"We did it, you did it," she said as she leaned back in his arms.
"We shall overcome all adversity. We always do," he replied and kissed her once again. The triumphant feeling was overwhelming, and something he remembered well. This life was starting to feel so much more like his old one that he found his mind was being put at ease, even if his memories could not be.
"So what now?" she asked.
"It's not over, but it sure is a time to celebrate."
* * *
Taylor strode into the conference room of the Ares 4 colony as he had done before. He still wore the filthy and bloody uniform he had fought in, and Jones and Jafar were at his back. As they stepped inside, President Isaacs began to clap, and he was soon joined by every representative and official inside. But it was when Taylor noticed the empty seats of the Cholan people that he felt a raging anger inside. The round of applause seemed to go on for several minutes when Isaacs finally lifted his hand to call for silence and went on.
"Colonel Taylor, let me be the first to thank you on behalf of the Alliance of nations. I will be the first to admit I had my doubts that you had any place in our society today, but I was wrong. And I am glad to say I was wrong. Your achievements here have been truly beyond amazement, and we all thank you."
He fell silent as if expecting Taylor to provide some response.
"Will you now prepare for war?"
The tone in the room changed completely.
"Colonel, is this not a time to celebrate?"
"For the survivors of this battle, because they earned it, yes. For the rest of the Alliance, there is no time to rest. There is no room for error, no space for weakness or indecision. From tomorrow, until the day we see the Morohta again, there must not be a day when the shipyards are not building, the factories not running, and the recruits not training. We didn't win the war today. We barely won the battle. What we did win was an opportunity. An opportunity that if squandered we will likely never have again."
Isaacs was stunned for a moment, for it seemed the last response he expected to get.
"Do you really believe things are that dire, Colonel?"
"I know they are. Ask anyone who went to Khar Els, or rather anyone that lived to tell the tale. They are more powerful than any other race, and at a time when we are not prepared for war. Things need to change, and I intend to make sure they do. I don't know if you are a wartime leader or not, Mr President, but every change that is necessary to prepare us for this battle must be undertaken. Councillor Irala believes we might have won ourselves a year at the very most. That is not long to make the changes that will be necessary."
"And you agree with this analysis of our situation, Lord Jafar?"
"I do, and I intend to rally the independent factions of the Krys people before that time comes. Together we may be strong, but alone and separated, we cannot win this."
Isaacs looked downtrodden and depressed as he slumped back down in his seat. It was clearly not the celebrations and news he had been hoping for.
"Break this news however you want," added Taylor, "Tell the colonies of our success and let people celebrate it, but do not tell them we have won anything. The people need to know the seriousness of this situation. They have to know what they must do, and what is expected of them if they are to survive."
"You are talking conscription now? Your work and efforts have been greatly appreciated, Colonel, but that goes against our entire culture. Do you know the last time anyone was conscripted to fight?"
"Time to change, then, Mr President. Now, if you don't mind, we have dead to mourn, wounded to care for, and comrades to celebrate with; because the people that went with me to Khar Els, they earned it."
"Colonel Taylor, we have already arranged a grand banquet in honour of all those who undertook this mission. This is our way of saying thank you and supporting all those who sacrificed so much. At 1500 hours there will be a conference and remembrance for all those that were sadly lost, and a celebration will follow the likes of which you have never seen."
Fucking great!
"Will that be all?"
"Yes, thank you, Colonel. And do not forget how much we appreciate all your efforts."
Taylor turned and left with Jones and Jafar.
"Still making friends, I see?" Jones commented sarcastically.
"He's a fool," Taylor replied, shaking his head, "A few weeks will go by with some half hearted publicity stunt, and they we'll be right back where we are."
"I will not let that happen."
"No, Jafar? And how much say do you have on the Human element of this Alliance?"
Jafar said nothing.
"That's what I thought. All the fighting I do in my life, and I can't escape the politics. It is endless."
"You say that," added Jones, "But you have always meddled in politics, more than any person I can think that I have ever known or studied. For a fighting man, you surely do get involved in places your job never should."
"Yep, well sometimes, someone has to."
"Will!" a voice yelled.
They turned to see Cynara rushing towards Jones. She leapt into his arms. It brought a smile to his face as he thought back to Coco and Charlie. But as he was busy reminiscing, he felt a hand on his shoulder and pull him around. He turned and felt Alita's lips lock with his. He instantly felt his troubles and fears melt away. It was a relief. She leaned back in his arms once again.
"So what great medal is the President going to bestow on you this time?"
He shook his head. "Hopefully nothing."
"Taylor, this is Cynara, my wife. Cynara, this is Colonel Mitch Taylor."
"I know who he is. How could I not? He is practically family."
Taylor nodded in humble appreciation, many memories stirring in his mind.
"Without Taylor, I would never have come back alive. When I was all alone and lost, I had nowhere to turn and no way out. It was Taylor who came for me."
"Then I can never thank you enough. How can I ever begin to?"
