Editing Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn/Transcripts/Part 4

''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn]]'s [[cryo chamber]]s. [[Cortana]]'s voice can be heard.''

*'''Cortana''': "I don't recognize...."

''Cuts to a closer shot of one of the chambers.

*'''Cortana''': "I can't...remember.."

''One chamber suddenly burst open.''

*'''Cortana''': "...so much of myself."

''An air hose bursts under pressure, sending a ring-shaped pressure seal flying outward. Cuts to a wider shot of the room. ''

*'''Cortana''': "I'm lost..."

''Cuts from the screen showing a scan of the Forward Unto Dawn to a haphazard shot of the room.''

*'''Cortana''': "...I'm scared."

''As the shot suddenly goes into slow motion, light reflects off the ring and a dramatic chord plays, clearly an homage to the [[Halo Array|Halos]]. As the shot returns to regular motion, an orange light scans the ship, turning the alarms on. Cortana's voice suddenly overlaps.''

*'''Cortana''': "Hello? Who's there?"

*'''Cortana''': "It appears to be an [[Requiem|alien construct]]."

*'''Cortana''': "The data confirms it was not built by the [[Covenant]]"

*'''Cortana''': "No need for more analyzing."

''Cuts to black.''

*'''Cortana''': "We are in danger."

{{Center|'''HALO 4<br>
'''FORWARD UNTO DAWN'''<br>
<small>'''PART IV'''</small>'''}}

''Cuts to an ODST as he is blown apart by a grenade.''

*'''Marine''': "Incoming!"

''[[Thomas Lasky]], [[Chyler Silva]] and [[April Orenski]] run through a firefight between [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]], [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] and [[Covenant]] forces. [[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System|MA5Ds]], [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Plasma Rifles]], [[Type-51 Carbine|Covenant Carbines]] and [[Type-31 Rifle|Needle Rifles]] can be heard firing. Orenski can be seen trying to guide the other cadets. A Marine next to her is gunned down.''

*'''Orenski''': "Come on! Let's go!"

''Lasky looks around. A Marine screams as he is shot down by a Carbine round. A [[Sangheili Zealot]] fires its Plasma Rifle at a pair of fleeing cadets.  Lasky desperately shouts out for his teammates.''

*'''Lasky''': "Chyler! Hastati!"

''A cadet and a Marine are killed by Needler fire. Another Marine is engulfed in an explosion. Lasky then notices Colonel [[K.L. Mehaffey|Mehaffey]] wielding an [[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System|assault rifle]] and yelling at the cadets.''

*'''Mehaffey''': "Get to the dorms, go!"

''Lasky stares at her. Behind him, a Marine can be seen aiming a rocket launcher.''

*'''Lasky''': "Colonel Mehaffey...?"

*'''Mehaffey''': "Go, go, go go!"

''Mehaffey is suddenly hit by multiple Needler rounds as Lasky watches in horror. As she goes down, everything is now in slow motion. As Mahaffey falls off screen, there's a small explosion of pink light and blood (most likely the embedded Needler rounds detonating). Lasky continues to look on as the Zealot barks orders. Two ODSTs are seen shooting. As Lasky turns, a Marine is about to get ambushed by a [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]. Cuts to a brief shot of the Marine before going back into fast motion as Silva approaches Lasky.''

*'''Silva''': "Tom!"

''Silva pulls Lasky, still in a trance, by the arm.''

*'''Silva''': "Come on, let's go!"

''Cuts to more shots of Marines fighting.''

*'''Marine 1''': "Fall back!"

*'''Marine 2''': "Protect the cadets!"

''As the firefight tips even more to the [[Covenant]]'s favor, [[Junjie Chen]] grabs the pair.''

*'''Lasky''': "JJ, is that you?!"

*'''Chen''': "To the dorms!"

''Cuts to a shot inside the dorms. [[Hastati Squad]], minus [[Dimah Tchakova]] has regrouped.''

