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Halo: Film Script, Part 2
Posted By: Sean Mortensen<spartan-257@hotmail.com>
Date: 23 May 2007, 2:02 am
Read/Post Comments
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FADE TO WHITE
FADE FROM WHITE
EXT. OUTER SPACE
Cruising through the thick ocean of space are several destroyers, and floating beyond them is a blue-green planet.
This is ONYX.
The lead destroyer is most prominent, and it is scarred from hundreds of past battles. Long, black scorches mar most of the hull.
This is LEVIATHAN.
The Leviathan cruises even closer to the planet, and begins to orbit, as the others begin to patrol the outer area of the system.
EXT. LEVIATHAN
A Pelican emerges from one of several openings in the hull, and the dropship's afterburners ignite and the ship screams towards the surface.
EXT. STRATOSPHERE
The leading edges of the Pelican begin to turn red-hot as the ship punches through the many layers.
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE, ZONE 67
Scattered around an enormous crater are several concrete bunkers and warehouse-like structures. Featured in the foreground is a small canyon where the main headquarters of the site are located.
EXT. CANYON, BASE HEADQUARTERS
The Pelican lowers near the edge of beachhead, and a man climbs out. He is wearing the armor different from the Master Chief's and he is wielding a new version of the assault rifle, an MA5C.
The man is KURT.
He hefts it and sweeps the sandy beach, then heads into the small area beyond, and he spots an overturned Warthog near an enormous metal gate.
He sees something taped to the gate:
WELCOME TO CAMP HIGH GROUND
Kurt walks around the Warthog, and doesn't see anything, so he turns around and waves his hand towards himself.
EXT. PELICAN, BEACH
Several more soldiers climb out of the dropship's troop bay, and head towards him.
These are the next-generation Spartans that survived the fall of Reach to the Covenant.
They are: ASH, OLIVIA, MARK, DANTE, HOLLY, TOM and LUCY.
Tom and the others follow Kurt towards the main gate, and the squad spreads out.
Kurt looks at Ash and Dante.
KURT
Ash, Dante, see if you find a control panel that can get this gate open.
Dante and Ash nod, and salute.
ASH
Yes, sir.
DANTE
Right.
They move off, hefting their MA5Cs and sweeping the area as Kurt looks at Holly and Mark.
KURT
Holly, see if you and Mark can get that Warthog running.
Mark nods and runs towards the overturned vehicle, with Holly following closely behind.
Then, Kurt turns towards Tom, Lucy and Olivia.
KURT
Now you three…
They look at him, ready for orders.
KURT
I want you to scout ahead and set up a ground-return transceiver outside of this canyon, and try to raise the AI at Zone 67.
Tom nods as Lucy and Olivia grab their gear and move out.
Kurt depolarizes his helmet and sighs. He turns to the Pelican.
KURT
Take the Pelican back to the Leviathan, tell them we've set up base camp at Camp High Ground.
INT. PELICAN, COCKPIT
The pilot looks at his copilot, and nods.
PILOT
Affirmative, sir. Good luck.
EXT. MAIN GATE
Kurt watches as the Pelican hovers on it's thrusters, and vanishes into the blue sky when the Warthog pulls over to him, Mark at the wheel and Holly sitting in the passenger seat.
Mark looks at Kurt, and depolarizes his faceplate. He is smiling, and he pats the steering wheel of the vehicle affectionately.
MARK
Mission accomplished, sir.
Kurt nods, and polarizes his faceplate as the gate begins to rumble.
The enormous metal gate screeches open, rusty metal rubbing on rusty metal. Kurt watches as the sunlight passes through the opening and Ash walks out.
KURT
Where's Dante?
Ash turns around and points to a tower with camouflage netting wrapped around it.
ASH
He's just found something that you might find interesting.
Suddenly a rock pings into the hood of the Warthog, and Kurt, Ash and Holly snap up their assault rifles at the source of the noise, as Dante looks down at them, hefting an enormous weapon of some type.
KURT
What is that?
INT. CAMOUFLAGE TOWER
Dante looks down at them, and he speaks, giddy with excitement.
DANTE
This is a chain gun.
The weapon in his hands is tubular in shape, with several barrels and long, long chains of armor-piercing ammunition.
EXT. MAIN GATE
Kurt looks at the enormous weapon.
KURT
A chain gun? What're the specs?
INT. CAMOUFLAGE TOWER
Dante nods and reads a metal card welded to the backside of a metal plate mounted just behind the barrel.
DANTE
Type AIE-486H HMG.
EXT. MAIN GATE
Kurt looks around and shrugs.
KURT
I wonder why we haven't gotten this for standard munitions.
INT. CAMOUFLAGE TOWER
Dante looks down at him, and gets a better grip on the weapon.
DANTE
Maybe because they were invaded before they had a chance to transport them Earthside.
EXT. MAIN GATE
Kurt nods and points to Mark and the Warthog.
