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{{ | {{Era|RW}} | ||
{{disambig header|the campaign level|the [[Forerunner]] [[monitor]]|343 Guilty Spark}} | {{disambig header|the campaign level|the [[Forerunner]] [[monitor]]|343 Guilty Spark}} | ||
{{Level infobox | {{Level infobox | ||
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|prev=''[[The Arbiter]]'' | |prev=''[[The Arbiter]]'' | ||
|next=''[[Delta Halo]]'' | |next=''[[Delta Halo]]'' | ||
|game=''[[Halo 2]]'' (<small>''[[Halo 2: Anniversary|Anniversary]]''</small>) | |||
|name='''''The Oracle''''' | |name='''''The Oracle''''' | ||
|image=[[File:H2A TheOracle Loadscreen.png|300px]] | |image=[[File:H2A TheOracle Loadscreen.png|300px]] | ||
| | |player=[[Thel 'Vadamee]] | ||
|date=[[2552#October|October 20, 2552]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/Halo/status/789270384793128960 '''Twitter''' - ''Halo'']</ref> | |date=[[2552#October|October 20, 2552]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/Halo/status/789270384793128960 '''Twitter''' - ''Halo'']</ref> | ||
|place=[[Threshold gas mine|Gas Mine]] inside [[Threshold]]'s atmosphere | |place=[[Threshold gas mine|Gas Mine]] inside [[Threshold]]'s atmosphere | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{Article quote|Kill the [[Sesa 'Refumee|Heretic Leader]]. The | {{Article quote|Kill the [[Sesa 'Refumee|Heretic Leader]]. The Prophets' will be done.}} | ||
'''The Oracle''' is the seventh [[campaign]] level of ''[[Halo 2]]'', where the player plays as [[Thel 'Vadamee]]. Starting directly after Thel 'Vadamee lands the [[Banshee]] he was flying in the [[The Arbiter|previous level]], the opening cutscene has [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] comment on smelling a familiar [[Flood|stench]]. There are again [[Special Operations Sangheili]] and [[Special Operations Unggoy|Unggoy]] as allies and sometimes, an [[Unggoy Ultra]] is deployed to assist the player. | '''The Oracle''' is the seventh [[campaign]] level of ''[[Halo 2]]'', where the player plays as [[Thel 'Vadamee]]. Starting directly after Thel 'Vadamee lands the [[Banshee]] he was flying in the [[The Arbiter|previous level]], the opening cutscene has [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] comment on smelling a familiar [[Flood|stench]]. There are again [[Special Operations Sangheili]] and [[Special Operations Unggoy|Unggoy]] as allies and sometimes, an [[Unggoy Ultra]] is deployed to assist the player. | ||
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This is the first level in ''Halo 2'' in which the player encounters the [[Flood]] and some of their new abilities, most notably the ability of [[pod infector]]s to revive fallen [[combat form]]s. | This is the first level in ''Halo 2'' in which the player encounters the [[Flood]] and some of their new abilities, most notably the ability of [[pod infector]]s to revive fallen [[combat form]]s. | ||
The player goes down an elevator and up to the top of the [[Threshold gas mine|gas mine]] to cut three cables. They then must backtrack to the hangar of the previous structure, complete with another Banshee-flying section, where the Arbiter engages in combat with the [[Sesa 'Refumee|Heretic Leader]] to prevent him | The player goes down an elevator and up to the top of the [[Threshold gas mine|gas mine]] to cut three cables. They then must backtrack to the hangar of the previous structure, complete with another Banshee-flying section, where the Arbiter engages in combat with the [[Sesa 'Refumee|Heretic Leader]] to prevent him escaping [[Threshold]] in a [[Kai-pattern Seraph]]. In the cutscene directly before the fight, it is shown that [[343 Guilty Spark]] had survived the destruction of [[Installation 04]] and was responsible for the "heresy" through his teachings. | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kowrbyPd7mw '''{''Anniversary Cutscene''}'''] | [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kowrbyPd7mw '''{''Anniversary Cutscene''}'''] | ||
[[File:H2A-Arbiter&Rtas-01.jpg|thumb|300px|Thel 'Vadamee and Rtas 'Vadumee enter the facility.]] | [[File:H2A-Arbiter&Rtas-01.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Thel 'Vadamee and Rtas 'Vadumee enter the facility.]] | ||
