UNSCDF3 Chapter 6- Reaching Out

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

521 Apartments

May 10, 2001

1545 Local Time

            Zyrok opened his heavy eyelids while his head throbbed with pain. He moaned and looked around to see where he was. It was the same room which he had entered to find the girl. As Zyrok tried to touch his head, he realized that his hands were tied to his back against a table. Suddenly, a little girl with black smudges on her face approached Zyrok with a golf club.

            “No, don’t!” Zyrok shouted as the girl lifted the club.

            The girl stopped and studied him like a toy. She nudged Zyrok’s legs with the club and watched for a reaction. However, Zyrok decided to remain calm even though he could have easily snatched the golf club with his feet.

            “It’s okay…it’s okay.” Zyrok reassured with a soft smile.

            The girl walked up beside Zyrok’s backpack on the ground and searched it. She pulled out a bag of mixed nuts and examined it.

            “Go ahead, you can eat it.” Zyrok studied the girl’s movements as he attempted to wriggle his hands free from the ropes.

            As the girl opened the bag of nuts and sniffed it, Zyrok slowly loosened the knots. The girl put one nut in her mouth to taste and then quickly stuffed the remaining contents into her mouth.

            “This girl is hungry.” Zyrok thought as he managed to pull one hand free.

            In a split second, Zyrok pulled himself free and quickly stood up. The girl cried and snatched her club, but Zyrok was faster and yanked the club out of the young girl’s hands. Upon realizing what had happened, the girl cried and ran to a corner as Zyrok blocked her escape. She covered her face and huddled in the corner whimpering in fear.

            “I’m not going to hurt you.” Zyrok crouched and threw the golf club away.

            She shivered and covered her eyes. She was terrified and her breathing speed increased.

            “Hey…hey. I’m a soldier and I’m not going to hurt you.” Zyrok said in a soft voice.

            Zyrok sat on the ground next to the girl and looked at her. She was young and her parents were probably dead or had become zombies. Zyrok looked around the room and saw a picture frame. He picked it up and saw the girl with a man and a woman behind her.

            “Is this you?” Zyrok held the picture close to the girl.

            The girl removed her hands from her face and looked shyly.

            “You got a name? I’m Zyrok, can you talk?” Zyrok spoke quietly.

            She nodded her head and looked at the photo. Tears streamed down her face as she studied the photograph.

            “It’s alright. It’s okay.” Zyrok slowly made his way to the girl and comforted her with a hug.

            “Everything’s going to be okay now.” Zyrok whispered.

            The girl sobbed and hugged Zyrok tightly as tears dripped from her face. Zyrok patted her on the back and released his embrace. He looked at the girl and wiped her face with his shirt sleeve.

            “There, you’re all clean. Don’t cry, you are so pretty.” Zyrok cleaned the girl’s face.

            The girl smiled shyly and touched her cheeks. Zyrok knew the girl wasn’t a local because of her skin color and her hair.

            “You’re not from here aren’t you?” Zyrok asked.

            Within a second, she reached into a pocket and produced an ID card. Zyrok took the card and examined what it wrote.

            “Your parents worked at the British embassy?” Zyrok examined the card.

            A nod was all it took to acknowledge and answer Zyrok’s question. Zyrok knew that their chances of survival increased drastically if there was an embassy. There was going to be food, water, shelter, and defenses. If he was lucky, he might be able to contact the UNSC.

            “Where’s the embassy?” Zyrok asked politely.

            The girl pointed at the window and Zyrok stood up to see where she was pointing. From the height of the current building, Zyrok noticed a fancy structure with a British flag on the room. The only problem was that the building was dark and smoke came out of it.

            “Did you come from there?” Zyrok pointed at the embassy.

            She nodded with a scared face and Zyrok understood what she had experienced.

            “Do you have food or water?” Zyrok looked around the room.

            Zyrok watched as the girl ran into a closet and pulled out a small bag. Inside the bag were two bags of candy and one bottle of water.

