#level 3 reviews

[trustedteflreviews]

This is the new Trusted TEFL Reviews Google Sites page!

[jawz]

i saw the tv glow is legitimately one of the stupidest, most tryhard movies i've ever seen in my entire life. absolute dogshit. and everyone is pretending it's the most lifechanging thing they've ever seen LOL give me a break! the gall to claim this is inspired by fucking DAVID LYNCH??? i can't

[firestorm09890]

if you love kingdom hearts but think kh3 had some issues, that's pretty understandable. the expectations placed on it, the massive number of threads it was set to wrap up, it was all too much, and future games might not have that issue. but if you think the series should've stopped at kh2 and are for some reason still following the games, you'll never survive the winter (read: kh4 will absolutely not be what you want it to be so you should probably just look for something else)

[blueskittlesart]

profs will set the due date for the final as april 24 and then STILL NOT HAVE THE FUCKING ASSIGNMENT UP TO SUBMIT THE PAPER BY 11PM ON APRIL TWENTY FUCKING THIRD

[volfoss]

Everyone loves me and I'm so so so employable<- affirmations

[seaofreverie]

Starting a challenge tomorrow where I listen to one TMBG album a day chronologically until my epic journey starts

[thewhizzyhead]

before I sleep, here is my definitive ranking on all the NPMD songs and some rambles on why I placed them there - also the ranking is based on how much I vibe with them (music production and lyricism have different rankings)

1. Hatchet Town (aka the hatchetfield trilogy theme song like this tune perfectly encapsulates the chaos Hatchetfield has to go through with every Starkid project pos-2018 and I love it - kinda wish it was a number that is more integrated with the plot with the kids tho BUT I REALLY DID LIKE that this melody was quite prominent in the other songs too)

2. High School is Killing Me (I've watched many teen centered musicals and believe me when I say that this song is one of, if not, the best introduction numbers out there for this genre - also it's a really great opening hook for a show)

3. Nerdy Prudes Must Die (FUCKING AMAZING HONESTLY - amazing way to REALLY re-establish a villain back from the dead and to establish the main theme for the nerds here: "I'm Not A Loser" (tho i fucking wish that motif was used a bit more))

4. Just For Once (everyone cheer for Lauren Lopez flexing not just her high tier soprano skills, but also how amazing of a fucking actor she can be like the concept of this song is quite layered and to pull it off both comedically and emphatically takes great lyrical and acting prowess)

5. The Summoning (a well-anticipated onstage introduction to all 5 of the LiB that balances out befuddling neon-entertainment with genuine fucking menace)

7. Cool As I Think I Am Reprise (A FUCKING GENIUS REPRISE I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW COOL I FIND THEM RECONTEXTUALIZING THE OG SONG AND IF I LOVED YOU TO FIT THE SITUATION AND BOTH OF THE CHARACTERS GROWTH. LIKE IN TERMS OF THEMATIC IMPLICATIONS WITH CHARQCTER DEVELOPMENT, THIS SONG AND ITS SCENE WOULD BE THE TOP)

6. If I Loved You (I think this song could be a bit more honestly like I know how much Starkid has explored Steph and Pete's relationship in their other projects and I was really hoping that they would have it more portrayed here - however the song is a bop nonetheless and it matches neatly with their themes and the harmonies are top tier. I placed this higher than the next just due to my personal bias like I really do like the song)

8. Dirty Dudes Must Die (A GREAT TWIST THAT MAKES ME WANT ANOTHER MUSICAL ABOUT GRACE CHASITY'S DERANGED SELF - also the new context of the song Grace is reprising here makes her a villain even scarier than MAX of all people but that's just me)

9. Literal Monster (A very catchy beat and well structured song that provides a good introduction to a jock-bully with the god complex. also kinda foreshadowing to nerdy prudes must die)

10. Cool As I Think I Am (the instrumentation reminded me of Dear Evan Hansen ngl fjsjd but it really does sound like an I-Want song from a teen-musical which is of course what they are going for - it sounds very nice and earnest though and I loved how it was utilised in the reprise. However I still fucking wish that the I'm Not A Loser motif was used more)

11. Dirty Girl (look I'm sorry for ranking this quite low on the list but like there is no fucking way I'm using this as bait to lure other people in like they'd be scared away I'm sorry fjdjs BUT I love how Will and Angela perform this though like top tier starkid performances ever - its not just what I would listen to on repeat personally jgjdjs)

