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{{Ratings}}
{{Title|Halo}}
{{Era|H3}}
{{Status|Gameplay}}
 
{{disambig header|Halo 3 campaign level|other uses of the word Halo|Halo (disambiguation)}}
<center>''Looking for [[The Halos|Halo]], the [[Forerunner]] Structure?''</center>
 
<center>''Looking for [[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved Level)|Halo]], the [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] level?''</center>
 
{{Article Quote|Light the Ring.  Destroy the Flood.}}
 
{{Level infobox
{{Level infobox
|prev=''[[Cortana (Level)|Cortana]]''
|pagegamelabel=H3
|next=''[[Halo 3 Credits]]''
|prev=''[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]''
|next=*''[[Halo 3 credits]]'' {{C|''[[Halo 3]]''}}
*''[[Epilogue (Halo 3)|Epilogue]]'' {{C|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection|MCC]]''}}
|name='''''Halo'''''
|image=[[File:H3 Halo Loadscreen.png|300px]]
|game=''[[Halo 3]]''
|game=''[[Halo 3]]''
|name='''''Halo'''''[[Image:Frigatewitharkinbackground.jpg|300px]]
|devname=<code>120_halo</code>{{Ref/File|Id=H3EK|H3EK|H3EK\tags\levels\solo\120_halo\120_halo.scenario}}
|player=[[SPARTAN-117]]
|player=*[[Master_Chief_(gameplay)#Halo_3|Master Chief]] (player 1)
|date= [[2552]]
*[[Arbiter_(player_character)#Halo_3|Arbiter]] (player 2)
|place=[[Installation 04 (II)]]
*[[Elite (co-op)|N'tho 'Sraom]] (player 3)
|Objective=Activate the Ring, Destroy the [[Flood]]
*[[Elite (co-op)|Usze 'Taham]] (player 4)
|enemies=
|date=[[2552#December|December 11, 2552]]{{ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/video/herofortitude/bfe5038b-314a-4f17-a6be-f7613e0e3788|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Hero-Fortitude}}<br>[[2553#March|March 3, 2553]] {{C|Eulogy cutscene}}<br>[[2557#July|July 21, 2557]] {{C|Legendary ending}}
*[[Flood]]
|place=[[Installation 08]]
**[[Pure Form]]
|objective=Activate and escape from [[Installation 08|Halo]].
**[[Combat Form]]
|partime=00:20:00 {{C|''Master Chief Collection''}}
**[[Carrier Form]]
|parscore=24,000 {{C|''Master Chief Collection''}}<br/>15,000 {{C|''Halo 3''}}
**[[Infection Form]]
*[[Sentinels]]
*[[343 Guilty Spark]]
|weapons=
}}
}}
{{Article quote|Light the Ring. Destroy the Flood.}}
'''Halo'''<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsCampaignHalo3.aspx?gameid=21687 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3 Game Details'']</ref> is the tenth and final [[Campaign]] mission of ''[[Halo 3]]''.


'''Halo'''<ref>http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsCampaignHalo3.aspx?gameid=21687</ref> is the tenth and final [[campaign]] mission of ''[[Halo 3]]''. It is also the second mission in the ''Halo'' series to bear the name, following the [[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved Level)|second mission of the first game]].
Upon completing it on [[Normal]] or higher, the player unlocks the [[Return]] achievement. If the player gets 15,000 points or more in the meta game, they will unlock the [[Reclaimer (Achievement)|Reclaimer]] achievement. This level is also the second level in the ''Halo'' series to bear the name of another level, following the [[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|second level]] of the [[Halo: Combat Evolved|first game]].  
 
== Plot ==
 
After making it to the Installation near the [[Ark]] on a [[Pelican]], [[Avery Johnson|Johnson]] (he takes the [[Warthog]] near the hill so he can cover you with his [[Spartan Laser]]), [[John]] and the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] attempt to activate the ring using the [[Index]] from [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]]. They make it to an area that almost perfectly resembles the area leading up to the [[Control Room]] in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]]. However, [[Gravemind]] sends [[Flood]] [[Combat Forms]] (and later [[Pure Forms]]), carried by Dispersal Pods, to try to stop them.  


After fighting through the Flood, the three make it to the Control Room. When they try to activate the ring, [[343 Guilty Spark]] resists, saying it would destroy Halo, and possibly the Ark as well. He fires an energy beam, and hits Johnson (eventually killing him), the Arbiter, and the [[Master Chief]] to the ground.
==Summary==
[[John-117]], [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Johnson]] make their way towards the [[Control Room]] in order to activate the ring using the [[Activation Index|Index]] from the first [[Installation 04|Halo]] encountered. However, the [[Gravemind]] sends [[Flood]] [[Flood combat form|combat forms]] (and later [[Flood pure form|pure forms]]), carried by [[Flood dispersal pod]]s, to try to stop them. After holding outside the Control Room for a while, [[343 Guilty Spark]] opens the door and they reach the Control Room. When Spark realizes that they are going to activate the unfinished Halo, which will destroy the Ark and the new installation, he fatally injures Johnson, who was activating the ring. The monitor then locks the Arbiter out of the Control Room and corners John-117. Just as Spark is about to kill the [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]], Johnson, barely alive, fires his Spartan Laser and damages the monitor. He then hands the weapon to John-117 and faints. The Chief, after firing three shots at the Monitor, finally kills the [[rampancy|rampant]] AI unit. He then says farewell to Johnson who dies from his injuries, and activates the ring with Cortana. Outside the Control Room, the Chief and the Arbiter battle their way to Johnson's Warthog and race their way to the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}. After entering the frigate, the Arbiter heads to the bridge while the Chief uploads Cortana to a [[holotank]], and she proceeds to fire up the frigate's engines. The Master Chief, stuck in the cargo bay as they enter the portal, relaxes as the Halo fires and then explodes, killing the [[Gravemind]] and the Flood upon the Ark.


[[John]] begins to fight the [[Monitor]], but cannot do any damage with his weapons. However, Guilty Spark doesn't realize that Johnson is still not dead and is charging his [[Spartan Laser]], which hits the monitor with a blast so powerful that it knocks him back to the controls. [[John]] then takes the laser and finishes Spark off. However, Johnson is mortally wounded. He dies, his final words being "Send me out with a bang," and the Master Chief and the Arbiter activate the [[Halo]]. They then have to flee to the Frigate, ''Forward Unto Dawn'', culminating in an extended [[Warthog]] race back to the ship, in allusion to [[The Maw]] in Halo: Combat Evolved.
In March 2553, Lord Hood delivers a speech commemorating the fallen combatants of the battle, and reveals that the Chief, with Cortana in his helmet, did not return to Earth with the front half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''. As a result, the Master Chief has been officially declared [[missing in action]], though both Lord Hood and the Arbiter, the only Sangheili present at the memorial, express doubt over the Chief's presumed death. Lord Hood, though unable to forgive the Arbiter for what his species did to humanity, shakes hands with his former enemy and thanks him for standing by the Master Chief until the end. 'Vadam then leaves for Sanghelios with Rtas 'Vadum on board the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' to ensure that [[Sanghelios|their own world]] is safe.


[[Cortana]] is uploaded to the Frigate and guides it out towards the [[Slipspace]] portal located above the Ark. Due to the incomplete nature of the Installation; the firing mechanism destroys the new [[Alpha Halo]] and damages the Ark. Only the front half the ship makes it through the portal, with the Arbiter in tow; the other half is floating somewhere in deep space with the Master Chief and Cortana. Cortana sends out a tracking beacon, while [[John]] puts himself in a cryogenic chamber. At the end of the game, he said, "Wake me... when you need me." (If the level is completed on legendary, the back half of the Frigate is seen hurtling towards an unknown planet)
In a post-credits scene, it's revealed that the Master Chief survived but is trapped in the rear half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' which was dropped out into unknown space when the [[Portal at Voi]] shut down from the damage caused when the Halo fired and "did a number on the Ark." Much like after their victory at the first Halo ring, Cortana lists their accomplishments - stopping the Covenant and the [[Prophet of Truth]] and the Flood - and believes that they are finished. This time, the Master Chief agrees with Cortana that their work is finished. The Chief uploads Cortana to another holo tank and she promises to drop a [[distress beacon]], but warns that it could possibly be years before anyone finds and rescues them. The Master Chief goes into cryosleep to await rescue, ordering Cortana to "[[Halo 4|wake me. When you need me]]."


Back on [[Earth]], in March of [[2553]], a monument is dedicated to the war and all those who perished in it. The Arbiter pledges his friendship with humanity before leaving the system on the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''. The cut scene ends showing "117" carved into the memorial.
On Legendary difficulty, the rear half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' is shown drifting towards an [[Requiem|unknown planet]].


In the [[Legendary]] ending, after an unknown amount of time, the part of the ship [[John]] is on is seen drifting towards an unknown planet just as the sun rises over its surface.
==Transcript==
[[File:Soiark.jpg|thumb|300px|Master Chief, [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]], and Cortana passing over the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''.]]


== Transcript ==
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwHh4TvqKKo '''{''Cutscene''}''']
''The Chief, Arbiter & Cortana's [[Pelican]] leaves the Ark's atmosphere, passing the ''Shadow of Intent''.''
[[Image:1577752639 ea9a91297f b.jpg|thumb|right|Chief, the Arbiter, and Cortana passing over the [[Shadow of Intent]].]]


<youtube width="400" height="400">AwHh4TvqKKo</youtube>
''Fades in to the Pelican [[John-117]], [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Cortana]] are on board and heading towards [[Installation 08]]. The {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' flies slowly under the megastructure. Cuts to the cockpit of the Pelican.''
{{Clear}}
{''Cut scene''}
*'''[[Ship master Rtas 'Vadum]]''': "We are aboard. [[Humans]] and [[Elites]]".


*'''[[Ship master Rtas 'Vadum]]''' or another unknown elite: "Will you not come with us, brother?"
*'''[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] (COM)''': "We are aboard, [[Human]]s...and [[Sangheili|Elites]]. Will you not come with us, brother?"


*'''[[Arbiter]]''': "No. This is our fight. And I will see it finished."
*'''[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]''': "No. This is our fight. And I ''will'' see it finished."


''The Pelican flies towards the Halo ring.''
''The [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] nears the Halo ring.''


*'''[[Cortana]]''': "Johnson? Do you have the Frigate?"
*'''[[Cortana]]''': "[[Avery Junior Johnson|Johnson]]? Do you have the Frigate?"


*'''[[Sergeant Johnson]]''' (Video COM): "Yes ma'am. I'll land her as close to the control room as I can."
*'''[[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson]] ([[Local grid Pz67-3383|Video COM]])''': "Yes, ma'am. I'll land her as close to the control room as I can."


*'''Cortana''': "Safe is better than close, Sergeant Major."
*'''Cortana''': "''Safe'' is better than close, [[Sergeant Major]]."


*'''Sergeant Johnson''' (Video COM): "Roger that. And ma'am? It's good to have you back."
*'''Johnson (Video COM)''': "Roger that. And ma'am? It's good to have you back."


''The Pelican arrives at Halo. The Rear Port engine is too damaged for a normal landing. The Master Chief makes a crash landing in a snowy canyon near the Control Room. The Chief and the Arbiter clamber out. From behind the cliffs approaches the [[Forward Unto Dawn]].''[[Image:1578645048 c67a9b7a49 b.jpg|thumb|right|Master Chief's Pelican crash-landing on the new Installation 04]]
''The Pelican arrives at Halo, flying over unfinished terrain. The rear port engine is too damaged for a normal landing. The [[John-117|Master Chief]] makes a crash landing in a snowy canyon near the Control Room. The Chief and the Arbiter clamber out. From behind the cliffs approaches the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}.''[[File:1578645048 c67a9b7a49 b.jpg|thumb|300px|Master Chief's Pelican crash-landing on [[Installation 08]].]]


*'''Cortana''': "Halo. It's so new... unfinished. I'm not exactly sure what will happen when we fire it."
*'''Cortana''': "Halo. It's so new... Unfinished. I'm not exactly sure what will happen when we fire it..."


''The Arbiter tosses the Chief a [[MA5C Assault Rifle]]''
''The Arbiter tosses the Master Chief an [[MA5C assault rifle]].''


*'''[[Master Chief]]''': "We'll head for the Portal. And we'll all go home."
*'''[[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]]''': "We'll head for the Portal. And we'll all go home."


=== Full Circle ===
'''{''Gameplay''}'''
'''''Assault on the Control Room.'''''


{''Game play''}
===Full Circle===
'''''[[Assault on the Control Room]].'''''


''The Chief and the Arbiter mount up to the control room, ensuring they stock up enough supplies from their crashed Pelican.''
''The Chief and the Arbiter prepare to head for the Control Room, making sure that they stock up on enough supplies from their crashed Pelican.''


*'''Cortana''': "Head through the cliffs."
*'''Cortana''': "Head through the cliffs."
Line 86: Line 75:
''The Chief and the Arbiter head through the icy caves.''
''The Chief and the Arbiter head through the icy caves.''


''If the Chief does not head to the [[Control Room]] at all..''
''If the Chief stalls:''


*'''Cortana''': "The Control Room isn't far!"
*'''Cortana''': "The Control Room isn't far!"


''If the Chief heads for the [[Terminal]] instead..''
''If the Chief heads for the [[Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminal]] instead:''


*'''Cortana''': "Where are you going?"
*'''Cortana''': "Where are you going?"


''When the Chief reaches the Terminal.''
''When the Chief reaches the Terminal:''


*'''Cortana''': "Wait, what's that?"
*'''Cortana''': "Wait, what's that?"
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*'''Cortana''': "How many of these have you found?"
*'''Cortana''': "How many of these have you found?"


''If the Chief re-accesses the Terminal, or takes too long reading it.''
''If the Chief re-accesses the Terminal, or takes too long reading it:''


*'''Cortana''': "Come on, Chief, let's get back on track. The Control Room is outside!"
*'''Cortana''': "Come on, Chief, let's get back on track. The Control Room is outside!"


''The Chief and the Arbiter arrive at the Structure. Flood Dispersal Pods begin to drop in.''
''The Chief and the Arbiter arrive at the foot of the pyramid-like Control Room structure. Suddenly, [[Flood dispersal pod]]s begin to drop in.''


*'''[[Gravemind]]''': "Did you think me defeated?"
*'''[[Gravemind]]''': ''(angrily)'' "Did you think me ''defeated''?!"


*'''Cortana''': "Flood Dispersal Pods! The Control Room's at the top of that tower Chief; go!"
*'''Cortana''': "Flood dispersal pods! Control Room's at the top of that tower, Chief, go!"


''If the Chief has been to the wrong side of the tower for a while.''
''The Master Chief and the Arbiter fight their way through numerous combat forms and head for a ramp on the right side of the tower. More Flood drop in on them, but Sentinels appear and provide cover fire.''


*'''Cortana''': "There should be ''ramps'' that lead to the top - ''check the other side!''"
''If the Chief reaches the end of the wrong side of the tower.''


''The Master Chief and the Arbiter push their way up the tower, but the Flood continues to attack with overwhelming force.''
*'''Cortana''': "There should be ''ramps'' that lead to the top - check the other side!"


''Johnson appears on the cliff with a Spartan Laser.
''The Arbiter and the Master Chief push their way up the tower, but the [[Flood]] continues to attack with overwhelming force.''


*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "I got you covered Chief. See you at the top of that tower."
''Johnson appears on the cliff with a [[M6 Spartan Laser|Spartan Laser]], shooting down Flood forms.''


''Master Chief and the Arbiter continue upward.''
*'''Johnson (COM)''': "I got you covered, Chief. Meet you at the top of that tower."


*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "Keep moving, Chief. I've got your back."
''If the Chief heads back the other way:''


''The Master Chief and the Arbiter get closer to the top. Johnson continues his reign of terror from the cliff.''
*'''Johnson (COM)''': "Careful, I can't cover you on the far side."


