Battle Earth VII

Chapter 10

"I thought we were going for Paris?

Taylor looked at the military base where they were coming in to land.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Colonel," replied Rains. "This is Meaux, a base set up last year, and very shiny it is, too!"

Taylor was first out the door and down the ramp once they were on the ground, and General Dupont was awaiting them with a few dozen soldiers.

"Good work, Colonel!"

They were the last words he ever expected to hear from the Frenchman who had become so embittered towards him, but that was all he was going to get. The General stepped past and offered his hand to Mertens.

"Welcome to France. Please come this way."

He turned back for a moment.

"Colonel, Commander Phillips is en route for liaison purposes. I'll meet with both of you in thirty minutes in my office."

As eager as Taylor was to rest, he knew there was work to be done and was glad to finally have managed to get an audience with someone who had the power to do something. He looked around to see those who had come to his rescue. There were no officers among them, except for the pilots. He counted a little over thirty marines. Silva and Parker seemed to be in charge. He paced up to the RSM who looked mighty pleased with himself.

"How on Earth did you manage this?"

"Heard you were in trouble, and it didn't take much to convince the Lieutenant," he stated, pointing over to Rains who was slumped against the landing gear of his copter. The pilot gave off a mock salute.

"You're crazy, whole lot of you. No way White signed off on this."

"Nope," replied Silva.

"So you're AWOL, and entered a sovereign nation’s air space to raise hell." He paused for a minute, "And I can't thank you enough, you crazy fools. Couldn't have done it without you."

"I wish we could have got more of the unit here, but this is just about all we could get away without raising flags. As far as the Corps is concerned, we're in Arizona on exercise."

"And due back when?"

"Tomorrow," replied Silva.

"And you?" he asked Parker.

"I quit the job, and I'm back. Not officially, but I'm here."

He looked out to the rest of them who were waiting for some news or explanation.

"I know you must all be eager to know what the hell's going on! All I can tell you at this stage is that a war is brewing on Earth, the likes of which even we have not seen, a war amongst humankind. I can't give you much more at this time. The only thing you should know, the Krys are in on it, and will use it to exploit a weakness."

It didn't seem like news to them, so he continued.

"As far as I know, the United States wants no part of this growing conflict, but I cannot and will not accept that! I didn't fight all these years, only to see the World go to shit while we sit back and enjoy some kind of peace that can never last. This new alliance, a European Alliance, may be our best hope of getting through this. I'm committing myself to their service, but I cannot ask you to do the same. I am in all your debt for what you did for me here, but now you must make a choice for yourselves. You can go home, or you can come with me."

There was no answer.

"You know we got the shit jobs in the war. The jobs no other sons of bitches believed could be done. I fully intend to take up that mantle once more, but I will think no lesser of any marine who would return home and see an end to this. If that is your desire, step forward now, or stay the distance."

Nobody moved an inch.

"We're with you, Colonel, just as we always have been," Silva boomed.

"Then ready yourselves because the work is just about to begin. I meet with General Dupont and Commander Phillips shortly, and I fully intend to offer our services to whatever end may be necessary."

The all nodded in agreement as they sat about in the sun, as calmly as if they were at home. Nothing seemed to shake them anymore. Those who stood before him were some of the most experienced veterans the World had seen in a few hundred years, and they knew it. He nodded in acceptance and turned to go to Dupont.

Taylor strolled alone through the base of Meaux. It was an impressive sight. Row upon row of brand new buildings and dozens of armoured vehicles and jeeps which looked like they'd never seen war, though he knew they had. He walked past an engineers’ workshop where dozens of soldiers were working to overhaul war-damaged trucks. They were parked up bumper to bumper in a parking lot to one side of the huge hangar.

Bullet holes riddled some of their paintwork, but others were far worse with twisted chassis and bodies almost ripped in half. As he carried on past the structure, he found another line up of the same vehicles fully rebuilt and ready to use.

Just in time to go back to hell.

He got some odd looks as he headed for the General's office on foot.

His American flag was in plain view for all to see, and he still carried his rifle slung over his back. No one else he passed carried weapons nor wore armour, as per regulation, but nobody stopped to question him. He finally reached the HQ building. As he approached, the two MPs at the entrance looked desperate to pounce on him.

