“Please get some sleep,” she pleaded.
“Will you join me?” he asked with a smirk.
“No chance, rest is the only thing you’re good for.”
He knew she was right, and there was nothing more to be said about it. He slipped away from her hand and carried on to his quarters without another word. By the time he had reached his door, he knew just how exhausted he was, and it was a wonder he was still on his feet.
Seconds after stripping his exo suit off, Mitch had collapsed onto his bed with his boots still on. He fell into a deep sleep that was void of all the horrors he had fretted over the past days. Before he knew it, a buzzer was ringing beside him with a call coming through. He looked to his watch, and it showed three hours had passed. The last thing he remembered was propping his rifle in the corner of his quarters. He coughed to clear his throat and sat up in a daze. Despite that, he already felt ten times better than before his rest. He smashed his hand down on the comms channel.
“Taylor,” he said in a croaky voice.
“Sir, your presence is requested on the bridge, immediately.”
“Roger that.”
He stood up and quickly stretched out to feel his body was remarkably rested after the few short but good hours of sleep he had gotten. He’d have killed for a shower, but more urgent matters were at hand. Within a few minutes, he was out the door and making a quick dash to the bridge. The doors opened, and it was clear Huber had been waiting for him.
“News from Red 1, Major.”
He rushed to the side of the table in hope of some good word of Chandra’s progress.
“The Colonel continued to transmit data until their signal was jammed.”
“Are they holding out?” he asked briskly.
“Certainly up till that point, yes. It seems much of the enemy fleet passed them by and are heading for us. This means we cannot risk sending any support to the planet.”
“Nothing? We’re just going to leave them there?”
“They’re going to have to slug it out, as are we. Now, I suggest you look to our own situation.”
Taylor quickly understood there was much more to the story than Huber had passed on.
“You have received confirmed reports they are heading this way?”
The Admiral nodded and sighed deeply.
“They’re coming for us with, well, maybe not everything they have, but a lot. We have gotten this far by taking the enemy by surprise, but now we will see what it is truly like to face an organised enemy.”
“Sorry, Sir, but I have already seen it enough times, and it ain’t pretty.”
“Mmm,” mumbled the Admiral.
“How long do we have?”
“Hard to say exactly, but best estimate is about five hours.”
“What are your intentions?”
“We will hold this position while it is still possible.”
“And if it becomes impossible?”
The Admiral looked up into Taylor’s eyes and could see he had already accepted they might have to leave people behind. Taylor shook his head in disgust. He knew they should have sent support to Chandra, and he knew they could have done so when he asked for it, but it was all too late now.
“It will be a bloody day.”
“That much is certain. Have your marines ready to defend this ship. I do not want a repeat of our last action. We came very nearly close to losing the Washington, and that is not acceptable.”
“Several thousand tonnes of metal lost is not, but several thousand lives are.”
Taylor did not ask it as a question and did not expect any kind of response. Huber hated the situation as much as he did, but neither blamed each other for either turn of events. Mitch turned and left the bridge. He knew there was nothing more to discuss. There was no more news to come, only the swarm of the enemy. He lifted up his communicator.
“Inter-Allied, those not on watch have one hour of rest, after which everyone is on active duty until ordered otherwise. All officers to assemble in thirty minutes at briefing room B.”
On open channels, he knew all would know the enemy were close and bearing down on them, but he couldn’t hide it from them any longer. He swung by the canteen on the way to the meet in the hope of filling his hunger. All he got was some artificial piece of junk that supposedly contained real meat, but you wouldn’t know it.
Fifteen minutes after he put out the call, he sat in the room awaiting the others and finished the God-awful food he’d been given. Despite its dire taste and texture, he felt remarkably better after finishing it. Jones was the first to join him, early as usual.
“I assume by your lack of urgency that we are not flying out in support of the Colonel?” he asked.
The words had left his mouth before he’d even taken a seat. It rubbed salt into the wound that one of his best friends was so bitterly disappointed.
“That is not a decision for us to make.”
“And yet you tried to.”
Taylor looked into his eyes and could see a smile appear on the Captain’s face.
“Your continuing lack of regard for authority is truly astonishing. It is a miracle you have gotten this far. Any other man would have been kicked out a long time ago.”
Taylor laughed. It was not so much Jones’ thoughts that amused him, but the fact he didn’t pull any punches on making it clear.
“I cannot fight every battle in this war,” replied Taylor.
“No, and you’d do well to remember it.”
It was not long before the rest of his officers had gathered. They were all competent and reliable companions, but Taylor could not help feel saddened by how few had been with him since the start. It was a bitter reminder of how mortal he was. They all sat silently, awaiting his words. He was in charge of the entire Battalion for this battle and the defence of the flagship, and it weighed heavily on his mind.
“An enemy fleet descends upon us. We’ve got just a few hours until all hell breaks loose. We don’t know how many they are, but it is a substantial force. You should know this. The Washington is the most important ship of the fleet. Its loss would have a detrimental effect on our activities in this system. I fully intend to go to the support of Red 1 and our troops there once this is over. Let’s keep this ship in one piece, and ensure we leave no one behind.”
