Data Hive

Mission 08: Data Hive

Data Center Entrance to Hive and Vergil Location Point

ROOKIE • After Midnight • Superintendent Data Center

After a thorough inspection of the New Mombasa Streets, you finally locate the Superintendent Data Center and descend to Sublevel 7. Working your way through the corridors, you soon reach a series of octagonal chambers known as data stacks. You can activate one of these stacks, allowing you and your new police buddy down to Sublevel 8. Investigate this area and locate the data stacks to gain entrance to Sublevel 9, where the temperature drops, but the enemies become much more ferocious. Heat them up with a Flamethrower, then rendezvous with Dare, who leads you through the Data Hive, now home to swarms of Drones. Battle through to the Data Center, then escort Vergil back to the surface.

DATA STREAM

Data Hive VISR Target Acquisition Mode Ratio: 95 percent

After “Mission 07: Kikowani Station”: Hidden COMM Data—1 (Total: 30/30)*

*This terminal is only accessible after you have located the previous 29 in New Mombasa Streets.

Preferred Weapons

• Flamethrower
• Magnum
• Beam Rifle
• Carbine
• Gravity Hammer

Par Score

• 50,000

Level-Specific Achievements

• Data Hive: Complete this mission to unlock “Firefight Mission: Chasm Ten.”
• I Like Fire: Kill 10 enemies with the Flamethrower on Data Hive.
• Audiophile: Find all Audio Logs, alone or with another ODST.

Mission Objectives

• DATA HIVE Find Dare on Sublevel 9
• DATA HIVE Fight through Hive to Data Center
• DATA HIVE Rescue Superintendent
• DATA HIVE Escort Engineer to safety

Choke Point 1: Sublevel 7 Corridors

You begin at the base of the elevator shaft on Sublevel 7, and you need to locate and meet up with Dare, who is on Sublevel 9. Descending two levels requires you to navigate several corridors and “stack shafts”—data-storage rooms with access to lower-level locations. From the initial chamber, you can look for weaponry (such as a Shotgun or a Plasma Pistol) before heading northeast, through the sliding doors to a sloping corridor [1A]. There’s evidence of a recent battle between Grunts and Marines, and more Shotguns are available. Turn the corner, heading southeast; continue down the corridor toward a Grunt you can melee from behind, then turn right (southwest) again. This leads to a corridor full of Grunts [1B].

Objective

• DATA HIVE Find Dare on Sublevel 9

By far the best way to deal with these Grunts is to bring out your Silenced SMG or Magnum that you began this mission with. If you’re playing this mission for the first time and have weapons from the previous mission, use a ranged weapon. A mixture of headshots and quick bursts of SMG fire on panicked Grunts does the trick. Use the data processors (large computer units in this corridor section) and the plastic sides as cover. You’ll reach a dead end if you continue forward, so turn southeast, and choose any of the three side doors. They lead down to a subsequent corridor [1C] that looks similar to the one where you fought the Grunts. This corridor has both Grunts and Jackals to take out; take them down with headshots from the Magnum; snipe from cover. Head northeast down this corridor, passing the Needler, and take a Plasma Pistol to back up your Magnum if you wish.

The corridor turns to the right (southeast) and slopes down. Be ready to headshot more Grunts, charging in to melee them when there’s only one or two left. The corridor turns right (southwest) again, sloping down to a center terminal and a doorway ahead [1D]. There are likely to be Grunts trotting out of here; shoot them in the head, and tool up with any ammo or Grenades you find on their corpses. Enter the narrow passage the Grunts were guarding, stepping into the first in a series of octagonal stack-shaft chambers.

Choke Point 2: Sublevel 7 Stack-Shaft Chambers

Step into the first stack-shaft chamber, and make a quick inspection. There is an unusable computer terminal in the central shaft, and the sockets around the perimeter are designed to hold Health Packs (but these are empty). Remember this for later. Head down the connecting passage to the next shaft chamber [2A], where a Brute and a group of Jackals accosts you. You should have saved your Grenades up until this point, as tackling the Brutes in these chambers involves either or both of the following tactics.

Tactic: Guns for Show, Plasma for a Pro

Although the shotgun makes a pleasing spray of damage, a more proficient way of removing armor from any of the Brutes in this series of corridors is to step in brandishing the Plasma Pistol, charging a shot so you can release it just before the Brute takes evasive action. The bolt knocks the Brutes’  shields down. Then finish them with a headshot from your other weapon (ideally your Magnum) or with thrown Grenades. Employ headshots or Grenades (or both) on the two other enemy types in this series of rooms: Grunts and Jackals.

