Editing ONI: Sword Base

{{Status|Gameplay}}

{{Level infobox

|prev=''[[Winter Contingency]]''

|next=''[[Nightfall]]''

|image=[[File:HR ONISwordBase Loadscreen.png|300px]]

|player=[[Spartan_(multiplayer)#Campaign_and_Firefight|Noble Six]]

|place=[[SWORD Base]], [[Eposz]], [[Reach]]

|objective=Defend [[Sword Base]] from the [[Covenant]]

|partime=00:10:00 {{C|''Master Chief Collection''}}

|parscore=25,000 {{C|''Master Chief Collection''}}<br/>40,000 {{C|''Halo: Reach''}}

{{Article quote|Covenant are attacking a vital ONI base. Drive the bastards off."}}

'''ONI: Sword Base''' is the third level in the [[campaign]] of ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. Upon completing this level on [[Normal]], [[Heroic]], or [[Legendary]] the player will unlock the "[[Protocol Dictates Action]]" [[Achievement]] and 10 [[Gamerscore]].  

This is the first and only level the [[Target Locator]] can be used, the only level on Reach to feature the [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|Gauss Warthog]], and the first level to feature the Revenant, Mgalekgolo, and the [[Fireteam (gameplay mechanic)|Fireteam]] gameplay mechanic.  

The level begins on July 26, 2552, near [[Sword Base]], an [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] research facility. The facility is located on the [[Babd Catha Ice Shelf]] in [[Eposz]], near one of the poles of the planet. [[NOBLE Team]] is deployed to Sword Base after a [[Covenant]] [[Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette|corvette]] begins attacking the facility. Due to the sensitive nature of the facility, [[Orbital defense platform|orbital MAC rounds]] are prohibited, forcing Noble Team to go groundside to defend the facility.

Two [[UH-144 Falcon|Falcons]] drop Noble Team around Sword Base. After [[Catherine-B320|Kat]] and [[SPARTAN-B312|Noble Six]] clear the courtyard outside the facility, they are ordered by [[Sword Control]] to proceed to the main gate. After Six eliminates two Wraiths outside the gate, a [[D77-TC Pelican Dropship|Pelican]] drops off a [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|Warthog]], which Kat and Noble Six ride to reactivate a [[COM]] array at [[Farragut Station]] to contact Command and an [[M71 Anti-Aircraft Gun|M71 Scythe anti-air gun]] at [[Airview Base]] to help clear the skies. After completing their task, they meet up with the rest of the team at Sword Base. They fight their way up through the atrium to the top floor, where Noble Six assists [[Emile-A239|Emile]] in driving off several [[Phantom]]s and [[Banshee]]s. A pair of [[Longsword]]s are then able to push through and chase off the corvette. As the corvette distances itself from Sword Base and begins to climb, the Longswords break off and the corvette is brought down by a slug from an [[Orbital bombardment|ortillery strike]].

Noble Team is called back into Sword Base by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]], who reprimands [[Carter-A259|Carter]] for not pursuing the [[Sangheili Zealot]]s at the [[Visegrad Relay]]. She explains that the Sangheili were most likely part of an artifact retrieval strike team, and that the notes stored at the Visegrad Relay held very important information. Kat then hands over the data module she retrieved from the station. Carter and Halsey exchange barbs, and Noble Team leaves as Dr. Halsey examines the data module.

[[File:REACHcartercorvette.PNG|300px|thumb|Carter in a Falcon, looking at the Covenant corvette.]]

''Screen fades into [[Babd Catha Ice Shelf]], two [[UH-144 Falcon]]s head toward the coast. [[Catherine-B320|Noble Two]] slips the chip taken from Visegrad Relay into a data pad and activates it.''

*'''[[Sword Control]] ([[COM]])''': "Be advised, ''[[Kilo 33]]'' and ''[[Kilo 34]]'', your current [[Landing zone|LZ]] is too hot!"

''The Falcons pass a large island. A [[Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette|Covenant corvette]] holding position comes into view.''

''Cut to Noble Six's point of view. Kat, sitting opposite of them, cocks her pistol as the Falcon approaches its landing zone.''

 

''The Falcon lowers close to the ground. Kat and Six jump out. Kat scans the area with her pistol and holsters it.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Roger that, we're your strike team."

*'''Kat-B320''': "Let's knock some heads, Lieutenant!"

*'''Kat-B320''': "Noble Two to Sword Control: courtyard is clear, over."

*'''Kat-B320''': "Sword Control, I see a [[H-165 FOM|Target Locator]]. Any artillery support in the area?"

''Noble Six takes the Target Locator, and the Spartans then head out of the base. The Covenant Corvette opens fire on the base. A damaged [[M831 Troop Transport]] is seen attempting to escape from two enemy [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraiths]].''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Outstanding!"

*'''Kat-B320''': "Pelican inbound with transport, Six."