            “Can I drink some water? I haven’t drank in a while.” Zyrok pointed at the water.

            The girl opened the bottle and handed it to Zyrok with an uncertain look. Zyrok took the bottle graciously and poured a bit into his dry mouth.

            “Thanks.” Zyrok thanked as he handed the bottle back.

            “Look, I’m going to go to the embassy to see if I can get us some supplies.” Zyrok walked across the room to pick up his kukri and Desert Fox on the ground.

            He turned to the entrance and began to remove the barricade.

            “Don’t go…” the girl spoke in a pleading voice.

            “Oh…so you talk.” Zyrok turned his head.

            “Yeah…” the girl nodded.

            “What’s your name?” Zyrok asked.

            “Sarah.” the girl responded.

            The name hit Zyrok like a train and he froze. His facial expressions changed and he stopped in his tracks.

Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan

UNSC Cobra Squad’s Camp

May 10, 2001

1550 Local Time

            Hariprasad fell to the ground and tried to move away from the sea of hands. One zombie grabbed his leg and sank its teeth into the flesh.

            “Argh!” Hariprasad screamed in pain.

            Suddenly, a few shots came from behind him followed by the sounds of heavy footsteps. Bullets whizzed past Hariprasad and struck the zombies.

            “You alright?” Parker rushed over with her MSG-9 rifle.

            “Hell, I’m bit.” Hariprasad looked at his left leg with a bloody bite mark.

            “Hold on.” Parker pulled out a medic kit from her belt and took out a roll of bandages.

            Hariprasad winced in pain as Parker sprayed an antiseptic spray on the wound. Hariprasad knew he hadn’t taken the nanite shot and that only High Command issued to key members.

            “I’m not going to make it…right?” Hariprasad stared at his leg.

            Frederick and Sears rushed out of the building with guns in their hands and knelt beside the injured marine.

            “You alright?” Sears asked with concern.

            “No Sarge.” Hariprasad pointed at his leg as Parker was applying pressure to the wound.

            “What happened?” Frederick looked at the dead zombies.

            “Turned a corner and they were there.” Hariprasad pointed at the edge of the structure.

            “Damn it. Do you have nanites?” Frederick asked.

            “No, do you have the shots?” Hariprasad looked worried.

            “No…I think it’s on UNSC Perth.” Frederick waved her hand behind her.

            “Yeah, it is in the medic bay on the ship.” Parker added.

            “Take him onto the Falcon and airlift him out of here.” Sears pointed at the roof.

            “Problem…when I was up there, UNSC Perth sent a transmission saying it can’t allow the Falcon to land due to weather.” Frederick pointed at the distant stormy clouds.

            “Aw hell, what are our options?” Sears crossed his arms in frustration.

            “Um…” Hariprasad looked lost.

            “Let’s bring him inside and figure out our options. It will be a while till we get reinforcements.” Frederick waved.

            “Agreed.” Sears assisted Hariprasad to his feet.

            Parker walked a few meters and picked up the M16 Hariprasad had dropped while Frederick assisted by opening the doors.

            “How long do I have before I turn?” Hariprasad spoke with a groan.

            “Listen, I’m not going to let you turn.” Sears reassured.

            “I’m the first casualty and we haven’t even found Zyrok.” Hariprasad chuckled weakly.

            As the pair continued walking, Parker and Frederick assisted by opening the doors. Suddenly Hariprasad stopped talking and collapsed to the floor.

            “He’s unconscious.” Sears checked the pulse of his comrade.

            “Don’t you die on me Hariprasad.” Frederick shook her head in frustration.

UNSCDF3 Chapter 5- Girl in the Dark

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Zyrok’s Hideout

May 10, 2001

1000 Local Time

            Zyrok woke up with blurry vision obscuring his surroundings. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. He looked at the Desert Fox pistol beside him and turned around.

            “Am I dead?” Zyrok stood up and looked around.

