UNSCDF Chapter 34- An Intense Day

Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia

UNSC Relief Center

August 1, 1999

1010 Local Time

            “Here, try the Lock 17.” Taylor showed Sarah a pistol from a briefcase.

            Sarah took the pistol and a full clip of magazine from the case. She slid the magazine into the gun and cocked it.

            “Take two extra clips in case.”  Taylor pointed at two full magazines sitting in the case.

            “I’m not that bad of a shot.” Sarah laughed.

            “No, we’re going outside the center. Always bring more ammo if you can. You’ll never know what we’ll encounter.” Taylor pulled out his Lock 17 sidearm and checked the ammo.

            “Outside?” Sarah laughed nervously.

            “Yeah, pistol is short range. The best training is to get up close in the environment.” Taylor pointed outside.

            “Alright, let’s get this over with.” Sarah slid the pistol into her belt.

            Taylor took out a Zylon vest from his backpack and handed it over to Sarah.

            “Take this, a girl can never have enough protection.” Taylor joked.

            Sarah laughed and accepted the armor. She fitted the armor onto her chest and tightened the straps. Taylor approached her and adjusted the straps on her back.

            “You got to make sure it’s a good fit so you’ll have mobility plus protection.” Taylor examined the armor firmly snug on Sarah.

            “It is.” Sarah patted her chest.

            “Well, let’s get going.” Taylor headed towards the gates.

            Sarah picked up her pace and quickly followed Taylor out through the gates. Taylor led Sarah into the surrounding communities and quietly avoided zombies until they reached a small park. Taylor set his backpack on a park bench and took out his water bottle. Sarah watched as Taylor drank a gulp and decided to have a drink as well.

            “You ready?” Taylor pulled out his sidearm.

            “Yup!” Sarah nodded and took out her pistol.

            “There, one o’clock.” Taylor pointed at a zombie in front of them.

            Sarah held the pistol firmly with both hands and pointed at the zombie’s head. She pulled the trigger and heard a mediocre bang as an empty casing spewed out of the gun. The zombie in front of them collapsed to the ground and remained motionless.

            “Not bad.” Taylor complimented.

            “I can shoot you know…” Sarah smirked.

            “Two zombies, five o’clock.” Taylor pointed behind her with his pistol.

            Sarah spun around and fired at one zombie. The shot was successful and made the zombie drop dead, but it attracted the zombie beside and made it run towards Sarah. Sarah panicked by the sudden sprinting zombie and quickly pulled off a shot. She missed and fired again, but only got its shoulder. Taylor watched as the zombie got closer and lifted his pistol to the zombie’s head in a graceful manner. Sarah watched as Taylor coolly fired a round and brought the zombie down.

            “Don’t lose your composure. A sprinter is no different than a walker.” Taylor lowered his gun and turned to look at Sarah.

            “I didn’t expect it would run at me with this much speed.” Sarah took a breath of relief.

            “Well, this is field training. You got to be in the zone to actually learn better.” Taylor looked around for nearby zombies.

            “Huh.” Sarah exclaimed.

            “Look Sarah, I don’t doubt your ability to shoot or your mark marksmanship. The world is constantly changing by bringing new variables to each shot you make. Only practice will make perfect as you gain all sorts of experience.” Taylor explained.

            “Thanks?” Sarah laughed nervously.

            “There, three zombies down beside the park bench.” Taylor pointed at three zombies clumped over a dead corpse.

            Sarah nodded and the aimed her pistol at the closest zombie. She fired one round and took the zombie down. The other two zombies turned their heads to her and ran. Sarah took a deep breath and focused at the closest zombie and fired. A clean headshot made the zombie fly forward face first into the ground. Sarah paced her breath and fired at the last zombie. The zombie got shot in the eye and cart wheeled into a nearby bush.

            “See? You’ll get the hang of it.” Taylor encouraged.

            “Thanks.” Sarah smiled.

            “More zombies inbound.” Taylor pointed behind Sarah as two zombies walked towards them.

          Sarah aimed quickly and fired at the zombies. The zombies were taken out swiftly and Sarah reloaded her gun with a fresh magazine.

