UNSCDF2 Chapter 16- Retaliation

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Mirwais Nikka Hospital

April 17, 2001

1400 Local Time

            Casey held his Sega-20 firmly as he followed closely behind Schmidt as he took point. The two marines were sent by Zyrok to scout ahead as the team noticed a black sedan drive down the streets.

            “Think it’s the Russians?” Schmidt panned his M16.

            “Well it ain’t the zombies.” Casey joked.

            “What I meant was if it was either the Russians or the local militia?” Schmidt clarified.

            “Doesn’t matter. They work together anyways.” Casey crouched down as he saw a soldier walking past them.

            “Why can’t this mission be any easier? It’s a wild goose chase finding a secret base and now we also got to fight a formidable opponent.” Schmidt complained.

            “Would you rather fight a Titan or a Wraith?” Casey asked.

            “I don’t know. One has power while the other has numbers.” Schmidt scratched his head.

            “Look!” Casey pointed as he saw two soldiers dressed in UNSC combat gear carrying two boxes from a building.

            “Are they one of us?” Schmidt studied.

            “They got the same attire, but I don’t recognize any of their faces.” Casey examined.

            “Hostages?” Schmidt asked.

            “Can’t tell, they seem to have mobility and freedom.” Casey looked around.

            “Let’s notify Zyrok, he’ll know what to do.” Schmidt suggested.

            “I agree.” Casey nodded.

            “Captain Zyrok, Schmidt and Casey here. We are seeing some sort of base or camp three blocks from your position.” Schmidt spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Copy Schmidt, how many hostiles?” Zyrok asked.

            “Sir, we are also seeing UNSC marines at this base.” Schmidt looked as one UNSC marine entered a building.

            “Wait, UNSC?” Zyrok asked.

            “That’s correct Captain, they have our uniform.” Casey interrupted.

            “Hostages?” Zyrok questioned.

            Suddenly an alarm blared from the base and twenty militia rushed out from a building. Casey noticed an old man directing troops to spread out.

            “Dimitri…” Casey muttered.

            “Zyrok, we’ve got company. I think they spotted us.” Schmidt spoke on the RaidComm as ten soldiers ran towards their location.

            “Get out of there now. That’s an order!” Zyrok shouted.

            “Aye sir.” Schmidt replied.

            The two marines ran out of cover and ran down the streets as fast as they could. Casey could hear the distant footsteps pacing behind them as he and Schmidt ran forward without looking back. Suddenly, a series of gunshots echoed down the streets.

            “Take cover!” Casey shouted as he heard bullets whiz past him.

            Schmidt jumped over a garbage can and slid to a wall while Casey took cover behind a car.

            “We got to keep moving or we’ll be cornered.” Casey hollered.

           “Alright, cover!” Schmidt got out of his cover and laid down a light suppressive fire to the soldiers chasing after them.

            Casey stood up and ran to another car a couple of meters in front of him. He crouched to take cover and readied his gun.

            “Cover!” Casey stood up and placed his shotgun on the hood of the car.

            Schmidt shouldered his gun and began to run to his next cover whilst Casey was pumping his shotgun furiously at the soldiers attempting to shoot at Schmidt.

            “Got one!” Casey exclaimed as he took one soldier down.

            “We can’t keep this up. We’re getting low on ammo.” Schmidt aimed and fired.

            “Zyrok, this is Casey. We’re two blocks away from your location. Request immediate backup.” Casey spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Copy, Warthogs on the way. Hold tight.” Zyrok replied.

            Casey looked at his watch and then waved at Schmidt.

            “Next cover, move.” Casey got out of his cover and laid a heavy suppressive fire.

            “Die!” Schmidt fired twice before shouldering his weapon to sprint.

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Mirwais Nikka Hospital

April 17, 2001

1515 Local Time

            “Dimitri, we got them pinned.” Reid reported to Dimitri as he listened to the RaidComm transmissions.

            “Get the RPGS, we’ll blow their Warthogs up.” Dimitri ordered a nearby Russian soldier.

            “Yes sir.” the man nodded and waved a group of militia.

            “So Lieutenant Reid, how does it feel to kill your own kind?” Dimitri smiled.

            “Nothing, I am no longer them.” Reid replied with a blank face.

            “I must say, your team’s work here is very impressive. Sooner of later, the UNSC force here will be all wiped out at this rate.” Dimitri pointed at the transmitter.

