Battle Earth III (12 page)

“Reiter’s equipment has gone into production. I hear some units in the US have already been issued it. Whatever is needed, it must be done. We need that gear, and we need it now!”

Chandra turned to look at the flood of enemy swarming towards them and prayed for it all to be over.
Let it all be a bad dream,
she thought.
It can’t be real, none of it.
She felt numb from the misery and loss she had witnessed. Then her attention was drawn by a cough and a splutter behind their trench. She turned to see Hall rolling in pain.

“He’s alive,” exclaimed Silva.

Chandra clambered out of her trench and rushed to the Corporal. He rolled over onto his back and looked up at her with a smile, even though she could see the pain in his face and blood pouring from his mouth. She knelt down beside him and looked for any wounds. His rifle lay splintered in half beside him, having taken the worst of the impact. She could see that his right shoulder was dislocated and slung low.

“I’m still here, Major, still in the fight,” he smiled.

She lifted his other arm and looked for any wounds. He winced in pain, but she was relieved to see his wounds did not extend further.

“You’re a lucky bastard, Corporal. We’ll get you patched up and back in no time,” she replied.

He sighed in pain once again and spat blood out onto the dirt where his broken rifle lay.

“Major, we gotta sort this out. We’re getting fucking killed out here. What happens when they get here in greater number?”

She heard footsteps as the mud squelched beside her and saw Sergeant Silva step up to her side.

“He’s right. We haven’t got the firepower to stop them at a distance, and at this range, we were god damn lucky no more got through. Two or three of those in the trench, and we could have all been done for.”

“Alright, I hear you loud and clear. I’ll do what I can. You get the Company back for re-supply.”

“What are you gonna do?”

“Whatever I can to get us what we need.”

* * *

Kelly strode through the corridor that was lined with eager troops waiting to re-take the ground they had been losing on a daily basis. What was left of the Moon government still did their utmost to stop him going into combat, but he would not be swayed. He could never ask his fellow citizens to fight while he watched from safety.

The Chinese transport has taken back their remaining children and wounded. Those left knew they were stuck there for the foreseeable future. It was a grim reality, but at least now they had hope. Kelly reached the intersection where Martinez and Chen were awaiting him. All three officers carried the M97 launchers with armour piercing rounds that had proven so effective in their last major battle, even if it was ultimately doomed to failure.

“I’m heading north to take the passages we lost last week,” stated Kelly. He pulled out his Mappad with a layout of the passages. “Chen, you go north-west through 49B. Martinez, you’ll follow me until you reach this intersection, at which time you’ll take this section, corridor 38C.”

“That’ll have us crossing paths within hours. We could cover more ground than that if we work further afield,” claimed Chen.

“In an ideal world, Colonel, but this isn’t an ideal world, or at least not anymore. We underestimated the strength of their forces once, and I will not do it again. If we fail again, it could be the end of us all. I appreciate your troops are eager for action, but we know all too well the horrors that we face.”

Chen nodded in agreement. Kelly could see the Colonel didn’t agree with his assessment or tactics, but he was loyal enough not to contradict them.

“Your being here is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten, Colonel,” said Kelly to reassure the Chinese officer.

“What is the estimate of remaining enemy forces?” asked Martinez.

“A hell of a lot left for Earth, so I can only imagine they have left what they believe is enough to keep us suppressed.”

“That’s reassuring,” he snarled.

“What do you want me to say, that this is going to be easy? These Krycenaeans, or whatever they are called, didn’t come here to take power. They came to take our lands, and they will not rest until we are dead. Remind your men of that. It’s us, or them. The Earthers have opened up an opportunity for us, so let’s not screw it up.”

Kelly turned back to Chen who still looked less than enthusiastic about his plan. The Commander couldn’t tell if it was their mission, or the fact the Colonel had to fight on the Moon which bothered him.

“The colony may mean nothing to you, Colonel, but that shouldn’t matter. You have seen the pressure Earth forces have laid down that has opened up the gates for us. Know that in fighting here, you can do the same for them.”

