Battle Earth VI (4 page)

"An enemy ship has breached your perimeter, and your guys have just a minute or two to contain them before they run rampant," Taylor said.

"I don't think any of us need reminding of it," he replied.

Shouts rang out as the MDF soldiers advanced and laid down fire. The blank ammunition was every bit as loud as the real thing, and the laser tag devices fitted ensured they had the correct effect.

The two officers watched as a hundred MDF soldiers closed in on their target. They all utilised the Reitech equipment that Taylor had become so accustomed to.

"It's a God damn miracle we're even still alive to be training for this," Kelly said.

"Amen to that," he replied.

Buzzers went off in the distance as the lasers tagged the opposition. The battle was out of sight now as the close quarter battle continued in the distance. Fifteen minutes later the shots finally stopped.

"Clear!"

Taylor lifted his comms device.

"Training exercise complete. Well done, return to the rally point."

The troops began to flood back down the corridor past them. Jafar was among them and could be seen many ranks down due to his towering presence.

"That's not a sight I'm ever going to get used to, one of them in our uniform," Kelly.

"I used to think the same, but I'll never say never after the shit I've seen."

Kelly smiled and nodded in agreement. Jafar now wore sergeant stripes upon his armour and was directly attached to Taylor's command staff. The alien had become good friends with Silva while learning everything he could from the Sergeant Major.

"Colonel, I'd have you and your command staff dine with me tonight."

"It would be an honour," replied Taylor.

"I'll see you there, Colonel."

* * *

Taylor stepped into the officer’s quarters he had been provided and could already tell Eli was occupying the place. Her gear was scattered over the desk, and the shower was on. He knew she couldn't have been there long, as the water restrictions only allowed the showers to run for up to two minutes every twelve hours. That was considered adequate for a single occupant.

The door closed behind him, and the shower turned off moments later. She was clearly aware of his presence. She stepped out of the bathroom with a cheeky smile on her face.

"You know that'll be all the water I get for hours."

"Ah, you don't need it, Colonel. You've stood around watching all day while the rest of us sweat."

He could do nothing but smile. He had been looking forward to getting cleaned up, but the sight of her was so much more appealing.

"So the Commander has invited you to dinner?"

"Yep, sure has."

"Damn, bet you'll be getting some good food."

"Bet your ass."

"Don't fancy taking a date?"

Taylor shook his head.

"We may just about get away with carrying on like this, but if we flaunt it before those around us, it'll only bring trouble."

"And what would they do to the great Colonel Mitch Taylor. Leader of the Immortals, slayer of Karadag?"

"Hey, you're not the one who spent a few months in the brig. I can do without that experience again."

He pulled of his BDUs and threw them down over Parker's gear. The room was a mess, but he figured he couldn't make it any worse. There was just enough water left to wash his face.

"That food tonight will better than the shit we get."

"Privileges of rank," he replied with a smile.

Mitch pulled out his service dress from the wardrobe. It was the only other uniform he had with him, and the smartest thing he could manage. He figured evening dress would be too much for Kelly anyway, who was a man of simple tastes. As he tried to get dressed, Eli did her utmost to stop him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tried to entice him to stay.

"Come on, you know Kelly can't withstand lateness."

She let go and slumped down on the bed with a sigh and curse.

"Is this all our lives are now? One training exercise to another on base after base?"

"We're in the Corps. Our lives are what we are told. Another few weeks and we'll get our leave. We can head for Monterey and soak up the sun. Down cocktails to our hearts content and be the layabouts you fancy us to be."

"Mmm, sounds good. I'll believe it when I see it."

He made the final adjustments to his tie in the mirror, looking down at her glum face.

"Hey come on. This is luxury compared to the times we have known, a real bed, regular sleep, and nobody trying to kill us. I'll only be a few hours."

"I'll be waiting."

It was a short walk to Kelly's home, an apartment atop one of the towers of the colony. Two MDF soldiersposted at the door ushered him inside. It struck Taylor as strange that he would have a protection detail at his personal residence.

The Colonel made his way though into the penthouse. It opened up into a lavish open plan environment that was prime real estate on the Lunar colony. It didn't feel like the kind of place Kelly would have chosen. Taylor could only suspect it came along with the job. Up ahead, he could hear a hive of conversation, and he caught the last few comments.

"How long have we got till the bastards get here?" asked one officer.

Taylor's face turned to stone as he’d already anticipated the subject of the conversation. He pushed his way through two officers. There were over a dozen MDF officers stood about talking.

"Until which bastards get here?" he asked sternly.

The room fell silent as he strode in between them. His eyes contacted with Kelly, and he could see the weariness on the Commander's face.

"They're back, those alien bastards."

Taylor was silent. He always expected them to return, but it was no less shocking.

