Mission Update 1:
-Occupation of former “Containment Zone”, Sector 609, outside Trenton, New Jersey
-Kilo Company will remain on standby until further notice. Waiting on information that Lima Company has contained current situation around DC corridor
-2nd MAW continues supply drops since ammunition shortage, two days after initial start of mission; 0330 of last Wednesday
-Infected civilians/personnel remain hostile. Only way to eliminate threat is with blow to cranial and/or severing the top of the spinal cord
-The cannibalistic behavior continues and the infection/virus continues to spread through fluid transfer
-Army Command still has full control of current mission. National Guard forces have been decimated which resulted in Army and Marine forces to be called into action
-Word that infection has spread faster than anticipated with reports now coming from Salt Lake City
-Thirteen (13) men have been lost to the virus. Became somehow reanimated and cannibalistic much to rest
Additional Notes:
Morale among troops remains in constant state of ups and downs. Some internet use is still intact. This past Thursday was payday and some of the COMM men have reported that by checking laptops, we remain unpaid; least of our worries at this point. This mission/situation/deployment remains a first for this Marine.
Sgt Lucas Hicks, USMC
2nd Platoon, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Division, Co. Kilo (K/3/1)
——————————————————————————————-
Mission Update 2:
-Standby in former “Contamination Zone”, Sector 410, outside Catonsville, Maryland
-Infection has spread completely across the country. Still waiting for confirmation about countries outside of U.S.
-Army Command is hereby ordering all USMC and remaining Army personnel to begin sweep across country for remaining survivors
-Kilo Company will meet with Lima outside Baltimore and continue west along I70. Will eventually branch off, with Lima taking a more southern route
-Command is asking troops to continue with the mission at hand, swiftly and accurately
-Command has set up post in unknown location in California. Seems as if they have the infection somewhat controlled in/around that location
- The remaining members of 1stand 2nd platoon (K, Co.) have merged with 3rd platoon (K, Co.), to make one platoon
Additional Notes:
Moral among troops remains low. Sgt Brian Jansen and I have been activated as dual Platoon Sergeants. There are approximately eighty-seven (87) men MIA/AWOL/UA since the last report six weeks ago which resulted in the merger of the platoons. Most have completely blown off their contractual duty since we were asked to continue with the mission. And with no one to tell them otherwise (meaning punishment for questioning authority), they’ve opted to part ways. The same question remains on the minds of 90% the troops; why continue when we’re not getting paid? With all due respect, this Marine sometimes questions that as well.
However, most of those men have never found themselves in the dirt with 7.62 rounds flying over their head. Most of these boys have never set foot in the mountains of Afghanistan or the vast desert of Iraq. It’s easy to question your duty when not being reimbursed for your actions when you’ve never felt the pride of putting your country before yourself; it’s what you signed that contract for. Or at least what you should’ve signed it for. So yes, I will continue to protect this country at all costs. Four separate combat deployments to Iraq and three to Afghanistan; I’m not biting it on home soil.
Sgt Lucas Hicks, USMC
2nd Platoon, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Division, Co. Kilo (K/3/1)
——————————————————————————————-
Mission Update 3:
-Located outside Hagerstown, MD. Surrounding towns have been swept and deemed clear
-Clearing and sweeping of surrounding towns have been more of a success. We are taking on fewer casualties by avoiding prior mistakes, (i.e. sending in entire platoon to clear an area.). Instead, the use of basic combat patrol squads is making more of an impact
-Made contact with pockets of survivors. The majority of these civilian extractions have come without conflict and they seem to be in good nature upon our arrival. In fact, desperation has caused many flock to the vehicles with hands outstretched for food, somewhat reminiscent of the Iraqi children during OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom)
-3rd MAW continues to make survivor pickups at Richard A. Henson Field, with a rendezvous from 2nd MAW for scheduled supply drops
-Information from high command is scarce. Limited to radio transmissions from 2nd and 3rd MAW pilots on pickups/drops
-Reanimated hostiles remain a threat with no end in the near future
-No contact with Lima Company in four (4) days
-2nd MAW explained that the next supply drop will contain Sat. Radios
Additional Notes:
Two days ago, LCpl Fulci and I were on night-watch and he noticed something rather odd. Off in the distance, about 7 klicks to the north, he noticed three separate crowds of hostiles merging into one massive herd. We continued to watch through the NVG’s as this herd continued to move as one. I couldn’t help myself but wonder why they continued to somehow “hunt” in somewhat of a pack. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this behavior, but it was a first for this “herd-formation”. Every pack we’ve come across has had some sort of leader, an Alpha (for lack of a better term) and the rest seem to follow that lead. These things are dumb as all hell, but one can’t help but wonder why they move as one. It’s like they know the others are following some sort of food source. Do these things have some sort of animal instinct still intact? I wish somebody had the answers because none of us have a goddamn clue what the hell’s going on.