12. Go Go Nighthawks! (This one gets plus points because of FUCK YOU CLIVESDALE GO GET FUCKED. otherwise its nice and cheery and perfectly shows how happy everyone is without Max but um I kinda wish it could be a bit more especially in terms of showing how happy the other nerds are now that Max is gone but that's just me)

13. Bully The Bully + Bury The Bully (Look I couldn't decide which was better like they both are the same melodies so like gjxjs these two are cute though and I liked seeing the 5 kids bonding in Bully The Bully since we don't get that many scenes with them)

14. The Best Of You (the pop-punk happy number is a staple of teen-centered musicals and it does really sound nice - just isn't that much of a standout compared to the others.)

[maydaymemer]

Hitman WOA: Ambrose on Trial - The Case for and Against

Back in 2022 IO released their final sandbox level for the Hitman trilogy: Ambrose Island. This level took place between the events of vanilla Hitman 2’s penultimate and final locations, but due to being released during Hitman 3’s lifecycle it was never treated as such. Instead Ambrose sat in an obscure spot of a specific menu, placed after Hitman 3’s locations but never having a mechanism during either campaign to go to it naturally. Until recently when a patch brought Ambrose to its chronological placement: now players upon beating Whittleton Creek’s Another Life will be prompted to play Ambrose’s main mission before moving onto the rest of Hitman 2

But was that a good decision? Even before this happened I was planning this post with the premise of if a new player should try to incorporate Ambrose into their first playthrough, but now it’s reality I want to examine if that made sense as a decision. In this little essay I will example the case FOR and AGAINST chronological Ambrose:

FOR #1 Convenience of Discovery

The first argument for placing Ambrose into chronological order is that every map of the trilogy is part of the main campaign, and keeping this consistent will ensure not only can old players who want to play Ambrose cant get there as convenient as possible but new players will know Ambrose exists without having to be told about it by the internet. Someone binging the trilogy now has a quick throughline to know what to play next, what has been played and what can be played

Even if Hitman 2’s cutscenes now change from motion comic style to cheap full motion back to motion comic and then to slightly less cheap full motion it’s at least consistently inconsistent. It was already precedent with Hitman 2’s DLC to have each level follow another in chronological order. You dont go from Sgail to Dubai; you go from Sgail to New York to Haven to Dubai. IO released this trilogy episodically so even retroactive releases earlier in the timeline should be accounted for

It also may be confusing for new players to play Romania and then see storyline targets they don’t recognize, granted they may still do that with New York and Haven but hey that’s IO’s fault for not having a convenient bundle of all the DLC

FOR #2 Fanservice, Plot, Development

It just makes sense to play Ambrose in its chronological place because the map’s identity as a pretend-lost chapter in H2 is so engrained into the design and premise of the map that anyone currently playing Hitman 2 will appreciate the details more having just played everything in a big glut. The map mixes set-pieces and characters from Hawke’s Bay, Colombia and Mumbai to give you the sense that this happened soon after those, so just outright playing it in that order will enhance what they were going for

It also helps to know what’s going on in the plot if the events are fresh in your mind. Taking out Grey’s militia is a big part of H2 but putting too much space between that and your playthrough of Ambrose might make you forget some details

With the foreknowledge of Hitman 3, IO went into Ambrose trying to patch up mistakes in the trilogy’s writing, and to clarify some plot points that were previously obscure details

For example, a conversation in Isle of Sgail that The Constant has on his phone directly references that Grey disbanded the Militia after the killing of Janus in Whittleton Creek. This detail is never mentioned again and if you dont ever hear this again the idea of “what happened to the militia?” might come off as a plot hole. Even though it isn’t a plot hole, closing an entire narrative thread in one phone call is still a bit strange

So Ambrose already fixes this, but the major problems come in Hitman 2’s DLC which inadvertently created a shadiness in Grey’s character that H3 had to correct. With the context of Ambrose people will be less inclined to get a false impression of Grey’s motives

The introductory briefing then provides minor foreshadowing of Diana’s character arc in H3, which isn’t much but it’s nice to make the trilogy seem more cohesive story-wise by including that

FOR #3 A Better Penultimate Level

I would argue that if you look at Ambrose and Sgail as two sides of the same coin, there’s some interesting thematic mirroring between the dingy, dark island of the Militia and the dark but opulent island belonging to an asset of Providence. I think its important to have that juxtaposition especially since this is the last major map of the trilogy where we tackle these sorts of themes, at least until Berlin

