never fought in the air or on the land.
“Corporal, I couldn’t give a god damn for your opinion. You let her in, or I’ll throw you out to her.”
Sergeants Silva and Parker, who stood just a couple of metres away from the Major, smiled wickedly to each other. They were both greatly entertained by Taylor’s handling of the snivelling base guard. The two went up to Taylor as the three watched the corridor and awaited their friends. The Corporal re-appeared, leading Chandra, Friday and Becker. Taylor rushed forward and threw his arms around the Major, lifting her off her feet. She was about to protest when she was overwhelmed with the re-union.
“Damn it’s good to see you, Major!” shouted Taylor.
“Likewise.”
Taylor released her and turned to Becker, giving him an inquisitive look. He turned back to Chandra.
“Where is Charlie?”
She closed her eyes in sadness.
“Dead? Not a chance!”
“We have no idea,” said Friday.
“What? How?”
Chandra sighed and blurted out in anger.
“Fucking locals in Amiens locked him up, along with Private Walker. They didn’t want us there, and before we could get him back, the Mechs launched a new offensive. He’s behind enemy lines. That’s all we know.”
“And still locked up?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. The whole situations a total mess.”
Taylor shook his head in disbelief, and he could not believe that the Captain was dead. He would not allow himself to believe it. Charlie Jones had become one of his closest friends, and he had lost too much already to believe the Captain had gone. Before he could dwell on it any longer, Becker stepped forward.
“I am sorry for your loss, Major. I worked with the Captain, and he was a fine man.”
Taylor nodded in agreement, the best, he thought. He peered into Becker’s eyes, trying to identify him.
“I am Captain Becker. My armoured section has been attached to your company.”
“Where is the rest of your division now, Captain?”
“I don’t know, Major. Me and my men are part of this Company now. You are our new family.”
Taylor smiled. He liked the Captain already, but he didn’t replace Jones.
“Armour? We could have done with you last week.”
“We could have done with more of everything last week,” said Chandra.
With that in mind, the Major turned and looked around at the vast research facility and some of the hardware displayed behind Taylor.
“I see you really are working on new equipment.”
“Commander Phillips sent you here to assist?” asked Taylor.
“I don’t even know where the Commander is. What I can tell you is that if we hold anything in France anymore, it can’t be much more than a few kilometres. The enemy is approaching at a rapid speed. New defences are being set up all the time.”
“I am told that the Russians are sending fresh divisions west to assist, as is Poland, the united Yugoslavian nations and several other countries,” stated Taylor.
“It’ll help bolster the defences for sure, but we can’t throw troops at this forever while we lose ground on an almost daily rate. So what is this new equipment you are trialling?” snapped Chandra.
“Sorry, Major, but can you come with me so we can talk privately?” he interrupted.
Chandra initially thought to snap back at him, but then she remembered all that they had gone through together. She nodded and he led her to the excluded conference room. As soon as they were out of sight of the others, Taylor snapped around and blurted out his question.
“What the hell are we doing about getting Jones back?”
“There’s nothing we can do at this stage. Our forces are taking a beating, and even if the Captain is still alive, he’s a long way behind their lines.”
Taylor slammed his fist down on the conference table beside them.
“Damn it, that’s not good enough, Major!”
“If you think for a moment that I wouldn’t give everything to get him back, then you are very much mistaken. Jones is one of finest soldiers I have ever known, but there’s nothing more we can do for him now. The best thing we can do is give our all to fight back their offensive, and give our whole planet some chance of survival!”
Taylor groaned as he turned and paced around the room. The frustration made him want to hit something, but he knew he must restrain himself.
“We’re going to lose many more friends before this is over, and we may not even live to see its outcome. I repeat, all we can do is, give our all,” Chandra said quietly.
“And if our all is not enough?”
“Then we die trying but with honour and pride. We will die as brothers among our comrades.”
“That’s not much of a relief, Major.”
“No, but I’m giving it to you straight. We have a job to do, so let’s do it.”
A light flashed on the intercom on the desk, followed by a buzzer. Taylor stepped forward and smashed down on it hard with his fist.
“What is it?”
“Sir, I have General White for you.”
“Put him through!”
The wall beside them flickered and lit up with a video feed from the General’s command centre. He stood in the centre of a room surrounded with personnel and screens.
“General, this is Major Chandra. She commands the combined company we have here.”
“I know who the Major is. Good to finally meet you.”
He turned his gaze to Taylor.
“Major. Enemy forces have struck along much of the eastern seaboard. We had a lot more time to prepare the defences than you did in France. We’ve repulsed many of their best efforts, but they have still gained a foothold in several locations.”
“Think you can fight them off, Sir?”
“We’re giving them hell, Major. Canadian forces are re-enforcing us from the north, but the South Americans are still struggling and losing territory down south. We do not have the resources to assist them. National Guard and regular forces are already amassing on the Mexican border, but I pray to God they are not needed.”
“What can I do for you, General?”
“The equipment that you have been testing is starting to be produced in domestic factories, but it has still not been combat tested. I want reports as to its combat effectiveness. Following that, production will be out of your hands, but we need continuous development.”
“I am a combat officer, Sir, not a scientist.”
“You’ll be whatever we need you to be, Major. I want that equipment tested under fire! I’ll expect your report by the end of tomorrow.”
The transmission cut off and Taylor turned to Chandra.
“Easy for him to say.”
“We’re fighting and dying every day, so what more is another fight?”
“True.”
“So this equipment you have, ready to fill me in?”
Taylor nodded as he contemplated the General’s words.
“Is it really that big a deal?”
“See for yourself.”
Taylor led the British Major back out into the main research facility where Becker was closely studying the test hardware. They turned to see that Reiter was approaching with a broad grin across his face.
“Major, I have twenty-five suits ready for further evaluation.”
“Have them brought outside. I have some new test pilots!”
“Assuming this stuff even works, can we get it made in time?” asked Chandra.