Sgt Lucas Hicks, USMC
2nd Platoon, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Division, Co. Kilo (K/3/1)
——————————————————————————————-
Mission Update 4:
-Location unknown / Somewhere outside Bentleyville, Pennsylvania
-Evacuated a massive survivor community outside Clear Spring, Maryland. Survivors were picked up by 2nd MAW and flown to “Safe Zone”
-After pickup at survivor community, LCpl Fulci suggested leaving signs behind for any remaining survivors. We continue to use I70 as our main route of travel
-Command has issued “new orders”. Along with the continued extraction of survivors, Command has ordered “capture/containment” of infected hostiles. Reason: Unknown
-
-
-
-
-
Additional Notes:
I’ve said it before, I am here to serve and protect my country until my last breath, but with all due respect, YOU’VE GOT TO BE FIVE-FINGER FUCKING ME!!! We’ve lost about two dozen men to these things, we’re not getting paid for it, we can’t get an answer to any question we have, and now you want us to go out and play “Deadliest Catch” with fuckin’ cannibals. What the hell for?
You know what’s worse? The state of humanity is in question as well. When we showed up to that survivor community, the Haven as some of them called it, we were completely blown away. These people seemed like they had it all together; food, supplies, ammunition, etc. The way they were living was the real nut-buster. These people had some of these hostiles encaged in pens. There was a sort of caged-dome that some of the men reported seeing blood stains on the ground. What the fuck is that shit? What the hell are these people doing now?? The only thing missing from that place was a gyro-copter and Tina Turner. Is this what the hell we’ve become? Is this what the human race has been reduced to? I can only imagine what went on at that place…
And now these pencil pushers want us to run around catching these fuckin’ things. I can’t begin to tell you how pissed I am. Oh and morale; what morale?? One of the only things that keeps us going is the hope of us possibly being reunited with our families. But, you know us; Semper Fucked!!
There’s your additional notes, you pole fancies!!! Semper Fidelis and bite dick!!
Sgt Lucas Hicks, USMC
2nd Platoon, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Division, Co. Kilo (K/3/1)
——————————————————————————————-
Mission Update 5:
- Location, outside Columbus, Ohio
- Columbus has been completely decimated. City has been ruled “Dead Zone 614”. Signs have been left to steer any remaining survivors away from DZ614
- Continued extraction of remaining survivors. Numbers have slimmed some since last update. Speculation of death and reanimation becomes more and more evident. However, myself along with others, assume some survivors remain in hiding or on the Run
- First two weeks of “Capture/Containment” did not go as well as plan. Thirteen (13) men were lost during the initial start of mission regarding the hostiles
- Tactics for “Capture/Containment” have changed drastically and have proven to be more successful. Tactics which I will not go into at this time
- Massive herd of hostiles prevented us from exiting the main route around Columbus. Called in air support from 2nd MAW AV-8B Harriers
- During last meet with 3rd MAW, “official” men and women were dropped off and proceeded to take the lead of the convoy.
Additional Notes:
As you requested, I am also apologizing for my outburst in the last update; I will try to tone it down a bit. However, as you stated, I am also glad you understand how completely screwed this mission is. I respect your wishes and the rest of Command, Sir, and will continue with the mission at hand.
With that being said, I wish not to be patronized. The fact is that my demotion is imminent. This is clear. But you or anyone else in Command cannot sit there with a straight face and expect myself or any other Marine to take threats of punishment when we could honestly give two shits about it. I understand my last update was out of character and unacceptable, but we’re not being paid or rewarded for these operations any longer; money has no value at this point in time. However, when you look at the reports that come across your desk you see one thing; ground forces still getting the job done. We may question the tactics at times and question the reasoning, but we still push forward.
The morale is low, the bodies are broken, minds are tired, supplies go scarce for weeks at a time, and the pay is nonexistent. Two days ago, I went through the forehead of a hostile with my fist; WITH MY FIST. Sgt Jenson had to put PFC Collins out of his own misery after suffering from a bite. These are the things YOUR ground forces are going through on a daily basis. These are the things you and the rest of Command are FAR, FAR away from. OUR families are on OUR minds constantly and we have no clue whether or not we will ever see them again. This isn’t like Iraq or Afghanistan; we can’t run to a USO hall and use a phone to call home. That luxury these days is gone and it may be a thing of the past.
