UNSCDF3 Chapter 17- Without Options

Jinnah Town, Quetta, Pakistan

Government Officer Residence

May 14, 2001

1600 Local Time

            “Check out this puppy.” Dau lifted a M82A2 sniper rifle from a wooden crate.

            “Yeah, I’ll just mind my own business.” Johnson sat in the passenger seat of a Warthog.

            “Can you guys seriously help?” Frederick rolled a fuel barrel with Daniels to the Falcon docked on the intersection of the street.

            “Yes ma’am.” Johnson hopped off the vehicle and went to push a fuel barrel.

            “Hey guys, where’s Hariprasad?” Frederick watched Daniels link cables to the Falcon.

            “That way.” Dau pointed at the building right of him with his newly acquired sniper rifle.

            There was a sound of a vehicle coming from the corner of a building which heightened Frederick’s defenses.

            “Incoming! Get to positions.” Frederick ordered.

            The marines quickly got to their nearest cover and readied their guns. A Warthog skidded around the corner and halted to a stop in front of the Falcon.

            “It’s Hariprasad!” Dau looked in the scope of his sniper rifle.

            “A Gauss hog.” Frederick looked at the unique turret on Hariprasad’s Warthog.

            “Ma’am, here’s a surprise.” Hariprasad touched the hood of the vehicle.

            “You sure did surprise us.” Johnson got of his cover.

            “That thing is beast.” Dau admired the gun with awe.

            “How come we don’t see more of these on the fields?” Frederick asked.

            “This is an early prototype built by the engineers in High Command. It’s been made to combat the boss zombies, but we haven’t tried it yet.” Hariprasad explained.

            “Good, maybe we can take out the choppers with it.” Frederick smiled.

            “It doesn’t have that much ammunition. I’d say ten rounds and we’re out.” Hariprasad sighed.

            “Oh, that’s a shame.” Frederick looked disappointed.

            “Don’t forget we have the other Warthog.” Johnson interrupted.

            “Gentlemen, new plan.” Frederick suddenly thought of an idea.

            “Yes LT?” Dau looked interested.

            “We’ll leave the Falcon here and drive the two Warthogs to the Pelican’s location. Then we combine out firepower and attempt to rescue Blake and maybe others.” Frederick briefed.

            “And what about Zyrok ma’am?” Hariprasad asked.

            “We’ll have air support with ground support. I’m sure we can establish a capable means of finding him.” Frederick reasoned.

            “Last time I checked, the Russians still have air superiority.” Johnson joked.

            “That’s true, but we have better gear now.” Frederick pointed at Dau’s M82A2 and the Gauss hog.

            “And one Pelican once we reach our destination.” Hariprasad reminded.

            “Exactly.” Frederick crossed her arms.

            “Might I say that we’re a bit…outnumbered?” Johnson spoke truthfully.

            “That may be true marine, but we aren’t UNSC marines for no reason. We are good at what we do.” Frederick looked at Johnson with a cold stare.

            “Understood ma’am. Cobra Squad’s still with you.” Johnson replied firmly.

            “To the end.” Daniels shouted.

            “Hoorah!” Dau cheered.

            “Alright marines, let’s get formed up.” Frederick patted the hood of the Gauss hog.

            “Ma’am?” Johnson asked.

            “Daniels, you drive the Gauss hog with Dau. Hariprasad, drive the other Warthog with Johnson on the turret. I’ll take the passenger seat.” Frederick climbed into the seat of the Warthog and looked at her Lock 17 sidearm.

            “You heard the LT, get a move on it.” Johnson climbed onto the turret and rotated it to check.

            “Time to pop some heads.” Dau smiled mischievously as he got onto the Gauss cannon.

            “Don’t waste it.” Daniels hopped into the driver’s seat of the Gauss hog.

            “Nah, trust me.” Dau grinned.

            “I bet I’m a better driver than Hariprasad.” Daniels joked.

            “We’ll see about that…pilot.” Hariprasad shot a glare and honked his horn.

            “May the best operator win then.” Daniels smiled.

“Hey Hariprasad, I think you’ll lose. We’re Spec Ops remember?” Johnson teased.

