“Chief, I’ll round up our survivors, fall back to the Dawn.  Arbiter will do the same with the Elites.  Cortana’s in there somewhere…” [Cortana, Halo 3]

In all likelihood, Johnson is as unaware of the Chief’s plan as we are, at this point.  But he knows that for whatever reason, the Chief needs to find Cortana.  Anything beyond that – the defeat of the Flood – is probably more than the Sergeant can contemplate at the moment; with Truth dead, the Covenant has been irreversibly shattered – but its destruction did not come without a final casualty: Miranda’s body most likely rests in the rear of Johnson’s Pelican.  For now, he must retreat, and let the Chief handle things.

The music here reflects this falling action, even bordering on sadness – perhaps for Johnson’s sake, or just simply echoing the drastic changes that have taken place, both for humanity, the Covenant, and the Sangheili.

The environment that we find ourselves dropped into is reminiscent of the latter half of the level, “Floodgate,” which took place inside of a Flood-infected Covenant carrier.  The Flood’s capture of High Charity – which we first witnessed at the end of Halo 2 – is obviously complete.  Bits of Covenant architecture can still be seen, but familiar fleshly walls, oily pulsating pods, and stalactite-like tendrils now make up the interior of what was once a part of the Covenant’s holy city.

The title of the first chapter is displayed: “Rampant.”  Cortana’s behavior throughout the game has been odd, to say the least, and we know from the Halo novels that A.I.s like Cortana do not live longer than seven years – and preceding their “deaths,” the A.I. enter an insanity-like state known as “rampancy.”

[Cortana] would pay a price for her genius, however. Such growth eventually led to self-interference. Cortana would one day literally start thinking too much at the expense of her normal functions. It was as if a human were to think with so much of his brain that he stopped sending impulses to his heart and lungs.

Like all the other smart AIs that Dr. Halsey had worked with over the years, Cortana would effectively “die” after an operational life of seven years. [Halo: The Fall of Reach, pg. 235]

…a terminal state known as rampancy, in which an AI rebelled against its programmatic constraints – developed delusions of godlike power as well as utter contempt for its mentally inferior, human makers. [Halo: Contact Harvest, pg. 31]

Cortana, having been created from one of the most brilliant minds available – Dr. Catherine Halsey – might be prone to entering this state more quickly than other A.I.s.  At least, it certainly seems that way.

Moving forward, a dark tunnel on the right can lead you to an early cache of a couple of plasma rifles and an energy sword.

“Child of my enemy, why have you come? I offer no forgiveness for father’s sins passed to his son.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

The Gravemind knows that the Chief is here… he asks a question that, of course, he knows the answer to – at least in part.  He then reminds the Chief of the grudge that he holds against the human’s “father” – the Forerunners – for defeating him, and imprisoning him for millennia.

After moving through several… interesting “doorways,” Cortana appears in the non-physical way that she has been using for the duration of the game.  No words – she writhes in agony, audibly suffering due to some unknown cause.

Immediately following her interlude, the first Flood of the level attack.  The game has graciously started you with a shotgun, but with no Battle Rifle, doing battle with them usually turns into a game of hit-and-run tactics.

Once you’re past the fighting – or halfway through it – you can move outside of the enclosed hallways and find a downed Pelican.

Various weaponry can be found at the read of the Pelican, such as a rocket launcher, frag grenades, and even a flamethrower.  What is more interesting, however, is what sounds like a transmission coming from the radio of the Pelican – it is Cortana:

“I ran… tried to stay hidden… but there was no escape!  It cornered me!  Wrapped me tight and brought me close.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

You can download the audio here.

Perhaps in her rampancy – if that is what is happening – she is broadcasting random thoughts onto various UNSC radio frequencies.  Here, she tells the tale of her first encounter with the Gravemind, which we caught a glimpse of after the credits of Halo 2.