Sir, I have spoken with GySgt Burgeron on numerous occasions and would like an answer for myself. Why are we completing this “Capture/Containment” mission? Can anyone in Command give us an answer to this? Some of these civilians that were dropped off by 3rd MAW looked like medical personnel and did not speak to the enlisted men. Not one of them would answer any question that was thrown at them. Sir, if anything, you owe us that. Give me something to go on.
Again, I apologize for the lack of tact in my last update. However, please keep in the back of your mind what WE are actually doing out here. Best regards.
Sgt Lucas Hicks, USMC
2nd Platoon, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Division, Co. Kilo (K/3/1)
——————————————————————
Mission Update 6 w/ MIA-KIA Report:
Mission Update:
- Located outside New Castle, Indiana
- Awaiting further orders in wake of the aftermath five days ago; Situation: “Dead Shift”
- Awaiting the drop of further reinforcements
- Medical/Science team Zulu has been completely cutoff from the rest of Kilo, as well has Lima on their end. They now travel in their own convoy with their own security detail
- 3rd MAW is now taking some of the captured hostiles to some unknown facility in New Mexico
Additional Notes:
As I’m sure you know by now, most of the Marines have turned. I cannot explain this, Sir, so I’ll give you the gist of what I do know.
We were held up outside of Brookville, Ohio and decided to setup a forward LZ for the upcoming 2nd and 3rd MAW drops. Sgt Jansen and I were walking back from one of the lead vehicles at around 0145 and heard a scream coming from Gunny Burgeron’s hooch. We ran over and approached the front of the half-shell and saw Cpl Hannity eating Gunny’s abdominal region. Cpl Hannity turned to look at Jenson and myself and had the same crazed, cannibalistic look as the hostiles; I put him down. That’s when all hell broke loose.
Screams were coming from all over the LZ area. Sounds of agony and pain that one only hopes to never hear in their lifetime pierced the early morning air. Our first initial assumption was that one of the hostile cages must have been opened because men were “turned”. However, this was denied when Jansen returned to state that no cage was opened and the report from Cpl Torres explained that some of these men had not been bitten, nor wounded in any way to cause further transformation. We had no other choice but to remain intact and eliminate the newly turned hostiles. This proved difficult when one of the trucks carrying the “Capture/Containment” specimens was damaged, allowing the hostiles to spill out. Team Zulu took off in the Westward direction and we soon followed suit.
Sir, we are held up here and have monitored the situation and no other Marine has been affected. I am requesting that once reinforcements get here, we backtrack to the Dead Shift site and search for the men that were left behind. I do not feel comfortable leaving these men behind without knowing their true fate. If there is any request that is worth granting, please let it be this one. Regards
Sgt Lucas Hicks, USMC
2nd Platoon, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Division, Co. Kilo (K/3/1)
——————————————————————
United States Marine Corps
KILO COPMANY KIA/MIA UPDATE:
GySgt Burgeron M. L., 35 KIA
SSgt Freda D. R., 29 KIA
Sgt Franklin T. G., 25 KIA
Sgt Tompkins B. D., 24 KIA
Cpl Bland N. E., 26 MIA
Cpl Buckley D. A., 26 KIA
Cpl Bustamante M. R., 21 MIA
Cpl Tyson J. R., 23 MIA
LCpl Boyd S. J., 20 MIA
LCpl Fulci G. B., 19 MIA
LCpl Hannity T. L., 23 KIA
LCpl Ibarra J. L., 21 KIA
LCpl Lewis M. C., 22 KIA
LCpl Moreno R. D., 22 MIA
LCpl Mospan D. E., 20 KIA
LCpl Reyes D. R., 29 KIA
PFC Jones C. W., 19 KIA
PFC Kilser M. G., 20 KIA
PFC Robles W. H., 20 KIA
PFC Veasy R. E., 19 KIA
PFC Volkerding J. R., 22 KIA
Pvt Benson R. L., 20 KIA
—————————————————————–
Mission Update 7
- Located outside Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Awaiting orders from Command on Capture/Containment specimens
- Reinforcements received from 3rd Battalion “Skeleton Crew”. Reinforcement LZ was changed from New Castle, Indiana to Lebanon, Missouri
- Naval Medical Team (NMT) has been added to our convoy. Corpsman themselves do not know the full extent to their own purpose
- Last known update was to await escort from Army Command for travel towards New Mexico facility
- Communications are spotty at times. Reverted back to using “Runners” as forms of communication
- We are currently missing a handful of men, including Sgt Jansen. No death is evident, but current whereabouts are unknown
Additional Notes:
Sir, as you are aware by now from the Mortuary Affairs Report, 3rd MAW has successfully retrieved the bodies from our “incident” at the rest stop in Rolla, MO. We had never encountered a herd that massive since beginning this operation. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of pain I have for the loss of some of these fine men. I only wish that reinforcements were received before we took the loss.
