Lasky: “But those ships weren’t infected by the Flood. Why would it see them as an enemy but not us?”
Roland: “Our engines. They’re Forerunner.”
Lasky: “Meaning?”
Glassman: “Meaning the Line-Installation may have identified us as a Forerunner vessel. When the Covenant ships approached us with hostile intentions, the installation’s guns took appropriate action.”
Palmer: “And reduced them to scrap metal. I like it.”
Roland: “Well that didn’t take long. Surviving Covenant forces have already started regrouping. They seem particularly interested in the Spirit of Fire.”
Red dots appear around the holographic wreckage of the Spirit of Fire.
Lasky: “Roland, are there any survivors detected aboard that ship?”
Roland: “I’ve accessed the ship’s computer remotely but it’s a jumbled mess. There is no sign of Serina but I have discovered a handful of Cryopods still active. I would say 20 or so.”
Palmer: “If there are survivors we have to help them.”
Lasky: “Agreed. Sarah, you’re leading this one. I want you to take Fireteams Majestic, Shadow and Crimson to the surface. Get those people out of there.”
Palmer: “Right, we’re on it.”
Cut to Spartan garrison where Commander Palmer steps down from an assembler wearing her full MJOLNIR GEN2 Scout Armor. Majestic gathers behind Palmer as Captain Lasky approaches.
Palmer: “Captain, Fireteams Shadow and Crimson are loaded up and ready to go. Majestic and I are on our way to join them.”
Lasky: “Good. Longswords are bombing Covenant positions but they’re persistent. Expect heavy resistance.”
Palmer: “Three Spartan Fireteams against a couple hundred Covies? I almost feel sorry for the Covies. Almost. Majestic, let’s move.”
Roland (Voiceover): “Spartans, wait!”
As the Spartans head towards the lift to take them to the Hangar deck, they stop as Roland’s Avatar appears on a holotank.
Palmer: “What is it Roland?”
Roland: “Captain, permission to accompany Fireteam Majestic on this Op.”
Lasky: “For what purpose?”
Roland: “I’ve accessed the Spirit of Fire remotely but she’s too old and badly damaged to do anything else but take a peek. I’ll need to interface manually if we’re to rescue anybody.”
Lasky: “What about the Infinity?”
Roland: “My subroutines are more than capable of handling things up here until I get back. You’ll never even know I was gone.”
Lasky looks down as he shakes his head reluctantly and gives Palmer a slight nod. Palmer interfaces with the Holotank and Roland’s Avatar disappears as she removes a datachip and inserts it into her helmet. She nods to Lasky and the Spartans head for the Hangar.
Roland: “Hmm…your architecture isn’t much different from the Infinity’s…”
Palmer: “Don’t get any funny ideas.”
Cut to three Pelicans descending rapidly through the clouds. The Spirit of Fire comes into view on the surface as two of the Pelicans break off and head towards different parts of the ship. Majestic’s Pelican lands on the top of the ship near a hatch. We cut to interior shot of the hatch as sparks fly out of the lock and the door slides open to reveal Majestic entering, weapons at the ready.
Roland (voiceover): “Cryobay Zero One is just two decks down Spartans.”
Palmer uses a hand signal for the Spartans to move as they head deeper into the ship. Cut to the Cryobay as the Spartans enter.
Roland (voiceover): “This is it, put me down over there.”
Palmer pulls the datachip out of her helmet and inserts it into an old Holotank. Rolands Avatar appears.
Roland: “Got it. Life support is minimal but they’re in good health. Can’t say the same for the rest of the ship.”
Several loud clicks are heard as the Cryopods defrost and begin to open. The Spartans spread out and get ready to assist the crew as they wake. Palmer approaches one that opens to reveal Captain James Cutter, who almost falls to the floor coughing.
Palmer: “Captain Cutter, I’m Commander Sarah Palmer of the UNSC Infinity. We got your distress signal.”
She helps the Captain up who is still noticeably groggy.
Cutter: “You’re a sight for sore eyes Commander. How long were we out?”
Palmer: “A long time Captain. It’s 2558.”
Cutter: “2558? We’ve been missing for 27 years?”
Roland on the holotank looks up and waves to the Spartans.
Roland: “Spartans we got incoming Covenant forces and they do not look too happy.”
Cutter: “After all these years we’re still fighting the Covenant?”
Palmer: “Not exactly. The war ended 6 years ago but that hasn’t stopped a few rogue factions from being a real pain in our -Yoink-.”
Thorne (voiceover): Commander! Over here!
Spartan Grant assists Captain Cutter as Palmer walks towards the rest of Majestic who are standing next to a set of Cryopods. One pod begins to open to reveal a waking Spartan-II in MJOLNIR GEN1 Mark IV armor. The Spartan takes a step out as the two pods next to him open revealing two more Spartan-IIs.
Fade to black.
End Episode One