Soldier Island

By Jerkwenton Reagan

Soldier Island is a sci-fi thriller based on scientific events and government conspiracy. Sergeant Major Larry Smith and his team of knights are sent to a remote island known as Soldier Island. The objective was to obtain classified documents and retrieve a scientist known as Dr. Zhan. Sergeant Major agreed with the objective, but he had his doubts, but a soldier does as they're ordered. Upon arrival, things were already weird because there was no indication that life existed. Sergeant Major and his knights searched for Dr. Zhan, but they stumbled upon something more—creatures that lurked in the shadows, ex-soldiers who became ill with cancer, and the experiment went wrong. The creatures had military tactics and were smarter than the average human. Along the way, Sergeant Major lost, and he also gained. He found Dr. Zhan, whose goal was to redirect cancer cells and cause them to fight each other in order to destroy cancer, but one of his associates, Dr. Phoin, had other plans. Sergeant Major soon realized the fight was coming to the land he swore to protect, and they were behind on the chase. Sergeant Major had to sacrifice much more than he expected, including his life and the lives of his loved ones.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781684566150

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Soldier Island

Jerkwenton Reagan

Copyright © 2019 Jerkwenton Reagan

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2019

ISBN 978-1-68456-613-6 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-68456-615-0 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Part 1

Lies and New Beginning

Chapter 1

The sun shines over the horizon, and I’m up ready to meet the day. With the birds, I’m singing to the morning. Each day is a chance for a new beginning. I’ve traveled so far but still not even close, and the journey is soon to end. My name is Sergeant Major Larry Smith, and I lead a team of six known as the Eagle Knights—a team of fearless soldiers ready for battle, but nothing could prepare us for what we are about to encounter.

On July 6, 2023, I was called down to the command post. As I approached the headquarters, I came across Sergeant Mills.

Top of the morning to you, sir, he said.

Can’t complain today, Sergeant, I replied.

It wouldn’t do any good anyway, Sergeant Major, he said.

Don’t think it would, Mills. See you at chow, I said.

Sergeant Major, happy you could join us, a strong commanding voice said.

Turning around, I said, You know the sun rises when I do. With a laugh and my right hand out strong, I said, Happy to be at your service, Commander. It’s been a long time, sir.

Likewise, Sergeant Major. It’s always a pleasure, he said. So how are your knights? he asked.

Fit and ready for battle, sir, Top of the line soldiers, and I’m proud of them, I replied.

That’s good to hear, Sergeant Major. There are always enemies to fight, he said.

That’s why we all have jobs, sir. To defend our nation with our lives is our duty, sir.

I need you and your knights to report to Soldier Island, he said.

Sir, I thought that place was a fairy tale, I replied with a grin.

With a look of disappointment, he said, For the past three years, Soldier Island has been in progress. Our government teamed up with a group of scientist for research. Your objective is to secure the area and report to Dr. Zhan, he said.

Sir, may I add, my team is just coming off a two-year tour. I promised them they’d be able to spend time with their families. I can’t break that promise, sir. I gave them my word, and my word is bond, sir, I replied.

That I can understand, Sergeant Major, but this mission can’t wait. We need you to report ASAP, he replied.

With my head down and thoughts running, I said, Eagle Knights reporting for duty, sir. Let me know when the ship out date is, and I’ll go over it with my men.

You report in two weeks, Sergeant Major. I’m sorry it came up at a time like this, he said.

Not as sorry as I am, sir, I responded with a meek voice. Heading toward the chow room, I tried to find words to say, but words couldn’t describe the pain they would feel. So long we’ve battled and survived the toughest odds. Rest and relaxation are a long time due for my men. Now I have to convince them to fight for me one last time. I was ready to be a leader, but I wasn’t ready for the responsibility that came with it. Sometimes decisions have to be made, and orders have to be followed, but some things are just hard to do.

As I entered the room, a loud distinctive voice shouted out. We’re over here, sir, said Sergeant Mills. With a laugh, he said, You’re not getting old on us now, are you? Walking toward the table and seeing the smile on their faces, I couldn’t break the news to them now. The timing didn’t seem appropriate, but when will there be a time?

Sir, did headquarters give you a date we can leave out? Corporal Davis asked.

Not yet, Davis, but soon, very soon, I replied.

Sir, with all due respect, we’ve heard that the last tour and the tour before that, said Prescott, our radio technician.

I know, Prescott, just give me some time, I asked.

Sir, it’s not you we don’t trust. We all agree to that, said Lucky, our weapons specialist. Time and time again, they promise us leave time, and every time, it’s always one more mission, he said.