“Detrimental effect, Major?” asked Jackson.
Taylor sighed. He didn’t want to imagine the situation.
“If we lose the Washington, it is my belief that this task force would consider any further presence here to endanger the remainder of the fleet, and would therefore carry out an immediate withdrawal through the gateway.”
“What about the troops on Red 1?” Grey asked.
The room went silent. They all realised what Taylor was saying, but none wanted to believe it could happen.
“The best thing we can do for the Colonel, and those with her, is to give all that we have here. We need a decisive victory.”
The facts of their situation made Taylor feel sick to his stomach. Having to voice his thoughts only made it worse.
“The enemy will be with us within a few hours, maybe less. You all know your jobs. You have all been allocated your areas. Remember, that as soon as we lose our communications, all can go to hell. Keep in contact at all times. Ensure that both I and the Admiral know your status and enemy movements at all times.”
“And if the Washington was to fall?” asked Ota.
Taylor sighed heavily.
“Pray that it doesn’t. Anymore questions?”
“Are the crew armed and ready this time to assist in the defence of the ship?” asked Jones.
“All personnel who are able have been issued weapons and placed at the defence of key strategic points. They are certainly armed, but ready? Remember when you first faced this enemy on the beaches of France. Imagine that fight where there was nowhere left to run, that is where they’re at.”
“Where will you be through this engagement?”
“For now, I’ll be heading to the bridge to monitor the situation with the Admiral. I’ll want one platoon posted to me at all times, and Jafar will be with me also. I’ll be playing it by ear and going where and when I am needed. Anything else?”
They shook their heads.
“All of you, we’ve fought some tough fights through this war and made it through. I don’t want to end it all up here in the blackness of space. If I am going to die, may it be on solid ground and on my own land. Let’s give these bastards a good kicking, and remind them why they don’t mess with the human race.”
Several of the officers smiled at the sentiment, but the stress of the situation had them refrain from being overly excited. They all feared what was coming for them. Not knowing the enemy strength was the worst of all. Taylor sat still as the others left the room, except for Jones. After the door finally shut behind them, he spoke.
“I don’t care what happens in this battle, but promise me you will not let me be taken alive?”
Taylor smiled.
“You aren’t going anywhere. You have a wife and girlfriend to return for.”
Jones stared at him.
“After everything I have seen, I’ll enjoy every free moment I have left in this world.”
“I was being serious. You’re gonna make it through this, same as me. We’ve survived all this time. We can’t die now.”
“We can all die,” replied Jones.
Taylor stood up and placed his hand on the Captain’s shoulder.
“That is not the Jones I have come to know. We’re gonna give these bastards hell and live to celebrate with a few beers.”
“I bloody well hope so, and Colonel Chandra better be there beside us!”
He got up and strolled out of the room. They both knew it would not be that easy, and Taylor was not under any illusion that it could be the last battle for all of them. Taylor left the room to find Jafar patiently waiting for him.
“What are you doing here?”
“The enemy is close now. I will remain by your side until this is over.”
“We’re going to win, you know.”
“I had no doubt of that, but I should like to remain at your side throughout.”
“You will not be allowed on the bridge during this fight. Plenty have come to trust you, but it does not extend that far.”
“Then I shall remain outside the door when you are inside.”
“Well, alright then.”
Taylor made his way back to the bridge. The corridors were quiet now. He passed several gun emplacements with Navy personnel standing at the ready. There was nothing left to do. Positions had been taken, and ammunition had been issued. They waited for those bearing down on them.
The bridge was equally quiet as Taylor entered. He was glad to see the entrance had been strengthened and reinforced with a number of guards. The Admiral sat back in his chair, watching the scanners as if in a daydream.
“Sir, we’re ready for ‘em,” Taylor said.
Huber casually turned his head and nodded, remaining in the dreamy state.
“All the technology in the world, and yet we are still so often in the dark. Intelligence, reconnaissance, communication, these are out weaknesses now.”
“Yes, it is difficult to live once again in a communication dark age,” he replied.
“Not knowing is the worst thing in the world. We could have a fleet large enough to end the war, or we could be awaiting our destruction.”
The Admiral was speculating in a quiet voice that only Taylor could hear, as they were so close to each other. Before he could answer, a siren went off, and they quickly turned to see several objects on the scanners.
“Sir, we’ve got confirmed enemy incoming!” shouted Vega.
The Admiral sprung to life and jumped onto his feet.
“How many?”
Vega went silent as he carefully studied the screens.
“Twelve targets so far, with more incoming. At their present speed, they will be in range within five minutes.”
“Launch the rest of our fighters and prepare to fire!”
The last of the craft on the Washington scrambled. The crews had been waiting for the call, and all were streaming out of the docking bays within two minutes. There was some relief on the bridge that the waiting game was over, but now a new dread overshadowed them.
