John-117/Late War: Difference between revisions
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John, riding shotgun in the passenger seat of a [[M12 Chaingun Warthog]], made his way into Voi along with several [[M831 Troop Transport Warthog|Troop Transports]] full of Marines. The convoy emerged into a parking lot littered with destroyed vehicles and corpses of both human and Covenant soldiers. Upon arriving at a sealed blast door leading into [[Traxus Factory Complex 09]], John and the Marines dismounted from their vehicles, with the driver and gunner of the LRV remaining as support. The Marine sergeant informed John that they would cover him with the turret while he took point. John opened the door and proceeded through an empty section of the factory before emerging onto a catwalk above several [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]] listening to a sermon from the [[Prophet of Truth]]. Taking the Covenant by surprise, John and the Marines were able to easily wipe the group out before opening a door allowing the Warthog LRV to proceed. Forming up in front of another sealed door, the Marines assembled to provide John cover while he opened the door. On the other side, a large contingent of Covenant forces waited, along with their parked [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghosts]]. A group of Kig-Yar advanced towards the humans while [[Jiralhanae]] and Unggoy provided support from further back. Despite the number of hostiles present, John and the Marines, with the heavy firepower provided by the Warthog's [[M41 Vulcan|machine gun]] were able to easily shred the opposition. As the Covenant presence dwindled, the commanding [[Jiralhanae Captain]] made a run for one of the parked Ghosts but was ultimately unsuccessful and fell along with the rest of his unit.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TS}} | John, riding shotgun in the passenger seat of a [[M12 Chaingun Warthog]], made his way into Voi along with several [[M831 Troop Transport Warthog|Troop Transports]] full of Marines. The convoy emerged into a parking lot littered with destroyed vehicles and corpses of both human and Covenant soldiers. Upon arriving at a sealed blast door leading into [[Traxus Factory Complex 09]], John and the Marines dismounted from their vehicles, with the driver and gunner of the LRV remaining as support. The Marine sergeant informed John that they would cover him with the turret while he took point. John opened the door and proceeded through an empty section of the factory before emerging onto a catwalk above several [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]] listening to a sermon from the [[Prophet of Truth]]. Taking the Covenant by surprise, John and the Marines were able to easily wipe the group out before opening a door allowing the Warthog LRV to proceed. Forming up in front of another sealed door, the Marines assembled to provide John cover while he opened the door. On the other side, a large contingent of Covenant forces waited, along with their parked [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghosts]]. A group of Kig-Yar advanced towards the humans while [[Jiralhanae]] and Unggoy provided support from further back. Despite the number of hostiles present, John and the Marines, with the heavy firepower provided by the Warthog's [[M41 Vulcan|machine gun]] were able to easily shred the opposition. As the Covenant presence dwindled, the commanding [[Jiralhanae Captain]] made a run for one of the parked Ghosts but was ultimately unsuccessful and fell along with the rest of his unit.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TS}} | ||
Admiral Hood contacted [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Keyes]] as John and his team made their way outside to a dockyard that had long since had its water vaporized by the ongoing Covenant [[Glassing|orbital bombardment]]. The Admiral requested a situation report, to which Keyes informed him of the intensifying [[Portal storm|atmospheric disturbance]] above the [[Portal at Voi|artifact]] before informing him that John was still on route to his objective. He met a group of Marines who had been pushed back from a small dock office in the middle of the lake bed by a [[Type-52 Phantom|Phantom]] landing directly overhead, and with their assistance, retook the office from the Covenant inside. The Spartan's first objective, a single [[ | Admiral Hood contacted [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Keyes]] as John and his team made their way outside to a dockyard that had long since had its water vaporized by the ongoing Covenant [[Glassing|orbital bombardment]]. The Admiral requested a situation report, to which Keyes informed him of the intensifying [[Portal storm|atmospheric disturbance]] above the [[Portal at Voi|artifact]] before informing him that John was still on route to his objective. He met a group of Marines who had been pushed back from a small dock office in the middle of the lake bed by a [[Type-52 Phantom|Phantom]] landing directly overhead, and with their assistance, retook the office from the Covenant inside. The Spartan's first objective, a single [[Ogab'd-pattern anti-aircraft Wraith|Anti-Aircraft Wraith]] was nearby, protected by a unit of Unggoy-piloted Ghosts as it used its [[Fuel rod cannon|ordnance]] to support overhead [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshees]] as they fought against UNSC [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornets]] in an aerial dogfight. With the aid of the Marines, the Warthog LRV and a [[LAU-65D/SGM-151 missile pod|missile pod]] on the roof of the dock office to destroy the vehicular presence. Despite the arrival of more Ghosts and a [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraith]] delivered via dropship and even a pair of Banshees, John was successful in repelling the entire Covenant force and destroyed the Anti-Aircraft Wraith, freeing up some airspace for the UNSC pilots above. John soon reentered the Traxus facility, where a small number of Marines were using a [[AIE-486H machine gun|machine gun]] in an attempt to pin down a group of Covenant soldiers led by a [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain]] in an adjacent room. Noting the Spartan's presence, the Marine gunner requested that John flush the Covenant out into the open where they could easily mow them down with the heavy turret. John did so, using a nearby door to get behind the Covenant. As he whittled down the Chieftain's bodyguards, the surviving Covenant attempted to fall back, but had nowhere to go save for directly into the line of fire of the turret, and were soon cut down. The Marines opened the blast door for John's Warthog, but as they were in the process of explaining their situation to John, the glass ceiling high overhead shattered as a huge swarm of [[Yanme'e]] deployed by a Phantom descended on the humans. John and the Marines were able to hold the room, using superior cover and weapons fire to whittle down the swarm. Eventually, the Phantom retreated, with the surviving Yanme'e following suit. As John made his way down the next section of factory, Cortana appeared again in a hallucinatory manner, stating that she has defied gods and demons, most likely referring to the [[Gravemind]]. At the end of the tunnel, a unit of [[M274 Mongoose|Mongoose]] ATVs with [[M41 SPNKR|rocket launcher]]-wielding passengers waited to stage their assault on the next lake bed. John took the controls of one of the ATVs and the impromptu anti-armor force rolled out onto the second dried out lake bed. Near the hulking remains of a beached cargo vessel, a pair of Anti-Aircraft Wraiths along with a contingent of Ghost and [[Type-25 Chopper|Chopper]] support milled around the center while a small group of Marines on the northern boardwalk fought to repel a Covenant [[lance]]. With their superior speed and firepower, John and the unit of Mongooses were able to quickly destroy the AA Wraiths and other vehicles, allowing several Hornets to descend to provide support against low flying Banshees. A number of Phantoms attempted to reinforce the Covenant by dropping more Ghosts into the lake bed but all of them soon fell to the UNSC forces.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TS}} | ||
[[File:Voi 5.jpg|thumb|300px|left|John joins the makeshift Marine anti-armor unit.]] | [[File:Voi 5.jpg|thumb|300px|left|John joins the makeshift Marine anti-armor unit.]] | ||
Once the area was secure, a Pelican arrived to deliver reinforcements for the UNSC. [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] reported to John that he had detected the presence of something ''big'' closing on his location. Heavy footfalls and mechanical grinding heralded the presence of a massive Covenant [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] walker, which arrived over the roof of the factory and thundered down into the lakebed, crushing a Troop Transport Warthog underfoot. The Mongoose unit and a pair of Marine-operated missile pods opened fire on the massive walker while Hornets and Pelicans attempted to draw its attention away from the ground forces. Realizing that the Scarab's leg joints represented a weak spot that could be exploited, the UNSC forces concentrated their fire on one of the Scarabs legs, eventually forcing the walker to buckle and lower to the ground. John took advantage of its weakened state, making his way onto the Scarabs deck and engaging its crew in close quarters, similarly to what [[Battle of Mombasa|he had done]] in [[New Mombasa]]. He eventually located the Scarab's power core, and destroyed it. As alarms blared and the stricken walker began to shake violently, John, at the urging of nearby Marines, ran as fast as he could away from the Scarab. The Spartan made it to a safe distance just as the Scarab erupted in a massive explosion of plasma and metal. Commander Keyes applauded John's efforts before informing him that she was sending down several more Pelicans with reinforcements. Johnson told John that his final target, a Covenant [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|Anti-Aircraft Battery]], was nearby and its destruction was of the highest priority as it would allow Admiral Hood to carry out his attack run Shortly after, they arrived. One of the Pelicans carried [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], who vowed that he would restore honor to the Covenant once again. A female Marine told John that they had secured the next few sections of the factory and they would get him through. John, Thel and a fresh group of Marines made their way into a makeshift first-aid station, where wounded Marines and [[civilian]] factory workers were being attended to by [[Hospital Corpsman|Hospital Corpsmen]]. In the station, John found himself beset upon by another vision of Cortana, this time reminding him that she was his shield and his sword, in an allusion to the [[Wikipedia:Sparta|basis]] of the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. John overheard reports coming in from the UNSC field radio in the room that the Covenant vessels were pulling back to the Prophet of Truth's [[Anodyne Spirit|ship]] and that the storm above the artifact had sharply intensified, with winds of over 200 kilometers per hour being recorded. Commander Keyes reported a [[Indulgence of Conviction|single]] Covenant ship had arrived in the system, and was holding steady above the orbital line. Admiral Hood was determined to continue the attack, knowing that they likely wouldn't get another shot at Truth.