Editing Silent Cartographer (Building)

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{{Seealso Level|The Silent Cartographer (Level)|Halo: Combat Evolved}}
[[Image:1219523392 The Silent Cartographer building.JPG|thumb|right|The Installation 04 Cartographer's exterior.]]
The '''Silent Cartographer'''<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', ''[[The Silent Cartographer (Level)]], opening cutscene: "The [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] believe that what they call the Silent Cartographer is somewhere under this island. The Cartographer is a map room that will lead us to Halo's control center."''</ref>, as referred to by the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], is the [[Cartographer|map room]] for the [[Halo Array|Halo]] installations. It can pinpoint and access every room or location on or beneath Halo's surface.<ref name="HCE">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', ''[[The Silent Cartographer (Level)]]''</ref>

== Location on Installation 04 ==
On [[Installation 04]], the Cartographer was located in the middle of a large island. The security system was located in a tunnel, atop a large [[Forerunner]] structure in about the center of the island. After disabling the security system, the main passageway to the map room was opened. For additional security measures, the Cartographer's chamber and activation panel were located on the other side of the island, and buried at least half a dozen floors below ground. The path down to the Cartographer is a labyrinth of twists and turns, making it easy to get lost. This could also be part of the security system, to make the map room harder to find. It seems that on the map, the [[Control Room]] is illustrated as a shrine.<ref name="HCE"/>

== Security System ==
The Silent Cartographer is protected by an elaborate security system. This system can only be activated and deactivated by manual physical contact. In order to access the Silent Cartographer one must enter a first building to disable the security system, and then enter a separate structure which contains the map room. This gives the map room double protection making access difficult and defense much easier. The weaponry wielded by the crew of the [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|''Pillar of Autumn'']] was not powerful enough to penetrate the doors inside the facility where the Silent Cartographer was located, indicating the doors were of extremely durable material. Other than near impenetrable doors, both physically and in protection against [[AI]], the nature of the Silent Cartographer's security system is not touched upon in the game.

The Cartographer on the Ark has a similarly powerful security system, though it includes [[Sentinel]] patrols to further boost the defensive capabilities in the area.  This proved to be most detrimental to the [[Covenant Loyalists]], who had difficulty penetrating the Cartographer's defenses.<ref name="HCE"/>

== Battle of Installation 04 ==
{{Main|Battle of Installation 04}}
In [[2552]], [[John-117]] and two squads of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] were ordered by [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Keyes]] to [[Battle of the Silent Cartographer|attack the Cartographer]] so that they could locate Halo's control room. The soldiers landed on a Covenant-controlled beach which was quickly captured. While taking shelter under an enormous structure, the Chief and his Marines received a [[Warthog]] from [[Echo 419]]. The Chief and two Marines used the Warthog to get to the entrance of the facility. The Chief captured the entrance but was locked out of the lower areas. The then went back to the Warthog and found the island's security center, guarded by many Covenant and an ambush by two [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] orchestrated by [[Zuka 'Zamamee]]. After unlocking the map room, the Spartan headed back to the Cartographer and fought his way down to the map. Once on the surface again, the Chief went to the newly-located control room with the help of [[Echo 419]].<ref name="HCE"/>

==Trivia==
[[File:Carto.jpg|thumb|Cartographer before activation.]]
*On the Halo 3 level [[The Ark (level)|The Ark]], [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] refers to the map on the Ark as "The Cartographer", but it is stated in [[The Silent Cartographer (level)|The Silent Cartographer]] that it is the name that the Covenant uses for the map. Either the Covenant used the proper name for the map, or Spark said it as a courtesy to the Master Chief.  
*The interior details and layout of the Cartographer on Installation 04 is almost completely identical to that of the Ark's Cartographer complex. Though, it's almost impossible to notice, due to the differences in textures, scenery, and atmosphere that were made to the structures to make them appear unique. In addition, practically the entire length from the first staircase to the main chamber of the Ark's Cartographer complex is a complete remake of Installation 04's Cartographer (with the exception of the added room for the [[Terminals|Terminal]])
*The exterior appearance of the Installation 04 Cartographer was used for the design of the Ark's Cartographer. But, to differentiate the location of the Cartographer on the Ark with the one of Installation 04, the design of the main chamber in the one on Installation 04 is located almost directly underneath the ground of the deck entrance outside of the structure. However, the design of the Installation 04 Cartographer entrance was reused for the design of the Ark's Cartographer chamber. In addition, to make the similarities obscured, the platform holding the main chamber is surrounded by waterfalls.
*The rock formation where the [[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Dawn]] lands in the end of Halo 3 greatly resembles the Cartographer Island. However, this is likely just an homage, since the Control Room is very close to this hill.
*The Silent Cartographer is oddly named because a cartographer is someone who makes maps, not a map itself. This may imply that the Silent Cartographer is more than just a building; possibly an old [[Forerunner]] computer.
*It is unknown if all [[Forerunner]] structures have a cartographer.

==Sources==
<references/>

{{Forerunner2}}
[[Category:The Forerunner]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Installation 04]]
[[Category:Places]]