- anton1792
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- Noble Legendary Member
"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum
Posted by: jack0fhearts
Posted by: anton1792
Where was it stated that the UNSC could not utilise Cortana's findings?
Technically? Nowhere. However did we ever see or read of a UNSC ship slip-space jumping in-atmosphere? Nope.
Well this was after First Strike when this supposedly became possible. Also, just because we don't read anything about it does not mean it cannot be happening. In this instance though, there is really nothing to suggest that the UNSC can or cannot. However seeing as Cortana knows how, and gave all that information to the UNSC after getting back to Earth, it is a fair bet. Therefore, after First Strike, it is probable that the UNSC can.
The difference with the Covenant (Before First Strike) is that there was nothing to suggest it was possible and Cortana said that they did not have the capability. (From analysing their equations) Therefore it is improbable that they could do this before First Strike.
Posted by: jack0fhearts
Also we're forgetting one big thing; Cortana had a wealth of Forerunner information prior to making those corrections. The question now raises; who really figured out how to jump in-atmosphere? The UNSC or Forerunners?
Cortana makes no reference to utilising Forerunner data though, only her own capabilities. The vibe and theme in First Strike is really quite clear about this as well, I think: That Humanity's ingenuity is pretty much the only thing that the UNSC has left at this point, and in this instance it prevailed.
Posted by: jack0fhearts
Posted by: anton1792
It does not matter. The slipspace portals cannot be opened in the first place in the presence of a gravity well.
Why would you say that, when we've seen it happen five times? Once in Halo 2, twice (technically one was the same jump) in ODST and twice in Halo 3. It is quite obvious that slipspace portals can and have been opened in the presence of a gravity well.
Before First Strike is what I meant sorry. All the events you have outlined are afterwards.
Posted by: jack0fhearts
Posted by: anton1792
"This is not just one line either, it is tied into an entire theme as well."
The theme of an imitative Covenant.
When you start contradicting the story's themes then you've got a problem. Reach is not being contested on grounds of facts and one-liners, but what impact it has on the overall story.
And what are the Covenant imitating? The Forerunners. Is it not entirely possible that the Covenant were able to mimic in-atmosphere jumps on larger craft, but hadn't learned to do so with smaller, assumedly more frail craft?
It is entirely possible.
It is, yes.
Though it is always said that their technology is a poorer replica than Forerunner technology. The Prophets in charge of studying this stuff even admit to that.
The Covenant were not able to replicate the Forerunners light based technology and weaponry, so ended up with plasma. They could not understand how to replicate the Forerunners materials, so ended up with that purple alloy. (Which unlike Forerunner material is much, much, much more fragile) And then their slipspace drives: Fast, accurate, but unlike the Forerunners incapable of traversing gravity wells. (Until First Strike...)
[Edited on 05.30.2011 7:42 AM PDT]