The Silent Cartographer (Level)

Looking for Silent Cartographer, the map room?

Summary
The Covenant believe that what they call The Silent Cartographer is somewhere under an island. The Cartographer is a map room that will lead your forces to Halo's control center. The island has multiple structures and installations. One of them contains the map room. Find and locate the map for Halo's control center.

Usable Weapons

 * Pistol
 * MA5B ICWS Assault Rifle
 * Rocket Launcher
 * Frag Grenade
 * Plasma Pistol
 * Plasma Rifle
 * Needler
 * Plasma Grenade

Drivable Vehicles

 * Warthog

Part 01: The Silent Cartographer
(Opening cinematic. Two dropships approach an island, low over the water. You are inside the lead dropship)

Cortana (radio): The 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. The island has multiple structures and installations. One of them contains the map room.

Foe Hammer (radio): We're approaching the LZ. It's gonna be hot. Get set to come out swinging. Touchdown! Hit it, Marines!

Gunnery Sergeant Waller: GO GO GO!

(Once you clear the beach of Covenant)

Marine: Area secure. All hostiles have been eliminated.

Foe Hammer (radio): Affirmative. Echo 419 inbound. Somebody order a Warthog?

Gunnery Sergeant Waller (radio): Hey, I didn't know you made house calls, Foe Hammer!

(Alternative)

Marine (radio): Music to my ears, Foe Hammer!

Foe Hammer (radio): You know our motto: We Deliver.

(As you approach the Warthog)

Cortana: Okay. Let's move out. Let's go find the map room that will show us the location of Halo's control center.

(As you approach the main building)

Cortana: There! In the cliff wall! I'll bet the Silent Cartographer is somewhere inside that facility.

PFC Hosky: Anyone else see what I see? How're we supposed to get around THAT, huh?

(As you push your way into the building)

Cortana: The Covenant are putting up a real fight. The Cartographer must be here. My analysis indicates that the map room should be at the bottom floor of this facility. Let's keep going inside.

(As you see the open door leading to The Shaft)

Cortana: Don't let them lock the doors!

(When the door closes)

Cortana: I underestimated the Covenant's understanding of Halo's subsystems. They've locked the doors, and we don't have enough firepower to get through. (Radio) Cortana to Keyes.

Captain Keyes (radio): Go ahead, Cortana. Have you found the control center?

Cortana (radio): Negative, Captain. The Covenant have impeded our progress. We can't proceed unless we can disable this installation's security system.

Captain Keyes (radio): Understood. We're still en route to the objective. I may be out of contact when we get there. Here are your orders. I want you to use any means necessary to force your way into the facility and find Halo's control center. We have to get to the center before the Covenant. Failure, people, is not an option.

Foe Hammer (radio): Echo 419 to ground teams. I'll stay on station and keep an eye out for Covenant bogies.

Sergeant Stacker (radio): Second squad! Ready to roll, soon as everybody's topside!

Marine (radio): LZ looks secure Sir, nothing moving.

Captain Keyes (radio): Good luck, people. Keyes out.

Cortana: We need to find the security override to get this door open.

(As you approach the path leading up into the island)

Cortana: It looks like there is a path leading to the interior of the island.

(As you pass the substation, which juts out of the cliffs)

Cortana: Well, there's the entrance to the security substation, but it looks like we'll have to look for another way up.

(Alternative Dialogue: If the Security Station is entered before going to the auto-locking door to the map room.)

Cortana: This isn't the map room. Analyzing... (Pause) This is a security override station for the main facility, located somewhere else on this island. Shut the system down so the Covenant won't be able to lock us out.

(Holo-panel is activated, cutscene of Gold Elite)

Cortana: We should now have access to the main facility, let's find the map room.

(Once you get inside the substation and reach the security override, the "normal" way)

Cortana: Use the holo panel to shut down the security system. Good. That should open the door that leads into the main shaft.

Part 02: It's Quiet...
(As you move down the hall from the security substation, towards the exit)

Dropship Pilot (radio): Mayday, mayday! Dropship Bravo 022 taking enemy fire! Repeat! We are under heavy fire and are losing altitude!

Cortana (radio): Understood. We're on on our way.

(As you exit the substation)

Cortana: Chief, Bravo 22 was bringing us some heavy weapons. After I saw we were up against Hunters, I thought you could use them. Let's move down the beach. Keep an eye out for any cargo we can salvage.

(As you approach the now-unlocked door leading to The Shaft)

Part 03: Shafted
(Cinematic-Chief walks out onto the platform overlooking the shaft and kicks a loose piece of debris down it)

(As you move farther down into the facility, into the third of four levels)

Foe Hammer (radio): Foe Hammer to ground teams, you got two enemy dropships coming in fast!

