UNSCDF2 Chapter 20- A Web of Lies

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 19, 2001

0930 Local Time

            “So I heard you are Sarah’s husband…” Reid walked into an officer and greeted Cookson as he was reading some papers.

            “What can I do for you Lieutenant?” Cookson asked.

            “Oh, I just wanted to say how wonderful it is to meet Sarah’s husband in person.” Reid grinned.

            “Okay…what do you mean?” Cookson eyed Reid suspiciously.

            “Well, while I was at the San Francisco Outpost, Sarah and her police friends really helped me and my team work on obtaining Intel about the Russians. Their police work was very helpful.” Reid smiled warmly.

            “Ah…that’s Sarah.” Cookson smiled.

            “I must say Cookson, you have quite a catch on this on.” Reid joked.

            “Yeah, she’s something isn’t she?” Cookson laughed.

            “Oh yes she is. Quite something…” Reid forced a smile as he began to feel enraged about what Sarah had done to him.

            “Oh Lieutenant Reid, you are not the first person to talk about my wife since my arrival here.” Cookson spoke his mind.

            “What do you mean?” Reid looked a bit nervous.

            “Well, Captain Zyrok seems to know about my wife too. It’s funny how small the world is and how Sarah’s connected to everything.” Cookson reflected.

            “It’s almost as if fate is playing its cards.” Reid thought about the chances of actually finding Sarah’s husband.

            “You can say that.” Cookson jotted some notes on his papers.

            Reid looked at Cookson busily writing and turned his head to the door. There was nobody behind him and now was the chance for him to strike and fulfill his vengeance. Cookson looked so innocent and unaware of what Reid’s real intentions were. Reid reached into his gun holster and pulled out his Lock 17.

            “Woah there Lieutenant, what are you doing?” Cookson nearly jumped as he saw Reid pull out his pistol.

            “It’s not personal.” Reid looked at his gun in hand.

            “Guys!” Green rushed into the room and interrupted Reid.

            “What?” Reid turned around.

            Seeing it as a missed opportunity, Reid decided not to gun down Cookson for his own safety and innocence.

            “What?” Reid turned around.

            “What’s wrong with the gun Lieutenant?” Green pointed.

            “Reid?” Cookson stood up behind him with his hand on his gun holster.

            “Well, I said it’s not personal.” Reid pointed the gun on himself.

            “What’s going on?” Green was confused.

            “Reid, put the gun down and we can talk this out.” Cookson waved his hands in a downward motion.

            “It’s too late. I can’t handle the truth now. For God sakes, it’s too late.” Reid sat down with a depressed face.

            “Truth? Too late?” Green asked.

            “Look Cookson, you are lucky. I am not.” Reid cocked his pistol.

            “Reid, tell me what’s going on.” Cookson spoke with sincerity.

            “Cookson, I’m her ex. I know I made mistakes in the past, but I’ve changed. I’ve changed for her. As time went by, I spent in isolation trying to be a better person. I was too late and she was married. I told myself that once I see her husband, I would be convinced. Convinced that it was over for me. Now that you are here in front of me, I am assured of my fate.” Reid closed his eyes and squeezed out a few tears.

            “Why are you giving up now?” Cookson asked softly.

            “There’s no chance for me now. I can see why Sarah chose you. You are a good man and I have dark pasts.” Reid stuck the barrel of the pistol into his mouth.

            “You may have dark pasts, but look at you now. You are no longer the person you hated being.” Cookson pointed out.

            “Yeah Reid, think this out.” Green supported.

            “It’s not that easy.” Reid frowned.

            “It’s never easy, trust me. Once we get out of here, we’ll get you the help you need Reid.” Cookson offered.

            “Speaking of which, this is why I’m here to inform you.” Green interrupted.

            “What?” Reid replied in annoyance.

            “Echo Squad has made the discovery of the Secronom facility.” Green replied.

            “What? Where?” Cookson’s eyes widened.

            “They accidentally stumbled on it and the rest of our squad is heading there.” Green replied.

            “So that’s what you folks are looking for in the middle of nowhere? Secronom?” Reid looked slightly interested.

            “Yeah, come on Reid. Join us and we can get out of here and find you the help.” Cookson offered his hand.

