Chapter 13

UNSC Astraeus class Battleship Field of Hope

Sarum star system, 2563, September, 19th

Currently regrouping with surviving ships of 5th fleet.

"Casualty reports are coming in admiral" reported Tanya as she holstered her avatar's pistol and materialized a list in her hand. "Thirty nine UNSC vessels of various frigate and destroyer classes are lost with all hands, minimal considering the amount of the enemy return fire. However the Sangheili are worst off… counting 12 CCS battle cruiser disabled, 56 frigates and destroyers lost or too damaged to be repaired."

"Jesus" muttered a crewman as he heard the lost.

"And the so call 'Citadel' races?" asked Ivan Cole as he winced slightly at the Sangheili losses.

"Counting 7 of their so call dreadnought still active, 1300 ships of corvette and frigate tonnage destroyed. And the remaining vessels are in various stage of damaged. Most particularly the Asari flagship Destiny Ascension has suffered significant hull damaged even when Shadow of intent shield it from the plasma torpedoes." Said Tanya as she was slightly amused at the citadel's ship classification.

"Anything else?" asked Cole as he scrolled down the casualty list on his holographic interface.

"Yes sir, the ONI prowler Endless Night has just entered the system. Along with all the civilian tugs appropriated for this mission." Replied Tanya.

"Good tell them to begin, and someone get me a direct line to the Spirit of Fire." Replied Cole as he got up and left the bridge.

*****…..

UNSC Modified Colony ship Spirit of Fire

Sarum system, 2563, September 19th

Picking up escaped pods.

"Serina anymore escape pods?" asked Cutter as he rubbed his eyes to clear the tiredness from his eyes. The Spirit of fire has spent hours after the battle to help pick up the many escape pods that dotted the human side of the battlefield. Most of their occupants were safe as the pods' minor energy shielding deflected debris that impacted them.

"That should be the last of them, be advised with the survivors we brought on board, the atmospheric system will be severely taxed to maintain a low CO2 environment. I recommend dropping them off at other ships." Replied Serina as she flint through the ship's cyberspace monitoring and directing the rescue operation currently underway.

"Good, let's make one more sweep to be precise, thing right now are way better than when the Prophecy Incident" said Cutter as he closed Serina's account on the fleet's casualty.

The AI winced slightly at the mention of the incident before replying "Aye Aye sir."

"Captain incoming transmission, it's from the 5th fleet flagship!" reported the Com officer as the transmission was patched through. The Main viewscreen blacked out before showing the standard bridge layout of UNSC capital ships.

Captain Cutter Snapped to attention along with the rest of the bridge officers when they noticed the Vice Admiral insigne on Ivan Cole's Shoulder patch. "Vice admiral Sir" saluted Captain Cutter.

"At ease, all of you. Seems like I found out why my father placed you in command that particular old girl" smiled Cole.

"Sir?" asked Cutter as a confused expression appeared on his face.

"Maybe when we're in private, captain. Now status report" ordered Cole as he pulled up the schematics design of Spirit of fire from his own ship's databank.

"Port side will require several months in dry dock, Main reactor currently holding at 38 percent. Weapon ammunition currently at 15 percent. Considering what this ship been through, we're right as rain." Said Serena with a hint of sarcasm before Captain Cutter can reply. The AI gave a slight huff of annoyance as if she wasn't pleased of being left out.

Raising an eyebrow, Cole continued "That AI better not be unhinged" as he purposefully avoid the term Rampant. He was well aware that the Spirit of Fire was equipped with among one of the first generation smart AIs during the human and Covenant war.

Huffing slightly in annoyance, "I'm not 'unhinged' as you so kindly put it. And Dr Anders can prove it." Replied Serina with a slight frown.

Captain Cutter cut in before anything gets out of hand, "Sir the Spirit of Fire is basically crippled, we have no means of entering Slipspace without a new replacement Slipspace Drive. Ours was sacrificed in order to prevent the Covenant from getting their hands on Forerunner warships."

