Crow's Nest

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Crow's Nest is the third Campaign level of Halo 3.

Plot
The level begins with the Chief, the Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, and Sergeant Johnson landing in an underground UNSC base. When they disembark, several Marines are amazed to see a Spartan II. As they walk through hallways littered with wounded UNSC soldiers, Lieutenant Commander Keyes informs the Chief and Johnson that Truth has almost destroyed the UNSC Home Fleet, and only a few ships are left. They soon reach the command center and speak with Lord Hood, discussing a plan for an all out attack on Truth's army. Unfortunately, the Covenant then jams the Human communications network along with the rest of the base, shutting off the power. Truth appears on the main view screen, telling the Humans that their world will burn. The Covenant then attack, the base comes under heavy fire from Covenant Loyalists. The Master Chief helps rescue and evacuate as many marines as possible from the base. Unable to sufficiently fight off the invaders, Keyes orders a bomb placed in the operations center. Covenant troops, however, overrun the operations center and manage to defuse the bomb. The Master Chief retakes the op's center through force and rearms the main charge. All remaining troops, including the Master Chief, escape into the base's underground garage, where they survive the explosion.

UNSC

 * Assault Rifle
 * Battle Rifle
 * SMG
 * Pistol
 * Shotgun
 * Fragmentation Grenade
 * AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun

Covenant

 * Plasma Rifle
 * Plasma Pistol
 * Needler
 * Type-51 Carbine
 * Beam Rifle (Heroic or Legendary only)
 * Brute Spiker
 * Brute Shot
 * Fuel Rod Gun
 * Plasma Grenade
 * Spike Grenade
 * Plasma Cannon
 * Gravity Hammer

Transcript
{Cutscene}


 * Crow's Nest Flight Controller: "Sorry for the tight squeeze. (To the other Flight Controller) Tell the Commander her ace is in the hole."

''Kilo 023 touches down. Medics load an injured marine on a stretcher and move. The Master Chief, Thel 'Vadam and Johnson get off. Marines sitting by the landing pad see the Chief get out of the Pelican.''


 * Landing Pad Marine: "Hey, check it out.


 * Landing Pad Marine: "No way! A Spartan?!"


 * Blind-by-injury Landing Pad Marine: "For real? You better not be....


 * Landing Pad Marine: "No man. He's here! We're gonna be alright!"

Lieutenant Commander Miranda Keyes comes out onto the Landing Pad to meet Johnson, 'Vadam and the Master Chief.


 * Commander Keyes: "Where'd you find him?"


 * Sergeant Johnson: "Napping. Out back."

They salute, as she salutes back and smiles.


 * Commander Keyes: "Hmm, I'll bet. It's good to see you Chief."

Keyes shakes the Chief's hand.


 * Master Chief: "Likewise, ma'am."


 * Commander Keyes: "Let's get you up to speed."

''Down the hallways of the base, wounded Marines lay against the walls. Two Marines chatting to each other notice Commander Keyes and the Master Chief. They make way and salute.'''


 * Commander Keyes: "The Prophet of Truth's ships breached the Lunar Perimeter. Smashed what was left of the Home Fleet."

As 'Vadam walks by, the Marines lower their hands and stare in astonishment.


 * Commander Keyes: "Terrestrial casualties from the subsequent bombardment were..."

Medics race pass by with an injured Marine on a stretcher.


 * Commander Keyes: "...extreme. Truth could've landed anywhere, but he committed all his forces here. East Africa, The ruins of New Mombasa. Then, they started digging."


 * Master Chief: "What about Halo?"


 * Commander Keyes: "We stopped it, but only temporarily. Now, the Prophet of Truth is looking for something called 'The Ark', where he'll be able to fire all the Halo Rings. If he succeeds, Humanity, The Covenant, every sentient being in the Galaxy..."


 * Master Chief: "The Rings will kill us all."


 * Technician: "Ma'am, I have Lord Hood."


 * Commander Keyes: "Patch him through."


 * Lord Hood (Main View Screen): "Good news, Commander Keyes?"


 * Commander Keyes: "As good as it gets, sir."


 * Lord Hood (Main View Screen): "So I see. What's your status, son?"


