UNSCDF Chapter 44- Missed Connections

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
UNSC Richmond Outpost
August 5, 1999
1030 Local Time

            Charlie walked to an office beside Cole’s office and knocked. Charlie wasn’t too happy with the information he received from Cole after his conversation with Sarah. His temporary position as the liaison officer for the Scavengers was now transferred to Captain Jones Friedsam. What this meant for Charlie was limited access to travel to the Scavengers’ Holdout and less chance of seeing Mary. Charlie placed his worries behind as he knocked on Friedsam’s door. The door opened and a man in his mid thirties with a mustache greeted Charlie.

            “Sir, Lieutenant Charlie reporting.” Charlie saluted.

            “Ah yes, come on in Lieutenant.” Friedsam waved.

            “Thank you, sir.” Charlie walked crispy and stood next to a chair until Friedsam sat down.

            “Take a seat.” Friedsam waved.

         Charlie sat down on the chair slowly and watched as Friedsam opened a folder on his desk. Friedsam flipped through the pages and took out a sheet.

            “Here’s the official document relieving you of your duties as the liaison officer.” Friedsam handed the paper to Charlie.

            Charlie took the paper and read through the fine print. He set the paper down in front of him and looked at Friedsam with a blank face.

            “There won’t be a chance to visit the Holdout any time soon right?” Charlie summarized the document.

            “Nope. You’re a valuable asset too good to be wasted as a liaison officer.” Friedsam smiled.

            “Any chance I may visit the Holdout?” Charlie’s mind was focused on Mary.

            “Not really. Why?” Friedsam asked out of curiosity.

            “So I can bid my farewells to the people I have befriended.” Charlie reasoned.

            “Very well Lieutenant. Let me take a look at the flight plans…” Friedsam nodded and looked at his computer.

            “Thank you sir.” Charlie relaxed himself.

            “There’s one Pelican transporting a few civilians and supplies tomorrow evening.” Friedsam clicked his mouse.

            “That’s fine.” Charlie nodded.

            “It’s a quick drop off flight so you’ll only have an hour tops over there.”  Friedsam typed on the computer.

            “That would be fine.” Charlie looked at Friedsam.

            “Ok, so you’ll need to make full use of that hour. I won’t guarantee the next time you’ll be heading there.” Friedsam inputted Charlie’s name into the flight plan.

            “Thank you sir.” Charlie spoke quickly.

            “Not at all.” Friedsam turned away from his computer.

            “What time does the Pelican leave tomorrow?” Charlie took out his datapad.

            “1700 with Sierra 22.” Friedsam glanced at his computer.

            “Alright, thanks Captain.” Charlie inputted the info into his datapad.

            “Once you’re back tomorrow from the Holdout, head to Cole’s office. I believe he will have a new assignment for you.” Friedsam stood up.

            “Sir.” Charlie stood up and saluted.

            “Good luck Charlie.” Friedsam saluted back.

            Charlie walked out of Friedsam’s office and saw Casey walk in front of him.

            “Sir.” Casey saluted.

            “Hello Casey.” Charlie returned a salute.

            “How are you?” Casey asked.

            “I’m alright…” Charlie lied as he tried to hide his emotions.

            “Good to hear. You should come chill with us Zyrok.” Casey suggested.

            “Oh, I can’t. I’m making a trip to the Scavengers’ Holdout tomorrow. I think we’re going to have a new mission tomorrow night. Have the most fun you can before work begins again.” Charlie replied.

            “What about you?” Casey questioned.

            “Have fun without me.” Charlie spoke softly.

            “Alright Zyrok, we’ll see you soon.” Casey bid his farewell and continued to walk down the hallway.

            Charlie stood his ground and watched Casey disappear into an elevator. He was not doing fine, but at least he had something to look forward to, Mary.

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Scavengers’ Holdout

August 6, 1999

1800 Local Time

            Charlie watched as the civilians beside him exited the Pelican as they were greeted by Anthony and a few guards.

            “Hey!” Anthony greeted Charlie with open arms.

            “Hi Anthony.” Charlie smiled as he got off the Pelican.

            “What can I do for you?” Anthony offered help.

            “Since I’m no longer the liaison officer, this is probably my last visit here. I wanted to bid farewell and look for somebody.” Charlie replied.

