She smiled. Taylor had not seen such sentimentality and love in her face before. She surprised herself and quickly took her hand back to reach for the food.
“You think we’ll make it through this?” she asked.
Taylor coughed to clear his dry throat, still surprised at how much he had learnt about their relationship, and what it meant to both of them.
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some alien bastards take our planet.”
“Doesn’t really answer the question.”
He looked back up at her with a serious glare as he reached for a ration pack.
“Every day is a harder struggle, and we’re at the forefront of it. I can’t say our chances are good, but at least we’ll be fighting it side-by-side.”
She nodded, satisfied by his answer. They both knew there was little more they could ask under the circumstances. Before they could say another word, the comms on the dresser spluttered to life.
“Come in, Major Taylor.”
The two of them sighed, knowing that their time in peace and luxury was over. Mitch stood up. His body ached, but it was a relief to be so active after the vicious previous day. He strode across to the comms link. Eli lay back, putting her feet up as she opened her food packet.
“This is Taylor.”
“Sir, Commander Phillips is requesting your presence,” said Captain Friday.
“Where exactly?”
“I’m outside your building, Sir. I’ll take you to him.”
“I’ll be out shortly, Captain.”
He put the communicator down and looked back to Eli with disappointment.
“Guess our vacation is over.”
She huffed as she dropped her feet down from the chair and stood up briskly. They watched each other as they pulled on their clothes and armour, mesmerised by one another. The Major’s armour was scratched and battered, and his clothing torn in a few places. They had no spares to replace it, but at least it had been cleaned overnight.
Taylor ripped open the door and stepped out into the hallway. It was alive with activity. It seemed the hotel had become one of many desirable locations for the officers of all the armies in the area. Most were high ranking and had clean uniforms. Many of them stopped and stared at the battle worn marines, humbled by the signs of their recent combat experience.
Nobody said a word to them as they made their way out of the luxury quarters. Friday met them at the door, and Ortiz and Campbell were sitting on the wall outside. They turned and looked in with shock at the Major’s recovery. The last time they saw him he was a wreck, but now he looked ready to go right back into battle.
“Phillips wants my balls, I take it?”
“No idea, Sir, but it sounded urgent.”
“When isn’t it?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Alright, lead the way.”
They marched through line after line of temporary structures and vehicles. Even on their largest training exercises, they had never seen such an assembly of forces. Friday led them to Phillips’ command vehicle. They stopped outside as the Major stepped in. He was greeted by Phillips stood at his briefing table, alongside Chandra and Jones.
“Welcome back, Major.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Phillips waited for a moment, expecting Taylor to speak, and leading to an uncomfortable silence.
“You know very well that you have caused utter chaos to the Inter-Allied Company, Major. I would have you disciplined for it, but I cannot afford to lose any soldier that can still carry a rifle.”
Taylor ignored the Commander’s ridicule of his actions, only angering Phillips further.
“It still exists then? The Inter-Allied Company?”
“For now, but your troops will remain under the command of Captain Friday.”
Taylor shot a glance at Chandra, trying to understand the circumstances.
“Sir, my marines were sent to assist you and we’ve done a damn fine job of saving your asses. You can’t relieve me of my command!”
Phillips smiled with an amused grin. He had been put out by the insubordination of his officers, and he was now enjoying seeing Taylor suffer a little.
“These aren’t my orders, Major. General White has ordered you to re-deploy to Ramstein Air Base. Apparently, there is some equipment being trialled there which could make a major difference in this war, and he wants you to pursue it.”
Taylor was initially shocked at the news. It was not the disciplinary action or punishment that he had been expecting. That surprise quickly turned to concern and anger.
“Sir, I can’t just leave my marines out here!”
“You’ll do as you are ordered, Major!”
He dipped his head and shook it in disbelief. After having narrowly survived and got back to his companions, he was once more being dragged away from them. He looked up to Chandra and Jones, but he could see that he had no choice but to comply. Deep down he knew it was the right thing to do, but it saddened him to leave his friends once more.
“Alright, Commander, fill me in.”
“As you can imagine, Major, our leaders are not confident about our situation in this war. Holding Paris has been our only major victory yet, and it may not last. The enemy is enveloping the city, and we believe they are building up to a major offensive. While we are going to need every soldier we can get, your task may be more vital than any one of ours.”
“This technology, what is it?”
“I only know a little, Major, but from what I hear it could greatly increase the combat affectivity of our units.”
“If it’s experimental, then how can we hope to get any of it into production fast enough?”
“You leave that to those who manage such things, Taylor. If we can hold out, then this war could go on for some time, so we need to pursue every avenue that could give us an edge in this battle.”
“When do I leave?”
“An Air Force transport is putting down as we speak. I want you to take Sergeant Silva with you. He’ll be a valuable asset, and it will give you both a chance to heal up.”
“And the rest of the company, Sir?”
“Chandra will remain in command in a non-combat role from this location. The company will be deployed at the defences of the city.”
