Battle Earth II (21 page)

* * *

“Company, listen up!” balled Taylor.

They were lying about across the trenches they had fought over so successfully earlier that day. They scrambled to their feet to form up before the Major.

“Thirty men from my platoon and Lieutenant Suarez’s are needed for a special mission. I’m asking for volunteers!”

The first few of the two platoons quickly jumped to their feet and others quickly followed suit. In under a minute the Major had all that he needed. Captain Friday stepped up to his side.

“Mitch, I want to volunteer.”

“I know you do, and I do not doubt that you would go to hell and back with me. But I need you here. Chandra needs capable officers in my absence, and you are my second in command.”

Friday stared into his eyes. He could see the concern in the Major’s eyes.

“You don’t think you’ll be coming back from this one?”

Taylor’s face was blank. He did indeed think it, and his face answered the Captain’s question.

“This is the way it has to be, so please, do as I ask.”

Friday nodded his head in agreement. The last thing he wanted was to lose a friend, but neither would he disobey him. The Major stepped past him and up to Eli, who was one of the first to take to her feet.

“Not this time, Sergeant. We both know you are still not fully healed. I let you back on duty because we needed you here, but I cannot risk you this time,” he whispered.

“That your professional opinion, Sir?”

“I won’t risk everyone I know all at once, it’s too much to lose.”

She knew that meant it likely he would not be coming back. She wanted to say something, but she knew it was neither her place or of any use.

“I need the new equipment for everyone. Get to Reiter and see if you can get another five sets from him, and strip any from the Company to hand over to my volunteers.”

“Got it.”

Friday stepped to the side and out of his line of sight to the troops.

“The volunteers will follow me immediately to the conference room. Everyone else, as you were!”

On the hour, as agreed, the thirty marines stood squeezed in the conference room around the central display table. They waited the call from Dupont. The Major had not given them any insight into their mission, and they had made no attempt to enquire. Taylor could see that they realised it was a mission of great importance. Never before had they been at the initial briefing with key officers. The screen flashed to life, and they were all were captivated, desperately wanting to know more.

“Welcome, Gentlemen, to what could be the most important mission of the war yet. I am Major Dupont, you already know Commander Phillips here. We will be overseeing this task.”

The table that they stood around lit up with a map of France and a lit pointer which the Brigadier was clearly commanding from his end.

“At 0100 hours you will depart for an enemy position near the town of Poitiers, here.”

The men gasped as they were taken aback by the outrageous statement.

“Sir? We’ve not made any headway against this enemy. How are we supposed to get to the other side of France?” asked Sergeant Silva.

“Under the disguise of Lieutenant Rains’ craft. It has been modified to give off all of the signatures and signals of the enemy. He will get you there in one piece. What you need to worry about is your job in all of this.”

Silva shook his head. He’d only heard the first stage of the plan and it was already sounding farfetched.

“You’ll put down here, a secluded spot which is well hidden between an outer blast wall and the main structure of the dome.”

“Sir, I am still failing to see how we can pull this off when we reach the ground,” said Silva.

“Our information shows that the enemy defences are focused on aerial patrols and some kind of defence grid. You should be able pass through both of those without incident.”

“Should?” Silva muttered.

The Brigadier sighed as he tried his best to ignore the comment. He knew what was being asked of the marines and was willing to give them some leeway.

“From this location, you will use tunnelling devices that are currently en route to you. They will get you five metres underground and up inside the dome.”

Taylor nodded as he thought about the plan. It wasn’t as insane as he had first thought.

“That really the easiest way to get in, Sir?” asked Suarez.

“It would appear so. There are no entrances not heavily guarded, and you cannot blast your way in without drawing a lot of attention. From here, you will deploy a nuclear weapon at the central core of the structure. The location is shown here and identified by the strong heat signature.”

They looked down at the overview map. It was clear that the officers in charge had little idea what to expect once they got on the inside.

“The bomb weighs in at one hundred and fifty kilos. I am told that your exoskeleton suits will carry that without issue?”

“Yes, Sir,” replied Taylor.

“Commander Phillips, do you have anything to add?”