''A [[D77-TC Pelican Dropship|Pelican]] arrives and drops off a Warthog. Six and Kat get onboard.''

*'''Sword Control (COM)''': "The old [[Farragut Station]] has its own comms array that should bring us back online with Command. [[Airview Base]] has an [[Vulcan anti-aircraft turret|anti-air battery]] that will help clear the skies."

*'''Kat-B320''': "AA gun is to the west, comms array to the east. Let's roll."

''If the player heads east:''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Good call. Let's get comms first."

''If the player heads west:''

*'''Kat-B320''': "I agree, go for the gun."

[[File:HR FarragutBattle.jpg|300px|thumb|Noble Six's Warthog in combat against Covenant troops at Farragut Station.]]

''The Spartans head east to the comms array.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "We need to get that comms array online."

''The Spartans soon arrive at the station.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Hope that comms array has a working generator."

''The station is occupied by Covenant forces, including a {{Pattern|Rizvum|Revenant}}. Six and Kat eventually neutralize all resistance.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Let's search the area for a generator, Six."

 

''Noble Six searches the buildings, eventually finding the switch, and activates the generator.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Okay, generator is up and running. Find that comms array, should be up high."

''A Spirit moves in and drops off a group of Skirmishers and Unggoy to prevent Six from reaching the comms array. Six and Kat eliminate them. Noble Six soon finds the comms array on the roof of an adjacent building and activates it.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "You did it, Six! Comms array up and running."

''If the AA Gun hasn't been activated yet:''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Now let's head for Airview Base and get that AA gun online."

''A Pelican delivers a Warthog, facing the direction the Spartans must go to next (also happens if the player went to Airview Base first).''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Always. Take that Hog, Six."

''If the AA gun has not yet been activated:''

*'''Sword Control (COM)''': "Nice work, Spartans. Get to Airview Base and get that AA gun up and running."

''The Spartans head to their next objective, approaching a cliff. A Spirit drops a lance of Covenant to support the two patrolling Ghosts before flying away. The Covenant ground forces are eliminated.''

''If the player stalls:''

*'''Sword Control (COM)''': "Spartans, what's the ETA on that comms array/AA gun?"

*'''Kat-B320''': "On our way. Let's move, Six."

[[File:HR AirviewBattle.jpg|thumb|300px|Two Sangheili Rangers deployed from a Spirit to reinforce the Covenant troops at Airview Base.]]

''After heading further west, Airview Base can be seen. If Airview Base is their first objective, two Ghosts and a few Unggoy hold their position outside Sword Base's wall. They are soon eliminated. However, if the Spartans had been to Farragut Station first, said Covenant forces will not be encountered until the Spartans return to Sword Base.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "I'm picking up a power source, we're close to the AA gun."

''They arrive at the base, to find it under Covenant control. A [[Sangheili Ultra]] (a General on higher difficulties) with a [[Type-52 Guided Munitions Launcher/Explosive|Plasma Launcher]] commands the Covenant group. If the Spartans went to Farragut Station first, a Warthog is abandoned near the AA gun.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "That's the gun over there. Should be a reset control somewhere, get it online."

''If the player stalls:''

 

*'''Kat-B320''': "We need to activate the AA gun, Lieutenant. Go get the reset control."

 

''After eliminating the Covenant in the area, Noble Six heads into the two-floored building next to the AA gun. The Spartan finds the reset control on the roof of the building, and activates it. The AA gun immediately opens fire on the Phantom that just deployed two Ghosts, and then on the [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee]]s and Covenant dropships around the corvette.''

 

 

*'''Kat-B320''': "On our way, Commander. Six, let's go."

*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "Noble, be advised: Covenant corvette moving into position. Kat, Six, get here quick. We need you inside."

''The Spartans arrive at the gate, to find it under attack by several Revenants and a small group of infantry, which are subsequently eliminated. They get to the gate and open the reinforced doors.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Opening the gate now."

''After clearing the courtyard, they find a few troopers in the nearby garage besieged by more Covenant troops, including a [[Mgalekgolo]] pair. Kat and Noble Six neutralize the Mgalekgolo and other Covenant troops.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Let's get to the atrium. We have to go through the security office. Elevator, Lieutenant. Take it."

''Noble Six activates the elevator to take them to the security office. Midway up, an explosion rocks the elevator. The elevator stops briefly before continue its ascent.''

*'''Kat-B320''': "Where's our orbital support? Got to be four platforms that could take it out with a single [[MAC]] round."

*'''Kat-B320''': ''(dryly)'' "I doubt that ''very much''."

''Kat and Six soon move into Sword Base's main atrium, where Jun, Jorge, and some Army Troopers are engaging Covenant troops.''

*'''Chief Warrant Officer Jorge-052''': "Spartan! Over here!"