            “True, but I know this terrain better than you do.” Hariprasad countered.

            “Alright…alright. Let’s move!” Frederick waved forward.

Erazi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Russian Communications Outpost

May 14, 2001

1845 Local Time

            “How do you like it here?” Dimitri sat at the end of a table eating with Zyrok and Sarah.

            “It’s pretty good.” Zyrok replied with his mouth full.

            “What about you Sarah?” Dimitri pointed with his fork.

            “Good.” Sarah nodded without looking into Dimitri’s eyes.

            “Look Zyrok, my men need someone with skills leading them to the Secronom Research Facility.” Dimitri spoke seriously.

            “You want to go back down there?” Zyrok stopped eating.

            “Well, what’s down there that needs to be destroyed so badly?” Dimitri put down his fork.

            “Look Dimitri, don’t go down there. Secronom was researching the Nerotonin drug and it mutated. All I know was that we received a log from the chief scientist asking it to be destroyed to prevent it from reaching the surface.” Zyrok explained briefly.

            “Interesting…” Dimitri rubbed his chin.

            “The zombies…they had multi-limbs.” Zyrok described.

            “Zyrok, look we’re all about finding a cure for the virus.” Dimitri continued to eat.

            “Really now?’ Zyrok asked uncertainly.

            “Yes, if you have information to share, so do we.” Dimitri nodded.

            “Such as?’ Zyrok studied his plate and turned to take a quick glimpse of Sarah.

            “Such as you folks failing on the containment of the spider zombies.” Dimitri replied.

            “What? No!” Zyrok pounded the table.

            “You somehow brought it back to North America and now levels are at a critical. Why we want to go down again is to recover their research…do you understand?” Dimitri briefed.

            “I don’t believe it.” Zyrok shook his head in disbelief.

            “Here’s a report.” Dimitri waved at a soldier holding a folder.

            The soldier placed a grey folder in front of Zyrok and walked away. Zyrok opened it and scanned the contents. There were pictures of spider zombies on the streets of San Francisco and the destruction of various UNSC outposts.

            “My god.” Zyrok closed his eyes and shut the folder.

            “The situation is pretty bad.” Dimitri nodded.

            “What can I do to help?” Zyrok offered his knowledge.

            “Are you willing to take a team down underground?” Dimitri asked.

            “Research info right?” Zyrok asked.

            “Anything else that you can offer us that you know?” Dimitri wondered.

            “Secronom was working on a piece of armor.” Zyrok replied.

            “Armor?” Dimitri looked intrigued.

            “It appeared to be a prototype, but we’re not sure if it was functional.” Zyrok answered.

            “Did the UNSC take it?” Dimitri grabbed a plate of dessert.

            “Yeah, my Lieutenant took it. As far as I know, they made it out alive.” Zyrok took his plate of leftovers and set it aside.

            Dimitri rubbed his chin and smiled as he enjoyed his dessert and the information Zyrok had given him. Zyrok’s knowledge may be of more use to him than he had hoped for.

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

British Embassy

May 15, 2001

1010 Local Time

            “The Pelican should be there.” Hariprasad stood at the adjacent building overlooking the British Embassy.

            “Well, I don’t see it.” Johnson took out his binoculars.

            “That’s because it’s stored underground in the facility.” Hariprasad pointed at the center courtyard inside the embassy.

            “Well, can someone explain why I see the Russians?” Dau looked through the scope of the sniper rifle.

            “They’re here?” Frederick took Johnson’s binoculars and looked at two Russians patrolling the outside gates.

            “Damn it!” Frederick kicked the railing on the roof in frustration.

            “Plans LT?” Daniels crossed his arms.

            “Time is running out. We have to split into two teams to get more work done.” Frederick brushed her hair.

            “I’m guessing we’re taking the Gauss to Blake’s location?’ Hariprasad guessed.

            “Yes, it’s a risk we have to take with the ammo it has.” Frederick nodded.

            “What are the teams?” Johnson asked.

            “Since Daniels can fly a Pelican, he’ll head with you and Dau.” Frederick looked at Johnson.