I also think that if you were to consider Whittleton as the penultimate level of Hitman 2, it’s a little easy. To go from a relaxing level like that to the last level in the game and one of the most intense it’s a little too abrupt. This stopgap also helps to buildup the location in-story as an important and secure area, which adds to the mystique and imposing nature when you get there

AGAINST #1 Pacing and The Themes of H2

My main issue with Ambrose’s placement is how it retroactively fucks up the one constant of Hitman 2’s design philosophy and that’s the contrast between levels

In the lead up to marketing and BTS of the trilogy each entry’s main philosophy is always touted as follows: Hitman 1’s theming is clean professionalism with each level showing 47 at the height of his career, Hitman 2’s theme is the criminal and colorful with each level visually and conceptually being the complete opposite of the last and Hitman 3’s theme was of the emotional journey, it starts out light, gets darker before ending on a more hopeful note

Unlike Hitman 1 and 3 which are more homogenous for the sake of the tone they’re going for Hitman 2 aims for this contrast and keeps it even into the DLCs: the quiet and stormy Hawke’s Bay is followed by the bright and bombastic Miami, then by the quiet and naturalistic Colombia followed by the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, then the serene Suburbia ended off with the dark and ominous Isle of Sgail which is then contrasted with the very small and modern Bank which is then contrasted by a tropical paradise in Haven

Ambrose fits the criminal and colorful (which doesnt need to mean literal color, because H2 has a ton of dingy and monochrome areas, moreso it refers to the colorful personalities of career criminals). It even adheres to Hitman 2’s more blue collar theming, contrasted with New Money in H1 and Old Money in H3. The problem is its aesthetic of the night time storm is already similar to Sgail, which is the very next map chronologically. The progression from Whittleton to Sgail was always intended to wow the audience, and I feel this plus H2 vanilla’s amazing pacing will now be lost on new players because H2 now has three levels made post-launch that are tacked onto its campaign

AGAINST #2 Difficulty Spike

The problem with Ambrose being considered now as part of H2 is it isn’t a H2 location in terms of its design philosophy. It makes use of mechanics like crafting, shortcuts and the camera which aren’t properly tutorialized until H3 and even Freelancer

I actually have any conclusion I drew from admittedly anecdotal evidence and it’s nowhere near conclusive but the fact Ambrose Island doesnt have guidance for its mission stories kind of assumes you have enough experience playing Hitman to know what you’re doing. When Berlin did this it was a calculated decision and the amount of signposting was carefully crafted to give a sense of freedom without being aimless. Ambrose isn’t nearly as well designed to accommodate the inexperienced player

So when I see streams of new players going through Ambrose I see them getting lost and finding the map impenetrable. This is with half the maps under there belt, but it seems Ambrose is maybe too much of an enthusiast’s map to be sprung on a player in the middle of a more guided experience like the other H2 maps

AGAINST #3 Repetition

This is more of a misc. category but there’s problems with Ambrose’s placement in a visual and gameplay sense. Just to rapid fire those complaints:

- The fact it reuses so many assets from Colombia and Mumbai so soon after playing those maps will make the map seem odd

- The fact there’s three island maps almost in a row from Ambrose to Sgail to Haven will potentially fatigue the play on that structure of level design

- Its briefing menu clearly uses the H3 style, but also the fact the pre-Sgail cutscene is meant to follow on from Janus death gives a slight anachronistic order to the whole affair

The Verdict

Now that Ambrose is forever part of H2’s gameplay experience, I think it’s up to the individual player to decide whether it works as part of the campaign or if they think it comes off as padding. Ive given reasons for and against, and I hope next time you play Ambrose or try it for the first time in its new Chronological order if it was truly better that way or not

And that may seem like a cop out, but that’s just because it is

[sherlock-is-ace]

.

[moths-in-a-coat]

officially 1/9th of a way through the first draft of my final paper for environmental science!

[nico-the-overlord]

Going to complain about homework real quick. Thanks!

[obstinaterixatrix]

I still think the 5 star system is annoying to navigate and not actually helpful in terms of the intended customer-to-customer endorsement it’s used for. just do recommended/not recommended/It’s Complicated. this is the one thing I think steam does right

[inafieldofdaisies]

So Help Me Todd (2022–) | Season 1, Episode 17 “The First Date Is the Deepest” | Favorite moments

[lyssafreyguy]

God . . . imagine thinking Laios is a bad person who doesn't care about people. actual insanity.