*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "Flood are crawling all over that tower; watch yourself."
''The Master Chief and the Arbiter continue upward.''


''The Chief and the Arbiter reach the top floor.''
*'''Johnson (COM)''': "Keep moving, Chief! I've got your back."


*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': "Spark? You in there? Open the damn door!
''The Master Chief and the Arbiter get closer to the top. Johnson continues to fire from the cliff.''


*'''343 Guilty Spark (COM)''': "Of course, [[Reclaimer]]. As soon as you dispose of all proximate Flood threats. I'm afraid containment protocols do not allow..."
*'''Johnson (COM)''': "Flood are crawling all over that tower; watch yourself!"


*'''Sergeant Johnson (COM)''': ''(Impatiently)'' "Yeah, yeah, I hear you!"
''The Master Chief and the Arbiter reach the top floor. Johnson provides cover fire for them as numerous Flood forms continue assaulting the tower.''


*'''Cortana''': "Was that the Monitor? You didn't tell me he was here. Well, we ''are'' finally doing what he wanted."
*'''Johnson (COM)''': "[[343 Guilty Spark|Spark]]? You in there? Open the damn door!"


''The Flood continues to stubbornly attack the top floor.''
*'''[[343 Guilty Spark]] (COM)''': "Of course, [[Reclaimer]]. Just as soon as you dispose of all proximate Flood threats. I'm afraid contamination protocols do not allow me to-"
 
*'''Johnson (COM)''':  "Yeah, yeah, I hear you!"
 
*'''Cortana''': "Was that the ''[[Monitor]]''? You didn't tell me he was here. Well, we ''are'' finally doing what he wanted."
 
''The Flood continues to stubbornly attack with overwhelming force.''


*'''Gravemind''': "I have beaten fleets of ''thousands!'' Consumed a galaxy of flesh and mind and bone!"
*'''Gravemind''': "I have beaten fleets of ''thousands!'' Consumed a galaxy of flesh and mind and bone!"


''The Chief, the Arbiter & Johnson finally secure the tower.''
''The Chief, the Arbiter, Sergeant Johnson and any surviving [[Sentinel]]s fight off wave after wave of Flood. Finally, the tower is secured. Johnson comes down from the cliff and joins the Master Chief and the Arbiter.''


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Open up! The coast is clear."
*'''Johnson''': "Open up! Coast is clear."


*'''Cortana (COM)''': "Not for long. I'm tracking additional Dispersal Pods. They'll be hitting any minute!"
*'''Cortana (COM)''': "Not for long. I'm tracking additional dispersal pods. They'll be hitting any minute!"


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Chief! Arbiter! Let's move!"
''The doors to the tower open.''


''As the trio moves inside the Control Room.''
*'''Johnson''': "Chief, Arbiter! Let's move!"


*'''Gravemind (Gravemind Moment)''': "Do I take life or give it? Who is victim? And who is foe?"
''The trio enters the tower. They move down a corridor, turn the corner, and arrive at a set of blast doors.''


*'''Cortana''': "It's trying to rebuild itself on this ring!"
*'''Gravemind ([[Character interludes|Gravemind Moment]])''': "Do I take life or ''give'' it? [[Forerunner-Precursor war|Who is victim, and ''who'' is foe?]]"


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Hurry! Control Room's close!"
*'''Cortana''': "It's trying to ''rebuild'' itself on this ring!"


<youtube width="400" height="400">X5bIzlBbiyQ</youtube>
*'''Johnson''': "Hurry! Control Room's close!"
{{Clear}}
{''Cut scene''}


''The Chief, the Arbiter & Johnson reach the familiar Control Room. Flood are heard approaching, but the doors seal them out.''[[Image:1578649590 bd337a0283 b.jpg|thumb|right|The trio enters the Control Room]]
''The trio heads through another set of blast doors and finally reaches the Control Room.''
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnxbGgDC_Oc '''{''Cutscene''}''']
 
''The Control Room doors open up. The Master Chief, the Arbiter, and Johnson cautiously enter.  Hearing the shrieks and growls of the approaching Flood, they turn around, weapons drawn. The second set of blast doors closes, sealing the Flood out. The Arbiter stands guard at the doorway while the Master Chief and Johnson prepare to activate the installation.''[[File:1578649590 bd337a0283 b.jpg|thumb|300px|The trio enters the Control Room.]]


*'''Cortana''': "Yank me, Chief."
*'''Cortana''': "Yank me, Chief."


''The Chief removes Cortana from his helmet.''
''The Chief removes Cortana's [[data crystal chip|data chip]] from his helmet.''


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "I'm not gonna lose her too."
*'''Johnson''': "I'm not gonna lose [[Cortana|her]] [[Miranda Keyes|too]]."


''The Chief tosses Cortana to Johnson. Johnson heads for the control panel. 343 Guilty Spark appears from above.''
''The Chief tosses the data chip to Johnson, who heads for the control panel. A rotating [[Holography|holographic]] image of the incomplete Halo ring hovers at the center of the chamber.''  


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': (Humming to himself) "Oh, hello! Wonderful news - the Installation is almost complete!"
''343 Guilty Spark appears from above and accompanies Johnson.''


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': ''(Unimpressed)'' "Terrific."
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(humming to himself)'' "Oh, hello! Wonderful news - the installation is almost complete!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Yes... isn't it? ''(Short but uneasy silence.)'' I have begun my simulations. No promises, but initial results indicate that this facility should be ready to fire in just a few more days!"
*'''Johnson''': ''(uninterested)'' "Terrific."


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': ''(Impatiently)'' "We don't ''have'' a few more days!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Yes...isn't it? ''(Short but uneasy silence)'' I have begun my simulations. No promises, but initial results indicate this facility should be ready to fire...in just a few more days!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(Alarmed)'' "Bu-bu-but a premature firing will ''destroy'' the Ark!"
*'''Johnson''': ''(impatiently)'' "We don't ''have'' a few more days!" ''(gets ready to activate the installation)''


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Deal with it."
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(shocked, alarmed)'' "Bu-bu-but a premature firing will ''destroy'' [[Installation 00|the Ark]]!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "...Will destroy this Installation."
*'''Johnson''': ''(dismissively)'' "Deal with it."


''Guilty Spark suddenly turns red and shoots Johnson with his Beam.''
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(quietly, to himself)'' "...will destroy this installation."


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': ''(Screams)'' "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
''Spark's "eye" suddenly turns red, and he blasts Johnson with his energy beam.''


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Unacceptable! ''Unacceptable!'' Absolutely unacceptable!"
*'''Johnson''': ''(falls to his knees and collapses, screaming in pain)'' "Aaaah!!"


''The Chief rushes to Johnson's aid. 343 Guilty Spark shoots at the Chief, who is flung backwards and onto the floor. His [[Energy Shields]] drop and attempt to recharge.
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Unacceptable! Unacceptable! ''Absolutely'' unacceptable!"
''


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(In hysterics)'' "Protocol dictates action! I see now that helping you was wrong!"
''The Chief rushes to Johnson's aid. 343 Guilty Spark shoots at the Master Chief, who is flung backwards from the force of the blast and onto the floor. His [[energy shielding|energy shields]] drop and attempt to recharge.''


''343 Guilty Spark turns on the Arbiter, unleashing his beam on him and knocking him out of the Control Room. He hits the Chief again as he tries to get back up. With no shields protecting him this time, his armor starts to smoke.''
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(in hysterics)'' "Protocol dictates action! I see now that helping you was ''wrong!''"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': (Turning Blue again) You are the child of my makers. Inheritor of all they left behind. You ''are'' Forerunner! But this ring... (Turns Red again) is ''mine''!
''The Arbiter, hearing the commotion, moves forward, and 343 Guilty Spark blasts him as well, knocking him out of the Control Room. (In single-player, the doors close, sealing the Arbiter out of the room). The Chief tries to get back up, and Spark blasts him again, knocking him to his knees. With no shields protecting him this time, his armor starts to smoke.''


{''Game play''}
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(his eye turns back to blue)'' "You are the [[human|child]] of my [[Forerunner|makers]]. [[Reclaimer|Inheritor]] of ''all'' they left behind. You ''are'' Forerunner! But this ring... ''(his eye turns red again)''...is ''mine''."


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "I take no pleasure in doing what must be done."
[[File:HTMCC-H3 ChiefVsSpark.jpg|thumb|300px|John-117 and Guilty Spark fight over the Halo ring.]]


''The Chief fires at 343 Guilty Spark with no effect at all.''
'''{''Gameplay''}'''
 
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "I take no pleasure in doing what ''must'' be done."
 
''The Chief fires whatever weapons he has at the [[rampancy|rampant]] 343 Guilty Spark with no effect whatsoever. Spark counters with his powerful laser blasts and a repulsion field that forces the Chief backwards.''


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "You do ''not'' deserve this ring!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "You do ''not'' deserve this ring!"
Line 215: Line 215:
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "''I'' have kept it safe. It belongs to ''me''!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "''I'' have kept it safe. It belongs to ''me''!"


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Not for long!"
''Unnoticed by 343 Guilty Spark, Johnson manages to sit halfway up and shoulder the Spartan Laser.''


''Johnson shoots 343 Guilty Spark with his [[Spartan Laser]]. Caught off-guard, 343 Guilty Spark is blasted away from the Chief.''
*'''Johnson''': "Not for long!"


*'''Johnson''': "Kick his ass."
''Johnson shoots 343 Guilty Spark with his Spartan Laser. Caught off-guard, 343 Guilty Spark is blasted away from the Chief, falling to the ground and becoming inert.''


''Johnson passes out. The Chief takes the Spartan Laser to take out Guilty Spark.''
''The Chief rushes up to Johnson.''


''343 Guilty Spark Spark rises from the floor, flying at a slightly tilted angle. At this point, 343 Guilty Spark will say four sentences at random.''
*'''Johnson''': ''(weakly)'' "Kick his ass."
 
''Johnson passes out. The Chief takes his Spartan Laser to destroy Guilty Spark.''
 
''343 Guilty Spark rises from the floor, flying at a slightly tilted angle, his metal body visibly damaged. At this point, 343 Guilty Spark will say four sentences at random.''


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "You - you cracked my casing!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "You - you cracked my casing!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Damage! Damage! That hurt, Reclaimer!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Damage! ''Damage!'' That hurt, Reclaimer!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "My eye! Do you mean to blind me!?"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "My eye! Do you mean to blind me?!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Stop now, before one of us gets hurt!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Stop now, before one of us gets hurt!"


''After making the first shot, Spark begins to fly at a more tilted angle, leaking blue plasma from his sides and he begins to spark. Again, the following sentences are in random order.''
''After making the first shot, Spark begins to fly at a more tilted angle, leaking blue plasma from his sides and he begins to spark. Again, the following sentences are stated in random order.''


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(Voice breaks, then readjusts itself)'' "-destroy your Inheritance!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(voice breaks, then readjusts itself)'' "-destroy your inheritance!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Accept your le-gacy!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Accept your le-gacy!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Think of you-ou-ou-our forefathers!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Think of you-ou-ou-our [[Forerunner|forefathers]]!"


''Following the second shot, Spark's casing becomes distorted, with pieces of him sheared off. More plasma leaks from his sides and he sparks more ferociously. The right side of his 'eye' has broken off. Once again, that following sentences are said in a random order.''
''Following the second shot, Spark's casing becomes distorted, with pieces of him sheared off completely. More plasma leaks from his sides and the sparks happen more ferociously. The right side of his 'eye' has broken off. Once again, the following sentences are said in a random order.''


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': (Makes a garbled humming sound)
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(Makes a garbled humming sound)''


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(High, crackling voice)'' "M-m-my pr-precious!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(high, crackling voice)'' "M-m-my pr-precious!"


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(Deteriorating, breaking voice)'' "I a-a-a-am the Monitor of Installation Z-Zero Four!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': ''(deteriorating, breaking voice)'' "I a-a-a-am the Monitor of Installation Z-Zero F-Four!"


''After making the finishing shot.''
''After making the finishing shot.''


*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Oh myyyyyyyyyy-aaahh!"
*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "''Oh myyyyyyyyyy-aaahh!''"


''Guilty Spark explodes.''
''343 Guilty Spark explodes in a flash of blue and white light.''


<youtube width="400" height="400">gGDNeNpJ6Zc</youtube>
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYhzwACZVM '''{''Cutscene''}''']
{{Clear}}
{''Cut scene''}


''Master Chief bends over Johnson, who is still - barely - alive.''
''The Master Chief bends over Sergeant Johnson, who is still alive - barely.''


*'''Master Chief''': "I'm getting you out of here."
*'''John-117''': "I'm getting you out of here."


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "No... No you're not."
*'''Johnson''': "N-No... No, you're not."


''Johnson grabs the Chief's hand with Cortana's chip in his.''
''Johnson grabs the Chief's hand with Cortana's chip in his.''


*'''Sergeant Johnson''': "Don't - don't let her go. Don't... ''ever'' let her go. ''(Coughs)'' Send me out... with a bang."
*'''Johnson''': "Don't - don't let her go. Don't...''ever'' let her go. ''(coughs)'' Send me out... with a bang."


''Johnson succumbs to his wounds. The Chief takes Cortana from him and lets go of his hand. He stands up, and lets Cortana enter Halo's core, but doesn't let go of Cortana's chip.''
''Johnson succumbs to his wounds. The Master Chief takes Cortana from him, and lets go of his hand. He stands up and wordlessly releases Cortana into Halo's core, gripping the data chip tightly.''


'''Cortana''': "Chief... I'm ''so'' sorry."
*'''Cortana''': ''(Pauses; looks sadly at Johnson's body)'' "Chief... I'm ''so'' sorry."


''She bows her head, eyes closed, and makes a gesture, activating Halo. She uploads herself back into her chip.''
[[File:ChiefBeam-large.jpg|thumb|300px|[[John-117]] activating Halo.]]


''The Chief places her chip in the back of his helmet, and then turns around. Brilliant beams of light erupt from the Core, and the whole Control Room starts to fall apart. Johnson's body slides off the platform as it begins to fall. The Master Chief runs for the door, which has opened again.''
''The Master Chief says nothing. He makes a slight gesture with his hand. Cortana bows her head, eyes closed, and presses her hand to the core, activating Halo. She uploads herself back into her chip.''


=== The Way the World Ends ===
''The Master Chief places her chip in the back of his helmet and then turns around. Behind him, the control console lights up and throbs with power. A massive beam of energy erupts from the Core and the whole Control Room starts to shake violently. A support beam falls from the ceiling and crashes into the platform. Johnson's body slides off the platform as it tilts to one side and begins to fall. The Master Chief runs for the door, which has opened again. The Arbiter can now be seen waiting for the Master Chief.''
 
'''{''Gameplay''}'''
 
===The Way the World Ends===
'''''Pedal to the Metal.'''''
'''''Pedal to the Metal.'''''


{''Game play''}
[[File:Halo Chief Arbiter.jpg|thumb|300px|John-117 and Thel 'Vadam in Avery Johnson's [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]].]]


[[Image:Halo Chief Arbiter.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Chief and Arbiter in Johnson's Warthog]]
*'''[[Thel 'Vadam]]''': "I am sorry, Spartan. But come."


*'''Arbiter''': "I am sorry, [[John 117|Spartan]]. But come."
''Pieces of the walls around them suddenly explode; the Master Chief and the Arbiter run for the doorway leading outside, fighting a small group of Flood along the way.''


''The Master Chief and the Arbiter make it back outside.''
''The Master Chief and the Arbiter make it back outside, revealing a piece of collapsed ice forming a slope upwards.''


*'''Arbiter''': "Even in death, your Sergeant guides us all."
*'''Thel 'Vadam''': "Even in death, your Sergeant guides us on."


