CINEMATIC

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.

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 shout.

PROPHET OF MERCY:

There will be order in this Council!

PROPHET OF TRUTH:

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

The far side of Alpha Halo explodes as 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 angry again, and we see the Brute Tartarus, chuckling to himself.

PROPHET OF REGRET (whispering):

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 angry 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.

CHAPTER 01: "Armory"

CINEMATIC

The Prophet of Truth's holographic Halo fades, to reveal Earth's moon.

A Human cruiser drifts past a massive orbital Magnetic Accelerator Cannon platform. Earth gleams below, the coastline of the Black Sea partially obscured by clouds. Home.

MASTER SERGEANT GUNNS:

The plating was about to fail, there's viscosity throughout the gel layer.

We see a Marine's hand drop some sort of equipment onto a table.

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Optics, totally fried. And let's not even talk about the power supply. You know how expensive this gear is, son?

An armored glove picks up a green, gold-visored helmet from the table, lifts it, and we pan up to the see the Master Chief, as his helmet locks hiss and activate.

MASTER CHIEF:

Tell that to the Covenant.

END CINEMATIC

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Well, I guess it was all obsolete, anyway. Your new suit's a Mark VI, just came up from Songnim this morning. Try and take it easy till you get used to the upgrades. Okay, let's test your targeting, first thing. Please look at the top light. Good. Now look at the bottom light. Alright. Look at the top light again. Now the bottom one. Okay. Tracking looks sketchy, I'm gonna run you through the full diagnostic. The diagnostic software sets your targeting system to be normal. Go ahead and look at the four lights, chief. You want me to leave it like that, or make it inverted? Okay, now it's inverted. Go ahead and target 'em one more time. Should I leave it inverted, or put it back to normal. Okay, now it's back to normal. I'll leave your targeting set to normal. If you change your mind, you can switch the setting anytime. Stand by. I'm gonna offline the inhibitors.

The steel rings surrounding the Chief lift up into the roof.

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Move around a little, get a feel for it. When you're ready, come and meet me by the zapper.

(If you knock over the can of beans sitting on the cart)

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Take it easy!

(When you approach the red recharge station pad)

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Pay attention, 'cause I'm only going over this once. This station'll test your recharging energy shields. Step on in, I'll show ya.

(If you dawdle)

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Step into the red square, Chief, and we'll get started.

(When you step onto the pad)

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Your new armor's shields are extremely efficient, very resilient.

(The machine spins up, and zaps your shields)

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Bingo! As you can see, they recharge a lot faster!

(The elevator door behind Gunns opens, to reveal Sergeant Johnson in crisp, white dress uniform)

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

If your shields go down, find some cover, wait for the meter to read fully charged.

SGT. JOHNSON:

That, or he can hide behind me. You done with my boy here, Master Gunns? I don't see any training wheels.

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

His armor's working fine, Johnson. You're free to go, son, just remember, take things slow.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Don't worry, I'll hold his hand.

(When you step onto the elevator)

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

So, Johnson, when you gonna tell me how you made it back home in one piece?

SGT. JOHNSON:

Sorry, Gunns. It's classified.

MST. SGT. GUNNS:

Huh! My ass! Well, you can forget about those adjustments to your A2 scope!

(The door closes, and the elevator rises)

SGT. JOHNSON:

Well, he's in a particularly fine mood. Maybe Lord Hood didn't give him an invitation.

(The elevator stops, revealing a small four-man tram, and a stunning view of Earth through large bay windows. Another MAC platform floats nearby, and we can see the Anatolian Peninsula beneath it)

SGT. JOHNSON:

Earth. Haven't seen it in years.

(He steps onto the tram car)

SGT. JOHNSON:

When I shipped out for Basic, the orbital defense grid was all theory and politics. Now look! The Cairo is just one of three hundred geosync platforms. That MAC gun can put a round clean through a Covenant capital ship. With coordinated fire from the Athens and the Malta, nothing's getting past this battle cluster in one piece. Ships have been arriving all morning. Nobody's saying much, but I'll bet something big's about to happen.

(The tram stops, to reveal a crowd of cheering Marines)

CINEMATIC

Sgt. Johnson and the Chief step from the tram into the crowd of Marines. Small robot cameras hover on fans, darting around the room to get an angle.

MASTER CHIEF:

You told me there wouldn't be any cameras.

SGT. JOHNSON:

And you told me you were gonna wear something nice! Folks need heroes, Chief.

Johnson takes off his hat, smooths his hair.

SGT. JOHNSON:

So, smile, would ya? While we've still got something to smile about.

They step through a door labelled �Bridge,� a pair of dress uniformed guards saluting them, and vanish into the light bloom.

CUT TO High Charity

The Brutes lead the Elite Commander through a crowd of jeering Grunts, Jackals, and Hunters.

GRUNT CROWD (in unison):

Heretic! Heretic! Heretic!

The Brutes stop at a dias in front of a huge dropoff, and below we can see crowds of thousands gathered to watch. The Brutes strap the Elite Commander's arms into a pair of floating restraints.

TARTARUS:

You've drawn quite a crowd!

ELITE COMMANDER:

If they came to hear me beg, they will be disappointed.

TARTARUS:

Are you sure?

Orange energy beams shoot out from the wall, meeting the floating restraints. The Elite Commander fights back a cry of pain.

CUT TO Cairo

Sgt. Johnson and the Master Chief arrive on the Cairo's bridge, greeted by dozens of cheering Naval officers and crew members. They approach a raised platform, walking up a flight of steps to the sound of clapping hands. They stand in front of Lord Hood, snap to attention, and salute.

LORD HOOD:

Gentlemen, we're lucky to have you back.

One of Lord Hood's officers whispers something in his ear.

LORD HOOD:

Go ahead, Cortana.

CORTANA:

Another whisper, Sir, near Io. We have probes en route.

LORD HOOD:

I apologize, but we're going to have to make this quick.

CORTANA:

You look nice.

MASTER CHIEF:

Thanks.

SGT. JOHNSON (simultaneous):

Thank you.

LORD HOOD:

Sergeant Major, the Colonial Cross is awarded for acts of singular daring and devotion, for a soldier of the United Earth Space Corps�

CUT TO High Charity

BRUTE CS2:

There can be no greater heresy! Let him be an example for all who would break our Covenant!

The crowd howls, and the Brute guards remove the Elite Commander's chest armor.

CUT TO Cairo

A young woman steps up, turns, snaps to attention.

LORD HOOD:

Commander Miranda Keyes. Your father's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service. His bravery in the face of impossible odds reflects great credit, upon himself, and the UNSC. The Navy has lost one of its best.

Miranda takes the proferred medal in her hand.

CUT TO High Charity

A golden Elite helmet falls to the floor.

The Elite Commander, stripped naked, hangs against the restraints. From below, a large, cruel-looking brand emerges, and Tartarus, the Chieftan of the Brutes, take it in hand. It lights, casting his face in an orange glow.

He approaches the Elite Commander and pushes the brand viciously against his chest.

For a moment, the Commander fights the pain, but then gives in and lets out a low howl.

