Footsteps hammered into the docking bay, and Parker was at the head of her platoon. Taylor leapt up to stand in front of the creatures.
“Wait!” he shouted.
Eli stopped in shock, but none of them dared defy the Major’s orders.
“Demiran’s gone, but these two are with us!”
“What you mean ‘with us’? They’re the enemy!”
“I don’t have time to explain. All you need know is that these two soldiers just saved my life and that of Corporal Hall.”
“They’re the reason you’re down here and nearly died in the first place!”
“Sergeant! This is not up for discussion!”
He turned back to the two creatures. They were helping Hall get to his feet in a scene that touched them all. They were not sure whether to believe the sincerity of the creatures or not, but they were all amazed to have found Taylor alive, that they were willing to entertain the idea while it lasted.
“The station is overrun, and we have to get back to our command centre. Have you got weapons, and are you willing to use them to fight alongside us?”
The two creatures both nodded in agreement.
“Mitch, if Demiran is gone, what hope do we have?”
“Not much, but I will not sit back and wait to die. Let’s get back to Kelly, and make sure we give the Commander every chance he has to hold onto this God damn station!”
Chapter 11
Taylor strode briskly down the halls of the station with Parker and Hall one side and the two aliens on his other flank. They wore more sleek and embellished armour than the typical Mechs and were clearly something special. Taylor knew they were guards to an important enemy leader and were certainly an entirely different quality of soldier to the hulking infantry they were used to fighting.
As they passed a corridor of Mechs, the two alien allies opened fire and struck down two of the Mechs as they passed. Parker watched in amazement. None of them knew yet whether they could be trusted or not. The aliens seemed to have such little regard for life that he wondered if killing their own would bother them at all. Taylor reached a comms unit and quickly patched into the CP.
“This is Taylor, we’re en route. What is the current situation?”
“Major, we’re in deep shit! Jones is trapped in an office near 71A. Achen has dug in outside the CP, and no word from Nichols. Chen is falling back here also.”
Taylor could hear the screams of scores of wounded all around on the other end of the line.
“Jones? Is he still alive?”
“Last we heard, yes, but I’ve lost the feeds from the area, and we can’t reach him.”
“Alright, we’ll do what we can to assist the Captain.”
“Major?”
“What is it?”
“A small enemy craft attempted to leave the station just a few minutes ago.”
Taylor’s eyes lit up. Demiran, you bastard!
“Did it escape?”
“Its engines were hit by our fighters, and the last I saw it was spinning out of control.”
Taylor smiled. “Good to know, Lieutenant, over and out.”
Taylor turned back to the troops, but Eli interrupted him before he could speak.
“Why didn’t you tell him it was Demiran?”
“Not on an open channel, Sergeant. If his ship went out of control, then there’s a good chance he won’t get picked up for some time. We might have just bought ourselves a little extra time. Until he can contact his forces, they will assume we still have him.”
He turned to the others.
“Jones is in trouble, and the rest of our forces have fallen back to the CP. I will not leave our people out there. Let’s move!”
Taylor leapt forward and the two aliens were the first to follow after him. He still found it hard to fathom that they were at his side, but he’d take any help he could get when they were on their knees and fighting for their survival.
Ten minutes later, they were close enough to hear the fire ahead. Taylor stopped quickly to survey a map of the area that was on one of the walls. He peaked around the corner of his position to see the enemy forces still pouring into the office district, and fire from Reitech weapons was flowing through the breach.
“Alright, no time for subtleties. Jones might not have long. Parker, I want you to take half the troops down this parallel corridor. Engage the enemy at your first opportunity.”
She turned and signalled for fifteen of the soldiers to follow her before leaping across the crossroads to take the next route as Taylor had ordered. He looked back to see that Hall and the aliens were at his back. It still sent his pulse racing every time he turned back to see the aliens just centimetres from his face.
“Let’s move.”
They rushed out from the corridor and sprinted towards their target. Seven of the Mechs were visible at the entrance to the office, and the others were already inside. Pulses from the two creatures running beside him joined Taylor’s fire. They kept up the pace as they butchered the creatures. When they had made half the distance, their fire was met with Parker’s as her troops smashed the enemy ahead of them.
Taylor did not stop when his magazine ran dry. He drew his Assegai and screamed a battle cry and continued rushing forward under the cover of friendly guns. He leapt onto the nearest Mech that had already been reduced to its knees and thrust his weapon into its torso, running it up to the hilt.
The two alien allies reached his side and tore into the remaining Mechs. They fought with a nimbleness that he had only seen in Karadag. He was left speechless as they ripped apart four of the soldiers with their bare hands. Taylor sheathed his weapon and slammed his back up against the doorway for cover, slipping a new magazine into his rifle.
The room had gone silent with both sides in shock and surprise. They knew there were still a sizeable number of creatures the other side of the door; and between them and Jones’ troops.
“Jones!” called Taylor.
The Captain’s ears pricked up in surprise.
“Jones!” he repeated. “We’ve come to get you out of here! Watch your fire!”
“You’ve got a clean angle!” he shouted back.
Taylor took his opportunity and leapt around the corner into the broad open doorway. The Mechs fumbled to try and re-direct towards him but came under fire from Jones’ position as Taylor opened fire. Parker and the others jumped to his aid, and their enemy was caught in a brutal crossfire. A few seconds later, and there was nothing left standing of the enemy force. Their bodies lined the floor, and smoke arose from the burning pulses of Taylor’s newest allies.
Jones arose from his position, and several of his platoon were helping the wounded to their feet. The Captain approached and looked at the two aliens standing beside Taylor in disbelief. He had already realised they were fighting alongside the Major, but he could not help but stare. He trusted Taylor’s judgement and so let it be.
“Heard you were in the shit,” said Taylor.
“Aren’t we all?” replied Jones.
“Everywhere is in a complete mess. All we know for sure is Kelly still holds the CP. We are to retreat to his position and hold.”
Jones knew he was trading one desperate situation for another, but he was glad to at least be back on his feet and not huddled down in a corner. Taylor turned to see the two aliens looked down at their fallen kin with some curiosity, but they appeared to show no sadness for their deaths. He turned and led the troops without a single word.
