Halo: First Strike/Ground Zero (Level)

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Overview
"Ground Zero" is the fourth level in the fanon game Halo: First Strike. This is the second part of Spartan Red Team's mission to defend the surface of Reach. Playing as three different characters respectively in a parallel timeline, ground vehicles will be introduced.

Plot
When the team receives a transmission from a senior Navy officer with orders of extraction, and as two other Spartans, you must find him and his men and return him to the location of the generators. While Delta Team heads for an ONI facility hidden near a ravine to clear a fallback point for the ground forces, Beta Team are hard-pressed to spread their numbers along the MAC gun generators to prevent the Covenant from overtaking it.

Transcript
Some details in the following transcript may be different from those in the book. Please note that the changes were deliberately made to accommodate the game settings, and were not the cause of negligence on the author's part.

I'm Jesus Christ, and Your Name Is...
{cutscene}

ANTON-044 BIG HORN RIVER 40 MINUTES AFTER DEPLOYMENT

''{Fade from black. Two Spartans are walking towards the Big Horn River, where a distant group of Covenant can be seen. The sound of a Warthog's engines become louder, and Anton drives an LRV and stops next to them.}''

Anton-044: "C'mon guys, let's go get the Admiral and his guys. They're supposed to be right down this river."

{gameplay}

'' [ Activate your tacmap and highlight the cave at the cliff wall. ] ''

(If played on single player)

{Li-008 climbs behind the Warthog's gun, and Grace-093 slings her Rocket Launcher over her shoulder as she climbs into the passenger seat.}

(If played on cooperative)

Anton-044: "Grace, if you're planning on using those rockets, get in the side. If not, hand it over to Li and take the gun."

'' [ To switch weapons with allies, walk up to them and hold RB. ] ''

{The Spartans enter the Warthog}

(If one of the players exits the Warthog)

Li-008: "Get back in, we'll need to stay together and move quickly to find the Admiral."

{The team drives the Warthog perpendicular to the Big Horn River and comes by enemies.}

Grace-093: "Contacts, down the river!"

(After most enemies are neutralized)

''{The sound of AA fire is heard, and a damaged Banshee crashes flies from above the treetops. It crashes into the river, sending water and mud spraying everywhere, and the sputtering vehicle is swept away by the current.}

Grace-093: "Damn, if the crash didn't get the pilot, the river would. We should remember not to put our toes in there."

Li-008: "The Covenant have put up a plasma barrier over the river. See if you can walk through that and destroy the projector."

(After shielded door is disabled)

Anton-044: "Okay, let's move!"

''{The Warthog moves along the river and approaches another group of enemies. More can be seen on the other side.}''

Anton-044: "Put some fire across the river, Spartans!"

{After team disables the second barrier, they engage another wave of Covenant while a transmission comes in.}

Vice Admiral Whitcomb: (COM) "(static)—is Vice Ad—(static)—comb to any Spart—(static)—you read me?"

Anton-044: (COM) "SPARTAN-044 here, sir."

Vice Admiral Whitcomb: (COM) "Where the hell are—(static)—Covenant are pressing down on us!—(static)"

Anton-044: (COM) "We're en route to your location as fast as we can, sir. Hold out, over."

Vice Admiral Whitcomb: (COM) "(static)—quickly, things are getting nasty down—(static)"

{As the team approaches yet another squad of hostiles, several Ghosts and Shades move around in the area.}

Li-008: "Ram that turret before the gunner blows us up!"

(After enemies are neutralized, and the next barrier is destroyed)

Anton-044: "Okay, we're taking that path away from the river. We'll find Admiral Whitcomb there."

{The Spartans take out several more waves of enemies, and reach Whitcomb's location.}

{cutscene}

''{A group of ODSTs are firing on enemies with various weapons and turrets from a makeshift base on a tall hill. The Spartans' Warthog bulldoze through a group of Jackals, and stop next to the Marines. Anton and Grace jump out of their seats.}''

Anton-044: "Li, keep fire on them!"

''{Grace hefts her Rocket Launcher, and fires through the Warthog's seats. An explosion is heard, followed by screams. Anton walks towards a white-uniformed man holding a Magnum and taking cover beside a wall.}''

Anton-044: "Sir! Spartan Gamma Red Team, reporting for duty!"

{Admiral Whitcomb fires his Magnum three times and takes cover again.}

Vice Admiral Whitcomb: "You got here in the nick of time, Spartan. A few minutes ago wouldn't have been so bad either, but there's nothing to be done about that."