 * Master Chief: "Green. Sir."


 * Lord Hood (Main View Screen): "Glad to hear it. The Commander's come up with a good plan. But without you, I wasn't sure we could pull it off."


 * Commander Keyes: "Truth's ships are clustered above the excavation site. And his infantry has deployed Anti-Aircraft Batteries around the perimeter. But, if we neutralize one of the batteries, punch a hole in Truth's defenses..."


 * Lord Hood (Main View Screen): "I'll initiate a low-level strike. Hit 'em right where it hurts. I only have a handful of ships, Master Chief. It's a big risk. But I'm confident—"

The power cuts completely.


 * Technician: "Hell! Not again!"


 * Commander Keyes: "Emergency generators! Now!"


 * Marine Technician: "Shielding failed. They're down and charging."


 * Commander Keyes: "As soon as they're up, reestablish contact with Lord Hood. Let him know that-"


 * Prophet of Truth (All screens): "You are, all of you, vermin. Cowering in the dirt, thinking what, I wonder? That you might escape the coming fire? No. Your world will burn until its surface is but glass! Not even your Demon will live to creep...blackened...from its hole to mar the reflection of our passage; the culmination of our Journey. For your destruction is the will of the gods! And I...I am their instrument!"



The power returns.


 * Sergeant Johnson: "Cocky bastard just loves to run his mouth!"


 * Master Chief: "Does he usually mention me?"

Commander Keyes thinks, and realizes Truth's meaning.


 * Commander Keyes: "Give the order. We're closing shop."


 * Marine Technician: "Ma'am?"


 * Commander Keyes: "We're about to get hit."


 * Marine Technician: (O.S.) "All personnel. Defense code Alpha."


 * Commander Keyes: "The wounded. We're getting them all out."


 * Marine Technician: "Prepare for immediate evacuation."


 * Sergeant Johnson: "If I have to carry 'em myself."


 * Marine Technician: "Ma'am, squad leaders are requesting a rally point. Where should they go?"

''Miranda walks up the stairs and draws a Pistol. She pulls the slide back.''


 * Commander Keyes: "To war."

She lets go and moves on.

Know Your Role...
Perimeter breach.

{Gameplay}


 * Marine Technician: "We just lost the Perimeter Cameras."


 * Commander Keyes: "Motion Trackers?"


 * Marine Technician: "They're down or we're not receiving. Can't tell."


 * Commander Keyes: "Any of our birds squawking?"


 * Technician: "No ma'am. Wait, Overwatch has contacts. Phantoms, closing in on our position."


 * Commander Keyes: "Any birds less than 5 minutes out, bring them in. Tell everything else to scatter."


 * Technician: "Aye, aye."


 * Technician : "Who would've thought we'd have this many wounded?"


 * Technician: "Pelicans are gonna take extra time to load."


 * Commander Keyes: "We knew they'd find us eventually. But we have a plan, let's make it happen."


 * All personnel: "Yes, ma'am!"


 * Sergeant Johnson: "Arbiter and I will guard the Ops Center. Don't worry about the Commander, Chief. I got her. But the Marines downstairs could use your help."

— (Co-op variation) Johnson: "Chief, move out. You too, Arbiter. The Commander will brief you as you go."

The Master Chief meets with two Marines from downstairs.


 * Marine: "Follow me sir."


 * Marine: "Perimeter's this way."
 * (With IWHBYD Skull) Marine: This base was built for some 20th century war, and it's pretty damn cool!

The Chief follows the Marines downstairs.


 * Marine: "Come on sir. I'll show you the way."

The Chief finds many weapons to stock up on.


 * Marine: "This base was built for some 20th century war. It's full of old tech, like these door controls."

''The Marine opens the door. The Chief walks on through to find Marines in a large cave setting up defenses for the Ops Center.''

or
 * Gunnery Sergeant Reynolds: "Get those turrets up. You watch your fields of fire."
 * Gunnery Sergeant Stacker: "Get those turrets up! Watch your fields of fire!"




 * Marine: "How'd they find us?"


 * Marine: "Probably just smelled you, man."


