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Halo: Film Script, Part 3
Posted By: Sean Mortensen<spartan-257@hotmail.com>
Date: 30 May 2007, 5:20 am
Read/Post Comments
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EXT. HIGH CHARITY, MAIN ACCESS COURTYARD
The Master Chief, Fred, William, Linda and Kelly are bounding across the open courtyard when a pair of Brutes climb up from behind a outcropping of rocks, and open fire with grenade launchers.
The Chief drops to one knee, and fires a burst at one of the Brutes, puncturing it in the wrist, but only making it angry when another Brute, taller than the rest, charges the Spartans from behind.
It knocks the Master Chief onto his back, and grabs his neck, and squeezes.
Fred and William try to pry the thing off, but several more Brutes surround them, and the rest of the Spartans open fire.
The Master Chief grabs the Brute's wrists and manages to release the thing's grip on his neck, as spittle and mucus hit his faceplate, smearing it as the creature growls and snarls.
Fred opens fire on two Brutes, shredding one's stomach, and ripping apart the other's arm.
William and Linda shoot several more Brutes that return fire, making their shields flare in the dim light.
Kelly spots a pair of Covenant dropships roaring overhead, and she grabs Linda's discarded sniper rifle. She snaps it up and sights it.
SNIPER SCOPE - POINT-OF-VIEW
The crosshairs center on the near side of the dropship, as the vehicles hover above them, and begin strafing them.
RETURN
The dropships begin strafing the Spartans as the hatches open, and several Grunts and Elites climb out, and begin firing on the Brutes.
Kelly looks at the Master Chief, who is still struggling with the Brute on top of him, as one Elite, clad in silver armor with ancient Arcane engravings, snaps up it's plasma rifle and fires a burst into the back of the Brute.
Melting flesh and bone spatters onto the Chief's armor and the metallic stone surface.
The Master Chief gets up, and brushes off his armor as the Elite approaches him.
The Elite looks at the Master Chief, and nods.
He is the ARBITER.
The Arbiter looks at the Chief, and then points to the Forerunner ship, and speaks in English with a deep accent.
ARBITER
Demon, these Prophets have betrayed us.
The Master Chief looks at him, confused.
MASTER CHIEF
I don't understand.
ARBITER
They believe that the activation of these rings will bring about the Great Journey.
Kelly looks at the Arbiter, and shrugs.
KELLY
What is this Great Journey?
The Arbiter motions for another Elite, who holds out a holographic pad.
Several rings appear on the display and the Arbiter looks at the Spartans.
ARBITER
The Forerunners built these rings, but they weren't to start this Great Journey, but they were to do something else.
Fred looks at the Arbiter, and then at the Forerunner ship in the distance.
FRED
What were they supposed to do?
William nods.
WILLIAM
Yeah, what do they do once they're activated?
The Arbiter closes his eyes, and takes in a deep breath.
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
EXT. OUTER SPACE, CENTURIES EARLIER
The rings emit the same burst of raw power and blue-white energy as the Arbiter speaks.
ARBITER
(Voiceover)
These things, when activated, eradicate all life in the entire galaxy.
MASTER CHIEF
(Voiceover)
Eradicate?
ARBITER
(Cont'd)
Correct. That is why we need to prevent the Prophets from reaching the activation center.
Another burst of blue-white energy is emitted from the rings.
FADE TO WHITE
FADE FROM WHITE
EXT. HIGH CHARITY, MAIN ACCESS COURTYARD
The Spartans are staring at the Arbiter, as the Elites surround their leader, who gets down on his knee, and looks up imploringly at the Master Chief.
ARBITER
Demon, we must prevent them from activating these platforms.
Kelly looks at the Elite.
KELLY
And how do you suggest we do that?
The Arbiter points to the Forerunner ship.
ARBITER
We must stop them from leaving.
The Master Chief nods and looks at the Spartans, then the Elites.
MASTER CHIEF
Right.
