Editing The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)

{{Title|The Pillar of Autumn}}

{{Status|Gameplay}}

{{Center|For more articles of the same name, see [[The Pillar of Autumn|The Pillar of Autumn (disambiguation)]].}}

{{Level infobox

|prev=''[[The Package]]''

| next=*''[[Halo: Reach credits]]'' {{C|''[[Halo: Reach]]''}}

*''[[Epilogue (Halo: Reach level)|Epilogue]]'' {{C|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection|MCC]]''}}

|name='''''The Pillar of Autumn'''''

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

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

|date=[[2552#August|August 30, 2552]]

|place=[[SinoViet Heavy Machinery|SinoViet]] [[Asźod ship breaking yards|ship breaking facility]], [[Asźod]], [[Reach]]

|objective=Deliver the [[armored matrix|Package]] to the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, then shoot down the Covenant {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} so that the ''Autumn'' can escape.

|partime=00:20:00 {{C|''Master Chief Collection''}}

|parscore=25,000 {{C|''Master Chief Collection''}}<br/>20,000 {{C|''Halo: Reach''}}

==Summary==

The level opens with the remainder of [[Noble Team]] onboard a [[D77-TC Pelican]], on their way to deliver [[Cortana]] to the dry-docked {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}. The Pelican is critically damaged and [[Carter-A259]] is badly wounded. Carter orders [[SPARTAN-B312]] and [[Emile-A239]] to complete the courier mission without him, while he lures the Covenant away from the pair by using the Pelican as a decoy. Emile-A239 and SPARTAN-B312 execute a low-altitude jump from the Pelican outside of the dockyard and are forced to fight their way to the facility. After battling through several Covenant outposts, the two SPARTAN-IIIs are forced to continue their journey through a cave system to circumvent a large group of Covenant forces. Upon reaching the other side, however, they are confronted by a Scarab. Realizing that the Scarab's presence prevents Emile and Noble Six from moving on, Carter rams it with the Pelican, knocking it off a cliff and sacrificing himself in the process. The two SPARTAN-IIIs continue their journey and eventually reach the Asźod ship breaking facility.

The two SPARTAN-IIIs are then hailed by [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]], whose [[Halcyon-class Cruiser|cruiser]], the ''Pillar of Autumn'', is moored at the facility, and are ordered to clear a landing zone for the Captain, who will use a Pelican to retrieve [[armored matrix|the Package]] himself. Emile mans the facility's [[15cm Mark/2488 1.1GJ MAC|mass driver]] to provide covering fire against incoming Covenant [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantoms]], while Noble Six and surviving [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] engage the Covenant on the ground. Once cleared, Keyes' Pelican arrives and Captain Keyes retrieves the Package from Noble Six. As the package is handed over, a {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} is revealed to be moving in on the ''Pillar of Autumn''. Keyes orders Emile to fire on the advancing battlecruiser, however, before Emile can oblige a Phantom attacks the landing zone, destroying one Pelican and deploying a group of Sangheili warriors onto the mass driver. Emile successfully kills one of the Sangheili with his [[M45 Tactical Shotgun|shotgun]] before a second sneaks up behind him and impales him with an [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]]. Emile manages to draw his [[Combat knife|kukri]] and fatally stab the Sangheili in the neck before he expires.

Keyes returns to the landing platform and offers Noble Six transportation to safety. The SPARTAN-III refuses and offers to defend the Captain as he heads towards his ship. Using the mass driver, Six defends the site and shoots down the Covenant battlecruiser just as it is about to glass the area. After successfully halting the battlecruiser's attack, Noble Six looks on as the ''Pillar of Autumn'' takes off and heads towards space to escape Reach, leaving Noble Six stranded with no way off of the planet.

[http://youtu.be/vLgApQjP1MI '''{''Cutscene''}''']

''[[Auntie Dot]]'s satellite view shows [[Noble Team]]'s [[D77-TC Pelican Dropship|Pelican]] being pursued by two [[Banshee]]s and a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]].''

'''Asźod, Eposz'''

*'''Auntie Dot ([[COM]])''': "Noble Leader, seek immediate medical attention."

