The Great Journey (Level)

Looking for the Great Journey, the Covenant belief?

The Great Journey is the final level in Halo 2 campaign. Alongside other Elites, and several Hunters, you must battle your way to Tartarus. As Thel 'Vadamee, work alongside a Scarab being controlled by Sergeant Major Johnson to get to the door of Delta Halo's Control Room. Then, you must bring down the Brute Chieftain, Tartarus. This level is a part of the Battle of Installation 05.

"Your Ass, My Size-24 Hoof"
{Cutscene}

''{Scene fades in on Thel 'Vadamee and Rtas 'Vadumee, who is in a Wraith with its hatch open, conversing. The two are looking towards the Control Room of Delta Halo}''

Thel 'Vadamee: "What is that place?"

Rtas 'Vadumee: "Where the Councilors were meant to watch the consecration of the Icon." {Zooms in on Rtas 'Vadumee's face} "The start of the Great Journey."

{Focus on 'Vadamee}

Gravemind {in 'Vadamee's memory }: "There is still time to stop the key from turning."

{'Vadamee turns to face Rtas 'Vadumee}

Thel 'Vadamee: "I must get inside."

Rtas 'Vadumee: "Then mount up, Arbiter. I know a way to break those doors."

{'Vadamee turns to face the Control Room as Rtas 'Vadum enters his Wraith and closes the hatch behind him}

{Gameplay}

{As they travel to where a Scarab is visible, docked up on a ledge}

Rtas 'Vadumee: "There, Arbiter. That Scarab's main gun will break the Control Room's door. At the far end of the beach there's a passage into the cliff. It'll take you up to the Scarab."

{after clearing the area}

Rtas 'Vadumee: "The Brutes control the cruiser, Arbiter. I'll remain here, make sure no reinforcements get in behind you. Then, I'm going to take the cruiser back!"

{'Vadamee walks into a room with Elites and Hunters}

Elite: "The Arbiter? I thought he was dead! Hold your fire. The Hunters have come to our aid, Arbiter. They will fight (sometimes fight will be substituted by stand) by our side.

{'Vadamee fights his way to a room where two Elite Councilors and two Hunters are being held prisoner behind force field doors}

(If the Spec Ops Elite lives at this point and follows you to the room)

Spec Ops Elite: Free our brothers! Death to the Brutes!

{Once you clear the room, free the Hunters and Councilors, then head to the top floor to the Scarab}

{' Vadamee and his Elites arrive upon a group of Brutes preparing to execute the Marine prisoners.}

Tartarus (O.S.): "Mine will do, kill the others."

Brute 1: "Yes, Chieftain. (to other Brute) A day's ration says I can do this in one cut."

Brute 2: "Two cuts at least."

Brute 1: "Done. Wait, movement!"

Sergeant Major Avery J. Johnson: "Go, go, go!"

''{Gunnery Sergeant Pete Stacker and Staff Sergeant Marcus Banks start fighting the Brutes, Johnson jumps into the Scarab and disappears. The Scarab starts moving}''

"Backseat Driver"
{Cutscene}



{'Vadamee turns around to see the Scarab's main cannon aimed at him}

Sergeant Johnson (O.S.): "Listen, you don't like me and I sure as hell don't like you."

{cut to Scarab's helm, Johnson at the controls}

Sergeant Johnson: "But if we don't do something, Mr. Mohawk's gonna activate this ring. And we're all gonna die."

{cut to 'Vadamee}

Thel 'Vadamee: "Tartarus has locked himself inside the Control Room."

Sergeant Johnson (O.S.): "Well, I just happen to have a key." {the Scarab's cannon opens} "Come on, Grab a Banshee and give me some cover. (focus on Johnson) They're gonna know we're comin'."

{Gameplay}

{Two Banshees arrive and the Elite pilots come out}

Elite: "Take my Banshee, Arbiter."

{'Vadamee does so, Johnson fires on enemy Wraiths}

Sergeant Johnson (O.S): Ha! How do you like it?!

{they approach the Control Room}

Sergeant Johnson (O.S.): "Stay clear of the doors. Hey, bastards, knock knock!"

(If you block the doors)

Johnson(O.S.): "Stay clear of the doors!"