            “You going to be alright LT?” Dau raised an eyebrow.

            “I’ll shoot, Hariprasad drives.” Frederick tossed the car keys to Hariprasad.

            “Yes ma’am.” Hariprasad caught the keys with one hand.

            “Good, we’re call sign 2-2. Dau, you’re 1-3.” Frederick patted the RaidComm device on her helmet.

            “Test, test…do you read?” Daniels tested the RaidComm.

            “Loud and clear, over.” Hariprasad replied.

            “Guys, why are the Russians scrambling?” Dau looked at the Russians rushing out of the embassy preparing to set up defenses.

            “Did they know we’re here?” Frederick waved at the marines to crouch.

            “I don’t think so, but I doubt it was a coincidence…” Johnson replied.

            “I highly doubt it too.” Frederick agreed.

            “Is it me or when we used the RaidComm, the Russians became alert?” Hariprasad voiced his concerns.

            “You think the Russians know our frequencies?” Johnson asked.

            “Let’s give it a try.” Frederick suggested.

            “Hey, are there any UNSC marines out there? I’m lost a couple of blocks south of the embassy. Anyone copy?” Hariprasad played with the RaidComm.

            Frederick studied the movement of the Russians and saw them preparing a van full of soldiers. In a few minutes, the van exited the embassy and went onto the streets south of the embassy.

            “Yup, RaidComm is out. Now what?” Johnson crossed his arms in frustration.

            “Encryption.” Frederick replied instantaneously.

            “That could work…” Daniels rubbed his chin.

            “It will work unless we tell others our encryption code.” Frederick removed her helmet and turned some dials on the communications.

            “Code ma’am?” Hariprasad asked.

            “Sierra Pappa 215.” Frederick replied.

            “Alright marines, you heard the LT. Encrypt to Sierra Pappa 215.” Johnson ordered.

            “Move out marines!” Frederick motioned at the stairwell.

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.

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.

UNSCDF3 Chapter 13- Holding Prisoners

Erazi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Russian Communications Outpost

May 12, 2001

0810 Local Time

           Blake woke up to the sound of car horns honking. He had a black cloth over his head with his hands tied behind him. He heard the sound of a door opening and some minor flashes of sunlight penetrate the dark cloth.

            “Move!” a soldier shoved from behind him.

            Blake’s muscles ached and his head pained as he walked a coarse road. He remembered missiles hitting the bridge and the shockwave sending him out the window. The darkness immediately followed as he splashed head first into cold water. Next, he recalled the sound of a helicopter nearby as he floated on a piece of debris. It was a UNSC Falcon, but he was too weak to call out. His head throbbed with pain and he passed out on the sea and back into the darkness. The events after involved another helicopter, but it was the Russians this time. He was airlifted and then placed into a van transporting him to an unknown location.

            “Sit down!” a soldier pushed Blake onto a chair.

            Blake felt his hands locked to the armrests of the chair followed by the sound of a door opening.

            “Mr. Blake, what a surprise.” a man spoke in front of the captive marine.

            “What do you want?” Blake scoffed.

            “Everything.” the man removed the cloth from Blake’s head.

            Blake noticed he was in a small room with a light hanging above him. The man was behind him and had his hands on his shoulder.

            “Who are you?” Blake spoke angrily.

            “Who am I? Hahaha.” the man spun the chair to face Blake.

            “I am Dimitri, your enemy, of course.” the man opened his arms in pride.

            “Why are you here?” Blake questioned.

            “Let me be clear with you Captain Blake…I ask the questions here.” Dimitri punched Blake in the stomach.

            “Screw you.” Blake spitted.

            Dimitri nodded to his soldiers standing next to the door. Two soldiers knocked the chair holding Blake to the ground and began to kick him.

            “If you haven’t noticed Captain, I am in charge of you now. Until you are clever to see that, some things won’t be changing.” Dimitri stormed off.

            “I’ll kill you.” Blake coughed as the soldiers continued to kick him.

            “Huh, we’ll see.” Dimitri laughed and walked out of the room.

            Dimitri walked down the halls when a tall man with a scar on his cheek approached him. He saluted Dimitri and looked at him.

