Battle Earth VII

by Nick S. Thomas

You’re wearing the pants here, then.

  “My name is…” began Armand.

  “We’re not interested in your name. Our demands are this; the instant euthanization of all prisoners of this facility and all others like it. That is the only thing we ask. We will not accept anything less and require nothing more. Are you ready to provide what society is calling for?”

  “I am willing to negotiate the matter, but there has to be some give and take. Let’s start from a middle ground and work this out,” said Armand.

  “You heard what I said. What part did you not hear?”

  Armand seemed speechless as she turned her attention to Taylor.

  “Colonel, we know who you are, a great hero of the wars. You must have killed so many of the invaders, do you not want to see an end to this?”

  “An end? Yes, I thought I saw this when we won peace on this planet. We, and those who fought for it,” he replied.

  One of the protestors stepped forward, yelling at him. “I was there the day you killed Demiran and saw it with my own eyes. I served, I fought, I killed, and for what? It isn’t over. We want life back to the way it was!”

  “Then I am sorry to say that this negotiation is over. We are wasting time if you are not willing to discuss the matter in a civilised fashion,” Armand replied sternly.

  Taylor was surprised by his attitude. He appeared to have come there to resolve the problem, and yet seemed to have no interest in doing so.

  “Then leave, and return to the living joke you call a detention centre,” X quickly responded.

  Armand turned and left without another comment.

  Is he gonna fight for this?

  The answer appeared to be no as he carried on. The Colonel was left with no choice but to leave with him. All they passed as they headed for the gates were constantly heckling them. Finally, a punch was thrown at one of Armand’s guards, and he almost fell to the sand before lifting his weapon to his attacker.

  Rocks began to pelt the guards from nearby protestors, and one hit the guard who have been shoved and broke his nose. It sent blood spewing over his uniform. He turned back to the crowd and saw more rocks hurling towards him. He opened fire.

  “No!” Taylor called out desperately.

  It was too late. The rounds were non-lethal but struck with immense force, and the people took it as red to attack. Several drew weapons, and one launched forward with a machete and struck down on the arm of the shooter. It cut deep and halfway through his forearm, but even that was not enough to bring it all to an end. The other guard had joined the fighting, and those within the perimeter had been monitoring the trouble and began to respond.

  The non-lethal ammunition seemed to do little to hold back the crowd, many of who seemed to carry on as if nothing had struck them. Taylor could just make out the sound of notice being given over the tannoy system, warning of lethal force being authorised, and that did nothing to calm them.

  Two of the angry mob came at him, and he had to fight every instinct that told him to draw his pistol and defend himself. Human blood was the last thing he wanted on his hands. He knew he must rely on his body for defence and the power the Reitech suit gave him. He struck the first with a punch that sent the man tumbling back into his friends.

  A woman then came at him like a screaming banshee and wielding a truncheon-like weapon. He took hold of her and launched her into the mob the other side. He looked down to see Armand trying to stop the bleeding of the wounded bodyguard while the other fired wildly to keep them back. Clearly, his ammunition wasn’t going to last long. Before Taylor could come up with a solution, gunfire rang out from the prison and ripped into the mass of people.

  Some of them froze in panic while others charged at the fences, but it was a pointless act. Taylor could do nothing but watch in horror as dozens of the protestors were struck down by live ammunition. Then the path to the gates became clear, and he snapped back into action. It was his opportunity. He reached down and hauled the wounded man up as if he weighed nothing at all.

  “Move!” he ordered Armand.

  As they rushed for the gates, several of the armed protestors tried to get at them but were hit by aimed shots of the guards at the walls and watchtowers who covered their retreat. By the time they reached the perimeter gate, there was nobody on their trail, and they could see Spiteri waiting and watching behind the inner perimeter.

  “Stop firing!” Taylor called to him.

  He seemingly ignored the comment until they had got through the gates.

  “Attend to that man!”

  Taylor passed him over to medics and looked back. A few shots were still being made as the crowd tried to retreat but could not make it through the dense wall of their own people.

  “Cease fire!” he finally yelled. He’d waited beyond a reasonable time, as a message to Taylor that he ran the place. “Send medics out and aid the wounded!”

  Mitch looked out across the plain and could see a hundred bodies of the dead and wounded on the ground. This was a disaster, and he knew they would pay dearly for it. He wasn’t sure how he’d got out from the mob, but he knew there would have been a better way.

  “You just screwed us all,” he said to Spiteri.

  Chapter 6

  Six hours later.

  “Sir, we have three incoming ships.”

  “What’s so special about them?” snapped Spiteri.

  “Sir, they aren’t transports or Red Cross. They’re UEN warships.”

  “What!”

  The ships approached without a declaration of their intentions or request to land, but Spiteri knew he could do nothing but let them land and find out their purpose first hand. Taylor knew it was the reckoning for the Colonel. He prayed he would not be lumped into the whole affair.

  The two of them paced out into the landing zone with a dozen guards and Armand close by Taylor’s side. He still looked horrified by what he had seen and had barely spoken more than a few words since that time.