            “Thank you.” Reid smiled.

            “After today’s victory, you guys can get some rest.” Dimitri sat down on a chair.

            “Sir, your men are taking heavy fire.” Timothy reported from a nearby computer.

            “Warthogs?” Dimitri asked.

            “Yes sir.” Timothy nodded.

            “Don’t worry. RPGs are on the way to blow them up.” Dimitri laughed.

            “And blow their morale.” Reid added.

            “Of course, that’s what we do best.” Dimitri clapped his hands.

*          *          *

            “Rescue!” Schmidt exclaimed as two Warthogs armed with turrets rolled down the streets and fired at the militia.

            “Move!” Nevarez hollered from the driver’s seat.

            “Let’s go!” Casey waved at Schmidt as the two Warthogs laid down a heavy rain of fire.

            Schmidt and Casey ran to the nearest Warthog as Nevarez honked the horn rapidly while Zyrok was firing from its turret.

            “RPG! Get out!” Zyrok shouted as two RPGs flew towards their Warthog.

            Casey and Schmidt ducked behind cover while Nevarez and Zyrok jumped out of their Warthog just in time as the RPGs struck the Warthog. The explosion flung Zyrok and Nevarez a few meters into the air. Zyrok pulled himself up dizzily as he felt blood trickle down his face. His ears were ringing from the blast and he saw distorted figures followed by muffled gunshots. A figure ran towards him and shook him.

            “Zyrok, you alright?” Casey waved his hands in front of Zyrok’s eyes.

            “Huh?” Zyrok replied partially in shock.

            “Orders sir?” Casey looked at Zyrok.

            Zyrok watched as his marines fired at the militia and then snapped back to reality.

            “Get the Warthog moving. Stationary targets are too easy for RPGs.” Zyrok commanded.

            “Move it!” Casey shouted to Taylor driving the other Warthog.

            “Retreat back to the troop transport Warthog while the last Warthog covers us.” Zyrok waved.

            “Go! Go! Go!” Casey hustled.

            Taylor drove the Warthog back and forth while Pruett fired from the turret.

            “It’s overheating!” Pruett exclaimed.

            “Use short controlled bursts.” Taylor turned the Warthog and blocked some bullets with its hood as the militia attempted to shoot Pruett down.

            “Double time marines!” Zyrok shouted as he wiped blood from his face and spat dirt onto the ground.

            “You heard the Captain marines! Get a move on it!” Casey hollered as he reloaded his shotgun.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 15- A Vengeance

San Francisco, California, USA

UNSC San Francisco Outpost

April 14, 2001

1045 Local Time

            “Sarah, I hate to tell you the news…” Fields walked to a busy Sarah doing some paperwork.

            “Yes?” Sarah turned her head.

            “Um, Lieutenant Reid escaped the Pelican transporting them to the Alaskan facility with the aid of his squad.” Fields scratched his head.

            “What? How?” Sarah’s jaw dropped.

            “It is unclear at this moment, but the only information I was able to get was that Reid’s men hijacked the aircraft’s pilots and crew.” Fields reported.

            “So much for security.” Sarah replied sarcastically.

            “Well, I’m assuming the UNSC didn’t expect this level of threat from this transport.” Fields guessed.

            “What now?” Sarah crossed her arms.

            “For now, we have to assume he’s armed and dangerous. Wait, not him, his whole team. You be careful Sarah, I remembered Reid talking about making you pay and suffer.” Fields cautioned.

            “Aww hell.” Sarah stared blankly as she was thinking.

            “It was a threat and now that he’s no longer in our hands, the threat seems more likely to occur.” Fields answered.

            “What are my options?” Sarah asked.

            “Well, you’re safe. This UNSC Outpost is heavily defended. I don’t think they would dare come back here just to get you.” Fields answered.

            “Ok…that doesn’t seem so bad. There’s something else to it isn’t it?” Sarah looked at Fields’ eyes.

            “Um…it’s a possibility.” Fields replied.

            “Tell me.” Sarah demanded.

            “Your husband…he’s not here…” Fields’ voice trailed off.

            “No it can’t be…Mike’s in Afghanistan.” Sarah replied.

            “I know, but it’s a precaution. We’ve already sent a transmission to them notifying of rogue UNSC marines. So far we haven’t got a reply back. Perhaps they are real busy or the communications over there is junk.” Fields explained.

