The terminals have been stated to be placed in more conspicuous locations than in the earlier games, as 343 Industries wishes all players to be able to find them.[4] Like the terminals of Halo 4, the Halo 2: Anniversary terminals are not hosted on the game disc and are only accessible online.[5] There are a total of thirteen terminals to be found in the game,[6] and two separate "Prologue" terminals.[7]
One
ONI File: Target Profile
The terminal in the armory, with the window in the background.
Campaign level: Cairo Station
The terminal is one of the computer consoles located in Cairo Station's Armory A-01, on the wall to the left of the doors leading into Commons B-01. The console's screen flashes "INCOMING MESSAGE" in red.
SUBMIT SECURITY CREDENTIALS:
SPARTAN-117
IDENTITY CONFIRMED
ACCESS GRANTED
TARGET PROFILE:
THEL 'VADAMEE, SUPREME COMMANDER
COVENANT FLEET OF PARTICULAR JUSTICE
TARGET VALUE: ALPHA
REPORT COMPILED BY LT. COMMANDER JAMESON LOCKE
The view pans around a wireframe hologram of the Arbiter as Locke narrates.
- Locke: "Pursuant to Office of ONI Retrieval and Acquisitions inquiry of 26 September, 2552, the following is a target profile of Thel 'Vadamee, Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, compiled by Lieutenant Commander Locke."
The view changes to a small Covenant shuttle docked at a gangway in The Rubble.
- Locke: "First confirmed contact with 'Vadamee came in 2535 on an unofficial human colony known as The Rubble. After-action reports from civilians, as well as Spartan units 006, 111, and 120 suggest that 'Vadamee was at that point a relatively minor functionary of the Prophet of Regret."
'Vadamee stalks through passages aboard the Infinite Spoils, when a shadow flits across the foreground. He readies his energy sword as Jai-006 rushes him, tackling him to the ground. Jai attempts to train his rifle on 'Vadamee's head, but 'Vadamee bends the barrel. Jai tosses the weapon away and takes out his combat knife. The two briefly grapple, and 'Vadamee headbutts Jai. Another Elite arrives and begins firing upon Jai, who gets up and retreats.
The scene changes to space in orbit around a glassed planet, where human forces attack the Fleet of Particular Justice with Longswords.
- Locke: "Spartan-006 engaged 'Vadamee in combat. Both parties survived the encounter. Shortly after 2535, the UNSC first encountered the newly-formed Fleet of Particular Justice, now led by 'Vadamee."
A Longsword flies by an assault carrier, and is fired upon by a pursuing Seraph. The Longsword is hit and loses control, glancing off the hull of another assault carrier.
- Locke: "Review of early engagements with this fleet show that it quickly grew in size from five to nearly sixty ships, as 'Vadamee cut a path through many human systems."
Two MAC platforms in orbit around a planet attempt to fend the fleet off, but each are hit with a plasma charge, which shatters the stations.
- Locke: "ONI Section 3 made multiple attempts to anticipate, or even track 'Vadamee's movements, at the cost of a number of operatives' lives."
A CCS-class battlecruiser speeds through space, under fire from two Marathon-class heavy cruiser and one Stalwart-class light frigate. Two CCS-class battlecruisers and one CAS-class assault carrier drop out of slipspace. The carrier burns into the human ships with their energy projectors.
- Locke: "'Vadamee eluded all such efforts and he continued his unpredictable and devastating campaign. 'Vadamee also stands out from other Covenant commanders in the frequency in which he takes a personal role in ground assaults."
'
Vadamee throws the dead body of a UNSC Marine to the ground and roars.Two
ONI File: Honor Bound
The terminal is a computer screen in the darkened ground floor of the small building.
Campaign level: Outskirts
The terminal is a computer screen located on ground floor of the small building in the beach area before entering the highway tunnels. The console's screen flashes "INCOMING MESSAGE" in red.
SUBMIT SECURITY CREDENTIALS:
SPARTAN-117
IDENTITY CONFIRMED
ACCESS GRANTED
TARGET PROFILE:
THEL 'VADAMEE, SUPREME COMMANDER
COVENANT FLEET OF PARTICULAR JUSTICE
TARGET VALUE: ALPHA
REPORT COMPILED BY LT. COMMANDER JAMESON LOCKE
Cut to a hologram of Camber with UNSC cruisers and frigates in orbit as Locke narrates.
- Locke: "Camber was a major manufacturing center for UNSC fleet materials with a population of 5.6 million."
The camera quickly pans to several orbital defense platforms defending the planet. The Fleet of Particular Justice enters the system from slipspace. The Covenant fleet begins to attack the ODPs and UNSC ships.
- Locke: "After discovering Camber's location, 'Vadamee penetrated the early-warning perimeter without alerting UNSC forces, and began his ground and orbital attacks before most of the planet knew they were in danger."
The camera quickly pans to four CAS-class assault carriers plasma bombarding the surface of Camber with energy projectors and pulse laser turrets.
- Locke: "While seventeen of his ships bombed key defensive positions, 'Vadamee led a group of Elites in a personal assault on UNSC system HQ."
Cut to the UNSC HQ on Camber in the rain. The nearby streets are bombed by plasma.
- Locke: "One of the first units to engage 'Vadamee was the 3rd Battalion Reserves, who were so unprepared for the arrival of the Covenant forces that 'Vadamee found them unarmed and defenseless."
Cut to the view of a helmet recorder sitting on a bench that observes numerous UNSC Marines preparing for combat in a locker room while alarms are sounding. One Marine picks up the helmet with the recorder and dons it. The Marines begin to run towards the exit of the room, unarmed. Suddenly, a door explodes and the Marine with the helmet recorder is knocked to the ground. The view fades to black.
- Locke: "In an unexpected display of what appears to be honor, 'Vadamee allowed the 3rd to finish gearing up before engaging them in combat."
Fade to the Marine with the helmet recorder looking at two Special Operations Sangheili and 'Vadamee approaching, wielding a plasma rifle. The two Sangheili prepare to attack the wounded Marines, but 'Vadamee stops them. He looks towards the Marine with the helmet recorder and drops his plasma rifle. 'Vadamee activates his energy sword and active camouflage. Two other two Sangheili do the same.