''A door slides open. Two [[Special Operations Sangheili]] cover the entrance with | ''A door slides open. Two [[Special Operations Sangheili]] cover the entrance with [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|plasma rifles]] while [[Special Operations Unggoy]] file in. The [[Sangheili]] cautiously advance, followed by [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee and [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee (who is armed with whatever weapon he had at the end of the previous level). Rtas 'Vadumee pauses and sniffs the air.'' | ||
*'''Thel 'Vadamee''': "What is it?" | *'''Thel 'Vadamee''': "What is it?" | ||
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''The assault team proceeds through a small room, where a large tank containing some small, floating, fleshy lifeforms can be seen. The team approaches a doorway, and through the transparent floor of the next room below, they can see the shadows of [[Heretics]] and [[Combat Form|strange creatures]] battling. Eventually, all of the Heretics are killed. The victorious creatures have familiar screams...'' | ''The assault team proceeds through a small room, where a large tank containing some small, floating, fleshy lifeforms can be seen. The team approaches a doorway, and through the transparent floor of the next room below, they can see the shadows of [[Heretics]] and [[Combat Form|strange creatures]] battling. Eventually, all of the Heretics are killed. The victorious creatures have familiar screams...'' | ||
*'''Special Operations Sangheili 1''': "By the [[Halo | *'''Special Operations Sangheili 1''': "By the [[Halo array|Rings]]. What is that?" | ||
*'''Special Operations Unggoy 1 or 2''': ''(whimpers)'' | *'''Special Operations Unggoy 1 or 2''': ''(whimpers)'' | ||
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*'''Special Operations Sangheili 1 or 2''': "We should have brought weapons to burn these bodies. Every one is a (potential) vessel for the Flood." | *'''Special Operations Sangheili 1 or 2''': "We should have brought weapons to burn these bodies. Every one is a (potential) vessel for the Flood." | ||
''The team advances into another lab where outnumbered Heretics attempt to use [[ | ''The team advances into another lab where outnumbered Heretics attempt to use [[Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma turrets]] to hold back the Flood tide, which include [[Flood carrier form|bloated Flood incubators]].'' | ||
*'''Special Operations Sangheili 1 or 2''': "Heretics! Above!" | *'''Special Operations Sangheili 1 or 2''': "Heretics! Above!" | ||
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*'''Rtas 'Vadumee (COM)''': "Bring the Phantoms closer to the mine. We're not leaving until the leader of these Heretics is dead." | *'''Rtas 'Vadumee (COM)''': "Bring the Phantoms closer to the mine. We're not leaving until the leader of these Heretics is dead." | ||
''Vadamee manages to press outside to the exterior of the station. He sees Flood battling more Heretics, and a friendly [[ | ''Vadamee manages to press outside to the exterior of the station. He sees Flood battling more Heretics, and a friendly [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom]] swoops in to provide reinforcements and covering fire.'' | ||
''If all four allies (2 Unggoy and 2 Sangheili) from the beginning of the mission survive with the player up until this point, the next line will not be said in gameplay, and no reinforcements will be dropped off:'' | ''If all four allies (2 Unggoy and 2 Sangheili) from the beginning of the mission survive with the player up until this point, the next line will not be said in gameplay, and no reinforcements will be dropped off:'' | ||
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*'''Special Operations Sangheili 2''': "We shall not forget your sacrifice." | *'''Special Operations Sangheili 2''': "We shall not forget your sacrifice." | ||
''If the player has an [[Type-1 | ''If the player has an [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|energy sword]] already:'' | ||
*'''Rtas 'Vadumee''': "Keep your blade handy. I doubt the cable can withstand its bite." | *'''Rtas 'Vadumee''': "Keep your blade handy. I doubt the cable can withstand its bite." | ||
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[https://youtu.be/0e0xMaHxWSc?t=52 '''{''Cutscene''}'''] | [https://youtu.be/0e0xMaHxWSc?t=52 '''{''Cutscene''}'''] | ||
