UNSCDF2 Chapter 4- A New Challenge

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 6, 2001

1600 Local Time

        Staff Sergeant Ryan Sears brushed his mustache as he adjusted his sunglasses. He had been deployed at Afghanistan with his Fire Team for more than three months sitting and doing nothing. It was nice that a Pelican carrying two squads of marines came here and brought back liveliness a few days ago. His team was given the duty to offer accommodation and necessary support to aid in the search for a covert research facility.

            “Sir.” a young dark skinned marine drove up beside Sears on a Mongoose.

            “Private Hariprasad, any news?” Sears watched as Hariprasad exited the Mongoose.

            “No Staff Sergeant.” Hariprasad reported.

            “Let’s hope Echo or Jackal got something.” Sears watched as two Mongooses sped down the roads towards them.

            “Well, it’s sand and dust out there.” Hariprasad kicked the ground.

            “Get inside and get some rest Private.” Sears pointed at a big tent behind him.

            “Sir.” Hariprasad nodded and walked off.

            Sears squinted his eyes as the incoming Mongooses reflected sunlight to his eyes. Frederick got off her vehicle while Green and Robertson exited their Mongoose. Sears saluted Frederick and watched her remove a duffle bag from the rear seat of her Mongoose.

            “What’s that ma’am?” Sears looked curious.

            “Oh, just our reconnaissance gear.” Frederick turned and smiled.

            “We’ll take that Lieutenant.” Green walked up beside Frederick and offered help.

            “Thanks. Get inside and get hydrated.” Frederick handed Green the bag and swiped sweat off her forehead.

            “Understood.” Robertson thanked and walked off with Green.

            “Echo back yet?” Frederick looked around.

            “Nope. I heard they went to the city. They should be back in less than ten minutes.” Sears replied as he looked at his watch.

            “Let me contact them.” Frederick walked over to the Mongoose and wore her helmet.

            “Echo, this is Jackal, come in over.” Frederick spoke to the RaidComm communications built inside the helmet.

      Frederick waited for a few minutes when suddenly she heard gunshots coming from the communications.

            “Jackal, this is Echo. We are currently engaging local militia who thinks we’re responsible for the outbreak.” Casey replied on the RaidComm.

            “Militia?” Frederick asked.

            “Militia, stragglers, hostiles, terrorists…you name it.” Casey replied.

            “Do you need assistance Echo?” Frederick perked her eye.

            “That won’t be necessary Lieutenant.” Casey replied.

            “How many hostiles are you fighting?” Frederick asked.

            “I’d say there must be at least thirty of them.” Casey reported.

            “Thirty? How many UNSC marines?” Frederick widened her eyes.

            “Six including me. Don’t worry Lieutenant, we’ve got Zyrok and Forester here. They are no match for the UNSC.” Casey replied with enthusiasm.

            “Copy that, stay safe. Jackal out.” Frederick shut off the communications.

         Something in Frederick told her that she should bring some marines just for backup. A High Command officer was present and it would be nice to show that Jackal Squadron was different.

            “Staff Sergeant, I’m going to need one of your men to show us the way.” Frederick commanded.

            “Yes ma’am. Anything else?” Sears asked.

            “A Warthog with a turret should suffice.” Frederick answered.

            “You got it.” Sears acknowledged and headed inside the tent.

            Frederick walked to Jackal Squadron’s tent and saw her marines relaxing on their seats.

            “Officer on deck!” May shouted.

            All the marines stood up and looked at Frederick.

            “At east marines. May, Cookson, and Christopher, come with me.” Frederick exited the tent.

            As Frederick exited the tent, she saw a Warthog drive towards them.

            “Private Austin Hariprasad at your service.” the driver greeted.

            Sears got out of the passenger seat and saluted Frederick.

            “All fuelled up and ready for action.” Sears reported.

        “Excellent. May, get on the turret. Cookson and Christopher, take a Mongoose.” Frederick delegated the tasks.

            “Got it Lieutenant.” May climbed on the Warthog and readied the turret.

            Cookson and Christopher hurried off to a nearby Mongoose and turned on the ignition. Cookson got on the driver’s seat while Christopher sat in the back. Feeling ready, Frederick climbed into the passenger’s seat on the Warthog.

            “Let’s roll!” Forester pointed forward.

Haji Aziz, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Safdar Kalay District

April 6, 2001

1730 Local Time

            “Suppressive fire two o’clock!” Casey shouted as bullets whizzed past him.