- Locke: "While we have had multiple reports of a strict system of honor and ritual behavior followed by Elites within the Covenant, this is the first recorded example of such honor being shown to human opponents. But even given the chance to defend themselves, the 3rd Battalion losses were complete."
The Sangheili wait while the Marine picks up his assault rifle. The Marine fires his rifle and 'Vadamee charges at him. 'Vadamee picks up the Marine and the view switches to a nearby surveillance camera. 'Vadamee impales the Marine and the view switches back to the Marine's helmet recorder as the Marine dies and is dropped to the ground. The rest of the Marines in the locker room fire at the three Sangheili, but all humans are eventually killed.
- Locke: "'Vadamee continued his campaign across many human systems, culminating in his most devastating blow against the UNSC at Reach."
Cut to a view of the glassed Camber with numerous destroyed ships over the planet. A counter showing the planet's human population appears and begins sharply decreasing. Fade to black.
CAMBER POPULATION
81,313
[KNOWN SURVIVORS]Three
ONI File: Particular Justice
The terminal is a computer screen in the Marine command post, behind the first two Marines.
Campaign level: Metropolis
The terminal is a computer screen located near the stairs at ground floor of the Marine command post, after being greeted by Perez. The console's screen flashes "INCOMING MESSAGE" in red.
| “
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Leveling the playing field.
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”
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SUBMIT SECURITY CREDENTIALS:
SPARTAN-117
IDENTITY CONFIRMED
ACCESS GRANTED
TARGET PROFILE:
THEL 'VADAMEE, SUPREME COMMANDER
COVENANT FLEET OF PARTICULAR JUSTICE
TARGET VALUE: ALPHA
REPORT COMPILED BY LT. COMMANDER JAMESON LOCKE
Cut to the stormy atmosphere of Reach as Locke narrates. The camera pans down towards an assault carrier glassing the planet. Cut to several Covenant ships glassing a city on Reach.
- Locke: "'Vadamee's most recent and damaging blow to the UNSC was the Fall of Reach. ONI has still not been able to fully determine how 'Vadamee located the planet. And once again, he caught us completely by surprise when his forces arrived in orbit and on the ground."
Cut to an overview of several planets with a figure beside each planet showing the world's population. Each planet has been glassed by Thel 'Vadamee. The camera pans past Estuary, Mesa, Greydowns, Kroedis II, Alluvion, and Bounty as each world's population decreases.
- Locke: "'Vadamee is responsible for over one billion total casualties and the loss of at least seven human planets. His forces have defeated all UNSC counter-attacks at the cost of one hundred-twenty-three fleet vessels and over twenty-three thousand personnel."
The camera pans to several destroyed UNSC cruisers and then to the helmet of a Marine with several dead Marines floating in space nearby. The camera pans backwards to the first planet displayed—Reach—as its population drops.
- Locke: "And now with Reach lost, ONI and UNSC strategic AI report a zero percent confidence that the Navy can stop 'Vadamee through traditional means."
The scene pans to a UNSC and Covenant fleet engagement depicted in a hologram. Then the scene switches to a group of UNSC Pelicans becoming surrounded by Phantoms over a planet's mountain range. The camera pans to an overhead view, showing the Pelicans are vastly outnumbered. The Phantoms begin to fire at the Pelicans and a warning appears.
EXPECTED UNSC SURVIVAL RATE: 0%
- Locke: "In the opinion of this investigator, 'Vadamee is the most dangerous Covenant military asset on the field. It's common knowledge that the Covenant have a significant technological advantage over the UNSC, but are sometimes inflexible in their tactics. This is not the case for 'Vadamee. We cannot predict what he'll do next. But, given time, we fear that he will dismantle all remaining UNSC strongholds."
Cut to a hologram of Thel 'Vadamee.
- Locke: "This agent's recommendation: immediate termination. If humanity wants to survive this war, we cannot do it with 'Vadamee on the field."
Four
Monitor Report: Heresy Indeed
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal, just above the exit door of the room bisected by two gas canister conveyors.
Campaign level: The Arbiter
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in the room bisected by two Forerunner gas canister conveyors, at the top of the ramp in the far right of the room.
| “
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343 Guilty Spark reaches out for assistance.
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”
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Space, in high orbit over Threshold. Installation 04 explodes, sending a shard careening across the ring's diameter and through the other side, further shattering it. The camera pans to follow 343 Guilty Spark, having just escaped the destruction.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Quite unacceptable."
Guilty Spark watches the Master Chief's Longsword fly away, and then focuses his attention on the planet below. He scans it and detects the Threshold gas mine. Guilty Spark makes his way to the gas mine. Fade to his meeting with Sesa 'Refumee.
- 'Refumee: "Glorious day! The Prophets will be pleased that we have rescued an Oracle from the humans' violation of the Holy Temple!"
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Why do you keep calling it a 'Temple?' My installation was a weapon, and one which we needed very, very badly."
- 'Refumee: "But Oracle, I do not understand. We were told the rings are salvation; a gateway to paradise."
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Told? By whom? Anyone who told you that is a fool or quite, quite mad. That installation was a beautiful tool, designed to destroy everything the Flood might feed on."
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Oh, quite everything. And if even one Flood spore survived the destruction of my ring..."
- 'Refumee: "Communications: shut down all lines to the fleet. We will not notify the Prophets of our discovery until I hear everything this Oracle has to say."
- 343 Guilty Spark: "I will gladly share what I am permitted, but we have little time. What has been unleashed here could destroy everything you have ever known."
- 'Refumee: "On that, Oracle, we are in agreement."
Camera cuts to the outside of the gas mine, and pans upward to the shattered ring hanging silently above. Cut to black.Five
Monitor Report: Containment
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal, behind the wall in the large room after exiting the large lift.
Campaign level: The Oracle
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in the large room after exiting the large lift, behind the wall opposite to the exit door.
| “
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343 Guilty Spark communicates his puzzlement.
