Editing Excavation Site

{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{disambig header|the [[Halo Infinite]] campaign level|the soundtrack|Excavation Site (music)}}
{{Level infobox
|pagegamelabel=HI
|prev = ''[[The Tower]]''
|next = ''[[Conservatory]]''
|game = ''[[Halo Infinite]]''
|devname=
|name = Excavation Site
|image = [[File:HINF SiteNovem.png|300px]]
|player = [[John-117]]
|date = [[2560#May|May 28-29, 2560]]{{Ref/Site|Id=CFCake|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-parasites-cake|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Parasite's Cake|D=31|M=01|Y=2026}}
|place = [[Site Novem]], [[Installation 07]]
|objective = *Investigate the Excavation Site
*Destroy the [[Flame-bore|mining laser]]
*Defeat [[Bassus]]
*Enter the Conservatory
|weapon=
|partime=
|parscore=
}}
{{Article quote|Griffin's intel suggests that the Banished are looking for something at this excavation site. Investigate and disrupt.}}
'''Excavation Site''' is the sixth [[campaign]] main mission in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'', under the third campaign section "Connections". 

==Overview==
{{Article quote|Led by Griffin's intel, Chief and the Weapon locate an excavation site, where the Banished are using a colossal mining laser to cut their way into the Conservatory. The Master Chief fights through legions of Banished, and the dig site commander Bassus, to clear the tunnel to the mysterious Forerunner facility.}}
Acting on Spartan [[Hudson Griffin|Griffin]]'s information, [[John-117]] and [[the Weapon]] investigated [[Site Novem]], a Banished excavation site. At the seemingly deserted dig site, they found that the Banished's [[Flame-bore|mining laser]] had cut through Forerunner columns into a [[Conservatory (location)|subterranean structure]]. Before they could enter, the mining laser activated, preventing the Spartan from entering the tunnel. After analysis by the Weapon, John-117 destroyed the mining laser's cooling pylons. When he returned to the mining laser's control room, he was met by the dig site security commander [[Bassus]].{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Outpost Intel 4|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #06 - Secrets Below}} The two fought, with the Spartan emerging victorious. John-117 shut down the laser, and prepared to enter the tunnel.

==Transcript==
'''{''Gameplay''}'''

''[[John-117]] exits the [[Tower]].''

*'''[[The Weapon|Weapon]]''': "I'm guessing whatever the [[Conservatory (location)|Conservatory]] is, the [[Banished]] won't want us anywhere near it."

*'''John-117''': "Then they'll be disappointed."

*'''Weapon''': "Yes they will."

----
''If the Chief stalls or does some other activity:''

*'''Weapon''': "Don't forget, we've got a solid lead to follow up at that dig site the Spartan mentioned."

----

''The Chief heads north towards the dig site. He breaks through a Banished blockade guarding a recently established bridge.''

*'''[[Fernando Esparza|Pilot]] (COM)''': "Hey, where are you going?"

*'''Weapon''': "The Banished are searching for something called the Conservatory."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "Let me guess: You're heading there too."

*'''John-117''': "Affirmative."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "Well, don't worry about me. I'll be here. Waiting. Alone."

*'''John-117''': "We'll be in touch."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "Just... don't leave me out here for too long. Okay? I mean it."

''The Chief approaches the dig site, which has been established at the base of a mountain ridge. The area around it is completely barren, the Banished having stripped the land of all natural resources.''

*'''Weapon''': "That [[Site Novem|Banished facility]] up ahead. Looks like a mining operation. That must be the dig site [[Hudson Griffin|the Spartan]] was talking about."

*'''Weapon''': ''(observing the desolate landscape)'' "What are the Banished doing here?"

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "They are doing exactly what they've been doing since they got here. Scavenging. Tearing everything apart to fuel [[Battle for Zeta Halo|the war]]."

*'''Weapon''': "How could they? They are ruining this place and for what?"

*'''John-117''': "To win."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "That already happened."

''The Chief enters the dig site and makes his way down the crater. Strangely, there are no Banished troops present.''

