Nick Thomas - Battle Earth III

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.