Sierra 117: Difference between revisions

{{Era|RW}}

<center>''For the protagonist of the Halo trilogy, see [[John-117]].''</center>

|next=''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''

|image=[[File:Master Chief & The Arbiter.jpg|300px]]

{{Article Quote|Rise up. Start the fight.}}

This level takes place in a lush African jungle that lies on the southern slopes of Shira peak of [[Mount Kilimanjaro]], as confirmed from the hexadecimal code of the ''[[Halo 3 Beta]]'' and physically confirmed in the ''[[Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer]]'' and the short video subsequent [[Bungie]] Podcasts (Mawenzi peak can be seen slightly obscured to the right of Uhuru peak, both of which are part of the Kilimanjaro mountain.) The jungle is home to a Covenant encampment, and hosts lush verdant forestry, rivers, rocky landscapes, waterfalls, and tunnels. The environment bears some resemblance to the "Off the Rock, Through the Bush, Nothing but Jackal" section of ''[[Halo 2]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ''[[Delta Halo (level)|Delta Halo]]'', although the location is different; ''Sierra 117'' takes place on [[Earth]], while ''Delta Halo'' is set on [[Installation 05]].

Having been found by [[Sergeant Johnson]], [[Stacker|Sergeant Stacker]], some [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], and the [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], the [[John-117|Master Chief]] is escorted through the jungle, not knowing there is trouble ahead. Johnson has with him two squads of marines, but, after spotting a Covenant Phantom overhead, he decides to split them in order to attempt to reach an evacuation point at a nearby river. The Master Chief, Thel 'Vadam and one squad head one way, following a stream leading to the river, while Johnson and the other [[UNSC]] forces scale a waterfall, and head another way. Bravo squad, apparently left behind by Johnson's team to guard the Landing Zone, where Pelicans were to extract the troops, breaks radio silence, and is attacked by a pack of [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]], lead by a [[Brute Chieftain]].

The Chief encounters the previously patrolling [[Phantom]]s, which drop off [[Brute]]s and [[Grunt]]s. After the battle, they receive notice from Johnson that they cannot get into contact with another marine team, Bravo. Almost immediately after, the group comes across a stricken marine held captive by a Brute on a log above them. The Brute beats the Marine, inquiring about a secret "location." After killing the inquisitive Brute, they are told that the rest of Bravo is dead, apparently pinned down by a Phantom and slaughtered by a Brute chieftain. The Bravo team survivor, [[Reynolds|Gunnery Sergeant Reynolds]], then joins the squad escorting the Master Chief.

By the time the Master Chief and Thel 'Vadam make it to the river for evacuation, the [[Pelican]]s at the evacuation point are already under attack by Covenant infantry and multiple [[Banshees]]. Johnson is seen using the [[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun|machine gun turret]] at the back of one of the Pelicans, and with combined fire the Covenant are momentarily pushed back. This does not offset the heavy damage taken and they make a fiery exit further down river as more Brute and Grunt reinforcements show up to kill Master Chief's squad. After pushing through the Covenant forces, the Chief and Thel 'Vadam are told over the COM that Johnson's Pelican has crash landed and shortly afterward come across him and his squad fleeing from the crash site, pursued by Brutes and Grunts. The Chieftain pulls his own Phantom out of the fight to regroup.

They desperately try to catch up with Johnson, killing many Grunts, Brutes, and [[Kig-yar|Jackal]]s. After coming across the crashed Pelican, they find [[Sniper Rifle]]s and [[BR55HB SR Battle Rifle|Battle Rifle]]s and they discover over the Pelican's radio that there is no sign of the second Pelican. It is assumed to have crashed and sunk into the lake. Master Chief, Thel 'Vadam and the surviving marines then find themselves in a thick jungle and have to fight past Jackals hiding in the trees and on the ground, with no sign of Johnson or his squad of marines.

