Editing The Covenant (level)

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{{Era|H3}}
<center>''Looking for the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], the main antagonists of the [[Halo Universe|Halo]] games?''</center>
{{Level infobox
|prev=''[[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]''
|next=''[[Cortana (Level)|Cortana]]''
|game=''[[Halo 3]]''
|name='''''The Covenant'''''
|image=[[Image:Chiefarbiter.jpg|300px]]
|player=[[SPARTAN-117]]
|date= Late [[2552]]/Early [[2553]] 
|place=[[The Ark|Installation 00]]           
|Objective=Stop and kill the [[Prophet of Truth]].
|allies=
*[[Marine]]s
*[[ODST]]s
*[[Elite]]s
*[[Pelican]]s
*[[Separatist Phantom]]s
*[[Hornet]]s
*[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)]]
*[[Flood]](Trick)
*[[Sentinel]]s
|enemies=
*[[Covenant Loyalists]]
**[[Brute]]s 
**[[Grunt]]s 
**[[Jackal]]s 
**[[Hunter]]s
**[[Yanme'e|Drone]]s
*[[Flood]]
**[[Combat Form]]s
**[[Infection Form]]s
**[[Carrier Form]]s
**[[Pure Form]]s
}}
{{Article Quote|Breach the barrier. Stop [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]].}}
'''The Covenant''' is the title of the eighth [[campaign]] mission of ''[[Halo 3]]''. The level takes place on [[The Ark]]. In this level, you must stop [[Prophet of Truth]] from firing the rings. Before reaching Truth, the [[UNSC]] and [[Covenant]] [[Covenant Separatists|Separatist]] forces must deactivate three towers powering the defensive barrier protecting the Prophet's [[citadel]] and face off against a massive vehicular Covenant force, including two [[Scarab]]s at one time. Finally, united by the common purpose of stopping the rings, the [[Flood]] offer an alliance with [[Master Chief]] and the [[Arbiter (rank)|Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], only to betray them once Truth is dead.

Upon completing it on the [[Normal]], [[Heroic]], or [[Legendary]] difficulties, the player will earn the [[Last Stand (Achievement)|Last Stand]] [[achievement]] and 40 [[Gamerscore]]. Earning over 50,000 points in the campaign [[meta-game]] on this level will give the player the [[Vanguard]] achievement and 10 [[Gamerscore]]. It is the longest level in  [[Halo 3]] and possibly in the entire Halo series. It is the last level in which you fight the Covenant (excluding the Easter Egg [[Grunt]] on the final level).  It is also one of only three levels that is cut into three rally points, rather than two -- the others are the previous mission, [[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]] and [[Sierra 117]]. This level is significant as it is the Covenant's last stand. After the Covenant have been defeated, there is only one last threat the UNSC have to deal with: the Flood. It is also the first level in which you can use the [[Spartan Laser]]. The [[IWHBYD]] [[Skull]] is found on this level, as well as the [[Thunderstorm]] Skull. (Click [[Halo 3 Skulls|here]] for details on how to acquire them).

==Transcript==

===Trident===
'''''Three teams. Three towers.'''''

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpbI9ymzarQ '''{''Cutscene''}''']
[[File:Barrier Covenant Battle.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Three Phantoms containing the Arbiter's team flying to the second tower.]]

''Five [[Pelican]]s fly in. They are followed by two [[Covenant Separatists|Separatist]] [[Phantom]]s. Behind them is the [[Sangheili]] [[Assault Carrier]] [[Shadow of Intent]]. The view changes to a large energy barrier surrounded by [[Covenant Loyalists]]''

*'''[[Miranda Keyes]] (COM)''': "We hit these three generators, and the barrier will fall?"

*'''[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] (COM)''': "A small section, yes."

''A [[Grunt]] spots the flight formation as it approaches the mainland, jumps, and cowers.''

*'''Miranda Keyes (COM)''': "Good enough. [[Johnson]], drop the [[Chief]] at the first generator, then head to the third. The Elites will punch right down the middle."

*'''[[Sergeant Johnson]] (COM)''': "Roger that."

''The Pelicans and Phantoms break formation. Two Pelicans, including [[Kilo 23|Hocus' bird]] carrying the Chief, head towards Tower 1. [[Anti-Air Wraith]] fire erupts around them.''

*'''[[Hocus]] (COM)''': "[[Charlie Foxtrot]]! Tower One approach has active [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery|Triple-A]]!"

''Gunfire hits one of the engines of the following Pelican, forcing it to collide into Hocus' Pelican, tossing the [[Warthog]] it carried out onto the ground. The second Pelican swerves out of control.''

*'''Damaged Pelican Pilot (COM)''': "Mayday! I can't control her!" 