The British officer stepped to the forefront of the video feed.

“Needless to say, Gentlemen, this is above and beyond the call of duty. The risk is high, but the plan is sound. I wish you all the very best of luck, and I pray for all our sakes that you succeed.”

“Your men may fall out, but I will need officers and NCOs to remain present to outline the rest of the plan,” said Dupont.

Taylor turned to his men.

“Get some rest and any sleep you can, we gear up at midnight.”

The troops shuffled out of the room as the more senior personnel among them sat down for what would be an arduous hour more of planning. Taylor had little to add to the briefing. It seemed the plan had been well considered before being put to them. When they had eventually finished, he ambled out with a stiff and sore body.

He staggered onwards until his body loosened and he gained pace. Suarez, Silva and Corporal Evans were close behind. Their unit was allocated a small bunk room on the edge of the base that had not been used in ten years. As they approached, he could see Eli sat waiting for him on the steps leading up to the building.

“Sir, I have had both of your teams’ equipment moved here. You will find it stacked in the reception. Reiter told me to pass on the message that the new equipment is being checked over and prepared for your next mission.”

“Thank you, Sergeant.”

He turned back and nodded for the other three men to continue on past him. As they disappeared into the aging building, the Major turned to Eli. He wearily stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. He stroked her hair as he thought how much he had in life that he didn’t want to lose. Although he couldn’t see her face, her eyes were wide and her expression of loss. She was expecting to lose him on this mission and nothing could hide that. Taylor pulled her back to look into her eyes.

“I don’t know what your mission is, and I don’t want to. Just promise me you’ll come back.”

“You know I can’t make that promise.”

“Try,” she snapped.

“I’ll do everything I can to make it back.”

She shook her head. All the death and destruction around her had pushed her to the point where she couldn’t bear the thought of any more losses. She looked up at him and spoke in a worried and shaky voice.

“When do you leave?”

“0100.”

She nodded, knowing that meant she had no choice but to leave him in peace.

“Is it all worth it?” she asked.

“What?”

“Do you really think we can be saved? That we can win this war?”

He grabbed her tight and pushed her out at arms’ length. Her body was limp and not her usual self.

“I don’t think we can win, I know we can, and it’s about time you starting thinking it, too.”

“I...I just can’t see it anymore.”

“We’re gonna make it through this. It may take us months, years or even decades, but we will win!”

She nodded rather unconvincingly. Taylor knew that the only thing that would change her mind was to see him return safe and sound from the mission. He pulled in close and kissed her. He prayed it would not be for the last time, but he was far from certain. The Major knew that if he ever shared his doubts with those he was in command of, then they would be as good as dead.

Mitch let go of Parker and watched as she walked away with a slow and sad stride. He thought back to the mission and that he had just a few hours to catch some much needed rest before they left. He turned and stepped up into the dormitory room. It had been cleaned for them earlier that day, but the paint was rough and the rooms empty. They laid out their beds on the bed frames, the only furniture left.

The building had previously been used as short term accommodation for a platoon during exercise on base. Sharing with the rank and file in open quarters was a far cry from the luxuries he had been afforded as an officer. After days spent in trenches and ruins, it did not bother him. The room was almost silent as the marines were mostly sat or lying on their beds. A small group in the corner played a sullen and quiet game of cards.

None of the marines had yet managed to get to sleep. He could see they were expecting to die that night and had little left to say about the matter. Taylor unclipped his belt and threw it down on the nearest bed that had already been made up for him. A number of the troops turned to acknowledge him but said little more than a mumble. He took a step back and waited for them to take notice.

“I know a lot if being asked of you, and I thank you all for volunteering. This isn’t the end for us. We aren’t going there to die. We’re going to blow that place to shit and watch it burn on the way home.”

The marines had turned to face him, but they remained silent.

“Sir, what do you really put our chances at? No bullshit,” asked Ortiz.

“I figure no different to any other day. Since this war began, I’ve been waiting to take the fight to the enemy, and to ram it down their throats. We’ve just been given the chance to take the first punch, to ram a nuke up their asses! I think that’s going to be something worth celebrating when we get back, am I wrong?”