They then reach a large dam where they see Johnson being taunted and kicked into a small building and held captive by a Brute chieftain. It is implied that this is the same Chieftain that killed Bravo's men and pursued Johnson from his crash site. The area is also littered with Grunts and Jackals as well as half a dozen Brutes. With slow progress, the two heroes manage to fight their way through and around the dam and eventually take down the Brute Chieftain. They then rescue Johnson and the three surviving marines from his squad. (Note: the marines will not appear if you still have marines from before)

Johnson calls in Pelican [[Kilo 023]] piloted by [[Hocus]] to come and pick them up, but they are first engaged by two Phantoms which drop off hordes of Grunts and a few [[Brute Captain]]s wielding [[Brute Shot]]s and [[Spiker]]s. Whilst the group engages the ground forces, the Pelican arrives and takes down the two Phantoms with missiles. Hocus then lands and evacuates the survivors and Johnson is seen patting the Chief on the shoulder in thanks before the Pelican flies off.

*'''[[Sergeant Major|Sergeant]] [[Avery J. Johnson|Johnson]]''': "[[First Squad]], you're my scouts. Move out! Quiet as you can."

*''(2-Player Co-op Change)'' '''Sergeant Johnson''': "First Squad, you're my scouts. Arbiter, watch the [[John-117|Chief's]] back. Move out! Quiet as you can."

''If the Chief waits and hangs around.''

''A [[Brute]] (possibly [[B-113-421]]) howls off in the distance.''

*'''[[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]]:''' "That sounded close."

*'''Marine''': "Yeah, too close."

*'''Sergeant Reynolds (COM)''': "Johnson, you be advised. [[Covenant|Hostiles]] are -''{static}''- on the move -''{static}''-. I've got eyes on a -''{static}''- Brute Pack -''{static}''-. Over."

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Say again, [[Gunnery Sergeant (UNSC)|Gunny]]? You're breaking up."

''There is the ominous whisper of gravitational drives as a [[Phantom]] flies overhead above the trees.''

*'''Marine''': ''(whispers)'' "[[Sergeant Major]], Phantom inbound."

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "We stick together, we're gonna get spotted. We'll split up, and meet back at the LZ. Chief, go with the Arbiter, head toward the river. [[Second Squad]], you're with me."

''Johnson and Second Squad climb up the cliff by the water fall.''

''If the Chief attempts to follow Johnson and stares at him after the climb''

''Johnson and Second Squad cross the river above the waterfall and run out of sight. The Master Chief and Thel 'Vadam lead First Squad. Thel 'Vadam leads the Chief up on some rocks around a pile of fallen logs, while First Squad waits to go straight over, pointing out a [[Brute Captain Major]].''

*'''[[Brute Captain]]''': "Spread out, you [[Grunt|whelps]]! Find them!"

*'''Marine''': ''(whispers)'' "Up ahead! Single Brute, plus backup!"

*'''Marine''': "He's got [[Jiralhanae power armor|power armor]], Chief!"

''First Squad engages the Brute and his Grunt subordinates along with the Master Chief and Thel 'Vadam. They regroup.''

*'''Thel 'Vadam (Single Player Only):''' ''(to the Brute corpse) "The [[San 'Shyuum|Prophet]]s are liars, but you are fools to do their bidding!"''

''A couple of Phantoms draw near, each deploying a squad of Grunts and Brutes, blocking the advance of the Master Chief and his allies. Eventually, they are cleared, and the Marines form up at a winking flare at an underground cave.''

*'''Marine''': "Those Brutes are tough."

*'''Female Marine''': "Grunts ain't no slouches either."

*''(Co-op Change)'' '''Marine ''': "Maybe the Brutes put something in their [[methane tank|tanks]]."

''After advancing through the caves, a massive forested expanse is found: the "Grunt Camp"<ref>''[[Halo 3: The Official Guide]]''</ref>. Sleeping Grunts litter the first half while a few Brutes, [[Kig-yar|Jackal]]s, and other Grunts patrol the far hills.''

*'''Marine''': "Sleepers! Take 'em out, nice and quiet! ''(On [[Heroic]] or [[Legendary]])'' Jackals, on the ridge! Stay low; looks like they've got [[Covenant Carbine|Carbines]]."

''When the team is spotted by Covenant:''

*'''Marine''': ''(on Heroic or Legendary)'' "I hate it when I'm right!"

''After the team clears the Covenant camp:''

''Beyond the encampment, a Brute Captain is torturing a Sergeant Reynolds on a log. It is possible and optional to save the Marine by killing or distracting the Brute before he kills him.''

*'''Brute Captain''': "Tell me its location!"

''If the Sergeant is not saved, the Brute Captain breaks his spine and throws him down, noticing the Master Chief and 'Vadam. If he is saved, Reynolds jumps down from the log, grabbing a nearby Assault Rifle and joining the Master Chief and 'Vadam in their fight.''

