Battle Earth III

by Nick S. Thomas

  She shook her head as she realised beyond any doubt that it was Captain Friday. A gaping hole had been torn through his chest. The light armour they wore had done little to slow the path of the energy pulse. Little blood seeped from the Captain’s body due to the immense heat at which the round had struck. It was clear to her that he had died within seconds.

  The sight of Friday’s body reminded her of her own mortality. She had thrown herself into the most brutal and prolonged combat with little care in the world. Now she was starting to appreciate life more. She looked at the faces of the troops around her. Many stared in astonishment that the Captain had fallen, and others looked away and hoped to forget. She had known Friday long enough to consider him a good friend, but it was clear that to the marines he was far more than that.

  “Taylor should know,” said Monty.

  Chandra nodded. She already knew that the news would be monumentally tragic to Taylor who was closer to Friday than any of them. Having lost Jones in Amiens, she knew to some extent how he would feel. But at least at that time she still had some hope of Jones’ survival; there was no coming back for Friday.

  “You think this will be enough to warrant a pass to see the Major?” asked Blinker.

  “It’s sad to think that’s what it could take, but you might be right,” she fumed.

  She stepped over and knelt beside Silva who looked more lost than the rest. He was an astonishingly tough and capable man, but it had been too much to bear. As she lowered herself down onto one knee, he looked up at her with a distraught expression.

  “He didn’t stand a chance,” muttered Silva.

  “You were ordered out there alone? No support? No armour?” she asked.

  Silva nodded as he came close to tears.

  “You did right by your platoon, Sergeant. You got them out,” she whispered.

  “When will it all end, Major? How many friends do we have to lose?”

  Chandra shook her head. It was a question she had been asking herself since a few days after the war had begun. Death and dismemberment had become a part of their everyday lives, but it never got any easier to accept.

  “We may be asked to give all of our lives before this is over, Sergeant. Would that be so bad? Us dying, in place of those who cannot fight for themselves, and the millions who do not stand a chance against these creatures.”

  She could see that Silva was starting to see some sense. He looked up to see the platoon was at an all time low point, and that they all looked to him.

  “Look at the good we have done. How many of those bastards have we killed and left in our wake? Together, we cannot be stopped. We are the Immortals, and remember that. Remember how many soldiers rely on us for inspiration.”

  Silva nodded. He knew in his heart that the Major was right. He knew he was the one who should be giving such words of encouragement to the demoralised platoon. He could see that their shell shock and depression was already starting to rub off on the other members of the Company around them. He leaned in closer to the Major.

  “We are stronger together. Get Taylor back,” he whispered.

  Silva leaned back and stood up with a newfound confidence and strength. He drew in a deep breath to bellow his words to the demoralised marines. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by a vehicle’s horn blaring as the driver made his way through the surrounding troops. He looked to identify the incoming vehicle that was clearly trying to reach them with some urgency.

  As the troops scattered, and the vehicle came in to view, they could make out the HQ stencils and realised that General Schulz sat in the back.

  “Fuck,” muttered Silva under his breath.

  Chandra’s back straightened as she saw the General she resented so much. He sat confidently in the back of the vehicle, as if to be welcomed and celebrated by the front line troops he had been sending to their deaths. He peered around at the joint allied units in surprise at the cold response he was getting. The jeep pulled up just a few metres from Chandra and the body of Captain Friday that still lay uncovered.

  Schulz stepped out from his vehicle and looked around at the stone cold faces around them. He looked down to see the dead Captain and the horrific chest wound which was on display for all to see. He made a quick scan of the pips of his uniform that marked Friday out as an officer.

  “Major! Why has the body of this Captain not been covered?”

  Schulz’s tone was arrogant and lacked any understanding of the situation. Chandra did not respond, knowing she could do little to make him change his mind. Schulz turned to the nearest marine.

  “You, find something to cover the body of this officer, immediately!”

  The marine hesitated, as if he wasn’t sure whether to carry out the order or not. The very possibility of such infuriated the General.

  “Now, Private!”

  “Hold that order!” bellowed Chandra.

  Schulz’s piercing eyes turned on the Major. He was taken aback by her comments, even more than the Private’s hesitation to carry out his orders. It left him so speechless that Chandra seized the opportunity to carry on before he could condemn her.

  “Captain Friday is one of our own. He has been with us through the worst of this war, and he is not left there out of ill discipline or idleness. He is there for all to see and pay their respects. As you are well aware, General, there is little time for proper burials in this life anymore. This is the only time we have to pay our final respects.”

  The General’s expression did not change, but he slowly breathed out and calmed himself. He looked around at the faces of the troops. He could tell that many had been with Friday when he was killed, and they looked down on the General with disgust that he would try and interfere.

  Chandra knew the General had put Friday and his men in harm’s way. The rest of the troops did too, but they all knew it was not wise to anger the General. She could hear Silva’s knuckles crunch as he clenched his fists. He wanted to strike the General more than any of them, but he didn’t move a millimetre. Schulz coughed and cleared his throat. He had quickly realised it was not the time or place to risk angering the already distraught troops. He was also well aware that soldiers from many armies were watching. They were eyes and ears that could lead to his downfall if he made the wrong move.