            Cookson stuck out his hand in front of Reid for a long five minutes. Reid looked at Cookson and then Green. He sighed and removed the gun from his mouth.

            “Alright…” Reid grabbed Cookson’s hand and stood up.

            “Trust me.” Cookson watched Reid slid his pistol back into his holster.

            “Alright then, let’s get going.” Green spoke excitedly.

            “Give me a minute or two to clear my mind.” Reid shook his head.

            “Sure, take it easy.” Cookson nodded.

            “Green, can you contact my men to get ready?” Reid asked.

            “Sure thing LT.” Green replied.

            “I’ll meet you guys at the Mess Hall once I’ve cleared my mind.” Reid sat down.

            “No problem.” Green replied and walked off with Cookson.

Reygi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Secronom Research Facility

April 19, 2001

1215 Local Time

            “I’d say this looks pretty small for a facility.” Nevarez pointed at an office building enclosed by a chain-linked fence.

            “The fence is electrified…” Casey pointed at a sign on the fence.

            “Let’s test it out.” Taylor pointed at a few zombies a few meters away from them.

            “BBQ, anyone?” Schmidt ran towards the zombies.

            Schmidt ran to the three zombies and began to shout. This attracted the zombies’ attention and aggravated the zombies to chase after him. As Schmidt neared the fence, he quickly spun around and shoved two zombies into the fence. The fence crackled with high voltage electricity and fried the zombies to crisp. The last zombie was easily taken out by a good old fashion hand combat which Schmidt had been trained by the UNSC. A trip and a snap to the neck was all it required to dispatch one zombie.

            “Okay, it’s electrified.” Zyrok concluded as he pointed at the charred zombie corpses stuck on the fence.

            “Now what do we do?” Nevarez asked.

            “No way I’m going to cut it.” Schmidt joked.

            “It’s simple. Grab a Warthog and ram it down.” Zyrok pointed at their troop transport Warthog parked down the dusty streets.

            “I’ll ram it.” Casey volunteered.

            “No, I’ll do it. It’s the responsibility of Fire Team Kilo to do this job. Especially with this kind of risk.” a young bald man stepped forward to Zyrok.

            “Okay Powell.” Zyrok nodded.

            “Here are the keys Corporal.” Casey tossed the keys towards Powell.

            Powell quickly snatched the keys with one hand and ran to the Warthog.

            “Stand back, you don’t want bits and pieces of debris or electricity striking you.” Zyrok pointed for cover behind some rocks.

            “You heard the Captain, hustle!” Casey ordered.

            As the marines took cover, Powell drove the Warthog down the asphalt and rammed the chain-linked fence. The fence crashed to the ground and electric sparks flew everywhere. The high intensity of the electricity seemed to have temporary shorted out the Warthog’s engines. Suddenly an alarm blared and red lights flashed.

            “Intruder alert! Intruder alert!” the alarm sounded.

            The ground next to the building shook and a turret rose up from the dirt. In less than ten seconds, four more turrets surfaced from the ground from the edges of the building.

            “Intruder alert! Sentry guns online.” the alarm blared.

            “Get out of there now Powell!” Zyrok shouted in horror as two turrets turned towards a surprised Powell.

            “I can’t.” Powell turned the Warthog’s ignition, but had no effect.

            “Ditch it!” Casey shouted.

            Powell climbed out of the Warthog and began to run when the two turrets fired. Zyrok and his marines watched in terror as the sentry guns fired short controlled bursts of armor piercing rounds into Powell’s back. Powell collapsed to his knees as the bullets ripped through his body and then slammed into the ground lifeless.

            “Nooo! Man down!” Zyrok shouted.

            “We can’t save him, he’s dead.” Casey grabbed Zyrok’s shoulders.

            “God damn it! It’s my fault!” Zyrok blamed himself and stomped on the ground.

            “It’s nobody’s fault. Who knew about the sentry guns?” Taylor reassured Zyrok.

            “Nobody did…now what?” Nevarez replied as he looked at the turrets scanning the vicinity for targets.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 19- Secrets and Feelings

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 18, 2001

1545 Local Time

            “Wake up sir.” a Prviate named Timmins shook Zyrok.

