UNSCDF Chapter 17- Sunlight in Nighttime

Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia

UNSC Relief Center

July 25, 1999

1700 Local Time

            Cookson took out the MSG-9 off the gun rack and presented it to Sarah.

          “The MSG-9, twenty round capacity featuring a scope that makes you see more than thirty meters away. It can be used as a sniper or an assault rifle.” Cookson said with confidence.

            “Wow, this is awesome.” Sarah smiled and peeked at the scope.

        “There’s even better stuff, but my clearance is not high enough.” Cookson pointed at his insignia badge.

            “That’s fine.” Sarah handed the gun back to Cookson.

            “What do you want to do Sarah?” Cookson asked.

            “I don’t know.” Sarah was waiting for Cookson to ask her out for dinner.

            “You want to go grab some food at the cafeteria?” Cookson asked shyly.

            “Sure.” Sarah smiled as Cookson read her mind.

            Cookson walked beside Sarah and took her to the cafeteria.

            “What do you like?” Cookson asked as he looked at the menu.

            “I’ll get whatever you’re getting.” Sarah grinned and looked at Cookson.

            “Then tinned spaghetti with cream soup.” Cookson studied at the specials.

            “Alright, sounds tasty.” Sarah licked her lips.

            “Sarah, you go grab a seat. I’ll bring the food over.” Cookson pointed at an empty table.

            “Okay.” Sarah nodded and walked away.

            Cookson grabbed the food platter to the table and sat beside Sarah. Sarah grabbed her portion and began to eat.

            “How’s the food?” Cookson looked at Sarah eating.

            “It’s good.” Sarah nodded her head.

        Sarah turned her head and saw Taylor sitting with some other officers eating their food. Taylor looked at her and smiled. Sarah smiled back and looked away.

       “Sarah, I’ll need to talk to you later. I have information regarding your parents.” Taylor tapped Sarah’s back.

            “What? What about them?” Sarah look surprised.

            “It can wait, there’s a lot to talk about.” Taylor decided not to spoil her moment with Cookson.

            “Did you find them?” Sarah blurted.

            “I’ll tell you this evening.” Taylor smiled and walked away.

            “Parents?” Cookson asked.

            “Yeah, Taylor was helping me find them.” Sarah explained as she saw Taylor walk out the cafeteria.

            “I’m guessing he found them by the tone of his voice.” Cookson at his food.

            “I’m hopeful.” Sarah smiled lightly.

            “So, what do your parents do?” Cookson asked.

            “My dad’s a doctor and my mom’s an accountant.” Sarah answered.

            “Talented background.” Cookson summarized.

            “Thanks.” Sarah took a sip of her soup.

            After half and hour of chatting, Sarah decided to find Taylor and ask about her parents.

            “Taylor, I’m here. Tell me about my parents.” Sarah approached Taylor.

            “Take a seat Sarah.” Taylor offered a chair.

            “What’s up?” Sarah asked as she took a seat.

            “I have good news and bad news. What do you want to hear first?” Taylor spoke in a calm tone.

            “Something happened?” Sarah tensed up.

            “Let’s start with the bad since you asked. Your dad was killed by the zombies during the evacuation of Sydney. A couple of marines confirmed it by the driver’s license he had in his pocket.” Taylor spoke solemnly.

            “No…” Sarah closed her eyes.

            “I’m sorry. I truly am.” Taylor hugged Sarah as she began to weep.

            “It can’t be.” Sarah cried.

           “Look Sarah, I know you feel. I lost my wife to the infected. On the bright side, your mother may still be alive in Strathfield. We have a Joanne Hunter registered in the UNSC Relief Center over there. I’ve arranged a ride for you to go over there and see if it’s your mom.” Taylor explained the news.

            “Okay, thank you.” Sarah wiped her eyes.

            “I’m sorry about your dad.” Taylor apologized.

            “Thanks for looking for them.” Sarah hugged Taylor.

Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia

UNSC Relief Center

July 26, 1999

1030 Local Time

            Sarah got off the Falcon and headed to the central building.

            “I’m looking for a Joanne Hunter. Is she here?” Sarah approached the receptionist.

            “One moment please.” the lady checked on the computer.

            “Alright thanks.” Sarah looked around.

            “Joanne Hunter should be in Room 201 of the East Wing.” the lady replied.

            “Thanks.” Sarah hurried off with hope on her mind.

            “Sarah stood outside Room 201 and knocked.

            “Who is it?” a woman’s voice answered behind the door.

            “Mom?” Sarah asked.

            The door opened and an old lady came out with a walking stick.

            “Sorry girl, I’m not your mom. You have me mistaken for someone else.” the old lady replied.

            “This is Joanne Hunter of room 201, correct?” Sarah asked with disappointment.

            “That’s correct, but I do not know you.” the old lady replied.

            “Aw…” Sarah said and began to weep as she ran away.

            Sarah was feeling awful and alone. Her dad was now officially pronounced dead and her mother was missing. She decided to fly back to Bankstown to let Taylor know the news. She got back onto the Falcon with other marines and cried inside for the duration of the trip. The world had put her to deal with the zombies all by her lonesome and she was depressed. She wondered for a moment if Charlie would feel the same if he couldn’t find her on this forsaken planet and then reassured herself that at least someone still cared for her in this world.

Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia

UNSC Relief Center

July 26, 1999

1900 Local Time

            Sarah finished telling Taylor the news and then hugged him for comfort.

            “She’s probably still out there. We’ll find her. We’ll find her Sarah.” Taylor hugged and reassured her.

            “I hope the zombies didn’t get her like my dad.” Sarah wept.

            “They won’t. Get some rest Sarah, you had a long day.” Taylor wiped her tears off her cheek.

            “Alright.” Sarah slowly exited Taylor’s room.

            “Sarah! What’s up?” Cookson ran up beside her.

            “Nothing.” Sarah sighed.

            “What’s wrong?” Cookson looked at her red eyes.

            Sarah suddenly began to cry as she thought about her parents. She sat on the ground and covered her face.

            “Tell me, I want to know.” Cookson sat down beside her.

            Sarah explained the whole story to Cookson and then turned her face away from him.

            “It’s alright Sarah. I’ve lost my parents to the infected as well. I know how you feel. It’s okay to let it all out. I want to let you know that I’m here for you, any day, any time.” Cookson put his arm around her.

            “Thank you.” Sarah cuddled next to Cookson and closed her eyes.

            “I care about you Sarah. I’m certain your mom is still out there.” Cookson smiled as he took a tissue and wiped Sarah’s tears off her face.

            “I hope so too.” Sarah sighed.

            “Please don’t cry, you have such a beautiful face.” Cookson smiled.

            “Thanks.” Sarah blushed and smiled.

            “There we go.” Cookson touched her shoulders gently “Welcome back Sarah.”

            Sarah felt a sense of hope and happiness knowing that people out there still cared for her when her world was collapsing. People like Az, Taylor, Charlie, and Cookson was showing her the goodness and faith left in humanity in a zombie infected world.