Several of the marines grunted in agreement.

“Alright! Let’s catch some Z’s. I want every man on top form!”

“Oorah!” shouted Silva.

The called was bellowed back around the room as Taylor took a seat on his bed.  He knew there was little chance of getting much sleep in the few hours they had, but he would take any rest he could get.

* * *

Taylor awoke to the sound of his alarm and several others ringing around the room. He felt clammy and weary, but he was surprised that he’d dropped off to sleep to begin with. Within five minutes, the marines were falling in outside. They could see lights silhouetting Eddie’s custom copter a few hundred metres away and a truck parked up beside it.

“Let’s move!” shouted Taylor.

They carried little equipment besides sidearms and canteens. It was a cold and clammy night but refreshing after the little sleep they had gotten. Aside from the vehicles up ahead, the base was silent. There were too few personnel to guard the interior, all personnel being diverted to the border to defend the west.

As they approached the copter, Taylor could see Eddie making a final visual check of his craft. Despite his haggard look, the Lieutenant never seemed to get tired. He was as bright and chirpy as any other day of the week.

“’Morning, Major!” he roared.

Reiter and several assistants appeared from the truck that was parked up. They wheeled racks of equipment out for the marines.

“Everything is ready for you, Major.”

Taylor turned back to the group. They had been drawn from two under strength platoons, and he had little idea how to identify them anymore.

“For the duration of this mission, the men under my command shall be Alpha. Those under Lieutenant Suarez will be Bravo. You know the plan and what you have to do! We need a volunteer to carry the nuke!”

One of the marines immediately stepped forward. He was a hulking man who had previously been equipped with the light-machine gun for his section due to his strength. The company knew him affectionately as ‘Sugar’. He stood taller than most and stronger than all of them.

“I will carry it.”

Several grunts of approval rang out as Taylor smiled at the enthusiasm.

“Let’s get kitted up!”

Within fifteen minutes the group were fully equipped and loaded aboard the modified Eagle FV. Nobody was there to bid them farewell but Reiter. It was a solemn departure for what they all knew could be the last mission they ever made.

As they lifted softly off the ground, Eddie put the power down and jolted the craft as it launched into a tremendous turn of speed. The marines were thrown about from the acceleration, but there was little space to move. They were packed shoulder to shoulder. The seats had been removed to allow such a capacity. Had it not been for the new engine, they would likely not have got off the ground.

Taylor was pressed up against the main door and could see the terrain below was zipping by. It was a relatively short journey to their destination, but it felt like hours. The Major fell into a daze as he mindlessly watched the blurry scenery from a small porthole. He snapped out of it hearing Eddie’s words.

“This is it!”

Taylor looked up to see the glimmers of alien craft flying by in the distance. They paid no attention to the copter at all. At any moment he expected them to turn and open fire. The forward thrusters kicked in and were drawing to a quick halt as the craft raced over the blast wall of the complex, quickly descended within.

“How on Earth did we make it?” asked Taylor.

“Guess they really are arrogant enough to believe that we aren’t all that clever,” replied Silva.

Taylor smiled. He wanted to believe that the enemy had underestimated them, but so far they’d suffered badly at the hands of the aliens. The copter rocked as it came to a rough and quick landing by the vast domed structure towering over them. The Major hit the door switch and gasped as fresh air flooded in. He stepped aside and allowed the marines to pour out and turned to Eddie.

“Remember we’ll be out of communication here.”

“I got ya, Sir. You’ve got three hours, and I’ll be here for you.”

Taylor nodded in agreement. It was a strict schedule to keep and didn’t allow much room to manoeuvre, but they had little choice. He watched as two of the marines hauled out the mining equipment that would normally require six to move. He turned back to Eddie one last time and gave him a salute before jumping from the door.

The marines watched as the copter lifted off and left them once again in darkness. Taylor turned to see that the tunnelling equipment was already active. He was surprised and relieved to hear that it was barely audible over the construction work going on there. He turned and panned around.

Eddie had put them down in a secluded site that had to be some kind of buffer zone between the defensive walls, as it seemed to serve no other purpose. The Major hoped that would mean there was a small chance they would be left alone.
He turned back to the marines and whispered.

