Editing Pelican Down (Halo Infinite level)

{{Title|Pelican Down (''Halo Infinite'' level)}}
{{Center|This about the Halo Infinite campaign level. For the Spartan Ops chapter, see [[Artifact (Spartan Ops)/Pelican Down]]. For the Halo Infinite soundtrack, see [[Pelican Down (Halo Infinite music)]].}}
{{Level infobox
|pagegamelabel=HI
|prev = ''[[Spire (Halo Infinite level)|Spire]]''
|next = ''[[The Sequence]]''
|game = ''[[Halo Infinite]]''
|devname=
|name = Pelican Down
|image = 
|player = [[John-117]]
|date = [[2560#May|May 28, 2560]]{{Ref/Generic|Id=Premiere|[[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere]]}}
|place = [[Installation 07]]
|objective = *Destroy the three AA guns
*Defeat [[Hyperius]] and [[Tovarus]]
|partime=
|parscore=
}}
{{Article quote|Eliminate the Banished gun batteries to escape the island and continue your pursuit of the Harbinger.}}
'''Pelican Down''' is the ninth [[campaign]] level in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''. It is a multi-stage mission, which features three [[Gorespike cannon|anti-aircraft gun batteries]] as the main objective.

==Overview==
{{Article quote|En route to the second Spire, the Pelican is brought down by [[Banished]] [[Gorespike cannon|anti-aircraft gun batteries]]. [[John-117|Chief]] sets out on foot to disable the guns and is confronted via hologram by [[Escharum]], who reveals that he has sent his best warriors to stop the Chief: the [[Hand of Atriox]], better known to their prey as Spartan Killers. In rapid succession, Chief brings down the AA guns, defeats the Spartan Killers [[Hyperius]] and [[Tovarus]], and retrieves [[Fernando Esparza|the Pilot]] in a graveyard of [[Mulsanne-class frigate|UNSC ships]]. Reunited, the Pilot, the Weapon, and Master Chief make for the second Spire — and [[the Harbinger]].}}
{{Expand-section}}

==Transcript==
'''''{Cutscene}'''''

*'''John-117''': "Upload the Spire locations."

''[[The Weapon]]'s avatar materializes in his hand.''

*'''Weapon''': "All of them?"

*'''John-117''': "All of them."

''Multiple holograms of Spires appear around the Pelican's troop bay.''

*'''Ship AI''': "Coordinates received."

*'''[[Fernando Esparza|Pilot]] (COM)''': "Ummm... it looks like someone has marked forty-two locations, which, would be crazy, right?"

''All but one of the Spires disappears. The Weapon pulls the remaining Spire hologram towards them.''

*'''John-117''': "This one?"

*'''Weapon''': "It was the source of the attack."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "Attack?"

''The cockpit door opens and the Pilot looks out at them.''

*'''Pilot''': "What's she talking about, Chief? Is ''everyone'' trying to kill you?"

*'''Weapon''': "It kinda seems like it. ''(realizes)'' Oh, wait... ''(cheerfully)'' You're being sarcastic. ''(to the Chief)'' He's fun. I like him." 

''An alarm blares as a series of explosions erupt outside.''

''Zoom in on the Pilot.'' 

*'''Pilot''': "Am I dead already? I-I mean I must be. I mean this is a punishment, right?"

*'''Ship AI''': "WARNING. WARNING. WARNING."

''The Chief enters the cockpit. Outside, more explosions burst around ''Echo 216'' as [[Banished]] [[Anti-aircraft weapon|anti-aircraft guns]] continue to fire upon the Pelican.''

*'''Pilot''': "Yep. This is death."

''An AA gun directly in front of them opens fire and scores a direct hit on the Pelican.''

*'''Pilot''': "No! No!"

''The Pelican banks to port and we swing to see the Pilot in his seat as sparks fly from the forward console.''

*'''Pilot''': "No no no no!"

''The Pelican levels out right in front of another anti-aircraft cannon. It fires, hitting the Pelican. The Pelican makes a half-roll to starboard as the camera swings around to show the pilot.''

*'''Pilot''': "This isn't happening...!"