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”
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Fade in to an extreme close-up of 343 Guilty Spark's face.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Your actions do not make sense. Proper protocol for a Flood outbreak is to establish immediate infection reporting! Communications must be maintained with all local forces in order to track any spread of the parasite."
- Sesa 'Refumee: "There are no local forces, Oracle. Now, all you have is me."
- 343 Guilty Spark: "But I tracked multiple ships in orbit, including some remaining human presence! In light of the danger posed by the Flood, surely you can set aside this disagreement with the humans and–"
'Refumee and Guilty Spark begin walking through the facility as they talk.
- 'Refumee: "No! Anything still alive in orbit is our enemy. The humans have very good cause to kill us on sight, and the knowledge you share with me casts doubt on the entire purpose of our Covenant. If any of our ships remain above us, they are not the help you seek."
- 343 Guilty Spark: "But why would they not provide assistance? Because of this talk of 'Prophecies' and 'Journeys?'"
Fade to a holographic representation of the Truth and Reconciliation.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "I learned a small amount about your Covenant before that Reclaimer blew up my installation.
The scene shows John-117 firing a rocket launcher at the engines of the UNSC Pillar of Autumn, and a recollection of Spark's time talking at the Truth and Reconciliation's AI.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "But my understanding is incomplete. The AI I encountered aboard one of your ships was less than forthcoming."
- 'Refumee: "What you need to know, Oracle, is that thousands of years ago, at the founding of our great Covenant, a bargain was struck between the Prophets and the Elites. A bargain which I fear will be the end of us."
Fade to black.Six
Covenant Record: Will of the Prophets
The terminal is a Covenant terminal to the left of the hologram of Prophet of Regret in the Forerunner structure containing the switch to extend the bridge.
Campaign level: Delta Halo
The terminal is a Covenant terminal in the room of the Forerunner structure contains the first hologram of Prophet of Regret and the switch which extends the bridge.
| “
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A tale of might and meddling.
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”
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The scene opens high above the lower districts of High Charity. The camera slowly zooms toward the center of the cityscape, and it enters a cloud. The scene fades to a closer view of the structures in the lower districts and tracks through the urban sprawl until it reaches a high tower covered in accessways and landing pads meant for San'Shyuum anti-gravity chairs. The camera moves through a door on the outside of the building and into the private chambers of a San'Shyuum scribe as he works on his terminal.
- Scribe: "Regarding the history of the Covenant and its glorious founding species, the San'Shyuum and Sangheili, the Record of Punished Deeds would not be sufficient without a word on the Arbiter. Not the consignment of shame that it is currently, but what came before; the legendary warriors of Sangheili past."
The camera zoomed closely into the scribe's right eye, and the scene then switches to a scene in a craggy wasteland on Sanghelios, long ago. The bodies of dead Sangheili litter the ground, as an ancient Arbiter stands atop a hill triumphant, his cape billowing in the wind as lightning flashes around him.
The scene fades to another view of the waste, a great dust storm blowing. Vast lines of Sangheili form to pay homage to this Arbiter.
- Scribe: "They ruled their world with pride, and vigilance, surviving the perils of both land and sea."
The scene cuts to a large trireme-style ship with an ornate metal figurehead and ram tossing in a great gale on an ocean. The ship steers directly into a massive wave, as the rowers attempt to drive their ship upward.
- Scribe: "These were the Arbiters of old; part king, part judge. Warrior-rulers unlike any of which would follow."
An Arbiter clad in crimson loincloth and cape stands atop a platform in a city on Sanghelios, and raises his blade, roaring. The crowd below him cheer and raise their fists to the sky in answer. The scene fades to a scene on a cliff on the world of Ulgethon. Three Sangheili, including one in Arbiter body armor stand atop the cliff, looking across a canyon at the Forerunner Dreadnought. The Arbiter holds a blade covered in blood.
- Scribe: "When we arrived on their frontier world of Ulgethon, the cost of life was severe. Led by a mighty Arbiter, the Sangheili resisted our entreatment with ruthless force, leading to decades of war."
An anti-gravity device covered in a large cloth floats over to the waiting San'Shyuum. One of the San'Shyuum gingerly moves the cloth, and a look of shock and despair crosses his face as he views what is under the cloth, currently offscreen. The Dreadnought immediately begins takeoff. The winds generated by its thruster blow the cloth off the anti-gravity device, revealing a pile of severed San'Shyuum heads.
- Scribe: "We would eventually triumph, of course, and when we did, we would not ignore the mantle of the Arbiter."
Fade to a Forerunner structure on an unknown world. Several Sangheili kneel before a group of San'Shyuum.
- Scribe: "Like all things, we would bend the Sangheili to our own ends. The Arbiters would become the very will of the Prophets."
The same San'Shyuum that unveiled the butchery of the San'Shyuum ambassadors looks down upon the kneeling Sangheili, a slight look of satisfaction on his face.Seven
Monitor Report: Unequal Union
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal behind the large hologram of Prophet of Regret
Campaign level: Regret
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in the large submerged room with Kig-Yar Snipers, Yanme'e, Sangheili Honor Guardsmen, and a pair of Mgalekgolo. The terminal is on the upper level, on the pillar behind Prophet of Regret's hologram.
| “
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Losing one's religion.
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”
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Fade in on 343 Guilty Spark and Sesa 'Refumee.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "For generations our holy arrangement put the Prophets in charge of religion and technology."
As 'Refumee speaks, the scene fades to High Charity, where four Sangheili are walking down a hallway. Behind them, three Prophets sit in their gravity thrones, watching.
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "The Elites led our military forces to convert new species, and find relics such as your Halo."
Scene fades to show a group of Sangheili battling an unseen enemy. Scene fades back to High Charity, showing the four Sangheili delivering a large Forerunner artifact to the three Prophets. The Sangheili place the artifact on the floor and kneel before the Prophets.
Scene switches back to Guilty Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "And these relics you sought, the San'Shyuum, your Prophets, told you that they would lead you on this 'Great Journey'?"
