Battle Earth II (20 page)

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“Sir, you think this is going to work?” asked Lewis.

The comms officer watched as his Commander pulled on his dusty armour once again. Kelly shook his head, not knowing how to answer.

“You must have some faith in the plan, Sir?”

Kelly strapped the armour down and rested back again a desk. He looked up at the young officer.

“I can’t say with any certainty, none of us can. What I can tell you is that we will choose the battleground for this fight. If we die, it will be on our own terms on our own soil, and not skulking down here waiting for those bastards to break down the door.”

Martinez came from the conference room where he’d relayed the Commander’s plans to the other officers.

“Sir, we’re ready to go, but...”

“But what, Captain?”

“Well, Sir, I don’t think you should be in this fight, Sir. You’re our leader, and an asset we cannot afford to lose.”

“We cannot afford to lose any asset. I will fight alongside those who I ask to fight for us.”

Martinez nodded. He understood it was no use arguing further. Kelly could see some excitement in the man’s eyes. They were advancing to face a most deadly enemy, but he knew the Captain believed as he did, that it was better to face them than to wait to die in the pits they had been forced to live in.

“Have all the orders been issued?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Communication reels issued?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good, it’ll be chaos once we get up on the surface, so we’ll need to stay in contact. Lewis, you’ll be managing communications through the exchange. If any lines fall, you will have to send out runners. I have already allocated three to you.”

He pointed down to two boys and a girl. None of them could be much more than fourteen years old. Lewis opened his mouth to question the responsibility and risk being placed upon them, but Kelly’s glare stopped him.

“Everyone must play their part. They can die just the same as the rest of us, so let them have their chance to help save themselves.”

Martinez strode up to the three runners and patted one of them on the head. Lewis recognised that it was the Captain’s son. It was yet another sign of how desperate their times were. He turned to Kelly as the Commander picked up his grenade launcher.

“Sir, if you were to fall?” Lewis asked.

“In the event of that occasion, Martinez will receive an automatic field promotion to take over my command. Be sure that is noted.”

He turned to the Captain.

“You may not be the highest ranking, but you would be the best man for the job.”

Martinez nodded as he considered the tragic circumstances which would have to arise for him to receive such a promotion, and the horrific responsibility that would come with it.

“Send out the word. We advance immediately.”

He slung his weapon over his shoulder and took to a quick stride out of the room with Martinez close behind.

 “How many troops do we have, Captain?”

“Under our personal command?”

Kelly nodded.

“A little over two hundred, Sir. Captain Morris and Lieutenant Perera will be accompanying us. The other companies will approach as ordered.”

“Good.”

“Sir, why the Parliament building? It means nothing to the enemy.”

“But it means something to us, Captain. It’s been the symbol of our government since the colony was established here. It’s as good a place as any to take the fight to the enemy.”

“You think we can take and hold ground against them?”

“I reckon so, yes. Did you put out the order for masks to stay on at all times?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good, a breach is more than likely when this battle gets underway.”

They walked through the colony tunnels passing hundreds of civilians who lined almost every passageway. Nobody cheered them on. They watched the bleak journey of the troops who marched to what could likely be a quick and brutal butchering.

“There is little hope left in them,” said Martinez.

“Can you blame them?” replied Kelly.

“Do you believe there is any hope for us?”

“Of course. Humanity has lasted this long, so we could well weather it.”

“I didn’t mean our race, Sir. I meant us, our colony, and our people.”

Kelly turned to look at the Captain as they continued through the corridors. The Commander’s eyes told him everything he needed to know. They all knew there never much hope once they had fled below the surface.

Ten minutes later they reached the access shaft. It would take them up into the basement of the parliament building via the Prime Minister’s underground bunker. It was the most robust building of any on the colony, and it could only be accessed by Kelly and a handful of other officials. They reached the lower entrance to the bunker, and Kelly activated the doors with the retinal scanner and key code.

The vast doors prized apart, not having been opened in decades. The command centre itself was still fully lit but abandoned. After the attack on the building during the first day of the invasion, the Commander had thought it prudent to avoid any further usage of the facility. They passed through the centre with the other two units at their backs.

