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| Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | |
| Posted By: SonGoharotto <SonGoharotto@gmail.com> | Date: 5/24/11 7:16 p.m. |
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Two Betrayals "Reactivate the weapon at the heart of Halo... and learn the truth." {Cutscene} Halo's Control Room is silent and empty. Master Chief and 343 Guilty Spark teleport in, apparently in the middle of a conversation about the Flood. • 343 Guilty Spark: "...which means that any organism of sufficient mass and cognitive capability is a potential vector." Master Chief pauses, perhaps suspicious. • 343 Guilty Spark: "Is something wrong?"
Master Chief and Guilty Spark approach the main control console. • 343 Guilty Spark: "Unfortunately, my usefulness to this particular endeavor has come to an end. Protocol does not allow units with my classification to... perform a task as important as the reunification of the Index with the Core. That final step is reserved for you, Reclaimer." Guilty Spark relinquishes the Index to Master Chief, who finds a slot in the console. New holograms appear as the system is initiated... but then it all goes dark. • 343 Guilty Spark: "Odd. That wasn't supposed to happen." Cortana suddenly appears out of the console, her avatar looming like a giant over Master Chief and the Monitor. • Cortana: "Oh, really?!" Cortana snaps her fingers and a pulse of energy emanates from the console like a shockwave. Master Chief's shield flare and he staggers back. Guilty Spark, however, is thrown to the ground like a toy, his single blue lens fading. • Master Chief: "Cortana!"
Cortana waves her hand over the console and the holograms around her break apart, coalescing into a representation of the Index in her grip. On the floor, Guilty Spark's 'eye' winks on again and he floats back up, resolving an energy shield around himself. • 343 Guilty Spark: "A construct?! In the Core?! That is absolutely unacceptable!"
She crushes the 'Index' in her hand and its data is absorbed into her avatar. • 343 Guilty Spark: (Outraged) "How... how... how dare you! I'll--"
Master Chief slowly rounds on the Monitor. • Master Chief: "Is it true?"
Four Sentinels float up behind the Monitor, their beam weapons primed. The Chief unslings his rifle. • 343 Guilty Spark: "Last time, you asked me, if it were my choice, would I do it? Having had considerable time to ponder your query, my answer has not changed." Master Chief backs towards the control console. Cortana's anxious avatar disappears and the Chief removes her data chip, reinserting it into his helmet. • 343 Guilty Spark: "There is no choice. We must activate the ring."
Guilty Sparks teleports away. The Sentinels assume attack formation. {Gameplay} • Cortana: "Look out!" With their beam weapons and energy shields, the Sentinels have the advantage of numbers, firepower, and maneuverability. Master Chief can take cover behind panels of shielding around the circular platform, but sustained fire will cause them to overload. He is armed with a Shotgun and a Designated Marksman Rifle; a one-two punch for dropping Sentinel shields and pinpointing the core. [I always felt it was odd that the Chief would swipe a Plasma Pistol, of all things, while fighting the Flood.] When the first two Sentinels are destroyed, the remaining two will transform and combine into a 'Sentinel Major' with heightened firepower and defenses. However, they have to drop their shields to perform this maneuver, which is an ideal time to strike. [Lifted this behavior from the Sentinels on Onyx. This gives me an extra Sentinel type without introducing Halo 2's Enforcers one game early.] The Gun Pointed at the Head of the Universe • Cortana: "We can't let the Monitor activate Halo. We have to stop him -- we have to destroy Halo. According to my analysis of the available data, the best course of action is somewhat... risky. An explosion of sufficient size will help destabilize this ring, and will cut through a number of primary systems. We need to trigger a detonation on a large scale, however. A star ship's fusion reactors going critical would do the job. I'm going to search what's left of the Covenant battlenet, and see if I can locate the Pillar of Autumn's crash site. If the ship's fusion reactors are still relatively intact, we can use them to destroy Halo." Master Chief exits the Control Room and moves through the halls, encountering a patrol of Covenant engaging Sentinels in combat. Covenant directed-energy weapons prove surprisingly effective on the Forerunner constructs and they soon turn their attention to the SPARTAN. Just outside the Control Room awaits a strike team of Covenant loaded for bear: two Elite Ultras with Concussion Rifles, each leading a team of Jackal Infantry with a Sniper, supported by Grunt Ultras and Plasma Launcher-wielding Heavies. Two Phantoms flanking the pyramid will also open fire. • Cortana: "It's no good, Chief! The Covenant have been trying desperately to get into the Control Room since you've been gone. We have to lock them out, or else they might find a way to fire Halo, even without the Index." The player is not meant to win this battle, yet. The strike teams will stay back and fire from afar, moving only to avoid your fire. Both Phantoms will eventually drop a pair of Hunters. Should the Phantoms be disarmed of their turrets, they will withdraw