"Honestly? You can get me a beer."
She smiled and then began to laugh.
"I can surely do that."
"Right now," he stated.
She wasn't sure how to take it, but he wasn't joking.
* * *
Taylor strode into the bar they had drunk at since arriving at the station. Cheers rang out as they entered, despite the fact he still wore his filthy uniform and armoured suit. He didn't care to take it off, as it felt like home now. He stepped up the bar, and Cyn tried to get a drink for him, but she couldn't even get served. A glass was placed before Taylor and the bottle with it.
He ignored the glass and took the bottle, grabbed the cap by his teeth, and ripped it out before spitting it out. He turned around to address the crowd that waited for him to say some words.
"I wasn't born in this time and life, and I never wanted it. But in my short time here, I have come to gain friends and family that mean as much to me as those I once fought with in my first lifetime. When I awoke in this new life, I thought the whole world had gone crazy. But here we are. I want you to raise your glasses and drink to our victory, our fight, to all those we have lost, and for all the hard times to come. I salute you!"
He raised the bottle in salute and finally knocked it back in celebration.
* * *
It was not long until the President's speech now, and Taylor at last climbed into a shower. His head was soft from drink, but it at least served to numb the pain he felt. Blood and dirt flowed from his body, and he started to feel refreshed. He was beginning to appreciate now that he truly had been resurrected. He didn't feel out of place anymore because he now felt that perhaps he was destined to be here in this time and place, just as he had in his previous life.
He stepped out, pulled on a fresh uniform, and made his way to the door. As it opened, he found Jones leaning against the wall, waiting for him. A huge grin was stretched across his face.
"What?" Taylor asked suspi
ciously.
"I'm just thinking how you came back for me. The great Mitch Taylor risked everything, for me?"
Taylor stepped back and put his hands up before him.
"You're not gonna try and kiss me now, are you?"
Jones laughed. "Do you really believe I would have done the same for you?"
Taylor nodded.
"I want to believe so, because we Immortals, we are family. We have a bond that cannot be broken, not even in death. The day will come when our roles are reversed, and it may come sooner than you think."
"Then I hope and only pray I can rise to that occasion."
"Don't pray for it. Know it. There are too many uncertainties in life for you to worry. Now come on, let's see how much of a mess Isaacs can make of this."
They carried onwards and were soon joined by the rest of the Immortals. Taylor noted that every one of them walked taller and prouder now than they had ever done, and he was proud of them for it. They reached a ceremony hall and found it packed out with thousands of guests.
"This way, Colonel," said one of the ushers.
"Wherever I go, they go," he replied.
"As you wish, Sir."
They were led down the central corridor, passing line after line of serving personnel, reporters, and civilians of Krys, Aranui and Humans. Many clapped as they went by. When they reached the very front of the room, they were ushered into the front row a few metres in front of the podium.
"I never cared for all this pomp and ceremony," Taylor said to Jones.
"But you have to let them have it. Look at them. They need it."
Taylor reluctantly agreed with him. "Whatever gets the job done."
As he looked around, his eyes suddenly connected with Alita's. She was standing the other side of Jones with a broad smile. Her eyes were sparkling, and her entire body positively glowed. All Taylor could now think was that he could not afford to lose another one like her.
A few moments later a representative of the President stepped up to the podium to get things started. She was a beautiful young woman in a gleaming silver dress suit. She was short and of Asian descent. Taylor expected some big speech from her to frame the President's arrival, but her opening was short and to the point.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Alliance, I give you President Isaacs."
She stepped aside as he stepped up to take her position. He wore a pin sharp suit, and the worried wrinkles of his face were gone now through carefully and professionally applied make up. He looked confident and content, but did not smile.
"People of the Alliance!" he began.
His voice carried through speakers throughout the entire room, and screens above them displayed his address to the whole of the Solar System. Cameras floated around the room, filming from every angle.
"Just a few short days ago we were struck by tragedy and adversity, the likes of which we could never have imagined."
Should have prepared for anything then, shouldn't you?
But he felt a nudge from Jones and realised he had actually spoken the words out, too. Jones was both smiling and appalled all at once, as a camera had been watching them, but the President didn't seem to have heard or noticed as he continued.
"Through this adversity, we as the Alliance have triumphed. It is through the hard work, effort, and sacrifice of so many that we have gotten through this horrific experience, but none more so than one man; a man who seemingly doesn't belong in this timeline, and yet came back to us in our greatest time of need. That man is Colonel Mitch Taylor. A hero among the Human race, and today he lives as a hero of the Alliance and an inspiration to us all!"
Roars of excitement and cheers rang out as people began to clap. For a full minute the President was drowned out and forced to wait for the noise to die down, although Taylor had no reaction at all. The President’s words earlier had stuck with him, and all he saw was a man pandering to a crowd. He feared for what Isaacs would do now he could get away with a short-lived peace. The President looked down at him and smiled, but it seemed entirely false.