            “What? Huh?” Zyrok groggily said.

            “Jackal Squadron managed to successfully pull off a rescue mission.” Timmins replied excitedly.

            “Rescue mission?” Zyrok rubbed his eyes.

            “Frederick went to intercept a prisoner transport and saved three marines.” Timmins answered.

            “What? Under whose authorization?” Zyrok got out of his bed.

            “Frederick, sir. Why?” Timmins had a confused face.

            “I have doubts.” Zyrok replied.

            “Why?” Timmins scratched his head.

            “Where are they now?” Zyrok walked to the door.

            “Mess Hall, sir.” Timmins followed closely.

            “Forester?” Zyrok asked.

            “Her team is still out sir.” Timmins answered.    

            “Alright, contact Forester and tell her to head back. I’ll go to the Mess Hall to take a look.” Zyrok commanded.

            “Understood sir.” Timmins saluted and ran off.

            Zyrok paced himself quickly to the Mess Hall and saw Jackal Squadron talk to three marines sitting on a couch.

            “Officer on deck!” Williams shouted.

            Everyone stopped talking and turned their heads towards Zyrok.

            “At ease. Frederick where are you?” Zyrok scanned the crowd.

            “Here sir.” Frederick stood up from her seat behind Green.

            “Please see me.” Zyrok eyed the marines sitting on the couch and then walked out of the room.

            Frederick looked around and saw the marines staring at her. She nodded to Williams before walking out to see Zyrok. Zyrok stood a couple meters away from the Mess Hall entrance with a serious face.

            “You okay Zyrok?” Frederick asked.

            “We need to talk…in my office.” Zyrok looked around.

            Zyrok led Frederick to his office and pointed at a chair for Frederick to sit. After Frederick sat down, Zyrok looked out the door and then closed it shut.

            “Zyrok, do you mind telling me what’s going on?” Frederick looked at Zyrok with concerned eyes.

            “What was that?” Zyrok waved his hand out the door.

            “What?” Frederick asked.

            “The marines.” Zyrok answered briskly.

            “Our squad rescued them a few hours ago.” Frederick answered.

            “I know that. Who authorized it?” Zyrok demanded.

            “Sir, I did.” Frederick answered.

            “Why did you do it?” Zyrok questioned.

            “Zyrok, Forester was out and you were in the medical room. I assessed the risks and acted on behalf of the UNSC’s interests. Is something wrong?” Frederick asked.

            “Remember the talk we had yesterday?” Zyrok asked.

            “Yes, but those are still our men. The UNSC. We can’t let them be in the hands of terrorists.” Frederick explained herself.

            “I understand, but why are the Russians letting them live? They must have a bargaining chip.” Zyrok challenged.

            “With all due respect Zyrok, I think you’re over thinking it.” Frederick countered politely.

            “We better be cautious.” Zyrok warned.

            “Zyrok, I take full responsibility for my actions.” Frederick replied.

            “I hope you are right Lieutenant. Our long range communications are down and if a situation arises, we may be in trouble.” Zyrok theorized.

            “Trust me Zyrok.” Frederick looked into Zyrok’s eyes.

            “Oh, I trust you alright, no question about it. The question is…can we trust them?” Zyrok stared back into Frederick’s eyes.

            “Thank you Zyrok. I guess we’ll find out, but we will be ready.” Frederick thanked.

            “I plan to have zero casualties after the mission is over. Then again, it’s impossible. This is war.” Zyrok sighed.

            “Zyrok, you’re really a different officer.” Frederick complimented.

            “Thanks.” Zyrok blushed.

            “I thought I was going to be in trouble for what I did, but you were understanding.” Frederick replied.

            “What’s done is done, you can’t change the past, but you can shape the future.” Zyrok spoke.

            “This is what I mean.” Frederick pointed at Zyrok and laughed.

            “Haha. Hey Frederick, mind if I ask you a question that might be somewhat out of the blue?” Zyrok laughed nervously.

            “Shoot.” Frederick nodded.

            “Back in Australia or the USA, how’s Sarah doing?” Zyrok asked softly.

            “Oh, she’s doing well. She’s actually a police officer. Lance Corporal, I think.” Frederick replied with a soft smile.

