Battle Earth III

Chapter 2

The two officers headed towards the HQ building. They were intent on getting Reiter everything he needed to pursue his development of the equipment they had seen. As they passed two soldiers, Taylor caught an ear full of their conversation. The two men were from different nations and so were communicating in English.

“They aren’t going to take me for whatever shit they are doing with humans. Why would they want prisoners anyway?”

“To study us, I guess,” replied the other.

Taylor turned and rushed back to them. Chandra casually followed suit. She had not heard the conversation and was surprised at Mitch’s sudden distraction. As she moved closer, she could hear the urgent questions he was asking.

“How do you know they’re taking humans?”

“My brother saw it during his last mission. He’s a pilot, and he said they were transporting prisoners west from Saarbrucken.”

“You sure? You’re sure they were alive?”

“Positive, Sir. He said they were mostly soldiers. Some were wounded, but they all looked alive.”

“Alright, thanks.”

Taylor turned back to Chandra and let the two soldiers continue on their way.

“You know what this means?”

“Let’s not jump to any conclusions here,” replied Chandra.

“Jones is alive, and you know it. I’d bet good money he is wherever those prisoners were being taken.”

Taylor lifted a pocket on his combats and pulled out his Mappad. Seconds later, he had the map of the area and zoomed in to the city of Saarbrucken.

“We know Saarbrucken has become a major enemy staging point.”

He tracked west along the main highway.

“There, Metz. It’s the obvious place to hold prisoners. Far enough away from the front line but with easy access.”

“That’s a whole lot of maybes,” mused Chandra.

“Come on, this is Jones we are talking about. We can’t just leave him to die!”

Chandra shook her head. She knew that she should never entertain such an idea, but her feelings for Jones had clouded her judgement. She wanted him back just as much as Taylor, maybe more so. She lowered her head as she thought over the situation, until finally she looked back up to Mitch. It was clear he was not going to let it go, and she prayed that Jones was alive as they hoped.

“Even if he is alive and imprisoned, what are we going to do about it?”

“We’ve pulled off far greater tasks. If we can get some intel on his location, then we have the equipment and troops ready to get him out.”

“Schulz will never agree to it, risking equipment and troops for the rescue of one man.”

“I wasn’t suggesting we went just for the Captain. Walker is held there too, and God knows how many others. If we can pull off a rescue mission, it will not only bring back troops, but it could provide a massive morale boost to everyone here.”

“I am not sure the General will see it that way.”

“Then to hell with him. We’ll do it on our own!”

“It’s worth us at least putting it past him before we go it alone. If we do this without authorisation, there will be hell to pay even if it is a total success.”

“Whatever the price, it’s worth paying over letting our people be at their mercy.”

Chandra smiled.

“You know, I remember a time when Jones told me that you were a man to never break the rules. A marine who obeyed every command to the letter.”

“We were not at war then. It gives a new perspective.”

“And if you had heard about troops being taken captive, and they weren’t friends of yours?” she asked.

“We’ll never know. So what, if my personal friendship is affecting my judgement? We fight for each other, otherwise what is the point of it all?”

Chandra turned away and looked around the base at the hundreds of troops coming and going. She knew that General Schulz and Brigadier Dupont would likely not authorise it, but she had to ask.

The room was silent. The Major had outlined the information she had to the Generals, and they all sat awaiting Schulz’s answer. He was in charge of all operations in the area, and they all looked to him. They didn’t seem surprised that prisoners were being held, nor show much compassion for the soldiers’ fate. They already knew and they do nothing, she thought. She panned around the room, looking for support from any of the officers, but they did their best to look away.

“No, I will not risk our people in a suicidal mission based on sketchy information. Your request is denied. I understand your desire to save your men, but this is not the time. You have done a fine job in this war, Major, and we need you to keep up the good work. With officers like you on the front line, we are bound to win the war. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded.”