I need to discuss another topic with you as well, Sir, regarding the death of Cpl Barksdale. From the report I submitted, you should notice that the COD was a 9mm GSW to the head; this in fact is correct. During the attack from hostile herd in Rolla we barricaded ourselves in the truck-stop off of I44. It was during this that Cpl Barksdale became irate and was compromising our RC orders. Cpl Torres attempted to calm him, along with assistance from LCpl Dilz. Cpl Barksdale became erratic, pointing his rifle at both Cpl Torres and LCpl Dilz. Dilz attempted to make a move on Barksdale and Barksdale fired. Cpl Barksdale became a threat to the mission and most importantly, my men; I eliminated the threat.
Sir, I am fully aware of the disciplinary actions I may in fact face; I accept full responsibility. However, with that being said, I will not stand for any inside threats from this unit. We have enough going on with the current situation at hand and I will not stand for this type of bullshit.
The other topic at hand is the unknown whereabouts of Sgt Jansen and a handful of others. Jansen and I were engaged in a heated argument involving my actions to eliminate Barksdale as a threat; needless to say it did not end well. The following morning, Sgt Jansen and others, who we have not yet identified as of yet, were missing. There were no signs of death and their gear was, in fact, gone. A search was called off when Medical Team Zulu insisted that we get moving.
Sir, I am requesting you and I establish a secure radio transmission in the very near future before we hit this facility. You seemed to be at your wits end with this Command and with all due respect, Sir; I can’t say I blame you. This is an attempt to finally shed some light on what we’re actually doing with this mission. Regards
Sgt Lucas Hicks, USMC
2nd Platoon, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Division, Co. Kilo (K/3/1)
—————————————————————————–
Mission Update 8
SatPhone Transcription 1 / CLASSIFIED
Open DIV SAT CON>
Verifying…
…
ERROR: Could not verify.
Retry>
Verifying…
Connected!
Sgt Hicks: Eagle Actual, this is Hitman Forward.
LtCol Thigpen: This is Eagle Actual. SatPhone connection seems to be crystal for now, Hicks.
Hicks: Same on this end, Sir. We’re about 90 outside of Amarillo. Ran into a bit of trouble back in Oklahoma City, but all seems kosher.
LtCol: Outstanding. Damn good to hear your voice, son.
Hicks: Feeling’s mutual, Sir. Been trying to keep <inaudible>
LtCol: Hicks, look…I don’t know how much time we have on this line, so I’m cutting the bullshit, good to go?
Hicks: Copy that, Sir.
LtCol: You’ve got Kilo now. You’re in charge. I need someone out there who knows what they’re doing and knowing your capabilities and service accomplishments; you’re the person I need handling shit, copy?
Hicks: <inaudible background noise> Yes, Sir.
LtCol: Before we get down to business, Lima ran into Jansen. SSgt Ramirez recognized him; running with some <inaudible> scavengers along with some other men. Tried to ambush Lima’s convoy and got into a pretty nasty small arms fight.
Hicks: Son of bitch! If I ever get my hands on that motherfu… <inaudible>
LtCol: Not important right now. I need you for something else.
Hicks: Copy, Sir?
LtCol: I need you to be my eyes when you get to this facility. I need you to check into what the hell is going on there. Something’s up and I still can’t get an answer from Command. Goddamn Hoo-ah’s are keeping this shit zipped up tighter than a clam’s ass.
Hicks: I can do that. You have any idea about what the hell this place is about or who these people are we’re traveling with, Sir?
LtCol: Not a fucking clue and it’s starting to piss the rest of us off. The only thing I’ve been able to find out is that this team was subcontracted by an Army Colonel about five years ago. Funded by a loop-hole in the system; not from DOD.
Hicks: How the hell is this possible?
LtCol: No clue, and then BOOM… this shit happens. You all think you’re pissed about getting answers? Same shit going on here, son. I can say this, and I want this to stay between you and me, got it?
Hicks: Of course.
LtCol: I don’t trust these cocksuckers one bit. Something is going on behind our backs and I intend to find out what. I’ll handle that on my end. For now I just need you to find out whatever you can from this facility, good to go?
Hicks: You got it, Sir.
LtCol: Hicks…take care of yourself out there, Devil Dog. I can’t afford to lose a Marine like you to this bullshit, copy?
Hicks: Copy that, Sir. I intend on seeing you in Sector C; count on it.
LtCol: I’ll hold you to it, son. Take care.
Hicks: Do the same, Sir.
LtCol: Eagle Actual, out
END TRANSCRIPT
