“Understood, Sir.”
“That’ll be all. Get underway as soon as possible, Colonel.”
They stood up and silently left the Admiral’s quarters, pondering the new responsibility they had been given. They reached the end of the corridor at the elevator when Taylor finally spoke.
“We’re both being sent to make this report, but we do not agree on the correct way forward.”
“Do you not think that is a good thing? We are being asked to report and advise, and in that duty we have a responsibility to give both sides of the coin. Do not change your opinion just because I am in command of the Battalion. I believe I am right, but I am sure you think just the same of your own strategy. We can’t honestly know who is right at this stage. Let’s not fight over it.”
Taylor nodded in appreciation of her understanding. Chandra tapped her comms unit and was glad to find it working once more.
“Captain Jones, be at the Deveron with two platoons in the next ten minutes. Have them fully geared and ready to travel.”
After a few seconds of silence, Charlie came on the line with a surprised tone to his voice. “Uhh…yes, Ma’am.”
“We travelled all this way and now going we’re going all the way back,” whispered Taylor.
“I have no doubt we will be back shortly.”
Taylor hoped not. He was fully intending to recommend destroying the gateway and the enemy’s access point to the Solar System. He imagined he was going back to Earth for good, but the possibility of other paths was quite frightening.
“You know we fought and won on our own soil, who is to say what lies beyond that gateway?” he asked.
She nodded in agreement.
“Have Jafar join us. Have Tsengal join Captain Jackson aboard the gateway. They might be able to help at both ends.”
They arrived in the docking bay where the Deveron still lay to find Captain Ryan with his feet up, playing a game of cards with his bridge crew in the vast docking area. They had stacked up some crates to make a table and used others for seats. Ryan looked genuinely surprised to see them approaching.
“Every time I see the two of you, it always means we’re heading for trouble,” he jested.
“Not this time. We’re heading home to report on everything we have seen, and you’re our chauffeur,” Chandra answered.
Jones briskly rushed into the room with his troops in tow. He held his rifle at the ready as if he expected a fight. Chandra was glad to see he was naturally as cautious and ready as ever. He relaxed as he approached and saw their casual conversation.
“We’re heading back to Earth, Charlie. I am leaving you in charge of our forces on the Washington. Captain Jackson will be your second and preside over any duties aboard the gateway.”
Jones looked confused by the news.
“The fleet is staying here. We’re reporting back, and we’ll see where this goes. Have your men get aboard the Deveron and prepare for departure. We will return in a month’s time, perhaps more.”
She could see he had many more questions, but he didn’t waste time asking them. He turned and sent the troops forward into the Deveron before making his goodbyes. She didn’t like leaving almost everyone she knew at the enemy gateway, knowing that at anytime a fleet may come through it.
“Good luck,” he said.
She turned to Ryan.
Have your crew square away. We’re heading for Earth.”
Chapter 5
The Journey home was even more tedious and mind numbing than the route they had taken to find the gateway. Chandra and Taylor were sat on the bridge, both knowing they would soon see their home. Up ahead, the Moon shone brightly like a beacon calling them back. As they drew nearer, a transmission came in.
“Deveron, this is Commander Kelly.”
A video display flickered to life. The battle-hardened officer displayed a smile as he could clearly see Taylor and Chandra on the screen.
“Good to see you again, Sir,” replied Chandra.
“Likewise,” followed Taylor.
The Commander was displayed on a small projection beside the larger view of the Moon before them. As they drew nearer at a rapid speed, they could see a mass of ships orbiting the Colony.
“You see them, don’t you?”
“Sir?” asked Chandra curiously.
“The next battle group, and almost ready to join you.”
They could make out fifty ships already. The massive dockyard of the Colony was packed with hulls and partially completed ships. They could see many of the craft were freighters that had previously been used to transport goods and people between Earth and the Moon. Others were exploring vessels. All had been undergoing a refit to prepare themselves for military service. The vast fleet dwarfed what they had led out to the gateway only a month before.
“My God, how did you do it?” asked Taylor.
“Not alone,” he replied. “The powers of Earth have combined to work hand-in-hand around the clock. These are wartime conditions. You would be amazed at what can be achieved when things are desperate.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” Taylor added.
“We have all heard the news of your defeat of the enemy fleet. Congratulations on your victory.”
“Thank you, Sir, but it was not without loss.”
“It never is, Colonel. I have been called to an emergency meeting on Earth, along with our Prime Minister. I assume that has something to do with your arrival?”
“I believe so,” replied Chandra.
“Then I’ll see you both shortly. Good seeing you again.”
The transmission cut out, and Taylor remember just how thankful he was to have made an ally of Kelly.
A few hours later, they were making their descent to Camp Pendleton where they could see dozens of civilian transports lined up in the main landing zone, awaiting their arrival. There was no victory parade organised for their landing, only an officer and few guards to escort them to inside the main conference hall.
