UNSCDF2 Chapter 22-White Knights

San Francisco, California, USA

UNSC San Francisco Outpost

April 20, 2001

0900 Local Time

            The past few days, Sarah had been busily training with Fields and Vickers in SWAT tactics. Now, Fields wanted to put Sarah’s training to the use on the field.

            “You ready Sarah?” Fields slid his Lock 17 pistol into his gun holster.

            “I think so.” Sarah replied nervously.

            “Today we will be practicing breaching and clearing out rooms.” Fields handed Sarah a Washington 870.

            “Boss, I’m set.” Vickers walked into the room armed with a MP5 and wore a black Kevlar vest.

            “Good.” Fields smiled in satisfaction.    

            “Sarah, the Zylon vest is no good. Here, take this.” Vickers pulled out a black Kevlar vest and handed it to Sarah with both hands.

            “Thanks Vickers.” Sarah accepted the piece of armor graciously.

            “Once you’re set, we’ll leave the Outpost on foot.” Fields looked at Sarah strapping the armor nice and snug onto her chest.

            “On foot?” Sarah tugged the armor to test its firmness.

            “We’re not going to go far. It’s a simple training. If there are any problems, we can easily head back to safety.” Fields replied.

            “Oh, okay.” Sarah nodded.

            “All set Sarah?” Vickers looked at Sarah examining her shotgun.

            “Oh…yeah. I’m ready.” Sarah smiled as she pumped her shotgun.

            “Fantastic, let’s go.” Vickers looked at Fields.

            The three SWAT members exited the room and walked out in an organized manner. Fields led while Sarah walked by his left and Vickers to his right. The civilians walking in the hallway noticed them and looked at the SWAT with impressed faces. Even some of the UNSC marines chatting with some people stopped talking and eyed the SWAT walking down the hall. The coolness was off the charts. It looked like the movement was coordinated when in fact, it wasn’t. Everyone around them was in awe and it may have been the first time a civilian force seemed to be a formidable opponent face to face with the UNSC. Perhaps it was the low leveled equipment or perhaps the force consisted of a girl. But one thing was certain on each and every member of the SWAT, their pride. It was their pride in being who they were that brought a golden halo over their heads.

            “Looking nice Sarah.” Patrick commented from the side.

            “Thanks.” Sarah replied coolly.

            “Have fun and stay safe.” Patrick wished as the SWAT exited a set of doors.

            The group continued to exit the Outpost in an organized manner until they came across five zombies in their way. Fields waved his left hand at two zombies then waved his right hand at another two zombies. No word was spoken from either of them, but a common understanding was seen amongst each other. Sarah charged towards the two zombies Fields had pointed with her shotgun held firmly like a baseball bat whilst Vickers shouldered his MP5 and pulled out his combat knife Sarah took a step to the side and planted a heavy blow to one skull while quickly shifting her weight to attack the other zombie with her elbow. Vickers slashed his combat knife at one zombie and tripped one zombie to the ground. Then he easily dispatched the fallen zombie by stomping on its neck and decapitating the other zombie with one fluid motion from his blade. Fields had an easy zombie. It was an average male citizen with business attire. Fields charged at the zombie and did an uppercut followed by a jab to its throat. The zombie growled and Fields grabbed its head with both hands and snapped it sideways.

            “Not bad for dealing with one zombie.” Sarah taunted.

            “Aw, come on Sarah, you need the practice.” Fields countered.

            “Not me.” Vickers complained as he sheathed his blade onto his belt.

            “Come on, let’s go.” Fields pointed forward.

            The three SWAT members moved fashionably towards an office building and pushed open its glass doors.

            “Check your corners.” Fields commanded as he scanned the area with his UMP.

            “Clear.” Vickers replied as he saw nothing in his area.

            Sarah saw a zombie dressed in a janitor’s uniform and whipped out her combat knife. She slung her shotgun to her back and lunged at he zombie with deadly precision as she impaled the knife into its bloody forehead.

            “Clear.” Sarah pulled the blade from the zombie’s head as it dropped lifelessly onto the ground.

            “Good, let’s move.” Fields put down his backpack to take a drink from his water bottle.

            “Thirsty already?” Vickers joked.

            “Leading a team is hard work.” Fields replied as he sopped his water.

            “I’m sure it is.” Sarah replied sarcastically.

            “Ok, I’m ready.” Fields placed his water bottle back into his backpack and slung it over his back.

            “Up?” Vickers pointed at the broken escalators.

            “Sure, why not?” Fields shrugged.

            “I’ll take point.” Vickers volunteered.

            Vickers held his MP5 firmly and slowly walked up the escalators with Sarah closely behind him. Fields walked backwards up the escalators as he watched the team’s rear. Once Vickers got on the second level, he crouched and panned his gun left and right whilst Sarah stood behind him as she eyed the third floor. Fields pointed at the first door and waved his hand in a circular motion. Vickers rushed to one side of the door while Sarah got on the other side. Fields got into position behind Sarah and nodded at Vickers. Fields gently tapped Sarah’s shoulder to let her know the cue. Sarah took one step forward and pushed the door handle down just in time for Vickers to breach the room with his MP5. Vickers kicked the door open and saw two zombies in front of him. He shoved on zombie aside with his gun and kicked the other zombie down to the ground. Sarah quickly followed Vickers into the room. Immediately, she dispatched the zombie Vickers had shoved with a hard smack to its head just in time as Vickers snapped the zombie’s neck he was engaging.

            “Nice.” Fields complimented as he entered the room.

            Just as Fields was about to enter the room, a zombie jumped up from behind and tackled him to the ground.

            “Fields!” Sarah cried.

            Fields used both of his hands to hold its flesh eating mouth from his neck and tried to pry it off. Sarah jumped onto the zombie and twisted its neck with both of her hands until there was a sickening crack.

            “Woah, that was close.” Fields exclaimed.

            “We’re not done yet.” Vickers pulled Fields to his feet as he saw a mob of zombies walking up the escalators towards them.

            “Not yet.” Sarah whipped out her shotgun and smiled.