Cut to 'Refumee, who pulls out a plasma rifle and opens its heating vents.
- 'Refumee: (examining the weapon) "Yes. Transcendence. Eternal life. Their promises were endless. We gave up our old ways to follow the Prophets' lead on the Great Journey."
He closes the plasma rifle's heating vents and puts the weapon away.
Scene fades to High Charity, showing an overhead shot of hundreds of Sangheili gathered before the Hierarchs in the High Council Chamber.
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "Gave up all of our history. All of our traditions..."
The Elites all kneel before the Prophets.
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "Not all of your traditions, it seems. This Arbiter you mentioned, hasn't that always been a position of power for your species?"
Close up on one of the Hierarchs, who raises his hands as he gives a religious sermon.
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "Power?"
Scene switches back to the kneeling Elites. Camera slowly zooms in to focus on one particular Elite, who raises his head.
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "It was long ago..."
Scene fades to show an Arbiter wielding a pair of Energy Swords and impaling an enemy Sangheili through the chest.
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "An Arbiter was once the pinnacle of our people. Leader of the clans, and Master of the battlefield."
Scene switches back to 'Refumee and Guilty Spark.
- 'Refumee: "But then, an Arbiter committed heresy. And an example was made of him."
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Heresy?"
- 'Refumee: "He challenged the word of the Prophets."
Scene switches to High Charity, showing Fal 'Chavamee gesturing angrily as he argues with a Hierarch.
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "Challenged... and lost."
Close-up of the Hierarch, who glances to the right. Two shadowy figures emerge to confront 'Chavamee. Cut to a close-up of a helmeted Sangheili with glowing purple eyes. Scene fades to white.
Scene fades in to an overhead shot of a snow-covered field, where 'Chavamee and Haka both lie dead, having killed each other in battle.
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "So the title of Arbiter became a badge of shame for our most spectacularly failed warriors."
Scene fades back to High Charity. 'Chavamee's bloodstained helmet rolls along the floor before coming to a stop. Scene rotates clockwise to reveal a Hierarch, standing with his back to the camera. Scene continues to rotate, and the helmet is obscured by the Prophet's arm.
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "Hmm. Yes, they were accomplished manipulators - back before the firing of the Array. I see at least that hasn't changed."
Scene continues to rotate and seamlessly changes to show a newly appointed Arbiter kneeling before the Hierarch. The Hierarch places the helmet onto the Arbiter's head.
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "Manipulators? What?!"
Scene fades to 343 Guilty Spark.
- 'Refumee: (off screen) "And before? Before when?"
Scene pulls back to show Guilty Spark studying a rotating holographic image of an Arbiter's helmet.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "I will explain later. Right now, I want you to tell me everything you can of these Arbiters."
Eight
Covenant Record: Taming the Hunters
The terminal is a Covenant terminal behind a wall.
Campaign level: Sacred Icon
The terminal is a Covenant terminal in the room with the final piston of the level. The room is easily identified by the fact that it is completely devoid of combat; the only Flood in the room are dead. The terminal is behind a wall on the right side of the room.
Scene opens on the San'Shyuum scribe operating a holographic terminal. Close-up on his face.
- Scribe: "Our holy city was not always as it is..."
Cut to the scribe standing on an outside platform overlooking present day High Charity. The Forerunner Dreadnought can be seen in the background.
Scene dissolves to High Charity in the past. Most of the structures are different, except for the Dreadnought.
Fade to a Sangheili kneeling before a Hierarch.
- Scribe: "At one time, it was only San'Shyuum and Sangheili."
The Hierarch places his hand over the Sangheili's helmet in a blessing.
- Scribe: "But as we grew, and new species were added to our number, radical steps had to be taken."
A Covenant craft resembling a Phantom lands outside. Close-up of the Sangheili's helmeted face.
- Scribe: "Our first encounter with the Lekgolo was an effort in futility."
The craft departs High Charity. Fade to black.
Fade in on the planet Te.
- Scribe: "The blasphemous creatures had devoured a Forerunner orbital-"
Zoom in on the moon Rantu.
- Scribe: "-shattering its remains into a trillion pieces."
Cut to a Covenant HUD displaying the surface of the moon.
- Scribe: "What was left became the rings of Te."
A Covenant craft lands on Rantu. Cut to a close-up of a Lekgolo worm. A Sangheili's foot steps into frame. The worm slithers away.
- Scribe: "As no conventional methods could purge the rings of their infestation, we sent one of our most faithful: an Arbiter."
Close-up of the Arbiter, followed by an overhead shot of him following the fleeing worm.
- Scribe: "For a full year, this Arbiter ventured across the surface of one of their moons, learning both their strengths..."
The Arbiter uses his EVA jetpack to descend into a pit. Fade to black.
- Scribe: "...and their weaknesses."
Open up on the Arbiter as he lands at the bottom of the pit. He readies his plasma rifle.
- Scribe: "It was there that we discovered the Lekgolo's secret."
The Arbiter casts his suit's search lights around, revealing an enormous mass of Lekgolo in front of him. The worms begin to stir. Several rise up and form a Hunter-like creature.
- Scribe: "Although some of their kind rightly bore the blame for the orbital's desecration, others had only devoured around the Forerunner materials."
The Hunter starts to advance on the Arbiter, who opens fire. After taking several hits, the creature falls apart. Three more Hunters rise up from the Lekgolo mass.
- Scribe: "And with reasoning and much labor, these could be used to serve the Covenant."
Fade to black.
Fade to inside the Dreadnought, where the Arbiter stands behind a pair of Hierarchs who are inspecting a large structure.
- Scribe: "And by these means, the great Arbiter had given us one of our most sought-after treasures."
Close-up of the Hierarchs. One of them is holding a Lekgolo worm, which he places inside the structure. Cut to a close-up of the worm as it slithers its way into the structure through a glowing bluish-white opening.
- Scribe: "Access to innumerable processing pathways of the mighty Forerunner Dreadnought, and to the many secrets it held."