“Damn right, killing these freaks is killing these freaks, wherever you do it,” Martinez mused.

Chen smiled.

“Actually, I’d rather not be fighting anywhere. Life as a soldier used to be an adventure, and a safe one at that. Now look where we’re at.”

“And someday you can go back to that life, Colonel. Wars don’t last forever.”

“As long as you survive them,” he replied.

Martinez turned around so he could see the Colonel with his only good eye.

“Hey, we’ve made it this far. Those bastards thought they’d run us into the ground, and we’re still here, and still standing.”

“And plenty aren’t.”

“You signed up to be a soldier, Colonel. That means you signed up to defend your nation and its people against any threat that may be posed against it. Do you think any soldier ever got to choose his opponent?”

Chen dipped his head in shame. He knew he was being selfish, but it was hard not to be when he was being asked to risk his life for a colony that had in his lifetime felt quite alien. He finally looked up and nodded in agreement. Kelly did not blame Chen for his lack of motivation in fighting for them or wanting to risk his life. The Commander no longer valued his own life. He had grown comfortable with the idea it had been given up for the greater good.

Kelly had lived an easy life as a military Commander of a colony that saw no action to speak of. He had spent much time reading of great battles and commanders of old. He had become well accustomed to what he must do, and the sacrifices he must make. He always admired those officers and leaders who had led from the front, even though it may lead to their deaths. He saw himself like the great Philip of Macedonia. But he also knew he would likely meet the same bloody end that so many great combat leaders did.

A small price to pay,
he thought. Kelly’s life had seen little excitement and noteworthy events. He didn’t mind dying for a just cause, but he prayed his exploits would be remembered. Dying alone, and his accomplishments going unknown, was the only thing that scared him anymore. At least now he knew the children and other vulnerable citizens had been saved.

“This is the time we have been waiting for, and the time to strike back on our own terms and with a fair chance. It ain’t gonna get any better than this. Good luck to both of you, and relay my regards and gratitude to your troops, any questions?”

The two men said nothing. Martinez had been numbed of the fear of facing the enemy guns, but Chen had seen little action since arriving. They had mostly spent the last few weeks hiding away from the devils on the surface.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

Kelly slung the launcher over his shoulder and quickly turned, walking away with a quick stride. Martinez followed close behind. As Kelly grew nearer to his troops, he could feel his stomach turn. He had given up hope of survival, but now that a new challenge grew nearer, he could feel concern flooding back into his mind.
What if we
fail? What if I get them all killed? This could be the end of everything. We can’t fail.

The troops were parted either side of the broad corridors watching the two officers stride past. A few whistles rang out as they saw their leader approach the front line. It was one of the few morale boosting experiences they ever had in their miserable and seemingly hopeless lives. Martinez paced up further, so he could walk beside the Commander.

“Do you think we can do it? Do you really think we can do it this time?”

The Commander’s voice had no concern, and it was calm and considered. He did not raise his voice loud enough for any of the passing troops to hear, nor was he trying to back out.

“Honestly, I think we have a chance, and the best we’ll have.”

“So you weren’t bullshitting?” he asked.

Kelly shook his head side to side.

“If I thought there wasn’t a reasonable chance of success, I would never risk the lives of us all.”

“Really, you sure you don’t just want to go out in a blaze of glory?”

“What use is that when there’ll be no one left to know it happened?”

Martinez smiled. It was the first reassurance he had gotten in weeks. Some might have thought Kelly was a selfish glory hound from such comments, but Martinez took it as a sign that he wanted to live. The two men reached the access doors to the next tunnels that no one had stepped foot through in weeks. The entrance had remained hidden to the Mechs who patrolled the nearby corridors. Kelly turned back to address the closest troops. Lieutenant Perera was at the head of them; a man who was no stranger to the death the enemy could deal out.

