Fades into space; Halo is visible above Threshold}
{Slowly turns and zooms in onto the Pillar of Autumn Longswords soar along side}
Captain Keyes: "Cortana, all I need to know is did we lose them?"
Cortana: "I think we both know the answer to that."
{Inside ship, where the view focuses on the Captain}
Captain Keyes: {sighs} "We made a blind jump. How did they--"
Cortana: <interrupting> "Get here first? The Covenant ships have always been faster. As for tracking us all the way from Reach, at light speed, my maneuvering options were limited."
The Captain begins pacing around, looking at screens
Captain Keyes: "We were running dark, yes?"
Cortana: "Until we decelerated. No one could have missed the hole we tore in subspace."
A pause occurs, as the captain looks at a crewman's screen.
Cortana: "They were waiting for us on the far side of the planet."
Crewman presses some buttons, making beeping sounds. The screen shows a diagram of Threshold with Installation 04 in orbit.
Captain Keyes: "So, where do we stand?"
Cortana: "Our fighters are mopping up the last of their recon picket now, nothing serious. But, I've isolated approach signatures from multiple CCS-class battle groups, make it 3 capital ships per group. And in about 90 seconds they'll be all over us."
Captain Keyes: "Well that's it then. Bring the ship back up to Combat Alert Alpha. I want everyone at their stations."
Cortana: "Everyone, sir?"
Captain Keyes: "Everyone."
{Everyone on board run towards their stations}
Captain Keyes: "And Cortana?"
{Cortana's avatar appears}
Cortana: "Hmm?"
Captain Keyes: "Let's give our old friend a warm welcome."
Cortana: "I've already begun."