KURT
Take the Warthog, and park it at the backside bunker, and rendezvous with us at the main base.
Mark nods and floors the accelerator. The Warthog jumps forwards and through the gate as Kurt waves his hand in a circle and the others surround him.
KURT
We're going to set up a command post at the base over there.
He points through the gate to a rusting metal structure with boarded up windows and torn down blast doors.
KURT
We didn't spot any Covenant when we arrived here, but that doesn't mean that they are on the far side, lying in wait.
Mark comes running through the gate towards them as Dante, still hefting the enormous weapon walks towards Kurt.
Kurt looks up at the canyon walls and hold a hand up to the right side of his helmet.
KURT
Tom, how's it coming?
Tom replies, his voice drowning in static.
TOM
(Voiceover, filtered)
We're almost done.
Kurt nods and then looks at the sky.
KURT
You see anything?
TOM
(Voiceover, filtered)
We spotted a Covenant battleship based over the excavation site. I don't think they've noticed us just yet. It looks like they're getting ready for war.
KURT
What's the enemy strength?
TOM
(Voiceover, filtered)
I estimate at least several battalions of Elites.
KURT
Anything else?
EXT. HILLSIDE
Tom looks around and looks around the sky.
TOM
We've spotted some kind of drone.
EXT. MAIN GATE
Kurt looks up, confused.
KURT
A drone?
TOM
(Voiceover, filtered)
Affirmative, they don't appear hostile.
KURT
Right, keep me informed.
EXT. HILLSIDE
Tom nods and looks at Lucy and Olivia.
TOM
Yes, sir.
Lucy and Olivia continue wiring the ground-return receiver as Tom sweeps the air.
FADE TO WHITE
FADE FROM WHITE
INT. READY ROOM
Fred and the other Spartans watch as the Master Chief steps out, clad in new armor.
This is the MJOLNIR Mark-VI combat armor system.
He holds his new helmet in his hands when Fred whistles as Johnson walks into the room, and eyes the Chief up and down.
JOHNSON
New duds, Chief?
Fred and the others look at Johnson when he grins, and puts a cigar in his mouth.
Suddenly, a light blows out as Keyes' voice breaks through the intercom, laced with static.
KEYES
(Voiceover, filtered)
All hands report to battle stations immediately!
Johnson looks at him and gives him a bow.
JOHNSON
After you, Chief.
The Spartans, with Johnson following exit their ready room and walk into the corridor beyond.
INT. PILLAR OF AUTUMN, CORRIDORS
The Master Chief and the other Spartans walk down the long corridor when the deck shudders from another impact. Several Marines hustle past them, carrying rifles and grenades as another impact makes the ship's hull shake again.
William looks at the Marines in another wide corridor who are setting up barricades and laying out trip lines tied to grenades as they head to the intersection where their corridor branches off to the two cryogenic chambers and the bridge.
INT. AUTUMN, BRIDGE
They step onto the bridge and snap to attention as Keyes turns around and returns their salute.
KEYES
Chief, Spartans, we have a situation.
MASTER CHIEF
Sir.
KEYES
The Covenant have found us and have already dispatched boarding craft to invade.
Suddenly another explosion sends a technician flying into the bulkhead as Keyes braces himself where he stands.
He turns to Lovell, and barks an order.
KEYES
Report!
Lovell turns around and looks at him.
LOVELL
Captain, Covenant boarding parties have slipped past the defense sentries.
Keyes nods in grim agreement and looks at the Chief.
KEYES
All right. I'm enacting the Cole Protocol. We're abandoning the Autumn.
Suddenly, Cortana appears on the holographic pad, arms on her hips. She has a stern expression on her face.
CORTANA
While you do what, go down with the ship?
Keyes nods.
KEYES
In a matter of speaking.
He points to the mushroom-shaped vessel a few thousand kilometers away.
KEYES
That vessel docked to the ring, I'm going to try and crash-land the Autumn on it.
Cortana looks at him, and shakes her head.
CORTANA
Captain, that is inadvisable.
She opens one of her hands, showing a rotating schematic of a Albatross transport on her palm.
CORTANA
May I suggest that the Spartans take a Albatross and insert ahead of the rest of the crew. To scout it out.
Keyes nods and looks at her.
KEYES
That's a very good idea, Cortana.
He turns to the Master Chief, and the Spartans.
KEYES
Well, Chief?
The Master Chief nods.
MASTER CHIEF
We'll get it done.
The captain nods and looks at Cortana.
KEYES
Cortana, I'll need you to go with them.
She nods as Johnson approaches from behind Keyes. The sergeant looks at Keyes, and smiles.
JOHNSON
Captain, I'm going with them.
Keyes nods again.
KEYES
Sergeant, take a squad of ODSTs with you.
Johnson salutes him, then looks at the Chief as Keyes looks down at Cortana.
KEYES
Are you ready?
Cortana takes a long look around the bridge of the ship and sighs.
CORTANA
Yank me.
