Battle Earth: 12 (13 page)

"What can I do for you?" Taylor asked, pulled a chair up beside him, and pointed for her to take a seat, but she stopped before him and remained standing.

"You're going to leave those people down there?"

Taylor shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't lie to me. I deserve better. You're going on a mission to where people are being held prisoner, slaves. Forced to fight for their pleasure. You know it's going on, but you're going turn the other cheek and leave them to rot. Shame on you!"

She was absolutely irate, and yet she wasn't wrong. He reached up and physically forced her down into the seat beside him and whispered back.

"Who told you this? This is vital mission information that should not have passed into your hands."

"It's doesn't matter how I got it. What matters, is you leaving those people to die. How could you? How could you leave them?"

Taylor shrugged. "It's just too dangerous, for us all."

"Too dangerous? That is not the Taylor I used to know, and not the friend Charlie loved so much. You know what he'd think of you if he was still alive?"

"He'd understand."

"No. He'd find a way, and so would you have. What's happened to you, Colonel? You used to care enough that you'd do anything to help those in need."

"I'm sorry, but I have to think about the safety of all of us, and not just those prisoners."

"The Taylor I used to know would do both. It is a sad day that you would shy away from helping our people."

"You have to understand, this is the best course of action for all of us."

He reached in to wrap his arms around her. She tried to resist and smacked him several times to the chest with hard strikes from the side of her hand, but he still pulled her in close as she began to cry.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled through her tears, "Just imagine if that were Jones in that prison. What would you do, then?" She was still wrapped in his arms with her head buried into his shoulder. Finally, she pulled back wiping the tears from her eyes and began to calm down.

"What would you do, then? Would you leave him there?"

Taylor shook his head. "Not a chance."

"Whoever is being held in those prisons, don't you think there are people out there who care about them as much as we did about Jones, and how much you care about all of these people?" she asked and pointed around the room, "They deserve your help the same as the rest of us. I don't care what your orders are; you have always found a way to do the right thing. Please don't stop now. Charlie admired you for your devotion to those you cared for. Do it for him."

He looked over to Morris. He had heard most of what she had said.

"She's not wrong," he replied.

"Twenty minutes ago you were saying we couldn't take the risk."

"Maybe so, but a pretty face can change a man's mind."

"Ain't that the truth," King joined in.

Taylor shook his head in amazement.

"So you two will back me up on this?"

Morris nodded.

"I don't even know the mission yet. But given the choice of rescuing a load of our own, and not, you know where I stand."

Taylor sighed.

"Damn it, I should have listened to my gut."

"If we can't do everything to help save our own people, what is it all for?" asked Coco, "And you know what Eli would say."

He thought he could almost hear her then.

"This is gonna piss a few people off. Our allies among others," said Morris.

"Shit, well they'll just have to live with it," said Taylor. He looked to Coco. "You have my word that I will do everything I can to get those people out, everything."

"Thank you, Colonel. Now if I may, I must rest."

He helped her to her feet, and she was on her way.

"That's one strong-willed woman," said Morris.

"Damn right."

"So what are you gonna do now?"

"I'm gonna say how it's gonna be."

"So much for not meddling."

Taylor leapt to his feet and stormed back to the HQ building. Only Jafar followed him this time. He was ushered through into the operations room where he found General White alone. He was going over maps, and a few assistants were working in the background.

"Back so soon?" he asked.

"Get me a line to the Admiral."

White didn't question the request even though it was rather forceful. A video call opened before them to the bridge of the Diderot. Lasure was on the bridge and turned in surprise to see Taylor on screen.

"How can we help you, Colonel?" he asked.

"I thought I could let this go. I thought I could leave our people to suffer to keep us safe, but I can't, Admiral. A good friend of mine just reminded me what it is that makes us human, and keeps us human. I am sick of being the hunted. I am sick of leaving people behind."

"We've already discussed this matter, Colonel."

"I don't think you're hearing me, Sir. We're going to get those people out, and there's not one among my Regiment who would disagree with that decision, as I am sure the rest of the fleet will agree. We've had to compromise a lot in this war, and we've had to give up a lot. It's time that came to an end."

Lasure didn't know what to say. He looked around the crew on the bridge of his own ship, and they clearly were in support of Taylor.

"Do you think it can be done?" Lasure finally asked him.

"We have a chance. I know that."

"And the risk of losing it all?"

"Sometimes the risk is worth taking."

"Then you have my approval, Colonel. General White, please see that our allies are informed of the change in plan, and be sure they are ready to assist. Lasure out."

White looked at Taylor with utter amazement.

"How on Earth did you just manage that?"

"I appealed to his humanity. It's what we've got left, and can never be taken from us while we still draw breath, and that's why we're going after those prisoners - our humanity."

Taylor allowed himself to slip into a dream world inhabited with the fond memories he had of Parker. The R&R seemed to pass quickly as he spent much of it sleeping to rest up. He was aboard the Baron once again now and still dreaming of her when he heard his name being called over and over. Suddenly he felt something strike his helmet, and he snapped back to reality to find Rains had just given him a good smack.