            “Afghanistan is pretty far for Reid to get there if his last known location was in North America.” Sarah assured herself.

            “I’m just assessing the risks and all probable factors.” Fields shrugged.

            “Thank you Fields for telling me this info.” Sarah gave her thanks.

            “Not a problem Sarah. I’ve got to pass this message on to the other folks.” Fields smiled as he walked out the door.

            Sarah walked to a table and picked up a photo lying beside her pistol. She picked up the photo and examined it. It was a photo she had taken with Mike back in New South Wales, Australia before they had left.

            “Reid better not find my hubby.” Sarah prayed as she looked at her husband with a soft smile.

            There was nothing she could do, but to hope for the best. She walked to her desk and continued to do her paperwork.

Erazi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Russian Communications Outpost

April 15, 2001
1400 Local Time

            “How’s the communications going Reid?” Dimitri asked.

            “Sir, we’re patching into the RaidComm frequency. It might take a few hours.” Reid looked at Morgan.

            “We already jammed their long range communications.” Dimitri pointed at a metal box on the wall beside Morgan.

            “That’s nice.” Reid smiled as he connected two cables together.

            “Short range is impossible to jam, so it would be nice to overhear their comms.” Dimitri clapped his hands as a machine beeped in the background.

            “Working?” Reid hollered.

            “Almost LT.” Timothy called out from a computer.

            “I’ll leave you gentlemen to it. I will report to Sergei of our progress.” Dimitri looked at his watch.

            “Ok.” Reid nodded.

            Dimitri walked off with another Russian soldier and exited the room.

            “I see the Russians are working with the local militia.” Morgan concluded.

            “My thoughts exactly.” Reid pulled out a pair of pliers.

            “I think the Russians are using the locals as grunts. Only the Russian soldiers guard the high valued targets.” Morgan explained.

            “Then what are we? Expendable?” Reid raised an eyebrow.

            “I hope not…” Morgan shrugged.

            The two marines continued to work busily connecting cables and cords to an electrical panel. After half an hour, the pair stood up and stretched their arms in exhaustion.

            “It’s online!” Timothy yelled.

            The marines rushed over to Timothy as he turned on the speakers.

            “Fire Team Kilo, this is Jackal Squadron. Nothing going on except a few zombies in Sector Alpha Kilo.” a man spoke on the speakers.

            “Base, this is Captain Zyrok here. Sector Bravo Mike is clear.” another man spoke on the speakers.

            “Zyrok, think we’ll beat you in finding that base?” a woman spoke.

            “Frederick, is that a challenge?” Zyrok asked.

            “The Aussies are good…” Frederick laughed.

            “No doubt. You saved us once. So respect to the Aussies.” Zyrok replied.

            “Wait a second.” Reid looked at Morgan.

            “Yeah?” Morgan asked.

            “Australians…Jackal Squadron?” Reid raised an eye.

            “What are you suggesting Reid?” Morgan asked.

            “Isn’t that the squad back in the San Francisco Outpost?” Reid questioned.

            “There might be many squads with the same names…” Morgan replied.

            “Zyrok, we know why you like the Aussies…” Frederick spoke on the speakers.

            “No you don’t.” Zyrok laughed.

            “Guys, can you stop talking about my wife?” a man interrupted.

            “Sorry Mike, I didn’t mean to upset you.” Zyrok apologized.

            “It’s fine Charlie. Let’s not talk about Sarah while we’re working okay? I don’t want the whole world to know.” Cookson replied.

            “I knew it!” Reid blurted out.

            “Sarah’s husband is here?” Morgan asked.

            “Looks like it.” Reid smiled evilly.

            “What are you going to do sir?” Timothy asked.

            “We’re going to get Mike and make her suffer like I did.” Reid snickered.

            “I’m down with whatever you want.” Timothy turned the speakers down.

            “Revenge is so close now…” Reid grinned.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 14- Enduring the Pain

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 13, 2001

1900 Local Time

            “So why do you have a picture of my wife?” Cookson stared at Zyrok.

            “Sarah?” Zyrok placed the photo back into his chest pocket.

            “Yes, that’s her. Are you her ex?” Cookson crossed his arms.

            “Sure seems like it.” Green added.

            “No.” Zyrok shook his head.

            “Then why do you have a picture of her?” Cookson demanded.