Fucking medals. My people are out there fighting and dying, for this? She was disgusted by the General’s attitude, but she knew she was foolish for expecting anything else. He only cared about figures, not soldiers. She turned and strode out of the room without a salute. It was an insult to her superiors that she knew they could do little about. In a time when they needed every capable soldier they had, she could get away with a lot.

The Major stormed out of the Headquarters to find Taylor awaiting her. He could already see she had failed in her attempt to get the General’s approval.

“Bastards,” he muttered.

“I shouldn’t have wasted my breath,” she snapped.

“What now?”

“I won’t leave our people there to rot. Find Phillips, he’s the only one who can get us what we need.”

“You think he’ll help?”

“He’s our only chance.”

Chandra squinted as she peered over Taylor’s shoulder.

“There he is.”

She brushed past Mitch to confront the Commander. He could already see that she wanting something from him and wasn’t in the mood to accept anything less.

“What can I do for you, Major?”

“Glad you asked, we need to talk, now!”

She led the Commander back to their bunkhouse where she knew they would get some privacy. The Company was busy getting chow, and nobody would dare invade their space. Phillips was already restless by the time they reached the room, and he didn’t like being led around. When they were finally shut inside the dorm room, the Commander opened his mouth to talk but was cut short my Chandra.

“The enemy are taking prisoners, and we think we know where. Captain Jones is almost certainly among them.”

Phillips shook his head. It was clearly something he had heard before and had been the subject of much pressure from those around him.

“I have already heard this from the mouths of other officers who want to rush headlong into enemy territory to get them back.”

“You knew and have done nothing?” shouted Taylor.

“What can I do? We have been losing ground since the day this war began, and we are lucky to ever hold on to anything for long. We have endless lists of dead, wounded and MIAs. General Schulz will not risk any more troops to pursue this. I am guessing you already know this, as you would only be coming to me if you had already failed with him.”

“Damn straight!” snapped Taylor.

“What do you expect me to do?”

“I don’t give a damn who’s in charge of this base. Your responsibility is to us. We have people out there left to the mercy of the enemy, and that includes at least two of your own. I expect you to do whatever you must to get them back!” shouted Taylor.

Phillips looked insulted and put out by Taylor’s sudden lashing out.

“Must I remind you of the chain of command, Major?”

Chandra stepped forward. She could not take anymore.

“Don’t give us that shit. We’ve been getting our arses blown off since this war began while you sat comfortably at command. We don’t expect you to pick up a weapon and join us, but we do expect you to give us the support we deserve.”

Phillips gasped as he lowered his head in shame. He knew it was wrong to leave troops behind, but he had treated the losses as pure statistics. He looked back up and spoke softly.

“If I help you, the General will have my balls.”

“And if you don’t, soldiers will die. We are going to find Jones, and any other prisoners, with or without your help. Without you, we go in blind and will likely pay a high price for it. With your assistance, we may just pull it off.”

The Commander knew he was between a rock and hard place, but they had made a solid case. As much as he stuck to the rules, he despised both Schulz and Dupont.

“Alright, to hell with it. With the way things are going, there’s probably little they can do to me anyway.”

Taylor smiled as he patted the Commander on the shoulder.

“You’re doing the right thing, Sir.”

“I hope so.”

“What intel do you have on this?” asked Chandra.

“We know prisoners are being kept in a facility in Metz in small numbers. What we don’t know is why.”

“What have we been doing since they arrived here?” asked Chandra.

Phillips looked up to the Major dumbfounded.

“We have studied them. We have tried to understand our enemy,” mused Taylor.

Phillips nodded in agreement.

“You really think that’s what they are doing? Studying our soldiers?”

“I’d be amazed if they weren’t,” replied Chandra. “Something tells me that this invasion has not resulted in the blitz success which they had hoped for. We are starting to slow their advance and adapt to better fight them. They may now be looking for every avenue to exploit.”

“That would explain it. From what we can tell, they have only taken military personnel from the front lines.”