''The camera swings around to show the Pelican coming in for a crash landing in a river .''

*'''Pilot''': "I'm going to have to make an emergency landing!"

''Water splashes up over the cockpit window as the Pelican lands in the shallow river.''

*'''Pilot''': "Hold on, Chief."

''Out the window, we see the Pelican headed straight for a large piece of debris. As it collides with the debris, the camera swings around to show the Chief and the pilot. The pilot grits his teeth and we hear a faint ''thud''. The screen cuts to black.''

''We hear another faint ''thud'' and a soft ringing of the ears. As the screen fades back in, the pilot is unconscious, leaning forward in his seat. The Chief grabs his shoulder and pulls him back. The pilot regains consciousness with a heavy gasp.''

*'''Ship AI''': "WARNING. CRITICAL MALFUNCTION. ATTEMPTING RECONSTRUCTION."

*'''Pilot''' ''(angrily)'': "No! Get...! No! You! I can't! Stand this! Oh, you are...!"

*'''John-117''' ''(calmly)'': "Breathe."

*'''Pilot''' ''(irritated)'': "No! You don't get to tell me what to do! You don't get to tell me anything! We're..."

*'''Ship AI''': "079 Reset 18%"

''The pilot looks at the Chief.''

*'''Pilot''' ''(irritated)'': "Are you even listening?!"

''The Chief is staring out the cockpit window.''

*'''John-117''': "I count three anti-aircraft cannons."

*'''Pilot''': "Three ''what''?!"

''The Chief turns to leave the cockpit.''

*'''John-117''': "You'll be safe here."

*'''Pilot''': ''(irritated)'' "Oh? I'll be safe?!"

''He lets out a mirthless chuckle. The pilot's seat slides back as he unbuckles. He gets out of the seat to follow the Chief to the troop bay.''

*'''Pilot''': ''(irritated)'' "Safe?! I haven't been "safe" since I found you! [[Warship Gbraakon|I found you]], remember?!"

''The camera pans around the Chief to the aft of the troop bay.''

*'''Pilot''': ''(irritated)'' "You were out there on your own, and you'd still be there if it wasn't for me! I thought I was going home!"

''The camera pans around to face the Chief.''

*'''John-117''': "There won't be a home if we don't stop the [[Banished]]."

''The camera continues around behind the pilot.''

*'''Pilot''': "You keep saying that. We're outgunned, outnumbered."

''The pilot turns to point.''

*'''Pilot''': "I ''know'' I saw [[Condor|Condors]] over there."

''He pivots back around, clenching his fist.''

*'''Pilot''': "I'm going to dig through them and find one with a working [[Slipspace drive]], and when you're done with this [[Installation 07 conflict|war]] we'll get away from here."

''As the pilot finishes speaking, the Pelican's bay door opens. Light floods the troop bay.''

*'''Pilot''': "''Far'' away."

*'''John-117''': "Wait here."

''The Chief heads for the exit. The pilot quickly catches up, grabbing the Chief's arm.''

*'''Pilot''': "Woah, woah. Please." 

''He lets go of the Chief's arm.''

*'''Pilot''': "Let me see what I can find."

*'''John-117''': "Cannons first. When I get back...we can look. Together."

''The pilot lets out a small huff through his nose and walks back towards the cockpit.''

*'''Pilot''': "Okay, big guy."

''The Pilot retreats back into the Pelican.''

'''{''Gameplay''}'''

''The Banished have three AA guns: one to the East, one to the North, and one to the West. The Chief heads out to destroy them in whatever order he chooses. The Western gun's gravity is immediately accessible via its gravity lift, but the Northern and Eastern guns need to have their gravity lifts reactivated before the Chief can enter them.''

----
''The dialogue triggered when the Chief reactivates either the Eastern or Northern gun's gravity lifts differs based on the order he destroys the guns.''

''If the Chief heads to the Eastern/Northern gun first:''

*'''Weapon''': "That's it. The gravity lift is on. Let's get inside and shut this gun down."

''If the Chief heads to the Eastern/Northern gun second:''

*'''Weapon''': "Second AA gun is open for business. And by open, I mean-"

*'''John-117''': "Let's go."

