Battle Earth IV (27 page)

“How on Earth did you get out of that? Better still, how did you even land it?”

“She’s my gal. She was always gonna get me through this.”

“Pipe down!” a shout came out from one of the officers who had arrived ahead of Schulz to welcome him. Taylor turned in scorn to glare at the officer who stood triumphantly on the docking bay as if he’d won the battle, when in reality, he’d only arrived a few minutes ago.

The shuttle came to a smooth landing, and Schulz was first out of the door to a roar of excitement and cheering. Taylor wondered why anyone bothered, or was it just expected? Few of the Inter-Allied there showed any emotion at all besides being a little bored.

General Schulz quickly made his greetings to Kelly and the other officers, and then headed right for Taylor, ignoring Chandra who stood at his side.

“I hear you have two of the enemy elite troops, bodyguards of one of their leaders? Well done, you must have them transferred to the MPs immediately. They could be very useful.”

Schulz tried to turn and leave before Taylor could utter a word, but he was forced to stop upon the Major’s response.

“Negative, Sir. They stay with us.”

The General glared at him in astonishment, but he also knew he must be more careful with Taylor than their previous confrontation in France. He opened his mouth to speak, but Taylor jumped in before any words were spoken.

“They have already been welcomed into the Inter-Allied and have proven their worth among us. They fight with us, and they stay with us.”

Schulz wasn’t sure whether he was more surprised at Taylor’s insubordination once again, or the fact that he was defending alien forces.

“Are you trying to tell me they are fighting by your side against their own?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Chandra interrupted as she could see the situation was going sour.

“They not only saved two officers’ lives, but proved invaluable in the defence of this station, Sir.”

Schulz thought about it for just a moment, leaning in close to Taylor so that his entourage could not hear.

“While you keep fighting and getting results, you’ve got a certain leeway, Major, but make no mistake, this is on you. If they fuck up, if they kill our own, or if they compromise a mission in anyway, it’s your balls on the line.”

Schulz leaned back and smiled as he looked into Taylor’s eyes with arrogance.

“Always is, Sir,” replied Taylor.

Mitch thought they had overcome at least some of their differences, but Schulz appeared to be back to his usual unlikeable self.

It could be worse,
thought Taylor.

The General continued on until he reached a small podium that had been set up for him so that he could address the gathered crowd. Most had fought the initial attack and defence of the station, but those who hadn’t, stood out like a sore thumb with their pristine uniforms.

“Today we took the first step in reclaiming our solar system. Earth is ours once more, but we will not stop until this solar system is totally ours once again. It’ll be another eight hours until we can get the rest of our forces ferried here. Until that time, I want you to take some rest, and ready yourselves for tomorrow. For tomorrow, we go to the Moon and drive the alien bastards from the colony that rightly belongs in human hands!”

Clapping echoed around the spacious docking bay until Schulz called it to a close.

“I want all command staff to meet in thirty minutes in the newly established CP at Hall 2B, floor six. From there, we can thrash out our intentions for tomorrow. Have your troops rest easy, but I want watches set by all units throughout our stay here. Thank you all.”

Thirty minutes later, Taylor and Chandra stood alongside more than thirty other officers as Schulz hashed out his plan. It was simple, but there seemed no other options.

“I know this isn’t the most complex plan in the world, but we have little intelligence to go on. However, we have Commander Kelly along, and he and his people are intimately familiar with their former homeland. We strike the Lunar colony with everything we have. We use overwhelming force and strength of number to bring this battle to a close. By tomorrow evening, we’ll either be celebrating our victory or heading for Earth with our tail between our legs. The latter is not an option!”

“Sir, the Parliament building?” asked Kelly.

Schulz nodded in agreement.

“Yes. Commander Kelly has rightfully asked for the honour of re-taking the administrative capitol. However, he will need an additional battalion to support his efforts, do I have a volunteer?”

Taylor turned to ask Chandra, but her hand was already raised. It sent a shiver down his spine to know she was right there with him.

“We’ll do it, Sir.”

Schulz looked quickly at Chandra and then straight on to Taylor. He was surprised the Major did not voice any objection.

“Commander?” he asked Kelly.

“It’d be an honour to have the Inter-Allied covering our backs.”

“Alright, Inter-Allied will breach here, half a kilometre west of Kelly’s forces, and they will encircle the Parliament buildings. They may not mean much to our enemy, but to our people they are vital. You all know what you have to do. You have until 0800 hours. Catch some rest.”

Chatter rang out throughout the room as the officers dispersed. Kelly quickly pushed through them to catch Taylor on the way out of the CP.

“Major, may I have a word for a moment?”

Taylor turned back to Chandra for clarification.

“It’s alright, I’ll see you back at our post in a little while.”

Taylor followed the Commander around a corner to a quiet spot. Kelly didn’t appear to present any threat to him, but curiosity made Taylor’s mind run wild with what he might have to say. They were finally out of earshot of the passing troops, and he whispered carefully.

“When you hunted Demiran down, I know Lieutenant Perera was involved too. I know you both got to that docking bay, and I know he didn’t make it out alive. I also know his actions earlier were counterproductive to our operations and insubordinate.”

