Battle Earth III be-3 Read online

  “Charlie? How is he?”

  “I have only seen him a couple of times. He’s been taken to a recovery facility further east. Honestly? He’s a wreck. Whatever they did to him… well, he may never recover.”

  “Jesus, we’re dropping like flies. Have you been reinforced?”

  Chandra shook her head. She couldn’t believe it either.

  “What? Who are your platoon leaders?”

  “Yorath, Suarez and now Silva. Green was wounded a week ago.”

  Taylor sighed.

  “What is the fighting strength of the Company?”

  She did not respond.

  He looked up and stared into her eyes. He could see it was an answer she didn’t want to give. He glared until finally she folded.

  “Sixty-five at present.”

  “And your people won’t send any fresh troops?”

  “British forces are already fighting further north of here. They arrived last week. There is still speculation of a new front being started in Northern France.”

  “They’re going to tackle the Normandy beaches? Jesus!”

  “We all hope it’ll happen, but I guess they need to know there’s a good chance of success. It’s not like we have anywhere to run if Britain falls.”

  Taylor paced up and down the room. He was glad to finally be getting some news, but it made him all the more furious that he was locked up and unable to help his comrades.

  “You have to get me out of here!”

  “I am well aware of that, but what am I supposed to do?”

  “Anything! Everything!”

  “I’m doing everything in my power to make it happen, but you’ll just have to wait. The war rages on, but the front line has reached a stalemate. At the moment, nobody is inclined to look at your case.”

  “You think we have broken their momentum?”

  “It certainly looks that way, but I’d hate to jump to conclusions. We have underestimated them more than once before at a terrible cost,” she replied.

  “What am I going to do? I’m going fucking crazy in here. I’m a marine, and I am here to fight.”

  “There’s nothing you can do. I’ll keep pushing and see if I can at least see you again soon. You’ll be needed before long, so hold on.”

  Taylor’s face was bleak. She could see the weeks of isolation had taken a lot from him, and it pained her that she had nothing but bad news to convey. The guards appeared at the end of the corridor striding quickly towards her.

  “Time’s up!”

  She looked back to Taylor, trying to think of some last words of comfort.

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For getting through to me. I know it can’t have been easy.”

  “The Company needs you, Major. The world needs you. Without soldiers like you, we are lost. You hold out and stay strong.”

  The guards formed up beside her and led her out of the prison, as Taylor watched the only friend he had seen in weeks disappear once again. Seeing her face had given him hope, but having spoken to her, he realised how bad his situation was. He lay back down on the bed, the only luxury he was provided, and slipped into a dream.

  Friday had been one of Taylor’s best friends. In war and peace, they had always stood together. He had always thought that if they were to fall, it would be together. That night his dreams turned to nightmares as he pictured how the Captain had died based on Chandra’s description. The same images plagued him night after night until he lost track of time.

  Each day he pushed his body harder, as he had little else to do but find new and creative ways to exercise in the small cell that had become his home. The only relief was not to be in a wet trench in the cold nights, but he’d give up the relative comfort and warmth to be among his comrades once again in a second. He woke up every night in sweats as his mind was filled with scenes of death and destruction.

  He’d seen countless friends killed and heard of many more meeting the same fate. Then his mind slipped to the mounds of bodies he’d seen at the prison when they rescued Jones and the others. He wondered what could bring any race to such cruelty and slaughter. The human race had moved past it, so how could such a technologically advanced race still be stuck in such primitive ways?

  Silva slumped down at a canteen table. Command had pushed hard to ensure they had good food to keep their morale up, but it went unnoticed by the Sergeant. He had to keep up a brave and confident persona around the Company, but it was taking its toll on him. He’d not ever dreamed to see the kind of vast scale death and war that his ancestors had. Reading about such conflicts had been a pleasure. He’d wished to be given the opportunity to gain the glory and respect they had earned.

  Parker and Hall leapt onto the bench opposite his table. He looked up at them and smiled as best he could, but they too looked beaten. They each looked to one another for some answers to make them feel better, but they didn’t come.

  “Shame to see Friday go. He was a good man.”

  Silva nodded at Parker.

  “They all were, every god damn man and woman in this Company,” he muttered.

  “I hear Chandra got a pass to see Taylor?”

  Silva glared at her. For a moment he was irritated by her selfish hounding so soon after the death of one of their friends. But then he settled, realising just how much concern she had for the Major. He knew they could lose Taylor for good.

  “She got it alright, and it wasn’t an easy feat. She chose her moment carefully. Our boys were ready to tear Schulz apart.”

  “Should have let us,” snapped Hall.

  Silva sighed and shook his head in dismay.

  “So you could all share a prison cell with Taylor?”

  “Something has to be done. We can’t leave him there to rot while we get sent out to die on pointless missions,” replied Parker.

  Silva smashed his hand down on the table, causing it to shake violently and several nearby troops turn and look. He gazed around at them until they looked away. He turned his attention back to the two marines.

