UNSCDF3 Chapter 15- Reunion

Erazi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Russian Communications Outpost

May 13, 2001

1150 Local Time

            Dimitri looked at Blake tied to a chair while being interrogated by his men. Blake was a strong marine and was able to resist most of the torture the Russians had in store for him. Dima tapped Dimitri on the back to bring his attention.

            “Sir, the soldier we caught at the British Embassy is ready for interrogation.” Dima reported.

            “Good, show me.” Dimitri ordered.

            “Follow me sir.” Dima walked down the hall.

            The pair approached a door where a soldier stood guard. Dima nodded and the soldier opened the door. In the center of the room was Zyrok tied to a chair.

            “Why am I not surprised?” Dimitri laughed as he immediately recognized the captive marine.

            “And should I be surprised?” Zyrok mocked.

            “I see the UNSC left you to die.” Dimitri pointed.

            “I’m sure they’ll come and find me.” Zyrok answered swiftly.

            “I’m not so sure about that. Wouldn’t they have sent a team out to get you? After all Captain Zyrok, you helped your team carry away valuable information.” Dimitri challenged and crossed his arms.

            Dimitri had decided to he wanted to do his interrogation differently. Instead of torturing, he was going to lie to Zyrok and make him defect. It would be much easier if he spilled everything instead of forcing out partial and potentially inaccurate info.

            “What do you want Dimitri?” Zyrok struggled in his chair.

            Dimitri grabbed a chair beside the wall and sat down in front of him. Dima stood next to the door with his arms crossed unsure of what Dimitri’s intentions were.

            “Look, I want to help you. I know you’ve been abandoned by your team and you’ve also managed to bring along a girl.” Dimitri spoke softly.

            “Don’t you dare hurt her!” Zyrok growled.

            “Oh no, we’re not going to hurt her.” Dimitri replied.

            “Yeah right, your incompetent soldiers cut her neck in the scuffle.” Zyrok spoke angrily.

            “I’m sorry to hear that, I will find whoever it is responsible. Look Zyrok, we don’t hurt women and children.” Dimitri sighed.

            “I find that hard to believe.” Zyrok scoffed.

            “Fine, as a gesture of goodwill, I will remove your restraints and reunite the girl with you.” Dimitri waved at Dima.

            “What do you want? You weren’t a good person the last time I checked.” Zyrok watched as Dima removed his handcuffs.

            “People change…just like how the UNSC ditched you.” Dimitri reminded.

            “Are you that certain?” Zyrok rubbed his wrists.

            “Well, wouldn’t they be here by now?” Dimitri laughed.

            “Where’s Sarah?” Zyrok demanded.

            “Oh, that’s her name? I’ll have her sent over here.” Dimitri nodded at Dima.

            Dima walked to the door and opened it. He waved his hand out and a soldier escorted Sarah to the door.

            “Sarah!” Zyrok called out.

            Sarah turned her head and saw Zyrok and felt a sense of relief. The soldier let Sarah go and she quickly ran towards Zyrok. Zyrok embraced Sarah with a tight hug and crouched to look at her neck.

            “I’m so sorry.” Zyrok spoke apologetically.

            “Now that the reunion is over, let me offer you accommodation.” Dimitri waved at the door.

            “Follow me.” Dima spoke in a flat tone.

            Obediently, Zyrok grabbed Sarah’s hand and walked her out. After turning a few corners, the pair had been escorted to a room.

            “This is your quarters.” Dima opened the door.

            “Not bad…what’s the catch?” Zyrok examined the room.

            “We’re locking you here until we trust you.” Dima replied and watched Sarah lie on the bed.

            “Ok.” Zyrok nodded.

            “We’ll see you tomorrow.” Dima closed the door and locked it.

            Zyrok turned to look at Sarah and then walked to her. He sat down on the bed beside her and yawned. They were both exhausted and confused by the Russians’ act of kindness.

            “Sarah, come closer so I can look at your neck.” Zyrok patted the empty spot on the bed.

            Sarah crawled up beside Zyrok and raised her head. A cut was visible on the neck, but it was a flesh wound.

            “You’re going to be fine. It’s a small cut.” Zyrok assured with comforting eyes.

            Sarah looked down at Zyrok and touched her neck. Zyrok noticed a plate of biscuits beside the bed and motioned for Sarah to eat.

            “Let’s eat while we can.” Zyrok suggested as he picked up a biscuit.

            “Okay.” Sarah began to munch on her biscuit.

            Suddenly, the door opened and a soldier walked in with two trays. It contained a can of tinned tuna and the other was a can of tinned salmon. The soldier placed the tray beside Zyrok and walked out.

            “Wow.” Zyrok looked amazed.

            The soldier walked back in with two bottles of water and handed it to Zyrok.

            “Lunch.” the soldier mumbled and walked out.

            “What do you want Sarah?” Zyrok pointed at the tin cans.

            “I don’t know.” Sarah shrugged.

            “Well, in Canada we have a lot of salmon.” Zyrok chuckled.

            “I’ll take tuna.” Sarah decided.

            “It’s up to you. Salmon has more nutrients than tuna…I think.” Zyrok laughed.

            “As long as I’m full, I don’t care.” Sarah smiled.

            “Here, take the salmon. I want the best for you.” Zyrok handed the tinned salmon to Sarah.

Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan

UNSC Cobra Squad’s Camp

May 13, 2001

1400 Local Time

            “Gentlemen, are you ready?” Frederick looked at Dau and Hariprasad sitting on the couch.

            “Yes ma’am.” Dau stood up slowly.

            “We’ll make them pay.” Johnson walked in the room wielding a Washington 1100.

            “I’m ready LT.” Hariprasad gritted his teeth and stood up.

            “We’re going to do a quick snatch and grab of the assets if they are still there.” Frederick briefed.

            Daniels rushed into the room with his helmet on while holding a Lock 17 pistol.

            “Falcon’s ready ma’am.” Daniels holstered his sidearm.

            “Let’s go gentlemen.” Frederick ordered.

            “What about Parker and Sears?” Hariprasad asked.

            “They’re staying behind to watch base.” Frederick replied.

            The group of marines quickly headed for the roof and gathered around the Falcon.

            “Ok, listen up marines.” Frederick clapped.

            “Dau and Hariprasad, get on either side of the mounted turrets. Daniels, get it started up. Hariprasad, take a seat, we’ll be needing you soon.” Frederick commanded.

            “Understood.” Daniels rushed into the cockpit and closed the hatch.

            Frederick watched as the marines got into their positions before setting foot on the aircraft. Once she was in, Daniels lifted the Falcon off the ground and steered right. From a distance, the shores littered with ship debris and bodies.

            “What a mess…” Dau examined the distant shores.

            “A slaughter.” Johnson replied.

            “I knew people on that ship.” Dau spoke with a hardened look.

            “We all did.” Johnson sighed.

            “Alright, we’re going to increase altitude.” Daniels chirped on the comms.

            Daniels ascended the Falcon into a steady climb until it was just below the clouds. The wind was choppy, but the aircraft remained leveled. From the ground up, the Falcon looked like a small speck in the sky hiding from any potential threats.