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TS}} | Once the area was secure, a Pelican arrived to deliver reinforcements for the UNSC. [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] reported to John that he had detected the presence of something ''big'' closing on his location. Heavy footfalls and mechanical grinding heralded the presence of a massive Covenant [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] walker, which arrived over the roof of the factory and thundered down into the lakebed, crushing a Troop Transport Warthog underfoot. The Mongoose unit and a pair of Marine-operated missile pods opened fire on the massive walker while Hornets and Pelicans attempted to draw its attention away from the ground forces. Realizing that the Scarab's leg joints represented a weak spot that could be exploited, the UNSC forces concentrated their fire on one of the Scarabs legs, eventually forcing the walker to buckle and lower to the ground. John took advantage of its weakened state, making his way onto the Scarabs deck and engaging its crew in close quarters, similarly to what [[Battle of Mombasa|he had done]] in [[New Mombasa]]. He eventually located the Scarab's power core, and destroyed it. As alarms blared and the stricken walker began to shake violently, John, at the urging of nearby Marines, ran as fast as he could away from the Scarab. The Spartan made it to a safe distance just as the Scarab erupted in a massive explosion of plasma and metal. Commander Keyes applauded John's efforts before informing him that she was sending down several more Pelicans with reinforcements. Johnson told John that his final target, a Covenant [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|Anti-Aircraft Battery]], was nearby and its destruction was of the highest priority as it would allow Admiral Hood to carry out his attack run Shortly after, they arrived. One of the Pelicans carried [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], who vowed that he would restore honor to the Covenant once again. A female Marine told John that they had secured the next few sections of the factory and they would get him through. John, Thel and a fresh group of Marines made their way into a makeshift first-aid station, where wounded Marines and [[civilian]] factory workers were being attended to by [[Hospital Corpsman|Hospital Corpsmen]]. In the station, John found himself beset upon by another vision of Cortana, this time reminding him that she was his shield and his sword, in an allusion to the [[Wikipedia:Sparta|basis]] of the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. John overheard reports coming in from the UNSC field radio in the room that the Covenant vessels were pulling back to the Prophet of Truth's [[Anodyne Spirit|ship]] and that the storm above the artifact had sharply intensified, with winds of over 200 kilometers per hour being recorded. Commander Keyes reported a [[Indulgence of Conviction|single]] Covenant ship had arrived in the system, and was holding steady above the orbital line. Admiral Hood was determined to continue the attack, knowing that they likely wouldn't get another shot at Truth.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TS}} | ||
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The Fleet of Retribution arrived at Installation 00 on December 11, 2552, twenty four days after departing through the portal from Earth. As the fleet exited slipspace above the colossal superstructure, they were quickly approached by the [[Truth's fleet|significantly larger Covenant fleet]] that was waiting in orbit. John-117, on board [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] [[Kilo 023]] along with Sergeant Johnson and a squad of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], departed from the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' along with a flight of six other Pelicans as the orbital battle began. As [[Kai-pattern Seraph|Seraph]] fighters strafed the Pelicans, one of them was struck by [[Heavy plasma cannon|plasma fire]] and exploded, but the rest of the flight succeeded in making it past the Covenant fleet and entered the Ark's atmosphere. John briefly checked on Johnson and the dropship's pilot, [[Hocus]], in the cockpit before making his way aft, equipping a [[SRS99D-S2 AM sniper rifle|sniper rifle]] as the Pelican's troop bay opened, revealing a massive expanse of desert. Johnson briefly relayed the plan to the team: their first priority was to secure a suitable landing zone for the ''Forward Unto Dawn'', which would then land and deploy vehicular support for the UNSC ground forces. He also told them to keep their eyes and ears open, so as to secure any possible intel on the installation, as it was wholly unknown to them. Kilo 023 and one other Pelican landed on a cliff edge, and John disembarked, along with the ODSTs on the Pelican. As the team moved forward, the ODST squad leader informed John of the presence of a Covenant encampment nearby. The squad leader told John that they had a good angle thanks to the ledge overlooking the camp before telling the Spartan that he should take the first shot with his sniper rifle. John took aim at one of the many Covenant soldiers, many of whom were listening to a [[Holotank|holographic projection]] of the Prophet of Truth, and opened fire. With the height advantage, element of surprise and superior cover, John and the ODSTs were able to easily wipe out the Covenant camp. The team pushed ahead, through a cave before arriving at a larger area where a [[Type-52 Phantom|Phantom]] was in the process of assembling an [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|Anti-Aircraft Battery]]. Recognizing the grave threat the cannon would pose to the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' were it to be completed, the squad leader once again had John take the first shot before they would engage. Catching the mixed group of Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar and Unggoy by surprise, the team was able to make short work of many of them. The Phantom abandoned a piece of the battery and fled. As John and the ODSTs began to make headway against the Covenant infantry, the survivors pulled back to where another Phantom had arrived and deployed a Mgalekgolo pair. Despite the opposition, the human forces soon prevailed and managed to bring down the Mgalekgolo and the other surviving Covenant infantry. Fighting their way up a rocky slope, the team managed to eliminate a final [[Jiralhanae Captain]] and a large group of Unggoy before entering a structure. While the ODST squad forged ahead, John took a minor detour and discovered a [[Z-9930 Information Vector Console|terminal]], accessing it and discovering information about the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], as well as correspondance between [[Librarian|two]] [[Forerunner]] [[Ur-Didact|lovers]], as well as messages from [[Mendicant Bias|an ancient]] Forerunner [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|ancilla]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3TA}}<ref name="H4TEVG129">''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', ''page 129''</ref> | The Fleet of Retribution arrived at Installation 00 on December 11, 2552, twenty four days after departing through the portal from Earth. As the fleet exited slipspace above the colossal superstructure, they were quickly approached by the [[Truth's fleet|significantly larger Covenant fleet]] that was waiting in orbit. John-117, on board [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] [[Kilo 023]] along with Sergeant Johnson and a squad of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], departed from the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' along with a flight of six other Pelicans as the orbital battle began. As [[Kai-pattern Seraph|Seraph]] fighters strafed the Pelicans, one of them was struck by [[Heavy plasma cannon|plasma fire]] and exploded, but the rest of the flight succeeded in making it past the Covenant fleet and entered the Ark's atmosphere. John briefly checked on Johnson and the dropship's pilot, [[Hocus]], in the cockpit before making his way aft, equipping a [[SRS99D-S2 AM sniper rifle|sniper rifle]] as the Pelican's troop bay opened, revealing a massive expanse of desert. Johnson briefly relayed the plan to the team: their first priority was to secure a suitable landing zone for the ''Forward Unto Dawn'', which would then land and deploy vehicular support for the UNSC ground forces. He also told them to keep their eyes and ears open, so as to secure any possible intel on the installation, as it was wholly unknown to them. Kilo 023 and one other Pelican landed on a cliff edge, and John disembarked, along with the ODSTs on the Pelican. As the team moved forward, the ODST squad leader informed John of the presence of a Covenant encampment nearby. The squad leader told John that they had a good angle thanks to the ledge overlooking the camp before telling the Spartan that he should take the first shot with his sniper rifle. John took aim at one of the many Covenant soldiers, many of whom were listening to a [[Holotank|holographic projection]] of the Prophet of Truth, and opened fire. With the height advantage, element of surprise and superior cover, John and the ODSTs were able to easily wipe out the Covenant camp. The team pushed ahead, through a cave before arriving at a larger area where a [[Type-52 Phantom|Phantom]] was in the process of assembling an [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|Anti-Aircraft Battery]]. Recognizing the grave threat the cannon would pose to the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' were it to be completed, the squad leader once again had John take the first shot before they would engage. Catching the mixed group of Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar and Unggoy by surprise, the team was able to make short work of many of them. The Phantom abandoned a piece of the battery and fled. As John and the ODSTs began to make headway against the Covenant infantry, the survivors pulled back to where another Phantom had arrived and deployed a Mgalekgolo pair. Despite the opposition, the human forces soon prevailed and managed to bring down the Mgalekgolo and the other surviving Covenant infantry. Fighting their way up a rocky slope, the team managed to eliminate a final [[Jiralhanae Captain]] and a large group of Unggoy before entering a structure. While the ODST squad forged ahead, John took a minor detour and discovered a [[Z-9930 Information Vector Console|terminal]], accessing it and discovering information about the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], as well as correspondance between [[Librarian|two]] [[Forerunner]] [[Ur-Didact|lovers]], as well as messages from [[Mendicant Bias|an ancient]] Forerunner [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|ancilla]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3TA}}<ref name="H4TEVG129">''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', ''page 129''</ref> | ||
On the opposite side of the cave structure, John arrived just in time to see a damaged [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] streak through the canyon and crash out of sight ahead. A pair of nearby Marines informed him that anti-aircraft fire had brought down their Pelican, but they had managed to locate a suitable [[landing zone]] for the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and offered to lead the Spartan to the destination if they could secure some vehicular transport. Over a slight rise, the team ambushed a group of Jiralhanae and Unggoy searching the Marine's downed Pelican but as they moved forward, a pair of Jiralhanae [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler|Prowlers]] arrived. Despite the heavy firepower provided by the Covenant support vehicles, John and his team managed to eliminate their Jiralhanae occupants and moved to pilot them. At the downed Pelican, John was able to catch brief snippets of radio transmissions of the ongoing space battle above the Ark. Now mobilized, John and his team pressed forward, entering a larger area where the Longsword had crashed. Fighting past a Covenant force consisting of [[Type-25 Chopper|Choppers]], [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghosts]] and infantry, John passed the wrecked Longsword and came upon a crashed Phantom, where he promptly wiped out its surviving passengers. After fighting through a large Covenant force in front of a Forerunner wall, the team make it to the upper level where they encounter [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s fighting against Covenant soldiers. Kilo 023 arrived, Sergeant Johnson informing them that that they had spotted [[Cartographer#Installation 00|a structure]] matching Cortana's description of the [[Cartographer#Installation 04|Cartographer]] that she and John had encountered on [[Installation 04]]. The Sergeant told John to follow the Pelican to the sighted landing zone. While the Sentinels didn't target the humans, several of John's compatriots expressed uneasiness about the presence of the