 * Marine: "Hey, bite me. I'm sick of hiding anyways."


 * Gunnery Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Quiet. Cut the chatter."


 * Marine: "What is it, Sergeant?"


 * Gunnery Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Calm before the storm, Marines. Enjoy it."

The cave shakes.


 * Gunnery Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Point of entry, best assessment?"


 * Marine: "The hangar, Sergeant."


 * Gunnery Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Agreed. Master Chief, get there."

- (Co-op variation) Gunnery Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Agreed. Chief, Arbiter. Get there."

The Master Chief proceeds on, meeting up with two Marines.


 * PFC Chips Dubbo: "We're with you, Chief."


 * Marine: "Yeah, get some."
 * PFC Chips Dubbo: "Squad down in the hangar's real shorthanded, Chief."
 * Marine: "If we don't get there quick they're gonna get rolled."

The Chief grabs some Fragmentation Grenades from a weapons case near the door, then opens it, and lets the Marines lead the way.


 * Commander Keyes (COM): "Chief? Good, this channel is secure. My fire-teams are spread thin. We can't hold out forever. I need that hangar cleared for evac, ASAP."


 * Marine: "Those Brutes secure the hangar; we won't be able to get our birds out."

''The Marines find the vehicle access. A Warthog is in battle with many Covenant soldiers. Grunts lob Plasma Grenades and destroy it. The Chief and accompanying Marines engage and win, pushing onward. They reach an open door heavily guarded and defeat the resistance, continuing through into the narrows corridors.''

''If the Master Chief continues to the end of the vehicle access, there is a Marine knocking on the door asking for the doorman to let him in. This is a Red vs Blue Easter Egg; the voices and the lines depend on the difficulty level. (See the Password-Lacking Marine)''

Soon the Chief and Marines reach the hangar.


 * Marine: "Wipe those bastards off the deck!!"


 * Marine: "Pelicans can't launch until the hangar's clear!"

''The Chief and Marines on the offense secure the deck. Multiple Phantoms drop troops into the hangar, attempting to defend it. From a distance, Hornets and Banshees are seen to be engaged in an aerial fight near a Cruiser who keeps supplying Covenant reinforcements to the base. The Chief and Marines take turrets and defend the hangar. The UNSC forces prevail. The Phantoms retreat and the troops fall.''

''The Pelican hanging on a crane in one of the docks slides out and is released. The Dropship lands to evac the Marines in the hangar, while the Master Chief restocks on weapons and ammo.''


 * Pelican pilot (If the Chief is in the way where it lands): "Need you to step aside sir; can't land till you do."


 * Sergeant Johnson (COM): "Chief, Ops Center. Double time! The Brutes are pressing hard."

If you linger:


 * Sergeant Johnson (COM):"Come on Chief, hustle on back"

''The Chief heads back to the Ops Center. Marines pass by for evac. Back in the vehicle access, two Marines staying behind until the next evac hear sounds of Drones' wings beating and metal banging in the ventilation pipes.''


 * Marine: "Hey. You hear that?"


 * Marine: "Yeah. And I don't like it."


 * Commander Keyes (Speaker): "Attention! Hostiles reported outside the barracks."

The Chief heads back into the corridors, with the two Marines following.


 * Commander Keyes (Speaker): "Barracks are under attack! All available combat teams, respond!"

''The COM systems remain silent. The banging and fluttering noises continue on.''


 * Commander Keyes (Speaker): "Anyone in the barracks, I need a sit-rep. Now!"

The Master Chief meets with the Marines in the cave, defending the Ops Center.


 * Marine: "Sir, this way."

''A Drone suddenly appears above him. {It can be killed before it picks up the Marine. If it does, he can still be saved if chosen to}.''


 * Female Marine #1: "Look! Coming outta the vents!"

A whole swarm of Drones starts pouring out the ventilation shafts, and engulfs the room.


 * Marine: "Line 'em up! Line 'em up!!"


 * Female Marine: "What the hell are these things, Sergeant?!"


 * Gunnery Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Drones! A whole swarm! Take 'em down!! Short, controlled bursts!!

''The Marines open fire on the swarm. The Chief finds a turret and unloads on them. The mighty swarm eventually falls. Marine in the Ops Center open the doors, letting the Chief in.''

