Fireteam Osiris teleports to the road leading to Meridian Station. The sky above is clouded by smoke. Just then a miner speeds by past them on a Warthog.
Buck: "We're on the surface?"
Sloan (PA): "-more shuttles ready to launch. Move your asses to the evac zone. Get to orbit, now!"
A cargo ship flies past, trying to escape. The Spartans proceeded to head down the hill at a fast rate.
Tanaka: "Sloan's giving evac orders."
Vale: "He knows. Somehow-"
Buck: "Knows what?"
Jun looked up above them as he sees the Guardian's pieces rise up and assemble together.
Jun: "Look up!"
Buck: "The Guardian!"
Vale: "Oh no..."
Tanaka: "Where the hell is it going?"
Vale: "Noble Six is on board that thing."
Locke: "We need to get airborne."
Vale: "The other colonies Captain Lasky told us about... this is what happened to them. Locke, this colony is going to be a crater soon."
Tanaka: "We can't take anything that flies from these people."
Buck: "Our Pelican is on the space elevator. We could use that."
Vale: "The other colonies... there are more Guardians-"
Buck: "Really only concerned about the one in front of us right now, Vale."
Vale: "But why this one? Why is Noble Six on this Guardian? I think it's the first Cortana activated on purpose."
The Spartans climb into nearby Warthogs and Mongooses and speed down the road. They eventually reach the site of the Scorpion garage.
Sloan (COM): "This is Governor Sloan broadcasting on all frequencies. People, if you are still planetside, make your way to the space elevator right now. Final shuttles are departing with or without you."
Pilot (COM): "Governor Sloan, shuttle Bravo Three prepped for takeoff. Watch it, they're on your tail!"
The Spartans pass through the McCord River bridge. Soldiers and Crawlers attack fleeing miners, and Phaetons purse their vehicles. The Guardian overhead has assembled and makes occasional screeches.
Buck: "Guardian's got a hell of a singing voice."
Vale: "Can we do autopilot retrieval? Bring the Pelican down to us?"
Distress Call: "Mayday! Mayday! We're taking fire! We're hit!"
Buck: "Not with those ships shooting everything out of the sky."
Fireteam Osiris and other miners reach the security outpost to the space elevator. A Pelican has crashed at its entrance. They climb over it to enter the courtyard, which is flooded with Promethean infantry.
Locke: "Governor Sloan, we need access to the space elevator."
Sloan (COM): "Can't do that, Spartans. Got too many people taking refuge inside. They'd be slaughtered."
Locke: "Understood, Governor. Osiris, clear the area so they can open those doors."
PA: "Hostile activity detected. Lockdown systems engaged."
The Spartans started to engage the enemy make their way through the courtyard.
Transmission (COM): "Control, I have no idea if this bird's space worthy. She's not gonna fly. We need another way to get these people off world."
Sloan (COM): "What's taking so long, Spartans? Your 's overselling your skills. I ain't opening these doors until the base is clear."
Buck: "We got to stop being polite with him real soon here, right?"
Rushing towards the enemy Locke jumped over a group of enemy's dropping a frag grenade into the middle of the group. Once he landed the explosion sent the group of Prometheans flying in all sorts of directions. Jun was helping his team mates by providing support from far back with his sniper. He saw Buck struggling with a group of Prometheans charging towards him, so with his scope he aimed his weapon towards the group of Prometheans. He started aiming for the head as he fired his bullets, some hitting their targets but while some missed Buck took care of them with his assault rifle. Over on the other side of the courtyard Vale and Tanaka was back to back taking care of any Prometheans who dared to mess with them. Of course like most they were utterly destroyed. After a bit of time the Spartans has cleared the courtyard from any Prometheans.
PA: "Area secured. Lockdown released."
Locke: "Elevator door's opening."
The Spartans and Miners head into the elevator's base. Other settlers are assembled there, waiting to be let aboard.
Sloan (COM): "Spartans. Your tenacity outstrips even my own."
Vale: "When did Cortana tell you about the Guardian?"
Sloan (COM): "I'd- ...you're good. She gave me fair warning, true enough. I was allowed to help my people survive. A change is going to come. For all of us. Human and Created alike. She's bringing a new dawn and I intend to be a part of it."
PA: "Cargo elevator door opening. Remain "
The door to the space elevator's cargo cabin opens.
