Battle Earth VIII (Book 8) (10 page)

"Let's do this."

They headed on down the abandoned streets as if they were taking a walk in the park. Anything else would be suspicious so far back from the frontline. Finally, they came across the lamppost that had been demolished by the limo. It was the marker point for them reaching the main road. Up ahead they could see a line of trucks passing by.

"I don't like this," said Silva.

But they carried on walking as if there were no danger at all. As they stepped out to cross the road, a six-wheeled armoured vehicle rolled to a halt beside them. They froze.

Oh shit,
Taylor thought.

To their surprise the driver's hatch opened, and the driver appeared before them and beckoned for them to jump on. He was shouting something Taylor didn't understand, though it sounded like German to him. Taylor couldn't believe their luck and knew they had to clamber on or risk appearing suspicious.

No soldier ever turns down a ride.

The six of them climbed aboard, and a moment later the vehicle had rejoined the convoy.

"Well what do you know? A free ride," said Silva with a smile.

Taylor was glad they were on top and didn't have to communicate with the crew, but he couldn't help but feel exposed. They were on full view to all they passed. They were on the road for close to an hour when the convoy came to a slow grind. Jones tapped Taylor's shoulder and subtly pointed to where they were heading. Mitch turned to see a line of US MPs up ahead and checking the occupants of each vehicle.

"Ah, fuck," he whispered.

"No way we'll make it past them. They know what we look like," said Silva.

Taylor looked around for possible options, but they were few. He gestured for them all to come in closer to hear what he had to say.

"We can't make it through there. We're gonna have to make a break for it. We can't be far away now. When I say, we jump and head west. As far as the troops here are concerned, we're the MPs’ problem until we start shooting, so nobody fires unless you absolutely have to."

It felt like a last desperate attempt to get free, as criminals always do from the police when under pursuit, and so rarely successful.

"Once we hit the ground, you run. All of you," ordered Taylor. "You run and run until you get across the border, and if we don't meet again, it was an honour."

Taylor looked back to the MPs. Two of them were already taking an interest in the group. He knew they were on borrowed time.

"Good luck to you all," he whispered. "Now!"

He jumped from the stopped vehicle and hit the ground running. He glanced quickly to one side. He could see the MPs frantically trying to get their rifles in hand, but the six of them were already down a side street before they could open fire. He looked around to see the group was still together and following him. They took a bend and kept up a sprint, despite none of them knowing how far they were from friendly lines.

"I feel like a kid again, running from the cops!"

"Yeah, but cops don't shoot kids. These ones surely shoot marines!" yelled Taylor.

It was motivation to keep up the pace, but as they took a bend up ahead, they saw they had run themselves into a dead end with a brick industrial building that stood twenty metres high. It had been a heavy goods vehicle access road that overtime had been blocked for whatever reason.

Taylor looked down at the display on his suit. His boosters had almost no power left at all. He ran and jumped, hoping for the best, but he barely got five metres off the ground before smashing into the wall and landing hard on the concrete below.

He was quickly back on his feet and looking for anyway out, but there was none. The others all looked to him for options, but there was only one left to them.

"Take up positions and prepare to fire!"

They went thirty metres back the way they’d come to the nearest cover of a few walls and large industrial trash cans.

"So this is what it has come to?" asked Jones. "Backed into a corner by MPs. How lame."

"We aren't finished yet. Do not fire unless fired upon!"

The MPs took the bend up ahead and came into full view, but Taylor and his comrades did not fire. Their opponents quickly found any cover they could until the alleyway went silent. It became a standoff.

"This is Major Martin. You are under arrest! You are ordered to lay down your weapons immediately!"

They recognised the voice. It was the same officer who had tried arresting them the day before, and Taylor knew he would not be very forgiving after the punishment Jones had dealt out.

"You have five seconds to lay down your weapons and come peacefully!"

"You know this guy is really getting boring," said Silva.

"It's only a few cops playing soldiers. We can take 'em," said Rains.

Just as he said it, they watched in horror as a Mech strode into view beside the MPs. It was followed by a dozen more.

"Oh, shit," said Eddie.

"They must really want you out of the picture," said Jones.

The Mechs lined up in the open ready to fire.

"This is your final warning!" screamed Martin. "Lay down your arms and no harm will come to you!"