"Alright I'll have a slipspace drive retrieved from the wreckages allocated to your ship." Replied Cole as he snapped the com off. "This is going to be a long day."

*-*********…

UNSC Marathon Mark II cruiser Defiant

Sarum star system, 2563, September 19th

Recovering critical technology from destroyed ships.

Captain David Anderson sighed as his cruiser one of the most powerful ships class built by human hand plow through the remains of destroyed ships, salvaging and removing critical technologies from them. The ship's engineers have already returned from the Loyalist warship wreck, the control circuits for the highly advanced plasma cannon and energy projector removed and the weapons themselves were forcefully dismantled with a carefully controlled series of C12 explosive.

"Tell me this isn't going to use up time that can be better used hunting down Covenant Loyalist."

The holoprojector next to Anderson sputtered into life as the ship's AI, Harrier, activated the device. "No sir, we are currently tasked to remove all he critical components from all destroyed warship for both logistics and intelligence purpose."

"Cut me the ONI wants more intel bullshit. Harrier" growled Anderson as he sat up straighter in his captain's chair. "If they wanted intel so badly they would have ordered their prowler corps to gather it themselves."

"Aye sir, it was to ensure the other race doesn't go combing through the covenant wreck and discover how to build energy projector." Grumbled the AI before a ping drew his full attention. "Captain, incoming orders from the Field of Hope."

"On my datapad." Muttered Anderson as he attempt to refocus on the task at hand. The data was received and unlocked after Anderson undergone he specialized retina scan. The blackout faded and displayed Ivan Cole's order ."Harrier pull the engineering teams back and scan for any still active slipspace drives from these wreck."

"Recalling engineering team." Replied Harrier as he sent a cryptic and short message to the Chief Engineer Daniel. "Daniel replied that his team will be aboard in 15 minutes after they are done with the last plasma cannon. Activating Sensor grid and beginning scans….. bingo. Detecting 3 active slipspace drives form the wrecks."

"Only three?" asked Anderson as he raised an eyebrow. "Ships classes? We need one to replaced Spirit of Fire's missing drive."

"Two of the intact slipspace drives are rated Destroyer class. And one of them belongs to a Separatist ship. The last one….. Oh my." Said the Ai as it ran scan to reconfirm the location of last Slipspace drive. "The last drives belongs to an Assault carrier… A loyalist Assault Carrier with intact atmosphere and secondary reactors."

"Great just great." Replied Anderson with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Maybe we should grab the bananas in our stock and toss them at the apes."

"Sir?" asked a nearby crewmen, unfamiliar with the joke.

"Nevermind, Harrier tell the Marine contingent to stand by on the hard dock bay. We'll drop them right into the mess." Ordered Anderson.

"Aye sir, both regiment commanders acknowledge your orders." Replied Harrier as he finished relaying the order. "And Chief Engineer Daniels team is aboard."

"Plot course for that Assault carrier, and give me a hard dock procedure on its hull. Let's get this over with." Ordered Anderson a he look up the scans of the assault carrier. The sensors indicate that the ship in question had its engine blown out by a lucky Archer missile and the energy fluctuation of its reactors fried its weapon and shield control circuit. "Lucky break….." Muttered Anderson as he scrolled down the list.

"Course plotted and locked in." Reported Harrier as he raced through the ship's extensive system. The mark II Marathon class ship, standing at a whopping 2.38 kilometers accelerated towards the drifting Assault Carrier its golden shield flickering as it repelled small debris out of its path.

As the ship cut its engine, thruster throughout the hull fired micro burst slowing the massive ship and positioning it above its intended target. "Captain the ship is in position."

"Alright get the boarding underway, I want to be away from those monkeys as soon as possible." Ordered Anderson as he opened a personal com to the Marine commander.

"Major Derek Izunami, here sir, you wanted something?" asked the one of Regiment commander as he double checked his weapons and armour.

"Yes major when you board that ship, secure the slipspace drive so our engineers can removed it for the Spirit of Fire." Replied Anderson with a slight smile, knowing the major, he probably had some unauthorized tactical surprises for the Brutes already.

