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With the landing zone now secure, Commander Keyes was able to bring the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' down. As the UNSC frigate arrived, sweeping away the debris from the battle, the ship's hangar was lowered, allowing a platoon of [[M808C Scorpion|Scorpion]] tanks and several [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthogs]] led by [[Marcus Stacker|Sergeant Stacker]] to roll out, along with [[343 Guilty Spark]] to guide them. John mounted up in one of the tanks just as a Covenant vehicular force consisting of Ghosts and a Prowler entered from the cave. With their vastly superior firepower, the UNSC forces easily wiped out the Covenant, as well as a Mgalekgolo pair that followed shortly. Rolling through the cave, the armored platoon brought down a Phantom and several [[Type-26 Shade|Shades]]. More Ghosts, another Wraith and a fortified Covenant position soon followed in their destruction to John and the convoy. At the wall, the Covenant attempted to fortify it with heavy armor, stationing Wraiths in the immediate vicinity that proceeded to use their [[Plasma mortar#Type-26 35cm Directed-Energy Mortar|plasma mortars]] to shell the UNSC forces while Ghosts and Choppers charged straight at them. Despite the even number of clashing forces, John and his platoon prevailed, killing all Covenant protecting the wall. Stacker told John that he would lead the armor through the lower level of the wall while John proceeded through the upper level alone. Spark opened a door on the upper wall allowing John to enter. Inside the wall, John found himself on a platform overlooking a deep chasm, within which Aggressor and [[Constructor]] Sentinels moved in and out of. Spark directed John to a panel that activated a [[light bridge]], allowing the friendly armor to pass over the chasm. While John passed through a room littered with destroyed Sentinels, the whole building began to shake as the Spartan heard heavy footfalls above his position. As the next door opened, revealing the Cartographer and the battalion-strength Covenant forces protecting it, a [[Type-47B Scarab|Scarab]] passed directly in front of him. A [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|Gauss Warthog]] making its way up to John's position was strafed by Ghosts, killing the gunner. The driver pulled up to the Spartan, offering him the controls. John mounted up, the Marine mounting the vehicle's [[M68 Gauss Cannon|weapon]], and the two proceeded to make their way to the lower door where the UNSC armored platoon was emerging. A band of Choppers attempted to rush the tanks while several lines of Wraith tanks opened fire from long range. Despite, the staunch opposition, the Scorpion tanks were successful in pushing through the Covenant heavy armor. As a Phantom dropped a group of [[Type-33 fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]]-wielding Jiralhanae, the Scarab made a reappearance, climbing down the side of the Cartographer building and promptly attacking the humans. Eventually, John succeeded in neutralizing the Scarab and all other Covenant forces in front of the Cartographer. As the Scarab exploded, [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] contacted John, applauding him for his destruction of the walker before informing them that the Sangheili had emerged victorious in the orbital battle, having destroyed the numerically superior Covenant fleet. John made his way up the spire, engaging Covenant infantry as he went. At the top, a Pelican landed, dropping off a pair of Marines and [[Thel 'Vadam]], who personally congratulated John. Spark then unlocked the door leading into the Cartographer, and the team proceeded in.<ref name="H3TA"/> | With the landing zone now secure, Commander Keyes was able to bring the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' down. As the UNSC frigate arrived, sweeping away the debris from the battle, the ship's hangar was lowered, allowing a platoon of [[M808C Scorpion|Scorpion]] tanks and several [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthogs]] led by [[Marcus Stacker|Sergeant Stacker]] to roll out, along with [[343 Guilty Spark]] to guide them. John mounted up in one of the tanks just as a Covenant vehicular force consisting of Ghosts and a Prowler entered from the cave. With their vastly superior firepower, the UNSC forces easily wiped out the Covenant, as well as a Mgalekgolo pair that followed shortly. Rolling through the cave, the armored platoon brought down a Phantom and several [[Type-26 Shade|Shades]]. More Ghosts, another Wraith and a fortified Covenant position soon followed in their destruction to John and