“Production is already getting up and running, so I hope so.”
Taylor stepped forward and led them out of the facility to greet the rest of the troops. The Major stepped out to a cry of excitement from a few of them. Others joined in as they realised who he was, but he didn’t recognise them. He held up his hand to quieten them down. The Major looked across at their faces, and he knew only half of them.
“Welcome to Ramstein! For those of you that are new to the Company, I am Major Taylor. I was sent here to test equipment that will hopefully radically increase the combat effectiveness of the individual soldier many times over.”
A large shutter door in the facility opened behind him to reveal a storage and manufacturing plant area. A number of lab scientists wheeled out cradles carrying the equipment that Chandra had only gotten a brief glimpse of moments before. The troops watched as he strapped himself into one of the sets and lifted up the hulking weapon which looked as if it could only be vehicle mounted.
“This equipment will make you stronger and faster. It will provide protection from enemy small arms to your most vital areas. You will have greater firepower and more ammunition.”
“Sir, why haven’t we had this kind of equipment before?” shouted Yorath.
Taylor sighed as he thought, damn right, why haven’t we?
“The fact is that one set of this equipment will cost more than your salary for a few years. No government on Earth has been willing to develop and pay for this equipment for combat roles when we had not been at war for generations. The exoskeleton has seen some non-combat usage, but its cost has been prohibitive to mainstream purchase.”
“And what, governments are suddenly able to pay for it all!” fumed Yorath.
Taylor looked across at the blank faces of the troops, all wanting to know why they had been left underequipped.
“If you want peace, prepare for war. An age old truth that is long forgotten, in lieu of subsidising areas that will increase politicians’ votes. That was the reality of the world we used to live in. Today the world has changed, and humanity has changed. The resources required will go where they are most needed, and right now the war effort is all that matters.”
“And if this equipment had been developed and issued decades ago, perhaps we would not have lost France,” shouted Suarez.
“True, but that time has been and gone. Let’s not waste valuable time on wondering what could have been, and focus on what we can achieve! You say we have taken a beating in this war, I say the enemy gravely underestimated our resolve and capabilities.”
Several of the men looked confused and unsure of what the Major meant. They looked around at the blood and dirt covered troops and thought of the great losses and sacrifices they had endured. Yorath spoke up, clearly being one to speak his mind at all times.
“How on earth do you figure that, Major?”
Taylor smiled, glad that the Lieutenant had played into his plan.
“This enemy is a technologically advanced race. And yet, they haven’t completely driven our forces to the wind. They’ve not rolled over our armies like ants. We have stopped them, and we continue to cause significant damage to their forces. We’re down, but we’re not out! We know we can kill those bastards, and we know we can stop them!”
Several nodded and grunted in response. They thought back to the first triumph in Paris when they drove back the Mechs from the city. They were not an invincible foe.
“We have a chance here. A chance to be better soldiers than we could ever be. The first production equipment here desperately needs testing. Are you willing to take the fight to the enemy? Do you want to give them a damn good ass-whooping?”
The troops leapt up with a cry of excitement.
“Alright! Settle down! We’ve got twenty-five sets that are ready for action. Take a rest and get some food in you. At 1300 hours your task is to become accustomed to this gear. Get used to the way it moves, the increases in strength and speed you will feel. Test the weapons on the range. By the evening I want you ready to move, and in the morning we take this gear into action!”
He looked across their faces, seeing at least a spark of excitement as they waited for his final word.
“Any questions?”
“Sir, who’s in charge here?” asked Yorath.
“The Company is led by Major Chandra. However, the development and testing project here is under my command. I’m here to make sure this equipment is up to the task, but we’re all under the command of the Major as far as operations are concerned. That’ll be all, fall out and get some chow!”
They quickly drifted apart as they followed the signs to the mess hall. It was a welcome relief after the weeks of living on field rations.”
Captain Friday strode up to Taylor, seeing that there was more concern in his eyes than just the threats they had faced since arriving in Europe.
“What’s bothering you, Mitch?” he asked.
“Aside from the pressure to make this work, and the vast armies approaching us?”
“Yeah, I know General White has been in touch with you, so it must be about more than just this equipment.”
Taylor nodded.
“Mech forces have attacked across the Eastern seaboard. Our forces have repulsed several of the landings, but a few have gained a foothold on US soil.”
“It was inevitable.”
“Doesn’t make it any easier to take in. Our homeland has been invaded by foreign forces for the first time in its history, and we aren’t there to defend it.”
“But tens of thousands of troops are, as well as hundreds of thousands of armed civilians. We have the 2nd Amendment for a reason.”
“And you think that’s right? Civilians should have to fight and die in our place?”
“We’re fighting the same war. Any amount of progress we make here helps our country.”
“And our families?”
“We both know they are a long way from this conflict, as far as anyone can hope to be. If any harm reaches them, then it’s because the rest of us have failed.”
“I should never have brought us here,” said Taylor.
He sighed as he thought about the horrific casualties his company had endured, whittling the marine unit down to less than a platoon within an amalgamated force. He turned away from the Captain to be greeted by the face of Eli Parker who strode towards him. Then it struck him, the reason they had gotten to where they were that day.
Was it all worth it? Taylor asked himself. He knew in his heart that it was. They’d have to fight this war somewhere, here was as good as any.
“Major, you should get some food and rest, you’ll need your strength,” mused Eli.
He smiled. Had it been from anyone else he would have taken offense at the suggestion that he might be fatigued. She noticed the Captain Friday’s stern face behind the Major, clearly concerned for them all.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“About as good as it can be,” replied Taylor.
“Let’s get that chow,” countered Friday.
The Major turned and nodded to Chandra to follow him. She was pawing at the new equipment and inquisitively studying it. As much as she was eager to put it to the test, she would quite happily take some time off before the process began. She strode up to Taylor and followed the troops to the mess hall.
“How far do you think their armies are from here now?” asked Taylor.
“Maybe fifty kilometres or so. We can’t keep retreating like this forever.”
“Agreed. If we don’t put a stop to their advances soon, we risk losing entire divisions as they get cut off.”
“I am sure Dupont has something in mind.”
