UNSCDF Chapter 22- The Spark

Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia

UNSC Relief Center

July 27, 1999

0945 Local Time

         Sarah sat comfortably in her chair as she tied her shoes. A knock on her door made her lose concentration as she was thinking about what to do at the center.

            “Sarah! You here?” Cookson called out.

            “Yeah, hang on.” Sarah stood up and walked to the door.

            Sarah unlocked the door and saw Cookson dressed in full battle gear.

            “Woah.” Sarah was surprised.

          “Look Sarah, I’m getting deployed to assist with the extermination of Sydney.” Cookson held Sarah’s hands.

            “You are going to Sydney?” That’s the most dangerous place to be.” Sarah looked into Cookson’s eyes with concern.

            “I’m in Jackal Squadron. Basically the reconnaissance team we have here.” Cookson explained.

            “Going over there is death.” Sarah was upset.

            “Don’t worry Sarah. We’re teaming up with the Australian army in a joint operation to begin our first offensive to regain control of major cities.” Cookson assured.

            “Please don’t go.” Sarah begged.

          “I have to Sarah. As much as I like spending time with you, someone still needs to fight for our home.” Cookson hugged Sarah as she began to get emotional.

            “Someone else can do it. I don’t want to lose another person.” Sarah held Cookson tightly.

            “We have to fight so that we have a better future.” Cookson brushed Sarah’s hair.

            “Promise to come back.” Sarah looked at Cookson’s eyes.

            “I will.” Cookson smiled as he touched Sarah’s cheek with his hand.

            “Say it.” Sarah demanded.

            “I promise Sarah.” Cookson kissed Sarah’s cheek and smiled.

        “Wait!” Sarah called as Cookson began to head off as other marines ran towards the Pelicans docked outside ready to depart.

            Cookson turned and saw Sarah running towards him. Sarah jumped onto him and gave Cookson a passionate kiss. Cookson blushed as he kissed and then Sarah let him go.

            “Stay safe.” Sarah smiled.

            “I will, be sure to practice those sniping skills when I get back.” Cookson stared at Sarah with dreamy eyes.

         Sarah watched and waved as Cookson got onto a seat on the Pelican. She watched as Cookson stare at her as the Pelican lifted off into the sky and flew off.

            “Nice man.” a man spoke behind her.

            Sarah turned around and saw al-Rahman suited in full battle gear holding a FM FAL.

            “Az!” Sarah spoke with excitement.

            “Nice to see you Sarah.” al-Rahman patted her shoulder.

            “You’re going as well?” Sarah looked at al-Rahman’s suit.

         “Yeah, same team as Corporal Cookson.” al-Rahman pointed at his badge of Jackal Squadron on his arm.

            “Oh, you guys be careful.” Sarah cautioned.

            “We will. Look Sarah, I know how much Cookson means to you.” al-Rahman spoke as he watched a Falcon land.

            “What do you mean?” Sarah asked shyly.

            “You guys spend a lot of time together and that kiss…” al-Rahman’s voice trailed off.

            “Oh.” Sarah blushed.

         “Look, I’ll watch out for him. Hell, I’ll even put my life over his just for you Sarah.” al-Rahman smiled.

            “You’d do that? For me?” Sarah felt honored.

            “You remind me of my daughter. She got infected and I lost her.” al-Rahman sighed.

            “I’m sorry to hear that.” Sarah spoke solemnly.

         “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take good care of your Cookson. You have my word.” al-Rahman assured.

            “Thank you.” Sarah hugged al-Rahman.

            “See you soon Sarah.” al-Rahman hugged back.

            “Bye Az.” Sarah waved as al-Rahman got on the Falcon with other marines and lifted off.

          Sarah felt alone as the marines emptied out the field. She stood there alone in the cool breeze as wind blew her hair covering her face. She was motionless as she thought about Cookson. Over the days, they had bonded and got to know each other well. She was in love with him. Sarah took a deep breath and thought about who she could talk to.

            “Charlie…” Sarah remembered.

          Sarah had forgotten that Charlie from Canada was still out there looking for her. She decided to head over to the Mess Hall and find a computer to download the chat program she used to talk to Charlie. She wasn’t sure if Charlie still remembered her or had given up in finding her, but she wanted to give it a shot. Sarah looked around and then hurried inside.