“For too long have we hidden in our caves! Every week the enemy breach a new corridor and discover new ways into our homes. Each week we lose more of our friends to such attacks. Eventually, we will run out of places to hide! The Earthers have given us a chance here, a chance to save ourselves. Let’s grasp it with both hands, and kick these alien bastards out of our homes!”

The troops cheered, all but Perera. He was still doubtful, like so many of the officers, that another sally out could work. Few, but those in charge, knew of the death toll from previous actions. Kelly could see the doubt in the man’s face, but he no longer had the time to convince every soldier that they had hope. He turned and grasped the huge wheel locking the door shut.

Martinez and the others watched in suspense as the Commander spun the lock around until the door opened just a millimetre. Kelly didn’t show any caution. He knew he must be confident and forthright. With his weapon still slung across his back, he took the door wheel in both hands and hauled it open. The half-metre thick door creaked as it swung its hinges and rocked back against the wall.

Commander Kelly strutted confidently and triumphantly out into the dusty tunnel without a weapon in his hands. He turned back and looked at the troops who peered on in amazement. They were roused by his seemingly unflinching confidence. A cheer rang out as they rushed forward to join their fearless leader.

Kelly turned on the spot and lifted his weapon. He suddenly became aware that he no longer felt like the old and creaky desk worker close to retiring that he had done. A rationed diet and regular combat had conditioned him. He had shed kilos of weight in the last few months. Gone were his chubby cheeks, replaced by a sharp and grizzled jaw. His armour fitted right. His body felt right, and his troops could see the resolve in his eyes.
It’s our time,
he thought.

“Let’s take these bastards down!” he cried.

Gone was their calm concern and caution. They got to a jogging pace and rushed down the corridors. The stomping of hundreds of boots echoed down the empty cavities. Kelly turned a bend to find a single Mech stood gazing in awe of the noise and frozen in utter shock at what it saw. Before it could react, the Commander and five others lifted their weapons, releasing a hail of gunfire that killed the alien in seconds.

The troops cried in a bloodthirsty frenzy as they rushed past the body of the invader without even breaking stride. Gunfire erupted in the distance where Chen had made his entrance. Kelly smiled as he recognised the volley of human weapons.

“That’s our lads!” he yelled.

They had cut down another four Mechs without any injury by the time they reached Martinez’s designated corridor. He nodded in recognition to the Commander, lifting his rifle and leading his troops off at the fork. They had maintained a jogging pace through half a kilometre of tunnels and found only a few enemy guards.

“Is this really it? Are we finally taking it all back?” asked Perera.

Kelly turned to see the officer was at the front and by his side.

“This has gone on long enough, and it’s our time,” replied Kelly.

The Commander could see new life in the Lieutenant’s eyes. The hope that had been lost so long ago had returned within minutes. It was all the motivation Kelly needed. He no longer felt tired and beleaguered. It was as if he had awoken a different man that day. They were no longer the hunted.

When they finally reached the rendezvous point, they could see the same rush of excitement amongst all that fought beside them.

“Status report!” shouted Kelly.

“Corridor is clear, one wounded,” replied Martinez.

“Clear, one dead, two wounded,” shouted Chen as he rushed towards them.

Kelly’s smile grew wider. He never liked losing a single soul, but a single death after all the devastation they had witnessed was a better result than any of them could have hoped for. He spun around to see the faces of the troops around them. They were not panting, and they were not downtrodden. Smiles and excitement filled all their faces. Kelly knew that it was an opportunity he must take advantage of.

“Colonel Chen. You felt we may better clear this ground if we fought further afield. Are you still confident with that assessment?”

Kelly deliberately shouted it loud enough for all near them to hear.

“Yes, Sir!” Chen yelled back.

“I’m heading north, Martinez, east, and Chen, west. Let’s clear these bastards out of our land!”

The troops thrust their rifles into the air and cried with excitement. Kelly could hear the applause ring out through the corridors around them. He could not relay his words to their armies, but they knew well enough that success was in their hands.

“Let’s do this, forwards!” cried Kelly.