"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Chapter 19: Family Is All That Matters

"Sir, I believe im picking up a friendly signal". Roland reported as Infinity floated gracefully on top of the massive forerunner space station.

"That's not possible Chief among Arbiter were the only survivors after the halo was fired above ark". Lasky answered.

"It's very old". Roland muttered clearly deep in thought.

"Pardon?" Lasky asked intrigued by the fact that the AI was distracted.

"The signal im receiving, it's really old. This hasn't been used in over 20 years". Roland said and this confused Lasky.

"The battle of ark wasn't 20 years ago. There is no way a human could have been on ark before Captain Keyes and Forward Unto Dawn arrived". He argued. "Can you play it?"

"The signal actually is surprisingly strong for being 20 years old". Roland was clearly amazed. "Playing the message now".

"unidentified ship state your name and intentions immediately". The message was simple.

"The voice was womans yet it had strange side tone didn't it?" Lasky asked testing if Roland had the same thought.

"An AI aye. I thought the same but it could just be a rampant one that didn't get Cortana's message".

"Can you open a comm channel?" Lasky questioned.

"Opening one now".

"This is Thomas Lasky Captain of the UNSC Infinity. Identify yourself".

This time it was a male voice that answered."This is James Cutter, Captain of the UNSC Spirit Of Fire. Good to hear UNSC is still alive and kicking Captain Lasky but I have never heard of the Infinity mind explaining?"

"Sir, Spirit Of Fire went missing all hands onboard over 20-years ago. His story might be true". Roland told Lasky.

"Yeah and if my memory serves comment Spirit Of Fire was captained by certain Cutter". Lasky muttered as he turned his attention back to the mysterious UNSC ship.

"Captain Cutter you've been here long?" lasky asked puzzled.

"Not really, we have been busy dealing with the brute infestation on the surface of the ark". Cutter answered.

"Perhaps this conversation should be done face to face?" Lasky suggested.

"Very well. Give me the coordinates of your ship and we will arrive shortly".

Cutter answered.

"Roland will transfer them to you shortly". With that the connection was cut and Lasky started to make his way towards the hangar bays. As he made his way trought the many corridors of Infinity Lasky noticed how effectively the crew had already cleaned the corridors after going trought the black hole. As he turned around the final corner to the hangars he quite literally faceplanted to a giant back. He rubbed his nose and looked up...Only to realise he had crashed with Spartan Kelly. She tryed to salute but Lasky waved her off. "Ahh, Sorry abou that". He apologised awkwardly.

"No need, sir". Kelly answered and Lasky turned his attention to rest of the blue team that were silently watching the scene with...Amusement? Lasky blinked few times and collected himself. "We made contact with another UNSC ship and im on my way to greet its captain".

"Another UNSC ship all the way out here? With all do respect sir the impossible". Fred stated.

"That's what I thought too until I heard its name. The UNSC Spirit Of Fire. He noticed the spartans faces lit up instantly. It was almost scary to see so much emotion on the faces of always so stoic spartans".

"What?" He asked.

"Sir, Spartan red team was onboard the Spirit Of Fire when it disappeared". John explained and with that Lasky understood. This was one in the million change for them to reunite with their lost brothers and sisters.

"Well then". Lasky smiled and continued "Come with me im certain they would love to see you". The spartans didn't answer but he could see the light and thankfulness in their eyes.

As the squad of five entered the hangar Cutters pelican was already touching down guided by Roland. Lasky stepped forward and the spartans stayed behind him. Alltho he could see the eagerness in their eyes and decided to keep the pleasantries minimal.

The back hatsh opened and Cutter walked out he was older man with white beard. His hair was grayish and he hid it by putting his captain's hat back on. However there was no spartans in sight and lasky peeked over his shoulder to see disappointment in their eyes and slowly they started returning to the state that the spartans were so famous for...No emotion only obedience.

Cutter saw this and gave the captain a smile.

With that three spartans walked out of the pelican and stopped behind Cutter. When they saw who was waiting for them all three removed their helmets. Cutter took this as their que to leave the reuniting siblings alone and took his leave with Lasky.

Fred was the first to brake the long silence "Damn it's good to see you three".

Alice gave a slight laught and answered "You have no idea".