"Anything else sir?" asked the Major before slotting the battery pack into his MA6-P Plasma rifle with a satisfying 'click'.

"Kick some ass for me." Answered Anderson before cutting off the channel.

The Marathon Cruiser shudder slightly as the final burst of thruster brought the ship into position. Energy through the shield system shifted as the ship's AI diverted the energy to project an enclosed shield in space between the Defiant and the Assault Carrier. Seconds later a purple shaft of light activated beneath the Marathon pumping breathable atmosphere in before entire platoons of Marines descended towards the Assault carrier's hull their magnetic boots locking them onto the hull.

"Regiment in position sir" reported 2nd lieutenant Jacob Taylor. "Breaching Charges are ready as well. Awaiting you command sir"

"Right get ready." Ordered Major Derek before turning his gauntlet up and depressing the button. 20 high explosive shaped charge C12 exploded directing their explosive force into the purple silver hull crafting a hole the size of a pelican into the enemy ship. Instantly bright red plasma bolts and spiker rounds shot out.

"Let's Boogie!" yelled Jacob as he and his platoon of marines stepped towards the edge of the hole when the enemy fire slacken a bit. The marines took aim with their MA6P and MA6B rifles before unleashing a hellish return fire at the brutes below. Bright purple plasma and hypersonic bullets slammed into the defending Covenants discharging shields and melting armour and their occupants.

"Incoming!" yelled a marine as a bright green bolt of a fuel rod cannon shot out impacting nearby. The energized plasma inside exploded out wards as its container shattered, overloading the shields of a few unlucky marines before melting them and their armour.

"Get back, Frags!" ordered Jacob as he and his marines started to receive more return fire. The Marines rolled back before throwing M9-HEF Frag grenades down the hole. Multiple detonations signify the their detonation. "Jenkins move up. Periscopes." Ordered Jacob as he and the other Marines prepare their weapons.

Jenkins approached the hole cautiously and peeked inside. All that he could see was the blacken corridor of the ship. He turned to shout an all clear signal before a single particle beam sliced through his knee guard, nicking him in the leg's tendon.

Swearing slightly, Jacob raced forward and pulled the injured marine back despite the man's scream of pain. The medic rush towards Jenkins before administering Biofoam to stop the marine's bleeding. Jenkins relaxed as the biofoam filled the hole and numbed his pain before blacking out.

"Anyone saw where that beam came from?" asked Major Derek as he joined Jacob.

"9 o'clock" replied a nearby marine. "Give or take 10 meters judging from the angle."

Major Derek took note of the marines name and added it to his recommendation for sharpshooter promotion. "Noted son, Jacob you know what to do."

The 1st LT nodded and primed a frag and a smoke grenade. He cooked the frag before throwing both at the assumed position. The Marines charged at into the smoke switching on their thermals before cutting down the survivors.

"All clear sirs!" reported a lance Corporal as he lowered his MA6P. Jacob, Major Derek along with the rest of the regiment descended into the Assault carrier with Heavy weapon teams setting up Portable M41 turrets.

"The fallback point is secured. We got multiple M41 LAAGs covering all the corridors, Brutes will have to walk through a wall of lead before reaching us." Reported the Master Gunnery Sergeants as his team finish the setup of the last M41 LAAG which were then manned by the men of 1st company.

"Good. 2nd and 3rd company on me, the covies loyalist have set up a picnic and all of you boys and girl have been invited for the party crashing. So keep your hands on the trigger and we'll get to have all the food. Now any questions?" Asked Major Derek as he rechecked his MA6P plasma rifle.

There were a few stifled laughs from the two companies before the commanders silenced them with dangerous glares.

Nodding his satisfaction, "Then Move out!" ordered Major Derek as he took point with second Company.

Forerunner Leviathan class Keyship.

Sector 375, known to Reclaimers as the Sarum system, 102745 years, 3 months, 25 days, 10 hours,2 minutes and 10 seconds after deactivation by rampant ancilla.

