[b]EDIT: Looks like the Halo Wiki has reached the same conclusion. :D[/b] Hey everyone. This was a minor suggestion made by someone on the forums earlier, and I finally wrapped up the Doctor's journal that comes with the Limited and Legendary Editions. I wanted to explore this possibility myself. At first, I was like "Nah, I doubt it." But after reading particular entries from the journal, I am actually starting to believe this! My theory is compiled below. **** Relevant entries **** [quote] [i]__________________ November 7, 2549 [/i][b][u](EXCERPT)[/u][/b] [i]__________________ I'm delighted with Cortana. She has assumed a rather simple human appearance (much to my relief; so many of the ONI adopt such theatrical personas). Her face resembles mine when I was fresh out of college - so wonderful and naïve, and eager to learn. It's almost like looking into a mirror. Part of her looks like Miranda; part is purely her own invention. Her intellect is simply ferocious. Success! [/i] [/quote] Let's see here... [quote][i]Part of her looks like Miranda[/i][/quote] Throughout all of the Halo books and this journal, there are few people Halsey truly expresses concern for. This was a seemingly random connection made to Keyes' daughter. Yes, it could have simply been a concern that existed because Keyes was a close friend, and at this point the theory is still only a possibility. This next entry is long, but it's entirely about Miranda, and therefore, [u]highly[/u] relevant. [quote] [i]__________________ April 6, 2550 [/i][b][u](FULL ENTRY)[/u][/b] [i]__________________ Years ago, despite my best efforts, I couldn't dissuade Miranda from joining the UNSC or OCS, or, finally, requesting duty on a ship of the line. (Not that she was even answering my letters at that point.) I tried reason and logic; she has always been resistant to those. Initially, she likely joined the military to impress her father; after all, she had her name legally changed. Should have tried to dissuade her. Instead I let her go, quietly arranging to have her assigned to the outer-most colonies on the Hilbert, an antiquated vessel from the days of colonial expansion (now refit for long-range sensing). I believed it was the safest place any UNSC officer could be stationed. Lamentably, desperate times make martyrs of innocents and heroes of survivors...and the foolishly brave who defy all odds and live? They make commanders of them apparently. Miranda and her crewmates rammed the Hilbert into a Covenant destroyer as it attacked three UNSC Corvettes that were ironically responding to [u]their[/u] distress call. The Covenant had properly ignored her vessel as it had no weapons that could penetrate enemy shields - but Miranda must have inherited her father's unconventional strategic (suicidal?) thinking, because she gave the order to critically overload her ship's engines and nudge the enemy vessel into the gravity well of Gamma Pavonis-VII. Even a Covenant destroyer with energy shields can't survive a fiery atmospheric descent at terminal velocity and the subsequent surface impact, followed by the Hilbert's exploding fusion reactors. Miranda was only one of two of Hilbert's crew to make it to the escape pods. And now Lord Hood has personally presented her with the new commander's insignia, a Silver Star, and her own frigate to command - In Amber Clad. After years of silence, she invited me to the ceremony. I didn't go. Because her father would be there? Because I am neck deep in the final stages of a half-dozen projects? I know why I didn't go. I don't want to say it. [/i] [/quote] It is clear that Miranda is dear to Dr. Halsey. [quote][i]Years ago, despite my best efforts, I couldn't dissuade Miranda from joining the UNSC or OCS[/i][/quote] The doctor seemed a bit protective of her, don't you think? This snippet is particularly loaded: [quote][i]Initially, she likely joined the military to impress her father; after all, she had her name legally changed.[/i][/quote] WTF? Odd, isn't it? Had her name changed from what? Now you see, Keyes and Halsey aren't married, and if Captain Jacob Keyes hadn't claimed fatherhood of the child Dr. Halsey had, Miranda would have been Miranda Halsey. Thus, she may have had her name changed to Miranda Keyes, in order to drop the "Halsey" and simultaneously impress her father. This entire entry is full of sentimental value and attachment to Miranda, that much is obvious. She discusses at length how Miranda turned a cold shoulder toward her up until the point where she invites the doctor to her ceremony. The entry ends with: [quote][i] I didn't go. Because her father would be there? Because I am neck deep in the final stages of a half-dozen projects? I know why I didn't go. I don't want to say it. [/i] [/quote] We're left with the impression that Dr. Halsey seems a bit nervous to be with Captain Keyes. The last two sentences could be interpreted as an allusion to her motherhood. The "icing on the cake" entry: [quote] [i]__________________ August 12, 2552 [/i][b][u](EXCERPT)[/u][/b] [i]__________________ Jacob came to see me - something I was hoping for yet dreading. As I had anticipated, Jacob was ever the gentleman - any other ship captain would have abruptly launched into an inquisition on what an ONI operative was doing meandering about the vessel. Went much better than I had imagined. We talked about Miranda, his "Heyes Loop," the Spartans, and RED FLAG (what little I could prematurely disclose). We parted well, wishing each other the best on our respective missions. I offered my hand for him to shake. He kissed me on the cheek. As I said...ever the gentleman. [/i] [/quote] Interesting. Captain Keyes' congenial attitude towards the good doctor would typically be frowned upon by the UNSC. What's more, he wasn't strictly enforcing protocol or anything, and was openly discussing several topics with her. Then this little gem cropped up. [quote][i]I offered my hand for him to shake. He kissed me on the cheek.[/i][/quote] Ever the gentleman indeed. [b]EDIT: More evidence, thanks to CursedRoninZero! Check out what was at the end of the entry dated September 1, 2525:[/b] [quote][i]Did not expect the separation anxiety to be so strong. [b]I guess not hearing her cry wakes me up at night too.[/b][/i][/quote] Could that be a reference to the baby Miranda? [b]EDIT 2: Even more evidence! Kudos to Kal117K. This is a side note from the entry dated July 12, 2531:[/b] [quote][i]Jacob has agreed to take her in. I'll miss her, but it's for the best.[/i][/quote] I'm pretty sure I'm not just seeing things here. [b]EDIT 3: Son Of LA made a funny little point that could possibly contribute.[/b] [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Son Of LA Did you also notice how the [coffee] she got was decaf? It's common sense that it's good to avoid caffeine while having a baby in there.[/quote] ******************************* Thoughts? Ideas? Comments? Criticism? Fire away below! I really want some input on this! -Zephyr [Edited on 09.28.2010 12:09 AM PDT]