Nine
Monitor Report: Divine Inspiration
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in the lower level of the first large room in the crashed Sentinel manufacturing facility.
Campaign level: Quarantine Zone
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in the first large room in the crashed Sentinel manufacturing facility. It is on the lower level, beneath the platform on the far side of the room.
Fade into the Threshold gas mine. A Phantom flies by the window. Pan across to 343 Guilty Spark as he follows Sesa 'Refumee down a hallway.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "It is most unusual that in all the exploits of these Arbiters, you never mentioned their role in choosing their missions of redemption."
- Sesa 'Refumee: "There is no role, Oracle."
He stops in front of a holographic terminal.
- 'Refumee: "Once one of our commanders becomes an Arbiter, he belongs to the Hierarchs."
He activates the terminal, displaying a series of holographic recordings. 343 Guilty Spark studies the recordings.
Close-up of Guilty Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "These Hierarchs, they are the same High Prophets who control all the 'Holy Relics' you collect from my time?"
Terminal shows a holographic rendition of an Arbiter impaling an enemy Sangheili. Scene circles around toward 'Refumee.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "And they use these relics to build your new weapons? And bring you the word of your gods?"
- 'Refumee: "It has always been so..."
Scene fades to High Charity, where a Hierarch is studying the same holographic image as 'Refumee and Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "Interesting... Am I a 'Holy Relic?'"
- 'Refumee: (voiceover) "I... I do not understand."
The Hierarch glides away from the hologram and joins two other Hierarchs who are gathered around several hovering Forerunner artifacts.
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "Because I am certainly not a god."
Close-up on another Hierarch who has his hands raised in prayer.
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "I am a tool. As is this mining platform you stand upon. As was the installation that once orbited the planet."
Scene pans up to focus on the one of the floating artifacts, before cutting to a close-up of the first Hierarch as he too raises his arms in prayer.
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "The Forerunners' technology is lasting and indeed quite powerful. But I'm quite certain they would have told me if I was infused with some kind of 'divine power.'"
Overhead shot of the Hierarchs as they continue their prayer.
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "I suspect some of your Prophets may have been quite aware of how much 'divine inspiration' tools such as myself could provide."
Fade back to the gas mine with Guilty Spark and 'Refumee. Cut to a close-up of Guilty Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "And you never questioned these proclamations?"
Cut back to Guilty Spark and 'Refumee.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Even your mightiest warriors? These Arbiters never questioned?"
'Refumee lowers his head slightly.
- 'Refumee: "Questioning is what brought shame to the word 'Arbiter' long ago, Oracle."
- 343 Guilty Spark: "How disappointing."
Cut to a long shot of 'Refumee and Guilty Spark standing in the hallway.
- 'Refumee: "I fear now that there are many questions we should have been asking for a long, long time."
Cut back to focus on Guilty Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "I would be more than happy to answer any such questions, but I have a few more for you. Continue your tale of these Arbiters."
Ten
Covenant Record: Unggoy Rebellion
The terminal is a Covenant terminal near the exit door of the first Valley of Tears.
Campaign level: Gravemind
The terminal is a Covenant terminal in the first Valley of Tears. At the top of the cliff on the far side of the valley, near the exit door, on the wall behind where a Kig-Yar Sniper spawns, it can be found on the wall.
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Of Unggoy and uprisings?
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”
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Fade in on present day High Charity. A Covenant craft flies over the city. The Scribe is onboard.
- Scribe: "Whereas most species were grafted into the Covenant by faith, or mutual beneficence, the Unggoy were not such."
Cut to the city below, where a pair of Unggoy stare up at the Scribe's craft.
- Scribe: "Their kind was brought into the fold by force."
Fade back to the Scribe.
- Scribe: "And it was by force that they were held captive."
Fade to black.
Fade in on a Covenant fleet approaching the Unggoy world Balaho.
- Scribe: "Their world had no prayer against our might and majesty."
Cut to the surface of Balaho, where a single Unggoy stands in the middle of the rain, watching a Covenant CAS-class assault carrier in the distance. The carrier's gravity lift is activated.
- Scribe: "And their peoples were quickly laid low. Many of them brought into subjugation."
Zoom in on the gravity lift, where dozens of Unggoy prisoners, trotting in two single file lines on opposite sides of the platform, enter the lift, while armed Sangheili stand guard. Cut to black.
Fade in to a close-up of an Unggoy glaring at the purplish light of the gravity lift.
- Scribe: "Yet while some species would perish under such pressure..."
Cut to a mass of Unggoy being herded down the carrier's ramp and into High Charity. Sangheili and Kig-Yar stand guard.
- Scribe: "...others rise to the occasion, taking arms if need be. Fighting back."
A single Unggoy turns around and stares hatefully at a Kig-Yar, who stares back with just as much animosity.
- Scribe: "Such it was for the Unggoy when their feud with the Kig-Yar led to rebellion."
Fade to black. Fade in on a pair of Kig-Yar sabotaging some equipment.
- Scribe: "An effort by the Kig-Yar to sterilize the Unggoy population was met with stiff resistance."
Fade to black. Fade in on an Unggoy holding the body of a fellow Unggoy in its arms.
- Scribe: "And for a time, the holy city was thrown into chaos."
An Unggoy joins another Unggoy on a rooftop. It fires a Fuel Rod Gun at some Kig-Yar below.
- Scribe: "Once fully provoked, the Unggoy were merciless in their violence. Lashing out at all species."
Cut to a distant shot of the city as explosions erupt throughout. Scene cuts to a street-level view, where a lone Sangheili is pinned down under a heavy torrent of plasma pistol fire from Unggoy insurgents. The Sangheili fires his plasma rifle back at the rebels, but to no avail.
- Scribe: "Their large numbers and their tenacious volatility made them a suitable challenge, even for the Elites."
Pan upwards to a Phantom flying overhead. The dropship is hit by a fuel rod blast and explodes.
Cut again to a distant shot of the city in chaos as the fighting intensifies.
- Scribe: "And yet again, we turned to an Arbiter."
Fade to a newly appointed Arbiter being anointed by four Prophets. Scene circles around him as he puts on his helmet.