Gift With Purchase
Butchers in the barracks.

''The Master Chief meets with Johnson smoking a cigar and other defending Marines setting up an explosive device, but Thel 'Vadam isn't with them. (Single Player Only)''


 * Gunnery Sergeant (Stacker or Reynolds): "If I try to hook up a timer, it might just go off by itself."


 * Commander Keyes (Main View Screen): "Johnson."


 * Sergeant Johnson: "Mm-hmm?"


 * Commander Keyes (Main View Screen): "You might wanna put that out."

Johnson drops his cigar and stamps on it.


 * Commander Keyes (Main View Screen): "Chief, have a look. A little going away gift for the Covenant. We've linked it to smaller charges throughout the base. Johnson, soon as the evacuation is complete, start the timer."


 * Sergeant Johnson: "Understood."


 * Commander Keyes (Main View Screen): "Good luck everyone. See you on the last Pelican out."

The Main View Screen switches off.


 * Johnson: "Follow me, Chief."

- (Co-op variation) Johnson: "Chief, Arbiter. Follow me."

Johnson leads the Chief to the back of the room, guarded by four Marines, and a Weapons Locker sits by it.


 * Sergeant Johnson: "Brutes have taken the barracks. Marines are trapped inside. Those apes ain't much for mercy, Chief. We both know what they do to prisoners."

The Master Chief takes weapons and ammo from the locker.


 * Sergeant Johnson: "Get to the barracks, save those men. Then escort them to the Landing Pad for evac."

If you stay near the bomb:


 * Sergeant Johnson: "I'll guard the bomb Chief, get yourself to the Barracks."

''The Chief heads through the corridor to the Motor Pool. While down there, he spots a Brute Pack, lead by a Brute Chieftain with a Gravity Hammer.''


 * Brute: "A fresh scent! It must be close."
 * Brute Chieftan: "Spread out! Track it down!"

The Brutes disperse; the Chief takes the pack and Chieftain head-on alone.

''After wiping the Brute Pack out, the Master Chief continues on through a corridor, but it's caved in. Finding a hole in the floor, he jumps down into a shaft, and at the bottom, are several pipe entrances, where Drones fly in and out of.''


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): "You have been called upon to serve."

Master Chief jumps down through the shafts into a canal, where he finds Thel 'Vadam below, fighting off another swarm of Drones.


 * Thel 'Vadam: "Half-wit insects! The Prophets use you like they used me! Reject their lies! Rebel, or all your hives will perish!" (Single Player Only)

After 'Vadam takes care of the Drones, he and the Chief regroup.


 * Thel 'Vadam: "Spartan, the Brutes have taken your soldiers, as prisoners or meat for their bellies, I do not know. In case some yet live, let us be careful when we shoot." (Single Player Only)

''The Master Chief and 'Vadam head through the door, seeing a Prisoner Marine thrown hard into a pillar, where multiple Marine corpses lie. The Marine dies and falls limply to the ground, and the Chief and 'Vadam rush in. One Marine being held by a Brute begs for mercy as it decides to kill him, too.''




 * Marine Prisoner: "No! Please!"

(If you save him just before he dies) If you don't save him, the Brute punches him and throws him on the ground behind him, laughing evilly.
 * Brute: "Look, it has soiled itself! These are whelps, not warriors!"


 * Marine Prisoner: "That was close, too close."

or


 * Marine Prisoner: "Close, too damn close."

''The Chief and 'Vadam kill the Brutes and release the prisoners {optional}. While the Marine rushes for a weapon, the Chief and 'Vadam save every prisoner they can.''


 * Thel Vadamee: "Again, the Brutes show their weakness."


 * Gunnery Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Everyone on your feet! Grab a weapon!"

''Taking out the Brutes, the surviving Marines grab weapons from more piles of corpses, taking a second to grieve for their comrades while the Chief and 'Vadam resupply and reload. They continue their rescue throughout the barracks, defeating the Brutes and rescuing (a maximum of) seven Marines, including a Sergeant.''
 * Female Marine: "Payback time! OO-RAH"




 * Thel 'Vadam: "We did all we could. Let us move the survivors to the landing pad. There is a lift outside."

