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 2- Opening Moves

Arabian Sea, Coast of Mumbai, India

UNSC Perth

May 9, 2001

1300 Local Time

            Frederick sat in her quarters quietly in reflection of the events leading up to Zyrok’s sacrifice. Her memory was foggy, but she remembered Zyrok handing his UNSC dog tags and a piece of paper to Corporal Cookson, her teammate. The next thing she remembered very clearly was what he told Cookson that changed her.

            “Tell Sarah that I loved her till the very end.” Frederick mumbled on Zyrok’s words.

            Frederick stared at the wall briefly and frowned. Perhaps it was the last words and actions Zyrok did or maybe it was her past that made her somewhat attached to him. Everything she had gathered or heard from the others stated that Zyrok was killed in action, but a little part of her was telling her that he might still be alive.

            “Why am I even doing this?” Frederick asked herself loudly.

            Just as she was thinking a response to her own question, there was a knock on the door.

            “Come on in.” Frederick spoke loudly and snapped back to reality.

            The metal door slid open and Hariprasad walked in.

            “Are you busy Frederick?” Hariprasad asked in a soft voice.

            “No, not at all. In fact, I have a question for you Hariprasad.” Frederick’s eyes widened.

            “What is it?” Hariprasad asked with a curious face.

            “Here, take a seat.” Frederick moved a chair in front of her.

            Hariprasad sat down slowly keeping his eyes trained on Frederick unsure of what she was going to ask him.

            “So…” Hariprasad’s voice trailed off.

            “Tell me Hariprasad, do you think Zyrok’s still alive?” Frederick asked in a serious tone.

            “Well, I’m…” Hariprasad began to speak when suddenly Frederick raised her finger in front of him.

            “I want you to be honest with me.” Frederick interrupted.

            “To be honest, I really don’t know. A lot of evidence is pointing towards the death of Zyrok, but we have not recovered a body. That being said, I doubt we can find a body if the Secronom building got blown up.” Hariprasad said with a straight face.

            “Hmm…” Frederick rubbed her chin.

            “Why do you ask LT?” Hariprasad asked with a hint of curiosity.

            “Well…I’m sure Zyrok would do the same if it was us who made the sacrifice.” Frederick reasoned.

            “Oh, I’m sure. Zyrok seems like the type of guy.” Hariprasad agreed.

            “Indeed.” Frederick replied with a warm smile and looked away.

            “Permission to speak freely ma’am?” Hariprasad requested.

            “Go ahead…” Frederick stared at Hariprasad with an uncertain look on her face.

            “It’s Zyrok isn’t it?” Hariprasad asked softly.

            “What is?” Frederick looked a bit nervous.

            “This whole search…this operation. It’s all him.” Hariprasad stated.

            “Well, we are looking for Zyrok, aren’t we?” Hariprasad stated.

            “Exactly my point.” Hariprasad pointed.

            “Your point being?” Frederick looked somewhat annoyed.

            “My point being that you came to find Zyrok, but you didn’t bring Jackal Squadron with you. I find it odd.” Hariprasad spoke his mind.

            “I have my reasons.” Frederick stared at the ground.

           “Let me put the facts out and you tell me if I’m right. The reason Jackal Squadron is not here is because of Cookson. If I’m correct, you don’t want Zyrok to get upset or emotional if he sees Cookson. Assuming we find him in the mess in Afghanistan. Another thing is, I think you have a thing for Zyrok. I mean, I’m pretty sure Cookson believes Zyrok is alive.” Hariprasad gave his points.

            “You are very smart. You got some parts right…to an extent.” Frederick smiled nervously.

            “Oh really.” Hariprasad chuckled.

            “Keep this between you and me okay?” Frederick looked at the door.

            “You have my word LT.” Hariprasad replied seriously.

            Frederick stood up and slid the metal door shut. She looked around nervously with a slight smile on her face. Hariprasad smiled back warmly as Frederick took her seat.

            “Let me just say it bluntly. I like Zyrok and I enjoy his presence.” Frederick said in one breath.

            Hariprasad nodded in agreement not wanting to interrupt.