and a pair of Wraiths at the base of the pyramid will begin shelling your position. Attempting to descend the pyramid, the player will be harassed by Banshees and Shade turrets on the rock bridge. Two Spectres and four Ghosts support the Wraiths. Even if all Covenant forces are neutralized, all exits out of the canyon are currently locked. With no other choice, Master Chief retreats back into the Control Room and uses the door control panel to lock the Covenant out. • Cortana: "Between the Covenant, Flood, and Sentinels, there is fighting all over Halo. Fortunately, I've had ample time to analyze its internal structure and I can map a more strategically advantageous route than the one we first took here." Cortana sets NAV beacons to guide the Chief through passages in the pyramid that he had previously overlooked. • Cortana: "The installations in these canyons make up Halo's primary firing mechanism. Phase pulse generators all over the ring charge and amplify Halo's signal, allowing it to fire into deep space. The power levels are enormous!" (Pause) "I've identified key systems that we can sabotage, which the Monitor will need to repair before he can fire Halo. That should buy us some time. Let's get to work." [As with the last level, I'm adding new structures and changing the player's objectives, to cut down on the sense of backtracking.] Via tunnels and an elevator, Master Chief eventually comes out at the bottom of the shaft beneath the Control Room. There is a great structure here of rotating mechanisms and glowing instruments -- reminiscent of an orrery -- accessible by catwalks and gravity lifts. • Cortana: "This is the primary signal transmitter. Think of it as Halo's firing pin. I'm tagging four access ports on the structure. Breach the energy shields and we can destroy the internal instrumentation." Covenant plasma weapons or a Sentinel Beam can easily lower the glowing blue shields over the access ports. A grenade or some sustained fire will be enough to damage the system. However, after the first is destroyed, specialized teleporters on the walls will begin spawning endless amounts of Sentinels. The nodes themselves can be targeted as well. When the fourth access port has been destroyed, a fleet of Constructors will descend and get to work, but it will be long before they make any real headway. • Cortana: "Scanning... the transmitter is offline. Objective accomplished!" (Pause) "I've located and programmed a teleportation node to take us to a security station at the top of this canyon, above the Covenant siege force." Master Chief takes another tunnel to a teleporter hub similar to the one he found in the Flood research installation. Walking through the Slipspace distortion brings Master Chief to the security station, which is lightly patrolled by Grunts and Jackals. Outside, he finds an Elite standing over an injured ODST. The Chief assassinates the alien. • Injured ODST: "Chief! Thank God... I was afraid I wouldn't find you." (Coughs) "El-Tee sent me here. It's bad... Alpha Base was overrun by... I don't know. Not Covenant."
The ODST expires, a Grenade Launcher at his side. The round it fires gives off an electromagnetic burst, making it just as effective for disabling vehicles as it is on energy-shielded targets like Elites and Sentinels. • Cortana: "I'm sorry, Chief. There's nothing more we can do here. Laying a NAV beacon for our next objective." Around the deck of the security checkpoint is an Anti-Air Shade turret, empty, and the ODST's crashed Hornet. Though damaged it is still air-worthy, and its firepower evens the odds against the Covenant siege force below. After clearing out the canyon of hostiles or simply clearing a path to the exit, Master Chief lands on the rock bridge and ducks into the tunnels. Breaking Stuff to Look Tough Master Chief navigates through the security checkpoints once again, finding more Covenant now fighting the Flood. Elites and Combat Forms trade fire across the double bridges. When the Chief makes his way to the opposite bridge, Banshees sweep in for strafing runs. Far below, in the canyon where Master Chief previously guided Fire Team Zulu to an extraction point, an armored battalion of Covenant are defending their position from waves of Flood. [For speed runs, the player can attempt to hijack a Banshee and skip the next couple of encounters.] The Chief eliminates all Flood in his path to the elevator that will take him down to the canyon floor. Returning to a viewing chamber, he finds it is now overgrown with Flood biomass, some of which must be cleared to advance. Mostly Scavenger and Harvester Forms roam this area. At the canyon floor, Master Chief gets to see up close the Covenant's attempt to stem the tide of Flood emerging from the depths of Halo's internal structure. There is a Wraith and two Fuel Rod Shade turrets, with infantry crouching behind portal cover shields. However, the Flood have apparently captured Covenant Ghosts, which move quicker than the Wraith can catch. If he dares, Master Chief can smash through one of the Combat Form drivers and hijack a Ghost for himself, rather than brave this encounter on foot. In this battle, Flood will spawn endlessly from the two doors in the trench, until the player moves on past the cave ahead. Eventually, the Covenant will fall, with or without the player's interaction. When is mostly a matter of difficulty level. On