Sir, honestly, he’s right, said Black, our medical doctor.

This time, I’m making it my duty to get you guys home, I replied.

We believe you, sir, said Sergeant Mills. Now let’s eat, he said.

Hours went by, and still, the time didn’t seem right. I wish things could have been different, I thought to myself. Their hopes were set on seeing the eyes of their children, and feeling love from their wives. I felt like the Grinch on Christmas. Even though my intentions were to not hurt them, it would hurt even more if I kept it away from them. Here goes nothing as I braced myself for negative feedback.

Guys, I have something I need to tell you, I said. With all eyes set on me, I said, I talked to the commander this morning, and I did mention our leave. He’s taking into consideration the fact that we’ve just left a two-year tour, but our orders are to report to Soldier Island—orders coming directly from the Pentagon. Looking into their eyes, I couldn’t help but feel the pain of each soul. I’m so sorry, guys, I said in a low voice. If it was up to me, we’d all be home by now, I said, but it’s not. Orders are orders.

Sir, it’s not the fact that we have to report, said Sergeant Mills. Fact is, you held this from us all this time, and you expect us to be okay with it, he said.

He’s right, sir, Black said. We’ve fought beside you all these years, and you felt like you couldn’t trust us.

I know, guys, I said. You have every right to be upset with me. I didn’t want to kill your hopes, and in the end, I did. I made a promise to you guys, and I wanted to stick to it. I felt like you deserve to see the smiles on your loved ones’ faces.

That may be so, said Lucky. Sir, we know what we signed up for, and we’re ready to defend our duties.

Yea, sir, we’re a team and most importantly a family, said Corporal Davis.

As the day grew shorter and night began to fall, I couldn’t help but feel responsible for not being there for my team. They are so willing to sacrifice their lives for me and their country. Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. It’s open, I responded.

Sir, we have Dr. Zhan on satellite image.

Thank you. I’ll be down shortly, I said.

All due respect, sir, they need you ASAP, he said.

Well, in that case, lead the way, my good man, I replied.

Walking to the conference room, I couldn’t help but wonder what the rush was. Opening the doors, I saw the Commander, the Chief of Staff, and a group of scientists.

Sergeant Major, sorry to bring you down so late, the Commander said.

Sir, may I ask what the urgent meeting is about? I asked.

We brought you down because we have a situation that took place at Soldier Island, he said. A couple of days ago, a group of scientists was closing in on a breakthrough. Shortly after, we lost all communications on the island.

So what was the purpose of sending a team of elite soldiers? I asked. Did they feel like they needed protection, and if so, from what?

We haven’t been completely honest, one of the scientists said. Our goal was to redirect cancer cells and create healthier ones, he continued. For the past two years, we’ve been at it night and day. Just a couple of weeks ago, things went wrong.

Went wrong? What do you mean went wrong? I asked.

Dr. Zhan was so close to a breakthrough other countries began to take notice, he said. A group of terrorists known as Zabavory, destroyed everything we worked for and changed the direction of the cell.

Meaning what? I asked.

Meaning, we’re in a shit storm, and we need you guys to do what you do best, the chief of staff said. He continued, Most of this mission is on a need-to-know basis, and honestly, I prefer not to release this information to a group of soldiers. Reality is, you guys are all we have left.

Sir, with all due respect, you brought me down here. I didn’t volunteer, I said. To be honest, I prefer my men being at home with their families, but that’s not possible, is it?

Sergeant Major, we apologize for the inconvenience, the Chief of Staff said. The island is now a hostile territory, and we have no way of getting eyes on sight, he said. The last footage we have is Dr. Zhan sending out a message. He turned toward the projector screen and played the footage.

This is Dr. Zhan, and I’m sending out what may be my final testimony. For the past five years, I’ve been working on a cure for cancer. Redirecting the cancer cells would help them heal themselves. This past year or so, the chemicals began to work in our favor. In doing so, I was contacted by a man known as Dr. Phoin. He tried to convince me to sell the research to him and his team, but I refused, and things became hostile.

Suddenly a loud bang on the door, boom, followed by a loud scream. This may be my last message. Please tell my family. The camera started moving around so that it was impossible to see. The screams of Dr. Zhan were horrifying, but the sounds of the creatures were much worse.

That’s all we have, the commander said.

Change of plans, Sergeant Major. You and your team will leave out in four days, said the commander.

"We don’t know what to expect over there, and we hate to send you guys blindfolded. All the training you guys have is useless at this