Also outside, you can catch a stunning view of the interior of High Charity.  The lower area of the domed city, which once contained the bulk of the city, with the Dreadnought at its center (as seen in this screenshot from Gemini), is now filled with liquid, and completely unrecognizable.  This is what’s left of the Covenant capital city.

There is one structure remaining, however, that is recognizable.

You might remember it from Halo 2 – The Mausoleum of the Arbiter (you can see a screenshot here).  What was once the final resting place of the most fearsome Sangheili warriors is now simply another piece of scrap in a swamp of debris.

At this point, we have to note the problems with scale here. The Mausoleum is obviously not as large in Halo 2 as it appears here in Halo 3. Here, it takes up a huge portion of the interior the domed city! The possibility exists that we’re inside of a much smaller dome on the city floor of High Charity… but I don’t think that that is likely; there’s nothing to suggest that, at least. And even without the Mausoleum, it definitely feels much smaller than the High Charity we visited in Halo 2. The most plausible explanation is that the scale is just simply off.

The Flood press hard in this area, but with the firepower provided by the rocket launcher – as well as a lot of running, and covering your back, you can press forward to the next area, and onto another message from the Gravemind.  There’s also a flamethrower located nearby, which slows you down, but can deal out some damage.

“Of course, you came for her. We exist together now – two corpses, in one grave.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

This is not the first time the Gravemind has used this line.  He also spoke it in Halo 2, in the level “High Charity,” as he was infiltrating the city.  Then, it was in reference to the Prophet of Mercy, who had recently died during the Flood’s attack on the city.

Following this, Cortana speaks, her voice oddly child-like:

“A collection of lies – that’s all I am!  Stolen thoughts and memories!” [Cortana, Halo 3]

Cortana reflects on her existence – which is based entirely from the thoughts and memories of Dr. Halsey.  If not yet rampant, she appears to be very near to the state.

For  a smart AI, self-absorption invariably led to a deep depression caused by a realization that it could never really be human – that even its incredible mind had limits. [Halo: Contact Harvest, pg. 31]

This text describes exactly what it sounds like Cortana is experiencing – a deep depression set on by heavy reflection of her creation and existence.

Gravemind follows up:

“And yet, perhaps a part of her… remains?” (Cortana laughs) [Cortana, Halo 3]

The Gravemind’s best tactic is that of confusion and trickery – he brought down the entire Forerunner race due to his turning of Mendicant Bias (as told in the terminals).  Here, disguised verbally as hope, he offers despair.

Elite and Brute bodies, along with assorted weaponry, can be found in the next room.  Linger, however, and these bodies will rise up, infected, to attack you.

Upon reaching an opening in the floor, and dropping down, you’ll find yourself in semi-familiar territory.  Recognizable Covenant architecture greets you – the tall doorways which we’ve seen since the first game.

A Flood army awaits you in the next area, which may be even more familiar than many realize.

The base geometry of this room has been taken directly from the Elite carrier, Shadow of Intent, as seen here (this room can also be explored, as I briefly detailed in this post at our forums).  The room here, however, is radically different due to the Flood infestation.  I find it interesting, though, that the bridge of a once-Covenant carrier would be replicated identically inside of High Charity.  Perhaps we’re actually in a carrier that is resting inside of High Charity?  Or maybe Bungie just needed the geometry, and decided to pull it from the assault carrier.

While being assaulted by the Flood in this room, Cortana speaks aloud:

“May I speak with you, please?  What’s your name?  It’s very nice to meet you!  You like games?  So do I.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

This bit of dialogue is taken directly from the novel, Halo: The Fall of Reach. Much like the game did in the first few levels, Cortana’s words here were actually spoken by Dr. Halsey – remember, Halsey’s memories were transferred to Cortana during her creation.  These lines were spoken during Halsey’s first meeting with John.