[iampikachuhearmeroar]

god. sometimes i really hate those "10 jobs that you can do WITHOUT a qualification that pay over 100k" and they list something like "human resource management" 130k a year!!! when like. EVERY fucking HR job (and other jobs like this, say like librarian- something that i PAID 17k for and burnt out for in postgrad lmao) strictly DEMAND that candidates must have 1-2 years experience AND an HR DEGREE.

very, very, very, very rarely i see something in HR requiring a TAFE (aussie technical college) certificate (ie MUCH cheaper- 7k) or a diploma in HR. it's almost always a degree, barely EVER "no quals or equivalent experience or similar quals"... even for entry level jobs in hr or most defs management positions.

[kindlythevoid]

Halo Reloaded - Chapter One

The Spirit of Fire, a behemoth of steel and circuits, gracefully drifted through the vacuum of space. Its engines hummed quietly in the vast, star-speckled expanse, a comforting constant for those aboard. The crew, just roused from the deep, icy embrace of cryosleep, stretched and yawned, their bodies slowly reacclimating to the notion of movement and the mundane demands of the day ahead.In the command center, Captain Andrew Del Rio stood with an authoritative ease that matched his crisp, navy-blue uniform, adorned with the badges of his dual life as a seasoned ONI politician and a UNSC officer. His gaze swept over the bustling activity with a practiced eye, catching every minor detail—the sharp salutes, the brisk nods, the quiet chatter of status updates.

"Report, Dot," he called out, his voice resonant and commanding, yet carrying an undertone of the day's first brewed coffee—a hint of warmth that suggested more camaraderie than most would expect from someone of his stature.

A hologram flickered to life in the center of the room, the luminescent blue form of Dot, the ship's AI, materializing with a swirl of digital particles. "Good morning, Captain. We are currently in orbit around Tau Ceti. Preliminary scans are complete, and I have something rather extraordinary to report," Dot announced, her tone imbued with a synthetic crispness that mimicked curiosity.

Del Rio leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "Go on," he urged, his fingers clasped behind his back."The star, Tau Ceti, is enclosed within a colossal ring structure of unknown origin. Its diameter spans approximately 600 million miles," Dot continued, her form gesturing towards a rotating holographic model of the ringworld that now accompanied her display.The crew members crowded around, their eyes wide with wonder and the restlessness of minds starved for discovery. The ringworld, displayed in brilliant hues of blues and greens, rotated serenely in the hologram.

"By my calculations, the radius of this ring is akin to the orbit of Earth around the sun. And yes, Captain, it is quite beautiful," Dot added, a programmed appreciation in her voice, as if she too could perceive the aesthetics of this celestial marvel.

Del Rio nodded, his face reflecting the awe felt by his crew but tempered by the seasoned caution of a man who knew space was as dangerous as it was beautiful. "Prepare a detailed survey of the ringworld. I want options for closer inspection. Let's tread carefully but curiously. The universe seems keen to start our day with a mystery," he said, a hint of excitement threading through his otherwise stern directive.

The crew set to work, energized by the discovery and guided by a captain who respected the vastness of their mission—a blend of the known and the unknown, where each day began with the promise of new horizons.

The calm aboard the Spirit of Fire shattered abruptly as Dot flickered erratically, her holographic form blurring and distorting with electronic spasms. Warning klaxons blared, casting a red glow that washed over the faces of the crew, now etched with sudden tension and confusion. Panels and screens that had moments ago displayed the serene majesty of the ringworld were abruptly hijacked, replaced by the grim visage of a Covenant Elite.

Commander Var 'Gatanai, clad in the ornate armor of a Zealot, his mandibles twitching with barely contained zeal, dominated the screens. His voice, a harsh growl laced with contempt, boomed through the command center. "Humanity's destruction is the will of the gods. And we, The Covenant, are the gods' instruments."

As his image faded, the ship jolted violently, the shock of nearby slipspace ruptures sending tremors through the hull. Crew members grasped at consoles for stability, papers fluttered like caught leaves, and the constant hum of the ship's operations grew to a cacophony of alarms and running feet.

Captain Del Rio, maintaining his composure amid the chaos, turned sharply to the glitching form of Dot. "Status report, now!" he demanded, his voice cutting through the noise with the precision of a seasoned commander.

