UNSCDF2 Chapter 32- Offensive Strike

Reygi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Secronom Research Facility

April 21, 2001

1705 Local Time

            “The vents.” Frederick pointed at an open vent shaft inside the room marked “Controls”.

            “The Russians went out this way.” May spoke to Zyrok.

            “And…?” Zyrok raised an eyebrow.

            “Well, we found a secret room.” Cookson replied.

            “Tell me.” Zyrok pulled out his maps.

            “It’s not on the map.” Frederick pointed at the map.

            “It looks like a thick wall. I was under the impression that the walls were thick to protect the Control Room from explosions.” Zyrok studied the map.

            “So did we.” May replied.

            “What do we have?” Zyrok pointed at the vent.

            “A small room with an elevator and possibly a new entrance other than the vent to get there.” Cookson reported.

            “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s get going.” Zyrok hustled.

            “We’re waiting for you.” Frederick joked.

            “Williams and Green, go to the other side of the wall and await instructions.” Zyrok pointed at his map adjacent to the Control Room.

            “Yes sir.” Williams replied.

            “Frederick, Cookson, Taylor and I will enter the vents. The rest of you stay here.” Zyrok directed.

            “Copy.” Casey nodded.

            Cookson readied his M16 and was the first to crawl into the vent with Frederick following behind.

            “After you.” Zyrok waved for Taylor to go first.

            Once Taylor got in the vent, Zyrok turned his head back to look at the remaining marines and then crawled inside the vent. The vent was a tight squeeze as Zyrok and the marines pushed through.  After Zyrok climbed out of the vent, he noticed a small room with an elevator.

            “Williams, we’re in position. How about you?” Zyrok looked at his map and then tapped on the wall adjacent to the elevator. 
            “Captain, we’re all set and awaiting your orders.” Williams replied.

            “Ok, according to the map, and relative location…you should be here.” Zyrok looked at his map and then tapped on the wall adjacent to the elevator.

              “I don’t see anything.” Frederick examined.

            “Williams, tell me what you see in your room.” Zyrok spoke on the RaidComm.

            “I see computers, cabinets, and chairs.” Williams answered.

            “How about the walls?” Zyrok questioned.

            “Nothing, except a picture frame of the Secronom Inc. logo.” Williams replied.

            “Hmm…see if there’s anything behind that picture frame.” Zyrok wondered.

            “Hold on.” Williams answered.

            Suddenly the wall adjacent to the elevator slid open and Williams was standing at the end of the room with his hand on a button behind the picture frame.

            “That worked.” Green laughed.

            “Nice job gentlemen.” Zyrok congratulated the two marines.

            “Thanks.” Williams and Green replied in unison.

            “Now let’s see where this elevator takes us. Casey, bring the rest of the marines over here.” Zyrok pressed the single button on the access panel and spoke on the RaidComm.

            The marines stood patiently with their guns pointed at the closed elevators doors. After three minutes, the elevator doors opened and it was empty.

            “It’s almost as big as a freight elevator.” Robertson exclaimed as he walked in with the other marines.

            “Forester, this is Zyrok. We have reached a room where it appears to take us deeper underground.” Zyrok looked at the elevator buttons marked “B3” and “B50” and spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Zyrok, where are you guys at?” Forester replied.

            “Next to the Control Room. We found a main entrance to the hidden room.” Zyrok answered.

            “Copy, any signs of the Russians?” Forester asked.

            “No, not yet.” Zyrok responded.

            “Okay, I’ll bring the whole squad there. Give us a few minutes.” Forester requested.

            “Alright.” Zyrok responded with hesitation.

            “Someone’s got to watch the building while we head down.” Frederick looked around.

            “I’ll do it LT.” Williams volunteered.

            “I’ll stay with you Staff Sergeant.” Green replied.

            “Anyone else?” Zyrok asked.

            “I don’t mind Captain.” Timmins stepped forward.

            “Then it’s settled. The three of you guard the building while the rest of us head down.” Zyrok concluded.

            Zyrok checked his ammunition as he waited for Forester’s team to arrive. Frederick slid the magazine out of her SA80 and glanced at it briefly before placing it back. In a minute, Forester jogged into the room with marines.

            “All set?” Forester breathed heavily.

            “Yup.” Zyrok nodded.

            “Let’s go.” Forester waved at the marines to get inside the elevator as she stepped inside.

            Zyrok was the last to step inside the elevator. He looked at Williams, Green, and Timmins and nodded an appreciation for them staying behind.

            “See you soon.” Williams waved farewell as Zyrok closed the elevator doors.

            “Yeah.” Zyrok replied just in time as the doors slid shut.

            “Going down.” the elevator announced.

            The elevator descended slowly at first and then began to pick up speed as it continued down. Zyrok looked at his feet and then looked at the marines. Everybody seemed focused and excited about the new discovery of an underground level. As the elevator reached B50, the descent rate reduced and the elevator slowly came to a stop.

            “B50.” the elevator announced.

            The marines pointed their guns at the doors as the elevator doors slid open. In front of the elevator was a short walk before coming across a giant blast door.

            “Move out.” Frederick commanded.

            The marines quickly filed out of the elevator in an organized manner. As the marines slowly reached the blast door, Zyrok noticed the door was a quarter open. On the other side of the door was total darkness.

            “Russians got through here.” Taylor pointed at the access panel with wires hanging out.

            “Let’s make sure we beat the Russians in finding what we’re looking for.” Frederick turned the flashlight on her gun on.

Erazi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Russian Communications Outpost

April 21, 2001

1710 Local Time

            “It is official now, the UNSC has found something.” Dimitri clapped his hands as he read a log of the RaidComm.