the convoy. At the wall, the Covenant attempted to fortify it with heavy armor, stationing Wraiths in the immediate vicinity that proceeded to use their [[Plasma mortar#Type-26 35cm Directed-Energy Mortar|plasma mortars]] to shell the UNSC forces while Ghosts and Choppers charged straight at them. Despite the even number of clashing forces, John and his platoon prevailed, killing all Covenant protecting the wall. Stacker told John that he would lead the armor through the lower level of the wall while John proceeded through the upper level alone. Spark opened a door on the upper wall allowing John to enter. Inside the wall, John found himself on a platform overlooking a deep chasm, within which Aggressor and [[Constructor]] Sentinels moved in and out of. Spark directed John to a panel that activated a [[light bridge]], allowing the friendly armor to pass over the chasm. While John passed through a room littered with destroyed Sentinels, the whole building began to shake as the Spartan heard heavy footfalls above his position. As the next door opened, revealing the Cartographer and the battalion-strength Covenant forces protecting it, a [[Type-47B Scarab|Scarab]] passed directly in front of him. A [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|Gauss Warthog]] making its way up to John's position was strafed by Ghosts, killing the gunner. The driver pulled up to the Spartan, offering him the controls. John mounted up, the Marine mounting the vehicle's [[M68 Gauss Cannon|weapon]], and the two proceeded to make their way to the lower door where the UNSC armored platoon was emerging. A band of Choppers attempted to rush the tanks while several lines of Wraith tanks opened fire from long range. Despite, the staunch opposition, the Scorpion tanks were successful in pushing through the Covenant heavy armor. As a Phantom dropped a group of [[Type-33 fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]]-wielding Jiralhanae, the Scarab made a reappearance, climbing down the side of the Cartographer building and promptly attacking the humans. Eventually, John succeeded in neutralizing the Scarab and all other Covenant forces in front of the Cartographer. As the Scarab exploded, [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] contacted John, applauding him for his destruction of the walker before informing them that the Sangheili had emerged victorious in the orbital battle, having destroyed the numerically superior Covenant fleet. John made his way up the spire, engaging Covenant infantry as he went. At the top, a Pelican landed, dropping off a pair of Marines and [[Thel 'Vadam]], who personally congratulated John. Spark then unlocked the door leading into the Cartographer, and the team proceeded in.<ref name="H3TA"/> | ||
[[File:Ark.JPG|thumb|300px|right|John,Thel and 343 Guilty Spark study a holographic representation of the Ark.]] | [[File:Ark.JPG|thumb|300px|right|John,Thel and 343 Guilty Spark study a holographic representation of the Ark.]] | ||
While the team waited for Spark to unlock the next door, one of the Marines attempted to assist the AI when he came into difficulty bypassing the lock, only to get shocked by Spark's hacking laser. While this action startled the team, Spark insisted that he only did it to prevent the Marine from coming to any harm. The monitor eventually succeeded in opening the door, revealing a room full of sleeping Unggoy. 'Vadam instructed John to take them out as they slept. The Spartan did so, silently killing all of the Unggoy as well as their Jiralhanae overseer before proceeding deeper into the facility. The next room had several more sleeping Unggoy and a patrolling Jiralhanae Captain, all of whom fell to the team. Unfortunately for John, a Jiralhanae soldier spotted them on the third level, forcing the team to go loud. Eventually killing the pack of Jiralhanae and their Kig-Yar companions, John and 'Vadam proceeded out to the ledge on which the controls for the Cartographer were situated. Upon interaction with the panel, a holographic projection of the [[Milky Way]] was displayed. John was surprised to find that the Ark was located outside the rim of the galaxy. As the image changed to one of the installation, Spark told him they were indeed on the Ark. After the monitor told him of his compartmentalization of information by his makers to prevent the Flood from gaining knowledge of other installations than his [[Installation 04|own]] should he be captured by the parasite, John requested their current location as well as that of the Prophet of Truth. Spark informed him that the Hierarch had taken cover in a [[Installation 00 Citadel|facility]] on the edge of the Ark's [[Foundry|core]] and erected a barrier around the entire core. As Spark pondered how to disable the barrier, 'Vadam warned John of an approaching Phantom. John barked at Spark to move out of its fine of fire while 'Vadam drew the attention of its side gunner. Sergeant Johnson warned the Spartan that a mass of Covenant aerial support was inbound, and told him to get back inside until they could be wiped out. 