- (Co-op change) Gunnery Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "You did the best you could, sir. Let's get the survivors up to the hangar. There's an elevator just outside the barracks."

''The Chief leads the survivors outside to the lift. He activates it and they wait for it to come down. While they wait, matters get worse.''


 * Sergeant Johnson (COM): "Commander, we lost the Ops Center. Brutes attacked in force. Couldn't hold them off. We're falling back to the hangar. But don't wait for us."


 * Hocus (COM): "What should I do, ma'am?"


 * Commander Keyes (COM): "Hold position! I'm not leaving without him."


 * 'The Chief, 'Vadam and the Marines board the elevator back up to the flight deck. While heading up, Kilo 23 gets into trouble.


 * Hocus: "Ma'am, I've got movement. Above and below. Brutes! They got jump-packs!"


 * Commander Keyes (COM): "They're going after the thrusters. Shake them off, Lieutenant!"

''Kilo 23 takes off, getting out of the Brutes' reach. Noticing the Chief and 'Vadam, they attack them. After successfully retaking the flight deck, a door at the road below opens, and Johnson approaches them, holding an SMG. Seeing Johnson and his surviving squad at the doorway under attack from Drones, the Chief and 'Vadam assist.''


 * Johnson: "Drones! Go! I'll cover you!"

''The few drones are quickly eliminated. Kilo 23 returns for final evac. The barracks survivors and Johnson's squad board the Pelican dropship.''


 * Johnson: "Brutes. In the Ops Center. They disarmed the bomb. Sorry Commander, there were too many. Even for me."


 * Commander Keyes (COM): "Chief, get back to the Ops Center. Kill those Brutes. Rearm the bomb. I've gotta get these men outta here. But I'll radio with another exit. Good luck."

''Johnson and Thel 'Vadam board the Pelican. The Master Chief goes along the road Johnson previously came from, passing by destroyed Warthogs and dead Marines. (In Co-op, 'Vadam will accompany the Chief)''

Last One Out, Get the Lights
'Bomb armed. Time to go.'

The Chief reaches a door at the end of the road.


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): "You will be the protectors of Earth and all her colonies."

''The Chief walks on through to another roadway, with Covenant Plasma Cannons set up. Using the Plasma Cannons and/or using all available cover, he gets back to the Motor Pool next door to the Ops Center.''

If the Chief is taking a while:

Johnson (COM): "Chief, follow the service tunnel to the Motor Pool."

Johnson (COM): "Head through the Motor Pool to get to the Ops Center."

The Chief heads back up the corridor behind the Ops Center, and sneaks in and witnesses a Chieftain communicating with the Prophet of Truth using the Ops Center communications.


 * Brute Chieftain: "We have taken their Command Center!"


 * Truth (Main View Screen): "Have you discovered how they plan to stop me?"


 * Brute Chieftain: (Nervously) "Not just yet, Noble Prophet."


 * Truth (Main View Screen): "Find out what I need to know, or your place on the path is forfeit. Tell me you understand!"


 * Brute Chieftain: "Yes, Holy One. It shall be done."

Truth disconnects from the screen.


 * Brute Chieftain: "Have the Drones scour these machines!! Find out what these heathens know about the Ark!!"

As the two Grunts and Brute Captains get busy, the Chief takes them by surprise and takes them down, taking back the Ops Center and the bomb.

If the Chief waits around a bit.


 * Sergeant Johnson (COM): "Hit the switch, Chief. Arm that bomb!"

The Master Chief reactivates the bomb and the alarm sounds.


 * Commander Keyes (COM): "That did it, Chief! Bomb's armed."


 * Sergeant Johnson (COM): "We got your exit. A service elevator in the hangar. Head downstairs, cut through the caves!"

The Chief heads back into the cave, where Grunts run wildly, then through the corridors.

If the Chief takes his time:
 * Sergeant Johnson (COM): "South hangar, straight through the caves Chief."
 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): "There will be a great deal of hardship on the road ahead."

He continues back out to the vehicle access, where Drones, some Jackals and Grunts flee, and back down the corridors to the hangar.