*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "Six, head upstairs and assist Emile. Jorge, make sure they gets there."

 

 

''Six and Jorge make their way upstairs, engaging various Covenant forces as they go, including a Sangheili General armed with a [[concussion rifle]] (a Fuel Rod Gun on higher difficulties).''

*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "Six, get to the top floor and assist Emile."

 

*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "Keep moving up, Noble Six."

*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "Upstairs, Lieutenant, we need those [[Longsword]]s in the air."

''Six goes through a doorway to the top floor, where there is a massive hole in the building. The Covenant corvette is holding position just outside. Banshees are swarming all around. Emile stands on a ledge, firing his rocket launcher at the Banshees. Six assists.''

 

''Noble Four, Five, Six, and some Army troopers engage several Banshees, and a [[Phantom]] dropship, which drops off a pair of SpecOps Elites.''

*'''Emile-A239''': "Keep shootin', Noble Six, watch down low."

''They continue to clear the area.''

*'''Emile-A239''': "That's the way we get it done, Spartan!"

[http://youtu.be/OqO2XbZzsHE '''{''Cutscene''}''']

''Emile drops his Rocket Launcher and walks away into the debris. Two Longswords fly towards the corvette, which is attempting to flee. Noble Six watches as the Longswords follow the corvette for a distance, but soon break off. A MAC round suddenly streaks down from the sky above and smashes right through the corvette. Its engines flicker, and it loses altitude. The view changes to Six. Jorge emerges from the shadows, approaching Six.''

*'''Spartan-B312''': "I aim to please."

*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "Five, Six...get down to the science wing. [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey]] wants a debrief, and Command's saying we're all hers."

 

''Jorge and Six walk away, back into the base. The corvette is shown in the background sinking into the lake.''

''They soon arrive at the science wing, where Carter is talking to Dr. Catherine Halsey, who is behind a glass wall, separating NOBLE Team from her.''

 

*'''Carter-A259''': "If he was a [[civilian]] male in his mid-sixties, he died with a Covenant [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]] through his abdomen."

*'''Jorge-052''': "Three. [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]]-class. [[Sangheili Field Marshal|One]] got by us. The leader, from the looks of him."

*'''Spartan-B312''': "Shield strength, too."

*'''Kat-B320''': "Like warning the planet."

*'''Halsey''': "Professor Sorvad's final entry in his field notes made reference to a "latchkey discovery." Latchkey... not a word he would use lightly. So let's hope that the data module your Lieutenant Commander ''stole'' contains it."

 

''Kat walks over and drops the module in a container in the shield door.''

*'''Carter-A259''': "We're currently under emergency planetary directive, "[[WINTER CONTINGENCY (protocol)|WINTER CONTINGENCY]]". I'm sure you're familiar with the punishment for civilian interference with a Spartan deployment."

===Easter egg===

*Since the beginning cutscene is not a pre-rendered cutscene, the battle on the courtyard during the cutscene is different every time the level is played. Any activated [[Halo: Reach skulls|skulls]] are already in effect, and any AI-controlled characters in the cutscene are invincible until gameplay begins.

*Once inside Sword Base, the player can find several Unggoy Heavies wielding Plasma Rifles for the first time in-game as starting weapons (Players are able to switch weapons with Grunts in ''[[Halo 2]]'' to give them Plasma Rifles, but they never spawn with them).  This corroborates [[John-117]]'s witnessing Unggoy with Plasma Rifles in other battles.

*This is the second of the four levels (the others being [[Winter Contingency]], [[Tip of the Spear]], and [[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]) in which the [[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System|assault rifle]] Six starts with has more than the usual rounds. In this case, it starts with 375 in reserve. This may be a reference to the number 343, as after one entire mag the player will have 343 rounds in reserve.

<!--Weapon and strategy tips should go on the Walkthrough page.-->

File:HR SwordBase Coast Concept.jpg|Concept art of the beach on the level.

File:HR_SwordBase_Defenses_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the base's defenses and general architecture.

File:HR_SwordBase_Garage_Concept.jpg|A concept art image of the garage of SWORD Base.

File:HR_SwordBase_Interior_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the interior of the base.

File:HTMCC HR Achievement StillSharp.png|Concept art for the base.

===Screenshots===

<gallery>

File:Level - Oni.jpg|Preview of the level in ''Halo: Reach'' menu.

File:Halo Reach - Sword Base 02.jpg|A view of the main building of SWORD Base.

File:Halo Reach - Farragut Station.jpg|A view of Farragut Station.

File:HR ONI Sword Base M71 Scythe.jpg|The [[M71 Anti-Aircraft Gun]] Noble Six activates near Airview Base.

{{Succession box | before = ''[[Winter Contingency]]'' <br />| title = ''Halo: Reach'' Campaign Missions | years = '''''ONI: Sword Base''''' |after = ''[[Nightfall]]}}