“Can I speak with you, please?” she asked, and continued to stare at her subject. [Halo: The Fall of Reach, pg. 24]

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“I’m John,” he said.  The boy held out his hand. [Halo: The Fall of Reach, pg. 24]

She shook his hand and was surprised by the strength in his minuscule grip.  “It’s very nice to meet you.” [Halo: The Fall of Reach, pg. 24]

“You like games,” she said.  “So do I.” [Halo: The Fall of Reach, pg. 24]

The quotes are broken up like this because they occurred at various points throughout Halsey and John’s conversation.

One important point to note is Cortana’s inflection on the last line: “You like games?  So do I.”  In the novel, Halsey is speaking to a child, attempting to win his affections.  We can’t audibly hear her, of course, but we can imagine what her tone would be, and it is much different than how Cortana speaks the same line in Halo 3.  Perhaps the line has a different meaning this time around?

Above this room, in a pile of bones, is the Tilt skull.

You’ll need to pull off a few jumps in order to reach this skull.  The easiest way to do this is by jumping off of the Covenant boxes or pedestal-like post, and then moving to the mushroom-esque platforms that line the walls.  You can see all of this, and the organic bridge that leads to the skull’s location, in the screenshot below.

Beneath the glass of the main floor, there is a hidden area, which contains a few things – one being a cloak.  The other is a little more interesting – what has come to be known as “the eighth terminal,” or the Cortana terminal.

Activating this terminal triggers a “Cortana flash,” in which Cortana delivers this bit of dialogue:

“It was the coin’s fault!  I wanted to make you strong, keep you safe.  I’m sorry… I can’t.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

These lines are very interesting, for a couple of reasons.  They are, of course, a reference to the Halo: The Fall of Reach:

“It’s very simple. I toss the coin like this.” She flicked her wrist, snapped her thumb, and the coin arced, spinning into the air and landed in the sand. “Next time, though, before it lands, I want you to tell me if it will fall with the face of the man showing or with the eagle holding the arrows.”

“I got it.” John tensed, bent his knees, and then his eyes seemed to lose their focus on her and the coin.

She tossed it, making sure there was plenty of spin.

…his hand snapped out and snatched the quarter out of the air.

He held up his closed hand. “Eagle!” he shouted.

She tentatively reached for his hand and peeled open the tiny fist.

The quarter lay in his palm: the eagle shining in the orange sun. [Halo: The Fall of Reach, pgs. 24-26]

Cortana blames the Chief’s predicament – his entire life, at this point, perhaps – on luck.  Her dialogue during the opening cutscene of the game, spoke of this luck in an entirely different manner:

“They let me pick, did I ever tell you that?  Choose whichever Spartan I wanted.  You know me. I did my research; watched as you became the soldier we needed you to be.  Like the others, you were strong and swift and brave.  A natural leader.  But you had something they didn’t.  Something no one saw, but me.  Can you guess?

Luck.

Was I wrong?” [Arrival, Halo 3]

Then, Cortana made it sound as though the Chief’s luck, if there is such a thing, was the very reason that she picked him; his luck obviously being a quality to be desired – seemingly the most important quality.  Now, however, she speaks of it in anger: the Chief’s luck is what got him into this position, not her!  She tried her best to help him, but she couldn’t undo the coin’s decision.

“I’m just my mother’s shadow.  Don’t look at me, don’t listen!  I’m not who I used to be…” [Cortana, Halo 3]

I wonder if the Chief feels guilty over what’s happening to her?

“Time has taught me patience!  But basking in new freedom, I will know all that I possess!” [Cortana, Halo 3]

The Gravemind bellows this line in fury, and it is obvious that he is angry over something.  “Will know all that I possess,” – It appears as though something that he controls is hidden from him; perhaps Cortana is hiding something important.