*'''Cortana''': "The ''[[Forward Unto Dawn|Dawn]]''. Of course - the Frigate! We still have a chance!"
*'''Cortana''': "The ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Dawn]]''... Of course - the frigate! We still have a chance!"


*'''Cortana''': "Find the doorway in the cliffs, Chief. The ''Dawn'' is on the other side."
*'''Cortana''': "Find the doorway in the cliffs, Chief. The ''Dawn'' is on the other side."


''The Chief and the Arbiter head along the cliff, encountering Flood and [[Sentinels]], who followed 343 Guilty Spark's lead and turned against them too.''
''If the Master Chief takes too long to get to the doorway.''
They make it inside, and find themselves in the middle of a battle between Flood and Sentinels.''
 
*'''Cortana''': "See that doorway further on? Get to it."
 
''The Master Chief and the Arbiter head along the cliff, encountering Flood and Sentinels, the latter having followed 343 Guilty Spark's lead and turned against them too.''
 
''They make it inside and find themselves in the middle of a battle between the Flood and a group of Sentinels.''


*'''Gravemind''': "Resignation is my virtue. Like water I ebb and flow. Defeat is simply the addition of time to a sentence I never deserved... but you imposed."
*'''[[Gravemind]]''': ''(in a resigned and defeated tone)'' "Resignation is my virtue. Like water I ebb and flow. Defeat is simply the addition of time to a sentence I ''never'' deserved... But ''you'' [[Forerunner-Precursor war|imposed]]."
 
''The Master Chief and the Arbiter fight their way through a horde of [[Pod infector]]s and [[Flood carrier form|carrier form]]s.''


*'''Cortana''': "Don't let this ring be the end of us, Chief."
*'''Cortana''': "Don't let this ring be the end of us, Chief."


''They make it back outside.''
''They make it back outside, where they find a Warthog waiting for them.''


*'''Cortana''': "There! Johnson's [[Warthog]]."
*'''Cortana''': "There! Johnson's [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]]."


''The Arbiter takes the turret. The Chief takes the wheel.''
''The Master Chief takes the wheel. The Arbiter takes the turret. (3-4 player co-op: Two Warthogs are present, both facing opposite directions.)''


*'''Cortana''': "Come on, Spartan - go, go, go!"
*'''Cortana''': "Come on, Spartan - go, go, ''go!''"


''As they reach open area, a massive explosion erupts alongside them.''
''The Master Chief floors it.  As they reach an open area, a massive explosion erupts alongside them.''


*'''Cortana''': "Drive, Chief. Head for the Frigate."
*'''Cortana''': "Drive, Chief. Head for the [[Charon-class light frigate|frigate]]."
 
[[File:1577758987 aa8783f570 b.jpg|thumb|300px|John-117 and Thel 'Vadam race to escape Halo in Johnson's Warthog.]]


[[Image:1577758987 aa8783f570 b.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Chief and the Arbiter race on Halo in Johnson's Warthog.]]
*'''Cortana''': "Come on! Faster!"
*'''Cortana''': "Come on! Faster!"
''The Chief and the Arbiter reaches a massive open structure.''


*'''Cortana''': "The ''Dawn'' is close. We ''can'' make it! As long as the ground doesn't fall out from beneath us..."
''The Chief and the Arbiter reach a massive open structure.''


''The Warthog soon enters inside the interior of a large Hallway with ramps.''
*'''Cortana''': "The ''Dawn'' is close. We ''can'' make it! As long as the ground doesn't fall underneath us..."


*'''Cortana''': "The charging sequence - it's too much for the ring to take!"
''The Warthog soon enters inside the interior of a large hallway with ramps.''


''They soon reach another open structure where battle between Flood and a few Sentinels ensure.''
*'''Cortana''': "The charging sequence...it's too much for the ring to take!"
 
''They soon reach another open structure where battles between the Flood and Sentinels continue.''


*'''Cortana''': "Halo is ripping itself apart!"
*'''Cortana''': "Halo is ripping itself apart!"
Line 329: Line 344:
''They come upon a large open stretch.''
''They come upon a large open stretch.''


*'''Cortana''': "Hurry Chief! Don't stop!"
*'''Cortana''': "Hurry, Chief! Don't stop!"


*'''Cortana''': "Charging sequence at 30%..."
*'''Cortana''': "Charging sequence at 30%..."


''They reach one more open structure, this time a few Flood [[Pure Form]]s awaits them.''
''They reach one more open structure, this time a few Flood [[Flood pure form|pure forms]] await them.''  
 


*'''Cortana''': "50%, Chief!"
*'''Cortana''': "50%, Chief!"


''They reach another Hallway with ramps, where a larger battle between Sentinels and Flood ensures.''
''They reach another hallway with ramps, where a larger battle between Sentinels and the Flood rages on.''


*'''Cortana''': "70%!"
*'''Cortana''': "70%!"


''The Chief and the Arbiter makes it out of the Hallway battle, where the Frigate can be seen from a distance.''
''The Warthog makes it out of the hallway battle, to an area where the frigate can be seen from a distance.''
[[Image:Escape.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Master Chief]] and the [[Arbiter]] escaping the [[Installation 04 (II)|Halo]] on a [[Mongoose]].]]
 
*'''Cortana''': "80% charged."
[[File:Escape.jpg|thumb|300px|John-117 and Thel 'Vadam escaping [[Installation 08]] on a [[M274 Mongoose|Mongoose]].]]


''They head for the final bend, encountering more Sentinels.''
*'''Cortana''': "80% charged!"


*'''Cortana''': ''(Desperately)'' "90% - firing sequence initiated!"
''They head for the final bend, encountering more Sentinels. In the distance, a small group of Flood can be seen falling off a collapsing section of platform.''


''If the Chief heads to a Grunt [[Easter Egg]]
*'''Cortana''': ''(desperately)'' "90% - firing sequence initiated!"


*'''[[Final Grunt]]''': "Hey, [[Demon]]! The jerk store called, and they're all out of you! Poor you, stolen at the age of six and conscripted into the military, eeeeegh! ...Okay look, if you let me live, I got the [[Fist of Rukt]]. I'll be the bottom. I'll polish your boots. I'll polish your helmet! It's the gas, haha! When I'm on the gas, I don't know what I'm doing half the time!"
''If the Chief heads to an [[:Category:Easter eggs|Easter egg]], they meet one last Covenant soldier.''


''The Chief and the Arbiter make it to the final straight stretch to the ''Forward Unto Dawn'', but there's a 70m(230ft) gap to it.''
*'''[[Final Grunt]]''': "Hey, [[Demon]]! The jerk store called, and they're all out of you! Poor ''you'', stolen at the age of six and conscripted into the military, waaaaagh...! Okay look, if you let me live, I got the [[Fist of Rukt]]. Look, I'll be the bottom! I'll polish your boots. I'll polish your helmet! It's the ''[[Wikipedia:Benzene|gas]]'', ha-ha! When I'm on the gas, I don't know what I'm doing half the time!"


*'''Cortana''': "''Gun it'', Chief!! Jump!! ''Floor it''; right into the hangar!!"
''The Master Chief and the Arbiter make it to the final straight stretch to the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, but there's a 70m (230ft) gap of thin air between the open cargo bay and the edge of the structure.''


<youtube width="400" height="400">38uCs1Mx-cc</youtube>
*'''Cortana''': "''Gun it'', Chief! Jump! ''Floor it''! Right into the hangar!"
{{Clear}}


'''{''Cut scene''}'''
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxrOw35DOGc '''{''Cutscene''}''']


''The Warthog tumbles and rolls as it crashes into the Frigate's hangar. The Master Chief and the Arbiter recover, then the Dawn shifts. A [[Scorpion Tank]] begins sliding towards the Arbiter, who takes cover behind a pile of crates. The tank plows into it. The Chief leaps over the Warthog, looking back, seeing the Arbiter digging himself out of the crates. The Chief nods at the Arbiter, who nods back. The Arbiter rushes to the bridge while the Chief runs to the hangar panel and plugs Cortana in to start up the Frigate. Her image appears from a [[Holotank]] next to the panel.''
''The Warthog makes the jump, but doesn't land well, tumbling and rolling as it crashes into the frigate's hangar. The Master Chief and the Arbiter recover, then the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' shifts. A [[M808 Scorpion|Scorpion Tank]] begins sliding towards the Arbiter, who takes cover behind a pile of crates. The tank plows into it. The Chief leaps over the Warthog and hesitates, seeing the Arbiter digging himself out of the crates. The Chief nods at him and the Arbiter nods back. The Arbiter rushes to the bridge while the Chief runs to the hangar control and inserts Cortana to take control of the frigate. Her [[avatar]] appears from a [[holotank]] next to the terminal.''


*'''Cortana''': "Hang on!"
*'''Cortana''': "Hang on!"


''Cortana ignites the thrusters at full burn and launches the ''Dawn'' at full speed. The Chief grabs onto the terminal. The ''Dawn'' leaves Halo's atmosphere. As the Chief holds on for dear life, the Warthog flies out, hitting the Chief, who flies off the panel, then glides down the floor towards the open hangar doors, with Halo beneath. The Chief punches into the floor to get a grip, halting near the back end of the hangar. Cortana reaches out her arm towards him, worried.''
''Cortana ignites the thrusters at full burn and launches the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' at full speed. The Chief grabs onto the terminal, hanging on for dear life as the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' leaves Halo's atmosphere. As the Chief tries to stay anchored, the Warthog flies out, striking the Chief on its way through the open hangar doors and out into empty space. The Chief flies off the panel, then glides down the floor towards the doors, with a self-destructing Halo looming beneath. The Chief punches his fist hard into the floor to get a grip, halting near the back end of the hangar. Cortana reaches out her arm towards him, scared of losing him.''


*'''Cortana''': "Chief!!"
*'''Cortana''': "''Chief!''"


''The Scorpion flies out towards the Chief. He ducks his head just in time as it flies over him, narrowly missing the Chief but smashing the floor behind him and falling back towards Halo. The Chief begins to back climb up to Cortana, finally making it back to the panel. The Arbiter makes it to the bridge and takes control of the ship. The Chief braces behind the panel, plugging Cortana back into his helmet.''[[Image:1578651582 4533b47134 b.jpg|thumb|left|The Dawn escapes an unfinished Halo]]
''The Scorpion flies out towards the Chief. He ducks his head just in time as it flies over him, narrowly missing the Chief but smashing the floor behind him and falling back towards Halo. The Chief begins to climb back up to Cortana, finally making it to the holotank. Meanwhile, the Arbiter makes it to the bridge and sits down at the controls. The Chief braces behind the panel, inserting Cortana back into his helmet.''
[[File:FUD Escaping The Ark.jpg|thumb|300px|The ''Dawn'' escapes an unfinished Halo.]]


*'''Cortana''': "If we don't make it--"
*'''Cortana''': "If we don't make it..."


*'''Master Chief''': "We'll make it."
*'''John-117''': ''(Determined)'' "We'll make it."


*'''Cortana''': "It's been an honor serving with you, [[John-117|John]]."
*'''Cortana''': "It's been an honor serving with you, ''John''."


''Halo's explosion engulfs the hangar in a strobe-binding white light. All goes blank.''
''The Chief finally rests his head back, exhausted. Halo fires and then suddenly explodes, engulfing the hangar in a blinding white light. All goes blank.''


=== The Storm has Passed (March 3 2553)===
''Level ends''


<youtube width="300" height="300">TPii1joWZFc</youtube>
===Eulogy===
{{Clear}}
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clt7zsx6aJQ '''{''Finale''}''']
''On a hillside near the [[Portal|Gateway to the Ark]], [[Marines]] gather. [[Lord Hood]] removes his hat, and begins his speech.''


*'''Admiral Hood''': "For us, the storm has passed. The war is over. But let us never forget those who journeyed into the howling dark and did not return. For their decision required courage beyond measure..."
[[File:Attend2.PNG|thumb|300px|Marines and the Arbiter pay their respects to Earth's fallen heroes.]]


{Background Memory: The front half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' enters the Earth's atmosphere, and crashes into an ocean)
''On a hillside near the [[Portal at Voi]], which has now been shut down, [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] gather. Fleet Admiral Lord [[Terrence Hood]] removes his hat, and begins his speech.''


*'''Admiral Hood''': "...sacrifice, and unshakable conviction that their fight; our fight, was elsewhere."  
*'''[[Terrence Hood|Lord Hood]]''': "For us, the storm has passed. The [[Human-Covenant War|war]] is over. But let us never forget those who journeyed into the howling dark and did not return. For their decision required courage beyond measure..."


{Background Memory continued: An engineer crew cuts into the ''Dawn''. The Arbiter is freed from the wreckage.}
''Flashback: The front half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' enters the Earth's atmosphere, and crashes into the Indian Ocean. Two Marines track its descent.''


''The Arbiter is revealed on the hill, standing solemn with the Marines.''
*'''Lord Hood (voiceover)''': "...sacrifice, and unshakable conviction that their fight, ''our'' fight, was elsewhere."


*'''Admiral Hood''': "(Concluded) As we start to rebuild, this hillside will remain barren, a memorial to heroes fallen. They ennobled all of us, and they shall not be forgotten."
''Flashback continued: An engineering crew cuts into the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' with torches while a rescue Pelican hovers overhead. The Arbiter emerges from the wreckage.''


''Admiral Hood puts his hat back on, and salutes.''
''Flashback ends: The Arbiter is revealed to be present at the memorial, standing solemnly with the Marines.  The ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' can be seen hovering above in the distance.''


*'''[[Gunnery Sergeant Pete Stacker|Sergeant Stacker]]''': "Present arms!"
*'''Lord Hood''': "As we start to rebuild, this hillside will remain barren. A memorial to heroes fallen. They ennobled all of us, and they shall not be forgotten."


''7 marines raise their [[BR55HB SR]] Battle Rifles and each fire a single burst of three shots: a [[Wikipedia:3-volley salute|3-volley salute]]. The view pans over the Ark Portal, now closed and silent, and Mt. Kilimanjaro against the evening sky.
''Lord Hood puts his hat back on and salutes. Sergeant Stacker turns to the other Marines present.''


''Later, Admiral Hood and the Arbiter stand alone at the Memorial, which looks like a Pelican wing, decorated with pictures of those fallen, including ''[[Commander Miranda Keyes]]'' and ''[[Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]]''.
*'''[[Gunnery Sergeant (UNSC)|Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Reynolds]]''': "Present arms!"


*'''Admiral Hood''': "I remember how this war started. What [[Elites|your kind]] did to mine. I can't forgive you. But... (he holds out his hand) you have my thanks, for standing by him to the end."
''[[Seven]] Marines raise their [[BR55HB battle rifle|Battle Rifles]] and each fire a single burst of three shots: a [[Wikipedia:Three-volley salute|3-volley salute]]. The view pans over the Portal, now closed and silent, and [[Mount Kilimanjaro]] against the evening sky.''


''The Arbiter shakes Admiral Hood's hand.''
''Later, the Arbiter approaches Lord Hood, standing alone in front of [[Voi Memorial|the Memorial]], which appears to be a Pelican wing, decorated with pictures of the fallen, including [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] and [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]], along with flowers, medals, ribbons, and other tokens of respect.''  


*'''Admiral Hood''': "Hard to believe he's dead."
[[File:Handshake-large.jpg|thumb|300px|Lord Hood and the Arbiter shake hands.]]