Sloan (COM): "I see my time is up. Good luck to you, everyone. And goodbye."
SUDDEN BUT INEVITABLE BETRAYAL
Prometheans are already inside the elevator.
Buck: "They're between us and the Pelican."
Locke: "Weapons free."
The Spartans engage the droid infantry.
PA: "Warning: security lockdown in effect."
Locke: "Tanaka, override the security system."
Tanaka: "Love to. Delicate work to do while getting shot at, though. "
Buck: "Let's clear the lady some work space, shall we?"
After firing huge loads of bullets towards the Prometheans they are destroyed.
Locke: "Area's clear. Tanaka, how do we get the elevator moving?"
Tanaka: "Find the control panel."
Vale: "It must be here somewhere."
Locke heads to the main control panel and inputs the launch command.
Locke: "Got it."
PA: "Security protocol received. Disengage confirmed. Leaving "
The cargo cabin begins to move up.
Buck: "Sloan said a change is coming. We know Cortana contacted him. Is she on the Guardian too?"
Tanaka: "Noble Six seemed to think so."
Buck: "So if she's there, then where are they going?"
Locke: "We'll find out once we're in the Pelican."
The elevator keeps going up.
Vale: "I understand Noble Six disobeying orders to find Cortana. But why the rest of Blue Team? They didn't know her."
Locke: "Noble Six and Two grew up and became apart of Noble Team with Jun here. Once the fall of reach happened Noble Six who at the time was thought to be the only survivor of Noble team, teamed up with Chief who grew up with Linda and Kelly in the Spartan II program. On their journey they met the Arbiter, Theyla 'Vadamee who at first didn't trust them teamed up along side them to help with a similar goal which was stopping the Prophets. Once the war was over they met up with Kelly and Linda once again around the same time that Jun joined us. Blue team registered more operations than any other fireteam in the UNSC. They all care for one another no matter where they came from."
Buck: "They're family."
Locke: "Exactly."
The elevator shakes and an alarm sounds. The cabin stops ascending.
PA: "Approaching Level Two docking station."
Tanaka: "Incoming Prometheans!"
PA: "Containment protocol will remain in effect for duration of emergency."
When the Prometheans are destroyed, the elevator resumes moving up.
PA: "All clear. Safety protocol disengaged."
Buck: "New Alexandria all over again. We claw our way here, scratch a life out of the dirt... for what? So we can run? Leave it all behind?"
Tanaka: "There's a difference between running and living to fight another day."
Locke: "Tanaka's right. Humanity's at our best when we're making something out of nothing. We're tenacious. We'll rebuild as many times as we have to."
PA: "Approaching Level Three docking station."
Many Prometheans then warped in in front of the Spartans.
Buck: "More Prometheans!"
PA: "Protocol will remain in effect for duration of emergency."
While some Prometheans disintegrated, others had large number of bullet holes in their bodies. The Spartans walked passed the fallen enemy towards the next elevator.
PA: "All clear. Safety protocol disengaged."
The elevator ascends again.
PA: "Approaching super rung calico."
Evelyn Collins (COM): "Hello? Can anyone hear me? I'm at Meridian Station. Everyone's dead. Governor Sloan isn't here. I... (sobs) ...please! Is there anyone left here but me?!"
Tanaka: "Sloan just up and abandoned his people?"
Jun: "What a dick."
Buck: "If Cortana's really behind that Guardian moving, she did more damage here than him."
Locke: "We'll find the truth of what happened here. And we'll make certain that those who should answer for it do."
PA: "Approaching super rung calico."
A massive final wave of Knights and Knight Commanders arrives.
Vale: "Watch out! More Prometheans!"
PA: "System protocol will remain in effect for duration of emergency."
The Spartans engaged in battle once again. They all charged in together and was determined to defeat their foe. Locke, Buck, and Jun all got ready with a frag grenade aiming it towards the large group of enemies. They threw the grenade into the middle of the group creating a large explosion which took out a lot of the Prometheans. The Spartans all held their weapons high as they unleashed large number of bullets into the enemy. With each bullet flying into the Prometheans their numbers became smaller and smaller. A once large group of enemies becoming a small group.
Locke: "Eliminate the last of the Prometheans."
The last Knight is killed by a bullet through its head.