Johnson(O.S.): "Are you trying to get killed? Gimme some room!"

(When you don't move)

Johnson(O.S.): "What, do I have to spell it out for you? MOVE!!!

Johnson(O.S.): "Hey, listen, I'm gonna count to three. One ... Two ... Three! Don't say I didn't warn ya!"

(If you move away while he's counting)

Sergeant Johnson (O.S.): "Good! Now stay put!"

Sergeant Johnson (O.S.): "Hey, bastards. Knock knock!"

(If you go back after he says to stay put)

Sergeant Johnson (O.S.): (unamused) "Ha ha, that's real funny, I'm still shootin!"

{Scarab cannon fires, destroying Control Room's door, 'Vadamee enters the Control Room, runs into some Brutes}

Brute: "Do not let the Arbiter into the chamber! The Chieftain must complete his holy work!

{'Vadamee either kills the guards or sneaks past them, then heads into the main chamber of control room}

"Delusions and Grandeur"
{Cutscene}

{Tartarus and four Brute Captains stand in front of the control panel, holding Keyes and 343 Guilty Spark}

Tartarus: "Come, human, it's easy." {he tries to get Miranda to insert the Index} "Take the Icon in your hands. (growls impatiently) And do as you are told!"

{he slams the Index on the console, which flashes red lights}

343 Guilty Spark: "Please, use caution! This Reclaimer is delicate."

Tartarus: "One more word, Oracle, and I'll rip your eye from its socket!" {he turns to Keyes, pushes her forward}

Commander Keyes: (Exhales sharply)

Tartarus: (soft menacing growl) "Which is nothing compared to what I will do to you."

{Thel 'Vadamee walks in}

Thel 'Vadamee: "Tartarus, stop."

Tartarus: (Gasps, jerks his neck up in surprise) "Impossible!"

Thel 'Vadamee: "Put down the Icon."

(Tartarus turns to face 'Vadamee)

Tartarus: "Put it down, and disobey the Hierarchs?"

Thel 'Vadamee: "There are things about Halo even the Hierarchs do not understand."

{Brutes step forward menacingly, Tartarus waves them off}

Tartarus: "Take care, Arbiter, what you say is heresy!"

Thel 'Vadamee: "Is it? (gently) Oracle, what is Halo's purpose?"

343 Guilty Spark: "Collectively, the seven—"

{Tartarus grabs 343 Guilty Spark and jerks it around}

Tartarus: "Not another word!"

Sergeant Johnson (off screen): "Please ...

''{Tartarus lowers 343 Guilty Spark to see Johnson standing next to 'Vadamee. He holds a beam rifle and aims it directly at Tartarus}''

Sergeant Johnson: "Don't shake the light bulb!"

{Brutes growl and approach}

Sergeant Johnson (raises Beam Rifle to Tartarus' head): "If you wanna keep your brain inside your head, I'd tell those boys to chill."

{Tartarus barks as commanded, Brutes back off}

Sergeant Johnson: {to 'Vadamee} "Go ahead, do your thing."

Thel 'Vadamee: "The Sacred Rings, what are they?"

343 Guilty Spark: "Weapons of last resort. Built by the Forerunners to eliminate potential Flood hosts, thereby rendering the parasite harmless."

Thel 'Vadamee: "Those who made the rings? What happened to the Forerunners?"

343 Guilty Spark: "After exhausting every other strategic option, my creators activated the rings. They, and all additional sentient life within three radii of the galactic center, died, as planned."

(Close up on 'Vadamee; he lowers his head in sadness)

343 Guilty Spark: (Off screen) "(slightly awkwardly) Would you...like to see the relevant data?"

Thel 'Vadamee: {Turns his attention back to Tartarus} "Tartarus, the Prophets have betrayed us."

{Tartarus pauses, then throws 343 Guilty Spark at Johnson's head, knocking him down, then grabs Keyes' hand and forces the Index into the console}

Tartarus: "No, Arbiter! The Great Journey has begun and the Brutes, not the Elites, shall be the Prophets' escort!"