Tactic: Fusion Coils for a Killing Blow

This tactic is a little more dangerous if you’re too close to the ensuing explosion, but be mindful of the fusion coils that are lying around these chambers; shoot at them instead of the enemies as your foes close in and are close to the coils. The coil explodes, severely damaging or killing multiple enemies in the process.

There is a group of Jackals with a Brute bodyguard [2A], and there is a group of Grunts with a Brute [2B] in this quartet of stack shafts. After you’ve neutralized all foes, move to the last shaft chamber [2C] to the northeast, and rendezvous with a highly agitated New Mombasa police officer. Before continuing, you may scour the previous chambers for Shotguns, Plasma Pistols, Plasma Rifles, and Needlers. The shaft with the police officer has a Health Pack on one of the walls. The officer is having difficulty raising the stack in this room, but you have the necessary expertise. Locate the Data Stack Terminal [2D] on the central structure in this room, and raise the stack. Then prepare to repel a Drone attack [2D]!

Tactic: Raining Spiky Death

As soon as you open the data stack, have a Sticky Grenade chosen on your HUD’s Grenade menu, and then throw the Grenade at the underside of the rising stack base. The Grenade’s spikes then rain down on the Drones ascending from the floor below, killing them all if you’ve timed the throw right and positioned the Grenade correctly. Use this technique on all future stacks for immediate and safe Drone disposal.

Tactic: Manually Acquiring Targets

If you don’t have a Sticky Grenade or lack the timing, you’ll face a swarm of Drones the old-fashioned way: by manually targeting and defeating them. Use any and all cover, such as the wall alcoves or central pillars, and then pop out for a well-aimed headshot or burst of Rifle fire, and return to cover. You can even retreat to previous stack chambers if you’re part-ODST, part-coward.

When you’ve minimized the Drone threat, or as soon as the data stack is released and there’s a hole in the ground, drop down to Sublevel 8. The police officer will follow you. The Drones follow you, too, so it’s better to deal with them on this sublevel.

Choke Point 3: Sublevel 8 Dark Corridor

If you haven’t done so already, switch on your VISR Enhanced Vision to make out all the enemies lurking in this long stretch of unlit corridor. The initial section [3A] features a few Drones and Grunts, with Brutes appearing at the far end. “Appearing” is an apt term, as these are Brute Stalkers [3C], which are almost invisible if you don’t have your vision set to Enhanced. Methodically cull the enemies using any weapon you see fit, winding your way down the corridor to the far, southeast end, where a door allows you access to a second series of data stack–shaft chambers (Choke Point 4). Midway along the corridor, you can investigate a narrow subcorridor [3B] that runs along either side of the main corridor; here you find multiple Marine bodies, along with Health Packs and Shotguns. Grab what you need before continuing; this is a good way to sneak around and surprise a Brute from the side.

Tactic: Optimal Equipment

Wading through this corridor is still possible on greater difficulty settings, but to survive in future areas, it is wise to utilize a specific weapon set. This corridor should be the place for you to load up on Grenades and swap a weapon for the Carbine. Stay at the corridor entrance or edge forward to the server units on either side of the corridor, remaining near the walls and slowly progressing, sniping foes expertly in the head. When you reach Brute Stalkers, bring their shields down with a charged Plasma Pistol shot, then decapitate them with the Carbine. Don’t use Sticky Grenades to take out Brutes; this makes their Grenades explode, and you then won’t be able to collect them. Instead, tag Brutes with your Carbine, so you can collect the Flame Grenades they were carrying.

Choke Point 4: Sublevel 8 Stack-Shaft Chambers

Move into a second series of octagon stack rooms. The first chamber has some Drones on which to test your reflexes; using the Carbine is a surefire way to defeat them easily. Check the Plasma Pistols and Needlers they drop if you wish; there’s also a Health Pack on one of the alcove walls. Head southwest, where you and your police officer colleague can make short work of the Jackals roaming the room. The third chamber is empty save for a Health Pack on the wall, but foes are heading up toward you from the corridor to the southeast [4A]. In this corridor and the stack room beyond [4B], expect close combat with Brutes. Throwing Flame Grenades so they stick to these Brutes, especially when they are in the narrow corridors, makes takedowns more straightforward. If you don’t have Flame Grenades, you can lob other Grenade types down the corridors, or use your usual Brute-killing ordnance. Continue this tactic as you progress to the final stack chamber on this sublevel [4C]. Inspect the alcoves for Health Packs, and then trigger the console to raise the data stack. Drop down into Sublevel 9, either before or after you coax a group of Drones up from below. Dare has to be around here somewhere....

