From the second sequence of distorted Cortana images, as she voices "I am your shield, I am your sword."

The image of an arid African plain comes into view. Dust blows from left to right, and a public works sign with a picture of a grunt on it, very likely the "easter egg" referred to by Frankie in Bungie's FAQ, twists in the wind.

This Banshee roars over the head of the Master Chief in the Halo 3 Announcement Trailer, flying towards the mysterious buried artifact in the distance. But who is flying it? The cavity the pilot would normally appear in seems to be empty.

A delibrate omission by Bungie, to avoid revealing the species of Covenant currently invading? Or just a clever strategy to minimize the amount of artistic effort needed to create the trailer, thus ensuring the least impact on real development work?

The weather is stormy over the mysterious buried artifact, as lightning strikes in the distance and a mysterious funnel cloud swirls directly overhead. Some have speculated this is the result of Covenant technology at work that uncovered the artifact.

The sun glints off his armor as the Master Chief strikes a pose. He thinks this is his best side.

Anyone who thought that after Halo 2, things couldn't possibly get any shinier, was obviously wrong.

The glare of the sun nearly obscures the Master Chief as he stands near the cliff edge and a Covenant ship-- presumably a cruiser although possibly an assault carrier-- passes overhead and towards the mysterious buried artifact.

The Master Chief peers over the precipice down to the ancient artifact as Covenant vehicles wheel overhead.