Familiar of Fire

Ch. 1: Out of the sun, into the eclipse

Captain James G. Cutter was still contemplating what the hell had happened over the last several days, as he wrote his report. Most likely the higher ups would give it to the spooks at ONI and make him and his crew keep everything that happened 'classified'. That is if they ever made it home He was rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance and exhaustion. He hated reports and he hadn't slept in days. James was about to call it a night when his 'favourite' A.I. showed up in his quarters.

"Captain an anomaly has been detected near the debris of the shield world, I think you'll want to see this, it's yet another weird occurrence to add to your report" Serena told the Captain.

"Alright I'll be there in a minute Serena" he answered with frustration. The Captain entered the bridge of the Spirit of Fire, and took notice of his crew. Only half of the stations were filled by volunteers who requested to remain awake during their travels home. He also saw the Spartan Jerome-092 awake as well. The soldier had insisted in case of a covenant surprise attack. Cutter didn't mind, but he personally wished it was Sgt. John Forge standing there instead. "Wish you were here old friend" he thought to himself.

"Captain we have detected a rift or some kind of slip space tear were the planet center was, but its giving off abnormal readings" Serena informed the captain.

"Is it unstable" He asked?

"No but it's safe, but it's not normal for any form of tears we've encountered before and I have no idea where it leads. It could be home or it could be the middle of nowhere or worse a star" Serena explained.

"That's a risk we have to take. The brass needs to get my report on the shield world, even if it does mean having to deal with ONI" Cutter told Serena.

"Aye sir. Plotting, yet another course leading to certain doom or annihilation. I recommend saying your prayers and repenting all sins" the A.I. stated humorously. The crew gave nervous glances at each other.

"Serena, stop demoralizing my already exhausted crew" Cutter scowled.

"Yes sir, shutting up sir" Serena responded. Cutter let out a grin at the corner of his mouth and chuckled a little. The ship moved into the tear and began its jump through slip space. Cutter prayed that it led somewhere friendly.


Shipmaster Rola'Ooglaie (oh-glay) was observing the human ship as it travelled towards the rift. He turned to his bridge staff.

"Have they detected us" he inquired?

"No Shipmaster, we are just outside their sensor range" one of his crewmembers answered.

"Excellent, as soon as they enter make full speed towards that tear and follow them. These heretics will pay for the destruction of this holy planet and its relics" Ooglaie stated.

"For the Great Journey" his staff shouted with pride! Rola smirked, he was proud of his crew and his carrier The Messiah's Blade. The elder Sangheili trudged across the bridge and left with his Unngoy Leftenant, Jugger. Jugger was one of the few high ranking Unngoy. Jugger not only deserved this position, but had earned it 10 times over. Ooglaie had requested him personally over several other Sangheili. Jugger was a courageous Unngoy and had earned the respect of all but the Jiralhanae and higher rank Sangheili. To add up to his attributes, he was Ooglaie's right hand man and close friend. The Unngoy had long ago earned his respect.

"So chasing humans down like the bugs that they are, humph. I was hoping for something more exciting" Jugger complained. Ooglaie chuckled; he always did respect Jugger's anxiousness for battle and a challenge.

"Well old friend these are the humans that destroyed the relics, and killed the Arbiter, and they also seem to have several of those demons onboard" Ooglaie calmed his companion.

"I guess, but if we board them; you can have the demons head's, I want the Shipmaster's" Jugger snickered. Ooglaie let out a howl of laughter.

"Very well Leftenant the Shipmaster 'Kuter' is all yours" Ooglaie continued to chuckle happily, as they proceeded to the feeding area.

James Cutter was sitting on his Captain's chair as the Spirit was exiting the slip space jump. They came out about 2km above a planet surface. It appeared to be in the middle of an eclipse and he could see a... flying sailboat and a Zero aeroplane fighter, and... dragons with knights on their backs. He slapped himself in the face and then pinched himself. Nope it wasn't a hallucination due to lack of sleep.

"Serena...what the fuck am I seeing" Cutter asked completely befuddled?