Linda looks at them.
LINDA
Easier said than done, though.
Fred walks over to the Chief, reloading his assault rifle.
FRED
Sir, we're almost out of ammunition.
The Chief nods as the Arbiter looks at them.
ARBITER
We'll find weapons once we get onboard the Forerunner ship.
The Master Chief watches as several more dropships scream overhead and towards the area around the Forerunner ship.
The Arbiter moves towards one dropship that deployed them and the Grunts and waves over the Spartans.
ARBITER
We'll get there faster if we fly.
The Spartans and the Elites climb into the dropship, as more and more of the dropships fly towards the Forerunner ship.
EXT. HIGH CHARITY, FORERUNNER VESSEL
The dropships deposit thousands and thousands of Elites, Grunts. Several lines of vulture-like aliens with arm-mounted shields walk in front of the Grunts and Elites, wielding plasma pistols.
These vulture-like aliens are called JACKALS.
The Elites watch as the dropship carrying the Master Chief, and the Arbiter soars over them, and lands in front of the Forerunner vessel.
The Master Chief and the Arbiter climb out of the dropship, and stand side-by-side as the Forerunner vessel begins to whine to life.
The Arbiter looks at the vessel and waves a clawed hand towards it.
ARBITER
Brothers, we have fallen prey to the Prophets and they're devious schemes.
Most of the Elites nod and agree with murmurings and rumblings.
ARBITER
(Cont'd)
We have been split asunder. The Covenant Writ of Union has been broken.
All of the Covenant nod, with the Grunts shifting uneasily on their feet.
ARBITER
(Cont'd)
This is the end of the ninth and final Age.
The Elites all roar in unison as the Jackals and Grunts raise their weapons above their heads.
The Arbiter clasps his fists and stands tall, as the Spartans watch him.
ARBITER
(Cont'd)
We will fight, and we will ascend to the great beyond. But not on this Great Journey we have believed will allow us to transcend.
They all stand there, waiting for their orders.
ARBITER
(Cont'd)
We will fight for justice…
The Elites all nod, firmly gripping their weapons tightly in their hands.
ARBITER
(Cont'd)
Glory…
The Arbiter holds his head up high, and looks at the Spartans.
ARBITER
(Cont'd)
And honor.
The Spartans nod.
The Arbiter looks at the Master Chief, and the Spartans. Then, he turns to look at the whole of the Covenant.
ARBITER
(Cont'd)
Stand tall warriors, for victory is nigh.
The entire collective of Spartans and Covenant stand waiting as the Arbiter looks at the Master Chief.
ARBITER
You ready, Demon?
The Master Chief nods, and shoulders his assault rifle.
MASTER CHIEF
I was born ready.
The Arbiter nods and makes a waving motion in the air.
Suddenly, the Spartans, Elites, Grunts and Jackals all charge towards the towering Forerunner vessel several hundred yards in the distance.
CUT TO BLACK
FADE FROM BLACK
INT. COMMAND BUNKER, CONTROL CENTER
The lights are off as Tom searches for a light switch. He finds one, and flips it on, but only one beam is shone, which is facing the far gray wall.
The rest of the room is in darkness.
He turns on his rifle's flashlight and sweeps the control room as Ash and Dante enter behind him.
Ash secures the rusty door behind them as Dante moves to a blinking monitor and begins typing in commands on a alphanumeric keypad.
He turns to look at Tom.
DANTE
What should I tell them?
Tom looks at the monitor.
TOM
Tell them to send a prowler for emergency extraction.
Dante begins typing, his gauntleted hands rapidly pushing the buttons, until he grunts in frustration.
DANTE
Can't type a damn thing.
He pulls his gloves off and resumes writing, now with ease.
DANTE
Ah, much better.
He finishes the message and sends it.
DANTE
Message sent.
Tom nods and looks at Ash, who is fingering his weapon.
TOM
You still with us, Ash?