“And these orders come directly from General White?”
The Commander could see the doubt in Taylor’s eyes. He didn’t much like his tone and questioning of authority.
“I haven’t got time for your games, Major. You’re shipping out and that’s final.”
Mitch nodded as he knew there was no merit in arguing further. After all his struggles, he felt that he was letting his friends down to leave them at the greatest battle that had been seen in their lifetimes.
“This better be worth it,” he countered.
Phillips stared at the Major. He hated his lack of respect, but could not help but give him some leeway after the brutal days he had seen.
“That’ll be all, Major.”
Taylor turned to leave but stopped and looked back at the Commander.
“I assume no actions will be taken again Captain Jones and Major Chandra for their hand in yesterday’s events?”
The Commander glared at him, and he was fuming inside.
“I do not have a choice in the matter, Major. You and your colleagues are reckless and subordinate, but you’re also some of the finest combat officers. As much I hate to say it, Major, we’re stuck with each other.”
Taylor grinned wickedly. He had the Commander over a barrel. All he wanted to do was get the job done and he didn’t need anyone getting in his way.
“Fall out, Major, you’ve got places to be.”
He nodded and strolled out from the room. He felt in part relieved that they were all okay, but also saddened to be leaving them once again. He walked out into the daylight to be greeted by Friday and the other two marines, all eager for the word. He looked to Friday.
“Captain, you’re ta
king charge of the marines, so I suggest you get in there to receive your marching orders.”
He turned to the other two marines, but the Captain interrupted him before he could speak.
“Where are you heading, Mitch?”
Taylor could see the concern in the Captain’s eyes. They had been good friends for a long time.
“To Ramstein. Those are our orders, and this time I want you to stick to them. You’ll remain under Chandra’s command. Good luck, Captain.”
Friday nodded and stepped past into the Commander’s vehicle. Taylor turned back to Ortiz and Campbell who were hanging on to his every word. It occurred to him that he had absolutely no idea where their troops were.
“Where’s the company?”
“Just around the corner, Sir,” replied Ortiz.
“Lead on.”
“Sir, if you don’t mind me saying, this is bullshit. We’ve lost enough already, how can we be split up now?” asked Campbell.
Taylor sighed, and their faces showed despair at losing the Major they had only recently got back.
“We’re marines. We go where we are told, fight when ordered to and die when called for. Where I am going, and what I am doing, could change our fate in this war. Stay the course, follow Chandra as you have me, and we may get through this.”
Campbell nodded, but he felt no happier about the situation.
“I don’t like it either, but we have a job to do, so let’s do it.”
The marine dipped his head, a little shamed at his doubt in their orders. He lifted his head up with a smile, pulling himself together.
“Semper fi, Sir.”
Taylor nodded in appreciation. They’d come from a long heritage of combat soldiers, but none of them could ever have predicted that they would themselves see such dire times. He gestured for the two men to lead on.
Jones stepped through into Phillips command vehicle.
“Ah, Captain, I assume the Major has sent you forth?”
“Yes, Sir,” he muttered.
“Take a seat, all of you.”
The three officers sat about the briefing table as the Commander walked around them in deep thought. They all knew that a grilling was coming. Phillips smiled as he paced around them all. They had all contravened his orders, and in doing so left them still in France.
“Captain Jones. Did I not give you a direct order to ensure that you were to ship out yesterday?”
He continued to pace around the room, speaking in a slow and steady voice.
“Did I not give you those exact orders in person?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Major Chandra, was I unclear about the time and location of your pickup?”
“No, Sir!” she exclaimed.
“Did I not specifically order you not to pursue Major Taylor?”
Chandra turned and glared at him. She knew they had done the right thing. Commander Phillips knew they had also, but he could not let them get away with breaking his orders so easily.
“And, Captain Friday, were you not posted to the western lines?”
“Yes, Sir, though our patrol was over, so we pursued the Major in our down time.”
The Commander spun around, glaring at the Captain and ready to explode. He took a deep breath and calmed himself.
“You are the officer who is least in the wrong here, Captain.”
He shook his head. He wanted to discipline them, but he knew that ultimately they had done the right thing. He rested on the back of his chair and looked up.
“I know I’ll get nowhere with this. The Major needed help. You put further troops at risk. This time it worked out, and I am glad we have Taylor back. But I cannot have my officers disobeying my orders. Without discipline, we are lost.”
“It won’t happen again, Commander,” said Chandra.
Phillips nodded. He had no doubt that they would do the same thing again under similar circumstances, but he’d have to live with it.
“Sir, what happened to our orders to return home?” asked Jones.
“Our last planes have already left. Command has instructed us to now stay and assist with the defence of Paris.”
“With what, Sir? We can’t even muster two platoons between us,” stated Chandra.
Phillips pulled out his chair and sat down with a weary sigh.
