UNSCDF2 Chapter 29- Russian Intrusion

Reygi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Secronom Research Facility

April 21, 2001

1055 Local Time

            “Watch for the sniper!” May shouted as a bullet whizzed past her and hit the ground.

            “Where is the sniper?” Green ducked for cover as a hail of bullets hit his Mongoose.

            “Two o’clock.” Robertson saw a muzzle flash behind a boulder.

            “Cookson and Hariprasad, flank him.” May spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Copy ma’am.” Hariprasad readied his gun as Cookson cocked his M16.

            “Covering.” May shouted as she stepped out of the cover and fired a heavy suppressive fire towards the sniper’s location.

            Green and Robertson fired single shots from their guns around the vicinity of the sniper while Cookson and Hariprasad ran across the open to get into flanking positions. Suddenly, another Russian soldier appeared from the air shaft and fired her AK47 at Cookson’s cover. May fired back, but missed as the Russian soldier crouched behind a piece of debris.

            “Why are the Russians here?” May slid a fresh magazine into her M16.

            “They must have found out somehow.” Robertson took cover as bullet impacted the Mongoose’s engines and smoke erupted.

            “We need to find a new cover.” Green suggested as two sniper rounds hit his Mongoose’s tires and popped.

            “Oh man, those are heavy hitting rounds.” Robertson pointed at Green’s Mongoose.

            “Cookson, how many hostiles do you count?” May spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Two so far ma’am.” Cookson replied back.

            “Our team is being beat by two Russians? That’s unacceptable! Let’s clear it up before Forester brings her team.” May replied in disappointment.

            “Ideas Sarge?” Hariprasad asked on the RaidComm.

            “We need to take out the sniper first.” May replied.

            “Robertson and Green, I want you to alternate suppressive fire at the soldier by the shaft. I will be responsible for taking out the sniper.” May ordered.

            “What about us ma’am?” Cookson interrupted as he overheard May on the RaidComm.

            “Lure the sniper out. Don’t worry, we got your back.” May reassured.

            “Copy, understood.” Cookson replied and took a deep breath.

            Cookson was feeling a bit nervous because he wasn’t sure how good the sniper was in terms of accuracy. He had depended on his team when he needed them and now it was his turn to show trust in his squad. If he hesitated, he would probably jeopardize his whole squad.

            “On my mark…go!” May shouted her order on the RaidComm.

            Robertson and Green stepped out of cover to lay down a suppressive fire while May aimed her M16 at the boulder the sniper was camping. May watched Cookson and Hariprasad got out of their cover and ran towards a rock a couple meters away. May saw the barrel of the sniper rifle extend out of the boulder and moved down to see a head. She did not hesitate nor take a breath as she quickly fired three single shots. May knew that even for less than a second later, the sniper would have shot her marines. May looked at the sniper collapse to the ground as two rounds struck his head.

            “Got it.” May declared.

            “Flank the AK47.” May waved her marines to walk towards the air shaft.

            Green and May alternated suppressive fire as Robertson readied his gun. Cookson and Hariprasad approached from the side with guns ready to shoot. Once the marines reached the shaft, there was no Russian soldier to be seen.

            “She got down.” Hariprasad pointed at a cable swinging from the edge of the air shaft.

            “Cookson and Green, go check the sniper. See if we can get some information about the Russians.” May commanded as she turned her head back.

            Cookson nodded and ran off with Green jogging after him. Cookson saw a bearded Russian with two bullet holes to the side of his face. He flipped the body over and saw the name “Yuri” stenciled on his uniform.

            “A Dragon SVD.” Green picked up the sniper rifle beside the body.

            “Man, that’s some good shit the Russians have.” Cookson exclaimed.

            “I’m taking it.” Green slung the sniper rifle over his back.

            Cookson searched the body and found a couple of magazines and a USP. Cookson tossed the sniper rounds to Green and placed the looted USP into his backpack. As Cookson reached into Yuri’s back pocket, he found a wallet. He opened it and saw a family photo. Yuri was standing beside a woman holding a baby in her hands. Suddenly Cookson thought of Sarah as he looked at the photo.

            “Behind the uniform and body armor is a human with a life. Perhaps a story to tell and a family waiting back home.” Cookson sighed as he closed the wallet.

            “I know what you mean.” Green nodded quietly.

            Cookson took the wallet and placed it into his backpack. He stood up and looked at May and the others preparing their ropes.

            “Why are you taking the wallet?” Green asked curiously.

            “If his family is waiting back home, they deserve to know. It’s better to let them know Yuri died a hero than disappear or go missing in action.” Cookson explained.

            “Huh?” Green scratched his head.

            “Don’t worry. When you have a family of your own, you would understand all of this.” Cookson patted Green on the back.

            “It’s good being single. I don’t have to worry that much like you do.” Green joked.

            “Let’s regroup.” Cookson turned away from the body and jogged towards May.

            “Alright, let’s wait for Forester’s team.” May looked at her watch.

            “Okay.” Robertson took out his water bottle and took a sip.

            “Forester, this is May here. Area is secure. One hostile escaped into the shaft.” May reported on the RaidComm.

            “Roger that May. I’m glad you have secured the area. We will track them down together. ETA three minutes. Forester out.” Forester ended the RaidComm transmission.

            “Good work people, Forester seems impressed.” May complimented.

            “That’s how the Aussies do it.” Robertson clapped.

            “Of course.” May laughed.

Erazi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Russian Communications Outpost

April 21, 2001

1145 Local Time

            “What do we do Nikolai?” Timothy listened to the speakers as Nikolai stood behind him.

            “We already lost a Russian soldier.” Miller added.

            “We’ll send a team to assist.” Nikolai evaluated his options.

            “What team?” Dimitri walked into the room as he overheard the conversation.

            “Sir, it seems like the UNSC has engaged our soldiers.” Nikolai reported.

            “One casualty so far that we heard.” Miller pointed at the speakers.

            “Shall we send in a team to assist Dimitri?” Nikolai asked.

            Dimitri rubbed his chin and frowned. He had dispatched two teams already and the progress was nominal. In fact, he had no idea what the status of Vladamir’s team or Sasha’s team was. All he knew was that one Russian is dead or perhaps more.

            “No, we’ll wait and see what the UNSC has in their sleeves.” Dimitri concluded.

            “Sir, those are our men out there, not local militia.” Nikolai pointed out.

            “I understand Sergeant, but in the best interests of keeping our competitive edge, we must conserve our forces and summon when the time is right.” Dimitri reasoned.

            “Yes sir.” Nikolai nodded and shut his mouth.

            “Any more questions?” Dimitri asked.

            “No sir.” Nikolai shook his head.

            “Marines?” Dimitri asked.

            “I have one.” Timothy raised his hand.

            “Speak.” Dimitri prompted.

            “Dimitri, do you have any plans for Reid’s team?” Timothy asked.

            “The cover Reid has is valuable and will be useful when the time comes.” Dimitri answered briskly.

            “Time?” Timothy raised an eyebrow.

            “No need to worry marine, we have it all planned out.” Dimitri assured.

            “Okay.” Timothy nodded and pretended to understand.

            “Gentlemen, let’s get back to work.” Dimitri pointed at the desk and walked inside an office.

            “I don’t trust him.” Miller whispered to Timothy as he sat down in his desk.

            “Just wait it out and see.” Timothy whispered back and put on his headset.