Anton-044: "We're taking you back to the generators, Admiral. As soon as we call in a dropship—"

''{A Fuel Rod bolt hits the Warthog, and it explodes. Li and Grace are thrown off their feet, but both get up and return fire.}''

Vice Admiral Whitcomb: "We'll have to clear these guys off first, Spartan. Grab some weapons."

{gameplay}

Marine ODST: "Weapons are inside, Spartans. We've got a few turrets here, and more up top. Be careful though, you don't want to stay in one spot too long."

(If a player picks up grenades)

'' [ Press LT to throw grenades, or hold it to see your throw's trajectory. ] ''

(If played mounts a turret)

'' [ Press B to detach it for mobile use, however you will have an ammunition limit once you do. ] ''

Marine ODST: "Enemies spotted, sir! Coming through the trees."

(If all ODSTs die)

Anton-044: "We're on our own, Spartans. Protect the Admiral!"

(After first wave is eliminated)

Marine ODST: "More coming from the river!"

(After second wave is eliminated)

Marine ODST: "Contact, flanking us at three o'clock!"

(After third wave is eliminated)

Marine ODST: "Buggers! Up high!"

(After drones are killed)

Marine ODST: "We've got hostiles inbound on vehicles! Spartans, man our missile turrets on the second level!"

(Once a player activates a Missile turret)

'' [ Aim the reticle at an enemy vehicle to lock on. ] ''

(After fifth wave is eliminated)

Marine ODST: "Banshees inbound, over the hill! Aim those turrets upward!"

(After final wave is eliminated)

Marine ODST: "Clear!"

{cutscene}

Anton-044: "Okay, sir. Everything's clear. Let's get you out of here."

Admiral Whitcomb: "I hear you, Spartan. I have a place in mind. There's something I left behind that I need to get."

Anton-044: "Admiral, we have to take you back to the generators..."

Admiral Whitcomb: "No can do, son. You have no idea how important this is. But we need to move quickly, before the Covenant bastards find it. I'll fill you in as we go."

''{Grace and Li look to Anton, who gives a slight shrug. The Spartans escort the Admiral down the hill and into the forest. The screen fades to black.}''

No Alien Bastards Allowed On the Premises
{cutscene}

WILLIAM-043 FOREST 40 MINUTES AFTER DEPLOYMENT

''{Fade from black. Six Spartans and four Marines are gearing up, loading weapons onto two M831 TT Warthogs.}''

Will-043: "Three Spartans and two Marines to each Warthog. Marines, keep your heads down, we'll handle the rough work."

Lance Corporal Fortin: "Yes sir."

''{Will and Vinh climb into the driver seats of the two Warthogs. The rest of the team climbs on board.}''

{Fade to black}

{gameplay}

'' [ Activate your tacmap and highlight the ONI entrance near the ravine. ] ''

Will-043: "Let's cut through the forest, Vinh. The ravine is on the other side. We're not staying in formation, but watch your crossfire all the same, team."

Vinh-030: "Roger."

(After team kills or evades the first group of enemies)

Isaac-039: "Take the paved road, it'll get us to the ravine."

Lance Corporal Fortin: "Enemies, dead ahead! There's a turret on the road, and two on the sides!"

(After team kills or evades the second and third group of enemies)

Isaac-039: "There's a fallen tree blocking the road ahead."

Vinh-030: "The slopes are too steep to drive a Warthog off of it."

Lance Corporal Fortin: "We could double back and find a way around."

Will-043: "Negative, we don't have time for that. Pile out, team. We're going by foot."

{The Spartans and Marines leave the Warthogs and walk through a narrow arch in the tree.}
 * }

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''{The squad move silently through the path, weapons ready and keeping their backs to the slopes. Will looks around a bend and sees a Covenant group established around the edge.}''

Vinh-030: "They look like they're waiting for something."

Will-043: "We're not going to find out what. Scott, you got your sniper rifle handy?"

Scott-045: "Affirmative, sir."

Will-043: "Take out the sniper up top. Shift to the gunners afterward. Everyone else, get ready to move up on my signal."

Isaac-039: "Copy, Red-Twelve."

''{Scott swings out of cover, and looses a single shot. The Jackal sniper takes the round through its head, spraying blood everywhere. The Spartan empties his clip to the three Grunt gunners in the tower.}''

Will-043: "Go go go! Spartans, grenades up and over the barricades! Marines, take down the Grunts!"

