UNSCDF2 Chapter 21- Looking for Ways

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Mirwais Nikka Hospital

April 19, 2001

1345 Local Time

            Timothy received Intel from Reid mentioning about the discovery of Secronom. He had dispatched Miller to pass on the message to Dimitri.

            “Where is it?” Dimitri rushed into the room with excitement.

            “Sir, Reid didn’t specify. He said he’s going along with the UNSC to find out.” Timothy replied.

            “We are so close now.” Dimitri smiled evilly.

            “Ideas sir?” Miller spoke from behind Dimitri.

            “Let the UNSC open all the doors for us and then we make our opening scene.” Dimitri explained.

            “So what are we and the UNSC looking for exactly?” Timothy spoke with curiosity.

            “Some say it’s the cure while others say it’s a weapon. Until we get inside, we won’t know for sure.” Dimitri answered.

            “The cure for the virus can be weapon too.” Miller added.

            “Exactly. We will have to see for ourselves.” Dimitri nodded.

            “I prefer a cure.” Timothy spoke his mind.

            “Gentlemen, keep me posted.” Dimitri spun around and exited the room.

            “I wonder how Reid and the others are doing.” Miller looked at Timothy.

            “Well, they seem to be blending in quite fine.” Timothy replied.

            “They sure are. It’s good the long range communications are jammed.” Miller added.

            “That’s like the only thing keeping their cover from being blown.” Timothy pointed at the metal box.

            “Hey Timothy…” Miller whispered.

            “Yeah?” Timothy turned his head slightly.

            “Do you trust the Russians?” Miller looked around.

            “What do you mean?” Timothy raised an eyebrow.

            “Well, what if the Russians were just using us? What if we’re pawns too?” Miller looked around.

            “Look Miller, if you join the military, we’re all pawns.” Timothy reassured.

            “I understand that, what are the purposes of the Russians? They need out help to gather Intel from the UNSC so they could get whatever Secronom holds. The question I have here is whether they have a purpose for us after this whole operation is over…” Miller explained his points.

            “I don’t know Miller, I really can’t tell you. We have to be prepared when the time comes.” Timothy whispered as a Russian soldier walked past them.

            “Well, I trust nobody except our squad. I just hope Reid’s judgment is right.” Miller looked at the ceiling and stretched his arms.

            “Right now, we’re in a pickle in communicating with Reid and the others.” Timothy pointed at the speakers.

            “What do you mean?” Miller asked.

            “We can hear their RaidComm chats, but we can’t talk with Reid without compromising our position. If the UNSC finds out their frequencies are compromised, I’m afraid Reid’s cover will be blown.” Timothy explained.

            “Then what?” Miller crossed his arms.

            “We can only wait for Reid to communicate to us.” Timothy told Miller the only feasible option.

            “That might take a while.” Miller sighed.

            “No choice. Better safe than sorry, you know.” Timothy agreed.

Reygi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Secronom Research Facility

April 19, 2001

1425 Local Time

            “LT, there’s no way in or out.” May reported to Frederick as she exited Cookson’s Mongoose.

            “No way huh?” Frederick frowned.

            “We have to get past the sentry guns before anything.” Cookson pointed.

            “Any way to shut it off?” Zyrok joined in on the conversation.

            “Take out the power and we should be good.” May suggested.

            “Or blow it up.” Schmidt gave his thoughts.

            “It’s good, but I don’t think destruction would make things any easier. Who knows what other defenses will be activated once we destroy the guns.” Zyrok pointed at the destroyed fence.

            “Ok, there must be a power station somewhere close by.” Frederick turned her head and scanned the environment.

            “I’ll go.” Cookson volunteered.

            “We’re coming with you.” Reid stepped into the crowd with his marines.

            “May and Green, join them. Use our troop transport Warthog.” Frederick ordered.

            “Nevarez, you come with me.” Forester got on a Mongoose.

            “Roger that.” Nevarez jogged beside Forester.

            “Forester, look around the nearby area. May, take your team into the downtown Kandahar area. The rest of us, look around for any access points. Air shafts, vents, emergency exits, etc.” Zyrok commanded.

            “Copy.” Forester turned the ignition for the Mongoose.

            “If you don’t find anything, head back to base at 2000 and we’ll plan it out.” Zyrok looked at May and then Forester.

            “Yes Captain.” May saluted and drove the Warthog loaded with marines towards the city.

            “Got it.” Forester nodded and drove off.

            “What are you all waiting for? Get looking!” Casey spoke to the remaining marines.

            Zyrok looked at his watch and then looked at the sky. The weather seemed so nice when the surge of heat swept over him suddenly as the wind blew gently over the dusty roads. He looked at the fence their Warthog had crashed and noticed a body. Zyrok was upset that even though Powell lost his life, there was no way they could retrieve his body without getting killed in the process. Casey watched the marines scattered around the area and noticed Zyrok in his reflection.

            “There’s nothing we can do.” Casey read Zyrok’s mind.

            “We could have prevented it.” Zyrok looked at Powell’s body.

            “We couldn’t have.” Casey argued.

            “Now that place has turned into a “No Man’s Land”. Point of no return…”Zyrok replied.

            “Yeah, until we figure out a way to disable the guns, it looks that way.” Casey nodded sadly.

            “I just don’t like Powell’s body lying on the ground.” Zyrok sighed.

            “Zyrok, you think too much. Sometimes there are things we can never be in control of.” Casey spoke quietly.

            “I know…” Zyrok felt a sea of sadness swept over him as he thought about his past.

            “We had that talk two years ago…” Casey noticed Zyrok’s facial expression change.

            “It’s only for your own good Zyrok.” Casey patted Zyrok’s back.

            “Some things never die…no matter how bad it is…the footprints are there.” Zyrok spoke quietly.

            “I know Zyrok…I know.” Casey whispered.

            “After this is over, I have to face my past.” Zyrok sighed.

            “Maybe it’s for the best. Maybe Sarah will understand.” Casey reassured.

            “Let’s talk about this later.” Zyrok looked at the marines in the distant.

            “Good idea, let’s get searching. It ought to clear up your mind.” Casey smiled.

            “Back to business.” Zyrok rushed off to his marines.

            “Yup.” Casey ran after Zyrok.