"Hand over your weapons," one said.

He passed his rifle over and was thankful to have it off his shoulder, but as they looked down to his pistol, he shook his head.

"You're not having my sidearm."

"You may not enter armed."

"Not in peacetime, but don't you know there's a war on? I've had too long a day to put up with this."

"Let him through!" yelled a voice.

He looked up. Dupont's head was poking out of a window and bellowing the command that could not be refused. They reluctantly let him pass. He took pleasure in their discomfort.

"Thank you, Gentlemen," he added, just to rub salt into the wound.

He stepped through into Dupont's office and found the General shaking his head.

"You really do have a problem with authority, Colonel."

"Yes, Sir," he replied, smiling.

"But as much as I dislike your manner, I will happily admit you are a great soldier."

"Marine..."

"Whatever."

The door opened, and Phillips stepped through. He hadn't seen the Commander in years and quickly outstretched his hand in friendship.

"Come to join the fight, Sir?"

"Good to see you're still alive, Mitch, but I'm here purely as a correspondent. I can have no part in any potential conflict, not while the United Kingdom remains neutral."

"Neutral? What, are you kidding me?"

"Sorry, Colonel, but that's not my decision. Our government has declared neutral status and has condemned the activities of the UEN. Our Prime Minister has not gone as far as departing from the UEN, but he might as well have."

"Politics aren't my thing, Sir. I'm a fighting man."

"We both know that's bollocks. You repeatedly stick your nose in where it isn't wanted and stir up trouble."

Taylor shrugged. He couldn't disagree.

"Gentlemen, may we get on to business," said Dupont.

He walked around his desk and took a seat, gesturing for them to join him.

"I've got you here for a closed meeting because both of you are from nations who have so far had no involvement with the recent conflict, and therefore I cannot allow you into briefings or any other such matters. Everything that happens here is strictly between us. I am doing this because I think both of you can make a difference here, and we need allies."

"I'm a long way off the reservation, General, so spit it out."

"This discussion is off the record, and I will deny any involvement with it, or that you were ever even here, should you spill anything that is said. At 1800 hours today, the European Alliance will declare war on the UEN unless certain demands are met."

Taylor knew it was coming but not so soon. The statement took him aback.

"I think it's pretty clear what those demands will be, and that the UEN will not accept them. Gentlemen, be under no illusions, before the day is through, we will be at war."

"Surely this can be avoided?" pleaded Phillips.

"I wish to God it could be, but forces beyond my understanding appear to be forcing us in this direction, one which now cannot be avoided. Colonel, you tried to tell me you believed the Krys had placed human agents among us, do you still believe that to be the case?"

"Yes, Sir, I know it to be true."

"A relief in one regard, that it was an external force which led us to this and not our own humanity, but also a terrifying fact. I did not believe you because it sounded crazy. It still sounds crazy. Do you have any proof whatsoever that this is the case? And if so, how do we tell who is working for alien interests and who is not?"

"I wish I had those answers for you, General, but I don't, but I know a man who does."

"Then get him here immediately. Who is this man?"

"Councillor Armand."

The General was silenced.

"Can't be!"

"He had one of my marines killed, the only one who knew about these Krys agents, the only evidence I had. He tried to kill me soon after."

"Councillor Armand? He has a lot of sway in the UEN. You're telling me he is the one behind all this? The one who has brought us to a state of war?"

"Just one of the many players, I believe."

"Come on, Gentlemen, this is absurd," stated Phillips.

"As absurd as an alien invasion on Earth?" asked Taylor. "I wish it were not true. But Tsengal saw this with his own eyes. He identified Armand as an enemy agent, and saw maybe millions more humans on Red 1 who are just like Armand. His last order from Colonel Chandra was to return to me with this info that she knew could end us all. She died getting the information to us, and so did Tsengal and many others. I know it to be true."

Dupont scratched his head as he tried to make sense of the situation.

"Even if this is true, and I am almost at a point at which I believe it, how can we prove it? If they have agents among us, we need to know how to find them."

"The only person in the World I know for certain is one of them is Councillor Armand. I propose a mission to retrieve him."

"Careful, Colonel, you are stepping dangerously close to an act of war. Your country isn't even in this, and neither is mine. We shouldn't even be part of this kind of talk."

