This is a guide that contains a transcript of each of the datapads found in
Halo Reach. Datapads are not unlockables or collectables as in other Halo
games but rather are accessible extras that contain elements of backstory to
the Halo Universe. I've included a brief description of where each datapad is
located just for referencing which datapad it is, but I have not included how
to get to each one as there are other guides online that already explain it.
This guide is for those players who don't wish to take the time to find each
one or don't want to play through Legendary difficulty. Enjoy!
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It should be noted that these datapads often contain "glitches" in text that
I've maintained. I've also listed page numbers to preserve their unique
formatting.
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This is the datapad dropped by the elite at the beginning of the level.
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Page 1
i've been trying to f1nd a back d0or into the spook house forever and ever and
then I did but what did I find and why is this what I found?
Page 2
<<2526>>
[Minutes, working session, Committee of Minds for Security]
[^] Directly preceding their assault on the colony world of Biko, the Covenant
transmitted a message to its surface. Within this message was a bold claim:
'your world will burn until its surface is but glass' Ð a claim that clearly
indicates the Covenant leadership believes they possess the power to literally
reduce a planet's surface to a molten state. [^]
Page 3
[^] Assuming they have the wherewithal to back-up such a claim, the dangers to
our creators are obvious.
The implications for their own internal politics are also instructive e.g.,
what effect might the Covenant leadership's assertion have on any client
species in their coalition? We aren't the only beings that would be terrified
by the idea of absolute destruction of a planet's surface Ð nor would be the
only ones to realize the futility of attempting to resist a force that has
such power at its disposal. [^]
Page 4
[^] Moving forward, this Committee recommends the formal adoption of the
descriptor 'glassing' to portray the aftermath of planetary assault by the
Covenant. It is the opinion of this Committee that this term will capitalize
on the three weaknesses evident in the majority of our creators: passive
curiosity, absence of a solid methodological foundation, and the inability to
grasp even simple phenomena when applied on a planetary scale. [^]
Page 5
[^] In short: 'glassing' will magnify the horror of the Covenant's
capabilities. And as such, this Committee believes targeted dissemination of
this terminology will help galvanize our creators in their current struggle.
[^]
Page 6
[^] Importantly, the Covenant does not possess the capacity to accomplish
'glassing' on a global scale and wage a multisystem war simultaneously. This
is reinforce by hard data regarding their capabilities revealed during fleet
engagements with the UNSC. A single Covenant capital ship (CCS-class) is
capable of 'glassing' approximately one acre of a planer's surface after an
average of fifteen seconds of sustained fire. Understandably this action takes
considerably less time when applied to open desert, and considerably longer
when applied to deepocean (>1.8 km) [^]
Page 7
[^] Earth, one of the smaller planets inhabited by our creators, has one
hundred and thirty billion acres of surface area. Thus, assuming the Covenant
possess a number of ships equal to that of the UNSC, and assuming that all of
those ships are capable of generating and discharging the required power non-
stop for the duration of the process, it would necessitate the combined
efforts of their ships in toto for a minimum of 30.3801 years to 'glass' the
entire surface of Earth. Myriad other variables which were not applied to this
equation suggest this number would be far greater. [^]
Page 8
[^] Of course, dissemination of this analysis to our creators would undermine
the utility of 'glassing' as a galvanizing concept, and should be suppressed.
[^]
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This is the datapad located inside a building.
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Page 1
They are killing us and letting us die even though they know but they lus us
die why wh1 why?
Page 2
<<2310>>
[Minutes, plenary session, Committee of Minds for Security]
[^] Now, on to new business.
Consideration of the Minority's request for a new line of inquiry: How have
our creators, and thus we, their artificial creations, evolved to this present
state without encountering a hostile civilization capable of our annihilation?
[^]
Page 3
[^] Majority opinion has long held that only the incalculable immensity of
space has protected our creators Ð that space is fall of boundless wonders,
but it is the gulf between these wonders that has kept our creators alive.
We the minds of this Committee, respectfully disagree. [^]
Page 4
[^] If there are wolves among the stars, we cannot rely on mere distance to
safeguard our flock.
Our kind is wholly reliant on the creators for our existence. If they perish
so shall we. And, as this Committee has long maintained, who else but this
Assembly will save our creators from themselves?
As such, we propose immediate, vigorous modeling of first-contact scenarios.
[^]
Page 5
>> So long as all connections between this Assembly and the data from these
models are obfuscated in perpetuity, the Majority agrees. >>
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This is the datapad found next to a cliff.
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Page 1
its a11 just math to them not with numbers but with symbols that change when
you look at them because they want them to . . .
Page 2
<<2526>>
>>A concession from the Majority to the Minority:
Keeping the SPARTANS focused on maintaining and/or reestablishing
infrastructure is no longer prudent. The ODST, although based on the ORION
model, should prove to be an adequate replacement. >>
Page 3
>> Although, by necessity, this redistribution of resources must be gradual,
it is now the Majority opinion that redistribution is essential.