Dot stabilized momentarily, her voice still tinged with static as she relayed the dire situation. "Multiple Covenant corvettes have exited slipspace at close proximity. Hull integrity is compromised in sections 3A through 3C. Shields at 40% and falling. Additionally, a distress beacon is emanating from the ringworld, origin unknown."

Without hesitation, Del Rio turned to the intercom, his voice resolute. "All hands, this is Captain Del Rio. We are at Combat Alert Alpha. I repeat, Combat Alert Alpha. Prepare for engagement," he announced, his tone leaving no room for doubt, only action.

He pivoted back to Dot. "Get every Marine and MJOLNIR-Trooper to their stations. Arm all defensive systems. And wake our Spartan," he ordered succinctly, the weight of each command underscored by the severity of their predicament.

Dot's form flickered once more before nodding, her systems buzzing as she executed the commands. "Waking Spartan-II, designation Sierra-One-One-Seven. Initiating combat preparation protocols."

---

The armory was alive with the sound of metal clanking, hydraulics hissing, and the murmured voices of marines and MJOLNIR-Cyborgs suiting up. The atmosphere was charged, a palpable mix of tension and determination filling the air as each soldier donned their battle gear. The marines tightened their straps and checked their ammo, while the cyborgs, integrated with their enhancements that, physically speaking, made them more machine than flesh, underwent system diagnostics, their mechanical limbs gleaming under the harsh white lights of the deck.

At the center of this orchestrated chaos stood Sgt-Major Avery Johnson, a towering figure even among the giants clad in armor. His presence was a rallying point, a beacon of unyielding resolve. He paced in front of the assembled troops, his eyes scanning the formation, taking in the readiness and fierce resolve mirrored in the faces of his troops.

"Men," Johnson began, his voice booming over the clatter, drawing every eye to him. His stance was wide, hands clasped behind his back, his face hard as carved granite. "We let those split-chinned, squid-faced sons of bitches out into the edge of space to keep their filthy claws from Earth." His tone was harsh, a controlled burn of fury and contempt for the enemy.

He paused, letting his words hang in the air, his gaze piercing the ranks. "But we've scrambled onto something they're so hot for, that they're trippin' over each other to get it!" Johnson continued, his voice rising, a sardonic smile playing on his lips as he imagined the enemy's desperation.

"Well, WE'RE NOT GONNA LET 'EM HAVE IT! What we WILL let 'em have: Is a belly full of lead, and a pool of their own blood TO DROWN IN!" His fist punched the air for emphasis, a definitive gesture that invited no argument, only compliance and shared conviction. "AM I RIGHT, MARINES?!"

The response was immediate and thunderous, a chorus of armored figures stomping their feet. "SIR, YES SIR!" they shouted back, the sound echoing off the metal walls, a unified declaration of readiness and aggression.

Johnson's smile broadened, pride swelling in his chest at the sight and sound of his troops, united and fierce. "Mmhmm. Damn right, I am," he affirmed, nodding slowly, his eyes glinting with a mixture of pride and anticipation. "Now move it out! Double time! All you greenhorns who wanted to see the Covies up close: This is gonna be your lucky day!"

---

In the cold, dimly lit confines of the cryo-chambers room, the sudden onslaught of alarms sliced through the silence, shattering the icy stillness. Red warning lights pulsed rhythmically, casting eerie shadows that danced along the metallic surfaces. John, Spartan-II, designation Sierra-One-One-Seven, slowly stirred from the depths of cryosleep, his senses sharpening with each passing second as the cryotube's lid hissed open, releasing a cloud of icy vapor into the air.

He swung his legs over the side of the tube, his bare feet touching the cold, steel floor. The blare of the alarms echoed in his ears, a relentless reminder of the urgency at hand. He took a moment to orient himself, his training kicking in seamlessly. John's movements were calm and methodical as he made his way to the armor bay, his mind already racing through potential threat assessments and tactical strategies.

The armor bay was a cathedral of war; rows of MJOLNIR armors stood solemn and silent, waiting like ancient warriors to be awakened. John approached his own suit, the familiar contours and the scent of polymer and metal greeting him like an old friend. His armor, the MIRAGE-IIC, was a masterpiece of military engineering, its metallic green surface almost iridescent under the flickering lights. The suit was sleek, lightweight and streamlined in design, crafted for full maneuverability and agility in exchange for light protection, and it featured a utility belt and solar-powered shielding systems meant to compensate for the light-protection of the suit, all accented by a striking orange visor.