''The Pelican drops out of sight, followed by the sound of a crash and a muffled explosion.''

*'''Hocus (COM)''': "Pelican down, Pelican down!"

*'''[[ODST]] [[Sergeant]] ([[Sergeant Pete Stacker|Stacker]]) (COM)''': "Brace yourselves; we're going in a little hot!"

''Chief grabs a [[Spartan Laser]]] and jumps off the Pelican with the [[ODST]]s.''

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

*'''ODST Sergeant ([[Reynolds]])''': "Pile out! Go go go! Up the beach! Kill that [[Wraith]]!"

''or''

*'''ODST Sergeant ([[Pete Stacker (Marine)|Stacker]])''': "Pile out! Go go go! Alright, up the beach! Take out that Wraith!"

*'''Hocus (COM)''': "Commander, this is Kilo 23. Lost my Wingman and our only Hog. Over."

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Roger that, Hocus. Get out of there!"

''The Master Chief and his Squad secure the beach, and destroy the Anti-Air Wraith''

*'''ODST (COM)''': "Beachhead secure, Commander. Hostile Anti-Air has been neutralized."

*'''Miranda Keyes (COM)''': "Hold position. I'm on my way. [[Shipmaster]], begin diversionary bombardment."

*'''[[Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum]] (COM)''': "I will beat [[Prophet of Truth|the Prophet]]'s shield like a drum. By the time the barrier falls, he will beg for mercy."

''A Pelican drops off a [[Mongoose]] and Warthog for the Chief and his Squad. If the existing squad have all died, replacements will also be dropped.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|Spark]] believes Truth can activate the rings at anytime. If he does, [[Earth]]... every being in the Galaxy... [[Halo Array|Halo]] will kill them ''all''."

''They mount up and head off for the first tower.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Get to the first tower. Shut it down."

[[Image:Hog_in_the_canyon.jpg|thumb|The [[John-117|Master Chief]] and two [[ODST]]s drive through the canyon leading up to the first tower.]]

''As the Chief drives up the hill towards the 1st generator, he sees the Separatists' Phantoms battling with the other Loyalists' Phantoms on tower 2.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "Ma'am, we're on the ground. Third Tower in sight."

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Good. The Arbiter and the Elites have touched down in number 2."

''(Co-op Change)'' '''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Good. The Elites have touched down in number 2."

*'''ODST''': "Objective in sight! Watch for heavy armor!"

''[[Prowler]]s, [[Ghost]]s, a Wraith and a [[Shade Turret]] stand in the Chief and his squad's way, but the squad eventually clears the armor and other resistance on the perimeter of the tower''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Chief. You've got to offline that tower."

''Keyes' Pelican drops off weapons.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Get inside that tower. Take it down!"

*'''ODST''': "Perimeter secure. Get inside that tower! Stick together! Check your corners!"

''Master Chief gets inside and secures the bottom floor. The ODST and/or Marines hold while the Chief secures the top floor and deactivates the tower.'' 

*'''ODST''': "Go on, sir. Tower controls should be up top!"

''The Chief secures the top floor, after an encounter with a [[Brute Chieftain]] with a [[Gravity Hammer]] and its [[Brute Bodyguard]]s.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Chief, find the tower controls, and shut it down!"

''The Master Chief deactivates Tower 1.''

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqoOXI4rKzM '''{''Cutscene''}''']

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Good work, Chief! That's one. The Arbiter should be just about to..."
-(Co-op change) '''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Good work, Chief! That's one. The Elites should be just about to..."

''Tower 2 shuts down.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "...that's two! It's all up to Johnson's team now."

''Chief and Commander Keyes watch Tower 3 for a moment. It remains active.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Get back outside, Chief. Wait for transport."

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

*'''Miranda Keyes (COM)''': "Johnson, come in. Over."

*'''Johnson (COM)''': "[[Brute]] reinforcements, ma'am ''(static)''! We're pinned down!"

*'''Miranda Keyes (COM)''': "I'm on my way!"

*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "Negative! Fire's too heavy! ''(to his squad)'' Everyone fall back! Now! ''(static and cut-off)''"

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "[[Sergeant Major]]!" 

''No response.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Johnson! Can you hear me?! ''(No response)'' Chief, you need to link up with the Arbiter and proceed directly to the Third Tower. Make your way back to the beach."
-(Co-op change) '''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Chief, you need to link up with the Elites and proceed directly to the Third Tower. Make your way back to the beach."

''The Chief hurries back to the elevator, and heads back down. After clearing another of group of [[Jackal]]s and Grunts attacking the Marines holding the lower floor, the Chief and his squad get back outside to their vehicles, or meet up with transport if they have no vehicles left.''