  Major Chandra could tell that Schulz’s arrogance had led him into a vulnerable position, and it was one that she was all too ready to take advantage of. She stepped forward and squared off against the General. Her body language could have been read as either respectful or challenging, and she revelled in the fact that he could not tell which.

  “Sir, Captain Friday was a brave and competent officer in my Company, and whose actions have saved the lives of many. He was selfless in life, and loyal and honest to the end. Friday was a marine under the direct command of Major Taylor, as well as a very close friend. As the commanding officer of both men, I request a visitation to Major Taylor in order to pass on this tragic news.”

  She could see the fury in Schulz’s eyes. The German General hated the insolence he had witnessed with the Inter-Allied Company that she led. Yet he had no choice but to accept her presence whilst she remained a competent and honest officer. He had done his utmost to keep Taylor isolated from any of the personnel he had served with. Schulz had already realised that few who came into contact with the Major would not be sympathetic to his situation and actions.

  Schulz turned slowly in a full circle and looked for some indication of what to do. Chandra could tell he was not looking out of concern for the troops, but to find out how he could come off best in the situation. Most of the soldiers glared at him. They despised Schulz for taking Taylor away from them, and not one of them accepted that Taylor had done a thing wrong. Even more so, they hated Schulz for abandoning POWs.

  The General nodded as he turned. He was quickly realising that he had to do something to alleviate the situation. The anger and hatred surrounding him made him wonder if the marines would set on hi
m if he didn’t say what they wanted to hear. He licked his lips and readied himself to speak loudly and clearly. Schulz wanted to come off as the hero, but it rarely worked.

  “I am deeply saddened by the loss of your Captain...”

  “Friday,” muttered Silva.

  Schulz turned and nodded at the Sergeant, as if thanking him. Silva was well aware that Schulz didn’t appreciated being interrupted, but he could do little in response without losing the respect of everyone present.

  “Captain Friday was a good soldier and a good man. He has fought to defend lands that were not his and helped save the lives of millions of civilians who he had never known. We are thankful for his service and his sacrifice. May we all be remembered for such great deeds and unwavering gallantry.”

  Chandra looked down in disgust. Bastard, he doesn’t give a shit, she thought. Schulz stopped and looked to the troops to judge their reaction. They didn’t look impressed, and he knew he had to give them more if he was to come off well in the situation. Chandra once again seized the moment.

  “Sir, the one thing Friday would want more than anything would have been to know that Major Taylor is alright. This news will hit Taylor hard. May I again request permission to see the Major and relay this news?”

  Schulz smirked just a little as he thought about how he had been played by Chandra. She had chosen her moment well, and it was clear that he couldn’t refuse her without having a detrimental effect on all those around them, and perhaps the armies at large. Chandra revelled for just a moment in how she had managed to manipulate. Her smile faded as she thought about the Captain who had so recently fallen. Schulz finally nodded in agreement.

  “Very well. Captain Friday gave his life in the service of this army, and you may carry that news to Major Taylor. Send my deepest sympathies for the loss of his friend.”

  The Major watched as Schulz made a final scan of the troops. He was desperately looking for any sign of respect, but it was barely in evidence. He could tell he had narrowly missed all out violence. Now piss off, thought Chandra. Finally, the General stepped back into his vehicle, and many of the troops watched in disgust as his driver pulled away. They looked back down to the body of Friday and the other marine. Medical orderlies waited to take the bodies away but were loathed to interfere.

  “Alright, that’s enough! Captain Friday is gone, and another fine soldier taken from us in this war. He was exceptional in life and will remain so in our memories long after death. We have a war to fight. Friday knew that, so let’s get on with it!”

  She nodded for the medics to come forward and spirit the bodies away. She could already hear the mutinous mutterings from a number of the marines who had been with Friday on his mission. They all knew that his death had been a direct result of Taylor’s rescue mission.

  “How the fuck can this go on?” asked Hall. “We came here to help, and we’re getting fucked over because some General was made to look an idiot!”

  “Careful, Corporal. You are under the General’s command, and you must show him respect.”

  “Why on Earth should we? He’s abandoned our people, locked up the Major and continues to put us in danger without the equipment we need. Why on Earth are we fighting for that asshole?”

  “We aren’t fighting for him. We’re fighting for us.” She pointed out at the other troops surrounding them. “And for them. Yes, Schulz is a bastard, but that’s nothing new. Right now, the only thing you should be concerned about is getting Taylor and our gear back. Pissing off the General further, isn’t the way to do it.”

  Hall slumped down onto a supply box. He knew he was not helping the situation, but he couldn’t help venting his anger. He remembered the surge of relief and fulfilment when he was stood beside Taylor as they found and rescued the POWs. Never could he have imagined they could be punished so severely for doing what had been drilled into them, to leave no man behind.