John began the armoring process, each piece of the variant-MJOLNIR armorcore locking into place with satisfying clicks and whirs. He started with the leg armor, lifting the heavy plates and aligning them with precision around his thighs and calves. Next, the chest piece—a robust shell that slid over his torso, its inner workings buzzing softly as it synced with his biometrics.

The arms were next, gauntlets that were both shield and weapon, followed by a pauldron on his left-shoulder, which was emblazoned with the insignia of the UNSC while the right shoulder served as a sheathe for a small vibro-knife, a knife meant to combat plasma weapons from Energy-swords to Storm-rifles. Finally, he picked up the helmet, the most personal piece of the suit. He paused, his reflection caught in the glossy orange visor, a man marked by war yet unwavering in his resolve.With a deep breath, John placed the helmet on his head, the final seal clicking into place. The HUD sprang to life, overlaying his vision with data—vital stats, system checks, and tactical overlays..."

...Time to get to work."

---

As John rounded the corner, the corridor before him swarmed with Covenant troops. His HUD lit up with targets, the chaotic overlay only spurring him on. Lights flickered overhead, casting an otherworldly glow on the scene—a perfect backdrop for the storm to come.

First to engage were the Grunts, their clunky methane suits puffing and hissing with each awkward step. John didn’t bother with finesse; a brutal palm strike shattered the visor of the nearest Grunt, sending it careening backward into its companions, bowling them over like a line of mismatched, alien pins.

But the Elites were a different game—a deadly dance that demanded more than brute strength. As the first Elite lunged, its energy sword slicing through the air with a deadly hum, John’s reflexes took over. He ducked under the swipe, feeling the heat of the plasma blade just inches from his neck. With a fluid motion borne from countless drills, he drew the combat knife from his shoulder-sheathe. The blade, forged from a rare alloy impervious to plasma, caught the dim light as he brought it up in a defensive stance.

The Elite, undeterred, attacked again, its movements a blur of alien grace and lethal intent. John parried with his knife, sparks flying as metal met energy. He followed up with a quick jab to the Elite’s midsection, the impact absorbed by the alien’s shield. Unfazed, the Elite swung again, faster this time, but John was faster. He sidestepped, and with a twist of his wrist, he hooked his knife behind the Elite's arm and yanked forward, disrupting its balance.Using the moment’s advantage, John launched into a series of calculated strikes. He slammed his elbow into the Elite's faceplate, cracking it, then spun, driving his knife into the junction of the alien’s neck and shoulder. The Elite roared, staggering back, its energy sword flickering and dying as it dropped the weapon.

Now weaponless, the Elite bared its teeth in a snarl, but John was already moving. He kicked out, his boot connecting with the Elite's knee, bending it backward with a crunch of alien anatomy that echoed off the metal walls. As the Elite crumpled, John turned just in time to see another rushing him, sword raised.

This time, John charged forward. He slid under the sweeping arc of the blade, coming up behind the Elite. With a powerful heave, he lifted the alien off its feet and threw it into an oncoming group of Grunts. The collision left a tangle of limbs and a chorus of pained yelps.

Breathing steadily, John surveyed the corridor now littered with Covenant bodies. With a cold, calculated calm, John adjusted his grip on the knife, his stance relaxed yet unyielding, a silent challenge hanging in the air. The remaining Covenant troopers, unnerved and leaderless, began to retreat, their morale broken under the weight of John’s indomitable presence.

The smoke hung thick in the air as John secured his combat knife back into its sheath, the sounds of distant combat echoing through the damaged hallways of the Spirit of Fire; he moved with undiminished purpose, scanning for any more threats.

"Chief!" The voice cut through the chaos, a familiar tone laced with urgency. John turned to see Corporal Dubbo, rifle slung over his shoulder, making his way toward him through the debris. Dubbo's armor was dusted with soot, his expression a mixture of relief and stress as he approached the Spartan.

"Captain Del Rio needs you on the bridge, ASAP," Dubbo panted, slightly out of breath from navigating the war-torn corridors. His gaze flicked over John's stature, as if confirming that the Spartan was indeed ready to move.

John gave a brief nod, acknowledging the order. "Lead the way," he replied, his voice steady and commanding, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation.

Dubbo turned without another word, his trust in John's ability to keep up apparent. They moved quickly, side-stepping rubble and darting past groups of marines who were setting up defensive positions. The corridor was a labyrinth of chaos: panels hung open with wires sparking, emergency lights cast eerie shadows, and the occasional explosion rocked the structure, a reminder of the ongoing assault.