''{Bullets fly around the Covenant team. Elites roar and return fire.}''

Will-043: "Move up, team! Fire and reload in sequence!"

''{Scott kills two Elites with headshots. The squad dashes towards them. Something in the sky causes a distant but colossal explosion. The marksman looks up.}''

Scott-045: "Incoming!"

''{Will looks towards the sky, where bits of a MAC orbital gun is falling through the cloud cover, accompanied by the unmistakable debris of a Covenant capital ship. The gigantic fragments trail smoke and fire as it plummets towards them.}''

Will-043: "Everyone, cover! Cover!"

''{The team scatters and dashes for various parts of the forest. Will dives into a wide hole in a tree.}''

''{The fragments impact against the ground hard, tearing holes into the forest and throwing dirt into the air. The forest shakes and several trees collapse. A melted part of a giant plasma turret falls in front of the camera and the screen pitches to a sharp blackout.}''

''{Fade from black. The forest is silent. The fragments are still smoking, and a few trees are on fire. The dust is heavy in the air. Will slowly climbs out from his hole.}''

Will-043: "Status! Is everyone alright?"

''{Change to first person view. Six of the nine acknowledgment lights flash green.}''

Will-043: (off-screen) "SPARTAN-009...SPARTAN-045...SPARTAN-057...Acknowledge."

''{The view changes back to third person. Will lowers his hand from his helmet, and picks up his Assault Rifle from the ground.}''

''{Isaac, Vinh, and Charlie Company slowly emerge from cover. Fortin clutches his chest.}''

Lance Corporal Fortin: (coughs) "I think I broke a rib..."

Isaac-039: "Here, hold still."

{Isaac patches Fortin up while Will and Vinh look around.}

Marine 1: "What the hell was that all about?"

Marine 2: "Looks like some Covenant suicide jockey decided to take down one of our orbital guns the old-fashioned way...must have spread the wreckage all over the forest. What a mess..."

Vinh-030: "We should get out of here, Will. Breathing in this stuff isn't healthy."

{Will is silent, and still looking around.}

Vinh-030: "Sir, we need to get moving. The fallback point could be packed with Covenant."

''{Fortin takes a few breaths, and stands up straight. He pries a Plasma Rifle from an Elite's severed arm.}''

Will-043: "You're right. Let's move, team."

{Fade to black}

{gameplay}

Vinh-030: "Sir, half of us don't have weapons. Let's find some transport, and get to the ravine."

''{The squad moves down the road, and find a crashed Pelican in the forest. Supplies are scattered everywhere, a Warthog is flipped on its side, and a few human bodies are seen. Several destroyed Banshees are lying around, and a single intact Spectre is parked in the dirt.}''

Will-043: "Grab some weapons and ammo, team. We'll use these vehicles."

{After players restore their health and get more ammo, they take the Warthog and Spectre and proceed.}

Vinh-030: "We've got Wraiths up ahead! Bring the turret behind it, it'll be weaker in the back!"

''{After neutralizing or evading the Wraiths, the squad presses through several more groups of enemies. The team approaches the ravine, and the area is packed with Covenant.}''

Isaac-039: "LZ's dead ahead! Look at the enemies on that grid! Looks like they've got Hunters too!"

Will-043: "Keep the vehicles moving. We stop and we're dead!"

Vinh-030: "Plowing through them."

Isaac-039: "Mind you don't let them put a grenade on you."

(After many hostiles are killed)

Vinh-030: "Spirits inbound! Watch those turrets!"

(After reinforcements and all remaining enemies are killed)

{cutscene}

''{The Marine on the Warthog gun slowly lets go of the turret, which is still rotating. He shakily clambers down. The team disembark from their vehicles, and Will puts a hand on his shoulder.}''

Will-043: "Relax, Marine."

Lance Corporal Fortin: (looks around at bodies) "Whoa, we sure made a mess. (turns towards a low structure) Now what?"

{Will looks at the entrance.}

Will-043: "We get inside."

Will-043: (COM) "Chief, we're at the ravine. Hostiles cleared, suggest you head over here ASAP, over. Fred, do you copy?"

Scott-045: (COM) "Will? This is SP—(static)—here with SPARTANs-009 and -057—(static)—we're on our way to the ravine, we're fighting through Covenant—(static)—is injured, not sure if we can—(static)"

Will-043: (COM) "Scott? What's your location? Do you copy?"

(no reply)

Isaac-039: "Will, I've spotted more Covenant inbound on our location."

Will-043: "Let's set up a perimetre. Prepare to engage, everyone. Vinh, see if you can find a way to open the door."