            “I mean, there’s not a lot of good guys out here or left in this world of zombies.” Frederick explained.

            “I know Frederick, but if you look hard enough, it’s not that hard. Let me tell you a bit about me.” Hariprasad replied.

            “Go on.” Frederick brushed her hair nervously.

            “Fact is, I’m a good guy. Well, according to my girlfriend. I would do anything for her such as taking a bullet for her.” Hariprasad pulled up his shirt to stomach to reveal a scar on his left hip.

            “What happened?” Frederick eyed the scar.

           “Long story, but I saved her and I wouldn’t hesitate to put myself in the line of fire again.” Hariprasad tucked his shirt.

            “Where is she now?” Frederick asked.

            “Oh, Heather’s in the US.” Hariprasad replied swiftly.

            “Then you shouldn’t be here Hariprasad. It’s a dangerous venture.” Frederick cautioned.

            “It’s our job. Only Sears and I are familiar with the terrains in Afghanistan. And our hidden assets…” Hariprasad smiled.

            “Hold on. I think the ship has stopped moving.” Frederick stood up and touched the wall.

            “We’re here?” Hariprasad asked.

            “Let’s go to the bridge. We’ll talk about this later. Remember, this is only between us okay?” Frederick stared.

            “Yes ma’am.” Hariprasad nodded.

            Frederick slid the door open and walked out with Hariprasad behind her. The pair walked up a set of stairs and out of a long hallway before reaching the bridge.

            “Lieutenant.” Parker greeted with a salute.

            “We’ve stopped.” Frederick looked out of the window and saw the ship sitting still in the water.

            “We are closing in on Karachi, Pakistan. We’ve sent out a small boat to scout ahead for us to dock.” Parker pointed at a raft speeding towards a distant land mass.

            “Don’t worry Frederick. My marines are good.” Blake interrupted as he stood up from a computer station.

            “It’s not the zombies that I worry about, it’s the Russians!” Frederick pointed at a small helicopter flying towards them from the port side.

            “Shit! Sound the alarm Parker!” Blake rushed to the helm.

            Parker ran to a lever and pulled it. A faint alarm was heard inside the ship.

            “Attention, this is not a drill! All hands on deck. Repeat, all hands on deck.” Blake spoke on the speakers.

            “Captain, call back the team?” Stewart hollered.

            “Call them back!” Blake ordered.

            “Sir.” Stewart acknowledged and spoke into his headset.

            “That’s a Mil Mi-24 chopper!” Frederick looked at the helicopter as it came into view.

            “Missiles incoming!” Parker shouted as she read a computer screen.

            “Get ready for a battle!” Blake grabbed the helm and turned left.

UNSCDF3 Chapter 1- The Team

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

UNSC North Haven Outpost

May 1, 2001

1100 Local Time

            “Frederick, are you sure you want to do this?” a tall blonde brunette Sergeant asked a tall blonde bearing the rank of a Second Lieutenant looking at her watch.

            “Yes May, you and the others are staying here.” Frederick replied briskly.

            “Are you sure you don’t need our help?” May crossed her arms.

            “No May, Jackal Squadron will remain here in Australia. Besides, I’ve got Staff Sergeant Sears and Private Hariprasad from Fire Team Kilo to be my guides.” Frederick answered.

            From the dark cloudy skies, a Pelican slowly appeared from the clouds and descended on a platform beside the two marines. A young dark skinned marine rushed out clutching a MP5 and saluted Frederick.

            “Hariprasad.” Frederick saluted back.

            “Lieutenant.” Hariprasad waved at Frederick to climb aboard the aircraft.

            “Nice to see you again.” May greeted.

            “Yeah, sure is Sergeant.” Hariprasad nodded.

            “May, you’re in charge until I get back. Make sure the team doesn’t slack off.” Frederick joked.

            “Alright ma’am.” May grinned.

            Frederick brushed her hair behind her back and walked inside the Pelican followed by Hariprasad.

            “The LT inside?” the pilot hollered from the cockpit.