As they maneuvered through a particularly damaged section of the ship, Dubbo glanced back at John, trying to make himself heard over the clamor. "Covies hit us hard, Chief. Didn’t see 'em coming. We’re holding our own, but it's a mess out there."

John's response was a simple nod, his focus undivided as his eyes continuously scanned their surroundings. The sounds of his heavy footsteps were muffled by the softer thuds of Dubbo's boots, creating a rhythmic cadence amidst the discord.

Finally, they reached the secured blast doors of the bridge. Two marines stood guard, their weapons trained on the corridor. Recognizing John, they snapped to attention, one marine rushing to open the door.Inside, the bridge was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Crew members were hunched over their stations, fingers flying over controls, and voices crisply calling out statuses and orders. The expansive windows showed the stark blackness of space, pierced by the occasional flash of ship-to-ship fire.

Captain Del Rio stood at the center of the activity, his eyes locked on a tactical display. He turned as John entered, his face set in grim determination.John strode onto the bridge of the Spirit of Fire, his presence immediately commanding attention. He snapped a crisp salute to Captain Del Rio. "Captain Del Rio, sir," he greeted, his tone respectful yet imbued with the urgency of their situation.

Del Rio, a man of no small stature himself, looked over with a gruff nod, his expression tight with the stress of command. "About damn time, Major. I'm glad you're here," he said, his voice rough like gravel. He turned back to the main display, his hands clasped behind his back. "Dot's set up and deployed all defensive options for the *Spirit of Fire*, but we've not a chance."

The captain's blunt assessment hung heavy in the air. He walked over to a secondary tactical console, motioning for John to follow. "Listen, I've initiated Cole Protocol Article 2. You know what that means—no capture of ship AI, dumb or smart, especially not on my watch," Del Rio continued, his gaze intense, flickering to the holographic projection of Dot.

John nodded, understanding the gravity of the directive. The loss of any AI, with their extensive strategic data about humanity and the United Nations Star Council, could be catastrophic.

Del Rio's voice lowered, heavy with responsibility. "John, you're to keep this information, ergo Dot herself, with you at all times." He paused, ensuring his next orders were clear. "There's a distress beacon coming from the Ringworld. I'm going to try and land the Spirit of Fire on it, while you need to get to a lifepod down to follow and find that beacon."

John absorbed the plan, his mind already racing through tactical scenarios, when Dot's calm, synthesized voice interrupted, "Alert: A bomb has been detected in the hangar bay. Estimated yield is equivalent to the destructive power of a metropolitan city-level explosion."

John’s reaction was immediate, his decision made in the blink of an eye. "Permission to give the Covenant back their bomb, sir?" he asked, turning back to Del Rio.

Without hesitation, Del Rio pulled a small, sleek data chip from a secure compartment in the console. He handed it to John. "Permission granted. Take Dot. She’ll be your guide." His voice was stern, yet there was an undercurrent of trust that resonated deeply.John took the chip, his fingers closing around it with a sense of new responsibility. He slotted it into the port on the side of his helmet. The chip clicked into place, and immediately, Dot's interface seamlessly integrated into his HUD, her voice now directly in his ear.

"Ready to assist, Spartan."

---

The elevator hummed steadily as it descended into the depths of the Spirit of Fire, headed for the hangar bay cradled in the ship's belly. Tension filled the cramped space, a silent prelude to the storm that was about to break. John, aware of the likely ambush, had positioned himself within the ceiling panels of the elevator, a move dictated by tactical foresight and Spartan ingenuity.

As the elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, a barrage of plasma fire lit up the interior, painting streaks of deadly energy where John would have been standing. The shots sizzled against the metal walls, leaving scorch marks and molten splatters. Above, hidden and silent as a ghost, John watched the Elite guards through the grate of the ceiling panel, waiting for the right moment to strike.

With a swift, calculated move, he pushed off from the ceiling, the panel clattering to the floor as he dropped among the unsuspecting Elites. His arrival was a blur of motion—immediate and devastating. Before the nearest Elite could react, John delivered a powerful elbow strike to its head, the impact echoing in the hangar like a gunshot. The Elite crumpled, its shields flaring and fizzling out.

Another Elite swung its energy sword in a deadly arc, aiming to decapitate the Spartan. John ducked low, the heat of the plasma blade grazing the air just above him. Using his low position, he swept the Elite's legs with a precision kick, toppling it over with a thud that resonated across the metal floor. Quick as lightning, John was on his feet, spinning to face another attacker.