Keyes pushes a series of buttons on the holographic pad and then pulls out the chip holding Cortana inside and hands it to the Chief.
He slides the chip into a slot on his armor, and after a moment his shields flare as they begin a diagnostic cycle.
She speaks through his external speakers.
CORTANA
(Voiceover, filtered)
Hmm. You're architecture isn't much different from the Autumn's.
The shields reboot as Keyes motions for Johnson's hand, and the captain hands Johnson another cigar, this one in a metal tube.
KEYES
Don't light this one up until I get there.
Johnson nods and slaps Keyes on the shoulder.
JOHNSON
Let's go, Chief.
They walk out of the bridge as Keyes' voice resonates throughout the corridors.
KEYES
(Voiceover, filtered)
All hands brace for impact!
Suddenly another blast rocks the ship, and the Chief vaults over a pair of power conduits, and almost headlong into an Elite in golden armor.
The alien roars and raises a shimmering blade of energy as Fred and William charge the alien, and slam it into the bulkhead.
The Elite roars as the Master Chief steps towards the alien.
The creature opens it's mandibles and roars at him when he snaps up a M6G pistol and pulls the trigger.
He fires three bursts, the puncturing the alien's chest armor, then the flesh, spattering blue blood and gore on William.
The Elite's growling dies away as Fred and William drop the alien, and William wipes off some of the blood.
WILLIAM
Damn, I just got these too.
Fred slaps him on the helmet as the Chief looks around and spots a weapons locker.
He rips open the door and hands William, Fred and Kelly an assault rifle. Then he hands Linda an sniper rifle, who slides a magazine into the receiver and pulls back the slide with a clack.
She looks at the Chief, who picks up the humming energy sword.
William looks at him, and the shimmering blade.
WILLIAM
Nice.
The Chief studies the blade's configuration then clips it onto his waist, and he readies his sidearm.
Johnson bends over and picks up a plasma pistol from the Elite's waist as they head out of the corridor and into a large chamber: the armory.
INT. ARMORY
The Helljumpers look up, as the Spartans and Johnson enter the armory, and snap to attention.
Mendoza pulls off his polarized helmet and looks at Johnson.
MENDOZA
Helljumpers ready for action, Sarge!
Johnson nods and hands Mendoza the plasma pistol. Mendoza looks at it, and turns it over in his hand.
MENDOZA
What the hell is this, Sarge?
He pulls the trigger, and a green ball of energy spits from one end of the weapon and strikes the far wall, melting the metal.
Johnson looks at him, and laughs.
JOHNSON
Better be careful with that thing, Mendoza.
He looks around.
JOHNSON
Where the hell's Jenkins?
Jenkins taps him on the shoulder.
JENKINS
I'm right here, Sarge.
Fitzgerald laughs as the Chief pulls back his slide on the pistol and Johnson looks at the ODSTs.
JOHNSON
Let's move!
The Spartans and Marines stomp out of the armory, with Johnson leading them.
INT. HANGAR BAY
Sitting in the middle of the hangar is a Longsword interceptor, but most prominent in the hangar is only one Albatross transport.
Johnson stops at the ramp and looks at the Marines, and smiles.
JOHNSON
Marines, we are taking the fight to the Covenant, with a decisive first-strike. We are going to kick ass and take names…
He looks to the Spartans.
JOHNSON
And we're taking a few tanks with us.
The Marines all stand there, waiting.
JOHNSON
Load up!
The Helljumpers climb into the Albatross, followed by Johnson and the Spartans as the thrusters whine to life.
INT. BRIDGE
Keyes looks at a small view screen showing the Marines board their transport in the hangar bay, and he closes his eyes.
KEYES
Godspeed.
INT. ALBATROSS, TROOP COMPARTMENT
The Marines sit down in the wall-to-wall mounted jumpseats, as the Spartans stand up. Mendoza looks at the Chief, and then at the seats behind them.
The Master Chief looks at him and gets the message.
MASTER CHIEF
These seats weren't designed to hold half a ton of armor.
Mendoza shifts in his seat, uncomfortable.
MENDOZA
You're lucky. My ass falls asleep every time.
Jenkins slaps him on the shoulder and laughs.
JENKINS
I don't care how many times they upgrade these things, they always go out of their way to give us the most uncomfortable seats imaginable.
Johnson looks at Mendoza, then Jenkins and chews on the tip of the cigar in his mouth.
JOHNSON
Mendoza, quit whining.
Mendoza turns around to look at him, and begins to whine even more.
MENDOZA
But Sarge, every time…
Johnson looks at him, and mock whines at Mendoza.
JOHNSON
It's always every time. Next time you're on latrine duty with the rest of the greenhorns.
Mendoza looks at him, resigned to stop complaining and looks at Fitzgerald, who is busy watching the rest of the Helljumpers.
The other ODSTs are silent, just sitting in their seats.
MENDOZA
What's with these jerks?