A broad and long flight of stairs led up to the surface. As they reached the very top, Kelly lifted up his hand for the column to stop. He waited a moment for the sound of the troops to silence, and then moved cautiously towards the security doors that opened out into the parliament structure. They were hidden to anyone on the inside, but mirrored windows allowed vision from the stairwell.

Kelly peered in through the glass with Martinez at his side. They looked into a storage room that was still lit like most of the building. There was no sign of movement. Huge transport cases and shelving were stacked through the room, but there was plenty of space to move. He drew back and nodded to Martinez. Kelly reached for the keypad and punched in the code. The doors opened and they went in.

It was eerily silent, so much so that Kelly couldn’t believe they could get off so lightly. He lifted up his weapon in readiness, but the others didn’t sense any threat. Two dozen of the soldiers poured into the room with many more following. As they got a third of the way in, they were halted by the shock of two Mechs arriving at the archway at the far end.  

“Cover!” yelled Kelly.

He fired a grenade from his weapon and leapt for shelter. The shell missed, but it was quickly followed up by others from his company. The Mech pulse weapons surged balls of fire down the room as they all jumped for cover. The first two enemy soldiers were quickly blown apart but more flooded in.

Pulses of enemy fire filled the room as more of the creatures poured in. Kelly leapt up to fire but saw one of the enemy weapons trained on his position. He quickly ducked back down as the pulse blasted though the crate above him. It crashed into six of the soldiers at the top of the stairs. Four were killed instantly, and the other two were tossed aside.

The intensity of gunfire increased as more and more of the Commander’s men got a foothold and lay down a blanket of fire. He knew that if they were to make any progress, they had to get out of the room. Once again he lifted himself up and brought his weapon to bear. He fired quickly as rifle and grenade fire smashed into the Mechs’ position, obliterating the last of them.

It was silent once again, and the troops stared at the fallen creatures. There were a dozen dead Mechs littering the entrance. Kelly looked around to see that they had taken more than double the casualties themselves.

“What do we do, Sir?” asked Martinez.

Kelly was momentarily stunned. He had just led many fine men and women to their deaths. It had to be done, he told himself. He believed in his actions, but he also knew that the responsibility for every life would fall on him. He turned to him with a surprised tone.

“Advance, there will be many more casualties in this war before we see an end to it, Captain. I want the access corridors to the building secured and defended immediately, and the Parliament swept for the enemy.”

Martinez turned back to the troops. Many looked in horror at the devastation around them, but they regained focus upon the officer’s shout.

“We’ve got a job to do! Let’s move!” he barked.

The Moon defence soldiers poured into the room from the stairway. Each unit looked on with morbid curiosity at the dead enemy and with sadness at their fallen comrades left where they fell.

Kelly and Martinez reached the foyer of the Houses of Parliament. The two led from the front like leaders had not done for many hundreds of years. Martinez could not tell if Kelly did so to inspire his men, or because he no longer cared for his own life. Perhaps it was a combination of these elements. The Commander stopped and called the column to a halt. The two other company commanders quickly reached him.

“This junction feeds every route into the Houses of Parliament. You have your orders. Get to it.”

The two officers nodded and quickly rushed on to set up defensive positions on the routes in.

“It’s time to sweep this place. I want it fast and efficient. No team operates with less than twenty men. NCOs, you have your allocated floors. Move out!”

They quickly broke apart as they swarmed to the various staircases. Kelly spoke to Martinez.

“This will be base command for now. It’s as central as can be and not easy to breach from the air.”

Down the long access corridors they could already hear the rage of gunfire and pulse weapons. The other companies were fighting to gain ground in the surrounding buildings. Kelly knew he had a hell of a fight on his hands. Martinez stepped forward so he could speak privately with the Commander.

“Sir, are you sure you’re ready for these losses? We may do some major damage to those bastards, but what of the price we’ll pay?”

“It is the price of our survival, Captain. I never sought out combat, never wanted to see it. But this has been put on us, and we must deal with it. Don’t be under any illusions, we are going to take heavy losses in the ensuing battle. We only have to hope we can do worse to them.”

