as he was more valuable to them in a fully recovered state.
As he felt a warm hand touch his shoulder, Taylor flinched a little. He was always impressed at Parker’s stealthy agility. She wrapped her arms around him and braced her body against his back, resting her head against his shoulders.
“If only every morning could be like this,” she said.
“Add room service and I’d agree.”
She turned him around to reveal a bag of rations on a small table at the end of the bed.
“Got what I could in the night, but it’s a far cry from a fresh breakfast.”
Taylor smiled. It was a thoughtful gesture. He turned to look out of the window. In the distance, he could see the energy pulses striking their lines. They were only a kilometre or two back from the bombardments, but it was far enough to enjoy the rest period. He strolled over to the table, taking a seat. Eli joined him and reached forward, resting her hand on his. He looked up into her eyes.
“You risked everything for me,” she whispered.
“As did Jones for me, we are all in this for each other.”
She smiled. Taylor had not seen such sentimentality and love in her face before. She surprised herself and quickly took her hand back to reach for the food.
“You think we’ll make it through this?” she asked.
Taylor coughed to clear his dry throat, still surprised at how much he had learnt about their relationship, and what it meant to both of them.
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some alien bastards take our planet.”
“Doesn’t really answer the question.”
He looked back up at her with a serious glare as he reached for a ration pack.
“Every day is a harder struggle, and we’re at the forefront of it. I can’t say our chances are good, but at least we’ll be fighting it side-by-side.”
She nodded, satisfied by his answer. They both knew there was little more they could ask under the circumstances. Before they could say another word, the comms on the dresser spluttered to life.
“Come in, Major Taylor.”
The two of them sighed, knowing that their time in peace and luxury was over. Mitch stood up. His body ached, but it was a relief to be so active after the vicious previous day. He strode across to the comms link. Eli lay back, putting her feet up as she opened her food packet.
“This is Taylor.”
“Sir, Commander Phillips is requesting your presence,” said Captain Friday.
“Where exactly?”
“I’m outside your building, Sir. I’ll take you to him.”
“I’ll be out shortly, Captain.”
He put the communicator down and looked back to Eli with disappointment.
“Guess our vacation is over.”
She huffed as she dropped her feet down from the chair and stood up briskly. They watched each other as they pulled on their clothes and armour, mesmerised by one another. The Major’s armour was scratched and battered, and his clothing torn in a few places. They had no spares to replace it, but at least it had been cleaned overnight.
Taylor ripped open the door and stepped out into the hallway. It was alive with activity. It seemed the hotel had become one of many desirable locations for the officers of all the armies in the area. Most were high ranking and had clean uniforms. Many of them stopped and stared at the battle worn marines, humbled by the signs of their recent combat experience.
Nobody said a word to them as they made their way out of the luxury quarters. Friday met them at the door, and Ortiz and Campbell were sitting on the wall outside. They turned and looked in with shock at the Major’s recovery. The last time they saw him he was a wreck, but now he looked ready to go right back into battle.
“Phillips wants my balls, I take it?”
“No idea, Sir, but it sounded urgent.”
“When isn’t it?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Alright, lead the way.”
They marched through line after line of temporary structures and vehicles. Even on their largest training exercises, they had never seen such an assembly of forces. Friday led them to Phillips’ command vehicle. They stopped outside as the Major stepped in. He was greeted by Phillips stood at his briefing table, alongside Chandra and Jones.
“Welcome back, Major.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Phillips waited for a moment, expecting Taylor to speak, and leading to an uncomfortable silence.
“You know very well that you have caused utter chaos to the Inter-Allied Company, Major. I would have you disciplined for it, but I cannot afford to lose any soldier that can still carry a rifle.”
Taylor ignored the Commander’s ridicule of his actions, only angering Phillips further.
“It still exists then? The Inter-Allied Company?”
“For now, but your troops will remain under the command of Captain Friday.”
Taylor shot a glance at Chandra, trying to understand the circumstances.
“Sir, my marines were sent to assist you and we’ve done a damn fine job of saving your asses. You can’t relieve me of my command!”
Phillips smiled with an amused grin. He had been put out by the insubordination of his officers, and he was now enjoying seeing Taylor suffer a little.
“These aren’t my orders, Major. General White has ordered you to re-deploy to Ramstein Air Base. Apparently, there is some equipment being trialled there which could make a major difference in this war, and he wants you to pursue it.”
Taylor was initially shocked at the news. It was not the disciplinary action or punishment that he had been expecting. That surprise quickly turned to concern and anger.
“Sir, I can’t just leave my marines out here!”
“You’ll do as you are ordered, Major!”
He dipped his head and shook it in disbelief. After having narrowly survived and got back to his companions, he was once more being dragged away from them. He looked up to Chandra and Jones, but he could see that he had no choice but to comply. Deep down he knew it was the right thing to do, but it saddened him to leave his friends once more.
“Alright, Commander, fill me in.”
“As you can imagine, Major, our leaders are not confident about our situation in this war. Holding Paris has been our only major victory yet, and it may not last. The enemy is enveloping the city, and we believe they are building up to a major offensive. While we are going to need every soldier we can get, your task may be more vital than any one of ours.”
“This technology, what is it?”
“I only know a little, Major, but from what I hear it could greatly increase the combat affectivity of our units.”
“If it’s experimental, then how can we hope to get any of it into production fast enough?”
“You leave that to those who manage such things, Taylor. If we can hold out, then this war could go on for some time, so we need to pursue every avenue that could give us an edge in this battle.”
“When do I leave?”
“An Air Force transport is putting down as we speak. I want you to take Sergeant Silva with you. He’ll be a valuable asset, and it will give you both a chance to heal up.”
“And the rest of the company, Sir?”
“Chandra will remain in command in a non-combat role from this location. The company will be deployed at the defences of the city.”
“And these orders come directly from General White?”
