Hack 27. Collect the Hidden Sword on Outskirts

Arm yourself with a hidden Plasma Sword.

This egg can change the Outskirts experience considerably. For example, on the lower difficulty level, you won't be able to find a Plasma Sword anywhere near the location of this hidden blade.

To get to the location of the sword, start by following the steps to get to the top of Outskirts [Hack #32]. Once you have made it to the upper levels, you will be able to see a broken highway below you. Jump down to this highway and then jump across to the other side. To get above the other side of the highway, it is possible to crouch jump from the ledge. However, it will be easier to use a grenade jump [Hack #2] it's even easier if you collect the Sputnik skull [Hack #16] first (see Figure 3-18).

Figure 3-18. Grenade jumping with the Sputnik skull

Once you have crossed to the other side of the highway, it's a straight line to your goal. Run along the building tops until you pass the building pictured in Figure 3-19.

Figure 3-19. Go to the back side of the building with the windows

Once you are on top of this building, move to the back and then look down and to the left; you will see the Plasma Sword lodged in the building. Next to the blade, there appears to be a grave (see Figure 3-20) and the name "REX." Some say that this is the name of a level designer, but maybe Rex is the name of a Covenant warrior buried in the roof.

Figure 3-20. The sword location looks like a gravesite

Once you have collected the hidden sword, you can continue across the rooftops toward the hotel Zanzibar (see Figure 3-21). Then you can jump down and let the Covenant feel the sting of your blade.

Figure 3-21. Looking down at the Hotel Zanzibar