The next room is a multi-tiered area that, in some ways, reminds me of the Halo 1 multiplayer map, Prisoner.  Moving to the top floor in here, however, is a bit less fun.  Flood Pure forms hang on the walls, and will bombard you with projectiles as you try and move around the room.  There is a variety of equipment – such as cloaks, Bubble Shields, and Deployable Covers – and weapons to be found in the tunnels around the edge of the area, but these do little to increase the enjoyment of this area.  It is most enjoyed, in my opinion, by deploying a cloak and getting out of there as quickly as possible.

Enjoyable or not, this level has some of the more beautiful interior sections of the entire game.

You’ll find yourself next in an extremely large room, with platforms situated over, and around, a deep pit.  Where there was once only a single bridge leading out to a control panel at the center of the room, there now exists multiple ways to move across the room, with Flood organic matter creating an addition two bridges to the center platform.  A large explosion rocks the room as you enter, sending a piece of Covenant machinery dropping to the depths below.

The Flood have done a number on this room, and it is, in my opinion, one of the more impressive interior sections seen in the game.

Luckily, the Flood here don’t move too fast, and you can typically move through this entire area without being forced to engage any enemies.

There is, however, a reason to slow down and look around.

Amidst a pile of bones, on a ledge overlooking the area, you can find a skull.

The easiest way to get to this skull is by jumping off of the weapon crates that were to your left as soon as you entered this area.

Then, follow the top ledge around to the skull.

This skull is unique among all of the rest; it is still unknown as to what its effects are.  The general consensus among the Halo community is that the skull is a “second Blind skull,” meaning that if you have not unlocked the Blind skull upon picking this one up, it will unlock that option for you in the Campaign lobby.  A secondary effect is that, if you carry it to the end of the level, you will start with a Spartan Laser in the next level.

Beyond these effects, nothing more is known.  It’s possible that the skull is a mistake, and was meant to be taken out before the game shipped; it’s also possible, of course, that it has more effects, which have yet to be discovered.

Once you reach the hallway at the exit of the area, Cortana speaks, and is followed by the Gravemind:

“I have walked the edge of the abyss.  I have seen your future and I have learned!”

“Submit!  End her torment and my own!” [Cortana, Halo 3]

They volley once more:

“There will be no more sadness, no more anger, no more envy!”

“You will show me what she hides, or I shall feast upon your bones!” [Cortana, Halo 3]

Cortana’s dialogue here is taken from the first “Cortana Letter.”  Here is an excerpt:

I have walked the edge of the Abyss.

I have governed the unwilling.

I have witnessed countless empires break before me.

I have seen the most courageous soldiers fall away in fear.

[I was there with the Angel at the tomb]

I have seen your future.

And I have learned.

There will be no more Sadness. No more Anger. No more Envy.

I HAVE WON. [The first Cortana Letter, 02/15/99]

The Cortana Letters (which can be found here) are a series of e-mails which were sent from a Bungie e-mail address to the Marathon story page back in 1999 – they were, presumably, part of an ARG which built up hype for the announcement of Halo, which occurred approximately four months after the e-mails were sent.  A bit from the first letter was also used during the Halo 3 Announcement Trailer: “This is the way the world ends.”

The meaning of the majority of the text in the letters is still unknown – Halo’s lead writer, Joseph Staten, said in an interview in August of 2006:

The Halo story has as many loose threads as influences. And we do our best to sew the former into canon as we find them – are reminded of their potential. The Cortana Letters are an excellent example of this phenomenon. For all sorts of reasons, they lingered in canonical purgatory for years. But when we needed some compelling dialog to remind folks what’s at stake in Halo 3: Bam! Newfound utility! Alas, I’d have to say that, as of now, the only canonized parts of the letters are the fragments we pulled for use in the announcement trailer. [Joe Staten, 08/2006]

…and, now, of course, the parts which have been pulled for the dialogue in this level.

The part of the text which Cortana speaks here – about sadness, anger, envy – is luckily one of the more easily deducible parts; and it has a double meaning.