He shrugs and depolarizes his faceplate. Tom sees Ash staring at him through eyes with a dead-stare.
Tom moves over to him, and pulls out an anti-shock syringe.
TOM
Hey, hold still a minute.
He slips the syringe into a slot on his armor and injects the ingredients into Ash's system.
Ash's eyes seem to clear and he shakes his head.
ASH
Sorry. Getting a little crazy out here.
Tom slaps him on the shoulder, and nods to Dante.
TOM
Let's just go one step at a time, guys.
Dante shrugs as a static-distorted message breaks through the bunker's speakers.
INTERCOM SPEAKER
(Voiceover, filtered, static)
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.
Tom looks at Dante and Ash, who are listening intently.
INTERCOM SPEAKER
(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.
He looks around, and finds a holographic display that hums to life with a series of waypoints leading from star system to star system.
INTERCOM SPEAKER
(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.
Dante laughs as Tom looks at him.
TOM
What's so funny?
Dante points at the holograph.
DANTE
Where do you think the Covenant was headed?
Tom sees one very similar system, and he shakes his head.
TOM
Earth.
Dante nods.
DANTE
Exactly.
Tom nods and gets a better grip on his weapon.
TOM
Sir, we've got a situation.
INT. ARMORY
Kurt looks around, and shoves some stones and boulders off of his body.
KURT
Go ahead, Tom. What've you got?
INT. COMMAND BUNKER, CONTROL CENTER
Tom looks at Ash and Dante as a wall mounted monitor blinks to life.
TOM
We've just received a response.
The silhouette of an angular vessel appears on the screen.
TOM
Admiral Hood just sent the Dusk to extract us.
INT. ARMORY
Kurt nods and looks at Lucy, who gets up and helps Olivia stand.
KURT
What's their ETA?
INT. COMMAND BUNKER, CONTROL CENTER
Tom looks at the monitor, with a countdown timer on it.
TOM
It'll be here in seven days.
INT. ARMORY
Kurt nods and points two fingers at the now blocked doorway. Lucy and Olivia begin moving the boulders out of the way as he nods.
KURT
Understood. Wait for us, we'll rendezvous there.
TOM
(Voiceover, filtered)
Yes, sir.
Kurt looks at Lucy who points at the boulders then makes a fist. The hand signal for: no egress.
Kurt nods.
KURT
Look for a basement.
Olivia and Lucy nod and begin searching the narrow armory for a basement hatch.
EXT. CANYON RIDGE
Mark and Holly are watching the drones continue to move the dirt in the crater around as a sonic boom rips through the dirt and rattles the Warthog.
MARK
What the hell was that?
Holly shrugs and tracks the sky overhead as the all-famous silhouette of a Covenant cruiser appears over them.
Mark looks up, and then punches in a command on the radio.
MARK
Sir, we've got a situation.
INT. ARMORY
Kurt looks up as part of the message gets through.
KURT
Say again?
MARK
(Voiceover, filtered)
Sir…we've got…a…tion…
Kurt looks at Lucy who points to the ceiling. He looks up at the ceiling, where a hatchway is.
EXT. CANYON RIDGE
The drones continue to move the dirt, as a trio of them hover over the Warthog.
One of them looks at Holly and speaks with a distorted male voice.
DRONE #1
'Fhejelet Juber?
HOLLY
What?
The next drone speaks, almost with annoyance.
DRONE #2
'Fhejelet, non sequitur now?
Holly shrugs as the first drone responds.
DRONE #3
Ring offensive system activated, shield in countdown mode. Exchange proper counter response, Reclaimer.
Holly looks at the drones.
HOLLY
I don't understand.
The drones shift their pylons into a different configuration, almost as if they are agitiated.
DRONE #1
Reclassification of species as non-Reclaimers, to prevent possible infection, neutralize with extreme prejudice.
MARK
Oh shit.