            “So I’ve heard…” Anthony rubbed his chin.

            “Yeah, not my decision to make.” Charlie replied.

            “I know. Oh, you said you were looking for someone?” Anthony asked.

            “Yes.” Charlie nodded.

            “Who?” Anthony asked.

            “Mary, Mary Jamieson.” Charlie replied with hesitation.

            “Oh, someone special?” Anthony raised an eyebrow.

            “I guess you can say that…” Charlie turned his head to look around.

            “Is she a Scavenger civilian?” Anthony waved Charlie to follow him.

          “You can say so. She was originally a civilian at the UNSC. She moved here a few days ago.” Charlie replied.

            “Oh.” Anthony stopped in his tracks.

            “What?” Charlie stopped as well.

            “This way.” Anthony pointed right to a building.

            Charlie followed Anthony to a small concrete facility and entered. The pair walked past a crowded hallway and entered a gym which appeared to have been transformed into a cafeteria. Charlie scanned the food servers assuming Mary would be one of the, but she was not there. What was different for Charlie was that no one seemed to notice them standing still scanning the people. If it was in the UNSC Outpost, a marine would have got up and offered help. Perhaps because Charlie was an officer, but at the Holdout, his uniform meant nothing. The civilians seemed much more relaxed and happier than he had seen back at the Outpost. Charlie scanned the gym left and right glancing quickly at each table. On the very last table to the right sat Mary, but she was beside a man. It was not just an ordinary man; the man was holding her hand as they talked. Both Mary and the man seemed happy together and Charlie felt that he shouldn’t interfere with their business.

            “See her?” Anthony asked.

            “No…” Charlie lied as he looked away.

            “Then she might be elsewhere. Come on.” Anthony waved.

            Anthony and Charlie turned towards the door when someone tapped Charlie’s back. Charlie turned around to see who it was. To his surprise, it was Mary.

            “Hi.” Mary smiled.

            “Oh, hi Mary.” Charlie was shocked.

            “I saw you, but it seems like you didn’t see me.” Mary turned around as the man walked up behind her.

            “I guess there were too many people.” Charlie lied.

            The man approached Mary and held her hand. He seemed to be a couple years older than Charlie with a tanned skin.

            “I’d like you to meet Derek.” Mary introduced.

            “Charlie.” Charlie stuck out his hand.

            “Nice to meet you.” Derek shook Charlie’s hand firmly.

            “So what are you doing here?” Mary asked.

            “It’s my last time here since I’m no longer the liaison officer for the UNSC.” Charlie could feel his heart die as Derek continued to hold Mary’s hand.

            “Oh, that’s unfortunate.” Mary frowned.

            “Yes, it is.” Charlie thought about Sarah and then Mary.

            “Well, I’m glad you came back to let us know.” Mary smiled.

            “Yeah, I’m not sure the next time I’ll be back. Is the life here good?” Charlie asked.

            “Yes, it’s been good thus far.” Mary eyed Derek with dreamy eyes.

            “Good to hear.” Charlie nodded.

            “I’m glad Mary came here.” Derek added.

            “And I have nothing to be glad about.” Charlie thought with his mouth closed.

            “Me too.” Mary replied.

            “Well, I’ve got to go now.” Charlie looked at his watch wanting to remove himself from the pain.

            “Ok, good luck with everything. May our paths cross again.” Mary hugged Charlie.      

            “Thanks. I hope so…” Charlie hugged Mary tightly.

            Charlie needed a hug after what’s been happening around him. After a minute, Mary released Charlie, but Charlie didn’t.

            “You can let go now.” Mary laughed.

            “Oh, sorry.” Charlie snapped to reality and released his embrace.

            Charlie smiled nervously as he saw Derek watch him with a perked eye.

            “Bye Mary.” Charlie said goodbye and walked off towards Anthony standing at the hallway talking to a guard.

            Charlie walked out of the gym and didn’t look back. He couldn’t find the strength in him to turn around. There was nothing he could do either. Just like Sarah, he was too late with Mary. Any hope he had left in him was extinguished and Charlie was nothing. It was going to be a long painful trip back to the Outpost on the Pelican. He had no more purpose in living anymore. For now, Charlie would have to reflect upon that later when he’s alone in his quarters.