'Vadam boarded a low-flying Banshee and flew off to support the sergeant. One of the Marines entered, telling John that the Pelican would land on the level below their current position. Arriving in time to witness the other Marine being killed by [[Type-1 plasma grenade|plasma grenades]], John wasted no time in avenging her death, killing the Unggoy perpetrators as well as several Jiralhanae including a [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]] and his [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard|bodyguards]]. On the lower level, John was taunted by [[Cethegus|a]] [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]], who retreated, leaving his [[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalkers]] to deal with the Spartan. John succeeded in wiping out the [[Active camouflage|camouflaged]] [[Jiralhanae]] and made his way outside, where Chieftain Cethegus waited with his [[pack]] of [[Jiralhanae Jumper|Jumpers]]. A nearby [[Holotank|holographic projection]] of the Prophet of Truth instructed Cethegus to duel John alone, and the Chieftain taunted the Spartan to attack while his pack waited on the outside of the arena. The two combatants then dueled. Despite his physically superior strength, [[Type-2 gravity hammer|gravity hammer]] and [[Invincibility|invincibility module]], the ambitious Chieftain soon fell to John. The rest of the pack and a pair of [[Kig-Yar]] [[Kig-Yar Sniper|sharpshooters]] fruitlessly attempted to avenge their commander's death but they too fell. With the area secure, Kilo 023 arrived to ferry John away. As the Pelican neared the platform, a massive swarm of Aggressor Sentinels suddenly appeared from below over the distant waterfalls. John warned Sergeant Johnson, who prepared to open fire with the bay-mounted [[AIE-486H machine gun|heavy machine gun]] but Spark told them not to fire as the constructs had a separate priority task. When Spark suggested they find another terminal closer to the Ark's core that could provide them with further information, perhaps regarding Cortana's "solution" to the Flood, 'Vadam and Commander Keyes told him that their priority had to be to stop the Prophet of Truth before he could fire the [[Halo Array]]. John boarded the Pelican and they departed from the Cartographer. | While the team waited for Spark to unlock the next door, one of the Marines attempted to assist the AI when he came into difficulty bypassing the lock, only to get shocked by Spark's hacking laser. While this action startled the team, Spark insisted that he only did it to prevent the Marine from coming to any harm. The monitor eventually succeeded in opening the door, revealing a room full of sleeping Unggoy. 'Vadam instructed John to take them out as they slept. The Spartan did so, silently killing all of the Unggoy as well as their Jiralhanae overseer before proceeding deeper into the facility. The next room had several more sleeping Unggoy and a patrolling Jiralhanae Captain, all of whom fell to the team. Unfortunately for John, a Jiralhanae soldier spotted them on the third level, forcing the team to go loud. Eventually killing the pack of Jiralhanae and their Kig-Yar companions, John and 'Vadam proceeded out to the ledge on which the controls for the Cartographer were situated. Upon interaction with the panel, a holographic projection of the [[Milky Way]] was displayed. John was surprised to find that the Ark was located outside the rim of the galaxy. As the image changed to one of the installation, Spark told him they were indeed on the Ark. After the monitor told him of his compartmentalization of information by his makers to prevent the Flood from gaining knowledge of other installations than his [[Installation 04|own]] should he be captured by the parasite, John requested their current location as well as that of the Prophet of Truth. Spark informed him that the Hierarch had taken cover in a [[Installation 00 Citadel|facility]] on the edge of the Ark's [[Foundry (location)|core]] and erected a barrier around the entire core. As Spark pondered how to disable the barrier, 'Vadam warned John of an approaching Phantom. John barked at Spark to move out of its fine of fire while 'Vadam drew the attention of its side gunner. Sergeant Johnson warned the Spartan that a mass of Covenant aerial support was inbound, and told him to get back inside until they could be wiped out. 