UNSCDF3 Chapter 9- Decisive Business

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

British Embassy

May 10, 2001

2000 Local Time

            “Zyrok…” Sarah nudged an asleep Zyrok.

            Zyrok quickly woke up and found out that he had dozed off while Sarah was taking a nap.

            “Door…” Sarah pointed at the handle.

            Zyrok quickly got up and placed his ear to the door to listen for sounds. The handle moved a bit, but was locked. Zyrok could hear a faint moan outside so he motioned for Sarah to take cover behind a desk. Then, he quietly pulled a chair and wedged it against the handle. Feeling satisfied, Zyrok walked towards Sarah and sat down beside her.

            “Sarah…I…I’m sorry. I should have been watching out for you.” Zyrok apologized and stumbled on the words.

            “It’s alright.” Sarah looked at her feet.

            “It’s not alright. How long did I sleep?” Zyrok asked.

            “Half an hour? I don’t know…” Sarah guessed.

            “That’s quite some time. Anything could have happened.” Zyrok exaggerated.

            “Zyrok, it’s okay. I was awake when you fell asleep. You watch me…I watch you.” Sarah reassured.

            “Okay.” Zyrok nodded and understood their partnership.

            Zyrok never really had a daughter, but he treated Sarah like she was his own if he had one. He didn’t have kids of his own, but somehow he had learned to how to take care of people. Being in the UNSC hardened him, but deep down within Zyrok, his soft side was still with him. It was because of Sarah, the girl from Australia, that showed him that he could be who he was and not be judged. He didn’t need to change his personality to satisfy others and that the good people would see for who he was.

            “Are we getting out any time soon?” Sarah asked.

            “I don’t think so. Not tonight.” Zyrok turned to look at the door.

            “We can sleep here tonight then.” Sarah patted the ground.

            “Alright, go make yourself cozy. I’ll go barricade the door.” Zyrok walked to the door.

            “Okay.” Sarah began to clear some waste from the ground beside her.

            “Remember to save me a spot.” Zyrok joked.

            “Hahaha…I will.” Sarah laughed lightly.

Arabian Sea, Coast of Karachi, Pakistan

UNSC Perth

May 10, 2001

2245 Local Time

            “How’s he doing?” Frederick asked a marine checking the heart rate monitor beside Hariprasad.

            “Stable. He’s lucky he got the nanites in time.” the marine jotted down some notes.

            “How close was he till turning?” Frederick pointed.

            “I’d say a few hours depending on his immune system.” the marine estimated.

            “Lieutenant Frederick.” the dark skinned marine Sergeant greeted from behind Frederick.

            “Yes?” Frederick spun around.

            “Sergeant Dau, ma’am.” the Sergeant saluted.

            “You’re the Sergeant from the medical team.” Frederick returned the salute.

            “That’s correct ma’am. I’m here to report that my men will head over to the camp once Captain says we’re all clear.” Dau answered.

            “Blake didn’t like the stunt we pulled did he?” Frederick smirked.

            “No comment ma’am.”  Dau refused to choose sides.

            “Well, if he didn’t like it, I apologize. We weren’t going to leave a man behind.” Frederick explained her actions.

            Daniels walked into the medical bay and placed a folder beside Frederick.

            “What’s this?” Frederick looked slightly amused.

            “Nanites…we’re out.” Daniels opened the folder to reveal an inventory checklist.

            “Is Hariprasad going to be fine then?” Frederick pointed.

            “Oh he’s fine. If one of us gets bit, we’re screwed.” Daniels looked agitated from the information he had found.

            “Don’t you have a backup?” Frederick looked at the folder files.

            “Nanotechnology is expensive. For a team not working for or under High Command and receiving one shot of this technology is considered a privilege.” Dau replied.

            “So what do you want me to do?” Frederick looked at the two marines.

            “There’s nothing we can do. Even if we request for a shot, it will be days before it arrives. By then, if a person is infected, he or she would have turned.” Daniels frowned.

            “Any chance the Russians may have their hands on this technology?” Frederick wondered.

            “Not likely. This technology is a well-guarded secret. Reverse engineering is nearly impossible especially with the current technology the Russians have.” Dau responded with some confidence in his voice.

            “Lieutenant Frederick, please report to the Bridge.” Stewart’s voice sounded on the speakers.

            “Gentlemen, we’ll talk about this later. It looks like they need me up there.”  Frederick pointed upwards.

*          *          *

            “Do you think they made it?” Sears asked Parker.

            “Yeah Sears, they made it back to the ship.” Johnson walked in with a piece of paper.

            “What’s this?” Sears pointed at the paper.

            “Transmission from UNSC Perth stating their arrival.” Johnson handed the paper to Sears.

            “Good…good.” Sears looked pleased.

            “I think we have fully set up this camp.” Parker glanced at the empty crates stacked against the wall.

            “First floor secured and barricaded?” Johnson asked.

            “Yup.” Sears nodded.

            “Then we can get some rest. It won’t be a while since Frederick and the others arrive here. If they do, it will probably be around tomorrow afternoon.” Johnson sat down on a cot.

            “Marines…slacking?” Sears teased.

            “Correction, sir. It’s resting for a big day.” Johnson eyed Sears with a grin.

            “Hahaha.” Parker laughed and sat down on her cot.

            “Fine, get ready for the big day tomorrow.” Sears waved at the marines to rest.

            Parker took off her flak jacket and placed it beside her cot. She flattened the bed sheets and lied down while Johnson adjusted his pillow. Sears watched as the marines rested in their cots and walked over to another room. He sat beside the radar and briefly closed his eyes. The hum of the computers and the radar beeps flowed so melodiously that Sears accidentally dozed off. Unknown to the marines, blips began to show up at the edges of the radar.

Erazi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Russian Communications Outpost

May 10, 2001

2300 Local Time

            A tall soldier dressed in full Russian combat uniform walked down a hall with a folder in his hand. He knocked on a wooden door and opened it. In the room was a man sitting with his back to the door.

            “What is it?” the man asked without turning.

            “It seems that one of our patrol choppers encountered something.” the soldier placed the folder on the man’s desk.

            “What?” the man questioned.

            “A ship…belonging to the UNSC.” the soldier answered.

            “And the problem? Disposed of?” the man looked out his window.

            “No sir. Our chopper got shot down.” the soldier replied nervously.

            “When was this?” the man tapped on the window.

            “Yesterday, sir.” the soldier stood uncomfortably.

            “And you did not think it was important to let me know?” the man turned around to face the soldier and appeared to have significant age.

            “Sir, we originally believed it to be weather.” the soldier pointed at the report.

            “Then you better believe that I will shoot you if you don’t send out two choppers. Now!” the old man pounded on the table furiously.

            “Yes sir!” the soldier scurried out of the room quickly.

            “Useless morons.” the old man sat down on his chair.

            The old man skimmed the report of the transmissions of the destroyed helicopter. He flipped at some maps and studied them.

            “Why are the UNSC using ships? Was there something else in Pakistan?” the old man wondered.

            After some thought, the old man went to his computer and pulled up a file. He skimmed the documents and smiled. Next, he reached for his radio across the desk and turned it on.

            “Captain Dima, this is Dimitri. Commence Operation Thunderstorm.” the old man spoke on the radio while gazing at the computer screen.