“Not much of a warm welcome,” said Taylor.
“What were you expecting, the President to be there to give you a medal? We won an important victory at the gateway, but it is only the first step.”
Upon landing, they were greeting with an abrupt ‘follow us’. The soldiers parted Taylor and Chandra from the others who were clearly not allowed to follow them inside.
“I have been lumped in with these kind of talks before,” Taylor said quietly. “They are long, tedious and rarely take any heed of advice from people like us.”
“Maybe you just didn’t tell them the right things.”
Taylor grinned and laughed just a little.
They were led into the conference hall where world and military leaders from all major powers had assembled. It was an intimidating sight for the two of them. Taylor always hated the formality used in politics and the higher-ranking officials. They were announced and then asked for an immediate report of the events they had taken part in. For two hours, the crowd listened intently with Chandra doing almost all of the talking. General White finally stood up as they drew to a close.
“Thank you, Colonel, and you Major. You may take a seat.”
The General strolled up to their position at the front to address the crowd. He had become one of the key faces in the war against the alien invaders and had naturally risen to the task of administering the conference.
“Shortly before your arrival here, we received a transmission from the Washington that the scientist Doctor Reiter believes it unsafe to attempt to dismantle or destroy the space gateway. He believes that such tampering could have cataclysmic effects for our Solar System. Essentially, we do not know enough about the technology to attempt such a feat. He does, however, believe its operation is very simple.”
Taylor turned in shock, but it was clear that the rest of the audience had already been informed of this information.
“I believed from the very start, as did many of my staff, that all attempts should be made to d
estroy any route into our Solar System. That option having been taken off the table, we are now at a fork in the road. If we cannot stop them coming here, we must either take a defensive strategy, and prepare for a future attack, or take the fight to the enemy. My opinion, ladies and gentlemen, is that we should not stand back and hope for the best. I believe we should step through into their world and stick it to ‘em whilst they’re on the run.”
“Thank you, General.”
The President of the United States, Adrian Walters, stood up and took the floor.
“We have all suffered a great deal in this war. The world has suffered to the degree that it will never be the same again. But, it has brought a unity that this planet, this Solar System, has never known. The United States’ position is that we cannot, and will not, stand by and go about our normal lives when an apocalyptical threat hangs over us. We will take the fight to the enemy!”
Cheers of support rang out around the room. But President Moreau stood up in opposition. The hall slowly fell quiet enough that he could be heard.
“My country of France was ravished in the last war, worse than most. We cannot ask more of our people. We cannot support such warmongering, nor are we willing to lose more people in another pointless war.”
“Fucking idiot,” Taylor murmured.
General White heard him but was glad no one else did. He did, however, share Taylor’s belief. He shot up from his chair to address the Frenchman.
“I was not aware, Mr President, that any human faction could be considered warmongers. I also seem to remember that when your country was threatened many nations, whose leaders stand before you today, went to your aid. You are here today because the world supported you. Will you not give anything back to protect all our futures?”
The French President’s face went red with anger and rage.
“Millions of French citizens and soldiers died in the last war! What more can you ask of us? We have won! Let us return to peace and our normal lives, and forget the troubles which are now over!”
Taylor shook his head as Chandra leaned in to his side.
“Naive bastard, how can he turn a blind eye?” she whispered.
They watched in amazement as several world leaders cheered in support for the Frenchman.
“It’s easier to pretend the problem doesn’t exist rather than deal with it,” he replied.
“Then you are in favour of going through the gate?”
“If it cannot be destroyed, yes, it is our only option.”
She smiled to herself. Taylor is back on side.
The American President stood up once again, and General White called the room to silence. Walters was a tall but thin and wiry man and in his early seventies. His hair was a shiny white, but he still had a full head of it. He was a staunch republican, and a man who had clearly lived a hard but successful life; his face heavily wrinkled and rough. He stood tall and proud; a man who was strong in the head even if his body no longer was. His suit was of a cut not seen in fifty years. This man was as a relic of a bygone era.
“You have all heard the facts. The United States is committed to the safety of this planet and that of the Lunar Colony. And to that end, we will do whatever is necessary to protect them. In four weeks, we will send a fleet through the space gateway, with the intention of taking the fight to the enemy. We need all the support we can get. I ask you all to dig deep into your conscience and appreciate how vital this mission is to us all. Now I ask you, a show of hands. Who will join us in this enterprise?”
The British Prime Minister and German President were first to raise their hands and voice their support. A number followed until the final divide was set. A third of the leaders in attendance remained silent, still including Moreau.
“Then it is decided,” stated White. “We have a majority support for action. I thank you all for your support in this undertaking and would ask you to have your Generals liaise with myself immediately. I hereby call this conference to an end!”