Fitzgerald turns to look at him and shrugs.
FITZGERALD
I think these are Colonel Ackerson's boys.
Mendoza looks at him as Johnson walks over to them.
MENDOZA
Colonel Ackerson?
Johnson nods.
JOHNSON
He's the spearhead for the Special Warfare division of the Corps. More importantly, he's the rival of the good doctor and her Spartans.
Mendoza looks at him, and nods.
MENDOZA
So, you think they're here to 'watch us?'
Fitzgerald shrugs as Johnson leans over and whispers to them two.
JOHNSON
Just watch your backs. Well, watch Jenkins'.
Mendoza laughs as the Master Chief looks around, watching all of them.
CUT TO BLACK
IN THE DARKNESS
Screaming is heard, then a sudden sound of flesh ripping and bones breaking.
FADE FROM BLACK
DREAM SEQUENCE
EXT. BATTLEFIELD, MIDNIGHT
Marching through a battlefield is the Master Chief.
He is walking on a snow covered field, over the elongated skulls of the Elites and the bits carbonized skeletons of fallen Marines.
His armor is worn, beaten and has multiple holes with red flesh peeking through.
The Chief is limping, carrying a MA5C in his hands as he collapses to his knees.
He looks up into the starry night sky, and we can hear his panting breath.
It is clear he is worn out, he sees a towering structure ahead of him.
He stands up and walks towards the building, but before he can move even one foot forward, he drops to all fours, almost unconscious.
The structure beyond starts to whine, as he looks up and a bright beam of multicolored light appears from the tip of the building.
The flash continues to get brighter and brighter until:
FADE TO WHITE
END DREAM SEQUENCE
FADE FROM WHITE
INT. ALBATROSS, TROOP COMPARTMENT
The Master Chief looks around as he sees the others looking out the small view ports mounted around the sides of the hull.
He looks out of one, and sees the huge mushroom-shaped vessel directly ahead, glistening with a purple/gray sheen.
EXT. ALBATROSS
The transport roars towards the vessel as it appears that the mushroom-shaped vehicle is a enormous city.
This is HIGH CHARITY.
EXT. HIGH CHARITY, EXTERIOR DOCKING BAYS
The Albatross roars over the exterior bays, and towards the only smooth spot on the entire structure, directly at the top of the vessel.
The rest of the vessel is covered in towering skyscraper-like buildings, with windows shining like the millions of stars the Covenant race has conquered as the Albatross hovers above the 'smooth spot.'
EXT. ALBATROSS, HIGH CHARITY
The transport, hovering on flames of blue-white fire, lowers its loading ramp as the Spartans exit, methodically sweeping the area for any hostiles.
Johnson and the Helljumpers follow the Spartans, in bulky vacuum suits, across the 'open space' towards a outcropping of conduits and pipes protruding out of the structure.
EXT. SUBSTANCE, HIGH CHARITY
PULL BACK as the small dwarf sun Substance is orbiting shines brightly, obscuring High Charity, the gas giant and the orbiting human destroyers from view.
FADE TO WHITE
FADE FROM WHITE
EXT. CAMP HIGH GROUND
PULL BACK from the sun blazing high above as the new 'Camp High Ground' is seen below.
EXT. COMMAND POST, MIDDAY
Kurt is sitting down under the shaded overhand of the rusting structure as Ash pulls off his helmet, and wipes off his face with his gloved hand.
His face is now covered with dirt and sweat as he smirks, disgusted.
Ash looks at Kurt and puts his helmet back on.
ASH
Sir, what are we doing waiting around here?
Kurt looks up, and depolarizes his faceplate.
KURT
We're waiting for Tom and Lucy to get back.
Suddenly, their radio headsets burst to life with the sounds of gunfire.
Tom is heard, shouting through his throat-mike and is almost drowned out in the roars of engines and weapons.
TOM
(Voiceover, filtered)
Sir, we've got a situation here.
Kurt jumps to his feet, all of a sudden aware and concerned.
KURT
What it is?
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE, CANYON EDGE
Tom and Lucy are firing their assault weapons at several Phantom transports as a squadron of Elites in black combat armor charge them.
TOM
Sir, we've just engaged an enemy force.
He unloads the rest of his clip into one of the Elites, then he primes a fragmentation grenade and throws it.
TOM
We think they were guarding something.
EXT. COMMAND POST
Mark looks at Kurt, who nods and makes a fist, then opens it. The hand signal to get ready.
KURT
We're on our way.
Mark, Ash, Dante and Holly stand at attention as Kurt looks at Dante.
He motions for the chain gun.
KURT
Give me that.
Dante looks at him.
DANTE
Yes, sir.
Dante hands it to him, reluctant to give it up, but Kurt is their commanding officer so he has to.
Kurt hefts the weapon, testing it's weight and he looks at the Spartans.
KURT
Dante, you and Holly get the Warthog. Everybody else, lock and load.
Dante and Holly run to get the vehicle as the others grab their assault weapons.
