The Rock: New Beginning (English Version)

Part 1. Chapter 2. Strange things all around.

(Play the soundtrack while reading the next episode)

Once passing through the main entrance doors, I again showed my ID and... just like Peterson, received permission to enter. In the large hall a big electronic clock caught my eye, showing not only the exact local time, but also the day, month and year. I involuntarily stopped, looking at the green numbers. April 17... Two days later I came to my wife's grave for the last time and left my Medal of Honor there. On the same day gave the order to begin preparations for the military operation in Alcatraz. The torrential rain continued until the next morning...

"Frank, you coming?" Peterson called from somewhere to the right.

I nodded silently and we moved on. Is this real or not? Was it true not... The first thing that can confirm or refute my theory is my people... Everyone who died during this, as at first it seemed to me, meaningful campaign. If there are no victims, then this is not a staging. But only if absolutely EVERYONE is alive. Starting with Captain Meyer, who died while removing the VX-2 gas rockets from the naval military depot. Careless handling of this deadly substance caused his death. And I so hoped to do without casualties... Ordered my men to use darts with a strong none-lethal chemical during the assault. We never wanted to kill anyone only to incapacitate for a time. However, the human factor, as always, can easily ruin all plans.

"I want sixteen, Major," I announced to Baxter, being the first to enter the vault, "move it!" Then, under my second's leadership, the marines began unloading the rockets.

I didn't see what happened next; retreated so as not to interfere. And then...

"Evac! Seal the door!"

"No!"

One of our men was still inside when they hastily began to close the entrance. Not yet realizing what had happened, I rushed towards the noise and saw...

"Come one, man, seal!"

"No!"

"Seal it!"

"No... Let me out!"

Through the small window in the blue light of the rocket storage's lamps I saw the marine desperately banging on the door. My first thought was to bark at them to open the entrance right away, but...

"Out... Get out of here!" Major Baxter ordered others and then caught my eye.

Words were empty, we both knew that everything was useless. On the other side our brother in arms, whose face was already covered with small bubbles, continued to fight against the heavy metal door for some time, and then... Then it was all over. VX is a nerve gas, but its second modified version is... Meyer died in terrible agony... And, worst of all, a completely stupid death.

Looking at this, I myself wanted to knock down the damn door, smash everything here to hell, without thinking about what would happen. But no. Emotions aside, as always. Duty comes first. Therefore, clenching my fists forcefully, which hopefully no one noticed in the darkness, I briefly ordered in a slightly trembling voice:

"Let's move out."

And quickly walked towards the exit of the hangar, sincerely hoping that this would be the only sacrifice... Now eighty-four... Eighty-four marines died under my command...