*'''Marine Driver''': "Get in, sir. We gotta get back to the beach."

''The Chief and the Marines head back to the beach.''

===If You Want It Done Right...===
'''''Close air support.'''''

*'''Hocus (COM)''': "Sir, I've got a flock of birds that need an escort. Take a [[Hornet]]; get those Pelicans safely to the Third Tower."

''The Chief and his accompanying soldiers meet up with the Hornets and other Marines who held the beach. The Chief gets in a Hornet and the other Hornets assist to clear the airspace of Tower 2.''

''If the Chief tries to land on the Second Tower:''

*'''Thel 'Vadam (Elite in Co-op) (COM)''': "Second Tower is clear, Spartan, no need to land. Let us hasten to the Third Tower."

''They proceed to Tower 3. They reach Tower 3 airspace, with heavy resistance both in the air and on the ground.''

*'''Pelican Pilot (COM)''': "Objective in sight, Commander... No sign of Johnson or his team."

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Understood. Chief, clear an [[LZ]], then get inside the tower."

''After the [[UNSC]] airborne forces take out the Wraiths, the Separatist Phantoms arrive and drop off Thel 'Vadam and his Elites and assault the tower's entrance. The Chief assists the Elites, securing the outside of remaining armour and infantry. The Chief lands the Hornet and joins the Elites on the ground. The Marines from Pelicans and Hornets follow up, and secure the perimeter. They push on inside the tower, encountering a swarm of [[Drone]]s, a pair of [[Hunter]]s and a large pack of Brutes and their Grunt and Jackal subordinates. The Chief, 'Vadam and their allies overcome this defense and secure the bottom floor and the elevator.''

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' "Darken this tower and the barrier will fall. Go, Spartan! We have no time to waste."

'''Vadam and Elites hold the lower level while the Master Chief heads up. The Chief secures the top floor, after encountering a [[War Chieftain]] wielding a [[Plasma Cannon]] with [[Brute Stalker]]s.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Hit the switch, Chief, and the barrier will fall!"

''The Chief deactivates the Third Tower.''

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvztpFCXaC4 '''{''Cutscene''}''']

''The barrier falls. The ''Shadow of Intent'' advances.''

*'''Rtas 'Vadum (COM)''': "Now, Prophet...your end has come."

''A Slipspace rupture suddenly appears. [[High Charity]] emerges and plummets down to the Ark.''

*'''Rtas 'Vadum (COM)''': "High Charity...? By the Gods. Brace for impact!"

''Debris from High Charity strikes right through the Shadow of Intent's hull. A [[Flood Dispersal Pod]] then breaks apart in midair. Part of the pod crashes through the window right above the Chief. It stops as it hits the elevator window, glowing eerily. The Chief raises his rifle and prepares to engage the enemy he knows too well.'' 

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

''The Chief quickly eliminates the few [[Flood|hostiles]] that arrived in the pod.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Shipmaster, what's your status?"

*'''Rtas 'Vadum (COM)''': "Significant damage! Weapon systems disabled!"

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Move to a safe distance, stay away from the Flood."

*'''Rtas 'Vadum (COM)''': "Why would the Parasite come ''here''?!"

*'''[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] (COM)''':''(alarmed)'' "The Ark is out of range of all the active installations! Priority: We must contain this outbreak, before-"

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "No! First, we stop Truth. Then we deal with the Flood."

''The Chief links up with the Elites and the Arbiter, which is under attack. After eliminating Flood forces in the tower, they get outside to meet Marines engaged in combat with the Flood, and assist. A Separatist [[Phantom]] arrives to pick up Thel 'Vadam.''

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Quickly, I must see the point of impact; assess the damage done to the Ark."

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' "To the top of these hills, Oracle, no higher. We cannot risk your capture by the Flood."

'''Vadam takes 343 Guilty Spark with him. The Pelicans drop a [[M12G1 LAAV]] Warthog, a Mongoose, and a [[Scorpion Tank]] for the assault on the Citadel. The Chief, Marines, and the remaining Elites mount up.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Shipmaster's Carrier is out of commission, Chief. I need you to take down Truth. The Flood's just going to put pressure on him; accelerate his plans. Punch through the cliffs! Get inside that Citadel!"

===Journey's End===
'''''Storm the Citadel.'''''

''The Assault Team gets through the snowy cliffs, where they first encounter few small Covenant emplacements.''

*'''Pelican Pilot (COM)''': "Citadel in sight! Brutes are mobilizing everything they've got."

''The Assault Team clears the cliff, facing Ghosts, Shade turrets and Prowlers. Once they are dealt with, a Wraith is the only thing standing in their path, and once taken out they meet with Hornet Gunships near the route down into the clearing.''