Forerunner constructs. With aerial support from the Sentinels, John and his team fought their way past a number of Ghosts before unpinning several Marines under fire from a large group of Covenant. Once the area was secure, one of the Marines told John that the landing zone was occupied by heavy Covenant armor. On the other side of the cave, John was forced to engage heavy Covenant forces defending the landing zone, including a [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraith]], Ghosts, [[deployable lookout tower]]s and a variety of Unggoy-operated turrets. A final [[pack]] of Jiralhanae attempted to stop the humans from destroying a pair of [[ | On the opposite side of the cave structure, John arrived just in time to see a damaged [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] streak through the canyon and crash out of sight ahead. A pair of nearby Marines informed him that anti-aircraft fire had brought down their Pelican, but they had managed to locate a suitable [[landing zone]] for the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and offered to lead the Spartan to the destination if they could secure some vehicular transport. Over a slight rise, the team ambushed a group of Jiralhanae and Unggoy searching the Marine's downed Pelican but as they moved forward, a pair of Jiralhanae [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler|Prowlers]] arrived. Despite the heavy firepower provided by the Covenant support vehicles, John and his team managed to eliminate their Jiralhanae occupants and moved to pilot them. At the downed Pelican, John was able to catch brief snippets of radio transmissions of the ongoing space battle above the Ark. Now mobilized, John and his team pressed forward, entering a larger area where the Longsword had crashed. Fighting past a Covenant force consisting of [[Type-25 Chopper|Choppers]], [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghosts]] and infantry, John passed the wrecked Longsword and came upon a crashed Phantom, where he promptly wiped out its surviving passengers. After fighting through a large Covenant force in front of a Forerunner wall, the team make it to the upper level where they encounter [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s fighting against Covenant soldiers. Kilo 023 arrived, Sergeant Johnson informing them that that they had spotted [[Cartographer#Installation 00|a structure]] matching Cortana's description of the [[Cartographer#Installation 04|Cartographer]] that she and John had encountered on [[Installation 04]]. The Sergeant told John to follow the Pelican to the sighted landing zone. While the Sentinels didn't target the humans, several of John's compatriots expressed uneasiness about the presence of the Forerunner constructs. With aerial support from the Sentinels, John and his team fought their way past a number of Ghosts before unpinning several Marines under fire from a large group of Covenant. Once the area was secure, one of the Marines told John that the landing zone was occupied by heavy Covenant armor. On the other side of the cave, John was forced to engage heavy Covenant forces defending the landing zone, including a [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraith]], Ghosts, [[deployable lookout tower]]s and a variety of Unggoy-operated turrets. A final [[pack]] of Jiralhanae attempted to stop the humans from destroying a pair of [[Ogab'd-pattern anti-aircraft Wraith|Anti-Aircraft Wraiths]] but John was successful in wiping out both them and the anti-air.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TA}} | ||
[[File:Ark Level Scorpion.jpg|thumb|300px|left|John leading an armored platoon against Covenant forces on the Ark.]] | [[File:Ark Level Scorpion.jpg|thumb|300px|left|John leading an armored platoon against Covenant forces on the Ark.]] | ||
With the landing zone now secure, Commander Keyes was able to bring the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' down. As the UNSC frigate arrived, sweeping away the debris from the battle, the ship's hangar was lowered, allowing a platoon of [[M808C Scorpion|Scorpion]] tanks and several [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthogs]] led by [[Marcus Stacker|Sergeant Stacker]] to roll out, along with [[343 Guilty Spark]] to guide them. John mounted up in one of the tanks just as a Covenant vehicular force consisting of Ghosts and a Prowler entered from the cave. With their vastly superior firepower, the UNSC forces easily wiped out the Covenant, as well as a Mgalekgolo pair that followed shortly. Rolling through the cave, the armored platoon brought down a Phantom and several [[Type-26 Shade|Shades]]. More Ghosts, another Wraith and a fortified Covenant position soon followed in their destruction to John and the convoy. At the wall, the Covenant attempted to fortify it with heavy armor, stationing Wraiths in the immediate vicinity that proceeded to use their [[Plasma mortar#Type-26 35cm Directed-Energy Mortar|plasma mortars]] to shell the UNSC forces while Ghosts and Choppers charged straight at them. Despite the even number of clashing forces, John and his platoon prevailed, killing all Covenant protecting the wall. Stacker told John that he would lead the armor through the lower level of the wall while John proceeded through the upper level alone. Spark opened a door on the upper wall allowing John to enter. Inside the wall, John found himself on a platform overlooking a deep chasm, within which Aggressor and [[Constructor]] Sentinels moved in and out of. Spark directed John to a panel that activated a [[light bridge]], allowing the friendly armor to pass over the chasm. While John passed through a room littered with destroyed Sentinels, the whole building began to shake as the Spartan heard heavy footfalls above his position. As the next door opened, revealing the Cartographer and the battalion-strength Covenant forces protecting it, a [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] passed directly in front of him. A [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|Gauss Warthog]] making its way up to John's position was strafed by Ghosts, killing the gunner. The driver pulled up to the