Taylor could see the disappointment in Walters’ face. They had enough support, but he had clearly hoped to rally world leaders as one. Those who had not voiced their support quickly stood and left the room. Most of the others broke out into conversation with the people around them.
“This divide will not end here,” said Chandra. “Many have shown their true colours. If they falter at such a time, then we would do well to keep a keen eye on them.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, Mitch, that we should not assume that all mankind is on our side. I do not say they would ally with the enemy, but they would certainly act in hindrance of us.”
Taylor nodded in agreement. He had seen such during the war. After they had given everything, it amazed and disgusted him that politicians walked away as if they had the moral high ground.
“Ignorant bastard!”
He said it loud enough that several around them heard, but he didn’t care. General White paced up to the two of them with a sigh.
“It is done then.”
“Nothing is done, Sir. This is the beginning of a long road,” replied Taylor.
“Has any progress been made on improving Earth’s orbital defences?” asked Chandra.
White nodded hesitantly.
“Yes, but I am not sure anything we can do would withstand the overwhelming power of their first assault. That is the nature of static defence. The best thing we can do is to develop our fleets. With another few months of all-out construction, as we are doing, I believe we could have enough Navy power to fight them out there and away from our colonies.”
“Then the Marines’ role will be more important than ever. This enemy pursues ruthless and fearless boarding actions that are devastating. Maybe just a hundred or two got aboard the Washington, and we came close to losing her, and perhaps the rest of the fleet.”
White looked at them in shock.
“Taylor is right. It was no plain sailing.”
“And yet you still support the decision to go through the gate?”
“I don’t see that we have an option anymore,” replied Taylor.
It was clear to them both the General was genuinely surprised to hear that they were not convinced by their chances of success, yet they wanted to go anyway.
“We’ve got three weeks. Soldiers are not a problem, veterans and recruits alike. Since the war ended, a continuous recruitment campaign has boosted the Marine Corps to numbers none of us have ever known. But what we now need so urgently is ships. The dockyards of the world are working around the clock, but ultimately, those on the Moon and L2 and L3 are the key players.”
Neither of them answered as they awaited more convincing words from the General.
“I know we are sending you into the unknown, but not without every ounce of support than can be given. I have already volunteered to join the Washington as leader of the Marine forces within the fleet, a request I have do doubt will be accepted.”
Chandra turned and peered into the man’s face in surprise. It was clear he had every intention of doing so.
“Then I suggest you get some combat training in, Sir. You’ll almost certainly need it.”
White nodded in surprise.
“Major, yes, yes, of course. Now, Colonel, there is work to be done. This new fleet will embark in three weeks. I want you both to return to the Washington. I have already gathered together personnel of Inter-Allied who have recovered and are ready to re-join your ranks, as well as a few dozen experienced marines to redress your numbers. They’ll be at the Deveron within the hour.”
‘Thank you, Sir.”
They left the building with their escort to find Jafar and the two platoons they had brought. They were still waiting for them beside the ship. It wasn’t long before the promised reinforcements turned up.
“Fucking great,” muttered Taylor so that only Chandra could hear.
She looked up to see that Suarez was among those approaching. They both knew he was trouble. Neither wante
d to promote him or even accept him as a platoon leader, but he had been with them from the very start.
He led the thirty plus marines who approached as if he owned them and was coming to the rescue. He had a broad sleazy smile across his face.
“Good to be back!” he shouted, making a rather casual salute on approaching.
Chandra didn’t make contact with him, choosing to address the incoming troops as a whole.
“No time for niceties. Load up, we are moving out!”
Taylor smiled at the Colonel’s dismissal of Suarez’s arrogant greeting which shot him down in flames.
Within fifteen minutes, the Deveron was lifting off once more. Chandra and Taylor both attended the bridge, partly to see Earth one last time as they departed and partly to escape Suarez. They knew he was going to be a problem they would have to deal with, but neither could face it there and then.
Five weeks passed before they finally got word of the fleet’s approach to the gateway. There had been little training to do for the troops of Inter-Allied. They passed the time with guard duties and familiarisation of the ship they were stationed aboard. Chandra and Taylor were called to the bridge for the announcement of the arrival of the mass of new vessels. A cheer rang out across the ship as Huber announced it over the comms.
“Just look at it,” called Huber. “The grandest fleet ever amassed.”
They looked out to space with the Washington’s projected display. They could see more than fifty sizeable ships, including a carrier not so different to the Washington.
“How on Earth did they manage it?” asked Huber.
“I hear that construction on some of these began just weeks after the war on Earth ended. They weren’t built in three weeks,” replied Chandra.
“No, but impressive nonetheless, Colonel. Before the war, it would have taken the dockyards three years to build such a fleet, and they’d have been unarmed. All this is in less than a year.”
“Amazing what the human race can achieve when it’s against the wall,” Taylor commented.
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