*'''Marine Sergeant (Stacker) (COM)''': "Hornets, inbound!"

''Depending on choice, the Master Chief takes a Hornet and makes his way to the Citadel, when two Scarabs drop down from above.''

*'''Pelican Pilot(COM)''' "I count two Scarabs! Repeat: ''two'' Scarabs!"

''With the choice Chief chooses, the Assault Team backs him up: The Scorpion Tank fires from a far range, the Warthog and Mongoose move about under the Scarabs to assist Chief in taking their "legs" down, and the Hornets engage the Scarab from the air. But some Ghosts, Banshees and another Prowler help to defend the Scarabs.''

''The Chief takes out the first Scarab.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "First Scarab's down! All units, concentrate your fire on number two."

''The Chief takes out the second Scarab.''

*'''Miranda Keyes (COM)''': "Both Scarabs down, well done."

''If any minor Covenant resistance is left:''

*'''Miranda Keyes (COM)''': "Marines! Kill the stragglers!"

''A Separatist Phantom arrives at the platform leading to the entrance of the [[Citadel]], dropping off Thel 'Vadam and 343 Guilty Spark.''

''If the Chief isn't there when 'Vadam lands:''

*'''Thel 'Vadam (COM)''': "Spartan, come to me. This platform hides a path!"

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Spark has found a way into the Citadel. He's waiting for you on the platform, Chief. Go!"

''The Chief lands and meets 'Vadam and 343 Guilty Spark at the top of the Platform.''

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' "The Flood scales the Citadel's far wall. Activate this bridge, Oracle! ''(turning to the Chief)'' The Prophet will die by ''my'' hands, not theirs."

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "''Calamity!'' If only we had more time!"

''The Chief and 'Vadam enter alone. The door they entered through closes and bolts up. The entrance is a large hallway with screens mounted along the walls.''

*'''[[Cortana]] ([[Cortana Moment]])''': "[[Gravemind|It]] asked, and I answered. ''(turns bitter)'' For a moment of safety, I loosed damnation upon the stars."

*'''[[Prophet of Truth]]''': "My faithful...stand firm!"

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A5fDiIGHNw '''{''Cutscene''}''']

''Viewscreens around the Chief light up. The Prophet of Truth is seen making another speech. The Chief and 'Vadam hurry to find a way up.''

*'''Prophet of Truth (Video COM)''': "Though our enemies crowd around us, we tread the blessed path. In a moment, I will light the rings! And all who believe...shall be saved!"

''Master Chief and 'Vadam discover an elevator, with a screen in front of it, showing Johnson behind Truth, held aloft by a Brute. Johnson punches the Brute in the face, to no effect.''

*'''Commander Keyes (COM)''': "Chief, how close are you?"

''They look up. The height is phenomenal.''

*'''Master Chief''': "Not close enough."

''The view changes to the Control Center. Johnson is being thrown at the floor.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "That the best you got?"

''A Brute Chieftain gives him an amused huff, then picks him up around the neck and begins to strangle him.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Oh, come on. Impress me."

''Truth turns around and sees what is happening.''

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "Stop, you imbecile! He ''wants'' you to kill him! ''(turns back to The Ark's console, and speaks quietly)'' I'd prefer that you did not."

''The Chieftain slams Johnson's head into the solid holographic console.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "What's the matter, big shot? Can't start your own party?"

[[Image:Truth_and_Johnson.png|thumb|right|Truth talking to Johnson]]

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "I admit, I need your help." ''(a Pelican appears on screen behind them, unnoticed and rapidly approaching the main window)'' "But that secret dies with all the rest."

''The Pelican breaks through the window and crashes onto the ledge next to them, crushing a Brute, sending his [[Spiker]] flying. Truth is thrown off-screen, landing near the Spiker.''

''A [[Brute Captain]] gets up, but Keyes blasts it with her [[Shotgun]].''

*'''Commander Keyes''': "Johnson! ''(ejects a shell from her shotgun)'' Sound off!"

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "''(coughing)'' Get out of here!"

*'''Commander Keyes''': "Not without you!"

''More [[Brute]]s surround Miranda and Johnson. Miranda fires away at the Brutes with her Shotgun. Their armor spark from the shots, but the short-range weapon does not do severe damage to them, and they remain on their feet.''

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "You delay the inevitable. One of you ''will'' light the rings."

''Miranda Keyes draws a [[M6G Magnum|Pistol]] and aims her weapons both ways.''

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "You cannot hope to kill them all!"

''Keyes pauses and lowers her weapons. She looks at her pistol.''

*'''Commander Keyes''': "You're right..."