'Vadam boarded a low-flying Banshee and flew off to support the sergeant. One of the Marines entered, telling John that the Pelican would land on the level below their current position. Arriving in time to witness the other Marine being killed by [[Type-1 plasma grenade|plasma grenades]], John wasted no time in avenging her death, killing the Unggoy perpetrators as well as several Jiralhanae including a [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]] and his [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard|bodyguards]]. On the lower level, John was taunted by [[Cethegus|a]] [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]], who retreated, leaving his [[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalkers]] to deal with the Spartan. John succeeded in wiping out the [[Active camouflage|camouflaged]] [[Jiralhanae]] and made his way outside, where Chieftain Cethegus waited with his [[pack]] of [[Jiralhanae Jumper|Jumpers]]. A nearby [[Holotank|holographic projection]] of the Prophet of Truth instructed Cethegus to duel John alone, and the Chieftain taunted the Spartan to attack while his pack waited on the outside of the arena. The two combatants then dueled. Despite his physically superior strength, [[Type-2 gravity hammer|gravity hammer]] and [[Invincibility|invincibility module]], the ambitious Chieftain soon fell to John. The rest of the pack and a pair of [[Kig-Yar]] [[Kig-Yar Sniper|sharpshooters]] fruitlessly attempted to avenge their commander's death but they too fell. With the area secure, Kilo 023 arrived to ferry John away. As the Pelican neared the platform, a massive swarm of Aggressor Sentinels suddenly appeared from below over the distant waterfalls. John warned Sergeant Johnson, who prepared to open fire with the bay-mounted [[AIE-486H machine gun|heavy machine gun]] but Spark told them not to fire as the constructs had a separate priority task. When Spark suggested they find another terminal closer to the Ark's core that could provide them with further information, perhaps regarding Cortana's "solution" to the Flood, 'Vadam and Commander Keyes told him that their priority had to be to stop the Prophet of Truth before he could fire the [[Halo Array]]. John boarded the Pelican and they departed from the Cartographer. | ||
===Stopping Truth=== | ===Stopping Truth=== | ||
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{{Quote|no=four|q1=When did you know?|John-117|q2=Just now - but...I had my hopes. What will you do?|343 Guilty Spark|q3=Light it.|John-117|q4=Then we are agreed! A tactical pulse will completely eradicate the local infestation! I will personally oversee the final preparations|343 Guilty Spark|John informs 343 Guilty Spark of his plan to fire the incomplete Installation 08 to destroy the Flood infestation on the Ark.<ref name="H3TC">''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>}} | {{Quote|no=four|q1=When did you know?|John-117|q2=Just now - but...I had my hopes. What will you do?|343 Guilty Spark|q3=Light it.|John-117|q4=Then we are agreed! A tactical pulse will completely eradicate the local infestation! I will personally oversee the final preparations|343 Guilty Spark|John informs 343 Guilty Spark of his plan to fire the incomplete Installation 08 to destroy the Flood infestation on the Ark.<ref name="H3TC">''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>}} | ||
[[File:John 117 Master Chief Petty Officer.jpg|thumb|300px|right|John and two ODSTs engaging Covenant forces in a Warthog on approach to the first tower.]] | [[File:John 117 Master Chief Petty Officer.jpg|thumb|300px|right|John and two ODSTs engaging Covenant forces in a Warthog on approach to the first tower.]] | ||
Knowing that the Prophet of Truth could fire the entire [[Halo Array]] from the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], the UNSC and Sangheili task force were quick to assemble an assault force to disable three of the [[barrier tower]]s projecting a protective energy shield around the Citadel and the Ark's [[Foundry|core]], after which they could assault the Citadel directly. [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] split the force into three teams, one for each tower. John and two [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelicans]] full of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] would attack the first tower. [[Thel 'Vadam]] and his Sangheili would assault the second tower and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and a large team of Marines would hit the third tower. As [[Kilo 023]] and her escort approached the first tower, the air suddenly erupted