  “I’ve had enough of this bitching and whining. Taylor shouldn’t be locked away, but there is nothing we can do about it. The morale has been shit since that time, and there is no excuse for it. That morale could get many more of us killed. Do you think Taylor would want that? Or do you think he’d want us to pick ourselves the fuck up and continue in his stead?”

  The two NCOs looked sheepishly down at their food. Silva had successfully shamed them, but he didn’t feel good about it.

  “I know we need the Major back. Parker, you think you need him more than any of us, but you don’t. We all need him back, and when the time comes, we will make it happen. But until that time, we act like god damn professionals and are ready for anything.”

  Parker looked up with a doleful face.

  “You really think we’ll get him back?”

  “Fuck, yes. You hold onto that knowledge, and you carry it in battle with you. He’s getting out, and he wants us there to greet him when it happens.”

  Three weeks had passed since the news of Friday’s death. Taylor hadn’t seen anyone but the guards in all that time. He prayed to see Dupont again, so he could vent his anger if nothing else. He knew Chandra and the others were doing everything in their power to help him, but he also knew what bastards Schulz and Dupont were.

  He closed his eyes and thought back to his nights with Eli back before the war had started. Their sneaking around seemed dangerous at the time, but now it felt little more than harmless mischief. Everyday, he tried to think of her to stop his imagination taking him back the horrors he’d witnessed or been told of.

  Then his mind swayed back to Friday. He remembered the first time they met early in their careers, and how competitive they had been. Within months, they had become like brothers and remained so through their service. The only friend who could come close was Jones. It pained him to know that he could do nothing for Friday, and he couldn’t even attend his fune
ral. But it pained him even further that Jones had been left to become a hollowed out wreck.

  Charlie’s absent staring eyes came back into Taylor’s mind. It frightened him that such a strong man could be reduced to such a lifeless state. With the loss of Friday, he held onto the fact that Jones was still alive, praying that he could return to the lively and joyful friend he used to know. As his mind crept to darker places, and he began to mutter to himself once again, the corridor doors opened and footsteps strode towards him. He jumped up out of bed and stood anxiously waiting to see a familiar face.

  Chandra appeared before him once again with a smile on her alluring face. It was the most beautiful thing he had seen in recent memory, and instantly painted a picture of Eli in his mind.

  “Come to get me out, Major?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Sorry, but I have at least managed this, five minutes, once a week outside my duty hours.”

  “That’s generous of the General,” Taylor spat sarcastically.

  She grinned at his sharpness. It pleased her to know he hadn’t been beaten by his detainment. He was still the strong and sharp officer he always had been.

  “No chance of me getting out, then?”

  She shook her head and looked in with sympathy.

  “No. I have tried everything I can. Anyone who could help with procuring your release is out of contact, fighting their own battles.”

  “So what you’re saying is, unless a bomb happened to drop on the two Generals, I am not getting free?”

  “That about sums it up. But for all of their hatred of you, they also know how useful you can be. There will come a time when they need you.”

  “How is the Company holding up?”

  Locked up for months and still putting his friends first, she thought. Taylor never ceased to amaze her. She could only hope to have his strength if she had to endure the same.

  “They’re holding. The fighting has hit a lull. There continues to be skirmishes along the lines, but nothing like the onslaught we have become used to. It’s given everyone a little time to rest and recover, but also more time to dwell on how shit the situation is.”

  “Any plan for an advance east?”

  “Even if I were given access to such information, I’d never be allowed to share it with you in here,” she warned.

  The two went silent for a moment as they listened to the guards’ footsteps trail off into the distance. Taylor dipped his head and thought before finally looking up and pleading with the Major.

  “You promise me one thing. If those alien bastards push through this base, you won’t leave me here. Not like Jones was.”

  She could see the despair in his face. She had never been able to fully comprehend what he had seen the day of Jones’ rescue, and the state he had found the Captain in.

  “There’s no way in hell I am leaving anyone else behind. You can count on that.”

  “Thank you,” whispered Taylor.

  She could tell that it was the only fear Taylor had in life, and being behind bars made it all the worse.

  “You hold on, Mitch. I’m getting you out of here, one way or the other. That’s a promise, too.”

  The ground rocked beneath their feet as a huge artillery shell landed outside the building. Taylor looked up in fear, and they both quickly jumped to the correct conclusion; the enemy was advancing. Further explosions erupted all around the base that were deafening even through the thick walls. The guards came rushing down the corridor.

  “Major Chandra! You are to report back to your unit immediately!”

  “What the fuck is going on?”

  “The enemy, they’ve launched a massive attack at our lines!”

  “Jesus Christ!”

  The guards grabbed the Major and started to lead her out. She strained to turn back to the Major and shout to him one last time.

  “I’ll come for you, Taylor!”

  Chapter 6

  “Kelly! Kelly!” shouted Doyle.

  The enthusiastic Private came charging down the dusty hallway into the storage room that was now their command centre. He was met with little positivity as the grim faces glared at him. Martinez turned to look at the furore. The Captain’s face was badly scarred, and he wore a makeshift eye patch over his left eye. He had the look of a man who was awaiting his death with dignity.