            “Yeah Sears, she’s on. Let’s go.” Hariprasad shouted in response.

            “Buckle up.” Sears replied as he closed the hatch at the rear of the Pelican.

            Just as the hatch was about to fully lock into place, Frederick smiled at May before turning her head to face Hariprasad.

            “What’s the plan Lieutenant?” Hariprasad asked curiously.

            “Find Zyrok.” Frederick replied easily.

            “Are you sure he’s…?” Hariprasad’s voice trailed off.

            “Alive? I hope so.” Frederick answered Hariprasad’s question and frowned.

            The Pelican slowly ascended into the sky and got engulfed by the dark clouds. Sears looked at the console on the Pelican and flipped some switches above him. The lighting in the Pelican hull dimmed to a faint eerie red.

            “Take some rest. It will be a few hours before we reach Perth.” Sears announced.

            “Perth?” Frederick’s eyes widened with surprise.

            “We’re going to Perth first to get a ship.” Hariprasad said with a grin.

            “A ship?” Frederick scratched her head.

            “Since we don’t know the situation in Afghanistan, we’re going by sea.” Sears reasoned.

            “As we get close, we’ll get airborne again. That way we should have some sort of surprise for the Russians if they are still there.” Hariprasad added.

            “Ah…I see.” Frederick closed her eyes to rest.

            On Frederick’s belt, her datapad beeped. Frederick pulled it out and it displayed “Incoming Transmission.” She pressed a button and a blonde female marine with a ponytail smiled.

            “Lieutenant Forester.” Frederick looked at the screen.

            “Lieutenant Frederick, sorry that I’m not able to join you. As you already know, we are trying to hold onto the remaining UNSC Outposts from the mutated zombies and the new spider zombies.” Forester spoke calmly.

            “I know.” Frederick nodded.

            “Since Echo Squad is in need of a Commanding Officer, High Command has ordered that I take Zyrok’s place and assist other UNSC forces in the zombie extermination. Also, I’ve heard that only you and the rest of Fire Team Kilo are on this search.” Forester briefed.

            “That’s correct.” Frederick looked at Sears in the cockpit and then H

ariprasad sitting in front of her.

            “Well, I’ve managed to pull some strings for you knowing that you might encounter the Russian forces in Afghanistan.” Forester smiled.

            “Thanks, I appreciate it.” Frederick thanked.

            “Upon arrival in Perth, a Captain Matthew Blake will rendezvous with you to board his ship along with Cobra Squad.” Forester continued to brief.

            “Cobra Squad?” Frederick raised an eyebrow.

            “Cobra’s a small specialized team focused on quick elimination of targets as well as locating assets.” Forester answered.

            “So…Spec Ops?” Frederick concluded.

            “Pretty much. Anyways Frederick, we’ve got work to do there. Good luck and I’ll see you later.” Forester ended the transmission.

            “We got ourselves a team.” Hariprasad grinned.

            “Yeah.” Frederick placed the datapad back onto her belt and closed her eyes to rest.

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

UNSC Fremantle Outpost

May 1, 2001

1315 Local Time

            “We’re here Lieutenant.” Hariprasad gently shook a sleeping Frederick.

            “Ah.” Frederick rubbed her eyes and stood up to stretch.

            The hatch of the Pelican opened and an Outpost was visible below them. A breeze of cool air rushed into the warm hull.

            “Refreshing.” Frederick breathed deeply and walked out of the Pelican.

            Two marines dressed in black combat gear armed with M16s greeted Frederick.

            “Second Lieutenant Frederick.” a young brunette marine offered her hand.

            “That’s me.” Frederick shook the marine’s hand.

            “Lance Corporal Laura Parker of Cobra Squad.” the marine introduced herself.

            “Corporal Chris Johnson.” the marine adjacent to Parker stuck his hand out.

            “Nice to meet you.” Frederick shook Johnson’s hand firmly.

            “Follow me ma’am, chopper’s waiting for you.” Johnson waved.

            “What about the Pelican Corporal?” Sears stepped off the Pelican and slung a backpack over his shoulder.