KURT
Let's go.
They run around the edge of the beachhead as Dante speeds past them in the Warthog, with Holly manning the chain gun in the back.
EXT. CANYON EDGE, NEAR EXCAVATION SITE
Kurt points at Mark then to the top of the canyon, where Tom and the others are.
Mark nods and climbs up to the edge of the cliff and peers over the side.
He sees Tom and Lucy exchanging fire and taking cover to reload as Olivia jumps up and opens fire in their place.
He looks down at Kurt and points his index finger at his eyes, then at the general area where Tom, Lucy and Olivia are.
Kurt nods and holds his right hand up to his ear.
KURT
Dante, Holly get set for distraction pattern 4.
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE, MAIN ROAD
Dante looks back at Holly and floors the accelerator.
DANTE
Affirmative, sir.
Holly looks at the squad of Elites charging Tom and the others.
HOLLY
Look, over there.
She points to them as Dante nods.
DANTE
Any time you're ready, sir.
EXT. CANYON EDGE, NEAR EXCAVATION SITE
Kurt nods.
KURT
Go.
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE, MAIN ROAD
Dante nods and grips the steering wheel.
DANTE
Let's make it hot!
He stomps on the accelerator and pours on the speed as the Warthog leaps forward, bouncing over boulders and spraying up twin plumes of dirt.
Holly opens up with the chain gun and sprays bullets at the black-armored Elites as Tom ducks to avoid getting spattered himself.
EXT. CANYON EDGE, NEAR EXCAVATION SITE
Kurt watches as the Warthog screams past them, the rear bumper scraping the jumble of boulders off of the cliff.
KURT
Let's move!
Ash, Mark and Kurt climb up the cliff side, just in time to see the Dante drive the Warthog through a line of Elites, crushing them underneath their tires.
Kurt and the others sprint to the area where Tom, Lucy and Olivia are crouching as the Warthog screams around, with Holly spraying the advancing Elites with bullets.
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE
Dante skids the Warthog to a stop, with the Holly facing the Elites. He climbs out, and lobs a grenade into the midst as Kurt hefts the chain gun and opens fire in tandem with Holly on the Warthog's weapon.
It is a deafening sound of guns firing as the rest of the Spartans open fire with their assault weapons.
The Elites continue to charge, as another alien comes into the mix.
They are short, stocky creatures that have a wild look in their eyes as they storm across the ground.
They are GRUNTS.
Kurt drops the smoking chain gun, that is out of ammo and snaps up his assault rifle.
He looks at the Spartans.
KURT
Field of fire!
Suddenly, the Spartans open up with a fusillade of automatic-weapons fire, and chew up the Grunts with armor-piercing ammo.
PAN ACROSS as we see the muzzle-flashes reflected in each of the Spartans' visors.
In a matter of seconds, the battle is over, and the ground is littered with the corpses of Grunts and Elites.
Kurt sighs and ejects the spent magazine of his assault rifle. He slides in a new clip and looks at Dante.
KURT
Dante…
Dante turns to look at him.
DANTE
Sir.
Kurt turns to look at the Warthog.
KURT
Nice driving.
Dante nods as Holly walks over.
DANTE
Right.
Kurt looks at Tom, and makes a come-here gesture with his index finger.
Tom walks over.
TOM
Sir.
Kurt points to the enormous crater just beyond.
KURT
What do you think they're guarding?
Tom shrugs.
TOM
I…don't know, sir.
Kurt slaps him on the shoulder.
KURT
Let's just make sure they never get what they were here for.
Tom stands a little straighter, and nods.
TOM
Right, sir.
Mark looks at Dante, who is affectionately patting the hood of the Warthog.
MARK
That was some insane driving, man.
Dante nods.
DANTE
Yeah, it was.
Suddenly, an enormous explosion rips through the excavation site beyond, and Kurt turns to look at it.
KURT
What the…
Olivia comes running over to him as a series of mechanical fliers soar over them.
She looks at him, and points to the fliers.
OLIVIA
Sir, it's the drones.
Kurt looks up and sights down his rifle at the excavation site.
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE, CRATER
The drones emit a red-orange energy beam that cuts through rock, stone and dirt.
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE
Kurt lowers his rifle, and looks at her.
KURT
Are they hostile?
Olivia shakes her head.
OLIVIA
No, sir. But we didn't want to provoke them.
He lowers his rifle and nods.
KURT
We'd better not.
FADE TO WHITE
FADE FROM WHITE
EXT. MOON
PULL BACK from the sun, as the Moon's terminating curve is seen, covered with ancient craters as half of the Earth's planet is covered in gray.
EXT. EARTH
The gray sheath that is wrapped around the Earth is in fact a enormous fleet of destroyers, carriers and cruisers and long stations with massive tubular weapons.
One of the enormous stations floats over the African continent.
This is CAIRO station, and docked to the Cairo is a destroyer.
