Cortana (level)

Looking for Cortana, the Human AI?

Cortana is the ninth campaign mission (eighth playable mission) of Halo 3.

It takes place in the Flood infested High Charity. Your mission is to find Cortana in order to activate the new Halo ring.

Upon completing it on the Normal, Heroic, or Legendary difficulties, the player will earn the "The Key" achievement and 40 Gamerpoints. Earning over 15,000 points in the campaign meta-game on this level will give the player the Orpheus achievement and 10 Gamerscore.

A curious note to add to this level is that if you listen carefully, Cortana will say some quotes by Dr. Halsey from Halo: The Fall of Reach. The Gravemind will also repeat his line "two corpses, in one grave" that he first said in the penultimate Halo 2 level - High Charity.

This level has been infamous among the community for being overly difficult, frustrating and generally not very fun, along with Combat Evolved's The Library. The entire level is covered with Flood 'sludge', which is thought to be flesh of dead bodies. This means that enemies easily blend into the scenery, thus making the level very difficult. Some fans have even claimed it is one of the worst Halo single player missions ever made and a few have even labeled it as the 'worst video game level ever designed'. These are often players who have only played Halo 3. In contrast, many other players enjoy the level for its challenge. A few players have commented that the levels layout is simply too confusing for those playing it the first time. This is because the enormous amount of enemies and maze like pathways. Despite all this, many praise Bungie for making this as realistic as possible.

Transcript
{Cutscene}

''The Master Chief flies a Banshee to High Charity. He finds an opening into the hive. (In co-op, Thel 'Vadam will follow the Chief and land his Banshee next to the Spartan's Banshee)''


 * Johnson (COM): "Chief, I'll round up our survivors, fall back to the Dawn."

Master Chief drops down onto a wide platform from a hole above ('Vadam follows him in co-op)


 * Johnson (COM): "Arbiter will do the same with the Elites."

-(Co-op Change) Johnson (COM): "Shipmaster will do the same with the Elites." (Note there are no subtitles for this line, since the text varies)

The Chief shakes off organic material that is stuck to his boot.


 * Johnson (COM): "Cortana's in there somewhere..."

Rampant
Graverobber.

{Gameplay}

Chief begins searching, further in the hive.


 * Gravemind (Gravemind Moment): "Child of my enemy, why have you come? I offer no forgiveness; a father's sins passed to his son."

A little later.


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): (A strange mix of cries of agony and maniacal laughter)


 * Cortana (coming out of a speaker within a crashed Pelican): "I tried to stay hidden, but there was no escape! He cornered me, wrapped me tight and brought me close."

As the Chief goes deeper into the hive.


 * Gravemind (Gravemind Moment): "Of course, you came for her.... We exist together now. Two corpses, in one grave."


 * Cortana: (sounds distant, then when "stolen" is said, sounds suddenly close) "A collection of lies; that's all I am! Stolen thoughts and memories!"


 * Gravemind (Gravemind Moment): "And yet, perhaps a part of her... remains?"


 * Cortana: (deranged laughter)

''In the large room where the Tilt skull is located, a Terminal can be activated, but does not count towards the Marathon Man achievement. If activated, it displays another Cortana Moment)''


 * Cortana (Terminal): It was the coin's fault! I wanted to make you strong, keep you safe (drop in tone). I'm sorry, I can't...

(Reference to earlier sections of Halo: Fall of Reach in which Doctor Catherine Elizabeth Halsey examines John-117 as a potential Spartan II candidate)

Cortana begins to show clear signs of malfunctioning.


 * Cortana: (casually and kindly, as though nothing is wrong) "May I speak with you, please? ... What's your name? It's very nice to meet you! ... You like games? So do I."

(Also reference to earlier sections of Halo: Fall of Reach in which Doctor Catherine Elizabeth Halsey examines John-117 as a potential Spartan II candidate) The Chief struggles through into more narrow, Flood contaminated tunnels.


 * Cortana: (upset) "I'm just my Mother's shadow... don't look at me, don't listen! I'm not who I used to be..."

As the Chief nears a large room {with the route to the reactor room at the top}.


 * Gravemind (Gravemind Moment): (angry) "Time has taught me PATIENCE! But basking in new freedom, I will know ALL THAT I POSSESS!"

En route to the reactor room.


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): (Panicking) "I have walked the edge of the abyss. I have seen your future, and I have learned!"