            “Sir, are we going there now?” Timothy asked.

            “Yes, Nikolai send out all of the militia forces to Reygi and capture the UNSC camp.” Dimitri commanded.

            “Yes sir.” Nikolai nodded and ran out of the room.

            Timothy grabbed his jacket from his chair and stood up to stretch.

            “Thanks for your help gentlemen.” Dimitri thanked and quickly pulled out his Luger sidearm.

            Everything happened so fast that it became a blur. Dimitri popped two rounds into Timothy’s chest and then turned the gun towards Miller. Timothy collapsed to the ground while Miller jumped from his seat.

            “Wait…wait!” Miller exclaimed in horror.

            Bang! Dimitri fired a round into Miller’s forehead instantly killing him. As Dimitri walked to Timothy, he noticed that the marine was still alive on the ground.

            “Why…?” Timothy coughed blood as he clutched his chest.

            “Sergei’s orders. It’s not personal…it’s just business.” Dimitri looked at the marine with an expressionless face.

            With that, Dimitri fired another round into Timothy, only this time shooting him in the head ending his life.

            “Get these bodies out.” Dimitri waved at two militia standing ground beside the entrance.

            As Dimitri walked out of the room, the two militia walked past him and began to clean up the mess.

            “All done sir.” Nikolai ran back with news.

            “Good.” Dimitri patted Nikolai on the shoulder.

            “What happened to the marines?” Nikolai noticed the two marines’ bodies carried out of the room.

            “Business.” Dimitri answered.

            “I see.” Nikolai’s voice trailed off unsure of what to say.

            “Let’s get going. We got a camp to capture.” Dimitri hustled.

*          *          *

            Reid sat down in his desk looking at some UNSC filed. Mendoza rushed beside him with a panicked look.

            “LT!” Mendoza gasped for air.

            “What is it?” Reid asked.

            “Russians! A lot of soldiers are on the way here.” Mendoza reported.

            “What? How?” Reid jumped up from his seat.

            “RaidComm.” Mendoza answered quickly.

            “Oh right. Let them know we’re here alone.” Reid walked to a desk with a microphone.

            “This is Lieutenant Reid with Morgan and Mendoza at the UNSC camp. Russian forces are inbound towards our location. Request reinforcements. Repeat, request reinforcements.” Reid broadcasted on the RaidComm.

            “Lieutenant Reid, this is Base. We hear you, but we can not assist. All the squads have moved to the Secronom facility.” Sears replied back.

            “Reid, Williams here. Echo and Jackal Squadron have gone underground and we are unable to contact them. I recommend you fall back to the research facility where your marines and the rest of us defend.” Williams suggested on the RaidComm.

            “They breached the perimeter.” Morgan rushed into the room.

            “No can do Williams, they’ve breached the perimeter. It’s last stand now.” Reid spoke with a worried face on the microphone.

            “Good luck Lieutenant, it was an honor meeting you.” Williams replied with sadness.

            As Reid was about to reply, five militia rushed into the room and pointed their guns. One Russian soldier rushed into the room and fired at the computer destroying the communications.

            “Freeze!” the Russian soldier pointed his USP at Reid.

            “Where’s Dimitri?” Reid held his hands in the air.

            The Russian soldier paused for a moment and pulled out his radio.

            “Dimitri, this is Nikolai. One UNSC marine wants to see you.” the Russian soldier spoke on the radio.

            “Tell Dimitri it’s Reid and his marines.” Reid urged.

            “Reid is looking for you.” Nikolai added as he spoke on the radio.

            “Well…well…well.” Dimitri walked into the room with two militia soldiers behind him.

            “Dimitri, nice to see you.” Reid greeted.

            “Nikolai, it’s okay. Lower the guns.” Dimitri commanded.

            Nikolai nodded and waved at the militia to leave the room.

            “What’s going on now? Are we striking?” Morgan breathed relief.

            “Yeah, it’s time to finish our operation.” Dimitri smiled.

            “Where are Timothy and Miller?” Reid looked around.

            “They are at the communications outpost assisting with all RaidComm transmissions.” Dimitri lied.

            “Oh, okay.” Reid said with some disappointment.

            “Now let’s put your double agent cover to its use.” Dimitri smiled evilly.

            “What do you mean?” Reid stared blankly.

            “Williams know the Russians are here, but he doesn’t know if you survived. You will take Morgan and Mendoza with you and enter the facility first. When they least expect it, kill them.” Dimitri pounded the desk beside him.

            “Ok, I’m not sure how many marines are with him.” Reid replied.

            “That’s alright. We’ll engage them once you’re in position. While they are busy fighting, shoot them in the back to make our job easier.” Dimitri reassured and tossed Reid his radio.

            Reid looked at the radio and turned it on.

            “Turn it on only when you need to use it. That’s our cue.” Dimitri explained.

            “Alright.” Reid nodded and turned the radio off.

            “We’ll give you a ten minute head start to get there.” Dimitri pointed at the doors.

            “Yes sir.” Reid acknowledged and ran off with Morgan and Mendoza.

            “These ex UNSC marines are so useful and…disposable.” Dimitri laughed.

            “I agree with you sir.” Nikolai spoke his mind.

            “Remind me to thank Sergei once this operation is done.” Dimitri requested.

            “Will do.” Nikolai nodded.

            “Let’s rally the troops before we attack the remaining marines holed up in the facility.” Dimitri walked out of the room.

            “Got it.” Nikolai waved at the soldiers standing guard by the doors.

            Nikolai stood next to the microphone and knocked it over. He smiled in satisfaction and stormed out of the room to rally the soldiers for the offensive strike.