Holly swivels the chain gun around when their 'eyes' burn gold-yellow as he looks at her.
MARK
Whoa!
He dives out of the way, as she opens fire, but the rounds bounce off a transparent sphere around them.
EXT. ARMORY, HATCHWAY
Kurt is climbing up the ladder as Mark's voice breaks through the interference.
MARK
(Voiceover, filtered)
They've got energy shields!
Kurt climbs out onto the stone surface as he spots a glimmer of sunlight reflecting off of the Warthog's windshield, across the canyon.
EXT. CANYON RIDGE
Holly looks at him, and unloads the long, long chains of armor piercing ammo at the drones, trying to find a chink in their shields.
HOLLY
Got to be Covenant!
Mark looks up at her, and runs towards the Warthog, as the drones hit her with their energy beams.
In a matter of seconds, she and the Warthog are disintegrated into black ash.
Mark growls and snaps up his assault rifle, unloads a full clip into the drones, which shift their aim to him, as he reloads, cursing.
Suddenly, he screams a blood curdling shrill as his erupts into molten metal, plastic and flesh, as the remains of his body spatters onto the stone.
EXT. ARMORY, HATCHWAY
Kurt watches as the drones move off, with indifference to what they've just done.
He looks up, and sees the Covenant battleship move over the crater, and a purple gravity beam is lowered into the center of the depression.
Olivia looks at him, and then points to the Covenant ship.
OLIVIA
Why don't we crash their party?
Lucy grunts as Kurt shakes his head.
KURT
We can't.
OLIVIA
Why not?
He points up into the sky as several hundred more battleships hover over the crater as dropships head towards the central vessel hovering over the depression.
KURT
That's why.
INT. COMMAND BUNKER, CONTROL CENTER
Tom, Ash and Dante are silent, as the echoes of Mark's last scream haunts them, until Kurt's voice breaks through the silence, bringing them back to reality.
KURT
(Voiceover, filtered)
Tom, Dante, Ash.
TOM
Go ahead, sir.
EXT. ARMORY
Kurt looks at the fleet of Covenant battleships hovering around the crater.
KURT
We've got a Covenant force guarding the crater in masse.
INT. COMMAND BUNKER, CONTROL CENTER
Tom nods and looks at Ash and Dante.
TOM
What's our next move, sir?
KURT
(Voiceover, filtered)
We need to catch them off guard.
TOM
What do you have in mind?
KURT
(Voiceover, filtered)
We're going to cause a diversion. Gather up all the ordnance you can find, and hightail it back to base camp.
Tom nods, as Dante is already gone, vanishing out of the control center.
TOM
We're already one step ahead of you, sir.
INT. MUNITIONS BUNKER
Dante looks around as several 440 caliber mortars lined up against the far wall catches his eye.
He moves over to the far locker, and pries it open. He rubs his hands together as Tom and Ash enter.
DANTE
Come to poppa.
He gathers a double armful of high explosives and begins stashing them into a duffel as Tom and Ash help him.
TOM
Get as much as you can carry. Get some more weapons too.
Ash moves to another locker, and rips it open with a crowbar and begins stuffing another duffel with rifles and grenades.
Tom looks at the small window slit on the far wall, as the eclipsing hull of a Covenant battleship shuts out the sunlight.
TOM
We aren't going to be coming back.
EXT. HIGH CHARITY, FORERUNNER VESSEL
The Spartans arrive at the Forerunner ship first; with the Arbiter following closely behind as the rest of the Covenant warriors arrive.
EXT. FORERUNNER VESSEL, LOADING DOCK
One of several enormous doors on the vessel slides open, as the Master Chief and the Spartans arrive to see several thousand Brutes marching out of the loading dock, armed for war.
The Arbiter slides on his hoofs, right beside the Chief and he sees the Brutes, led by Tartarus with Johnson and the ODSTs being forcibly escorted in-between the Brutes and the Spartans.