            “Captain Dima, a job well done.” Dimitri complimented.

            “Thank you sir.” Dima replied.

            “I must say, Captain Blake is quite a fighter.” Dimitri crossed his arms.

            “I’m not so sure about the others.” Dima said with confidence.

            “Others?” Dimitri smiled.

            “Five marines, sir.” Dima pointed down the hall.

            “Good, let’s see what they can offer us.” Dimitri rolled up his sleeves.

            “Right this way sir.” Dima led Dimitri towards the captured marines.

Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan

UNSC Cobra Squad’s Camp

May 12, 2001

1000 Local Time

            “How are they doing?” Frederick asked Parker as she examined Dau’s vitals.

            “He’s holding.” Parker recorded some notes.

            “Lieutenant, I have something.” Sears rushed into the room with a piece of paper.

            “What is it Staff Sergeant?” Frederick turned her head.

            “We know the Russians came back to pick up the survivors, but we don’t know how many people made it.” Sears reported.

            “Calm down Sears. Tell me.” Frederick listened attentively.

            “They transferred our marines by car into Afghanistan. Erazi, to be exact.” Sears looked at the paper.

            “Is the Intelligence reliable?” Frederick was interested.

            “I believe so ma’am. Blake’s emergency transponder was turned on prior to him entering Erazi.” Sears read the paper.

            “Blake, he’s alive?” Frederick’s eyes widened.

            “Appears so.” Sears replied.

            “Okay, I hate to be pessimistic, but what if it’s a trap? A trap set by the Russians to kill all of the remaining marines.” Parker interrupted.

            “That’s a possibility…” Frederick thought deeply.

            “It is possible, but what if it isn’t?” Sears challenged.

            “What if it is?” Parker asked.

            “Okay people. We need to do an assessment of our risks.” Frederick waved at the marines to follow her.

            “Guys, I think I may have the solution.” Johnson rushed into the room holding a tactical map.

            “What’s that?” Frederick looked amused.

            “Oh, that map…I totally forgot about it.” Sears brushed his hair.

            “It’s Fire Team Kilo’s assets.” Johnson handed the paper to Frederick.

            “A Pelican?” Frederick flattened the map on a table.

            “Yeah, it’s a supply Pelican modified for heavy payloads. It’s slower and lacks firepower.” Sears read the map.

            “Problem…the Pelican is in Afghanistan.” Parker reminded.

            “Yeah, we go in by Falcon and take the Pelican with us.” Sears explained.

            “Russians are stationed in that area. Once we lift it up, we’ll get blown out of the sky.” Parker pointed at the surrounding buildings.

            “Damn it. Any ground assets available?” Frederick studied the map.

            “Warthogs and Mongooses.” Sears quickly replied.

            “Still, like I said, Afghanistan.” Parker frowned.

            “Where’s the other map?” Sears flipped the maps.

            “On the desk, but it’s incomplete so I didn’t bring it.” Johnson answered.

            “Incomplete?” Frederick looked impatient.

            “Ma’am, Hariprasad was the one doing it.” Johnson replied quietly.

            “Sears? What about you?” Frederick turned to look at her Sergeant.

            “I’ll see what I can do. I was focused on assets within Afghanistan because we’d never expect to go beyond the borders.” Sears replied.

            “And Hariprasad was?” Frederick questioned.

            “No, nobody was. Hariprasad and another marine had set up communication relay stations outside of Afghanistan.” Sears answered.

            “And they seemed to have failed when the Russians knew where we were when we discovered the Secronom facility.” Frederick crossed her arms.

            “I believe so, but that doesn’t mean we have lost our assets.” Sears replied optimistically.

            “Alright, let’s head to the central room and get that map completed to the best of our ability.” Frederick rolled up the maps.

            “Ok.” Johnson and Sears replied in unison.

            “Parker, stay here and watch Dau and Hariprasad.” Frederick pointed.

            “Yes ma’am.” Parker nodded and turned.

            Johnson opened the door and waved at the marines to pass.

            “After you.” Sears motioned for Frederick to go first.

            “Thanks.” Frederick smiled warmly as she passed the two marines.