Halo: Helljumper Issue 2

Halo: Helljumper Issue 2 was released on August 26, 2009 and is the second of five in the Halo: Helljumper series of comics.

Plot synopsis
After the ODSTs arrive on Ariel, they find the colony to be empty, with only one body to be found - one that appears to have died nonviolently. After investigating the main settlement complex and concluding that the method of operation is highly unusual for the Covenant, the Marines proceed further into an archaeological dig site.

Issue #2 begins with Dutch and Romeo in the colony's reactor complex, under fire from Covenant forces. The story then jumps back some time, back to the planet surface, where MSgt Frost orders the Marines to spread out and investigate the entire settlement. Dutch and Romeo head to the generator complex, where they find suspicious footprints. Deeper down to the subterranean complex, their communications link with the surface is disrupted.

Moving further, they switch on VISR and witness multiple Unggoy, guarded by Sangheili, digging for something in the reactor room. On the surface, Frost notices that Dutch's and Romeo's signal is gone, and contacts the other teams, including Campbell and Higgins in the motor pool. However, as they proceed to leave, they are ambushed and killed by Kig-yar. Meanwhile, Dutch and Romeo, with their comms still down, decide to head back to the surface to inform Frost of the situation. As they head back, they are attacked by Covenant. Under fire from Grunts and Elites, Romeo shoots a walkway's supports, bringing it down on two Elites. However, plasma bolts from a dying Elite's plasma rifle hit the reactor, damaging it to the point of imminent meltdown.

Dutch and Romeo escape, but encounter more Covenant forces in another room. With their communications back online, Romeo asks for backup, just as an Elite ambushes Dutch and easily overpowers him, knocking him down. Meanwhile, the generator explodes, setting off a chain reaction in the underground complex. The ODSTs on the surface detect this, and despite Michaels's protests, Frost decides to leave Dutch and Romeo behind and get into safe distance of the explosion.

Trivia

 * There is a notable reference to Shakespeare in this issue: when Romeo falls, and has Dutch grab him by the arm, the following page is a callout to Romeo and Juliet, down to the non-romantic level. (also note that in both cases, Romeo is the person under the "balcony".

Related articles

 * Halo: Helljumper
 * Issue 1
 * Issue 3
 * Issue 4
 * Issue 5