Tartarus looks up at the Master Chief, and snarls when Johnson looks up, weary-eyed.
MASTER CHIEF
You all right, Sergeant?
Johnson looks at him, and grins.
JOHNSON
I've been better, Chief.
The Chief nods as the ODSTs look at the Brutes and grip their hands tighter.
MASTER CHIEF
Get ready.
Johnson nods, and clasps his hands together.
JOHNSON
We're ready.
Tartarus looks at the Spartans and grins.
TARTARUS
Demons, your end has come.
Then he turns to look at the Arbiter and the Elites.
TARTARUS
And you, Arbiter, you and the Brutes, not the Elites shall be the Prophet's escort.
The Arbiter looks at Tartarus as all of the Elites ignite their energy swords.
ARBITER
Let our fates decide that future.
The Chieftain grins and hefts his enormous gravity hammer.
TARTARUS
Lets.
He spins the hammer in his hands with a 'by-your-leave' flourish, as the Elites charge the Brutes.
The Spartans charge through the Brutes and make it to the inside of the Forerunner ship as the Elites engage in a bloody battle against the Brutes.
INT. FORERUNNER VESSEL, HANGAR
The Master Chief looks around as William and Linda begin sweeping the open hangar as Fred and Kelly begin placing mines in a semicircle around them.
William looks at the Chief as Linda nods her head.
LINDA
It's all clear.
The Chief nods and makes a fist. The squad reforms and they head deeper into the Forerunner ship.
EXT. LOADING DOCK
The Arbiter slices the arms off of a Brute as Tartarus slams his gravity hammer into one of the Elites and crushes its back, turning the Elite into pulpy mush.
The Arbiter spins around as the gravity hammer nearly hits him. The force of the impact makes the ground beneath him shake as the Forerunner vessel comes to life.
INT. FORERUNNER VESSEL, BRIDGE
Sitting at the main consoles that control the ship are several Brutes as the Spartans step onto a balcony that overlooks the bridge.
The Master Chief looks at the bridge and points his two fingers at his faceplate then at the Brutes working on the bridge.
The Spartans nod and they leap over the edge of the balcony, and land two tons of MJOLNIR armor and Spartan on the deck with a whisper.
The Chief looks at Fred and holds his hand out, palm down, and they spread out and stand directly behind the Brutes.
In a matter of seconds, the Master Chief lunges to the Brute standing in front of him, and grabs it.
The other Spartans open fire, and shoot the others, killing them as the Brute the Master Chief has grabbed knocks him backwards.
He spins on his heel and snaps up his weapon, and fires. The bullets impact the Brute's legs, tearing through flesh and bone, and the creature collapses to the ground.
The Brute growls as the Chief looks down at it.
MASTER CHIEF
Where are the Prophets?
The Brute looks up and snarls something at the Chief as Fred looks at the Chief.
FRED
Sir, I don't think they're here.
The Master Chief looks down at the Brute, who's reaction is answer enough.
MASTER CHIEF
Damn.
He looks at William.
MASTER CHIEF
It was all a distraction.
William nods and sees a map of the Earth on a far holograph projector.
WILLIAM
Sir, they're already there.
The Chief spins around and sees the blinking map of the Earth and he growls.
EXT. LOADING DOCK
The Arbiter looks up at the Forerunner ship and senses something as the Elites kill more Brutes, but the war seems to be one-sided.
The Brutes are seemingly winning this battle.
The Arbiter slices a Brute at the knees, and then he drops to his knees to avoid another strike of Tartarus' gravity hammer.
ARBITER
Demons.
INT. FORERUNNER VESSEL, BRIDGE
The Master Chief hears the Arbiter's voice come through the ships intercom, and William runs over to one of the consoles.
MASTER CHIEF
This was all a diversion.
EXT. LOADING DOCK
The Arbiter looks at the vessel and closes his eyes.
ARBITER
I know.
Tartarus looks at the Arbiter, and stops his assault and laughs maniacally.