            He remembered the previous night where he held the gun to his head and that was it. Darkness and vague memories followed after. Maybe he had passed out from the lack of water. Zyrok walked to a counter and picked up a water bottle. He placed the bottle to his dry lips and only tasted a few drops.

            “I’m not dead…not yet.” Zyrok told himself as he licked his lips.

            Zyrok decided to go on one last loot run to try his luck.

            “If I don’t find anything, I’m done. I quit.” Zyrok pulled out the photo of Sarah and said with a straight face.

            There had been various times where he would talk to the photo as if she was with him and days where he’d break down to tears. The photo of Sarah had kept him going, but it wasn’t going to last forever. With a sigh, Zyrok slung an empty backpack and holstered his sidearm. He exited his hideout and headed to the apartments he was in the day before. He didn’t search the whole building so he decided to finish the remaining floors. After a few minutes of walking in the shade of various buildings, Zyrok reached the building marked “521 Apartments”. He headed for the stairwell and quickly got to the fifth floor. As he reached the door exiting the stairwell, he pulled out his kukri and clicked on his flashlight. With a gentle push, he opened the door and readied himself.

            “Shit.” Zyrok muttered as his flashlight suddenly dimmed as he scanned the halls.

            Zyrok hit the flashlight against his side hoping to keep the light working. The impact only made it worse and the batteries died. The darkness quickly took over and engulfed him. Zyrok placed the flashlight to his belt and pulled out his Desert Fox sidearm. A knife in one hand and a pistol in the other, Zyrok slowly walked forward letting his eyes adjust to the colorless environment. He noticed a body lying on the ground in front of him and slowly made his way past it by sliding next to the walls. Once he saw the first room, he pushed it open and walked inside. Zyrok noticed the blinds covering the sunlight and quickly ran and opened them. A stream of light illuminated the room and temporary blinded Zyrok. As Zyrok shielded his eyes from the glaring sun, he noticed a figure standing at the door. It was a little girl dress in worn out clothes. Zyrok raised his pistol towards the girl, but the girl ran away into the dark halls.

            “Wait!” Zyrok shouted as he realized the girl was human and not a zombie.

            “God damn it.” Zyrok cursed as he chased after the girl.

            As much as the complete darkness in the halls scared Zyrok, he had to find her. She was probably the only living thing he had seen in a while.

            “Hello? Hello?” Zyrok called out holding both weapons closely to his body in case anything jumped out at him.

            A series of footsteps was heard in front of him followed by the closing of a door. Zyrok quickened his pace and came across a damaged door. He turned the handle, but it was locked.

            “Hey, I know you are in here. I’m not going to hurt you.” Zyrok knocked on the door.

            Zyrok attempted to wedge the door open, but it appeared to be barricaded.

            “Please open the door. I’m not a zombie and I’m not bitten.” Zyrok pushed the door with his body.

            Zyrok turned his head behind him and noticed a couple of figures limping towards him.

            “Aw hell…” Zyrok heard the moaning of zombies as the figures got closer.

            “There are zombies coming now. I’m going to break the door down.” Zyrok placed his pistol into his holster.

            Zyrok kicked the door with all his might and the frame cracked. A zombie leapt behind him, but Zyrok took a step to the side and impaled the kukri into its eye. Zyrok quickly turned to the door and did another kick, only this time, the door caved in. A small cry was heard in the room as Zyrok crawled in. Once he was in, he quickly pushed a few tables and cabinets to block the entrance.

            “Hey, where are you?” Zyrok looked in the dark room.

            A faint growl was heard outside and Zyrok assessed his barricade. It was going to hold for a while. Just as Zyrok turned to look at the room, a blur of darkness came and hit him right in the head. Zyrok cried out briefly and was knocked out cold unconscious of what hit him.

Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan

UNSC Cobra Squad’s Camp

May 10, 2001

1500 Local Time

            “Comms are functional Lieutenant.” Parker looked at a computer screen.

            “Good. What are those crates?” Frederick pointed at some metal crates marked “UNSC”.

            “Food supply. I’d say we can last two weeks with that.” Parker replied.