Tactic: Throw and Blow

Navigating this area with a partner means making critical decisions that don’t involve burning your friend to death. As the corridors are narrow and dangerous, make sure one of you loads up with Grenades during Choke Point 2. Have your Grenade carrier prime their favored Grenades and lob them at enemies coming at you both through the corridors. The other player can stand to the side, with a good view of the corridor, and finish off any foes “lucky” enough to survive the Grenade blast.

Choke Point 5: Sublevel 9—Cold Storage Brutes

As the corridors begin to crystallize with ice particles, deal with the Drones in the base of the stack shaft if you haven’t already, and note the Health Pack in one of the wall alcoves. However, don’t grab it yet; you’ll need to return here to take it during the subsequent Brute battle. Head out the corridor, going southeast, and maneuver quietly down the sloping hall [5A] to a small group of Grunts and an armored Brute. From this point, there are a few ways to emerge victorious from the battle with the incoming Brutes.

Tactic: Shields Down, Head Off

The preferred way to tackle all the Brutes in this corner corridor choke point [5B] is to arm yourself with the preferred weapon combination for this encounter: pair up a Plasma Pistol with a Magnum or a Carbine. Tag the Grunts in the head with the Carbine, then use a charged Plasma Pistol shot to remove the Brute’s shields before switching back again to the Carbine or Magnum to finish the Brute with a headshot. Do all of this before you actually turn the corner, and then slowly edge around the corner, coaxing as few Brutes into combat with you as possible. Repeat this tactic, retreating to the cover of the pillars, side servers, or sloping ground while you charge your Plasma Pistol.

Tactic: Charge Down, Head in

If you’ve mistakenly arrived at this section of corridor without the proper weapon combo, then your available arsenal will have to do. However, the Brutes drop Plasma Rifles, which are also excellent at removing their shields. Follow this up with your other weapon (such as the Brute Shot, Needler, or Shotgun), but conserve ammunition by using the Plasma Rifle strictly for stripping Brute shields. Grenades are also excellent, although the stickier ones don’t allow you to pick up any Grenades from a Brute corpse.

Tactic: Watch Out, Chieftain Here!

By the time you’ve defeated four or five Brutes, the leader of the pack makes an appearance: a Brute Chieftain armed with a terrifyingly powerful Plasma Turret! The takedown tactics here depend on your available weaponry, but the Plasma Pistol/Carbine combination is optimal. Attempt to snipe the Chieftain’s head with a Carbine and keep your distance; circle-strafe around this fearsome foe, using the server structures along this corridor section [5C] as cover.

Tactic: Chieftain Down, Flame On

Having constant trouble from this lumbering brute as it cuts you apart with its Plasma Turret? There’s a way to even the score; sprint to the northeast end of this corridor, ignoring the ice buildup on the walls, and search the right (eastern) corner, where you’ll discover the mighty Flamethrower! Use the corridor structure as cover, and advance on the Chieftain. Bring him down with a deluge of napalm fire. This sorts him out in no time!

Tactic: A Little Help Here?

Have one player maneuvering slightly ahead of the rest of the team, and let him draw the Brutes’ fire. The remaining team should stay back, draining Brutes with charged Plasma Pistol shots or sniping at them with the Carbine. When the Plasma Turret–wielding Chieftain makes his appearance, one of the team needs to draw his fire while the other slips by him and locates the Flamethrower, only to return and finish off the Chieftain.

Choke Point 6: Sublevel 9—Captain Dare Rendezvous

As soon as you clear Choke Point 5, return to the corridor in which you faced the Brutes, and collect any and all weapons you want. Be sure to take the Flamethrower if you want the Achievement, or take the Plasma Turret the Brute Chieftain was carrying (or better yet, complete the I Like Fire Achievement throughout this choke point, drop the empty Flamethrower, then return for the Plasma Turret), and head down the sloping corridor to the southeast. There are dead Drones scattered around here—that looks like ODST-issued Marine fire! Continue through the doors, around another bend, and through two more doors, into a darkened corridor section [6A].