  “Take some rest, get cleaned up and get some chow. I have a chance to see Taylor here, and that’s the best progress we have seen since all this shit started. Sergeant Silva! You are in charge of the platoon until instructed otherwise.”

  Silva accepted without a word. They were large shoes to fill, but he was the only soldier up to the task. The marines had been diminished to such low numbers, and with few officers left between them. Lieutenant Suarez was a hot tempered and self-centred officer, but at least he had made it this far. Chandra would far rather see Silva promoted over him, but it was a political move that would cause more trouble than she needed. She paced up closely to the Sergeant who still stood with a sombre face.

  “These marines need you more than ever. You are what can make the difference in holding them together. We have a long way to go in this war, so let’s continue to deserve our reputation. Get them rested, and do whatever you have to,” she whispered.

  Silva took a step back, and his wary expression turned quickly to the competent and sharp keen eyed Sergeant she had come to know.

  “Say hi to the Major for us, Ma’am, and let him know we expect his return quickly.”

  “I’ll pass on your comments, Sergeant.”

  “Good luck, Ma’am.”

  Chandra nodded in gratitude. Although she had little faith in Suarez’s leadership, she knew Silva was well up to the task of pulling the marines out of the hole they were in. She took one last look at Friday’s body as it was carried away and turned to leave the staging area. What a fucking mess, she thought.

  * * *

  Taylor ate slowly from a bowl of food that he couldn’t even name. It was a prison blend of key ingredients that the human body needed. It was a mush that no one would eat if not to avoid starving. As an officer, he was entitled to far better provisions, but he knew that Schulz or Dupont would have seen to that being restricted.

  Keeping his strength up was always on his mind. He ate whatever was put before him and exercised regularly in his cell. The Major hoped to get out every day and knew that he needed to be combat ready the second it happened. As the weeks passed, he wondered if he would ever get out. General White would have procured his release, but he knew that the US was too busy fighting on its own soil.

  Is White even still alive? thought Taylor. He had heard no news since being detained. All he knew was that Ramstein had held against the enemy attacks. It was a fact that both pleased and dismayed the Major. Holding for such time was a huge boost for the human forces. But had it fallen, he would have seen the light of day.

  Where are you Eli? Where is my Company?”

  Mitch had been going crazy locked up in the cell. He’d never expected being imprisoned would be pleasant, but when his friends were fighting and dying just kilometres away, it was the most painstaking experience. He hoped to see a familiar face from his Company every hour of every day. Instead, all he saw were the straight-faced guards and the sour Dupont.

  As Taylor took down another mouthful of the foul food, the doors down the corridor slid open. It was too early to be taking back the bowls, and not a likely time to be interning a new prisoner. He put his bowl down on the bed and stood up in curiosity. Three sets of footsteps strode down the hall towards his cell. Can’t be Dupont, he’s never without his paper pusher.

  Taylor tensed up and froze in anticipation that he might see a friendly face. Then she appeared before him in a dreamy moment. He felt all hopelessness fade away as he saw Chandra’s face. He was as much relieved to see she was still alive, as he was that she had not given up on him. The guards stopped at his cell with the Major between them.

  “You’ve got five minutes,” one of them snarled.

  The guards strode off back down the corridor. They had not opened the doors to his cell. They never extended any courtesy to Taylor. It made him wonder how on earth Chandra managed to get in, but his moment of joy faded as he saw the sombre tone in her face. He leapt forward to the cell bars.

  “I thought you’d forgotten me,” he cried.

  “Never! But you’re at the top of Schulz�
�s shit list, and I’ve been through hell trying to get some contact with you.”

  “What finally made him sway?”

  She looked down gravely before finally meeting Taylor’s eyes once again. He had a thousand questions, but there were few she didn’t want to answer. She realised she had no choice but to explain all their woes, even though it could destroy the Major’s resolve.

  “Since your imprisonment, we have been hit hard. Stripped of our equipment and thrown onto the front line. It’s taken a heavy toll. Schulz has had us out on suicidal missions, and more than our fair share.”

  “What are you trying to tell me, Major?” insisted Taylor.

  She sighed as she tried to find the words to explain.

  “One of our platoons was ordered forward today, to go beyond no man’s land and scout ahead of an engineer party. That platoon was led by Captain Friday. Several hours into the mission, they were attacked in the heavy woodland on the western side, and Friday was struck in the fight.”

  “And, is he okay?”

  Taylor thought back to the early days of the war, and how little protection they had against the enemy energy weapons. His face turned to dread as it became clear what she was saying.

  “I am sorry to say that Captain Friday died of his wounds during the firefight, along with Private Rollings.”

  Taylor turned and gasped in shock. He stopped breathing for a few seconds as he stared at the back wall of his cell. Shortly after, his shock turned to anger, and he rushed back at the cell bars and threw his body against them.

  “Why? Why the fuck, am I still in here? This is Schulz’s doing!”

  Chandra looked in despair at Mitch’s furious anger.