LEVEL 04: "Outskirts"
CHAPTER 01: "Outskirts"
CINEMATIC
A trio of Pelicans rockets away from In Amber Clad, jet engines thundering, and spear out towards New Mombasa.
CORTANA:
The message just repeats. 'Regret, Regret, Regret.'
The Chief watches from the stern of a Pelican as the clouds roll by below.
MIRANDA:
Catchy. Any idea what it means?
SGT. JOHNSON (as the dropships approach the outskirts of Mombasa):
Dear Humanity... we regret being alien bastards. We regret coming to Earth.
Inside the cockpit of the lead Pelican, Johnson leans against the bulkhead behind the two pilots.
SGT. JOHNSON:
And we most definitely regret that the Corps just blew up our raggedy-ass fleet!
PILOTS (in unison):
Hoo-rah!
CORTANA (radio):
Regret is a name, Sergeant. The name of one of the Covenant's religious leaders. A Prophet. He's on that carrier, and he's calling for help.
A Marine sniper/spotter team lies prone on a rooftop, and the Pelicans pass over their position.
MARINE SPOTTER (radio):
Immediate. Grid kilo 23 is hot. Recommend mission abort.
PILOT:
Roger, recon. It's your call, Sarge.
SGT. JOHNSON:
We're going in. Get tactical, Marines!
LORD HOOD (radio):
Master Chief, get aboard that carrier, and secure the Prophet of Regret. This is the only place on Earth the Covenant decided to land. That Prophet is going to tell us why.
PILOT:
Thirty seconds out... stand by to... whoa...
The pilot goes silent as a huge walking tank comes into view. Its leg spears a bus, and then its main gun focuses and fires, giving the lead Pelican a glancing blow. The two other Pelicans veer off, plasma turrets on the tank's bank tracking them. The lead Pelican flips inverted, hits a building, and slides through a low brick wall, before blacking out the frame.
END CINEMATIC
(Your view is blurry, and Cortana fakes tapping on your visor)
CORTANA:
Hey... wake up.
SGT. JOHNSON:
Shake it off, Marines. Clear the crash site. Go, go, go!
CHAPTER 02: "They'll Regret That Too"
(As you arrive at a bombed-out building and a firefight breaks out)
MARINE O1:
Secure this area!
SGT. JOHNSON:
If they didn't know we're here before, they do now.
(Jackals come around a corner)
SGT. JOHNSON:
We got Jackals in the courtyard!
(A group of Drones flies into view)
SGT. JOHNSON:
Buggers, headin' over the rooftops!
(The sound of Phantom engines drifts over the rooftop)
SGT. JOHNSON:
Eyes up! Phantom's back!
(Another Pelican arrives, hovering over the courtyard)
PELICAN PILOT O2 (radio):
My girl's a little big for that courtyard, Sergeant. I see a good LZ on the other side of these buildings. Meet you there, over.
SGT. JOHNSON:
Copy that. Someone get a satchel on the gate!
(A pair of Hunters breaks through the gate)
CORTANA:
Hunters.
SGT. JOHNSON:
Stand back, Marines. Let the Chief show you how it's done.
(Once the Hunters are down)
CORTANA (radio):
Second squad, this is Cortana. What's your status, over?
SECOND SQUAD SGT. (radio):
We're operational Ma'am, barely. Our pilots didn't make it.
CORTANA (radio):
Find a hole, stay put. We'll come to you.
(When you reach the far courtyard)
MIRANDA (radio):
Sergeant, I need you on that bird.
SGT. JOHNSON:
Ma'am?
MIRANDA (radio):
My Pelicans are going to start airlifting armor and reinforcements into the city. They'll need an escort that isn't afraid of a little hostile ground fire.
SGT. JOHNSON:
Understood. I'll keep an eye on 'em. Chief... good luck.
(Johnson climbs aboard the Pelican and dusts off)
(Once you reach the second squad's position)
SECOND SQUAD SGT.:
Chief! Glad you could make it. Crash site's on the other side of this hotel, Chief. Covenant are crawling all over it. Follow me.
(As you move into the darkened hotel)
SECOND SQUAD SGT.:
Stay outta sight.
(A Marine pulls up in a Warthog, honking the horn)
SECOND SQUAD SGT.:
The only tube left back there is [unintelligible].
CORTANA:
That bridge is the most direct route to the city center.
CHAPTER 03: "A Day at the Beach"
WARTHOG PASSENGER:
Oh man, I love the beach...
WARTHOG GUNNER:
I hope you packed a suit, mate!
CORTANA:
Cut the chatter... we got trouble.
(As you negotiate the beach)
MIRANDA (radio):
Chief... the carrier just launched a wave of pods. They're inbound on your position.
(Covenant drop pods slam down on the beach all around you, and armed Elites spring from them)
CORTANA:
This tunnel leads up to the bridge. It's full of rats... but it beats swimming.
(As you move into the highway tunnel)
CORTANA:
I've been analyzing the Covenant tactical chatter. They're surprised, confused... I don't think they expected us to be here. Not... you and me, all of us... humanity, on Earth. Odd, I know, but it does help explain why they came here with such a small fleet.
CHAPTER 04: "Speed Zone Ahead"
(When you come across a group of Shadows in the tunnels)
CORTANA:
The Covenant must be trying to regroup. Don't let them.
(Once you approach the exit of the tunnel, the level transitions)
