The two of them barged through the door like raging bulls, forcing the doors to launch from their hinges. Taylor spotted the dug in Mechs immediately and could see they had a good view of the creatures. Despite this, he continued to spread out into the room to allow further troops to join the fight. He rushed up and crouched behind a broad counter, lifting his rifle to fire.
Gunfire cracked behind him, and the advancing troops fired as they passed through the blown entrance. Taylor could see Jones’ platoon was dug in the other end of the room and unable to advance. He took aim at the nearest creature. He had a clear view of its flank, fired three rounds into its chest, and a last one through its faceplate as it twitched from the first three. Out of the corner of his eye Mitch could see the other Mechs taking cover.
“Grenades!” he shouted.
He pulled a frag grenade from his webbing and twisted the cap. He looked around to see that three others were waiting for his command.
“Now!”
The four grenades were launched into the air in almost perfect synchronisation and tumbled over into the Mech positions. They hunkered down for cover as the explosions shook the room, and part of the ceiling near them caved in. Taylor jumped up and leapt over the counter top, advancing on the enemy positions with his rifle at the ready.
Chandra looked over the defences to see Mitch had jumped ahead quicker than any of them were able to follow. She saw him fire two shots into the ground, and as she drew nearer, she could see the body of one of the creatures lying lifeless at his feet. Another lay dead close by. She caught a glimpse of movement, turned quickly, and fired at another creature that was trying to get up from the ground.
She nodded at Mitch, and they both knew each other’s thoughts. The grenades were not powerful enough for the enemy they were fighting, and they were not going to take the chance that any had survived. The two officers moved up to the bodies of the other two creatures and fired several rounds through each of their faceplates until they were satisfied it was over.
They stood for a moment, marvelling at their work as Captain Jones approached their positions. Before he could open his mouth, a signal came over their intercom from Lieutenant Green.
“Tracking three hostiles into the basement in the north west of the building, over.”
“Hold tight, we’re coming,” replied Chandra.
She turned and led the way without as much as a word to the troops. As they jogged down the corridors to meet with the others, she noticed specs of blue blood on her arm. Taylor also saw where the spray had coated both of them. He looked at it at first with disgust and then sadness. He was reminded of the scene in the conference hall just minutes before.
Up ahead, they could see Green and Silva, and they had a wounded soldier being attended to.
“Any other casualties?” she asked.
“No, just one wounded. He’ll be fine,” replied Green.
“Good.”
She looked down at the stairwell close by. It appeared to disappear into darkness.
“This where you last saw them?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Any other sightings of the enemy?”
He shook his head.
“Jones, you and Yorath are to continue to sweep the rest of this building. Get on it.”
The Captain nodded and liaised quickly with Yorath before rushing off to continue his search.
“Any other ways down there?” asked Chandra.
“One fire escape from what I can see.”
Taylor looked over at the doorway to a nearby elevator.
“What about that? It goes down below?”
Chandra lifted up her Mappad and carefully studied the limited diagrams they had been given of the layout.
“Not that one, but it looks like there is a freight elevator not far from here.”
“I’ll take it,” replied Taylor.
“Alright, Green you’ll take the stairs, but wait for our breach. Silva, you’re with me.”
Parker had been listening and butted in.
“We can’t use that elevator. It will give us away in seconds.”
“I don’t intend to ride it down,” replied Taylor with a smile. “Come on, let’s move.”
He turned to move out, but Chandra stopped him.
“Confirm when you’re in position and ready to go. Green, you wait ten seconds after our breach. That stairwell could be hell.”
Taylor nodded in agreement and quickly made his way for the elevator. After passing through a storage area, they found what they were looking for. He drew out his Assegai and thrust it into the join between the doors. The torch style blade cut a hole and broke the seal quickly. He levered open the door and took a look inside.
“Good, it’s up on one of the upper floors.”
He reached for the emergency stop lever to ensure it stayed put before looking into the most unwelcoming abyss.
“We go down in twos the second we hear that breach, got it?”
They nodded as Parker forced her way to the front. He already knew he could not dissuade her from being the first in.
“We’re in position and ready on your signal,” he called down the radio.
“All sections ready, we breach in five, four, three…” replied Chandra.
A small explosion erupted outside the building, and Taylor took it as his cue to jump with Parker at his side. They immediately activated their boosters that lit up the pitch-black shaft as they quickly descended. Taylor ripped open the door, and they could see flashes of light all around; the fight had already begun.
He lifted his rifle and identified one creature as the light reflected from its metallic armour, but Eli had already opened fire. He joined in as the creature was hit with a dozen rounds and killed before it had time to hit the ground. A few more shots rang out until finally all went silent.
“All clear!” yelled Chandra.
Flashlights from friendlies flashed around the room as they all checked for survivors.
Chandra paced up to the fallen creature where Taylor stood.
“What are we doing with the bodies?” he asked.
“Not our problem. We were selected to do the fighting. Clean up work is someone else’s job now.”