            “I think we have a problem.” Sarah pointed beside Taylor as she saw a crowd of zombies entering the park.

            “It must have been too much noise.” Taylor picked up his backpack.

            “I don’t think so. The pistol is pretty quiet.” Sarah studied the gun.

            “Or by sheer luck that we were next to a horde.” Taylor watched as more zombies entered the park.

            “Run?” Sarah watched with fear.

            “Good idea. We should find shelter to hide.” Taylor turned around and began to run.

            “Why not head back to the center directly?” Sarah asked as she ran beside Taylor.

            “Too far. Plus we can’t outrun a horde.” Taylor pointed at a building outside the park exit.

            “So we hide?” Sarah asked.

            “Like a storm, we wait till it passes unless we’ve got superior firepower to take them all out.” Taylor ran up to the building door and pushed the doors open.

            “Not with these.” Sarah held her pistol and laughed.

            Taylor closed the door as Sarah got in and got a glimpse of the horde scattering all over the park. Taylor grabbed a table and a few chairs and wedged the door shut as a makeshift barricade.

            “Can’t we call for help?” Sarah wondered.

            “I don’t have any radio. Only the UNSC has them.” Taylor said with disappointment.

            “Taylor and Sarah sat on the ground as the moans and groans got louder as the zombies approached the door. A few knocks and scratches on the door, but it seemed the zombies haven’t seen them. Suddenly, Sarah screamed. Taylor spun around to see a zombie in a janitor’s uniform tackle Sarah to the ground. Taylor ran up to the zombie and pried the zombie off and snapped its neck.

            “You alright? Did you get bit?” Taylor lifted Sarah to her feet.

            “I’m alright.” Sarah dusted herself.

            “It’s my fault, I should have made sure the area was clear.” Taylor apologized.

          “Don’t worry about it. I’m worrying about getting out now…” Sarah watched as the barricaded door shook violently as the zombies outside pounded and bashed.

            “Shit! They must have heard us.” Taylor stomped the ground in frustration.

*          *          *

            Cookson left his room to look for Sarah. Although he had not been fully healed, he decided to lightly jog around the center to catch a glimpse of Sarah training with Taylor. Cookson approached the training grounds where Sarah and Taylor usually trained, but saw no one. He saw a marine patrolling the area and decided to ask.

            “Excuse me!” Cookson called out.

            The marine turned to look at Cookson and immediately identified him.

            “Cookson! How’s it going?” the marine greeted.

            “Johnson?” Cookson was shocked.

         “Yeah, that’s me. We finished out task last night and I got shipped back. Sydney is one hell of a mess.” the marine took off his helmet.

            “Any word of Az?” Cookson asked.

            “I’m sorry, but we’ve got nothing.” Johnson shook his head.

            “That’s ok. By the way, have you seen Sarah and Taylor?” Cookson asked.

            “You mean a police officer with a girl around the same age as you?” Johnson replied with a question.

            “Yeah, them. Where are they at?” Cookson nodded.

            “Oh, they left the center about twenty minutes ago.” Johnson looked at his watch.

            “Know where?” Cookson asked.

            “Check with the gate guards. They might know more than I do.” Johnson pointed at the gate.

            “Alright, thanks.” Cookson expressed his gratitude.

            “No worries. I’ll be at the radar tower if you need me.” Johnson replied and walked off.

            Cookson quickly walked to the gate and approached a marine sergeant sitting in an office.

            “What can I do for you Corporal?” the sergeant asked and stood up.

            “I would like to know if you got info about a Sarah and a Taylor leaving the center, sir.” Cookson asked politely.

            “Give me a second.” the sergeant walked to his computer and typed.

            Cookson stood patiently as the sergeant typed and stared at his monitor.

            “A Sarah Parks and a Taylor White left the center half an hour ago to do some firearms training.” the sergeant spoke sitting down.

            “Whereabouts did they go, sir?” Cookson asked.

        “Let me check…somewhere near the Bankstown Memorial Park.” the sergeant studied the computer.

            “Thank you, sir.” Cookson replied.