CUT TO Cairo

Klaxons begin to blare.

CORTANA:

Slipspace ruptures, directly off our battle cluster.

LORD HOOD:

Show me.

The display flickers, showing approach trajectories for a group of Covenant starships.

CORTANA:

Fifteen Covenant capital ships, holding position just outside the killzone.

FLEET ADMIRAL HARPER (radio):

This is Fleet Admiral Harper. We are engaging the enemy.

LORD HOOD:

Negative, Admiral. Form a defensive perimeter around the cluster. (To Commander Miranda Keyes) Commander, get to your ship, link up with the fleet.

MIRANDA KEYES:

Yes, Sir.

LORD HOOD:

You have the MAC gun, Cortana. As soon as they come in range, open up.

CORTANA:

Gladly.

LORD HOOD (studying the display):

Something's not right. The fleet that destroyed Reach was fifty times this size.

SENSORMAN:

Sir, additional contacts! Boarding craft, and lots of �em!

LORD HOOD:

They're going to try to take our MAC guns offline, give their capital ships a straight shot at Earth. Master Chief�defend this station.

MASTER CHIEF:

Yes, Sir. (To Sgt. Johnson) I need a weapon.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Right this way.

Johnson and the Chief leave the bridge, as Lord Hood turns back to his command station. Through the bay windows looking up to the MAC cannon, we see the fleet turn to engage the Covenant attackers, Longsword fighters hurtling overhead trailed by a pair of huge cruisers.

END CINEMATIC

CINEMATIC

Cortana appears on a pedestal near the bomb.

CORTANA:

Me. Inside your head. Now.

The Chief touches the pedestal, and Cortana downloads directly into his armor.

He steps over to the bomb, and touches the flashing red activation pad at its center. It blinks and shuts off.

MASTER CHIEF:

How much time was left?

CORTANA:

You don't want to know.

MIRANDA (radio):

Cairo, this is In Amber Clad.

CUT TO the bridge of In Amber Clad. It's small, with room only for the Captain's chair and two forward seats for the helm and weapons officers.

MIRANDA:

The carrier's shield is down. I'm in position and ready for immediate assault.

CUT TO Cairo's bridge. Lord Hood is alone.

LORD HOOD:

Negative, Commander. Not against a ship that size. Not on your own.

MASTER CHIEF (radio):

Sir.

CUT TO the bay, where the Chief is resting one hand on the bomb.

MASTER CHIEF:

Permission to leave the station?

CUT BACK TO Cairo's bridge.

LORD HOOD:

For what purpose, Master Chief?

MASTER CHIEF (radio):

To give the Covenant back their bomb.

LORD HOOD:

Permission granted.

In the bay, the Master Chief grabs the bomb and hauls it across the floor, leaving a trail of sparks. He drags it into the elevator, and descends.

CORTANA:

I know what you're thinking, and it's crazy.

MASTER CHIEF:

So�stay here?

CORTANA:

Unfortunately for us both�I like crazy.

The elevator reaches a Longsword launch bay, and the Chief steps out, watching through the huge bay door. The entire fleet streams down toward Earth, chasing the Covenant ships, and exchanges of fire flicker through space. The Chief steps up to the door's release handle, which drops down above him.

CORTANA:

Just one question. What if you miss?

MASTER CHIEF:

I won't.

The Chief pulls down the handle and the bay doors cycle open, the bay decompressing rapidly. Debris lifts off the floor and hurtles into space, and the bomb slowly begins to slide toward the doors. The Chief grabs hold of it as it passes, and is pulled out into space.

In free-fall, the Chief descends towards northern Africa, heading for Egypt. The second Covenant assault carrier passes below his position, and opens up with a huge pulse laser, narrowly missing him. A human cruiser rockets below him, takes a pulse laser burst right through its spine, and explodes. The Chief plummets past it, watches as its engines fail and try to relight themselves.

A pair of Longsword fighters dives past him, no doubt vectored in by Cortana, and make a strafing run on the Covenant carrier. Their bombs make a stacatto beat of fire along the back of the carrier, and the Chief slips through the narrow gap the blasts have created into-

The carrier's center is a huge, open chamber, a massive fusion core casting white light across its inner surface. The carrier has taken a lot of abuse; the far side of the chamber is torn apart, revealing Earth outside. The Chief crawls up the bomb, presses its activation panel, and spins around. His legs flex, and he vaults off the bomb, aiming for the split in the carrier's armor.

He plummets from the carrier, straight for Earth, as behind him minor blue explosions flicker up and down the Covenant ship. A pause, and the entire ship detonates in a huge plasma conflagration.

The Chief falls towards Africa, and a human frigate passes beneath him, matching trajectories.

Inside In Amber Clad's bridge, Sgt. Johnson and Cmdr. Keyes watch a tactical display. A thud resounds through the ship; the Chief has hit his mark.

SGT. JOHNSON:

For a brick�he flew pretty good!

MIRANDA:

Chief�get inside, gear up. We're taking this fight to the surface.

In Amber Clad banks hard and dives towards the Earth's atmosphere, and a massive, gray city along the East African coast comes into view.

CHAPTER 01: "Outskirts"

CINEMATIC

A trio of Pelicans rockets away from In Amber Clad, jet engines thundering, and spear out towards New Mombasa.

CORTANA:

The message just repeats. 'Regret, Regret, Regret.'

The Chief watches from the stern of a Pelican as the clouds roll by below.

MIRANDA:

Catchy. Any idea what it means?

SGT. JOHNSON (as the dropships approach the outskirts of Mombasa):

Dear Humanity... we regret being alien bastards. We regret coming to Earth.

Inside the cockpit of the lead Pelican, Johnson leans against the bulkhead behind the two pilots.

SGT. JOHNSON:

And we most definitely regret that the Corps just blew up our raggedy-ass fleet!

PILOTS (in unison):

Hoo-rah!

CORTANA (radio):

Regret is a name, Sergeant. The name of one of the Covenant's religious leaders. A Prophet. He's on that carrier, and he's calling for help.

A Marine sniper/spotter team lies prone on a rooftop, and the Pelicans pass over their position.

MARINE SPOTTER (radio):

Immediate. Grid kilo 23 is hot. Recommend mission abort.

PILOT:

Roger, recon. It's your call, Sarge.

SGT. JOHNSON:

We're going in. Get tactical, Marines!

LORD HOOD (radio):

Master Chief, get aboard that carrier, and secure the Prophet of Regret. This is the only place on Earth the Covenant decided to land. That Prophet is going to tell us why.

PILOT:

Thirty seconds out... stand by to... whoa...

The pilot goes silent as a huge walking tank comes into view. Its leg spears a bus, and then its main gun focuses and fires, giving the lead Pelican a glancing blow. The two other Pelicans veer off, plasma turrets on the tank's bank tracking them. The lead Pelican flips inverted, hits a building, and slides through a low brick wall, before blacking out the frame.

END CINEMATIC

CHAPTER 01: "Ladies Like Armor Plating"

CINEMATIC

The Chief strides over towards a couple of Marines. He steps over a Marine sitting on the ground, out of breath from what must have been a recent firefight.