“This was too easy. They can’t have been planted here for any resistance, so they must have been left behind.”
“Unless by planting them, they intended to continue to cause us the kind of trouble which it is doing. Civilians are scared to go home, soldiers are still busy fighting a war which should be over, and clean up crews are hindered by safety concerns.”
“Can’t the bastards accept defeat?”
“Would you?”
“Hard to say, but I’ve never wanted to invade someone else’s land and execute them.”
A signal came over the radio from Jones.
“Major, the building is secure. All enemy threats have been dealt with.”
“Good work, Jones, rendezvous at the boats. Our job here is done.”
Chapter 5
“Damn fine work out there!” shouted Phillips as they lumbered out of the aircraft.
The crowd of nearby troops clapped as they disembarked, but they wondered why. They had done nothing more than their jobs, same as everyone else. General Schulz was also awaiting them, but Dupont was nowhere to be seen. The General strode forward with a broad smile across his face and reached out to shake hands with Chandra and Taylor soon after.
“Glad to see I chose the right soldiers for the job,” he exclaimed.
Taylor smirked at the General trying to claim credit for the mission, but he let it slide. One thing he had learnt during the war was that it didn’t pay to piss off those in charge. Then he turned to see Parker and Jones and was reminded of why his disobedience to Command had all been worth it.
“Please form up your Company, Major,” ordered Schulz.
Chandra looked confused for a moment but turned and bellowed the command. They were all fatigued and wanted nothing mor
e than to sit down in the warm with some hot drinks. She could see the crowd was freezing from awaiting their arrival.
Silly bastard, she thought of Schulz. Making us all suffer, just for his gratification.
She took up her position at the forefront of the Company, alongside Taylor and Jones. They were all that remained of the command staff. They watched in amazement as the General stepped up onto a small podium, and a smile stretched across his face at the attention he was garnering. The crowd had already been silenced by the loud shouts of the officers as they formed up. Silva’s booming voice had carried across the whole landing zone and drowned out all others. Schulz placed his hands behind his back and stood tall as he finally unleashed his carefully selected speech.
“I want to thank Major Chandra and the 2 ^nd Inter-Allied Company for their continuing efforts in this struggle. Not one among them owes anything to this land, or to my own homelands. And yet, they have given everything to keep them safe. Now they continue to help in every way they can to allow this continent to recover!”
He took a deep breath and an extended pause to allow his words to filter through before continuing. Taylor could see him wallowing in his own self-importance, but it was nothing new.
At least he doesn’t want my ass behind bars anymore, thought Taylor.
“No one can doubt the commitment and sacrifices that these fine soldiers have given in duty to the people of this planet. In recognition of their services, President Moreau will be unveiling a monument in their honour. Major Chandra, it is my pleasure to request the presence of your company for this ceremony at 1000 hours tomorrow.”
Chandra stared at the General in shock. It appeared as if Schulz was expecting to see some gratitude from her, but she couldn’t help but feel that it was a pointless publicity stunt they were being drawn into when there was real work to be done. She strained to smile in response.
“Thank you, Sir,” she replied.
Schulz looked put out by her short and passive response, but he would not let it ruin his moment of glory.
“I am sure you are all eager to get some rest. Well done to all of you. Thank you all for your continued service!”
He began to clap and was soon joined by all who were present. Taylor could not help but feel sorry for all the personnel around them who had been drawn into Schulz’s plan. They deserved credit as much as the Inter-Allied did. Chandra saluted before turning and dismissing the troops. Schulz saluted them as they left, in a gesture that was so blatantly staged. Taylor stepped up to Chandra’s side as they finally plodded on.
“Will we never be rid of him?” he asked.
“Not likely. He’s always miles from the action.”
Taylor nodded in agreement.
“Schulz aside, that was good work today, to complete a mission without losing a single soldier. I was wondering if we’d ever see the day.”
The Company stood formed up beside a podium and what was some kind of monument still under wraps. Chandra paced up and down the line as they awaited the arrival of the French President and the other officials who were to honour them that day.
Opposite them stood a hundred strong youth marching band in gleaming dress uniforms. She looked back at her own troops and could see they had done their very best to look presentable, but there was no hiding their well worn and fatigued combat uniforms. She could see rips in fabric; cuts and scrapes on faces where shrapnel had left many scarred.
She smiled at the stark contrast of her battle-hardened unit to the gleaming presentation that had been set up for then. She preferred them that way. They presented themselves as they were; the few who were tough enough and lucky enough to have survived the war.
The Drum Major lifted his baton, and the band’s silence was broken as the brass and drums rang out around them. Chandra turned to see a motorcade approaching with French armoured vehicles at the forefront. Every vehicle proudly flew the French tricolor in a colourful entrance. She turned and looked in astonishment at the absurdity of the event.
Within a fifty metre radius was nothing but an impeccable parade display, but it was just one pocket of perfection amongst the ruins of the city that lay all around them. Beyond that lay massive cranes stretching up into the skyline. Only two buildings over five storeys high had survived the brutal struggle for the city, and they could see for kilometres.
