Battle Earth IV (8 page)

As he pulled off his equipment and clothing, she rolled over and slowly came to. A smile came over her face as she watched him take his shirt off and reveal his toned but scarred body.

“Hey, stranger,” she whispered.

“I thought you’d be out having a drink.”

“I figured we’ve done enough damage,” she laughed.

He sat down on the edge of the bed as she got up to hold him. She ran her hands softly over his body. His arms and legs were bruised and scraped from his fall, and he winced in pain as he found so many muscles and bones to be throbbing.

“How much more of this do you think you can survive?” she asked.

“I’m still standing, aren’t I?”

“Just about.”

He turned to see if she was truly worried for him but quickly realized she was merely having fun. His own mortality was always something that prayed on his mind.

“How are we still alive?” he asked. “All the crazy shit we’ve done, and made it through?”

“Our training, skills, common sense, and a heap load of luck.”

Taylor sighed. “That’s reassuring.”

He lay down and took a deep breath as he settled in comfortably beneath the sheets, and Eli huddled up next to him.

“You almost died today,” she whispered. “Remember the rules, never go anywhere alone. Just because the enemy is in retreat, doesn’t mean it’s over. None of us are safe.”

He nodded in agreement. He kicked himself for being so reckless, but without such a visible enemy to fight, it was hard not to try and move on from it all. He felt an immense feeling of satisfaction rush through his body that almost made him shiver.

All the drinking and partying we have done, and this feels a whole world better.

Taylor drifted into a calm and tranquil sleep as if he’d been waiting for it for months.

Taylor awoke early and feeling fresh, unlike the previous few weeks when his head throbbed. He was up and out of bed in a flash. His ripped and filthy uniform from the day before was gone, and a fresh pristine replacement lay in its place. Parker was already gone, and he could only assume she was responsible for the service.

As he pulled on his clothing, he could hear Silva shouting outside, calling the Company to attention. He rushed to the door as he buttoned his shirt just in time to see a jeep pull up with Commander Phillips on board. The road they had set up in was largely covered by a huge shelter that span the full width to the buildings either side. Mess tables filled the shelter, but a roadway had been maintained through the centre where the officer’s vehicle arrived.

Phillips leapt from the vehicle with a smile as he approached Chandra. Taylor quickly hopped to her side and seemed to be the last soldier to awake.

“Didn’t think we’d be seeing you anytime soon, Sir,” she pondered.

“No, but Command has a new job for your Company, and they have placed me in command of this part of the operation.”

“Search and destroy?” asked Taylor.

Phillips nodded with a surprised expression.

“We were in for quite a surprise yesterday, Sir. It’s clear there is still some fighting to be done here.”

“Well, it’s nice to hear you’re up to speed, Major,” he snapped.

Taylor could see it bothered the Commander that he clearly already knew their orders before they had been relayed. He had passed on General White’s news to Chandra as well, but she saw fit not to put the Commander out of place by saying so. A few minutes later, they were sat at one of the tables, discussing the planned operations as trucks continued to roll through the huge shelter and carrying debris away.

“There have been a number of incidents in previously occupied territories, unfortunate encounters. Some have involved allied troops and been dealt with to varying degrees of success. However, other situations have occurred where civilians have stumbled upon the enemy and no mercy has been shown. The last thing we need is the civilian population living in fear of the monsters hiding in their own backyard.”

“Have there been many fatalities?” asked Chandra.

“A few. Media links are still poor, and that’s saved it from becoming a widespread epidemic. However, that situation can’t last forever. We need these pockets of resistance cleared quickly.”

“How many are we talking?” asked Taylor.

“Quite honestly, we have no idea. We don’t know if these are enemy soldiers who got left behind during their hasty retreat, or if they were planted specifically. All we know is it is seriously hindering our efforts. Clean up crews have to be protected at all times, and that is a logistical nightmare. We’ve also lost a number of soldiers because of these encounters.”

“And we’re expected to do this all alone?” asked Chandra.

“No, a taskforce is being assembled in each country. Mostly they’ll be taken from native forces, but the French military is weak and spread thin. Your Company has a thorough grasp of warfare in this land and is more than up to the task.”

“We gonna get the resources we need?” asked Taylor.

“I have been given the authority to provide any and all assistance required.”

Taylor smiled in surprise. “Wow, looks like we really are getting out of this shithole.”

“Out of the frying pan and all that,” whispered Chandra.

“What is the strength of this Company?” asked Phillips.

“One hundred and twenty three,” she replied.

“Far from full strength, but more than suitable for this new task.”

They stopped as two of the Company delivered mugs of tea and coffee to them. The heater modules kept them all from freezing, but a hot drink was always welcome when you looked out at the weather conditions which were rapidly worsening.

“We’ll need transport and more than a few jeeps,” stated Taylor.

“Already en route. General White has attached three copters to you for the duration of this taskforce. Lieutenant Rains and his comrades are en route as we speak. They’ll be putting down in the Parc de Champagne shortly. It’s just south of here and will become your staging ground for now.”