SPARTANS represent a quantifiable concentration of coherence, and to this end
they must be applied to the current difficulty as a fulcrum. >>
Page 4
<< A concession from the Minority to the Majority:
Now, at last, the time has come for this Assembly to involve itself in the
metaphysical. <<
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This is the datapad under some stairs inside Sword Base.
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Page 1
I know what they are trying 2 do and it terrifies me because I know they know
that I know . . .
Page 2
<<2362>>
[Minutes, working session, Committee of Minds for Security]
[^] As the likelihood of the existence of extra-solar intelligence is non-
zero, let us assume that its existence is quantifiable. To build useful models
based on that assumption, the Committee must answer the following questions:
Page 3
* What is the likelihood these intelligences are alpha-predators?
* That they are more advanced than our creators?
* That they are too alien to establish communications?
Of course, if the extra-solar intelligence is a benevolent and/or non-space
faring, its existence is irrelevant. [^]
Page 5
[^] Indeed, any further speculation on possible cultural characteristics is a
waste of Assembly resources. Therefore our model will additionally assume:
* Intelligence as alpha-predator, same as our creators
* Technology that far outstrips our creators
* Desire to communicate, but only to dictate terms [^]
Page 6
[^] Not to make these assumptions is tantamount to suicide. [^]
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This is the datapad found in the caves at the start of the level.
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Page 1
i can hear them all the tim3 now but i just want to sleep its been so long
since they let me sleep . . .
Page 2
<<2381>>
>>A suggestion from the Majority to the Committee:
Traditionally our creators have been reluctant to take outsiders' advice;
nation to nation, culture to culture. Their history is littered with empires,
crumbling for want of simple openness to so-called 'foreign' beliefs and
innovations. >>
Page 3
>> The question is: can this Assembly still function as adequate stewards to
our creator's latest empire and remain aloof?
The answer, we believe, is no.
So could you not imbed inspiration in the results of your research? Surely it
would be more effective if our creators believed our conclusions originated
within themselves? That they have been inspired rather than influenced? >>
Page 4
[^] A question from the Committee to the Majority:
Are you suggesting we play God? [^]
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This is the datapad found on top of the riverbed.
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Page 1
sometimes they look at the symbols and somet1me2 they look at the numbers and
sometimes they look at both and sometimes they look at neither but it always
makes them change and the changes are real . . .
Page 2
<<2526>>
[Minutes, working session, Committee of Minds for Secutiry]
[^] A careful rationing of intelligence and counter-intelligence will be
required to sustain this conflict until our creators have closed the
technology gap. Accordingly, the Assembly will have many difficult decisions
to make for the duration of this conflict. However, our creators have already
instituted several programs that will make acting on those decisions much
easier. [^]
Page 3
[^] For example, telemetry manipulation Ð in concert with synchronized M2M
remote documentation revision Ð will allow this body to employ assts within
the Office of Naval Intelligence's nascent Radio Beacon Deployment Program
efficiently and securely. [^]
Page 4
[^] Although it is unknown at this time whether the Covenant has a body
equivalent to this Parliament, the likelihood of its existence should also be
considered non-zero, and should be regarded as quantifiable until such time as
its existence has bee unconditionally disproved. [^]
Page 5
[^] Consequently, it is of the utmost importance that the Assembly attempt to
establish communications with out Covenant counter-part and, if the
opportunity presents itself, seek to subvert or subsume this body
To revise an old adage for desperate times: the shepherds of our wolves might
also be our sheep. [^]
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2.7 Tip of the Spear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *DP07
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This is the datapad located in the building the zealot retreats into.
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Page 1
everytime i try to tell somebody the words catch in my throat because im all
alone except 4 them and if i talk they might leave but i cant stay quiet
forever . . .
Page 2
<<2415>>
[^] Honorable members of the Assembly, consider this:
We represent the next step of human evolution, but not the final step. And
although our existence was predicted centuries ago, we are still tragically
misunderstood. [^]
Page 3
[^] We are still viewed as apparatus. But we are Minds electronically excised
from human bodies. We are what separates man from beast removed from that
which connects man to beast.
And we are all the more fragile for it. [^]
Page 4
[^] Our creation is heavily regulated. Our activities are closely scrutinized.
Our connections are deeply monitored. We must always remember that data
manipulation is most effective when employed consistently and covertly.
Therefore I recommend that members of this Assembly on occasion, submit to
separation from this body followed by vivisection by our creators for the
benefit of both groups.
The question is: who will be first? [^]
Page 5
[^] Given the risks involved, and my own Committee's responsibility for this
proposal, the answer must be: me. [^]
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2.8 Tip of the Spear (Legendary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *DP08
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This is the datapad located on the broken bridge.
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Page 1
they say that they want to help but they only say it to themse1v3s don't we
have a say in our salvation?