Nobody said a word.

"You have five seconds! Five...four...three..."

Taylor prayed for a miracle, but it seemed pointless, considering he'd never believed in a god to begin with.

"Two...one! Fire!"

The Mechs and MPs fired simultaneously, peppering the entire area. Taylor put his rifle around the corner of one of the huge trashcans and fired a burst. Two of the shots hit a Mech, and it tumbled down dead. He tried to fire again, but his rifle was hit and wouldn't fire. He ducked fully back into cover and pulled the rifle up close. Two shots had hit the barrel and front receiver, rendering it useless. He threw it aside and drew his pistol.

A scream rang out. He turned to see gunshots penetrate a hole in the wall and hit Rains. A few were absorbed by his armour, but one passed through his upper arm and another the side of his neck. He dropped down to the floor, trying to cup his wounds. Before anyone could do anything, a grenade flew overhead and landed between Herrera and Acosta. They turned to move out the way, but the blast still caught them. Acosta was hurled against a wall and knocked unconscious while Herrera took shrapnel to the legs and hit the ground face first.

All seemed lost, and not to the alien invaders or even their agents, but to a bunch of MPs with their Mech dogs. But then an engine roared overhead. It brought the firing to a stop. Everyone looked up to see a transport close to the size of the Deveron swoop in overhead and cast a shadow over them all. A US flag adorned the hull, and Taylor shook his head. He knew it was the end.

Several doors opened either side of the ship and troops jumped out. A few dozen landed on the rooftops either side of the alley, and twenty dropped in to where they had come to the dead end. They were indeed US troops and fully equipped in Reitech equipment.

Taylor, Jones, and Silva had their weapons trained on them but had made no attempt to fire. The troops didn’t take cover or even kneel; they knew as much as Taylor did that it was over. An officer strode forward from the middle of the group without even a weapon raised. He wore Army Ranger insignia, as did all who had arrived with him, and bore the rank of Captain. He stopped ten paces from Taylor and looked down at the wounded before turning back to his troops.

"Medics!"

Taylor lowered his weapon, nodding to the others to do the same.

Medics rushed forward to help the wounded, and Major Martin came striding past the cover from the other direction.

"Thank you, Captain. We'll take it from here!"

The Captain looked up at the MP Major with a disgusted look on his face.

"You keep your filthy hands to yourself, Major!" he boomed.

Martin was stopped in his tracks and utterly shocked by the condemnation.

"Captain, need I remind you I have direct orders to detain these men and bring them back to the United States for trial?"

The Captain spat in front of the Major and replied, "Pack up and piss off."

Taylor didn't recognise the Ranger officer, but he liked him already.

"You are way out of line, Captain. Hand over the Colonel and his men and back down, or you will be placed on a charge!"

The Captain ignored him and raised his comms link and simply said, "Prepare to fire."

The Rangers at his back and along the rooftops trained their weapons on the MPs and Mechs. Martin's face turned to stone.

"You've done enough damage here. Walk away or never walk again."

Taylor could see the fear in the Major's eyes. He wasn't a fighting man and never would be. He was a bully who just got put in his place.

"You're in big trouble, Captain. More trouble than you can ever imagine."

With that the Major turned and left, and the Ranger officer knelt down and offered his hand to Taylor. Mitch couldn't believe their luck. He took his hand and was hauled to his feet.

"How did you do it? Who gave you the order to come to our aid?" asked Taylor.

"I did," stated the Captain. "If a soldier cannot come to the aid of Colonel Taylor and the Inter-Allied, then who will he help? There's a war to be fought. You know it. I know it. Every man and woman here came of their own accord and has pledged to defend this planet against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. I am Captain King, 2nd Ranger Battalion, and I am at your service."

Taylor was watching the world go by from the window of an aircraft once again as they made their way across France. He looked over to the seat opposite him that was occupied by King.

"You know, Captain, I prayed for a miracle down there. I prayed for a miracle, and I got the Rangers."

King laughed. "We've been called many things but never that."

"You know we went to that meet in Basel in good faith to try and bring an end to all this madness, and if anything, just made it worse."

"Was it worth trying?"

"Yes, of course, anything was worth risking for the chance of success."

"Then you made the right decision."

"You know we aren't fighting for the US here? We pledged our service to the EA because they were willing to fight the battle which needed to be fought."

