Battle Earth VI

'Mitch?'

He stopped, turned to face her, and replied in a whisper.

'Look, what we choose to do in our own time is one thing, but we must stay professional in our jobs. You have a duty to your platoon. Be there for them like they are there for you.'

'But…'

He lifted his hand and put his finger to her lips lightly to stop her.

'But nothing. I'll see you when it's all over. Report to your station, Sergeant.'

She knew he was right, but it pained her to have to part from him once again.

'Aye, aye, Sir.'

Taylor and Jafar arrived at the docking bay just in time to see the nuclear weapon being carried aboard. Rains stood with his arms crossed, watching with a smile. He looked immensely pleased with the new model craft he had so recently taken delivery of. It was a Stallion class, and despite the pristine body, he had already decorated it with a hand painted half naked lady.

'Woo hoo! Gonna blow some shit up today!' he yelled.

'Taylor smiled. Even in the face of apocalyptical destruction, the Lieutenant was his same cheery self.

'You know whatever pills you’re taking sure would be popular right about now,' replied Taylor.

'Oh, come on, Colonel, we're living exciting times! We're about to witness the biggest mothership of all time; big enough to kill every living thing on a planet. We're gonna see it, and then we're gonna blow it to hell!'

'That's certainly the plan. Have you been brought up to speed on what we are doing here?'

'We got it. Fly you in to breach the ships coming our way. All we got to do is deliver you safely and pull you out at the end.'

'That about sums it up.'

'Easiest thing in the world,' replied Eddie with a wide grin.

Taylor lifted his arm to speak into his comms module.

'2nd Inter-Allied. Emplane immediately. Lift off in five.'

Jones appeared at his side, ushering their platoon aboard. Among them were some of the Brits that had been with them from the very beginning. Monty and Blinker strode past, greeting the Colonel.

'Shame Colonel Chandra isn't here to see us blow the bastards to hell, Sir,' shouted Blinker.

Monty shook his head in shame.

'You remember her when you see the enemy again,' replied Taylor.

'Sure will, Sir.'

'Load up, Rains.'

'You got it.'

Taylor was the last aboard. The plan was set now, and all they could do was wait and hope the Purge fleet came as Jafar predicted. The alien was glued to his side throughout.

'Still confident about this plan?'

Jafar nodded.

'I served Demiran for many years. He is predictable. If he is using the Gezgen K'til, then he will do so in the exact manner it was used last and the times before that. No planet has stood against it and the Purge combined.'

'Good to know,' he replied sarcastically.

The ship lifted off within seconds of him sitting down behind Eddie and his co-pilot.

It gave the Colonel a sense of security to have Rains at the helm and keeping them safe. He had got them through hell many times before. He thought back on all the times they had survived against all odds.

I wonder how much longer our luck can hold out.

Jones could see the lost look in his eyes and quickly responded.

'Hey, it ain't all bad.'

Taylor smiled cautiously.

'How'd you figure?'

'We're the Immortals, remember? Failure is not a possibility.'

Taylor laughed.

'Whoever named us that can't have seen our casualty lists.'

'Maybe it isn't important. It doesn't matter who lives and dies from the Immortals. Only that they struggle on, no matter what. Soldiers from around the World are spurred on by our victories. Their resolve holds because ours does.'

'Mmm, but at hell of a cost. Isn't it time someone else took on the mantle?'

'We aren't the only ones fighting. I am sure plenty have had it just as bad.'

Taylor nodded in agreement. He knew Jones to be correct, for he had seen the evidence with his own eyes. Thirty minutes later they were in position spread amongst the minefield before Bailey's fleet. The thirty ships she had were staggered into several lines of defence. To reach Earth via a direct path, the enemy would have to go right through them.

'You still sure they won't avoid us all together?' asked Jones.

'Positive. Demiran despises you and will accept nothing short of a full frontal attack. Anything that stands in his way must be crushed.'

'Well, allright then. I sure hope you're right.'

'He's not wrong,' replied Rains.

'What is it?' asked Taylor.

'The Neptune has made visual contact.'

'Put it on the display.'

A projection came up front of them all. It wasas Jafar had described, hulking, heavily armoured vessels all matching. They had never seen such vessels before.

'Twelve of the bastards. Just as you said,' said Jones.

'It's a good start,' replied Taylor.

'Not sure that's how I'd describe it,' Jones retorted.

'They're coming right for us. There's no doubt about it!' Eddie added.

'Strike two. It's going our way so far. How long till they reach the fleet?'

'They'll be in range in a few minutes,' replied Eddie.

'Right, then it is a waiting game for us.'

They did exactly that. The viewing screen was a projection from a camera aboard the Neptune. It was not long before the guns raged from both sides, but the enemy made no sign of slowing down. The hulking cruisers still soared towards the fleet, as if to smash through as Jafar had said.

'You were right,' Jones said quietly.

'Yes, breach the defences and cause utter chaos. That is their job.'

'And they're rolling right into our trap,' Taylor said.

Two of the human ships were destroyed before their eyes. It brought a sober tone to them all, but only hardened their resolve to make the enemy pay dearly. As the Purge cruisers reached the fleet, another of the humans’ ships was ripped apart by heavy pulses that tore it into four sections. The Neptune gave a vicious broadside from its guns as a cruiser passed. The salvo smashed the hull of the enemy ship and tore metal from its armour but did little to slow it down.

'Still sure we can breach that?' asked Jones.

'Yes,' replied Jafar.

Glad someone is so optimistic, Mitch thought.

'Not long now till we kick their teeth in!' yelled Blinker.

Taylor smiled as the Private's brother shouted for him to be quiet. But in all honestly, he didn't mind it. They needed some rousing words and fighting spirit. He looked around to see that he was the only marine in their unit. Inter-Allied had become so closely knit since it all began that he had not given it a moment's thought.

'What are you thinking?' asked Jones.

'How I'm the only full blooded American here.'

'You're the token yank,' Jones replied with a smile.