*'''Weapon''': "It's... kinda quiet, isn't it? There... that tunnel. The Banished must already be down below." 

'''{''Cutscene''}'''

''The Chief approaches the tunnel, which goes underneath the ridge itself. The Weapon's avatar appears in his hand.''

*'''Weapon''': ''(studying the tunnel)'' "This should be impossible. [[Forerunner]] alloy is almost indestructible. What do you think they-"

''She turns around.''

*'''Weapon''': ''(alarmed)'' "Chief!"

''Her avatar vanishes. The Chief turns around and looks up to see a massive [[Flame-bore|mining laser]] mounted at the top of the facility powering itself up and being aimed in the direction of the tunnel. The Chief dodges out of the way as the mining laser shoots four powerful beams into the tunnel, effectively blocking the entrance to the Conservatory.''

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

*'''Weapon''': "I guess we need to deal with that mining laser."

''Banished [[drop pod]]s are deployed, releasing multiple Brutes.''

*'''Weapon''': "Oh, and these guys."

''The Chief engages the Brutes.''

*'''Weapon''': "It looks like the laser's controlled up in the central structure."

*'''Pilot (COM)''': "Chief! The scanner just lit up! It was a trap. I ''knew'' it was a trap. What do I do?"

*'''John 117''': "Hold position. I've got this."

''More drops pods are deployed. An [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Phantom]] arrives and delivers even more hostile reinforcements.''

*'''[[Jiralhanae]] 1''': "What's wrong, Spartan? Afraid of the tiny mining laser?"

*'''Jiralhanae 2''': "The [[Reformation]] will not be stopped! It CAN'T be stopped!"

*'''Jiralhanae 3''': "Summon [[Bassus]]! The prey has arrived!"

''The Chief fights his way to one of the central structure's [[gravity lift]]s and rides it into the mining laser. Once inside, he engages the laser's crew.''

*'''[[Unggoy]]''': "He's tryin' to shut it off! Don't let him!"

''The Chief eliminates the crew.''

*'''Weapon''': "Looks like the laser controls are by that window."

''The Chief heads over to the terminal by an [[energy barrier]] at the front of the structure. He deploys the Weapon onto the terminal.''

'''{''Cutscene''}'''

''The Weapon stares at the laser beams blocking the tunnel.''

*'''Weapon''': "Just give me a sec..." 

''The terminal beeps but nothing else happens.''

*'''Weapon''': "Something's wrong. I can't shut it down."

*'''John-117''': "Then we destroy it."

*'''Weapon''': "Way ahead of you. There are two power regulators down there. All we need to do is manually expose each regulator's cooling pylon to trigger a cascade effect. And by we, I mean you. And by trigger, I mean shoot. Or blow up. You get the idea."

''John uploads the Weapon back into his armor.''

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

''A ramp at the back of the central structure lowers itself, leading outside. The Chief heads down the ramp and starts searching for his new targets. Phantoms and drop pods arrive with more enemy reinforcements that he has to deal with.''

*'''Weapon''': "That switch should open up the regulator."

''The Chief exposes the cooling pylons for one regulator.''

*'''Weapon''': "And there are the pylons. Take 'em out."

''The Chief destroys both cooling pylons. The regulator explodes.''

*'''Weapon''': "That should do it."

*'''John-117''': "One down. One to go."

*'''Jiralhanae Officer (loudspeaker)''': "Failure detected in cooling system. Deploy forces to protect the dig site. The Conservatory entrance must be protected!"

''The Chief exposes and destroys the cooling pylons for the other regulator, causing it to blow up as well.''

*'''John-117''': "And that's two."

*'''Weapon''': "Now let's head back up and deal with the laser."

*'''Jiralhanae Officer (loudspeaker)''': "The cooling system has failed! The dig site is compromised! Do not allow them access to the Conservatory! [[Bassus]], you have your orders!"

''The Chief goes back inside the central structure and heads to the controls again.''

