Darkness of the cave. pt2.

Lieutenant Bolinda MacDonald, she much preferred Linda, was a five year veteran of the Royal Marines, she had dreamt of being a Royal Marine since she was a child, he uncle was a Marine who was killed in the Bysithian attack almost twenty years ago. Since the day she was shown his medals and his pictures, she was addicted to the Marines. She had applied straight out of University and was accepted in to Officer training. She worked harder than she thought she was able, and was rewarded with the Sword of Honour, presented to the top Officer Cadet in that graduating class. She had immediately asked for a Recon birth and was rewarded with her request being approved.

Now she was leading a group of the best and brightest Marines in the Corps towards the unknown. She wasn't scared as much as hesitant to enter the pitch black of the cave, she supposed that everyone who had to enter an unknown place that was dark would have some nerves about it. Each step brought the darkness closer and closer, even the experienced NCO's with her were showing their nerves, even the slightest thing was making them react. While it was expected, usually a soldiers senses would prevent them from jumping at shadows. Something was very wrong here, and she knew it was going to be one of those days she wished she reported to the sick parade.

Lance Corporal Clarence "Clarry" Harris approached the entrance and dropped to a knee just outside.

"Boss I have suspicious shapes just inside, there is no movement though." He reported.

"Alright, Clarry, proceed very slowly, use your NVG's when you enter and don't take even the smallest chance." She responded.

"Roger Boss." He mumbled something under his breath that no one caught, but all could guess at.

Harris stepped up to the entrance sticking to the right side to minimise the amount he would be silhouetted against the light outside the cave. As he stepped he heard the crunch of his boots on the pebbly ground. The interior was lit for him for about ten metres then the light ceased breaching the pitch black. He could see equipment cases and weapons lined up against the cave wall, all of them perfect except for some scorching and occasional melted rubber or burned wooden components. Up ahead he could see the soles of one of the poor buggers that hadn't made it to safety. He moved up and checked the body, there were no traps or explosive devices, but as the body rolled over onto its back, Harris recoiled in absolute horror. The man's face was stuck in a rictus of horror and pain, his mouth wide as though still screaming, his tongue black as coal, his eyes wide and scorched.

Harris stumbled back and out of the cave, his breathing laboured and harsh, his eyes streaming tears, not from fumes but horror and immense sadness. MacDonald and three others ran over and dragged him further away from the opening.

"Clarry, what happened?" Sargent Karl Pebble asked him.

"It is a horror story in there, I don't know if I can go back in. I've never seen the likes before in me life." He was slowly controlling his breathing, but the look of horror and terror on his face was stark and plainly obvious.

"Harris, get a grip and report." MacDonald demanded. She knew she had to get him back onto ground he felt safe, and as a long term veteran of the Marines she went straight for his sense of duty and Esprit Du Corps.

"Sorry, Boss. There are about ten bodies approximately ten metres from the entrance, they all look the same, no obvious damage until you see their eyes and mouths." He shivered again.

"Continue." She ordered.

"There is an off shoot about fifteen metres in and there is light coming from the area, but I would bet that the cave is nothing more than a crypt."

"Alright, Clarry, well done. Take a minute and get yourself together. We have to go back in, I know it isn't ideal, but it's our job." She explained. She saw that all the troops were nodding, even though they would pay anything not to be recon Marines right now.

"Baby Bear, Romeo 1/1."

"Go ahead 1/1." Snyder replied.

"Sir, initial investigations are suggesting no survivors. I am about to lead the squad in for a more detail exploration of the interior. I will leave one Marine at the entrance for Comms security." She explained.

"Roger 1/1. Baby Bear out."

MacDonald waved the squad into the cave, she stationed Harris at the entrance, he was already shaken, so he would be too jumpy for the job at hand. The rest of the squad half knew what to expect and would not be so jumpy. As soon as she was in a couple of metres she saw the bodies that had shaken Harris so badly, and she felt her gorge rise as she moved on.

Snyder was almost holding his breath as the squad disappeared into the cave. This was the worst part of command, ordering troops into unknown situations with little to no Intel. He decided that he should eat while he had the chance, the smell had largely blown away by the constant Easterly breeze. He sat down and started on the ration pack he was handed by one of the Troopers detailed to pass out the food. He didn't really taste what he was eating, there was just too much that was unknown to draw his mind away from the squad in the cave.

Thirty minutes later, the squad re-emerged from the cave and a rattled Lieutenant MacDonald radioed.

"Baby Bear, Romeo 1/1."

"Go 1/1."

"Sir, we need to get Papa Bear up here soonest. This is far worse than we could have imagined."

"Say again 1/1."

"Sir, the cave is clear, but there is something else, and we need to get Papa Bear up here. I will be at your position in three minutes."

"Roger 1/1, Baby Bear out." Snyder felt a sudden wave of dread wash over him, whatever it was had rattled one of his best. That was enough to rattle him. He could see MacDonald running to his position, running? What in the name of God had she seen to get her this worked up? She ran up and popped her visor immediately, her face ashen and her eyes wide. She reported what the squad had found and Snyder knew that things were going to get very bad. He nodded as she spoke and finally he grabbed her shoulder and tried to reassure her, but she simply collapsed on the ground and vomited hard and long. He left her alone and walked a few metres away and immediately sealed his visor and radioed the CP (Command Post) on a secure channel.

"Papa Bear, Papa Bear, Baby Bear."

"Go ahead Baby Bear."

"I need a secure link to the General."

"No can do Baby Bear, what is your report?"

"I don't care what he is doing Papa Bear get him on the fucking line Now!"

"Wait one Baby Bear," came the very terse reply. After what seemed like a lifetime the radio crackled and the General came on the line.

"Daniel, its Rolph, what's got you so cramped up?" Geraint asked. It was very unusual for a man of Snyder's professionalism to react so badly.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but this one is for your ears only at the moment," and related what the recon squad had found. Those standing near Geraint looked at his face slowly turn an ashen white, something really bad has gone down and everyone wanted to be anywhere else but there.

"Ok, Thank you Colonel, you have done excellently, secure the area and await my arrival." That last statement caused everyone to look at Geraint, what the hell would require his presence personally?

Geraint put the headset down softly and walked out of the Comms shack and back to office, he needed a drink very badly. He couldn't imagine what the Marines were feeling at the moment. He made a point of making sure that each and every one of them was appropriately decorated for their bravery and professionalism in the face of what they found in that cave. He opened the door and saw Arthur sitting on the couch along one wall reading a report from the Officer who led the initial tank charge. He looked up and smiled, although his eyes were more than a little haunted after his first exposure to the results of a Heavy Armour attack on Infantry. His smile faded as soon as he saw the look on Geraint's face, he knew straight away that things had gotten worse.

He closed the door and sat down.