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): "You will become the best we can make you."

The Chief gets to the hangar, where Phantoms flee, and Grunts run around in panic and some trying to catch the fleeing Phantom, holds up and looks miserable.


 * Sergeant Johnson (COM): "There isn't much time, Chief. Find that elevator."

If Chief takes his time.


 * Sergeant Johnson (COM): "Bomb's about to blow! Go, go, go!"

If it takes the Chief more time to get to the elevator.


 * Sergeant Johnson (COM): "Get on the elevator, Chief! You're out of time!"

''The Master Chief makes it to the service elevator, and activates it. The door doesn't fully shut. Something explodes and flames flicker through the gap.''


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): "This place will become your home."

''The elevator descends. The Master Chief hears a massive boom. He looks up and sees the flames roar through the open door. The violent shaking disconnects the elevator and sends it plummeting down. It crashes below and the Chief starts to black out.''


 * Cortana (Cortana Moment): "This place will become your tomb."

Everything goes black.

Achievements

 * Holdout - "Holdout" is an achievement earned by completing the level on the Normal, Heroic, or Legendary difficulty. It is worth 20 Gamerscore.
 * Black Eye - "Black Eye" is an achievement earned for finding and claiming the Black Eye Skull. It is worth 10 Gamerscore.
 * Demon - "Demon" is an achievement earned by accumulating 15,000 points in free-for-all meta-game scoring on this level. It is worth 10 Gamerscore.

Glitches

 * The Arbiter Eye Glitch occurs at the beginning of this level.
 * Occasionally, you will see rats scurrying across the floor in some parts of the level. They appear on your Motion Tracker as small yellow dots -- friendlies. You can kill them and melee their dead bodies around. If you betray the Marines, your Motion Tracker will show the rats as enemies.
 * If you go to Theater and play a film on this level, view a part that takes place in the hangar. Take the camera out to the hangar door, and down the left side of the cliff, this will take you outside the barrier. When you reach the bottom there will be a Pelican hovering just above the ground. Unlike the others in this level, you can't see inside its cockpit and the door in the back is closed.
 * It's also possible to guide the camera into the fight between the pilotless Hornets and Banshees and to the Covenant cruiser. The Master Chief may need to be at the hangar door in order for this to work. If you get close enough to the cruiser and if seen in a right angle, you will see it is only the starboard half.
 * In the last segment of the level, in the hangar, when the fleeing Grunts run down to the room with the elevator, sometimes they will stop running and stay where they are. They will not attack you.
 * If you open the door to the Motor Pool and don't go through, the door to Ops Center will remain open. If you hold position and snipe Brutes with a Battle Rifle, you can eventually lure the Chieftain up the ramp and into the Ops Center. However, he will not attack the Marines, and vice-versa. You can even lure him downstairs, though he will not chase you into the large cave area.
 * There is a glitch that allows you to get infinite weapons for the Motor Pool battle.
 * By dropping a Deployable Cover in the small stairway that Johnson and his Marines use to get to the landing pad, you can block off the stairway and Johnson and his Marines will cease to move, stopping Miranda Keyes's Pelican from taking off.
 * At the beginning of the level, you can get the skull and melee Johnson into battle with you. He will not die unless stuck with Plasma or Spike Grenades, and he will only punch the Covenant forces. If Johnson is killed by being stuck, he will either respawn at the next checkpoint, mount the nearest turret, get up and pick-up the nearest weapon, or he will get up and bring out a Battle Rifle. Johnson cannot move by himself unless dodging grenades and must be meleed to different areas. If you take Johnson to the second checkpoint in the Ops center, a second Johnson will be there. You can do the same thing with this Johnson as the first, but he must be meleed through the door he opens and sent to the next area or he will go through the first door and it will close.
 * The "Friendly" Brutes glitch can be performed on this level.
 * On this level, it is possible to find Gunnery Sergeant Stacker or Reynolds in three different places in a short amount of time, although they did not accompany you throughout the base. They can be found holding position after killing the swarm of drones outside the Ops Center, then operating the bomb, then being held prisoner in the barracks.
 * While entering the area with the Brute Chieftain, stop and look to your right and there should be a mop. If you melee the mop, it will go through walls but the soft part will remain outside.
 * If you throw grenades on the Pelican that arrives after you have secured the hangar, it should turn around and not be able to leave the hangar.
 * Sometimes, if you can beat all of the jumpack brutes within three minutes during the landing pad battle ( it's hard but it is possible ), a banshee or hornet may fall from the battle above you. It has no effect on gameplay and will fall harmlessly through the level

