UNSCDF Chapter 16- Different Feelings

Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia

UNSC Relief Center

July 25, 1999

1415 Local Time

            Sarah and Taylor stood on the rooftop and looked at zombies in the distant.

          “Now, let’s put your training to its use. It’s going to be harder because the targets will be moving.” Taylor explained.

           Sarah steadied her Chesterfield on the ledge and aimed its sights on a zombie twenty meters away. She felt the wind blowing and adjusted her angle of elevation. Taylor smiled quietly as he studied Sarah concentrating on the zombie. Sarah fired a shot and hit the zombie’s arm instead of its head.

            “Nice try. Try to move your rifle with the target.” Taylor suggested.

            “Okay.” Sarah reloaded and aimed again.

          After a minute of trailing the zombie, Sarah fired. This time the bullet hit its mark and killed the zombie.

            “There we go.” Taylor gave words of encouragement.

            “Thanks.” Sarah grinned with a sigh of relief.

            “Let’s get another one.” Taylor pointed at a zombie thirty meters away.

            “That’s so far.” Sarah looked and could barely see the zombie.

            “Well, practice makes perfect.” Taylor smiled.

        Sarah reloaded her gun and aimed at the distant zombie. She focused herself and paced her breathing to steady her hands. She took two minutes of trailing and then fired. The shot went wide and missed. 

            “Darn it.” Sarah complained.

            “It’s all about experience, you’ll get the hang of it.” a very young marine in his early twenties with a cool composure approached Sarah.

            “What can I do for you?” Taylor looked at the marine.

            “I’m just patrolling and I saw you folks.” the marine looked at Sarah with soft eyes.

            “Oh, we’re just doing target practice.” Taylor replied.

            “Corporal Michael Cookson, pleased to meet you.” the marine stuck his hand out to Sarah.

            “Sarah Parks.” Sarah shook Michael’s hand and blushed lightly.

            “Officer Taylor White.” Taylor also shook Michael’s hand.

          “Well Officer White, you can give her better rifles than a Chesterfield don’t you think?” Cookson asked.

            “I’m not the UNSC with all the big toys.” Taylor replied.

           “Well Sarah, if you ever want to try something else, come find me.” Cookson pointed at a building.

          “It’s not about power of each rifles, but the skill in aiming and trailing. You have to learn the basics before you can shoot accurately. The type of rifle only enhances your skills. If you got no skills, switching to a better gun will still enhance nothing.” Taylor explained.

            “Ok.” Sarah said quietly.

            “See you later guys. Bye Sarah.” Cookson smiled lightly and walked away.

            “Let’s get back to training.” Taylor interrupted a dreamy Sarah.

            Sarah missed the next three shots in a row and Taylor decided to give her some rest. Sarah’s mind was stuck on Cookson’s handsome face and could not focus her mind on the sniping.

            “We’ll go for another round later tomorrow. You do whatever you like.” Taylor took the Chesterfield from Sarah and pointed at the building Cookson showed her.

            “How did you…” Sarah replied shyly.

            “I can tell by the looks on your faces. Go find him. It’s hard to come by people these days in a world like this.” Taylor smiled.

            “Thanks.” Sarah grinned and ran off.

Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

UNSC Communications Tower

July 22, 1999

2340 Local Time

            Charlie began to feel drowsy as he sat on the ledge thinking of a way out. He looked at the darkness below him and heard zombies clawing at the tower. He pulled out his USP and decided it would be best if he made a run for it than dying from starvation on the top. As Charlie slowly climbed down, a Falcon dropped from the sky.

            “Get on!” Casey’s voice popped on the RaidCall.

            Hawkes was in its hull shooting at nearby zombies below the tower as the Falcon slowly descended onto the roof. Charlie jumped down and whacked a zombie and then fired his USP. Hawkes cleared a tiny entrance for Charlie to get to the Falcon and then waved at him.

            “Hurry!” Hawkes shouted as he saw zombies starting to close the gap.

            Charlie ran with all his might and jumped inside the Falcon. Casey lifted the Falcon just in time to prevent zombies from climbing aboard.

            “Thanks for coming to get me.” Charlie gasped for air.

            “No problem, we couldn’t leave without you boss.” Hawkes replied as he reloaded his gun.

            “I’m surprised Casey’s a pilot as well.” Charlie took a seat.

        “I’m not. I’m just a marine. This is my first time.” Casey overheard Charlie’s comment and interrupted.

            “Oh great…” Charlie laughed nervously.

            “It’s not that we had a choice either.” Hawkes replied.

            “Get some rest Zyrok. You spent a lot of energy running for your life. We’ll be back in an hour or so.” Casey told Charlie.

            “Alright, thanks.” Charlie closed his eyes.

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

UNSC Richmond Outpost

July 23, 1999

0015 Local Time

            “We’re here sir.” Hawkes shook Charlie gently as Casey shut off the Falcon’s engines.

            “That was a good nap.” Charlie felt refreshed.

            “Looks like you made it in one piece.” Cole walked over with a grin.

            “Yeah, barely.” Casey smirked at Cole.

          “Get some rest marines, we’ll debrief tomorrow morning at my office.” Cole smiled and walked away.

            “Alright guys, I’m going to head to my quarters. Good night.” Charlie dismissed his men and walked to the entrance of the Officer’s building.

            “Zyrok!” Mary ran out behind him and greeted.

            “Mary, what are you doing up this late?” Charlie opened the door and let Mary inside.

            “I’ve been worried. I heard you went on a mission that was supposed to be done within a few hours, but we didn’t hear from you for the whole day.” Mary looked at Charlie.

            Charlie walked to the entrance of his room and looked at Mary.

            “You want to come in and have a chat? I’m awake now.” Charlie opened the door.

            “Sure.” Mary replied with enthusiasm.

            Charlie took off his helmet and armor and placed it beside his bed.

            “How was the mission?” Mary sat beside Charlie.

            “Mission was good. There was a moment when I thought I was going to be dead.” Charlie thought about the poem he wrote for Sarah.

            “Well, you’re alive aren’t you?” Mary touched Charlie’s back.

            “Yeah, I am. War really does put your life into perspective.” Charlie replied.

            “I’m glad you’re back. I was worried that something happened to you out there.” Mary grabbed Charlie’s head over and planted a passionate kiss to Charlie.

            Charlie was surprised by the sudden move made by Mary and blushed. Mary unbuttoned Charlie’s top button on his collar while he was kissing him when Charlie suddenly pushed her away.

            “I’m sorry.” Charlie apologized.

            “No, it was my mistake.” Mary looked nervous.

            “We can’t have this.” Charlie replied as he thought about Sarah.

            “Have what?” Mary brushed her hair.

            “A relationship.” Charlie sat upright on his bed.

            “Why? Is it someone else?” Mary looked upset.

        “I’m sorry, but I have feelings for someone else.” Charlie replied apologetically as he thought of Sarah.

            “I see.” Mary stared at the ceiling.

            “I have feelings for you too Mary, but I really like this girl.” Charlie smiled and placed his arm around Mary.

            “I understand. It’s getting late, I should get going.” Mary stood up and walked to the door.

            “I’ll see you later Mary?” Charlie asked.

            “Yeah, for sure.” Mary looked at Charlie and smiled as she closed the door.

            Charlie sighed as he reflected on what had just happened. Charlie wanted to keep himself loyal to Sarah, but did not expect that he had to turn away Mary. Mary was a nice girl, but so was Sarah. Charlie laid on his bed thinking about meeting Sarah one day. His heart was true to her, but Charlie didn’t know if Sarah knew that. Charlie was tired and decided to take a shower the next day as he fell asleep on his bed.