            “You going out?” the sergeant asked.   

            “Not right now sir. I’ve got to get prepped.” Cookson replied.

            “I’ll see you in a bit then.” the sergeant smiled as Cookson walked off.

            Cookson decided to go find Johnson at the radar tower to get Intel about the surrounding areas near the park. He approached the tower and swiped his UNSC ID badge on the door. He saw a flight of stairs and groaned. After a few minutes of climbing the stairs, he reached the top and saw a couple of marines sitting in front of their work stations looking at the radar.

            “Cookson!” Johnson patted Cookson on the back as he approached behind him.

            “There you are. I was wondering if you got info about the Bankstown Memorial Park. I want to meet up with Sarah and Taylor, but I figured to check ahead for nearby hostiles.” Cookson requested.

            “Sure, no problem. I think the Memorial Park is in Sector Lima Three.” Johnson looked at a map on the wall.   

            Johnson studied the map for a minute and pointed at it to show Cookson.

            “Lima Four, my bad.” Johnson laughed.

            “That’s somewhat far.” Cookson looked at where Johnson pointed.

            “Let’s head to my computer.” Johnson pointed at an empty workstation.

            Johnson logged in the computer and typed “Lima 4” into the radar program. Cookson watched as the computer began its scan and watched as hundreds of blips popped on the screen.

            “What’s that?” Cookson pointed at a blip.

            “On no…not good.” Johnson exclaimed.

            “What’s wrong? Are those zombies?” Cookson was worried.

            “That’s a horde you got there. Question, did you say Sarah and Taylor were over there?” Johnson stood up from his seat.

            “Yeah…” Cookson muttered

            “I’m going to let my sergeant know bout his.’ Johnson printed the radar chart and walked off.

            Cookson stared at the computer screen watching the blips move on each scan. Johnson ran up beside him and grabbed his jacket.

           “Sarge knows about it, but all our assets are in Sydney. There’s nothing we can do for them.” Johnson said solemnly.

            “God damn it! That’s two civilians out there.” Cookson replied with frustration and pounded the table.

            “What’s the noise?” a bald man in his late twenties with stripes of a sergeant approached Johnson and Cookson.

            “Sir!” Cookson saluted.

            “Look Corporal, I’ve told Johnson already that all our assets are down in Sydney. We can’t do a search and rescue.” the sergeant looked at the radar refresh on Johnson’s computer.

            “They are civilians. Isn’t it our duty to protect them?” Cookson asked.

            “You’d be willing to risk your life for them?” the sergeant questioned.

            “Rather than sitting here and watching a monitor and doing nothing at all.” Cookson replied briskly.

            “I’m game as well. I don’t want to be responsible for someone’s death which I knew I could have done something to save them.” Johnson backed Cookson up.

            “Very well. If you insist on going, I’ll let you folks talk a Warthog and rescue them.” the sergeant replied with a sigh.

            “Thank you sir.” Cookson smiled.

            “Just letting you know, if you call for backup, there will be none.” the sergeant took a set of keys and handed them to Johnson.

            “I understand the risks.” Cookson watched as Johnson placed the keys on his belt.

            “Good luck marines. I just wish there would be more good soldiers like you.” the sergeant wished.

Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia

Bankstown Memorial Park

August 1, 1999

1430 Local Time

          Sarah and Taylor watched from the second floor window as the zombies crowded below the building. Sarah took out her water bottle and glanced at the remaining water.

            “We’re never getting out of here are we?” Sarah sighed.

            “Don’t worry. Sooner or later someone will realize that we’re missing and come looking for us.” Taylor replied with optimism.

            Suddenly, a Warthog sped to the intersection and began to drive into the park. Sarah and Taylor watched as one marine drove the Warthog while another fired the turret.

            “Is that Cookson?” Taylor looked closely at the marine on the turret with uncertainty.

            “Oh my gosh, it’s Cookson!” Sarah jumped up with excitement.

            The horde of zombies turned towards the marines and began to run at them. Cookson gracefully laid down a heavy cover fire and slowly took out a lot of zombies row by row. Taylor bashed the window and fired a shot in the air in hopes of getting the marines’ attention.