''Cuts to the cockpit of the Pelican, with [[SPARTAN-B312|Noble Six]] moving closer to the pilot seat. Suddenly, several plasma bolts hit the Pelican, impacting Noble Six, flickering the Spartan's shields. The view turns to the troop bay of the Pelican, and [[Emile-A239]] is seen firing his [[M319 Individual Grenade Launcher|Grenade Launcher]] at the two Banshees. Emile concentrates fire on a single Banshee. The grenade detonates close by, and the [[EMP]] disables the Banshee, which swoops up and crashes into its wingman. Both are taken out, but the Phantom still pursues. The view switches back to the cockpit, and moves in front of Six. Carter, critically wounded but still in the pilot seat, takes off his helmet and throws it onto the ground. Blood splatters cover the cockpit window.''

''Carter-A259 turns back to Noble Six. His face is bloodied, and his armor is charred from [[Plasma weaponry|plasma]] fire.''

*'''[[Commander]] [[Carter-A259]]''': ''(strained but calm)'' "Not sure how long she's gonna stay together. Skies are jammed up anyways. Gotta get you off here, Lieutenant."

''The view faces a critically injured Carter. Noble Six, grabbing the pilot chair, looks up.''

*'''SPARTAN-B312''': "Sir, you-"

*'''SPARTAN-B312''': "Done."

''The view switches to Emile, who drops his emptied Grenade Launcher and makes a fist-to-chest salute. In the background, two more Banshees appear.''

*'''[[Warrant Officer]] Emile-A239''': "It's been an honor, sir."

*'''Carter-A259''': "Six. [[Cortana|That AI]] chose ''you''... She made the right choice."

''The Pelican turns and make the pursuing aircraft out of sight. Six and Emile position at the Pelican's tail, ready to jump off. Holding the AI [[Armored matrix|Package]] tight, Six crouches down as Emile grips the Pelican. Carter counts down with his fingers.''

''Six and Emile jump out, and the view switches to Six's point of view. They slide down a canyon, energy shields depleting. They come to a rough stop by impacting the ground. Six looks up as their and Emile's shields recharge. Carter's Pelican flies over them, Banshees in hot pursuit. Six turns back, checks the armored matrix for damage, then places the AI data storage unit on their back. They look up to the road ahead.''

''Six and Emile continue through the narrow crack until they reach a cliff edge, overlooking a large area. Two Banshees are still in pursuit of the Pelican. Far in the distance, the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} can be seen.''

''Carter's Pelican, still being pursued by Banshees, flies out of sight. After killing the distracted Covenant troops, Emile and Six come upon a pair of [[Mongoose]]s.''

*'''Emile-A239:''' "Got transport."

 

 

''After traveling a short distance, the Spartans reach another open area. [[Covenant drop pod|Covenant troop deployment pods]] drop and Covenant troops emerge from them. To make the situation worse, a [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] drops from the sky.''

 

''If Six is driving their own Mongoose rather than riding shotgun on Emile's:''

''If the player dismounts their Mongoose:''

 

''More [[Orbital Insertion Pod]]s drop, and another Scarab falls from the sky as the first one walks over the cliff. After fleeing from the battlefield, the Spartans come upon a broken [[Bridge (structure)|bridge]].''

''or, with the IWHBYD Skull activated:''

 

*'''Emile-A239''': "Put your hands up, Six! We're gonna have to jump it!"

 

''If the player heads to the right of the bridge:''

 

''A Phantom flies overhead as the Spartans cross the chasm, on a Mongoose or not. Barricades block the vehicle's way. Emile and Noble Six dismount and continue on foot.''

*'''Emile-A239''': "Got a [[Wraith]]! Southeast side!"

''After clearing or rushing through the area, Six and Emile go through a cave. They draw closer to the exit.''

*'''Carter-A259 (COM):''' "Noble! You got a...situation."

[http://youtu.be/IZzgQd67qn0 '''{''Cutscene''}''']

''Another Scarab suddenly walks down in front of Emile and Six, who are stuck at the cave exit. ''

*'''Emile-A239''': "Mother... We can get past it, sir!"

*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "No, you can't. Not without help."

''After noticing the two Spartans, the Scarab takes aim at Six and Emile as it charges its cannon. Carter's Pelican flies over and strafes it. The Scarab is distracted and stops charging its cannon.''

*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "I've got the mass."

''Noble Six nods.''

''[[Yanme'e|Drone]]s attack the duo, but with skill and superior firepower, the Spartans take the Covenant troops down. After taking down several [[Skirmisher]]s, Emile and Six find the cave's exit. The [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery|SinoViet]] facility is seen, with the grounded and scrapped UNSC frigate'' [[Commonwealth]] ''being an enormous battlefield between UNSC and Covenant troops.''