with [[fuel rod cannon]] fire from a [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Wraith|Anti-Aircraft Wraith]] on the beachhead. Kilo 023's escort was struck in the starboard wing by a fuel rod. The stricken Pelican slammed into Kilo 023, crushing the [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]] it was carrying before plummeting to the beach below. Kilo 023, carrying John and a team of ODSTs made it through the flak and came to a rough landing nearby, John pausing only to grab a [[M6 Spartan Laser|Spartan Laser]] before he disembarked. The team fought through a large group of [[Unggoy]] and their [[Jiralhanae Captain]] overseer, with John making use of his Spartan Laser to destroy a pair of [[Type-26 Shade|Shade]] turrets on a nearby ledge. John and the team fought their way up the ridge towards the Anti-Aircraft Wraith, facing off against a [[Type-33 fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]]-wielding [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]] and his [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard|bodyguards]] They eventually brought down the Jiralhanae pack and John destroyed the Wraith. With the beachhead now secure, Commander Keyes arrived in her Pelican, deploying a [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthog]] and a [[M274 Mongoose|Mongoose]] for the team. Now mobilized, John and the ODSTs made their way towards their objective, destroying several [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshees]] that attempted to strafe them, as well as a pair of [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghosts]] and a Shade turret and its supporting infantry. The team eventually arrived at the entrance to the first tower, which was heavily defended by a [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraith]], a pair of Jiralhanae [[Type-52 Prowler|Prowlers]], more Ghosts, Shade cannons and infantry. Despite the overwhelming numbers of Covenant, John and the ODSTs were able to clear out all of the defenders, allowing Keyes' Pelican to return with several [[Ordnance pod|canisters]] containing weapons and ammo for the team. With the exterior of the tower clear, the team proceeded inward carefully, wiping out all of the Covenant forces on the ground floor and around the controls for the elevator that would carry them upward to the controls. While the rest of the team stayed behind to secure the ground floor, John proceeded up the elevator alone, arriving at the upper floor just as a Chieftain concluded a sermon to his [[pack]]. After a struggle, John managed to slay the Jiralhanae and arrived at the controls. As he deactivated the first tower, 'Vadam and his Sangheili had managed to do the same with the second tower. The third tower remained active, however, prompting Commander Keyes to contact Sergeant Johnson. The sergeant warned them that they were being engaged by overwhelming Covenant forces and warned Keyes to stay away as there was too much anti-air at the tower. As the Sergeant ordered his men to fall back, his communication cut out. Keyes ordered John to link up with 'Vadam and his forces and assault the third tower together.<ref name="H3TC"/> | Knowing that the Prophet of Truth could fire the entire [[Halo Array]] from the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], the UNSC and Sangheili task force were quick to assemble an assault force to disable three of the [[barrier tower]]s projecting a protective energy shield around the Citadel and the Ark's [[Foundry (location)|core]], after which they could assault the Citadel directly. [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] split the force into three teams, one for each tower. John and two [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelicans]] full of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] would attack the first tower. [[Thel 'Vadam]] and his Sangheili would assault the second tower and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and a large team of Marines would hit the third tower. As [[Kilo 023]] and her escort approached the first tower, the air suddenly erupted with [[fuel rod cannon]] fire from a [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Wraith|Anti-Aircraft Wraith]] on the beachhead. Kilo 023's escort was struck in the starboard wing by a fuel rod. The stricken Pelican slammed into Kilo 023, crushing the [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]] it was carrying before plummeting to the beach below. Kilo 023, carrying John and a team of ODSTs made it through the flak and came to a rough landing nearby, John pausing only to grab a [[M6 Spartan Laser|Spartan Laser]] before he disembarked. The team fought