*'''[[Michael Sullivan|Sullivan]]''': "What's happened?"

''[[Walter Vickers|Vickers]] tries to open the doors to no avail.''

*'''Vickers''': "Doors are locked!"

*'''Sullivan''': "Over here; in Lasky's room."

*'''Silva''': "Come on, come on!"

''Hastati quickly squeezes into the room. Cuts to various close-up shots of the cadets as reality starts to sink into them.''

*'''Sullivan''': "Oh my god...Dimah, she's dead."

*'''Lasky''': "Colonel Mehaffey..."

*'''Vickers''': "We'll be too if we don't do something!"

''Sullivan scatters his hand on the [[Holotank|holotable]], trying to activate it but is unsuccessful.''

*'''Sullivan''': "Comms are offline"

*'''Vickers''': "It's a [[Human-Covenant war|whole new war]]."

''As everyone spaces out in disbelief, they hear a female cadet suddenly scream before she is silenced by a stabbing sound.''
*'''Vickers''': “That sounded close”
''Lasky goes up to the door and takes a peak. The Sangheili Zealot has stabbed the female cadet with its [[Energy Sword]].  It utters something in its native language.  As Lasky looks on in fear, the Zealot pulls its sword out of the dead cadet and deactivates it before suddenly [[Active camouflage|disappearing]]. Eyes widening, Lasky quickly retreats inside.''
*'''Lasky''': “It’s invisible”
*'''Vickers''': “What the hell’s invisible?”
*'''Lasky''': “One of the things is inside, and it’s invisible.”
''As everyone absorbs the information, Lasky looks out again. He hears the Elite growling.  Still cloaked, the Zealot bursts into another room and kills its inhabitants.''
*'''Lasky''': “Let’s go. We gotta get out of here.”
*'''Sullivan''': “No no no no, screw that. We stay here.”
*'''Chen''': “Where’re we gonna go?”
*'''Orenski''': “No no no no, we’re gonna go to the training room. We’re gonna get prepped up. We’re gonna get some weapons.”
*'''Chen''': “I’ll take point.”
*'''Orenski''': “Come on. Come on, line up!”

''Hastati lines up, with Chen in front.''

*'''Orenski''': “Alright. Tell us when. Tell us when, alright?”

''They hear the sound of glass shattering.''

*'''Sullivan''': "Jesus..."

''Chen takes a peek as the invisible Zealot goes into another room. A few moments later, the Zealot bursts into the room right next to Hastati’s.''

*'''Chen''': “Now!”

''Hastati squad runs out of the room. They come across a two-way where Chen leads the squad to the left before suddenly stopping, shock in his eyes.''

*'''Orenski''': “Go! Go go go! Hurry! What-”

''Chen is still, the shock not leaving his face.''

*'''Sullivan''': “Guys?”

''There is a harsh growling sound nearby.''

*'''Vickers''': “Why’d you stop, JJ?”

''As his glasses start to steam up, Chen is suddenly stabbed by the cloaked Zealot’s energy sword and lifted off the ground.''

*'''Vickers''': “JJ!”

''The Zealot drops JJ.''

*'''Vickers''': “Oh my god!”

''Everyone runs toward the right.''

*'''Sullivan''': “Move! Go, go go!”

''The Zealot snarls at the fleeing cadets.  Camera focuses briefly on Chen’s dead body. The rest of the squad arrives at the training room.''

*'''Orenski''': “Lasky, send the distress beacon. Chyler, help me get the weapons.”

''Orenski, Silva, Sullivan and Vickers head to the weapon compartment while Lasky works on the doorpad, trying to seal the door. Orenski begins entering codes while Silva and Vickers try to force the compartments open.''

*'''Orenski''': “It's locked! My code isn’t working!”

*'''Silva''': “Try again. Do it again!”

