“Can’t?” snapped Taylor, “What do you think is going to stop me?”
Jafar calmed his nerve, accepting the conflict was not going to get him anywhere with Taylor.
“I am asking you. You trust in me, do you not?”
Taylor groaned once again as he seemed to begrudgingly agree.
“Then you will promise me that you will not pursue CJ or attempt to do him any harm, nor interfere with the orders in which I have given him. I have earned that, have I not?”
“You have, but that doesn’t make it right. You can’t ask that of me. You know what that clone has done, and what he is capable of.”
“Yes I do, and I also know why he does what he does, and how I can use him.”
“How can you trust him?”
“The day I met you, I knew who you were. You had already killed hundreds of my kin, and seemed intent on killing every last one of us. But Tsengal and I trusted you that day. We looked past what had been and to what the future could hold. We chose to see the good in each other, do you remember?”
“Yes, I do, but this is different.”
“No, it isn’t. Promise me you will not pursue him.”
Taylor sighed.
“For now, but if he gets in my way and does anything to jeopardise the Alliance or anybody that I care for, I will put him down.”
“Okay,” replied Jafar in relief.
“Enough of this shit, we have a war to fight. Let’s get to it.”
Chapter 2
"Madam President," said Taylor.
He did it to draw her attention, and yet hid it under a veil of niceties. His smile reinforced the impression, but Caron was not fooled.
"What can I do for you, Colonel? What can I tell you differently that I haven't already?"
"I want you to tell me you have news, and that you know how to find Zaya, and Hariz, and Jones..."
"And I wish I could. I really do," she replied.
The whole room was privy to their conversation. She shook her head and signalled for him to follow her.
"Captain Fortier, may I have your office?"
"Of course, Madam President."
She led Taylor into the room so that they may speak in private. She slumped down into the Captain's chair. Her shoulders were slung low, her face pale and pasty. There were bags under her eyes. Taylor knew how she felt all too well. He used to laugh at those who wore a suit to work and never got their hands dirty, but now he understood the pressure she was under and did not envy her position.
"Colonel, I..."
"Mitch," he interrupted.
She smiled pleasantly and looked relieved to have a friend amongst all the trouble that was mounting up on her shoulders.
"Out there you will have to address me the same as any other, but here, amongst the two of us, I am Lisa. I am forever in your debt, Mitch. You know that. Armed with that knowledge, you should know that I am doing everything in my power to find your friends, but that search cannot be made at the expense of Earth and those fighting to defend it."
"Am I not? Have I not been fighting to defend it?"
"Of course, and nobody values your efforts more than I, but we have to face the very possible reality that your colleagues are never coming back. We must focus on the living. You know we have to."
Taylor shook his head.
"You know it’s right. It's what they would want. Would you have me risk millions to save three?"
Taylor sighed.
"I don't care about your figures or your projections or your bullshit," he spat back.
His voice was growing louder and angrier, but had not yet reached shouting levels. Caron sat back calmly and let him vent.
"I will not stop until I have my people back," he declared firmly.
The room fell silent as they looked at one another and weighed each other up. Taylor didn't have anything else to say and so waited for her response. She loosened up and cleared her throat, as if building up to something big.
"Sit down, Mitch, please," she insisted.
That calmed him a little, and he did as she asked.
"I know you won't stop. I have read your file thoroughly, Colonel, and I will not make the mistakes that those who have come before me have. Those in authority don't know how to handle you, do they?"
He nodded.
"That is because you are a weapon, and you always will be. You are not a negotiator, nor a politician, not even a leader. First and foremost you are a weapon, and nothing and no one can stand in your way. As the leader of the Alliance, I should condemn you for what you are. I should try to stop you, but I know what happens to those who try, and the mess that unfolds as a result. So I am not going to fight you, Colonel. You do what you have to do. I just beg you to remember that this war is about more than a handful of people, no matter how important they are to you. Think back to when you fought for Earth, when you fought for the survival of the human race. Well, that day has come again, and the people of Earth, the people of the Alliance, they need Colonel Mitch Taylor. The man who ensured Earth stood free, and that humanity lived on. Can you be that man again?"
Taylor was dumbfounded. He had expected her to buck against him, but she seemed to have done the exact opposite.
"I don't know what to say."
"Then don't say anything. I know the pain you are in. Just go, and do what you have to do. Remember, time does not stop for anything or anyone. This fight for Earth is going on every second that we talk and every minute you are away from it. So go, but I will pray you come back to us before it is too late."
He felt a little humbled by her assessment, and yet it was still not enough to keep him there. He stood up and staggered towards the door as if all his energy had been drained. He hesitated at the door and turned back to the President.
"I haven't forgotten. The people of Earth, I mean. I haven't. But I cannot stand by and lose everyone I care for. I will be back, and I will help you win this fight, that is my promise."
"Thank you, Colonel, and good luck."