"What do you know so far?"

Kelly took in a deep breath, as if to prepare for the passing on of such dire news.

"Not an awful lot at present. The Collingwood and what is left of the SGD, that's the Space Gateway Defence, is in full retreat. They've lost four or five vessels and are doing running repairs while making their way here with all haste."

"The Deveron was out there. Did she make it out?"

"She did indeed, and is on her way here, right now."

"How are we just hearing about this?"

"The SGD centre has only known for the last twenty-four hours. Colonel, I have been informed of your orders and told to relay them to you presently."

Taylor expected the Commander to usher him into some more private quarters, but he laid it out for all to hear.

"The Deveron will be here within hours. You are to take what elements of the Inter-Allied are here and report to her for immediate departure. Your task is to gather any information you can on what's heading our way."

A few of the officers gasped and sniggered at the order.

"Sir? Head towards them, with one ship?"

"Four other vessels are being sent out on similar information gathering missions. The honest truth is your eyes, and that of your alien friend, are what's needed. Get out there, gather any info you think could be useful, and get back safely. The fleet will be waiting for you when you haul ass back here."

"Better be, Sir, because we'll be coming in hot."

"Now, the rest of you. The last time we faced unbeatable odds, we chose to stay and defend our homes without knowing what we had let ourselves in for. I will not make the same mistake again. The colony is what it is because of the people who inhabit it. I am ordering an immediate evacuation to Earth."

There was no argument from the officers present. Several had fought for their survival on the Moon, and none wanted to go through it again. Kelly turned to Taylor.

"You haven't got long, Colonel. Gather your people and be ready. She'll be docking at platform seven. Good luck to you."

"And to you, Sir."

Taylor rushed out of the room and immediately lifted his comms unit.

"2nd Inter-Allied. Grab your gear and report to platform seven. We are leaving."

He didn't want to say anything else across open channels, but he knew they would already suspect a major problem coming their way. There would be no other reason for them to leave their training mission for anything but an emergency. He reached his quarters and found Parker inside, almost ready to go.

"What the hell's up?" she asked.

"Hell? Exactly that, coming our way and fast."

She tilted her head and stared at his face to see if he really meant what she suspected. He could see exactly what she was thinking and asking with her eyes.

"Yep, it's exactly that."

"Christ!"

He ripped of his service dress and tossed it into his kit bag. He knew he wouldn't have any need for it for a long time.

"We rendezvousing with the rest of the fleet?"

He ignored the comment and continued to get into his BDUs.

"Mitch?" she asked.

He knew she wasn't going to leave it alone.

"We're heading out in the Deveron on recon."

She shook her head in disbelief.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing... just that why do we always get the shit jobs?"

"Well in this case, I can honestly say we are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Being here on the Moon right now, and having Jafar's knowledge and counsel, means we were perfect for this."

"Great, I'll remind you of that when we're up to our necks in shit."

Taylor could do nothing but smile in response. She was more beautiful than ever when she was angry. She could see that in his face, and it only made her more furious.

* * *

The thirty-six marines of Inter-Allied lay about the docking bay awaiting their ride as the colony erupted into organised chaos. The evacuation had begun, and nobody was in any doubt as to what was coming their way. Taylor could only watch and wish the human fleet had been so substantial when it all began. Leaving the colony with the Prime Minister while the battle raged was a memory he would never forget, and one of the lowest points in his career.

Taylor had explained to all who were with him what their mission was. There had not been a single question or discussion about it. They were somehow numbed by the news, but he had spent the last year preparing them for it. It wasn't long before the Deveron arrived. The ramp lowered, and Taylor rushed forward to greet Ryan with excitement but was met by a grim sight.

Captain Ryan stepped out at the head of a line of stretcher-bearers. Five dead were carried out, and three walking wounded followed.

"Attention on deck!"

The call came from Jafar and was immediately responded to. It was the first time he had ever done as such, and Taylor was impressed with his perception on the situation. He was showing the respect to their fallen like one of his own. There were still some who didn't trust the alien, but he counted Jafar among his closest friends.

The wounded passed, and Taylor could see three of the dead were marines. Ryan approached and stopped before him with a salute. Taylor tried to find the words to say, but nothing seemed appropriate.

"You weren't wrong, Colonel. You always said the bastards would be back, and they are, and stronger than ever."

"Any idea on the numbers we face?"

"Honestly, they just kept coming. It didn't matter how many we killed, how many ships we destroyed. They kept pouring through the Gateway and bearing down on us till there was nothing we could do but run. We barely made it out alive. Some weren't so lucky."

Mitch hated having to ask it, but he needed the Deveron and her crew back in action.

"Are you aware of your orders?"

"To take you back out there to gather intel."