*'''Sergeant Reynolds''': "Brute Chieftain. Phantom. Pinned us down... killed my men."

''First Squad continues on until they reach another cave.''

''The minor [[UNSC]] force continues forward, towards further caves and pushing towards the river, where Johnson has established an extraction point for Second Squad. They head down a steep slope for some underground caves that lead to the river.''

 

*'''[[Cortana]] ([[Cortana Moment]])''': "Could you sacrifice me to complete your mission? Could you watch me die?" (This is a reference to The Fall of Reach when Dr. Halsey asks Cortana talking about Master Chief, "Could you sacrifice him if you had to? Could you watch him die?)

*'''Marine''': ''(looks back)'' "Sir, you okay?"

*'''Marine''': ''(concerned)'' "Your vitals just pinged KIA."

*'''Marine''': ''(looks back, on Legendary with IWHBYD)'' "Uh, you're a chick, right?"

''Second Squad leaves the caves; the river is around the next bend. Three Marine corpses are scattered on the ground, with [[BR55HB SR Battle Rifle]] ammunition and [[Fragmentation Grenade]]s.''

''Beyond the steep slope is a river substation<ref>''[[Halo 3: The Official Guide]]''</ref> next to a raging river. A pair of Pelican dropships hover above the river as gunners in their troop bays fire upon a cluster of Covenant troops that have tunneled themselves in the substation. The Pelicans are the extraction force to evacuate the Master Chief and his team.''

*'''Female Pilot (COM)''': "Hold on. Got a contact."

''As the Master Chief and his allies take out the Covenant forces that are closer to the Pelicans, two Banshees streak in along the river.''

*'''Female Pilot (COM)''': "[[Banshees]]! Fast and low!"

''The Banshees launch a high-speed strafing run against the Pelicans, and explosions cascade over them as the Pelicans rock. Echo 51's wingman collides with Echo 51.''

*'''Female Pilot (COM)''': "I'm hit! ARRGH!"

*'''Echo 51 (COM)''': "Negative! We're going down!"

''Both Pelicans streak away around the river bend. Echo 51, in a futile attempt to gain altitude, skims the top of a cliff and crashes out of sight. The Wingman attempts to do the same, but, having suffered more damage than Echo 51, immediately plunges into the river beyond the dam, most likely drowning all of the Pelican's occupants. While the Master Chief, Thel 'Vadam, and the Marines fight through to secure the substation despite two waves of Brute-led Covenant reinforcements, Johnson and his team exit the wreck of Echo 51 but are beset by a Brute ambush<ref>''Halo 3: The Official Guide''</ref>.''

*'''Marine (Co-Op)''': "Banshee's are gonna circle back, let's head into the jungle sir."

*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "Chief, can you hear me?...''(static)'' My bird's down. Half a [[Wikipedia:Klick|klick]] -''(static)''- downriver from your position."

*'''Marine''': "Jackals. On the ridge. Stay low. Looks like they got Carbines."

''After the Chief and 'Vadam pass through the short Jackal-laden "Sniper Alley"<ref>''[[Halo 3: The Official Guide]]''</ref>, they see a bridge. Three Marines are crossing it, under heavy fire, retreating from the wreckage of Echo 51. They hear Johnson's voice over the COM unit as a Brute leads a charge against the fleeing Marines.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "Come on, you dumb [[Brutes|apes]]! You want breakfast? You gotta catch it!"

''Johnson and some of the Marines frag the Brute and his fellow soldiers on the bridge, and run off into a cave.''

''The Chief and 'Vadam encounter many hostiles, including a Brute Chieftain on the side of a Phantom, who flies off when either his gunner or many of his troops are eliminated. The Chief and 'Vadam secure the area, and discover Echo 51's crash site by the riverside. The Pelican had flipped over after hitting the cliff, scattering ammunition and weapon racks, including a [[SRS99D-S2 AM Sniper Rifle]] and other munitions, around the crash site. The crashed dropship, lying on an outcropping along the valley wall, is surrounded by Assault Rifles, Battle Rifles, and Frag Grenades, and the Pelican's radio is still operational.''

''If any of Echo 51's Marines are still alive''

 

*'''Thel 'Vadam''': "Again, the Brutes show their weakness."