Mistakes

 * If you are playing Co-op on this level, the Arbiter has a melee animation even when he is unarmed. He will melee like a normal Elite. The melee attack does no damage. The same glitch can be performed if you use a glitch to allow an elite character model to be unarmed in forge.
 * When playing as the Arbiter, N’tho ‘Sraom, or Usze ‘Taham, if you press the Y when you're unarmed at the beginning of the level, your player model will shuffle its feet. This can be seen only by the person who does it.
 * Many of the Marines are the same models with different voices in the opening cutscene, such as one of the injured men and a technician that speaks with the Commander.
 * After you come down from the elevator with the surviving Marines, finish off the Brutes and then when Miranda's Pelican comes down, hop onto the viewport and you will see that Miranda is holding the controls of the Pelican like the controls of a Hornet.
 * Sgt. Johnson drops a cigar and steps on it when the player(s) first see the bomb. Upon closer examination, however, one can that the cigar is still lit. In fact, it is completely unaffected by being stepped on.
 * If you manage to save every possible prisoner marine in Barrack B, the evacuation Pelican will run out of seats leaving Thel 'Vadam with no other option but to sit in a seat already occupied by a marine.

Easter Eggs

 * If at the beginning of the level you get the Black Eye Skull and keep hitting Miranda Keyes with it she will say, 'Keep your eye on the ball.' This is a reference to the Slayer Variant Oddball.
 * In Theater mode, when Miranda Keyes tells Master Chief about their farewell party to the Brutes. Go upstairs next to the computer. It will say MAC and WAC and start playing the Halo theme song with beep sounds.
 * At the beginning of the cutscene, you can see the Stackers model.
 * Shortly after you have activated the bomb, when you run towards the elevator, the Grunts there won't attack you immediately. You can even push them into the elevator you have to go in though it takes a little luck keeping the grunt inside the elevator. If you do the grunt will just run in circles.
 * If you look at the picture on the wrinkled newspaper laying between the generator and tarp covered crates at the beginning of Barrack B, it can be noted that the picture faintly displays the picture of a MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V alongside a Grunt from Halo: Combat Evolved.

Miscellaneous

 * It is possible to find two pieces of Cloaking equipment after rescuing Marines from the barracks, get in the service elevator, fight off all jump pack Brutes, then, as Sergeant Johnson is fighting off the Drones, run up the staircase to the right of the Pelican where the next wave of Brutes emerge from this door at the top of the stairs. Follow the path and you'll reach a control room overlooking the landing pad. Go inside and on the floor there are the two pieces of cloaking equipment. These are extremely useful when you return to the Ops Center, if you want to make an unnoticed entrance. In the same room there are two battle rifles, a regenerator, two frag grenades and a gravity lift.
 * The Black Eye and Grunt B-Day skulls can be found on this level.
 * The Banshees and Hornets outside the hangar aren't real. They lack a physical presence, you can move through them in Theater mode, they have scripted deaths, and they use very low-resolution textures applied to them. They are unaffected by the player's actions.
 * If you take the camera in Theater mode outside the hangar, you can see the Portal Storm forming.
 * The Barracks have the largest amount of spawned Marine corpses in the game.
 * The multiplayer level Rat's Nest draws many visual inspirations from the design of Crow's Nest.
 * In the video "Et Tu, Brute", instead of fighting the Hammer Chieftain in the Motor Pool you would fight the Plasma Cannon Chieftain and vice versa.
 * At the beginning of the level, you can usually find garbage such as Cola cans in the corners of the Ops Center.
 * This is the first level in Halo 3 that you can see Hornets.
 * The Emergency Generators have the numbers 2401 on them, a referance to 7.