“Still with us?” he asked as Taylor came around.

“Unfortunately,” he replied.

Rains sat down beside him on benches in the docking bay of the frigate.

“Finally feels like we’re at the beginning of the end, doesn’t it, Mitch?”

“That a good thing?”

“It is if we win.”

“Any particular reason you’ve picked this time to come and annoy me, Eddie?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“All right, Eddie. No, it doesn’t feel like the beginning of the end. You know why? Because we’re still not back on Earth for good, we haven’t freed the however many thousands, maybe even millions of people enslaved there, and Erdogan still lives. So no, it doesn’t feel like that at all.”

But Eddie wouldn’t be swayed.

“Come on, you miserable bastard. It wasn’t so long ago that we thought it was over, and now look at us. On the road again and hitting Erdogan where it hurts.”

“You’re positivity is outstanding. I’m just not sure it’s grounded in any facts,” replied Taylor.

“And yet he’s right,” Morris said, “Stay the course. You’ve held us all together this far. We need you to the very end.”

“I’ll be here to the very end. I just wish so many of our friends could have been. Jones, Chandra, Friday. We’ve sacrificed and lost too much to lose now,” he said.

He looked at his watch.

Fifteen minutes to go.

It was that awful wait before a big event, compounded by the fact they were never certain what they’d encounter on the other side of the gateway, no matter how much surveillance had been carried out. He looked out across the deck and the four copters waiting to go. Close to half their Regiment was waiting to embark for the assault. He knew that to call themselves a regiment was far fetched at best, but he still like the way it sounded, even if they were an independent company in reality. He liked to feel they did the work of a regiment.

He looked about the deck to see that half the faces were trained on him, waiting and hoping for some words of encouragement. He didn’t feel enthusiastic at all, but then he turned his thoughts to Coco’s words, and it inspired him to get to his feet. He looked at each and every one of them. There were so few left of those he had begun with at the start of the first war. But there was not a rookie amongst them.

“Thank you! Thank you for your continued support and confidence. You’ve never faltered or failed me, or the cause. You are the reason I am still alive and fighting today.
 
We are about to embark on the biggest operation since we left Earth. Over ten thousand personnel, including five thousand ground troops and the largest fleet commitment we’ve ever mustered. This operation began as a hit and run attack, but has evolved into a complex operation the likes of which we never dreamed we’d ever experience again!”

He looked to Irala, or the projection of him at least.

“Our allies have given us an opportunity to win the victory that was stolen from us. Humans were born to live on Earth, and Earth is where we shall live, but until that time comes, we must preserve human life, wherever it is. We have selected ten targets for this operation. They will be hit simultaneously in order to maintain the element of surprise and create mass confusion and a division of enemy resources.”

He took a deep breath.

“What you may not know is the reason for the escalation of this operation. There are humans at these locations. Imprisoned and made to work as slaves. Worse still, they are being forced into fights to the death for the enemy’s pleasure and entertainment. I cannot tell you how many of our own we expect to find, but every single one that we get out of there is a victory in itself.”

He could see the amazement in the faces of them all, but it soon turned to hope as they realised the chance they now had.

“We could come out of this with a few dozen POWs, a few hundred, or even a few thousand. We’ve got plenty of transports waiting to jump in to deal with whatever capacity we need. Once we hit the ground, we’ll likely have a one-hour window. So let’s do this. Let’s get our people out of there!”

There was deadly silence while they all contemplated what they were facing, and stayed silent as they waited for the countdown. Finally, they were given the ninety-second countdown over the tannoy.

“All right, people, let’s load up!”

The tone was solemn as they emplaned ready to begin the operation, and Taylor took his seat beside the cockpit as Rains climbed aboard.

“You know, Taylor, I don’t how you are still alive after all you have been through. But what amazes me further is that I’m still here to fly you. You know what the odds are of me surviving all the bat shit crazy missions you get me in on?”

“What?”

“Zero, man, the odds are not in my favour anymore. Whatever power protects you, I ain’t got. I don’t know how many more of these missions I’ve got in me.”

“Told you before, Eddie, you’ll outlive us all.”

“Yeah? What gives you that idea? Your friends don’t seem to last all that long.”

“You’re one of them, and you’re still here.”

Rains shook his head as the final ten-second countdown began.

“Promise me one thing, Taylor.”

“Anything.”

“Promise you’ll never leave me to them. I always come back home, or I don’t come back at all, got it?”

Taylor was shocked to hear it. It was the most sincere and serious Rains had ever been.

“You got it.”

“Three…two…one…jump.”

Taylor and Rains watched the scanners in the cockpit. It was a tense moment, waiting to see what they would come up against.

“Anything?” Taylor asked.

“We’ve got…shit…incoming!”