The image of Cortana suddenly turns a tinge of green, and clutches its head and writhes in pain.


 * Gravemind (Gravemind Moment): (Shouting angrily.) "SUBMIT! END HER TORMENT AND MY OWN!!"

The Chief enters the reactor room, passing by bones and skulls back at the entrance.

The Chief finds a door out the reactor room, and follows it.


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): (Panicking) "There will be no more sadness, no more anger, no more envy!" (a possible reference to the three main stages of rampancy.)


 * Gravemind (Gravemind Moment): "You WILL show me what she hides, or I shall feast upon your BONES!"

The Chief begins to reach the end of the hallway.


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): ''(Speaking in a flat, monotone voice as though brainwashed. Her image is green.) "This is UNSC AI Serial Number CTN 0452-9. I am a monument to all your sins."

''The Chief rushes to the end of the hallway, to find Cortana lying prone in a Stasis Shield in a center podium. The room resembles the Sanctum of the Hierarchs. He beats and bashes the shield until it finally fails.''

{Cutscene}


 * Cortana: (weakly) "...you found me..."

''Master Chief leans closer towards the panel Cortana's on. The AI lies pitifully on the podium, with an expression of pain and suffering on her face.''


 * Cortana: (weakly) "But so much of me is wrong... out of place. You might be too late..."


 * Master Chief: "You know me. When I make a promise..."

She looks up at the Chief.


 * Cortana: "...you... keep it. (she raises her head, and sounds amused) I do know how to pick 'em."


 * Master Chief: "Lucky me. Do you still have it?"

Cortana slowly gets up, recovering her strength.


 * Cortana: "The Activation Index from the first Halo ring. A little souvenir I held onto... just in case. (she looks around) Got an escape plan?"


 * Master Chief: "Thought I'd try shooting my way out - mix things up a little."

''The Chief takes Cortana's old data chip out of his helmet and holds it in front of her. Cortana touches its core and uploads herself into the chip, and the Chief inserts Cortana back, at long last, into his armour. The music builds.''


 * Cortana: (jokingly exasperated) "Just keep your head down... There's two of us in here now, remember." (This is a reference to Halo: Combat Evolved, where Cortana would say "Hey, keep your head down, there's two of us here now, remember?!" When the Master Chief first loses a health bar on the first level, Pillar of Autumn.)

Nor Hell A Fury...
Shoot your way out.

{Gameplay}

If the Chief continues to stay in the room Cortana was in.
 * Cortana:(weakly) "Chief, get me out of this place. I... I don't want to stay."

The Chief heads back up the hallway.


 * Gravemind (Gravemind Moment): (roars) "Now, at last, I see! Her secret is revealed!"

The Master Chief makes it back into the reactor room.


 * Cortana:(weakly) "Wait, we need to buy some time. This reactor... start a chain reaction. Destroy High Charity."

''The Flood begins to swarm the reactor room, realizing the Chief's plan. However he successfully destroys all three reactor pylons.''


 * Gravemind: (Roars in pain)


 * Cortana: "You hurt it, Chief. But not for long. We need to get to Halo - destroy the Flood once and for all."

If the Chief takes too long
 * Cortana: "An explosion just made us an exit! I'll mark it on your HUD, Chief, go!"

When the Chief reaches the halfway point escaping.


 * Cortana: "Analyzing the route ahead... I have it mostly figured out. Just keep moving, I'll update your HUD as you go."

Cortana: "Corridors ahead have all collapsed. I'll find another way, Chief; be careful."


 * Cortana: "There, Chief, into the maintenance tunnel."

The Chief finds his way back when...

(Single-Player Only'')
 * Cortana: "I've got a friendly contact! But who would be crazy enough to come in here?"

''Chief and Cortana find The Arbiter battling Flood with a Flamethrower. The Chief assists.''


 * Cortana: (Amused) "Wait, you two made nice?! What else have you been up to while I was gone...?"

{Cutscene}

The Master Chief and The Arbiter find a Pelican, possibly from the In Amber Clad'' nearby and board it. The Chief uploads Cortana into the Pelican's holotank and starts up the engines. One of the Gravemind's tentacles advances to the Dropship, but the heat from the thrust forces it to retreat. The Pelican takes off, smoke pouring lightly from the left engine. The tentacle comes back and tries to wrap around the Dropship, but the Chief escapes its grip. The Pelican barely escapes from a massive explosion caused by the reactor going critical as High Charity is finally destroyed, and the Pelican makes its way to the new Halo ring.''