            “Hey Johnson, do you have a tactical map?” Sears searched some boxes.

            “There are more crates on the roof. Try up there.” Daniels pointed up as he placed a box on a desk.

            “LT, what can I do?” Hariprasad asked.

            “Go help your Sarge move the crates down here.” Frederick answered as she looked at her datapad.

            “Ok.” Hariprasad ran off.

            “Parker! Where are Blake and the others?” Frederick called out.

            “Blake is in charge of UNSC Perth. The rest of the squad should be inbound once we unload all our gear. After all, we only got one Falcon.” Parker responded.

            “Ok.” Frederick thanked.

            After a few minutes, Sears and Hariprasad walked into the room with a few crates.

            “Any more?” Frederick asked.

            “Just a couple.” Sears placed a crate onto the ground.

            “Ok. When you get the tactical map out, can you mark Kilo’s hidden assets?” Frederick requested.

            “Will do LT.” Sears saluted.

            “Hariprasad, patrol the ground floor. Make sure no zombies get too close.” Frederick ordered.

            “On it ma’am.” Hariprasad dropped his crate and picked up a M16 on a table.

            “Guys, I’m going to the roof and see what we have left.” Frederick walked out of the room.

            Frederick exited the roof stairwell and glanced at the Falcon. Beside the Falcon were two more crates. Just as she was about to pick up a crate, the cockpit of the Falcon beeped. Frederick walked to the cockpit and stuck her head in. She saw a message on the screen and frowned.

            “Weather conditions are going to be windy…unable to land Falcon back to UNSC Perth.” Frederick stared at the message.

            Frederick noticed a photograph on one of the screens and picked it up. There was a woman standing beside a small boy in front of a cozy house.

            “Ah…I see you met my wife and kid.” Daniels spoke from behind.

            “Oh, I’m sorry.” Frederick put the photo back to where she found it.

            “Where are they at?” Frederick asked.

            “There.” Daniels pointed at the sky.

            “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Frederick apologized.

            “I’m still alive so I can kill each and every zombie.” Daniels spoke seriously.

            “You are a courageous man.” Frederick stated.

            “They take my family…I’ll take out their race.” Daniels spoke angrily.

            Suddenly, a few shots echoed from the streets below them and Frederick rushed to the ledge.

            “Hariprasad…” Frederick muttered as she saw a group of zombies tackle the marine to the ground.

UNSCDF3 Chapter 3- Missiles and Bullets

Arabian Sea, Coast of Karachi, Pakistan

UNSC Perth

May 9, 2001

1750 Local Time

            “Two missiles inbound!” Parker shouted.

            “Stewart! Flak cannon.” Blake ordered.

            “Aye sir.” Stewart replied and pressed a series of buttons.

            At the front of the ship, a turret turned to face the missiles. Within a second of setting into position, a series of flak rounds exploded in the sky between the missiles and the ship. Luckily, the flak rounds managed to kill off the incoming missiles before it struck the ship.

            “Chopper’s at starboard side now.” Frederick pointed.

            “It’s going for our boat.” Hariprasad spoke in horror as a fury of bullets flew towards Cobra Squad’s boat.

            “Launch the SAM, now!” Blake shouted.

            “Already on it.” Parker navigated her console and slammed the controls.

            At the side of the starboard, two missiles launched in the air and trailed towards the Russian chopper. The Russians stopped firing and evaded with countermeasures. One missile missed, but the other continued to pursue. The Mi-24 made a sharp turn and fired a missile at the missile. Boom! The explosion rocketed the sky and pieces of debris fell into the water.

            “Fire again.” Blake ordered.

            “Sir.” Stewart acknowledged.

            “Captain, how can we help?” Frederick offered.

            “We have twin GAU-19 guns at the front of the ship. Controls are simple. Point and fire.” Blake pointed at a turret beside the flak cannon.

            “On it.” Frederick waved at Hariprasad.

