Editing Relic Approach

{{Era|RW}}
{{Level infobox
|prev=''[[Alpha Base (level)|Alpha Base]]''
|next=''[[Relic Interior]]''
|game=''[[Halo Wars]]''
|name=Relic Approach
|image=[[File:HW-2 Relic Approach.jpg|300px]]
|player=[[James Cutter]]
|date=[[2531|February 4, 2531]]
|place=Proximity of the [[Relic]], [[Harvest]], [[Epsilon Indi system]]
|objective=*Get [[Alpha Base (Harvest)|Alpha Base]] Online
*Build a Supply Pad
*Build a Barracks
*Train five Marines
*Fight your Way to the Structure in the Ice
*Enter the Structure
*Destroy the Detonator
'''Optional''':
*Destroy the Covenant Base
*Kill 20 Jackal Snipers
*Rescue all Trapped Warthogs (2)
*Destroy the Covenant Methane Refinery
}}
{{Article Quote|Get Alpha Base up and running and find what the Covenant are up to.}}

'''Relic Approach''' is the second [[campaign]] level in ''[[Halo Wars]]''. The [[UNSC]] forces on the ground on [[Harvest]] are attempting to determine the [[Covenant]]'s interest in a [[Forerunner]] [[Relic|structure]] to the north of [[Alpha Base (Harvest)|Alpha Base]]. Sergeant [[John Forge]] must lead a force through the Covenant-held area to the Forerunner structure.

==Transcript==
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSapfBOon2c '''{''Labcoats Meet Metal''}''']

''Scene opens with John Forge crawling to the edge of a cliff over looking a Covenant encampment.''

*'''Sergaent John Forge''': "Let's just take one last look-see."

''Forge takes out a pair of [[binoculars]] and observes [[Ripa 'Moramee|a Sangheili]], identified as an Arbiter, overseeing the Covenant activity, the Sangheili is approached by a [[Sangheili Zealot]].''

*'''Ripa 'Moramee''': "The Hierarchs grow impatient! We can delay no longer!"

*'''[[Re'gish Wamik]]''': "What if [[Flood|the infection]] defiles the Relic?"

*'''Ripa 'Moramee''': "I care not for your little life! Open the Relic."

''Forge, looking through the binoculars, watches Unggoy opening the doors to the Relic.''

*'''Forge''': "Well, well... open sesame."

''The Arbiter looks behind him at Forge's location. The Sergeant is no longer there, and the Arbiter walks towards the Relic.''

''Cuts to the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, then to the ship's Observation Deck, turned into Anders' makeshift lab. ''

'''SPIRIT OF FIRE'''

'''OBSERVATION DECK'''

''Cutter enters attempting to avoid the scattered equipment. Anders is on her computer.''

*'''[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[James Gregory Cutter]]''': "What made you choose ''my'' observation deck as your lab, Professor?"

*'''Professor [[Ellen Anders]]''': "I like the view. It adds... perspective to my work."

*'''Cutter''': "Forge doesn't think it's safe for you to go down there yet. He's quite insistent."

*'''Anders''': "I can be quite insistent too Captain, I can take care of myself."

*'''Cutter''': "Any idea what it is we've got down there?"

*'''Anders''': "It's all theories right now, and I'll know a lot more once I get down there."

''Anders stands up, but Cutter stops her by placing one of his hands on her shoulder.''

*'''Cutter''': "I'm approving the mission, but the slightest sign of danger and I'm pulling you out. Is that understood?"

*'''Anders''': "Understood, Captain."

''Anders leaves with a slight grin, a view screen in lab shows the Relic entrance. Cuts to actual Relic, the Arbiter is in mid-conversation with the [[Prophet of Regret]].''

[[File:Relic Approach.png|thumb|300px|'Moramee converses with Regret.]]

*'''Ripa 'Moramee''': "Hierarch, the humans are closing and will soon be upon us!"

*'''Prophet of Regret (Video COM)''': "No matter, the information you have gathered here is most appetizing."

''Cuts to the interior of the Relic. The Arbiter is talking with the Prophet of Regret via hologram.''

*'''Prophet of Regret (Video COM)''': "However, we must protect what we have learned here. Set the charges and destroy this place."

*'''Ripa 'Moramee''': ''(stunned)'' "Destroy this holy relic? Surely you jest!"

''Sangheili and Unggoy are seen leaving the Relic, while the Unggoy are carrying explosives.''

*'''Prophet of Regret (Video COM)''': ''(angered)'' "The [[Great Journey|Journey]] requires sacrifice! Set the charges. Return to us! Our patience is not infinite!"

''The Arbiter bows.''

*'''Ripa 'Moramee''': "It will be done."

''The Arbiter turns away.''

'''{''In-game Cutscene''}'''

''A Pelican lands in Alpha Base's site. A Marine mounts the M68 Gauss Cannon on Forge's Warthog.''

*'''Captain Cutter''': "Serina, we need to re-establish Alpha Base before we can proceed with the mission."

*'''Serina''': "Captain, the base power system is offline and a lock-down protocol is in effect. If we rebuild, the lock-down will end, and the doors will open."