Taylor looked to the screens. Two large enemy vessels and fighter wings were on an intercept course.

“Guess they’re getting a bit bored of us pissing in their back yard!” Rains yelled.

“It’s our yard, and we want it back,” replied Taylor casually.

The docking bay doors opened, and natural light flooded into the cockpit. The beautiful sight of Earth greeted them.

“Magnificent, every time,” said Taylor.

“What do you want me to do? Some heavy shit out there.”

“Stick to the plan. We go in!”

Rains put the power down, and they soared out from the hull of the Baron. As they made it out, Taylor studied every video feed on the screens around the cockpit. He could see beams firing from the Aranui vessels, and the Diderot’s guns lit the ship up from bow to stern. Pulses from the enemy vessels were already pounding the friendly vessels.

“I sure hope they can handle themselves. They’re our ride out of here,” said Rains.

A wing of a dozen enemy fighters was closing fast, but they could see the Baron and her support vessels were closing on an intercept course and had already opened fire.

“Should have a clear run at it from here,” said Rains.

“Good.”

“Volgograd, never been there.”

“Me neither, Eddie, can’t say I ever wanted to.”

They were into the atmosphere in less than three minutes of arriving in the Solar System and soaring towards their targets. On the scanners they could see dozens of other copters and heavy support craft on their flanks, and they knew there were many more out of scanner range.

“Never thought I’d see it again,” said Rains.

“What?”

“A full on assault. No pissing about, no guerrilla attacks. We’re finally back to the big leagues,” he stated as they watched dozens of their capitol ships duke it out with the Mech vessels defending the world.

“Let’s see how they feel, hey? See how they like it.”

As they got into orbit, they could see some of their allied fighters already cutting a path through enemy ships that had scrambled to oppose them, but it was too late.

“Jump was perfect. We’re three minutes out from the target.”

As he said it, they could see one of the enemy vessels get through their wing of fighters ahead, and Eddie was quick to target it with the nose gun.

“Time for payback.”

He squeezed the trigger. The first few shots went wide, but he kept his finger down and simply directed the tracer fire towards the enemy ship. Several of the rounds smashed into the lower hull of the craft and tore off several of the guns fitted there, but it soon banked to make a pass and rushed past them. They looked back to the screens. It was banking hard at their rear and coming around for another pass.

“Sixty seconds out! He’s coming up fast!”

Taylor took one last look at the screens before rushing to the side door where the enemy ship would soon fly past. He hit the door release and felt the turbulence as air rushed in. He raised his rifle and watched the enemy craft begin firing as it came for another pass. He took aim as it came up beside them and was about to pull the trigger when he heard Eddie yell.

“Incoming!”

Rains banked hard, and the pulse from the anti-aircraft battery below missed them by centimetres and just scorched one of the side doors. The marines were thrown about.

“Whoa, that was close!”

He looked back with a smile, but Taylor had disappeared. Jafar rushed to the doorway to just make out Taylor falling to the ground a way back.

“Oh, shit,” said Rains.

Jafar leapt out without any further hesitation, though they had already covered considerable ground by the time he had gotten out the door.

“Bring us around!” Silva shouted.

“I can’t. We have our orders!”

“You want to be responsible for getting the Colonel killed?” Silva shouted.

“Hell, no!”

Taylor felt his thrusters kick in, but he was stunned. He remembered hitting something hard on his way out of the door and was just about coming to when he felt the ground beneath him. The thrusters landed him safely, but his legs gave out from under him immediately, and he collapsed like timber on the light snow beneath him. He felt his helmet crash into the hard surface of concrete beneath the light smattering of snow before he finally came to a standstill.

The impact on his head was enough to wake him up, despite the fact it sent pain surging through his neck and down his spine. He groaned as he put his hands out and pushed himself up until he was kneeling. The first thing he noticed was blood in front of him – human blood. It was not his, but it glowed on the surface of the snow. He looked up to see three humans.

One was cut and bleeding badly, one wore a dirty and torn set of fatigues, and another had nothing but a pair of ripped jeans. The third was a young woman who looked scrawnier than any of them, but she had blue blood splattered over her shoulder. They looked filthy and malnourished. They stared at him with wide eyes and utter astonishment. Each one of them held some type of close combat weapon. One had a spear, another a half-metre long short sword, and the third a metal ball ended mace. The weapons looked as if made with crude blacksmithing skills.

“Taylor,” one of the men whispered.

He was in utter shock and had no idea what he was looking at. He looked past them and could see a two-metre high wall, and crowds of Krys sitting above them. It all made sense to him now. He pushed off on his right leg and stood up straight. He turned to see that he had landed almost dead centre in the arena. Hundreds, if not thousands of the aliens packed out the tiered seating around them.

One Krys lay dead at the side of the arena with a trail of blue blood leading up to him. More than a dozen human bodies were scattered about the floor. He stopped to look at the creature standing opposite the three humans. It didn’t wear the Mech armoured suits he was familiar with.