A female Marine briefs him on the current situation concerning the Covenant Scarab, shown walking away across the massive bridge connecting the two city sections.

FEMALE MARINE:

It blew right through us! .50 cal, rockets, didn't do a thing.

At that moment, a Pelican flies in carrying a Scorpion Tank. The tank is disengaged and Sgt. Johnson hops down onto the tank and then to the ground.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Where's the rest of your platoon?

FEMALE MARINE:

Wasted, Sarge.

BREATHLESS MARINE:

And we will be too sir, if we don' t get the hell out of here!

The Sergeant sets a hand on the Marine's shoulder.

SGT. JOHNSON:

You hit Marine?

BREATHLESS MARINE:

N-no, sir.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Then listen up! The Chief is gonna jump in this tank, roll across the bridge, and blow up any inhuman ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ dumb enough to get between him and the Prophet of Regret! Pull yourself together, 'cause you're goin with him!

FEMALE MARINE:

What about that Scarab?

SGT. JOHNSON:

We've all run the simulations! They're tough, but they ain't invincible! Stay with the Master Chief, he'll know what to do.

The camera zooms in to a close-up of the Chief's faceplate.

CORTANA (directed towards the Chief):

Thanks for the tank. He never gets me anything.

The Sergeants hops into the passenger compartment of the Pelican, and racks a round into the chain gun.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Oh, I know what the ladies like.

The Scarab explodes and the Master Chief walks out.

SGT. JOHNSON (In the Pelican cockpit):

That's right you mothers! Run!

CORTANA:

Not if we can help it Sergeant.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Extract the Chief and return to In Amber Clad.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Roger that!

LORD HOOD (On display screen on In Amber Clad):

Status?

COMMANDER KEYES:

Sir, the Prophet is bugging out! Request permission to engage!

LORD HOOD:

Negative, Commander. I'll vector two heavies for starside intercept.

The Covenant ship begins to accelerate.

NAV OFFICER:

Ma'am, Slipspace rupture off the target's bow! It's going to jump, inside the city!

COMMANDER KEYES:

There's no time sir!

LORD HOOD:

Greenlight! Greenlight to engage!

The Pelican docks inside In Amber Clad.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Punch it! Get us close!

NAV OFFICER:

Ma'am, without a destination solution-

COMMANDER KEYES:

We are NOT losing that ship!

The ship enters Slipspace, causing a massive white explosion that engulfs the whole of New Mombasa.

END CINEMATIC

CHAPTER 01: "The Arbiter"

CINEMATIC

The scene opens up with a blurry camera shot focused on the floor, before clearing and focusing on the back of Tartarus. The shot then changes to show Tartarus walking down a hallway, two Brutes behind him, carrying the Elite Commander on their shoulders. They are walking through a prison.

BRUTE 1:

How much further must we heft this baggage? Any cell will do. Why not toss him in with this lot?

The Brutes pass a cell containing three Jackals, which hiss and reach out through the bars at the Brutes as they pass.

BRUTE 1:

They could use the meat.

BRUTE 2:

Them? What about us? My belly aches, and his flesh is seared, just the way I like it.

TARTARUS:

Quiet! You two whimper like Grunts fresh off the teat. He's not meant for the jails. The Hierarchs have something special in mind.

The Brutes and their cargo move out onto a platform overlooking the Mausoleum of the Arbiter. They ride a grav lift down to the walkway leading up to it and pass dozens of Elite Honor Guards standing at attention, staves ready. They enter the Mausoleum, where the Prophets of Truth and Mercy await. The Brutes and Tartarus bow.

TARTARUS:

Noble Prophets of Truth and Mercy, I have brought the incompetent.

TRUTH:

You may leave, Tartarus.

Tartarus looks up, surprised.

TARTARUS:

But I thought-

TRUTH:

And take your Brutes with you.

Tartarus hesitates, and then bows again.

TARTARUS:

(whispering) Release the prisoner.

The Brutes drop the Elite to his knees and rise, leaving the room. The Elite touches the Mark of Shame on his chest.

TRUTH:

The Council decided to have you hung by your entrails and your corpse paraded through the city. But, ultimately, the terms of your execution are up to me.

ELITE COMMANDER:

I am already dead.

TRUTH:

Indeed. Do you know where we are?

ELITE COMMANDER:

The Mausoleum of the Arbiter.

TRUTH:

Quite so. Here rests the vanguard of the Great Journey. Every Arbiter, from first to last. Each one created and consumed in times of extraordinary crisis.

MERCY:

The Taming of the Hunters, the Grunt Rebellion . . . Were it not for the Arbiters, the Covenant would have broken long ago!

ELITE COMMANDER:

Even on my knees I do not belong in their presence.

TRUTH:

Halo's destruction was your error, and you rightly bear the blame. But the Council was . . . overzealous. We know you are no heretic. This is the true face of heresy, one who would subvert our faith and incite rebellion against the High Council.

Truth presses a button on his chair, and a miniature hologram of an Elite in different equipment appears.

HERETIC LEADER:

Our Prophets are false! Open your eyes, my brothers! They would use the faith of our Forefathers to bring ruin to us all! The Great Journey is-

Truth cuts off the hologram.

TRUTH:

This heretic, and those who follow him, must be silenced.

MERCY:

Their slander offends all who walk the Path.

ELITE COMMANDER:

What use am I? I can no longer command ships, lead troops into battle-

TRUTH:

Not as you are. But become the Arbiter . . . And you shall be set loose against this heresy, with our blessing.

A large container pod floats into the center of the room, opening to reveal a suit of ancient armor surrounded by white light. The Elite stares at this for a moment, before turning back to Truth. ELITE COMMANDER:

What of the Council?

MERCY:

The tasks you must undertake as the Arbiter are perilous, suicidal. You will die, as each Arbiter has before you. The Council will have their corpse.

The Elite rises, and walks toward the armor. He pauses before it, and looks to the pods containing the corpses of the Arbiters who fell before him. He reaches up and takes the helmet of the Arbiter, and places it upon his head, then looks to the Hierarchs.

ARBITER:

What would you have your Arbiter do?

The scene changes to show the outside of High Charity, the fleet surrounding it. Three Phantoms fly past the camera and swoop past the ruins of Halo, a large piece of it still intact and with landscape and clouds still visible. As it flies, the voice of the Spec Ops Leader can be heard.

SPEC OPS LEADER:

When we joined the Covenant, we took an oath!

The scene cuts to the inside of the phantom, where Elites in black armor, along with the new Arbiter, line the walls, with a line of Grunts in the center. A white armored Elite, the Spec Ops Leader, walks among them.

ELITES:

According to our station! All without exception!

SPEC OPS LEADER:

On the blood of our fathers, on the blood of our sons, we swore to uphold the Covenant!

ELITES:

Even to our dying breath!

SPEC OPS LEADER:

Those who would break this oath are heretics, worthy of neither pity, nor mercy! Even now they use our lords' creations to broadcast their lies!

ELITES:

We shall grind them into dust!