''Sullivan points at the door.''
*'''Sullivan''': “Lasky, door!”
''The cadets continue to attempt to arm themselves.''
*'''Sullivan''': “Lasky, door!”
*'''Lasky''': “Yeah, I’m-I’m trying!”
*'''Silva''': “April, come on!”
''The door shuts.''
*'''Lasky''': “Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is Cadet Thomas Lasky. I repeat, mayday! Mayday! There’s been an attack on Corbulo Academy. Excessive casualties. I repeat, excessive casualties.”
''Orenski backs from the weapons, giving up.''
*'''Orenski''': “I don’t have access to the live rounds.”
*'''Lasky''': “I think the beacon’s down as well.”
*'''Sullivan''': “We’re dead.”
*'''Orenski (slightly delusional)''': “Okay, alright. Think, think...”
''Lasky walks towards Orenski.''
*'''Lasky''': “We can’t stay in here, April.”
*'''Orenski''': “We can’t go out there!”
''As Lasky and Orenski look on, Vickers takes a fire extinguisher and starts to ram the compartments. Everyone looks at him before encouraging him on.''
*'''Lasky''': “Come on, Vickers! Harder!”
*'''Sullivan''': “Harder, Vickers!”
''As he is about to ram one more time, something begins to bang on the door. Everyone stops what they are doing and stare at the door in horror'''
*'''Orenski (faintly)''': “Hide.”
''The cadets quickly run to the back, where Vickers goes to the right and everyone else to the left. An alien roar is heard from behind the door.  As Vickers tries to rejoin with the others, an errant burst of sparks from the broken ceiling lights erupts in front of him and he is forced to stay separated. The Zealot outside can be heard speaking.  The banging continues. There's a few seconds of silence. Then the door is finally taken down, scaring all five cadets.''  

''Everyone except Vickers rushes to a new hiding spot.  Lasky presses a finger to his lips, indicating for Vickers to be quiet.  A frightened Lasky waits in his hiding spot as footsteps are heard. A cloud of exhaust steam leaking from a pipe is disturbed by an unseen force.  Then something steps over the knocked down door, making it move. The cadets all recoil in fear. They hear the invisible Zealot growl, and the sound of footsteps going past their hiding spot.''

*'''Lasky (whisper)''': “Go.”
''Everyone, minus Vickers starts to move forward. Vickers, still in fear, doesn’t move.''
*'''Sullivan''': “Lasky, go for the door.”
*'''Lasky''': “We can’t leave Vickers.”
''Close up on Vickers, breathing hard, still unable to move.''
*'''Silva''': “Where is it?”
''Lasky lies down and takes a quick peek. Everything is quiet until the Zealot’s cloaked foot hits a puddle. The Elite has turned back around.  Lasky quickly gets back up.''
*'''Lasky''': “Right there.”
''As everyone looks on in silent fear, the Zealot activates its energy sword and walks around, barely missing them. As it receives transmissions from its [[Unggoy]] subordinates, the Zealot de-cloaks. The Zealot begins angrily relaying orders back over its comm. Vickers, determination in his face, steps out of his hiding place.''
*'''Vickers''': “Hey! Guys, run!”
''Vickers raises the fire extinguisher, intending to charge.  The Zealot turns around and fires its plasma rifle, killing Vickers instantly.''
*'''Sullivan''': “Vickers!”
''Hearing Sullivan’s shout, the Zealot turns back and finds the other cadets. It says something in its native language and points its energy sword at them, the blade’s tip inches from Lasky’s face. The Zealot starts to laugh but stops as blood suddenly shoots out from the back of its neck. As it falls, [[Spartan-II|an enormous, armor-clad soldier]] pulls out his bloodied [[Combat knife|combat knife]] and activates his helmet lights. The number [[John-117|117]] is painted on his chest plating.  He looks over at the cadets and approaches them.  Cuts to the cadets looking at him in fear and awe.''

*'''John''': "We don't have much time. Let's go."

''Cuts to Lasky looking at him. Cuts again from Silva looking down.'' 

*'''John''': "[[Kelly-087|Kelly]], inform Command I have four survivors."