- Scribe: "And with a ferocity unparalleled since the beginning of the Covenant, the Unggoy world would be reduced to glass."
Fade to Balaho. An assault carrier fires its glassing beam at the surface. The dust cloud from the resulting explosion engulfs an Unggoy village.
- Scribe: "Those within the holy city would be forced to watch, unable to stop what could have been the very end of their kind."
Cut to a distant shot of the planet's burning surface as the glassing continues. The camera pulls back and the scene becomes overlaid by a holographic terminal on High Charity. Below, dozens of Unggoy watch the destruction of their world.
- Scribe: "The Unggoy rebellion was brought to an end by the Arbiter's hand."
Cut to a close up of an Unggoy. A single tear rolls down its face. Its plasma pistol falls to the ground.
Cut to a door opening, revealing the Arbiter, flanked by four other Sangheili.
- Scribe: "Their world was not completely lost. And those who survived within High Charity found some measure of mercy."
Cut to a crowd of Unggoy on High Charity.
- Scribe: "They had proven their worth in combat and would now serve alongside the Sangheili in battle."
An Unggoy (now wearing a traditional breathing mask) stands before the Arbiter, who offers it a plasma pistol. The Unggoy accepts the weapon.
Fade to black.Eleven
Monitor Report: Age of Doubt
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in the second alcove of the first area in "Fight Club".
Campaign level: Uprising
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in the first area of the chapter "Fight Club" after the waterfall, before crossing the stone bridge into the armory room with both human and Covenant weapons. The terminal can be found on the wall inside the second alcove.
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From leaders to martyrs.
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Fade in on 343 Guilty Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "I'm starting to fear that you're not very smart."
Close-up of Sesa 'Refumee.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "...Mind your tongue, Oracle!"
Cut back to Guilty Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Oh. I mean no offense. I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about your species. How long have these Prophets been anointing Arbiters?"
- Sesa 'Refumee: "Since the fall of Fal 'Chavamee. The first disgraced Arbiter. Roughly four hundred years ago."
He starts walking down the hallway. Guilty Spark follows.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Incredible! And in all this time it never occurred to you how convenient it was that your Prophets were able to find a powerful capable leader among your people..."
'Refumee stops at another terminal. Guilty Spark hovers nearby.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "...who happened to suddenly commit a terrible blasphemy every time the power structure of your Covenant was threatened?"
'Refumee stares down at the terminal.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "I do not understand."
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Hmmm. You do little to dissuade my fears."
'Refumee turns back to Guilty Spark.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "Then teach me."
Guilty Spark brings up a series of holographic images of previous Arbiters (including Ripa 'Moramee and Fal 'Chavamee).
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Looking back at the record of the Arbiters you've discussed, was it not surprising to anyone that those chosen to become Arbiter were more than simple warriors?"
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Each of them had significant political influence among your people."
Scene circles around Guilty Spark and the holographic images surrounding him.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "In some cases, that influence was already being used to question the decisions of your Hierarchs."
Scene stops and zooms in on a holographic image of a Hierarch. Scene transitions to High Charity where the Hierarch sits in his gravity throne, watching.
Pan to the right, revealing a second Hierarch.
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "In fact, that very questioning often gave rise to the charges of heresy that so neatly removed the challenger from the Hierarchs' concern."
Cut to a distant shot of the two Hierarchs, who are waiting alongside a third Hierarch. Two Elites drag a condemned Sangheili into their chamber and throw him to the floor.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "And once they were branded Arbiter..."
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "They promptly and quite cheerfully ran to meet their deaths."
Fade to black.
Fade in on a pair of Sangheili escorting a floating casket through the Mausoleum of the Arbiter. Inside the casket is the body of the condemned Sangheili from earlier, now fully dressed in the armor of the Arbiter. A single Hierarch watches as one of the Elites taps a control on the casket, which floats up to join the dozens of other caskets aligning the Mausoleum walls.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "All our lives we looked down at the Path. Put our feet where the Prophets tell us. All our lives spent convincing ourselves of the truth of our Covenant..."
Cut back to the gas mine.
'Refumee slams his fist down on the terminal. He stares down in despair.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "Could all of it truly have been wasted?"
- 343 Guilty Spark: "Let's hope not all of it. For we have a great deal of work to do."
Close-up of a side view of Guilty Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "The Flood is still out there. So I require a cooperative Reclaimer to enact proper containment procedures."
Cut to a close-up of Guilty Spark and 'Refumee.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "But your Covenant keep trying to kill all the Reclaimers I can find. All this bickering is quite a deadly waste of time. Right now, the most important question we can ask is this: Who could break this hold the Prophets have over you?"
Scene pans down to the lower levels of the mine. A single Flood Infection Form crawls along the floor.
Fade to black.Twelve
Covenant Record: The Great Schism
The terminal is a Covenant terminal to the left of the door after entering the Inner Sanctum.
Campaign level: High Charity
The terminal is a Covenant terminal to the left of the door after entering the Inner Sanctum.
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But this Arbiter is different...
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Fade in on the Mausoleum of the Arbiter, where the Scribe is standing.
- Scribe: "The history of the Arbiter is one of both legend and infamy. Their name has been corrupted by great shame."
Fade to a closeup of Thel 'Vadamee as he puts on his Arbiter helmet.
- Scribe: "Though the contemporary is perhaps the most confounding of all. Thel 'Vadamee was born of noble blood. The legendary house of 'Vadam."
Zoom in on 'Vadamee's right eye.
Cut to Vadam keep on Sanghelios where a young 'Vadamee, dressed only in a red loincloth, and armed with a wooden staff, is training with four blue loincloth-wearing Sangheili, three of whom are also armed with staffs.
- Scribe: "His family's renown demanded great expectations for his military career. And he would meet them all."
