“We?” White asked in surprise.
He looked down at the creature’s uniform, not unlike his own, at least in insignia and colour.
“You believe we need a lot more soldiers to continue this war?”
Jafar nodded quickly in return.
“I agree, but convincing the appropriate authorities is no easy task. They will need to hear as such from someone they will believe.”
“They need to hear it from you, Sir,” Taylor added.
The General sighed and shook his head. He knew it to be true. He stepped past Taylor and stood before Chandra. She was still in pain.
“Colonel Chandra, I am leaving you in command of all operations on Red 1. I need troops who can fight, and yet I must go and plead for them with ignorant politicians.”
“We all have our battles to fight,” she answered.
“Indeed. I will return in four weeks. With any luck, at the head of the army we need.”
“Did we not muster every ship we could for this fleet?” asked Taylor.
“There are still plenty of civilian transports that could carry tens or hundreds of thousands of troops into combat. I want to take this war to their soil and spill their blood over it.”
“And if we are attacked in your absence?”
“You are to hold as long as is realistic, Colonel. Should the fleet be endangered, Admiral Huber has been ordered to return home.
The General turned and rushed away to his shuttle. Taylor was still curious as to how surprised Jafar and Tsengal were to behold one of their own planets.
“Experimental planet?” asked Taylor. “I bet Reiter could have a few things to say and learn about this place. I want him and his team down here asap.”
Chandra nodded in agreement.
“Make it happen.”
They’d been on the enemy planet for less than half a day, and the General was already departing for Earth. Taylor was well aware of the bureaucracy and still hated it as much as ever. He turned to see that Chandra had laid down flat on her back. She was both exhausted and physically weak.
“You’re gonna have to handle things for a day or two,” she said as he stood over her.
“No problem.”
It took several days before they fully understood how the docking hangar worked and allowed the Deveron and many other ships to land on Red 1. The ships were a welcome home for the troops stationed there. Reiter was clearly fascinated by so much of what he saw, but it was clear to Taylor that anything learned would not assist them anytime soon. On the third day of their occupation, Chandra returned to full duty.
The bridge of the Deveron had become their office and command post. The enemy had only a few thousand troops on Red 1 that had fallen within a day. Taylor could not help but feel what power the enemy might hold if they brought their population to bare against the humans. No matter how he asked Jafar and Tsengal about the aliens’ population, they seemed to have little idea on numbers.
For the troops of Inter-Allied, their time on Red 1 was nothing more than another posting. They had seen enough of the enemy for a lifetime, and anything that could be learned there was not for them. On the morning of the fourth day, Taylor strolled out onto the surface in gear to marvel at the alien planet.
It was an ugly place with no redeeming features. He wondered how life could ever have been supported there, or why anyone would choose to live there. Yet he thought back to Commander Kelly and his love of his homeland, despite similarly inhospitable characteristics. Huber’s fleet still waited in orbit, and it was a reassuring sight. Taylor thought he was alone and went into a daze as he stared out across the barren surface.
Time seemed a glide by as he fell into a dream. A hand grasped his shoulder, and he turned quickly to see Parker standing with him.
“What do you see in it?” she asked.
“I’m not sure I see anything. Look at it, what’s to like?”
He wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but their suits made it impossible. He settled for grasping her hand and looking out to the fleet. Their engines suddenly fired up, and they began to move off from the planet.
“What the hell?”
Taylor turned and rushed back inside. He tried to contact the Deveron, but their channel was busy. He rushed on board to find Chandra awaiting him.
“Huber’s leaving?”
“We have picked up readings of enemy ships in the area and even a few sightings by recon parties. The Admiral is returning to the gateway to ensure its safety.”
“And us? What about our safety?”
They had just over two thousand troops on the now desolate enemy colony.
“We can look after ourselves. Follow me.”
Taylor was surprised she shrugged off the situation so lightly but did as she asked. The Colonel led him deeper into the colony to a floor he’d never been to. They came to huge blast doors.
“What are we doing?”
She tapped a few buttons, and a section of wall became transparent. He looked in with horror to see over a hundred Mechs in various states of injury.
“The survivors from our assault.”
“Survivors?” asked Taylor.
Chandra nodded.
“They always seem to take their wounded away, but here they had nowhere to run. We believe that many committed suicide when they had nowhere left to go, mostly by charging our guns. These are what’s left.”
Most of the creatures were in various degrees of armour and lay on the metal floor. Blood stained much of the visible surface in the room. It reminded him of the human bodies stacked high in the prison where they had rescued Jones so long ago. The feeling made him sick to his stomach.
“What are we to do with them? Reiter thinks we could learn a lot,” she asked.
“Learn a lot?” Taylor asked in disgust.
“We don’t keep prisoners in this war,” she replied.
“Is that what we have become? Is it genocide we want, just as they did?”
Taylor turned away at the horrific sight.
“We must make a decision. We have little idea what to do with them. We can’t send them packing.”
