UNSCDF Chapter 23- A Big Heart

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Wesley Conference Center

July 27, 1999

1515 Local Time

            Cookson exited Warthog as the vehicle pulled to a stop at an office building.

            “Alright, let’s head inside.” Myers turned the engine off.

            Johnson grabbed his Mini-14 and scoped the streets. al-Rahman walked to the office entrance and opened the glass door. Patrick and Myers quickly entered followed by Cookson.

            “I’ll stay and watch the Warthog.” Johnson cocked his rifle.

            “Alright, let’s get this done.” Patrick hustled the marines as they opened the door to a stairwell.

        “Jackal Squadron can look between floors for any survivors while we head to the roof.” Myers pointed up.

         “Let’s get this done already.” Cookson opened the second floor door and watched Myers and Patrick run up.

            Cookson scanned the hallway and waved at al-Rahman.

            “Quick sweep and we move up.” Cookson jogged lightly.

            Within two minutes of quickly checking each room, the group headed up to the next level. Cookson took out two zombies by swinging the butt of his gun at their heads while al-Rahman knifed a zombie to its head and severed it.

          “This is Silverfish Squadron of the Australian Army requesting backup at the Centerpoint Sydney Tower, anyone copy?” a man broadcasted on the RaidCall.

          Cookson paused and looked out the window. In the view was the tower and he saw gunfire at the top. Cookson looked at al-Rahman and nodded.

            “Let’s go assist.” al-Rahman replied.

            “I’ll tell Sparrow Squadron.” Cookson looked at the ceiling.

            “Alright.” al-Rahman looked at his watch.

            “Sergeant Patrick from Sparrow Squadron come in, over.” Cookson spoke on the RaidCall.

            “Go ahead, Patrick here.” Patrick replied.

            “Az and I are going to assist at the Centerpoint Sydney Tower. Johnson will stay behind as we walk by foot.” Cookson responded.

            “Copy, we’re good so far. We’ll join you once we’re done. Patrick out.” Patrick replied.

          “Silverfish Squadron, this is Jackal Squadron. We read you and are coming to assist.” Cookson broadcasted.

         “Solid copy Jackal Squadron, things are getting heated up here. Multiple casualties. Please hurry.” the man’s voice replied with gunfire in the background.

            “Will do Silverfish Squadron, Jackal out.” Cookson headed for the stairs.

            Cookson and al-Rahman ran down the stairs and exited the building. Cookson waved a farewell to a serious Johnson and the pair ran down the streets as they saw light flashes and smoke emerging from the tower.

            “Hurry.” al-Rahman urged.

            Cookson kicked down a zombie in his way and placed a round into its head. The team rushed inside the building and saw an opened elevator.

            “Always take the stairs.” al-Rahman pointed at the stairwell.

           al-Rahman pushed the door open as two zombies popped out. Cookson fired two rounds behind al-Rahman and killed the zombies.

            “Thanks.” al-Rahman said with relief.

            “Need help…please…hurry!” the man spoke on the RaidCall with desperation.

            al-Rahman began to run up the stairs as Cookson followed closely behind. In less than five minutes, the pair was panting as they finished all the stairs to the top. To their surprise, there were more than thirty zombies crowded on the top level. The pair sprayed their guns at the crowd and ran to an injured soldier.

            “I’m not going to make it.” the soldier spoke to al-Rahman as he fired his Lock 17 at the crowd.

            “What’s going on?” Cookson quickly reloaded his gun as he laid a heavy cover fire.

            “You need to reset a communications junction at the back.” the soldier pointed behind the zombies.

            “Okay.” al-Rahman nodded.

            “Charge!” Cookson ran forward.

          al-Rahman followed behind closely as Cookson cleared a path forward to the junction. Cookson pressed the button and the computer screen turned on.

            “System online.” the computer spoke.

            “Now let’s get out of here!” Cookson reloaded his gun as al-Rahman covered him.

            The pair quickly cleared a path and ran up to the injured soldier.

            “I’m bitten, leave me.” the soldier replied.

            “Shit!” Cookson covered al-Rahman as he spoke to the soldier.

            “What?” al-Rahman turned around.

al-Rahman watched in horror as zombies poured out of the stairwell they came from. There was no exit out and their ammo was running out.