“How many prisoners do you figure they have?”

“Maybe a dozen or more.”

Taylor nodded. “Alright, few enough that we should be able to make this quick and quiet.”

“Do you really believe you can get them out?” asked Phillips.

“If we were able to take out the Poitiers weapon, we can do anything. With accurate information of their location, it is more than doable.”

“Okay, I can get you maps and heat signature images from the area. I can authorise you on a mission to the west, but not for this purpose. Once you head for Metz, you will be on your own. You must be aware there will be repercussions for this even if you succeed.”

Taylor nodded, but he didn’t care what might become of them when they got back. He stared at the Commander until it became clear he had no desire to hear any more about it.

“I will help you get to Metz, but once you return, I cannot admit to any involvement. We cannot afford to have it know that command level officers have been subordinate in the face of such a conflict.”

Taylor sighed. Typical fucking politician, he thought as he rubbed his brow. He looked over to Chandra to be certain he had her support. He knew she would take the brunt of the flack as the Company commander if she went along with it.

“You should let my marines do this alone, Major. You are needed with the Company. Better still, we’re Americans, and there’s only so much Schulz and that idiot Dupont can do to us.”

It was clear that Chandra wanted more than anything to go on the mission, but she held her tongue and thought a little longer.

“As much as it pains me to say it, you’re right. I would never have you take this risk alone, but it may be the only way of keeping this Company together. With the reputation you have earned, you hold a lot of weight around here. A platoon of gung ho yanks going on a suicidal mission without orders is far easier to justify than the entire Company being implicit in the affair.”

Taylor chuckled.

“For once our reputation may be what keeps us from the brig?”

“The Major is right. If you can pull this off, then the punishment will be minimal,” Phillips added.

“Alright, that’s it then. Taylor, you are now in command of the rescue mission which we will designate Operation Dead Stick. You will need to get Eddie Rains on board along with a second copter. He should be able to get another of the modified FVs if you ask nicely.”

“I’m sure he’d be more than capable of the task and happy to help.”

“Commander, I need all the intel you have on their location and enemy positions in and around Metz, and I need them before sundown. We are doing this tonight.”

“Tonight? Don’t you think that’s a little hasty?”

“You’re damn right it is,” snapped Taylor.

“If command hadn’t arsed around and waited on this, we could probably have succeeded with a rescue attempt weeks ago and with far less risk. If we wait much longer, who knows where they will be or what situation the front line will be in.”

“Major, are you sure it’s worth all this risk? You could be throwing away your commission and many lives.”

Chandra sighed. It was clear the Commander still did not understand the comradery that kept them together and made them one of the most effective fighting forces on the front.

“You just get us what we need, Sir, and let us worry about the rest.”

Phillips nodded and stepped out of the room. He still didn’t understand why they would rush headlong into such danger. It was a prime example of why they were both glad he was not on the front line with them.

“Phillips is a paper pusher and number cruncher,” growled Taylor.

“Yep, and he’s just the man we need right now. He has got to this level because he’s suited to it. He’ll come through for us.”

She stopped and looked into Mitch’s eyes. She was always fascinated by his utter lack of fear, or at least the appearance of it. Taylor had not hesitated to lead a rescue mission for troops who were not even his countrymen.

“You sure you want this?”

Taylor nodded.

“And your marines?”

“Damn straight, they’d have volunteered just as quickly.”

“The Commander is right. Even if this mission is a success, there will be hell to pay for it. We are directly contradicting General Schulz’s orders. On top of that, the aliens aren’t going to be too impressed with us snatching up their prisoners from under their noses. There could be major retaliation, and that retaliation will be blamed on us.”

Taylor shook his head in astonishment at how spineless their leaders were.

“I don’t give a shit about Schulz. He’s not the one out there fighting and dying for this planet. Those creatures are coming for us whatever we do, so this will only reinforce the fact that we are still well in the fight.”

