Editing Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn/Transcripts/Part 5

''Open to the [[holotank]] inside {{UNSCship|Forward Unto Dawn}}. A blue holographic sphere rests on it. Cut to black.''

*'''[[Cortana]]''': "Wake me when you need me, you said."

''Opens to the [[Black|General Black]]'s [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|Warthog]] speeding down the forest path. [[Michael Sullivan]] groans loudly every time [[Thomas Lasky]] makes a small turn.''

''Lasky does as he was told, and continues down the path. Behind them, a [[Kig-Yar]] runs by. Cut to black.''

*'''John-117''': "Faster, cadet. Four minutes to the Pelican. We have to get off the planet!"

''Lasky presses down on the pedal. The Warthog's speed meter increases. Lasky continues to drive the Warthog down the path. Suddenly, a [[Type-1 Antipersonnel grenade|plasma grenade]] rolls out from the forest and into the Warthog's path, and detonates. Lasky yells in surprise.''  

''Time slows down as the Warthog drives through the smoke and continues down the path. Everything then speeds back up as the Warthog comes under Covenant fire from both sides. Plasma and needles hit the Warthog plating. A "Warning" appears on the Warthog speed meter, and the meter decreases. John fires the Warthog's turret and takes down a [[Kig-Yar Minor]].''

''Oresnki and Silva fire their assault rifles.''

''Needles continue to rain down on the Warthog. Lasky leans over toward the passenger's side to avoid getting hit.''

''Silva stands up from the seat, takes aim and fires in two short bursts, killing two Kig-Yar Minors. The Warthog continues on and the Covenant attackers outside the path seem to disappear.''  

''Lasky looks at the Warthog speed meter, which emits a beeping sound. He turns to Silva.''

''Silva looks at him. Suddenly, a Kig-Yar Minor appears directly in front of the Warthog. The vehicle smashes right into the alien, splattering the windshield with blood. Lasky, caught by surprise, hits the brakes. The Warthog comes to a sudden stop. Silva and Orenski jerk forward. Sullivan groans even louder in pain.''

''Silva looks down at her stomach, which she is covering with both hands. She moves her hands away, revealing a pink crystal embedded in her stomach.''

*'''Lasky''': "Come on…"

''The Chief looks around. Cuts to a wide shot of the Warthog in the jungle. Everything except the light of the vehicle is pitch-black. Cuts to Orenski looking around nervous as Kig-Yar can be heard screeching. Heavier footsteps can be heard as well.  Cuts back to Lasky trying to re-start the Warthog, still not noticing Silva's calls. Cuts to a close-up of Silva.''

*'''Silva''': "Tom?"

''Lasky finally turns around to face her, only to notice the Needler round in her stomach. Lasky panics.''

*'''Silva''': "Tom..."

''Orenksi listens to the sounds of more Kig-Yar in the distance. A strange green glow appears behind her.''

''Orenski and Lasky scramble out of the Warthog. The unearthly green glow filters through the trees. A monstrous roar is heard. Silva groans in pain. Orenski pulls Sullivan to his feet.''

*'''Lasky:''' "Just keep breathing. Just hang in there, okay? Hang in there. Come on."

''Lasky and Orenski succeed in getting Silva out of the vehicle.  They each take her by the shoulders and start carrying her away.''

''The cadets take off through the forest, as alien roars and rifle fire is heard behind them.''

*'''Lasky''' ''(crying)'': "Chyler..."

*'''John-117''': "I'm sorry. I need your ammo, cadets. It took everything I had to bring that thing down."

*'''Sullivan''': "Lasky, come on!"

*'''Orenski''': "Lasky, come on! Come on!"

''Lasky turns and takes a look at his reflection as the sounds of the alien behemoth draw closer. John-117 and the cadets sprint through the forest. A bright green projectile explodes not far from them. They come across a shallow depression and stop. They look back.  The second Hunter is closing in on them.  With no other choice, they jump into the depression.''

*'''John-117''': ''(on the radio)'' "You have to hold the Pelican. I ''won't'' leave them. Chief, out."

''Lasky sprints off in slow motion. The Hunter crests the hill and levels its [[assault cannon]] at him. It lets loose a shot that impacts behind Lasky, sending him tumbling face-first into the dirt. Lasky looks back and sees the alien charging its cannon again. Lasky scampers away through the woods. The Hunter roars and turns to follow him. John primes the grenade and charges the alien from behind but it turns and hits him with its shield, knocking him to the ground. The Hunter turns and aims at Lasky again. John gets to his feet and charges once more as the alien powers up its cannon. Just as it fires the Chief climbs its shield, disrupting its aim. The shot narrowly misses Lasky, sending him flying. John swings over the Hunter's shoulders, landing on its back. Lasky lands in a heap, unconscious. John shoves the grenade into the mass of [[Lekgolo]] worms in the creature's back, then flips off and away from it. The Hunter stands for a second, then explodes.''

''The Chief shields himself from the splatter, then stands as the opening melody of the [[Halo Theme]] plays. He walks over and stomps on a surviving worm. As Sullivan and Orenksi get to their feet and run to Lasky, John picks up a piece of the Hunter's shattered armor.''

''Lasky coughs and opens his eyes. Sullivan and Orenski help him to his feet.  They hear engines overhead.  The sun rises as the survivors make their way out of the forest and into a clearing where a Pelican sits, waiting. A Marine is kneeling down in a defensive position nearby.''

''As the cadets run towards the Pelican, John is met by another Spartan.''  

*'''John-117''': "Let's go!"

*'''Operator (COM)''': "Roger that. Thank God, Chief. Pelican is leaving the surface. Their bay is full. Spartans report three cadets, five Marines. Prepare a medical detail..."  

''The rest of the transmission becomes too faint to hear.  The cadets stare blankly back at the burning landscape that was once [[Corbulo Academy]]. The Covenant ships continue to hold position above the ruins.  Kelly reaches up and removes her helmet. The cadets stare, surprised at how young she is. [[Fred-104]] removes his helmet and receives more stares. Lasky, Kelly and Fred glance over at John who remains immobile, his weapon aimed out the rear hatch.''  

''Lasky looks up, shocked at what the SPARTAN just said. John nods and then looks away. Cadet Lasky, with a new sense in his eyes, tightens his grip on the piece, looks around and then closes his eyes as [[Commander]] Lasky opens his eyes on the bridge of the ''[[UNSC Infinity]]'', the flashback over.''

*'''Unknown [[Artificial Intelligence|AI]]''': "Shall I play it again, sir?"

*'''Lasky''': "No, that won't be necessary."

*'''Unknown AI''': "[[Andrew Del Rio|The Captain]] has ordered us into emergency slipspace protocols. Prepare for cryo."

''Lasky enters the cryo-chamber. Outside, the ''Infinity'' and a fleet of dozens of frigates and cruisers enters slipspace.''

''Cortana reaches for the "Reactivate" button. She hesitates, looking up at John in his cryo-chamber, her own image reflected in its surface. Cut to black.''