Under the Dark

Under the Dark is the ninth campaign level in Halo Wars 2.

Transcript
CORE / ENDURING CONVICTION GRAV-LIFT

UNDER THE DARK

Mission Briefing
 * Jerome-092: "Alice, this is Jerome. Isabel and I are making our approach on the Banished base beneath the carrier."
 * Alice-130: "Roger that, Jerome. My team is standingby and ready to roll on your say so."
 * Jerome-092: "Good to hear. Once the carrier's shield is down we'll only have a small window of time to board it the via grav-lift. I need your team to standby in case we run into any problems.
 * Alice-130: "I've got your back, Jerome. You just worry about getting there. Good luck."

Mission Summary

Infiltrate a Banished compound to board the carrier 'Enduring Conviction'.

Scouting Report

Use your snipers to spot targets for your long range Kodiak artillery.

In-game Cutscene

Jerome's Team are approaching the Enduring Conviction's grav-lift.
 * Jerome-092: "We're approaching the LZ for the grav-lift now. Are you ready for this, Isabel?"

Suddenly Reavers, Turrets and Blisterback appeared on the grav-lift.
 * Jerome-092: "Wait, we got hostiles!"

The Reavers and Turrets attack the Pelicans, the Pelican carrying Sergeant Allieri and his team's left wing was clipped out.
 * Jerome-092: "Hold on, we're going down!"
 * Isabel: "No, no, no..."

At Allieri's Pelican, only four sniper survives the crash.
 * Jerome-092: "Getting to that grav-lift isn't going to be as easy as we hoped. We better call in a base drop."
 * Anders: "Jerome, I'm picking the chatter over comms, the Banished are on their way."

Allieri lead two Snipers while one sniper is already scouting ahead.
 * Allieri: "Sniper team, this is Sergeant Allieri. The Banished defenses got the drop on us and grounded Jerome and Isabel's Pelican on the way to the grav-lift. Get to the crash site and rendezvous with them for new orders."

''Banished infantry start coming to investigate the crash site, Allieri and his sniper team gets into the garrison and hold them off. After a while holding, Banished send in suicide grunts.''
 * Allieri: "Suicide Grunts! Take them out from range!"

The snipers takes Suicide Grunt down first before focusing on other infantries.

After clearing them out, the Banished deployed cloaked Plasma mines.
 * Allieri: "Watch out, the Banished are deploying cloaked mines. Step carefully and clear them out as you go."

The Snipers are using drones to detect any cloaked mines to destroy it.
 * Allieri: "We know the Banished are using cloaking technology, but your detectors should be able to spot any hidden units."

''The Sniper Team continue to advance carefully while taking out any Banished patrols they spot. They clear Plasma Mines along the way and even captured Power Nodes after clearing Plasma Mines.''

Once capturing it, the Sniper Team proceed to take out any enemy infantries and another line of Plasma Mines was set near Jerome's Pelican.
 * Allieri: "Jerome's pelican crashed just up ahead, team."

The team clear out the Plasma Mines and finally reaches Jerome's Pelican while Banished's dead bodies are scattered around his Pelican.

Upon rendezvousing with Jerome, he was just finished up as he uppercut and smackdown Jiralhanae Warlord before executing it.
 * Allieri: "Aw, and i thought I was going to get to rescue a Spartan today..."
 * Jerome-092: "Glad to have you with us. We're going to need your eyes to spot any more Banished surprised. Let's move out."

''Once rendezvousing with Jerome. They start to move out, clearing any infantries as the Sniper scout ahead and taking out enemy infantry as they advance.''

After clearing them out, they reach where they can see Banished's base beneath them.
 * Isabel: "Now that we're on foot we're going to have to deal with the Banished base between us and the grav-lift."
 * Jerome-092: "Captain, we're going to need support to fight our way through to the lift. Appreciate the help, sir."

Cutter send three Kodiak and 2-slot minibase are avaiable.
 * Isabel: "Increased Banished comms chatter, Jerome. They know we're here."
 * Jerome-092: "You heard Isabel, let's make sure we're ready for them. If we lose our base we won't have the reinforcements to take the grav-lift."

Once the base has been set, Allieri and his team went to scout ahead to clear out infantries, mines and coincidentally, Jiralhanae Warlord.

If Kodiak is taking fire.
 * Kodiak: "I won't last long without support, over!"
 * Kodiak: "I'm taking fire, need support ASAP!"
 * Kodiak: "I'm under attack from the enemy! Need support!"

''Once the area ahead is clear, Jerome lead the team to the Banished's base but a Spirit inbound and dropped infantries. They quickly defeats them.''

