“And when in your time in service have you ever got what you asked for?”
The engines of the craft powered down as the hundreds of British soldiers formed up before them. Chandra and Taylor noticed the sound of a vehicle approaching and turned to see Phillips’ jeep heading for them. She ordered the troops to attention as he jumped from the vehicle as it came to a halt.
“Major Chandra, Major Taylor. Your reinforcements as requested.”
The British officer leading the newly arrived troops strode up to them and saluted.
“Lieutenant Grey, 2nd Parachute Regiment.”
Taylor looked up at the man with a puzzled expression. He was twenty years older than Mitch would have expected for a Lieutenant. The man was short but strongly built. He looked like he’d served for decades as a soldier.
“You have what, two Companies there, and you are in charge?”
“My apologies, Sir. Most of our officers were killed when our HQ was hit a few weeks back. I am the senior officer at present.”
“You don’t have to apologise, Lieutenant. Your presence is much appreciated.”
The Commander interrupted before Taylor could speak.
“I am glad to see you have all now met. General Schulz caused quite a stir on both sides of the pond and managed to assemble quite the force for you. General White and Field Marshal Copley discussed this personally and agreed to send you some of the best veteran infantry they had to offer. At last look, you have around three hundred from 15th Marine Expeditionary, and four hundred from the Parachute Regiment, including fifty US rangers who fought with them during the war. All have substantial combat experience and will serve you well.
“Sir, if I might add. We saw plenty of combat through this war, as I am sure Lieutenant Grey has, but all the troops under my command have been amazed by what you, The Immortals, have achieved. To join you is a dream they could never have imagined,” Captain Jackson said.
Phillips interrupted once again.
“Excuse me, Gentlemen, but I have pressing matters to attend to. I must relay a few more points before I leave. All that you see here is to be amalgamated into the 2nd Inter-Allied Battalion, and will come under the new 7th Army under the command of General Schulz. It is a joint taskforce from around the world, with American, British and German troops forming the core. Inter-Allied will come under the command of the newly appointed Colonel Chandra.”
She looked up in shock at the title. She had briefly held the rank as a temporary status, but the thought of the promotion had long since passed.
“I am sorry this promotion could not be done more formally, but there are more pressing matters to deal with. As Battalion Commander, you are to organise the Companies as you see fit, and promote as necessary to make this Battalion fully combat ready. Be sure that you are ready to move out in three days. Good luck, Colonel.”
Phillips reached out his hand to shake Chandra’s. She was left speechless as he turned and left. She peered out at the eight hundred troops she now commanded in astonishment. They all wore a new camouflage pattern that had become an Allied standard and made them look scruffy by comparison. Taylor leant in and whispered to her.
“They are awaiting a speech.”
She nodded as she snapped out of the daze and stepped forward. She coughed and cleared her throat, finally finding her words.
“Welcome to Reims, and the 2nd Inter-Allied Battalion! During the last year, we have fought over these lands as if they were our own. The divide between countries and nationalities is over. We stand now as humans, united against a common enemy. I know you have all seen your fair share of combat in this bloody war, but that was just the beginning.”
She stepped forward and walked along the row of troops that were twenty ranks deep. She bellowed at the top of her voice, so she could just about be heard in all corners.
“We started this war ill prepared. We didn’t have the experience, the weapons. We blundered through until our sheer stubbornness, adaptability, and our heroism got us through. That time is over. We have the equipment, the support, and the knowledge. In the coming days, we will leave this planet to take the fight to the enemy.”
She paused for a second to get her breath back.
“There are no green troops here today, only combat hardened veterans. Today is not for training. Inter-Allied is a family, and we have a bond that makes us unbreakable. Tomorrow we begin training as a battalion, but today your mission is to make that bond with each other. Get your billets in order, settle in, but most importantly, get to know those who will alongside you. Welcome to the Immortals!”
Cheers rang out across the Battalion, sending a shiver down her spine. It was a level of excitement she had not heard in a long time. For so long she had seen their number dwindle, and she never thought she’d see the day that they were once again a formidable force.
“That’ll be all. Fall out!”
Ecstatic cheers rang out once again as the NCOs relayed the command, the columns split apart, and the troops mixed.
“That was quite a speech,” exclaimed Taylor.
“I hope so. I never thought to plan anything. If I am completely honest, I was sceptical that anyone would turn up,” she replied.
“No faith,” he jested.
“In you, yes, but in those who made you promises, not so much.”
Lieutenant Grey signalled for several of his soldiers to carry over crates that they were unloading from the copters. They lugged the boxes as the other officers still stood marvelling on the foray of shiny new equipment.
“Colonel Chandra, I was instructed to deliver this equipment to you. The latest uniforms for the whole of your Company here.”
She looked at the Lieutenant in shock, never before had they been given such priority. She turned to Taylor.
“You really did kick over more than a few stones, Major. Sergeant Silva, I will leave the distribution of this equipment in your hands.”