''{Tartarus grabs his hammer as his energy shield turns on. The main platform splits into three as Halo charges up}''

{Gameplay}

''{Elite reinforcements show up and wipe out the Brute Captains. Tartarus jumps to the platforms. Johnson hangs back, firing on Tartarus with his Beam Rifle}''

343 Guilty Spark: "Charging sequence initiated. Primary generators coming online."

Commander Keyes: "Well, shut them down!"

343 Guilty Spark: "Apology. Protocol does not allow me to interfere with any aspect of this sequence."

Commander Keyes: "Then, how do I stop it?"

343 Guilty Spark: "Well, it will take some time to go over the proper procedures, I—"

Commander Keyes: "Quit stalling!"

343 Guilty Spark: "Under more controlled circumstances, I would suggest the Reclaimer simply remove the Index."

Commander Keyes: "That's it?! Johnson, I'm on it!"

Sergeant Johnson: "Hang tight, ma'am! Not until that Brute is dead! [...] {when knocking off Tartarus' shield for the first time} Hey, Mohawk! How does that feel?!"

{If you stall}

Tartarus: "You want revenge? Well, here I am. Come and take it!"

{If you stall even longer}

Tartarus: "Just like the rest of your race! Cowardly and weak!"

{After you attack Tartarus for the first time}

Tartarus (Slams his hammer on the ground): "A lucky hit. You shall not land another."

Sergeant Johnson: {when knocking off Tartarus' shield for the second time} "His shield is down, let 'em have it!

343 Guilty Spark: "Secondary generators charging. All systems are performing well within operational parameters."

Commander Keyes: "You're telling me that you cannot stop the sequence?

343 Guilty Spark: "Reclaimer, please understand that interrupting the wave generation process will severely damage this installation.

Commander Keyes: "Give me a direct answer!"

343 Guilty Spark: "I am but a Monitor. The Reclaimer can do as it likes."

Sergeant Johnson: {knocking off Tartarus' shield for the third time} "There goes his shield!" [...] {knocking off Tartarus' shield for the fourth time} "Got his shield! Hit him now!" {knocking off Tartarus' shield for the fifth time} Quick while his shield is down!

343 Guilty Spark: "Power generation phase complete. The installation is ready to fire. Starting final countdown."

Sergeant Johnson: "Come on, Arbiter! Kick that guy's ass!"

343 Guilty Spark: "Firing sequence initiated. And may I say, Reclaimers, it has been a pleasure to serve you both. Goodbye."

Sergeant Johnson: "I can keep his shield down, but you're gonna finish the job!"

{'Vadamee kills Tartarus}

Fourth Cinematic
{Cutscene}



''{Keyes jumps onto a rotating platform, ducks to avoid one of the other platforms passing right above her, reaches a main platform, grabs the Index. The entire room shakes, making Miranda hold the Index up to her chest in fear.)''

{cut to exterior of Control Room, all the built up energy fires up into space}

{cut to Halo exterior, a large pulsing ball of energy is in the center, the shot from the Control Room reaches it, the ball glows, explodes, then dissipates}

{cut to interior of Control Room, it seems to be running on emergency power, as many of the lights are dimmed or not functioning}, Keyes stands in front of a holographic depiction, Johnson rides 343 Guilty Spark to her}

Commander Keyes: "What's that?"

343 Guilty Spark: "A beacon."

Commander Keyes: "What's it doing?"

343 Guilty Spark: "Communicating. At super-luminal speeds with a frequency of—"

Commander Keyes: "Communicating with what?"

343 Guilty Spark: {a bit surprised} "The ... other installations."

Commander Keyes: "Show me."

'343 Guilty Spark interfaces with the hologram, it depicts the seven Halos, a red message points to one ring (most likely either Installation 05, where they are, or Installation 04, which has been destroyed)}

343 Guilty Spark: "Fail-safe protocol. In the event of unexpected shutdown, the entire system will move to standby status. All remaining platforms are now ready for remote activation."

Commander Keyes: "Remote activation? From here?" 343 Guilty Spark: {patronizing} "Don't be ridiculous."

Sergeant Johnson: "Listen, tinkerbell, don't make me ... "

{Keyes puts a hand on his shoulder}

Commander Keyes: "Then where? Where would someone go to activate the other rings?"