''Once the Sniper is in range of Banished's base. The kodiak is ready to fire.''
 * Kodiak: "Acquiring target. Firing cannon!"

''UNSC takes out any infantries that are coming, holding position as Kodiak firing the base. The base was finally destroyed.''
 * Jerome-092: "Good work, everyone. Captain, the Banished base is clear."
 * Isabel: "Jerome, let's get to that grav-lift before i have second thoughts!"

Jerome and the UNSC arrives at the entrance to the grav-lift but the defenses around the grav-lift has yet to be ceased.
 * Isabel: "Those turrets are still active around the grav-lift, Jerome. We're going to need some heavy armor to destroy them."
 * Jerome-092: "That's what Alice is here for. One-Three-Zero, do you copy? We're ready."

The view changes to Alice's side where she along with Three Kodiaks are defending the base from Banished's Infantry and Rangers.
 * Alice-130: "I copy, Jerome. It's about time too. I was beginning to think you wanted to win this war on your own."
 * Jerome-092: "Wouldn't want to spoil your fun, Alice. The Banished are defending their grav-lift with anti-air turrets. I have Isabel with me so I can't risk a frontal assault and a Pelican won't make it past those guns. I need someone to flank them and take them out."
 * Alice-130: "Ok, we can station Kodiaks at these three points so we can hit those turrets simulatneously. You'll be able to get across before the Banished have even noticed."

Two Choppers approach the base but quickly retreats and the barrier shield immediately online after the Choppers went past through it, blocking Alice and her team.
 * Alice-130: "They're setting up more defenses. Kodiaks, target those generators and fire at will."

The Kodiaks set themself to Artillery Mode and attack the Shield Generator, destroying it.
 * Alice-130: "Roll out, team. I'll jump in if you get into any trouble. Let's protect those Kodiaks."

Alice and Snipers capture the Power Node ahead, giving them steady stream supplies of Power while assembling forces to escort Kodiaks.

''Upon finishing assembling units, the Banished Camp to the east is getting in their way so they decide to destroy it. Once clear, Snipers went ahead and found a turret stationed there.''

''When engaging, UNSC encounters Jiralhanae Warlord along with some Marauders and Hunters. Snipers quickly take the Warlord out while Alice use herself as a shield to give enough time for snipers to take out Hunters while Kodiaks takes out the Marauders and Turrets.''

''Advancing ahead, UNSC captures another Power Node and continues forward until they found Banished's 2-slot minibase. They quickly take it out and UNSC calls in Minibase to set up Forward Base once the Banished's structure are destroyed.''

''North from 2-slot Minibase, Sangheili Rangers are protecting the first deployment point, Alice and Snipers takes it out while escorting a Kodiak to deployment point. Some UNSC forces are defending Banished's attack from the east.''
 * Alice-130: "That's the first location. Let's get one of our Kodiaks deployed there."

''The Kodiak moves into position and deploy itself once it's in position. Alice quickly regroup with UNSC forces east of Minibase to advance to the second and third deployment area.''
 * Alice-130: "Now move out on the second and third locations. Keep those Kodiaks protected, they know we're coming."

''UNSC encounters another barrier shield but it's guarded by Two Turrets. Snipers move into the line of sight range and giving target for Kodiak to fire it. Once both turrets down, Snipers and Kodiaks move forward to gain fire position to Shield Generator while Alice watch their backs. The Shield Generator is destroyed and UNSC once again roll out to the next destination.''

''Moving to the second Deployment area, UNSC encounters two Turrets to the east and group of Banished's units to the north. UNSC hold position, letting the Kodiak destroy them while Alice and UNSC Infantries defeat Banished's that are attacking Kodiak and Snipers. After both side is secured, UNSC moved northward and discover a Battalion of Wraith is defending the second deployment area. Using snipers as spotter for Kodiak, they take it out one by one smoothly.''

Once clear, the second Kodiak moves in and deployed into position.

''Moving to the third deployment area, Sniper scout ahead and find the barrier shield are protected by Turrets and Plasma Mines. Snipers clears the mine while Kodiak takes out the Turret.''

''Once Turret has been destroyed, Banished's Shroud appears in front of Banished's base and cloaked nearby Banished's Units. UNSC assemble their forces again and once settled up, the Kodiaks destroy the Shield Generator.''

''The fight started as UNSC advances to the base but a Jiralhanae Warlord steps in but Alice and Snipers quickly take it out while Kodiaks destroying the base and UNSC Infantries are kill the Banished that has just comes out from the base. Once the base is destroyed, Alice and UNSC move the Kodiak into final position.''
 * Alice-130: "That's the final location. Deploy the Kodiak and stand by on my orders."