(Note: the subtitles at this point include the line "Wipe them as excrement from our boots!" It is unknown why Bungie removed this)

Spec Ops Leader turns his head to face the camera, revealing he is missing the mandibles on the left side of his head.

SPEC OPS LEADER:

And continue our march to glorious salvation!

Spec Ops Leader approaches the Arbiter.

SPEC OPS LEADER:

This armor suits you, but it cannot hide that mark.

ARBITER:

Nothing ever will.

SPEC OPS LEADER:

You are the Arbiter, the will of the Prophets. But these are my Elites. Their lives matter to me. Yours does not.

ARBITER:

That makes two of us.

Spec Ops Leader responds to this with a respectful "hm."

The Phantoms fly over a Forerunner structure, a gas mine, and descend toward another structure dangling below it on a long cable. An intense storm swirls below the structure.

PHANTOM PILOT:

"Leader, there is no doubt: the storm will strike the facility!

SPEC OPS LEADER:

We'll be long gone before it arrives.

The Phantoms fly lower, near the top of one of several towers sticking out from the center of the main structure. They deposit a group of Grunts and an Elite, followed by a second one that drops two Elites and the Arbiter.

SPEC OPS LEADER:

Warriors, prepare for combat!

The Arbiter ignites his blade and looks down at it, before the mission begins.

CHAPTER 01: "Oracle"

CINEMATIC

A door slides open. Two Elites cover the entrance with plasma rifles while Grunts file in. The Elites cautiously advance, followed by the Spec Ops Leader and the Arbiter. Spec Ops pauses and sniffs the air.

ARBITER:

What is it?

SPEC OPS LEADER:

That stench . . . I've smelled it before.

END CINEMATIC

The Heretic Leader takes cover behind a shielded door before the Arbiter can catch him.

HERETIC LEADER:

This will save me from the storm, but you will be consumed.

The Arbiter pounds angrily on the portal, but cannot break through as the doors seal. Spec Ops and his troops arrive.

SPEC OPS LEADER:

Arbiter, where is he? Stinking Floodbait boxed himself in tight. We'll never break through this.

The Arbiter notices a hologram of the station, and watches it thoughtfully.

ARBITER:

We shall force him out.

SPEC OPS LEADER:

How?

ARBITER:

The cable. I'm going to cut it. Get everyone back to the ships!

SPEC OPS LEADER:

Warriors, return to the landing zone! The Arbiter is going to continue up through this station, cut the cable, and scare the Heretic from his hole!

ELITE 1:

May our Lords guide you.

ELITE 2:

We shall not forget your sacrifice.

(if you have a sword)

SPEC OPS LEADER:

Keep your blade handy. I doubt the cable can withstand its bite.

(if you do not have a sword)

SPEC OPS LEADER:

Take my blade. I doubt the cable can withstand its bite.

END CINEMATIC

CINEMATIC

The Arbiter fights through the first portion of the station back toward the hangar. There, he confronts the Heretic Leader as he is boarding the Seraph.

ARBITER:

Turn, heretic.

HERETIC LEADER:

Arbiter. I would rather die by your hands than let the Prophets lead me to slaughter.

ARBITER:

Who has taught you these lies?

At this, a familiar blue glowing ball of annoyance descends, humming to itself.

ARBITER:

The Oracle!

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Why hello! I am 343 Guilty Spark, Monitor of Installation 04.

HERETIC LEADER:

Ask the Oracle about Halo. How the Prophets would sacrifice us all for nothing.

343 GUILTY SPARK:

More questions? Splendid! I would be happy to assist you.

Any questions are cut off as the Heretic opens fire on the Arbiter with twin plasma rifles. The Arbiter falls back, taking cover while his shield generator recharges. As he does so, the Heretic Leader floats back toward the Seraph and pulls out two holodrones.

HERETIC LEADER:

The Elites are blind, Arbiter. . . but I . . . will make them see.

The Heretic Leader releases the drones, which become copies of him. The Arbiter battles the Heretic Leader. During the battle, Spark speaks.

343 GUILTY SPARK:

This mining facility predates Installation Alpha by several hundred years. It was retrofitted to research possible offensive and defensive measures against the Flood. Indeed, I designed and oversaw the construction of this facility's various outbreak management systems.

343 GUILTY SPARK:

(There are two other lines if you wait around long enough: something about the cable being the installation's fail-safe and being glad someone had the foresight to cut it, and another about the Flood perishing in the planet's liquid nitrogen core.)

The Arbiter kills the Heretic Leader, and begins to drag his corpse to the hangar door.

343 GUILTY SPARK:

How unfortunate. His edification was most enjoyable.

ARBITER:

I had no choice, Holy Oracle. This heretic imperiled the Great Journey.

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Oracle? Great Journey? Why do you meddlers insist on using such inaccurate verbia-whoooooaaaaa!

Spark is snatched by an unseen force and pulled away. He is dragged through the air, directly to the top of the Fist of Rukt: the gravity hammer of Tartarus. Tartarus, standing beneath a Phantom, pulls Spark off the end of his hammer.

ARBITER:

That is the Oracle!

Tartarus tosses Spark into the gravity lift casually.

TARTARUS:

So it is. Come, we are leaving this system.

CINEMATIC

Scene opens with a huge white and purple explosion in space. A Covenant cruiser, a number of buildings from New Mombasa, and finally the In Amber Clad pour out of the explosion. Scene cuts to In Amber Clad's bridge. Commander Keyes almost falls off her chair due to sudden deceleration.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Report!

CREWMAN 1:

Both engine cores have spun to zero. We're drifting.

CREWMAN 2:

Archer pods are cold. I'll need to re-key the system.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Do it, and find out where we are.

(Launch bay with ODST pods lining the walls)

COMMANDER KEYES (COM):

Sorry for the quick jump, Sergeant. Are you still in one piece?

(Inside of launch pod. Sergeant Johnson holds a cigar)

SGT. JOHNSON:

I'm good. Chief?

(Inside of the Master Chief's pod)

CORTANA:

We're fine.

(IAC bridge)

CREWMAN 1:

Ma'am. there's an object. Coming into view now.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Cortana, what exactly am I looking at?

In space, a huge blue planet obscured by the buildings dominates the scene. As the IAC moves, the camera pans and shows a Halo.

CORTANA:

That... is another Halo.

(Launch bay)

SGT. JOHNSON:

(takes cigar out of mouth, coughs) Say WHAT?

(Bridge)

COMMANDER KEYES:

So this is what my father found.

(Camera view shows front viewscreen, the blue planet and Halo)

COMMANDER KEYES:

I thought Halo was some sort of super weapon.

CORTANA (COM):

It is. Once activated, this ring will cause destruction on a galactic scale.

(Cut to Master Chief's pod. He's looking at the viewscreen, showing the blue planet and Halo.)

COMMANDER KEYES (COM):

I want all the information you have on the first Halo. Schematics, topography, whatever.

(Bridge)

COMMANDER KEYES:

I don't care if I have the clearance or not.

CORTANA:

Yes, ma'am.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Where's our target?

CREWMAN 2:

The enemy ship is stopped just above the ring, ma'am. We're going to pass right over it.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Perfect.