PA: "All clear. Safety protocols disengaged."
The elevator heads up but a loud wail is heard from a distance.
Vale: "There's that Guardian song again!"
Jun: "What's that about?"
Tanaka: "Maybe a signal of some kind. Building up to something."
The elevator is above Meridian's clouds now. The Guardian can be seen floating nearby in the sky.
PA: "Approaching super rung calico."
Miner: "Transport three to group. Heads up. That thing's starting to move!"
A loud hum starts to build up in the air.
Miner: "I don't know what's going on. Wait, it just stopped. Oh hell, GET OUT OF-"
Tanaka: "Take cover!"
A loud EMP blast bursts out of the Guardian. It strikes the elevator, sending the Spartans in the air and stopping the elevator.
PA: "Warning: massive structural failure. Please proceed to emergency stairwell. Oxygen masks are available."
Locke: "Everyone all right?"
Jun: "The hell!?"
Vale: "What happened?"
Tanaka: "Elevator e-brake stopped a total collapse but she won't last out long."
Buck: "Do you reckon the structure is still secure enough to climb?"
Tanaka: "If it's gonna fall, won't be because Spartans are using it as a jungle gym."
The Spartans continued towards their destination.
Tanaka: "Where do you figure that Guardian's going?"
Buck: "What makes you think it's going anywhere?"
Tanaka: "Sure ain't sitting where it's found."
Locke: "Wherever it's going, Noble Six is going with it, and I intend on reaching him before that happens."
The Spartans leave the cabin and head for the emergency stairs. Several of them are knocked off or hanging.
Tanaka: "Pelican's a few more super rungs up from here."
Buck: "How far is that?"
Tanaka: "More than you want it to be, not as far as it could be."
Buck: "This might be hard to believe, seeing as how I'm a model of stoicism and courage today, but... When I was a kid, I-I was afraid of heights. So...there's that."
The Spartans climb the catwalks up the rungs. Several Soldiers and Phaetons appear to attack them.
Locke: "Phaetons targeting our positions. Stay mobile!"
The Spartans get higher, but another shockwave ruptures from the Guardian.
Tanaka: "Gotta keep moving up. Guardian ain't waiting for us."
Buck: "Not sure this scaffold can take any more shockwaves!"
The Spartans reach the upper landing pad.
Tanaka: "Think this thing might fall after all."
Locke: "To hell with it. I'm calling in our Pelican now. We'll risk autopilot."
Buck: "We need to keep moving to that Guardian. Don't fancy this thing falling out from under us."
The Spartans see the Pelican, parked precariously on the unsteady platform.
Locke: "The Pelican's just outside! Move it, people!"
A shockwave hits the dock, shaking it badly.
Tanaka: "Shockwaves are getting closer together."
Vale: "Almost like a countdown."
Another blast strikes which causes the Spartans to get knocked to the side but Locke is knocked off his feet but gets back up as quickly as he could.
Buck: "What happens when it gets to zero..."
Locke: "I don't want to find out. Get to the Pelican!"
The team of Spartans is just a few meters from the Pelican.
Locke: "Everyone! Onboard! Now!"
Locke falls to the floor in exhaustion but with the help of Jun, he hurries to get back up. The Guardian has a face like a leering skull, and its body whines as it sends out one more pulse. The Spartans reel from the blast, which knocks away Locke's battle rifle. The team then took noticed that the Guardian spreading its wings.
The Spartans run to the Pelican, but the dock tilts, tripping them all into a slide. Its edge is beginning to collapse. The Spartans get to their feet, running for the Pelican as it drifts closer to the edge. Tanaka and Buck climb in and Vale jumps inside followed by Jun. The Pelican is nearly vertical now, which caused Vale to fall into the cockpit, then strapping in the pilot seat. Locke jumps for the Pelican but it falls off the platform. He activates his thrusters and speeds for its open bay door. Catching up, he lands inside and brakes with his front thrusters to stop.
Locke: "Vale!"
Vale: "I'm on it!"
She punches the throttle which causes the Pelican to speed up and then swings around mid-fall, flying up from the elevator. A slipspace portal opens behind the Guardian. It draws its wings and its pieces drift into the portal, as do pieces of the space elevator. Osiris' Pelican flies by, fleeing Meridian.