Gunnery Sergeant Waller (radio): Dammit! Okay, people, we got company comin', let's set the table. Engage enemy forces on sight!

Cortana (radio): It'll be easier to hold them off from inside the structure. Can you get inside?

Gunnery Sergeant Waller (radio): Negative! They're closin' in too fast. Negative! (Pause) Chief! You gotta find the Cartographer! We'll keep 'em busy as long as we can!

Cortana (radio): Give 'em hell, Marine. (to you) We'll be in a tight spot if we don't get out of here before additional reinforcements arrive. Let's find that map.

(when you finally reach the Cartographer)

Cortana: There. That holo panel should activate the map.

(Cinematic-the Cartographer holo display begins to spin, and the diagram of the ring begins to break into sections)

Cortana: Analyzing. Halo's control center is located there. That structure appears to be some sort of temple or shrine, if I've interpreted this correctly. (Pause) Interesting. A shrine is an unlikely place to put such a significant installation. (radio) Cortana to Captain Keyes.

Foe Hammer (radio): The Captain has dropped out of contact, Cortana. His ship may be out of range or having equipment problems.

Cortana (radio): Keep trying. Let me know when you've reestablished contact, and then tell him that the Master Chief and I have determined the location of the control center. We'll be heading there as soon as we're topside.

Foe Hammer (radio): Affirmative. Foe Hammer out.

(As you near the exit of the facility, just before you meet the squad of cloaked Elites)

Cortana (radio): Cortana to Echo 419. The Chief and I are topside, requesting pickup.

Foe Hammer (radio): Roger. On my way.

(As you dive into the dropship)

(Cinematic-the dropship lifts off from the platform and rises quickly, circling the center of the island.)

Cortana (radio): Let's get moving. Foe Hammer. Here are coordinates and a flight plan I've worked out.

Foe Hammer (radio): But, Cortana...these coordinates are underground.

Cortana (radio): The Covenant did a thorough seismic scan. My analysis shows that Halo is honeycombed with deep tunnels, which circle the whole ring.

(Cinematic (continued): The structure where the first pair of Hunters appeared lifts up, revealing a tunnel; the Pelican lowers into it as the structure comes back down again.)

Foe Hammer (radio): I hope your analysis is on the money, Cortana. This Pelican won't turn on a dime.

Cortana (radio): Look on the bright side, Foe Hammer. The last thing the Covenant will expect is an aerial insertion...from underground.

General Walkthrough
D-Day has nothing on the first battle here. Much more localized, much more advanced, and much more deadly.On the other hand, there dozens of Overshields on this level, and this is the first time you get to use the Rocket Launcher. There will be dozens of Covenant just dying for your 7.6mm FMJs, 12.7mm HE-SAPS, and 102mm SPNKRS.

As the level begins, just before the entire HUD becomes visible, press Y. That way, youll start with your Pistol. Zoom in immediately and snipe any Grunt you see.(Note:Dont worry about burning through most of your ammo, health, and grenades in this first battle. Youll find some supplies soon) Anyway, switch to your AR, and go at the Elite, firing and bashing till he goes down. If there are any Grunts that survived your onslaught, leave 'em for your Marines, and go forward. Unleash the rest of your AR clip on the mofos that come through the arch, then switch to your Pistol and start pumping Headshots into the Elites, and toss a Frag Grenade for good measure. Go in and blow away anything else thats still alive with your Pistol clip, and when everythings dead reload your weapons. Keep your Pistol and your AR, but go find some Plasma Grenades.

When Foe Hammer drops off the Hog (seriously, where the hell does she get these things?) get into the drivers seat, wait for a passenger and a gunner, then get a move on. There will be a squad of Grunts with one Elite, plus two Jackals, and that makes up your next opposition. Just drive through, run over anything that you can, and the rest goes to your gunner.

When you get to the entrance of the structure, you should see a squad of Grunts directly in front of you. Get out and start firing your Pistol at anything that moves. When the Covies retreat to the hallway, move your Hog in and start tossing PGs while your gunner clears the rest out. Once everything has eaten lead, go down the hallway, but first trade in your AR for a PP or a PR.

A small squad of Grunts, Elites, and-holy crap- was that a Zealot! Never mind him, just start filling the air with Plasma till everythings dead. When Cortana and Keyes start talking, go back to the surface, grab your AR, and drive down the beach. Where those crates are positioned next to that tree, there should be an Overshield. Pick it up if your Health is down.

In the next area there is this big ridge in the center. Behind this is a big batch of bug eyed bastards. Park your Hog on the left side, then go up the ridge. There should be a squad of Jackals in a circle right in front of you. Toss a nade to clear them out, then let your gunner take care of everything else.

Finally, the bliss of Biofoam injected straight through your nueral pathways. Thank the good lord. Anyway, fill up on goodies and switch out your Pistol for for a plasma weapon.