(Cut to space. The planet and Halo are much closer now, and the IAC speeds toward them)

COMMANDER KEYES:

Given what we know about this ring, it's even more important that we capture the Prophet of Regret. Find out why he came to Earth, why he came here.

(Cut to Chief's pod again. He nods to confirm)

COMMANDER KEYES (COM):

Chief, take first platoon. Hard drop. Secure a landing zone.

(Johnson's pod)

COMMANDER KEYES (COM):

Sergeant, load up two flights of pelicans, and follow them in.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Aye aye, ma'am.

(Launch bay. Johnson gets out of pod, walks to Chief's pod, and bangs on it. Chief bangs back. COMMANDER KEYES continues talking)

COMMANDER KEYES:

Until I can move and fight, I'm going to keep a low profile. Once you leave the ship, you're on your own.

MASTER CHIEF:

Understood.

(Bridge)

CREWMAN 2:

Over the target in five...

(Cut to outer space. IAC is moving above Halo. Cut to chief's pod)

CORTANA:

Hang on to your helmet!

Launch bay shows pods being launched towards the surface. Outside shot shows IAC moving above Halo and dropping the pods, which rush past the camera. The camera chases a pod through Halo's atmosphere. The screen blanks. Pods can be seen cutting fiery swaths in the sky from Delta Halo, as they release their airbrakes, which soon snap loose.

CORTANA:

Mind the bump.

The Delta Halo surface. A Jackal and grunt are standing around near an old Forerunner ruin built into the side of a cliff. When they notice the ODSTs, the Jackal turns his shield on, and the grunt attempts to get into the turret...twice. He begins shooting at the drop pods, which crash precariously a few yards from the side of the cliff. The Chief emerges from one of them.

CORTANA:

Could we possibly make any more noise?

(The Chief hoists a rocket launcher on his shoulder)

CORTANA:

I guess so.

END CINEMATIC

CINEMATIC

CORTANA:

Wait, go back.

The chief quickly hits a couple of buttons, and a mini-Cortana appears on a holopad in front of an approximately 1/3 life size hologram of the Prophet of Regret. Regret has been chanting in the background, and continues to do so. He is also gesticulating as he speaks.

CORTANA:

That's what I thought he said.

Cortana turns from looking at the Prophet to looking at the chief.

CORTANA:

The Prophet of Regret is planning to activate Halo!

MASTER CHIEF:

Are you sure?

Cortana snaps, and instead of the chanting, the prophet is now speaking English. The music starts to crescendo.

PROPHET OF REGRET:

I shall light this sacred ring, release it's cleansing flame, and burn a path into the divine beyond!

Cortana snaps, and the Prophet stops talking.

CORTANA:

Pretty much.

MASTER CHIEF:

Commander, we've got a problem.

Cut to Commander Keyes, sitting in her command chair on the Bridge of In Amber Clad. There is a holopad in front of her, generating small orange holograms of whatever she is talking about. While she talks about the index, it shows the index. When she starts talking about the library, she hits a button and the library appears.

COMMANDER KEYES:

So I hear. But from what I understand, the prophet will need an object, the index, to activate the ring. I've located a library similar to the one you found on the first halo. If the rings work the same way, the index should be inside.

Cut to video screen with Sgt. Johnson's face in it.

SGT.JOHNSON:

I bet the Covenant are thinking the exact same thing.

Cut back to Commander Keyes.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Then we better beat them to it, Sergeant. Extract your men and meet me at the library.

SGT.JOHNSON:

Yes ma'am.

Cut back the Master Chief and Cortana.

COMMANDER KEYES:

I'll secure the index, chief. You take out the prophet. He's given us all the intel we need.

END CINEMATIC

CORTANA:

Bad news, Chief, the phantoms are turning around. The fleet is preparing to fire on OUR position. We need to get out of here.

The chief is standing outside the temple, with dead Covenant bodies behind him. A Covenant ship is directly overhead. A huge purple beam, similar to a grav lift, comes down, hits the temple, and starts getting brighter and brighter. It's obviously a weapon. The chief turns, runs around a corner, and jumps a ledge, landing about 30 feet below where he was. He runs the entire length of the temple, as the temple starts exploding. He barely makes it off, and is flung into the water, where he slowly begins to sink with other bits of stone from the temple. Two tentacles come up from the bottom, wrap around him, and begin to drag him down.

GRAVEMIND:

This is not your grave...

GRAVEMIND:

But you are welcome in it.

CINEMATIC

The scene opens on the hallway leading into the Sanctum of the Hierarchs, lined with Honor Guards. The Arbiter is walking toward the doorway, while several Brutes are advancing up the corridor. As the Arbiter walks past, a Brute wrenches the staff from a reluctant Elite Honor Guard. Another Elite surrenders his helmet. Two Brutes are shown bickering over another one of the helmets, while another appraises his staff as if were a new toy. The Arbiter walks past a pair of dejected Honor Guards without their headdresses, and enters the Prophets' private quarters. He steps between two Brutes smugly dressed as Honor Guards, and the camera reveals the Spec-Ops Commander and two blue-armored Elites speaking with Truth and Mercy before a viewscreen/window showing the Delta Halo.

SPEC OPS:

This is unprecedented. Unacceptable.

TRUTH:

A Hierarch is dead, Commander.

SPEC OPS:

His murderer was within our grasp; if you had not withdrawn our Phantoms-

TRUTH:

(interjecting) Are you questioning my decision?

SPEC OPS:

No, Holy One. I only wish to express my concern that Brutes-

TRUTH:

Recommissioning the guard was a radical step, but recent events have made it abundantly clear that the Elites can no longer guarantee our safety.

SPEC OPS:

I shall relay your . . . decision . . . to the Council.

Spec Ops and his companions turn and walk out of the room. They pass the Arbiter, and both he and Spec Ops trade respectful nods.

TRUTH:

Politics. How tiresome. Arbiter, did you know that the Elites have threatened to resign? To quit the High Council? Because of this . . . exchange of hats?

ARBITER:

We have always been your protectors.

TRUTH:

Indeed. But these are trying times, for all of us.

MERCY:

Even as the humans' annihilation filled us with satisfaction, the loss of one of the sacred rings wracked our hearts with grief.

TRUTH:

Putting aside our sorrow, we renewed our faith in the prophecy that other rings would be found, and see how our faith has been rewarded.

Truth gestures to the image of Delta Halo, and Mercy bows his head, spreading his arms out reverently.

MERCY:

Halo. Its divine wind will rush through the stars, propelling all who are worthy along the path to salvation.

TRUTH:

(He strokes his beard in false pensiveness.)

How to start this process? For ages we searched for one who can unlock the secrets of the ring, an Oracle.

Truth gestures toward the central pedestal in the room, where we see what looks like a holographic image of 343 Guilty Spark, deactivated.

TRUTH:

And with your help, we found it.

MERCY:

With appropriate humility, we plied the Oracle with questions. And it, with clarity and grace, has shown us the key.

Beside Guilty Spark there appears an image of the Index.

TRUTH:

You will journey to the surface of the ring and retrieve this Sacred Icon. With it we shall fulfill our promise.