{343 Guilty Spark is truly baffled}

343 Guilty Spark: " ... Why, the Ark, ...of course."

{'Vadamee comes up behind Johnson and Miranda Keyes}

Thel 'Vadamee:(walks up to them) "And where, Oracle, is that?"

''{fade to black, fade in on a Slipspace rupture in space, the Forerunner Dreadnought flies out and heads to Earth. Covenant and UNSC ships still engage each other}''

Officer (O.S.): "We've got a new contact! Unknown classification!

{fade in on interior of Forerunner ship, Master Chief listens in}

Lord Hood (O.S.): "It isn't one of ours, take it out."

Master Chief: "This is SPARTAN-117, can anyone hear me? Over."

{cut to Cairo Station's bridge, everything looks damaged}

Lord Hood: "(to officer) Isolate that signal! Master Chief? You mind telling me what you're doing on that ship?"

{cut to Master Chief}

Master Chief: "Sir, finishing this fight."

{fade to black}

{credits play}

Fifth Cinematic
{fades in on Flood-infested High Charity}

{a glowing ball (spore) floats through the air, the camera pans off to the walkway outside the Council Chamber}

{cut to a damaged door that keeps trying to close, Gravemind's tentacles creep through}

Gravemind: "Silence fills the empty grave, now that I am gone."

{cut to Council Chamber, Gravemind's tentacles reach across}

Gravemind: "But my mind is not at rest, for questions linger on. I will ask and you will answer."

{Cortana's hologram appears, she holds up her hand, the tentacles stop and move off}

Cortana: "All right, shoot."

{fade to black}

Trivia

 * If you are able to keep your Hunters alive after the fight with the Phantom on the bridge and take them to the next room with the cells holding the Councilors and the Hunters, the Hunters in the cells will not be there, however if you finish the battle in the prison then go back and get the hunters, you will still have 4 hunters, which is very helpful if the level is being done on legendary. They will not be there only if you've ever played Xbox live, or connected, otherwise, you will be able to have the hunters as soon as you force the other two in the prison room.
 * It is possible to get Rtas 'Vadumee and the other Elite to go with you into the building. Get Rtas 'Vadumee and the Elite into the Spectre and drive it into the building then get them out. They will usually follow you, though this could take a few tries.

Mistakes

 * In the ending cutscene, Miranda Keyes is shown holding a Plasma Pistol. Also, she can be seen using it during the fight, however, the weapon is not seen, and she does not fire it.
 * Walking up to Banks and Stacker, Stacker will say something like, "Chief! Glad you could make it!" in the same way that Johnson does.
 * When inside the control room, go to the lowest level of the platform and crouch. You would die instantly.

Easter Eggs

 * The Black Eye Skull can be found on this level.
 * There is a Heretic Banshee on this level which is located near the cliff where the level starts off.

Miscellaneous

 * When escorting the Scarab, you can get your Banshee stuck in the Scarab, and since the Scarab is invincible, you don't actually have to defend it.
 * When fighting Tartarus if you stay on the platform where Johnson is, Tartarus will often taunt you for example he will say, "Just like the rest of your kind. You're cowardly and weak!" or, "Want revenge? Well here I am!"
 * Originally, there was a cutscene at the part of the level where you are on the Scarab platform in which there was a gathering of Brutes decapitating Marines. Joseph Staten explained that this cinematic had to be cut because at that time "real world events" made this a little politically dangerous.
 * This is technically the first level in which the Elites and the UNSC fight alongside each other, and the only level in Halo 2 in which they do, though very briefly and it is just Sergeants Stacker and Banks armed with Plasma Pistols against Brutes, so their impact on the battle is minimal to none.
 * Sergeant Banks and Sergeant Stacker will disappear right after the cutscene. They probably entered to the Scarab with Johnson. However, if you kill any of them, their corpses will not disappear after the cutscene.
 * After this level it is unknown what happens to the Fist of Rukt. It might have been destroyed by the Elites in disgust since it took the lives of many of thier kind.
 * This level is ironic in that, being the last Arbiter level, the Arbiter is trying to tell Tartarus about Halo's true purpose, when the Arbiter had silenced the heretic leader for saying the same things in the first Arbiter level.