The Ark (level): Difference between revisions

{{disambig header|the campaign level|the Forerunner structure|Installation 00}}

|image = [[File:H3 TheArk Loadscreen.png|300px]]

*Find the [[Cartographer]]

{{Article quote|Search the waste for the Cartographer.}}

It takes place in a desert that comprises one of the center-most regions of the Ark, located 2¹⁸ light-years outside the [[Milky Way]] galaxy's center. In this level, the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili]] and the [[human]]s side with [[343 Guilty Spark]] and his [[Sentinel]] allies to access the [[Cartographer]] and find The [[Prophet of Truth]]. Beating this mission on [[Heroic]] unlocks the shoulder pauldrons to the Elite [[Flight Harness]] [[Armor customization (Halo 3)|armor permutation]]. Beating this level on [[Normal]] unlocks the [[EVA-class Mjolnir]] shoulder pads. Beating this level on [[Legendary]] gets you the [[EOD-class Mjolnir]] shoulder pads. Getting more than 50,000 Meta Game points will unlock the [[Ranger (achievement)|Ranger]] achievement, worth 10 [[Gamerscore]].

The Chief and the ODSTs meet up with a group of Marines whose Pelican was shot down.  The Marines inform the Chief that there's a good landing zone for the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' nearby.  After retaking the Pelican crash site, John-117 and his allies commandeer an assortment of vehicles and drive off to secure the LZ. Along the way, the Chief discovers a large Forerunner wall built between the cliffs. The entrance to the wall is guarded by [[Sentinels]] which attack the Covenant but leave the humans alone. Johnson arrives in a Pelican and informs Commander Keyes that Hocus has found a structure located on the other side of the wall. Keyes deduces it's a Cartographer which they can use to locate the Prophet of Truth.   

The Chief arrives at the ''Forward Unto Dawn's'' intended landing zone and defeats the Covenant forces occupying it including a pair of Anti-Air Wraiths.  With the landing zone secure, the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' enters the installation's atmosphere and deploys reinforcements, including Scorpion tanks. Keyes orders the Master Chief to take the convoy through the wall and locate the Cartographer. John-117 takes a tank and leads the armored convoy against a large force of Covenant vehicles and infantry. [[343 Guilty Spark]] accompanies the humans and opens the entrance to the wall, allowing John-117 to enter on foot. Inside, he activates a light bridge, allowing the UNSC convoy to pass through the wall.

Upon reaching the other side, the UNSC encounters another large force of Covenant vehicles, including a Scarab, guarding the structure containing the Cartographer. After a prolonged battle, the Chief and his allies prevail.  At the same time, Shipmaster 'Vadum reports that Truth's fleet has been defeated. The Chief heads up to the top of the structure, where he teams up with Thel 'Vadam and a pair of Marines. 343 Guilty Spark opens the doors, allowing the Chief and his allies to enter.  The group fights their way into the lower depths of the building and finally locate the Cartographer. Upon accessing the Cartographer, John-117 discovers that they are outside the Milky Way galaxy, and that this installation is, in fact, [[Installation 00|the real Ark]].  Guilty Spark locates the Prophet of Truth, who has activated a protective barrier around himself. Spark then discovers [[Installation 08|something else]], but before he can reveal what it is, a hostile Phantom arrives. Johnson contacts the Chief and warns him that additional Covenant forces are heading their way. Thel 'Vadam hijacks a Banshee and engages the Phantom, while the Chief and the Marines head to the lower level to meet up with their evac. After defeating more Covenant troops, including a Jiralhanae Chieftain, the Chief is picked up by Johnson's Pelican. As they leave, a massive force of Sentinels are seen departing on an unknown priority mission. Though Guilty Spark wants to focus on finding Cortana's solution to the Flood, Commander Keyes states that they must stop the Prophet of Truth first.

[[File:H3 - Shadow of Intent Bridge.png|thumb|300px|The Major and 'Vadum on the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'s'' bridge.]]

''The [[Sangheili]] {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s and {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} arrive at the other side of the [[slipspace portal]]. A colossal structure is below them, and [[Truth's fleet|a Covenant fleet]] straight ahead.''