In orbit of unknown Gas planet.

Unit 30-29 hovered above the main control terminal translating the language to those more suited to the Reclaimers. Dr Anders the leading reclaimer scientist and 2nd Lieutenant Sanders the military commander were currently with it.

"System scan completed. No trace of the ancilla remains in the system. Reestablishing manual control." Reported the Sentinel before the holographic surface all along the control center lit up. Some showing real time feed of the gas planet while, while other display the ship's systems.

"Status of the Keyship?" asked Anders as she tapped away with her Datapad, vigorously interfacing the device with the Forerunner terminals and translating them into English. When the translation completed she uploaded encryption to the ships system.

"… Ship's reactor is operable at 90% efficiency. Shields are currently offline. Weapon system… point defense lasers only until reactor are fully online. Main engines…. Operable at 25% efficiency, currently incapable of escaping this system. Slipspace translight engine…..operable. Communication system online" reported the Sentinel in its monotonous voice as it access the long dormant system of the Forerunner ship.

"Establish contact with the Spirit of Fire." Ordered Sanders as he walk up to a terminal and attempted to shift the view to the last know location of the Spirit of Fire.

"Unable to comply, detecting two thousand nine hundred and 53 ships currently in system. Please delegated the vessel Spirit of Fire." Reported the Sentinel as it bobbed slight in the air as if amused with Sander's order.

"Wait two thousand plus ships? On screen!" ordered Sanders as what remains of 1st platoon took up position on all the entrance to the control center. The walls of the Forerunner control center faded away replace with a holographic representation of the star system. The hologram shows surprisingly very detailed representation of all ship in the system.

"FUCK!" yelled a marine as he spotted the fleet of Covenant vessels currently grouped with a fleet of what appears to be human ships as well as the citadel fleet holding station around the unknown planet. "Covenants! And they brought friends!"

"Goldie contacted this vessel." Ordered Sanders as he tapped the icon representing the Spirit of Fire.

With a stubborn act of defiance the sentinel did not respond to the nickname. It's dumb AI matrix simply choosing to ignore the unofficial name.

"Fine, I get the point, Unit 30-29 please contact this vessel." Said Sander.

The hologram disappeared and was replaced with the view of the Spirit of Fire's bridge. The crews of the ship were in a frantic panic as the Forerunner AI effortlessly forced the communication channel into the colony ship's system. Serina was not amused as she transferred fragment of her core logic into the Forerunner system.

"I would appreciate it if you did not do that" she said pointedly to the Sentinel.

"Can you put the Captain on the line? We have the Forerunner vessel under our control. But the ship is stuck in this system until the slipspace drive can be repaired." said Sander.

"Receiving orders from Cutter. Here's your orders Lt." replied Serina as she projected the orders into the lt's eyepiece. The relieve on the Lt's face grew slowly from disgust to all out anger as he read the orders.

"Fine. Unit 30-29, move the ship toward the middle of this fleet." growled Sanders as he selected the Separatist fleet currently shielded by the UNSC 5th fleet. There was a slight shaking before the reactor of the mighty Forerunner ship powered up, flooding power into the ancient systems. There were a few sparks along the engineering corridors as the old systems struggle to reactivate only to be put out by the constructors that flint through the corridors repairing the unmaintained systems.

"Course set and the vessel is underway. Estimate time is 15 minutes reclaimer." Reported the Sentinel as it continued to function in place of the ships original ancilla.

"Whatever" grumbled Sander as he found a place to sit down with the rest of the off duty marines.

Author's Note: Finished the 13rd chapter. Hope ya all like it. And won't the Council race be surprised to see the Forerunner ship emerging from behind the Gas planet. I would like your opinions. Do you guys want a bad fall out between the Citadel council and UNCS/ Separatist? If so I got some ideas on how the most troublesome and arrogant of the citadel race will cause it. So opinions pls. thank you. On and btw for those none too sure of , Ancilla is the Forerunner classification of an AI they are commonly called ancillas no matter if they are smart type like monitor or dumb type like sentinels.