Eddie Rains put down the copter on the landing ground just outside Reiter’s research facility. The mood was sad amongst the marines aboard. None of them had faith that the two missing soldiers were alive, except for Taylor. The Major was unwilling to accept that he had lost them yet. He knew that he needed to cling on to whatever hope he had left of seeing his friend again. As they got up to climb out of the aircraft, Sergeant Silva patted the Major on the back in condolence.

“You did everything you could.”

Taylor stopped and turned to the Sergeant who was every bit as good a friend as Jones.

“No, Sergeant, I have barely begun. We are going to get the Captain back if I have to go to hell and back. I didn’t leave Parker behind, and I’ll be damned if I will Jones.”

The Sergeant nodded. He knew there was no point in arguing with the Major. Moreover he liked the enthusiasm and stubbornness that Taylor had always possessed. He took his hand away and walked on. Taylor followed to see that Major Chandra awaited him on the deck. He shook his head, but she already knew from his body language that they had failed.

“I am sorry, Major, sorry we could not do more.”

“Far from it, Taylor, we need you to continue just as you are. General White is waiting for us in the conference room.”

Taylor righted himself and strode forward. A new mission was exactly what he needed to pull himself up from such a dire and miserable mood. Minutes later the two Majors stepped into the room to see two conference calls set up with White and Dupont. Both the General and the Brigadier stared at the exoskeleton suit he wore and the vast weapon slung on his side.

“So this is the new equipment?” asked White.

“Yes, Sir.”

“I hear great things.”

“I’d have provided you a full report, Sir, but urgent matters called.”

“No trouble, Taylor. Major Chandra has already submitted a preliminary combat report to us, and it is all we need to move forward.”

Taylor turned to the Major and gave a quick nod in appreciation of her assistance.

“Major, I am sure you are both now familiar with Brigadier Dupont.”

They turned to see that Commander Phillips was stood off to his side.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Major, you are clearly aware that I have lost all but the last few kilometres of my country. However, I have not yet lost my people. France has been occupied before. We will fight on in this war.”

Taylor turned to White, knowing that he must have something important to say.

“Sir, please cut to the chase.”

“Last time we spoke, Major, I mentioned that the enemy forces were manufacturing something big in France.”

“Yes, Sir,” replied Taylor.

“We already knew they were starting the construction of drones and other hardware. That is a concerning fact, and one which we are trying to counter at all times. However, this is of greater concern.”

A map projected before them. The General tapped a few buttons on his screen and a red box lit up towards the west coast of France.

“Surveillance has shown us that without a doubt a major facility is being constructed not far from Poitiers, as is highlighted on your map. Our experts have identified increasing amounts of highly dangerous radiation in the area.”

“You think they are creating a super weapon?”

“You already saw it coming, Major, as you told me in our last communication. Our scientists say, that based on the information we have, they are creating a contagion and device that will spread their creation across the globe.”

“What kind of device, Sir?”

“You’re asking the wrong man, Major, but that is not important. This structure is a few clicks wide, and it is what will enable them to spread their poison.”

“What are the effects?”

“Death within days. Only those in sealed suits or purpose-built facilities would survive. If they get that weapon active, there will not be enough people left on this planet to fight them off for another day.”

Chandra gasped in horror.

“Have you made any attempt to destroy it, Sir?”

“Taylor, we have launched two air attacks already, and both have failed.”

The Major knew that meant heavy casualties, but it was another tragedy he didn’t want to consider.

“We can’t get troops on the ground, and we can’t get bombers near. Any missiles we direct at them are intercepted.”

Taylor turned away in disbelief and could already see where this was going. His marine unit had been tasked with exactly these kinds of assault missions in the past, but never during serious wartime conditions. He turned back to the two officers.

“You want us to go in?”

“What?” Chandra shouted. “It’s suicide.”

“Possibly, but it is suicide to do nothing anyway,” replied Taylor.

“Major, if this super weapon is allowed to be completed, it will be the end of us all,” said Dupont.

“I don’t doubt it is of the utmost important, Sir, but what are we supposed to do about it?”

“Lieutenant Rains has by now reached you, I assume?” asked White.

“Yes, Sir.”

