Nick Thomas - Battle Earth IV

“Surely not our problem to sort out?”

“Maybe so, but I’d rather have the pick of it before we get dumped on some civilian liner and sent up into enemy territory. Phillips promised me he’d sort it, and I want to make sure he has kept his word. Follow me.”

Half an hour later they stood at their former landing zone in Reims. Rains and Kato were desperately trying to salvage parts from the wreckage they had recovered to use as a donor for the last copter. Rains noticed them approaching and spoke out as he continued to use a power wrench.

“Shame you couldn’t get us some of those shiny new rides.”

Chandra smiled as they heard a large ship approaching their positions.

They looked up to the sky to see an Achilles class vessel roar into view and come in to land. It was large enough to almost completely fill the landing zone from where they had been operational.

“You might be careful what you wish for,” replied Chandra.

The vessel descended to the ground, and Taylor could make out the name, Deveron.

“Reyes’ ship, what’s it doing here?” he asked.

A ramp lowered from the vessel, and an officer stepped out to greet them. Taylor had seen him before but had never shared words.

“Lieutenant Ryan at your service.”

“Welcome to Reims, Lieutenant,” replied Chandra.

“I am sorry to hear of the loss of your Captain, he was a good man,” Taylor added.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Major, the Deveron has been assigned to our Battalion as long range transport for the foreseeable future, along with three other Achilles class frigates.”

Taylor stepped around the Lieutenant and peered down the hull of the ship. He recognised the name, but much of the rest was new to him.

“Some refit, hey, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, Sir, we’ve been given new engines, new weapons, things I’ve never seen in my life.”

Eddie strolled up to their positions.

“Looks like someone has taken my improvements to a larger scale.”

“Are you Lieutenant Rains?”

“One and only,” he replied.

“We are carrying two new Eagle HVs which are to be delivered to you.”

Eddie turned in shock as he raised an eyebrow in astonishment.

“Taylor, who’s ass have you kissed to get us such treatment?”

Before they could marvel at the technology any further, a jeep drew up beside them. The driver leapt out within a second of it drawing to a halt.

“Colonel Chandra?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Orders from Commander Phillips, you and Major Taylor are to assemble at briefing shelter A at 1100 hours.”

“Why did this not get relayed via comms?” she asked.

“The Commander asked me to relay the order personally, and for your ears only, Ma’am.”

“Alright, thank you, you can be on your way.”

As the jeep pulled away, she looked down at her watch to see there was little time before they were to be summoned.

“We were supposed to have another day,” said Taylor.

“When does anything work to the schedule we need?” she responded. “Come on, I’m eager to see what is in store for us.”

Chandra and Taylor stepped into the briefing shelter with just seconds to spare. Several dozen other officers awaited the Commander to start. They barely recognised anyone in the room. It was a stark reminder of how much they had lost in the war. A door towards the front of the room opened, and General Schulz stepped through with several of his staff. Nobody was even aware that he had arrived in the city, but they all understood it meant there was a matter of great importance.

“Welcome all of you. A new operation is about to begin which will see you all tested to your sheer limits. We drove the enemy from this planet, and yet we have not driven them from human territory. As long as the enemy remain on the Moon, humanity is in danger. Tomorrow we launch the greatest military operation outside of Earth boundaries that has ever taken place in human history.”

Several gasps rang out. Taylor could see that there was a mix of officers from around the world, including several Americans.

“Schulz has been gathering forces here, and we didn’t even know it,” he whispered.

“It’s as good a place as any,” replied Chandra.

“I’d like to introduce you all to Commander Kelly, the former military leader of the Moon colony forces.”

Schulz ushered the Commander up to take a seat beside him.

“The Commander’s efforts in defending his colony and keeping his people safe are to be commended. It is only natural that he would want a stake in this new enterprise to free the lands he calls home.”

The officers around the room clapped Kelly as he took to the stage beside the General. Schulz called quiet and tapped a few buttons before him which displayed their solar system behind him.

“If we are to fight a war outside of Earth’s boundaries, we need a foothold in space, one which we no longer have. The L2 station is by far our best option. We know the enemy occupy the station but are unsure of their exact strength. Tomorrow you will depart for L2 and take it with a rapid strike before they can bolster their forces. It is vital that we gain this position in order to continue to the Lunar colony.”

“I am hearing a lot of unknowns here,” whispered Taylor.

“What do you expect? We lost everything outside of this atmosphere,” replied Chandra.

“Between you all, you can field approximately six thousand troops and will make up the initial raid to take L2 in what is to be known as Operation Phoenix.”

Chandra smiled.

“He’s pretty confident of victory, then?” she whispered.

“I fucking hope so, or it’ll be our asses left for dead up there,” replied Taylor.

Taylor slumped into bed after a half day of planning for the operation. He was exhausted from seemingly doing nothing but sitting and listening. Just a few minutes after lying down alone, there was a knock on the door. He knew Parker wouldn’t have stopped at the door.

“Come!” he called as he sat up.

To Taylor’s surprise it was Commander Kelly who stepped through. He was alone, and it put Mitch’s guard up. His hand instinctively closed towards his pistol, but he stopped short of taking the grip in hand.

“I didn’t come to squabble, Major.”

Taylor looked down at his hand held next to the pistol like an old gunslinger.

“You’ll forgive me, Commander. Our last meeting was not a friendly one.”

“Appreciated, and I want that resolved. Tomorrow we go to war together. Schulz may still be in command, but you will also be accountable to me. Will that be a problem?”

“Not unless you try and get me and mine killed.”

“The General tells me that you volunteered for this offensive, is that correct?”

Taylor nodded.

“It means a lot. My soldiers believed you only interested in Earth. It will go a long way to mending fences with them to see you join our side.”

“I was never not on your side, but I had my orders just like everyone else.”

“And you always follow them?” he replied.

Taylor smiled. “I’m sorry we left you to fend for yourselves, and I am sorry we could not help further. What more do you want me to say?”

“Nothing, that is quite enough. You’re a hero here on Earth, so take your place among us as the same. If you can be half the soldier you have been through this war, then we’d be foolish not to have you with us.”

Taylor nodded in agreement.

“That’ll be all. Good luck tomorrow, and thank you for joining us.”

“And to you, Sir. It will be an honour to serve with you.”

“Good morning to you all!” shouted Chandra.

She stood before the Battalion formed up in front of the four Achilles frigates. Their assault copters were loaded, and everything was ready for their departure. The ground was quiet now as they all awaited the final order to depart.