The destroyer is IN AMBER CLAD.
INT. IN AMBER CLAD, BRIDGE
Sitting in the center contour seat, behind two pilots is COMMANDER MIRANDA KEYES, daughter of the Autumn's captain.
Miranda looks out the window as Mendez's face is seen on a wall-mounted screen.
MENDEZ
(Filtered)
Ma'am, we've just deployed two Helljumper squads in Old Mombassa. They're getting ready to set up base camp.
Miranda nods and looks out the main view port.
MIRANDA
Well, we'd better get moving. See you on the surface.
Mendez nods and the screen goes blank.
EXT. CAIRO STATION, IN AMBER CLAD
The destroyer undocks from the station, and its dorsal thrusters push the destroyer beneath the platform and its enormous weapon, towards the surface.
EXT. OLD MOMBASSA, STREETS
Mendez watches as the two squadrons of black-armored Helljumpers begin setting up prefab metal structures, turret emplacements and bunkers to store ammunition.
He pulls off his hat and wipes his forehead with his forearm.
He puts his hat back on his head, and then puts on a set of wire rim sunglasses.
A Marine approaches him and salutes.
He is MAJOR ALAN MITCHELL.
Mendez returns his salute as Mitchell pulls off his black helmet and scratches his head.
MENDEZ
It's midmorning and I'm already getting sunburned.
MITCHELL
Sir, the command structure's almost finished, we just need to install the AC.
Mendez nods and looks at the rumbling walls of the buildings along the street.
MENDEZ
Good.
A pair of Pelicans roar overhead, with Warthogs dangling beneath them as a pair of Helljumpers: PEREZ and FINCHER, walk towards Mendez and Mitchell.
MITCHELL
What is it private?
Fincher, the private, looks at the crumbling building in the distance.
FINCHER
Sir, we've just set up a sniper post on the far structure.
Mitchell nods as Perez, the corporal, points to a tall gated structure with three Warthogs parked side-by-side in front of it.
PEREZ
We've just set up an ammunition locker over there.
Mendez looks up as a armored carrier pulls up and a three-man team of Helljumpers climb out and salute Mitchell and Mendez.
The leader of the team: captain ARNOLDS lowers his BR55 battle rifle and looks at the two men.
ARNOLDS
Major, we've just set up sensors around the perimeter of the structure, and have posted six four-man fire teams on routine sweeps of the entire area.
Mendez nods as Mitchell looks up as another pair of Pelicans roar overhead and into the distance.
EXT. HIGH CHARITY, CONDUIT SURFACE
The Master Chief, his Spartans with Johnson and the Marines following closely behind, take cover beneath the tangled web of conduits as several Covenant patrol cruisers pass overhead, as Linda points to a hatchway leading deeper into the outer shell of the city.
The Master Chief nods as Fred and William place several blocks of C12 plastic explosive on the hatch, and the group takes cover as the Chief holds up his gauntlet and pushes his thumb and index finger together.
In a split second, the explosive detonates in a white flash, spraying purple metal and plastic out into space.
Some of the debris strikes the shield of a passing destroyer and disintegrates as the Chief looks at the Spartans, Johnson and the Helljumpers and waves his hand forwards.
EXT. HIGH CHARITY, CONDUIT HOLE
The Master Chief points to William and Kelly, who move towards the smoking hole and they grasp onto the sharp, torn edges of the hole and vanish.
MASTER CHIEF POINT-OF-VIEW
After a moment, two green lights, next to their names and identification numbers, in the far right corner of the Chief's HUD that are projected on his faceplate blink on.
RETURN
The Chief nods and turns to Fred and Linda, and points behind Johnson. They nod and move to cover Johnson and the Helljumpers as they climb into the hole, and vanish into the blackness.
The Chief motions for Fred to move, and he pushes off of the surface.
He uses one long cylindrical conduit to pull himself towards the hole, and he 'swims' into the opening, vanishing.
Then the Master Chief motions for Linda, who moves towards him, sniper rifle drawn, and as she stops near him, he drops into the hole.
Linda sweeps the space beyond, then, satisfied there aren't any enemies coming after them, she clips her rifle to her back, and then pushes off of the surface into the hole.
INT. HIGH CHARITY, SHELL ACCESS CORRIDOR
The entire corridor is bathed in blackness as the Master Chief and the other Spartans' armor-mounted lights come on, and immerse the Helljumpers and Johnson in white beams of energy.
The Chief points at Fred then to a organic-looking doorway, as a gorilla-like creature walks past the opening, its back to them.
This gorilla-like creature is a BRUTE.
Another Brute follows closely behind the first, but this one turns to look down the corridor the Spartans, Johnson and the Helljumpers are, as the Master Chief snaps up his weapon, and fires a burst into the creature's head.
Purple blood and gore splash onto the far bulkhead as the dead Brute's body drops to the deck with a thud.
INT. CROSS CORRIDOR
The other Brute turns around, and holds his head up to the ceiling, sniffing.