Chandra nodded with agreement. She was finally convinced beyond all doubt that it was the right move. She knew her close friendship with Jones could cloud her judgement, and it would be the first target of any inquiry. She didn’t care any longer. British forces were amassing for an action, and the worst that Schulz could do would be to send her back home; where her own forces would be more than happy to gain such a combat-experienced officer.

“This is your mission, but if there is anything I can do, you only have to ask,” stated Chandra.

“I need the Reitech suits and gear. Beyond that, it’s best you stay out of it. Continue on with your posting to base security and rest up. I’m heading to find Rains and convince his crazy ass to give us a lift.”

“Alright, we’ll be at the western perimeter defences from 1800 hours on. You can collect the gear from there.”

“What do you want, Major?” asked Eddie.

Taylor smiled as he watched the pilot make adjustments with a long bar spanner beneath the fuselage of his prized custom Eagle.

“Why would you think I’d be after anything?”

Eddie looked at the Major with a suspicious and knowing grin.

“Because you don’t hang out at an airfield. You’re only ever here when you have a mission or those few times after too many drinks.”

Taylor coughed. He’d hoped Eddie had forgotten those drunken escapades.

“It’s alright, Major. I’ll be the last one to shop you. So what can I do for you?”

“You are aware that Captain Jones is MIA?”

“Yeah, I heard that, damn shame.”

“Well, we believe that he is alive, along with Private Walker who was with him, and a few other missing troops.”

“They find refuge somewhere?”

Taylor shook his head with a serious and taut face that made Eddie curious.

“Not exactly.”

The Lieutenant put down the tool and got up onto his feet. He stared into Taylor’s eyes as he tried to make some sense of the situation and the Major’s intentions.

“Give it to me straight, Mitch. I’m a busy man these days.”

“The enemy are taking prisoners. We don’t exactly know why, but we have good intel they are alive and where they are being held.”

Eddie shook his head as he smiled.

“Oh shit, you’re not serious?”

“We have our orders.”

“Bullshit! You’d only be coming here, personally, if you couldn’t get this green lit by the brass.”

Taylor smiled back. “You’re a hard man to fool.”

“So come on, you want me to fly you in and out on some crazy bitch mission to save POWs that you have been expressly forbidden from doing?”

“That about sums it up, yeah.”

Rains turned and sighed as he paced up and down for a moment.

“Well, hell yeah, I’m your man. We’re needed more than ever, not like they can fire us.”

He thrust out his greasy hand to shake, which Taylor gladly accepted.

“Just one other thing, we’re going to need two of these birds.”

“Not a problem. General White has sent over two of my squadron to run equipment back and forth. When do you need us?”

“Tonight.”

“I’ll have to fix some paperwork, but we’re in.”

“Just to be certain, you realise the kind of shit you are entering into. We will have no chance of backup or recovery should something go wrong. Even if we succeed, General Schulz will want our balls.”

“Hey, you gave me my orders, and I carried them out. How am I supposed to know who’s in charge in this whole fucking mess?”

Taylor nodded in gratitude. “You’re a good man, Eddie.”

“Don’t you forget it,” he replied.

“Be ready for 2000 hours.”

“We’ll be here.”

Taylor nodded and gave a grateful smile before quickly turning to go about his business. As he walked away, he shook his head in astonishment for what he, of all people, was about to undertake. He was gaining a reputation for disobeying his superiors, but the troops continued to love him for it. I’m doing it for all us, he thought to himself. He knew it was more personal than that, but it was at least some justification for his actions.

The Major paced back from the landing zone through the base with his head low in deep thought. Many troops from the different armies saluted or acknowledged him as he passed, but he didn’t notice. Since the war had begun, he had been frequently left with few resources and allies. Now he walked among thousands of them, without any relief from the safety and comfort he had gained.