Vinh-030: "Roger."

''{Will directs the team to various locations, and they set up positions and ready their weapons. The camera moves up and away from the ravine, and fades to black.}''

Personnel Authorized To Shoot
{cutscene}

ALLAN-091 ORBITAL GUN GENERATOR COMPLEX 40 MINUTES AFTER DEPLOYMENT

''{Fade from black. Eleven Spartans are seen scattered across the seven reactor complex in various sniping, flanking, and infantry positions. One of them lowers her sniper rifle and turns on her COM.}''

Julia-024: (COM) "Sir, I see Spirits heading towards our position."

Allan-091: (COM) "Affirmative. Red-Nine, what's the ETA on air support and backup?"

SPARTAN-063: (COM) "Fifteen minutes, they're coming as fast as they can."

Allan-091: (COM) "That's too long. Red-Sixteen, get those turrets up! Things are about to get messy."

{Allan takes his Spartan laser off his back and shoulders it.}

{Fade to black}

{gameplay}

Julia-024: (COM) "Looks like they're charging through the forest, Red-Four."

Allan-091: (COM) "I copy, Julia. Take out the Elites first."

(After first wave is eliminated)

Allan-091: (COM) "Jackal snipers! Red-Five, you might want to keep moving."

Julia-024: (COM) "More contacts, along with Hunters! I can't get a shot, Allan. Use that laser."

(After second wave is eliminated)

Julia-024: (COM) "They're bringing in vehicles, sir. You might want to get higher and man one of those turrets. The gauss guns pack a really nice punch."
 * }

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''{An explosion rocks above them. The screen fades to white.}''

{cutscene}

''{Elites, Grunts, and Jackals dash in. The UNSC force fires on them. A Grunt throws a plasma grenade at a Marine, who struggles with it.}''

Marine: "Get it off, someone get it off!"

''{The grenade explodes, and the Marine screams as his body is blown apart and hits the walls. An Elite fires his Needler at Julia. Her shields fail, and she collapses as the needles tear into her.}''

Allan-091: "Julia! (continues firing) Everyone, fall back to complex three! Red-Seventeen, prepare to set off the charges in seven."

''{The squad backpedals towards the door, and seal it behind them. It begins to glow as the enemies try to cut through them.}''

Fred-104: (COM) "Beta Team, fall back! Fall back now!"

Allan-091: (COM) "Team, reactor complex seven has been compromised. Advise you fall back to the central reactors, we might be able to save number three. Red-Seventeen, set off those charges now!"

''{Everyone takes cover. The weakened doors explode as the charges destroy complex seven. More Covenant enter from outside.}''

''{A rumbling is heard from outside. The channel fills with voices, most of which are incomprehensible.}''

Admiral Whitcomb: (COM) "Everyone, get to—(static)—surface—(static)"

Fred-104: (COM) "Beta Team, fall back! Fall back now!—(static)—Be advised, Pillar of—(static)—reactors are being taken. Orbital guns at risk. Nothing we can—(static)—have to use the nukes. Be advised, orbital—(static)—neutralized. Pillar of Autumn, do you read? Acknowledge.—(static)"

Marine: "Did he just say there's more Covenant coming?"

Allan-091: "Wait a minute..."

''{Allan dashes into the remains of complex seven, and looks up. Three Covenant cruisers are hovering above them, their weapons glowing. The screen fades to black.}''

''{Fade from black. Fred and Kelly look up and see three cruisers flying towards the generators.}''

Fred-104: (COM) "Be advised, Pillar of Autumn, groundside reactors are being taken. Orbital guns at risk. Nothing we can do, we'll have to use the nukes. Be advised, orbital MAC guns will most likely be neutralized. Pillar of Autumn, do you read? Acknowledge."

{The channel fills with voices, most of which are incomprehensible.}

Admiral Whitcomb: (COM) "Everyone, get to—(static)—surface—(static)"

''{The Covenant cruisers fire their weapons at the generators, the glow of plasma and explosions are visible. Winds blow away from it at high speeds, and the clouds part as a ball of plasma tears through them. More Covenant ships are seen breaking orbit and into Reach's atmosphere.}''

Kelly-087: (softly) "We've lost. Reach is going to fall."

Fred-104: (pause) "Maybe. Maybe not. Come on, we're not done yet."

''{Fred and Kelly fly their Banshees away from the generators as plasma impacts on the surface, throwing up ash and smoke. The screen fades to white.}''