Erazi,
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Russian
Communications Outpost
May
14, 2001
0950
Local Time
“Here’s the first marine, Captain
Blake.” Dimitri waved at a Russian soldier outside.
The soldier walked out and dragged a
marine into the room. The marine had a pale look on his face as if he was still
in shock from the siege of his ship.
“Blake, here’s Private Thomas. I
understand that he has nothing to offer me so I put his life on the line for
what you have.” Dimitri shoved the pale marine to his knees.
“What do I have?” Blake looked at
Thomas.
“Knowledge. What did you guys take
out of the facility?” Dimitri demanded.
“I don’t know.” Blake answered
swiftly.
“Wrong answer.” Dimitri pulled out
his Luger sidearm.
“Please…” Thomas begged for his
life.
“Dimitri, I swear I have no idea
what the UNSC took out. That’s not my job.” Blake looked at Dimitri’s gun.
“Then what’s your job?” Dimitri
asked impatiently while studying his gun.
“To retrieve UNSC asset.” Blake
replied refusing to tell Dimitri of Zyrok.
“Shame, I already know what you are
here for. Your friend here, told me much more in detail.” Dimitri jabbed the
Luger into Thomas’ back.
“What do you want?” Blake pleaded.
“Everything, but time’s up for
Thomas.” Dimitri put a pullet into Thomas’ head.
“No! You bastard!” Blake cried as
Thomas dropped lifelessly to the ground.
“You hesitate too much. You should
know that I’m an impatient man.” Dimitri waved at the soldier beside him.
The Russian soldier exited the room
once again, but this time he dragged in a female marine.
“Meet Lance Corporal Everson. She
may know you, but you don’t know her. I should warn you, that I have no mercy
in killing women if I don’t get information out of you.” Dimitri threatened.
Everson looked at Blake and then
Thomas’ body beside her. Her eyes lit up with fear as she watched Dimitri wave
around his gun.
“Now Dimitri, you don’t have to do
this. Tell me exactly what you want and I’ll tell you.” Blake attempted to calm
Dimitri down.
“What do you have to offer me that
she doesn’t have to tell me?” Dimitri yanked on Everson’s hair.
Everson cried out loud and tried to
wriggle herself from Dimitri’s grasp. Dimitri pulled out a combat knife and
placed it by her throat.
“Move and you die.” Dimitri warned.
Everson stopped moving and nodded
obediently. Tears streamed down her face and Blake watched helplessly.
“I’ll tell you our RaidComm frequencies.”
Reid blurted.
“Already got that, we had defectors
from your marines the first time you set foot here.” Dimitri sighed.
“What? How?” Blake looked surprised.
“Heard of Lieutenant Reid and his
squad?” Dimitri asked.
“I think I have…” Blake raised an
eyebrow.
“Well, you failed. I’m wasting too
much time.” Dimitri looked at the sharp blade pressed against Everson’s neck.
“Please…I beg you. Please don’t kill
me. I’ll make it worth your time.” Everson begged for mercy.
“My time?” Dimitri scoffed.
“We can talk behind closed doors.”
Everson responded.
“Consider yourself lucky Blake.
Everson can make a deal better than you.” Dimitri removed the blade from
Everson’s neck and took her out of the room.
Blake sighed in frustration as he
knew what Everson was dealing with Dimitri. It shamed him that his marines had
to belittle themselves to survive. Their pride and dignity was now turned to a
class lower than the undead. Blake was angry at what the Russians were doing,
but he was helpless.
New Karachi, Karachi,
Pakistan
Khursheed Begum Park
May
14, 2001
1000
Local Time
“Rise and shine.” Johnson shook an
asleep Hariprasad.
Their flight to reach the nearest
camp was detoured when they encountered Russian helicopters patrolling in the
vicinity. As a safe measure, Frederick
called Daniels to land and take cover for a full day before moving out.
“Ready?” Frederick walked in with her full combat
gear.
“All geared up and ready ma’am.”
Daniels slung a backpack over his shoulder
“Then let’s go. No time to waste, if
Blake is still alive…we don’t have too much time.” Frederick warned.
The group of marines exited the room
and out of the building. In the middle of the street was the Falcon glistening
in the morning sunlight.
“Same game plan boys.” Frederick motioned the
marines to move.
Daniels hopped inside the cockpit
and threw the backpack beside his seat whilst Frederick sat on her seat and buckled up.
“Airborne in one minute people. Get
strapped in.” Frederick
hushed.
The sound of seat belt buckles
clicking could be heard simultaneously as the marines got into their seats. In
a few seconds, the Falcon dusted off the ground and was in the clear skies.
“How far are we out?” Johnson yelled
over the roar of the rotors.
“I’d say at least ten kilos out.”
Hariprasad studied the buildings below.
“Let’s hope this isn’t a wild goose
chase.” Dau added.
“Dude, it’s stationary.” Johnson
reminded.
“Fine, no need to get so technical
here.” Dau smirked.
Hariprasad grabbed a pair of
binoculars from under his seat and scanned the distant lands.
“You see it?” Frederick asked.
“Not yet….not yet.” Hariprasad
turned his head and placed his binoculars down on his lap.