Jones must be alive, he thought. Despite their rivalry over the years, the two officers had become closer friends than he could ever have imagined. Captain Friday remained a loyal officer and good friend, but Jones was like a long lost brother to him. The death and destruction he had faced had, on occasion, brought him to utter despair; but not knowing Jones’ fate was in some ways worse. As he approached the HQ bunker, he looked up to see Major Chandra stood blocking his path. She had a cheeky and confident smile on her face and stood with her hands on her hips.

“You get Eddie on board?”

“You get Phillips to cough up the data?”

“Damn right. Phillips can be a bastard, but when he knew we were willing to attempt a rescue of British soldiers, he was ready to do whatever I wanted. He’ll never admit it officially, of course, unless he can take some of the glory without risking his standing.”

“And that is why we are still lugging guns, and he’s at a desk.”

She nodded in agreement, and she quickly glanced around to be certain that nobody had heard their conversation.

“Eddie is good to go, 2000 hours.”

“He’s confident that he can get clearance?”

“Sure. Rains is a law unto himself, and since White has used him for special operations work, nobody is even sure who he reports to, beyond the General.”

She stepped forward and leaned in a little closer.

“You sure you want to do this, now?”

He leaned back and stared into her eyes as if perplexed by the question.

“Is there really a choice?” he replied.

“Of course, there is always a choice.”

“Leave no man behind,” he mused in a slow and serious tone.

“Come on, Mitch, this isn’t any kind of war this planet has ever seen. We’ve left scores of dead on our retreat across France. You can’t tell me we haven’t left soldiers to die.”

Taylor shook his head.

“That doesn’t make it right. Maybe we couldn’t save the dead and dying. Maybe we couldn’t recover the bodies of our comrades, but Jones is alive. I know he is.”

She sighed as she thought about his words, and she wanted Jones back with all her heart.

“It’s a dangerous path this one, you must know it. You put Parker before all else, and you are doing it again for Jones.”

“I am only human.”

“No, we are soldiers, and we have a job to do. Our job is to fight, and if necessary, die in this war. We both want Jones back, just be certain you are doing it for the right reasons.”

Taylor frowned as he turned and walked a few steps away from the Major. He knew she was right about his reckless breach of orders to save Parker. He turned and stepped back up to the woman he was growing to know as well as Jones.

“I may have blatantly disregarded our orders, but look where it got us. I saved a valuable Sergeant in my Company and have in turn, provided more than our fair share of service in these foreign lands. I have stood beside you, Major, as we both have Jones. He needs our help, and we need him back in this unit.”

She thought about his words for just a few seconds before answering in a soft and friendly tone.

“Then I wish you every luck, and I only pray that if I am ever in trouble, I have you fighting my corner.”

“You’ve got it.”

He outstretched his hand and shook with Chandra.

Major Taylor stood and watched as his twenty-nine marines formed up before him. Every one of them wore the Reitech suits and related gear. Eddie was stood behind him in his usual ragged kit. He presented an anti-establishment image while being one of the finest officers Taylor had ever known. It was a fact that continued to amuse the Major.

“The General still not got you into regulation attire, I see?”

“No, Siree. He can tell me where and when to fly, and I’ll follow it to the letter, but some things you just cannot accept.”

“How on earth do you do it? I have never understood how you continue to get away with it.”

“When you’re the best damn pilot on the eastern seaboard, you get a little leeway.”

He smiled as he stepped forward to address the troops. He was the only officer among them. He would not risk anymore of their command staff for what he knew was a reckless and dangerous mission. Sergeants Silva and Parker stood among them as the highest ranks.

Not one of them yet knew what the night had in store for them. He could see the questions they wanted to ask in their eyes. Formed up with the best hardware available and two modified copters, they all knew it was more than a regular patrol. They stood at attention as they eagerly awaited news of their duty.

The surrounding area was silent now. Only a few dimmed lights provided any view of the area. Rains’ landing area had been kept isolated from the main base in order to give the crews priority for their main task. Their main duty was the transport of key components and personnel related to the Reitech technology. Nobody bothered them as few had the authority to do so. In the distance, they could see and hear vehicles and troops always on the move.