This area has Drones, Jackals, and a Brute or two to drop. Your optimal tactic is to engulf them all in flame, and complete the Achievement while using the server structures and glass walls for cover. Another recommended plan is to instead use the Carbine on all but the Brutes, punishing them instead with a Plasma Pistol before switching to the Carbine. Or, cull the Covenant any way you want in this reasonably enclosed space. Afterward, optionally pick up the Plasma Turret, and walk southwest to a connecting corridor. At the end of this well-lit corridor is a locked door. Knock on it, and Dare lets you through [6B]. Your objective updates.

Objective

• DATA HIVE Fight through Hive to Data Center

For extra points, you can turn on the Tilt and Mythic Skulls; Choke Points 5 and 6 aren’t really affected, as long as you always have the Plasma Pistol for troublesome shield removal.

Choke Point 7: Sublevel 9—Lower Hallways

After meeting Dare, follow her through the winding narrow passage and into a dark, wider corridor. Turn southeast and head down a sloping path [7A], where a group of Grunts and a Brute are no match for Dare’s wicked aim. You should move along by the wall servers, using them as cover and attempting headshots on the Grunts and Brutes if any remain. Round the corner, and face several Drones, Grunts, and a Brute. Again, the Carbine is extremely useful for one-shot kills.

At this point, it is worth breaking convention and arming yourself with a Brute Shot (or Needler if you haven’t acquired that Achievement yet), which is a no-nonsense foe-disposal device that works well on this slope. There’s also Magnums, Plasma Pistols, Plasma Rifles, Carbines, Brute Shots, Spikers, and Needlers scattered about. Methodically tag all the foes along this sloping path, pausing at any middle platform to secure a Health Pack. When you reach the Jackals and the Brutes down this corridor [7B], and finally some Drones, employ any of the previous tactics. Soon afterward, Dare leads you past some Health Packs to an airlift down to the Drone Hive.

Drop down the hole and continue southwest, through the narrow corridor hatch doors and out into a wider corridor. After passing four Health Packs, choose the Brute Shot from the Covenant crate and methodically destroy the Jackals and Grunts you see near or behind the cover. As you progress along this curved corridor [7C], continue to pummel Brutes with the Shot. You don’t need to save the ammunition; let it rip! Soon afterward, you’ll reach an opening to the east, leading into the Data Hive itself. There are four more Health Packs on the doorway here; return to these if combat goes awry in Choke Point 8. Stop and swap out your weaponry.

Choke Point 8: Data Hive

Step out into the Data Hive, grabbing a Plasma Pistol and a Beam Rifle from the nearby Covenant crates [8A]; these are by far the best weapons to utilize here. Stop Dare and hand her a Beam Rifle if you haven’t already. It helps if she can use this to tag the incoming Drones, as she’s an impressive shot, and the attacks are one-hit kills. Follow Dare up the ramp to the southeast (the remainder of this lower level has little to take except a couple Carbines). Quicken the pace and keep up with Dare as she reaches an elevator, and activate it to ride to the upper walkways. Follow Dare out onto the catwalks. As soon as she nears the center of the catwalk [8B], you are flooded with Drones from a massive hive they’ve built inside this Data Center!

Tactic: Bugger Off

These buggers are notoriously annoying and hard to kill due to their sporadic movements, so it is imperative you are proactive with your culling. Don’t wait around for your friend to begin firing; train your Beam Rifle on the hive holes the Drones begin streaming out of. When the Drones are clustered together as they leave their holes, let rip with your ranged weapon, and stay at a distance so you’re not attacked from all sides. There’s no need to follow Dare; she takes care of herself! You must pace yourself and take down every Drone in a wave before slowly advancing and checking the hive for further aggressive activity.

Follow Dare around to the northwest, to a Covenant crate with Carbines in it; these provide additional ammunition you may need if you’re running low on Beam Rifle shots. Turn right (northeast), avoiding dropping down to the floor below, and stay on the catwalk, tagging more Drones as they appear from another Hive [8C]; then continue north to the exit door that lies between and behind two large hives [8D], where the most ferocious fighting occurs. Remember, you can retreat to claim more ammunition for your Carbine or Beam Rifle. Stay at a distance, although Drones drop Plasma Rifles and Needlers, and there are more crates with Plasma Pistols. Your weapons of choice are the Carbine and Beam Rifle. Exit into the narrow corridor, and your objective updates. Follow Dare and drop down another shaft.

Objective

• DATA HIVE Rescue Superintendent

Choke Point 9: Data Center (Entrance)

Dare lives up to her name as you exit into a large underground chamber [9A]. She drops down in front (northwest) of you, racing toward the nearest threat: two Brute Captains [9B] and a Chieftain armed with a frightening Gravity Hammer [9C]. Survey your tactics below.