  “What do you think they’re doing here?” he whispered.

  “You don’t know?” replied Taylor.

  “I came here as a negotiator, nothing more.”

  Taylor got the impression he knew far more than he was letting on, but he’d let it slide, considering recent events.

  “UEN can’t let this stand. If they leave Spiteri in charge, they’ll have a tonne of bricks down on their heads. They’ll want to distance themselves from him and his actions ASAP.”

  Armand didn’t seem surprised.

  “You do realise this is a disaster? Besides the obvious loss of life, it has given the protest movement all the fuel they need for this fire?”

  “We can only do what we can do, Colonel. We are but human, after all.”

  Taylor was starting to get the impression he’d expected this to happen, and it had been part of his plan. If it was, it was far from his understanding yet. He looked over to see Spiteri was worried.

  So you should be, you asshole.

  From out of the ships poured UEN soldiers from Germany and a familiar face at their head, General Schulz. Military police flanked him also; something that still sent shivers down his spine. Taylor had learnt to tolerate and respect the General, but he’d never forgive him for his incarceration.

  “Welcome to Tunisia, General…” started Spiteri, as the imposing force approached.

  The General ignored his gesture completely.

  “Lieutenant-Colonel Spiteri, under the authority of the UEN, I am relieving you of your command and placing you under arrest!”

  Spiteri looked around to his colleagues, looking for some support, but none would stand against the General and his troops.

  “Arrest? For what?” he pleaded. “For doing my job, for saving a Councillor’s life?

  Schulz ignored his comments and sent the MPs forward.

  “All prison staff involved in the shooting earlier today are to hand in their weapons at the armoury and return to your billets, where you will remain under hous
e arrest until notified over wise. UEN soldiers will take over perimeter guard duties for the entire facility!”

  He looked over to Taylor and saw he had no weapon in hand.

  “Colonel Taylor, I am told you did not draw your weapon during the incident. Is that correct?”

  Before he could answer, Armand jumped to his aid.

  “I can confirm that, General. He protected my men and me and did not use a weapon throughout. Two of my own were involved but used only non-lethal ammunition in self defence.”

  “Very well, Councillor. As key witnesses of the events here, you are both to escort the prisoner and me to Brussels where a full and immediate investigation is to begin. The World wants answers.”

  “And the protests? We came here to negotiate to bring them to an end.”

  “Negotiations are over. My own soldiers will ensure no one else comes to any harm, both inside and outside the facility, while this is resolved.”

  The MPs removed Spiteri’s sidearm and took up positions around him. His shoulders seemed to sink as it sunk in that he was in big trouble, yet he didn’t seem to show any sympathy towards the dead and wounded or regret for his actions, only disappointment at his arrest.

  Ten minutes later, Taylor was aboard yet another ship being whisked away to yet another country he had no interest in visiting, on a mission not at all suited to his talents. He had listened to Armand relay the entire events of the shooting within minutes of getting aboard.

  Schulz seemed more interested in Taylor and turned his attentions to him.

  “You’ve heard what Armand has reported to me, all of which has been recorded, will you corroborate his story fully?”

  “It’s what happened.”

  “So you agree with every detail?’

  “It was a pretty simple affair, and yeah, I do.”

  “Then Spiteri is going down,” replied Armand.

  “It’s not a victory,” added Taylor. “Only another hurdle on the way to resolving this great big mess.”

  “Agreed, so let’s get it done quickly. On arrival, you will be escorted to the Hotel Be Manos, along with Colonel Spiteri who will be kept closely guarded until the trial begins in the morning.”

  “Tomorrow morning? And a trial beginning without an investigation?” Taylor asked him, surprised.

  “Prosecution teams and UEN investigators have already been working on it and will do so throughout the night. You’ve seen the escalation of protests in the World. People need to know we are acting in their interests.”

  “I’ve been on the wrong end of these events before. I can’t imagine being condemned for life with so little time or thought.”

  “Then never open fire on and kill civilians.”

  Taylor could feel it was all going too fast. Anger was brewing on all sides, and rushing it was only going to cause brash decisions, but he felt powerless to stop it.

  * * *

  It was another short journey to Brussels, but the day had felt like one of the longest since the war. As Taylor wearily stepped inside the lavish room that had been selected for him, all he wanted to do was sleep. But first, he mustered up the energy to put a call through to Eli.

  “What the hell is going on there? Are you okay? You said you were in Paris, but I just saw you on the news at that prison where the shootings happened.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Fine? Turn on the news, Mitch, and look at what that shooting means to people. They’re going psychotic over it.”

  “Not as a result of anything I have done. I was asked to go and help there, and that’s what I’m still doing.”

  “Well, you better figure out pretty quick which side you’re on.”

  “Side?”

  “Have you not seen the news today?”

  Been a little busy, he thought.

  “The World is dividing into those who want the aliens executed and those who don’t. They’re at each other’s throats. Riots have broken out in Washington and New York between the rival groups and in other cities around the World.”

  “I’m a marine, not a politician.”

  “Hardly,” she replied. “You’re out there on your own, making your own decisions. Out there you aren’t a marine, you’re a celebrity; one which both sides will be eager to recruit.”