            “I printed it out to look for her.” Zyrok replied uneasily as Green, Frederick, and Cookson stared at him.

            “Are you stalking my wife?” Cookson asked.

            “No I’m not.” Zyrok replied with a blank face.

            “They you don’t need that photo. Give it to me.” Cookson stuck out his hand.

            “No Cookson.” Zyrok said firmly.

            “Zyrok, why would you want to keep a married woman’s picture?” Frederick questioned.

            “Yeah.” Green nodded in agreement.

            “This is awkward for me to explain.” Zyrok felt himself tense up.

            “Just give me the picture.” Cookson took a step forward towards Zyrok.

            “No.” Zyrok stood his ground.

            “Fine, you have no right to have that picture.” Cookson advanced and reached for Zyrok’s chest pocket.

            Zyrok swatted Cookson’s hand down swiftly as he attempted to grab Zyrok’s picture. Cookson felt annoyed and then lunged himself at Zyrok. The two marines fell to the ground with a hard thud as they tackled for the photo.

            “Get off me!” Zyrok shoved Cookson as he tried to get on his feet.

            “Give me that photo! It’s my wife!” Cookson placed a blow to Zyrok’s head.

            Zyrok felt a sting of pain followed by dizziness as Cookson struck again. Zyrok saw another hit coming towards his face and quickly kneed Cookson to his gut. In a matter of seconds, Frederick and Green intercepted and pulled the two marines away from each other. Zyrok coughed blood and tried to maintain his balance as he stood up.

            “Cookson, you attacked an officer.” Frederick looked at a bruise on Zyrok’s forehead.

            “It’s alright.” Zyrok rubbed his bruise.

            “That’s a court marshal right there.” Frederick announced.

            “No, it’s alright.” Zyrok shook his head.

            “I’m sorry for the behavior of my marines.” Frederick apologized.

            Cookson just breathed heavily and spoke nothing as he watched Zyrok with cold eyes.

            “Frederick, don’t court marshal him. He was being a good husband. It’s only natural.” Zyrok brushed some dust off his shirt.

            “Still, he should not have placed those hits.” Frederick stared at Cookson.

            “Look, I believe you all deserve an explanation as to why I have a photo of Sarah.” Zyrok grabbed a seat.

            “Be thankful Cookson that neither Zyrok nor I am going to court marshal you for your actions.” Frederick eyed Cookson.

            “Thank you sir, ma’am.” Cookson rubbed his stomach.

            “Take a seat. Let me tell you the story of Sarah.” Zyrok pointed at the chairs.

            Zyrok watched as Cookson and Green sat down while Frederick remained standing.

            “Please, sit.” Zyrok urged.

            “Alright.” Frederick sat down beside Cookson.

            “The year was 1999…” Zyrok took a deep breath as the haunting of the past buried so deep in his mind now surfaced.

            Zyrok began with the chats he had with Sarah prior to the evacuation of Australia. Then he continued on with his enlistment in the UNSC to search for her. The missions he had done as he risked his life each day in the pursuit to find her.

            “Zyrok isn’t your real name is it?” Frederick interrupted.

            “No it’s not. But I’ve come to grow with it.” Zyrok replied.

            “What’s your real name?” Frederick asked.

            “Let me finish my story first.” Zyrok continued.

            “Okay, sorry.” Frederick closed her mouth.

            Zyrok continued on about the day he had met Sarah online and got the news that she was married.

            “Never thought I’d see the husband right in front of me.” Zyrok looked at Cookson.

            Cookson smiled lightly, but didn’t want to upset Zyrok.

            “That was a painful day…anyways…” Zyrok continued.

            “It must have been.” Frederick replied sympathetically.

            Zyrok told the story of Mary and how he had turned her down because his heart was true to Sarah. Next, he talked about the day he went to find Mary after hearing Sarah’s news, but found out later that she had moved on.

            “The reason my name is Zyrok now is because the past is gone. I’m no longer who I was before. The past had to be forgotten so that I would continue on with my life.” Zyrok sighed.

            “Wow…” Cookson widened his eyes.

            “Quite a past eh?” Zyrok laughed.

            “You’ve gone through a lot.” Frederick smiled warmly.

            “My real name is Charlie Chu.” Zyrok announced.

            “I’m sorry Charlie for hitting you. You keep the picture of Sarah.” Cookson apologized.