 

''If any Marines accompany the Chief and 'Vadam.''

''The Master Chief leads 'Vadam (and any accompanying Marines) through the caves towards where Johnson is being held.''

''At the end the Master Chief and 'Vadam reach a low cliff, viewing a Covenant-held dam. 'Vadam spots the Chieftain beating Johnson soundly on the far left in front of a small building.''

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

''The Chief and 'Vadam battle their way across the dam, taking down the Chieftain. They finally reach Johnson, who's been tied up and imprisoned behind a plasma shield.''

''The Master Chief releases the plasma shield that was imprisoning Johnson and his fellow Marines.''

''Sergeant Johnson and the Marines grab Covenant weaponry from nearby crates.''

''Two Phantoms arrive, carrying reinforcements. The Chief, 'Vadam, Johnson and any accompanying Marines hold position in the building for shelter until Kilo 23 arrives.''

''The Pelican Drop Ship Kilo 23 rounds the river bend, directly in front of the two hovering Phantoms. Hocus, Kilo 23's pilot, lets loose a missile barrage, etching the air with vapor contrails as the first Phantom explodes in a brilliant coruscation of light.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Come on Chief! The world won't save itself!"

''Kilo 23 proceeds to descend into a hole in the ground.''

*At the start of the level, players can hear animalistic howls. These are made by nearby [[Brutes]].

*"Bravo Kilo" is another word for "[[Brute]]", being phonetic code for "Baby [[Wikipedia:King Kong|Kong]]", a joke about the species' ape-like appearance.

*If [[N’tho ‘Sraom]] reaches the middle point cutscene/checkpoint of the level, he will appear in the cutscene instead of 'Vadam (Arbiter) and say his dialogue.

*This is the only beginning mission in the entire Halo trilogy (Halo: CE, Halo 2, Halo 3) in which [[Kig-yar|Jackals]] appear.

*It seems that all of the kills Hocus gains through her missiles are headshots. This can be seen by turning on the [http://halopedian.com/Halo_3_Skulls#Grunt_Birthday_Party Grunt Birthday Party skull] and leaving some grunts alive at the bridge, then quickly rushing to the bridge (note that the player is not supposed to actually try to kill them, due to her missiles being able to kill the player.) When her missiles kill the [[Grunts]], one can easily see the confetti and hear the children laughter.

*If the player makes the marines turn against he/she, the player cannot enter Kilo 23 to end the level.

 

*The [[Arbiter Eye Glitch]] glitch can been seen on this level, if paused in Theater mode right at the start of the level before the game goes to full screen.

*In [[Theater]], it is possible to see a six-winged bird. At the start, when the player sees the first [[Brute]], three birds will sometimes fly low through the area and get stuck on the rock that the Brute is standing on, overlapping and forming a six-winged bird. It will disappear in a few seconds, so one may have to view the level in the [[Theater]] and pause when one sees it to get a good look at it.

*There are two [[vacation]]s that can be performed in this level. (See: [[Sierra 117 Vacation]].)

*It is possible to "break" the level by tossing a [[Plasma Grenade]] at [[Kilo 23 (Pelican)|Kilo 23]]'s cockpit at the end of the level. The grenade will pass through the door to the cockpit and kill [[Hocus]], causing the [[Pelican]] to fall through the level's geometry and disappear. Caution: Kilo 23 is rather large. if it falls on you, you may be splattered.

*If, during the ''Charlie Foxtrot'' chapter, you shoot [[Avery Junior Johnson|Johnson]] off of the bridge as he crosses it, he will begin to fight the [[Grunts]], and if you are playing on a sufficient difficulty (Legendary with a few gold skulls on), he can be knocked back by grenades and [[Brute Shot]] blasts. On rare occasions, he will be held back and rejoin your group, and on other occasions, he may get "stuck" against an environmental obstacle, able to move but refusing to do so. When you go to the bottleneck of the forest before the [[Brute Chieftain]] locks Johnson in the room, he will vanish. If done correctly, when you look at Johnson being held by the chieftain, he will be running and wielding his rifle.