''If the Chief heads to the Eastern/Northern gun last:''

*'''Weapon''': "There we go. Last gun open."

*'''John-117''': "Let's go fire it."

*'''Weapon''': "So, let me get this straight. It's okay for ''you'' to make jokes..."

*'''John-117''': "Correct."
----

''The Chief enters the first gun.''

*'''Weapon''': "Plug me in and I'll take care of the cannon."

''The Chief deploys the Weapon onto the terminal.''

'''{''Cutscene''}'''

''The Weapon starts hacking the cannon.''

*'''Weapon''': "They call this security? Please. Hold tight, I'll handle it."

''An alarm inside the gun suddenly blares. The doors all slam shut. The local topographic map behind the console changes into a hologram of [[Escharum]].''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "The UNSC lost this war months ago. Your people are broken. Scattered. Hunted. ''Defeated.'' By me."

''Escharum smirks as he continues.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "I wish I could tell you it was difficult. But it wasn't." 

''He chuckles cruelly.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "We are one step ahead! Always! The Ring is already under our control! Soon, the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Auditorium]] as well. [[The Harbinger]] and the Banished share the same goal! We fight together to honor the will of [[Atriox]]! But..."

''He turns away.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "But, without challenge, I grew...weary. Lost. Alone. But..."

''He smiles and turns to face the Chief again.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "Here you now stand."

''He exhales menacingly.'' 

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "This is my last fight. A true test of legends! Our story will outlive us both."

''He growls in anticipation of the coming battle.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "Set a fire in your heart, Spartan! Bare your fangs! Fight hard. ''Die well.''"

''The hologram fades.''

*'''Weapon''': "Thank you!"

''She turns around.''

*'''Weapon''': "Chief?"

*'''John-117''': "That word. Auditorium. What is it?"

*'''Weapon''': "I was hoping you'd know the answer to that one. I'm new. Remember?"

''She finishes hacking the cannon.''

*'''Weapon''': "Okay, I'm done here."

''The Chief retrieves her.''

'''{''Gameplay''}'''

''The AA gun's generator is exposed.''

*'''Weapon''': "I've exposed the gun's generator. Destroy it and the fuse is ticking."

''The Chief destroys the generator, setting off a chain reaction. Explosions rock the cannon. The doors open.''

*'''Weapon''': "Good. Let's get out of here before the fireworks start."

''The Chief jumps out of the cannon and gets to safety. The cannon explodes behind him.''

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "The Banished are mobilizing in a big way. Clock's ticking, Chief. How much longer?"

*'''John-117''': "One gun down, two more to go."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "We are running out of time."

*'''Weapon''': "The Harbinger and the Banished share the same goal..."

*'''John-117''': "Rebuild the Ring."

*'''Weapon''': "But why?"

*'''Pilot (COM)''': ''(sarcastically)'' "Maybe ''they'' want to go home too."

''The Chief reaches the second gun and gets inside. As before, he deploys the Weapon onto the control terminal.''

'''{''Cutscene''}'''

*'''Weapon''': "I'm on it. The lockdown's probably going to trigger again...

''She starts hacking the cannon.''

*'''Weapon''': "...but don't worry, we'll be out of here in-"

''The lockdown triggers again. Escharum appears before them via Hologram once more.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "How many Spartans remain? Do you even know? There would have been fifty at [[Laconia Station]]. Maybe more. Such a loss."

''He leans forward, pressing a hand to his chest.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "Do you feel it in your heart? Does it leave a hole?"

''He wheezes and looks away.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "Atriox was my finest recruit." ''(turns back to the Chief)'' "''He'' understood sacrifice and when one is necessary." ''(closes his eyes)'' "I honor his memory each day." ''(opens his eyes)'' "When ''our'' enemy rises, we meet their challenge. It is why I created the [[Hand of Atriox]]. I found the best. The cruelest. The most efficient killers in the universe... and taught them how to be better. ''(rasps)'' My Spartan Killers are coming for you."

''He smiles and holds out his arms.''

*'''Escharum (hologram)''': "It is ''your'' time to rise."

