UNSCDF2 Chapter 19- Secrets and Feelings

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 18, 2001

1545 Local Time

            “Wake up sir.” a Prviate named Timmins shook Zyrok.

            “What? Huh?” Zyrok groggily said.

            “Jackal Squadron managed to successfully pull off a rescue mission.” Timmins replied excitedly.

            “Rescue mission?” Zyrok rubbed his eyes.

            “Frederick went to intercept a prisoner transport and saved three marines.” Timmins answered.

            “What? Under whose authorization?” Zyrok got out of his bed.

            “Frederick, sir. Why?” Timmins had a confused face.

            “I have doubts.” Zyrok replied.

            “Why?” Timmins scratched his head.

            “Where are they now?” Zyrok walked to the door.

            “Mess Hall, sir.” Timmins followed closely.

            “Forester?” Zyrok asked.

            “Her team is still out sir.” Timmins answered.    

            “Alright, contact Forester and tell her to head back. I’ll go to the Mess Hall to take a look.” Zyrok commanded.

            “Understood sir.” Timmins saluted and ran off.

            Zyrok paced himself quickly to the Mess Hall and saw Jackal Squadron talk to three marines sitting on a couch.

            “Officer on deck!” Williams shouted.

            Everyone stopped talking and turned their heads towards Zyrok.

            “At ease. Frederick where are you?” Zyrok scanned the crowd.

            “Here sir.” Frederick stood up from her seat behind Green.

            “Please see me.” Zyrok eyed the marines sitting on the couch and then walked out of the room.

            Frederick looked around and saw the marines staring at her. She nodded to Williams before walking out to see Zyrok. Zyrok stood a couple meters away from the Mess Hall entrance with a serious face.

            “You okay Zyrok?” Frederick asked.

            “We need to talk…in my office.” Zyrok looked around.

            Zyrok led Frederick to his office and pointed at a chair for Frederick to sit. After Frederick sat down, Zyrok looked out the door and then closed it shut.

            “Zyrok, do you mind telling me what’s going on?” Frederick looked at Zyrok with concerned eyes.

            “What was that?” Zyrok waved his hand out the door.

            “What?” Frederick asked.

            “The marines.” Zyrok answered briskly.

            “Our squad rescued them a few hours ago.” Frederick answered.

            “I know that. Who authorized it?” Zyrok demanded.

            “Sir, I did.” Frederick answered.

            “Why did you do it?” Zyrok questioned.

            “Zyrok, Forester was out and you were in the medical room. I assessed the risks and acted on behalf of the UNSC’s interests. Is something wrong?” Frederick asked.

            “Remember the talk we had yesterday?” Zyrok asked.

            “Yes, but those are still our men. The UNSC. We can’t let them be in the hands of terrorists.” Frederick explained herself.

            “I understand, but why are the Russians letting them live? They must have a bargaining chip.” Zyrok challenged.

            “With all due respect Zyrok, I think you’re over thinking it.” Frederick countered politely.

            “We better be cautious.” Zyrok warned.

            “Zyrok, I take full responsibility for my actions.” Frederick replied.

            “I hope you are right Lieutenant. Our long range communications are down and if a situation arises, we may be in trouble.” Zyrok theorized.

            “Trust me Zyrok.” Frederick looked into Zyrok’s eyes.

            “Oh, I trust you alright, no question about it. The question is…can we trust them?” Zyrok stared back into Frederick’s eyes.

            “Thank you Zyrok. I guess we’ll find out, but we will be ready.” Frederick thanked.

            “I plan to have zero casualties after the mission is over. Then again, it’s impossible. This is war.” Zyrok sighed.

            “Zyrok, you’re really a different officer.” Frederick complimented.

            “Thanks.” Zyrok blushed.

            “I thought I was going to be in trouble for what I did, but you were understanding.” Frederick replied.

            “What’s done is done, you can’t change the past, but you can shape the future.” Zyrok spoke.

            “This is what I mean.” Frederick pointed at Zyrok and laughed.

            “Haha. Hey Frederick, mind if I ask you a question that might be somewhat out of the blue?” Zyrok laughed nervously.

            “Shoot.” Frederick nodded.

            “Back in Australia or the USA, how’s Sarah doing?” Zyrok asked softly.

            “Oh, she’s doing well. She’s actually a police officer. Lance Corporal, I think.” Frederick replied with a soft smile.

            “Is she happy?” Zyrok asked.

            “Yes she is. Still thinking about her Charlie?” Frederick asked.

