Crow's Nest

Crow's Nest is the second campaign mission of Halo 3.

Upon completing it on the Normal, Heroic, or Legendary difficulties, the player will earn the "Holdout" achievement and 20 Gamerpoints. Upon 15,000 points in Metascoring, the player will earn the Demon Achievement and 10 gamerpoints.

Plot
The level begins with the Chief, the Arbiter and Johnson escaping from the African jungle and landing in an underground UNSC base. As they disembark, several Marines are amazed to see a Spartan. Commander Keyes then informs The Chief and Johnson of the current situation (that Truth has destroyed the UNSC Fleet, and only a few ships are left), all the while walking through hallways littered with wounded UNSC soldiers. They soon reach the Command Center and speak with Lord Hood, discussing a plan for an all out attack on Truth's army. However, the Covenant then jam the Humans communications network along with the rest of the base, shutting off the power. Truth then appears on the main viewscreen, threatening the Humans and telling them their world will burn. The Covenant then attack and the base comes under heavy fire from the Covenant Loyalists. Unable to sufficiently fight off the invaders, Miranda Keyes orders a bomb placed in the operations center. Despite an attempt by the Covenant to disable the bomb, it goes off successfully, and all remaining troops, including the Master Chief escape into the base's underground garage where they survive the explosion.

Transcript
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{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 23 touches down. The Master Chief, the Arbiter 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 #2: "No way! A Spartan!"


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


 * Landing Pad Marine #2: "No man. He's here! We're gonna be alright!"

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


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


 * Johnson: "Napping. Out back."


 * 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 the Arbiter 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 a critical 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?"


 * Miranda 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 #1: "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 defences..."


 * 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 #2: "Ah 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-"


 * Truth (All screens): (with pure disgust and hatred) "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! And 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!"

Power returns.


 * 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: "All personnel. Defense code Alpha."


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


 * Marine Technician: "Prepare for immediate evacuation."


 * 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...
{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 #2: "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 #2: "Aye Aye."


 * Technician #3: "Who would've thought we'd have this many wounded?"


 * Technician #2: "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 personel: "Yes Ma'am!"

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

The Master Chief meets with two Marines from downstairs.


 * Marine #1: "Follow me sir."


 * Marine #2: "Perimeter's this way."

The Chief follows the Marines downstairs.


 * Marine #3: "Come on sir. I'll show you the way."

The Chief finds many weapons to stock up on.


 * Marine #2 or #3: "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
 * Marine Sergeant (Reynolds): "Get those turrets up. You watch your fields of fire."
 * Marine Sergeant (Stacker): "Get those turrets up! Watch your fields of fire!"


 * Marine #4: "How'd they find us?"


 * Marine #5: "Probably just smelled you man."


 * Marine #4: "Hey bite me. I'm sick of hiding anyways."


 * Marine Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Quiet. Cut the chatter."
 * Marine #5: "What is it, Sergeant?"


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

The cave shakes.


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


 * Marine #6: "The Hangar, Sergeant."

- (Co-op variation) Marine Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Agreed. Chief, Arbiter. Get there."
 * Marine Sergeant (Reynolds or Stacker): "Agreed. Master Chief, get there."

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


 * Marine #7: "We're with you, Chief."


 * Marine #8: "Yeah. Get some."

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


 * Commander Keyes (COM): "Master 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 #7: "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 #9: "Wipe those bastards off the deck!!"

''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.''


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

''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 Drone's wings beating and metal banging in the ventilation pipes.''


 * Marine #9: "Hey. You hear that?"


 * Marine #10: "Yeah. And I don't like it."


 * Commander Keyes (Speaker): "Attension. 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 SitRep. Now!"

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


 * Marine #6: "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 too}.''


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

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


 * Marine #9: "LINE 'EM UP! LINE 'EM UP!!"


 * Female Marine #1: "What the hell are these things, Sergeant?!"


