Editing Mission 25: Battle for the Moon

{{Title|Battle for the Moon}}
{{Era|RW}}
{{Level Infobox

|pagegamelabel=HSA
|prev=''[[Mission 24: Hunt for the Cult Leader|Hunt for the Cult Leader]]''
|concurrent=[[Operation E: Frostbite]]
|next=[[Operation F: Hydra]]
*''[[Mission 26: Battle at the Arid Sea|Battle at the Arid Sea]]''
|name=Battle for the Moon
|image=[[File:Battle for the Moon.png|300px]]
|game=''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
|player=[[Player_character#Top-Down_Shooter|Spartan Palmer]]
|date=[[2554]] {{C|actual events}}<br>
[[2557#December|December 2557]] {{C|simulation}}{{Ref/Note|[[Roland]] was activated on December 5, 2557. The events of ''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]'' also takes place during 2557, as shown by the introductory cutscene of ''Operation A: Orphic Spear''. Being a sequel to ''Halo: Spartan Assault'' it is implied (although not confirmed) that the present day events of ''Spartan Strike'' take place after those of ''Spartan Assault''.}}
|place=[[X50]]
|objective=Defeat the Covenant [[Merg Vol|cult leader]]
|hsa-1=55,000
|hsa-2=40,000
|hsa-3=30,000
}}
'''Battle for the Moon''' is the 25th mission of ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.

==Introduction==
[[Merg Vol]] was convinced he had been chosen by [[Forerunner|his gods]] to wield the power contained within the Forerunner structure. Having spent considerable resources to unlock its secrets, Vol managed to activate the structure's emergency defenses. With the deadly defenses at his command, Vol had become extremely dangerous. 

Unable to contact [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] [[Edward Davis|Davis]] since landing on [[Draetheus V]]'s moon, [[Spartan]] [[Sarah Palmer]] prepared to battle Vol on her own. Vol's exact location had not been difficult to find: the direct area at the foot of the Forerunner structure was littered with a trail of dead [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] soldiers. Now there was one lone Spartan ready to finish the fight.

==Objectives==
===Eliminate the remaining enemy opposition===
Palmer stands on a rocky surface with several destroyed vehicles in the area. She moves forward and encounters several [[Kig-Yar Minor]]s. After she kills the Kig-Yar, a [[Sangheili Minor]] charges at her. She eliminates the Elite and fights off another group of Kig-Yar soldiers. After she defeats them, a [[Sangheili Major]] enters the area through a door and leads two Kig-Yar Minors. Several [[Z-510 focus turret|focus turrets]] fire at Spartan Palmer. After defeating the first group of Covenant soldiers, a [[Stealth Sangheili]], Minor, and Major enter the area and attack. Palmer is able to eventually kill all three of them.

===Take down the cult leader's shields===
After all Covenant forces are defeated, [[Merg Vol]] enters the area through the door and charges towards the center and Palmer will be greeted by an overcharged plasma pistol and plasma grenade from Merg Vol. After Palmer lowers one of Vol's shields he retreats to one of four nearby pads to recharge, distracting the Spartan with holographic decoys on the other three pads. Meanwhile, two Kig-Yar Minors reinforce the Sangheili leader by attacking Palmer from the south. However, the Jackals are easily defeated. As more Kig-Yar enter the area, Merg Vol's shields recharge and he charges at the Spartan using [[active camouflage]] and [[dual wielding]] [[Type-1 energy sword|energy swords]].

After Palmer succeeds in disabling his shields a second time, the Elite retreats. Merg Vol recharges his shields a second time while Kig-Yar reinforcements arrive. After the Sangheili's shields are recharged, he attacks Palmer again as more Kig-Yar soldiers arrive. However, this time the Zealot is using a [[Z-90 hardlight shield|hardlight shield]]. With all of his Kig-Yar reinforcements dead, Palmer eventually disables Merg Vol's shields once again.

===Execute the cult leader===
With his shields down, the injured Merg Vol stumbles along the ground and groans. While attempting to regain his balance, he eventually collapses onto the ground. The player is then prompted to execute Vol, triggering an in-game cutscene in which Palmer steps onto his back and aims her [[M6H magnum]] directly at the cult leader's head. Palmer fires the magnum and finally kills Merg Vol as he lets out one last roar. With Vol dead, Palmer steps off of the Elite and looks towards the nearby [[door]].

==Trivia==
===Strategy===
*When battling Merg Vol, you can actually hit him when he's recharging after his shield is down, therefore reducing his shield capacity and finishing him faster.
*Upon using hardlight shield, you need a precision throw with grenades, since each shot will make him immediately raise the shield to block it.
*Be careful though if you are encountering Merg Vol at close range, regardless of if his first shield isn't down yet, he will try to slash you with his Energy sword.

==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}
{{Levels|HSA}}