TARTARUS
Fools! Once the assault on the Ark is complete, we will begin the Great Journey, and the Elites and all humanity will be left behind.
The Arbiter opens his eyes as Johnson is seen running towards the Chieftain.
SLOW-MOTION SEQUENCE
Johnson leaps into the air, and body-kicks Tartarus in the back, knocking the gravity hammer out of his hands, and sending it spinning towards the Arbiter.
RETURN
The Arbiter picks the weapon up and hefts the weight as Tartarus turns to looks up at Johnson.
TARTARUS
Foolish ape.
Johnson smiles.
JOHNSON
Who you calling foolish?
Suddenly, the Arbiter swings the gravity hammer with all his might towards Tartarus' head…
…and hits an invisible barrier surrounding Tartarus' body.
The Arbiter drops the hammer and looks at the Brute, who looks at him, with a demon look in his eyes.
TARTARUS
Now, it's your turn.
He swings out with a bare arm, and hits Johnson in the chest, sending him sprawling.
The Brute looks at the Arbiter, and takes off his excess equipment, and the Arbiter removes his helmet and nods.
ARBITER
To the death then.
Johnson gets up, rubbing his chest as the Elites and the Brutes stop fighting.
Tartarus and the Arbiter regard each other as the Arbiter hefts the gravity hammer, and gets a firm grip on the weapon's shaft, as a Brute hands Tartarus a pair of projectile weapons.
Tartarus opens fire as the Arbiter spins the gravity hammer around, catching every projectile that is sent towards him, deflecting them away from himself as the Chieftain snarls and throws the weapons aside.
The Arbiter hurls the gravity hammer aside also as Tartarus charges the Arbiter.
They exchange blows, kicks and spill more sweat and blood that artifice as Johnson picks up a discarded beam rifle and shoulders it.
RIFLE SCOPE
The crosshairs center on Tartarus' head as Johnson is heard.
JOHNSON
(Voiceover)
Duck Arbiter!
RETURN
The Arbiter ducks as a piercing purple beam of energy strikes the Chieftain in the head and shorts out the Brute's shield.
JOHNSON
Come on Arbiter; kick that guy's ass!
The Arbiter trades blows to Tartarus' head and spills some purple blood when the shield recharges itself and surrounds the Brute with the film of protective energy as Johnson snaps up the rifle again.
He fires another three-round burst and the rounds hit the shield generator.
The shimmering force field vanishes again and the Arbiter lunges in for the attack.
INT. FORERUNNER SHIP, BRIDGE
The Master Chief walks over to the wide, curving view port and looks down at the ring of Elites and Brutes that surround the Arbiter and Tartarus.
EXT. LOADING DOCK
Tartarus charges the Arbiter, who sidesteps as Johnson fires the rifle again.
The shields finally fail, as Tartarus looks at the Arbiter and grins as the Arbiter gives the Brute a sidekick to the Chieftain's head, and snap it sideways.
The Brutes all look in dismay as their leader drops to the surface, dead.
Suddenly, the entire structure begins to shudder as the Arbiter and Johnson look at each other.
JOHNSON
Chief!
INT. FORERUNNER SHIP, BRIDGE
The Master Chief looks down at the ring of creatures.
MASTER CHIEF
I know. The entire city has a fifteen-minute countdown timer.
INT. FORERUNNER SHIP, HANGAR
The Arbiter, Johnson and the Elites enter the hangar as Johnson and the Arbiter race to the lift.
INT. LIFT
Johnson looks up at the long shaft of shimmering blue-white energy and then at the Arbiter.
INT. BRIDGE
Johnson steps onto the bridge, and looks at the Arbiter and waves his arms around him.
JOHNSON
Well, how do we get this crate moving?
The Arbiter shrugs and pulls up a holograph on the main console. A series of ancient hieroglyphs appear and he begins touching several of them.
ARBITER
Are we secure?