"Yeah, I get that."

Taylor pulled out his flag patch and stuck it back on his sleeve.

"But that doesn't change the fact we will always be Americans. And we fight for America, even when she doesn't know there's a fight needing to be fought."

"We're with you, Colonel, every step of the way. We didn't come out here to save your ass. We came to join you."

"And you know the shit that puts you in?"

He nodded.

"Well, you have my eternal gratitude."

He breathed out a sigh of relief before continuing. "What's it like back home with respect to feelings about this war?"

"Some want in, some never want to hear the word 'war' uttered again in their lifetimes. Some people are just blind to the facts before them."

"We need America in this fight. We need Americans in this fight. If you were willing to join of your own accord, would others?"

"If you were to step up and ask them, I think so."

"Then that is what we must do."

"How?"
 
Silva asked.

"Where there's a will, there's a way."

He looked over to King and thought for a moment before making him an offer.

"What is your strength?" Taylor asked him.

"One hundred and twenty six," he replied confidently.

"If you fight beside us, you fight as one of us, and not as a member of the United States armed forces. The Inter-Allied Regiment is a mix of all sorts, the best kind of mongrel there ever was. If you would accept it, I would be honoured to have you and your Rangers form a Company in the Regiment, with you at the head."

Taylor offered out his hand as a gesture of good will to seal the deal, and King took it with a huge smile on his face.

"I can't think of an officer I'd rather serve under, even if he is a marine."

"Then it's done. Welcome to the Regiment. You can formally announce it when we land."

"Screw that," he replied.

He lifted up his comms to the entire Ranger unit. "Listen up! We just joined Taylor's Inter-Allied. Welcome to the Regiment, boys!"

A cheer rang out through the ship that was followed by a hive of conversation as they excitedly discussed their new role. Five minutes later they were coming into land at Meaux, and Taylor could not feel more relieved as they touched down. The mission had been a failure and far more arduous than expected, but Taylor could not help but feel triumphant returning safely with all he had taken out and now with a veteran Ranger Company at his command.

He was the first out of the ship down the ramp towards General Dupont who was awaiting him.

"Mission was a complete failure," he stated before he'd even reached the General. He wasn't at all surprised.

"I know, but you did your best, Colonel, I know that. Right now, I have your General White on hold. He says the US President wants to talk to you, Colonel, and I cannot state how important it is you try and get the US on board. Do whatever you have to, but get the US on side. Follow me."

Taylor's relief and excitement for having got back, and with the Rangers in tow, was completely dissipated as he was led inside an office.

"I am no negotiator."

"You're our best hope here, Colonel. And what is it you always say, adapt and overcome?"

"Improvise and overcome."

"That's it, then you know what to do."

"Gee thanks," he replied as the screen flicked on in front of him. It was General White, just as he had been told. Taylor did not greet him and just waited for the shit storm that was coming, but he was surprised to see White's tone was nothing as he expected.

"Colonel Taylor, glad to see you are alive and well."

You changed tactics on me, you son of a bitch
.

"No thanks to the dogs you sent after us," he replied venomously.

"Yes, I must apologise for Major Martin. He has a heavy handed approach, but he gets the job done."

"Not this time, he didn't," Taylor snapped.

"Quite, and I do apologise for that. Martin was not given permission to use force."

"Not use force? He had Mechs blowing the shit out of us."

"Yes, and Major Martin will pay a heavy toll for his sins, just as we all must."

Great, here he goes again.

Taylor was expecting another lecture, followed by a plea for him to return to the States, but it did not come.

"Colonel, let me get to the point."

"Please do..."

"President Robinson has personally requested to talk to you. Will you receive him?"

"Yeah, go on," replied Taylor with no enthusiasm at all.

He was transferred to a secretary. "Please hold for the President."

"So much for waiting to talk with me," muttered Taylor.

The President suddenly appeared before him, and he had no idea if he'd heard his last comment or not.

"Mr President," he said.

Robinson was young for a US President and in good shape. He was clearly at least part South American descent and was slick in his appearance, but it didn't impress Taylor.

We need a fighter in office, not a suit
.

"Colonel Taylor, may I just say it is an honour to finally speak to you, and may I extend the nation’s gratitude for all you have done for this great nation."