She looked out at the shabby Company she had led through the worst of it. They wore a ragged mix of overcoats that had been acquired in any way possible from any service or civilian source. Many of their uniforms were ripped and patched over with ingrained blood and dust that was immovable.
“It’ll do the troops a lot of good. We’ve been a ramshackle mix since we were first merged.”
Another officer rushed up to Jackson’s side and stopped to salute the Colonel. The woman was of Asian descent and stood surprisingly tall beside the Captain.
“Colonel Chandra,” stated Jackson. “This is Lieutenant Ota, my second in command.”
“Welcome, Lieutenant.”
“Thank you, Ma’am.”
“I want all senior NCOs and officers to join me at the mess. Follow me,” ordered Chandra.
It wasn’t long before the group were enthralled in conversation around the same table they had sat arguing whether or not to continue fighting, only two days before. Chandra could see that new life had been breathed into the troops. More so than anything, she was grateful to have Taylor back on her side.
“Lieutenant Grey, you said the officers of your Company were killed in one unlucky attack, how did you survive?”
Grey sat up tall. She could tell he was an immensely proud man, but curiosity required her to know his story.
“My CO and all the officers of the Company were in a briefing with the Colonel of our Battalion and many other officers. It was an emergency meeting called in the field. Their command vehicle was struck by enemy artillery, just bad luck I am afraid. As for how I escaped that fate, I was not an officer but CSM at the time. I was promoted in the field after the attack.”
“Company Sergeant Major to Lieutenant? Got to be a kick in the balls?” asked Jones.
“It’s certainly been a challenge, Sir,” he replied.
Jones chuckled. “Amongst us at this table, you don’t need to call anyone Sir.”
“Are you happy in your new role, Lieutenant?” asked Chandra.
“Hones
tly, Ma’am?”
“Speak freely here.”
“I would never have chosen it, but I will continue to do what is required of me. I didn’t sign up to the Army thinking I could have my own way.”
Chandra laughed.
“Well, Lieutenant, you’ll fit in here just fine.”
Chapter 8
It was a new day and a seemingly new dawn for Inter-Allied. Chandra and Taylor stood before eight hundred of the finest soldiers Earth had to offer, and they were theirs to do with as they saw fit.
“Hell of a sight, ain’t it?” asked Taylor.
“Damn right,” Chandra whispered in reply.
She watched as the NCOs make their inspections.
“You know I heard Reiter wasn’t in Ramstein. He’s still alive,” Taylor went on.
“Bloody hell, the crazy bastard’s still with us. Good, we’ll need him.”
They were formed up on the hard standing of the old school. It had been abandoned for so many months that it was beginning to look derelict. The troops fell quiet as the NCOs took up their positions and awaited the Colonel.
“Good morning to you all!” she called. “You all have come from proud units, just as we had. Inter-Allied started as a simple way to combine two key units during the battle for France. As time went on, more were added, to the extent that you could no longer begin to explain our identity. I do not ask you to forget where you came from but to embrace where you are now. We stand together as one!”
A cheer rang out as the NCOs led the call.
“No soldier likes re-organisation. We get used to what we have. I will do my very best to change as little as humanly possible. From now on, the Battalion will be structured as four Companies. Major Taylor will remain second in command for Inter-Allied. Alpha Company will be commanded by Captain Jones and will encompass the remaining members of my old Company, with a number drawn from 2 Para to bring them up to strength.”
She paced along the line and looked to the officers to see Jones nod in gratitude.
“Bravo Company, the remainder of 2 para, will be under the command of Lieutenant Grey. Charlie and Delta are to be led by Captain Jackson and Lieutenant Ota respectively. The US rangers among you are to report to the Charlie and Delta to make up their number.”
She took in a deep breath and looked across at the troops’ faces. They seemed content with the news.
“Lastly, I am appointing Sergeant Silva to Company Sergeant Major. He has been a force of reason and discipline throughout this war, and I cannot think of a better soldier to keep things in order. Congratulations Sergeant!”
Whistles broke the silence, and the troops that had been with them since the beginning clapped to the Sergeant’s success. She smiled at their appreciation. Silva was humbled and could not bring himself to discipline them for such open support. Chandra lifted up her hand to request silence, and it was quickly given.
“Company commanders have been sent full lists of those personnel who will serve under them. Please report to them upon dismissal. We’re lacking the NCOs and officers we need at platoon level, and I will leave that to Company commanders to resolve as they see fit. You will see along the back wall there four letters. Those are the designated assembly areas for each Company.”
She could see a number of the troops start to shiver in the cool morning breeze.
“It is vital that this Battalion learns to work as one in the shortest time possible. Change is never easy, and I know that you will all have become closely tied with those you have served beside. That same bond must now be extended to all standing here today. Thank you. Fall out and assemble with your Company leaders.
She nodded to Silva to relay her commands. Within seconds, the troops were scattering to assemble as requested. Most of the officers rushed to take command of their troops, but Taylor watched in amazement.
“Strange isn’t it?” asked Chandra.
“What’s that?”
“To be stood back here watching while everything is done for you.”
“For now, but we won’t be taking desk jobs anytime soon.”
