Chapter 3
The truck pulled up to the forward command base. Vehicles were pouring in and out as Jones leapt from the vehicle. He recognised uniforms from around the world, but few faces. They were gathered at Concorde Square. It was a vast open ground at the heart of the city. Military vehicles were lined up as far as they could see. Jones looked around to get his bearings and to find anything familiar.
“Captain Jones!”
He peered through a line of camouflaged soldiers to see Commander Phillips break through to greet him and his unit.
“Sir, Major Taylor is still out there, and we have no time to waste.”
“That’s not your concern any longer, Captain! Follow me.”
The Commander turned to lead them away, and when his back was turned, the Captain shook his head in astonishment. The Commander had no concern for anything or anyone but his orders. He turned to his troops and gave them a hand gesture to stay put, and that he didn’t anticipate being long. Phillips led him into a mobile armoured command vehicle where Brigadier Dupont and several other officers were sitting before a digital overlay map of the city. Lieutenant Colonel Girard stood as he entered.
“Captain Jones! Welcome!”
He outstretched his hand to the British officer in friendship.
“Colonel, good to see you.”
The siege of Brest had been a bitter battle that both men would gladly have forgotten, but it was still fresh in their memories.
“I do hope you have replaced your armour, Sir.”
The Frenchman nodded with a pained expression about his face.
“As much as could be hoped for.”
The room went silent as Jones turned to his Commander who was awaiting him.
“Captain Jones, I have been authorised to award you with the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of your services to the crown and our allies.”
The Commander held out a polished box with the medal. Jones knew that it should have been handed out officially at a ceremony, but he could forgive them in their current situation. What concerned him more was that it was clearly being given in part as a bribe.
“A formal award ceremony will take place following your return home. Congratulations, Captain.”
Jones’ eyes shot up from the medal to the Commander’s face. He could already see what was happening. He was being sent home.
“Sir, thank you, but we surely cannot leave here?”
“French forces are being bolstered by European and Eastern allies, so we must now look to our own lands.”
“Sir, we were combined with Major Taylor’s marines, and we have a duty to him and his troops. He is overdue from a reconnaissance mission. We can’t leave him out there…”
“Captain, this is not up for discussion. You have your orders. All British forces are to return to UK soil immediately. We have aircraft inbound. Expect pick up in under an hour.”
He turned to a map of the area and pointed to a marked out section.
“The designated landing zone is here at the east end of Concorde Square. Make sure you are on the transports when they leave.”
Jones turned back to the French Colonel who he had become so close to.
“We all have our orders,” said Girard.
The Captain could see Dupont wipe his brow behind the other men. The Brigadier was not happy with the state of affairs. Jones wanted nothing more than to question the Commander and reason with him, but he knew it was not just unprofessional and ill-disciplined, it was also futile. He turned back to Phillips.
“Somewhere we can get some grub, Sir?”
“A ration point has been set up. You will find it marked on the map outside. That will be all, Captain.”
Jones nodded and turned away without a salute. He strode out from the command vehicle to be met by a familiar face, Chandra.
“Colonel?”
“That’ll be Major, the promotion was only temporary, and we have more officers than we need now.”
“Sorry to hear that, Major.”
Chandra walked with a limp and was using a crutch in one hand, but she wore full gear with a rifle sling around her back and a helmet hung from her belt.
“Major, we are being sent back home.”
“Yes, unfortunately, I already know. They want us back to keep the country safe. After the government saw how quickly the Mechs rolled up to Paris, they want to avoid that state of affairs with London.”
“Can’t the Navy and Air Force handle that?”
“In theory, yes, you would hope so, but they want us back all the same.”
“You know Taylor is still out there? He went out on a recon mission on the northern outskirts and has been out of contact since. He should have been back by now.”
“I hadn’t heard, you think he’s found trouble?”
“In my gut, I know it.”
Chandra turned and headed for their men who lay about the truck. She gestured for him to follow.
“We move out in one hour, Captain.”
“Yes, the Commander has already made that clear.”
“Then you have one hour to burn.”
He stopped and looked at the Major, making sure he had heard her right.
“Major, Phillips will have my balls if I leave this base.”
“And if Taylor needs help, and you aren’t there to give it, how would you feel?”
“It is still a blatant breach of orders.”
“I cannot force you to do anything, Captain, but I would not leave a friend out there. You find the Major and get back here within the hour, then there’s no problem. Get out there and find that he needs help, and then we’ll deal with the circumstances when we have to.”
“The Commander…”
“The Commander works behind a desk. He’s a decent man, but he has no care for the troops in the field.”
Jones nodded, it was all the confirmation he needed to do what he knew was right. He strode up to the troops.
“Commander says we leave in one hour, time to get some grub.”
Green looked up at the Captain. They had eaten recently. Jones turned back to the command truck to see the Commander watching them from the door. He spoke to his men quietly.
“Taylor needs our help, and as far as Phillips is concerned, we’re getting a meal. So, on your feet.”
They enthusiastically got moving. The British paras had become close friends with the marines over the last week, thinking of them all as the single unit they had been amalgamated into. Chandra smiled as she watched them troop out of sight from the command truck. Jones watched to see that they were clear, and then put his hand out to stop them.
“Most of you will have to stay here to cover for us, so I want three volunteers.”
“I’ll go,” said Green.
Jones nodded in gratitude. The Lieutenant had been more than useful.
“We’ll go,” said one of the Johnsons.
The two brothers would rarely be separated. Even the Major referred to them by their nicknames, Monty and Blinker.
“Alright, let’s do this. We head on together. The four of us will fork off as soon as we have mixed with the other units. It’s vital that Phillips has no idea of our intentions until long after we have gone, or at all if possible. Matthews, I’m leaving you in charge.”