He nodded in appreciation before stepping out. He strode across the bridge and left without a word. Outside, he finally took in a deep breath of air. The President had blindsided him with logic and reason that he had rarely heard.
"So what now?"
Sommer was awaiting some news or orders, and Turan stood beside her. The pair seemed inseparable now. Two platoon leaders who could not have less in common, and yet they seemed to have formed a bond few would understand. He needed friends like that right now and was glad they were there.
"We need help, and it can't be human. Earth can't spare more fighters than we will already be starving her of."
"Then where do we go?"
"Anywhere, everywhere. It's time to call in a few favours. Turan, find Jafar and tell him our position. I need anyone else he can spare. Sommer, follow me."
He strode forward at such a brisk pace they almost had to jog to keep up with him. Turan soon broke away. He didn't question Taylor's orders, even when any human would have. Going to ask for help from the leader of his people was no small thing, and yet he didn't hesitate. Taylor led Sommer to a comms room. Two guards stood on duty and let them through without hesitation. Two female officers sat at consoles inside, sorting and relaying necessary information.
"Colonel Taylor?" one asked in surprise, "How can we help?"
"Get me the Cholan President."
"Colonel, I am..."
"You heard me. Do it!"
The woman seemed hesitant, but his stare was enough to make her continue.
"We have most of the Regiment, why not use our own people?" Sommer asked.
"Because our people are fighting for their own world, and I understand the importance of that more than anyone. I will not ask them to leave it for me, even when I know not one of them would hesitate. It isn't fair, not to them, and not to the people of Earth and those that have supported us to get this far. Turan's platoon is coming with me, but I won't take any more from the fight o
n Earth than I must. I am fighting for my family, and they must fight for theirs."
"What about me?"
Taylor gave her a look that confirmed her fears.
"No, you can't do this. I am going with you."
Taylor shook his head, but he could see a tear come to her eyes.
"You are my family. You, and the men and women are all I have left."
"I didn't know."
She nodded as she began to cry further.
"My parents were in New York. They were killed on the first day, and my baby brother a day later. I wasn't there. I couldn't help them, but I am here for you."
Taylor felt a chill run down his spine, as her situation was all too familiar. He placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her in close. She had clearly been holding in her sorrow since she found out. She was strong, and he couldn't say no to her.
"If this is what you want, then I won't stop you. But you must know that I will go through hell to get our friends back, and that may cost all of us our lives."
"It's not dying that I fear."
"Then what do you fear?"
"Being left alone. Having no one left in the universe that I care about. I don't want to be the last one."
Taylor smiled and chuckled a little.
"Believe me, that won't be our fate."
And yet that was just his position when he had awoken in this new time.
"I'm honoured to have you with me. It's gonna be a rough ride, and it'll feel all the better to have you with me."
"Sir, I...I have Emperor Tuin for you..." said the comms officer in amazement that it had been that easy.
Taylor nodded for her to put him on screen in front of them. The Cholan soon appeared and looked happy to see the Colonel.
"Taylor, what can I do for you?" he asked in a friendly and casual tone.
"You must know by now what went down here."
"Yes, and I am so sorry for your losses."
Taylor took in a deep breath, preparing to take his shot.
"The truth is I need help. I know you have already committed a lot to this fight, but this isn't for the battle for Earth. This is for me. I have lost so many friends, and I intend to get them back. I am assembling a small elite force. Independent and with only one goal in sight."
"I understand. You must appreciate, Colonel, that I cannot spare many resources. To take away many more of our troops would leave our planets vulnerable, and we have lost so much already."
Taylor agreed, but he couldn't help but sound disappointed.
"But..." Tuin went on, "While I cannot spare the forces of the Cholan people, I can send a unit of my own guard. A single platoon of the finest troops in the Cholan Army, I have trained and selected them personally, and they will show you the same allegiance they have to me."
"Thank you, I can't state how important this is to me."
"I wish I could offer you more, Colonel, but I must get on. There is much work to be done."
"I understand, and thank you again."
The transmission ended, and Taylor breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's not much, but it's something," he whispered.
"A platoon? Is that all?"
"Sommer, I'll take whatever I can get right now," replied Taylor wearily.
"Well, at least you've still got this ship."
"No, the Regiment stays here, and so does the Indy. I won't compromise the safety of Earth for this mission."
"Aren't you already, just by leaving?"
"No more than I have to. I have to know there is something worth fighting for, and right now that is in the wind."
"And the rest of us?"
Taylor thought about it.
"You know I care, but Hariz and Jones have been with me since all this shit began. I can't lose them."
"What if that is not a choice you have?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if they are already gone? Bolormaa is not known for her mercy and compassion.
"All the more reason they will still be alive, to prolong their suffering, and mine."
"You think?"
"Yes, I don't know everything there is to know about that bitch, but I know enough."
"Fair enough...so what now?"
"We need help from somewhere else."