''The Heretic Leader gets into a [[ | ''The Heretic Leader gets into a [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee]] and takes off. The Arbiter fires at the Heretic Leader's Banshee as it flies away, then dodges as the Banshee fires at him in return. The Heretic Leader's Banshee flies away. The Arbiter then dashes out, and gets inside another Banshee and pursues the Heretic Leader.'' | ||
---- | ---- | ||
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===Dead Or Alive...Actually, Just Dead=== | ===Dead Or Alive...Actually, Just Dead=== | ||
[[File:H2A - Spark, Thel, and Sesa.jpg|thumb|300px|The Arbiter meets 343 Guilty Spark, the alleged "Oracle" as he confronts 'Refumee.]] | |||
[[File:H2A - Spark, Thel, and Sesa.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Arbiter meets 343 Guilty Spark, the alleged "Oracle" as he confronts 'Refumee.]] | |||
'''{''Gameplay''}''' | '''{''Gameplay''}''' | ||
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*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "More questions? Splendid! I would be happy to assist you." | *'''343 Guilty Spark''': "More questions? Splendid! I would be happy to assist you." | ||
[[File:H2A-RefumeeRises.jpg|thumb|300px|'Refumee takes aim at the Arbiter in his attempt to escape.]] | [[File:H2A-RefumeeRises.jpg|right|thumb|300px|'Refumee takes aim at the Arbiter in his attempt to escape.]] | ||
''While 'Vadamee stares in surprise at the Monitor, any questions are cut off as the Heretic Leader suddenly reaches for his twin Plasma Rifles and opens fire on 'Vadamee (who returns fire in the ''Anniversary'' version.) 'Vadamee falls back, taking cover while his shield generator recharges. As he does so, the Heretic Leader floats back toward the Seraph and pulls out two [[ | ''While 'Vadamee stares in surprise at the Monitor, any questions are cut off as the Heretic Leader suddenly reaches for his twin Plasma Rifles and opens fire on 'Vadamee (who returns fire in the ''Anniversary'' version.) 'Vadamee falls back, taking cover while his shield generator recharges. As he does so, the Heretic Leader floats back toward the Seraph and pulls out two [[holodrone]]s.'' | ||
*'''Sesa 'Refumee''': "The Elites are ''blind'', Arbiter... but ''I'' ''(holds up two | *'''Sesa 'Refumee''': "The Elites are ''blind'', Arbiter... but ''I'' ''(holds up two holodrones)'' ... will make them see." | ||
''The Heretic Leader releases the drones, which become copies of him. They turn to look at the Arbiter.'' | ''The Heretic Leader releases the drones, which become copies of him. They turn to look at the Arbiter.'' | ||
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*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Oracle? Great Journey? Why do you meddlers insist on using such inaccurate verbiage-ohhhhh myyyyy!!!!!" | *'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Oracle? Great Journey? Why do you meddlers insist on using such inaccurate verbiage-ohhhhh myyyyy!!!!!" | ||
[[File:H2A - Tartarus and Spark.jpg|thumb|300px|Tartarus captures Guilty Spark before retrieving the Arbiter for departure.]] | [[File:H2A - Tartarus and Spark.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Tartarus captures Guilty Spark before retrieving the Arbiter for departure.]] | ||
''343 Guilty Spark is snatched by an unseen force and pulled away. He is dragged through the air, directly to the top of the [[Fist of Rukt]], the gravity hammer of [[Tartarus]]. Tartarus, standing beneath a Phantom, pulls 343 Guilty Spark off the end of his hammer.'' | ''343 Guilty Spark is snatched by an unseen force and pulled away. He is dragged through the air, directly to the top of the [[Fist of Rukt]], the gravity hammer of [[Tartarus]]. Tartarus, standing beneath a Phantom, pulls 343 Guilty Spark off the end of his hammer.'' | ||
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*'''Thel 'Vadamee''': ''(outraged)'' "That... is the Oracle!" | *'''Thel 'Vadamee''': ''(outraged)'' "That... is the Oracle!" | ||
''Tartarus casually tosses 343 Guilty Spark into the [[ | ''Tartarus casually tosses 343 Guilty Spark into the [[Gravity Lift]].'' | ||
*'''Tartarus''': ''(indifferently)'' "So it is. Come, we are leaving | *'''Tartarus''': ''(indifferently)'' "So it is. Come, we are leaving this system." | ||
''Fades to black.'' | ''Fades to black.'' | ||
''Level ends.'' | ''Level ends.'' | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
===Glitches=== | ===Glitches=== | ||
*When the [[ | *When the [[Phantom]] drops off surplus reinforcements, the player can move inside the structure and see the [[Heretic Leader]] starting to run away. If he is stuck with a grenade, he will drop the [[Plasma Rifle]] in his right hand, allowing the player to pick it up. | ||
