hologram of New Mombasa and the Prophet of Regret's assault carrier is displayed.Mickey: "The Navyput up a good fight."

Dutch: "'Course they did. It's Earth."

Romeo: "Better late than never."

Dutch: "How 'bout you show some respect, Romeo?"

Romeo: "Just saying, Dutch - They missed one."

Romeo points at the Assault Carrier.

Dutch: "No. They left it for us."

Sirens and lights begin to flare. Adoorinto the room opens, and

Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck and Captain Veronica Dareenter.

Buck: "You know the music. Time to dance."

The team cannot help but notice the attractive stranger with their commanding officer.

Romeo:(quietly)"Hello, beautiful."

Buck glances at Dare and then looks sternly at the squad.

Buck: "Pods.Now."

The ODSTs grab their gear and start walking to their pods.

Dare: "Replacements?"

Buck: "This many years into the war? Who isn't.

"Dare: "At least they listen."

Buck: "Tome. And they're not gonna like what they hear."

Dare: "Orders are orders."

Buck walks up to Dare.

Buck: "Come on, Veronica! What could be more important than that carrier?"

Dare pokes Buck in the chest.

Dare: "My orders. And, Buck? Call meCaptain.I'll pass on that dance. But you can show me where to sit."

Dare brushes past Buck toward the pods. Buck sighs. Cut to the rest of the team, who are gearing up.

Mickey: "Hey, what the hellkind of armorwas she wearing?"

Romeo: "Dunno, Mickey. I wasn't looking at her gear."

Dutch examines asilenced M7 SMG.

Romeo: "Pft! Seriously?"Dutch: "Well, gonna be close-quarters."

Romeo grabs anM90 Shotgunand offers it to Dutch.

Romeo: "Exactly."

Dutch shoves the shotgun away, glancing over Romeo's shoulder. Romeo turns to see Dare and Buck walk into the scene.

Buck:(to Dare)"Second to last. Right next to mine

."Romeo:(quietly)"Cozy…"

Buck overhears and approaches Romeo.

Romeo: "You gonna tell us her name, Gunny?"

Buck: "Ms.Naval Intelligence. Our new boss."Mickey:(muttering)"Oh, brother…"

Buck: "So check your mouths, find your chairs…"

Buck takes the shotgun from Romeo's hands, puts it back onto the rack, and angrily shoves asniper rifleinto his hands instead.

Buck: "…and getsetfor a combat drop!"Romeo: "What the hell am I supposed to do with thisinsidea Covenant ship?"

Cut to the Rookie, still asleep next to his pod. Romeo walks to him and hits him with his sniper rifle's butt.

Cut to the Rookie's point of view as he wakes up.

The Rookie: "Ungh!"Romeo: "Wake up, buttercup."

Dutch pushes Romeo away.

Dutch: "Relax, Rookie, he don't mean nothin'. Besides, now's one of those times it pays to be the strong, silent type."

Dutch hands an M7S SMG to the Rookie, who attaches it to his pod's weapon rack and positions himself on the seat. The pod's hatch closes, and the platform from which all the pods are hanging descends into the launch bay.

Once the hatch closes, the player is free to look around.

Buck and Dare appear on the pod's viewscreens.

Dare(video COM): "Latest intel reports Covenant troops are massing beneath the carrier.

"Buck(video COM): "They're pulling back? Why?"

The pod's screens flicker with static as the platform comes to a stop.

Dare(video COM): "We're not going to find out way up here."

Buck(video COM):

(Easy or Normal)"Troopers! We're green and very, very mean!"