            “Is she happy?” Zyrok asked.

            “Yes she is. Still thinking about her Charlie?” Frederick asked.

            “All the time…all the time.” Zyrok took out the photo of Sarah from her chest pocket.

            “She must really mean something.” Frederick guessed.

            “Everything I’ve got.” Zyrok nodded.

            “I’m sure she’s proud to have you by her side.” Frederick assured Zyrok with a warm smile.

            “I hope so…” Zyrok looked at the picture and placed it back into his chest pocket.

            “Keeping it close to your heart, I see.” Frederick pointed.

            “Oh, yeah. All the time.” Zyrok patted his chest.

            “That’s sweet of you.” Frederick laughed lightly.

            “What about you Frederick?” Zyrok asked.

            “Jenny. You can call me Jenny, Charlie.” Frederick corrected.

            “Jenny, do you have a special someone?” Zyrok asked.

            “Umm...I used to…” Frederick stared blankly at the wall.

            “Please continue, I’m not going to judge.” Zyrok assured.

            “Well, there was a guy who I thought was the person I would marry. I later found out that he was cheating on me and I was hurt real bad.” Frederick closed her eyes.

            “It’s alright, you can trust me.” Zyrok assured.

            “I don’t know Charlie, I don’t feel comfortable talking about it.” Frederick looked away.

            “It’s fine, I’m not going to pressure you into doing things you aren’t comfortable.” Zyrok spoke softly.

            “I’m sorry, I just don’t want to be hurt again.” Frederick looked down at the ground.

            “Don’t be sorry. You did nothing wrong. My doors are open anytime if you want to talk.” Zyrok smiled.

            “Thanks Charlie, you are very understanding.” Frederick gave her appreciation.

            A knock on the door interrupted Zyrok’s train of thought.

            “Yes?” Zyrok called out.

            “Sir, it’s Timmins. Forester is back, do you need to see her?” Timmins replied.

            “Yes please.” Zyrok replied back and looked at Frederick.      

            “I’ll see you later Zyrok.” Frederick stood up.

            “Yeah, we sure will.” Zyrok laughed.

            Zyrok watched as Frederick opened the door and walked out.

            “Ma’am.” Timmins greeted Frederick with a crisp salute.

            “Timmins.” Frederick saluted back.

            “Timmins, tell Forester to come see me here.” Zyrok ordered.

            “Yes sir.” Timmins nodded and walked off.

            Zyrok looked at his desk and frowned. Like most UNSC officers’ desks, they usually have a portrait of their family or children, but Zyrok’s desk was empty. On his desk were only a mug, a datapad, some folders, and his computer. The only photo he could put on his desk was Sarah, but he didn’t want it leaving his side so he always kept it close to his heart. No matter how dark Zyrok’s past was and how much he got hurt, Zyrok still continued to be loyal and faithful. He had a rough idea of what Frederick went through, but until she gave the details, Zyrok wasn’t really sure of Frederick’s feelings. At least she opened up a little bit and Zyrok was beginning to know the real Frederick behind the uniform. On the other hand, Forester seemed quite reserved. She almost never talked about herself and is a work-oriented person. Maybe the years serving in High Command turned humans into machines. Machines that acted in the best interested of the UNSC without feeling or emotion. Just as Zyrok was thinking of Forester, Forester stood at the door.

            “Zyrok?” Forester quietly knocked on the door.

            “Come on in and close the door behind you.” Zyrok greeted.

            Forester walked in and gently closed the door.

            “What have you heard so far?” Zyrok asked.

           “Timmins brought me up to speed on my way here. Other than that, I heard you have concerns?” Forester explained.

            “Ok, let me make it as concise as possible.” Zyrok replied.

            “Go on.” Forester urged.

            “Well, yesterday you voiced your uncertainties with the hostages and the Russians. Now that they are here and we don’t have time to investigate, we must keep our eyes open.” Zyrok spoke his mind.

            “I agree, has Frederick been notified?” Forester asked.

            “Yes, she has.” Zyrok nodded.

            “Alright, I’ll go inform Sears and his men.” Forester stood up and walked to the door.

            Before Zyrok could ask other things on his mind, Forester opened the door and looked at her watch.

