UNSCDF2 Chapter 11- Marines in Need

Haji Aziz Maina, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Kandahar Ghazni Highway

April 6, 2001

2000 Local Time

            A Warthog and a Mongoose sped out from a corner and skidded as it turned right. The vehicles came to a stop beside a building and Frederick pulled out her datapad.

            “They are two blocks away and stationary.” Frederick examined her datapad.

            “Shall we wait for the rest of the team?” Hariprasad asked.

            “No, time is valuable here.” Frederick replied.

            “What now ma’am?” May asked.

            “We’ll get Cookson and Christopher to do a recon of the area before we commence rescue.” Frederick waved at Cookson.

            Cookson drove the Mongoose up beside Frederick and listened to her orders. He nodded in acknowledgement and drove off down the streets with Christopher.

            “May, man the turret. Hariprasad and I will look around.” Frederick got out of her seat.

            Hariprasad scanned the buildings with his M16 and then huddled next to Frederick.

            “Lieutenant, the area is patrolled by armed men with snipers on the roof.” Cookson spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Anything else?” Frederick asked back.

            “The marines seem to be captured inside a building, but it’s heavily guarded by a turret.” Cookson reported.

            “Copy, it’s going to be a hell hole once we commence our rescue.” Frederick replied.

            “Head back and we’ll plan out our rescue when the rest of the team gets here?” Cookson asked.

            “Negative, the both of you will be on lookout and provide us constant updates of hostiles.” Frederick ordered.

            “Copy, holding position.” Cookson replied back.

            “Hariprasad, get on the Warthog. We’re going to get into position.” Frederick commanded.

            “Copy that.” Hariprasad nodded and jumped into the driver’s seat.

            “Are we going to engage first?” May turned the turret around.

            “Staff Sergeant Williams, how’s the backup coming along?” Frederick spoke on the RaidComm.

            “We’re one block away ma’am.” Williams spoke back.

            “Well commence extraction from the west. You bring the troop transport Warthog to our location and then attract the attention to you.” Frederick ordered.

            “Yes ma’am. I’ll dispatch Private Timothy and Corporal Taylor to your location. We’ll commence distraction on your mark.” Williams responded.

            “Ok, thank you Williams.” Frederick thanked.

            The three marines sat on the Warthog patiently as they waited for their troop transport Warthog to arrive. After a few minutes, Frederick saw a Warthog turn around a corner and stopped beside them.

            “Glad to see you Lieutenant.” Taylor greeted.

            “How many marines on Williams’ side?” Frederick asked.

            “Just Green and Robertson.” Taylor replied.

            “Sounds about right.” a young marine spoke from the driver’s seat.

            “Timothy, anyone from Fire Team Kilo coming here?” Frederick asked the driver.

            “No ma’am. They need to run operations.” Timothy shook his head.

            “How about the rest of Echo?’ Frederick looked at Taylor.

            “I don’t know.” Taylor shrugged.

            “Forget it, time is of the essence.” Frederick looked at her watch.

            “Plans?” Taylor asked.

            “Cookson’s our eye from above. Williams’ our distraction. We’re the rescue team. It will be a quick snatch and grab.” Frederick explained.

            “These militia are well equipped. I suspect that they are receiving aid.” Taylor spoke out.

            “Militia or not, it’s time to show that you don’t mess with the UNSC. Especially the Aussies because we mean business!” Frederick spoke proudly.

            “Hell yeah.” May agreed.

            “Let’s get ready now.” Frederick adjusted her helmet.

            “Locked and loaded.” Taylor cocked his MSG-9.

            “Williams, commence fire.” Frederick ordered on the RaidComm.

            “Roger, commencing fire.” Williams replied back.

            “Stay safe and watch out for snipers.” Frederick cautioned.

            “Copy that.” Williams acknowledged.

            “Good luck, Frederick out.” Frederick shut off the RaidComm.

            In the distant background, gunshots were increasing substantially as Williams’ team attracted the hostiles’ attention.

            “Cookson, report in situation.” Frederick spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Lieutenant, multiple hostiles converging towards Williams’ team.” Cookson reported.

            “Copy, keep us posted. We’re moving in.” Frederick waved forward.

            “We got two people on the lookout. We got your back LT.” Cookson assured.

            The two Warthogs sped down the dusty streets and parked beside a building before an intersection.

            “Hold Timothy. We’ll engage hostiles first.” Frederick eyed May.

            “Let’s shoot some terrorists.” May nodded.

            “Copy.” Timothy nodded with a grin.

            “I’ll cover your back here.” Taylor wielded his sniper rifle.

