LEVEL 14: "High Charity"
CHAPTER 01: "High Charity"
CINEMATIC
The Chief arrives on the launch platform just as three Phantoms lift off. He walks over to Mercy, who is still struggling in the grip of the Infection.
MASTER CHIEF:
Your pal... Where's he going?
MERCY:
Earth. To finish what we started. And this time, none of you will be left behind.
The Chief pulls the Infection off Mercy and destroys it, but Mercy dies in the process. Cortana appears on the holographic projector built into Mercy's throne.
CORTANA:
That structure in the center of the city- It's a Forerunner ship! And Truth is heading straight for it. If he leads the Covenant fleet to Earth, they won't stand a chance. You have to stop him!
MASTER CHIEF:
That Brute has the Index. And Miranda and Johnson. He can activate the ring.
CORTANA:
If he does, I'll detonate In Amber Clad's reactor just like we did the Autumn's. The blast will destroy this city and the ring. Not a very original plan, but we know it'll work.
The Chief moves to take Cortana out of the network, but Cortana stops him.
CORTANA:
No. I don't want to chance a remote detonation. I'll stay here.
A Pelican swoops in overhead and crashes onto the platform. Flood warriors pour out of it.
END CINEMATIC
CHAPTER 01: "Cross-Purposes"
(After a few moments)
CORTANA:
Flood-controlled dropships are touching down all over the city. That creature beneath the Library, that "gravemind", used us. We were just a diversion; In Amber Clad was always its intended vector. There's a conduit connecting this tower to the ship- head back inside, I'll lead you to it.
(During this speech, two dropships swoop in low over the platform and disappear in the distance. After defeating the Flood and encountering Brutes in the next room:)
CORTANA:
We don't have time for this, Chief. Truth's Phantom is nearing the Forerunner ship!
(While flying up a gravity lift)
CORTANA:
I'll disable this lift once you reach the top. That should slow them down. I hope.
(After exiting the gravity lift)
TRUTH (over loudspeakers):
Shall we let the Flood consume our holy city? Turn High Charity into another of their wretched hives? No enemy has ever withstood our might. The Flood, too, shall fail.
CORTANA:
I'll do what I can to slow the launch sequence. But there's something inside the ship, a presence that's fighting back. For a Covenant construct it's unusually formidable. No time to admire the view; Truth's Phantom has reached the Forerunner ship.
(After reaching the first of the landscaped rooms)
TRUTH (over loudspeakers):
The parasite did not defeat the Forerunners, and it shall not defeat us.
GRAVEMIND:
Arrogant creature! Your deaths will be instantaneous while we shall suffer the progress of infinitude!
(After passing through some more halls)
CORTANA:
The security systems in this part of the tower are particularly robust.
(After reaching another landscaped area)
TRUTH (over loudspeakers):
Whosoever is gripped by fear, take heed: I am the Prophet of Truth, and I am not afraid. Noble Mercy is here, at my side, his wise counsel ever in my ears.
GRAVEMIND:
We exist together now. Two corpses in one grave.
(After passing through the area)
CORTANA:
Apparently these are the Prophet Heirarch's private quarters. Their inner sanctum.
CHAPTER 02: "Sanctified"
(While fighting in the sanctum)
TRUTH (over loudspeakers):
This crisis will not be the end of us. It is but one last hurdle before the Journey and salvation.
(After entering the room where the Arbiter was briefed on Sacred Icon)
CORTANA:
Brute and Elite ships are engaging one another all around High Charity. I'm running out of options, Chief- I can't stall the launch sequence much longer. The next lift will take you up to the conduit. Hurry!
(Once you reach the conduit)
CORTANA:
I knew the Covenant was good at repurposing Forerunner technology, but this is amazing. They've been using the Forerunner ship's engines as an energy source for the city. The ship isn't so much launching as it is disengaging, uncoupling itself from High Charity's power grid. Stopping Truth- that's all that matters!
TRUTH (over loudspeakers):
Now is the time of our unworlding. In moments, we shall rule the Covenant as gods!
CORTANA:
You know the plan- You've got to stop Truth, I've got to handle the Index. Go!
TRUTH (over loudspeakers):
Now is the time of our unworlding. In moments, we shall rule the Covenant as gods! [yep, he says the same thing twice]
CORTANA:
Forget about the Flood- you've got to get aboard!
(If you hesitate to jump into the conduit at the end of the platform)
CORTANA:
I have to stay here, Chief.
We're out of time, Chief! Get to the conduit!
Jump in! Now!
CINEMATIC
The Chief hurtles through the conduit and makes it through the hatch of the Forerunner ship moments before it slams shut. The ship lifts off and heads for the large opening in the ceiling of High Charity.
CORTANA:
Chief, when you get to Earth... Good luck.
CHIEF:
After I'm through with Truth-
CORTANA:
Don't make a girl a promise if you know you can't keep it.
The Forerunner ship blasts out of High Charity and vanishes into slipspace.
END CINEMATIC