"But through all of the great achievements of Colonel Taylor, his Immortals, and all those who fought that battle together, let us now remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be here today. Our society has not known the scourge of war in most of our lifetimes, but I suspect the pain and suffering of loss remains a constant, no matter the time or place. Let us thank and remember all those we have lost in this battle, for they must never be forgotten."
Taylor started to blank out what the President was saying. His mind began to wander, but not to the sad losses he had endured now. It was Alita he pictured. He was daydreaming and oblivious to all that was around him. Several minutes passed when he was awoken by clapping and cheers from the crowd.
"As a final word, may I now call for a minute’s silence so that we may reflect and remember all those who gave their lives?"
The room fell silent as everybody lowered their heads. Taylor tilted his head just slightly so that he could look past Jones and see Alita smiling back at him. The minute’s silence seemed to go on forever but was broken by an alarm that rang out through the entire station. Taylor felt his heart sink at the thought of what might have caused it. A Navy officer rushed to the President's side and whispered in his ear. Then several of the high-ranking officers behind Isaacs poured out of the room through an exit at the back of the podium.
"What the hell is going on?" Jones asked.
Everyone waited for a word from the President.
"Can all personnel remain calm and report for duty immediately. That will be all," he said and quickly stepped down.
"This can't be good," Taylor muttered.
He rushed up to the podium to follow Cohen and the other Naval officers. Jones was close behind him and security did not question it. As he got to the door, Taylor looked back to his people.
"Gear up, and be ready for anything!" he ordered before passing through the doorway.
"Where are they all going?" Jones asked breathlessly.
"To wherever this place is run from."
It took just over a minute to reach the bridge of the station. Taylor paced right up to Cohen and asked, "What the fuck is happening?"
But the Commander seemed unable to answer and stared at the screens. In the distance ahead they could see the remnants of the fleet they had brought back from Khar Els. Much of it was already under repair, though many of the vessels would be better off going to scrap. The gateway in the distance was opening, and everyone appeared to be waiting to see what was going to come through.
"Expecting trouble, Commander?"
"Someone has opened a gateway from Cholan space. We've got nothing out there."
"What do you think it is?"
Cohen shrugged, as she had no better idea than anyone else in the room. A single Cholan vessel had already come through the gateway and was stationary between the gateway and the Allied fleet. It was a small vessel and appeared to be no threat at all. Taylor squinted and looked at the ship, trying to imagine what their intentions were.
"You think they want to negotiate?"
"Or scout us out before they hit us with everything they have got. Why would the gateway still be open otherwise, Jones?"
Jafar strode into the centre of the room.
"Hail that ship!" he ordered.
"We can't get a response, Sir," one of the officers replied.
"Shoot them. Take them down before they can get a signal out," said Taylor.
Many of the officers in the room looked at Taylor in disgust.
"The Cholans are our ally," replied Cohen.
"Were; the moment they left us to die all that changed. Shoot them down now and lock the gateway!" Taylor demanded.
Even Jafar was unsure.
"Trust me, this is not how your allies operate. Had they been interested in helping, they would have done so when we needed it most."
"And if you are wrong, and we fire on a peaceful ally, we could star
t a war that was never necessary," added Cohen.
Jafar looked to Taylor and then to the President. No one was certain of how to respond except for Taylor, and nobody wanted to accept the possibility that he might be right. But before anyone could say another word, a swathe of Cholan vessels poured through the gateway. At their centre was the Nakbe, and within a few short moments, there were almost seventy Cholan vessels bearing down on them.
"Maybe they have come to offer their assistance."
"You're dreaming, Commander," replied Taylor, shaking his head.
"We are being hailed!"
"Put them through!" Jafar said quickly.
Almost ten seconds passed as they waited, and it felt like an eternity.
"If the Cholans turn on us, we're in deep trouble."
"Like we weren't before, Jones," replied Taylor.
A projection appeared of Admiral Eme. The sight of the alien angered Taylor, for he would never forgive him for turning his back on them all.
"Admiral Eme, what is the meaning of this show of strength? What are your intentions?" Jafar asked.
Eme seemed to be looking around in various directions as if studying all that he was seeing from the bridge of the Nakbe. The uncertainty was exhausting and nail biting, but then the Admiral spoke.
"I am here on behalf of the Cholan people. We suffered greatly at the hands of a foreign invasion force. The Alliance of races failed to protect us, despite treaties intended to do so. As a member of the Alliance, we worked to uphold values that others have failed to protect. We have been betrayed. We have had no choice but to surrender to the Morohta will and fight alongside those who will fight beside us. The President of the Alliance has one hour to offer unconditional terms of surrender to me, or we will fire upon you."
Taylor turned back to look at the President. He was frozen solid in panic and fear, and no one else could find an answer. Taylor strode across the room and hit the switch on the comms panel to end the transmission.
"What do we do?" President Isaacs asked. He was shaking with fear.
Taylor took a deep breath and answered confidently.
Battle Beyond Earth Box Set Page 20