"You can leave anytime you like," Dupont replied.

They both looked to the Commander and hoped for his support, but he was deeply conflicted.

"We didn't fight all these years just to be beaten now, did we?" Taylor asked. "If we lay down now and let these agents succeed, we might as well have not bothered at all and let our World fall."

"Then let's take this information to our superiors..."

"What information? At the moment, all there is to go on is what I know to be true. The only other man who witnessed Tsengal's revelations is now gone. The video records destroyed. Who will take my word, one marine? Who would take that word and make world -changing decisions based upon them? I don't know if you looked around recently, but I'm not exactly popular. I don't even have the trust of the Alliance yet."

"Maybe not. Getting President Mertens out has gone a long way, though."

Great, they risked their lives, and we lost friends to earn a pass to getting that trust?

"Commander, I need Inter-Allied back together. I need you to get me those troops. As a force we are unstoppable."

"That's what worries me. You'll raise all kinds of hell. But this isn't the war, Colonel. Human lands are not overrun with Mechs," Phillips replied.

"No, it isn't, but be under no illusions, we are at war. Whether you like it or not, your country is going to be drawn into this war. Better we get a head start than fight an uphill battle, don't you think?"

"I am sorry, Colonel. I might agree with some of your ideas, but I cannot interfere in a conflict we have no part in."

He got up and moved to the door but turned back last minute.

"I cannot support your actions. I cannot order the reinstatement of the British elements of 2nd Inter-Allied."

Taylor dipped his head and sighed.

"However, I will inform Captain Grey that you have been asking after him. He has a training exercise coming up. I'll be sure to see he is prepared for all eventualities and made aware of your intentions."

Taylor looked up and smiled.

"Thank you."

"I cannot order him to help you nor deploy to you, but I will cover for him if he chooses to come to your aid."

He nodded in appreciation, as he knew that was a long step over the line for the Commander.

"Good day, Gentlemen, and good luck. You'll need it."

With that, he left the room. Taylor looked back to Dupont and couldn't believe for a moment that they were now in a room working with one another. Two men who had grown to detest the sight of one another, and yet now worked as one."

"Colonel, I won't lie to you. I cannot take this information I have to the Alliance without some solid proof. Neither can I authorise you to enter UEN territory on any grounds. War will be declared in less than five hours. When that happens, you will stand little chance of getting your hands on the Councillor. If he truly is a Krys agent, it could change everything."

"What would you have me do?"

"I will not command you to do anything. I cannot, and neither can I authorise any mission within UEN territory while we are at peace. However, if an American officer were to do so of his own volition, whether you succeed or fail, there would be no repercussions, except against yourself, of course."

"America may not be in this war yet, but we will be, and when we do join, I want a fighting chance."

"Colonel, your marines may use the facilities of this base; food, ammunition, and anything else you need, beyond that you are on your own. When and if you step over the border into UEN territory, you will remain on your own. We cannot provide assistance, and we cannot come for you should you or any of your troops be captured."

"What are they gonna do, put us in a cell? In the wars, we fought behind enemy lines where to be captured meant certain death. This'll be a walk in the park compared to that."

"Then I pray you can bring Armand back to us. Once war is declared, he will be considered an enemy of the state, and we can pursue interrogation to the full extent of our law."

"I'll bring the bastard back here, or die trying. I'll need a ship; something civilian that isn't going to attract attention. Something with British identity would be ideal."

"You'll have it."

"I need it now."

"One hour, and I'll have something for you."

He nodded in appreciation.

"You know I was wrong about you, Colonel. Your insubordination and lack of respect for authority led me to detest you, but now I understand it. You are a man born to fight, born to win wars. You are in your element at this very point, and there is not a man I would trust more to take on such a task."

"Thank you, General, and you're still a son of a bitch, but at least you're on the right side."

He left the room. As he walked out of the building, he snatched his rifle from the MP who was waiting with it. Taylor's private comms was ringing in his ear. He lifted his Mappad and answered the call. He realised it was coming in from HQ, but his finger had already touched the button to accept the call. General White's face was projected before him, and he continued walking back to his comrades. White looked confused and angry at the same time.