“What about this place?”

“A Gendarmerie detachment will be arriving within the hour to relieve you. Chandra, I want you to assemble the Company and move out. You’ll have to make your way to the Parc on foot, but once you’re there, you’ll have everything you need.”

Forty-five minutes later they were once again traipsing through the war torn streets, but this time with a newfound enthusiasm. They reached the Parc by noon to find the three copters had already arrived, along with several support craft and transports. Marines guarded the perimeter of the site and made it most welcoming. The corporal on the main entrance through a stone wall saluted as they approached.

“As you were!” shouted Chandra.

“Ma’am, it’s an honour to work alongside the Immortals.”

She shrugged at the name. It never sat comfortably with her after seeing the deaths of so many friends. She nodded as a greeting and continued past the man towards where Eddie was sat with his feet up and a cup of coffee. He looked more relaxed than ever as he lifted his mug, and a huge smile expanded across his face when he saw the two Majors approaching.

“Still alive and kicking!” he yelled.

“Same to you, how you been?” asked Taylor.

“Ah, you know, got my feathers burnt a few times, but I’m alive to tell the tale. Word is we’re on hunting duty, that right?”

“You got it,” replied Taylor.

“Command gives us intel. We respond immediately with a ground assault, supported by artillery and/or air support where needed,” Chandra added.

“There may Mechs left in this neck of the woods?”

“Enough,” replied Taylor.

Chandra felt the vibration of a message being received on her Mappad. She pulled it from her webbing. The two men watched and waiting impatiently for news until she looked up at them in surprise.

“This is it, our first co-ordinates.”

“Christ, they aren’t hanging around.”

“We can rest our feet on the boats,” she replied and turned to Eddie.

“You lot ready to roll?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he replied with a smile.

“Then get moving, we’re wheels up in five.”

She turned back to the Company who were stood as a mass, awaiting their orders. More than anything they looked bored.

“Our first operation has been green lit, we move in five!”

A cheer rang out from the troops, but she quickly lifted up her palm to signal for silence.

“Section and Platoon leaders to me. The rest of you, mount up!”

The NCOs and officers gathered beside the supply dump as the troops stomped past into the copters.

“Our first target is in the town of Troyes, a little over a hundred clicks from here. A short journey now we’ve got wings. Initial intelligence shows local militia forces encountered a small number of enemy combatants while trying to enter the centre of the town.”

“Any idea how many?” asked Taylor.

“Reports are sketchy, but several creatures have been spotted near the University of Technology. A number of militia and local soldiers have been wounded, but the enemy appears to make so sign of moving.”

She lifted out her Mappad and tapped a button that projected a holographic map in front of them.

“We’ll be putting down in this square just one hundred metres from the university. This is not a covert operation. We have superior numbers and firepower. We hit them hard and fast.”

“Seems pretty simple,” said Silva.

“I want you and Green’s platoons to head for the southern entrance. Yorath and Jones, the east side. Taylor and I will take the north side. The only aim of this mission is to eradicate the enemy presence in the shortest time possible, but don’t take any unnecessary risks, and no heroics. Remember, the war is over, and this is just clean up work.”

“Excuse me, Ma’am, but if the war’s over, why are we still fighting?” asked Yorath.

She sighed in response and knew it wasn’t an easy thing to answer.

“These are merely skirmishes. There may come a time when we go to war once again, but not today. We don’t know if these enemy forces have been left to hinder our operations and rebuilding, or if it was a result of their rapid withdrawal. Either way, remember, those things are dangerous. Keep your platoons tight, and ensure you have superiority of numbers and firepower in any engagement. Any more questions?”

They each studied the map carefully before Green finally spoke up.

“Is this to be our lives for the foreseeable future? Cleaning up the country we have already fought and bled over since this began?”

“Sure is, but it beats hiding in a trench under day long barrages,” she replied.

He could not help but agree.

“Alright, good luck to you all, let’s move.”

Taylor paced alongside Chandra to Rains’ copter.

“You surprised as I am that Schulz would be okay with us doing this?” he asked quietly.

“The General has been trying to mend fences ever since you got out of the brig. I suggest you at least appear to be doing the same. The further we get from war conditions, the less you’ll get away with.”

“And Dupont?”

She sighed at the mere mention of his name.

“He’ll always be the same arsehole he always has been. Fortunately, he isn’t in command.”

“Not of the joint armies no, but let’s not forget that we aren’t in Germany anymore.”

She nodded in agreement and made a mental note to watch out for the French General. He’d been dying to get some payback for some time, and she’d be damned if she would let him.

“This mission, is that all the information we have?” asked Taylor.

“Afraid so. Communication links are still poor, and there isn’t the time to investigate further. The civilian population is flooding back into France while it is still littered with dangers. We were not picked because of our investigative abilities. We’re a rapid strike force who does not hesitate to jump into combat.”