'''{''Cutscene''}'''

''Master Chief's POV: The Chief starts to deploy the Weapon when something grabs him by the neck and lifts him off his feet. John finds himself face-to-face with an aged but fearsome-looking [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]]. The Brute chuckles menacingly and roars in his face, before flinging the Chief across the room. The Chief lands on his back. He sees the Chieftain approaching, [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]] in hand.''

*'''[[Bassus]]''': "Spartans not so tough, I think. Break open easy."

''The Chief uses his [[Grappleshot]] to pull a container towards him.''

*'''Bassus''': "Soft inside!"

''Bassus raises his hammer.''

*'''Weapon''': ''(urgent)'' "Chief?"

*'''John-117''': "I see him."

''The Chief uses the Grappleshot to swing the container around and strike Bassus on the side of the head, knocking the Brute off balance and causing his hammer to miss. The shockwave from the gravity hammer pushes John away from Bassus. The Chief gets back on his feet and faces the Chieftain.''

*'''Bassus''': ''(bellowing)'' "SPARTAAAAAAAAAN!"

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

{{Center|For Bassus' dialogue during the fight, see [[Bassus/Quotes#Boss Fight|here]].}}

''The central structure goes into lockdown.''

''Even by a Brute's standards, Bassus is incredibly strong and durable. It takes a lot of ammunition, but the Chief finally brings the Chieftain down.''

*'''Weapon''': "Didn't think we were gonna make it back there. Let's deal with the laser."

''If the Chief manages to kill Bassus quickly:''

*'''Weapon''': "I'm impressed. I can't believe how easy you made that look. Now let's deal with that laser."

''The Chief returns to the control terminal and deploys the Weapon.''

'''{''Cutscene''}'''

*'''Weapon''': "You've done your part. Now for mine."

''She cracks her knuckles.''

*'''Weapon''': "Watch this."

''She starts hacking the terminal.''

*'''John-117''': ''(when nothing seems to happen)'' "Is there a problem?"

*'''Weapon''': ''(grins)'' "Of course not."

''She snaps her fingers and the mining laser explodes.''

*'''Weapon''': "Let's see what's down there."

''The Chief retrieves the Weapon.''

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

''The central structure's lockdown is lifted.''

*'''Weapon''': "That laser was modified very recently to cut into the Ring."

*'''John-117''': "Modified? By who?"

*'''Weapon''': "Definitely not by Bassus back there. The formula is very sophisticated. [[Harbinger|Whoever]] made the change, they didn't just modify the Forerunner architecture. They ''improved'' it. Oh, and there are ''a lot'' of Banished in the Conservatory. They've been down there for days. We are walking into another trap."

*'''John-117''': "And you left that 'til last?"

*'''Weapon''': ''(teasingly)'' "Are you scared?"

*'''John-117''': "No. You?"

*'''Weapon''': "Of course not. I've got you to keep me alive. Oh, and sixty-three millimeters of [[titanium]] alloy wrapped around our [[Spartan neural interface|neural interface]]. I'll be fine."

*'''John-117''': "Good to know."

''Level ends.''

==Achievements==
The following [[Achievements (Halo Infinite)|achievements]] can be unlocked on ''Excavation Site'' across all editions of ''Halo Infinite''.
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;text-align:center;" |'''Xbox'''
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;text-align:center;" |'''Steam'''
! scope="col" style="width: 25%;height:20px;text-align:center;" |'''Title'''
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;height:20px;text-align:center;" |'''Unlock requirement'''

|-align="center"
|[[File:HINF Achievement Unearthed.png|114px]]
|[[File:HINF Achievement Campaign Steam.jpg|64px]]
|[[Unearthed (achievement)|Unearthed]]
|Shut down the Banished mining laser and gained access to the Conservatory.
|}

==Collectibles==
*'''Audio logs''' (2): [[HINF:Audio log/Banished/Escharum/04|Escharum's Testimony 04 - Demon]], [[HINF:Audio log/UNSC/Prisoner/03|Prisoner 03 - She Was Smiling]]
*'''Mjolnir armory lockers''' (1): [[Emblems and Nameplates (Halo Infinite)|Banished Nameplate (armor)]]
*'''[[Spartan core]]s''' (2)

