"My world was at war even before the Covenant." Hundreds of lives lost from the start of the twentieth-sixth century. "A lot of human worlds were consumed. You saw what was done to Reach."

He still sees that dream.

"We'll take a long time to recover... But it's our duty. Make all sacrifices count. Even Reach will recover. Even your world."

Especially her. While it may not be the complete reason, his faith in her is sincere.