Spartan, offering him the controls. John mounted up, the Marine mounting the vehicle's [[M68 Gauss Cannon|weapon]], and the two proceeded to make their way to the lower door where the UNSC armored platoon was emerging. A band of Choppers attempted to rush the tanks while several lines of Wraith tanks opened fire from long range. Despite, the staunch opposition, the Scorpion tanks were successful in pushing through the Covenant heavy armor. As a Phantom dropped a group of [[Type-33 fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]]-wielding Jiralhanae, the Scarab made a reappearance, climbing down the side of the Cartographer building and promptly attacking the humans. Eventually, John succeeded in neutralizing the Scarab and all other Covenant forces in front of the Cartographer. As the Scarab exploded, [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] contacted John, applauding him for his destruction of the walker before informing them that the Sangheili had emerged victorious in the orbital battle, having destroyed the numerically superior Covenant fleet. John made his way up the spire, engaging Covenant infantry as he went. At the top, a Pelican landed, dropping off a pair of Marines and [[Thel 'Vadam]], who personally congratulated John. Spark then unlocked the door leading into the Cartographer, and the team proceeded in.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TA}} | With the landing zone now secure, Commander Keyes was able to bring the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' down. As the UNSC frigate arrived, sweeping away the debris from the battle, the ship's hangar was lowered, allowing a platoon of [[M808C Scorpion|Scorpion]] tanks and several [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthogs]] led by [[Marcus Stacker|Sergeant Stacker]] to roll out, along with [[343 Guilty Spark]] to guide them. John mounted up in one of the tanks just as a Covenant vehicular force consisting of Ghosts and a Prowler entered from the cave. With their vastly superior firepower, the UNSC forces easily wiped out the Covenant, as well as a Mgalekgolo pair that followed shortly. Rolling through the cave, the armored platoon brought down a Phantom and several [[Type-26 Shade|Shades]]. More Ghosts, another Wraith and a fortified Covenant position soon followed in their destruction to John and the convoy. At the wall, the Covenant attempted to fortify it with heavy armor, stationing Wraiths in the immediate vicinity that proceeded to use their [[Plasma mortar#Type-26 35cm Directed-Energy Mortar|plasma mortars]] to shell the UNSC forces while Ghosts and Choppers charged straight at them. Despite the even number of clashing forces, John and his platoon prevailed, killing all Covenant protecting the wall. Stacker told John that he would lead the armor through the lower level of the wall while John proceeded through the upper level alone. Spark opened a door on the upper wall allowing John to enter. Inside the wall, John found himself on a platform overlooking a deep chasm, within which Aggressor and [[Constructor]] Sentinels moved in and out of. Spark directed John to a panel that activated a [[light bridge]], allowing the friendly armor to pass over the chasm. While John passed through a room littered with destroyed Sentinels, the whole building began to shake as the Spartan heard heavy footfalls above his position. As the next door opened, revealing the Cartographer and the battalion-strength Covenant forces protecting it, a [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] passed directly in front of him. A [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|Gauss Warthog]] making its way up to John's position was strafed by Ghosts, killing the gunner. The driver pulled up to the Spartan, offering him the controls. John mounted up, the Marine mounting the vehicle's [[M68 Gauss Cannon|weapon]], and the two proceeded to make their way to the lower door where the UNSC armored platoon was emerging. A band of Choppers attempted to rush the tanks while several lines of Wraith tanks opened fire from long range. Despite, the staunch opposition, the Scorpion tanks were successful in pushing through the Covenant heavy armor. As a Phantom dropped a group of [[Type-33 fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]]-wielding Jiralhanae, the Scarab made a reappearance, climbing down the side of the Cartographer building and promptly attacking the humans. Eventually, John succeeded in neutralizing the Scarab and all other Covenant forces in front of the Cartographer. As the Scarab exploded, [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] contacted John, applauding him for his destruction of the walker before informing them that the Sangheili had emerged victorious in the orbital battle, having destroyed the numerically superior Covenant fleet. John made his way up the spire, engaging Covenant infantry as he went. At the top, a Pelican landed, dropping off a pair of Marines and [[Thel 'Vadam]], who personally congratulated John. Spark then unlocked the door leading into the Cartographer, and the team proceeded in.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TA}} | ||
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{{Quote|no=four|q1=When did you know?|John-117|q2=Just now - but...I had my hopes. What will you do?|343 Guilty Spark|q3=Light it.|John-117|q4=Then we are agreed! A tactical pulse will completely eradicate the local infestation! I will personally oversee the final preparations|343 Guilty Spark|John informs 343 Guilty Spark of his plan to fire the incomplete Installation 08 to destroy the Flood infestation on the Ark.<ref name="H3TC">''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>}} | {{Quote|no=four|q1=When did you know?|John-117|q2=Just now - but...I had my hopes. What will you do?|343 Guilty Spark|q3=Light it.|John-117|q4=Then we are agreed! A tactical pulse will completely eradicate the local infestation! I will personally oversee the final preparations|343 Guilty Spark|John informs 343 Guilty Spark of his plan to fire the incomplete Installation 08 to destroy the Flood infestation on the Ark.<ref name="H3TC">''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>}} | ||
