I'm thinking sheer firepower over crew strength. I mean, Infinity isn't called that for no reason, it's basically a city. And the Pillar ain't exactly flagship material in the face of a multiple kilometre long armada of metal. I realize the sentimental value of having an old Halcyon cruiser take on a 1000-ship fleet, but it's just not practical. And yes, while typing this, I have come to the realization that I am a -blam!-ing mega-nerd.

Dude, I have never been so impressed in my life XD The fact that you remembered the class of the Autumn is amazing XD Tho I think your forgetting that what made the Autumn such a prime choice for the chiefs mission was it's structure. The honeycomb steel frame inside the ship would hold up amazing against the Cabals kinetic weapons. They don't have any directed plasma weapons so the Pillar should suffice And plus the chief and his spartan 2s could just high jack a few Cabal ships with some precise jet pack work and boarding. All they would need to do is link Cortana up and sit back and watch the fireworks XD

Good point, I hadn't really thought of that. I'm forgetting that the cabal wouldn't really have the jolliest of times with boarding a human ship anyway. What with their debilitating heaviness and all. So bum rushing wouldn't be an option.