''Cuts again to Vickers' dead body. Cuts to a medium shot of the SPARTAN with the cadets.''

*'''John''': "Take your team north. Rendezvous at Evac Alpha for [[Pelican]] extraction."

''Silva rejoins the others. John turns to face the cadets.''

*'''John''': "We'll meet you there. Chief out."

''Cuts to a close-up of Lasky''

*'''Lasky''': "How did you find us?"

*'''John''': "A distress beacon."

*'''Sullivan''': "Why did you come for us?"

*'''John''': "You're the only survivors."

''Cuts to a close-up of Sullivan.''

*'''Sullivan''': "In the school?"

''Cuts to Sullivan's POV of John.''

*'''John''': "On the [[Circinius IV|planet]]."

''Lasky and Silva look away in shock.''

*'''John''': "We've got fifteen minutes to evac point. Armor up."

''Cuts back to Sullivan.''

*'''Sullivan''': "It's-It's locked."

''John looks at him before tearing the locker door open and throwing it aside.''

''Cut to the hallway. John leads the now geared up cadets out of the training room armory, all of their flashlights active. As the walk continues, they take up formation; John and Orenski in the front, Lasky and Silva on left/right with Sullivan watching the rear. All of a sudden, John signals the group to stop.''

*'''John''': “Stay quiet. Do not leave, no matter what you hear outside.”
*'''Lasky''': “Wait, who are you?”
''John looks at Lasky for a short second.''
*'''John''': “Call me [[Master Chief Petty Officer|Master Chief]].”

''As he walks away, Silva sits down on the floor in exhaustion.''

*'''Sullivan''': “I knew those [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] vids were bad news. Now we’re the only ones alive, and-”
''Lasky joins Silva on the floor.''
*'''Orenski''': “Sully, shh.”
*'''Sullivan''': “What the hell is going on? We’re all following a giant robot.”
''He turns to check the back.''
*'''Sullivan''': “Who knows if he’s even coming back?”
*'''Lasky''': “He’s gotta come back. I believe him.”
''Lasky turns to look down at Silva, who is looking uneasy.''
*'''Lasky''': “You ok?”
*'''Silva''': “I don’t know.”
*'''Lasky''': “Come here.”
''Lasky takes her helmet and puts it on for her.''
*'''Lasky''': “Hey. Hey, you’re gonna be fine.
''Lasky tightens her helmet.''
*'''Silva''': “Thanks.”

''There is suddenly a noise of something falling and faint screams can be heard. Footsteps can be heard as the lights start to flicker. Worried it's the Covenant, the cadets nervously aim their weapons.  As the footsteps get louder, lights suddenly come on; the Chief is back.''

*'''John''': “Who’s the best shot here?”
''The cadets look at him in confusion.
*'''Sullivan''': “…you probably?”
''John still waits for a response. Lasky ties his helmet and gestures to Silva.''
*'''Lasky''': “Chyler is.”
''The camera goes down to Silva, who nods in agreement.''
*'''Silva''': “I’m good”
*'''Orenski''': “I am too.”
''John turns to Lasky.''
*'''John''': “Cadet Lasky, can you drive a Warthog?”
''Lasky, unsure, stares at him for a short second.''
*'''Lasky''': "Uh...yeah. Sure"
*'''John''': “Good. That’s where we’re headed. Shooters on the left and right, driver in the center.”
''The cadets get ready to move out.''
*'''John''': “Stay close to me. It’s your best chance of survival.”

''Cuts to outside, close up on the body of a female cadet. John-117's feet enter the frame, followed closely by Lasky's.''

''As the [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] leads the group through the wreckage of the academy, the cadets are shocked by the decimation and death around them.  Lasky looks down, his gaze lingering briefly on the body of a fellow cadet. Orenski, rattled by a small explosion from behind her, turns around and sees the body of one of the ODSTs who attempted defend the academy. Sullivan looks around and sees another cadet partially buried under a pile of rubble. Silva reacts visibly to the sight of a female cadet and an academy instructor lying dead in each others' arms.'' 

