“Orders from Commander Phillips, you and Major Taylor are to assemble at briefing shelter A at 1100 hours.”
“Why did this not get relayed via comms?” she asked.
“The Commander asked me to relay the order personally, and for your ears only, Ma’am.”
“Alright, thank you, you can be on your way.”
As the jeep pulled away, she looked down at her watch to see there was little time before they were to be summoned.
“We were supposed to have another day,” said Taylor.
“When does anything work to the schedule we need?” she responded. “Come on, I’m eager to see what is in store for us.”
Chandra and Taylor stepped into the briefing shelter with just seconds to spare. Several dozen other officers awaited the Commander to start. They barely recognised anyone in the room. It was a stark reminder of how much they had lost in the war. A door towards the front of the room opened, and General Schulz stepped through with several of his staff. Nobody was even aware that he had arrived in the city, but they all understood it meant there was a matter of great importance.
“Welcome all of you. A new operation is about to begin which will see you all tested to your sheer limits. We drove the enemy from this planet, and yet we have not driven them from human territory. As long as the enemy remain on the Moon, humanity is in danger. Tomorrow we launch the greatest military operation outside of Earth boundaries that has ever taken place in human history.”
Several gasps rang out. Taylor could see that there was a mix of officers from around the world, including several Americans.
“Schulz has been gathering forces here, and we didn’t even know it,” he whispered.
“It’s as good a place as any,” replied Chandra.
“I’d like to introduce you all to Commander Kelly, the former military leader of the Moon colony forces.”
Schulz ushered the Commander up to take a seat beside him.
“The Commander’s efforts in defending his colony and keeping his people safe are to be commended. It is only natural that he would want a stake in this new enterprise to free the lands he calls home.”
The officers around the room clapped Kelly as he took to the stage beside the General. Schulz called quiet and tapped a few buttons before him which displayed their solar system behind him.
“If we are to fight a war outside of Earth’s boundaries, we need a foothold in space, one which we no longer have. The L2 station is by far our best option. We know the enemy occupy the station but are unsure of their exact strength. Tomorrow you will depart for L2 and take it with a rapid strike before they can bolster their forces. It is vital that we gain this position in order to continue to the Lunar colony.”
“I am hearing a lot of unknowns here,” whispered Taylor.
“What do you expect? We lost everything outside of this atmosphere,” replied Chandra.
“Between you all, you can field approximately six thousand troops and will make up the initial raid to take L2 in what is to be known as Operation Phoenix.”
Chandra smiled.
“He’s pretty confident of victory, then?” she whispered.
“I fucking hope so, or it’ll be our asses left for dead up there,” replied Taylor.
Taylor slumped into bed after a half day of planning for the operation. He was exhausted from seemingly doing nothing but sitting and listening. Just a few minutes after lying down alone, there was a knock on the door. He knew Parker wouldn’t have stopped at the door.
“Come!” he called as he sat up.
To Taylor’s surprise it was Commander Kelly who stepped through. He was alone, and it put Mitch’s guard up. His hand instinctively closed towards his pistol, but he stopped short of taking the grip in hand.
“I didn’t come to squabble, Major.”
Taylor looked down at his hand held next to the pistol like an old gunslinger.
“You’ll forgive me, Commander. Our last meeting was not a friendly one.”
“Appreciated, and I want that resolved. Tomorrow we go to war together. Schulz may still be in command, but you will also be accountable to me. Will that be a problem?”
“Not unless you try and get me and mine killed.”
“The General tells me that you volunteered for this offensive, is that correct?”
Taylor nodded.
“It means a lot. My soldiers believed you only interested in Earth. It will go a long way to mending fences with them to see you join our side.”
“I was never not on your side, but I had my orders just like everyone else.”
“And you always follow them?” he replied.
Taylor smiled. “I’m sorry we left you to fend for yourselves, and I am sorry we could not help further. What more do you want me to say?”
“Nothing, that is quite enough. You’re a hero here on Earth, so take your place among us as the same. If you can be half the soldier you have been through this war, then we’d be foolish not to have you with us.”
Taylor nodded in agreement.
“That’ll be all. Good luck tomorrow, and thank you for joining us.”
“And to you, Sir. It will be an honour to serve with you.”
“Good morning to you all!” shouted Chandra.
She stood before the Battalion formed up in front of the four Achilles frigates. Their assault copters were loaded, and everything was ready for their departure. The ground was quiet now as they all awaited the final order to depart.
“I would have greatly preferred to have many weeks to get this battalion in order. However, you are all experienced and more than competent soldiers. From now on, we are a family. It doesn’t matter if you were here from the very start or joined yesterday! Today we embark on the only space based military assault in the history of our race, so let’s do it right!”
She stopped as she listened to a message coming through on her intercom.
“This is it. We have been ordered to embark on Operation Phoenix. Load up and move out!”
There was no cheering or excitement amongst them. They all wanted to see an end to the enemy, but few wanted to engage them in combat again. The troops swarmed to the boats in silence. Chandra turned as she caught sight of a soldier approaching at her flank. It was Commander Kelly. His worn old uniform had been replaced by the same new camouflage patterns; something that kept them uniformed even if the pattern served no purpose where they were going. Despite his clean new gear, the same grizzled veteran lay beneath.
“Glad to have you with us, Colonel!” he shouted, approaching with his hand forward to shake hers.
“Sir, it’s an honour to be a part of this enterprise. I know there is still ill will towards some of my Battalion for their service on your colony at the start of this war. I pray that now that can be put to rest when we strive forward together.”
Kelly looked over and nodded to Taylor.
“I think we have put that to rest, Colonel. There’s no time or energy left to worry about what has been. We want our colony back, and anyone who is willing to assist us to that end will be eternally our friend. L2 will be a major stepping stone to getting our homes back. I wish you every luck.”
“And to you, Sir,” replied Chandra.
She turned and followed Taylor to the frigates awaiting them. They boarded the Deveron together, and Taylor felt a tingle run down his spine as he stepped aboard once again. It was a stark reminder of their last visit to the Moon which had been his first experience of the harrowing enemy. He thought back to Reyes and was glad to see the Captain’s ship continue on after his loss. Chandra was last aboard, and she took one last look to be certain they were ready to leave before hitting the door switch. Chandra looked around to see that the corridor was empty of all but Taylor.
“All are aboard and gearing up.”