MERCY:

Salvation for all!

TRUTH:

And begin the Great Journey.

Cut to an image of Delta Halo. A Phantom swoops past, descending toward the ring's surface. Within the Phantom, Tartarus steps up beside the Brute pilot.

TARTARUS:

Once the shield is down, head straight to the Library. I do not wish to keep the Hierarchs waiting.

The Arbiter stands in the Phantom's troop bay.

ARBITER:

The human who killed the Prophet of Regret . . . who was it?

TARTARUS:

Who do you think?

ARBITER:

The Demon is here?

TARTARUS:

(snorts) Why? Looking for a little payback?

ARBITER:

(clenches a Carbine tightly in his hands)

Retrieving the Icon is my only concern.

TARTARUS:

(chuckles)

Of course.

The Phantom swoops toward the Sentinel Wall, behind which is the Library, protected by a shield. It hovers over an opening in the wall, where several covenant corpses are strewn and there are obvious signs of battle. The Arbiter drops out of the gravity lift and lands in the alcove. he prowls forward, when behind him rises up a large, clawed machine; an Enforcer. he turns to face it and fires upon it, but deals no damage. The Phantom swoops in again, firing, and blows off one of the Enforcer's legs. It turns to give chase.

TARTARUS:

Lower the shield, Arbiter! I'll pick you up when you've finished.

END CINEMATIC

CINEMATIC

The cinematic starts with a partially overhead view of a Phantom dropping off several Elites and Spec Ops Leader as the snow gently falls around them. The Arbiter, wielding a Carbine, walks towards Spec Ops Leader.

ARBITER:

At the center of this zone is the Sacred Icon critical for the Great Journey. I must find it.

SPEC OPS:

We shall cut into the heart of this infestation, retrieve the Icon, and burn any Flood that stand in our way.

Several Elites roar in both pure anticipation and (what is no doubt) formal response. The Spec Ops Leader looks back at the Arbiter.

SPEC OPS:

The parasite is not to be trifled with. I hope you know what you're doing.

Spec Ops walks off, and the Arbiter looks at the ancient Forerunner door, one of the first of many leading to the Sacred Icon...

END CINEMATIC

CINEMATIC:

The camera zooms to the Arbiter and Spec Ops on the platform. They spot another gondola, already departed and moving ahead.

SPEC OPS:

More humans!

ARBITER:

They must be on their way to the Icon.

The Arbiter and Spec Ops Leader turn as they hear Flood shrieks in the distance... The Spec Ops Leader turns in the direction of the screams and ignites his sword.

SPEC OPS:

On your way Arbiter; I'll deal with these beasts!

The Arbiter turns to activate the gondola as Spec Ops moves to engage any pursuing Flood.

The Arbiter activates the gondola. Off all things, it moves. Tartarus' Phantom flies in behind the gondola, and the Arbiter glances back for a moment.

TARTARUS:

I see that coward didn't join you. I'll do what I can to keep the Flood off your back.

END CINEMATIC

ge of several Sentinel Enforcers. She spots the Index in its protective sheath, and uses a hanging Flood tentacle (which look strangely like Gravemind's, or some as of yet unseen Flood form) to lean out over the pit. It finishes its "routines" (as though for her) and she plucks it from its casing.

MIRANDA:

Gotcha!

The tentacle slips - but Johnson grabs it just in time.

JOHNSON:

(grunting) You know, your father never asked me for help either!

Miranda hooks the Index in her belt loop.

MIRANDA:

The Index is secure.

Johnson turns around, towards the entrance to the room.

JOHNSON:

McKenzie! Perez! How's our exit? You hear me Marines?

Silence.

JOHNSON:

We've got trouble.

Johnson readies his Battle Rifle, while Miranda gets out her two SMGs. Johnson scans the room with his Battle Rifle, and suddenly, the telltale ripples of the Arbiter's active-camouflage flit from behind a piece of wreckage. Johnson opens fire, and knocks out the Arbiter's camouflage generator, but the Arbiter clutches Johnson by the shoulders, disarming him.

JOHNSON:

How you doin'?

The Arbiter gives Johnson the "Glasgow Kiss" and incapacitates him.

Miranda takes aim at the Arbiter with her SMGs.

MIRANDA:

Sergeant! Stay down!

She unleashes on the Arbiter with her SMGs (a confident move, considering Johnson's position and that shooting even one SMG is akin to wrestling a greased pig). The Arbiter ducks for cover.

MIRANDA:

Johnson? Johnson!

The Arbiter leaps from behind some more rubble and smacks the SMGs from Miranda's hands. Suddenly, a wave of electricity engulfs her and she flies into Tartarus' hands.

TARTARUS:

Excellent work Arbiter. The Hierarchs will be pleased.

ARBITER:

The Icon... is MY responsibility.

TARTARUS:

WAS your responsibility.

Tartarus takes the Index from Miranda's belt.

TARTARUS:

Now it is mine...

Three Brutes walk towards the Arbiter. One retrieves Johnson, while the other two level their Brute Shots at the Arbiter. Tartarus places Miranda on the shoulder of the Brute dragging Johnson across the floor.

TARTARUS:

A bloody fate awaits you and the rest of your incompetent race... and I, Tartarus!, Chieftain of the Brutes, will send you to it.

Tartarus levels his weapon, The Fist of Rukt, at the Arbiter.

ARBITER:

When the Prophets learn of this, they will take your head!

Tartarus:

Learn of it? (laughs) Fool, the ordered me to do it.

With that, Tartarus fires his weapon at the Arbiter, dashing him into the abyss...

CINEMATIC

The Chief awakens somewhere deep underground, in a vast chamber, snared in a mass of slithering tentacles. He is lifted and brought before a huge creature.

CORTANA:

What... is that?

GRAVEMIND:

I? I am a monument to all your sins.

Gravemind brings the Arbiter to hang next to the Chief.

MASTER CHIEF:

Relax. I'd rather not piss this thing off.

ARBITER:

Demon!

Gravemind gestures to the Master Chief.

GRAVEMIND:

This one is machine and nerve and has its mind concluded.

Gravemind switches his attention to the Arbiter.

GRAVEMIND:

This one is but flesh and faith, and is the more deluded.

ARBITER:

Kill me or release me, parasite, but do not waste my time with talk.

GRAVEMIND:

There is much talk, and I have listened, through rock and metal and time. Now I shall talk, and you shall listen.

Gravemind brings in 2401 Penitent Tangent and the reanimated corpse of Regret.

2401 PENITENT TANGENT:

Greetings! I am 2401 Penitent Tangent. I am the monitor of installation 05.

REGRET:

And I am the Prophet of Regret, Councillor most high, Heirarch of the Covenant!

2401 PENITENT TANGENT:

A Reclaimer? Here? At last. We have much to do. This facility must be activated if we are to control this outbreak.

REGRET:

Stay where you are! Nothing can be done until my sermon is complete!

2401 PENITENT TANGENT:

Not true. This installation has a successful utilization record of 1.2 trillion simulated and one actual. It is ready to fire on demand.