*'''[[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] (COM)''': "[[Anodyne Spirit|Truth's ship]] isn't taking part in the attack. He must've gone to ground!"

''Hocus nods, and presses a button on the controls. The Pelican drops out of the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} along with six other Pelicans. The massive underside of the ''Shadow of Intent'' can be seen flying on top of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'', which is seen leaving the ''Shadow of Intent's'' underside. As the dropships breach through the Covenant fleet, one of the Pelicans takes a hit from a [[Kai-pattern Seraph]] fighter-interceptor.  Its starboard engine bursts into flame and it spirals out of control and explodes. The other Pelicans make it through unscathed. As they enter the atmosphere, the Chief checks on Johnson and Hocus in the cockpit, then returns to the back, where several Marines and ODSTs sit, readying themselves for battle.''

''The Master Chief picks up a [[SRS99D|sniper rifle]] holstered in the troop bay.''

''The Master Chief slams a magazine into his rifle. The troop bay hatch opens, revealing a massive desert (In Co-op, [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]], with a [[Type-50 particle beam rifle]], stands up from the right side of the troop bay and moves to sit on the left side). The Chief walks to the right side and sits down.''

*'''Johnson (COM)''': "Enjoy it while you can, Marines. Soon as we land, we're right back to it. Priority one: secure a landing zone for the Commander's Frigate. Keep your eyes and ears open. We need all the intel we can get... on wherever the hell we are."

''The team goes through a cave. A [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] is assembling an [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|anti-aircraft battery]] on the other end.''

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Chief, I'm giving the Brutes all I've got...but this is a heavy-weight fight! The ''Dawn's'' only got the tonnage to last a few rounds. Find me a place to set her down. Over!"

''The Master Chief and the team head through the structure at the top of the hill. Coming out on the other side of the structure, they see a squad of dead [[Unggoy]]. A burning [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] roars through the canyon ahead.''

''A muffled crash is heard a few seconds later.''

''A pair of Marines reveal themselves.''

''The Chief and the others look at an area at the bottom of the ledge they are standing on. Several [[Unggoy]] and [[Jiralhanae]] are guarding a crashed Pelican and [[M274 Mongoose|Mongooses]] which presumably fell out when the Pelican was shot down. The Chief and his allies engage the Covenant patrol and annihilate them.''

''If Chief stays by the downed Pelican he can pick up radio transmissions of the ongoing space battles above the installation. These play in a random order, though some phrases are played in quick succession as responses to others. There are several Longsword pilots. All pilots have been marked as "unknown" here.''

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "New contacts at point two-three-eight!"

*'''Rtas 'Vadum (COM)''': "No! I will handle those myself."

*'''Unknown Longsword Pilot (COM)''': "I've lost avionics - going to try and hit their carrier! Goodbye, guys."

*'''Rtas 'Vadum (COM)''': "A mark of honor for that kill."

*'''Rtas 'Vadum (COM)''': "Suppress with main point laser batteries."

*'''Rtas 'Vadum (COM)''': "Forward lances, draw their fire."

 

''Two [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler|Brute Prowlers]] show up. One parks near the Mongooses and its Jiralhanae occupants all leap out while the other circles the area, firing at the UNSC forces. Once the Jiralhanae are all killed, the Marines mount up on the Prowlers and working Mongooses.''

''The team continues on, wiping out a small group of Covenant camped around a crashed Phantom. Transmissions from Jiralhanae warships can be heard from the Phantom.''

*'''Jiralhanae Commander (COM)''': "Nooooo! Hit the carrier! Kill the [[Rtas 'Vadum|Half Jaw]] and his crew!"

*'''Jiralhanae Commander (COM)''': "Do not fear the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets']] wrath, because if you fail I will have your hide!"

*'''Johnson (COM)''': "Ma'am, Hocus almost got her wing shot off. But we spotted a structure on the other side of this wall. It matches [[Cortana]]'s description of the [[Cartographer#Installation 04|map room]] on the [[Installation 04|first Halo ring]]."

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "[[Cartographer#Installation 00|A Cartographer]]. Good. Should help us fix Truth's location. Secure the LZ, then we'll push through that wall."