"Taylor? The Deveron emergency beacon has been activated from a location within Belgium, and I'm getting some intel that she was shot down. The ship is unreachable. Last time we spoke, you were aboard the ship and in Brussels. Explain to me what the hell is going on out there."

"It's a little difficult to explain, Sir."

"Difficult? Looks like half the World is going to shit, and you're out there acting like a cowboy, and getting caught up in just about everything you could be. It wouldn't be such a leap to make to assume you were at the centre and cause of all this!"

"I think that's a bit of a bit assumption to make, General."

"Well, it's all I can do when I can barely reach you, and you’re a fucking hurricane of shit!"

It wasn't a pleasant comment, and he didn't know how to respond.

"Where are you now?"

"Sorry, Sir, but I can't say."

"Can't say? Who the hell do you think..."

"Sir, you'll just have to trust me on this one."

"Enough of this bullshit, Taylor. You're finished. I don't give a goddamn where you are, but you're gonna find the first civilian transport you can and get yourself Stateside before the day is through. You will report directly to me, so we can get some idea of what the hell’s going on. You've really screwed the pooch on this one, Mitch. Don't expect to be holding onto your command when you get back."

"What command, Sir? I lost that a long time ago when you made me the poster boy for the Corps and had me shuffled around the country pandering to crowds and killing for sport."

White seemed taken aback by his retort and stunned for a moment.

"You just get your ass back here."

"Negative, Sir. I've got a job to do and a responsibility to all those I fought for during the war."

"Don't screw your career any further, Mitch. You're already walking a fine line here."

"Career? Look at the news, Sir. We're way past this. Trouble is on our doorstep, and you’re pissing about over some insubordination charges? I'm gonna do exactly what I have to do and need to do, and no less."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"The World is in far greater danger than you realise, General. I have an opportunity which could make a difference, that could save us from something terrible, and I'm gonna take it."

White opened his mouth to speak, but Taylor simply cut the transmission off. He knew he couldn’t explain any of it over an open channel, and he was bored of arguing. He knew now that even if he survived, he'd lose everything if the mission failed, but it was more important than any of it.

He reached the landing pad and found his comrades exactly where he had left them, except for Hughes. He looked to Waters for an answer.

"Gone to medical," he quickly answered before Taylor could open his mouth.

The rest of them were waiting for some explanation of what was going on, as only Jafar and Waters had any clue of the actions and revelations of the last few days.

"All right, listen up. Councillor Armand, you might have seen him on TV. He's a Krys agent, one of many, but the only one I know of for sure. We need him. He could well be the key to surviving whatever plan they have next to take this planet which we fought so hard for. He is the evidence of these enemy agents. Without him, they won’t be able to operate among us without check."

"Let's nail the bastard then," replied Silva.

"We need him certainly, alive if at all possible, but here's the kicker, he's deep within UEN territory, exact location unknown at present. Despite what you did for me earlier today, we cannot fly military ships over the border and expect to be left alone to do what we need to do. I've got a bird coming, no idea what or how big, but it'll have to do. "

"You expect us to fly to war in some random piece of junk?" Rains asked.

"I expect you to improvise and overcome. This is what we have to do, so this is what we'll manage with."

"What sort of window do we have to find this guy?" asked Silva.

"Five hours."

"From when we get the ship?"

He shook his head.

"No such luck. I didn't say this would be an easy mission, but when do we ever get the easy ones? Our task is to find Armand, capture him, and bring him back to Meaux. That's it."

"Support?"

"Grey is being notified of our situation, Parker, but even if he does join our cause, he isn't gonna get here quickly. After we're over the border, we are on our own. No reinforcements, no support, and if we get trapped or captured out there, we're on our own."

"What do you mean trapped, Sir? It's only over the border."

He took a deep breath before the revelation that he was still trying to take in.

"We have five hours because that is the time frame before war is declared by the Alliance against UEN. Either way, we'll be foreign soldiers on sovereign soil. If we're assumed to be with the Alliance after that time, we'll be enemy combatants."

“And getting this guy is really as important as you say?”

“Absolutely, Parker.”

“And we’re the only chance of getting him before all this kicks off?” asked Silva.

“Yes. Now I have to say, anyone who wants out, leave now because once this kicks off, I need to know who I can depend on.”