“Take up a twenty metre perimeter. Do not engage any targets unless absolutely necessary.”

Lights panned past above their heads as the enemy searched the skies for movement. The sound of passing fighters was almost constant. Taylor shook his head, amazed they had even got that far.

“I guess they don’t have night vision after all,” he said.

He looked up at the sets on the helmets they wore. The moonlight was providing more than enough at present, but they were glad of having them ready for when needed. After twenty minutes of digging, Taylor was already bored. Amongst the isolation of the area they had been deployed, it could almost be called tranquil.

The mining device was mostly autonomous, which meant there was little for the marines to do but ponder the horrors they might find inside. Taylor sat down on the edge of the hole the miner had burrowed into the ground, dangling his legs into it. He let his weapon lie across his legs and slumped. He relaxed as best he could and thought of Eli. He still had confidence they could win the war, but he doubted both of them would survive it. It was a miserable notion that he tried to forget by remembering of their time in Paris.
 
He supposed it would no longer have its shine or be the place for a
romantic weekend
.
Last time he had seen the city large parts were demolished. From what Chandra had told him, the enemy had in the days following finished off most of what was left.

 He looked up to see Sugar sat on the opposite side of the hole with a grin on his face.

The huge marine was of Scandinavian decent, and his strong build and blond hair did little to hide it. Taylor thought to ask him what was smiling about, but he already knew. The thought of personally hauling a nuke into the heart of an enemy base appealed to him on so many levels. Taylor suspected he would have just carried the same without the exoskeleton. The bomb was a metre long and fixed onto his back on a metal frame.

“You know you can’t keep it?” asked Taylor.

Sugar’s smile widened.

“I don’t intend to.”

The group were startled by the sound of explosions in the sky and peered up to identify the source, but it was far off in the distance. They knew it was yet another aerial attack to try and strike the base they were at. Taylor wondered whether it was a diversion to further keep them safe, or if more pilots were simply being sent to the slaughter.

The two marines in the tunnel finally appeared at the opening. Taylor was expecting them to say they had finished, but he looked at his watch and realised that couldn’t be true. He looked down to see that it was time for the crews to switch. It was boring work keeping an eye on the tunnelling device, so they kept cycling the job to stay alert.

Phillips’ experts had estimated that it would be a two-hour job to tunnel the distance they needed, but it was still only an educated guess. Taylor felt that an entire day had passed when that time came. The thought that they were merely counting down the time to their execution made it last forever. Eventually, Sergeant Silva appeared at the entrance and tapped the Major on the leg.

“We’re there.”

Taylor looked down in relief.

“What’s the ground like?”

“We’ve come up between the foundations. There are a few inches of floor to get through, but that’s no problem.”

Taylor clambered to his feet and gestured for the troops to pile into the tunnel. The device had cut a perfectly round corridor underground, but it was shorter than any of the marines. They hunched as they entered in single file. The mining device had liquidised some of the tunnelled mud and compressed the rest into the loser surface soil, leaving little sign of its work.

Their boots squelched as they stepped further into the passage. They reached the end where the mining device had buried itself into the sidewall and out of the way. Taylor stopped and looked up to see the steeply angled path that had been cut up to meet the foundations. Simple steps had been carved into the climb.

“That’s a pretty damn fine job,” whispered Taylor.

He stepped back and allowed Evans to pass. The Corporal had the cutting device clamped ready onto the forearm of his exoskeleton suit. He climbed up the ten metre section of muddy stairs and placed one hand on the centre of the floor section. He couldn’t feel the texture through his gloves, but it looked similar in construction to concrete. Evans lifted the cutting tool and pushed it into the material.

The glowing hot cutting blade drove through with little resistance. He looked down with a smile. None of them were sure if they’d ever make it inside. He pulled the device around in an arc until the plate broke free. His armed wavered slightly as it took the weight. The Corporal was fully aware that the suit he wore was the only thing keeping him from being crushed. Evans pushed up gently and slid the cleanly cut oval shape of flooring aside.

“We’re in.”