            “Covering!” Foo stepped out from an abandoned car and sprayed with his M16.

            “Captain! We need to get out of here!” Taylor sniped a shooter on the roof with his MSG-9.

            “Alright marines. Head into the buildings, we’ll get cover there.” Zyrok pointed at a ruined building behind them.

            “Sir, what about the Warthog?” Casey pointed at their troop transport Warthog in the middle of the road.

            “Forget it.” Zyrok shook his head.

            “Lance Corporal Simon, get ready to move.” Forester yelled from her cover.

            The streets were a mess. The exchange of gunfire had taken out all zombies in the vicinity. The only thing left was humans fighting each other.

            “On my mark in three…two…one!” Zyrok waved his hand and shouted.

            “Cover!” Casey pumped his Sega-20 shotgun into the buildings that had armed men shooting at them.

            The marines got out of their cover as Casey and Foo covered. Foo watched at the rooftop and noticed a man armed with a RPG.

            “RPG! Get down!” Foo shouted.

            The man fired and the missile smashed into their Warthog and created a massive explosion. Just as Simon was sprinting towards cover, debris from the Warthog smashed into his head and decapitated him.

            “Man down!” Zyrok slid across the coarse pavement into cover.

            “Cover Casey and Foo!” Forester commanded as she fired her USP at some militia.

            Taylor steadied his MSG-9 and aimed. Pacing his breathing, Taylor was able to snipe off distant shooters. Casey saw the cover fire and waved at Foo.

            “Now!” Casey hollered.

            The pair quickly got out of cover and sprinted towards Zyrok’s position. Casey ran a bit faster than Foo and turned around just in time to see a bullet pierce Foo’s left leg.

            “Gah!” Foo cried as he fell to the ground.

            Casey pulled out his Lock 17 sidearm and fired randomly as he ran up beside Foo. He grabbed Foo’s flak jacket and dragged him into the building whilst shooting with one hand.

            “Everyone inside now!” Zyrok shouted as he went inside the building.

            “Taylor and Casey, watch the entrance!” Forester commanded as she approached the injured Foo.

            “We’re pinned.” Zyrok reloaded his Desert Fox.

            “It’s a flesh wound.” Foo winced in pain as Forester wrapped bandages to his leg.

            “We need to find a way out.” Zyrok looked inside the building.

            “I’ll take a look around.” Forester volunteered.

            “RPG!” Casey yelled as he ran from the entrance.

            Taylor spun around and ran behind Casey. In less than a few seconds, the wall behind them exploded as the missile smashed into the building. Zyrok saw time slow down as his men flew in the air followed by a gust of dust sweep into the building. Zyrok coughed as a surge of hear swept over him. Gunshots resonated in the background and the sound of his marines yelling brought Zyrok back to focus.

            “Medic!” Casey hollered.

            “Taylor!” Foo crouched beside an unconscious Taylor.

            “Fall back!” Zyrok watched as figures entered the building armed with AK47s.

           Zyrok fired his pistol at the figures whilst Casey and Foo lifted Taylor up and dragged him to the back of the building. He paused for a moment to think. Zyrok was certain that sooner or later that they would all get killed before they even found the research facility.

            “This is Echo Squad requesting any UNSC reinforcements. We’re pinned down at a building in the Safdar Kalay District. Anyone copy?” Zyrok spoke on the RaidComm as he ran backwards while firing.

            Zyrok unclipped a frag grenade from his belt and threw it behind him. A small bang shook the ground and Zyrok went into a room with his marines.

            “This is worse than zombies.” Foo reloaded his M16.

            “This is Echo, any UNSC personnel copy? We have casualties and request backup.” Zyrok broadcasted on the RaidComm.

            “They’re coming in.” Casey spoke to Forester as he saw a group of militia run into the building.

            “This is it people. Our last stand, let’s give them hell.” Forester cocked her USP.

            Zyrok nodded to his men and smiled. It had been quite a career for him and ultimately every path ended somewhere. Zyrok heard gunshots firing outside and he could see bullets ripping through the door. A minute of silence followed and Zyrok aimed his gun at the door. The door opened slowly and a gun barrel protruded.

            “Let’s do it boss.” Casey nodded as he steadied his gun.

            “It’s been a great honor.” Zyrok turned to look at his men.

            Forester smiled at Zyrok and muttered something under her breath. Zyrok looked at Taylor unconscious beside Forester and looked at Foo. Foo looked at his leg and grinned at Zyrok.

            “Fire!” Zyrok shouted as the door swung open.