''The Arbiter looks away, toward the Shadow of Intent, hovering silently in the sky.''
''Under the UNSC emblem is an inscription commemorating the dead:''  


*'''Arbiter''': "Were it so easy."
<tt>'''IN MEMORY OF THOSE FALLEN'''</tt>


''The Arbiter leaves the Memorial. His [[Covenant Separatists|Separatist]] [[Phantom]] heads back to the ''Shadow of Intent'', hovering above the Gateway to the Ark, which has lowered flat again. The Arbiter meets Ship master [[Rtas 'Vadum]] on the bridge, looking at a holographic image of Earth.''
<tt>'''IN THE DEFENSE OF EARTH'''</tt>


*'''Ship master Rtas 'Vadum''': "Things look different without the [[Prophets]]' lies clouding my vision. I would like to see our own world - to know that it is safe."
<tt>'''AND HER COLONIES'''</tt>


*'''Arbiter''': "Fear not. For we have made it so."
<tt>'''MARCH 3, 2553'''</tt>


''The Arbiter clenches a fist to his chest.''
''Lord Hood and the Arbiter stare at the Memorial.''


*'''Ship master Rtas 'Vadum''': "By your word, Arbiter." He clenches his fist to his chest.
*'''Lord Hood''': "I remember how [[Human-Covenant War|this war]] [[First Battle of Harvest|started]]. What your kind did to mine. I can't forgive you. But..."


''The Arbiter takes a seat on the chair, the ones used by the Prophets.''
''Hood turns to the Arbiter and holds out his hand.''


*'''Arbiter''': "Take us home."
*'''Lord Hood''': "You have my thanks. For standing by him to the end."


''The ''Shadow of Intent'' leaves Planet Earth. Going back to the memorial, the view shows that underneath the print "UNSCDF March 3 2553", the number "117" is scratched in and the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer is taped to the upper right of it as a tribute to Master Chief.''
''The Arbiter slowly shakes Admiral Hood's hand. After letting go, Hood's eyes are drawn to one part of the memorial in particular.''


=== After Credits ===
*'''Lord Hood''': "Hard to believe [[John-117|he's]] dead."
*'''Cortana''': "Chief?! Can you hear me?"


''The Master Chief, very much alive, awakes, floating in a debris-filled hallway on board the'' Dawn.
''The Arbiter looks away, toward the ''Shadow of Intent'', hovering silently in the sky.''


*'''Cortana''': ''(Exhaling) "I thought I lost you, too."
*'''Thel 'Vadam''': ''(quietly)'' "[[Arrival|Were it so easy]]."


''The Master Chief looks at a gaping hole in the hallway. He drifts to his [[MA5C ICWS Assault Rifle|Assault Rifle]], and holsters it, then begins to drift to the end of the open hallway.''
[[File:Thel Vadam and Rtas Vadum.jpg|thumb|300px|Thel 'Vadam and Rtas 'Vadum prepare to return home.]]


*'''Master Chief''': "What happened?"
''The Arbiter leaves the Memorial. His [[Ru'swum-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] heads back to the ''Shadow of Intent'', hovering in about the same position as the Portal to the Ark once was. The Arbiter meets Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum on the [[bridge]]. 'Vadum is looking at a holographic image of Earth.''


*'''Cortana''': "I'm not sure. When Halo fired, it shook itself to pieces. Did a number on the Ark. [[The Portal]] couldn't sustain itself. We made it through just as it collapsed."
*'''Rtas 'Vadum''': "Things look different. Without the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]]' lies clouding my vision. I would like to see [[Sanghelios|our own world]] - to know that it is safe."


Forward Unto Dawn ''is revealed to be sheared in half, floating in a cloud of its own debris, still red-hot from the sudden Slip space slowdown.''
''The Arbiter reassuringly places a hand on 'Vadum's shoulder.''


*'''Cortana''': "Well… some of us made it."
*'''Thel 'Vadam''': "Fear not. For we have made it so."


''The ''Dawn'''s remaining half continues to drift aimlessly in unexplored space.''
''The Arbiter clenches his fist to his chest.''


''The Chief begins to drift further inside the ship, finding a panel to plug Cortana in.''  
*'''Rtas 'Vadum''': "By your word, Arbiter." ''(clenches his fist to his chest likewise to Thel 'Vadam.)''


*'''Cortana''': "But you did it. [[High Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and the [[Covenant]]... The Flood... ''(she's plugged into the panel and appears)'' It's finished."
''The Arbiter takes a seat on the command chair, the one normally used by Rtas 'Vadum.''


*'''Master Chief''': (Turns off his headlight) "It's finished."
*'''Thel 'Vadam''': "Take us home."


''Master Chief places his Assault Rifle in one of the rackets on the wall.''
''The ''Shadow of Intent'' leaves Earth.''


*'''Cortana''': "I'll drop a beacon. But it'll be a while before anyone finds us."
''Going back to the Voi Memorial, the view shows that next to the print "March 3, 2553", the number "117" is carved into the metal of the wing, and a rank insignia is taped to the upper right of it as a tribute to the Master Chief.''


''The Chief places himself in one of the [[Cryotube]]s.''
''Fade to black. Credits roll.''


*'''Cortana''': "Years, even."
===Epilogue===
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h62oVkSOB1Q '''{''Epilogue''}''']


''The Cryotube door begins to close.''
*'''Cortana''': "Chief? Can you hear me?"


*'''Cortana''': "I'll miss you."
''The Master Chief, very much alive, awakens, floating in zero gravity in a debris-filled hallway on board the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}.''


*'''Master Chief''': "Wake me... when you need me."
*'''Cortana''': ''(relieved)'' "I thought I'd lost you, too."


''Cortana smiles back. The Cryotube seals, freezing the Chief and bringing the story to full circle.''
''The Master Chief looks at a gaping hole in the hallway. He drifts to his floating [[MA5C assault rifle|assault rifle]] and holsters it, then begins to drift to the end of the hallway.''


- '''[[Legendary]] Segment''': ''(The back half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' is seen drifting towards an [[Legendary Planet|unknown planet]]. The planet eclipses the sun at first, but the sun slowly comes out from behind the planet, casting light upon it momentarily before blinding the view completely.)
[[File:H3 - FUD aft.jpg|thumb|300px|The aft section of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' lost in space.]]


== Walkthrough ==
*'''John-117''': "What happened?"


Congratulations, you've reached the conclusion of Halo 3.
*'''Cortana''': "I'm not sure. When Halo fired, it shook itself to pieces. Did a number on the Ark. [[Portal at Voi|The Portal]] couldn't sustain itself. We made it through just as it collapsed."


When the level starts, simply follow the corridor until you reach the installation. It's here that Gravemind starts his final offensive, air-dropping a lot of Flood Combat units on you in dispersal pods. If you're hurting for ammo after the last level (which you shouldn't be, since there's fresh Battle Rifles, Shotguns, an S.M.G and a Rocket Launcher at the Pelican crash site), but if you are, take out any armed Flood first and cut them down. Depending on your skill and the difficulty level, try stocking up on a [[Gravity Hammer]], [[Energy Sword]], or even a [[Brute Shot]]--anything with a strong melee attack. Another good tactic is to stand on the shelf above the entrance to the tunnel from which you came, because the flood won't attack to up here, giving you freedom to take them all out with a Battle Rifle or Carbine. Plasma Rifles are also very effective and allow you to take out the Flood before they close to melee range (plus most Elite Flood forms drop them, so there are a lot). There's lots of Flood and only so much ammo you can scavenge. The first flood you'll find will be a Brute Form wielding a Gravity Hammer. If you look automatically to your right, you'll find a Fuel Rod Cannon on a small hill.
''The Chief reaches the end of the hallway, which opens up into empty space. The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' is revealed to be sheared in half, floating in a cloud of its own debris, still red-hot from the sudden slipspace slowdown.''


Wind your way up the Control Room as Cortana instructs you to do. However, if you walk along the left side of the Citadel, you can find a rocket launcher with the maximum amount of ammo. You can run straight ahead and let the Arbiter (or your friends) deal with the Flood, but it helps to do your part and cut down their numbers. The way up to the next level of the structure is always at the opposite end of where you first climb up, so you're in for a lot of action.
*'''Cortana''': "Well... some of us made it."


When you hit the top of the fortress, you'll hear from 343 Guilty Spark that he won't open the door until all the Flood attacking you are destroyed for security, so be ready to go on the defensive. A ton of Stalker, Ranged, Tank Human Combat, Elite Combat and Brute Forms will land near you and swarm from all directions. In single player mode, give the Arbiter plenty of room to do his thing and do your part in killing some Flood. There is an [[Invincibility]] in an alcove across from the doors. It may or may not appear, so don't always count on it. A good strategy for dealing with the tides of Flood is to melee any Flood-form you see in the midst of resurrecting or upgrading; it'll prevent them from getting back up, and, if you hit them bad enough, it'll shatter their corpse, rendering it useless for reanimation. Keep a Shotgun for close quarters and a powerful weapon, like the Rocket Launcher, Fuel Rod or Battle Rifle for the various Forms. If you have any [[Firebomb|Incendiary Grenades]], use them to burn away corpses. If you are having a lot of difficulty on this part, you can drop back down to the ground below and fight your way back up, thus mitigating the Flood's ability to swarm  and attack  you from every direction. Another way to ease the pressure being put on you is to take the two Auto Turrets that are conveniently placed right in front of the door. Pick them up and activate them in approximately the same place they were laying, facing the Flood opposition. If they are still there after all the Flood are dead, destroy them. They aren't going to remain friendly to you for much longer, and you will have to retrace your steps back through here. On Legendary, they will cut you down in about a second.
''The ''Forward Unto Dawn's'' remaining half continues to drift aimlessly in unknown space.''


After clearing the infestation, you have a few moments to calm down and breathe. If you want to retain any weapons you have right now later on, swap them out for something else. You lose all of your guns and grenades after the control room segment. The only way to keep them is to keep them on the ground out here. It doesn't really matter what you pick up in exchange, as you will get the only weapon you need up ahead. So swap out your weapons and follow Guilty Spark into the control room, watch the cinematic, and prepare for what could be considered the only boss in Halo 3: 343 Guilty Spark.
''The Chief begins to drift further inside the ship, finding a row of [[cryo chamber|cryotubes]] complete with a holotank to plug Cortana into.''


Guilty Spark has two main combat modes: one is a massive spherical shield that pushes you back and protects him from harm, and the other is an extremely powerful version of the [[Sentinel Beam]]. Play defensive--even without that shield, Guilty Spark's mighty construction keeps him from harm. Try to stay near the center of the bridge, as his shield can push you off the edge if you stray too close. If you have retained a Bubble Shield from outside, now is the time to use it. Back all the way up against the center of the door, deploy it, and stay inside. It blocks Spark's beam and you don't really need to return fire right now anyways, as all of your current weapons are basically useless against him. When Johnson blasts him with the Spartan Laser, run up to Johnson and swap weapons. Guilty Spark is just the right size to fit into the reticule of your rifle, and he stays still too. That beam is deadly, so stay careful. Blast Spark three times to defeat him.
*'''Cortana''': "But you did it. [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and the [[Covenant]], the [[Flood]]..."


First things first: be ready to alternate between shooting and running. Any weapons you had before are now gone: you have just an Assault Rifle with 3 clips and no grenades, nothing else. Suffice it to say, you're outgunned here. No matter, two Elite Forms will appear with 15-20 Infection Forms. Kill them, and grab the Plasma Rifles the Elites dropped. Outside, the Sentinels that were your allies are now your enemies. Destroy them, and grab weapons from the corpses from the previous battle (before you entered the Control Room). Head up the ice slope which is directly to the left of the entrance to the Control Room (facing towards the entrance). Be careful though, if you set up those Auto Turrets; they will kill you almost instantly as you exit the Control Room. Take the ice bridge directly to the right of the entrance and follow it to a cave. Mow down the Combat Forms in your way, and grab the plentiful Assault Rifle ammo they drop. Inside the room, a battle between Sentinels and Flood is taking place. Lighten their ranks with AR fire, and head down the hallway. Stick the Carrier Forms with Plasma grenades, and continue to the left up a ramp. Shoot the swarm of Infection Forms, and head out. A Warthog sits there, so board it and floor it. However, if you like a challenge, head to the left before you reach the tiles. Depending on the difficulty, a Mongoose sits in the corner on a platform, or a pair of Brute Choppers. The Mongoose is especially hard to complete the level on, due its lighter weight, slower speed and acceleration time and lack of on board weapons. The Brute Choppers are slow too, but their on board boost alleviates the problem somewhat. The 35mm auto cannons are good for tearing through Flood and Sentinels.
''The Chief plugs Cortana's data chip into the holotank and she appears.''


Escape is, to say the least, tricky. Trust in the Arbiter (or your multi-player pals) to shoot any oncoming Flood, and watch where you're driving. Halo is in the middle of activating and destroying itself. When you see an explosion, ''stay away from where it was.'' Those panels are gone now, and the only thing underneath them is instant death. Keep your cool, watch for where the ground is solid, and keep note of where you see the plumes of fire marking the explosions. You'll find Flood in straight-aways, so feel free to step on the gas and dodge the falling debris. The Flood aren't too much of a threat in this area. Just be sure not to splatter carrier forms, as they are practically waddling trip mines. The panels are falling behind you, so don't screw around for too long. The way is pretty straightforward, so don't worry about getting lost. The Sentinels can be a major threat on Legendary, not only because their Sentinel beams do a fair amount of damage, but their beams are able to push your vehicle. In the Warthog, you mostly just have to worry about this during jumps, but in the Mongoose the beams should be avoided as much as possible, as they can and will flip your vehicle even on completely flat terrain.
*'''Cortana''': "It's finished."


You'll eventually reach a series of roundabouts. Follow the red-tile road to find the path off of them before they explode and plummet to the ground below, taking you with them. You'll reach the end of the path eventually--when you see the ship over in the distance, you'll know you're near the end. When you finally see the frigate pull in front of you, go straight and fast and take the jump. Do not slow down here, the panels will start falling the instant you enter this area.
''The Master Chief turns off the flashlight on his helmet.''


It can be a really good feeling when you beat this level, and a bit sad, especially after watching the ending. Although it's disheartening that the original Halo trilogy is over, you'll know that you finally defeated the Covenant, and eliminated all the Flood on Installation 04.
*'''John-117''': "It's finished."


Watch the ending, stay for the credits and hit the next level of difficulty! Halo 3 is short, but legendary and sweet, and there's always one more challenge over the hill to face against the Covenant and the Flood. On Legendary starting from mission start, after destroying [[343 Guilty Spark]], and the two [[combat forms]] and [[infection form
''The Chief places his assault rifle in one of the rackets on the wall.''
]], outside the doorway, jump down a floor to your left and you will find some [[Ghosts]]. Then, when you are right in the [[Warthog]], right before you are heading into the exploding tiles turn left past the two rocks and the you will see two [[Choppers]].


== Trivia ==
*'''Cortana''': "I'll drop a [[distress beacon|beacon]], but it'll be a while before anyone finds us."
[[Image:Halo Mongoose End.jpg|thumb|right|300px|There is a [[Mongoose]] hidden to the far left of the area where Johnson's Warthog is parked, though completing the level with the Mongoose does not alter the cut scene at the end (i.e. it's still a Warthog in the cut scene).]]


*In a further nod to the original game, in the campaign lobby, the Mission Start is labeled "[[Assault on the Control Room]]".
''The Chief climbs into one of the cryotubes.''
* In this level ,there is an easter egg of a man dancing in his boxers. Some people call him "Jason Jones".
*Whenever you get on the [[Warthog]] in single player, the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] will disappear from his current position and then appear on the Warthog turret, apparently using lightning-fast movement and Active Camouflage (you can see him fade in). If you take the gunner position and then get in the driver position, the Arbiter takes the passenger seat. It is possible to "kill" the Arbiter, by driving the Warthog off a cliff, and quickly taking another vehicle, like the Mongoose. The Arbiter will not respawn on the back, and you can finish the level without him.


*The [[Halo 3 Skulls|Mythic Skull]] can be found in this level. If you are playing single player, you can give the skull to The [[Arbiter]] and he will use it to attack the [[Flood]].
*'''Cortana''': "[[2557|Years]], even."