There is two lances of Covenant coming down that hill. Unload as many bullets as you want on the Grunts, and overcharges for the Elites. Once everthings taken an early leave, go back down for your Pistol.

Right about now, you should see a big blip on your sensor. No, its not a vehicle, its a Hunter. Yes Sir, the 12' bastards that made your life hell in the TTaR are back witha vengeance. However, you have the advantage. Wide open combat areas, some experience against them, the element of surprise, and one of four weapons that Hunters hate: the M6D Pistol.

Note Hunters hate the pistol. You see, Hunters are actually Hunderds of little eels all packed together in one hard shell. The glowing orange parts are theyre only weak point. The Pistol uses High Explosive bullets that incinerate those little worms, effectively killing one Hunter in one shot.

Continuing, just stay on the outer edge of this "bowl" area. Hopefully, those Hunters wont notice you, so right now you should be behind of the first Hunter. Pull the trigger, and watch him fall.

There is nothing more soul satisfying than beating a Halo 1 Hunter to death with your Assault Rifle. Do so, because the Hunters melee is easy to dodge. Once hes down, celebrate with a sandwich or something.

Grab an overshield (6 of them in this level, yea) then start pumping Pistol rounds at the squad of Jackals that are coming for you. When most of them are down, switch to your AR and hose them down in close range.Pick up one of their PPs and move one.

Another wooded area, another Lance of methane breathing pain in the asses. Start carpeting the area with Plasma Overcharges.Once you used up that Pistol, go back for a fresh one and repeat til the grunts and Jackals are dead, then go back for your AR and cleanse the Elite with a shower of AP rounds. Once hes dead, move forward and switch to your Pistol. Each Grunt that comes around the corner gets a Headshot, and when they stop coming, grab your AR and dispatch any one that remains.

Go down that hallway and switch back to yyour Pistol. Aw damn, more worms in a can. Luckily, the first one is standing foolishly with his stomach exposed. Sing him a lullaby in the form of a .50 cal HE round, then melee the other to death (you can do it!) Move down the hall and deactivate the security system.

Part 2:Its quiet...
Why do I have a bad feeling about the 8' sword wielding SOB? Easy, he wants to kill me. Get moving, because you need to save Bravo 22.

Crap, I know that I saw something moving. Here is where lugging that heavy AR pays off. Pour as much ammo as you want into those Stealth Elites, then move to the surface.

Damn, we never seem to be fast enough to save the Good Guys. Ah well, avenge their deaths by killing those Grunts and Jacks that made sure they were dead.

Some damn good supplies were left at the crash site, complements of your late gentlemen comrades. The most important of these is the M19 SSM Rocket Launcher. This is the first time you get to use it, so grab it and fill up on Rockets. Grab some Pistol ammo, and a health pack if you need it. Now flip the Hog and get back to your previous comrades (they should still be alive) and drive back to the Silent Cartographer.

When you get there, get out of your ride and move quietly forward. A pair of Hunters have come to replace the weaker guard. Time to use the ultimate Hunter killing device- the SSM SPNKR. Go ahead and burn the first one with it, then proceed to melee the second Hunter to death (the Rocket Launcher has a long melee attack, so have fun) then proceed downward.

Part 3:Shafted
Now seriously, I am slightly scared here. Where did that Gold Elite go?

Speed Run Walkthrough
As soon as you begin, go the opposite way around the island, until you reach the Warthog. Flip it over and get in it. Drive forward, and go to where the Covenant Dropship is dropping off the Jackals. Kill them and grab the Overshield.It is easier to kill the Hunters if you go to the wrecked pelican somewhere on the island and get the rocket launcher, just look around on the ground and you will find it.

Now drive up the ramp, the same direction you were going in the Warthog. Turn around to go into the structure. Drive through, and turn right, down the ramp, and left. It's hard for the Warthog to get through this passage, but it's possible. Slow down near the end, and turn into the door. Don't worry about killing the Covenant there, just ram the Warthog through the door. If you do it fast enough, you can get the Warthog stuck, and the door won't close.

Now get out, and turn right. You'll go to the Shafted platform. If you are facing out, like a diving board, stand on the bottom-right corner. Walk straight off at an angle. You'll land on the very corner of where you can activate the map. Make sure to grab the Overshield, it is helpful because your health is so low.

Activate the map room and then advance up like in the guide above. Some ways into the path back to the surface, it is possible to grenade jump to an Active Camouflage in a room with Jackals on an elevated platform, which can be used to bypass a large number of enemies, including at least one pair of Hunters. When you get into the Warthog at the end, make sure not to try to drive it out--you can't. Walk outside and get aboard the dropship.

It should be noted that if you check the beach you will find all of your marines dead.

Related Links

 * Warthog Jump
 * Death Island