[[File:John 117 Master Chief Petty Officer.jpg|thumb|300px|right|John and two ODSTs engaging Covenant forces in a Warthog on approach to the first tower.]] | [[File:John 117 Master Chief Petty Officer.jpg|thumb|300px|right|John and two ODSTs engaging Covenant forces in a Warthog on approach to the first tower.]] | ||
Knowing that the Prophet of Truth could fire the entire [[Halo Array]] from the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], the UNSC and Sangheili task force were quick to assemble an assault force to disable three of the [[barrier tower]]s projecting a protective energy shield around the Citadel and the Ark's [[Foundry (location)|core]], after which they could assault the Citadel directly. [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] split the force into three teams, one for each tower. John and two [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelicans]] full of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] would attack the first tower. [[Thel 'Vadam]] and his Sangheili would assault the second tower and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and a large team of Marines would hit the third tower. As [[Kilo 023]] and her escort approached the first tower, the air suddenly erupted with [[fuel rod cannon]] fire from a [[ | Knowing that the Prophet of Truth could fire the entire [[Halo Array]] from the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], the UNSC and Sangheili task force were quick to assemble an assault force to disable three of the [[barrier tower]]s projecting a protective energy shield around the Citadel and the Ark's [[Foundry (location)|core]], after which they could assault the Citadel directly. [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] split the force into three teams, one for each tower. John and two [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelicans]] full of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] would attack the first tower. [[Thel 'Vadam]] and his Sangheili would assault the second tower and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and a large team of Marines would hit the third tower. As [[Kilo 023]] and her escort approached the first tower, the air suddenly erupted with [[fuel rod cannon]] fire from a [[Ogab'd-pattern anti-aircraft Wraith|Anti-Aircraft Wraith]] on the beachhead. Kilo 023's escort was struck in the starboard wing by a fuel rod. The stricken Pelican slammed into Kilo 023, crushing the [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]] it was carrying before plummeting to the beach below. Kilo 023, carrying John and a team of ODSTs made it through the flak and came to a rough landing nearby, John pausing only to grab a [[M6 Spartan Laser|Spartan Laser]] before he disembarked. The team fought through a large group of [[Unggoy]] and their [[Jiralhanae Captain]] overseer, with John making use of his Spartan Laser to destroy a pair of [[Type-26 Shade|Shade]] turrets on a nearby ledge. John and the team fought their way up the ridge towards the Anti-Aircraft Wraith, facing off against a [[Type-33 fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]]-wielding [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]] and his [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard|bodyguards]] They eventually brought down the Jiralhanae pack and John destroyed the Wraith. With the beachhead now secure, Commander Keyes arrived in her Pelican, deploying a [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthog]] and a [[M274 Mongoose|Mongoose]] for the team. Now mobilized, John and the ODSTs made their way towards their objective, destroying several [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshees]] that attempted to strafe them, as well as a pair of [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghosts]] and a Shade turret and its supporting infantry. The team eventually arrived at the entrance to the first tower, which was heavily defended by a [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraith]], a pair of Jiralhanae [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler|Prowlers]], more Ghosts, Shade cannons and infantry. Despite the overwhelming numbers of Covenant, John and the ODSTs were able to clear out all of the defenders, allowing Keyes' Pelican to return with several [[Ordnance pod|canisters]] containing weapons and ammo for the team. With the exterior of the tower clear, the team proceeded inward carefully, wiping out all of the Covenant forces on the ground floor and around the controls for the elevator that would carry them upward to the controls. While the rest of the team stayed behind to secure the ground floor, John proceeded up the elevator alone, arriving at the upper floor just as a Chieftain concluded a sermon to his [[pack]]. After a struggle, John managed to slay the Jiralhanae and arrived at the controls. As he deactivated the first tower, 'Vadam and his Sangheili had managed to do the same with the second tower. The third tower remained active, however, prompting Commander Keyes to contact Sergeant Johnson. The sergeant warned them that they were being engaged by overwhelming Covenant forces and warned Keyes to stay away as there was too much anti-air at the tower. As the Sergeant ordered his men to fall back, his communication cut out. Keyes ordered John to link up with 'Vadam and his forces and assault the third tower together.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TC}} | ||