''She reluctantly aims the pistol at Johnson.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Do it. Me...then you..."

''Keyes hesitates, lowering her pistol slightly with sadness on her face.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Now!"

''Keyes straightens up and aims. Several Spiker shots are heard. Keyes gasps in pain and drops her weapons. Johnson starts to run to her aid.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "''No!''"

''A Brute Captain restrains Johnson, who still struggles, horrified. Miranda Keyes falls to her knees, collapses, and dies, with [[seven]] glowing spikes in her back. Truth walks on screen, gingerly holding a Spiker in hand.''

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "Your [[Forerunners|forefathers]] wisely set aside their compassion..."

''He looks down at Miranda and tosses the Spiker away, and shakes a fist to emphasize his speech.''

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "...''steeled'' themselves for what ''needed'' to be done."

''Truth walks up to Johnson.''

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "I see now why they left you behind."

''Sergeant Johnson is brought up to the control panel.''

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "You were ''weak''...and gods must be ''strong''."

''He forces Johnson's hand down on the panel with a smug look. Johnson, still overcome with grief and shock, doesn't resist. Instantly the Control Terminal begins to change and heighten. Truth raises his arms in triumph. Six out of Seven Holographic Halo Rings light up one by one (Installation 04 had not yet been replaced, so its ring does not light up). At the end of the corridor, the Chief and Thel 'Vadam emerge from the lift. Two Flood Tank Forms drop from above. The Master Chief draws his [[Assault Rifle]] and aims, and 'Vadam activates his [[Energy Sword]].''

*'''[[Gravemind]]''' (through the Tank Forms): "Do not shoot, but listen! Let me lead you safely to ''our'' foe. Only ''you'' can halt what he has set in motion."

[[Image:Infection_Forms_Covenant_Level.png | thumb | right| Infection Forms scurry past Thel 'Vadam and the Master Chief.]]

''They lower their weapons cautiously. Several [[Infection Forms]] scurry between their feet towards their common enemy. The Master Chief and 'Vadam look at each other, obviously not trusting the Flood, but knowing they have no other choice.''

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

===Revelation===

''Master Chief, The Arbiter, and the Flood begin the assault on the Covenant. After crossing a bridge guarded by heavy weapons, they reach a room with holograms of Truth in the Forerunner systems.''

*'''Prophet of Truth (Hologram)''': "How could I have known the Parasite would follow?! Undoubtedly this is the Heretics' doing! A final, bitter curse. Clear evidence of [[Age of Conflict|treachery long hidden]]!"

''At the second bridge, the Covenant forces make their final resistance. The Master Chief and the Arbiter defeat the last of Truth's followers - including a [[Brute]] [[Chieftain]] wielding a [[Gravity Hammer]].''

''At the second room, Truth holograms broadcast a final message.''

*'''Prophet of Truth (Hologram)''': "So far are we along the path, that I must strain to hear the clumsy patter of their pursuit. Know this my brothers, they may foul the way with their charred and broken bones, but they will not stop the [[Greatest Journey|Journey]]."

''The resistance on the third bridge has already been annihilated by the Flood. A light bridge is all that remains to reach Truth.''

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OlqVFLumtg '''{''Cutscene''}''']

''Master Chief and The Arbiter cross the light bridge, and come across Johnson, who is resting the dead Miranda Keyes on his lap by her head next to the Pelican. The pair stare into Miranda's empty eyes, until Johnson closes them gently.''

*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Stop the rings. Save the [[Human|rest]]."

''The Chief continues to stare at Miranda while 'Vadam approaches the crawling form of Truth, his Energy Sword turned off but at the ready. He grabs Truth by his robes and points his currently harmless sword in his face.''

*'''Prophet of Truth:''' ''(Weakly)'' "Can you see, Arbiter? The moment of salvation is at hand."

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' ''(grabbing Truth by the throat)'' "It will not last!"

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "[[Sangheili|Your kind]]... never believed in the promise of the sacred rings."

*'''Gravemind (Speaking through Truth):''' "Lies for the weak. Beacons for the deluded."

''At this moment, 'Vadam draws his Energy Sword back and activates it, ready to kill his former leader. The Master Chief points his Assault Rifle at Truth, in case he is completely taken over by the Flood.''

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' "I will have my revenge. On a Prophet, not a plague!"

*'''Prophet of Truth''': "My feet tread the path. I shall become a god!"

''Tentacles begin to sprout on Truth as the Flood infection progresses.''

*'''Gravemind (Speaking through Truth):''' "You will be food - nothing more."

''The Chief approaches the Ark's Control Panel, ready to deactivate it.''

*'''Truth''': "''No!''"

''The Chief deactivates the Ark. The seven holographic Halo rings dim. A Flood body begins to stir.''

