Deus Ex Machina is a machinima web series created by Digital Ph33r. It is set in the Halo universe and makes use of its many multiplayer maps, Last Resort specifically. The series follows the adventures of Jon Brent (a.k.a. Deus Ex Machina), who protects his hometown of Salvation City like a superhero.

Episodes

Episode 1 - Pilot

The episode begins with Deus saving a Salvation City resident from being carjacked and disappearing before the man has a chance to thank him. A flashback takes over and begins Jon's story. The episode mainly serves as an information episode, detailing the state of Salvation city and introducing Michael and Jon. The episode ends with Deus getting a haunting message written in the blood of a decapitated citizen.

Episode 2 - Decapitator

Jon arrives at the island he was requested to go to. After looking around a bit, he is ambushed by Leonard Phillips, a scientist who puts Jon underground in the tunnels inhabited by his disease infected Covenant Elite assistant, dubbed "The Decapitator". The Decapitator chases Jon around the tunnels until Michael arrives to save him. The Decapitator breaks free and ultimately kills Leonard after Michael and Jon seal off the island.

Episode 3 - Corrupt

The episode begins as Jon is walking to a mall debating with Michael about the commerciallism of Christmas. Jon passes by a homeless man who he unselfishly gives $20, much to Michael's dismay. The snowy day is interrupted by a sniper who tries to kill Jon, instead killing the homless man from earlier. Jon transforms into Deus and chases the man, ultimately cornering him and causing him to shoot himself. Deus is then invited to explain his actions at the request of Mayoral candidate Derek Owen. Derek reveal to Deus that he is the head of the drug trade and organized crime in Salvation City. Philip O'Malley, local newscaster and Derek's associate, incapacitates Deus and Derek convinces Michael that Jon is dead. Michael loses hope and Jon is buried alive in a steel casket under the snow.

Episode 4 - The End

Derek visits Jon at the buriel site and tries to rob him of his hope. He then leaves with Philip and another associate named Peter to visit Michael. They try to persuade Michael to create a new suit for Derek and they inform him that Jon is alive. Peter, after learning about Deus's temporary invunerability function, fears that Jon will break out since he didn't confiscate his weapons. Derek tells Peter to return and kill Jon. Once Peter arrives at the site, Deus breaks out and kills him. Jon then goes to a warehouse where Derek is holed up. He bursts in and tries to rescue Michael. However, Derek (in his villanious form, "Plague") knocks him out and drags him to a cliff (made using the map "Construct"). Derek seemingly executes Jon and he is sent falling off the cliff. However, in a post-credit scene, a screen on Michael's computer displays Deus's physical status as Alive, but critical.

Episode 5 - Execution

Two rebels drag Jon's body to a rebel outpost on the outskirts of Salvation City and heal him. Jon must rest and train to get his strangth back, as the bullet wounded his brain. One Month Later Deus returns to save Michael, who is being tortured to obey Derek. Deus breaks into Derek's mayoral skyscraper and kill Phil before doing so. Jon is almost killed by the Decapitator, who Derek brought to the tower after Leonard was killed. However, Jon overpowers the enraged alien and soon makes it to the main chamber of the tower, where Derek is waiting. The episode builds into a final confrontation between Plague and Deus Ex Machina, in which Deus wins by throwing Derek off the building. Jon escapes with Michael and the episode ends with the only survivor from Derek's criminal empire ominously looking into the camera.

Episode 6 - Parasite

The episode begins on three friends riding a warthog around a desert area when a Covenant Banshee crashes into the nearby Ruins. One of the men goes to investigate and finds a dead Covenant Elite. A parasite escapes from the Elite's body and infects the man. He walks outside and brutally kills his two friends before the episode title sequence begins. It then cuts to Jon and Michael discussing the villians still on the loose. The villian who ended the last episode (codenamed "Behemoth"), shows up and tries to snipe Jon. Out of anger, Deus chases Behemoth and almost catches him. However, Deus accidentally shoots a citizen, triggering the cries of his father. Deus goes into a depressed stage and starts drinking. Michael and Jon fight and Jon runs off to the beach. After a group chastizes him, Jon is forced to confront the infected men from earlier. The man complains about "the pain" that the parasite is causing. Finally the parasite leaves the man and infects Deus. His crazed laughter ended the episode.

Episode 7 - Symbiosis

Deus confronts the boy's father from the last episode at the boy's gravesite. Deus, under the influence of the parasite, insults the man and says his son deserved to die. The scene cuts to Michael at his hideout. Deus arrives and Michael discovers that the parasite is a worm that has burrowed into Jon's brain and is supplying him with a constant state of euphoria. Jon refuses Michael the duty of removing the worm and threatens to kill him if he tries. Deus then tracks down Behemoth and tries to kill him. However, Michael shows up with his own enhanced armor and battles Jon, saying he has to remove the worm. A few citizens set fire to the warehouse they are in and the fire scares the parasite out of Jon, and Michael swiftly kills it. Jon almost leaves Michael to die in the warehouse, but he regains his senses and saves him. The episode ends with Behemoth being killed by and unknown assailant.

Episode 8 - Doomsday Pt. 1

The official synopsis from Digital Ph33r's blog was posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Episode 9 - Doomsday Pt. 2

Part Two of the Series Finale story arc. Other details and release date have yet to be announced.