REGRET (to Arbiter):

Of all the objects our lords left behind, there are none so worthless as these oracles! They know nothing of the Great Journey!

2401 PENITENT TANGENT:

And you know nothing about containment. You have demonstrated complete disregard for even the most basic protocols.

GRAVEMIND:

This one's containment...

Gravemind gestures to 2401 Penitent Tangent

GRAVEMIND:

...and this one's Great Journey...

Gravemind gestures to Regret

GRAVEMIND:

...are the same.

Gravemind removes 2401 Penitent Tangent and Regret.

REGRET (offscreen):

Huh? Augh! AAAAAAAAAAAH!

GRAVEMIND:

Your Prophets have promised you freedom from a doomed existence, but you will find no salvation on this ring. Those who built this place knew what they wrought; do not mistake their intent or all will perish as they did before.

MASTER CHIEF:

This thing is right. Halo is a weapon. Your Prophets are making a big mistake.

ARBITER:

Your ignorance already destroyed one of the sacred rings, demon. It shall not harm another.

GRAVEMIND:

If you will not hear the truth, then I will show it to you. There is still time to stop the key from turning, but first it must be found.

Gravemind gestures to the Arbiter.

GRAVEMIND:

You will search one likely spot...

Gravemind gestures to the Master Chief.

GRAVEMIND:

...and you will search another. Fate had us meet as foes, but this ring will make us brothers.

The Arbiter and the Master Chief are teleported.

CUT TO High Charity.

An army of Grunts and Jackals are trying to enter the Council Chamber, but Brutes are keeping them out. Inside, Truth is delivering a sermon, watched by a number of Brutes and Grunts.

TRUTH:

We are, all of us, gravely concerned. The release of the parasite was unexpected, unfortunate, but there is no need to panic. In truth, this is a time to rejoice, a moment that all the Covenant should savor, for the Sacred Icon has been found! With it our path is clear, our entry into the divine beyond guaranteed. The Great Journey is nigh, and nothing, not even the Flood, can stop it.

The Master Chief is teleported into the Council Chamber, right next to a very surprised grunt.

MASTER CHIEF:

Boo.

The Grunt runs away gibbering. The Master Chief picks up the needler it dropped. The Prophets' personal guards shield them with their polearms.

TRUTH:

Kill the demon!

The dias the Prophets have been standing on retracts into the floor.

END CINEMATIC

CINEMATIC

Truth, Mercy, Tartarus, an an entourage of Brutes approach 3 Phantoms on a launching platform. They are taking Keyes, Johnson, and 343 Guilty Spark with them.

TARTARUS:

Split them up. One in each Phantom.

The order is carried out. Tartarus kneels before Truth and receives the Index.

TRUTH:

The hopes of all the Covenant rest on your shoulders, Chieftain.

TARTARUS:

My faith is strong. I will not fail.

A swarm of Flood Infections pours over one edge of the platform. The Brutes fend them off, but one makes it past them and latches onto Mercy.

MERCY:

Augh!

Tartarus goes to rescue Mercy.

TRUTH:

Let him be. The Great Journey waits for no one, brother...

TRUTH (VO):

Not even you.

Tartarus obeys, leaving Mercy writhing on the platform as the Infection gnaws at him.

CINEMATIC

A view of Halo 05's Control Room at a distance. The Arbiter teleports into a foreground, rubs his wrists, and picks up a nearby plasma rifle.

END CINEMATIC

CINEMATIC

The Arbiter runs out a door, and sees a Wraith tank approaching. The Tank slows and stops, and reveals the Spec Ops Leader

SPEC OPS LEADER:

By the rings. Arbiter? The Councillors, are they...

ARBITER:

Murdered. By the Brutes.

SPEC OPS LEADER:

Vile disloyal beasts! The prophets were fools to trust them.

Three Phantoms fly overhead, and one lands at the Control Room. Tartarus walks out,holding both Miranda Keyes and 343 Guilty Spark. He is greeted by a compliment of Brute Guards.

CINEMATIC

The Chief arrives on the launch platform just as three Phantoms lift off. He walks over to Mercy, who is still struggling in the grip of the Infection.

MASTER CHIEF:

Your pal... Where's he going?

MERCY:

Earth. To finish what we started. And this time, none of you will be left behind.

The Chief pulls the Infection off Mercy and destroys it, but Mercy dies in the process. Cortana appears on the holographic projector built into Mercy's throne.

CORTANA:

That structure in the center of the city- It's a Forerunner ship! And Truth is heading straight for it. If he leads the Covenant fleet to Earth, they won't stand a chance. You have to stop him!

MASTER CHIEF:

That Brute has the Index. And Miranda and Johnson. He can activate the ring.

CORTANA:

If he does, I'll detonate In Amber Clad's reactor just like we did the Autumn's. The blast will destroy this city and the ring. Not a very original plan, but we know it'll work.

The Chief moves to take Cortana out of the network, but Cortana stops him.

CORTANA:

No. I don't want to chance a remote detonation. I'll stay here.

A Pelican swoops in overhead and crashes onto the platform. Flood warriors pour out of it.

END CINEMATIC

CINEMATIC

The Chief hurtles through the conduit and makes it through the hatch of the Forerunner ship moments before it slams shut. The ship lifts off and heads for the large opening in the ceiling of High Charity.

CORTANA:

Chief, when you get to Earth... Good luck.

CHIEF:

After I'm through with Truth-

CORTANA:

Don't make a girl a promise if you know you can't keep it.

The Forerunner ship blasts out of High Charity and vanishes into slipspace.

CINEMATIC

The scene opens with the Arbiter and Spec-Ops Leader in the foreground, both of them standing on a low cliff near a beach. The Spec-Ops Leader is halfway out of the cockpit of his Wraith; the Arbiter is standing on the ground. In the background the Delta Halo control room can be seen a short ways out from the shore, built to appear as if it is growing out of a small island.

ARBITER (referring to the control room):

What is that place?

SPEC-OPS LEADER:

Where the Councilors were meant to watch the consecration of the Icon - the start of the Great Journey.

The camera cuts to a close up of the Leader as he talks, then cuts to the Arbiter after the Leader finishes. The Arbiter remembers the Gravemind's words from their earlier encounter.

GRAVEMIND:

There is still time to stop the key from turning.

ARBITER:

I must get inside.

SPEC-OPS LEADER:

Then mount-up, Arbiter. I know a way to break those doors.

END CINEMATIC

As the cinematic begins, the Arbiter turns to face the Scarab, which has begun to stir. The machine rises until it looms over the Arbiter, and Johnson speaks through the radio.

SGT. JOHNSON (Radio):

Listen. You don't like me, and I sure as hell don't like you.

The camera cuts to the Scarab control room, showing Johnson at the controls, the machine's view screen showing the Arbiter looking up at the Scarab.

SGT. JOHNSON:

But if we don't do something, Mr. Mohawk's gonna activate this ring...

The camera cuts to a close-up of Johnson's face for emphasis.

SGT. JOHNSON:

And we're all gonna die.

The camera cuts back to the Arbiter standing in front of the Scarab.

ARBITER:

Tartarus has locked himself inside the control room.