One of the Sangheili charges at 'Vadamee. 'Vadamee flips his opponent over his shoulder and onto the ground. He then attacks the one unarmed Sangheili. The two grapple for control of the staff until 'Vadamee throws his opponent to the ground and incapacitates him with a punch. The third Sangheili raises his staff and charges, but 'Vadamee spins around and strikes him in the side of the head with his own staff, taking him down. The last Sangheili charges. 'Vadamee spins and strikes his opponent in the chest, knocking him to the floor. A triumphant 'Vadamee stands and strikes a victor's pose. Fade to black.
Fade in on Thel 'Vadamee, now garbed in the gold armor and purple cloak of a Supreme Commander, standing on the bridge of his ship. The rest of the Covenant fleet can be seen outside the windows. Pan to a planet surrounded by asteroids.
- Scribe: "One of the youngest to achieve the status of Shipmaster, and one of the youngest to gain the rate of Supreme Commander."
Scene outside the window speeds up, and the planet's surface turns to molten glass.
- Scribe: "In our campaign against the humans, few have risen to renown as 'Vadamee."
Cut to a rotating holographic display of the galaxy. Planets disappear one by one, indicating they are being destroyed.
- Scribe: "World after human world, all laid low for sake of the Great Journey."
Scene zooms in on a holographic depiction of Installation 04.
- Scribe: "But then came Halo. Shame unto shame."
Scene fades to the real Halo as it explodes.
- Scribe: "He failed his greatest charge, and the sacred ring was desecrated."
Cut to a close-up of 'Vadamee, now bearing the Mark of Shame.
- Scribe: "By such disgrace, Thel 'Vadamee became the Arbiter. As a mere scribe, I do not challenge the word of the Hierarchs."
Cut to 'Vadamee standing in the Mausoleum of the Arbiter.
- Scribe: "But I would be remiss not to voice concern..."
'Vadamee dissolves and is replaced by the Scribe.
- Scribe: "This Sangheili should have been put down."
The Scribe places his hand on one of the caskets.
- Scribe: "Publicly slain as an example to all of our prayerful expediency."
Fade to black.
Fade in on High Charity and the Covenant fleet, now engaged in civil war above Installation 05.
- Scribe: "With the discovery of a second ring, and the Changing of the Guard, all things are in jeopardy."
Cut to the surface of Installation 05, where Sangheili Councilors lie dead at the feet of a Brute Army Commander and his fellow Jiralhanae.
- Scribe: "Will this Arbiter remain loyal? Or will he stand with his people as they are abolished by our new found might?"
Cut to the Scribe.
- Scribe: "I would never openly challenge the divine proclamations of a Hierarch..."
Cut back to the surface of Delta Halo, showing the POV of someone hiding in the thickets and spying on the Brutes who have slain the Councilors.
- Scribe: "But this Arbiter is a risk I would not have tolerated."
The observer is revealed to be Thel 'Vadam.
- Scribe: "And I now fear that the days of the Covenant are numbered."
'Vadam activates his energy sword.
Cut to black.Thirteen
Monitor Report: False Journey
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in the back of one of the jail cells on the upper level.
Campaign level: The Great Journey
The terminal is a Forerunner terminal in back of one of the jail cells of the Bastion of the Brutes. It is in the center right cell on the upper level.
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The revolution must be broadcast.
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Open up on 343 Guilty Spark and Sesa 'Refumee, who is carrying a purple box.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "The only one I would trust with this information is probably dead right now. He was Commander of the fleet that brought me to this system."
He puts down the box and opens it, releasing a pair of holo-drones from inside.
Cut to the Fleet of Particular Justice surrounding Alpha Halo.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "Thel 'Vadamee was his name. But after hearing you tell me of the destruction of the ring, I cannot believe that he still lives."
Cut to Thel 'Vadamee on the bridge of his flagship speaking to a Hierarch via hologram.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "His orders were to secure the ring. To prepare it for the arrival of the Hierarchs. 'Vadamee never fails in his duties."
Back outside, the Pillar of Autumn emerges from slipspace.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "If the ring is no more, then 'Vadamee must be dead."
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "Duty can indeed be a dangerous virtue."
Cut to a side-view of Guilty Spark.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "But even if he did live, wouldn't this sense of duty make him quite unlikely to set aside his allegiance to the Prophets?"
Side-view of 'Refumee.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "Perhaps not... And he would never betray our people."
Cut to the shattered remains of Alpha Halo. 'Vadamee's flagship is leaving the system.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "No... if I - if we were able to just speak to him. Explain everything you have told me..."
'Vadamee's ship exits slipspace and approaches High Charity.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "...But no. These are futile hopes. If he did live, and if he was returned to the High Prophets, they would most certainly punish him for the destruction of the ring."
A Phantom approaches High Charity's docking bay.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "In fact, he would be the exact kind of leader the Hierarchs would make Arbiter."
Cut to 'Vadamee inside the Phantom as it lands.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "They would need someone to blame for the loss of the ring."
Overhead shot of the Phantom docking at High Charity.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "His influence within the fleet grew with every one of his victories over the humans."
- 343 Guilty Spark: (voiceover) "And if he did become Arbiter?"
Cut to the Prophet of Regret and the Prophet of Mercy observing 'Vadamee's Phantom through a holographic terminal.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "Then he would be lost to our cause. Without the knowledge you've shared with me, he would obey the Prophets without question."
Cut to 'Refumee looking at a holographic image of 'Vadamee.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "I doubt he would even respond to his former name. I don't know what it would take to overcome... but as you say, we don't have time to ask such questions. And 'Vadamee is almost certainly dead."
Fade to 343 Guilty Spark and 'Refumee staring out a window of the Gas Mine. Camera slowly pulls back.
- 343 Guilty Spark: "If all your hopes rest on him, then I fear for the future of this galaxy."
Scene rapidly pulls back from the window, revealing the entire Gas Mine.
- Sesa 'Refumee: "As do I, Oracle. As do I."
Camera zooms further away from the Gas Mine and pans up.
- Sesa 'Refumee: (voiceover) "But I will begin our fight. Make others aware of the lies the Prophets whisper in our ears. And soon we will find more who will take up our cause."
Scene clears the clouds and rests on a shot of the shattered, burning remains of Alpha Halo orbiting Threshold.
