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.