 * Marine 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
''The Master Chief meets with Johnson and other defending Marines setting up an explosive device, but the Arbiter isn't with them. (Single Player Only)''


 * Demolitions Marine: "If I hook up a timer, it might just blow up by itself."


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


 * Johnson: "Mmm 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."


 * Johnson: "Understood."


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

The Main View Screen switches off.

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

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


 * 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.


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

''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, gathered round.''


 * Brute Chieftain: "A fresh scent. Must be close. Spread out! Track it down!"

The Brutes disperse, the Chief takes the pack and Chieftain on.

''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 the Arbiter below, fighting off another swarm of Drones.


 * Arbiter: "Half-wit insects! The Prophets use you like they used me! Reject their lies! Rebel, or all your hives will perish!"

After the Arbiter takes care of the Drones, the Chief and Arbiter regroup.


 * Arbiter: "Spartan, the Brutes have taken your soldiers, as prisoners or meat for their bellies, I do not know. Let us be careful."

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


 * Prisoner: "NO! PLEASE!"


 * Brute: "Look, it has soiled itself! These are whelps, not warriors!"

''The Chief and Arbiter kill the Brutes and release the prisoner {optional}. While the Marine rushes for a weapon, the Chief and Arbiter save every prisoner they can. 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 Arbiter too resupply and reload. They continue their rescue throughout the barracks, defeating the Brutes and rescuing (a maximum of) seven Marines, including a Sergeant.''

- (Co-op variation) Marine 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."
 * Arbiter: "We did all we could. Let us move the survivors to the landing pad. There is a lift outside."

''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.''


 * Johnson (COM): "Commander, we lost the Ops Center. Brutes attacked in force. Couldn't hold them off. We 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, Arbiter 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 Arbiter, they attack them. After successfully retaking the flight deck, a door at the road below opens. Seeing Johnson and his surviving squad at the doorway under attack from Drones, the Chief and Arbiter 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. I've gotta get these men outta here. But I'll radio with another exit. Good luck."

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

Last One Out, Get the Lights
He 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 taking a while} 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 #2: "Success, Holy One. We have taken their Command Center!"


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


 * Brute Chieftain #2: (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 #2: "Yes, Holy One. It shaaall be done."

Truth disconnects.


 * Brute Chieftain #2: "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 you wait around a bit)
 * 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."


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

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


 * 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 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.


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

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


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

''The elevator decends. 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 Continuing): "This place will become your tomb."

The Chief loses consiousness.

Walkthrough
As the level starts off, listen to the dialogue, then move down to the weapon lockers for some ammo. Grab a Battle Rifle and two SMGs. After a marine opens the door, go all the way to the top, where you'll meet two marines telling you about a hangar. At this point it is a good idea to swap your 2 marines Assault Rifles with Battle Rifles to increase their effectiveness. Go to the panel and open this door. From here, find your way and be sure to open the doors you encounter (only those doors with a green light can be opened). Soon, you'll approach a big area with a warthog. Draw out your BR and begin sniping out the grunts and jackals, hiding if necessary.when you come to the next door, a brute and several grunts will come out. Kill the brute first, then kill the remaining grunts. Now, do NOT eagerly go through the door yet! Several jackals are at the end of the hallway sniping with their carbines. Using your battle rifle, snipe each one out, then kill the grunts. Once the area is clear, proceed. Swap your SMGs for a Carbine. You'll arrive at a hangar, where there are grunts and jackals on the deck. Kill every one of them. By this time, a phantom would have arrived. If you bump into the other Marines swap out your BR and Carbine with their weapons to increase their combat effectiveness. Pick up a deployable cover that can be found on the deck, then go to one of the Machinegun Turrets. Place the cover at the side of your turret, so that if any enemy gets on the deck, they can't shoot you. Okay, now use the turret to shoot everyone on the hangar bay. Destroy the dropship plasma cannons when they fly into the hangar. DON'T detach the turret yet until the pelican comes out (Just come out of the turret and use your weapons to shoot those enemies that managed to get on the deck). That is, after you have cleared several troops deployed by the phantoms. Now, having cleared the hangar, detach the turret then pick up a new deployable cover and get back to the ops center exactly the same way you got to the hangar. Beware, on your way there, you'll encounter lots of drones in the cave. Remain in the bunker and use your turret to kill the drones, and hide whenever your shield is down. If necessary use your deployable cover. After clearing the area, proceed on to the ops center.

