The Spirit Burns On

by phoenixforce50

The UNSC Spirit of Fire was declared lost with all hands twenty years prior to the events on Halo. In truth, they were stranded, having sacrificed their slipspace drive to stop a Covenant and Flood threat to the universe. Now, they have finally been found, but by the Covenant.

1. Chapter 1

The Spirit Burns On

Chapter 1

"Captain. Wake up. Something has happened." said Serina, the AI unit that had kept the Spirit of Fire going towards the inner colonies for some time now. Captain James Gregory Cutter woke up groggily from his cryo tube and all he heard was: "-ake u, omehin as appened." The last part of the sentence came clearly as his cryo tube was opened.

"Say again Serina." said Cutter

"I said, something has happened. I'm waking up the rest of the crew now but it will take time to respond to this threat I think." said Serina, with an air of impatience

"What? What do you mean, 'threat?'" said Cutter, fully awake now.

"I've detected two Covenant ships on an intercept course. They are charging weapons." Replied Serina, her voice ever calm

"Has the rest of the crew been brought about yet?" asked Cutter as he started bringing the ship's main systems back online.

"Yes, I'm reading most essential crew members are out of cryo sleep. Shall I relay any orders?" asked Serina

"Yes: everyone to battlestations."

Cutter heard a coughing noise along the cryo banks and saw Professor Anders bent over double on the floor. Cutter rushed over to see if their resident scientist was Ok.

"I'm fine, I just never got used to *cough* cryo." said Anders as she rose to her feet under the assistance of Cutter

"Captain, Red team is requesting your attention. Shall I indulge them?" asked Serina

"Fine, put them on. This is captain Cutter. Red team, what's your status?"

"This is Spartan Douglas-042. We're all fine here sir. We are assisting in the efforts to defend the Spirit but the main weapons are offline. We're only able to get the MAC cannon operational with your permission. Please verify." said Douglas-042

"Confirm, bringing MAC cannon online, Cutter out. Professor, can you stand?" asked Cutter, again directing his attention to the small woman whose arm was draped over his shoulder.

"I think so, thank you captain." Anders stood up on unsteady legs but stayed upright.

"Serina, access the MAC authorization protocol and put it up when I get to the bridge." said Cutter as he ran down the hallway to the bridge.