“True. Although at Battalion HQ we will need some additional staff. Having Silva at hand will be most useful to us, but we are still lacking a medical officer, quartermaster and several other administrative staff. A chaplain may also be useful.”
“Really? For what?”
“The pressure these troops are under on a daily basis, don’t you think they could do with some outlet?”
Taylor shook his head.
“Not much of a believer myself.”
“You don’t have to believe in anything to simply just have someone to talk to. I don’t want any cracks appearing in this Battalion, so whatever is necessary to keep it strong will be done.”
They watched as the four Company commanders quickly formed up their troops, and it was clear the Battalion was quickly taking shape. Chandra marvelled at the troops who now all wore matching uniforms for the first time since amalgamation.
“We are finally getting the army we always needed,” she stated.
“We need to put these troops through combat simulations. We need to know they are going to be able to work together as sharply as the Company always has done.”
“Agreed. Sergeant Major!” she yelled.
Silva rushed to her position.
“Sergeant, I am placing you in charge of assembling a series of combat tests. You have free rein to use the former industrial park a kilometre south of here for any and all exercises, including live fire. Put them through their paces.”
“Yes Ma’am!”
He rushed off with a new level of enthusiasm.
“Schulz may have give us all this, but he’s going to expect a lot in return,” she whispered.
“Agreed, but wouldn’t it be expected, anyway?”
She nodded in agreement. It seemed hard to imagine that they could have ever played a larger part in the war.
“Shouldn’t we get in on this training?” asked Taylor.
“Not yet, this is our Battalion now. Let the troops get used to the chain of command. Right now we have other work ahead of us. We may have wings, but we’ll need more substantial transport for where we’re going.”
“Surely not our problem to sort out?”
“Maybe so, but I’d rather have the pick of it before we get dumped on some civilian liner and sent up into enemy territory. Phillips promised me he’d sort it, and I want to make sure he has kept his word. Follow me.”
Half an hour later they stood at their former landing zone in Reims. Rains and Kato were desperately trying to salvage parts from the wreckage they had recovered to use as a donor for the last copter. Rains noticed them approaching and spoke out as he continued to use a power wrench.
“Shame you couldn’t get us some of those shiny new rides.”
Chandra smiled as they heard a large ship approaching their positions.
They looked up to the sky to see an Achilles class vessel roar into view and come in to land. It was large enough to almost completely fill the landing zone from where they had been operational.
“You might be careful what you wish for,” replied Chandra.
The vessel descended to the ground, and Taylor could make out the name, Deveron.
“Reyes’ ship, what’s it doing here?” he asked.
A ramp lowered from the vessel, and an officer stepped out to greet them. Taylor had seen him before but had never shared words.
“Lieutenant Ryan at your service.”
“Welcome to Reims, Lieutenant,” replied Chandra.
“I am sorry to hear of the loss of your Captain, he was a good man,” Taylor added.
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Major, the Deveron has been assigned to our Battalion as long range transport for the foreseeable future, along with three other Achilles class frigates.”
Taylor stepped around the Lieutenant and peered down the hull of the ship. He recognised the name, but much of the rest was n
ew to him.
“Some refit, hey, Lieutenant?”
“Yes, Sir, we’ve been given new engines, new weapons, things I’ve never seen in my life.”
Eddie strolled up to their positions.
“Looks like someone has taken my improvements to a larger scale.”
“Are you Lieutenant Rains?”
“One and only,” he replied.
“We are carrying two new Eagle HVs which are to be delivered to you.”
Eddie turned in shock as he raised an eyebrow in astonishment.
“Taylor, who’s ass have you kissed to get us such treatment?”
Before they could marvel at the technology any further, a jeep drew up beside them. The driver leapt out within a second of it drawing to a halt.
“Colonel Chandra?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Orders from Commander Phillips, you and Major Taylor are to assemble at briefing shelter A at 1100 hours.”
“Why did this not get relayed via comms?” she asked.
“The Commander asked me to relay the order personally, and for your ears only, Ma’am.”
“Alright, thank you, you can be on your way.”
As the jeep pulled away, she looked down at her watch to see there was little time before they were to be summoned.
“We were supposed to have another day,” said Taylor.
“When does anything work to the schedule we need?” she responded. “Come on, I’m eager to see what is in store for us.”
* * *
Chandra and Taylor stepped into the briefing shelter with just seconds to spare. Several dozen other officers awaited the Commander to start. They barely recognised anyone in the room. It was a stark reminder of how much they had lost in the war. A door towards the front of the room opened, and General Schulz stepped through with several of his staff. Nobody was even aware that he had arrived in the city, but they all understood it meant there was a matter of great importance.
“Welcome all of you. A new operation is about to begin which will see you all tested to your sheer limits. We drove the enemy from this planet, and yet we have not driven them from human territory. As long as the enemy remain on the Moon, humanity is in danger. Tomorrow we launch the greatest military operation outside of Earth boundaries that has ever taken place in human history.”
Battle Earth IV Page 12