''The team and the Sentinels continue along the other canyon, towards the LZ. Wiping out a pair of [[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Ghosts]] under a large Forerunner structure, the force presses on. Near a cave, they find two Marines pinned down by a large assault group of Covenant, including another pair of Ghosts (on higher difficulties, a Jiralhanae wielding a [[Pez'tk-pattern fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]] is also present). The Sentinels and the Marines clear the area. The UNSC forces meet up with the two Marines.''

''The team heads through the cave. A large Covenant force is encamped in the next area, including a [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]], a brace of Ghosts, Jiralhanae and Unggoy-operated turrets. After a struggle, the team eventually prevails. Out on a sandy plateau, two [[Ogab'd-pattern anti-aircraft Wraith|Anti-Air Wraiths]] are filling the sky with fuel rod fire. The team takes out the Anti-Air Wraiths and any remaining Covenant.''

''The {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} swoops in dramatically, kicking up dust and sending the vehicles and debris from the previous battle tumbling and flying across the plateau.''

[[File:H3  Ark ForwardUntoDawn.jpg|thumb|300px|The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' arrives at the landing zone.]]

''The ''Forward Unto Dawn's'' hangar lowers, revealing three [[M808 Main Battle Tank|Scorpion]] tanks and a [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]]. [[343 Guilty Spark]] descends as well.''

''The tanks and Warthog leave the hangar bay, and Johnson's Pelican drops off [[Marcus Stacker|Gunnery Sergeant Stacker]] and a few of his Marines to commandeer the vehicles.  Any surviving ODSTs from the first part of the level will board the Pelican.''

''[[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Ghosts]] and a [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler|Prowler]] pour out of the cave in the cliff. The Scorpions immediately open fire.''

''A [[Mgalekgolo]] pair charge out of the cave. The UNSC forces destroy them with little effort.''  

''On the other side of the cave, a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] is setting up a [[Covenant watchtower]]. If the Chief shoots it down and destroys the tower:''

''The convoy makes its way back to the wall where a locked door prevents any entry into the [[Forerunner]] facility. Armor resistance in the form of Wraiths, [[Barukaza Workshop Chopper|Choppers]], and Ghosts along with various Covenant infantry defend it.''

''While the Master Chief storms the upper level, the other two tanks and other vehicles meet up at the lower door, clearing any resistance along the way. The Chief secures the top floor. 343 Guilty Spark arrives on the scene.''

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Please, use caution; avoid collateral damage! While this facility looks quite hardy on the surface, there are undoubtedly delicate structures below the façade. ''(pause)'' Odd, for a doorway to require such robust security protocols. One moment, Reclaimer."

''The Monitor opens the door.''

''Inside the structure, the Chief encounters a Sentinel. It stares at him as he passes by. The Monitor opens another door; the escorting Sentinel follows. Spark leads the Chief to a platform overlooking a deep chasm. The UNSC forces have gathered below on the left side of the chasm, and are waiting to cross.''

''As the Chief walks out, a massive leg slams down as a [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] walks right over him.''

''A Warthog with an [[M68 Gauss Cannon]] appears from the rocky area. Pursuing Ghosts kill the Gunner. The Warthog driver finds the Chief and pulls over. In the distance, two other Warthogs have already engaged the Covenant heavy armor (they are usually destroyed before the Chief can help them).''

*'''Prophet of Truth (COM)''': "I opened the Portal to this hallowed place, this shelter from Halo's fire, in the hopes that more of our Covenant would follow. Alas, save for a rabble of Heretics and their ''Demon'' allies, we are all that made the passage. Thus we must temper joy with sorrow. Keep in our hearts those left behind."

''The Chief makes it to the top, where Pelican [[Kilo 023]] arrives with the Arbiter and two Marines. 343 Guilty Spark is also present.''

'''Vadam raises his weapon and walks around Guilty Spark cautiously just in case Spark becomes [[rampant]].''

''Unggoy are sleeping while a [[Urinating Brute|Jiralhanae Captain is urinating]] in a corner of the room. The team decides to take a stealthy approach.''

''Upon activating the Cartographer, [[star map|a holographic projection]] of the [[Milky Way]] appears. A small dot outside of the Milky Way is labelled.''

