but I do not control military budgets.'
The room was silent as they all considered the prospect of a whole year with enemy occupation once more. It was starting to set in that they could not argue with the decision.
'Okay, so this is how it's gonna be,' said Taylor. 'You mentioned enemy elements in Southern Europe. That must now be our priority, as it is something we can deal with.'
White nodded in appreciation for Taylor taking the heat off him.
'The enemy move fast. We know that from the last war. A few vessels put down on the south coast of Spain, Italy, and a few islands of Greece, as well as a number of other locations in the Mediterranean. It's pretty damn clear this war isn't going to be fought on American soil. We had it the lightest last time, and it looks like we're lucky enough to see that again. It means our civilians are safe. The European Union Army Chief has already requested assistance from both the United States and the South American Union and Canada to deploy forces immediately to the Mediterranean. Middle East and Far East forces are already amassing in Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia to counter the threat from Egypt.'
'Bet they're really happy about that,' replied Ryan.
White looked up to see the Navy Captain standing behind Taylor. He recognised him quickly and refrained from silencing him.
'Right now, the border disputes between the Middle Eastern countries are a storm in a tea cup compared to what's coming, and I believe they see it the same way. Hostilities in that part of the world reduced significantly during and after the last war. Seems they just needed a mutual enemy to bring 'em together.'
A few laughs rang out, but many were still too concerned with their own situations.
As for our own operations,the Navy is deploying four battlegroups to the Mediterranean to guard the waters around North Africa. The US Marine Corps is to deploy three divisions to the same area, along with another two from the Army. Their task is to work alongside local forces to find and destroy all enemy forces who made it to the continent, and then defend the borders until we are ready for a full scale invasion into North Africa.'
'Great, when do we leave?' asked Taylor.
'For you, today, core elements of the 5th Marine Regiment depart for Southern Italy in five hours, under the command of Colonel Harney. Your Battalion will be part of that task force. You will receive landing instructions and enemy positions live en route. At this stage, there is little else to discuss, so I suggest those engaged for this mission leave now and prepare for departure. Good luck.'
Taylor pushed back his chair and left without another word. It pleased him to be getting into the fight, but their leaders lack of initiative to bring the invasion to a quick end was demoralising.
'Can you give me a lift to my unit?' he asked Ryan.
'Sure thing.'
'Is the Deveron ready to go?'
'There's still work to be done, but…'
'Is she ready or not?'
'Yes, Sir.'
'All right, I'm having you attached to 2nd Inter-Allied on a more permanent basis. The Deveron hasn't got the capacity for the whole Battalion, so we'll need a few other ships, but I'll choose to take her any day.'
They leapt in the vehicle. Jones rushed to the side and jumped in as they tore off across the base.
'You really buying that shit about leaving the enemy alone for a year?' he asked.
'I don't know. We all want to see them ended, but we shouldn't be hasty to underestimate them. The last time we did that it cost us many lives.'
They reached the Battalion's parade ground to find Silva had everyone assembled and ready as if he had been expecting their arrival. The officers were huddled around discussing something of great importance out of earshot of the grunts. Taylor leapt out and immediately paced up to the Sergeant Major as he called the Battalion to attention.
'Something big happening, Sergeant Major?'
'We're going to war, Sir.'
'And why would you think that?'
He was expecting someone had already leaked the news of the mission, but it was not the response he got.
'Because the alien sons of bitches are back, and we're always first to go at 'em, Sir.”
Taylor could do nothing but nod in agreement, but he turned to see that the officers clearly knew more than that.
'At ease, Sergeant.'
He stepped up onto one of the small walls surrounding a barrack room to address the Battalion, without stepping in to discover the manner of the officers’ meeting.
'You all know the second battle for Earth has begun. It began the moment those alien bastards came back through the Gateway. They came to destroy life on our planet. They failed. Just as they failed to conquer the planet the first time around, I want nothing less this time!'
Cheers sounded from across them all. The fear of the aliens had subsided. No one wanted to die, but they were now all more confident of victory than ever before.
'You have three hours before we assemble at landing zone B. You know what you have to do. Draw any new equipment you need, ensure everything you have is on the top line, and know that we aren't going to see our homes again until this is done and over! Fall out and get to it!'
'That really the case, we're in combat till this ends? Not exactly the way I heard it from the General.'
'What is planned and the way it goes down are two very different things, Charlie.'
'They are when you pick and choose how and which orders to obey,' he replied with a cheeky smile.
The other officers of Inter-Allied joined them, and he could see they had already known the news almost as quickly as he had. He glared at them until they finally caved in and admitted it.
'Friend of mine in the 5th told me we were heading to Italy a few hours back,' stated Jackson.
'Well nice to know somebody is kept in the loop.'
'What do you mean?'
'We're heading for Italy merely to sweep and clear the coast and then hold there to ensure the enemy does not cross the Mediterranean in any great numbers.'
'For what reason? Shouldn't we be hitting them now while they're in disarray?' asked Ota.
'Damn right, but that's not our call. Grab your gear, and be sure you're ready for a prolonged deployment because we're heading east to sweat to death in the baking heat.'
'Hell, after almost dying in that cold and fighting through it last time, it'll be a pleasure,' replied Jones.
Taylor turned and walked away, signalling Jones to join him.
'I'll remind you of that when we're slogging it through the desert; when your lips are cracked, and your vision starts to blur. You'll pray you were up to your ears in snow again,' replied Taylor.
'Well, aren't you a merry one this morning?'
'I just don't like this. This is a gamble which could cost us dearly.'
'You think they'll get established and have a foothold on Earth?'
'Yes, they pretty much managed it before. I can't help but feelour people are hoping if we leave them alone, they'll fix up their ships and just take off.'
'You think are that naive?'
'Yes, I do. I know they are.'
It was not far from midday by the time the 2nd Inter-Allied had assembled on the strip. The dead and wounded from the day before had been removed and taken care of, but much of the wreckage still lay about the scene; spaceships as large as frigates had been forced to put down on any spare ground and wouldn't be moving again any time soon. Much of the base was beginning to look like a scrap yard, and like a scrapyard, mechanics were salvaging any parts they could from the wrecked craft to get going what they could.
The smell in the air was still of burnt electrical components where pulses had done so much damage to everything which had returned. Jones approached, and he still wore the battle-scorched armour that took the impact and saved his life in the Stallion the day before. Only his uniform had been changed and was almost