“The remnants of a company from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers are still active in the city. They fought at Nantes and all the way back to here, and they are a tough bunch of lads. The truth is, you have too many officers and they have too few. Just one Lieutenant left amongst them.”
The Commander tapped a few buttons at the side of the table, causing it to light up with a map display of their defences.
“The bridge that you engaged the Mechs at yesterday during Taylor’s rescue, it’s a solid position to defend, as you had clearly already realised. I am merging the Welsh into the 2 ^ nd Inter-Allied. I am also having any Brits still in the field hospitals ready to return to duties sent to you.”
“Sounds like a real cluster fuck,” said Friday.
“It’s far from ideal, Captain, but I can only work with what I have. I will be working with Brigadier Dupont from now on and will remain under his command for the foreseeable future. I figure that you should be able to muster a couple of hundred soldiers at that bridge.”
Jones shook his head in astonishment. They all knew they were scraping the barrel.
“And armour, Sir?”
“I should be able to get you a detachment from the German division, but it’s not going to be much. You are to be stationed at the bridge until further notice. You can take up residence in the nearby buildings. I’ll ensure supplies are brought to you.”
Chandra looked down at the map. She could see a vast amass of troops along the west and south perimeter of the city.
“Sir, are we expecting an attack in the north?”
“I wouldn’t be putting you there if I didn’t think so, Major. Based on what we have seen the last two days, we expect a major offensive is imminent. Paris stands in defiance. If they think at all like us, they’ll not want it to stay that way.”
“Air cover, Sir?” asked Jones.
“Limited. They’ve taken a real beating this last week. What is left has little ordnance left to shoot.”
“Then we’re in for a rough ride,” Friday mused.
“Will that be all, Sir?” asked Chandra.
“Affirmative, Major. You are to take up positions at the bridge immediately. I’ll have the troops and supplies sent to you as and when they become available.”
“Sergeant Silva!” shouted Taylor.
The Sergeant leapt to his feet and to attention. He had been cleaned up, but his face was still bruised. A bandage wrapped his head to cover the worst of his wounds. Taylor knew he’d be feeling like hell, but he didn’t show it. Seeing the battered Sergeant made him realise quite how rough he himself must look to those around him.
“Grab your gear, we’ve been re-assigned.”
“Which of us, Sir?”
“Just you and me, Sergeant.”
Parker leapt to her feet.
“What it to become of us, Sir?” she insisted.
He stopped and looked across at the faces of the few marines and paras that had survived the onslaught of little over a week of fighting. They looked far from impressed by the news. Ortiz and Campbell took their place among them, not wanting to be under the glare of the troops.
“I want to thank you all! You saved my life and that of the Sergeant. However, we all have our orders! General White wants me to pursue kit that could even up the odds. I’ll return ASAP with whatever equipment I can beg, borrow or steal that I think could make a difference.”
“Sir,” called Monty. “We may not survive that long.”
Taylor nodded. It was a tough leaving his friends and companions at such a time of need.
“Survivors of the Welsh Fusiliers and a few other units will be joining you shortly to bolster your numbers. T
he Commander may even be getting some armour support. General White thinks we have an opportunity here, and I will not see that opportunity wasted.”
He could see a number of them nodding in appreciation of the support, but it was also a bitter reminder of the tremendous losses they had all faced.
“You will remain under the command of Major Chandra. She will see to the organisation of the new troops. Good luck to you all!”
Some of them nodded, but there was little enthusiasm about the Major leaving. He knew there was nothing more that could be said to boost their spirits.
“Silva, let’s move.”
The Sergeant hauled his kit onto his shoulder with a groan from the various bruises in his body. The two marines strolled on towards the landing zone. As they took a bend around one of the vehicles, they were met by the sight of Sergeant Parker blocking their path. She stood for a second with a saddened expression before taking flight and launching herself at the Major.
Silva turned away as they embraced and kissed. He wanted to give them privacy, just as much as he wanted plausible deniability. Taylor finally put her down and she passed off between them. He turned to watch her leave and then looked back to the Sergeant.
“You know back home you’d probably lose your command for such activity, Sir?”
“But we aren’t at home, Sergeant. We’re in a god damn hell hole and with no end in sight. It’s the very last of my concerns.”
Silva nodded.
“As long as you don’t try and kiss me like that, Sir.”
Taylor chuckled as he patted the Sergeant on the back.
Parker returned to the camp just as Chandra and Jones came to a standstill at the edge. She had gotten rid of the crutch and was supporting her own bodyweight.
“The Commander has a bridge he wants us to defend, and you can probably guess its location.”
“You coming with us, Major?” asked Parker.
“Officially, no, I cannot return to combat duties until this leg is fully recovered. Between us, I can manage a rifle, so I’ll be there with you. Gear up! We leave in five!”
The troops jumped to life. It was clear that they were still not at all content with Taylor’s departure, but her presence had softened the blow a little. Sergeant Parker strode up to her with an inquisitive look.
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