'''''The Pillar draws closer, and Keyes is awaiting delivery of the package.'''''

*'''[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] (COM)''': "This is Captain Keyes of the ''Pillar of Autumn''. We are tracking you, Noble, but we've begun our launch sequence. Proceed to dry dock, [[Platform Delta|Platform D]]. I'll be on it myself to receive the Package."

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "You'd better be, soldier, because my countdown has no abort."

 

 

 

 

*'''Marine #1''': "It's not looking good, sir. Covies have taken the whole shipyard."

*'''Marine #1''': "Keep heading east. ''(to the other Marines)'' Marines, push them back!"

''They clear the front of the shipyards and proceed into the facility. Soon they link up with some UNSC Marines fighting another mass of Covenant.''

*'''Marine #2''': "Ah, Sierra, you made it!"

*'''Emile-A239''': "So far. TAC eval?"

*'''Marine #2''': "They got this facility covered from all angles. We'll give you covering fire. Take the flank, there has to be a way around."

''If Six stalls:''

*'''Emile-A239''': "Come on, Six! We gotta move through that facility ahead!"

''or''

*'''Emile-A239''': "''Autumn'' can't wait forever. Let's go, Six!"

''Six and Emile penetrate deeper into the facility, fighting past numerous Covenant soldiers. Along the way, they encounter a pair of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]].''

*'''Marine #3''': "Spartans! Drydock's through that structure across the way. Punch through, we'll back you up."

''A Phantom approaches and drops off enemy troops.''

 

 

''Six and Emile deal with the reinforcements and continue outside.  They head down a walkway and arrive outside a warehouse guarded by Skirmishers and a pair of Hunters.  The Spartans quickly kill the Skirmishers, and after a prolonged battle, bring down the Hunters as well.''

 

 

 

 

 

 

''Six and Emile meet up with another team of Marines engaged in a firefight with a small lance of Grunts and Kig-Yar.  After dealing with these enemies, the Spartans finally exit the warehouse and see the massive ''Autumn'' in view, firing its [[Point-defense gun|50mm Autocannons]] at various Covenant crafts in the area.''

*'''Marine #4''': "We rigged the [[Mark 2488 Onager|mass driver]] up top. We lose that, the ''Autumn'' will have no covering fire. She'll ''never'' make orbit."

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Copy, Noble. My Pelican's ready. Clear an LZ, and I'll meet you there."

 

 

''Though Emile shoots down as many Covenant dropships as he can with the enormous coilgun, numerous Phantoms reach the landing pad and drop off dozens of Covenant soldiers, including Brutes, Jackals, and Grunts.''

*'''Emile-A239 (COM)''': "Hold them off until Keyes gets here!"

''More Phantoms show up.''

*'''Emile-A239 (COM)''': "Take 'em out, Lieutenant! Clear the zone!"

 

 

 

 

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "This is Keyes, on hot approach to Platform Delta."

*'''Keyes (COM)''':  "Ready to take possession of the Package, Noble."

[http://youtu.be/x_1PRPcl6jQ '''{''Cutscene''}''']

''Captain Keyes steps off the Pelican and meets up with Noble Six. Marines from the Pelican secure the pad.''

*'''Keyes''': "Good to see you, Spartan. [[Catherine Halsey|Halsey]] assured me I could count on you."

''or, on [[Legendary]]:''

*'''SPARTAN-B312''': "Not just me, sir..."

 

''Keyes puts a reassuring hand on Six's shoulder.''

 

*'''Keyes''': "[[NOBLE Team|They'll]] be remembered."

''Keyes turns back to re-enter the Pelican but stops short as a massive shadow appears in the sky. A {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} pushes through the clouds, advancing towards the ''Pillar of Autumn''.''

*'''Keyes''': "Cruiser, adjusting heading for the ''Autumn''! Noble Four, I need fire on that cruiser or we're ''not'' getting out of here! Do you copy?"

 

''Jacob Keyes and the Marines enter the Pelican.''

*'''Keyes:''' "Bridge, this is the Captain. We have the Package. Returning to the ''Autumn'', over."