*After killing 343 Guilty Spark, four [[Ghosts]] can be found underneath the ramp that leads to the top of the structure. (Note, this only works if you start the level from the beginning on Legendary Mode and with co-op.)
''The cryotube door begins to close.''


*The last part of game play on this level is a remake of the Warthog escape on [[The Maw]], the last level of the first game, only it is more complex then the original Warthog Run.  Also, instead of being on a timer, the ground will fall out from under you if you linger too long.
*'''Cortana''': "I'll miss you."


*On the construction parts of the level, if the player looks in the distance, the ring's terrain, the grass and trees and water, is being constructed.
[[File:Legendary Planet.jpg|thumb|300px|The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' drifting towards [[Requiem|a mysterious planet]].]]


*Oddly, even though High Charity is destroyed and there are no Flood controlled ships in system, Flood Dispersal Pods somehow fall from the sky, though they were possibly launched before [[High Charity]] exploded, coming from the [[Ark]] instead of a [[Flood]] controlled vessel.
*'''John-117''': "[[Dawn|Wake me]]. [[Halo 4|When you need me]]."


*There is a [[Talking Grunt]] on this level. He tries to make fun of the Master Chief's childhood by mocking how he was kidnapped and forced into the [[SPARTAN-II Program]]. This is also a reference to Halo 1, where the [[Thirsty Grunt]] talked on the Warthog run of the last level. He is located just before the Dawn, on an outcropping next to some rocks.
''Cortana smiles, nodding. The cryotube closes and seals, freezing the Master Chief and bringing the Halo Trilogy to its conclusion.''


*If you kill Johnson before you go into the Control Room, after you kill 343 Guilty Spark, when the door opens you can see Johnson on the floor wounded and a Flood [[Infection Form]] convert him into a [[Combat Form]]. If you kill the Flood before they infect him, he will get up and fight with you, though he won't leave the building (since he's supposed to be dead, he has no scripted path to follow). Though if you push him all the way to the warthog he should still get on.
''Fade to black''


*Any time you kill Johnson; he will drop his [[Spartan Laser]] but will soon get back up to fight more. If you pick up the laser he will pick up whatever weapon you dropped. If you can get that weapon far enough away from his body before he gets up, he'll have another Spartan Laser. You can get an unlimited supply of them from him this way, and most of the time they'll have unlimited ammo, even for players. '''Be careful if you kill him a lot as the Arbiter & Johnson will turn on you and kill you.'''
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvKqOZ8YY-o '''{''Legendary-only Scene''}''']


*Guilty Spark's quote of "M-m-my pr-precious!" is a mimic of Smeagol/Gollum from Lord of the Rings, who refers to The One Ring as his precious.
''The back half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' is seen drifting towards [[Requiem|a planet]]. A star is eclipsed by the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' for a second as it slowly comes out from behind the planet, casting light upon it momentarily before blinding the view completely.''


*This level marks the only time in all three games where the Master Chief is referred to by his given name: John.
''Game ends''


*After the credits Cortana says "Chief, can you hear me?" This line is used at the beginning of levels on both [[Halo:_Combat_Evolved|Halo:CE]] and [[Halo 2]] when the Master Chief wakes up after a recent crash landing.
==Achievements==
The following [[achievement]]s can be unlocked on this mission on the [[Xbox 360]] edition of ''Halo 3''.
{|class="wikitable"
|-align="center"
!Icon
!Name
!Description
!{{Gamerscore|Gamerscore}}
|-align="center"
|[[File:H3 Achievement Return.png]]
|[[Return]]
|Finish the final mission of the [[Campaign]] on [[Normal]], [[Heroic]], or [[Legendary]].
|{{Gamerscore|50}}
|-align="center"
|[[File:H3 Achievement Campaign Complete Normal.png]]
|[[Campaign Complete: Normal]]
|Finish the [[Campaign]] on [[Normal]].
|12{{Gamerscore|5}}
|-align="center"
|[[File:H3 Achievement Campaign Complete Heroic.png]]
|[[Campaign Complete: Heroic]]
|Finish the [[Campaign]] on [[Heroic]]<br />(unlocks achievement for [[Normal]], if not earned).
|12{{Gamerscore|5}}
|-align="center"
|[[File:H3 Achievement Campaign Complete Legendary.png|65px]]
|[[Campaign Complete: Legendary]]
|Finish the [[Campaign]] on [[Legendary]]<br />(unlocks achievement for [[Normal]] and [[Heroic]], if not earned).
|12{{Gamerscore|5}}
|-align="center"
|[[File:H3 Achievement Mythic.png]]
|[[Mythic (Achievement)|Mythic]]
|Find and claim this skull.
|{{Gamerscore|10}}
|}


*If one goes into theater and enters the area with the terminal, if one goes through the room with no floor and goes left through the opening, there will be a cut out of a man in boxers. This can also be done in co-op. (Note: This half-naked man has been confirmed to be [[Jason Jones]] from Bungie.)
==Trivia==
===Glitches===
{{Main|Glitches}}
*When the Flood first start to arrive in the Dispersal Pods, do not attack any of them. Exit the cave area and take a right hugging the wall for a second. After a rock and a bit of structure one will be able to climb the hill and back up to the cliff face near the terminal entrance. Enter the small building and hang around the terminal for a minute, then exit and jump back down the cliff like one would normally. More Dispersal Pods will land, doubling all Flood encounters. It seems to be an AI Respawn Glitch. Its effects stop after Johnson dies and only for the Flood. Numbers change with difficulty.
*It is possible to kill Johnson and grab an infinite ammo Spartan Laser. The player must kill him the first time and take his low-ammo laser, switching it for a weapon Johnson can't pick up. He will stand up again with another Spartan Laser, and killing him again will allow this player to obtain it. This is handy to leave outside the control room door, because it is very effective against Sentinels and Flood alike. However, after killing Johnson multiple times (betrayal amount depends on the difficulty), the player will be marked as a [[Treason|traitor]] and Johnson will try to kill him/her.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk_zebv0-sk '''YouTube''': ''Johnson's Spartan Laser Glitch'']</ref>
*If one kills Johnson before entering the Control Room, after killing 343 Guilty Spark, when the door opens, one can see Johnson on the floor wounded and a Flood [[Pod infector]] will convert him into a [[Flood combat form|Combat Form]]. If the Pod infectors are killed before they do so, he will get up and fight with the player, though he won't leave the building (since he's supposed to be dead, he has no scripted path to follow); if one tries pushing him out the door he will automatically run back. Still, if one somehow manages to push him until the Warthog, he will come within the Hog, but during the ending cutscene Johnson is not in the Warthog for obvious reasons.
*If the player deploys an Auto-Turret after the Gravemind moment, the Auto-Turret will become an enemy. If the player deploys it facing the blast door, the one before fighting 343 Guilty Spark, and get killed while simultaneously triggering the cutscene, one will see two Master Chiefs, one dead and one alive. If the player does this on Co-op, after the cutscene, the Master Chief player will be unable to fight and Guilty Spark will target the Arbiter instead. Also, the Auto-Turret is capable of taking down the Arbiter's shield in the cutscene and will occasionally attack the Arbiter, Johnson, and/or Master Chief in the cutscene.
*If one uses the aforementioned glitch for the infinite ammo Spartan Laser, one can kill the Arbiter and make him pick it up. If one does this near the end before getting on a vehicle, the Arbiter will pick it up and run towards the Control Room. He will stand there and not get in the Warthog or Mongoose.
*A series of Cortana's dialogue during the Warthog Run ("Drive, Chief. Head for the frigate" to "Hurry, Chief! Don't stop!") may not play when the player plays the level from Mission Start.


*During the memorial, if one looks closely at the pictures on the memorial site, one of the people in the pictures is wearing 21st century US Marine dress uniform in the 26th century.
===Mistakes===
*At the beginning of the level, Thel 'Vadam passes an Assault Rifle to the Chief in the cutscene. However, if the player got to this level by completing the level Cortana right before, the player will start with whatever weapon they took from that level, if they have the Cortana Skull, they will spawn with a Spartan Laser and if they didn't play the previous level, they have a rocket launcher and shotgun.
**If the previous level is finished with the Flamethrower equipped, however, the loadout will be set to Assault Rifle and Rocket Launcher.
*In gameplay, the Arbiter's primary weapon is a {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}} and an [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]] as the secondary. During the cutscene in the Control Room, he is oddly shown wielding a [[Type-51 Carbine|Covenant Carbine]].
*Johnson's position in the gameplay section of the Control Room is different from his position in the cutscenes. During the cutscenes, he's directly in front of the Control Room's console, whereas in gameplay he is positioned nearly outside of the circular walkway.


*The line where Chief says to Cortana "We'll make it" was also used in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], when he [[The Maw (Level)|almost crashed]] the Banshee into the [[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|Pillar of Autumn]].  
===Easter eggs===
{{Main|Easter eggs}}
[[File:Halo Mongoose End.jpg|thumb|There is a [[M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle|Mongoose]] hidden to the far left of the area where Johnson's Warthog is parked, though completing the level with the Mongoose does not alter the cutscene at the end (i.e. it's still a Warthog in the cutscene)]]
*There is a [[Final Grunt|Talking Grunt]] on this level. He tries to make fun of the Master Chief's childhood by mocking how he was kidnapped and forced into the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. This is also a reference to other [[Special dialogue Grunt|Talking Grunts]], who appeared in past ''Halo'' games.
*If you go all the way to the cave with the Terminal, then look to your right. You will see a dark area. Grenade launch yourself over to the first pillar then jump to the platform to your left. If you look at the wall with your flashlight you'll see Jason Jones (founder of Bungie) jumping up and down in his underwear.  


*If you head over to the large crevasse next to the structure in the beginning of the level, you can look down and see an almost endless series of catwalks. You can only explore the crevasse in theater mode. In addition, after destroying [[343 Guilty Spark]], if you recheck the crevasse it will be distorted by energy waves caused by the rings activation in the control room.  
===References===
[[File:IslandCompare.jpg|thumb|A comparison between the Cartographer Island and the final section of the Warthog run.]]
*Another reference to ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', in the campaign lobby the Mission Start's description is ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]''.
*The unfinished state of [[Installation 08]] seems to reference the original Halo concepts where the ring was in a broken form.
*One of the lines spoken by 343 Guilty Spark while the player battles him is "...destroy your inheritance!". This has been interpreted by some as a reference to ''[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0296766/ Inheritance]'', a feature film starring [[Jen Taylor]], who provides the voice of Cortana. However, it is more likely that 343 Guilty Spark is referring to the relation between the Forerunners and humans.
*One of the other lines spoken by 343 Guilty Spark during the fight is "My precious!" This is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Gollum|Gollum]], a character from the ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]]'' novels, who was absolutely obsessed with the One Ring and referred to it as his "precious".
*It has been noted that the final section bears a striking resemblance to the [[Cartographer]] island from the level ''[[Silent Cartographer]]'' from the first game. Although it may be a coincidence, it is possible that the structure is the beginnings of the Cartographer island.
*The last section of gameplay on this level is a remake of the [[Warthog run]] on ''[[The Maw]]'', the last level of the first game, only it is slightly more complex than the original Warthog run, and has no time limit, although the player will die if a panel falls out from underneath them which serves as a replacement to the time limit. It maintains many elements of the original 'Maw Run', including a chasm-jump. It is of note that both runs effectively start in control centers ({{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s bridge, and Halo's Control Room), use the Warthog as the main method of transport, involve an escape to a hangar bay and end with large explosions that destroy a Halo.
*There is a [[Seven|7]] reference in the end when Lord Hood has finished making his speech, '''7''' Marines under orders from Sergeant Stacker fire a 3-volley salute with their battle rifles.
*Cortana's line, "But you did it. Truth and the Covenant... the Flood, It's finished," is a reference to one of her lines from the end of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' — "We did what we had to do... for Earth. An entire Covenant armada obliterated, and the ''Flood''... we had no choice. Halo... it's finished." In the first game, the Chief denies it, as the war is not over yet. ("I think we're just getting started.") This time, with the war over and the Flood obliterated, he agrees.
**It is also a reference to the final scene of ''Halo 2'', where the Chief says he is 'finishing the fight.' "Finish the Fight" was used as the tagline for ''Halo 3'''s advertising campaign.
**Also worthy of note is that the ''Halo'' Trilogy starts with the Master Chief awakening from cryo-sleep and ends with him going into cryo-sleep.
*The chapter title "The Way the World Ends" and Johnson's line "Send me out... with a bang." are both references to the poem "[[wikipedia:The Hollow Men|The Hollow Men]]" by T. S. Eliot: "This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper." The poem is also referenced to in [[Halo 3 announcement trailer|''Halo 3'' announcement trailer]] (and previously in the [[Cortana Letters]]) and [[Reversed messages]] found in the ''Halo 3'' soundtrack.
*Behind the final Terminal is a replica of the one of the [[phase pulse generator]]s like the ones in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', however, it's heavily barricaded with four pillars to prevent anyone from disrupting it like John had in ''[[Two Betrayals]]''. In addition, the chamber itself is exactly as it appeared in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' but with increased security measures such as unbreakable glass and four more additional barricades surrounding the protected pulse generator. However, if one returns to this room after the cutscene in which Johnson dies, the barriers are gone, but the player is still unable to interrupt the beam like in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.


*If you play through the entire level on Legendary (not just start from a rally point), you can actually drive a chopper or a ghost and finish the level yourself. The choppers can be found right before the area where cortana says: The Dawn's close, we can still make it... by turning to the left of the platforms. The ghosts are found immediately after leaving the control room. Turn to the left, and behind the rock there are 4 ghosts.
===Production notes===
*The part where the player first sees the Control Room ziggurat originally featured a cutscene with the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' flying overhead, revealing Sergeant Johnson's intention to accompany John-117 and Thel 'Vadam into the Control Room; in this version, Cortana was under the impression that Johnson was supposed to have returned to the portal with the ''Shadow of Intent'' until this point.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DrOvOXI_l8 '''YouTube''': '' Halo 3 - Cut Cinematic - Ziggurat Reveal'']</ref>


*During the part where you have to escape Halo, on some structures there are actually some more Warthogs. This happens only on Co-Op, and is in case one of the players dies, allowing the co-op players to continue in 2 Warthogs, or even a convoy of 4 Warthogs.
===Miscellaneous===
*This is the third level to contain the Flamethrower.
*Oddly, even though [[High Charity]] is destroyed and there are no Flood controlled ships in the system, Flood Dispersal Pods somehow fall from the sky. It is possible that they came from the location where Gravemind is rebuilding himself on the ring.
*If one heads over to the large crevasse next to the [[Control Room]] in the beginning of the level, one can look down and see an almost endless series of catwalks. One can only explore the crevasse in theater mode. In addition, after destroying 343 Guilty Spark, if one rechecks the crevasse it will be distorted by energy waves caused by the rings activation in the control room. This crevasse may be similar to the 'Honeycomb' channels that are used for faster travels, power storage and that [[Carol Rawley|Foehammer]] comes out of in the beginning of the level, ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]'' in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
*Throughout the fight on the ground floor with the first waves of Flood, a [[M41 SPNKR|Rocket Launcher]] and a [[Pez'tk-pattern fuel rod gun|Fuel Rod Gun]] can be found near the lower structures of the tower, each carrying eight Rockets, and 20 Fuel Rods, respectively.
*It is impossible to kill the Monitor without the Laser.
**The Monitor will be invulnerable to any damage, including Laser until Johnson knocks him away.
*The soundtrack for the second half of the level is called "Greatest Journey", however during the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR]] Theme part, there are some musical parts that are not featured in the shipped version of the soundtrack title but they are featured in "To Kill a Demon" and "Three Gates" soundtrack titles.
*There are hidden vehicles on this level during the Warthog Run. They are 4 Ghosts, 2 Choppers and a Mongoose (The Ghosts can only be found if Legendary Co-Op), making it so players can finish the level on four player Co-Op in all different vehicles.  Also, getting out of a Ghost while in midair during the final jump can result in the ending cutscene starting before the players enter the cargo bay.
*Completing this level with four people over Xbox Live on Legendary with the Iron skull on and all four players in a [[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Ghost]], will reward players with the [[Vidmaster Challenge: Annual]] Achievement.
*Regardless of what weapons you have before killing Spark, your loadout will be always reset to the [[MA5C assault rifle]] with 32/96, no secondary weapon, and no grenades. However, should the level load during the second rally point, you will start with the assault rifle, a shotgun, and possess grenades.
*In ''[[Halo: Primordium]]'', it's revealed that [[343 Guilty Spark]] survived his apparent destruction and his badly damaged casing was eventually retrieved by the {{UNSCShip|Rubicon}} from the Ark.
*In ''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]'', it's revealed that some of the [[Flood]] survived the destruction of [[High Charity]]'s backup reactor and the firing of [[Installation 08]] and remained quarantined within the wreckage of the Covenant holy city.
*In the ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' version of ''Halo 3'', the epilogue and after credits scene are depicted as a separate non-playable level called ''Epilogue''. It also lacks the end credits between the memorial scene and the Master Chief and Cortana on the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} wreckage. In this version of the game, the player can access the Legendary ending simply by playing ''Epilogue'' on Legendary. They do not need to play the whole game on Legendary to get the ending showing [[Requiem]] in ''The Master Chief Collection''.
*Finishing the level with the Flamethrower equipped on the [[Cortana (level)|previous level]] will reset the loadout to MA5C Assault Rifle and Rocket Launcher.