'''{''Gameplay''}'''

[[File:SCN02 AlphaBaseOnlinel.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Alpha Base is reconstructed by [[Heron]]s.]]

*'''Serina''': "Projection for new base location ready."

''A Heron arrives and sets down a Firebase.''

*'''Serina''': "The base is up and running again. We need Supply Pads built so I can send down materials."

''A supply pad was built.''

*'''Serina''': "The Command Center is online, but it can't house Marines, we'll need a Barracks to call in the troops."

''A barracks was built, and one Marine squad leaves the firebase when trained.''

*'''Cutter''': "We need to establish a larger military presence on the ground."

''A total of five Marine squads are trained.''

*'''Serina''': "Keep constructing buildings and updating them where you can. The lock-down is lifted and the front gate is opening, I've highlighted the area where Sergeant Forge found the structure."

''There are two ways to exit Alpha Base. If the player chooses the way closer to the base and straight towards the structure:''

*'''Serina''': "I'm picking up a lot of Covenant chatter around your position, looks like they're setting up defenses."

''After engaging a few lances of Covenant, the UNSC forces find a few [[deployable lookout tower]]s in front of two Pelican wreckages.''

*'''Forge (COM)''': "Take cover in those downed Pelicans! Move!"

''The Marines take cover in the wreckage, and fought back the Covenant stationed on the towers.'' 

''If the UNSC forces exit from the gate further from the base and away from the structure, they find numerous Covenant machines working in front of a cliff.''

*'''Forge (COM)''': "If we blow up these refineries the enemy airpads will go with them, nice!"

''Nearby, a UNSC landing pad is being guarded by the Covenant.''

*'''[[Bravo 029 (Pelican)|Bravo-29]] Pilot (COM)''': "Alpha Base, this is Bravo-29. I can drop reinforcements at that landing pad if you can remove all hostiles in that area for me."

''The UNSC forces clear the area, and two Pelicans land, dropping reinforcements.''

*'''Serina''': "Here's some extra reinforcements, play nice."

''The UNSC forces come upon Warthogs trapped by an [[anti-vehicle barrier]].''

*'''Serina''': "I've lost contact with some Warthogs out on patrol. Keep an eye out for them, will you?"

''The UNSC forces continue on, discovering a Covenant base.''

*'''Forge (COM)''': "Well, well. Lookee here, the Covenant built themselves a little base."

*'''Cutter''': "Our primary mission here is to reach that structure, destroying that base is a secondary objective."

''If the player loses all the units in attacking the base:''

*'''Serina''': "Well, that didn't go as planned."

''Eventually, UNSC forces breach the barrier blocking the entrance to the relic. Intense fighting occurs as the UNSC slowly makes their way toward the entrance. When they reach the entrance, they see the Covenant have set up a large detonator.''

*'''Cutter''': "If the Covenant detonate those explosives our mission here is over! Get to the detonator!"

''The UNSC forces successfully destroy the detonator, saving the relic.''

*'''Cutter''': "Good work, prepare for new orders."

*'''Bravo-29 Pilot (COM)''': "Alpha Base, this is Bravo-29, heavy inbound. I've got the Professor aboard."

''Fades to black.''

''Level ends.''

==Trivia==
===Easter eggs===
*The [[Halo Wars Skulls#Grunt Birthday Party|Grunt Birthday Party skull]] is accessible after killing 20 Kig-yar sniper units, and is on the souther end of Alpha Base.
*The [[Black Boxes|Black Box]] is located northwest of the Covenant base, in an area blocked off by an anti-vehicle barrier.
===Miscellaneous===
*This is the first level players can build a base, and is therefore also the first level to train units and research upgrades.
*It is possible to get over the population limit in this level by filling up the actual population limit, and then head to the landing pad for additional units. This is a handy trick for attacking the Covenant base from the front and the back.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150">
File:Relicapproach map.png|A map of the level.
</gallery>

==General strategies==
*Collect all the supplies around Alpha base; there's a large stockpile of them on a hill behind the structure.

*Establish all 4 turrets and upgrade them with the anti-air bonus as soon as possible. This will counter enemy Spirits attempting to drop troops in front of the base.

*On higher difficulty modes, like Heroic or Legendary, assaulting the Covenant base is much easier should you have a few Cobras locked down and programmed to hit the structure. 

*As with the first mission, make sure Forge's Warthog survives the enemy encounters. It is vital to complete this level.

*Finding the 2 lost Warthogs and securing the landing zone will provide you with free units. You can also over-cap your population if this objective is tackled.

*When assaulting the Covenant base, use the weaker units to flank it from the side and using Scorpions from your main base to attack it head-on. Upon destroying it, create a second firebase to place more pressure on the enemy when you hit the detonator.

{{Succession box
|before = ''[[Alpha Base (level)|Alpha Base]]'' 
|title = ''Halo Wars'' Campaign Missions
|years = '''''Relic Approach'''''
|after = ''[[Relic Interior]]''
}}

{{Levels|HW}}