*'''Prophet of Truth''': ''(being held aloft by 'Vadam)'' "I...am...''Truth!'' The ''voice'' of the Covenant!"

'''Vadam turns Truth away from him and grabs his neck viciously. Truth's crown falls off as he pitifully gasps for air, trying to grab 'Vadam's hands.''

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' "And so, you must be silenced."

'''Vadam stabs his sword through Truth's back. It goes clean through him; the two points of the Energy Sword poke through his chest as he writhes and screams in pain. Flood spores shoot out of his mouth and the infection lets out a pitiful squeal. The last of the High Prophets is dead.''

'''Vadam lets Truth's corpse fall to the floor. 'Vadam lets out a roar of triumph and deactivates his sword. The Chief looks at him and nods, acknowledging him for ending the life of the Prophet who declared war on humanity; they then turn to see Johnson carrying Miranda's body into the Pelican. There is a moment of silence as they realize their victory has not been without loss.''

''Suddenly, the ground begins to tremble, and massive tentacles rise up all around them. Chief wields his Assault Rifle and 'Vadam reactivates his sword. They both stare up at the tentacles, which are now reaching high above them. The Gravemind laughs manically.''

''Johnson leaps into the Pelican cockpit and starts to take off. The Chief climbs onto the Control Panel of the Ark and jumps onto the Pelican's landing gear. Chief grabs Thel's hand  just before the Pelican is out of the hole in the Control Room window that Miranda made, both are knocked off by the tentacles, sending the Pelican spiraling out of control. On the ring, the tentacles swerve around them and multiple Flood forms appear.''

*'''Gravemind''': "Now the gate has been unlatched, headstones pushed aside...corpses shift and offer room, a fate you ''must'' abide!"

'''Vadam holds his sword at the ready, and the Chief takes aim with his Assault Rifle. They come back to back.''

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' ''(almost exasperated)'' "We trade one villain for another."

''The tentacles retreat and Combat Forms come up from the control panel.''

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

*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "I can ''barely'' keep hold of her, Chief! No way I could pick you up! Head back to the lift... find a way down!"

''Both heroes fight their way through hordes of Flood, which have betrayed them now that the Halo rings have been deactivated. Fortunately, the Sentinels are also here and are fighting the Flood.''

*'''Cortana (Cortana Moment)''': "I'm a thief...but I keep what I steal."

''Master Chief and Thel 'Vadam make it back. The lift is not working, so they jump down a shaft at the back of the room.''

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Awd8pcBuXM '''{''Cutscene''}''']

''The Chief lands at the bottom of the shaft, landing in a room not unlike the entrances to the three Shield Towers. He looks beside him as the Arbiter comes down, and then stands up. A flickering, spooky image of Cortana appears in the hallway, running. She starts to turn the corner and disappears, after a split second. The Chief casually walks around the corner as though amused by Cortana's antics, but 'Vadam is confused.''

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' "What do you see?"

''With 'Vadam trailing far behind, the Chief looks around the corner. He sees a control panel. Cortana appears a second time, again for only a second, walking loftily (and spookily) towards it. She stops at the panel and disappears. The Master Chief goes to the panel and activates it.''

''A view screen slides open, the Chief and 'Vadam step out onto a balcony to watch as a massive structure rises up out of thick fog. It's a Halo Ring, incomplete, rising from inside the Ark's Core. Cortana's plan is becoming clear.''

'''Vadam turns and looks at the Chief.''

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' "A replacement. For the [[Installation 04|ring]] you destroyed."

*'''Master Chief''': ''(to a blue glow behind him)'' "When did you know?"

''Spark hovers up from behind the Chief and 'Vadam and comes up to the Chief.''

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': '' "Just now - but...I had my hopes. What will you do?"''

*'''Master Chief''': "Light it."

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "...Then we are in agreement! A tactical pulse will completely eradicate the local infestation! I will personally oversee the final preparations."

''He flies enthusiastically around the Chief and 'Vadam, who look at each other, and then flies off toward his [[Installation 04B|new Halo]], now talking to himself.''

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Though it will take time to fabricate an activation index, I will see to the letter that..." ''(he flies too far away)''

*'''Thel 'Vadam:''' "How will you light it?"

''They both turn to look at High Charity, knowing that Cortana still has the Halo Index required to activate the new Installation 04.''

''Fade to black.''

''Level ends.''

==Trivia==
*When you are in the zone where the two Scarabs are, you can see a huge air battle over you with Pelicans, Hornets and a lot of Banshees squadrons. But if you look carefully, you can see that the battle is always repeated. You can look at this battle closer with the Theater mode or at the Secret Marine emplacement. If you look at the battle in the Theater mode, you can see that the Pelicans and the Hornets are badly textured, but the Banshees are fully textured with dynamic lighting on it.
*Upon entering the Citadel (after you defeat the two Scarabs), the Cortana Moment you experience before the cutscene is projected on the holoscreens in mirror image to what is in your visor.