*It is possible to get stuck under some of the falling debris and tile.  
==Gallery==
===Design documentation===
<gallery>
File:H3 HaloPaperSketch.jpeg|An early paper sketch for the level layout.
File:H3 HaloDesignDoc.jpeg|A design document for the level.
</gallery>


*If you use an auto-turret after you activate Halo, it will shoot at anything that moves, including you.
===Concept art and matte paintings===
<gallery>
File:H3_Installation08_Interior.jpg|Concept art of Installation 08's interior for ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3 Installation08_Matte.jpg|Closeup of the Halo.
File:H3_Installation08_Clouds.jpg|Concept art of the Halo over the Ark.
File:H3_Installation08_ControlRoom_Concept_1.jpg|Early concept art of the control room, with the Ark in the background.
File:H3_Installation08_ControlRoom_Concept_2.jpg|Finalized concept art of the structure, now bearing clear similarities to the original ring's control room.
File:H3_Installation08_Wall_Concept.jpg|Concept art for a wall structure in the level.
File:H3 WarthogRun Concept.jpg|Concept art for the level's Warthog run.
</gallery>


*The soundtrack for the second half of the level is called "Greatest Journey", however during the [[MJOLNIR]] Theme part, there are some musical parts that are not featured in the shipped version of the soundtrack title but they are featured in "To Kill a Demon" and "Three Gates" soundtrack titles.
===Storyboards===
;Halo level
<gallery>
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 1.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 2.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 3.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 4.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 5.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 6.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 7.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 8.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 9.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 10.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 11.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 12.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 13.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 14.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 15.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 16.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 17.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 18.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 19.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 20.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 21.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 22.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 23.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 24.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 25.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 26.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 27.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 28.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 29.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 30.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 31.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 32.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 33.jpg
File:H3 Halo Storyboard 34.jpg
</gallery>


* To find the Terminal on this level, you must go forward from the beginning of the level. Then when you see a building to the right. Go to it, Cortana will say "Where are you going?", then when you see it she will say, as a hint, "Wait, what's that?", and, "How many of these things have you found?" afterwards.
;Epilogue
<gallery>
File:H3 Epilogue Storyboard 1.jpg
File:H3 Epilogue Storyboard 2.jpg
File:H3 Epilogue Storyboard 3.jpg
File:H3 Epilogue Storyboard 4.jpg
File:H3 Epilogue Storyboard 5.jpg
File:H3 Epilogue Storyboard 6.jpg
File:H3 Epilogue Storyboard 7.jpg
File:H3 Epilogue Storyboard 8.jpg
</gallery>


*This is the only level in [[Halo 3]] to feature a "boss battle" similar to those from [[Halo 2]].
===Gameplay===
<gallery>
File:H3 Menu 10 Halo.png|Preview of the level in ''Halo 3'' menu.
File:H3 ChiefAndArbyReady.png|John-117 and Thel 'Vadam prepare to find the control room.
File:Halo3holdstill.jpg|John-117 battles a Flood combat form.
File:H3 ChiefBurnsFloodTank.png|John-117 uses a flamethrower.
File:DeathofAveryJohnson.jpg|343 Guilty Spark attacks Johnson.
File:SwordJohnson.jpg|Johnson holding an Energy Sword.
File:MCC-H3Coop.png|All four playable characters after fighting 343 Guilty Spark.
File:H3 ChiefSparkBattle.png|John-117 charging the Spartan Laser to fire at 343 Guilty Spark.
File:Johnson Infected.jpg|Johnson being infected if the glitch to keep him alive is done.
File:HTMCC-H3 DualWieldingDuo.png|Thel 'Vadam and John-117 on their way to the Warthog.
File:3Way2-large.jpg|Aggressor Sentinels fighting Flood combat forms.
File:HTMCC-H3 Connected.jpg|The [[Raid on Installation 08|fight]] is finished.
</gallery>


*The snowy area where you climb the Control Room appears to be the same setting as the Halo 3 Multiplayer-map [[Avalanche]].
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


*Although positioned on a facing cliff to help kill any Flood stragglers chasing the player(s), Sergeant Johnson may occasionally shoot player(s) with his spartan laser, killing them instantly.
{{Succession box
 
| before = ''[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]''
*Throughout the fight on the ground floor with the first waves of Flood, a [[Rocket Launcher]] and [[Fuel Rod Cannon]] can be found near the lower structures of the tower, each carrying 8 Rockets and 15 Fuel Rods respectively. Although it will not unlock the Legendary Campaign Achievement, if you want to unlock that, you will have to do all of the level from the beginning.
| title = ''Halo 3'' Campaign Missions
* You can get a Ghost on this level by playing on legendary and co-op.
| years = '''''Halo'''''
 
| after = [[Halo 3 credits|Halo 3 Credits]]
*If you want to watch the Legendary ending for Halo 3, then all you have to do is start from the rally point and complete the level from there and it will still show the ending. This is much easier then going through the whole level on Legendary.
}}
 
*The Control Room design is almost similar to Halo:Combat Evolved. The only differences are being that it's bigger in size than the Halo:Combat Evolved version and the enemies fought is the Flood instead of the Covenant.
* You can get a Chopper on this level by playing on legendary and co-op.
 
*It is possible the planet the Chief drifted towards at the end was the remains of [[Eridanus II]], his home planet.
 
*Several parts of the Warthog Run use ice effects instead of metal. They can only be found using a Warthog and on Single Player, not Co-op.
 
*This along with the levels [[Tsavo Highway]] and [[The Ark]] are the only levels to not feature cortana moments.
 
*When you get into the Warthog, drive the normal way until you come to the first turn. Instead of going right, go left and over a small hill. There will be a [[Mongoose]] there. If you are in single player, the Arbiter will ride on the back and shoot enemies with his Plasma Rifle.
 
{{succession box | before = ''[[Cortana (Level)|Cortana]]'' <br />| title = [[Halo 3 Campaign|''Halo 3'' Campaign Missions]] | years = '''''Halo''''' |after = [[Halo 3 Credits]]}}
 
== Images ==
<Gallery>
Image:NewHalo.jpg|The Reborn Installation 04 Over The Ark
</Gallery>
 
{{Level}}


[[Category:Halo 3 Campaign Missions]]
{{Levels|H3}}
[[Category:Halo 3 campaign]]

Latest revision as of 16:34, June 27, 2024

This article is about Halo 3 campaign level. For other uses of the word Halo, see Halo (disambiguation).

Prev:

Cortana

Next:

Halo
H3 Halo Loadscreen.png

Game:

Halo 3

File name (?):

120_halo[1]

Player:

Date:

December 11, 2552[2]
March 3, 2553 (Eulogy cutscene)
July 21, 2557 (Legendary ending)

Location:

Installation 08

Objective(s):

Activate and escape from Halo.

Par Time:

00:20:00 (Master Chief Collection)

Par Score:

24,000 (Master Chief Collection)
15,000 (Halo 3)

Main-Legendary.png

Halopedia has a walkthrough guide for this level; see Halo (Halo 3 level)/Walkthrough.

 
“ Light the Ring. Destroy the Flood. ”

Halo[3] is the tenth and final Campaign mission of Halo 3.

Upon completing it on Normal or higher, the player unlocks the Return achievement. If the player gets 15,000 points or more in the meta game, they will unlock the Reclaimer achievement. This level is also the second level in the Halo series to bear the name of another level, following the second level of the first game.

Summary[edit]

John-117, Thel 'Vadam and Sergeant Johnson make their way towards the Control Room in order to activate the ring using the Index from the first Halo encountered. However, the Gravemind sends Flood combat forms (and later pure forms), carried by Flood dispersal pods, to try to stop them. After holding outside the Control Room for a while, 343 Guilty Spark opens the door and they reach the Control Room. When Spark realizes that they are going to activate the unfinished Halo, which will destroy the Ark and the new installation, he fatally injures Johnson, who was activating the ring. The monitor then locks the Arbiter out of the Control Room and corners John-117. Just as Spark is about to kill the Spartan-II, Johnson, barely alive, fires his Spartan Laser and damages the monitor. He then hands the weapon to John-117 and faints. The Chief, after firing three shots at the Monitor, finally kills the rampant AI unit. He then says farewell to Johnson who dies from his injuries, and activates the ring with Cortana. Outside the Control Room, the Chief and the Arbiter battle their way to Johnson's Warthog and race their way to the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn. After entering the frigate, the Arbiter heads to the bridge while the Chief uploads Cortana to a holotank, and she proceeds to fire up the frigate's engines. The Master Chief, stuck in the cargo bay as they enter the portal, relaxes as the Halo fires and then explodes, killing the Gravemind and the Flood upon the Ark.

In March 2553, Lord Hood delivers a speech commemorating the fallen combatants of the battle, and reveals that the Chief, with Cortana in his helmet, did not return to Earth with the front half of the Forward Unto Dawn. As a result, the Master Chief has been officially declared missing in action, though both Lord Hood and the Arbiter, the only Sangheili present at the memorial, express doubt over the Chief's presumed death. Lord Hood, though unable to forgive the Arbiter for what his species did to humanity, shakes hands with his former enemy and thanks him for standing by the Master Chief until the end. 'Vadam then leaves for Sanghelios with Rtas 'Vadum on board the Shadow of Intent to ensure that their own world is safe.

In a post-credits scene, it's revealed that the Master Chief survived but is trapped in the rear half of the Forward Unto Dawn which was dropped out into unknown space when the Portal at Voi shut down from the damage caused when the Halo fired and "did a number on the Ark." Much like after their victory at the first Halo ring, Cortana lists their accomplishments - stopping the Covenant and the Prophet of Truth and the Flood - and believes that they are finished. This time, the Master Chief agrees with Cortana that their work is finished. The Chief uploads Cortana to another holo tank and she promises to drop a distress beacon, but warns that it could possibly be years before anyone finds and rescues them. The Master Chief goes into cryosleep to await rescue, ordering Cortana to "wake me. When you need me."

On Legendary difficulty, the rear half of the Forward Unto Dawn is shown drifting towards an unknown planet.

Transcript[edit]

Master Chief, the Arbiter, and Cortana passing over the Shadow of Intent.

{Cutscene}

Fades in to the Pelican John-117, Thel 'Vadam and Cortana are on board and heading towards Installation 08. The CAS-class assault carrier Shadow of Intent flies slowly under the megastructure. Cuts to the cockpit of the Pelican.

The Pelican nears the Halo ring.

  • Johnson (Video COM): "Roger that. And ma'am? It's good to have you back."

The Pelican arrives at Halo, flying over unfinished terrain. The rear port engine is too damaged for a normal landing. The Master Chief makes a crash landing in a snowy canyon near the Control Room. The Chief and the Arbiter clamber out. From behind the cliffs approaches the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn.

Master Chief's Pelican crash-landing on Installation 08.
  • Cortana: "Halo. It's so new... Unfinished. I'm not exactly sure what will happen when we fire it..."

The Arbiter tosses the Master Chief an MA5C assault rifle.

{Gameplay}

Full Circle[edit]

Assault on the Control Room.

The Chief and the Arbiter prepare to head for the Control Room, making sure that they stock up on enough supplies from their crashed Pelican.

  • Cortana: "Head through the cliffs."

The Chief and the Arbiter head through the icy caves.

If the Chief stalls:

  • Cortana: "The Control Room isn't far!"

If the Chief heads for the Terminal instead:

  • Cortana: "Where are you going?"

When the Chief reaches the Terminal:

  • Cortana: "Wait, what's that?"

After accessing the Terminal.

  • Cortana: "How many of these have you found?"

If the Chief re-accesses the Terminal, or takes too long reading it:

  • Cortana: "Come on, Chief, let's get back on track. The Control Room is outside!"

The Chief and the Arbiter arrive at the foot of the pyramid-like Control Room structure. Suddenly, Flood dispersal pods begin to drop in.

  • Gravemind: (angrily) "Did you think me defeated?!"
  • Cortana: "Flood dispersal pods! Control Room's at the top of that tower, Chief, go!"

The Master Chief and the Arbiter fight their way through numerous combat forms and head for a ramp on the right side of the tower. More Flood drop in on them, but Sentinels appear and provide cover fire.

If the Chief reaches the end of the wrong side of the tower.

  • Cortana: "There should be ramps that lead to the top - check the other side!"

The Arbiter and the Master Chief push their way up the tower, but the Flood continues to attack with overwhelming force.

Johnson appears on the cliff with a Spartan Laser, shooting down Flood forms.

  • Johnson (COM): "I got you covered, Chief. Meet you at the top of that tower."

If the Chief heads back the other way:

  • Johnson (COM): "Careful, I can't cover you on the far side."

The Master Chief and the Arbiter continue upward.

  • Johnson (COM): "Keep moving, Chief! I've got your back."

The Master Chief and the Arbiter get closer to the top. Johnson continues to fire from the cliff.

  • Johnson (COM): "Flood are crawling all over that tower; watch yourself!"

The Master Chief and the Arbiter reach the top floor. Johnson provides cover fire for them as numerous Flood forms continue assaulting the tower.

  • Johnson (COM): "Spark? You in there? Open the damn door!"
  • 343 Guilty Spark (COM): "Of course, Reclaimer. Just as soon as you dispose of all proximate Flood threats. I'm afraid contamination protocols do not allow me to-"
  • Johnson (COM): "Yeah, yeah, I hear you!"
  • Cortana: "Was that the Monitor? You didn't tell me he was here. Well, we are finally doing what he wanted."

The Flood continues to stubbornly attack with overwhelming force.

  • Gravemind: "I have beaten fleets of thousands! Consumed a galaxy of flesh and mind and bone!"

The Chief, the Arbiter, Sergeant Johnson and any surviving Sentinels fight off wave after wave of Flood. Finally, the tower is secured. Johnson comes down from the cliff and joins the Master Chief and the Arbiter.

  • Johnson: "Open up! Coast is clear."
  • Cortana (COM): "Not for long. I'm tracking additional dispersal pods. They'll be hitting any minute!"

The doors to the tower open.

  • Johnson: "Chief, Arbiter! Let's move!"

The trio enters the tower. They move down a corridor, turn the corner, and arrive at a set of blast doors.

