Halo 2 Anniversary OST - Second Prelude

Composed by Paul Lipson, Lennie Moore, Tom Salta, Brian Trifon and Brian Lee White.

[bbnash]

This song marked the Covenant at the height of their power in the galaxy.

[splishsplosh]

"What would you have your arbiter do?"

[bornestellar]

*slams fist*

WHY WAS IT NOT DESTROYED WITH THE REST OF THEIR FLEET!?

[Tesseradical]

I didn't realize what the whooshing sound between the horn notes was, and then it hit me, it's the brass section all taking a collective breath.

[bornestellar]

Fucking love this song. To me, it's the theme song of the Covenant.

[photontheblueflash]

"There was only one ship."
"One? Are you sure?"
"Yes. They called it... The Pillar of Autumn."

[Jaz_of_bae]

Recommissioning the guard was a radical step.

[AFrozenSoul]

They called it... "Pillar of Autumn"...

[justarandomdiamond]

"The counsel has decided that a comicly large spoon still counts as a spoonful."

"Surely, Noble Hierarchs you understand that I do not have enough ice cream..."

"(Enraged uproar) Heresy!"

[Senthain]

This is exactly what I think when I think Halo.

[AJadedLizard]

When we joined the Covenant, we swore an Oath,
Each according to his station, all without exception,
On the blood of our Fathers, on the blood of our Sons,
We swore to uphold the Covenant, even to our dying breath!

[MegaHalofan]

"This is unprecedented... Unacceptable."

[blu]

This is the one track I've continued to play constantly and still be able to love it years later...

[robaidhinnes]

This is so sad. This music perfectly depicts the tragic fate of the new Arbiter, sent out against his will basically just to fight until he dies, completely stripped of his honour, all of his comrades looking down on him, tortured by self pity. He is a truly unfortunate character but it’s nice to hear a little hope at the end of this piece depicting his redemption by assisting the UNSC. Dare I say best Halo narrative? Yes I shall.

[kaisenmanuel]

Me starts halo 2 campaign for 50th time and hears this track while seeing a covenant carrier make its way toward the might of high charity, never gets old!

[o_o-]

Soon The Great Journey shall begin. But when it does, your hearsay will stay tour feet. And you shall be left behind.

[theandrewloeffler]

Here's a transcript of the opening cutscene:

[Fade up, to see the broken remnants of the Alpha Halo; a Covenant assault carrier flies into view, and we track with it. A huge Covenant fleet has arrived at the wreckage of Halo, and with them a massive, incredibly complex hemisphere structure.

Text reads:
"Covenant Holy City, High Charity
Ninth Age of Reclamation"]

[Inside High Charity, Banshees swoop and join formation, and a huge crowd of Covenant soldiers gathers]

ELITE COMMANDER: There was only one ship.

[Inside the Covenant Council Chambers, a gold-armored Elite stands in front of a group of three Prophets-one of whom is present only by hologram]

PROPHET OF TRUTH: One? Are you sure?

ELITE COMMANDER: Yes. They called it...the Pillar of Autumn.

[The Prophet of Mercy slams his fist down in frustration]

PROPHET OF MERCY: Why was it not destroyed, with the rest of their fleet?

ELITE COMMANDER: It fled as we set fire to their planet...

[Reach burns under Covenant plasma bombardment; the Pillar of Autumn lifts from orbit and rockets away, attempting to escape the massive Covenant fleet]

ELITE COMMANDER: ...but I followed with all the ships in my command.

[A Covenant cruiser arrives at Alpha Halo, slowing and joining the relatively small fleet gathered there]

PROPHET OF TRUTH: When you first saw Halo, were you blinded by its majesty?

ELITE COMMANDER: Blinded?

PROPHET OF REGRET: Paralyzed? Dumbstruck?

ELITE COMMANDER: No.

PROPHET OF REGRET: Yet the humans were able to evade your ships, land on the Sacred Ring, and desecrate it with their filthy footsteps?

ELITE COMMANDER: Noble Heirarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked...

[The Council members begin to grow displeased]

PROPHET OF MERCY: There will be order in this Council!

[The Prophet of Truth waved his hand in a gesture to ease tensions. The Council becomes silent once again]

PROPHET OF TRUTH: You were right to focus your attention on the Flood, but this Demon, this 'Master Chief'...

[We see the far side of Alpha Halo explode after the Pillar of Autumn's fusion drives go critical]

ELITE COMMANDER: By the time I learned the Demon's intent, there was nothing I could do.

[The Council becomes infuriated again, and we see the Brute Chieftain, Tartarus, chuckling to himself]

PROPHET OF REGRET (whispering): Noble Prophet of Truth, this has gone on long enough. Make an example of this bungler; the Council demands it!

PROPHET OF TRUTH: You are one of our most cherished instruments. Long have you led your fleet with honor and distinction, but your inability to safeguard Halo...was a colossal failure.

[A Council member stands up from his seat]

COUNCIL PROPHET: Nay, it was heresy!

[The room is filled with indignant booing and shouts]

ELITE COMMANDER: I will continue my campaign against the humans.

PROPHET OF TRUTH: No! You will not.

[A pair of Brutes move to take the Elite Commander's arms; he stands up straight and makes to push them away. They back off]

PROPHET OF TRUTH: Soon, the Great Journey shall begin...

[The Brutes escort the Elite Commander from the Council Chamber]

PROPHET OF TRUTH: ...but when it does, the weight of your heresy will stay your feet, and you shall be left behind.

[ProgrammingBlaze]

"When you first saw Halo, were you blinded by it's majesty?"

[marianocg]

High Charity
Sacred Covenant City
Ninth age of reclamation

[redjeik]

There was only one ship.
One? Are you sure?
Yes. They called it the Pillar of Autumn.