UNSCDF3 Chapter 16- Interrogations

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.