*If the player melees the Heretic leader (when he is trying to escape, before the "cable" cutscene) in a certain position with a Carbine or an Energy Sword, or use another technique like grenades with [[Sputnik]] enabled, they can pass through the holo-door before Heretic Leader gets through, but will die instantly as soon as they go through. No matter what, one will always die when trying to get past the door, as a kill barrier is set on the other side of the door. | *If the player melees the Heretic leader (when he is trying to escape, before the "cable" cutscene) in a certain position with a Carbine or an Energy Sword, or use another technique like grenades with [[Sputnik]] enabled, they can pass through the holo-door before Heretic Leader gets through, but will die instantly as soon as they go through. No matter what, one will always die when trying to get past the door, as a kill barrier is set on the other side of the door. | ||
*If the player attacks the hologram of the Heretic Leader, it will make sounds as if it has been hurt. | *If the player attacks the hologram of the Heretic Leader, it will make sounds as if it has been hurt. | ||
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*When your allies are boarding the Phantom near the climax of the level, it is possible to knock them off the gravity lift. If one successfully pulls it off, one will see the ally fly off gravity lift, before quickly shrinking and eventually disappearing. This is due to a visual effect, as when boarding the Phantom, the allies use a shrinking effect to try to show distance. But since the ally was knocked off the Phantom, the animation continues playing, even without Phantom. | *When your allies are boarding the Phantom near the climax of the level, it is possible to knock them off the gravity lift. If one successfully pulls it off, one will see the ally fly off gravity lift, before quickly shrinking and eventually disappearing. This is due to a visual effect, as when boarding the Phantom, the allies use a shrinking effect to try to show distance. But since the ally was knocked off the Phantom, the animation continues playing, even without Phantom. | ||
*It is possible (with some practice) to reach the very bottom of the level by hopping on a Sentinel and slowly glide down while staying on it. Before the player goes inside the building where the Heretic leader runs and hides in the energy shield-protected room, there will be some Sentinels off the edge of the building. The player must kill all enemies and allies around so they do not attack the Sentinels, then use their active camouflage, and jump on one of the Sentinels, keeping their eyes on their feet. Once they hit the bottom of the level, the player will slip off but will still be alive walking on the air. | *It is possible (with some practice) to reach the very bottom of the level by hopping on a Sentinel and slowly glide down while staying on it. Before the player goes inside the building where the Heretic leader runs and hides in the energy shield-protected room, there will be some Sentinels off the edge of the building. The player must kill all enemies and allies around so they do not attack the Sentinels, then use their active camouflage, and jump on one of the Sentinels, keeping their eyes on their feet. Once they hit the bottom of the level, the player will slip off but will still be alive walking on the air. | ||
*If the player tries to push [[Rtas 'Vadum| | *If the player tries to push [[Rtas 'Vadum|’Vadumee]] down the elevator so they can take him in other places it will not work; he will make strides to return to his default position, and if he is eventually pushed down to the elevator, he will automatically disappear and reappear to the room in which he originated from. | ||
*A similar glitch can occur later in the level (before the cable sequence) with ' | *A similar glitch can occur later in the level (before the cable sequence) with Vadumee'. It is notably more difficult than the former, with the Spec-Ops leader consistently walking off the ledges and returning to the Phantom. But if one successfully gets Vadumee' to hop on the elevator, he will instantly disappear once the checkpoint loads, as the Shipmaster is not programmed to join the Arbiter at anytime later in the level. | ||
