UNSCDF Chapter 31- Settling Down

Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia

UNSC Relief Center

July 28, 1999

1400 Local Time

            Sarah steadied her M21 as Taylor watched her look through the scope. She took a deep breath and concentrated on a zombie twenty meters away. Sarah adjusted the angle of elevation and tested the direction of the wind. She fired one round and earned herself a headshot.

            “Nice.” Taylor applauded.

            “Thanks.” Sarah reloaded the rifle.

            “You know Sarah, we can make you into a police officer. You’ve got the skills.” Taylor looked at her as Sarah looked at the zombies in the distance.

            “Me? A police officer?” Sarah was surprised.

            “Yeah, a police officer who specializes in sniping.” Taylor spoke his thought.

            “Do I have to do law enforcement duties?” Sarah asked.

            “Some, but not all. Basically you’ll be joining our ranks.” Taylor replied.

            “So I’ll be starting off as a recruit?” Sarah wondered.

            “Yeah, but you’ll rank up easily because I see you’ve got potential.” Taylor complimented.

            “Thanks.” Sarah blushed.

            “So, what do you say?” Taylor nudged her.

            “Sure, I guess.” Sarah nodded.

            “Alright then. I’ll let my other police buddies know.” Taylor smiled.

            “When do I begin officially?” Sarah wondered.

            “Starting now.” Taylor looked at Sarah.

            “So what will I need to do?” Sarah put down her rifle.

            “Well, let’s finish your sniper training course. Then we’ll move on to basic firearms.” Taylor pointed at a zombie walking on the roof of a building.

            Sarah acknowledged with a light nod and picked up her M21. She tested the wind direction with one hand and then aimed her rifle at the distant zombie. She took a quick breath of air and fired. The M21 muzzle flashed and Taylor watched the zombie get struck in its head and collapsed.

            “Well done.” Taylor complimented.

            “Do I pass?” Sarah asked with a serious face.

            “Not that fast.” Taylor burst out laughing.

            “Darn. Then when?” Sarah whined.

            “Soon. In time Sarah…in time…” Taylor voice trailed off as he looked at his watch.

      “Fine. I’m not going anywhere.” Sarah joked as she pointed at the ruined buildings outside the center.

            “We’ll do some more training tomorrow morning.” Taylor took Sarah’s M21.

            “Ok.” Sarah quickly replied.

            “Go see Cookson and tell him I said hi.” Taylor smiled.

            “Yeah, I will…” Sarah stopped talking as she thought about Az.

            “Look Sarah, I’m sorry about Az. I know exactly how you feel. Az was a good friend of mine and he was a good friend till the very end.” Taylor looked at an upset Sarah.

            “I know.” Sarah looked at her feet.

            “Come here.” Taylor opened up his arms.

            Sarah approached Taylor and hugged him. Taylor soothed her back as Sarah closed her eyes.

        “Everything is going to be okay. Everything is going to be alright Sarah.” Taylor repeated as he whispered into her ear.

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Scavengers' Holdout

July 27, 1999

1445 Local Time

            Charlie looked out the cockpit window as Stewart landed the Pelican a block away from the Scavengers' gates. He left the cockpit and saw his men moving crates of medical supplies out of the Pelican. Charlie grabbed a crate and lifted it outside the Pelican.

            “I feel like the Red Cross.” Hawkes dropped his crate to the ground.

            “Well, we’re here to help, so you can say that.” Casey replied.

            Charlie watched as a group of men exited the gates followed by Anthony. Charlie waved at Anthony and Anthony waved back.

            “Look whose back.” Anthony approached Charlie and greeted him with a handshake.

            “Yeah, here are the medical supplies.” Charlie pointed at the crates beside him and some more crates inside the Pelican.

            “I didn’t expect the UNSC would be this generous.” Anthony waved at his men to take the crates.

            “You have no idea what I went through to do this.” Charlie thought about the conversation he had with Cole.

            “Must have been a hassle?” Anthony guessed.

            “I almost had to reach for the top officers.” Charlie replied.

            “Well, thank you. Come on in!” Anthony waved at the marines to enter the base.

            “Sir, what about the Pelican?” Taylor asked.    

            “Stewart is going to head back to base. He’ll pick us up after we’re done.” Charlie answered.

            Charlie watched as Casey, Taylor and Hawkes entered the gates and waved a goodbye to Stewart. Stewart waved back and continued to assist the Scavengers with the unloading of medical supplies.

            “Come on LT.” Casey waved.

          Charlie turned around and ran up beside Anthony as he took a clipboard from Hawkes. Anthony read the contents on the clipboard and handed it back to Hawkes.          

        “Five hundred medical supplies of all sorts. Not bad, not bad at all.” Anthony looked at Charlie.           

            “So how do you want this alliance?” Charlie asked.

            “Come to my office. The rest of your men can chill with the ladies.” Anthony pointed at a building.

            “What did I just hear?” Hawkes opened his mouth.

        “Women. Don’t do anything stupid Hawkes. We still have a job to do.” Charlie replied with a cold stare at Hawkes.

            “Aye sir.” Hawkes saluted.

“Good.” Charlie grinned

            “You should come with us after you’re done.” Hawkes suggested.

            “It depends on the priority of the mission first.” Charlie looked at an amused Anthony.

            “Let’s leave Zyrok alone guys.” Taylor looked at Hawkes.

            “Zyrok, you never know. You might get lucky today.” Hawkes grinned.

         “Hawkes…is that what you view women? As objects for your own satisfaction?” Charlie replied with disappointment in Hawkes.

        “Nope, it just relieves my stress. You don’t need to be so uptight about it. Maybe some women might do you good.” Hawkes joked.

            “Hawkes…” Charlie was getting annoyed.

            “Come on guys, let’s go.” Casey grabbed Hawkes to walk away.

            Charlie stood beside Anthony as he watched his men chat excitedly as they went inside the building.

            “Not much of a player, are you?” Anthony patted Charlie’s back.

        “Nope. It’s just that I have a great deal of respect for women.” Charlie answered as he walked beside Anthony to a nearby building.

            “How is that so?” Anthony was interested.

            “I’ve met some very good people in my life.” Charlie replied as he thought about Sarah.

            “Ah.” Anthony nodded.

            “Let’s finalize the terms of alliance.” Charlie changed the topic as he opened the door for Anthony.

            “Thanks. Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it.” Anthony walked down a hallway and opened his office door.

            “So am I.” Charlie replied enthusiastically.

            “Take a seat.” Anthony offered a chair.

            “Thank you. Let’s begin.” Charlie the office door and sat down.