Bungie Universe
This topic has moved here: Subject: Unification of the Canon Regarding the Fall of Reach
  • Subject: Unification of the Canon Regarding the Fall of Reach
Subject: Unification of the Canon Regarding the Fall of Reach

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

My explanations are a bit lengthy, but there was quite a bit to say. However, my analysis isn't complete, and the purpose of this thread is discussion. So please, add on to what I've stated here, and thanks for reading.
As an avid Halo fan who has invested quite a bit of interest into the Universe, I thought I would make a thread where those who are interested in Halo's Universe would help to explain, mend, and discuss various canonical inconsistencies that were brought up with the release of the game.

The purpose of this thread, unlike other threads which discuss this, isn't simply to point out canon inconsistencies and then criticize Bungie, but to more constructively discuss the canon to start a unification which has to occur.

Bungie and 343i claim that Halo Reach falls in line with the novel canon-wise. Now, while I am not convinced that they fit together seamlessly, and after doing some investigation, I've realized that this claim has merit.

I'll begin with my own proposals, and hopefully this will expand into a broader discussion.


Eric Nylund's first two Halo novels depict the Fall of Reach to be a one day event. While Halo Reach (HR) clearly changed this, the majority of the content regarding the August 30 date in the novels hasn't been overridden.

Here's the idea. The Invasion of Reach consisted of three primary invasion forces. The first invasion force, present on the planet from late July to mid August, was initially undetected due to sophisticated Covenant stealth pylons. This initial invasion force had ground forces, a Zealot strike team, a couple of Corvettes, and the Supercarrier Long Night of Solace.

The second invasion force was seen in the game, after the destruction of the LNoS (and the death of Jorge 052). These ships started glassing select areas of the planet.

The final invasion force was the largest, and arrived on the edge of the Epsilon Eridani system on August 30. If you guys remember the Halo Reach teaser trailer, the COMM conversation going on was about this slipspace anomaly on the edge of the system, a fleet of over 300 Covenant ships.


Now, moving onto the Pillar of Autumn. A major problem initially seen by anyone who had read the novels was that the PoA was in space during the battle of Reach, and that Cortana was with John (MC). Given the times given by both the book (TFoR), and the game, here's my conclusion.

The Pillar of Autumn landed on Reach the same day it lifted off with Cortana. It wasn't there for an extended period of time. In fact, I am led to believe that the Autumn only landed on Reach AFTER the successful mission of Blue Team on Gamma Station.This brings up an interesting question.

Why would the Autumn land on the planet after a mission during a full fledged invasion?

There was no way Keyes was ignorant to the business with Halsey and the AI Cortana. He likely knew that the second half of Cortana was vital to the survival of the human race, and was notified that a Spartan (Noble Six) would deliver "the package."

Once the package was secure, Keyes lifted off the planet and made a jump to escape Reach, and the "random" jump was actually plugging in coordinates of the forerunner artifact, likely with the second half of Cortana, which brought the ship to Halo.


I've merely started the discussion. I'd like to hear the interpretations and explanations from the community who also has knowledge about the Halo canon. Feel free to discuss what I've brought up, or another point which needs to be addressed.

  • 07.09.2011 5:14 PM PDT

Fortune favors the Bold

But if that is true, surely john would have tried to help the rest of the spartans or they would have tried to bring the rest of the spartans with them

  • 07.09.2011 5:20 PM PDT

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

Posted by: CB Visco
But if that is true, surely john would have tried to help the rest of the spartans or they would have tried to bring the rest of the spartans with them

Could you elaborate please? By the "rest," do you mean Noble Team?

  • 07.09.2011 5:23 PM PDT

Fortune favors the Bold

I'm talking about the other spartan IIs. The ones that originally went down to planet reach instead of johns team

  • 07.09.2011 5:24 PM PDT

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

Posted by: CB Visco
I'm talking about the other spartan IIs. The ones that originally went down to planet reach instead of johns team

Red Team?

Likely because Linda was clinically dead, and Red probably wasn't remotely near where Aszod.

And even if Red was near, they had to get off the planet with Cortana. Leaving Spartans behind wasn't a new concept (poor Sam).

[Edited on 07.09.2011 5:27 PM PDT]

  • 07.09.2011 5:27 PM PDT
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Do not waste your tears, I was not born to watch the world grow dim. Life is not measured in years, but by the deeds of men.

Posted by: goldhawk
We should know better, because we are better.


Posted by: CB Visco
But if that is true, surely john would have tried to help the rest of the spartans or they would have tried to bring the rest of the spartans with them
I think they left them because of time constraints. The Covenant where closing in for the kill and they probably had very little time to pick up the fragment.

  • 07.09.2011 5:27 PM PDT


Posted by: CB Visco
But if that is true, surely john would have tried to help the rest of the spartans or they would have tried to bring the rest of the spartans with them


He wouldn't go after them if Keyes ordered him to remain on board the Autumn or to aid in its defense while they waited for Cortana's fragment. I think this is probably the most likely option.

And we don't know where exactly Aszod is in relation to the SMAC generators, they could be next door neighbors or half-way across the planet from each other. In any case I don't think Keyes would wish to delay waiting for them or risk sending ships out to try and fetch them. Also, IIRC, they had lost radio contact with Red Team shortly after their drop, so there would be no contacting them or attempting to arrange bringing them back to the Autumn.

  • 07.09.2011 6:26 PM PDT

I started up the heated debate on whether the SPARTAN-II in the cryo tube near the end of Reach is really Linda.
I created the Moa XING avatar pic.
Also I earned the All Star nameplate with this submission to Week 14 All Stars http://www.bungie.net/images/News/Inline11/bwu_0415/art/likea boss.jpg

No need to speculate, I've already made this thread WITH THE TIME of the events:
Let's fix Reach's canon errors!

  • 07.09.2011 7:28 PM PDT

Brains beats brawn get used to it

Fear the Red Comet

Variety is the spice of life.
Long live games.
Death to all fanboys.


Posted by: ImmortalJoshua
No need to speculate, I've already made this thread WITH THE TIME of the events:
Let's fix Reach's canon errors!


Really? Because ultimately your thread is still speculation

  • 07.09.2011 7:57 PM PDT

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

Posted by: ImmortalJoshua
No need to speculate, I've already made this thread WITH THE TIME of the events:
Let's fix Reach's canon errors!

Well, you speculate about the SMAC placements and how the PoA reached the planet.

Of course, the times can be found by using a Halo Wiki or referencing the books and game.

  • 07.09.2011 8:15 PM PDT

Jesus loves you! But I think you're a -blam!-

Weren't Spartan-III's deployed during Halo 2? What are they doing on Reach. Am I just retarded?

  • 07.09.2011 8:29 PM PDT

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

Posted by: HerSeksBiscuit
Weren't Spartan-III's deployed during Halo 2? What are they doing on Reach. Am I just retarded?

No, you may be mistaking ODSTs for Spartans.

And technically, there weren't any Spartans IIIs on Reach. Noble Team was sent their clandestinely.

  • 07.09.2011 10:03 PM PDT

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

Posted by: Xd00999

Posted by: CB Visco
But if that is true, surely john would have tried to help the rest of the spartans or they would have tried to bring the rest of the spartans with them
I think they left them because of time constraints. The Covenant where closing in for the kill and they probably had very little time to pick up the fragment.

Also, recall that on August 30, the final and largest Covenant fleet entered the system, and the Autumn needed to get out, and get out quick.

  • 07.10.2011 11:24 PM PDT