*In co-op, playing until the Arbiter says he is going to cut the cable can, with the proper steps, lead to the [[Oracle | *In co-op, playing until the Arbiter says he is going to cut the cable can, with the proper steps, lead to the [[Oracle Elevator Glitch]]. | ||
*If the player presses the elevator button without standing on it and quickly goes around the switch and presses it again from underneath early enough, the descending elevator can launch the player up to the cable area. The player is then completely invulnerable for the rest of the mission. Additionally after cutting the cables if the player does not jump back into the elevator shaft a fake elevator platform appears which prevents the player from continuing the level. Once descended gravity will also not work properly until the player reaches the banshee cutscene, with the player floating in the air and only able to descend either by rapid crouching or by lunging at opponents below them using the energy sword. | *If the player presses the elevator button without standing on it and quickly goes around the switch and presses it again from underneath early enough, the descending elevator can launch the player up to the cable area. The player is then completely invulnerable for the rest of the mission. Additionally after cutting the cables if the player does not jump back into the elevator shaft a fake elevator platform appears which prevents the player from continuing the level. Once descended gravity will also not work properly until the player reaches the banshee cutscene, with the player floating in the air and only able to descend either by rapid crouching or by lunging at opponents below them using the energy sword. | ||
*In the first room where the player fights the Flood, if the two Grunts survive, sometimes no Flood | *In the first room where the player fights the Flood, if the two Grunts survive, sometimes no Flood Combat Forms will spawn in the next room. | ||
*In the room were the Arbiter must cut the cables, there is a way to fly out of the level. When the Arbiter finishes cutting all of the cables, running to the elevator then jumping when the station starts to fall will glitch the Arbiter out of the level. | *In the room were the Arbiter must cut the cables, there is a way to fly out of the level. When the Arbiter finishes cutting all of the cables, running to the elevator then jumping when the station starts to fall will glitch the Arbiter out of the level. | ||
====Mistakes==== | ====Mistakes==== | ||
*In the cutscene at the beginning of the boss fight, the Seraph faces the hangar door instead of the elevator. | *In the cutscene at the beginning of the boss fight, the Seraph faces the hangar door instead of the elevator. | ||
*Throughout the level, all [[Flood | *Throughout the level, all [[Flood Combat Form]]s seem to be Minor Elites, despite the fact the majority of the Elites in the station are heretics and only a handful of Covenant Elites are seen in the level. Even then, the Elites are SpecOps Elites and Elite Minors do not even show up in the level. However, it could be argued or speculated that Truth had ordered Covenant strike teams to take out the Heretics prior to this event, and after having lost all contact with them because they were taken out by the Flood, decided the Arbiter and a SpecOps team were a more appropriate solution. Another explanation for the numerous Minor Elites could simply be due to graphic limitations since all of the Elite Combat Forms in the game are of Elite Minors. | ||
====[[Easter | ====[[Easter Eggs]]==== | ||
*The [[Halo 2 | *The [[Halo 2 Skulls#Famine|Famine Skull]] is found on this level. | ||
===References=== | ===References=== | ||
{{Ref/Sources}} | |||
*When the player reaches the LZ that they took a Banshee from near the end of the previous level, the cut-scene will show the Arbiter crashing the Banshee into the wall below the LZ, before he climbs up and walks to the door. This is strikingly similar to what the [[John-117|Master Chief]] did at the beginning of ''[[The Maw]]''. | *When the player reaches the LZ that they took a Banshee from near the end of the previous level, the cut-scene will show the Arbiter crashing the Banshee into the wall below the LZ, before he climbs up and walks to the door. This is strikingly similar to what the [[John-117|Master Chief]] did at the beginning of ''[[The Maw]]''. | ||