            “Sounds good. Time to save some marines.” Frederick patted Hariprasad to drive.

            Taylor watched as Frederick and her marines drove down the road and began to fire to their right. Taylor looked at the roof with his scope and saw a sniper perched on the ledge. He smiled as he aimed the sights on his head and fired.

            “Gotcha.” Taylor laughed.

            “Nice.” Timothy congratulated.

            “Hmm, another one.” Taylor looked at another roof and fired.

            “You’re getting all the action.” Timothy complained.

            “Don’t worry, we’ll get some action soon.” Taylor pointed at a turret firing at Frederick’s Warthog.

            “I’ll drive, you snipe.” Timothy started the vehicle’s engines.

            “Sounds good.” Taylor smiled.

Haji Aziz Maina, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Haji Aziz Complex

April 6, 2001

1950 Local Time

            “I don’t like to repeat myself. Why are you here?” the old man spoke to a restrained Zyrok.

            “I’ve told you already. We are doing reconnaissance of the area.” Zyrok replied vaguely.

            “I know that, but what are you looking for?” the old man questioned.

            “You’re not a local aren’t you?” Forester spoke out with arms and legs tied to a chair.

“I ask the questions here.” the old man walked to Forester and slapped her face.

“You coward.” Foo shouted out.

“Who let this idiot speak?” the old man waved at an armed man standing at the back of the room.

“The man walked up to Foo and took out his pistol. The old man nodded and pointed at Foo’s injured leg. The armed man jabbed his pistol onto Foo’s wounds and laughed as the marine cried in pain.

“Still feel like talking?” the old man taunted.

“You are pathetic.” Zyrok spoke as he watched Foo moan in pain.

            “Look Captain Zyrok, if you don’t start giving me the answers I want, your soldiers are going to experience a world of pain.” the old man looked at Zyrok’s name on his uniform.

            “I’ve already told you, we are doing recon.” Zyrok repeated.

            “You are not really cooperating with us.” the old man sighed.

            “I am.” Zyrok spoke seriously.

            “Let me give you a little motivation.” the old man looked at the armed man and then pointed at Foo’s right leg.

            “No…” Foo watched in horror as the armed man pointed the gun on his thigh.

            “Captain Zyrok, if you don’t start giving me clear answers, I’m going to place a bullet into your friend’s leg.” the old man demanded.

            “Don’t.” Forester eyed Zyrok.

            “Your call…” the old man looked at Zyrok.

            “Zyrok, please.” Foo looked at Zyrok.

            “I’ll count to three. One…two…” the old man looked at the armed man.

            “Wait!” Zyrok blurted.

            “Zyrok, don’t.” Forester interrupted.

            “Shut up. Tell me Captain.” the old man punched Forester in the stomach.

            “We’re doing recon for research of new zombies and how different environments affect virus strains.” Zyrok lied.

            “Hmm, it’s still not good enough. Three.” the old man rubbed his chin.

            The armed man smiled and fired his pistol into Foo’s right leg. Foo cried out in pain as the bullet pierced though his leg.

            “God damn it! What are you looking for?” Casey finally spoke in frustration.

            “The same thing we’re looking for. I know pretty well that you aren’t here for that.” the old man looked at Casey.

            “Which is?” Casey asked.

            “I want to hear you tell us first.” the old man demanded.

            “You got the wrong people.” Casey replied.

            “Captain Zyrok, you know what you are here for.” the old man stared.

            “I’ve told you to the best of my ability.” Zyrok cried out loud.

            “Let me enlighten you while I carve up your girlfriend.” the old man pulled out a kukri from his belt and walked up to Forester.

            “We’re a research team! For god sakes.” Zyrok shouted.

            “Shall I carve her pretty white face or should I cut out her sparkling blue eyes?” the old man smiled evilly.

            “Leave her alone!” Casey spoke out.

            The old man walked up to Casey and punched him right in his gut. Casey coughed and winced in pain. Just as the old man was about to punch Casey again, two armed men rushed into the room.

            “Dimitri, they’re here.” a strong and well-built man reported.

            “Can you guys take care of the intruders?” the old man replied.

            “No sir, they’ve got a lot of firepower this time. We need to get you to the other bases.” the strong man spoke briskly.

            “Ok, Trosha, kill the hostages once we go.” Dimitri pointed at an armed man standing beside the strong man.

            “Yes sir.” Trosha nodded.

            Zyrok watched as Dimitri and the strong man ran out of the room and heard distant gunshots echoing from the halls. He turned his head to Trosha and watched him lift his AK47 at his head. Time wasn’t on their side this time. He closed his eyes and accepted his fate. Bang!