The Master Chief looks at Fred and William, posted near the two hatchways.
They nod.
MASTER CHIEF
Secure.
The Arbiter nods and pushes a long holographic tube forwards.
EXT. FORERUNNER SHIP
The towering vessel rumbles to life, hovering on a shaft of white energy, as the city around it begins to rattle.
INT. BRIDGE
The Master Chief looks at the collapsing city as Kelly looks at him. She points out the window, and he follows her guiding finger to a far structure in the distance.
KELLY
What about Cortana?
Suddenly, Cortana appears on a holographic pad near the Arbiter.
She folds her arms and looks at the Chief.
CORTANA
You didn't forget me.
The Master Chief nods, and folds his arms as the vessel rises upwards, towards a circular opening in the ceiling of the structure.
EXT. HIGH CHARITY, FORERUNNER SHIP
The vessel emerges from the opening in the structure and a ball of glowing; rippling energy surrounds it until it vanishes.
FADE TO WHITE
FADE FROM WHITE
EXT. CRATER RIM
Kurt and the remaining Spartans stand on the edge of the canyon, overlooking the bottom beyond as Kurt looks at the drones that continue to unearth more structures made of black quartz.
KURT
So this is what the planet was named after.
Dante looks at him.
DANTE
Onyx?
Kurt nods as the Covenant ships overhead don't seem to notice them, until small teams of Grunts are seen waddling up the edge towards them.
Kurt snaps up his weapon and fires. The first burst rips a pair of the aliens apart, spraying fluorescent blue blood all over the others that begin running in circles, screaming.
Suddenly, Olivia looks up, and sputters as an energy sword materializes from her chest.
She goes limp, but doesn't fall off of the shimmering weapon until the invisible Elite shows himself.
Kurt curses under his breath and opens fire.
The rounds bounce off of the Elite's shields, as Dante grabs her body and drags it behind them, firing his assault rifle one-handed.
Kurt looks at him, as Tom and Lucy return fire, just as several hundred more Elites appear from behind the one that stabbed Olivia and stand their waiting.
DANTE
What is this, a party?
Tom ejects a spent clip, as Kurt motions for Dante to throw a couple of grenades. He does, and the twin concussions of the explosives detonating shake up the Elites, as Kurt leads their retreat.
The lead Elite looks at the Spartans falling back and emits a blood-chilling roar.
This Elite is 'Rtas 'Vadumee.
'VADUMEE
Demons, you needn't retreat. We are in your charge.
Kurt stops, as Dante slams into him, and stumbles onto the ground.
Kurt turns around and looks at the Elites.
KURT
What do you mean?
'Vadumee holds out a palm and a holograph appears of the Master Chief and the other Spartans fighting alongside the Elites against the Brutes, then as the Arbiter defeats Tartarus, until the holograph ripples to show the towering Forerunner ship lifting off.
'VADUMEE
The Prophets have betrayed the Covenant, and the Brutes have slaughtered millions of our own kind.
He closes his eyes, and looks up.
'VADUMEE
For this, we vow revenge.
Kurt looks at him as Dante lowers his weapon.
DANTE
Why?
'VADUMEE
For untold millennia, the Covenant have followed the Prophets on what we believed was the Great Journey. But we have revealed this path to the world beyond was all a lie.
Kurt looks up at him.
KURT
How do you know?
'VADUMEE
We have uncovered an Oracle from one of several holy rings scattered throughout the galaxy.
The holograph dies out as a hovering silver sphere appears from behind 'Vadumee, with a glowing blue eye.
This is the Oracle: 343 GUILTY SPARK.
Spark looks at the Spartans, then at the Elites and speaks with concerned undertones.
SPARK
You believe these armored humans can help you stop the parasite from spreading?
'Vadumee nods as Kurt looks at Spark, then 'Vadumee, who is looking past the Spartans, to the crater beyond.
KURT
Parasite?
