The Storm: Difference between revisions

''A massive Scarab walker lumbers down from the roof of the factory onto the lake bed, and dust rises as its legs slam into the ground, destroying a Troop Transport Warthog in the process. [[Marine]]-operated vehicles and a pair of Marine-manned [[LAU-65D/SGM-151|Missile Pod]] turrets open up in volleys.''

''A Pelican lands, deploying [[Thel 'Vadam]] along with a fresh squad of Marines. The Marines lead 'Vadam and Master Chief to a locked door leading to the factory's warehouse.''

''There is a moderate pause within the radio conversation, before another starts between Commander Keyes and Lord Hood. This conversation foreshadows the very end of the level.''

*'''Brute 2''': "No, fall back!"

''The Chief and his allies kill the Brutes.''

''The next section is littered with civilian corpses, while a few live Factory Workers cower in the corner. A door leading to the outside of the factory is nearby. The door opens up, and a group of four construction workers runs in. However, they are cut down by two massive green beams of energy blowing up the [[Fusion Coils|fusion cores]] next to the workers: a pair of [[Hunters]] appears.''

''Their celebration is cut short when they see the Hunters and retreat behind the approaching Marine forces.''

''After the two Hunters are killed, the Marines, Master Chief, and Thel 'Vadam run through the open door to a series of low-roofed buildings where a [[Brute Chieftain]] awaits with numerous other Brutes, Jackals, and [[Grunts]]. The Prophet of Truth sermonizes from a holographic pedestal behind them.''

''The Chief, 'Vadam, and the remaining Marines charge around the remaining buildings to the hill where the massive anti-aircraft emplacement stands. Before the hill's slope are a Marine, a [[Surface-to-Air Missile Launcher]], and a few corpses behind sandbags and a weapons rack. Grunts tentatively run down the slope to face the onrushing UNSC forces while mid-way up the hill a Grunt manning a turreted [[Plasma Cannon]] stands side-by-side with a War Chieftain wielding a [[Fuel Rod Gun]], along with his captains and bodyguards and a squad of Jackals. Numerous Banshees patrol the sky above (on higher difficulties, they will occasionally swoop down and strafe the player). The anti-air emplacement opens fire on a surging UNSC [[Longsword]] and scores a direct hit on its engines.  The damaged craft plunges into the cliffs below.''

*'''Johnson (COM)''': "Chief, that gun’s been firing non-stop: it’s gotta be running hot!"

 

*'''Johnson (COM)''': "It’s gonna be opening up its access panel!"

''The AA Gun explodes in the background, sending the upper section flying down the cliff. The [[John-117|Master Chief]] joins 'Vadam on the cliff side of the crater. They look up as multiple squadrons of [[Longswords]] streak overhead, followed by three [[UNSC Frigates]], including the ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn]]'', [[Lord Hood]]'s flagship. The [[Covenant]] fleet hovers before them, with the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] centered below at the center of the artifact.''

''The [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]s engage the Forerunner Dreadnought. Their [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannons]] discharge in volleys, and explosions coat the Dreadnought's surface, but the ship remains unscathed. The [[Forerunner]] structure begins to open like a starfish. The Dreadnought is lowered into the structure, an energy beam being focused through it. The storm's intensity increases. A powerful wind knocks John-117 and 'Vadam backwards. The beam of light grows thicker and expands, sending out a shockwave. Everything soon blacks out.''

''Scene fades in on the Chief, dazed and kneeling on the ground. He recovers and gets back to his feet and stares up. A large glowing sphere of blue light, centered by pitch darkness, hovers in the sky above the artifact.  UNSC and Covenant ships alike drift in the air, disorganized. The large fins of the Portal are focusing energy on the sphere.''

 

''Truth's Dreadnought rises from the ground and approaches the sphere.''

''Thel 'Vadam roars angrily as the Forerunner Dreadnought disappears into the sphere. The rest of the [[Covenant]] fleet soon follows.''

''A [[Unnamed Flood-Captured Battlecruiser|damaged CCS-class Battlecruiser]] emerges from [[Slipspace]] to the east of [[Voi]], and hurtles just over the Chief and 'Vadam. It is smoking with rancid fumes, and its underside is covered in a sinister, fleshy growth.  The ship soon loses altitude and crashes to the ground out of sight. There is a flash of light and a deep rumbling is heard, followed by silence. The sky darkens as smog rises, veiling the sun. An omen of ancient evil is in the air.''

 

''Scene cuts to a close up of John-117.''