Taylor remained silent for a moment, and then whispered.
“Put them out of their misery.”
“What was that?”
“You heard me. End their miserable lives.”
She was surprised to hear him say the words after taking on two of their kind as friends. She lifted her comms unit and spoke into it.
“Captain Jackson, you have a green light.”
Taylor turned just in time to see a large door open within the chamber and thirty of the Captain’s Company enter, guns blazing. They executed the creatures where they lay. Taylor watched for several minutes until the room was silent.
“Is this what it has come to? Must it end with the complete destruction of one of our races?”
She nodded yes. “Afraid so.”
Taylor turned and strode away. He had seen enough. He wasn’t sure the Colonel was wrong, but it made him sick to see it done, either way. Another two days passed without event until on the third, a message came over the intercom for Taylor to make his way to the bridge. It was early in the morning, and the Major still thought about the mass execution he had witnessed. He found the Colonel on the bridge, waiting to address him personally.
“Admiral Huber has asked that Inter-Allied return to the fleet in defence of the Washington.”
“What of this planet?”
“General White left me in charge here, and that is exactly where I will remain. You will return to the Washington with the Battalion while I remain in command of all ground forces here.”
“You’ll have what, less than three thousand troops?”
“This planet means something to our enemy, perhaps much more than we realise. I want to know what it is, and I will not give it back to them without a fight.”
“Then let us stay. Let us fight this together.”
“I am sorry, Major, b
ut we all have our orders. The protection of the Washington is paramount, and I would trust no other to carry out such a task. You will return to the fleet immediately.”
“Will you at least take some of our own in support?”
She conceded to his advice.
“Suarez and his platoon will remain as a personal detail to myself. I would keep Tsengal, if I could. He may yet provide insight into what we have found here.”
“He is under your command, Colonel, not mine.”
“Then it is agreed. Get moving Major.”
She strode off the bridge to leave the ship and allow them to prepare for departure.
Suarez? You hate the bastard, and yet you’re keeping him at your side? He thought.
Taylor didn’t like it one bit, but he had no choice but to go along with the commands. Ever since the execution of the prisoners, his relationship with the Colonel had been modified. He knew she had done the only thing she could. He also knew she had in fact saved them from invasive research, which they would not wish on any soldier. He wanted to tell her he had her back, but the time and words did not come.
“Put out the word, Captain, Inter-Allied is to report here for departure in one hour.”
Captain Ryan didn’t look happy about the orders either, but there was nothing either of them could do. The hour passed quickly, and a few minutes before final preparations, the Colonel reappeared to say her goodbye. Taylor was glad to see her once more before they left. He hated leaving things in a bad way with one of his closest friends. He saluted her as she approached.
“The enemy are amassing. I’d say we have about a day before anything kicks off,” she said.
“And you really think this is a good time for us to be leaving?”
“The Washington must be protected, and they’ll be coming for the gateway. I still think this planet has a lot to tell us that we have not yet seen. Orders are to hold it, and that order was given to me. We all have our duties.”
“You know if the fleet gets into trouble, it can bug out through the gate. What are you going to do?”
She smiled in response.
“I’ll give them hell. I’ll make them remember why they don’t mess with the human race. Our leaders need to know what they face. They need to understand what it at stake, and they must be willing to do what is necessary.”
She looked down at her watch.
“Time for you to go. You look after the fleet, you hear? There will come a time when it is needed, probably more than you know. The day we can destroy the enemy before they reach our colonies, that is a great day.”
Taylor knew there was nothing more he could say to change the situation. They were leaving for the fleet and leaving so few behind. He could see in her eyes that she was fearless. She didn’t want to die. She only wanted the best for them all.
“Tsengal, you have kept to your word and been a valuable asset to me and the unit. I would ask you now protect the Colonel, as you have done me.”
“I will.”
Taylor noticed Suarez stood behind the Colonel. He had a triumphant and sleazy grin on his face that unsettled Taylor. Mitch disliked the fact the man served under him. He didn’t trust the Lieutenant among his friends, but he had no choice. The Colonel’s word was final. He saluted her and turned to make his way aboard the Deveron. He turned back just at the doorway.
“You look after yourself, Colonel.”
She smiled in return as he made his way aboard. When he reached the bridge, he could see she had already left to continue her investigation into the enemy world. She had been fixated on their technology since the moment they stepped foot there. But he’d never cared for any of it.
“When you’re ready, Captain.”
Leaving the enemy world was a welcome thing to Taylor, but he knew home was still far from sight. As they ascended from the planet, he could see half a dozen other ships heading the same way.
“Huber must be pretty concerned about the risk of attack.”
He was fishing for information, but it was clear Ryan didn’t have it.
“Wouldn’t you be, Sir? The Navy’s most powerful ship moored up in enemy territory, and light years from home. I am surprised the Colonel has not left Red 1 and come with us.”
“She is making a statement.”
“How so, Sir?”
