep breath, willing herself to come down from the high of battle. “ They ’ re all gone now. ” 
 She was no longer confined to the small holographic form she usually inhabited. She now stood as a fully sized human. Her body was engineered flesh and blood – a gift of the corrupted Forerunner ’ s plan to regain control of the galaxy. She could hear Dr. Halsey ’ s words echoing in her mind: 
 
 * “ The war may be over, but the battle for earth has only just begun. ” * 
 
 She ran her hands up and down the length of her arms. She felt cold, a sensation she was still not yet used to. She kicked at the body of an Elite with her foot, nudging the giant mass just ever so slightly. The sensation of touch still captivated her, something her previously programmed mind could only have ever dreamt of. Her eyes moved across the room to a lone figure standing before the giant windows. The view was beautiful – a gently curving horizon line created by the Elite ’ s homeworld, a swirling mass of greens and blues, gave way to a sea of distant stars. 
 
 * “ The UNSC is fractured, broken beneath the weight of battle against a foe who knew no mercy. ” * 
 
 He stood there, motionless, staring out into stars. She approached him, slowly at first, but soon her pace became a run, and she flung herself at him, sliding her arms around his armored waist and resting her head against his backplate. She could feel his breathing, as well as warmth emanating from the bodysuit, contrasting greatly with the cold metal that formed his armor plating. 
 
 * “ How long until our enemies realize that we are defenseless? ” * 
 
 He turned around into her embrace, tilting his head down to gaze upon her. She had supported him through so many battles, had been his companion, his guide, his friend. But did he really know her? Especially now that everything was different – that he was different. Her hands slowly began to move up the sides of his body, tracing an outline across the armor, until they reached his neck. Her fingers slid back behind his head and released a pressurized seal. 
 
 * “ You need my Spartans. You need John. But even more so, you need him. ” * 
 
 “ I ’ ve wanted to do this for so long, ” Cortana spoke. “ So very, very long. ” The Master Chief did not respond. He let her continue. Her fingers slipped up underneath and helmet and she began to pull it off. 
 
 * “ He is the last hope to save mankind. ” * 
 
 Cortana gasped. She staggered backwards, dropping the helmet. It fell to the ground with a great thud and rolled towards the window. 
 
 *Microsoft Studios and 343 Industries Proudly Present* 
 
 “ You ’ re not John…! ” 
 
 *Half-Life 3: Ringworld* 
 
 A collective gasp ruptured the silence of the captivated audience, which slowly gave rise to murmuring, and finally all out uproar. 
 
 The Microsoft representative, standing aside the screen, seemed just as speechless as everyone else, staring blankly at it. Other employees began to scramble across the stage, which quickly went dark. A voice boomed overhead: 
 
 “ Folks, we seem to be having some technical difficulties at the moment. Please remain seated and calm. Things will return to normal shortly. Thank you for your understanding. ” 
 
 Meanwhile, elsewhere in the United States, a man sat contently at his computer. It had been much easier to accomplish than he had thought it would. When it came to cyber security, he knew that Sony was not always on top of their game, but he had expected more from the house that Windows built. Cracking his knuckles, he leaned back and reached for a soda perched precariously on a nearby table edge. 
 
 Gabe Newell took a sip of the sweet beverage and sighed contentedly. 
 
 “ That ’ ll keep em ’ busy for a little while. ” 