 

''Noble Six, about to board the Pelican, is alarmed by the sudden sound of a Phantom and draws their [[Designated Marksman Rifle]]. A Phantom appears close by, and fires plasma bolts from its forward turret at the two Pelicans. The Pelican escorting Keyes' is shot down and crashes on the platform Noble Six is standing on. Six dives away from the burning wreck and barely avoids being crushed. Keyes' Pelican shifts as the Phantom flies over it. Six readies their weapon and turns as the Phantom wheels overhead towards the mass driver, but is forced to duck as the starboard door gunner fires a barrage of plasma at the Spartan. The Phantom drops off a pair of [[Zealot]]s of the [[Devoted Sentries]] by the Mass Driver. One Zealot is visible to Noble Six, the second is concealed by the Mass Driver. Emile yells in surprise. The first Zealot raises an Energy Sword, but Emile fires his shotgun through the canopy, shattering the glass and knocking the Elite to the deck. Emile stands, raises his shotgun, and fires again point-blank into the fallen Zealot's chest, killing it.''

''Still alive, Emile pulls out his kukri from his shoulder pauldron sheath and stabs the Zealot in the throat before dragging them both to the floor and out of sight. Keyes' Pelican returns to Platform Delta. One of the Marines holds out his hand, gesturing for Noble Six to join them.''

*'''Marine #5''': "Lieutenant, get on board! We gotta get the hell out of here!"

*'''SPARTAN-B312''': ''(determined)'' "Negative. I have the gun. ''(to Keyes)'' Good luck, sir."

*'''Keyes''': "...Good luck to you, Spartan."

''Keyes' Pelican leaves. Noble Six's only chance to escape Reach leaves with it.''

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Noble Six, get on that mass driver and clear me a path."

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Spartan, do you copy? Heat up that gun, we've got multiple craft bearing down on us!"

''If the player stalls even more:''

*'''Keyes (COM)''':  "We ''need'' you on that gun, Noble.  Or the ''Autumn''{{'}}s sitting in her grave."

''If the player continues to stall:''

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "You're going to have to take down that cruiser, Spartan!"

''Six moves towards the building housing the mass driver, but is confronted by an [[Sangheili|Elite]] [[Sangheili Field Marshal|Field Marshal]] and an accompanying squad of three Zealots, all Devoted Sentries. The four Elites in turn are guarded by multiple [[Special Operations Unggoy]] and an Engineer (on higher difficulties). Noble Six fights their way through and mans the mass driver.''

*'''Keyes (COM):''' "Cruiser, moving into position. I need it dead!"

''Waves of Phantoms and Banshees attack the mass driver, but Six fends them off.''

*'''Keyes (COM):''' "Mass driver won't crack those shields! Steady, Spartan!"

''The cruiser begins to charge its ventral energy projector, dropping its ventral shield around the projector.''

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Fire ''now'', Lieutenant! Hit her in the gut!"

''If the player stalls:''

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "You have to fire ''now'', Spartan! We won't survive another hit!"

''If the player stalls even more:''

 

*'''Keyes (COM):''' "Aim for the glassing port!"

''Noble Six fires. The mass driver slug hits the ventral energy projector on the cruiser.''

''If Noble Six still stalls, the cruiser fires its beam down, there is a bright flash, and the game reverts to the last checkpoint.''

[http://youtu.be/yZwFvarIV1Q '''{''Cutscene''}''']

[[File:HR PoAThrusters.jpg|thumb|300px|Noble Six remains on Reach and watches the ''Pillar of Autumn'' escape.]]

''The magnetic fields guiding the plasma destabilize, causing a massive explosion that rocks the ship.''

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Good guns, Spartan. All stations: brace for cast-off."

''The Pelican docks just in time, as a few Marines run by the troop bay.''

'''''Easter Egg''': At this point, if the right thumbstick is held to the right, one can see [[John-117]] [[John-117 in cryo|inside a cryo-chamber]].''

''Noble Six climbs down the ladder leading to the mass driver as the ''Pillar of Autumn'' launches into the sky using [[R7 thrust coupling]]s. The Covenant cruiser crashes down in the background. The ''Pillar of Autumn'' pitches up and ejects its rocket pods as it flies toward space.''

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "This is the ''Pillar of Autumn''. We're away. And the Package is with us."

''Six walks down the valley as the ''Autumn'' flies off into space. As Noble Six takes out a DMR, the view pans down to the Spartan's legs and the destroyed cruiser.''

''Fades to black.''

''Level ends.''