  He shook his head, “How did it all go to shit so quickly?”

  “The day aliens invaded,” she replied.

  “That’s a big help,” he said with a smile.

  “Nothing good can come of this, Mitch. Get yourself out of it and home ASAP. We don’t have anywhere near the number of Krys held over here. It’s not such a problem. Get your ass out of it.”

  “Do my best.”

  “I love you,” she replied.

  He could hear the worry in voice, and he was starting to realise how serious the events were in determining their future. She cut off the transmission before he had time to reply. Within five minutes, his armour was off, and he was in a deep sleep, the best he’d had in a long time. The recent events weighed heavily on many minds, but he was simply content to never have to do the circus displays his job had become ever again.

  * * *

  A loud knock at the door awoke him from his sleep. He staggered over to open it and found Jafar standing there.

  Does the alien ever sleep?

  “Any news?”

  “A conference has been called at the UEN.”

  “Great, another opportunity for politicians to bore each other to death.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  Taylor was surprised and invited Jafar in, as he paced over and turned the news on. Every news channel seemed to be a live feed of the conference that was already heating up. The Italian President was almost screaming across the room at his peers at such a volume and strong accent, Taylor could barely make out his words. Fortunately, he finished up, and the French President was invited to talk, President Jacques.

  “France cannot risk enemy combatants on her lands ever again, and must take any move necessary to remove that threat. As the representative of my people, I feel it my duty to call for the immediate execution of all enemy combatants held within EU lands, and a strong recommendation that the rest of the World see merit in doing so with all haste.”

  Grunts of approval and anger echoed around the room.

  Taylor watched the conference for two hours. It seemed little more than a screaming debate between two groups who would never be swayed from their standpoints.

  Finally, the Spanish Prime Minister arose and looked around the room, carefully studying the faces of all the representatives there. He clearly had something major to say, and all were silenced as they waited to hear it.

  “The people of Spain will no longer tolerate the existence of murdering invaders on Earth. At 0900 hours tomorrow, Spanish time, two divisions of our armies will cross over into North Africa on orders to exterminate the enemy held there.”

  Heckles came from the crowd, but he only lifted his hand and waited to speak.

  “The UEN has proven impotent to act on this matter for four years, and we can no longer stand by and let this threat remain so close to our homes. Our forces will carry out these orders, and have strict orders to not be stopped by any force on Earth. Should any human stand in our way, we will have no choice but to do what we have to. We will protect our country and this World at any cost!”

  “Oh, shit,” Taylor said quietly.

  “Your people are turning on each other?” asked Jafar.

  The German Prime Minster, Ms Muller, leapt to her feet to address the issue.

  “Our forces currently serve at those bases and have a duty to protect those within the prisons, as much as those outside them.”

  “Then have them redeployed, for nothing will stop out forces from doing their duty!” shouted the Spaniard.

  Taylor could see they had reached deadlock as he continued.

  “Any further discussion on this matter is wasting breath. No human is safe while
an alien remains alive on this planet! Tomorrow, the men and women of the Spanish Army will do their duty to protect human lands across the World, and God spare any human who may stand in their way!”

  He got up and stormed out of the room. Several other leaders followed suit, including President Jacques.

  “Oh, we have some trouble on our hands now.”

  “Will they really kill each other over this?”

  “We’ve a long history of doing so, why should now be any different? Even so, this all seems to be happening a lot quicker than I’d expect. A few months ago, the protests were an annoyance to local governments, now we’re heading for war. It’s as if we’re being moved around like pieces on a board. Somebody wants this war, and there seems little we can do to stop it.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Me? What the hell can I do? I’m not a President, Prime Minister. I supposedly have a Battalion, but have not seen them in a year. It’s just you and me, and everywhere we go a fight starts.”

  He looked at his watch. Spiteri’s trial was going to begin shortly, but there seemed little point, as he was going to face the full sentence for his crimes. He pulled on his uniform that had been cleaned by the hotel staff overnight and headed out the door to be met by armed escorts. It made him uncomfortable. He’d been escorted like this before, and it was right to a prison cell.

  “Lead the way,” he ordered.

  The court was right opposite the hotel with a pedestrianized area between them. On entering, he was met by a guard who expected him to give up his firearm. He knew he had no choice. Jafar tried to follow him through the foyer but was quickly stopped.

  “Authorised personnel only,” said a guard.

  Taylor nodded in response. He could fully understand their position, considering the topic at hand. He was led into the courthouse to join the audience. Just five minutes later, Spiteri stood before them all. Taylor had only ever seen a few court cases in his life, and they never moved this quickly and with such single focus.

  Spiteri looked utterly unashamed of his actions and stood tall in his dress uniform. Taylor still wasn’t sure from which nation he came, but his query was soon answered as the judge introduced him as Maltese. Mitch had been one of the key witnesses at the scene, and one of the few who had no agenda towards the Colonel. He’d expected to be called up before the court quickly, but instead was surprised to see a recording of Armand recounting the tale and him agreeing with it.