Legendary, expect to have Combat Forms dogging your heels for a bit. Either fighting past or circumventing the battle, Master Chief drops down the ridge and passes through the cave to the frozen river, dealing with a small Jackal patrol. • Cortana: "Chief, I've located the Pillar of Autumn. She put down twelve-hundred kilometers up spin. Energy readings show her fusion reactors are still powered up. The Autumn's systems have fail safes that even I can't override, without authorization from the Captain. We'll need to find him or..." (Pause) "Or his neural implants, to start the fusion core detonation. In the mean time, we still have one more target to take care of first." At the top of the snowy spiral of rock is a Phantom, which off-loads a strike team, flying away only after they have been neutralized. In the next canyon, the Covenant have set up a new encampment around the spire overlooking the frozen lake. Hunters patrol one side, with Jackal Snipers overlooking from the spire's artificial deck. On the other, Elites and a Shade turret stand guard over two parked Banshees. There is a Wraith supported by infantry around the back, where the caves lead deeper still. • Cortana: "This structure is a relay station. It keeps the phase pulse generators in this sector of the ring operating in perfect synchronization. Demolish this and Halo won't be able to gather a proper charge. But we can only get into it from the top." Master Chief hijacks a Banshee from the inattentive Elites, getting into a dogfight with others that patrol the skies above. Covenant are also stationed at the top of the spire, where a there is a large dish surrounded by towers and platforms. [It now resembles a simplified version of the Halo 2 multiplayer map "Ascension."] In particular are two Anti-Air Shades and several Grunt Heavies with Plasma Launchers. Jackal Snipers occupy decks leading to security checkpoints that flank the spire. Neutralizing the defenders, Master Chief enters the top of the spire installation. Inside, a balcony surrounds a long stalactite-like mechanism that pulses with energy. Cloaked SpecOps Elites try to slow the Chief down, to no avail. • Cortana: "Destroy those three support cables and the relay mechanism will drop like a rock." Energy Swords scavenged from the Elites are ideal for cutting through the cables. The mechanism will rip apart from the underside of the dish and crash at the bottom floor of the spire. • Cortana: "Excellent. The Monitor will blow a fuse when he sees this!" (Pause) "We've done enough here, Chief. I've found some kind of tram network that can take us directly to Alpha Base. Unfortunately, we need to reenter Halo's substructure, where the Flood is most active. Be ready." The Tunnels Below Master Chief returns to top of the spire. The security checkpoints have now unlocked, releasing swarms of Sentinels. The SPARTAN fends them off on his way back to the Banshee, then dives into the caves, daring to soar past more Covenant engaged with Flood in the tight quarters. The Chief is forced to land to open a set of blast doors. There is an explosion and they malfunction, grinding open barely enough for him to pass. But first he must fend off Flood that press through the cracks. Beyond lies the cavern with the one-and-a-half bridges. • Cortana: "That platform on the other side is the boarding dock for the tram." Halfway across the bridge, Flood forms swarm up from all sides. Master Chief fights them off and finds the tram controls on the other side of the canyon. When the tram rises out of the canyon, it too is packed with Flood. The Chief clears it out and engages the tram system. It drops down into the darkness and speeds along tunnels well below the surface of Halo. There are multiple levels to the tram, much like the Library gondola on Delta Halo. • Cortana: "Detecting a massive deposit of Flood biomass blocking the tunnel ahead, Chief. At these speeds, we should bust right through it... I think." When it gets closer, Master Chief can make out the fleshy web, Flood forms crawling across it like twisted spiders. • Cortana: "Brace yourself!" The tram bucks with the impact, but continues along unabated. Crashing through the biomass dropped a swarm of Combat, Carrier, and Harvester Forms on the tram, which Master Chief must defend himself from. After a frantic battle, the tram finally pulls in to the dock of a new structure. There are signs of combat here; dismembered Flood and Sentinel wreckage. There is one last contingent of Sentinels patrolling this structure, standing in the Chief's way. They assume 'Sentinel Major' formations without hesitation, proving for a tough fight. The Chief neutralizes them and accesses the control panel for the exit. {Cutscene} Master Chief steps out onto a deck overlooking Alpha Base. Halo has rotated enough that this part of the ring is now under twilight, casting an appropriately blood red glow over the carnage he sees. The base camp is in shambles, littered with bodies and burning wreckage. There seem to be few survivors wandering below. Grabbing hold of thick vines growing across the cliff face, the Chief quickly climbs down. He drops into the base and a pair of startled Marines draw a bead on the SPARTAN. • Marine: (Frantic) "Hold it! Hold it right there! Are you one of them?! Did they get you?!" Master Chief raises his hands in supplication. • Cortana: "It's okay, the Chief is uninfected."