Fade to black.Fourteen
Beholden
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Lighting the Sacred Path.
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HUMAN COLONY OF MERIDIAN, 2551
The scene opens in high orbit between Meridian and its parent planet. The sound of a spacecraft can be heard, and then a hiss as it lands and offloads its cargo. Scene fades in to the surface of the planet, where two Special Operations Sangheili and a Kig-Yar have just exited a Covenant drop pod. The three approach the entrance to a large cave system.
- Spec. Ops Commander: "Activate the Kindler. Make haste; we have little time."
The Kig-Yar activates a small machine that floats through the cave system, sweeping it with violet light. As it scans the cave, the structure is filled in on a holographic readout carried by the Commander. The probe enters a large chamber dominated by Forerunner structures, and stops.
- Spec. Ops Elite: "It has been found, Commander."
- Spec. Ops Commander: "Very well. Mark the coordinates, and proceed with caution."
The Spec. Ops party enters the chamber, to see a dais on the other side of the room with a brightly glowing device.
- Spec. Ops Elite: "And to think, it has been under their noses all this time."
- Spec. Ops Commander: "Humans are foul animals. They lack the intellect and the purity to discern the ways of gods. Prepare the Luminary for retrieval. The Hierarch will reward us for our devotion."
The Kindler returns to its Kig-Yar handler.
Fade to the Solemn Penance in orbit above Meridian, and to Regret's chambers, where the Commander kneels with the Luminary before him.
- Regret: "Well done, Commander. Do you know what you found?"
- Spec. Ops Commander: "A Luminary, Hierarch. A divine instrument."
- Regret: "It is more than that, Commander. This is the one spoken of in the Prophecies. It lights the Sacred Path."
Fade to a large platform overlooking the ship's nature preserve, one year later. He turns his gravity throne to address the two San'Shyuum that have entered the room, conveying the Luminary on an anti-gravity device.
- Regret: "Stewards. Good news, I pray?"
- Steward: "It was not easy, Blessed One. The Luminary was not forthcoming with the holy words, but our hope proved true."
The Steward touches the Luminary, which projects a large hologram featuring the seven Halo Installations.
- Regret: "The Sacred Rings... Halo."
- Steward: "And not Halo alone, High Prophet. It also told of this."
A projection of the Ark appears above the images of the Halo rings.
- Steward: "The final home of the Forerunners, and the creation of the Sacred Rings. The Ark."
The scene rapidly shifts through split-second views of the Luminary's projection, a savanna on Earth, and an image of the fully activated Ark Portal.
- Regret: "By the gods... It is glorious. The stories were true! Where did the gods hide such a treasure?"
- Steward: "It lies far beyond the borders of our galaxy, accessible only by way of portal. The one portal the Luminary spoke of was here."
A projection of Earth appears.
- Steward: "The Forerunners called it 'Erde-Tyrene.'"
- Regret: "Our calling is clear. We must go there at once. We will take the ships in our command and go to this world immediately. This... Erde-Tyrene. Take heed, brothers. Your work signals the culmination of this Covenant's holy quest. Hold fast; the Great Journey is at hand."
As Regret speaks, the fleet powers up its engines and maneuver themselves into position. Slipspace ruptures begin to open in front of them as they prepare for their journey.Fifteen
Unyielding
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Fred-104 and Linda-058 attempt to warn ONI before it's too late.
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BORNEO SPACE TETHER, EARTH
The scene opens in high orbit over Earth at the Borneo Space Tether. Several UNSC naval ships are near the tether. An elevator shoots down the tether. The scene cuts to Linda-058 and Frederic-104 inside the elevator.
- Fred-104: "Roger that Chief. We'll meet you at the rendezvous point when we're done here. Blue Two out."
- Linda-058: "John should be here too. They'd listen to him."
- Fred-104: "Somebody needs to be getting work done while we deal with the red tape."
- Linda-058: "What do you think they want from us?"
- Fred-104: "It's Naval Intelligence, Linda. They want us to tell them that everything's going to be okay."
- Linda-058: "Hate to disappoint."
The elevator is heard reaching the bottom of the tether. Cut to Fred and Linda walking down a hallway. A door in front of them automatically opens and they enter the room. They stand on top of the ONI insignia on the floor and look towards the ONI council.
- ONI councilor: "Blue Team, where's the Master Chief?"
- Fred-104: "He asked that I answer the council's questions, sir."
- ONI councilor: (groans) "We've been reviewing your report."
A hologram of the Unyielding Hierophant space station forms between the Spartans and the council. The hologram begins to rotate.
- ONI councilor #2: "You found a Covenant command and control station. It says here that they were amassing an invasion fleet of more than five hundred ships."
- Fred-104: "The station was... sufficiently disabled. But the threat is still out there."
The hologram of the station explodes from the center and the rest of Unyielding Hierophant shatters into thousands of pieces.
- ONI councilor #3: "I have the report, but for the record of this council, what was this fleet's intended target, Spartan?"
Fred and Linda both turn to each other and stare. Fade to black. The scene cuts to Io Station orbiting Jupiter.
PROBE RELAY STATION IO, NEAR JUPITER
A UNSC naval crewman sits relaxed on his chair, asleep, with his feet kicked up onto his control console. Suddenly, an alarm sounds off and he awakes. His console flashes, reading "ALERT" in large, red letters. The crewman leans towards the console.
- Io Station crewman: "Station Control, can I get confirmation on Probe Charlie Three-One-Niner? Looks like it might be a faulty reading, but..."
As his console continues to flash with the alert warning, a voice in the station continues to repeat "Alert" over and over. The crewman begins typing on the console and the alarm stops.
- Io Station crewman: "This can't be right."
- Computer: "C-3-1-9 is active and functioning properly."
- Io Station crewman: "Station, alert Home Fleet immediately! They found us! The Covenant, they found Earth!"
The viewpoint's protective cover in front of the crewman begins to slide open, revealing Covenant ships outside the station. The crewman witnesses the Fleet of Sacred Consecration near Jupiter moving past Io Station.