            Just as Frederick and Hariprasad exited the bridge and ran towards the sky. Two explosions ripped through the silent waters as the SAM missiles struck the Mi-24’s countermeasures.

            “Better hurry.” Frederick urged.

            “Agreed.” Hariprasad answered.

*          *          *

            “Full speed ahead.” Johnson pointed at UNSC Perth.

            “Daniels, Perth wants us to fire our turrets instead.” Sears listened to his RaidComm transmission built inside his helmet.

            “The M60?” Daniels pointed at the machine gun mounted in front of the boat.

            “Yeah.” Sears pushed the throttle forward and turned the boat left.

            The Mi-24 fired its missiles at UNSC Perth, but was only countered by the flak cannons. At the front of the ship, a turret with two GAU-19s swiveled to face the helicopter. A blaze of armor piercing rounds lit up the sky.

            “That’s our cue!” Sears pointed as he sped the boat closer towards the Russian chopper.

            Daniels rotated the M60 turret and unleashed a torrent of bullets. A sea of bullets flew in the air followed by SAM missiles from UNSC Perth. In a matter of minutes, the bullets had dealt sufficient damage to the helicopter’s hull and the Mi-24 began to smoke.

            “They’re getting away.” Johnson pointed as the helicopter attempted to retreat.

            “Not on my watch.” Daniels got off the turret and ran towards the boat’s compartments.

            Daniels reached in a large compartment and took out a M82A2 sniper rifle.

            “Holy smokes, you guys have these?” Sears’ eyes widened in surprise.

            “Yeah, we’re Spec Ops remember?” Johnson reminded.

            Daniels mounted the sniper rifle stand on the boat’s ledge and aimed at the distant retreating chopper.

            “Hit the fuel lines.” Johnson pointed at the smoke trailing from the chopper.

            Daniels adjusted the elevation and slid a bullet into the chamber. He fired once and a loud bang was heard. The round struck the rear of the chopper, but did little damage.

            “Again.” Johnson encouraged.

            Once more, Daniels reloaded and slid a bullet into the chamber from the magazine. Daniels turned the gun a bit and fired. This time the armor piercing round struck the missiles the chopper was carrying and exploded. The explosion consumed the helicopter into a ball of flame and quickly plummeted into the water below.

            “Nice!” Sears complimented.

            “Looks like my training paid off.” Daniels joked.

            “Sure did.” Johnson laughed.

            “Let’s head back now.” Sears turned the boat back towards UNSC Perth.

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

521 Apartments

May 9, 2001

1800 Local Time

            A young soldier wearing torn military outfit ran out of a vacant building. His face showed tiredness and dehydration from the desert heat. The soldier continued running down an alley and took cover in the shade. He unbuttoned his outer wear and used it as a hood to block the heat scorching his face. On his undershirt, the word “Zyrok” was stenciled on the back.  Zyrok walked back out of the street and into a convenience store that was semi-barricaded.

            “Ugh.” Zyrok grunted as he pushed away a wooden board to reveal a small opening into the building.

            As soon as Zyrok crawled inside, he pushed the wooden board back into place. Inside the store were some food and a makeshift bed built from cardboard and towels. He sat down on his bed and removed his hood. With a sigh, he emptied his pockets of the looted items he had found beside him. There was a bag of mixed nuts and two batteries. Zyrok placed the two batteries into a radio and turned the switch. A faint signal was heard and then turned to complete silence.

            “Useless.” Zyrok took the batteries out and threw them aside.

            Food rations were running low and Zyrok had scavenged most parts of the city. It was only a matter of time before he would go hungry. Just the thought of starving to death or scavenging in the hot sun demoralized him. He had sacrificed himself and destroyed the Secronom Research Facility. He had made sure Sarah’s husband didn’t die and that the majority of the team went home alive. Zyrok was certain that his team would assume that he was dead. The past few weeks alone in hiding and survival mode brought Zyrok to his senses.

            “It has always been fate.” Zyrok chuckled in reflection.

            Zyrok lied down on the ground and looked at the dusty ceiling.

