[quote]“Commander Lasky. Pursuant to Article 55 of UNSC Regulation 12-145-72, I am ordering you remove that AI’s data chip and retire it for final dispensation.” -Cutscene, Reclaimer, halo 4[/quote] This event would reveal where Master Chief stood. He would take possession of Cortana’s chip, and keep it aboard Infinity; an act that could endanger the crew. Having undermined Del Rio’s authority, the Captain’s reaction was intense. As a manager rather than a leader, he would be unable to handle the situation correctly, and ordered Master Chief’s arrest. [quote]“Lieutenant. Arrest that man!” “Captain…” “ARREST HIM!!!” “CAPTAIN!” -Cutscene, Reclaimer, Halo 4[/quote] But it was too late. Master Chief, being Humanity’s living legend and savior, had inspired Infinity’s crew by his unflinching resolve to meet the Didact’s thread head on. No one would attempt to arrest him. As word spread of what had happened on Infinity’s bridge, and it became apparent that Del Rio would abandon Chief, the crew would speculate what Del Rio’s fate would be and mull over what had happened. [quote]“Ah-ha! The old man tried tearing him a new one. Good luck with that.” “And good luck on the night watch, private. The old man is still your commanding officer and you will refer to him as such. Are we clear?” “Sir, yes sir.” -Gameplay, Shutdown, Halo 4[/quote] [quote]“Look, I fought to get this assignment, I’m just saying---” “The chain of command is still chain of command.” “C’mon, who do you think FLEETCOM is going to side with? Don’t be naive.” -Gameplay, Shutdown, Halo 4[/quote] As Infinity returned to UNSC space, its final destination would be Cairo Station, where Del Rio was presumably debriefed. A peaceful exploratory mission would lead to Infinity’s near destruction, the discovery of a new world, new enemies, and the survival of the Master Chief. Del Rio’s choice to not take the initiative would ultimately cost him his position and the loss of physical form and free will for millions of Humans. [quote]“Affirmative, Sir. Where’s the Captain?” “FLEETCOM didn’t take to kindly to his abandoning you on Requiem. I’m afraid I’ll have to do.” -Gameplay, Midnight, Halo 4[/quote] Del Rio’s final fate is still unknown, but we can speculate that he was deranked and put at a Navy desk job.