Huber tapped a few buttons and brought up a zoomed display of what was coming at them. Several of the bridge crew gasped when they saw the horde of ships. Many of the Naval personnel had only ever seen one action, and that was a surprise attack on the enemy at the gateway. A determined and organised attack by the Krycenaeans was never something any of them could get used to.
“In range of our primary weapons in sixty seconds.”
“Fire when you have a solution,” replied Huber.
Taylor stood silently and prayed they had enough power to hold off the enemy. It was not himself he thought of, but Chandra and the others they had left behind. He wondered in every free moment he had how she was doing. He knew she’d be knee deep in enemy bodies, and that at least brought him some relief.
“We have a firing solution, weapons hot, fire when ready!” Vega shouted over the intercom.
The Washington’s big guns opened fire first and were soon joined by the other carrier and the larger vessels in the fleet. The space around them was lit up like a fireworks display as railgun rounds soared towards the incoming enemy. Two of the enemy ships, which appeared to be frigate in size, were completely obliterated in the initial salvo.
The hulks of the wrecked ships continued on, but most of their outer structures were blasted out and smashed into several other enemy ships. The incoming craft opened fire seconds after being struck. The Washington was screened by dozens of ships in the human fleet, meaning it saw little of the opening volley.
Pulses smashed into the frigates and destroyers around them, but most continued to lay down fire against the enemy. Taylor had never had the luxury of watching such a battle from afar, and it struck him how relentless the enemy were in the pursuit of human destruction. Never was there any attempt at communication or any form of negotiation.
Do they really want us all dead that badly? He asked himself.
The enemy craft continued to rush towards them, despite their losses.
“We’ll surely lose much of our communication as they come into range. It matters little, every man and woman in the fleet knows what they must do,” Huber said to the crew of the bridge.
The enemy ships were still closing the distance at a rapid speed, and Taylor could see the human fighters closing in to engage.
“Their priority is to prevent any and all potential boarding actions,” Huber whispered to Taylor.
“They put me out of a job then,” he replied dryly.
Huber shook his head in astonishment that the Major could be so calm and witty under pressure. It was a character trait he truly appreciated.
“Major, I’m not sure even the President of the United States could put you out of a job.”
“No,” he muttered as he looked out to the enemy ships, “but they might.”
The overlay screen that gave them a three hundred and sixty degree view cut out, and the report of the loss of communications soon came in. They were left with a few fixed video feeds and hard lines to comms around their own ship only. By all accounts, they were in the dark yet again.
Taylor and Huber stood beside each other and watched as half a dozen of their ships advanced past the Washington to provide a further buffer to the Capitol ship. Their previous engagements had taught them all a lot about the weaknesses in their defences.
One of the displays lit up with a bright burst as one of the human frigates was struck and burst into six pieces. The immense loss of life weighed heavily on both their hearts, but they could now do nothing but watch. In that moment, Taylor got a taste of the sense of emotion their leaders must go through. They had to stand and watch as me
n and women were killed, pursuing their directives. It left Mitch feeling hollow and disgusted. There was rarely a time he wished to face the enemy in person, but this was one of the occasions, if only to save him from the sickening display before them.
The Washington’s guns continued to roar with a continuous barrage. Through the hail of gunfire and pulses, they could begin to see the extent of the enemy fleet. It was sizeable, but by no means overwhelming. The combined human fleets had obliterated the first wave of enemy ships, and it had a great impact on their strength.
One of the enemy hulks floated quickly towards the Anglesey, one of their destroyers. Evasive manoeuvres were not quick enough, and the hulk smashed into the tail section of the destroyer. The impact ripped a great tear in the outer hull of the ship, and they could see a dozen bodies rush out from the breach.
The Anglesey was smashed off course but remained intact. Its forward guns continued to fire as other crews rushed to secure the breach and put out the fires.
They’re going to make it, Huber smiled in relief, but it was in vain. Six huge pulses smashed into the destroyer’s hull and ripped it in two.
“My God,” whispered Huber.
The bridge crew were utterly silent as they watched the devastation unfolding. They could do nothing now but rely on the gun crews and pilots to do their jobs. They watched for another five minutes as the enemy fleet came to a halt, and the fleets duked it out like old ships of the line.
Friendly fighters ducked and weaved in between the battle, preying on the alien transports as they tried to breach the lines of frigates and reach the carriers. As they watched, two such transports burst into fragments, another three punched through a hole in the perimeter.
“Sir, they are on intercept course with us,” said Vega hastily.
“Bring the bastards down!” Huber screamed.
They watched a wing of three human fighters bank hard and engage the three ships. They got out an initial burst of fire but were cut down from cannons from the enemy vessels. Two of the fighters exploded immediately, and the other was blown off course.
“Target our guns on those ships!” ordered Huber.
Vega was already relaying the commands before the Admiral had even finished giving them. Taylor watched with bated breath as the ships rushed towards them. He felt his hands grip tighter around the briefing table. As much as he didn’t want to see the Washington be compromised, he was desperate to get stuck in with the fight rather than watch it from afar.
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