It sees the dead Brute and walks over to it, as Linda peers around the corner, and snaps up her sniper rifle.
In one split-second, the Brute growls, then its head snaps backwards, and off of the neck, dead.
Linda lowers her rifle as the Chief, William and Kelly walk into the corridor, weapons drawn.
They sweep the corridor methodically as Johnson and the ODSTs follow closely behind.
Cortana is heard through Johnson's helmet speakers, as she converses to the entire squad.
CORTANA
(Voiceover, filtered)
Chief, back up.
The Master Chief stops and backs up.
CORTANA
(Voiceover, filtered)
Turn right, and look down.
He follows her commands and spots a short, round pedestal painted purple like the rest of the entire vessel.
CORTANA
(Voiceover, filtered)
That looks like a transfer port. Plug me in.
The Chief pulls out the square AI chip, and slides it into a slot on the pedestal.
After a moment, she appears on the holographic pad of the pedestal, arms folded.
CORTANA
Give me a minute.
Her 'body' shifts colors from soft blue to brilliant purple, then pink, then cycles back.
CORTANA
There's another AI in here, fighting back. But it doesn't seem too hard to break it.
She burns bright white, then she clasps her hands together as her hue shifts back to the normal soft blue.
She looks at the Chief.
CORTANA
There, I've bypassed the security perimeters on this vessel.
She opens one palm and a overhead view of the vessel appears. A tangled web of intersecting corridors wrapped around a central energy lift.
One such pathway is illuminated with orange waypoint markers as she looks at the Chief.
CORTANA
This pathway will take you straight to the lift, which will head deeper into the structure.
Johnson looks behind the squadron, and sees several squads of Brutes marching towards them, led by one that is a head taller than the rest.
This Brute is TARTARUS.
He is the Chieftain of the Brutes and he is clutching a enormous hammer like weapon.
The hammer is the FIST OF RUKT.
Tartarus points the Fist at Johnson, the ODSTs and the Spartans.
Johnson points at them, and shoulders his weapon.
JOHNSON
Chief, we've got company.
Cortana looks at the Master Chief.
MASTER CHIEF
What are these things?
CORTANA
According to their data network, these creatures are called: Brutes, and they are the guardians of what the Covenant come to worship: Prophets.
The Chief nods and snaps up his assault rifle.
MASTER CHIEF
If these 'Brutes' are here, than the Prophets are here too.
Cortana holds a hand up to her forehead.
CORTANA
The Prophets are here! They are in a temple in the very center of the ship.
She holds open her palm which shows a towering, triangular structure in the very center of the vessel.
Fred and William set up a line of grenades on the floor as the Brutes and the humans regard one another.
MASTER CHIEF
Then we'd better get there…
He looks at Linda and the other Spartans, who are standing there, guns drawn at the Brutes, and nods.
MASTER CHIEF
Now!
Suddenly the Brutes charge, as the Chief leads Johnson, the Helljumpers and the Spartans back the way they came.
As the Brutes run over the grenades, they trip the detonator cord, which sets off the grenades.
An enormous explosion rips through the corridor, as steaming, blackened flesh, grizzle and hair spatters onto the walls.
The Chief peers out of the corridor, to see Tartarus looking at him, before growling at them and spinning on his heel, stomping away.
Cortana looks at the Master Chief.
MASTER CHIEF
What did it say?
CORTANA
He called you Demons.
The Master Chief looks at the departing Brute Chieftain.
MASTER CHIEF
Demons?
Cortana nods as Tartarus disappears.
After a tense moment, Cortana looks at him, her eyes wide with worry.
CORTANA
Uhoh. Chief, it seems there's been an issue ordered to find the Demons and exterminate them.
The Chief shrugs and looks at the Spartans.
MASTER CHIEF
Why's that a problem?
CORTANA
Because the Prophets are leaving.
The Chief looks at Johnson.
MASTER CHIEF
Where are they going?
Cortana shows him the holograph of the pyramidal structure.
CORTANA
The structure they're in isn't part of their city, it is a ancient structure built by what they call Forerunners. The ship is powering this structure, and once it uncouples from the city…
The Master Chief nods, understanding the entire severity of the situation.
MASTER CHIEF
…The city's will be bathed in darkness.
Johnson cocks his weapon and looks at the Master Chief and the Spartans.
JOHNSON
You go get those Prophets, Chief.
He looks at the Helljumpers and smiles.
JOHNSON
We'll take care of these bastards.
The Chief nods, and salutes Johnson, who returns the salute.
The Master Chief looks at the Spartans and unclips his holstered sidearm.
MASTER CHIEF
Let's go.
The Spartans bound off down to one end of the corridor, toward the glowing gravity lift, as Johnson and the Helljumpers head in the opposite direction, vanishing beyond the curving edge of the hallway, as the flashes of gunfire are seen.