*When playing on [[Heroic]] or [[Legendary]], you can use a glitch to get the [[Energy Sword]] that Thel 'Vadam wields. Deliberately weaken the Arbiter by destroying his shield. Either make sure you see his Energy Sword on his hips, or when near enemies, he'll take it out. Kill him by either sticking him with a Plasma Grenade or letting the Covenant kill him (though the latter method will make it harder to find 'Vadam's corpse and his Energy Sword). When the deed is done, pick up the sword and it'll have around one to five energy left. If you want a fully-charged '''Energy Sword''', repeat the steps again, but wait several seconds after 'Vadam respawns, or he will see you as a traitor, and kill you with one shot or melee attack.

*In the area where the two Pelicans are shot down by [[Banshee]]s, as you head back into the jungle, you may be able to grenade the Arbiter off the cliff and onto the waterfall. He will slide down into the water, some distance beneath the surface, and run around for a little while. If you fire at him, you may be able to hear him faintly utter the usual phrases (e.x. "Save your fire for the Brutes!"). He will typically head off to the right (your right, when facing the entrance to the jungle) and travel some distance before reappearing back on the cliff, blindly running into a wall until you approach him.

*At the end of the level, you can shake Hocus's Pelican. To do this, you'll need the [[Gravity Hammer]] and possibly some Plasma Grenades. Jump on top of the Pelican once it comes to pick you up, by using the ledge to the left of it. Whack the tail end with the Gravity Hammer, or throw Plasma Grenades at it, making sure it moves away from the bridge. If done properly, the Pelican should move around.

*Even though the time line takes place in the morning, the actual in-game background scenery tells a different story. If you use the position of the sun, the orientation of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Chief's position at [[Blind Skull]], the time would be late in the afternoon, near the winter solstice. So obviously, the sun is in the wrong place.

===Easter Eggs===

{{Main|Easter Egg}}

*The [[Halo_3_skulls#Iron|Iron Skull]] is found on this level.

*The [[Halo_3_skulls#Blind|Blind Skull]] is found on this level.

*At the beginning of the level after the Arrival, it is rumored that [[B-113-421]]'s roars can be heard before entering the pool area. However, this is questionable since B-113-421 is only present and mentioned in [[Believe]] which was non-canon.

*Near the end of the level, you can use the [[Elevator Glitch]] where the skull is located to get on top of the glass structure. If you walk across the structure and proceed onto the side of the cliff you will be able to find a lone caveman, which is similar to the cavemen you can find at the beginning of the level.

*You can also use the Elevator Glitch to get onto the platform above the Skull. You will need the chieftain's Gravity Hammer to get up. Once you are up, get your co-op pal to commit suicide. They should respawn above the player on the ledge above the skull. Once you have beaten the map, you can wander around above the dam and up into the hills on foot. There are numerous features like small hills and large holes in the ground. It has yet to be fully explored.

*If player one takes too long to board Hocus's Pelican at the end of the level, [[Avery Junior Johnson|Johnson]] might say, "Come on, Chief! The fight isn't gonna' finish itself!" This is an obvious reference to the ''[[Halo 3]]'' motto, "Finish the fight!".

*There are invisible floors on this level that make it seem like you are walking the stairway to Heaven. To do this, just use the Elevator Glitch to get out of the map near the dam area by the Iron Skull.

*The Achievement "[[Landfall]]" is the same name as the Halo Shorts Series, [[Halo: Landfall]].

<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape">

File:Concept-H3-Sierra-Kilimanjaro.jpg|Concept art of Mount Kilimanjaro.

File:Arbiter_Jungle2.jpg|[[John-117]] accosts [[Thel 'Vadam]].

File:Defending_the_Pelicans.jpg|The Chief watches as [[D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship|Pelicans]] are attacked by [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]].

File:Grunt_Jungle.jpg|An [[Unggoy]] lance in the jungle.

File:Marine_Jungle.jpg|John-117 leading a [[Marine]] fireteam.

File:Brute_with_Shield.jpg|A [[Brute]] preparing to attack John-117.

File:MCwaterfall.jpg|The calm before the storm.

File:9672743-Full.jpg|A [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard]] torturing [[Gunnery Sergeant Reynolds]].

File:59902982-Medium.jpg‎|Two Avery J. Johnsons as the result of a glitch.

<references/>

 

{{succession box | before = ''[[Arrival]]'' <br />| title = ''Halo 3'' Campaign Missions | years = '''''Sierra 117''''' |after = ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''}}

{{Level|H3}}

[[Category:Halo 3 Campaign|false]]