A Day in the Life of Marine Captain Cross before the Zoastra Affair Part Nineteen
The pilot pushed the button and the back door opened. In formation the men left and found their way into the forest. No one greeted them. The place felt empty. Something felt off. He’d been poised for a fight.
Arash indicated the direction. Cross nodded, and they stayed on schedule, following the map. Goosebumps formed on Cross’s arms when they cleared a mile. Someone was watching them. A trap seemed imminent. But Cross realized that they’d found themselves in a perfect spot to defend.
The position of their shuttle landing was the strongest point to launch an attack on them. If the battle started here, the rock formation would keep their backs safe. If someone attacked them here, then amateurs were leading the enemy.
Someone was probably watching them from the rock caves. Out loud Cross said, “I don’t think it’s a team. Might be one person.”
“A tracker, then?” Newman asked.
Major Nelson walked up next to them. “Could be…I’ll lead some men into the cave.”
Cross rubbed his chin. “It might be a trap.”
Newman smiled grimly. “My wife always tells me to ask for directions. For once, I want to listen to her. It’s better than letting someone follow us.”
Nelson outranked him. And he didn’t have a missing wife. “Let me go. You stay here. If something happens to me, you still have a chance.”
“No, Captain Cross, you stay here. You’re one of the best at strategic thinking. I’ll get whoever is spying on us.”
Cross didn’t like missing the fight, but he did as he was told. He set up a makeshift camp with the men while they waited and scouted. He sent three men ahead to see if the structures were populated as the map showed, and to report back what they saw. Details mattered. Whatever information he gained on the enemy made making choices easier later on. He checked with the pilot and gave him a channel to contact them at all hours.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Captain Cross assess a potentially dangerous position when landing in unknown territory?
Captain Cross evaluates the landing zone for defensive advantages before assuming it’s a threat. In Part Nineteen, he recognizes that the shuttle’s landing spot near a rock formation provides natural back protection, making it a strong defensive position. He also sends scouts ahead to gather details on enemy-occupied structures, believing that better information leads to better tactical decisions.
What does Captain Cross do when he suspects someone is watching his team in the forest?
When Cross senses surveillance in the forest, he analyzes the terrain rather than reacting impulsively. He concludes it’s likely a single tracker rather than a full team, sets up a makeshift camp, sends three men ahead to scout populated structures, and establishes a communication channel with the pilot. He prioritizes gathering intelligence over rushing into a potential trap.
Should Captain Cross or Major Nelson lead the cave search in the Zoastra Affair Part Nineteen?
Major Nelson outranks Captain Cross and insists on leading the cave search himself. Nelson’s reasoning is that Cross is most valuable to the mission for his strategic thinking and should remain behind. Cross disagrees but follows orders, setting up camp and deploying scouts instead. The scene highlights the tension between following rank and a soldier’s instinct to engage directly.