  • Cortana: "It's trying to rebuild itself on this ring!"
  • Johnson: "Hurry! Control Room's close!"

The trio heads through another set of blast doors and finally reaches the Control Room.

{Cutscene}

The Control Room doors open up. The Master Chief, the Arbiter, and Johnson cautiously enter. Hearing the shrieks and growls of the approaching Flood, they turn around, weapons drawn. The second set of blast doors closes, sealing the Flood out. The Arbiter stands guard at the doorway while the Master Chief and Johnson prepare to activate the installation.

The trio enters the Control Room.
  • Cortana: "Yank me, Chief."

The Chief removes Cortana's data chip from his helmet.

  • Johnson: "I'm not gonna lose her too."

The Chief tosses the data chip to Johnson, who heads for the control panel. A rotating holographic image of the incomplete Halo ring hovers at the center of the chamber.

343 Guilty Spark appears from above and accompanies Johnson.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: (humming to himself) "Oh, hello! Wonderful news - the installation is almost complete!"
  • Johnson: (uninterested) "Terrific."
  • 343 Guilty Spark: "Yes...isn't it? (Short but uneasy silence) I have begun my simulations. No promises, but initial results indicate this facility should be ready to fire...in just a few more days!"
  • Johnson: (impatiently) "We don't have a few more days!" (gets ready to activate the installation)
  • 343 Guilty Spark: (shocked, alarmed) "Bu-bu-but a premature firing will destroy the Ark!"
  • Johnson: (dismissively) "Deal with it."
  • 343 Guilty Spark: (quietly, to himself) "...will destroy this installation."

Spark's "eye" suddenly turns red, and he blasts Johnson with his energy beam.

  • Johnson: (falls to his knees and collapses, screaming in pain) "Aaaah!!"
  • 343 Guilty Spark: "Unacceptable! Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable!"

The Chief rushes to Johnson's aid. 343 Guilty Spark shoots at the Master Chief, who is flung backwards from the force of the blast and onto the floor. His energy shields drop and attempt to recharge.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: (in hysterics) "Protocol dictates action! I see now that helping you was wrong!"

The Arbiter, hearing the commotion, moves forward, and 343 Guilty Spark blasts him as well, knocking him out of the Control Room. (In single-player, the doors close, sealing the Arbiter out of the room). The Chief tries to get back up, and Spark blasts him again, knocking him to his knees. With no shields protecting him this time, his armor starts to smoke.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: (his eye turns back to blue) "You are the child of my makers. Inheritor of all they left behind. You are Forerunner! But this ring... (his eye turns red again)...is mine."
Chief and Spark before their final fight in the Control Room of Installation 08.
John-117 and Guilty Spark fight over the Halo ring.

{Gameplay}

  • 343 Guilty Spark: "I take no pleasure in doing what must be done."

The Chief fires whatever weapons he has at the rampant 343 Guilty Spark with no effect whatsoever. Spark counters with his powerful laser blasts and a repulsion field that forces the Chief backwards.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: "You do not deserve this ring!"

343 Guilty Spark corners the Master Chief.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: "I have kept it safe. It belongs to me!"

Unnoticed by 343 Guilty Spark, Johnson manages to sit halfway up and shoulder the Spartan Laser.

  • Johnson: "Not for long!"

Johnson shoots 343 Guilty Spark with his Spartan Laser. Caught off-guard, 343 Guilty Spark is blasted away from the Chief, falling to the ground and becoming inert.

The Chief rushes up to Johnson.

  • Johnson: (weakly) "Kick his ass."

Johnson passes out. The Chief takes his Spartan Laser to destroy Guilty Spark.

343 Guilty Spark rises from the floor, flying at a slightly tilted angle, his metal body visibly damaged. At this point, 343 Guilty Spark will say four sentences at random.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: "You - you cracked my casing!"
  • 343 Guilty Spark: "Damage! Damage! That hurt, Reclaimer!"
  • 343 Guilty Spark: "My eye! Do you mean to blind me?!"
  • 343 Guilty Spark: "Stop now, before one of us gets hurt!"

After making the first shot, Spark begins to fly at a more tilted angle, leaking blue plasma from his sides and he begins to spark. Again, the following sentences are stated in random order.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: (voice breaks, then readjusts itself) "-destroy your inheritance!"
  • 343 Guilty Spark: "Accept your le-gacy!"
  • 343 Guilty Spark: "Think of you-ou-ou-our forefathers!"

Following the second shot, Spark's casing becomes distorted, with pieces of him sheared off completely. More plasma leaks from his sides and the sparks happen more ferociously. The right side of his 'eye' has broken off. Once again, the following sentences are said in a random order.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: (Makes a garbled humming sound)
  • 343 Guilty Spark: (high, crackling voice) "M-m-my pr-precious!"
  • 343 Guilty Spark: (deteriorating, breaking voice) "I a-a-a-am the Monitor of Installation Z-Zero F-Four!"

After making the finishing shot.

  • 343 Guilty Spark: "Oh myyyyyyyyyy-aaahh!"

343 Guilty Spark explodes in a flash of blue and white light.

{Cutscene}

The Master Chief bends over Sergeant Johnson, who is still alive - barely.

  • John-117: "I'm getting you out of here."
  • Johnson: "N-No... No, you're not."

Johnson grabs the Chief's hand with Cortana's chip in his.

  • Johnson: "Don't - don't let her go. Don't...ever let her go. (coughs) Send me out... with a bang."

Johnson succumbs to his wounds. The Master Chief takes Cortana from him, and lets go of his hand. He stands up and wordlessly releases Cortana into Halo's core, gripping the data chip tightly.

  • Cortana: (Pauses; looks sadly at Johnson's body) "Chief... I'm so sorry."
A Installation 08's control room as it is activated in Halo 3 level Halo.
John-117 activating Halo.

The Master Chief says nothing. He makes a slight gesture with his hand. Cortana bows her head, eyes closed, and presses her hand to the core, activating Halo. She uploads herself back into her chip.

The Master Chief places her chip in the back of his helmet and then turns around. Behind him, the control console lights up and throbs with power. A massive beam of energy erupts from the Core and the whole Control Room starts to shake violently. A support beam falls from the ceiling and crashes into the platform. Johnson's body slides off the platform as it tilts to one side and begins to fall. The Master Chief runs for the door, which has opened again. The Arbiter can now be seen waiting for the Master Chief.

{Gameplay}

The Way the World Ends[edit]

Pedal to the Metal.

John-117 and Thel 'Vadam in Avery Johnson's Warthog.

Pieces of the walls around them suddenly explode; the Master Chief and the Arbiter run for the doorway leading outside, fighting a small group of Flood along the way.

The Master Chief and the Arbiter make it back outside, revealing a piece of collapsed ice forming a slope upwards.

  • Thel 'Vadam: "Even in death, your Sergeant guides us on."
  • Cortana: "The Dawn... Of course - the frigate! We still have a chance!"
  • Cortana: "Find the doorway in the cliffs, Chief. The Dawn is on the other side."

If the Master Chief takes too long to get to the doorway.

  • Cortana: "See that doorway further on? Get to it."

The Master Chief and the Arbiter head along the cliff, encountering Flood and Sentinels, the latter having followed 343 Guilty Spark's lead and turned against them too.

They make it inside and find themselves in the middle of a battle between the Flood and a group of Sentinels.

  • Gravemind: (in a resigned and defeated tone) "Resignation is my virtue. Like water I ebb and flow. Defeat is simply the addition of time to a sentence I never deserved... But you imposed."

The Master Chief and the Arbiter fight their way through a horde of Pod infectors and carrier forms.

  • Cortana: "Don't let this ring be the end of us, Chief."

They make it back outside, where they find a Warthog waiting for them.

  • Cortana: "There! Johnson's Warthog."

The Master Chief takes the wheel. The Arbiter takes the turret. (3-4 player co-op: Two Warthogs are present, both facing opposite directions.)

  • Cortana: "Come on, Spartan - go, go, go!"

The Master Chief floors it. As they reach an open area, a massive explosion erupts alongside them.

  • Cortana: "Drive, Chief. Head for the frigate."
John-117 and Thel 'Vadam race to escape Halo in Johnson's Warthog.
  • Cortana: "Come on! Faster!"

The Chief and the Arbiter reach a massive open structure.

  • Cortana: "The Dawn is close. We can make it! As long as the ground doesn't fall underneath us..."

The Warthog soon enters inside the interior of a large hallway with ramps.

  • Cortana: "The charging sequence...it's too much for the ring to take!"

They soon reach another open structure where battles between the Flood and Sentinels continue.

  • Cortana: "Halo is ripping itself apart!"

They come upon a large open stretch.

  • Cortana: "Hurry, Chief! Don't stop!"
  • Cortana: "Charging sequence at 30%..."

They reach one more open structure, this time a few Flood pure forms await them.

  • Cortana: "50%, Chief!"

They reach another hallway with ramps, where a larger battle between Sentinels and the Flood rages on.

  • Cortana: "70%!"

The Warthog makes it out of the hallway battle, to an area where the frigate can be seen from a distance.

John-117 and Thel 'Vadam escaping Installation 08 on a Mongoose.
  • Cortana: "80% charged!"

They head for the final bend, encountering more Sentinels. In the distance, a small group of Flood can be seen falling off a collapsing section of platform.

  • Cortana: (desperately) "90% - firing sequence initiated!"

If the Chief heads to an Easter egg, they meet one last Covenant soldier.

  • Final Grunt: "Hey, Demon! The jerk store called, and they're all out of you! Poor you, stolen at the age of six and conscripted into the military, waaaaagh...! Okay look, if you let me live, I got the Fist of Rukt. Look, I'll be the bottom! I'll polish your boots. I'll polish your helmet! It's the gas, ha-ha! When I'm on the gas, I don't know what I'm doing half the time!"

The Master Chief and the Arbiter make it to the final straight stretch to the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, but there's a 70m (230ft) gap of thin air between the open cargo bay and the edge of the structure.

  • Cortana: "Gun it, Chief! Jump! Floor it! Right into the hangar!"

{Cutscene}

The Warthog makes the jump, but doesn't land well, tumbling and rolling as it crashes into the frigate's hangar. The Master Chief and the Arbiter recover, then the Forward Unto Dawn shifts. A Scorpion Tank begins sliding towards the Arbiter, who takes cover behind a pile of crates. The tank plows into it. The Chief leaps over the Warthog and hesitates, seeing the Arbiter digging himself out of the crates. The Chief nods at him and the Arbiter nods back. The Arbiter rushes to the bridge while the Chief runs to the hangar control and inserts Cortana to take control of the frigate. Her avatar appears from a holotank next to the terminal.

  • Cortana: "Hang on!"

Cortana ignites the thrusters at full burn and launches the Forward Unto Dawn at full speed. The Chief grabs onto the terminal, hanging on for dear life as the Forward Unto Dawn leaves Halo's atmosphere. As the Chief tries to stay anchored, the Warthog flies out, striking the Chief on its way through the open hangar doors and out into empty space. The Chief flies off the panel, then glides down the floor towards the doors, with a self-destructing Halo looming beneath. The Chief punches his fist hard into the floor to get a grip, halting near the back end of the hangar. Cortana reaches out her arm towards him, scared of losing him.

  • Cortana: "Chief!"

The Scorpion flies out towards the Chief. He ducks his head just in time as it flies over him, narrowly missing the Chief but smashing the floor behind him and falling back towards Halo. The Chief begins to climb back up to Cortana, finally making it to the holotank. Meanwhile, the Arbiter makes it to the bridge and sits down at the controls. The Chief braces behind the panel, inserting Cortana back into his helmet.

The Dawn escapes an unfinished Halo.
  • Cortana: "If we don't make it..."
  • John-117: (Determined) "We'll make it."
  • Cortana: "It's been an honor serving with you, John."

The Chief finally rests his head back, exhausted. Halo fires and then suddenly explodes, engulfing the hangar in a blinding white light. All goes blank.

Level ends

Eulogy[edit]

{Finale}

Marines and the Arbiter pay their respects to Earth's fallen heroes.

On a hillside near the Portal at Voi, which has now been shut down, Marines gather. Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood removes his hat, and begins his speech.

  • Lord Hood: "For us, the storm has passed. The war is over. But let us never forget those who journeyed into the howling dark and did not return. For their decision required courage beyond measure..."

Flashback: The front half of the Forward Unto Dawn enters the Earth's atmosphere, and crashes into the Indian Ocean. Two Marines track its descent.

  • Lord Hood (voiceover): "...sacrifice, and unshakable conviction that their fight, our fight, was elsewhere."

Flashback continued: An engineering crew cuts into the Forward Unto Dawn with torches while a rescue Pelican hovers overhead. The Arbiter emerges from the wreckage.

Flashback ends: The Arbiter is revealed to be present at the memorial, standing solemnly with the Marines. The Shadow of Intent can be seen hovering above in the distance.

  • Lord Hood: "As we start to rebuild, this hillside will remain barren. A memorial to heroes fallen. They ennobled all of us, and they shall not be forgotten."

Lord Hood puts his hat back on and salutes. Sergeant Stacker turns to the other Marines present.

Seven Marines raise their Battle Rifles and each fire a single burst of three shots: a 3-volley salute. The view pans over the Portal, now closed and silent, and Mount Kilimanjaro against the evening sky.

Later, the Arbiter approaches Lord Hood, standing alone in front of the Memorial, which appears to be a Pelican wing, decorated with pictures of the fallen, including Commander Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Major Avery Johnson, along with flowers, medals, ribbons, and other tokens of respect.

Lord Hood and the Arbiter shake hands.

Under the UNSC emblem is an inscription commemorating the dead:

IN MEMORY OF THOSE FALLEN

IN THE DEFENSE OF EARTH

AND HER COLONIES

MARCH 3, 2553

Lord Hood and the Arbiter stare at the Memorial.

  • Lord Hood: "I remember how this war started. What your kind did to mine. I can't forgive you. But..."

Hood turns to the Arbiter and holds out his hand.

  • Lord Hood: "You have my thanks. For standing by him to the end."

The Arbiter slowly shakes Admiral Hood's hand. After letting go, Hood's eyes are drawn to one part of the memorial in particular.

  • Lord Hood: "Hard to believe he's dead."

The Arbiter looks away, toward the Shadow of Intent, hovering silently in the sky.

Thel 'Vadam and Rtas 'Vadum prepare to return home.

The Arbiter leaves the Memorial. His Phantom heads back to the Shadow of Intent, hovering in about the same position as the Portal to the Ark once was. The Arbiter meets Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum on the bridge. 'Vadum is looking at a holographic image of Earth.

  • Rtas 'Vadum: "Things look different. Without the Prophets' lies clouding my vision. I would like to see our own world - to know that it is safe."

The Arbiter reassuringly places a hand on 'Vadum's shoulder.

  • Thel 'Vadam: "Fear not. For we have made it so."

The Arbiter clenches his fist to his chest.

  • Rtas 'Vadum: "By your word, Arbiter." (clenches his fist to his chest likewise to Thel 'Vadam.)

The Arbiter takes a seat on the command chair, the one normally used by Rtas 'Vadum.

  • Thel 'Vadam: "Take us home."

The Shadow of Intent leaves Earth.

Going back to the Voi Memorial, the view shows that next to the print "March 3, 2553", the number "117" is carved into the metal of the wing, and a rank insignia is taped to the upper right of it as a tribute to the Master Chief.

Fade to black. Credits roll.

Epilogue[edit]

{Epilogue}

  • Cortana: "Chief? Can you hear me?"

The Master Chief, very much alive, awakens, floating in zero gravity in a debris-filled hallway on board the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn.

  • Cortana: (relieved) "I thought I'd lost you, too."

The Master Chief looks at a gaping hole in the hallway. He drifts to his floating assault rifle and holsters it, then begins to drift to the end of the hallway.

