novelraw Chapter 87: Cold Reach Now Begins
Chapter 87: Cold Reach Now Begins
0600 HRS, Basa Air Base.
The team were preparing for their operation as they checked their gears and weapons.
Rifles were laid out on tables, bolts pulled back and inspected. Magazines were counted and rechecked. Plate carriers were adjusted, straps tightened, radios clipped into place. The sound of metal clicking and fabric shifting filled the air in a steady rhythm.
No one rushed.
No one talked more than needed.
Each man focused on his own kit.
Ryan stood a few meters away, watching them.
Arms crossed.
Eyes moving from one operator to another.
He wasn’t looking for mistakes.
He was looking for hesitation.
There was none.
Adrian stood beside him, quiet, observing the same thing.
"They look ready," Adrian said.
Ryan gave a small nod.
"They are," he replied. "At this point, it’s not about gear anymore. It’s about how they move once we’re out there."
Adrian didn’t respond.
He understood that.
Ryan shifted slightly, then turned.
"Let’s check the aircraft," he said.
Adrian followed.
They walked across the tarmac, the early morning light just starting to rise over the base. The heat hadn’t fully settled in yet, but it was coming. You could feel it in the air already.
Ahead of them, the C-17 Globemaster sat on the runway.
Ground crews moved around it, guiding equipment into place. The rear ramp was lowered, and inside, the vehicles were already being secured.
A JLTV sat closest to the ramp.
Behind it, the Cougar MRAP.
Then the Stryker.
All locked into position with heavy chains and restraints.
Ryan stepped closer, looking up into the cargo bay.
"Load looks good," he said.
One of the crew chiefs approached them.
"Vehicles are secured, sir," he reported. "Fuel is topped off. Pre-flight checks are ongoing."
Ryan nodded.
"Any issues?"
"None so far," the crew chief replied. "We’ll be ready before 0700."
Adrian stepped slightly to the side, looking at the size of the aircraft again.
"This thing can carry all of that and still fly halfway across the world," he said.
"More than that," Ryan replied. "That’s why we’re using it."
Adrian gave a small nod.
Reliable.
That’s what they needed.
Ryan turned away from the ramp.
"Come on," he said. "There’s one more."
They walked toward the hangar.
Inside, another aircraft sat under bright overhead lights.
The Boeing E-3 Sentry.
Its large radar dome stood out immediately, mounted above the fuselage like a watchful eye.
Ground crews moved around it as well, checking panels, running diagnostics, preparing systems.
"This will be our lifeline," Ryan said.
Adrian looked at it.
"No pressure then," he replied.
Ryan gave a faint smirk.
"Yeah."
They stepped closer.
One of the technicians turned toward them.
"Radar systems are being calibrated," he said. "Communications suite is being checked. We’ll have full coverage once airborne."
Adrian looked up at the aircraft again.
"This stays above Korea the whole time?" he asked.
Ryan nodded.
"It doesn’t leave unless we leave," he said. "As long as it’s up there, we stay connected."
"Good, well. Are you feeling confident on this operation?"
"Well sir, if I’m being honest. This is going to be a difficult mission as we have to locate our target. If she is not in two sites, it’s going to be like a needle in a haystack. From there, we might have to abort and leave Korea."
"I know, this operation assumes that the Korean virologist is in those sites. Which is not the case especially in the apocalypse. "But it is a good starting position," Adrian continued.
Ryan nodded once.
"It is," he said. "Best case, we find her in the hospital. Second best, KDCA. Worst case..."
He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to. Adrian understood.
"Well, let’s get ready too, it’s only less than an hour before we depart."
***
Ryan checked his watch again.
"Thirty minutes," he said.
Adrian nodded.
They moved back toward the runway, where the C-17 now sat fully prepped. The ramp was still down, but the activity around it had shifted. No more loading. No more adjustments.
Everything was locked in.
Inside, the team had already taken their seats along the sides of the cargo bay. Straps secured across their chests, weapons resting between their knees, helmets on, visors ready. The JLTV, Cougar, and Stryker sat behind them, chained down.
The low hum of the aircraft’s systems filled the interior.
Ryan stepped up the ramp first.
Adrian followed behind him, stopping just inside for a moment.
He looked around.
Ten operators.
Ryan turned slightly.
"Final check," he said.
The team responded almost immediately.
"Comms, green."
"Weapons, green."
"Load secure."
"Medical, ready."
Ryan gave a small nod.
"Good."
He turned and moved forward toward the cockpit.
Adrian stayed near the ramp, watching as the crew prepared for departure.
A crew chief approached him.
"Sir, we’re about to close the ramp," he said.
Adrian nodded once.
"Go ahead."
The crew chief signaled.
The hydraulic system engaged.
The ramp began to rise slowly, the outside light narrowing as the heavy door sealed shut.
Inside, the sound shifted.
More contained.
More focused.
Up front, the cockpit came alive with voices.
"Cold Reach One, this is Sentinel Eye, systems green, radar operational," a voice came through the comms.
That was the E-3 Sentry.
"Sentinel Eye, this is Cold Reach One, copy green," the pilot responded. "Standing by for taxi."
Ryan stood just behind the cockpit, listening.
Another channel opened.
"Cold Reach One, this is Basa Tower, confirm readiness."
The pilot adjusted his headset slightly.
"Basa Tower, Cold Reach One is ready for departure. Requesting clearance for taxi and takeoff."
A short pause.
"Cold Reach One, Basa Tower. You are cleared to taxi to Runway Two-Seven. Wind conditions stable. You are cleared for departure."
"Copy, Basa Tower. Taxi to Runway Two-Seven, cleared for departure."
The engines spooled louder.
A deep, rising roar.
The aircraft began to move.
Slow at first.
Then steady.
Adrian felt the slight vibration under his feet as the C-17 rolled forward.
Ryan stepped back toward the team.
"Alright," he said. "This is it. Stay sharp."
Outside, the aircraft aligned with the runway.
A brief pause. And then, full thrust.
The engines roared.
The C-17 surged forward, accelerating rapidly down the runway.
Adrian braced slightly.
The speed built fast.
The weight of the aircraft pushing against the ground, then releasing.
The moment it lifted.
They were airborne.