None responded, but he looked to Waters. He was not one of them.

“You’re not a rifleman. I don’t expect you be a part of this.”

“I’m a part of this now. I’m no marine, but I’m one more fighter than you’ve currently got.”

“Well, all right then.”

All in. It’s a start.

“Okay, I’m off to chase a few contacts and get a line on where we can find this Armand bastard. For those of you who don’t know, he killed Tsengal, or had him killed at least. There’s nothing I’d rather do than to ring his neck, but that is not what we are going to do. Alive at any cost! He’ll suffer plenty worse in the long run, anyway. We leave as soon as our ride arrives. I suggest you use the time to gather any ammunition you can and get some chow!”

They split up to go about their business. Taylor wanted nothing more than to rest his aching body. He walked over to the shade by a small storage building, slumping there on the hard ground. He took off his helmet and put it down as he stretched out his legs. Parker was approaching. She kicked his feet until he looked up at her.

“Days ago you were bitching about having to fight a few Mechs. Now you’re leading troops in to fight in combat, and against humans no less. What changed?”

“We have a reason to fight. Not for entertainment or recruitment, or any of that shit. But a reason like we had back in the wars.”

“But it’s not, is it? You can dress it up all you like, but then we had ironclad aliens coming at us. It was kill or be killed. But now the enemy is human.”

“Or it looks human.”

“When this starts, we’re gonna be fighting humans, and you know it. Both these Krys agents and others who are little more than misguided.”

“What do you want from me?

“To know what you want out of all this? Where are you going with it?”

He had to think about it for a moment.

“Wherever I have to for the survival of our people.”

“But what does that mean for you? As soon as we won peace, you looked for another war. What are you fighting to achieve?”

“To fight for everyone else, I guess.”

“And what about us?”

“We’ll just have to wait. Let’s not forget we signed up for this, both of us.”

She couldn’t argue with that, but she wanted to. She sat down beside him, and it was at least a relief for both of them to enjoy a peaceful moment together. A few minutes later that peace was broken. Silva threw down a box of ammunition before them.

“Load up,” he ordered.

From any other NCO, Taylor would have taken it as an insult, but he nodded in gratitude. As he loaded his magazines, Rains strolled over, still looking uncomfortable and unimpressed.

“See that bird?” he asked. “One of the finest flying machines the World has ever known, and you want me to leave her on the ground and take God knows what to war?”

“That about covers it, yeah,” replied Taylor.

As he said it, dust kicked up around them, and an aircraft descended. Rains looked around, and his shoulders slumped.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

The craft was at least forty years old and had clearly been used for tourism, as the signs of the tour operator were still partially in tact along the fuselage.

“Come on, Colonel,” pleaded Eddie. “I’ve flown you to hell and back, but all I ask is you don’t make me fly a coffin.”

The craft came to a rough landing, but the undercarriage held firm. The pilot stepped out and strutted up to the Colonel to address him. Taylor was speechless as the man opened his mouth.

“She doesn’t look like much, Colonel, but she’ll get you across the border and won’t attract any attention. She’s called Adrienne, and she’s been travelling northern Europe for decades.”

“No shit,” Eddie added.

“I know the owner, Sir. He says you can depend on her.”

“To do what, give us a quick death?”

“All right, Rains,” said Taylor, leaping up to the delivery pilot. “Thank you, we’ll take her.”

The man left as quickly on foot as he had arrived by air, but it wasn’t the last he had heard of Rains.

“Come on, Mitch, I’m all up for this, but in that heap of junk? It’s suicide!”

“Yeah, well, we’ve been through worse and made it out.”

“But…”

“But nothing!” he yelled.

Rains was silenced and surprised at his sharp response.

“I know this sucks, but we’re on the clock here, and this is our only chance. I asked you twice if you wanted to leave, and I’ll only ask once more. We’re gonna have to go through a whole load of crazy before this is over, so this is the last time, are you with me?”

He looked to Rains who turned and gave the ship another once over. He paced up to it. They were all silent, watching him run his hand down the bow of the ship. It was twice the size of one of their copters and obviously a clumsy beast.

“It has a little charm, at least,” he replied.

Taylor smiled. He knew the hard sell had been made.

“Right then, load up. We’re moving out!”