''The hologram fades.''

*'''Weapon''': "Spartan Killers? Really? Everyone ''is'' trying to kill you. I'm done here. Now it's your turn."

''The Chief retrieves her.''

'''{''Gameplay''}'''

''As before, the gun's generator is exposed, allowing the Chief to destroy it. The lockdown lifts and the Chief escapes the gun before it explodes.''

*'''Weapon''': "Chief, we're being contacted on UNSC channels. Comm signature belongs ''(pause)'' to a Spartan [[Theodore Sorel]]... the one we [[Conservatory|found.]] Dead."

*'''John-117''': "Put it through."

*'''[[Hyperius]] (COM)''': ''(mockingly)'' "Spartan... Spartan... ''(chuckles menacingly)'' I know you can hear me. Will you die with honor?"

''Hyperius lets out a cruel laugh.''

*'''Hyperius (COM)''': "I doubt it. You are human. Weak. Pathetic. I will crack your armor. Peel you from your shell. It will not be my first Spartan blood. ''(inhales)'' But it will be the sweetest."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "They're sending a Spartan Killer? Chief... This is crazy. This is ''crazy''. We gotta get out of here. We gotta move!"

*'''John-117''': "Not yet. Hold position."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': ''(frustrated)'' "When this goes bad... it's on you, Chief. Remember that."

''The Chief reaches the last gun, gets inside, and deploys the Weapon onto the control terminal. She starts hacking it.''

*'''Weapon''': "Last one. And... cue the lockdown."

''She waits but nothing happens this time.''

*'''Weapon''': "Huh. No Escharum? I'm almost disappointed."

''She finishes hacking the gun.''

*'''Weapon''': "''Almost.'' All set. Let's get back to the Pelican. We did it!"

''The Chief retrieves her, destroys the exposed generator, and escapes while the final cannon explodes behind him.''

*'''Weapon''': "There's a repeated message across all Banished frequencies. The first part is Hand of Atriox..."

*'''John-117''': "And then what?"

*'''Weapon''': ''(concerned)'' "Deploy."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "Chief. Where are you?"

*'''John-117''': "Hold position. We're on our way."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "I'm sorry, Chief... I can't stay."

*'''Weapon''': "I've lost his signal. If the Spartan Killers find him..."

*'''John-117''': "That won't happen."

*'''Weapon''': "How can you be sure?"

*'''John-117''': "Because they'll need to go through me first."

''The Chief heads back to the Pelican's crash site. Multiple Banished troops have already arrived. Among them is a Brute on a Chopper.''

*'''Weapon''': "Chief! We've got... well, a lot. See that [[Chopper]]? I'm guessing that's [[Hyperius|one of the Spartan Killers]]." 

''A Banished [[Drop pod]] lands on top of a wrecked frigate.''

*'''Weapon''': "And there's [[Tovarus|the other one]]. Up there in the wreckage! You need to stop them!"

''Hyperius and Tovarus are no ordinary Brutes, and they prove themselves to be formidable opponents.''

''If the Chief kills Hyperius first:''

*'''Tovarus''': "The coward deserved what he got! Now face me, Spartan!"

''If the Chief kills Tovarus first:''

*'''Hyperius''': "Brother! I'll kill you slowly for that, Spartan!"

''More Banished drop pods are deployed to reinforce the surviving brother.''

*'''Weapon''': "I think you've made him mad! Reinforcements inbound!"

''or''

*'''Weapon''': "Watch out, Chief! He's calling in backup!"

''The Chief finally kills the other Spartan Killer.''

*'''Weapon''': "That wasn't easy, was it? What if Escharum sends more?"

*'''John-117''': "Let him. Echo 216?"

''No answer.''

*'''Weapon''': "Nothing. But I think I can... yes. Comms are still offline but I was able to activate his tracking beacon remotely. He's... he's out in the open. The UNSC ship graveyard. I hope he's okay."

''Guided by the Weapon, the Chief tracks the Pilot's signal to a crashed Condor.''

'''{''Cutscene''}'''

''Scene slowly zooms in on the inside of the Condor's wreck. A hatch in the floor opens up, and the Pilot, now wearing a helmet, climbs out.''