“The Lieutenant has been working with his crews to not just make his copter fast, but also to blend in. The enemy engine technology he has fitted emits the same signature as the enemy craft. We have additionally fitted it out with their onboard identity transmission signal.”

“You’re saying that ship can blend in behind enemy lines?”

“Up to a point, yes. On any scanners or defence systems the enemy have it will show up as one of theirs, but under visual inspection it will clearly not cut it.”

Taylor turned to Chandra. They both knew that a suicidal mission was being asked of them.

“This vast construction of theirs has been built to withstand a substantial strike from the air. We’re not even sure if our bombers would have done damage if they had got through. We need you to get a device within the complex and strike at its core.”

“You really believe it’s possible, Sir?”

“I believe it’s the best chance we have. Your combined Company has seen more action than most and had more successes than any force its size. You have the best training and new equipment we have to offer. If anyone can do this, it’s you, Major.”

“And if we fail, Sir?”

“Then we will do everything in our power to get the job done. Major, I know I am asking you to undertake a suicidal mission. If I thought there was any other way, I would take it. If you do not succeed, it could well be the end of us all.”

Taylor nodded his head. He knew from their tone at the very beginning they were going to ask such a thing from him. After all their sacrifices it was a tall order, but one he had come to expect. As one of the most successful front line units, the commanders had come to rely on them, no matter the cost.

“I won’t order you to do this, Major. I know what you and your marines have given up already.” He looked to Chandra. “The same goes for you, Major. You’ve both done a damn fine job. But the work is far from over, and I cannot state how vital this mission is to the survival of us all.”

Taylor dipped his head and eye contact from the General. He’d expected to die so many times in the last few days. A suicidal mission seemed little different to any other battle they had faced of late. He looked back up.

“If it needs to be done, we’ll do it.”

The General sighed with relief and nodded in appreciation.

“Should you fail, Major, you will not be forgotten. Your Inter-Allied Company has become a symbol of hope for our forces back home. I only pray you survive long enough to continue to inspire us all.”

“What’s the plan, General?”

“I will pass you over to Brigadier Dupont who will be overseeing the mission, along with Commander Phillips. I needed to know you were on board Major, but now I must focus my efforts on our own soil. Even if you should succeed, we face an uphill battle.”

“Sir, this new equipment,” he asked as he lifted the weapon from his side, “any news on production?”

“The factories are working all out across the world to get it to the front line. You can be assured that it will be with every marine and soldier as quickly as is humanly possible.”

“That’s what worries me. We aren’t facing humans, Sir. We have to raise our game.”

“I hear you, Major, over and out.”

The transmission cut out and they turned to face the Frenchman and Chandra’s commanding officer.

“Firstly, can I thank you both for your hard work. You have shown remarkable courage and ability in the battle for my country.”

“We’re in this together, Sir. The aliens don’t recognise borders or nationalities,” replied Taylor.

Dupont nodded in agreement.

“You will have just one aircraft for this mission as the General has noted. You’ll be limited to just thirty soldiers which you will be allowed to select personally. Major Chandra will stay in charge of the defensive lines at Ramstein. There are substantial re-enforcements heading your way.”

“Appreciate it, Sir,” she replied.

“This operation will take place overnight to allow you maximum protection from visual recognition.”

“You think they don’t have night vision technology, Sir?”

“From the reports I have seen so far, Major, I would say no. For all of the enemy’s advanced technology, they are also arrogant. They have underestimated our strength and resilience.”

“I pray that is the case, Sir,” snapped Taylor.

“I suggest you select your team and then assemble them all here for a briefing in one hour.”

“Affirmative, Sir, out.”

The screen faded to black as Chandra turned to face Taylor. He was still staring at the blank screen.

“Wow, I knew we didn’t have much chance of survival in this war, but I didn’t think they’d be asking you to get your head blown off so soon.”

Taylor chuckled.

“Isn’t it what we’re paid for?”

“Thirty men against a highly defended base?”

“If they didn’t have a plan they thought could work, then they wouldn’t be suggesting it.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time a General has sent his finest to slaughter.”

“You heard the General. If we don’t do this, it’s all over anyway.”

“Then I wish you luck, and I pray for your safe return.”