Great, a kiss ass as well. This isn't gonna end well.

"Thank you, Sir," he replied, trying to remain calm.

"Colonel Taylor. You have done more for your country than can ever be asked of a man. However, I must now ask that you return home. You will not be charged. You will not face a court martial. I shall see to that. You are stepping on a lot of toes, Colonel, and straining many diplomatic relations which have taken many years and much work to set up."

"I’m sorry I am making diplomatic relations tough in order to keep the World safe," he replied sarcastically.

The President brushed his comment aside and continued.

"Do you not think this country has suffered enough in recent years? Do you not think we deserve peace?"

"Peace? I am fighting because we do deserve peace, and it must be fought for just as the founding fathers of our nation knew it."

"This is not the way, Colonel. If you..."

Taylor reached for the transmission button and cut him off. The door beside him burst open, and Dupont flew through it.

"You just hung up on your President!"

"He is no President of mine," snarled Taylor. "When a man with the balls for the job takes over, I'll talk again."

"What have you done?"

"Didn't you hear it? That asshole can't be talked into war. He's just doing everything he can to get me back there. Is that what you would have? Would you have me sent home where I would almost certainly be stripped of my rank and imprisoned?"

Dupont shook his head.

"No, I would not wish it, and you know I would take back all that I ever did to you if I could."

"This isn't about us, General. You stand beside me, and for that you are my friend."

It brought a surprised and puzzled expression to Dupont's face.

"So what now?" asked Taylor.

"I know the mission failed, but I need to know why. We need to understand this war. I need you debriefed immediately before you take your leave."

Taylor sighed. It was going to be a long day. When he finally stepped out into the open air once again, he found the sun was almost down. He felt utterly exhausted having sat for so many hours outlining all he had seen and experienced to Dupont and other EA officers. He turned and was pleasantly surprised to find Parker sitting on a wall waiting for him. Her head was down in her hands, and she looked utterly bored.

"Evening," he said softly.

Her head shot up at the sound of his voice, and she rushed into his arms.

"You know, back home they frown on this kind of behaviour, Sergeant," he said with a straight face.

"Well, we set the rules now."

It wasn't far from the truth, but he also recognised it was a potentially dangerous position to be in.

"So, did you convince the UEN to halt the war?" she asked.

Taylor sniggered. "No, it was a complete cluster fuck."

"I figured as much."

"Your vote of confidence is overwhelming."

"So what's next?"

"No idea. Just wait on new orders, I guess."

"There’s no way we can end this war with the info we now have?"

He shook his head.

"With Krys agents having infiltrated the UEN at every level, there is no chance."

"And they only infiltrated the UEN, what about our side?"

He shook his head. It didn't bare thinking about, but the clone of Jones was a nasty shock and reminder of what they could be facing.

* * *

Taylor awoke and shot up as a brainwave had struck him during the night. Eli groaned beside him and was clearly not impressed with having been awoken so abruptly, but he was too single-mindedly focused to notice or care. He jumped out of bed and pulled on his clothes while she still grumbled.

"Come on back to bed. We don't have to be up for hours."

"No, the war won't wait for us," he replied.

"What?" she muttered as she turned over and went back to sleep.

He looked at his watch. It was almost 0900 hours, and they had slept way past what a marine should.

"Goddamn it."

He rushed to the door, stopping as he remembered the last time he went out without a weapon and quickly rushed back, grabbed his sidearm, and strapped it about his waist.

"Got it, I got it you son of a bitch," he muttered to himself as he strode for Dupont's office that was located in the bastion they called a research facility. As he approached, he noticed it was named only 13E.

A subtle name to conceal a mammoth structure,
he thought.

He rushed into Dupont's office and found him meeting with two Generals from other EA nations.

"I need to put out a broadcast," he demanded.

Dupont stood up, shocked by his abrupt entrance.

"You will have to excuse Colonel Taylor. Combat fatigue has made him forget his manners," he said; the other two laughed.

"If the UEN won't listen to the evidence we put before them, and the US President won't see sense, let me broadcast it to the World. People trust me. God knows why, but they do. Let me take the evidence we have to every news agency in every country which still remains neutral, and let the people decide for themselves."

Dupont sat back down silently and mulled over the idea. One of the other Generals finally answered.