Walkthrough
The recommended active skulls on this mission are Tough Luck and Catch. Tough Luck doesn't have much of an effect since the room for the Flood to evade your grenades is limited. As for Catch, the Flood doesn't use grenades, so it's a consequence-free multiplier.

Please also note that the Flood-infested High Charity is a completely different environment to the one visited in after being teleported by Gravemind in Halo 2. It is disturbingly easy to lose your way, so always keep attention. Beating this mission is a matter of measured progression and the right weaponry is essential. The Brute Shot, Energy Sword, Shotgun, Plasma rifle and Gravity Hammer are highly recommended weapons for use against the Flood in this mission. The confined spaces make for several close-quarters battles, so a good Melee weapons can always be useful. A key irritation in this level is the amount of Ranged forms that hang from the ceilings, so carrying a medium-to-long ranged firearm is also essential.

SEARCH FOR CORTANA Drop down and fire upon the Infection Forms. Unless you're actively seeking a higher score, make sure they do not animate any of the corpses nearby. Replace your Assault Rifle with a Plasma Rifle and collect some grenades prior to moving on. Plasma-based weaponry is more effective against shielded Combat Forms, should you encounter any. Throughout this mission, take care not to shoot the fleshy sacs on the walls. They will release Infection Forms if hit with anything other than a direct Flamethrower burst.

As you round the corner, a few sacs filled with Infection Forms will automatically explode. Eliminate them quickly so that they don't re-animate any bodies. Head up the sloped path to reach the chamber's upper level. Find some grenades and grab a second Plasma Rifle to dual-wield with the first. Also replace your Shotgun with an Energy Sword.

When you reach the portal in the floor (these round sphincter-like orifices that act as doors), drop through it and immediately take cover in the corner behind you. After a moment or two, Combat Forms will move into the open. Blast them one-by-one with your Plasma Rifle, ducking back into cover if your shields are down or if your weapons have overheated. After the Combat Forms withdraw, Carrier Forms will begin waddling towards you. Destroy them with grenades - the Plasma and Incendiary varieties work best. If you can find a Brute Shot around here, take it in place of the Plasma Rifles.

Expect to find many Pure Forms and Combat Forms on top of the fleshy hill. The best tactic here is to dash over to the crashed Pelican straight away. The journey there could be a bit fraught, but you can find useful equipment there, the Flamethrower in particular. It'll make the battle much less difficult, especially on higher difficulties, so a good idea would be to grab it. if you're lucky, the Flood won't follow. Take camp there, luring Combat Forms and Pure Forms towards you. The latter are easy prey for the Flamethrower.

Be cautious as you leave the Pelican, Pure Forms and Combat Forms might be still lurking around. Run to the other side of the hill, and make your way to the chamber exit. Note that a slope to the left of the portal leads to an upper level where you can acquire two Plasma Grenades and an Incendiary Grenade. The next corridor is empty, and easy to find your way through.

The room after that contains a small slope and several Infection Forms. The chamber is filled with dead Elites and Brutes, as well as some grenades. Pick these up to replenish your supply. Use short bursts of flame to avoid the re-animation of Combat Forms. You can throw a grenade to set off a chain reaction and weaken or kill those which do rise. In the next tunnel, either grab a Gravity Hammer or Energy Sword (your choice), then drop through the hole to continue.

After you pass through the entrance, head straight to the left. This area provides cover from a group of Ranged Forms as you dismember the first wave of Combat Forms. Operate from here, drawing the Flood to your position.

Another way to beat this mission would be to use a better player to escort you in Co-op. You follow them and do not stop to take out anything just run to each point. Keep the Energy Sword handy if you run into some trouble but you can take whatever weapons you feel like. This only works on lower difficulty and you will still die a lot.

Shotguns are also very useful, but ammo is very limited. Use it until you make it to the crashed pelican, get the ammo, and make sure you have an Assault Rifle/SMG or Plasma Rifle to take care of swarming infection forms. Also pick up the Flamethrower to incinerate anything in your way!

