Mission 3: The Truth and Reconciliation

Mission Objectives

1. Clear the canyon approach

   You start on a ridge overlooking a Covenant patrol route. The Marines give you an SRS99 Sniper Rifle — use it immediately. Prioritize the Elite Ultra on the Shade turret first, then the Grunt manning the plasma cannon. Move between shots so the survivors cannot triangulate your position.

2. Infiltrate the gravity lift

   Push down the canyon toward the cruiser's gravity lift. Covenant drop pods will land behind you as you advance — never stand still for more than three seconds. Keep a plasma weapon handy to strip Elite shields at close range once the sniper becomes impractical.

3. Board the Covenant cruiser

   Ride the gravity lift up into the Truth and Reconciliation's hangar bay. The hangar is a kill-box: two Elite Zealots, four Jackals, and a Hunter pair wait inside. Throw a frag into the center before the lift fully rises to stagger the welcoming committee, then sprint to the left maintenance corridor for cover.

4. Navigate to the brig and free Captain Keyes

   Fight through the cruiser's purple-lit corridors. Check every side room for health packs — the cruiser has no resupply after the hangar. When you reach the brig, a cloaked Stealth Elite guards Keyes' cell. Listen for its footsteps on the metal grating and watch for the faint shimmer in the air.

Boss Strategy

Stealth Elite at Captain Keyes' cell. This Elite carries an Energy Sword and active camouflage. The shimmer is hardest to see against the purple cruiser walls. Back into the brig's entrance corridor so it can only approach from one angle. Toss a plasma grenade at the doorway when you hear footsteps — even a near-miss strips its camo briefly. Once visible, unload a full Plasma Rifle burst to drop its shields, then finish with a Magnum headshot. Do not try to melee trade; its sword kills in one hit on Heroic and Legendary.

Collectibles

• Terminal 3 — On the cliff overlook before the first sniper engagement
• Skull: Famine — Inside the Covenant cruiser's hangar bay, behind a stack of plasma batteries

Secrets & Easter Eggs

• Active Camouflage power-up — in the canyon section, after clearing the first Shade turret, turn around and climb the rocks behind your spawn point. A small ledge holds active camo, perfect for bypassing the dropship reinforcements entirely.
• Extra Sniper ammo cache — inside the cruiser, the second room on the right past the hangar contains a weapons locker with four Sniper Rifle magazines and two frag grenades. Grab it even if you plan to swap weapons later; the ammo carries forward.
• Alternate hangar entry — instead of riding the lift directly, use the rocky outcropping to the left of the lift to jump onto the cruiser's hull. You can snipe two Elites through the hangar opening before boarding, making the entry fight much easier.