            “I’ll catch you later.” Forester bid her farewell.

            “Yeah…bye.” Zyrok scratched his head and watched Forester walk down the hallway.

            Zyrok laughed quietly about his previous thoughts about Forester. She hadn’t changed one bit at all. She was still the hard worker and mission-oriented girl. If Zyrok wanted to find out more about her, he would have to do a lot more digging. In the meantime, he would have plenty of time to know all the marines that he would be working with during his stay in Afghanistan especially the rescued marines.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 18- Immediate Response

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 18, 2001

1115 Local Time

            Sears sat in his office staring at a wall full of notes. He turned his head to the door as Williams walked in with Robertson.

            “Williams, what’s up?” Sears stood up and adjusted his uniform.

            “Cookson’s team has spotted the Russians moving some UNSC prisoners near the Safdar Kalay District.” Williams reported.

            “Could it be a trap?” Sears asked.

            “Don’t know, but we don’t leave men behind even if they aren’t in the same team.” Williams replied.

            “I don’t know. With the long range communications jammed, we can’t call for backup until the supply plane arrives. So anyone we got here is the last remaining force we got.” Sears frowned.

            “What’s going on?” Frederick walked in the office.

            “Russians and UNSC marines.” Sears replied.

            “Where?” Frederick asked.

            “Safdar Kalay District. Looks like a prisoner transport.” Sears answered.

            “Lieutenant, I recommend we go rescue them.” Williams suggested.

            “With all due respect Lieutenant Frederick, we are low on manpower and assets.” Sears voiced his concerns.

            “I understand Staff Sergeant, but there are our own people. What if one of the prisoners was you? I’m sure you would like to be saved.” Frederick countered.

            “I…” Sears was speechless.

            Frederick had a good point. Robertson looked at Williams and nodded. Sears looked at Williams and then Frederick.

            “Alright, go get the Warthogs and commence your rescue.” Sears pointed at the wall with keys hanging off a pin.

            “Gentlemen.” Frederick took the keys and waved at her marines.

            “Ma’am. Christopher, Green, and Cookson are on standby waiting for go.” Williams spoke to Frederick as they exited Sears’ office.

            “Tell them to hold until we arrive.” Frederick ordered.

            “Yes ma’am.” Williams nodded.

            “Robertson, follow me.” Frederick waved as Williams walked off.

            “Good luck.” Sears sat back down onto his chair.

            “What’s the plan ma’am?” Robertson asked.    

            “Same plan we used to save Forester and Zyrok.” Frederick replied with confidence.

            “We would have to prepare ourselves for a possible ambush.” Robertson warned.

            “Hence we get Cookson’s team to wait before we go kicking down the door and go in guns blazing.” Frederick smiled.

            “So, once we meet…then we go in guns blazing?” Robertson joked.

            “Pretty much.” Frederick laughed.

            “I like it.” Robertson laughed heartily.

            “Alright, game time.” Frederick smiled.

Haji Aziz, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Safdar Kalay District

April 18, 2001

1315 Local Time

            “We’re ready Lieutenant.” Cookson readied his M16 as he spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Take them out boys.” Frederick replied back.

            Cookson looked at Green and Christopher holding their M16s perched from the roof overlooking a group of militia walking three UNSC marines in the middle of the street.

            “Go!” Cookson commanded.

            The three marines fired their M16s simultaneously at the militia using single shots. The militia was unprepared and surprised by the covert fire. Some militia took cover and sprayed their AK47s wildly at Cookson’s direction. The captured marines saw the opportunity and grabbed AK47s from the dead bodies. At the same time, a troop transport Warthog sped down the street with Frederick and Robertson firing from the back. Williams skidded the Warthog sideways and honked the horn.

            “Get on!” Frederick yelled as Robertson fired his UMP beside her.

            While the militia was suppressed by Cookson’s team, the captured marines were able to quickly board the Warthog.

            “Move!” Frederick commanded as she watched the three captured marines sat down.

            “Thanks. I’m Second Lieutenant Reid, that’s Morgan and Mendoza.” a young marine introduced himself and his marines.

            “Where are you guys from?” Robertson asked.