"Exactly what you are seeing sir, the tripped out version of The Lord of the Rings" Serena answered. The crew staffed chuckled, but Cutter did not and gave her a look. "Analyzing sir. Hmm, no com chatter and scans show human life. They seem to be in a medieval era and there also seem to be more mythological species as well, as you can see.

"What about that plane then" one crew member asked?

"Not a clue, maybe they have more advanced aerial technology here and it's a prototype of some sorts, it might explain the flying sailboat" Serena pointed out. Serena continued to observe the scene and noticed that there were two factions and that they were in conflict with another. The leader/royalty of one faction appears to be present on the battlefield. The sailboat was armed with cannons and foot soldiers, and was aiming towards them now. "Captain the ship is aiming its weapons towards us; they are equipped with 18th century cannons and firearms. How do you wish for me to respond?

"Hold your fire, and turn on the external speakers" the Captain ordered. Serena did as told. "This is Captain James Cutter of the colony ship Spirit of Fire I am from the United Nations Space Command and my crew and I come in peace. Cutter could hear the grunts and scowls from the crew about the cliché one liner 'we come in peace'. I would like to meet both leaders of this current conflict on the ground. I will meet you shortly to discuss what the hell is going on. Cutter cut the external speakers and turned to Serena and Jerome. Serena I want Charlie Company woken up as well as Dr. Anders. Have Platoon 4 meet me at the Pelican bay. Jerome you along with the rest of the company will remain on standby in case these locals don't like us. Cutter turned to a Leftenant in the bridge. Jefferson you have the bridge while I'm gone. Both soldiers gave a crisp salute and Serena nodded. Cutter then proceeded to leave the bridge and head towards the armoury.

Dr. Ellen Anders was now in her lab rummaging through her desk for her new prototype Eye Visual Extension or as she called it EVE. It was a single eye piece visor that wrapped around the back of your head and went over your right eye and extended a mouthpiece from the right ear and had ear buds in both ears. It allowed the wearer to extend his visuals through distance, night vision, and heat vision. It also identified targets and there weaponry on sight, as well as aid in increased accuracy and precision. When she finally found it she scrambled towards the Pelican bay.

Captain Cutter was about to board his pelican when he heard Dr. Anders calling to him. He turned around and saw her sprinting to the pelican nearly out of breath. The Captain sighed and annoyed gruff.

"Anders I told you, you can't come until we assess the situation with the locals; so stop asking or I'll have you confined back in your cryo tube" Cutter said sternly.

"No*huff* *huff* Captain I just *huff* wanted you to have *huff* this. It will help you if things get messy" Anders explained. She extended her hand and showed him the EVE. He removed his cap and placed the visor on and activated it. It instantly identified his name, rank, serial number, and profile. He looked around and saw that it had a friendly fire setting and identified each trooper by the rank and last name. He turned to Anders. "It was meant for the Sergeant, but I figured you'd need it more than he does now. Anders looked gloomy at the mention of Forge. Cutter patted her on the shoulder.

"I miss him too Professor" he smiled. Anders then back away from the pelican as the rear doors closed and it, along with another pelican, took off. Cutter sat down and placed his cap on backwards so that the visor didn't feel awkward. Along with his uniform, he was wearing a marine chest plate, shin guards and armoured boots. Fingerless glove, and elbow pads, along with a light shoulder armour on his left and a heavy shoulder armour on his right. He actually looked similar to an ODST sniper. He had his insignias and name on his left arm and a picture of a ball of flame with angel wings on his right shoulder guard. He was carrying a MA5B AR and a Shotgun along with some grenades and his sidearm. One of the marines pondered a question.

"So sir what's the mission" the soldier asked?

"Make contact, and assess if they are friendly or not, that and find out where the hell we are and how we get back home" the marine nodded. Cutter just sat back in his seat and pondered about the events to come, when the speaker came alive.

"We are about to touch down on the LZ, be advised many military locals are present with our 'ambassadors" the pilot pointed out the area. Cutter stood up as the doors to the pelican opened and was temporarily blinded by light.

"One small step for man, one giant pain in the ass for me" Captain Cutter thought to himself.