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Insertion Tango

July 27, 1999

1100 Local Time

           Cookson watched as the Pelican landed in the outskirts of Sydney and saw an Australian soldier drive a school bus beside them.

            “Everyone on board.” the driver waved his hand out the window.

           Cookson grabbed his M16 and got inside the bus along with eight more marines. The bus doors closed as the Pelican lifted off into the sky. Cookson looked out the window and saw Pelicans flying in and out of the city center. The bus drove past some ruined houses and came to a stop as a Falcon landed. Cookson watched as three marines got off and hopped on the bus.

            “Az!” Cookson shouted at al-Rahman to grab a seat beside him.

            “Hey Cookson.” al-Rahman smiled and sat beside him.

            “Where’s the rest of the squad?” Cookson looked at the other marines.

            “We’re scattered all over. The bus is taking us to Camp Galileo to regroup.” al-Rahman explained.

            “I see.” Cookson looked as the bus moved past some marines walking in the distance.

            The bus halted to a stop at an intersection as the driver got up from his seat.

            “I’ve got orders from my CO to let any Sparrow Squadron and Jackal Squadron members off at this location.” the driver spoke out loud.

            “Here? In the middle of nowhere?” a man in his mid thirties with a scar on his cheek asked.

            “Sparrow and Jackal Squadron will be picked up by UNSC forces. That’s all I know Sergeant.” the driver spoke to the marine.

            “I guess I’m by myself.” the sergeant stood up and looked around for his squad mates.

            “You’ve got us for now.” al-Rahman pointed at his Jackal Squadron badge.

            “And me.” Cookson stood up.

            “Let’s go.” al-Rahman exited the bus with Cookson.

            The sergeant got off the bus and watched as the bus drove off towards the city.

            “Sergeant Joey Patrick from the Australian Marine Corps.” the sergeant introduced himself.

            “Corporal Azrie al-Rahman, but I go by Az.” al-Rahman introduced.

            “Corporal Michael Cookson, from Jackal Squadron.” Cookson saluted a crisp salute.

            “Nice to meet you.” Patrick saluted back.

            “Glad to see us teaming up.” al-Rahman smiled.

            “Yeah, I guess our common goal is to wipe out the infected.” Patrick looked at his watch.

       “I have no idea when they’re coming. Let’s get some cover first.” Cookson eyed the vacant intersection.

            “Agreed.” Patrick pointed at a nearby building.

            Patrick scanned the streets with his SA80 as he took point. Patrick gave a nod and then al-Rahman entered the building followed by Cookson. Patrick went inside and closed the door. Cookson looked out the cracked windows and saw a troop transport Warthog sped to the intersection carrying five civilians. Patrick opened the door and shouted.

            “Climb aboard!” the driver honked.

            The group hopped into the back seats and saw tired and scared faces on the civilians.

            “Corporal Myers from Sparrow Squadron along with Private Johnson from Jackal Squadron.” the driver said as he drove down the streets.

            “Survivors…I thought Sydney was lost.” al-Rahman spoke to an old man who stared at him.

            “We tried our best to hide.” the old man replied.

            “We’re going to drop them off so we can get them to safety first.” Myers replied as he overheard the conversation.

            “Sure.” al-Rahman nodded.

            “We’ll be there in a few minutes.” Myers accelerated and sped through the streets.

            The Warthog did a turn right and came up in front of a landed Pelican. Myers waved the civilians to get on and watched as the Pelican take off.

            “Alright, off we go.” Johnson said as he looked at the skies.

            “Heard we need to set up camera to monitor the streets.” Myers pointed at the rooftops.

            “Let’s go.” Cookson urged as he felt that it was an easy thing to do.

            “And find any survivors along the way if any.” Myers added.

            “Alright.” al-Rahman nodded.

            “Technically, Sparrow Squadron sets up cameras while Jackal Squadron assists in the search while they head indoors.” Johnson joined the conversation.

            “Sounds like a plan to me.” Patrick laughed.

            “Off we go then.” Myers turned the Warthog on and drove forward.

            Cookson smiled as he thought about Sarah. He couldn’t wait to finish the task and head back to see her at the center.