            “Thank you Cookson.” Zyrok thanked.

            “Mike, Michael Cookson.” Cookson stuck out his hand.

            “Nice to meet you Mike. Sarah’s lucky to have you as her husband.” Zyrok shook Cookson’s hand.

            “Well, same to you. You are a good guy. Sorry that I thought wrong of you.” Cookson replied.

            “It’s fine.” Zyrok assured.

            “I’m glad you guys are working it out.” Frederick smiled.

            “Me too.” Zyrok answered with a smile.

            Zyrok rubbed his forehead and winced at the pain.

            “Let’s get some ice and get it looked at.” Frederick stood up.

            “Alright, I’m still a little dizzy from the entire scuffle.” Zyrok joked as he stood up and wobbled for a bit.

            “Woah, let me give you a hand Zyrok.” Cookson rushed beside Zyrok and helped him balance.

            Frederick and Cookson walked Zyrok to the medical room and saw May sitting at a desk.

            “What happened?” May stood up and looked at Zyrok.

            “A few hits to the head.” Frederick replied.

            “A fight?” May asked.

            “Yeah, but it’s all sorted out and dealt with.” Zyrok replied as May walked him over to the examination table.

            “Here, put some ice on it.” Frederick took out a bag of ice and handed it over to Zyrok.           

            Zyrok took the ice graciously and applied it to his forehead. The coldness of the ice numbed the throbbing pain as he placed it gently on the bruise.

            “Better?” Frederick asked.

            “Yeah, a bit. My head is still spinning.” Zyrok replied.

            “Let me take a look.” May put on some examination gloves.

            May touched Zyrok’s bruise and checked Zyrok’s heart rate using her finger.

            “You should be fine.” Just rest on the beds and you’ll be better.” May pointed at a couple vacant beds next to them.

            “Oh alright.” Zyrok got off the examination table with Cookson’s aid and lay down on a bed.

            “I’m sorry I hit you.” Cookson apologized.

            “Don’t be. It’s fine.” Zyrok rested his head comfortably on a pillow.

            “Get some rest Zyrok. We can do your work.” Frederick assured.

            “I will.” Zyrok closed his eyes.

            The two marines left the medical room and May returned to her desk. Something in Zyrok was different after the incident. Even though his hidden past was unearthed, he wasn’t as upset as he was the last time. Perhaps he had found closure. Perhaps it was peace knowing that he had found her. She was married to Michael Cookson and now lived in the San Francisco Outpost. Zyrok thought about the facts for a long five minutes and smiled.

            “No matter what happened or the current situation was, I am going to be Sarah’s good friend. It is the least I could do for her.” Zyrok told himself as he reflected.

            With that thought, he smiled as he fell asleep on the soft bed.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 13- Hard Forgotten Pasts

Kirovskiy, Krasnoyarsk, Russia,

Zlobino District

April 13, 2001

1030 Local Time

            “So your story checks out. You are fugitives.” a tall bearded man spoke to Reid and his marines behind bars.

            “Yeah, we don’t work for the UNSC no more.” Reid nodded.

            “So what makes your life valuable.” the man pulled out a Luger.

            “I’m Lieutenant Reid. An officer of the UNSC. I know how the UNSC operates. Formations, deployments, communications, operations…you name it.” Reid stuck out his hand.

            “Oh, really? How do I know you are not bluffing?” the man questioned.

            “Look, you have no idea what the UNSC did to me. They took everything I had all because of a girl.” Reid withdrew his hand.

            “A girl?” the man laughed.

            “Sarah Parks…the girl who started this mess.” Reid replied angrily.

            “That’s true. I vouch for him.” Mendoza added.

            “You can’t vouch.” Reid stared.

            “Sergei, you will have to prove your worth Lieutenant Reid.” the man patted his chest.

            “Pleased to meet you.” Reid grinned.

            “We’re having difficulties locating a secret facility in the Middle East. On top of that, we are facing UNSC troops who may also be looking for it.” Sergei briefed.

            “What do you want us to do?” Reid raised an eyebrow.

            “Since you are UNSC, I want you to infiltrate them and recover Intel about their finds.” Sergei replied.

            “They will know.” Reid replied with a concerned look.

            “You know the frequencies for their communications. We need to know their progress.” Sergei explained.

            “Okay, what do you propose?” Reid crossed his arms.