''The survivors continue moving forward. Covenant ships can be seen in the distance, holding position and sweeping the area with search lights.  Eventually, the group spots a Warthog and starts to move towards it.''

''Sullivan is startled by an errant explosion in the background. He starts to lag behind a little.''
*'''Orenski''': “Sully, come on.”
*'''Sullivan''': “Where-Where’d [[Covenant|they]] all go?”
''A Needler round suddenly strikes Sullivan in the leg, who cries out in pain. Scene then switches to slow-motion as Sullivan sees a [[Kig-Yar Sniper]] standing on a roof firing another round aimed for his head. John comes in time to shield Sullivan and then turns around, firing his [[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System|assault rifle]].''
*'''John''': “Get down!”
''John shoves Sullivan down and returns fire. As the other three cadets take cover with Sullivan, John continues to fire, Needler rounds bouncing off his armor.''
*'''John''': “Get to the ‘Hog. I’ll draw their fire!”
''The explosions from the shooting temporarily blind the cadets’ vision. By the time they recover, the Chief is gone.''
*'''Orenski''': “Where’d he go?”
*'''Lasky''': “Chief!”
*'''Orenski''': “Cover me!”
''Orenski gets out of cover and takes up position.''
*'''Orenski''': “Lasky, go!”
''Lasky takes a moment to look at the other two cadets.''
*'''Lasky''': “You okay?”
''Silva nods.''
*'''Silva''': “I’ve got Sully. Go!”
''Lasky nods in response as Orenski starts to shoot.''
*''Lasky'': “Moving. Cover me!”
''Lasky gets up and runs toward the Warthog, Needle and Carbine rounds barely missing him. As he runs, Orenski keeps on firing. After a few deep breaths, Silva gets up to fire, only to have a small explosion cloud her vision, forcing her to go back.  She and Sullivan start to crawl away.''
*'''Silva''': “Stay low, stay low!”
''Lasky reaches the jeep, only to find the corpse of its driver, [[Black (general)|General Black]].  Putting his shock aside, Lasky pulls the superintendent’s body off of the driver’s seat. Orenski keeps firing until her rifle stops.''
*'''Orenski''': “Chyler, I’m out. Give me Sully!”
''Silva pushes Sullivan to Orenski, who takes the injured cadet. She pulls him aside just in time to avoid an explosion.''
*'''Orenski''': “I got you.”
''Lasky tries to activate the Warthog.''
*'''Lasky''': “Come on!”
''The Warthog malfunctions, causing Lasky to groan in frustration.''

''Silva keeps firing at the snipers until her rifle stops shooting. Out of ammo, Silva discards her MA5D before noticing a [[Type-51 Carbine]] lying in the rubble. She picks it up, accidentally firing a shot into the air. Getting a better grip, she takes aim and fires, taking out one of the Snipers.''

''Meanwhile Lasky tries more times and eventually reactivates the jeep. Almost immediately doing so, the sound of [[M6H Personal Defense Weapon System|pistol shots]] gets his attention. He looks up to see the Jackals getting killed one by one. He looks back to see John firing his pistol as he runs along the edge of a building, dodging enemy fires as he does so.''

*'''Silva''': "April, go!''

*'''Orenski''': "Come on, Sully!"

''Orenski grabs Sullivan and brings him safely to the Warthog.  John fires his pistol several more times before jumping off the building's edge. A slow-motion of him dropping down from a rather great height is shown. He lands with ease, as Silva looks in amazement.''
*'''John''': ''(gesturing to the Warthog)'' "Go!”
''Snapping out of her trance, Silva breaks for the Warthog.''
*'''Orenski''': “Come on, Chyler!”
''As Silva gets in, John takes the turret.''
*'''John''': “Drive!”
''Lasky floors it, allowing the group to leave the destroyed school.''
''Cuts to black.''