Sit down and strap in.
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"Sit down and strap in." is a flash-fiction story included in the Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide. The story depicts Professor Ellen Anders as she first arrives at the UNSC Spirit of Fire.[1]
Plot synopsis[edit]
Anders sits in the back of a Pelican overwhelmed by the noise and filled with uncertainty. Her usual life is far removed from this environment, and for the first time in a long while, she feels a twinge of fear. Everything at home follows a meticulous schedule, giving her comfort, but this chaotic place makes her question her decision to be there. The dropship's interior shows signs of wear, with chipped seats, gouges, and one seat even taped off, indicating unsafety. Anders wonders if the exterior is as poorly maintained and if she'll even survive the journey.
Anders checks her portable device to confirm the ship's name: "Spirit of Fire." The name strikes her as odd for a UNSC ship, and her attempt to ask the Pelican’s pilot about it earns her a curt command to "Sit down and strap in," followed by a string of expletives, some of which are new to her. Despite these doubts, the allure of discovering something extraterrestrial and alive rather than merely fossilized is too strong to resist. The potential for groundbreaking research, fame, and commercial profit is enormous, promising to keep her busy for a lifetime.
As the Pelican approaches the Spirit of Fire, Anders peers past the pilot at the large streamlined ship, whose comms beacons blink like Christmas lights and powerful weapons are visible from every angle. Sleek, clean, and much newer than she anticipated, the ship bearing her lab equipment is also inquired on; the Lieutenant confirms it's already aboard.
As they pass the Argosy, a ship that she had previously mistaken for an orbital station, Anders finally sees it clearly: Old and battered, yet somehow elegant and majestic. Unlike most modern ships, someone clearly put thought into its exterior design. Anders, noticing its condition, asks if the ship has an FTL drive. The Lieutenant confirms, adding that it also boasts the best food hall in the fleet. Unfamiliar with the term "mess," Anders is pleased to learn it refers to a dining area, hoping the food might not be as bad as she feared. The Lieutenant, eager to be rid of his civilian passenger, simply agrees.
As Anders straps in and contemplates the mission ahead, she wonders if this new alien race might be more advanced than the Covenant. The thought of trying to communicate with beings possibly as different from humans as cavemen from 100,000 years ago makes her chuckle, comparing the situation to her interactions with the lieutenant. But the seriousness of the military mission, shrouded in secrecy, also worries her. She fears the possibility of the military acting rashly, potentially sparking an interstellar war. Reflecting on the unique opportunity before her, Anders realizes this mission could drastically alter her career and life. She closes her eyes, aware that the world - and perhaps she herself - might be profoundly changed upon her return.
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