            “UNSC Perth can’t carry a Pelican. So a Falcon is the alternative.” Johnson answered.

            “Get your gear marines, we’re moving out.” Frederick ordered.

            “Understood.” Hariprasad nodded.

            Once the marines of Fire Team Kilo got their gear, they quickly hurried behind Frederick. After a couple meters of walking, a Falcon was docked on a platform with its rotors still spinning steadily.

            “Hop on!” Parker shouted over the roar of the rotors.

            Frederick nodded and climbed into the center seats whilst Parker and Johnson mounted on the side M60 turrets. Sears sat beside Frederick while Hariprasad sat directly in front of her.

            “Welcome aboard ladies and gentlemen. I’m Corporal Jeff Daniels.” the pilot chirped on the comms.

            “Strap in.” Johnson shouted and gave a thumbs-up sign to Daniels.

            “And we have a go.” Daniels pushed the throttle forward and the Falcon dusted off the ground majestically.

            The hum of the propellers quieted down as the engines reached its optimal speed. Below the Pelican was a clear harbor with ships neatly docked at their ports.

            “Which one is UNSC Perth?” Frederick pointed at the boats below them.

            “It’s not here Lieutenant. Perth is docked in the Rocky Bay on Rottnest Island.” Parker answered and pointed at a distant land mass a couple hundred kilometers away.

            “Carrier? Frigate?” Frederick asked.

            “Destroyer class.” Johnson said proudly.

            After a few minutes, the Falcon descended over a medium ship. The aircraft circled the ship once as Frederick eyed the ship. On the starboard side, the words “UNSC Perth” were painted on the hull.

            “Meet UNSC Perth. Home to Cobra Squad.” Daniels chirped proudly on the comms as he eyed the ship.

            The Falcon landed at a platform at the rear of the ship and Johnson and Parker quickly got out.

            “This way Lieutenant.” Parker waved as she pointed at the bridge a couple meters away.

            “Ok.” Frederick nodded and followed Parker up some stairs leading to the bridge.

            Parker opened the door to the bridge and a tall man with a beard in his late thirties turned his head from the ship controls.

            “Captain Matthew Blake.” the man greeted and tipped his officer’s cap.

            “Second Lieutenant Jenny Frederick.” Frederick saluted.

            “Parker, we’re all set?” Blake asked Parker as she stood motionless next to the bridge door.

            “Yes sir we are.” Parker nodded.

            “Stewart, release the anchors and leave this bay.” Blake commanded to a young man sitting at some controls with markings of a Private First Class.

            “Aye Captain.” Stewart acknowledged by pressing a button on his console.

            “Grab a seat Lieutenant, let me give the instructions to my marines and we’ll talk.” Blake fished out a pair of binoculars from his utility belt and eyed the horizon.

            “Parker, get the controls.” Blake commanded as the marines from the Falcon entered the bridge.

            “Understood.” Parker paced quickly to the controls.

            Frederick grabbed a seat nearby and waved at Sears and Hariprasad to sit. Blake walked to a printer and read a piece of paper.

            “Stewart, forward throttle to sixty percent. Parker, turn heading to 270. Johnson, system check on weapons.” Blake ordered and sat down in a seat centered in the middle of the bridge.

            “Accelerating forward.” Stewart pushed the throttle forward.

            “Turning 270.” Parker repeated and turned the helm right.

            “Checking weapons.” Johnson pushed a series of buttons.

            The ship turned and quickly left the dock as members of Cobra Squad navigated the ship. In a few minutes, the land of Australia was no longer in view as the engines reached its speed.

            “Weapons are a go, sir.” Johnson looked at a computer and flashed a thumbs-up.

            “Excellent! Ladies and gentlemen, Middle East, here we come.” Blake clapped his hands in excitement.

            “Hell yeah!” Johnson and Stewart shouted in enthusiasm.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 30- Securing the Area

Reygi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Secronom Research Facility

April 21, 2001

1315 Local Time

            “Spread out and watch your sectors.” Forester watched her marines climb out of the vent opening as May’s team secured the area.