Taylor caught sight of Chandra turning as she marvelled at the sights around them. They both knew they had been there before, but it was hard to recognise much of the city any longer. Chandra drew the Company to attention as the vehicles drew near, and they watched as the cheery President waved from his car.
On one hand, Taylor felt sorry for the French leader for having lost so much of his country, but on the other hand, he looked at the man’s impeccable clothing and well fed stomach and scowled at how little he had put into the war. Chandra could see the look of disgust on his face and strolled over to whisper beside him.
“Major, I know you’re not one for authority, but let’s not fuck this up, you hear?”
“He’s gonna stand there and talk about our shared struggle to free these lands. What did he ever do?” snapped Taylor.
“We all have our part in this, not all of it is holding a rifle and fighting on the frontline,” she replied.
He nodded in agreement and could feel some of the anger seep away.
“I’m just sick of it all, those bastards, Schulz and Dupont. They toss us about as assets, and then want to take all the glory.”
“Hey, this here is for us, don’t you forget that. The President has a responsibility to the people of this country, and he is clearly fulfilling that. Cut the man some slack, you have no idea what his part was in this war.”
Chandra saluted as the car drew to a halt and watched as President Moreau leapt out and up towards the podium. The two Majors stared in astonishment for a moment. They had never met the French President, but they knew from news feeds that he was a much older man than the one who was about to address them. Commander Phillips approached them in full number one dress.
“Sir, that, that isn’t the President,” stated Chandra.
“It is now, Major. President Moreau passed away a week ago from a heart attack. The government decided in the interest of the people that his son should take over to allow the population to have someone they can relate to.”
“That ain’t very democratic,” replied Taylor from the sideline.
Chandra turned and smiled to see that Mitch had crept closer to listen in.
“No, but what else were they to do? Not like they could start an e-vote and have it done by the weekend. Communications in this country are still an utter shambles.”
“What’s he like, this new President?”
“Driven. He’s a high roller and vicious to boot. He’s got balls and has no problem walking over people to get ahead.”
“Sounds about right,” replied Taylor.
“But maybe not the right man for the job. These people need somebody with empathy. Somebody who can hold them together, not drive them apart,” whispered Chandra.
“I’d hold your tongue, Major,” replied Phillips. “We’re soldiers, not politicians. The two don’t mix well.”
They fell silent as Moreau stepped up to the podium, without introduction from the speaker who stepped aside speechless. The President lifted his hand, and the band quickly faded off into silence. He looked out across the lines of British and American soldiers and to the civilians who had gathered for the ceremony. Only a hundred Parisians had turned out for the event, but many soldiers from European armies were scattered amongst them.
“Men and Women of France, and of the world, we gather here among the ruins of our fine capital city not to mourn our losses, but to celebrate our victories! The soldiers of the Second Inter-Allied Company have served the world and given everything they had to make this land free!”
Whistles and clapping burst out from the audience, but Taylor felt nothing. He didn’t ask for an
y praise for what they had done. He didn’t want any medals or awards. He turned back to look at Eli’s face. As he glanced at her with wide eyes, she noticed and turned to meet his. She smiled before turning as she blushed. The President lifted up his hand again and nodded in acknowledgement, as if he himself were being applauded for the victory.
“It is my pleasure and honour to reveal this monument to the world. It stands as an eternal reminder of the sacrifices made by these fine men and women.”
He pointed for the men waiting on the ropes next to the covered monument that stood ten metres high. The soft cloth rolled off the hard stone, and they looked in awe at what lay beneath. The base was of a thick stone column and atop it was a character stood with one foot on the body of a fallen alien. Taylor instantly recognised that it was a homage to his defeat over Karadag. The statue of him was thrusting an Assegai into the air triumphantly.
“St George slaying the Dragon,” whispered Chandra.
“What?” asked Taylor who was still in a daze.
“That’s what you have become, the people’s hero. That’s you.”
Taylor went silent. He was humbled by the towering figure of himself. Clapping rang out from the Company behind them and was soon joined by everyone in attendance. He turned to see the troops were alive with excitement, but he could not help feel that it did them an injustice.
“Why’ve they got to choose me? Any soldier who fought in this war has reason to be up there.”
Chandra laughed. “People need something positive to hang on to. It’s a David and Goliath story which is symbolic of our entire struggle.”
“I never wanted to be on no statue,” he snapped.
“It’s not about you, Mitch. People need hope, and you just happened to have become the poster boy. Let them have this, they need it.”
He turned and looked back at the imposing figure of himself towering over them all.
Is this what I am destined to be? A celebrity? He asked himself.
The day continued with the same surreal display of celebrations. Lights and music blared out, but Taylor could not help but look away into the desolate wasteland of the city. He felt overwhelmed by it all. It was too soon to be celebrating among the ruins that were the final resting place of so many fellow soldiers. Taylor’s ears suddenly twitched as he heard the ring of a communicator nearby. He turned to see Phillips pull out the device from his pocket.
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