Bungie Studios has commenced the final countdown to Halo 2. Halo 2, a wildly popular Xbox title, has been turned over for release to certification (RTC). Barring any last minute showstoppers, the game is scheduled to hit the shelves November 9 -- just in time for the holidays. In Halo 2, the Covenant -- an invasive alien race bent on the destruction of mankind -- has set its sights on Earth. All that stands between the citizens of Earth and total annihilation is a genetically altered "super solider" named Master Chief. Halo 2 is available via preorder from most retail outlets.