            “It’s over…the game is over.” Zyrok opened a bag of mixed nuts and munched on it.

            Popping the nuts in his mouth, Zyrok quickly finished the whole bag. It did not fulfill his hunger, but it was going to last him for another day. Zyrok reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.

            “Oh Sarah…I can’t believe I lasted this long.” Zyrok spoke to a wrinkled photograph of a beautiful Caucasian girl with a smile on her face.

            The photograph had faded over time leaving parts of the photo in discoloration. Zyrok closed his eyes and smiled warmly as a tear trickled down his cheek.

            “If only you know…if only you knew.” Zyrok whispered as he put the photo close to his heart.

            Zyrok wiped his face sadly with his shirt sleeve and decided to sleep. He was about to give up living by himself in the city of Kandahar. Life was too hard and no one was there with him except the Russians nearby still trying to figure out what Secronom had to offer. He pulled out his Desert Fox pistol and pulled the gun slowly to his head. He was ready and he wasn’t afraid to die. Zyrok had done the things he had wanted to do in his life and he was satisfied. Even with the imperfections along the way, he was pleased. He felt…peace.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 35- Very Important Business

Reygi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Secronom Research Facility

April 21, 2001

2130 Local Time

            “Fall back! Retreat!” Zyrok continued to shout as his marines fired at the multi-limbed zombies climbing out of the vent.

            Zyrok’s Desert Fox was getting low on ammo and he looked at the marines attempting to open a door behind him.

            “It’s stuck.” Nevarez pulled on the door handle.

            “Hurry up people.” Zyrok fired a few rounds.

            Suddenly, the door slid open and Frederick stood on the other side.

            “Go! We’ll cover.” Frederick raised her SA80 and aimed behind Zyrok.

            Zyrok and his marines rushed out of the room while Frederick and Cookson covered. Hariprasad stood beside a room opposite to them and waved.

            “Get in.” Hariprasad shouted.

            The marines quickly filed into the room and Hariprasad slid the doors shut. The door was followed by immediate pounding as the zombies bashed against the door.

            “It will hold.” Hariprasad reassured as he tapped the doors.

            “Where are we?” Zyrok looked around.

            “Some sort of control room.” Frederick replied.

            “How did you find us?” Zyrok asked.

            “We heard people shouting and decided to take a look.” Frederick answered.

            “It wasn’t me.” Schmidt raised his hands in the air.

            “Probably me giving the orders.” Zyrok replied.

            “Perhaps, but it looks like being loud for once in a zombie apocalyptic world saved your life.” Frederick teased.

            “I guess so.” Zyrok muttered.

            “That’s it…?” Frederick crossed her arms.

            “What’s it?” Zyrok raised and eyebrow.

            “What Frederick meant was that she was looking for some sort of appreciation…” Cookson immediately understood Frederick’s meaning.

            “Oh, thanks.” Zyrok smiled and thanked Frederick.

            “That’s better.” Frederick scoffed.

            “Wow…” Zyrok exclaimed.

            “I’m just joking. Take it easy Charlie…I meant Zyrok.” Frederick laughed and looked away.

            “Hey guys, look at this.” Nevarez pointed at a computer that was online.

            “What is it?” Zyrok raised an eyebrow.

            Zyrok walked to the computer with Frederick beside him and tapped on the keyboard. The screen lit up and Zyrok sat down next to the computer.

            “You have one unread video log.” the computer spoke.

            Zyrok clicked the mouse and opened the file on the computer desktop.

            “Playing video log sequence Alpha Zulu Zulu 57.” the computer spoke.

            The screen displayed a scientist looking at the camera with a scared face.

            “This is Chief Medical Officer Jenkins from Level Zulu. Test subjects have mutated severely and got out of their holding rooms. Repeat, we have a breach!” the scientist spoke to the computer.

            In the background, two Secronom security guards ran towards Jenkins and grabbed him.

            “We have to go now. Doors are breached.” one guard spoke to Jenkins.

