As the recon pod sped through the dark expanse of space, Jamie felt the silence settling in, broken only by the hum of the pod's engine and the faint flicker of status lights. This improvised mission had one objective: to get him back to UNSC space—back to Reach, where he could deliver the critical intel about the Shield World and the Covenant's increasing aggression.
Though the journey ahead was uncertain, Jamie knew he couldn't allow himself the luxury of doubt. He'd volunteered for this mission to bring hope to the crew of the Spirit of Fire and possibly alert the UNSC to the Forerunner threats lurking in uncharted space.
In the cramped confines of the pod, Jamie glanced at the limited onboard systems and ran a final diagnostic. Everything appeared operational, though the slipspace capability was barely adequate for a one-way journey. He double-checked the life-support systems and fuel levels, aware that the UNSC's experimental pods were not designed for missions this long or dangerous.
As he adjusted in his seat, the pod's AI interface lit up, displaying a simple HUD and a calculated trajectory. He keyed the comm channel, and Captain Cutter's voice came through, faint but clear.
"Spartan, we've reviewed the modified slipspace trajectory. It's risky, but it's your best shot at getting within UNSC territory," Cutter's voice carried a tone of pride and concern. "Keep your wits about you, Jamie. You're our best hope."
"Understood, Captain. I'll make it back. And when I do, I'll make sure they know what we've encountered out here. The Covenant can't get their hands on Forerunner tech like this again."
"You're a good Spartan, Jamie. We're counting on you," Cutter replied.
Forge's voice chimed in next, "Keep your head on a swivel, spartan. The Covenant are all over UNSC space now. We'll be here, waiting for when you bring back that cavalry."
Jamie offered a nod, even though he knew they couldn't see him. "Copy that. Stay strong, Spirit. I'll get help."
The comm went silent, and some time the pod's slipspace engine thrummed to life, shaking the small vessel as it prepared to cut through the fabric of space. The view outside the cockpit blurred, distorting the stars until they melted into streaks of light. Slipspace travel had a surreal quality, a disorienting phenomenon that even seasoned Spartans struggled to get used to. Jamie closed his eyes and let the rhythmic hum of the engine anchor him.
Hours passed, then days. Slipspace was a lonely, silent journey, and Jamie's thoughts drifted as he reviewed the events that had brought him here.
He thought of Red Team, of Jerome, Alice, and Douglas, who had fought by his side on the Shield World. He thought of Sergeant Forge and his indomitable spirit. Forge had nearly given his life to activate the translight engine, and only Jamie's intervention had saved him. The Spirit of Fire had survived against all odds, yet they remained stranded—heroes isolated in an unknown system with no way home. He also thought of how insane it was that he was a freaking SPARTAN DUDE, his old childish demeanor slipping through the cracks as this was the first time since he was reborn that he wasn't in an active warzone, only just now realizing that he was a spartan, Spartan S-118, Sargent Jamie Vega.
After several days, Jamie's pod exited slipspace with a jolt, shaking him back to alertness. The stars outside the viewport were no longer streaking; he had re-entered realspace. Checking his coordinates, Jamie confirmed he had indeed reached the outer edges of UNSC space. Relief flooded him, but it was short-lived as he noticed the distress signals flashing across the HUD.
One transmission came through clearly, its tone sharp and urgent. "All UNSC forces, this is Reach. The Covenant have begun large-scale incursions across multiple sectors. All available ships and Spartans are needed immediately at Reach. The situation is critical."
Jamie's jaw tightened as he absorbed the message. The Covenant were attacking Reach—Earth's last major defense line. Even though he new that everyone on Reach would fight to the bitter end he was determined to at least help more of noble team survive, as he had grow quite attached to them while playing the game, but this was no longer just a game on a screen this was real life. He keyed his comm, trying to patch through to Reach, but the interference was dense, suggesting heavy Covenant presence in the region.
He made adjustments to his trajectory, preparing the pod for one last burn toward Reach. This was no longer a simple journey home; Reach was the UNSC's largest military outpost. If it fell, humanity's survival would be in jeopardy, well not if it fell but rather when it fell, he thought grimly.
As he set the course, Jamie's thoughts shifted to what he would do once he landed. His first objective would be to deliver his report on the Shield World and the Covenant's exploration of Forerunner sites. He'd have to make his way to ONI or UNSC High Command as soon as possible. They needed to know about the Flood, the Shield Worlds, and the Covenant's race to harness Forerunner technology. If possible he also would like to meet Dr.Halsey so that he could explain why her experimental A.I seemed to gain a life of its own, just like the real cortana would throughout all the games, and then maybe ONI would let him tag along with noble team, even if they didn't he would still help them, as they were the key to winning the war, whether they knew it or not.
The recon pod's alarm jolted him from his thoughts, indicating the approach to Reachs outer defense perimeter. The HUD revealed Covenant ships in the distance, scattered across space in formation, their sleek, alien hulls glowing ominously as they maneuvered into battle positions.
Jamie's heart pounded as he watched the fleet. Covenant forces were already bombarding Reach, their plasma batteries firing relentlessly on the surface. He scanned the battle net, searching for a landing zone clear of enemy fire. Then he noticed a nearby UNSC frigate, The Resolute, broadcasting a message to any UNSC forces in the vicinity.
"This is the UNSC Everchanging. We're looking for any survivor in orbit. Any allied forces, respond immediately."
Jamie patched through to The Everchangings channel. "This is Spartan 118, inbound to Reach from Spirit of Fire. I'm requesting pickup and assistance reaching the surface, I have valuable intel and my pod is out in the open."
"Spartan 118?" a surprised voice replied. "We thought the Spirit of Fire was MIA."
"It's a long story. I'd appreciate the pickup." Jamie replied, his tone clipped.
"Alright we're on our way, e.t.a 5 minutes, welcome home spartan you got here just in time." the officer on the line replied, as the Resolute began to adjust course towards him.
As he was picked up by the Everchanging Jamie clambered out of his pod and stretched, the days he had spent is slipspace made him feel stiff and him bones gave an audible pop as moved about in the hanger bay, while he was doing this two officers approached him.
"Hello spartan, my name is Lieutenant David, this here with me is lieutenant Paul, the captain is a little busy right now so you'll be stuck with us for a little bit, we're currently doing search and rescue in this area as the covenant as focused elsewhere and have moved on from this region, in fact a few hours from now there is going to be an offensive, we are trying to contact High Command right now as your appearance is quite strange, but for now we can at least give you a bunk to sleep in, some food and then once your rested we can take you to the captain." the lieutenant said and lieutenant Paul simply nodded at Jamie
"Thank you lieutenant sir, but if possible I'd like to see the captain as soon as possible as the information I have is sensitive and I would feel more at ease passing along sooner rather than later so than I can get back to fighting." Jamie told the lieutenant, even though nothing sounded better than a bed right now, but that was the 'human' part of him as the 'spartan' side was itching to fight the covenant that had come to his home. Before the lieutenant could respond the intercom overhead crackled to life, "Lieutenant David and Lieutenant Paul are to report to the bridge immediately, and are to bring the spartan with them." after that the lieutenants looked at each other than turned to him, "well lets go" said lieutenant David "Don't want to keep the captain waiting."
(A/N) plot twist coming up ;)