            “Your team will aid with our team in Afghanistan and assist in completing the objective.” Sergei briefed.

            “What do we get once we’re done?” Reid looked suspiciously.

            “If you finish the task alive, you can join us. Or you can face the UNSC when we turn you in for a bounty or we can just kill you right now.” Sergei explained.

            “Join you? I would like to get back in the fight. The UNSC discharged me with no justifiable reason.” Reid pointed at Sergei.

            “I’d join.” Morgan added.

            “I’m with you LT.” Miller stood up.

            Reid looked at his marines as they stood behind him. He nodded to his men and then faced Sergei.

            “We’ll take option one.” Reid announced as he looked at his men again.

            “Sounds good. You’ll be leaving for Afghanistan the next day and briefed on the way there.” Sergei clapped his hands.

            “How do we get there?” Mendoza asked.

            “We are not the UNSC. We have helicopters to take us there.” Sergei answered.

            “It’s fine.” Reid nodded.

            “We’re not that high tech.” Sergei laughed.

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 13, 2001

1800 Local Time

            “Still no luck in finding that facility.” Cookson reported to Frederick after exiting his Mongoose with Christopher.

            “Yeah, it’s damn hard when we’re trying to avoid the Russians roaming around.” Christopher remarked.

            “Don’t worry marines, we’ll find a way.” Frederick yawned as she looked at her computer.

            “Still…Russians…I don’t like them.” Christopher crossed his arms.

            “We’re Aussies, so deal with it.” Robertson patted his badge proudly.

            “Russians are no different. They still fall to bullets.” Frederick commented.

            “Well, they are better than zombies. They actually put up a legit challenge.” Robertson pulled out his pistol and cocked it.

            “And they took out a lot of our wares.” Sears frowned.

            “How many?” Zyrok asked.

            “At least five vehicles.” Sears estimated.

            “At this rate, we’ll have no transportation.” Forester concluded.

            “Pretty much.” Sears nodded.

            “Well, can’t we call for more?” Green suggested.

            “We can’t. The Russians seem to have a communications jammer in place. We can only use short range.” Sears reminded the group of marines.

            “Great, no backup.” Pruett sighed.

            “Sarge, the supply plane comes in next month?” Hariprasad asked.

            “No, it would be two months…maybe three since it came early with to drop these folks off.” Sears shook his head.

            “Great, we have to survive with what we have against the Russians. Plus, most of the equipment is for zombies and research.” Hariprasad frowned.

            “Don’t worry. We’ll work something out.” Zyrok assured.

            “Exactly.” Frederick agreed.

            “Get some rest ladies and gentlemen.” Zyrok stood up and walked to the door.

            Zyrok watched his squad exited the room and then saw Frederick and Green chatting beside a computer. He was a bit bored and decided to ask them if they knew such of a girl named Sarah.

            “Hello Zyrok, what can we do for you?” Frederick looked at Zyrok as he approached them.

            “You folks come from Australia, right?” Zyrok asked.

            “That’s right. We’re the Aussies.” Frederick answered proudly.

            “I was wondering…” Zyrok spoke nervously.

            “Yeah?” Green asked.

            “Go on.” Frederick watched as Zyrok reached into his chest pocket.

            “Have you seen this girl?” Zyrok showed the picture of Sarah to the marines.

            “Wait, wait, wait. Isn’t that Sarah Parks?” Green examined the picture and looked at Frederick.

            “Sarah Parks? No way!” Frederick looked at Zyrok’s picture in his hand again.

            “You know her?” Zyrok widened his eyes.

            “Yeah! That’s Cookson’s wife.” Green exclaimed.

            “Cookson? Wife?” Zyrok was shocked.

            “Yeah, what are you doing with a picture of her? How do you know her?” Frederick asked.

            “Umm…” Zyrok replied nervously as Cookson and Christopher walked over.

            “Someone call my name?” Cookson asked.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 12- Young Guns

Haji Aziz Maina, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Haji Aziz Complex

April 6, 2001

2040 Local Time

            Zyrok heard a gunshot and heard the sound of a body drop to the ground. He opened his eyes and saw Frederick holding a smoking SA80.

            “Rescue!” Casey exclaimed.

            Frederick shouldered her weapon and untied Zyrok. Zyrok flashed a smile of appreciation and stood up. Zyrok watched May run up beside Forester and cut the ropes binding her.