Tactic: A Brutal Shot

While Dare makes a decision to tactically hide, turn right (northeast) from your balcony and drop down. Turn right (southeast) again, and secure a Beam Rifle and Brute Shot from the Covenant crates in the dead-end corridor here. Then spin around and advance on the trio of Brutes. Throw caution to the wind and advance up the right side of the sloping platform toward the door the three Brutes are guarding. Lob in a Grenade (Sticky or otherwise) of your choosing; this usually bounces off the Chieftain, but if you aim correctly, the Grenade falls right in the middle of the trio, ripping shields apart. The Brutes shouldn’t have time to react, though. You should have almost depleted your Brute Shot’s ammunition, laying multiple slugs into the Chieftain. Then finish off the Brute stragglers with more Brute Shots. This is simple, violent, and your enemies don’t usually even get a shot off at you!

Tactic: A Sniper’s Lot

There’s no need to drop down and have the Brutes on the same level as you, especially if you’ve enough ammunition in your Carbine or Beam Rifle. Instead, stay on the balcony and carefully aim at the enemies with zoomed-in targeting before beginning a series of sniped headshots. If the Brutes are pummeling your balcony, simply step back out of danger.
Tactic: Giving It Everything You’ve Got
The ground floor is wide enough for you to dodge most of the Hammer Chieftain’s swipes. If you’re not careful, you’ll fly off the sides into the water below after a hammer strike. As the Chieftain’s bodyguards are armed only with Spikers, these aren’t as much of a threat. Using a Carbine or Beam Rifle, head to the Chieftain, and lure him into single combat. When he charges, use a Carbine, a Beam Rifle, or a Plasma Pistol to remove his shields. If he becomes invulnerable, stay at a distance and dodge his lunges. When the invulnerability wears off, tag the Chieftain in the head. Then pick up his Hammer and bludgeon the remaining foes to death with it.

Tactic: A Multiplayer Plot

Approach this area with a similar plan to the one executed when you encountered the Plasma Turret–wielding Chieftain early in this mission: One player maneuvers slightly ahead of the team and draws the Brutes’ fire. The remaining team should stay back, draining Brutes with charged Plasma Pistol shots or sniping at them with the Carbine.
Once the Brute threats are nullified, head northwest, through the door the Brutes were guarding, and through a narrow corridor and into the Data Center itself. The rendezvous with the Superintendent occurs here.

Objective

• DATA HIVE Escort Engineer to safety

Choke Point 10: Data Center (Escape)

With Vergil and Dare behind you, take point and retrace your steps back to the sloping platform Data Center entrance, where a trio of Jump-Pack Brutes [10A] land and attempt to slaughter the Engineer. Get rid of them with swift, well-timed bludgeons of your Gravity Hammer. Prepare for further combat as two Phantoms drop off Covenant squads on each side of the platform; there are Grunts, Jackals, and a couple of Brutes [10B]. Introduce them all to your Hammer. If you’re quick enough, you can slaughter them all at the Phantom’s drop-off point, although you will need to watch for the Phantom’s turret fire, which can really rip through your Stamina. When you have fewer enemies to take down, switch to your Beam Rifle and plug their heads.

Tactic: On Point

Buck finally makes an appearance, so move to the exit door he’s just created, and head southwest down it. Make sure you’re the first one to drop down the shaft; you don’t want the Engineer to head down there before you, as there are sleeping Drones on the dark corridor’s ceiling ahead (northeast) of you [10C]. You can handle these in one of four ways (listed in order of preference):

1. Take a weapon and assassinate them; jump up and melee attack each one.

2. Bring out your Brute Shot and blast clusters of them, continuing the bombardment until all are dead. Rapid fire and accurate shelling yields quick Drone deaths in seconds.

3. Run up and bludgeon them with your Gravity Hammer; this wakes them up earlier.

4. You can leave the Drones undisturbed, and slip past without engaging them at all.

You can take Health Packs at the end of this corridor. Now wait for the Engineer to open the locked side door (to the southeast). Head through first, waiting for your crew to appear behind you, then head southwest, to a second door that the Engineer must open. Once through there, quicken your pace as you reach a corner [10D] with more sleeping Drones. Perform executions using any of the previous three tactics, securing the area before the Engineer arrives. Then follow the corridor to the exterior elevator.