'I bet you did.'
Jafar stepped up onto the bridge. Taylor wasn't sure if he was going to join them at all and must have got on just before the doors shut.
'Good of you to join us.'
'I told them I will help all I can, but where you go, I go.'
'How'd they take it?'
'Why should you care?'
'Mmm… fair enough. Good to have you with us. This ain't the strike I was expecting, but atleast we're heading in the right direction.'
Chapter 7
'2nd Inter-Allied, you are to report to Italian Authorities in Naples to establish a base of operations south of the city. The coordinates are being sent to you now. 5th Marine is continuing on to Potenza where they will engage any enemy presence.'
Ryan looked around and to see the pissed off expression on Taylor's face.
'Looks like we just got benched.'
'I said they wanted their glory.'
'Let 'em have it. You have nothing to prove, and chilling out and taking in a few rays can't do any of us any harm.'
'They're going in hot headed, and without intel on the area and enemy deployments, not smart. I want as much info as you can get me in the next twenty minutes on enemy movements. Something tells me we're gonna be called for soon.'
'And this order to head for Naples?'
'Go with it. We'll be a short distance from the fight.'
'Sir, I have an incoming transmission from Colonel Harney for you.'
'Put him through,' Taylor said through gritted teeth.
A projection of the Fighting Fifth Commander appeared before them.
'We're glad to have you aboard this mission, Colonel. The 5th is heading right for the enemy targets to eliminate them quickly. I understand you are accustomed to being at the head of the action, but I want you to secure the area at our backs and take it a little easy. Your people have been through enough.'
'No easy life for a marine when the enemy is at our door, Sir.'
'You have your orders, Colonel, good luck.'
They came down quickly onto a field where Italian forces were assembling south of the city. The country had been brutally ravaged by the first war like most of the Mediterranean, and Taylor knew their military was a long way from recovering. They had mustered just a two companies at the staging area, which meant the elite 2nd Inter- Allied outnumbered the local forces they were going to assist.
The Deveron and the two other craft put down just twenty metres in front of the group of soldiers and their lightly armoured vehicles. Taylor stood and studied them from the bridge for a moment after they had made their landing.
'They're young, inexperienced,' Jones finally said.
'Are you surprised? Few of their soldiers survived the last war. Most of what they can muster are barely out of training, and with few experienced officers and NCOs to see them on their way.'
'I guess that's why they sent us.'
Taylor turned to face the other officers of the Battalion standing at the back of the bridge awaiting his orders.
'Let's get something straight. We may be on their soil, but we are not under their command. You follow my orders or those of our own command. Commander Phillips is en route to assume HQ duties of both us and several other units in the area. I don't care if there's a General out there. This command is mine. I will not have any of our own put in harm's way because some freshman wants to make a name for himself.
'You think that's what we'll face?' asked Jones.
'Probably. Jackson, dismount and have the Battalion form up. Jones and Jafar, you're with me. We're going to meet whoever thinks they're running this thing.'
Jones smiled, he could only imagine the humiliation an unsuspecting young officer was about to receive. They stepped down the ramp to find a greeting party awaiting them. The man at the centre wore the rank of Major, and he appeared to be the highest ranked among them.
'Colonel Taylor!' he shouted rather informally.
There was no salute, and he rushed up to Taylor with his hand outstretched. He quickly stopped, realising his mistake. His arm shot up into a salute, but the smile still adorned his face. He stretched his hand out once again which Taylor could not rightfully refuse.
'Colonel Taylor, it is such an honour to meet you.'
The man tried to shake his hand vigorously, but the strength provided by the exosuit made for little movement. It was clear to him that they had never been equipped or trained with the Reitech gear. They had been entirely equipped from pre-war stores.
'The Immortals standing before us. I could never have imagined it! I am Major Gallo, and I welcome you to Naples.'
Taylor looked out across to the Major's men who stood casually about. Many were leaning against the vehicles for the shade and few looked eager to work.
He smiled at the sight and just refrained from saying what he saw.
'Have you boys encountered the enemy yet?'
'Uh, no, Sir. We have had a few reports of fighting breaking out further south, but we were ordered to assemble here and await further support.'
'Well, we're it. Don't take this the wrong way, Major, but have you or any of your troops fought a Mech?'
'No, Sir, but we have been in training for a year and are eager to do so.'
Taylor nodded and groaned in doubt.
'We are here to fight for our country, Colonel, ready and prepared.'
'It is not your courage or determination I doubt, but this gear you have. When the first war started, we needed to outnumber them ten to one to stand a chance. They have superior weapons, armour, and strength to anything that we had in use at the time. If you're going to go to war with that gear, better ensure you never try and take on more than a platoon of the Mechs.'
The Major was taken aback by his words. His instinct was to defend his abilities and those of his men, but his respect for Taylor stopped him. It cast a heavy shadow over his optimism.
'Then you believe we are close to useless without this equipment you have?'
'Not far short. If you had witnessed the losses I had early on in the war, you would understand where I am coming from.'
'What do you suggest we do?'
'Talk to your commanders. Arrange for Reitech equipment to be issued immediately through whatever urgent operational requirement facility you have.'
'Urgent operational requirement?” the Major sniggered.'It's a wonder we got issued what we have. Most of it we had to find ourselves in old stockpiles. There was little remaining of my country when the enemy had gone. My family left with little more than the clothes on our backs, and came home to not much more. I wish we had access to the resources you did, but until I do, we must do the best we can.'
'All right, no offence meant, Major.'
Jones stepped forward to address the young Italian. He appeared to be no older than twenty and was of short and slight stature compared to the two of them. And yet he stood proud and tall. He was far too young for the rank he held, but they both knew it was a result of the war. It was a reminder of how lucky they were to have
