She stepped back, and dropped her conspiratorial whisper. “Master Chief, you are ordered to count to ten after I leave. After that, make your way to the obstacle course. At the far end is a bell. Your goal will be to ring it.” She paused, then added, “You are authorized to neutralize any threats in order to achieve this objective.”
	“Affirmative,” the Master Chief said. Enough uncertainty—now he had an objective, and rules of engagement.
...
	“Since you’re ‘in the know,’ Master Chief,” Cortana quipped, “I assume you have a plan.”
	John snapped his helmet visor back down and sealed the armor’s environment system. “Yes.”
	“Presumably your plan doesn’t involve getting shot…?”
	“No.”
	“So, what’s the plan?” Cortana sounded worried.
	“I’m going to finish counting to ten.”
	John heard Cortana sigh in frustration. John shook his head in puzzlement. He’d never encountered a so-called smart AI before. Cortana sounded … like a human.
...
	Nine.
	Three soldiers entered the tent, moving in slow motion—black-armored figures, helmets snug over their faces, crouched low, and their rifles leveled. Two took flanking positions. The one in the middle opened fire.
	Ten.
	The Master Chief blurred into motion. He dove from the activation platform and—before the soldiers could adjust their aim—landed in their midst. He rolled to his feet right next to the soldier who fired first, and grabbed the man’s rifle.