===[[Glitch]]es===
[[File:DJC-Mismatch.jpg|thumb|right|A dead Brute with a Battle Rifle.]]
*If you start at Rally Point Alpha, and head back to the first tower, the elevator controls will be separated from the platform, and if you go up, you will be stuck, because the controls remain at the bottom of the lift. If you do not go up the lift, the Hornets you need to continue the level with will disappear.
*If you get to the texture fault where the hidden Marine is, [[Hall of Mirrors|you can see the other player's screen]]. If you drive into it, you will be erased out of the map. <!-- what hidden Marine where? from what I hear, there're several. -->
*It is possible to get into the second tower that the Arbiter disabled using the [[Time Travel Glitch]]. The tower's interior is just an empty space with nothing inside, not even floors or walls as you can see in this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cvV8T7mELU here].
*The [[Disappearing on The Covenant (Level)|Disappearing on The Covenant glitch]]  can be performed on this level.
*The [[Two Arbiters Glitch]] can be performed on this level.
*The [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Secret_Marine_on_The_Covenant Secret Marine Glitch] can be performed on this level.
*The [[Flood War Chieftain]] may be seen on this level.
*Occasionally, when a Banshee pilot dies, or when you board one, the Brute will be holding a human Battle Rifle.
*If you destroy a Scarab's power core right after it lands, you and everyone else on the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ev-IoalnQs Scarab will be thrown across the map]. It can be performed if you ride in a Hornet, and jump off when you are over the Scarab. Then, you must go through your enemies and melee the power core.
*You can jump over the chasm where you are supposed to activate a light bridge and reach Truth by using a Gravity Hammer and a Plasma Grenade. By grenade jumping backwards and using the Hammer at the peak of your jump, you can be propelled across the chasm, but if you land safely, the bridge will strangely activate on its own, and the cutscene will play.
*At the part where the Flood offer to help you in stopping the firing of the rings, if you have subtitles on, when the Gravemind says halt, the subtitles says stop.
*If a weapon is dropped on either side of the two elevators the player will be unable to pick it up again, however ammunition can be retrieved from the weapon.
*Using the time travel glitch, you can have a special glitch happen [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2k-3bFcSno here.] As a hint of what will happen is that one scene will be interlaced with another one and the music will blend.

===Mistakes===
*In the first cutscene, when the [[Warthog]] is knocked from the Pelican carrying [[John 117]] during the beach approach, you can see that it is intact and undamaged when it hits the ground, but when you walk up to it in gameplay, it is destroyed and in pieces, most notably with the wheels missing. Also in the first cutscene, the Warthogs attached to the Pelicans are clearly troop transports, yet when you survey their wreckage during gameplay, the models actually have destroyed LAAGs.
*During the first cutscene that takes place in the Citadel, the screens in the "foyer" show Johnson being held by a Brute Minor. Later in that cutscene, however, the Brute inexplicably changes into a Chieftain.
*When the Prophet of Truth is killed by the Arbiter during the cutscene, he loses his crown. However, when the gameplay resumes and Truth is dead on the floor, he is still wearing his crown.
*Near the end of the cutscene in which the Arbiter kills the Prophet of Truth, two Brute Flood Combat Forms are seen climbing over the Ark's controls to attack the Chief and the Arbiter. However, when gameplay resumes, it is two Elite Flood Combat Forms that are standing in front of the Ark's controls.
*When you deactivate the shield in the third tower where Johnson failed to do so, you are attacked by Flood who come crashing through a window. However, when the tower is seen from outside (in the area with the two Scarabs), the glass is intact.
*The [[D77H-TCI|Pelican]] that crashes at the start flies past the wreckage and lands at the waterfall -- it doesn't land where its crash site was positioned. Sometimes, its two pilots' bodies can be found in or around the water below the waterfall.
*If you watch the sky when the [[Scarabs]] fall down, you see that they fall from nowhere.

===[[Easter Egg]]s===
*The [[Halo 3 Skulls#Thunderstorm|Thunderstorm]] and [[Halo 3 Skulls#IWHBYD (I Would Have Been Your Daddy)|IWHBYD]] Skulls can be found on this level.
*The [[Siege of Madrigal]] song and [[Microsoft Sam]] can be heard on this level.
*The lone marine can be found in this level .