            “Hornet Squadron…” Frederick looked at the insignia badge on Reid’s arm.

            “Wait a second…” Robertson paused to think.

            “We’re clear LT.” Williams shouted from his seat as he drove the Warthog to safety.

            “Roger, Cookson get your team out of there. Package is secure. Repeat, package is secure. Head on home.” Frederick spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Aren’t you guys a little out of home?” Robertson looked at Reid.

            “I’ve heard of you folks back at the San Francisco Outpost.” Frederick commented.

            “We were assigned to gather Intel from the Russians, but got captured.” Reid replied.

            “That’s a bit far for San Francisco don’t you think?” Frederick eyed Reid.

            “Oh, we had experience dealing with the Russians before so we got assigned that task.” Reid looked at Morgan.

            “That’s correct ma’am.” Morgan nodded.

            “We’ll have to notify the UNSC once we get back. I’m sure they are worried.” Frederick looked at Morgan.

            “Oh, I’m sure.” Mendoza nodded.

            “We’ll be back shortly. Are there any more of you?” Williams turned his head.

            “Yeah, two more.” Reid stuck two fingers up.

            “Do you know where they are holed up?” Frederick asked.

            “I don’t know. Morgan, do you remember?” Reid shook his head.

            “It was in some sort of building…” Morgan interrupted.

            “Which one are you talking about?” Mendoza interrupted.

            “There is more than one base?” Frederick gasped.

            “Yes, lots.” Reid replied.

            “We’ll have to notify Zyrok and Forester about this.” Frederick looked at her feet.

            “So, what are you doing here Lieutenant?” Reid looked at Frederick.

            “We’re the recon team assigned to assist Zyrok’s team.” Frederick looked at the dusty roads.

            “Recon for what?” Reid asked with a curious look.

            “I believe it’s classified.” Frederick looked at Williams.

            “Yeah, it is.” Williams replied in agreement.

            “Lieutenant, Cookson here. What’s your location?” Cookson spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Cookson, we’re a few kilometers away from base.” Frederick replied back.

            “Cookson…is that Zyrok’s men?” Reid asked.

            “No, Michael Cookson is with me.” Frederick answered.

            “I would like to meet all the people who saved us and give my personal thanks.” Reid smiled at the thought of meeting Cookson.

            “Sure, we’ll introduce you to the crew once we’re at base.” Frederick nodded.

            “Sounds good, I can’t wait.” Reid sat on his seat comfortably with a grin.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 17- The Deception

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Mirwais Nikka Hospital

April 17, 2001

1700 Local Time

            “Reid, progress report.” Dimitri asked.

            “We took one Warthog down, but they managed to get away.” Reid listened to the speakers.

            “What? How did they escape?” Dimitri slammed his fist down on the table.

            “A series of well-coordinated covering fire.” Reid guessed.

            “It seems the locals here are not sufficient enough in carrying out our battle strategies…” Dimitri rubbed his chin.

            “What are you proposing?” Reid looked at Morgan as he entered the room.

            “We’ll have to devise a new way of taking out competition.” Dimitri took out a piece of paper.

            “LT, the UNSC has fully retreated out of the hot zone.” Timothy called out from his desk.

            “We were close.” Morgan replied.

            “Close…” Dimitri took out a pen.

            “Sir?” Reid asked.

            “That’s it! We’re going to let you infiltrate their base by letting them assume that you escaped from us.” Dimitri wrote down his ideas.

            “Not bad...” Reid smiled as he thought about getting Mike.

            “It’s a thought that needs more planning.” Dimitri bit on his pen.

            “I’m up for it.” Reid volunteered.

            “Hmm, I’ll send three of you over.” Dimitri closed his eyes in thought.

            “I’ll take Morgan and Mendoza.” Reid suggested.

            “Ok, sure.” Dimitri wrote the names down on the piece of paper.

            “Then it’s settled?” Morgan asked.

            “You guys get prepared and ready for tomorrow. I’ll go make it look like a prisoner transport and inform the UNSC to come rescue you.” Dimitri jotted down his plans.

            “Sounds like a good plan.” Morgan smiled in satisfaction.

            “A perfect deception and revenge…” Reid laughed as he thought about what he could do to Mike once they meet.