            From the computer, screams and gunshots could be heard in the background noise.

            “Initiate quarantine procedures Pappa Romeo Yankee. This abomination must be destroyed and not reach the surface. The release of them will destroy humanity.” Jenkins frantically spoke on the microphone.

            “Now sir!” the guard spun around and fired two rounds.

            “This is Jenkins signing off. Good luck and Godspeed.” Jenkins frantically spoke on the microphone.

            “From the looks of it, Jenkins didn’t make it.” Frederick guessed.

            “It appears that way…” Zyrok pointed at the door.

            “What’s quarantine procedures Pappa Romeo Yankee?” Cookson asked.

            “Let me check.” Zyrok typed on the computer.

            Zyrok clicked on his mouse and then typed in the database to look for the quarantine procedures. After a few minutes of searching, he found the file.

            “Quarantine procedures Pappa Romeo Yankee is the destruction of all assets in the facility in the event of a quarantine breach.” Zyrok read out loud.

            “Continue, please.” Frederick prompted.

            “All Secronom facilities are equipped with a self-destruct sequence in the event of an outbreak. Should the need for the quarantine procedures to be in effect, there has to be a loss of control of the facility.” Zyrok continued reading.

            “So where’s the self-destruct and how do we turn it on?” Schmidt interrupted.

            “Let me scroll down.” Zyrok moved his mouse down.

            “Hmm…” Frederick studied the computer screen.

            “The self-destruct sequence has to be manually primed in the central room located in Room B5535.” Zyrok read the monitor.

            “Where are we now?” Schmidt asked.

            “Room…B5550.” Frederick replied as she looked at a signage.

            “It’s not far.” Hariprasad commented.

            “Let’s check on May and Forester’s team and see how they are doing?” Zyrok suggested.

            “Good idea.” Frederick agreed.

            “Especially when we are going to blow this facility.” Schmidt added.

            “Forester or May, do you copy?” Zyrok spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Go ahead Zyrok.” Forester replied.

            “What’s your location and status?” Zyrok asked.

            “We’ve retreated with 2-3 to the second floor. Casey’s in serious condition and we believe Robertson is dead.” Forester reported.

            “I’m sorry to hear that.” Zyrok replied with a sigh and looked at the ground.

            “He was a good fellow.” Cookson muttered.

            “He was a hero.” Frederick corrected.

            “Indeed.” Zyrok nodded in agreement.

            “Captain, we need to Casey topside so he can get the nanites.” May interrupted on the RaidComm bringing everyone back to the present.

            “Copy, Forester and May, take your teams topside. We are going to see if we can shut this place down.” Zyrok responded.

            “Marines, time to move out.” Frederick slid a fresh magazine into her SA80.

            “Affirmative, 2-3 and 4-3 going up. Zyrok, what does this facility hold that High Command wants?” Forester asked.

            “Forester, all I see is a science experiment gone wrong. There is nothing valuable that we’ve uncovered.” Zyrok answered to the best of his ability.

            “Let me check.” Excuse me.” Frederick squeezed in front of Zyrok and began to use the computer.

            “Here, sit.” Zyrok stood up and offered Frederick a seat.

            “Thanks.” Frederick sat down with her eyes trained on the monitor.

            Cookson and Hariprasad sat down beside each other and began to chat about the new zombies. Later, Nevarez and Schmidt joined in on the conversation as they waited for Frederick to search the computer.

            “Those eight-legged freaks of nature sure gives me the creeps.” Schmidt shivered.

            “They almost resemble a spider…” Hariprasad commented.

            “Yeah man, eight legs and crawls about anywhere.” Nevarez nodded.

            “If they are spiders…why don’t we just kill it with bug spray?” Cookson joked.

            “Hahaha, very funny. If there even is one available down here to test…” Schmidt laughed.

            Zyrok looked at the marines enjoying their break and turned to face Frederick.

            “Anything?” Zyrok spoke softly.

            “Something…I think.” Frederick pointed at her screen.