            “What a squeeze.” Taylor exclaimed as he climbed out of the vent and wielded his Lock 17.

            “May, where’s the Control Room?” Forester asked.

            “That way.” May pointed down the hall.

            “Timmins and Nevarez, get a system bypass on the door.” Forester ordered.

            As Timmins and Nevarez approached the door, there was some smoke slowly leaking from the frame.

            “Ma’am?” Timmins waved his hand at the black smoke.

            “Is that the smoke we smelled in the air shaft?” Robertson asked.

            “Perhaps it’s from this room.” Green concluded.

            “Get it open.” Forester commanded.

            “Alright. I don’t think smoke should be coming from the Control Room.” Timmins pulled out a set of pliers from his belt.

            Nevarez unscrewed the casing to the access panel and studied the wires.

            “How long?” Forester asked.

            “I’d say ten minutes give or take three.” Nevarez replied.

            “Get it down marines.” Forester looked at her watch.

            “Orders Lieutenant?” May asked.

            “Get your team and secure the Archives.” Forester pointed at the elevator.

            “Yes ma’am.” May nodded and waved her marines.

            “Need this ma’am?” Cookson held the Secronom keycard in his hands.

            “No, keep it Cookson. See if you can loot more. We can bypass the controls once we’re in the Control Room.” Forester shook her head.

            “Ok.” Cookson nodded and walked to his team beside the elevator.

            The elevator doors opened and May’s team went inside. Forester looked at the doors close and then turned to look at Timmins cut some wires. Nevarez attached two cables and inserted into a small datapad. Nevarez pressed some buttons and number slowly appeared. In a few minutes, four digits appeared and Nevarez pressed enter on his datapad.

            “Access Granted.” the panel replied and the doors slid open.

            A wave of black smoke poured out of the room and swept into the halls. There was a small fire in the back of the room beside the computer servers.

            “Get that fire out!” Forester shouted.

            Taylor and Timmins rushed inside and each grabbed a fire extinguisher on the wall. They pointed the nozzle at the fire and sprayed the foam.

            “Nevarez and Schmidt, secure the area.” Forester coughed as the fire was put out and smoke erupted.

            “Clear!” Schmidt exclaimed as he scanned the room.

            “They were here.” Nevarez pointed his gun at an open vent shaft above him.

            “Take a look Nevarez.” Forester ordered as she walked past a door marked “Controls”.

            “Forester, it looks like two servers were fried.” Timmins looked at the molten consoles.

            “Sabotage?” Forester asked.

            “I don’t think so ma’am.” Timmins looked at the other servers.

            “Then what happened?” Forester walked beside Timmins.

            “This room is not hot because of the fire. It is hot because of the servers. I believe it overheated.” Timmins replied.

            Nevarez climbed into the vent shaft and crawled a bit.

            “LT, it looks like the Russians came this way and destroyed a fan.” Nevarez spoke on the RaidComm.

            “That explains it.” Timmins pointed at the vent opening.

            “Damn Russians destroyed the fans. Nevarez, see if you can fix it.” Forester spoke on the RaidComm.

            “It’s going to take a while. They destroyed the motors.” Nevarez spoke back.

            “Copy, see what you can do.” Forester commanded.

            “Let’s check that room.” Taylor pointed at the door marked “Controls”.

            “Breach and clear.” Forester walked to the door and readied her SA80.

            Taylor held his Lock 17 in his hand while Timmins wielded his UMP. Schmidt pushed the door open and the two marines in position rushed into the room in an organized manner. Taylor noticed that there were several computers and an open vent shaft at the end of the wall. Schmidt checked under the desks and smudged footprints leading to the open vent shaft.

            “Clear!” Taylor shouted as he slid his pistol back into his holster.

            Forester and Schmidt walked into the room and looked at the computers.

            “Forester, the Russians got out this way.” Taylor pointed at the vent shaft.

            “Schmidt, I want you to guard the servers and see if you can give Nevarez a hand.” Forester directed.

            “On it.” Schmidt rushed out of the room.

            “Computers still operational, but I don’t understand why the Russians didn’t use it.” Timmins tapped the keyboard.

