Expendable/Lancer

Lancer is the third chapter of Spartan Ops ' eighth episode, Expendable.

Summary
{Cutscene}

''Fade in to a ground shot of a Covenant-occupied canyon. Camera pans upward as two Pelicans fly overhead.''


 * Spartan Jared Miller (COM): “Fireteam Lancer, sitrep?”


 * Fireteam Lancer Leader (COM): “Found a nest of Covies hiding in the caves. Wouldn’t mind a hand clearing ‘em out.”

Switch to an aerial shot following the Pelicans.


 * Commander Sarah Palmer (COM): “Good find, Lancer. Crimson’s happy to help.”

''Switch back to the ground. A pair of Unggoy look up as the two Pelicans come in for a landing.''

''One Pelican drops a Warthog on top of one of the Unggoys, killing him. The other Unggoy starts to flee, but the second Pelican also drops a Warthog, crushing him too.''

{Gameplay}


 * Lieutenant TJ Murphy: “Crimson is on the ground.”


 * Spartan Terry Hedge: “Covies have hooked active camos to their shield generators. We can’t get in the cave until that shield comes down.”


 * Palmer: “Crimson, secure the area. Miller-”


 * Miller: “Already looking for a way to find those generators.”

''Fireteam Crimson and their Marine backup take the Warthogs and move out. They quickly encounter Covenant resistance.''


 * Miller: “Additional targets inbound.”


 * Miller: “Hang on. Commander Palmer, remember that Morse code SOS? I just saw it again.”


 * Palmer: “Unless you’ve got a solution to that mystery I need you focused on bringing down the generators.”

A Phantom deploys a Wraith.


 * Miller: “I’ve got it! The active camo on the generators is controlled by that guy right there.”

Marker appears on one of the Elites.


 * Palmer: “Take him out, Crimson!”

Crimson kills the target Elite.


 * Miller: “Target down! Shields are visible!”


 * Palmer: “Crimson, kindly exercise extreme force on those shield generators.”

''Crimson destroys all three shield generators. The shield wall goes down.''


 * Hedge: “Crimson did it.  Shields down.”


 * Palmer: “Lancer, Crimson’s got point. Follow them into the caves.”


 * Hedge: “Affirmative, Commander.”

''Crimson moves further into the canyon and soon reaches the entrance to the cave. A massive Forerunner door bars their way.''


 * Miller: “Looks like the door is shut tight. Lots of movement behind it though.”


 * Palmer: “Let’s get their attention, Crimson. Maybe they’ll come out to play.”

''Crimson proceeds to neutralize the Covenant stationed outside the door. The door begins to open up.''


 * Miller: “It worked! Covenant incoming!”

''Covenant forces emerge from behind the door. Crimson engages and defeats them.''


 * Miller: “All clear to head inside the cavern, but keep your guard up.”

Crimson heads into the cavern where they find a large array of Forerunner structures built into the caves.

A series of electronic noises are heard over the COM.


 * Miller: “Commander! Whatever’s been sending that Morse code, it’s inside this cave!”


 * Palmer: “Crimson, clear out the Covies, but keep your eyes open.”

Crimson engages multiple Covenant Ghosts and Shade turrets within the cavern.


 * Miller: “Ghosts!”


 * Palmer: “Reinforcements!”


 * Miller: “Phantom on approach.”

Enemy Phantom enters the cavern through an opening and deploys a Wraith.


 * Palmer: “Wraith!”


 * Miller: “They’re moving to fortify. Take ‘em out!”

Another Wraith arrives.

Crimson finally defeats all the Covenant reinforcements.


 * Miller: “Commander Palmer. Call from Poker Squad. The Marines have a wounded Elite offering information if they let him live.”


 * Palmer: “Depends on how good the info is.”


 * Miller: “He’s offering up a Covie listening post.”


 * Palmer: “Listening post? That would explain how they’ve seen us coming recently. Fine. Have Poker check it out, then make the deal.”


 * Miller: “Aye, Commander.”

''Crimson reaches a particular Forerunner structure. They eliminate the Covenant guarding it.''


 * Palmer: “Let’s go, Crimson!”


 * Miller: “Crimson, be careful. You don’t know what’s on the other side of that door.”

''Crimson opens the door. Covenant and Promethean forces emerge.''


 * Palmer: “Covenant and Prometheans inbound! Hold your ground and clear this position before moving on.”

Once most enemies are down:


 * Palmer: “Clean ‘em up.”

''Crimson finishes off all remaining enemies. They move into the structure where they find a group of Spartans trapped behind a shield wall.''


 * Miller: “Commander! Crimson’s found something! It’s Switchback!”


 * Palmer: “Switchback?!”


 * Spartan Bradford Gale (COM): “Commander Palmer, glad to hear your voice again. We’ve been sending SOS for a while now.”


 * Palmer (COM): “Spartan Gale, where’s Spartan Costabile?”


 * Gale (COM): “Covies got her, Commander.”


 * Palmer (COM): “Understood, Spartan. What do you say we return the favor?”


 * Gale (COM): “Sounds like a hell of a plan, Commander.”


 * Miller: “Dropships inbound!”


 * Palmer: “Clear the ground and we can get you out of there, Crimson!”

Crimson deactivates the shield wall trapping Switchback.


 * Miller: “The shield wall’s dropped, Commander!”


 * Palmer: “Time to go, Spartans! Head for the exit.”

''Switchback grabs some nearby weapons. Crimson leads them toward the exit.''


 * Miller: “There’s your ride home, Spartans.”


 * Murphy: “I’ve got your back, Crimson!”


 * Palmer: “Excellent work.”

''Crimson and Switchback engage a final group of Covenant blocking the exit. The two Spartan fireteams make short work of the enemy troops. At the same time, Murphy’s Pelican engages and destroys a Covenant Phantom.''

''The Spartan exit the caverns and reach the evac zone. Murphy’s Pelican arrives.''

Fade to black.

CHAPTER COMPLETE


 * Miller: “Pelican outbound with Fireteams Crimson and Switchback onboard, Commander Palmer.”


 * Palmer: “Crimson, great work with Lancer. You guys brought Switchback home and that is damn good work, folks.”

Level ends.