Once final Kodiak is in position, Alice orders them to open fire.
 * Alice-130: "Kodiaks, fire!"

Kodiaks open fire to the Turrets and Reavers around grav-lift, in the same time Douglas has just finished his job.
 * Douglas-042: "Jerome, this is Douglas. The carrier's shield is down and you are good to go."
 * Jerome-092: "Roger that, Douglas. Now get your troops clear. You don't want to be down there when Isabel and I are finished. That goes for you too, Alice. This is it, Isabel. Are you ready?"

A Pelican carrying Jerome and Isabel arrives on grav-lift, dropping Jerome and he walks to the grav-lift
 * Isabel: "As I'll ever be."

Jerome hovers upward into the Enduring Conviction.

{Cinematic Cutscene}

''Three Sangheili Rangers are on the grav-lift chamber, deactivating the holotank. Light on the grav-lift suddenly goes bright and black, alerting them as Jerome suddenly attacks them with his handgun. One of Sangheili attacks Jerome with Energy Sword but he dodged it and gets punched aside, causing a Sangheili to crash on the wall. Jerome fires two more shots from his handgun and draw his knife, latching himself on the back of the last Sangheili and stabbed in its neck, killing it. Jerome sheathe his knife on his waist after he kill the last Sangheili.''
 * Isabel: "Whoa."
 * Jerome-092: "Problem?"
 * Isabel: "No... I've just never had Spartan ringside seats before."
 * Jerome-092: "Let's get to work. Our entrance wasn't exactly subtle."

''Jerome remove the chip from his helmet and placing it on a Holotable. Isabel appeared inside the Enduring Conviction systems, looking for something.''
 * Isabel: "Okay, i just need to find their..."

Isabel found the firing system and opens it.
 * Isabel: "Got it."

Isabel locate the target and she saw the UNSC are withdrawing to the Spirit of Fire.
 * Isabel: "Troops below are clear. I'm starting now."

Isabel close her eyes, ready to initiate the firing sequence.
 * Isabel: "Promise you won't leave without me."

''She open her eyes, moving herself upwards and downwards. Sighing a bit, she move her hand around to initiate the firing sequence.''

Outside, the Enduring Conviction's Glassing Beam is activated and start gathering power.

Isabel continue her work, creating a line system from one way to another and she stops them, spinning it as the Glassing Beam is ready to fire at any moment now.

Grabbing two Orbs, Isabel looks at both of it and she close her eyes, remembering the Incident that causes the scientist on Henry Lamb Research Outpost are being attacked and killed by the Banished.
 * Female Scientist #1: "Unidentified vessel. Who are they? Isabel"
 * Male Scientist #1: "What do they want? Isabel!"

Isabel initiate the glassing beam, destroying Banished's base and units around it directly.

''The Glassing Beam pierce through the surface as the Sentinels awakened and alerted. Thousands of Sentinels make their way up while the Glassing continues. On the surface, swarm of sentinels coming out from the canyon gaps, continue heading towards Enduring Conviction.''

Inside the ship, Isabel prepare to unleash her rage into the Glassing Beam, the grudge that she held for three months as she witness the UNSC scientists are being attacked by the Banished and she cannot do anything to them as she continue to glass Installation 00.
 * Male Scientist #1: "ISABEL!"
 * Female Scientist #1: "What do we do?"
 * Female Scientist #2: "Oh my god!"
 * Male Scientist #2: "No, please no!"
 * Female Scientist #1: "No! Isabel, what do we do?!"

''Millions of Sentinels are gathered on top of Enduring Conviction. One of Sentinels start to take the lead by ramming itself into the ship to take measurements first. The ship's shield is already downed by Douglas earlier as it directly hits the ship and other Sentinels start to follow in, crashing themself into the ship.''

''Inside the grav-lift room, Jerome heard loud of thud knowing that the Banished are trying to force open the door. Jerome ready his Shotgun as the grav-lift lamp goes offline and he activate the flashlight on his helmet, ready to defend the position from the Banished.''

''Outside, Sentinels increase their frequency but becoming more coordinated on crashing themself into the carrier. Creating hordes of Sentinels that crash simultaneously into the carrier.''

''The Jiralhanaes manage to open the door, one of the Warlord following by other Jiralhanaes rushes in to defeat Jerome as soon as the door opens. Jerome is expecting them and ready to defeat them while protecting Isabel.''

''Sentinels continue to collide themself into the Carrier, one of tower was destroyed but it doesn't stop Sentinels to keep ramming themself into the Carrier. They make a one straight line formation, wide enough for the width of Enduring Conviction.''