John quickly returned to the ground floor, assisting his team against a small group of Unggoy and [[Kig-Yar]] that were attempting to reactivate the tower before making his way outside, meeting another Marine who arrived with [[M831 Troop Transport Warthog|transport]] for the team. They speedily made their way back to the beachhead, where a flight of [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornets]] were waiting. [[Hocus]] told John that he would need to take a Hornet in order to safely escort a group of Pelicans to the third tower. The Spartan took control of one of the aircraft and made his way to towards the airspace of the second tower, where masses of Banshees were strafing the Sangheili Phantoms. With the arrival of John and the other UNSC craft, the Sangheili were able to engage their dropship's [[active camouflage]] and escape. Despite the Covenant having the numerical superiority, the UNSC air forces were able to succeed in wiping most of the Banshees out, driving the survivors back to the third tower, before destroying another Anti-Aircraft Wraith on a small island nearby. John was forced to contend with heavy opposition around the third tower entrance, including a pair of Anti-Aircraft Wraiths, a standard Wraith, Shade cannons and a massive pack of Jiralhanae. Prioritizing fire on the Wraiths, John was able to destroy the Covenant armor allowing the separatist Phantoms to return, deploying Thel 'Vadam, as well as [[N'tho 'Sraom]], [[Usze 'Taham]] and several other Sangheili. Together, they managed to crush all of the Jiralhanae around the tower, as well as the survivors inside the entrance. Inside, they discovered the corpses of many of Johnson's Marines, but the Sergeant himself was not among them. On the ground floor of the tower, the team was ambushed by a pair of [[Mgalekgolo]] and a swarm of [[Yanme'e]]. Through superior tactics, John and the Sangheili managed to bring down the Mgalekgolo pair and whittle down the Yanme'e, forcing the survivors to retreat back up the elevator shaft. Another pack of Jiralhanae fought hard to stop John and the Sangheili but they fell, shortly followed by the remaining Yanme'e who reemerged in a last-ditch attempt to halt their progress. Once again, John proceeded to the upper floor alone while the Sangheili remained behind. A War Chieftain and a pack of [[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalkers]] were the last Covenant soldiers in the tower and although they furiously defended the controls of the tower, they eventually fell to the lone Spartan. John deactivated the third tower's controls, finally dropping the protective shield. [[Rtas 'Vadum]] brought the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' in close, preparing to level the Citadel with the assault carrier's weaponry. Suddenly, a massive slipspace rupture above the Citadel heralded the arrival of [[High Charity]]. As the gargantuan former Covenant holy city-turned [[Flood hive]] plummeted towards the surface of the Ark, 'Vadum was barely able to exclaim his surprise before debris struck his assault carrier, punching straight through it. As more debris from High Charity showered the installation, a chunk smashed through the window of the third tower's control room. John stiffened, readying his [[MA5C assault rifle|assault rifle]] in anticipation of the [[Flood|foe]] he knew had arrived.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TC}} | John quickly returned to the ground floor, assisting his team against a small group of Unggoy and [[Kig-Yar]] that were attempting to reactivate the tower before making his way outside, meeting another Marine who arrived with [[M831 Troop Transport Warthog|transport]] for the team. They speedily made their way back to the beachhead, where a flight of [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornets]] were waiting. [[Hocus]] told John that he would need to take a Hornet in order to safely escort a group of Pelicans to the third tower. The Spartan took control of one of the aircraft and made his way to towards the airspace of the second tower, where masses of Banshees were strafing the Sangheili Phantoms. With the arrival of John and the other UNSC craft, the Sangheili were able to engage their dropship's [[active camouflage]] and escape. Despite the Covenant having the numerical superiority, the UNSC air forces were able to succeed in wiping most of the Banshees out, driving the survivors back to the third tower, before destroying another Anti-Aircraft Wraith on a small island nearby. John was forced to contend with heavy opposition around the third tower entrance, including a pair of Anti-Aircraft Wraiths, a standard Wraith, Shade cannons and a massive pack of Jiralhanae. Prioritizing fire on the Wraiths, John was able to destroy the Covenant armor allowing the separatist Phantoms to return, deploying Thel 'Vadam, as well as [[N'tho 'Sraom]], [[Usze 'Taham]] and several other Sangheili. Together, they managed to crush all of the Jiralhanae around the tower, as well as the survivors inside the entrance. Inside, they discovered the corpses of many of Johnson's Marines, but the Sergeant himself was not among them. On the ground floor of the tower, the team was ambushed by a pair of [[Mgalekgolo]] and a swarm of [[Yanme'e]]. Through superior tactics, John and the Sangheili managed to bring down the Mgalekgolo pair and whittle down the Yanme'e, forcing the survivors to retreat back up the elevator shaft. Another pack of Jiralhanae fought hard to stop John and the Sangheili but they fell, shortly followed by the remaining Yanme'e who reemerged in a last-ditch attempt to halt their progress. Once again, John proceeded to the upper floor alone while the Sangheili remained behind. A War Chieftain and a pack of [[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalkers]] were the last Covenant soldiers in the tower and although they furiously defended the controls of the tower, they eventually fell to the lone Spartan. John deactivated the third tower's controls, finally dropping the protective shield. [[Rtas 'Vadum]] brought the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' in close, preparing to level the Citadel with the assault carrier's weaponry. Suddenly, a massive slipspace rupture above the Citadel heralded the arrival of [[High Charity]]. As the gargantuan former Covenant holy city-turned [[Flood hive]] plummeted towards the surface of the Ark, 'Vadum was barely able to exclaim his surprise before debris struck his assault carrier, punching straight through it. As more debris from High Charity showered the installation, a chunk smashed through the window of the third tower's control room. John stiffened, readying his [[MA5C assault rifle|assault rifle]] in anticipation of the [[Flood|foe]] he knew had arrived.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TC}} | ||
