Relic Approach

Relic Approach is the second level of the real-time strategy game, Halo Wars. The UNSC forces on the ground on Harvest are attempting to determine the Covenant's interest in a Forerunner structure to the north of Alpha Base. Sergeant John Forge must lead a force through the Covenant-held area to the Forerunner structure.

Transcript
{Labcoats Meet Metal}

Scene opens with Sgt. Forge crawling to the edge of a cliff over looking a Covenant encampment.


 * Sgt. Forge: "Let's just take one last look-see."

Forge takes out a pair of binoculars and observes an Elite, identified as an Arbiter, overseeing the Covenant activity, the Elite is approached by a Zealot.


 * Ripa 'Moramee: "The Hierarchs grow impatient! We can delay no longer!"


 * Zealot Field Master: "What if the infection defiles the Relic?"


 * Ripa 'Moramee: "I care not for your little life! Open the Relic."

The scene cuts back to Forge, as he watches Grunts open the doors to the Relic.


 * Forge: "Well, well... open sesame."

''The Arbiter looks behind him at Forge's location. The Sergeant is no longer there, and the Arbiter walks towards the Relic.''

''The scene then cuts to a view of the, then to the ship's Observation Deck, turned into Anders' makeshift lab. ''

SPIRIT OF FIRE

OBSERVATION DECK

Cutter enters attempting to avoid the scattered equipment.


 * Captain Cutter: "What made you choose my observation deck as your lab, Professor?"


 * Anders: "I like the view. It adds... perspective to my work."


 * Captain Cutter: "Forge doesn't think it's safe for you to go down there yet. He's quite insistent."


 * Anders: "I can be quite insistent too Captain, I can take care of myself."


 * Captain Cutter: "Any idea what it is we've got down there?"


 * Anders: "It's all theories right now, and I'll know a lot more once I get down there."


 * Captain Cutter: "I'm approving the mission, but the slightest sign of danger and I'm pulling you out. Is that understood?"


 * Anders: "Understood, Captain."

Anders leaves with a slight grin, a view screen shows the Relic entrance, then it changes to the actual Relic, we hear the Arbiter in mid-conversation with the Prophet of Regret.


 * Ripa 'Moramee: "Hierarch, the Humans are closing and will soon be upon us!"


 * Regret: "No matter, the information you have gathered here is most appetizing."

The scene cuts to the interior of the Relic and it is shown the Arbiter is talking with the Prophet of Regret via hologram.


 * Regret: "However, we must protect what we have learned here. Set the charges and destroy this place."


 * Ripa 'Moramee: (stunned) "Destroy this holy relic? Surely you jest!"


 * Regret: (angered) "The Journey requires sacrifice! Set the charges. Return to us! Our patience is not infinite!"

The Arbiter bows.


 * Ripa 'Moramee: "It will be done."

The Arbiter turns away.

{In-game Cutscene}


 * Captain Cutter: "Serina, we need to re-establish Alpha Base before we can proceed with the mission."


 * Serina: "Captain, the base power system is offline and a lock-down protocol is in effect. If we rebuild, the lock-down will end,and the doors will open. Projection for new base location ready."

{Gameplay}

After a base is constructed:


 * Serina: "The base is up and running again. We need Supply Pads built so I can send down materials."


 * Serina: "The Command Center is online, but it can't house Marines, we'll need a Barracks to call in the troops."


 * Captain Cutter: "We need to establish a larger military presence on the ground."


 * Serina: "Keep constructing buildings and updating them where you can. The lock-down is lifted and the front gate is opening, I've highlighted the area where Sergeant Forge found the structure."

There are now two ways the player can go, through the gate closest to your base, or the gate to the left of the base, the following is if the player choose the nearest gate.


 * Serina: "I'm picking up a lot of Covenant chatter around your position, looks like they're setting up defenses."


 * Forge: "Take cover in those downed Pelicans! Move!"

The Marines make their way up to a Covenant base.


 * Forge: "Well, well. Lookee here, the Covenant built themselves a little base."


 * Captain Cutter: "Our primary mission here is to reach that structure, destroying that base is a secondary objective."

The player can choose to engage the base or not, but destroying it can be difficult, if not done properly.

If the player loose all your troops, attacking the base:


 * Serina: "Well, that didn't go as planned."


 * Serina: "I've lost contact with some Warthogs out on patrol. Keep an eye out for them, will you?"

The following is if the player go out the left gate, or go around from the front gate.


 * Forge: "If we blow up these refineries the enemy airpads will go with them, nice!"


 * Bravo-29: "Alpha Base, this is Bravo-29. I can drop reinforcements at that landing pad if you can remove all hostiles in that area for me."


 * Serina: "Here's some extra reinforcements, play nice."

Eventually UNSC forces breach the barrier blocking the entrance to the relic.

Intense fighting occurs as the UNSC slowly makes their way toward the entrance.

Once they reach the entrance they see the Covenant trying to destroy the relic.


 * Captain Cutter: "If the Covenant detonate those explosives our mission here is over! Get to the detonator!"

The UNSC forces successfully destroy the detonator, saving the relic.

{In-game Cutscene}


 * Captain Cutter: "Good work, prepare for new orders."


 * Bravo-29: "Alpha Base, this is Bravo-29, heavy inbound. I've got the Professor aboard."

Fades to black.

Level ends.

Trivia

 * This is the first level to feature the Cobra and the Scorpion and the first level in which you can to build a base and train units.
 * The soundtrack, Perspective, which is also the music for the cutscene, is a reference to Anders' line: "I like the view, it adds... perspective to my work."
 * It is possible to get over the population limit in this level. Build up your army to the population limit, and go west of your base. Kill the enemies and Serina will send more units in to help you no matter what the population limit is. This is a handy trick if you want to use Marines and Warthogs to distract the Covenant base while your other units attack from the rear.
 * The Prophet of Truth displays a grammar mistake in the cutscene when he says "However we must protect what we have learned here." The correct wording is "However we must protect what we have learnt here".