A Dash of Scarlet In Paradise

HOME BASE

I

"Sergeant Marcus Ranger, do you copy? Do you read me?"

It was chaos back at the UDCF command center; the entire communications room had been filled with officers and soldiers of all sorts. There wasn't a vacant computer; the communication officers were occupying all of them. Another name got called out in the distance.

"Private Patrick Spears, please respond."

Sweat ran down all of the men's backs, the room became more crowded over time.

One officer slammed his work desk hard, so determined to find the missing UDCF infantry, yet every time he had no results.

"It's ironic," muttered the officer beside him, he took a sip from his coffee mug. "These men were supposed to be the rescue team, and now here we are searching for them."

"I know...apparently the enemy was prepared."

"But how..."

"That's the question, isn't it."

At the center of the large room, there was a master control desk. It was elevated to look over all the workers and their stations. A skinny man, around his late 40s leaned against his swiveling chair, his fingers on his chin.

"Stevens, give me a status report." He sounded tired and worn out.

"Sure, here you go, sir."

Stevens handed a data-pad over to the commander. He grimaced at the sight of the data, then he kicked the underside of his table. The chatters cut and the working officers all turned to face him.

"I want you all to take a look at this..."

At the touch of the screen on the data-pad, the commander transferred the information to all the computers in the room. Now all of them were staring at the monitors.

"We sent 260 men to break their defenses, and we have only found 4 men still alive, I think it's about time you quicken your pace. Understood?"

"Sir, yes sir!" shouted the men in unison.

"Stevens, do a thermal scan on the drop zone, we must extract all that haven't been killed yet."

"Of course sir, right away."

Commander Jackson got off his chair and headed towards the elevator, his body slouching as he trod. The elevator was mostly constructed with glass. Once Jackson entered, he gained a full view of the jungle.

He pressed a button, hard, and then rested his arms on the handlebar. His eyes shut for a while, but he had already reached his designated floor when he had decided to take a short rest.

Upon exiting the elevator, Jackson gave a yawn. He approached the security guard next to the elevator.

"Excuse me, but where can I find Corporal Killian?"

"The corporal is over there, up in observation deck."

"Thanks trooper."

Jackson headed over to the observation deck, passing by several military units and vehicles. The clanking of metal and screeching from the forklifts were no better than the mess back at the communications center. Neon lights were attached to a long pole directly above the observation deck, making looking inside it a tough task. Jackson could only stare back at the floor and regain focus on his eyesight.