Despair, Rage, and Envy are the three chapters of Bungie’s “Marathon: Infinity,” game.  And these three chapter titles are representative of the three stages of rampancy that an A.I. experiences: Melancholy, anger and jealousy.  These three stages are never directly named anywhere in Halo’s fiction, but instead were given to us in the Marathon series.  They appear to hold true for Halo, however:

If the AI wasn’t careful, this melancholy could drag its core logic into a terminal state known as rampancy, in which an AI rebelled against its programmatic constraints – developed delusions of godlike power as well as utter contempt for its mentally inferior, human makers. [Halo: Contact Harvest, pg. 31]

The author (Staten)’s choice of words here – specifically, “melancholy” – seems to imply that the three stages of an A.I.’s rampancy in Marathon, are true also in the Halo series.

Moving on to Gravemind’s dialogue, it is clear now that Cortana is, indeed, hiding something from him, and he lashes out with a threat, as his anger grows.

After passing through a series of doors, Cortana speaks again – clearly, and calmly:

“This is UNSC AI Serial Number CTN 0452-9. I am a monument to all your sins.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

The meaning behind Cortana’s choice of words here is obvious – she speaks her identity as a UNSC A.I., and then states the very first thing that the Chief ever heard from the Gravemind (in the level “Gravemind,” in Halo 2).  It would appear as though Cortana’s assimilation with the Gravemind is complete.

Near-silence washes over, as you enter a room – at its center is a holographic dome – and within it lies Cortana.

“You found me… but so much of me is wrong – out of place.  You might be too late…”

“You know me.  When I make a promise…”

“You… keep it.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

The last words that the Chief spoke to Cortana before leaving her here on High Charity were that of a promise to come back for her: “After I’m through with Truth…”  And only moments after watching Truth die, that is what he set out to do.

Cortana’s dull-blue color brightens…

“I do know how to pick ’em.”

“Lucky me.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

Someone at Bungie was real clever with the Chief’s response just there.

“Do you still have it?”

“The activation Index from the first Halo ring.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

“A little souvenir I held onto, just in case.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

If you’ll recall, Cortana took the Index at the beginning of “Two Betrayals” – right as the Chief was about to unknowingly activate the Array.  It was never used, or disposed of, that we were made aware of it.  It has, until now, not been mentioned again.  Many fans speculated that Cortana had held onto it (or its digital representation), and that it would come into play in the final part of the trilogy.

“Got an escape plan?”

“Thought I’d try shooting my way out – mix things up little.”

“Just keep your head down.  There’s two of us in here now… remember?” [Cortana, Halo 3]

A nostalgic throwback to Halo 1 – during the first level of the first game, when you took fire soon after first receiving Cortana, she said this line.  The “remember,” part of it has a new meaning, now, though.

The audio throughout this scene is fantastic.  At the beginning, strings fill the gaps between the piano; the music changes as Cortana reveals the Index – but even while a variation of the Halo theme plays, similiar to the one we heard in the Announcement Trailer, and at the double-Scarab battle, the music still retains the somber, post-climactic tone that we have heard since the defeat of the Covenant.

At this point, we have to ask a serious question: How is it that Cortana appeared to be rampant throughout the entire game – even from the announcement trailer – and, yet, suddenly, she seems perfectly fine?

The first part of the answer must be this: she was never rampant.  An A.I., as far as we know, does not simply “recover” from rampancy.

This, therefore, begs the question: why has she been acting so strangely?

I believe that there’s only one answer, and that is that it was never Cortana that had been speaking to the Chief.  The Gravemind, being a master of manipulation, has had access to Cortana’s memories, and had been cleverly acting out the role of a rampant A.I., possibly hoping to demoralize the Chief, or even turn him over to the Gravemind’s side, much like he did with Mendicant Bias.