            “Perhaps they will be coming back.” Taylor pointed at another computer and it displayed “Keycard Required”.

            “Then we beat them to it.” Forester sat down on a chair.

            “I’ll see what the controls are to shut down the defense.” Timmins looked at some buttons on the wall.

            “Cookson, this is Forester here. Can you and Green come back to the Control Room with the keycard?” Forester requested on the RaidComm.

            “On our way Lieutenant.” Cookson replied.

            “It’s getting hot again.” Schmidt hollered from the other room.

            “Tell me about it.” Nevarez shouted from inside the vent with sweat dripping down his face.

            “I’ve got an auxiliary fan button here.” Timmins looked at an orange button on the wall.

            “Nevarez, get out of the shaft first.” Forester spoke on the RaidComm.

            As Nevarez climbed out of the vent opening, Forester turned to Timmins and nodded. Timmins pressed the button and a panel beside the vent slid open and a new shaft appeared.

            “Auxiliary fans online.” an alarm blared.

            In the new shaft was another stationary fan. As the alarm blared, the fan whirred to life and began to circulate the air.

            “Nice.” Nevarez took out his water bottle and poured some refreshing cold water over his head.

            “Good job Timmins.” Forester complimented.

            “We’re here.” Cookson rushed into the room with Green running after him.

            Taylor took the keycard from Cookson and swiped it on a computer.

            “Access Granted.” the computer spoke.

            “Get the guns offline.” Forester spoke to Taylor as she looked at Cookson and Green.

            “Anything else ma’am?” Green asked.

            “Thank you Lance Corporal, but that will be all. Regroup back with your team and be on the lookout for the Russian soldiers. It seems like there may be a squad here plus the Vladamir you mentioned.” Forester thanked.

            As Cookson and Green exited, Cookson paused at the door and turned his head back.

            “LT, you still need the keycard?” Cookson asked politely.

            “Unfortunately, yes. See if you can find another one to use.” Forester suggested.

            “Ok, no worries.” Cookson nodded and walked off with Green.

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 21, 2001

1425 Local Time

            Zyrok sat in his desk as he typed on his computer. He was typing out the events leading up to the discovery of the Secronom Research Facility. Casey walked into Zyrok’s office and gently knocked on the door.

            “Come on in.” Zyrok continued to type.

            “Zyrok, Lieutenant Reid and his men have made their way to the camp.” Casey reported.

            “What’s the progress of Forester and May’s team?” Zyrok asked.

            “They are inside the facility and working on getting the sentry guns offline.” Casey answered.

            “Ok, we’ll send the rest of Jackal and then we can head over there.” Zyrok stood up from his desk.

            “Fire Team Kilo, sir?” Casey raised an eyebrow.

            “Somebody’s got to watch the base. Foo and Pruett will stay behind as well to provide us the necessary transportation.” Zyrok laughed.

            “So…me, you, Frederick, Williams, and Christopher?” Casey summarized.

            “Yeah, that’s sufficient.” Zyrok nodded.

            “Alright Captain, I’ll keep you posted.” Casey saluted.

            “Sergeant Major.” Zyrok saluted and watched Casey exit his office.

            Zyrok walked to a cabinet and opened it. He pulled out a folder and sat in his chair.

            “Level Zulu…where are you?” Zyrok studied a printed map of the Secronom Research Facility.

            Zyrok flipped through the different floor plans. There were rooms and stairwells, but all were marked.

            “Either Level Zulu is a code name for a level or it exists elsewhere.” Zyrok thought.

            “Zyrok, do you copy?” Reid spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Go ahead Reid.” Zyrok replied.

            “I’m passing on the message from Forester that the defenses are offline.” Reid reported.

            “So the sentry guns are out?” Zyrok asked.

            “You can say that sir. They weren’t able to isolate the sentry guns so they shut the whole defense system down.” Reid answered.

            “Ok, thanks Lieutenant. We’re on our way.” Zyrok ended the transmission.

            Zyrok folded the map into his pocket and rushed out of his office to inform his marines of the news.