            “Over here!” Sarah shouted.

          Cookson seemed to catch a glimpse of Sarah shouting from a building and waved at her. Sarah watched as the Warthog turned towards them and accelerated towards the building. The Warthog sped into the horde of zombies splattering the first few zombies before halting to a stop. Taylor and Sarah watched in horror as the driver got pulled out of his seat and get ripped to pieces. Cookson turned the turret and gunned down the nearby zombies next to the vehicle before jumping off the turret. Cookson took out his M16 and fired a few rounds before entering the driver’s seat. He reversed the Warthog and ran a zombie over with the back wheel. He quickly turned the wheels and drove through some bushes and broke through a metal fence before rolling to a stop outside the building Sarah and Taylor was in.

            “Get on!” Cookson shouted as he quickly jumped onto the turret.

            Sarah and Taylor quickly ran down to the ground level and removed the barricade. They opened the door and saw Cookson fire furiously at the horde.

            “It’s overheating!” Cookson reduced the rate of fire.

            “Cookson!” Sarah exclaimed.  

“Taylor, man the wheels. Sarah, get on the passenger seat.” Cookson spoke as sweat dripped from his face.

Taylor hopped into the driver’s seat and watched as Sarah got on. He stomped on the gas pedal and drove the Warthog away from the incoming horde. Cookson reduced firing as the zombies grew more distant. Suddenly, a zombie pulled himself up from the front bumper and climbed on the hood. Sarah pulled out her Lock 17 and fired a shot. The zombie slid off the hood and got trampled by the wheels.

“We’re safe…we’re safe now.” Taylor took a deep breath as the UNSC Relief Center came into view.

Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia

UNSC Relief Center

August 1, 1999

2145 Local Time

Sarah stepped out of her shower and put on a white fuzzy robe. She wiped the foggy mirror and looked at herself. She smiled and began to brush her long silky blonde hair. After a few minutes of straightening her hair, she took a hair dryer and dried her hair. She exited the bathroom and heard two knocks on her door. She looked out the peephole and saw Cookson standing outside her door. She opened the door and smiled.

“Woah Sarah, you look stunning.” Cookson gasped.

“Thanks.” Sarah played with her hair.

“If you are busy, I’ll come back later.” Cookson looked at Sarah’s robe.

“Nope.” Sarah pulled Cookson’s shirt and closed the door.

“You know, I was really worried about you out there today.” Cookson sat down on a chair.

“I know. I thought we weren’t going to be rescued, but you came fore me.” Sarah smiled happily.

            “Well that’s because I…” Cookson blushed.

            “Shh…I love you.” Sarah placed her index finger on Cookson’s lips.

            Sarah pulled Cookson up from his seat and kissed his lips. Cookson breathed lightly and kissed Sarah on her cheek. Sarah unbuttoned Cookson’s uniform and removed his outer jacket and tossed it to the ground. Cookson closed his eyes as he kissed Sarah passionately and ran his hand over her face. Sarah pushed Cookson gently onto her bed and took off her robe. Sarah was bare of any clothes and was striding towards Cookson lying on the bed.

            “You are so beautiful.” Cookson looked at a naked Sarah.

            “I am yours.” Sarah hopped on the bed beside Cookson.

            Cookson quickly took off his shirt and unbuttoned his pants. Sarah touched Cookson’s chest and then kissed him on the neck. Cookson smiled as he slid his hand across her back and came down on her cure buttocks. Sarah got on top of Cookson and grabbed Cookson’s dreamy face with both hands.

            “I love you.” Cookson grabbed Sarah’s face over and kissed passionately as he slid his manhood inside her.

            “I love you too.” Sarah’s face turned red when Cookson began to push inside her gently.

            Cookson reached his hand out and massaged Sarah’s breast while Sarah slowly rocked back and forth on top of Cookson. Cookson moaned as he felt Sarah intensifying with each thrust. Sarah smiled and gently scratched Cookson’s back as she felt a sense of pleasure she hadn’t experienced before. It was a magical night for the both of them. A night which they will remember and cherish in their lives.