==Production notes==
''Excavation Site'' was the first "large" point-of-interest developed for the campaign's open world, initially envisioned as a munitions base or a refinery. The mission was originally going to be the first place players head to after ''[[Outpost Tremonius]]'' until it was decided that Echo 216 was to take players towards [[FOB Golf]] in the mission ''[[Recovery]]'' instead.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=commentary|-ciLnvULYWM|Snazzy Weasel|Excavation Site - Halo Infinite - Developer Walkthrough}}

One of the first things prototyped for ''Excavation Site'' was the [[flame-bore]]'s mining laser, wherein a bunch of the game's vehicles were thrown into the laser's damage zone. Caleb Doughty, a gameplay designer for ''Halo Infinite''{{'}}s campaign and prototyper of ''Excavation Site'', created a video titled "Will It Blend?" where all of the game's vehicles were lined up and chopped up by the mining laser.

The mission's two points of interests—the cooling pylons of the flame-bore's power regulators, utilise two different kinds of enemy encounters. The cooling pylons due left of the excavated tunnel are defended by Brutes and Grunts attacking players head on, with many sandbox weapons around to replenish players. The cooling pylons due right of the tunnel are defended by Jackal snipers shooting players from afar, evoking the run-and-cover gameplay of earlier ''Halo'' titles' Jackal alleys. Both halves of ''Excavation Site'' have "upper" and "lower" lanes players can traverse, but the upper lane of the Jackal sniper half is noticeably more lethal, especially on higher difficulties.

At one point in development there were to be three pylons per power regulator, and the game would randomly pick two pylons for players to destroy, but this was scrapped in favour of two hand-placed pylons.

To mitigate players camping on top of Site Novem's flame-bore to snipe distant enemies, drop pods would have rained down. This dynamic spawning system was prototyped but only utilised in a few locations throughout the campaign.

Bassus was originally intended to throw the Master Chief out the window of the flame-bore's control room, with his boss encounter taking place outside. But due to issues with containing Bassus within the bounds of ''Excavation Site'' and preventing players from "cheesing" the encounter, Bassus and the player were locked into a claustrophobic fight within the central structure's interior.

==Mistakes==
*The flame-bore may appear to prematurely shut itself off during the run up to the boss fight with Bassus. However, the tunnel will still have the orange laser glow and will remain inaccessible until the player has defeated Bassus and destroyed the laser. The laser beams will reappear once the fight with Bassus starts.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HINF Excavation Site approach.png|Approaching Site Novem.
File:HINF Site Novem Power Regulator.png|John-117 and some UNSC marines arrive at Site Novem.
File:HINF Banished Mining Laser.png|John-117 sees the flame-bore about to fire.
File:HINF flame-bore firing.png|The flame-bore is fired.
File:HINF flame-bore blocking tunnel.png|Laser beams from the flame-bore blocking the tunnel's entrance.
File:HINF Site Novem Grav Lift.png|Approaching one of central structure's gravity lifts.
File:HINF Jiralhanae Chosen Warrior Flame Bore.png|The flame-bore's crew.
File:HINF Site Novem Laser Controls.png|John-117 finds the flame-bore's controls 
File:HINF Bassus.png|Bassus confronts John-117.
File:HINF BassusHammer.jpg|Bassus prepares to fight John-117.
File:HINF Bassus vs Rocket Launcher.png|Bassus takes a hit from a rocket launcher at close range.
File:HINF Bassus defeated.png|Bassus falls.
File:HINF Weapon Overloads Mining Laser.png|The Weapon prepares to overload the flame-bore
File:HINF Flame Bore explodes.png|The Weapon destroys the flame-bore.
File:HINF Flame Bore destroyed.png|The flame-bore after exploding.
File:HINF Site Novem Tunnel.png|The tunnel leading to the Conservatory.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/List}}

{{Levels|HI}}
[[Category:Halo Infinite campaign]]