*'''Pilot''': ''(disgusted)'' "Animals..."

''He pulls the helmet off.''

*'''Pilot''': "Chief, my eyes didn't deceive me back there."

''He exits the Condor's wreck and walks right past the Chief, who's waiting for him.''

*'''John-117''': "We need to go."

''The Pilot ignores him. He turns around and holds up three fingers, before turning back around and continuing to walk away.''

*'''Pilot''': "Three UNSC Condors." ''(holds up one finger)'' "Seeing one is rare." ''(holds up three fingers again)'' "Finding three? It's a miracle. I should have known better." 

''He stops and points at the wreckage of another Condor.''

*'''Pilot''': "Torn apart. Completely gutted." ''(turns back to the Chief)'' "Slipspace drives obliterated." 

*'''John-117''': "We don't have the time."

''The Pilot ignores him and walks a few steps, before stopping to point, helmet still in hand, at a second destroyed Condor.''

*'''Pilot''': "And over there is another. Shattered and cratered over a kilometer." 

''He turns and points at the Condor the Chief found him in.''

*'''Pilot''': "And there."

''He walks back to the wreckage of the final Condor.''

*'''Pilot''': "The last one. ''All of it.''"

''He turns to the Chief.''

*'''Pilot''': ''(despairing)'' "Crushed. Broken. Beaten! ''Useless!''"

''The Chief steps towards him.''

*'''John-117''': ''"Enough."''

*'''Pilot''': ''(hysterical)'' "''When?'' When is it enough, Chief?! When we're in ''there''? Because that's where ''I'' belong." ''(points at the Condor)'' "In there. With them!"

''He flings his helmet into the Condor. His frustration not abated, he walks over to a piece of debris, picks it up, and throws it back down.''

*'''Pilot''': ''"Worthless junk!"''

''He turns to the Chief, his teeth clenched.''

*'''Pilot''': "Not this. ''I'm not you.''"

''He hangs his head in shame and walks past the Chief.''

*'''Pilot''': ''(on the verge of tears)'' "I'm not a pilot. I'm not even a soldier, a marine!"

''He stands with his back to the Chief, unable to face the Spartan.''

*'''Pilot''': "I'm a fraud. I stole that Pelican." ''(he turns around)'' "I ''stole'' it! You know ''why''?"

''The Chief doesn't answer.''

*'''Pilot''': "Of course you don't. Have you ever been scared? So scared that you..." 

''Unable to finish his sentence, the Pilot walks away from the Chief. He kneels down at the edge of the crater containing the wreckage of UNSC ships.''

*'''Pilot''': ''(sobbing)'' "I'm worthless."

''The Chief approaches and drops to one knee beside him.''

*'''Pilot''': ''(still sobbing)'' "You should leave me here with the rest of the garbage."

*'''John-117''': "We all fail. We all make mistakes. It's what makes us human."

*'''Pilot''': ''(disbelieving)'' "I'm sorry, Chief. But how have ''you'' ever failed?"

''The Chief hesitates for a moment before answering.''

*'''John-117''': "I should have protected [[Cortana]]. Stopped everything from [[The Reclamation|going wrong]]."

''The Pilot stares at him in surprise.''

*'''John-117''': "I failed her." 

''He turns to the Pilot.''

*'''John-117''': "I will ''not'' fail you."

*'''Weapon''': "Chief..."

''The Weapon's avatar appears in the palm of the Chief's hand.''

*'''Weapon''': ''(to the Pilot)'' "We...we're going to make it."

*'''Pilot''': ''(turning away)'' "I..."

*'''Weapon''': "We have to."

''The Pilot looks back at them.''

*'''Pilot''': "...this is all I've got."

*'''John-117''': "It's all we ''need''. Our only way home is straight through the heart of the Banished."

*'''Weapon''': "We need you."

*'''John-117''': "We can fix this."

*'''Weapon''': "Together."

''Her avatar disappears. The Chief stands back up. He waits for the Pilot to do the same.''

''Scene focuses in on the Pilot, as he makes his decision.''