Perhaps Cortana’s transmissions to the Chief earlier on in the game were simply the Gravemind feeling his way through the Chief’s reactions to memories and dialogue that should strike an emotion chord with him; the Gravemind probably did not receive the response he would have liked, since the Chief continued to function normally, pursuing the Covenant through the portal.  And briefly, in “Floodgate,” the Gravemind offered the Chief an alliance: “Join your voice with mine, and sing victory, everlasting.”  He, of course, received no response there, either.  Finally, running out of options, he attempts to convince the Chief that Cortana is in pain, and entering rampancy.  As he said earlier, “End her torment and my own!”  He wanted the Chief to believe that the only way to save her from her torture would be to reveal her secret –  he knew that Cortana was hiding something, and he knew that must be why the Chief was there.

Despite his anger, one has to wonder if throughout the uncountable millennia of the Gravemind’s existence, he has come to enjoy the “game” of controlling the fate of entire species by manipulating a select few.

Unfortunately for this collective mind of the Flood, the Chief did not fall prey to his plot, and the Spartan proceeded as he always has – pressing forward with his mission.

Cortana, seemingly having even been fooled herself into believing that she was going rampant, has returned to life upon being reunited with the Chief’s steely determination – only seconds after finding her, he is already asking about the Index.  As always, he is focused solely on his mission – Cortana really had no choice but to examine her status, realize that she is not rampant, and rise to his level.  The Chief never has – and likely will never have – time for weakness.

“Nor Hell a Fury” is an apt title for this next series of encounters.  Although, a woman scorned typically doesn’t blow up alien capital cities.

“Chief, get me out of this place.  I… I don’t want to stay.”

“At last, I see! Her secret is revealed!” [Cortana, Halo 3]

Upon returning to the wide room with the Covenant fusion core-type stalactites, Cortana offers a suggestion:

“Wait, we need to buy some time.  This reactor – start a chain reaction.  Destroy High Charity.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

Just like old times.  Too bad we’re not causing any wildcat destabilizations.

A control panel at the center of the room will lower the fusion cylinders, of which there are three.  A single grenade for each cylinder will destroy them; provided you can throw a grenade, with the numerous Flood forms attacking you.

After triggering the reaction – to which the Gravemind responds painfully – a door will open allowing you to proceed.  At the end of the hallway, there is an aperture in the floor through which you can drop down to a lower level.

“You hurt it, Chief.  But not for long.  We need to get to Halo – destroy the Flood, once and for all.” [Cortana, Halo 3]

The last section of this level requires you to do what you’ve probably been doing the entire time – running.  Excluding the assault carrier room – in which a horde of Flood attackers pour out of where you need to be exiting through – there aren’t too many enemies in your way.  It’s almost a shame that for the first part of the level, you spend your time being annoyed by the Flood, and for the latter part, you are running as quick as you can to get out – it is obvious that a lot of artistic work was put into this level, and due to the unenjoyable gameplay, it is the most overlooked portion of the game.

Nearing the exit…

“I’ve got a friendly contact!  But who would be crazy enough to come in here?” [Cortana, Halo 3]

The Arbiter stands atop the rise, incinerating Flood with a flamethrower.

“Wait, you two made nice?  What else have you been up to while I was gone?” [Cortana, Halo 3]

It is kind of odd – Cortana’s pretty much been out of the loop since the Chief left High Charity at the end of Halo 2.  The last time she saw the Arbiter was when he was calling the Chief “demon,” while they were being held by the Gravemind.

Things are definitely different now – the Arbiter, likely having ensured the retreat of the Elite survivors back to the Dawn, has flown a Banshee into the heart of High Charity to make sure that the Chief emerges safely with Cortana.

The Pelican that we scrounged ammunition from earlier will now provide the means of your escape.  The Gravemind futilely attempts to stop it, but the Chief and the Arbiter are too quick – they lift off and escape through an exposed portion of High Charity’s ceiling.

The Pelican flies high above a magnificent Forerunner landscape, its course set for the newly created Halo ring…

On board is the Arbiter, the Chief, Cortana – and the Index.