This Elite was quicker, its movements sharpened by battle-honed instincts. It thrust forward with its sword, but John parried with his forearm—armored and shielded against the plasma’s kiss. He grabbed the Elite's arm, twisted it back, and with a swift step forward, he used his shoulder to deliver a dislocating blow to the Elite's elbow. A sharp crack filled the air, followed by the thud of the dropped sword.

John didn’t pause, his body already moving to the rhythm of battle. He launched himself at the next Elite, his fist cocked back. The punch he delivered was like a hammer blow, crashing into the Elite's shield and shattering it upon impact. As the shield disintegrated, John followed through with a knee strike to the abdomen, folding the Elite in half, breathless and defeated.

He turned just in time to catch the rush of the last Elite, its sword raised high. John stepped inside its reach, his hands shooting up in a double palm strike to the alien’s chest and chin, disrupting its attack and staggering it backward. With no time to waste, he delivered a final, spinning kick to the side of its head, sending it crashing into a stack of supply crates with a conclusive crash.

Breathing steadily, John scanned the now-quiet hangar. Around him, the fallen Elites lay in disarray, testament to the Spartan's lethal proficiency. With a grunt, he hoisted the bomb onto his shoulder, its weight a solid, unwelcome presence against his MIRAGE armor. Every step towards the docking bay was calculated under the burden, his muscles tensing with the effort, the servos in his suit whining slightly under the strain.

Reaching the massive pressure-sealed door of the hangar’s docking bay, John set the bomb down momentarily to access the control panel. With a few swift taps, the door began to open, revealing the endless expanse of space beyond. It was a silent, star-filled void, indifferent to the chaos unfolding within and around the Spirit of Fire.

As the door fully retracted, the vacuum of space greedily pulled at everything within reach. The bomb, its mass now a liability, began to slide toward the open bay. John didn’t hesitate. With a powerful kick, he sent the bomb tumbling into the void, then launched himself after it, his body slicing through the lack of atmosphere.

Outside the ship, John maneuvered onto the bomb, positioning himself atop it like a surfer catching a wave. The bomb and Spartan together hurtled through space, a bizarre tableau against the backdrop of a cosmic battlefield. Around them, the remnants of a recent dogfight floated by—twisted metal and debris that told of fierce combat.

Ahead, a Covenant battlecruiser loomed, its size monstrous. A gaping hole in its side—torn open by the dogfight—served as an unintended invitation. John steered the bomb towards this breach, using his body’s momentum and small movements to guide their path. The cold of space bit at him, but his suit’s systems compensated, keeping him alive in the deadly environment.

As they neared the opening, John spotted the battlecruiser’s reactor core, exposed and vulnerable. With precision born of countless battles, he aligned the bomb with the core. Then, with a firm push, he sent the bomb spinning towards its target. The device spiraled away from him, its trajectory perfect as it disappeared into the dark maw of the cruiser.

The moment the bomb was released, John kicked against a piece of debris, propelling himself back towards the ringworld. The cruiser, a silent behemoth against the stars, was unaware of the fatal gift now ticking within its bowels.

Behind him, the battlecruiser erupted in a brilliant explosion, a fireball consuming it from within as the reactor met the bomb. The shockwave rushed past John, a roaring tide of energy that sped his descent towards the ringworld. Below, the massive structure awaited, its secrets hidden beneath its surface, a silent witness to the destruction above.

Freefalling through space, John watched as the remnants of the Covenant ship scattered into the void, a satisfactory conclusion to his daring plan as he descends to the ringworld below him...

(Sorry it took me so long to read this!!)

Oh my gosh, I love it!! This honestly works super well as an introductory chapter (and I absolutely think this could work as a genuine novelization for the games!!), especially with the introductions to all the characters, a bit of their background, and a really solid feel for their voices!! (tl;dr It's perfect for people like me, ha ha! <3)

I freaking love some of the metaphors you use to describe things!! Calling the armory the "cathedral of war"!?! Got me FERAL!!! "Body slicing through the lack of atmosphere"??? YEEESSSS!!!! "stop it like a surfer catching a wave"??? *chef's kiss* Wonderful work!!

I also appreciate the drop in my inbox, it was a lot of fun to see it in their (even if it did take me forever to get around to a proper reading). :) <3

Thanks!! And keep up the writing, you're doing good work here!! :D

Kindly,

The Void