*          *          *

            “Thank goodness we made it back in one piece.” Schmidt breathed relief as he sat on a couch beside Hariprasad.

            “Everything was one piece except the Warthog.” Nevarez joked.

            “Good job guys. As long as we’re safe and alive, that’s all it counts.” Zyrok complimented.

            “Zyrok, you should get your head looked at.” Casey pointed at Zyrok’s face as he took off his helmet.

            “Yeah, I will.” Zyrok touched his face and saw blood on his fingers.

            “I’ll take you to the medical room.” Pruett offered.

            “Thanks Pruett, the rest of you get some rest.” Zyrok smiled.

            Pruett walked to the medical room and saw May organizing some cabinets.

            “Hi May.” Zyrok greeted.

            “Woah…get in a fight again?” May turned around and saw Zyrok’s bloody face.

            “You could say that. It was more of a firefight.” Zyrok sat down on the examination table.

            “Thank you Corporal, I can take it from here.” May thanked Pruett.

            “Ok, later Zyrok.” Pruett walked off.

            May put on her examination gloves and took a white cloth from a drawer. She soaked the cloth with water and placed the warm cloth onto Zyrok’s face. She gently dabbed the cloth and cleaned Zyrok’s face. The cloth turned red and she rinsed it under warm water. She repeated the process until she could find where the real injuries were on Zyrok’s face. Forester and Frederick walked in the medical room and looked at Zyrok.

            “Again?” Frederick joked.

            “Hey, if you were there, you could have been in the same state I am in.” Zyrok laughed.

            “I don’t know about that…” Frederick looked at Forester.

            “Hey Zyrok, tell me about the UNSC marines you guys saw.” Forester asked.

            “I didn’t see them myself, but Casey and Schmidt did.” Zyrok replied.

            “Tell me what you know.” Forester took out a notepad.

            “I heard that they seem to have some freedom walking about in the Russian base.” Zyrok answered to the best of his ability.

            “Hold still.” May took the cloth and dabbed Zyrok’s eyelids.

            “Hostages?” Frederick asked.

            “Could be, but it seems a bit odd…” Forester scratched her head.

            “How so?” Frederick asked.

            “It seems weird how the Russians wanted to kill us when we got captured, but according to Zyrok’s men, they were roaming around.” Forester looked at Zyrok with uncertain eyes.

            “Does it hurt?” May touched Zyrok’s forehead.

            “A bit…” Zyrok winced.

            “Let me put some cream on it. It would ease some of the pain.” Main opened a drawer.

            “Ok.” Zyrok nodded.

            “Seems possible…you may have a point Forester.” Frederick pointed.

            “What do you think Zyrok?” Forester looked as May spread white cream on Zyrok’s forehead.

            “What do I think? I think either the UNSC marines gave them valuable Intel or the Russians have a plan with them.” Zyrok hypothesized.

            “Hmm…” Forester thought.

            “Either scenarios are not in our favor.” Zyrok replied.

            “What can we do about it?” Frederick crossed her arms.

           “Prepare for the both.” Zyrok closed his eyes as May wiped some excess cream off his face with another clean cloth.

            “Ideas?” Frederick asked.

            “Let’s think…if you were a captured UNSC marine and wanted your life spared, what info would you give?” Zyrok asked.

            “Bases, holdouts, entrances, access points…you name it.” Forester replied.

            “What else?” Zyrok rubbed his chin.

            “Assets, communications…” Forester continued on.

            “Wait, hold on.” Zyrok stood up.

            “Yes Zyrok?” Frederick looked at Zyrok with a raised eyebrow.

            “Comms…how did they know Casey and Schmidt were at their base? My men are good at stealth.” Zyrok asked.

            “It’s a thought…” Forester looked at May blankly.

            “Zyrok, you’re all set. Get some rest.” May patted Zyrok on the shoulder.

            “We’ll look into it. Take care Zyrok.” Frederick walked off with Forester.

            Zyrok lay down on a bed and closed his eyes. He was still a bit shell-shocked from the firefight and wanted to withdraw from reality as he closed his eyes.

            “Something’s fishy going on…” Zyrok fell asleep in thought.