through a large group of [[Unggoy]] and their [[Jiralhanae Captain]] overseer, with John making use of his Spartan Laser to destroy a pair of [[Type-26 Shade|Shade]] turrets on a nearby ledge. John and the team fought their way up the ridge towards the Anti-Aircraft Wraith, facing off against a [[Type-33 fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]]-wielding [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]] and his [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard|bodyguards]] They eventually brought down the Jiralhanae pack and John destroyed the Wraith. With the beachhead now secure, Commander Keyes arrived in her Pelican, deploying a [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthog]] and a [[M274 Mongoose|Mongoose]] for the team. Now mobilized, John and the ODSTs made their way towards their objective, destroying several [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshees]] that attempted to strafe them, as well as a pair of [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghosts]] and a Shade turret and its supporting infantry. The team eventually arrived at the entrance to the first tower, which was heavily defended by a [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraith]], a pair of Jiralhanae [[Type-52 Prowler|Prowlers]], more Ghosts, Shade cannons and infantry. Despite the overwhelming numbers of Covenant, John and the ODSTs were able to clear out all of the defenders, allowing Keyes' Pelican to return with several [[Ordnance pod|canisters]] containing weapons and ammo for the team. With the exterior of the tower clear, the team proceeded inward carefully, wiping out all of the Covenant forces on the ground floor and around the controls for the elevator that would carry them upward to the controls. While the rest of the team stayed behind to secure the ground floor, John proceeded up the elevator alone, arriving at the upper floor just as a Chieftain concluded a sermon to his [[pack]]. After a struggle, John managed to slay the Jiralhanae and arrived at the controls. As he deactivated the first tower, 'Vadam and his Sangheili had managed to do the same with the second tower. The third tower remained active, however, prompting Commander Keyes to contact Sergeant Johnson. The sergeant warned them that they were being engaged by overwhelming Covenant forces and warned Keyes to stay away as there was too much anti-air at the tower. As the Sergeant ordered his men to fall back, his communication cut out. Keyes ordered John to link up with 'Vadam and his forces and assault the third tower together.<ref name="H3TC"/> | ||
John quickly returned to the ground floor, assisting his team against a small group of Unggoy and [[Kig-Yar]] that were attempting to reactivate the tower before making his way outside, meeting another Marine who arrived with [[M831 Troop Transport Warthog|transport]] for the team. They speedily made their way back to the beachhead, where a flight of [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornets]] were waiting. [[Hocus]] told John that he would need to take a Hornet in order to safely escort a group of Pelicans to the third tower. The Spartan took control of one of the aircraft and made his way to towards the airspace of the second tower, where masses of Banshees were strafing the Sangheili Phantoms. With the arrival of John and the other UNSC craft, the Sangheili were able to engage their dropship's [[active camouflage]] and escape. Despite the Covenant having the numerical superiority, the UNSC air forces were able to succeed in wiping most of the Banshees out, driving the survivors back to the third tower, before destroying another Anti-Aircraft Wraith on a small island nearby. John was forced to contend with heavy opposition around the third tower entrance, including a pair of Anti-Aircraft Wraiths, a standard Wraith, Shade cannons and a massive pack of Jiralhanae. Prioritizing fire on the Wraiths, John was able to destroy the Covenant armor allowing the separatist Phantoms to return, deploying Thel 'Vadam, as well as [[N'tho 'Sraom]], [[Usze 'Taham]] and several other Sangheili. Together, they managed to crush all of the Jiralhanae around the tower, as well as the survivors inside the entrance. Inside, they discovered the corpses of many of Johnson's Marines, but the Sergeant himself was not among them. On the ground floor of the tower, the team was ambushed by a pair of [[Mgalekgolo]] and a swarm of [[Yanme'e]]. Through superior tactics, John and the Sangheili managed to bring down the Mgalekgolo pair and whittle down the Yanme'e, forcing the survivors to retreat back up the elevator shaft. Another pack of Jiralhanae fought hard to stop John and