“Look, I have only one parachute on me. Take it and jump off the tower. It’s your best shot at survival.” the soldier took off his backpack as he began to cough blood.

“Only one?” al-Rahman asked.

“Yes, good luck soldier.” the soldier pointed the gun to his head and fired.

al-Rahman knew the soldier was about to turn and that he had put himself out of his misery. al-Rahman took the backpack and looked at a busy Cookson. He didn’t know there was only one parachute and the zombies were getting closer. al-Rahman picked up another dead soldier’s backpack and walked up to Cookson.

“Take this. We’re jumping.” al-Rahman handed Cookson a backpack.

“How about you?” Cookson took the backpack as he continued to fire.

“I’ve got one too.” al-Rahman showed Cookson the other backpack in his hand.

“Let’s get the hell out then.” Cookson put on the backpack and turned to the window.

al-Rahman fired his gun to cover Cookson as he broke the window with a hard swing of his gun. Cookson jumped to the ledge and waved at al-Rahman to hurry up.

“Hurry!” Cookson felt the wind blowing strongly at his face.

al-Rahman knew it was his time and that only one person could make it out alive. He ran up beside Cookson and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“This is the end of the road for me good friend. Take good care of Sarah and love her to your fullest.” al-Rahman smiled.

“What do you mean? Jump first.” Cookson was confused.

“I have no chute. You do. I promised Sarah to look out for you…” al-Rahman answered.

With that, al-Rahman pushed Cookson off the ledge and watched him fall down.

“Pull the cord!” al-Rahman yelled and then turned around inside to face his fate.

“Noooo!” Cookson cried out loud as he fell.

Cookson pulled his cord and the parachute opened up. The parachute jerked his body upwards as he continued to fall. He had opened his parachute too late and was still falling at a fast speed. A gust of wind blew Cookson into a building and smashed his side against it. The parachute got caught into a satellite dish and ripped violently. The satellite dish reduced Cookson’s speed, but was insignificant. Cookson watched as he crashed into the solid concrete sidewalk.

“Sir!” Johnson sped on his Warthog carrying Patrick and Myers.

Johnson had saw Cookson jump out the tower and had managed to follow closely. After a couple of turns, he had found him. Cookson coughed and cried in pain as he felt excruciating pain to his legs and numbness to his left arm.

“I cant’ feel my arm and my legs. Ow!” Cookson cursed.

“You’ve probably broke your legs Cookson. Let’s get you to base.” Patrick said as Myers walked up with a morphine needle.

“Az…” Cookson looked at the tower and saw nothing.

“Let’s get him to Camp Galileo.” Johnson said as he watched Myers inject morphine to Cookson.

“Hang in there mate.” Patrick assisted Johnson as they lifted Cookson and placed him into the rear of the Warthog.

Johnson quickly ran to the driver’s seat and stepped on the accelerator. Cookson lay on the seats as he stared at the skies. His friend Az has sacrificed his life for him so that he would live to be with Sarah.

“Az…” Cookson moaned.

            “I’m sorry about your friend.” Patrick patted Cookson as he looked at the tower.

            “There’s nothing we could have done.” Myers spoke apologetically.

            “There was only one parachute and he gave it to me.” Cookson muttered.

            “He died a hero then.” Patrick assured.

            “He gave it to me so that I can be with the girl I love.” Cookson began to tear.

            “I can see how much he valued the friendship. May he rest in peace knowing that he saved your life.” Myers spoke with a straight face.

            Johnson continued to drive the Warthog until it passed a roadblock occupied by two Warthogs.

            “State your purpose.” a sergeant walked over beside Johnson.

            “We have a marine in serious condition.” Johnson pointed to the backseat.

            “Alright, Camp Galileo is in that underground parking lot.” the sergeant pointed and waved at his marines to move out of the way.

            Johnson drove slowly as he saw marines walking to and from the streets.

            “Hang in there Cookson. We’re almost there.” Johnson called out.

            The Warthog approached the parking lot and stopped.

            “Medic!” Myers called out.

            Two marines rushed out with a medic kit and approached them.

            “We’ll take it from here.” a marine spoke to Myers.

        The marines lifted Cookson up from his seat and took him to an adjacent building. The marines watched as Cookson disappeared inside the building and decided to take a look around the camp.