"The Aranui? Surely they would help us?"
Taylor gritted his teeth. He didn't much want to talk to them after the loss of Irala, but he had no choice.
"Irala was my only contact with those people, and he was a cold son of a bitch at the best of times. Despite all of that, he was the best of them. I figure without him we would have lost contact with the Aranui long before I ever came back on the scene."
"Surely they can't be that selfish? They are of this universe as well? It affects all of us."
"I wish they could see it as clearly as you do, Lieutenant."
She looked a little awkward.
"I am sorry if I am too forward, Sir. It is not my place to..."
"Bullshit," snapped Taylor as he interrupted her.
"I don't bullshit people, and I expect the same approach from all those who serve with me. I need to know how those who serve under me feel. We are family, after all."
That brought a smile to her face, and it was not lost on Taylor that it would mean more to her than most after the loss of every relation she had.
The room fell silent as the two other women waited for his orders, and Sommer clung to his every word. Taylor's face was blank as if he seemed to just stare at the wall.
"Well, what are you going to do?" she finally asked.
He shrugged as he thought about it one last time. He didn't even know whom to contact, now that Irala was gone.
"Make contact with the Aranui Ambassador. Tell them Mitch Taylor wants an audience."
"Yes, Sir."
"Are you sure it's wise to make demands of them?" Sommer asked.
"Probably not, but you have to be blunt with these people, or you won't get anywhere at all."
They were both silent as they let the communications officers do their work. It took a few minutes, but finally an Aranui representative appeared before them.
"Colonel Taylor, I accepted this communication out of respect for Councillor Irala, but we, the Aranui, have nothing left to give to you. We have nothing left to say to you."
Taylor was still trying to find a way to approach the subject.
"Irala believed in us. He believed in the Alliance."
"And he died for it," interrupted the representative.
Taylor smiled, but it was fake and stilted for everyone to see. The alien looked at him coldly as if waiting for a response so that it could shoot him down in flames once more.
"That's right. He did give his life for the Alliance, and it was worth it. He was brave, and kind, and trustworthy. He was someone I was proud to call a friend."
"I do not understand how that is relevant to our participation in your war," the Aranui responded.
Taylor coughed in surprise and horror.
"My war? My war?" he said exasperated, "This war started long before I was brought back to life. And the previous one happened long before I was even born. So don't you dare call this my war! I was called upon to clean up this mess."
"We will…" began the alien.
Taylor raised his voice and spoke over the creature.
"I have not finished!" he roared.
The alien was silenced, but it looked into his eyes with disdain. It was if it wanted to end the conversation by any means necessary. Taylor felt he was fighting an uphill battle before it had even begun. He took a deep breath, knowing he needed to stay calm, but it wasn't easy.
"You know I don't give a damn what you think about me, the Alliance, or this war. But you should at least care about Irala. He died doing what he knew had to be done. He wasn't fighting for his own ambitions or out of some misguided sense of loyalty to me, or anyone else. He fought because he knew it was the right thing to do. The outcome of this war is g
oing to affect you, whether you like it or not. The universe isn't large enough for you to hide in."
"It was before, and it can be again."
"No, you were never hidden from Bolormaa. She just decided to stop hunting you."
The creature looked away. It was clear it knew Taylor was right, but did not want to admit it.
“I don’t really care what you think. I can only tell you what I know. This is a war worth fighting. Irala understood that, and he would want his people to go on fighting as he did for the freedom and the survival of the other races which we called the Alliance.”
The Aranui creature grunted as if partially agreeing.
“Before the loss of the Irala, the Councillor was working on a new project, a more compact model of Guardian. It was intended to work in close partnership with him and you when aboard the confines of human vessels and similar such enclosed spaces. The Councillor would have wanted you to have them, and we will honour his wish. They will be programmed to follow your orders and anyone you choose to have command over them. That is our offering. We will not risk another Aranui life. Good luck, Colonel.”
The transmission ended abruptly, and it was obvious the Aranui representative hadn’t even wanted to give up that much.
“What a dick,” said Taylor.
The two comms officers looked horrified, but Sommer was now well accustomed to his brash language.
“What else would you call him?” Taylor snapped, seeing their reaction.
“He offered you support, did he not?” replied one softly.
“I asked for a real commitment, and that bastard threw me a few breadcrumbs. I’m not saying it won’t be useful, but it’s a far cry from what he should be doing. Irala is far greater a loss to the Alliance than many of you are yet to realise.”
“We will manage,” said Sommer.
Taylor nodded in agreement.
“That’s the spirit. You’re damn right we will.”
Taylor tried to piece it all together in his head and finally smiled to himself.
“What is it?”
“Sommer, we’re creating an army of monsters.”
It brought a look of shock to her face, but she knew he was right. “Then let’s make them the meanest beasts in the Alliance.”
Battle Beyond Earth: Survival Page 3