            “All the time…all the time.” Zyrok took out the photo of Sarah from her chest pocket.

            “She must really mean something.” Frederick guessed.

            “Everything I’ve got.” Zyrok nodded.

            “I’m sure she’s proud to have you by her side.” Frederick assured Zyrok with a warm smile.

            “I hope so…” Zyrok looked at the picture and placed it back into his chest pocket.

            “Keeping it close to your heart, I see.” Frederick pointed.

            “Oh, yeah. All the time.” Zyrok patted his chest.

            “That’s sweet of you.” Frederick laughed lightly.

            “What about you Frederick?” Zyrok asked.

            “Jenny. You can call me Jenny, Charlie.” Frederick corrected.

            “Jenny, do you have a special someone?” Zyrok asked.

            “Umm...I used to…” Frederick stared blankly at the wall.

            “Please continue, I’m not going to judge.” Zyrok assured.

            “Well, there was a guy who I thought was the person I would marry. I later found out that he was cheating on me and I was hurt real bad.” Frederick closed her eyes.

            “It’s alright, you can trust me.” Zyrok assured.

            “I don’t know Charlie, I don’t feel comfortable talking about it.” Frederick looked away.

            “It’s fine, I’m not going to pressure you into doing things you aren’t comfortable.” Zyrok spoke softly.

            “I’m sorry, I just don’t want to be hurt again.” Frederick looked down at the ground.

            “Don’t be sorry. You did nothing wrong. My doors are open anytime if you want to talk.” Zyrok smiled.

            “Thanks Charlie, you are very understanding.” Frederick gave her appreciation.

            A knock on the door interrupted Zyrok’s train of thought.

            “Yes?” Zyrok called out.

            “Sir, it’s Timmins. Forester is back, do you need to see her?” Timmins replied.

            “Yes please.” Zyrok replied back and looked at Frederick.      

            “I’ll see you later Zyrok.” Frederick stood up.

            “Yeah, we sure will.” Zyrok laughed.

            Zyrok watched as Frederick opened the door and walked out.

            “Ma’am.” Timmins greeted Frederick with a crisp salute.

            “Timmins.” Frederick saluted back.

            “Timmins, tell Forester to come see me here.” Zyrok ordered.

            “Yes sir.” Timmins nodded and walked off.

            Zyrok looked at his desk and frowned. Like most UNSC officers’ desks, they usually have a portrait of their family or children, but Zyrok’s desk was empty. On his desk were only a mug, a datapad, some folders, and his computer. The only photo he could put on his desk was Sarah, but he didn’t want it leaving his side so he always kept it close to his heart. No matter how dark Zyrok’s past was and how much he got hurt, Zyrok still continued to be loyal and faithful. He had a rough idea of what Frederick went through, but until she gave the details, Zyrok wasn’t really sure of Frederick’s feelings. At least she opened up a little bit and Zyrok was beginning to know the real Frederick behind the uniform. On the other hand, Forester seemed quite reserved. She almost never talked about herself and is a work-oriented person. Maybe the years serving in High Command turned humans into machines. Machines that acted in the best interested of the UNSC without feeling or emotion. Just as Zyrok was thinking of Forester, Forester stood at the door.

            “Zyrok?” Forester quietly knocked on the door.

            “Come on in and close the door behind you.” Zyrok greeted.

            Forester walked in and gently closed the door.

            “What have you heard so far?” Zyrok asked.

           “Timmins brought me up to speed on my way here. Other than that, I heard you have concerns?” Forester explained.

            “Ok, let me make it as concise as possible.” Zyrok replied.

            “Go on.” Forester urged.

            “Well, yesterday you voiced your uncertainties with the hostages and the Russians. Now that they are here and we don’t have time to investigate, we must keep our eyes open.” Zyrok spoke his mind.

            “I agree, has Frederick been notified?” Forester asked.

            “Yes, she has.” Zyrok nodded.

            “Alright, I’ll go inform Sears and his men.” Forester stood up and walked to the door.

            Before Zyrok could ask other things on his mind, Forester opened the door and looked at her watch.

            “I’ll catch you later.” Forester bid her farewell.

            “Yeah…bye.” Zyrok scratched his head and watched Forester walk down the hallway.

            Zyrok laughed quietly about his previous thoughts about Forester. She hadn’t changed one bit at all. She was still the hard worker and mission-oriented girl. If Zyrok wanted to find out more about her, he would have to do a lot more digging. In the meantime, he would have plenty of time to know all the marines that he would be working with during his stay in Afghanistan especially the rescued marines.