            “We got to hurry.” Frederick looked at the entrance.

            “We’ll get Foo.” Forester looked at Casey standing up as May untied him.

            “Foo, we’ll help you.” Casey lifted Foo’s arm around his shoulder.

            Foo groaned as pain spiked to his head from both his injured legs.

            “Let’s move.” Frederick waved as she headed for the door.

            Two armed men rushed out and Frederick swiftly placed a round into each of their heads.

            “Nice.” Zyrok complimented.

            “That’s how the Aussies do it. Quick and effective.” Frederick paced forward holding her SA80 firmly with both hands.

            “Hariprasad, meet me at the entrance with Timothy” Frederick spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Yes ma’am. On our way.” Hariprasad replied back.

            “Come on, let’s go.” May hustled as she watched the back.

            Zyrok followed closely behind Frederick whilst Forester and Casey carried Foo behind him. Frederick walked out of the building and fired a couple of shots and took out a couple of hostiles.

            “Timothy, where’s that ride?” Frederick spoke on the RaidComm.

            “On our way Lieutenant.” Tiimothy replied.

            Zyrok picked up an AK47 from a fallen soldier and fired at the rooftops.

            “Snipers, get cover!” Forester shouted.

            Forester dragged Foo behind a wrecked car while Casey ducked behind a pillar. Zyrok aimed his gun at the roof and laid a light suppressive fire.

            “I got them.” Frederick looked through her scope and fired.

           A troop transport Warthog skidded to a stop beside them and Taylor waved from the passenger seat. After a minute, another Warthog sped up behind them and Hariprasad honked on the horn.

            “Move!” Frederick shouted.

            Taylor looked at the rooftop and took out a few soldiers with his MSG-9 while the marines climbed onto the back seats of the troop transport Warthog.

            “May, get the turret.” Frederick pointed at Hariprasad’s Warthog.

            “Yes ma’am.” May hustled and climbed onto the turret.

            “Lieutenant, this is Williams. One of our Warthogs has been blown up. Repeat, we can not hold any longer.” Williams spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Copy, Williams get your team back to base. We have extracted our subjects.” Frederick ordered.

            “Roger LT, we’re pulling out.” Williams replied.

            “Lieutenant, Cookson here. Major enemy reinforcements advancing to your location. You need to get out now.” Cookson reported on the RaidComm.

            “Thanks Cookson. Keep us posted until we’re out of the hot zone.” Frederick ordered.

            “Copy ma’am.” Cookson acknowledged.

            “Hariprasad, drive us out of here.” Frederick patted the dashboard.

            “Gotcha.” Hariprasad stepped on the gas pedal.

            “Timothy! Follow closely.” Frederick waved her hand in the air.

            “On my way…” Timothy was cut off as a bang erupted from a roof and got shot.

            “Man down!” Taylor shouted from the passenger seat next to Timothy.

            “May, lay down suppressive fire.” Frederick commanded.

            “You got it.” May replied and spun the turret at the roof where the sniper shot Timothy.

            Casey climbed out from the back seat and dragged Timothy to the back whilst Taylor hopped in the driver’s seat.

            “Go!” Casey shouted as he examined Timothy’s wound.

            A sniper round had penetrated Timothy’s chest and blood was gushing out rapidly. Timothy coughed blood and squinted his eyes as he looked at the dark sky.

            “It’s okay.” Timothy clutched his chest and smiled at Casey.

            “Hang on.” Casey applied pressure to Timothy’s chest.

            “It’s fine. You’re safe now.” Timothy breathed out his last breath and died.

            “He’s gone…” Casey knelt to his knees with blood dripping from his hands.

            “Double time it!” Frederick spoke out on the RaidComm.

            “You got it LT.” Taylor stepped on the accelerator.

            “Cookson, get yourself and Christopher out of the hell hole.” Frederick commanded.

            “Copy that.” Christopher responded.

            Zyrok sat in the back seat of the troop transport Warthog and looked at Forester. The wind from the speed of the Warthog made Forester’s ponytail dance in the wind.

            “Forester, why are the Russians here?” Zyrok looked at Forester with a tired face.

            “Zyrok, I have no idea. I’m assuming they want to find the Secronom facility as much as we do.” Forester replied.

            “For what?” Zyrok raised an eyebrow.

            “I don’t know…I don’t know…” Forester shrugged.