Scattered/Search and Destroy

For the campaign level, see Shutdown.

Template:Level Infobox Template:Article Quote Search and Destroy is the fourth chapter of Spartan Ops' sixth episode, Scattered.

Summary

While Fireteam Switchback goes to deal with the Covenant excavation, Crimson is assigned to take out the plasma supply depot. The Spartans arrive at the facility, deal with the guards, and destroy all three plasma stockpiles. However, they also discover stolen UNSC equipment at the base. What's more, Miller is detecting unusual readings from inside the central structure. Palmer orders Crimson to investigate the depot's central structure. After finding the access controls, Crimson opens the central structure's door. The Spartans deal with a group of Stealth Elites, then move into the structure to investigate. There, they discover a cache of stolen nuclear weapons. Worse, the warheads themselves have been removed. Just then, Crimson receives a distress call from Switchback, who are facing massive resistance at the dig site. Palmer orders Crimson to head for the dig site and help Switchback.

Transcript

All dialogue is spoken through the COM.

{Cutscene}

Crimson’s Phantom and a UNSC Pelican fly side by side toward a Covenant installation.

• Commander Sarah Palmer: “Fireteam Switchback, you’re on Covenant dig detail. Miller’s sending you the coordinates now.”

• Switchback Leader: “Acknowledged, Commander.”

The Pelican breaks off. The Phantom maintains its current course.

• Palmer: “Crimson, your job is to take out these Covie plasma stockpiles. Lots of explosions. Should be good fun.”

{Gameplay}

Crimson is deployed. Almost immediately they are engaged by Covenant troops.

• Palmer: “Weapons hot!”

• Miller: “Murphy, you gonna be okay up there?”

• Murphy: “Ah yeah! I’m having fun here! More than enough flak to go around!”

Murphy’s Phantom provides cover fire for Crimson.

• Palmer: “Crimson, take that hill!”

• Miller: “Tracking multiple ghost signatures in your area, Crimson. Keep an eye out!”

• Miller: “First plasma stockpile located and marked.”

Crimson receives the waypoint to their first objective.

• Miller: “Be advised, Crimson. Those plasma stockpiles are volatile stuff. When they pop it’s gonna be big."

Crimson attacks the first stockpile, which detonates in a series of massive explosions.

• Palmer: “Not exactly subtle, Crimson, but you get the job done. Now let’s do it a few more times.”

• Miller: “Commander, there’s UNSC inventory transponders near Crimson’s position.”

• Palmer: “Really? Let’s take a look. Crimson, I’d appreciate it if you taught the Covies that our toys don’t belong to them.”

After Crimson clears the immediate area:

• Miller: “All clear.”

• Palmer: “Let’s get a proper inventory.”

• Miller: “Crimson, stand near the crates so I can use your armor sensors to collect data.”

Crimson does so. Scan is initiated.

If player(s) move around during the scan:

• Miller: “Crimson, stop moving around so much. You’re screwing up the scans.”

Scan is completed:

• Miller: “Yup, that’s UNSC gear all right.”

• Miller: “I’ve traced an override system to the doors to the central structure. Marking it for Crimson.”

Crimson fights their way to the override system.

• Miller: “Locked up tight. But I’ve IDed another stockpile. Marking it for you now.”

A Covenant Wraith appears.

• Miller: “Wraith! Closing in on your position!”

Crimson fights their way to the second stockpile and destroys it.

• Palmer: “That’s what I like to see!”

• Miller: “There’s the last of the stockpiles, Crimson! Light ‘em up!”

Crimson heads to the third and final stockpile. They destroy it.

• Miller: “That’s all of the plasma stockpiles. At least out in the open.”

• Palmer: “Excellent job, everyone!”

Jackal Snipers appear.

• Miller: “Snipers!”

• Palmer: “Everyone find some cover!”

Covenant Ghosts arrive.

• Palmer: “Ghosts!”

Once most enemy forces are down:

• Palmer: “Miller, mop up the last of the ground forces. Then let’s see if they’ve hidden anything inside that central structure.”

• Miller: “You got it, Commander.”

• Palmer: “Have a look around. There has to be some way to open this tin can up.”

• Miller: “Looks like a lot of activity deeper within the structure.”

• Palmer: “Setting a waypoint.”

Crimson find and activate a grav lift which takes them up into a room.

• Miller: “There’s movement.”

• Palmer: “Careful, Crimson.”

Crimson kills the invisible Elite patrolling the room.

• Miller: “That’s all of them.”

• Palmer: “Roll on, Crimson.”

• Miller: “Setting a waypoint.”

Crimson finds the access controls to the central structure and activate them. The area trembles.

• Miller: “That did it. Structure's open. That’s strange... when the structure opened, Crimson’s sensors were...”

• Palmer: “Spit it out.”

• Miller: “Everything’s fine now. I’ll keep an eye on it.”

Enemy Phantoms arrive and deploy more reinforcements, including Hunters.

• Miller: “Hunters!”

• Palmer: “Dalton?”

• Robert Dalton: “Coordinates inbound on Crimson’s position now.”

• Palmer: “Roger that.”

Supply crates containing UNSC heavy weapons are dropped off for Crimson.

• Miller: “Phantom on approach!”

Once the Covenant attackers are defeated:

• Palmer: “Miller, let’s see if they’ve hidden anything inside that central structure.”

• Miller: “You got it, Commander.”

Crimson encounters a cadre of invisible Elites at the structure’s entrance. Some of the Elites are armed with Particle Beam Rifles.

• Miller: “More Covenant!”

• Palmer: “Check your corners, folks.”

Once the entrance is clear:

• Miller: “Commander, I’ve found the location of that mysterious reading. Placing the waypoint for Crimson.”

Crimson heads inside the structure to investigate. They come across a collection of UNSC nuclear weapons.

• Palmer: “Tell me that’s not what I think it is.”

• Miller: “A stockpile of stolen UNSC nukes?”

• Palmer: “Miller, send down a disposal team.”

• Miller: “No need. Those nukes have all had their warheads stripped. The Covies took them somewhere else.”

Crimson suddenly receives an emergency transmission.

• Spartan Cara Costabile: “Switchback to Infinity.” (gunfire can be heard in the background)

• Palmer: “Go ahead, Switchback.”

• Costabile: “Covies have a Harvester down here.” (an Elite roars in the background) “Encountering massive resistance. Request backup!”

• Palmer: “Crimson, you’re the closest responder. Fall out and help Switchback.”

---

If the player has activated the RvB Easter egg.

• Sarge: “This is Corporal Switchback to Infinity!” (gunfire can be heard in the background)

• Palmer: “Go ahead, Switchback.”

• Sarge: “Hey Infinity, is your Slipspace drive running? (an Elite roars in the background) Because you better go catch it!”

• Palmer: “Crimson, you’re the closest responder. Fall out and help Switchback.”

• Grif: “Baba booey! Baba booey!”

---

Murphy’s Phantom comes in. Crimson gets on board.

CHAPTER COMPLETE

Level ends.

Trivia

In the Spartan Ops menu, the mission is called "Search and Destroy". While on Halo Waypoint, the mission is called "Shut Down".