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "I always assumed it was part of a... [[shield world|shield installation]], but it seems I was mistaken."

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': " ''(smugly)'' Not at all. While I had a complete understanding of [[Installation 04]], my makers wisely limited my knowledge of all other strategic facilities. Compartmentalization - in case I was ever captured by the [[Flood]]."

*'''John-117''': "Can you tell me where we are ''exactly''?"

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Here."

''In the distance, two Covenant [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshees]] can be seen flying by the Cartographer. 'Vadam gives the Chief a concerned glance. The Master Chief walks further around.''

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "The barrier ''will'' be difficult to disable... how odd that my makers would place such a comprehensive defense around a single - ''(shocked)'' Oh my."

''Guilty Spark notices the [[Installation 08|enormous ring]], highlighted in purple, surrounding the Ark's core.''

''The Arbiter and the Chief get into position to engage the approaching Covenant ship as 343 Guilty Spark continues to hover over the map, deep in thought.''

*'''John-117''': " ''(urgently)'' Spark! Move!"

''The Monitor finally notices the Phantom and flies towards the Chief as 'Vadam engages the Covenant ship from the ground. The Phantom's side gunner returns fire.''

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "We ''must'' get past that barrier! Or the Meddler will destroy it all!"

''A [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshee]] makes a slow attack run on 'Vadam.''

''As the Chief heads back into the room, there is a possibility that the female Marine guarding the door will get killed by a [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenade]]. Covenant reinforcements, led by a Jiralhanae War Chieftain wielding a detached [[Pek-pattern plasma cannon|plasma cannon]], enter the room.  While the Chief and the others fight, 343 Guilty Spark talks to himself about [[Installation 04|the original Halo]].''

*'''343 Guilty Spark''': "Protocol dictates action. The installation was my responsibility, [[Installation 08|if my suspicions are correct...]] no! I must not jump to any conclusions."  

''The Chief and any surviving Marines clear out the Covenant attackers. They exit the room and head downward. [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Cethegus]] is waiting for them on the bottom floor of the lower level, wielding a [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]].''

''The Chieftain runs off outside, leaving a pack of [[Jiralhanae Stalker]]s to deal with the Chief. The Stalkers deploy a [[radar jammer]] and activate their [[cloaking]] as they engage the Chief, but he eliminates them all. A pair of Kig-Yar enter the room, and the Chief quickly kills them too.''

*'''[[Prophet of Truth]] (hologram)''': "You must win this fight on your own. Failure will bring a fate worse than death - abandonment, as we step forward without you."

*'''343 Guilty Spark (COM)''': "But what about [[Cortana|your construct]]? Her solution to the [[Flood]]? With more data, I might-"

*'''Keyes (COM)''': "The Arbiter's right. We have priorities too. Until we kill Truth, stop the rings from firing..."

*In Theater mode, right at the part where the player snaps to Master Chief's HUD, pauses and unsnaps the camera, then plays, they will see the Pelican fly normally and then fly slanted to the drop zone.

**For a similar reason, any Mongooses, Prowlers, or Choppers brought to the light bridge will not appear on the other side. However on some occurrences they may come out the other side.  

===Easter eggs===

{{Main|Easter eggs}}

*The [[Halo 3 skulls#Famine|Famine]] and [[Halo 3 skulls#Cowbell|Cowbell]] Skulls can be found on this level.

*This level has similarities to the levels ''[[The Truth and Reconciliation]]'', ''[[The Silent Cartographer]]'', and ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]'', in that the player begins the level as a stealth mission, armed with a sniper rifle (''The Truth and Reconciliation''), then spending the better part of the level searching for the map room, shutting down security systems, and fighting Covenant (''The Silent Cartographer''), and ultimately acquire a tank, and lead an armored assault convoy against an entrenched enemy position swarming with Covenant (''Assault on the Control Room'').

*Whilst it is more likely a coincidence than not, the opening cinematic shares some similarities with the ending cutscene of ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]'' - several Marines and the Chief escape a space battle (The {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} against the Covenant armada and the Covenant loyalist and separatist battles) by flying a small craft (A Bumblebee escape pod and Pelican dropship) towards a Forerunner installation (Installations 04 and 00 respectively). A further similarity is in transit, John-117 looks over the shoulder of the pilot at the approaching structure.