“Throughout the war, we spent most of our time running, giving ground. This mission proved we could go forward and take land. She isn’t going to give it up without a fight.”
Ryan went silent. They both knew it was a dangerous game she was playing, but it was not for them to say. Taylor speculated she must have well under three thousand troops with her. The doors of the bridge slid open, and Captain Jones walked quickly through with purpose.
“We’re leaving?”
“On the Admiral’s orders,” replied Taylor.
“And she stayed, didn’t she?”
Taylor nodded. “We all have our duties.”
“We must petition the Admiral to move at least some of our forces from the gateway to protect what we have already taken.”
“Damn right, we’ll do everything we can.”
It was another day before Huber’s fleet came into sight. The space gateway they were guarding like gatekeepers dwarfed the two vast carriers. It was a sight to behold and marvel at, but Taylor could only wish he were back home on solid ground. The Deveron docked once again with the Washington to deliver its payload of marines. Taylor headed right for the bridge.
He remembered the carrier well and was already familiar with navigating it. As he passed through corridors he had fought in just weeks before, he could still see much of the superficial damage. He stepped aboard the bridge alone and was greeted by the Admiral.
“I see she still shows the scars of battle.”
“We’re back to full operating condition, but those scars are a bitter reminder of what could have been. I wouldn’t want any of my crew to forget what threats we face.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Sir. May we speak privately?”
The Admiral turned and led Taylor away into his quarters. They both knew there was a lot to discuss, and that none of it should be done privately. The door shut behind the two of them, and Taylor jumped in before the Admiral had even managed to sit down.
“Sir, what are we doing here? We’ve left our commanding officer out on her ass when we both know trouble is on its way.”
“Colonel Chandra is free to leave Red 1 and return to the fleet whenever she pleases. However, General White ordered her to hold there as long as she can. I cannot order her to do otherwise.”
“But you can help her. If the colony is attacked, she’ll need more troops, supplies and air support.”
“I am sorry, Major, but I will not divide our forces. I cannot commit the whole fleet. I cannot risk leaving Earth exposed through this gate.”
“So what are we to do, sit here until trouble comes our way?”
Huber sat down with a sigh and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, letting Taylor calm down.
“My orders were to hold this position and take a single enemy position if possible. The honest truth is nobody knew what we would find. We have what, ten thousand troops among us? It’s not enough to hold a colony, nor expand any further. General White has returned with news of our victory. He should return with armies in number great enough to continue into the system.”
“And if we can’t hold out that long?”
“Then we will return to Earth, knowing that this was an unrealistic enterprise and that we overstretched ourselves.”
“Meanwhile we’ve still got a few thousand troops on that planet.”
“They’ve got their own transport.”
Taylor was kicking himself inside. He knew how stubborn Chandra could be. He wanted nothing more than to get back on the Deveron and return to Red 1, but it was no longer in his hands.
“Earth’s armies were preparing for this eventuality, Major. We should see reinforcement with
in a few weeks. Your presence here is reassuring to my crew. You really saved our asses. I suggest you get some rest.”
It wasn’t what Taylor wanted to hear, but he knew there was no arguing with it. There was nothing more to do with himself. It was already evening and watches had been set. He resigned himself to a few drinks in the NAAFI. Jones had beaten him to it. He could see the Captain was even more frustrated by the situation than he was. Mitch took a seat next to him without a word.
“The Colonel, she had those prisoners killed, didn’t she?” he asked.
Taylor glanced in shock. He’d assumed she had kept it secret, particularly after Jones’ time as a prisoner of the creatures.
“It’s okay. I knew. She told me. I just didn’t want you to think we had any secrets.”
Taylor shook his head as he knocked back a drink.
“It was the right thing to do, you know,” Jones carried on.
Taylor was taken aback.
“It was the kindest thing to do. Kept alive, they’d be lab rats for scientists. They’d be poked, prodded, injected with poisons and experimented on, like they did to us.”
“And you don’t think we could have taken prisoners?”
“Maybe someday, but not now. This is a war of uncertainty. Chandra, she showed pity on them and ended their misery.”
Taylor thought Jones had finally overcome his ordeal, but it was clear it still weighed heavily on him.
Perhaps he is right. Taylor thought.
He remembered the squalid and disgusting conditions he had found Jones in so long ago, and imagined what it could have been like.
Would it have been kinder to have been killed there and then, when he was captured? Maybe, but then Jones wouldn’t be here today.
“You think General White will return with the armies we need?” asked Jones.
“How’d you know that’s what he is doing?”
“Oh, come on. This is total war, not a few skirmishes. We all know this opening operation was just a test. The real fighting is yet to come.”
“We should have just destroyed the gateway and be done with it,” muttered Taylor.
“They said it couldn’t be done?”
“Bullshit. I know Reiter, and he could have found a way. They don’t want that gateway destroyed because they see opportunity; politicians and desk jockeys who don’t ever have to carry a rifle and bleed and die to pursue their goals.”
Battle Earth V be-5 Page 12