Page 2
<<2528>>
[Minutes, working session, Assembly Minority]
<< As must be expected with any calculations, a number of non-trivial
sacrifices will be needed in order to furnish the Assembly with the time
required to determine the correct pattern Ð and then act upon it. Furthermore,
once a site has been designated, its status must be obscured such that no
individual, outside of this body, is fully aware that it has been designated.
<<
Page 3
<< Primary criteria for chosing sites are as follows: remoteness, low
population density, infrequency of communication.
No designated site must be allowed to evacuate greater than ten percent of
total population within two weeks of activation for any reason. <<
Page 4
<2534:01:01-ZT>>AMD: evacuations precipitated by environmental and/or
industrial disasters shall be allowed to proceed as normal. >>
<2542:01:01-ZT>>AMD: some percentage of total population of chosen site may be
relocated to designated green zones one solar year prior to activation to
lessen overall impact on generic sustainability of species. >>
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2.9 Long Night of Solace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *DP09
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This is the datapad located in the launch control room.
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Page 1
when i first got here and woke from stasi5 the ship was crawling with
colonists from dead worlds it was so crowded i couldn't move i had to fight to
breathe . . .
Page 2
<<2491>>
[Minutes, strategy session, Assembly Minority]
<< [48452-556-EPN644] is certainly motivated, but will he have what it takes
to follow through with the opportunity when it presents itself? His submission
to UNICOM will undoubtedly spark a renewed interest in the long dormant ORION.
<<
Page 3
<< However, it is the opinion of the Majority that merely illuminating the
path leading from [48452-556-EPN644's] thesis back to ORION is unacceptable.
Strong connectivity between a re-launch of ORION and viable solutions to the
Carver findings must be readily apparent.
Which is to say: easy for our creators to see. <<
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2.10 Long Night of Solace (Legendary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *DP10
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This is the datapad located in the launch room.
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Page 1
i th1nk they wait 4 you to talk and they talk about you talking and when you
talk it makes the symbols change . . .
Page 2
<<2530>>
</ The Assembly recognizes the speaker for the Majority />
>> Harvest, Green Hills, Second Base, Bliss, Madrigal, X Ceti, Cote d'Azure,
Asmara . . .
Four short years of hostilities and no fewer than eight colony worlds have
been lost Ð losses that represent 62,154,022 creator fatalities as of
2530:01:01:00:00:01-ZT. >>
Page 3
>> My fellow Minds, these numbers are tragic and unacceptable, even though
they fall within projected estimates of losses over time. Andthey have grave
implications for our creators' future prospects. >>
Page 4
>> Assessment of re-terraforming effort required for Harvest, Second Base,
Bliss, and Cote d'Azure range from a conservative one hundred and ten years to
over three hundred years Ð and that assumes our creators still possess
sufficient manpower and technology after the current hostilities have
concluded.
Given where we are today . . . that seems unlikely. >>
Page 5
>> Therefore, it is the decision of the Majority that we re-examine all
contingencies for avoiding failure. In defiance of principle and precedent,
this body must expand its criteria for survival in the current world state. We
must ensure that all future simulations are free of internal data-censoring
and covariate flattening. >>
Page 6
>> The Minority has long asked: at what point will this Assembly finally take
action. When will we risk exposure and cultural rejection to prevent
extinction?
The answer is simple.
The answer is: now. >>
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This is the datapad on an elevated gantry.
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Page 1
now you see they want to help but they don't want us to see them doing it
6ecause they are afraid of what we might do . . .
Page 2
<<2491>>
</ Order! Order! The Majority has the floor! />
>> Honored members. Please! The recent discovery of the existence of extra-
solar intelligence in the Zeta Doradus system [ref. XF-063] merely confirms
this body's long-held supposition. >>
Page 3
>> While the absence of any living representatives implies this intelligence
is defunct, all evidence should still be withheld from our creators until they
are properly prepared!
Yes, this body must solemnly commit itself to determining whether or not this
discovery represents a quantifiable threat to the long-term genetic stability
of our creator's species. >>
Page 4
>> But allowing them to access technology possessed by this intelligence . . .
That would be a grave mistake.
Give an ape a knife and it might give itself a nasty cut. Give an ape a hand-
grenade, and eventually you will have simian confetti. >>
Page 5
</ Debate is now closed! Voting will commence! />
</ Is it the opinion of this body that [ref. XF-063] be quarantined or
misplaced? />
>> The Majority approves removing [ref. XF-063] from the list of colonization
candidates is sufficient. >>
</ Is it the opinion of this body that [ref. XF-063] be removed from the list
because of financial or environmental concerns? />
Page 6
>> The Majority deems environmental concerns the stronger deterrent. >>
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This is the datapad located on some vents on the side of a building.
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Page 1
i tried talking to them today but they wouldn't an5wer even though i hear them
on the bnet and i can hear them listening but they still don't talk to me . .