'Vadumee nods, and Spark's glowing center eye brightens.
SPARK
Should I tell them?
'Vadumee shakes his head, and then looks at Kurt.
'VADUMEE
The parasite has been contained by the Ancient Ones for several hundred thousand years. But when the Prophets unlock the Ark, they will release the parasite in order to activate the holy rings.
KURT
The Ark?
'VADUMEE
Yes. Only one Sangheili knows this sacred location every thousand years.
Kurt nods, and looks at the darkening sky.
KURT
Who knows where this Ark is?
'Vadumee holds up his palm, and the holograph shows the Arbiter fighting Tartarus.
'VADUMEE
Only he does.
FADE TO WHITE
FADE FROM WHITE
EXT. FORERUNNER SHIP
A glowing white ball of energy ripples suddenly in the blackness, and through it, comes the pyramidal Forerunner vessel.
INT. FORERUNNER SHIP, BRIDGE
The Arbiter shifts several holographic controls as the Master Chief looks out the window, just as a familiar moon moves past the view port.
EXT. FORERUNNER SHIP, MOON
The ship moves past the Moon, as the Earth looms in the distance.
INT. BRIDGE
Linda looks at the Arbiter, as Johnson and William secure several duffels of weapons.
LINDA
So what are we looking for anyways?
The Arbiter points to the planet far beyond.
ARBITER
This is the Ark.
The Master Chief looks at him.
MASTER CHIEF
Earth?
The Arbiter nods.
ARBITER
All this time, our sworn enemies have been here.
Kelly walks over, and folds her arm.
KELLY
And yet, here we are. Allies.
The Arbiter nods.
EXT. FORERUNNER SHIP, EARTH
The vessel screams towards the planet and through the atmosphere, over the African continent below.
EXT. NEW MOMBASSA, MARINE BASE CAMP, PREDAWN
Mendez climbs out of his prefabricated tent and looks up in the sky as the Forerunner vessel screams overhead, shattering the windows of several tall structures and making the loose rubble around him rattle.
INT. FORERUNNER SHIP, BRIDGE
The Master Chief looks out the view port as he watches the streets of New Mombassa pass beyond in a blur.
A holographic image of the city appears and the Arbiter points to a section of the city, where the fleets of Covenant carriers are.
ARBITER
This is the place.
The Master Chief looks at him.
MASTER CHIEF
The place?
The Arbiter doesn't say any more, as the vessel begins to tip onto its nose, pointing towards the ground.
EXT. FORERUNNER SHIP
The vessel, nose down, passes over the African desert, and hovers over a section of excavated dirt.
INT. BRIDGE
The Arbiter begins tapping commands on a control panel.
EXT. EXCAVATION SITE
The Forerunner ship begins to rotate around, as some unseen force begins pushing the sand away, making a perfect circle.
INT. BRIDGE
The Arbiter looks at the Master Chief.
ARBITER
Demon, it is time.
The Master Chief looks at him and nods.
MASTER CHIEF
Right.
He turns to look at the other Spartans.
They look at him, and Johnson and the Helljumpers snap to attention.
MASTER CHIEF
Lock and load.
FADE TO WHITE
FADE FROM WHITE
EXT. EXCAVATION CRATER, EVENING
The Spartans and the Elites are loading up Pelicans and Covenant dropships as Kurt and 'Vadumee are talking.
KURT
How do we find this Elite?
'Vadumee looks at him, then at Spark.
'VADUMEE
We already know whom he is with.
KURT
The Master Chief.
'Vadumee nods and looks at him, as Spark hovers above them.
'VADUMEE
Yes, this Master Chief, he will contact you.
Kurt looks at him.
KURT
How do you know?
'Vadumee clasps his claws together.
'VADUMEE
Because I have faith in you, Demon.
The Elites and the Spartans step onto the platform of a gravity lift as they are raised up into midair, and they vanish into the bowels of the enormous Covenant flagship.
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