From the ops center, go to the other door where you can find a green light and a marine standing next to the door. Pick up a shotgun. Open the door, and proceed to the barracks. Here, use the shield as cover and shoot through the hole. Kill the brutes one by one. Soon, the chieftain will go in to kill you. Dodge his attacks and don't shoot if he activates his Invincibility. Try to lure him to a corner, then throw a spike grenade, and that should finish him. If any brutes are still there kill them. Take the chieftains hammer with you and proceed to the next area. In the tunnel, the drones won't usually harm you much, and you can either ignore them, or fight them.

Here, you'll encounter the Arbiter, and he will help you through the cave and the next area (the second barracks). You have the opportunity to save marines in the barracks. They tend to pick up weak weapons so swap out their weapons with BRs, Carbines, Shotguns and ARs. The Gravity Hammer works very well here. Snipe out some of the brutes first, then use your gravity hammer to kill the rest. Kill the others before facing the gold chieftain. Rush toward him, and blast him directly with your hammer. That should kill him.After clearing this area, you will go to a cave with an elevator. Get into it and activate the controls. You'll soon come to a landing pad, with lots of Jumppack Brutes.

After killing all of them, go up to control room over the landing pad to pick up an active-camo equipment. Then proceed down the stairs to an area where you will encounter drones. You can ignore them or fight them if you want.

At the next area, you will encounter lots of gunner grunts with their plasma cannons. Be sure to hide frequently here, as your shield will go down frequently too. Feel free to use your own tactic here, but I suggest detaching the turrets. If one turret runs out of ammo, you can aways detach another. After you've cleared this area, you'll come to another area with loads of grunts and two jackal snipers up on the upper level, carrying beam rifles. Take them out first, as they are the most dangerous. It takes practice, but after you've killed them, kill the remaining grunts. From here, open the last door, and you're back again at the ops center. Use your active camo to clear out this room of grunts and brutes. Arm the bomb, and proceed to the hangar the same way as when you first went to the hangar. Most covenant are now disoriented, and you can feel free to ignore them; just watch out for the jackals. After arriving to the hangar, you'll notice that at the right side of the hangar, a hangar door has opened. Get through it, dash to the elevator, and activate it. The bomb explodes and you've finished Halo 3's second level.

Trivia

 * There is a argument between two marines voiced by various Red vs Blue actors, which changes depending on difficulty level. See Password-Lacking Marine. It is seen in the Halo 3 ViDoc Et Tu Brute around the 5 minute mark.


 * The words spoken by the Prophet of Truth in the E3 2007 trailer of Halo 3 are heard in the cut-scene when the Covenant get on the Human communications network.


 * On the boxes in the part of the room farthest from the monitors is the number 2401, the number of Installation 05's Monitor.


 * The Seventh Column icon appears in the opening cinematic. Immediately after Commander Keyes says "Give the order, we're closing shop," the screen cuts to a bearded marine who says "Ma'am?" The screen in back of him shows a map of the base, with the Seventh Column icon appearing in the middle of the lower-right quadrant. [[Image:Seven_Pillars.png|right|thumb|250px|The "Seventh Column" icons on the computer readout.]]


 * The computers in the Ops Center occasionally beep the Halo theme.


 * If you go to theater mode and play a film on this level, view a part that takes place in the hanger. Take the camera out the hanger door, go under the invisible barrier, and down the cliff. 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. Its also possible to guide the camera into the fight between the Hornets(which have no pilots) and Banshees and to the Covenant Cruiser. The Master Chief may need to be at the hanger door in order for this to work.