the Sangheili but they fell, shortly followed by the remaining Yanme'e who reemerged in a last-ditch attempt to halt their progress. Once again, John proceeded to the upper floor alone while the Sangheili remained behind. A War Chieftain and a pack of [[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalkers]] were the last Covenant soldiers in the tower and although they furiously defended the controls of the tower, they eventually fell to the lone Spartan. John deactivated the third tower's controls, finally dropping the protective shield. [[Rtas 'Vadum]] brought the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' in close, preparing to level the Citadel with the assault carrier's weaponry. Suddenly, a massive slipspace rupture above the Citadel heralded the arrival of [[High Charity]]. As the gargantuan former Covenant holy city-turned [[Flood hive]] plummeted towards the surface of the Ark, 'Vadum was barely able to exclaim his surprise before debris struck his assault carrier, punching straight through it. As more debris from High Charity showered the installation, a chunk smashed through the window of the third tower's control room. John stiffened, readying his [[MA5C assault rifle|assault rifle]] in anticipation of the [[Flood|foe]] he knew had arrived.<ref name="H3TC"/> | John quickly returned to the ground floor, assisting his team against a small group of Unggoy and [[Kig-Yar]] that were attempting to reactivate the tower before making his way outside, meeting another Marine who arrived with [[M831 Troop Transport Warthog|transport]] for the team. They speedily made their way back to the beachhead, where a flight of [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornets]] were waiting. [[Hocus]] told John that he would need to take a Hornet in order to safely escort a group of Pelicans to the third tower. The Spartan took control of one of the aircraft and made his way to towards the airspace of the second tower, where masses of Banshees were strafing the Sangheili Phantoms. With the arrival of John and the other UNSC craft, the Sangheili were able to engage their dropship's [[active camouflage]] and escape. Despite the Covenant having the numerical superiority, the UNSC air forces were able to succeed in wiping most of the Banshees out, driving the survivors back to the third tower, before destroying another Anti-Aircraft Wraith on a small island nearby. John was forced to contend with heavy opposition around the third tower entrance, including a pair of Anti-Aircraft Wraiths, a standard Wraith, Shade cannons and a massive pack of Jiralhanae. Prioritizing fire on the Wraiths, John was able to destroy the Covenant armor allowing the separatist Phantoms to return, deploying Thel 'Vadam, as well as [[N'tho 'Sraom]], [[Usze 'Taham]] and several other Sangheili. Together, they managed to crush all of the Jiralhanae around the tower, as well as the survivors inside the entrance. Inside, they discovered the corpses of many of Johnson's Marines, but the Sergeant himself was not among them. On the ground floor of the tower, the team was ambushed by a pair of [[Mgalekgolo]] and a swarm of [[Yanme'e]]. Through superior tactics, John and the Sangheili managed to bring down the Mgalekgolo pair and whittle down the Yanme'e, forcing the survivors to retreat back up the elevator shaft. Another pack of Jiralhanae fought hard to stop John and the Sangheili but they fell, shortly followed by the remaining Yanme'e who reemerged in a last-ditch attempt to halt their progress. Once again, John proceeded to the upper floor alone while the Sangheili remained behind. A War Chieftain and a pack of [[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalkers]] were the last Covenant soldiers in the tower and although they furiously defended the controls of the tower, they eventually fell to the lone Spartan. John deactivated the third tower's controls, finally dropping the protective shield. [[Rtas 'Vadum]] brought the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' in close, preparing to level the Citadel with the assault carrier's weaponry. Suddenly, a massive slipspace rupture above the Citadel heralded the arrival of [[High Charity]]. As the gargantuan former Covenant holy city-turned [[Flood hive]] plummeted towards the surface of the Ark, 'Vadum was barely able to exclaim his surprise before debris struck his assault carrier, punching straight through it. As more debris from High Charity showered the installation, a chunk smashed through the window of the third tower's control room. John stiffened, readying his [[MA5C assault rifle|assault rifle]] in anticipation of the [[Flood|foe]] he knew had arrived.<ref name="H3TC"/> | ||