===References===
*When you use the elevator to ascend to the tops of the first and third shield towers, the Marathon symbol can be seen in the middle of the elevator control panels.
*The first chapter of the level is named "''Trident''". This refers to the three towers and the Citadel. There are three spikes on a trident -- a metaphor for the towers. The handle that the spikes lead up is a metaphor for the Citadel.
*In the opening cutscene, there are [[List of "Seven" References in Halo|7]] ally dropships in total: 5 Pelicans and 2 Separatist Phantoms.

===Miscellaneous===
 
[[Image:71109171-Medium.jpg|thumb|The [[Marathon]] symbol that appears on the elevator control panels.]]
*At the very end of the level (right after [[Truth]] gets killed by the Arbiter), if you turn around and look above the glass that Keyes' [[D77H-TCI|Pelican]] crashed through, there is a prominent [[Marathon]] symbol.
*There is a second [[Spartan Laser]] near the crashed Pelican at the beginning of the level. It is only there when you are playing on [[Easy]] or [[Normal]] difficulty.
*[[Bungie]] has stated that this is the longest level in the whole Halo Trilogy, partially because it is the Covenant's ''last stand'' against Humanity. It is also the only Campaign level where players can use [[Attack_VTOL-14_Hornet|Hornets]].
*[[How to Pilot an AA Wraith|Hijacking the first Anti-Air Wraith in the level]] will make progressing up to the first tower a lot easier; you will also be able to bombard the Covenant forces hiding in the hallway just before the tower's entrance. A video of this can be found here: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoI0Ap9fUdU AA Wraith Glitch]
*At the point where you reunite with the Arbiter and 343 Guilty Spark after defeating the [[Scarabs]], if there are any surviving [[Covenant]] forces nearby, 343 Guilty Spark will attack them with the same energy beam he uses against you in the [[Control Room]] [[Halo (Level)|later]] in the game.
*This is the only level in which friendly dropships can be destroyed. The two Separatist [[Phantoms]] that appear outside the third tower can be destroyed. Their door-mounted Plasma Cannons can also be blown off from the ground, and are very useful against the Drones inside.
*At the beginning of the level, [[Gunnery Sergeant (UNSC)|Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Pete Stacker (Marine)|Pete Stacker]] is usually leading the [[ODST]] squad that joins the Master Chief in battle.
*This is the only level in the Halo Trilogy that involves a battle against two Scarabs at the same time.
*It is possible to get a [[Mongoose]] or a [[Warthog]] onto the one of the [[Scarab]]s in the Scarab fight. Bungie has conveniently placed ramps leading up to both Scarabs as soon as they land. Grab a Mongoose or a Warthog and just line up the Scarab when you jump.
*The platform at the end of the Citadel could be a large Marathon symbol, due to the break in the large platform in the front, and the smaller circle in the center.
*This is the second and last level to have [[ODST]]s fight alongside with you.
*The Legendary symbol, granted for completing this level on Legendary, can be seen in the Campaign selection screen, and is one of the two symbols that is darker than the rest.
*There is a strange voice whispering through the walls of the third tower after you have defeated the Brute Stalkers and Chieftain. If you listen closely to the walls (particularly the wall closest to the activation panel), a faint voice can be heard whispering something inaudible to you. The voice has not yet been identified but the voice does resemble [[Gravemind]]'s deep empowering voice. Some fans believe that it is foreshadowing the Flood's arrival only seconds later. Though the voice does resemble some sort of backwards song it is still unknown whether this voice is significant or not. However, it has not been confirmed that this strange voice is Gravemind's or just a fan's speculation. To some this voice may be a monitor or even [[032 Mendicant Bias]] himself but to others it may be something more.
*This is the first and only level in the trilogy in which the [[Flood]] are your allies.

==Gallery== 
<Gallery>
Image:Trident11.jpg|The [[UNSC]] and their Elite allies attack the Prophet of Truth.
Image:Cool odsts.jpg|A team of ODSTs engage a [[Brute Chieftain]] after having had routed the pack.
Image:Hive.jpg|[[High Charity]] Comes To [[The Ark]].
Image:John 117 Master Chief Petty Officer.jpg|The [[Master Chief]] and two [[ODST]]s in a [[Warthog]].
File:Anti-Anti-Air.jpg|The UNSC fighting Covenant Anti-Air emplacements.
File:Sheltered Valley.jpg
File:Distant Islands.jpg
File:DJC-Mismatch.jpg|A Banshee pilot with a Battle Rifle.
File:Covenant Panorama 1.jpg|A panorama of the level.
</Gallery>

{{succession box | before = ''[[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]'' | title = [[Halo 3 Campaign|''Halo 3'' Campaign Missions]] | years = '''''The Covenant''''' |after = ''[[Cortana (Level)|Cortana]]''}}

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