The following [[achievement]]s can be unlocked on The Pillar of Autumn across the [[Xbox 360]] and ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' editions of ''Halo: Reach''.

|<center>''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>

===Easter eggs===

*Emile's shields are curiously still intact after death, similar to the Elites next to him (which he killed). They will flare up and drain, but only one of the Elites' shields will recharge. See [[Dead shielded Emile]].

*The second chapter of the level is a reference to the chapter ''This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us'', from ''Halo 2'''s level, [[Metropolis]], which is the first time in any Halo game in which the player could engage a Scarab in combat, whereas the first chapter of ''The Pillar of Autumn'' is the last.

*The last chapter of the level is a reference to the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' level of [[Keyes (Level)|the same name]].

*In the beginning cutscene, Emile was at Six's left after they landed on the ground. Once the gameplay begins, however, Emile is on the player's right.

*In the objective description, visible in the game's pause menu, the ''Pillar of Autumn'' is referred to as "The Pillar", whereas in all other media, she is referred to as "The Autumn" or by her full name.

*The maps ''[[Holdout (level)|Holdout]]'' and ''[[Boneyard (Level)|Boneyard]]'' are based on this level.

*You can bring a Ghost into most of the level after you reach the Boneyard area. However, it is nearly impossible to bring it through the rest of the mission.

*There are [[HuCiv HC1500|Cargo Trucks and 18-Wheeler tractors]] that can be driven with or without Emile at the beginning of the level. While the tractor can fully make the jump across the bridge, the cargo truck will only get its nose across, forcing the player to either aim for the slope to the right or leap out before the truck is dragged into the chasm by its own weight.

*The Marathon symbol engraved on the side of the ''Autumn'' is nowhere to be seen. However, there is now a [[Seventh Column]] symbol painted on the hull.

*The troops on-board Captain Keyes' Pelican are [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]]. This marks a rare appearance of Marines in the game, which centers on the battles of Noble Team supporting the [[UNSC Army]] on Reach.

*When clearing the platform for Keyes and when using the mass driver cannon, the player can see two Scarabs alongside Wraiths and Ghosts fighting Warthogs and Scorpions in the background. The Scorpions seem to be moving faster than normal.

*If playing on [[Mythic]] difficulty, the {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} will receive a health boost and thus take two shots to destroy instead of just one.

*This level has the most [[Spartan Laser]]s in the ''Halo'' series, with 3 of them available on solo, and an additional 3 of them near the ''Onager'' on co-op.

*There is a [[McFarlane Toys|McFarlane]] [[McFarlane Toys/Halo: Reach Vehicle Series#Pillar of Autumn Mongoose|vehicle set]] based on the events of this level. The set consists of a Noble Six figure with an M6G Pistol replica, the Package replica and a model of a Mongoose.

*The partially destroyed house right after the Mongoose jump and during the Wraith encounter is reused in the following level ''[[Lone Wolf]]''.

*In the area after the jump, there is a power node which looks identical to the ones from the ''[[Halo Wars]]'' level ''[[Scarab (level)|Scarab]]''.

*This is the only level where a [[Sangheili Field Marshal]] is encountered as an enemy, and only one is fought. Noble Team has had [[Winter Contingency|several]] [[New Alexandria|encounters]] with a Field Marshal before, and possibly all being the same individual.

File:TPoA_Header.jpg|A view of Azsod's skyline.

File:HR DistantPoA.jpg|Emile and Six watch Carter's Pelican pursued by Banshees.

File:ScarabNoble.jpg|Noble Six and Emile driving a Mongoose toward a Scarab.

File:Covenant_Fleet_Aszod.jpg|The Covenant fleet above Asźod.

File:Reach 5602750 Full.jpg|The Sangheili Field Marshal fires its fuel rod gun.

File:HaloReach - MACrusher.jpg|Noble Six disabling the battlecruiser with the Onager.

File:HaloReach - John117.png|The [[John-117 in cryo]] easter egg in the ''Pillar of Autumn''{{'}}s hangar bay.

File:HaloReach - PoA.png|''The Pillar of Autumn'', using [[R7 thrust coupling]]s, escapes.

==Sources==

{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Succession box | before = ''[[The Package]]'' <br />| title = ''Halo: Reach'' Campaign Missions | years = '''''The Pillar of Autumn''''' |after = ''[[Lone Wolf]]''}}