*'''Pilot''': "Of course we can."

''The Chief holds out his hand. The Pilot takes it and gets back to his feet.''

*'''Pilot''': "Together."

''Having regained his composure, the Pilot puts his hands on his hips and sighs.''

*'''Pilot''': "So. What's the plan? Let me guess. It's dangerous and is probably going to get us killed."

''There's a sudden booming sound. Scene shifts to the right. In the distance, a beam of blue energy streaks up into the sky.''

*'''Pilot''': "Huh."

''Scene shifts back to him.''

*'''Pilot''': "I have my answer."

''He turns to the Chief and raises a fist.''

*'''Pilot''': "Let's do this."

''Fade to black.''

''Open back up on a Banished-operated hologram of the UNSC ship graveyard. Camera slowly pans across the corpses of Hyperius and Tovarus.''

*'''Harbinger''': ''(off-screen)'' "You are losing control."

''Scene pans up to Escharum, who turns away from the holotank. He waves his hand dismissively and the hologram dissolves.''

*'''Escharum''': "Nothing is lost."

''The Harbinger appears before him via hologram.''

*'''Harbinger (hologram)''': "Deploy your army!" ''(clenches her fist)'' "Descend upon him."

*'''Escharum''': "No. Odds will not break him."

''He turns away. The Harbinger turns away as well, contemplating the situation.''

*'''Harbinger (hologram)''': "The Spartan is not alone." 

''Surprised, Escharum turns back to her.''

*'''Harbinger (hologram)''': "There's [[The Weapon|something]] here... helping him. Connected to [[Installation 07|this installation]]."

''His attention captured, Escharum flexes his hand.''

*'''Escharum''': "What is it?"

*'''Harbinger (hologram)''': "It's remarkably vulnerable..." ''(she turns to face Escharum)'' "...but highly intelligent."

*'''Escharum''': ''(eagerly)'' "Is it a weakness? Something to exploit?"

*'''Harbinger (hologram)''': "We will see."

''She waves a hand and the image of a Spire appears before them.''

*'''Harbinger (hologram)''': "The Reformation is controlled from this Spire. It must be protected."

''Escharum acquiesces to her instructions. He enters a few commands into the holotank. Banished Phantoms and deployable structures materialize around the Spire.''

*'''Escharum''': "Done."

''He points at the Harbinger.''

*'''Escharum''': "[[Atriox]] believed you to be valuable."

''The Spire and the Banished assets disappear from the holotank.''

*'''Escharum''': "Prove him correct."

*'''Harbinger (hologram)''': "When the [[Endless]] are found. And when you have your Ring." ''(she turns away from him)'' "''Then'' you will never question my worth and ''I'' will never question your judgment."

''Her hologram fades. Escharum growls in frustration, before starting to cough and gasp, his age taking its toll on him. [[Jega 'Rdomnai]] enters the room and walks up to him.''

*'''Jega 'Rdomnai''': "The scent grows stronger. Save your strength."

''Escharum turns to the Sangheili [[Blademaster]] and places a hand on his shoulder.''

*'''Escharum''': "I need something of you, old friend."

*'''Jega 'Rdomnai''': "Anything."

*'''Escharum''': "Bring me the Master Chief... ''(lets out a throaty rasp)'' Alive."

''Fade to black.''

''Level ends.''

==Production Notes==
An in-development version of this level was used in the [[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere|''Halo Infinite'' Campaign Gameplay Premiere]] trailer.

==Gallery==
===Development images===
<gallery>
File:HINF Surfacing Graph.jpg|Audio placements for the level area.
</gallery>

===Pre-release===
<gallery>
File:HINF ChiefandPilotTalking.png|John and Esparza in the Pelican troop bay.
File:HINF UnknownWreckage.png|A view of a {{Class|Mulsanne|frigate}} wreckage.
File:HINF PilotLookingatWreckage.png|Esparza looking out to a destroyed Condor.
File:HINF XGS2020 TACMAP 2.png|A early version of the [[TACMAP]] view of the area.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/List}}
{{Levels/HI}}
[[Category:Halo Infinite campaign]]