Gunfire continued to ring out every once in a while. The fighting died down at night, but it never fully stopped. Finally, the Major spoke to break the silence and feed the marines’ appetite for information.

“Remember Amiens. Remember Captain Jones and Private Walker. Aside from myself, Sergeants Parker and Silva, you were all there. You witnessed the loss of our comrades, our brothers. New intelligence suggests they are alive, along with up to a dozen other POWs.”

Gasps rang out across the two lines of troops.

“Sir, POWs?” asked Parker.

“I can speculate as to why they are keeping prisoners, but that’s all it would be. All we know for sure is that prisoners have been taken in small numbers, and that Jones and Walker are likely to be among them.”

“How have you found them, Sir?”

“Heat signatures. The enemy body temperature is either far lower than a human, or their armoured suits hide it.”

“So where we heading, Sir?” asked Silva.

“To the city of Metz.”

Several of the marines gasped. A few weeks ago it would have meant little to them. They neither knew where it was nor cared. But now they knew the terrain and the enemy’s location, and it was a grim fact to swallow.

“Sir, that’s way beyond the enemy’s front line, and we know Saarbrucken is crawling with the bastards.”

“That’s why we’ve got Eddie here. Lieutenant Rains, along with Lieutenant Kato, will be flying us in. I know this is a lot to ask,” he stopped and sighed. “We pulled off Poitiers, so you can’t tell me we can’t make this work.”

“What kind of trouble we expecting?” asked Sugar.

The burly gunner stood confidently. Taylor looked down at the vast weapon in his arms and smiled. He carried one of Reiter’s newly designed weapons, but he had bolted it together with his old light machine gun. The bastardised weapon looked so large that it should be vehicular mounted. Yet Sugar stood casually with it resting across his arms. He watched the Major stare at the weapon that he held like his own baby.

“I won’t lie to you. I have officially requested permission for this rescue mission and been denied flat out by General Schulz. I cannot order any of you to follow me here, but I am unwilling to leave our people at the mercy of the invaders.”

He turned and paced down the line before the marines. None of them spoke as they all took in what Taylor had said. They knew that disobeying direct orders from the General was not a situation to be taken lightly. Mitch took a deep breath to calm him before continuing.

“The General has not fought among us. He has not watched his friends be killed every day of this war. He has not stood firm against all odds and fought to the bitter end. He may yet be a good leader, but he is not one of us. We are numbers on a screen to him. He will not allow this rescue because he has made a calculated risk assessment of the resources that would be required for it. We are that resource.”

He stopped and looked out across their faces that were shadowed in the low light.

“My friends are not a resource. We have made it this far by sticking together and fighting for each other. I refuse to give up on one another now. We have made it this far together. Anyone who wants no part in this may leave now without issue.”

Taylor looked across the faces of the troops before him. He knew he couldn’t rightfully force any of them to follow him in disobeying orders, but he prayed they would stand by him once more.

“Those who wish to sit this one out may fall out now and return to the Company!”

He stared into their eyes and each of them stared back. They all stood fast without a single flinch or doubt. The Major had won the respect and trust of everyone among them before the war had even begun. Now more than ever, they would follow him to hell and back.

“I am not bullshitting you here. There could be hell to pay for this even if we succeed. But for me, there is no punishment that our command could dish out that would not be worth paying for a chance to save our people.”

“Sir, I think I speak for all of us. Let’s do this,” said Silva.

“Oorah!” Parker shouted.

The cry was repeated along the line and rang out across the open plain of the landing zone. Taylor smiled at the confidence they were placing in him.

“I cannot promise you anything from this mission, or the resistance we could face. I cannot say we will definitely get our boys out, but I can promise you we will do everything in our power.”

“You point the way, Major, and we’ll do the talking,” said Sugar.

The hulking gunner grinned again as he stood still holding his treasured weapon.