Lieutenant McKay approaches, bloodied and weary, but looking every bit a hard ass ODST. • Lt. McKay: "Where the hell have you two been? Shit has really hit the fan since we lost contact with you and Captain Keyes."
The Chief and McKay cross the base. Marines are using Flamethrowers to burn the bodies of Flood. • Lt. McKay: "As soon these things struck, he locked down the command trailer, to keep hostiles from getting our intel. Standard Oh-Pee. Little did we know these things didn't come for information -- they came for us. Started dragging people off before we even realized they were coming from inside this structure. The fighting's been over for hours now, but I haven't heard a peep from the Major." At the command trailer, Marines are trying to pry open the door. • Master Chief: "Coming through." Without breaking stride, the SPARTAN kicks through the door like it was tin foil and enters the trailer. A backwash of smoke and Flood spores gives McKay pause, but then she dives in. Inside, Master Chief is being held at gunpoint. The hand holding the M6G wavers and pulls the trigger. It clicks, empty. The arm drops. It's Major Silva, but we see him only obliquely. He slumps behind the overturned sys-ops table, looking to be at death's door. Wavering antennae sprout from his chest. Dead Flood Combat Forms occupy the corners of the room. • Maj. Silva: (Weakly) "Master Chief?"
An expression of horror cracks through Lieutenant McKay's stoicism. • Maj. Silva: (To McKay) "Melissa... I know what that look means." (To Master Chief) "Chief... there's still so much to be done. The Covies have it hard too... got hit right before us. It's a warzone."
Master Chief unholsters his own sidearm and hands it to Major Silva. • Maj. Silva: "We go in... feet first."
Master Chief turns and leaves, followed reluctantly by Lieutenant McKay. As soon as they're outside the command trailer, there is a flash and a bang. McKay hangs her head for a moment, then signals to the Marines lugging Flamethrowers. • Lt. McKay: "Burn it. Burn everything." (To the Chief) "Tell me you have a plan."
A crowd of survivors have gathered around them; some Marines and some Naval personnel. This last comment inspires whoops of approval. McKay shakes her head. • Lt. McKay: "You need command clearance for that. Only the Captain--" There is a pained cry and everyone reacts, drawing weapons. A scarred Elite with one fiercely burning eye has taken a crewman hostage. Though his combat harness has been stripped down to merely the underlying bodysuit, a Sangheili warrior remains far larger and stronger than even trained Marines. There is a standoff. • Zuka 'Zamamee: (Furious) "Heresy!" Zuka fires a spray from the crewman's Assault Rifle. Master Chief moves to defend Lieutenant McKay, the bullets pinging harmless off his MJOLNIR suit's energy shields. The Elite takes this opening to throw aside the crewman and mounts a nearby Mongoose. Clearly familiar with human-made vehicles, Zuka tears out of the base camp, ignoring the Marine fire that peppers his back. • Lt. McKay: "Damn it! That was the prisoner we caught at the Cartographer. We have to stop him from warning his superiors!"
McKay grits her teeth. She doesn't like it, but she understands. • Lt. McKay: "Round 'em up, people! The Corps's not paying you by the hour!" The Lieutenant walks off-screen. One of the Marines tosses Master Chief a Rocket Launcher. • Master Chief: "So, what's this shortcut of yours?"
Master Chief shoulders the Rocket Launcher, preparing to face whatever he might teleport next to. • Master Chief: "Do it." The SPARTAN disappears in those golden bands of light. Level ends.
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| Replies: |
| Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | SonGoharotto | 5/24/11 7:16 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | ZackDark | 5/24/11 7:38 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | SonGoharotto | 5/24/11 8:09 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | sithhead | 5/24/11 8:55 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | SonGoharotto | 5/24/11 9:03 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | sithhead | 5/24/11 11:48 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | Arithmomaniac | 5/24/11 9:51 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | SonGoharotto | 5/25/11 5:32 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | Jaydee | 5/25/11 12:30 a.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | SonGoharotto | 5/25/11 6:12 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | Stephen L. (SoundEffect) | 5/25/11 7:10 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | ZackDark | 5/25/11 7:18 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | SonGoharotto | 5/25/11 7:38 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | Stephen L. (SoundEffect) | 5/25/11 9:21 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | SonGoharotto | 5/26/11 4:16 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | Stephen L. (SoundEffect) | 5/25/11 9:24 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | ZackDark | 5/25/11 10:07 p.m. |
| Re: Halo [R]Evolved - Two Betrayals | sithhead | 5/25/11 9:55 p.m. |
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