Inside the ship, Jerome punches one of Jiralhanae, dodging Warlord's attack, grabbing it's lower teeth with his left hand while uppercut one of the Jiralhanae with his right hand and fire the Shotgun right at the Jiralhanae that charges at him before he finishes off the Warlord.

Isabel continue glassing it as she kept remembering the scientist she worked with earlier is getting slaughtered, hearing them panic.
 * Female Scientist #1: "Oh my god!"
 * Male Scientist #1 : "Isabel! Help us!"
 * Female Scientist #1: "Please!"

''Sentinels continue swarming on top of the Carrier while continue their attack. Isabel unleash her rage on the Glassing Beam to keep glassing it, intensifying the glassing beam from the ship.''
 * Scientists: "ISABEL!"

''Sentinels make a clockwise Typhoon formation while kept ramming themself into the ship in a line formation. They continue to ram until they suddenly stopped, hearing craking noises from the Carrier. Isabel continue to glass with rage with Sentinels start to leave the formation and goes back into the Installation.''

''Enduring Conviction start to exploded, slowly tearing itself in two. The front section falls first while the rest are still in the air and the glassing stopped after that. Jerome witnessed the carrier start to tear apart.'' "Jerome-092: "Isabel. It's done...time to go home."

Isabel appears on the Holotank, panting and looking at the Jiralhanae's dead bodies that Jerome took care of.
 * Isabel: "Whoa... You've been busy."
 * Jerome-092: "Not as busy as you."

Isabel realize that the grav-lift has been cutted off by Sentinels.
 * Isabel: "Crap. The grav-lift! What do we do?"
 * Jerome-092: "You. You hold on."

''Jerome remove her from Holotank and place it back at the back of helmet. He sprint forward and leaped out from the Carrier, surprising Isabel.''
 * Isabel: "Wait, what are you... Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Oh whoaaaaaaaa...."

Jerome dive himself back to the Ark while avoiding the debris of Enduring Conviction.

Fade to black.

On the Ark, Atriox and Let 'Volir looks at the destroyed Enduring Conviction, dumbfounded as their three months effort of setting up their base of operations was destroyed in mere days by a single Spartan and an AI.
 * Atriox: "One Spartan."
 * Let 'Volir: "Yes. And the AI. We still don't know how she accessed our..."

Atriox quickly cut his word angrily.
 * Atriox: "How many of your men survived?"
 * Let 'Volir: "Enough to honor our contract."

In addition of their suprises Anders manage to activate the Foundry, allowing the new Halo Ring to be released to the space to finalize the preparations.
 * Let 'Volir: "But how...?"

Atriox immediately make his decision to take the ring from UNSC.
 * Atriox: "Get EVERYONE you can on that ring. Take it from the humans."

Let 'Volir nodded and leaves.
 * Atriox: "Prove you are still worth your price."

Level ends

Leader Power avaiable

 * Restoration Drones I, II and III
 * Archer Missiles I, II and III
 * Battle Hardened I
 * Lotus Mine I
 * ODST Drop
 * Turret Drop
 * R&D I
 * Holographic Decoy I

Initial Unit

 * Jerome's Team
 * 4 Sniper (Critical Unit until rednezvous with Jerome-092)
 * 1000 Supply
 * 1000 Power


 * Alice's Team
 * Stronghold (Garage, Supply Pad, Barracks)
 * 3 Kodiak
 * Alice-130
 * 2 Sniper
 * 2000 Supply
 * 2000 Power

Strategy

 * It is a must that player establish Supply Pad and Barracks on Jerome's side as Generator can be provided from capturing Power Node.
 * Except at Alice's Unit where player will found more Minibase, utilize it carefully as Banished can retaliate in any time.
 * Sniper is a very effective troops against infantries but make sure you have to keep them alive at early of the mission as they are critical in defeating all infantries before rendezvousing with Jerome. The lesser snipers, the harder chance to win the level.
 * Hit and run is the best startegy to deal with Jiralhanae Warlords, Snipers can take it out without being hit.
 * Similar to One Three Zero level, cleanse the map from Banished's silos. It will provide extra resources for you.
 * There will be no Kodiak's replacement on Jerome's team, protect it with Snipers. The lesser Kodiak, the more time it takes to destroy Banished's base.
 * Do note that higher ground will provide more advantage on line of sight which was useful for Kodiaks and Snipers. Some Banished's turrets are stationed on Higher Ground and cannot be spotted by Snipers unless it open fires first or Sniper move closer to it.