Chapter 19: Redacted Investigations

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Commander Payne looked out the window of the small scout helicopter at the light green forest below.

He turned his attention away from the scenery to look at the three other soldiers in the vehicle, Hammer, Rook, and Whiskers.

"Any minute now, we'll be dropped off outside of the town. Remember we are going to notify the other squad before we enter the town," he spoke into the headset he wore.

"Yes, sir," they all spoke.

"Whiskers, are you sure you are up for this?" Commander Payne looked at the soldier sitting across from him in the small cabin.

"I am, sir," Whiskers said.

"They released you too early, I would've given it more time."

"No time considering what just happened, they are going to need the full squad."

"They could've called in another."

"Not another like us, sir."

"Sure."

"Come on, it's a beautiful summer day, and I needed to get out of that cold medical room."

Commander Payne didn't respond and looked back out the window to see the helicopter traveling parallel to a lone road in the forest below.

"We're here, get ready," he spoke into his microphone.

The helicopter shot over the forest, making the trees sway from how low it flew. Animals ran away, and flocks of birds flew off to other trees that weren't as disturbed.

"Found a clearing, looping back around and landing," the pilot spoke over the headset's radio.

They all looked at each other from underneath their ballistic masks as the helicopter spun around and slowly desended down under the tree line.

The cabin darkened as they receded into the canopy of the oak and birch forest.

The helicopter softly landed on the ground, "Good to go, Commander," the pilot spoke.

"Thanks for the ride, little bird," Commander Payne responded back.

"Anytime, we're headed back to the nest for a refuel, so pickup won't arrive for a while, but I don't think the mission will be that fast."

"No problem, thanks again," Commander Payne slid back the door on his side and got out with Whiskers.

Hammer and Rook got out from their side and joined them as the helicopter took off into the clear blue sky.

They stood there in their green and brown camo uniforms. They had their exoskeletons strapped to their bodies and their guns drawn.

"The town is five klicks southeast from our position, we are to reach the town, radio the other squad, enter the town, confirm any survivors, and recontain the SCP. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Follow my lead," Commander Payne turned around and led them through the forest.

They followed him through the woods, keeping tabs on their surroundings for anything out of the ordinary. Every so often, Commander Payne would pull out a compass to make sure they kept their heading and correct their course to the town.

Deers would poke their heads up at the squad dawned in military gear and run away from the unusual armored men. Birds would watch them as they passed and hop from branch to branch to tree to tree, following them on their journey. And even though the forest was alive and calm, a sense of dread lingered in the back of their minds as the only sound was of their footsteps crushing the twigs and earth below their feet and the occasional tweet from a bird that felt like it was notifying something or someone of their location.

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