Trivia

 * The Mausoleum of the Arbiter can be seen in the distance when standing near the crashed Pelican. This and the Prophets' Inner Sanctum are essentially the only recognizable features of High Charity in Halo 2 that can be seen in Halo 3. One can see in the Bungie feature "Flood Autopsy", that they had originally planned to have the Flood re-animate all Arbiter corpses in the room, creating an Arbiter army for the player to fight.
 * Nearly all of the Cortana Moments are quotes from The Fall of Reach, such as at Crow's Nest it is a direct quote from the speech Dr. Halsey, and many in Cortana (level) involve or are quotes from the genius, Dr. Halsey.
 * The section of the level after saving Cortana is called 'Nor Hell A Fury...', referencing the poem by William Congreve 'The Mourning Bride'. The entire line is 'Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned', possibly referencing Cortana, who, after months of torment, now has the ability to light the newly constructed Halo ring and destroy the Ark, as well as the Flood.
 * Thematically, this level also has much in common with the levels Keyes and The Maw. It depicts the Chief venturing alone into a vessel to rescue a comrade or friend, from the Flood, most specifically for a data construct in their possession; and detonate the fusion reactor core. In this case the objective is the Index to fire Halo; in Keyes it was the Captain's neural implants to destroy The Pillar of Autumn.
 * The room where Cortana is located, is a remake of the room from the level High Charity from Halo 2. This room is located before the final gravity lift, where Cortana says, "Apparently these are the Prophet Hierarch's private quarters, their inner sanctum". In the "inner sanctum" there are three doors, two located opposite one another, with a third, opposite a large view screen. In the level High Charity, the Chief enters through the third door, and exits through the door on his right; in the level Cortana from Halo 3, he enters through the door that was locked in Halo 2 (opposite the door that leads to the final gravity lift). The graphic design of the room and the rest of High Charity's interior has been remodeled in Halo 3. It resembles the corridors of the CCS-Truth and Reconciliation from Halo: Combat Evolved.
 * There is a area with a dead ODST (not the crashed Pelican). It is unknown how he made it so far from the Pelican or if he was from the Frigate In Amber Clad before the Flood attacked High Charity. There is also a Flamethrower in this area which hints to a final stand since he's in a pipe area with one opening.
 * After obtaining Cortana, there is a skull on a ledge-like structure (It's purple and is kind of bulbous at the end) overhead after you exit the hallway that lead to Cortana. To get it, you need to get the Deployable Cover, deploy it on the floor directly in front of the edge of the roof, jump on the deployed cover and crouch jump onto the roof. Once on top of the roof, locate the skull towards the apex of the angled roof and get the skull. Please note that this skull has no affiliation with the "13 required skulls" list and, if carried for the rest of the level, will start Master Chief with a Spartan laser on the next level. This may only work with certain skull combination's and/or other factors in game play.
 * One of Cortana's lines, "There will be no more sadness. No more anger. No more envy," appears to reference Marathon's stages of Rampancy; Melancholia, Anger and Jealousy respectively.
 * The line "It's the coin's fault," is a reference to where John was brought into the Spartan program. He identified the side of a 20th century quarter that was about to the hit the ground before it did in Halo: The Fall of Reach.
 * On single-player campaign at the end of the level, go out to where the Pelican is, and look to your right. You will see the Banshee the Arbiter rode in on. While you can get to it and destroy it, you cannot enter it, and oddly, grenades will not stick to it.
 * Much of High Charity is flooded with water; the reason for this is that it crash-landed in a large body of water near the Ark's Control Citadel. This can be seen by going out to the crashed Pelican and looking towards the Mausoleum and looking downwards.
 * Sometimes in the level, you will walk above a room where Infection Forms are running on top of each other.
 * In co-op, after saving Cortana and destabilizing the generators, if one player stays behind in the hallway with the hole, the generator room will disappear and the room will be replaced by the other player's point of view.
 * The Flood Portas have 7 parts, a direct reference to the number seven. There are also 7 Portals in the level.
 * During the level, you will find dead Elites wearing Assault Armour. One of them should be glitching by doing his death position in mid-air although; it looks like his foot seems to be stuck on one of the corrupted Flood rock-like. If you stick his body or deck it, the corpse will fall. That is the only way except for a Brute Shot grenade or other explosive.
 * In the room with the reactors you have to destroy, there is a secret skull you can get that is on the platform above. It is possible to get to that platform with the Cowbell skull activated.
 * This is the last level to not have any vehicles at all.