  Commander Kelly turned slowly around in his chair. He no longer expected good news and was therefore careful to gather up his hopes. He glared at the Private as if the cheery man had somehow broken the mood; a mood so miserable and dire that one might wish they were already dead. Doyle slid to attention before the two officers and made a quick and ill disciplined salute. He could barely contain himself and looked as if he was going to explode.

  “What is it, Private?” insisted Kelly.

  “They’re leaving, Sir, by the bucket load!” he balled.

  The room suddenly turned all attention on the excited man. For a moment, the people within it felt a spark of hope.

  “What are you talking about?” asked Martinez with a doubtful tone.

  Kelly leapt to his feet. He prayed for good news but knew it sounded too good to be true.

  “Come on, Doyle, spit it out,” Kelly shouted.

  Doyle finally opened his mouth and blurted out his message.

  “The enemy ships are leaving. Taking off all over the surface!”

  The Commander spun around on the spot and turned to Lewis, who was sat at his makeshift console with cables hanging out all over the place, and multiple screens balanced across what furniture and mounts he could scavenge. Kelly didn’t need to ask any questions. The communications officer was already slaving away at his station to corroborate Doyle’s news that seemed unbelievable.

  Several dozen soldiers waited silently for further news. They anxiously wanted to believe that Doyle was correct.

  “Come on, come on…” whispered Martinez.

  Lewis spun around in his chair and stared up at the Commander with a bewildered expression. For a moment he could not speak, and Kelly already knew the answer. A smile widened across his face before the man had even opened his mouth.

  “He’s right, Sir. They’re leaving!”

  A hail of excitement burst out as claps and whistles echoed around the room. Kelly took a few paces closer, so Lewis could hear him.

  “Where are they going?”

  Lewis turned back to his monitors and carefully studied the data. He swivelled back around in his chair with yet more surprise in his face.

  “They’re heading for Earth…”

  Kelly smashed his hand down on the table rocking the consoles.

  “Yes!” he screamed.

  The deep booming roar from their Commander caused the room to go silent, and all attention to turn on him. Kelly could see new life in the eyes of all those around him. They had resigned themselves to fighting to the very last man and woman, but now there was hope.

  “The enemy occupiers are departing for Earth. This can only mean one thing!” he bellowed.

  Silence still filled the room. None of them had heard Lewis’ last comment and had been too busy celebrating to care.

  “They underestimated the human race! Earth forces are giving them hell, and they must be re-directing everything they have to get down there. The Earthers have given us an opportunity. Their blood and sacrifice may give us all the opening we need to take back our lands!”

  Cheers rang out once again as further troops flooded in from the nearby corridors. Kelly turned back to Lewis who was mesmerised by the news.

  “Lieutenant, open all channels.”

  Lewis stared at him in a daze for a moment, finally snapping out of it and turning back to his console. Seconds later, the Commander saw the lights fire up to signify an open channel.

  “This is Commander Kelly. Alien forces are leaving our colony. We are not free of occupation. We still have a long way to go, but hope is once again with us. I repeat. Alien forces are le
aving our colony in substantial number.”

  Rave applause echoed through the corridors as the colony’s survivors burst into celebration. A Chinese officer rushed into the room with a broad smile on his face.

  “Commander, has this news being verified?” he asked.

  “Colonel Chen, we have just had visual confirmation. The tide just turned in this war.”

  “My Battalion is ready and awaiting your orders, Commander.”

  Kelly knew the Chinese troops were eager to get into action since they arrived the week before. They were the only soldiers to come to the aid of the Lunar colony since Taylor’s mission to rescue the Prime Minister.

  “Thank you, Colonel.”

  He turned back to the microphone to talk to the survivors of the colony.

  “All units are to be ready for combat within the hour. Be patient, be strong, and be ready. The time is almost upon us to take back our homes, over and out.”

  He nodded for Lewis to stop the transmission and turned to Martinez and Chen. Martinez would never have liked giving up any authority or command to an Earth dweller, but now he would take any help he could get.

  “I want to know those bastards have gone for good. I have no doubt they have left more than enough troops here to not make our life easy, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. As soon as we are confident that all who are going have left, and they are entering the Earth’s atmosphere, it is our time to strike.”

  “You think we can do it this time?” asked Martinez.

  “I think we have a damn good chance. We’ll do this systematically. Corridor by corridor until we occupy all that is underground. I know we want the surface back, but we have to do it with caution.”

  “Agreed,” replied Chen confidently.

  “We are thankful of your support, Colonel, but you are likely to be the only help we see for some time, and we cannot afford to throw lives away. We paid a high price the last time we tried to move forward, so let’s do this right. Both of you ready our troops. Remind them of what we are fighting for, and the price of failure.”

  “Go, go, go!” roared Chandra.

  She could barely hear her own voice over the deafening explosions tearing through the base. She flinched as one struck a transport plane, and it burst into a thick ball of black smoke. Debris scattered across the ground between them and smashed into the rooftops of their billets. The Company rushed from their accommodation, desperately trying to pull on their equipment as they scurried out towards the trenches.