Taylor sighed and tried to answer, but Kelly cut him short.

“Perera hated you. We both know it. All I want to know is if his death could have been avoided. Are you a man I can trust, and are you the man that your reputation would imply?”

“I hope so, Sir. Perera did not die at my hands, but only because I was unable to defend myself in that moment. He’d have gunned me down, there and then.”

“Then I am sorry. Sorry that one of my own could do such a thing. Please let us put this all behind us. You have already convinced me of your worth. Pull this mission off, and you will gain the respect of my people.”

“I wasn’t looking for it, Sir. I never have. I have tried to do everything I can in this war and continue to do so. If people don’t like me, that’s their problem, not mine.”

Kelly smiled. “You’re a true warrior, Major. I am only glad you are on our side.”

Kelly turned and left Taylor. He was glad of the Commander’s support. He’d almost been stabbed in the back once that day, and the last thing he needed were enemies on his own side.

Taylor got back to their billets for the day. They’d had been allocated a sports facility, consisting mostly of open halls and with little furniture. Many of the troops had already set up their beds and were relaxing, playing cards, or chatting with their comrades. He was glad to see that the newly enlisted troops to Inter-Allied were mingling with the hardened veterans as if they’d never been apart. Chandra was busy looking over her Mappad when he strode up to her. She looked up with a grim expression.

“Final casualties for us, thirty-three dead. Twenty-eight wounded.”

“It could have been a lot worse,” he replied.

“I wonder when this is all over if this will even resemble the unit we started in any way.”

“We’re still here, aren’t we?”

She nodded in agreement. “For now.”

Taylor could see that the Colonel was sitting amongst her own gear and in the same room as the rest. There were no luxuries afforded the officers that day.

“All this worry for our own good, and you volunteered us to assist Kelly without a moment’s thought?”

“It didn’t need any further thought. We’re going to the Moon tomorrow, whether we want to or not. If we’re at the centre of the assault, it’ll boost the morale of all who join us. We also need this bitter animosity resolved between your marines and the Lunar colonists. It’s almost led to your incarceration and death, and maybe you won’t be so lucky a third time.”

Taylor hunkered down and took a seat on Chandra’s bed beside her.

“You know we need to promote Grey before this mission is over. He’s proven more than capable, and as a Company commander, he needs greater authority. And let’s not forget, when Suarez returns, we want the better man in command.”

“Where is the Lieutenant? I haven’t seen him since a few days after we reached Paris,” asked Chandra.

Taylor laughed at the idea that she hadn’t even noticed his absence.

“General White wanted a volunteer to head back to the US and assist with the training of newly enlisted troops. He thought one of the Immortals could do wonders for recruiting and training.”

“And you sent them Suarez?”

“Hey, I did exactly what was asked. I wasn’t about to give up anymore than I had to.”

She nodded in agreement.

“How did he ever come to be an officer in your marines? He’s selfish, confrontational, and obnoxious. I’d not want to trust my life in his hands.”

“No, and yet he’s been with us through the worst of it all. I don’t like him, but I will not dismiss his efforts. Suarez certainly pulled some strings to get where he did, but can you blame him?”

They both fell silent for a few moments as they watched the troops who had quickly made the halls their home. They could see fatigue in many of the faces, but they were as steadfast as ever.

“You’ve got until morning to rest. I suggest you make good use of that time,” Chandra said.

“Morning? If I didn’t have a watch, I’d never have known night from day here. Remind me to never take a posting off of Earth in the future. There ain’t much to like about it.”

“Agreed, and yet thousands of people think otherwise.”

“God knows why.”

Taylor sighed as he pulled himself to his feet and stepped over to where Parker had set up her gear and erected Taylor’s bed next to hers. He wearily unclipped the harness of his exosuit and webbing, dropping it down to the floor. He stretched and felt immense relief to have the weight and bulk off his shoulders. He turned to see that Jafar and Tsengal were sat against a wall just a few metres from their position. The two aliens were silent. He had not noticed them immediately, for they now sported camouflage paint and Inter-Allied insignia. They both remained quiet and seemed to be studying everything around them.

Parker kept a keen eye on the two aliens, and Taylor could tell that it was the most uncomfortable thing he had ever done, allowing them to become one of them. He wanted to explain to her how they had saved his life, but he knew he had to be careful who knew about that turn of events. He turned and looked to Jafar and Tsengal.

“How do you like your new look?”

They peered down at their camouflaged suits that still shone from the fresh paint, even though it was a perfect matt finish. They seemed overwhelmed by all that was happening to them but far from uncomfortable. Taylor got up and staggered over to their position and took a knee.

“I can’t make you one of them overnight, but bit by bit, you will become one of us. Tomorrow we go into combat once again. Will you join us? Will you help us take back the Lunar colony?”

“Whatever you ask of us,” replied Jafar.

Taylor shook his head.

“No, I am not your master. I am one of your officers, but I want to know how you feel about it.”

Tsengal looked confused.

“Why would you ask us? What does it matter?”

“Because while I may be in charge of all, bar the Colonel around here, I value the opinions of my troops.”