*The first cinematic section, just before gameplay begins but after the cutscene, bears a solid resemblance to the opening of ''The Silent Cartographer''; the Chief (and several Marines) stare out the back of a Pelican as it approaches a Forerunner structure crawling with Covenant.

*When the player plays this level at the part where the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} comes in, the musical segment ''Forward Unto Dawn'', which is a remake of the [[Truth and Reconciliation Suite]] (part of the track ''Behold a Pale Horse''), plays when the frigate lands. However, when the player starts at Rally Point Alpha, the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' has already landed and the musical segment starts playing during the part with the Scorpion tanks.

*When the player reaches the crashed [[D77H-TCI|Pelican]], there is a destroyed [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]], but its turret is still usable.

*It is possible to methodically set-up for the final battle first by triggering the Brute Chieftain spawning in. Next, if playing on fan difficulties SLASO or CLASO, kill the remaining Brute Stalkers and/or Jackals, and stockpile Plasma Pistols and/or Equipment via taking them to where the Chief activates the Cartographer. It is possible for the Chief to drop Plasma Pistols and Equipment down to the bottom level from the terminal. Once the Chief is set-up, it is also possible for him to carefully fall down from the terminal down onto the bottom level, where the Chieftain will only cheer and will be alone. In order to fall down safely, it is best to slowly inch your way off the top level of the terminal until you fall or, alternatively, fall down back first into the Chieftain, killing him. After that, it is best to stockpile any spare Plasma Rifle, Covenant Carbine, Equipment, or Plasma Pistol for the deloaded Jetpack Brutes. In order to spawn the Jetpack Brutes in, after setting everything up, backtrack to the area where you recently killed the Brute Stalkers and turn around. If done right, you'll hear Johnson say "Hang tight, Chief! We're on our way!" This provides you with a better chance in the aforementioned fan difficulties.

*Originally, the platform at the end of the level where the player fights the Brute Chieftain was supposed to be a station for a train leading to [[Guardian Forest|a level]] that was later cut from the game. After the level got cut, Environment Artist [[Paul Russel]] suggested it be replaced by the Chieftain fight arena seen in the final game.<ref>[https://picasaweb.google.com/114253662089061571624/HALO3#5500019593070971362 '''Picasa''': ''Paul Russel > HALO3 8/25'']</ref>

*This is the only ''Halo 3'' level where the regular Wraiths are rigged to explode when its driver dies unless you use the RB and shoot driver method.

**On rare occasions, ODSTs at the Landing Zone will not board the Pelican once the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' arrives. This includes any ODSTs that stay behind at the cave entrance, as they will accompany the player up until the end of the Scarab fight.

</gallery>

 

===Design Documentation===

File:H3_GrandfatherlandsDesignDoc.jpeg|Digital design document titled "3.1 Grandfatherlands".

File:H3_TheArk_DesignDoc.png|Revised digital design document titled "070 - Waste".

 

 

<gallery>

File:H3 Menu 07 The Ark.png|Preview of the level in ''Halo 3'' menu.

File:H3 - Retribution - Ark.png|The Sangheili fleet arrives at the Ark.

File:Ark3.jpg|The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' deploying Pelican dropships at the Ark.

File:H3 LesserArkConflict.png|The Pelicans descend during the ongoing space battle.

File:H3 TheArk Opening.png|John-117 and an ODST preparing to deploy on the Ark.

File:Sniper Spartan.jpg|John-117 and two ODSTs moving towards a Covenant encampment.

File:H3 The Ark Arbiter and Master Chief.jpg|The Arbiter and John-117 in battle.

File:Hunter BloodBond.jpg|A pair of Mgalekgolo in combat.

File:HTMCC H3 Coop The Ark Ending Cinematic.jpg|John-117 and Thel 'Vadam watch as a large group of Aggressor Sentinels appear behind the Pelicans at the Cartographer.

{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Levels|H3}}

[[Category:Halo 3 campaign]]