SGT. JOHNSON (Radio):

Well I just happen to have a key.

The camera shows an over-the-shoulder view from the Arbiter, the revealing the Scarab's eye opening, showing the machine's main gun.

SGT. JOHNSON (Radio):

Come on, grab a Banshee and give me some cover.

The camera cuts back to Johnson inside the Scarab.

SGT. JOHNSON:

He's gonna know we're coming.

END CINEMATIC

The cinematic begins with the camera approaching Tartarus and his brutes from behind. They are gathered around the control panel. Tartarus holds the Index and Commander Keyes, and one of his Brutes has 343 Guilty Spark.

TARTARUS:

Come, human, it is easy.

The camera cuts to show Tartarus from the front. He holds the Index in his right hand, and Commander Keyes in his left.

TARTARUS:

Take the Icon in your hands...

He now makes a quick series of angry barking noises, and yanks the commander sharply in front of him. He then bangs the fist with the Icon on the control panel.

TARTARUS:

...and do as you are told!

The Monitor pipes up from under the arm of the Brute carrying him.

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Please! Use caution! This reclaimer is delicate!

TARTARUS:

One more word, Oracle, and I'll rip your eye from its socket!

He turns back to Commander Keyes, and tightens his grip on her so as to make her exhale painfully.

TARTARUS (referring to Commander Keyes):

Which is nothing compared to what I'll do to you.

ARBITER:

Tartarus, stop!

The camera returns to a view of the Brutes from behind, showing the Arbiter enter the control room and approach the Brutes.

TARTARUS:

Impossible!

ARBITER:

Put down the Icon.

Tartarus and the Brutes turn to face the Arbiter.

TARTARUS:

Put it down? And disobey the Hierarchs?

ARBITER:

There are some things about Halo even the Hierarchs do not understand.

The Brutes around Tartarus growl with anger and step forward as if to attack, but Tartarus stops them by raising his arms.

TARTARUS:

Take care, Arbiter. What you say is heresy.

ARBITER:

Is it? Oracle! What is Halo's purpose?

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Collectively, the seven-

Tartarus takes the Monitor in both hands, growling angrily, and brings the construct inches from his face.

TARTARUS:

Not-another-word!

SGT. JOHNSON:

Please...

The camera cuts to reveal Johnson standing behind the Arbiter, Beam Rifle at the ready.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Don't shake the light-bulb.

The Brutes flanking Tartarus step forward to attack, but Johnson stops them.

SGT. JOHNSON:

If you want to keep your brain inside your head, I'd tell those boys to chill.

The camera gives a close-up of Tartarus' face as he issues a command to his Brutes in his own language. It then cuts back to Johnson and the Arbiter as Johnson speaks to the Elite.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Go ahead. Do your thing.

ARBITER (to the Monitor):

The sacred rings... what are they?

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Weapons of last resort, built by the Forerunners to eliminate potential Flood hosts, thereby rendering the parasite harmless.

ARBITER:

And those who made the rings? What happened to the Forerunners?

343 GUILTY SPARK:

After exhausting every other strategic option, my creators activated the rings. They, and all additional sentient life in three radii of the galactic center, died ...as planned.

The camera cuts to the Arbiter, a look of sadness on his face.

343 GUILTY SPARK (After a pause):

Would you like to see the relevant data?

ARBITER:

Tartarus. The Prophets have betrayed us.

The camera cuts to Tartarus, who is looking at the Monitor as if making a decision. He then hurls 343 Guilty Spark at the Sergeant, causing him to grunt in pain and fall back onto the floor. Tartarus then puts the Index in the Commander's hands, and forces her to place it into the receptacle on the control panel.

TARTARUS:

No, Arbiter! The Great Journey has begun! And the Brutes, not the Elites, shall be the Prophets' escort!

Hefting his massive hammer, Tartarus turns to face the Arbiter and Johnson. His energy shield begins to glow as if engulfed in a purple-white flame.

The large disc-shaped structure beyond the control panel opens vertically to create three smaller circular platforms. There is a hole in the center of all three, and from somewhere below the camera's view from the top tier of the platform, a white beam of light surrounded by blue-purple tendrils of energy begins to flow skyward.

END CINEMATIC

The cinema begins with Commander Keyes on a platform revolving around the central structure of the room. She jumps from platform to platform, finally arriving on the central pad. She takes the Index from the pillar of light, which immediately disappears. The room begins to shake, and the Commander looks skyward holding the Index to her chest in fear.

The control room is shown from the outside, energy building between the spires at its top. The energy is then launched skyward in a blue comet. The section of the ring that holds the control room is shown from space, the blue energy moving towards the center of the space inside the ring. It meets with the energy already building there, and the entire mass implodes upon itself, then explodes outward, creating a fantastic light show, but causing no harm to the ring.

Cut back to a darkened control room, the Commander studying a hologram in its center. The Sergeant floats down with the Monitor, and takes a place at the Commander's side.

COMMANDER KEYES (referring to hologram):

What's that?

343 GUILTY SPARK:

A beacon.

COMMANDER KEYES:

What's it doing?

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Communicating at superluminal speeds with a frequency of-

COMMANDER KEYES:

Communicating with what?

343 GUILTY SPARK:

The other installations.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Show me.

The hologram expands to show the seven Halo rings, including the one that the Master Chief destroyed, which is tagged with a red marker.

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Fail-safe protocol: in the event of unexpected shut-down, the entire system will move to standby status. All platforms are now ready for remote activation.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Remote activation? From here?

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Don't be ridiculous.

Johnson gestures at the Monitor.

SGT. JOHNSON:

Listen, tinker-bell, don't make me-

The Commander puts her hand on his shoulder.

COMMANDER KEYES:

Then where? Where would someone go to activate the other rings?

343 GUILTY SPARK:

Why... the Ark, of course.

The Arbiter approaches the trio from the shadows behind them to stand between Miranda and Johnson. Both humans look up at the Arbiter.

ARBITER:

And, where, Oracle, is that?

Cut to the Forerunner ship from High Charity emerging from slipspace into the space battle above Earth.

NAV OFFICER (radio):

We've got a new contact, unknown classification!

Cut to the Master Chief, braced against the side of the ship.

LORD HOOD (radio):

It isn't one of ours. Take it out!

MASTER CHIEF:

This is Spartan one-one-seven!

Cut to the control room of a damaged Cairo Station.

MASTER CHIEF (radio):

Can anyone hear me, over?!

LORD HOOD (to crewman off screen):

Isolate that signal!

Cut back to the Master Chief.

LORD HOOD:

Master Chief! You mind telling me what you're doing on that ship?!

MASTER CHIEF:

Sir. Finishing this fight.

END CINEMATIC

CREDITS

CINEMATIC

The camera follows a small Flood Spore floating in the atmosphere of High Charity. The camera focuses on a broken door. Tentacles ooze out of the cracks.

GRAVEMIND:

Silence fills the empty grave, now that I have gone. But my mind is not at rest, for questions linger one. Now I will ask, and you will answer.

Gravemind's tentacles move towards a holopanel with Cortana on it.

CORTANA:

Alright, shoot.