“We’re heading for Metz. All intelligence would suggest that the major mass of enemy forces are further east around Saarbrucken, but that doesn’t mean we’ll have an easy run of it. The copters should be able to get us in without resistance if we fly low through the valleys and stay out of trouble.”

“Sir, do we have an extraction plan?” asked Parker.

“We’ve got Rains and Kato here who will stick with us where possible, but aside from them, no. Nobody but those here and Major Chandra know of our intentions. The most assistance she could provide us with is her pleading with the Generals to help. They have already shown they will not risk assistance to save those prisoners, so I would not expect them to extend any more help for us.”

“Shit, a suicidal mission behind enemy lines. Sounds just like our kind of gig,” roared Silva.

Chuckles rang out across the lines. Taylor appreciated them making light of the situation. It was the only way to stay sane.

“Parker and Silva will lead their own sections, and the rest of you are with me. Remember what it’s like to fight on their terms. No radio links means we need to stay close. This new gear we have got has made it a fair fight, but let’s keep the odds in our favour. Sections stay in visual contact at all times. Any questions?”

The landing zone remained silent.

“Alright, load up, and let’s get our people back!”

The troops separated and began shuffling quietly into the copters. A sombre tone fell over the landing zone as they all considered the danger they were facing. Going deep into enemy territory, and without hope of backup or assistance, was a daunting task. They had only done it once before to destroy the enemy weapon in Poitiers.

Destruction of the invaders’ super weapon had been seen as the only hope for humanity’s survival. They had accepted it might have been a suicide mission and gotten on with it. Now their lives seemed to carry more value, but they knew they had a responsibility to the prisoners to bring them back. Taylor noticed light footsteps approaching and turned to see Major Chandra step out from the darkness.

“You said you’d stay out of this.”

She nodded.

“And I will, but I could not let you set off alone. It’s a grim day that our own people are giving up on each other. Perhaps this can go some way to reinforcing the value of our soldiers’ lives. Men and women from every nation have given everything they had to give.”

“You may support us in spirit, Major, but it is vital that you isolate yourself from this mission. You could lose command over the Company should your involvement be known.”

Chandra sighed. She was stuck in an abominable position.

“I hate this. I must turn my back on comrades to save others.”

“You’re doing the right thing. The Company has tight bonds, and we cannot lose that. General Schulz would gladly split the unit.”

“I’d like to see him try. He may be in charge of this front, but he is not a British officer. We have more than earned our right to stand together as one.”

Taylor nodded in agreement. For years he had trained against the British in friendly exercises, and they had been their best competition. Never could he have imagined to have become one with them. He looked down at the slight Indian officer and smiled at her. Her stature hid her strength of character and body well. Now before him in the Reitech suit, she was dwarfed even further.

It made him think of his brutal mauling at the hands of Karadag, the alien Commander. The memory ignited a spark of pain to soar through this body. His wounds had largely healed, but the aches and pains were far from gone. He did his utmost to hide it from his comrades, and they respected him further for soldiering on.

“Have you got anywhere on securing Reiter the resources he needs?” asked Taylor.

“Barely had a chance since we got onto planning this mission.”

“Last time I came up against one of those alien bastards in close quarter, I got my ass kicked. Every time they get close, we get torn apart. I never thought I would see the day when we would need to fight hand-to-hand, but it doesn’t change the fact that it has been thrust upon us.”

“I hear you.”

“That shield technology could work if Reiter can just get it to an operational level. I know he has some ideas on a close quarter weapon, so push him.”

“You think he’ll still be working at this time?”

“Trust me, that man doesn’t sleep. He only works.”

“Then I’ll get on it and good luck tonight.”

“Thanks, we’ll see you at dawn.”

He turned and paced up the ramp of the copter to see that his marines were sat along the fuselage in readiness. He turned to Rains who was awaiting his signal. He gave a nod. It was all the Lieutenant needed. The engines powered up, and they knew there was no going back.