The aft section of the Forward Unto Dawn lost in space.
  • John-117: "What happened?"
  • Cortana: "I'm not sure. When Halo fired, it shook itself to pieces. Did a number on the Ark. The Portal couldn't sustain itself. We made it through just as it collapsed."

The Chief reaches the end of the hallway, which opens up into empty space. The Forward Unto Dawn is revealed to be sheared in half, floating in a cloud of its own debris, still red-hot from the sudden slipspace slowdown.

  • Cortana: "Well... some of us made it."

The Forward Unto Dawn's remaining half continues to drift aimlessly in unknown space.

The Chief begins to drift further inside the ship, finding a row of cryotubes complete with a holotank to plug Cortana into.

The Chief plugs Cortana's data chip into the holotank and she appears.

  • Cortana: "It's finished."

The Master Chief turns off the flashlight on his helmet.

  • John-117: "It's finished."

The Chief places his assault rifle in one of the rackets on the wall.

  • Cortana: "I'll drop a beacon, but it'll be a while before anyone finds us."

The Chief climbs into one of the cryotubes.

The cryotube door begins to close.

  • Cortana: "I'll miss you."
The Forward Unto Dawn drifting towards a mysterious planet.

Cortana smiles, nodding. The cryotube closes and seals, freezing the Master Chief and bringing the Halo Trilogy to its conclusion.

Fade to black

{Legendary-only Scene}

The back half of the Forward Unto Dawn is seen drifting towards a planet. A star is eclipsed by the Forward Unto Dawn for a second as it slowly comes out from behind the planet, casting light upon it momentarily before blinding the view completely.

Game ends

Achievements[edit]

The following achievements can be unlocked on this mission on the Xbox 360 edition of Halo 3.

Icon Name Description Gamerscore gamerscore
H3 Achievement Return.png Return Finish the final mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary. 50 gamerscore
H3 Achievement Campaign Complete Normal.png Campaign Complete: Normal Finish the Campaign on Normal. 125 gamerscore
H3 Achievement Campaign Complete Heroic.png Campaign Complete: Heroic Finish the Campaign on Heroic
(unlocks achievement for Normal, if not earned). 		125 gamerscore
H3 Achievement Campaign Complete Legendary.png Campaign Complete: Legendary Finish the Campaign on Legendary
(unlocks achievement for Normal and Heroic, if not earned). 		125 gamerscore
H3 Achievement Mythic.png Mythic Find and claim this skull. 10 gamerscore

Trivia[edit]

Glitches[edit]

Main article: Glitches
  • When the Flood first start to arrive in the Dispersal Pods, do not attack any of them. Exit the cave area and take a right hugging the wall for a second. After a rock and a bit of structure one will be able to climb the hill and back up to the cliff face near the terminal entrance. Enter the small building and hang around the terminal for a minute, then exit and jump back down the cliff like one would normally. More Dispersal Pods will land, doubling all Flood encounters. It seems to be an AI Respawn Glitch. Its effects stop after Johnson dies and only for the Flood. Numbers change with difficulty.
  • It is possible to kill Johnson and grab an infinite ammo Spartan Laser. The player must kill him the first time and take his low-ammo laser, switching it for a weapon Johnson can't pick up. He will stand up again with another Spartan Laser, and killing him again will allow this player to obtain it. This is handy to leave outside the control room door, because it is very effective against Sentinels and Flood alike. However, after killing Johnson multiple times (betrayal amount depends on the difficulty), the player will be marked as a traitor and Johnson will try to kill him/her.[4]
  • If one kills Johnson before entering the Control Room, after killing 343 Guilty Spark, when the door opens, one can see Johnson on the floor wounded and a Flood Pod infector will convert him into a Combat Form. If the Pod infectors are killed before they do so, he will get up and fight with the player, though he won't leave the building (since he's supposed to be dead, he has no scripted path to follow); if one tries pushing him out the door he will automatically run back. Still, if one somehow manages to push him until the Warthog, he will come within the Hog, but during the ending cutscene Johnson is not in the Warthog for obvious reasons.
  • If the player deploys an Auto-Turret after the Gravemind moment, the Auto-Turret will become an enemy. If the player deploys it facing the blast door, the one before fighting 343 Guilty Spark, and get killed while simultaneously triggering the cutscene, one will see two Master Chiefs, one dead and one alive. If the player does this on Co-op, after the cutscene, the Master Chief player will be unable to fight and Guilty Spark will target the Arbiter instead. Also, the Auto-Turret is capable of taking down the Arbiter's shield in the cutscene and will occasionally attack the Arbiter, Johnson, and/or Master Chief in the cutscene.
  • If one uses the aforementioned glitch for the infinite ammo Spartan Laser, one can kill the Arbiter and make him pick it up. If one does this near the end before getting on a vehicle, the Arbiter will pick it up and run towards the Control Room. He will stand there and not get in the Warthog or Mongoose.
  • A series of Cortana's dialogue during the Warthog Run ("Drive, Chief. Head for the frigate" to "Hurry, Chief! Don't stop!") may not play when the player plays the level from Mission Start.

Mistakes[edit]

  • At the beginning of the level, Thel 'Vadam passes an Assault Rifle to the Chief in the cutscene. However, if the player got to this level by completing the level Cortana right before, the player will start with whatever weapon they took from that level, if they have the Cortana Skull, they will spawn with a Spartan Laser and if they didn't play the previous level, they have a rocket launcher and shotgun.
    • If the previous level is finished with the Flamethrower equipped, however, the loadout will be set to Assault Rifle and Rocket Launcher.
  • In gameplay, the Arbiter's primary weapon is a Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle and an Energy Sword as the secondary. During the cutscene in the Control Room, he is oddly shown wielding a Covenant Carbine.
  • Johnson's position in the gameplay section of the Control Room is different from his position in the cutscenes. During the cutscenes, he's directly in front of the Control Room's console, whereas in gameplay he is positioned nearly outside of the circular walkway.

Easter eggs[edit]

Main article: Easter eggs
There is a Mongoose hidden to the far left of the area where Johnson's Warthog is parked, though completing the level with the Mongoose does not alter the cutscene at the end (i.e. it's still a Warthog in the cutscene)
  • There is a Talking Grunt on this level. He tries to make fun of the Master Chief's childhood by mocking how he was kidnapped and forced into the SPARTAN-II program. This is also a reference to other Talking Grunts, who appeared in past Halo games.
  • If you go all the way to the cave with the Terminal, then look to your right. You will see a dark area. Grenade launch yourself over to the first pillar then jump to the platform to your left. If you look at the wall with your flashlight you'll see Jason Jones (founder of Bungie) jumping up and down in his underwear.

References[edit]

A comparison between the Cartographer Island and the final section of the Warthog run.
  • Another reference to Halo: Combat Evolved, in the campaign lobby the Mission Start's description is Assault on the Control Room.
  • The unfinished state of Installation 08 seems to reference the original Halo concepts where the ring was in a broken form.
  • One of the lines spoken by 343 Guilty Spark while the player battles him is "...destroy your inheritance!". This has been interpreted by some as a reference to Inheritance, a feature film starring Jen Taylor, who provides the voice of Cortana. However, it is more likely that 343 Guilty Spark is referring to the relation between the Forerunners and humans.
  • One of the other lines spoken by 343 Guilty Spark during the fight is "My precious!" This is a reference to Gollum, a character from the Lord of the Rings novels, who was absolutely obsessed with the One Ring and referred to it as his "precious".
  • It has been noted that the final section bears a striking resemblance to the Cartographer island from the level Silent Cartographer from the first game. Although it may be a coincidence, it is possible that the structure is the beginnings of the Cartographer island.
  • The last section of gameplay on this level is a remake of the Warthog run on The Maw, the last level of the first game, only it is slightly more complex than the original Warthog run, and has no time limit, although the player will die if a panel falls out from underneath them which serves as a replacement to the time limit. It maintains many elements of the original 'Maw Run', including a chasm-jump. It is of note that both runs effectively start in control centers (UNSC Pillar of Autumn's bridge, and Halo's Control Room), use the Warthog as the main method of transport, involve an escape to a hangar bay and end with large explosions that destroy a Halo.
  • There is a 7 reference in the end when Lord Hood has finished making his speech, 7 Marines under orders from Sergeant Stacker fire a 3-volley salute with their battle rifles.
  • Cortana's line, "But you did it. Truth and the Covenant... the Flood, It's finished," is a reference to one of her lines from the end of Halo: Combat Evolved — "We did what we had to do... for Earth. An entire Covenant armada obliterated, and the Flood... we had no choice. Halo... it's finished." In the first game, the Chief denies it, as the war is not over yet. ("I think we're just getting started.") This time, with the war over and the Flood obliterated, he agrees.
    • It is also a reference to the final scene of Halo 2, where the Chief says he is 'finishing the fight.' "Finish the Fight" was used as the tagline for Halo 3's advertising campaign.
    • Also worthy of note is that the Halo Trilogy starts with the Master Chief awakening from cryo-sleep and ends with him going into cryo-sleep.
  • The chapter title "The Way the World Ends" and Johnson's line "Send me out... with a bang." are both references to the poem "The Hollow Men" by T. S. Eliot: "This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper." The poem is also referenced to in Halo 3 announcement trailer (and previously in the Cortana Letters) and Reversed messages found in the Halo 3 soundtrack.
  • Behind the final Terminal is a replica of the one of the phase pulse generators like the ones in Halo: Combat Evolved, however, it's heavily barricaded with four pillars to prevent anyone from disrupting it like John had in Two Betrayals. In addition, the chamber itself is exactly as it appeared in Halo: Combat Evolved but with increased security measures such as unbreakable glass and four more additional barricades surrounding the protected pulse generator. However, if one returns to this room after the cutscene in which Johnson dies, the barriers are gone, but the player is still unable to interrupt the beam like in Halo: Combat Evolved.

Production notes[edit]

  • The part where the player first sees the Control Room ziggurat originally featured a cutscene with the Forward Unto Dawn flying overhead, revealing Sergeant Johnson's intention to accompany John-117 and Thel 'Vadam into the Control Room; in this version, Cortana was under the impression that Johnson was supposed to have returned to the portal with the Shadow of Intent until this point.[5]

Miscellaneous[edit]

  • This is the third level to contain the Flamethrower.
  • Oddly, even though High Charity is destroyed and there are no Flood controlled ships in the system, Flood Dispersal Pods somehow fall from the sky. It is possible that they came from the location where Gravemind is rebuilding himself on the ring.
  • If one heads over to the large crevasse next to the Control Room in the beginning of the level, one can look down and see an almost endless series of catwalks. One can only explore the crevasse in theater mode. In addition, after destroying 343 Guilty Spark, if one rechecks the crevasse it will be distorted by energy waves caused by the rings activation in the control room. This crevasse may be similar to the 'Honeycomb' channels that are used for faster travels, power storage and that Foehammer comes out of in the beginning of the level, Assault on the Control Room in Halo: Combat Evolved.
  • Throughout the fight on the ground floor with the first waves of Flood, a Rocket Launcher and a Fuel Rod Gun can be found near the lower structures of the tower, each carrying eight Rockets, and 20 Fuel Rods, respectively.
  • It is impossible to kill the Monitor without the Laser.
    • The Monitor will be invulnerable to any damage, including Laser until Johnson knocks him away.
  • The soundtrack for the second half of the level is called "Greatest Journey", however during the MJOLNIR Theme part, there are some musical parts that are not featured in the shipped version of the soundtrack title but they are featured in "To Kill a Demon" and "Three Gates" soundtrack titles.
  • There are hidden vehicles on this level during the Warthog Run. They are 4 Ghosts, 2 Choppers and a Mongoose (The Ghosts can only be found if Legendary Co-Op), making it so players can finish the level on four player Co-Op in all different vehicles. Also, getting out of a Ghost while in midair during the final jump can result in the ending cutscene starting before the players enter the cargo bay.
  • Completing this level with four people over Xbox Live on Legendary with the Iron skull on and all four players in a Ghost, will reward players with the Vidmaster Challenge: Annual Achievement.
  • Regardless of what weapons you have before killing Spark, your loadout will be always reset to the MA5C assault rifle with 32/96, no secondary weapon, and no grenades. However, should the level load during the second rally point, you will start with the assault rifle, a shotgun, and possess grenades.
  • In Halo: Primordium, it's revealed that 343 Guilty Spark survived his apparent destruction and his badly damaged casing was eventually retrieved by the UNSC Rubicon from the Ark.
  • In Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare, it's revealed that some of the Flood survived the destruction of High Charity's backup reactor and the firing of Installation 08 and remained quarantined within the wreckage of the Covenant holy city.
  • In the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo 3, the epilogue and after credits scene are depicted as a separate non-playable level called Epilogue. It also lacks the end credits between the memorial scene and the Master Chief and Cortana on the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn wreckage. In this version of the game, the player can access the Legendary ending simply by playing Epilogue on Legendary. They do not need to play the whole game on Legendary to get the ending showing Requiem in The Master Chief Collection.
  • Finishing the level with the Flamethrower equipped on the previous level will reset the loadout to MA5C Assault Rifle and Rocket Launcher.

Gallery[edit]

Design documentation[edit]

  • An early paper sketch for the level layout.

    An early paper sketch for the level layout.

  • A design document for the level.

    A design document for the level.

Concept art and matte paintings[edit]

  • Concept art of Installation 08's interior for Halo 3.

    Concept art of Installation 08's interior for Halo 3.

  • Closeup of the Halo.

    Closeup of the Halo.

  • Concept art of the Halo over the Ark.

    Concept art of the Halo over the Ark.

  • Early concept art of the control room, with the Ark in the background.

    Early concept art of the control room, with the Ark in the background.

  • Finalized concept art of the structure, now bearing clear similarities to the original ring's control room.

    Finalized concept art of the structure, now bearing clear similarities to the original ring's control room.

  • Concept art for a wall structure in the level.

    Concept art for a wall structure in the level.

  • Concept art for the level's Warthog run.

    Concept art for the level's Warthog run.

Storyboards[edit]

Halo level
  • H3 Halo Storyboard 1.jpg
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Epilogue
  • H3 Epilogue Storyboard 1.jpg
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Gameplay[edit]

  • Preview of the level in Halo 3 menu.

    Preview of the level in Halo 3 menu.

  • John-117 and Thel 'Vadam prepare to find the control room.

    John-117 and Thel 'Vadam prepare to find the control room.

  • John-117 battles a Flood combat form.

    John-117 battles a Flood combat form.

  • John-117 uses a flamethrower.

    John-117 uses a flamethrower.

  • 343 Guilty Spark attacks Johnson.

    343 Guilty Spark attacks Johnson.

  • Johnson holding an Energy Sword.

    Johnson holding an Energy Sword.

  • All four playable characters after fighting 343 Guilty Spark.

    All four playable characters after fighting 343 Guilty Spark.

  • John-117 charging the Spartan Laser to fire at 343 Guilty Spark.

    John-117 charging the Spartan Laser to fire at 343 Guilty Spark.

  • Johnson being infected if the glitch to keep him alive is done.

    Johnson being infected if the glitch to keep him alive is done.

  • Thel 'Vadam and John-117 on their way to the Warthog.

    Thel 'Vadam and John-117 on their way to the Warthog.

  • Aggressor Sentinels fighting Flood combat forms.

    Aggressor Sentinels fighting Flood combat forms.

  • The fight is finished.

    The fight is finished.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo 3 Editing Kit, game file H3EK\tags\levels\solo\120_halo\120_halo.scenario
  2. ^ Halo Waypoint, Hero-Fortitude (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  3. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Game Details
  4. ^ YouTube: Johnson's Spartan Laser Glitch
  5. ^ YouTube: Halo 3 - Cut Cinematic - Ziggurat Reveal
Preceded by
Cortana 		Halo 3 Campaign Missions
Halo 		Succeeded by
Halo 3 Credits

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