            Zyrok looked at the screen and saw a piece of body armor. The armor somewhat resembled Zyrok’s Exterminator Mesh GT except it had thicker plates of armor.

            “Is it me or does it almost look like my armor?” Zyrok pointed at his chest.

            “Maybe this is what High Command was looking for.” Frederick guessed.

            “Forester, Zyrok here. Frederick has looked some sort of file regarding a new armor that Secronom has. Is that what High Command is looking for?” Zyrok asked on the RaidComm.

            “Well Zyrok, the armor High Command issued you was reverse engineered from Secronom’s early prototypes of the Exterminator series.” Forester replied.

            “Other than that, I don’t think Secronom has anything more to offer except those spider zombies.” Zyrok reported.

            “Alright, see if you can get your hands on the armor. We’ll be heading up shortly and will lose communications.” Forester requested.

            “Copy, we’ll find the research and then blow everything up.” Zyrok acknowledged.

            “Good luck marines. We’ll see you topside.” Forester ended the RaidComm transmission.

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 21, 2001

2135 Local Time

            “Screw it Sears, I’m grabbing a Pelican to provide some assistance.” Pruett stood up from his chair slightly agitated.

            “Pruett, if you leave this camp, we will also put ourselves in jeopardy.” Sears responded.

            “Sears, did you not hear on the RaidComm? Something is not going right at the facility.” Pruett reasoned.

            “So what do you propose Corporal? We fly there to check?” Sears asked.

            “Yeah. From the looks of it, Zyrok and the others are too deep underground for us to contact them on RaidComm. What if they come up and the Russians have taken over?” Pruett proposed his ideas.

            “Hmm.” Sears rubbed his chin.

            “Sir, I can go with Pruett.” a young marine spoke from his desk.

            “Parker, if you go, who else is going to monitor the radar?” Sears asked.

            “I’ll multitask.” Foo interrupted.

            “Two here and two out…is that a good idea?” Sears questioned the marines.

            “It’s not the best idea, but we’re preventing potential casualties if the Russians get there.” Pruett replied.

            “That’s true. What if they need a quick extraction from the hot zone?” Foo asked.

            “Exactly. So we should be ready.” Pruett agreed.

            “Fine, Pruett and Parker can take a Pelican and assess the situation. If at anytime you feel that the risks are too high, pull out.” Sears crossed his arms.

            “Got it Sarge.” Parker nodded.

            The two marines quickly exited the Command Center and rushed onto the airfield. Two Pelicans were neatly docked in the hangars with the blast doors halfway open. Pruett swiped his UNSC ID badge on an access panel and the blast doors fully opened.

            “Take Kilo 11. That one’s loaded with missiles.” Parker pointed at the Pelican in front of him.

            “Good stuff. We might need it.” Pruett walked aboard the Pelican and into the cockpit.

            “She’s a beauty isn’t she?” Parker pointed at the console.

            “She sure is.” Pruett ran his fingers on a smooth board of controls.

            “Our team customized it for the terrain here. Missile pods, mounted M60, and a rotating GAU-19 at its nose.” Parker smiled as he pointed at the controls.

            “That’s beast.” Pruett sat down on the pilot’s seat.

            “We can even see who is friend or foe if you have the right gear equipped, but that’s just a bonus. This puppy can bring a reign of terror.” Parker said proudly.

            “Ok, nice. Let’s get this off the ground. Do you want to man the turret at the back?” Pruett pressed the ignition button.

            “Ill hop on the turret when we get closer. For now, I’ll take a seat.” Parker sat on a seat beside Pruett.

            The engines of the Pelican roared to life as it began to lift off. As the Pelican ascended ten meters into the air and was clear of obstacles, Pruett pushed the throttle forward and the Pelican sped out of the hangar. Once the Pelican left the hangar, the blast doors sealed halfway.

            “Let’s get this job done.” Pruett grinned as he looked at the Secronom Research Facility in the distant and steered the Pelican towards it.