EXT. GRAVITY LIFT, MAIN CORRIDOR JUNCTION
The Master Chief looks around as Cortana appears on a pedestal on the lift and nods.
CORTANA
Hang on, I'll get this crate moving.
After a moment, the Spartans are lifted off their feet, moving past thousands of floors until they slow to a stop.
EXT. GRAVITY LIFT, TOP LEVELS
The Spartans are standing on a flat, metallic surface that materializes beneath them as the pyramidal Forerunner ship beyond looms directly ahead of them, several kilometers away.
The Master Chief looks at the Spartans, his Spartans, and nods to the structure.
MASTER CHIEF
Let's move!
The Spartans break into a run and charge across the metallic stone, their boots making thumping sounds onto the surface.
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE, CRATER
Kurt is looking down inside the enormous crater, as several drones soar past them, and emit more high-heat energy beams, tearing through the dirt, and exposing more black quartz stone.
He looks at Tom, and points to the far side of the crater, where an old, concrete structure is standing.
KURT
Take Ash and Dante, secure the structure, and send a distress signal Earthside. I'll take Olivia, and Lucy to secure more ammunition from the CP.
Tom nods and gathers the two Spartans as Kurt turns to the two soldiers lurking by the Warthog.
KURT
Mark, you and Holly take the Warthog around to the far side of the crater, directly parallel to the canyon, and post the ridge. Give me a sit-rep as soon as Tom make it at the structure.
Mark nods and Holly climbs up behind the massive chain gun as Kurt turns around and gathers up his men.
Mark climbs in behind the wheel and turns over the Warthog and floors the accelerator. The vehicle rumbles forward and he spins the steering wheel around, and the Warthog moves around the canyon edge, towards the hill.
Kurt looks at Lucy and Olivia as Tom and his squad is already halfway around the edge of the crater.
KURT
Let's move.
They begin marching back to their command base as the Warthog's growling engine drifts away into the breeze and the sounds of the drones tearing apart the ground.
EXT. CAMP HIGH GROUND, ARMORY
Kurt and Olivia step into the narrow arms locker and begin opening various cabinets and crates.
Olivia finds two duffel bags and begins filling them with clips of various ammunition as Kurt shoves an armful of grenades into the bags. He looks at her and then grabs several submachine guns and puts them in the bag.
KURT
Get as much into these as you can.
He looks out the window, and to the far beach beyond.
KURT
I have a feeling we won't be able to come back.
Olivia continues grabbing clips, grenades and various explosives as Lucy claps her hands.
Kurt and Olivia freeze as the sound of crumbling rock gets louder and louder.
Kurt slowly moves forwards, giving Olivia a hand hovering over the ground: the hand signal to move quietly.
Olivia nods and grabs the last of the ammunition as the tumbling rocks begin making the earth tremor until Lucy dives into the room as the armory snaps into blackness.
CUT TO BLACK
FADE FROM BLACK
EXT. NEW MOMBASSA, MIDDAY
The skyscrapers are bathed in golden yellow-orange sunlight as the shadow of something enormous crosses over the buildings.
PULL BACK to reveal that the source of the shadow is a Covenant flagship.
EXT. OLD MOMBASSA, STREETS
Mendez looks up as Arnolds hands him a set of binoculars. He grabs the binoculars and holds them to his eyes as the flagship moves to a position near one of several towering towers.
This tower is a Centennial Orbital Elevator (COE).
The flagship hovers near the elevator as a the purple light of a gravity beam breaks through the midday brightness.
Mendez looks at Arnolds as Mitchell and Fincher run over.
MITCHELL
Sir, major, we've got an urgent transmission on the E-band.
Mendez and Arnolds look at him.
ARNOLDS
Go ahead.
Fincher holds up a portable radio receiver and the unmistakably distorted voice of Cortana is heard.
CORTANA
(Voiceover, filtered)
This is an automated distress beacon from Military AI CTN:417. Order all UNSC personnel heed and stand to. I am initiating emergency signal Hydra. Sergeant Johnson and Orbital Drop Shock Troopers are currently engaging Covenant forces on the Covenant platform.
Mendez and Arnolds look at each other as the transmission continues.
CORTANA
(Cont'd)
Meanwhile, Spartans -117, -104, -058 and -043 are currently engaging a vessel docked inside the Covenant vessel with some of the Covenant leadership onboard.
Arnolds looks at Mendez who nods.
CORTANA
(Cont'd)
Be advised: suggest any UNSC battleships in the vicinity NOVA bomb the orbital platform. Suggest: the inbound fleets extract the Helljumper squadron before attempting any assault on the Covenant platform.
Mendez looks up at the Covenant flagship hovering over the skyscrapers beyond as Arnolds looks at Mitchell and Fincher.
ARNOLDS
Round up the rest of first platoon.
The two Marines nod and run over to a Warthog. Mitchell puts the vehicle into gear as Fincher straps himself into the passenger seat.
The Warthog peels off down the narrow street, vanishing around a corner.
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