*When the SpecOps troops are about to encounter the Flood for the first time, an Unggoy soldier can be heard saying "Me have bad feeling about this..." This is similar to [[Private]] [[Manuel Mendoza]]'s words in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', when the player first encounters the Flood. Likewise, the other Grunt's response "You always have bad feeling" mirrors Sergeant Johnson's response to Mendoza. | *When the SpecOps troops are about to encounter the Flood for the first time, an Unggoy soldier can be heard saying "Me have bad feeling about this..." This is similar to [[Private]] [[Manuel Mendoza]]'s words in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', when the player first encounters the Flood. Likewise, the other Grunt's response "You always have bad feeling" mirrors Sergeant Johnson's response to Mendoza. | ||
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===Miscellaneous=== | ===Miscellaneous=== | ||
*The level was known in development as "Flood Lab".<ref>'''EDGE''' magazine, October 2004, page 51</ref> | *The level was known in development as "Flood Lab".<ref>'''EDGE''' magazine, October 2004, page 51</ref> | ||
*In the first room the player encounters the Pod infectors, if the entire raiding party is killed rather than the Flood, the Flood can be allowed to cover Sesa's hologram. They will float up into the air with him and move into a pipe jutting from the wall. This will not stop Sesa' from appearing in any cutscenes. | |||
*When the Arbiter cuts the cables, the [[Flood]] will stop what they are doing and look up. The [[Sentinels]] will do the same. | *When the Arbiter cuts the cables, the [[Flood]] will stop what they are doing and look up. The [[Sentinels]] will do the same. | ||
*Additionally, if the player quickly makes it back to the elevator after cutting the cables, the 'Hold X to activate elevator' text will not appear until the station is in free-fall. The player will fly up, caused by the station suddenly breaking loose from the cable; this effect will happen to all AI and the player regardless of location, but if done at the elevator while [[Oracle Super Jump|jumping]], the player will continue to fly upwards, eventually exiting the station. | *Additionally, if the player quickly makes it back to the elevator after cutting the cables, the 'Hold X to activate elevator' text will not appear until the station is in free-fall. The player will fly up, caused by the station suddenly breaking loose from the cable; this effect will happen to all AI and the player regardless of location, but if done at the elevator while [[Oracle Super Jump|jumping]], the player will continue to fly upwards, eventually exiting the station. | ||
*Broken parts of the facility can be seen in the sky floating and getting blown away. These pieces are also seen when piloting a Banshee to reach the Seraph towards the end of the level. These pieces can destroy the Banshee | *Broken parts of the facility can be seen in the sky floating and getting blown away. These pieces are also seen when piloting a Banshee to reach the Seraph towards the end of the level. These pieces can destroy the Banshee it is intercepted by one of them. | ||
*After the Arbiter cuts the cable, the player can see a Heretic Elite fighting the Flood with a Needler in the same room where Sesa activated the holo-door. | *After the Arbiter cuts the cable, the player can see a Heretic Elite fighting the Flood with a Needler in the same room where Sesa' activated the holo-door. | ||
*In the room with the Heretic hologram, one can jump back on to the second level, out of the way of the Flood. To do this the player needs to jump onto a little ledge on the side of the pillars near the corners of the elevated walkways. From there, crouch-jumping onto the walkways and staying up there will let | *In the room with the Heretic hologram, one can jump back on to the second level, out of the way of the Flood. To do this the player needs to jump onto a little ledge on the side of the pillars near the corners of the elevated walkways. From there, crouch-jumping onto the walkways and staying up there will let ‘Vadumee fight the Flood and take out the stragglers. | ||
*The cables can still be cut if the energy sword is out of energy. | *The cables can still be cut if the energy sword is out of energy. | ||
*The cables holding up the facility will not cut if the Commander is talking. | *The cables holding up the facility will not cut if the Commander is talking. | ||