Taylor’s eyes panned up to Captain Becker who had climbed out and stood on top of the hull of his tank. Chandra turned around to stare at the man. She could see the sadness in his face from the losses he had received. He’d lost far more of his unit than the infantry who’d gotten off lightly. She spoke to Taylor.
“You can’t ask that of them. Those crews have given everything to keep us alive.”
“And you think they wouldn’t want to save our people if there was any remote chance?”
“Even if Becker would go for it, you’ll be travelling for hours in hostile territory.”
Taylor ignored the Major and looked past to the tank commander.
“How about it, Captain, you willing to help us get our people back?”
“I’d be more than happy to assist, Major, but I doubt we’d make it. If we don’t get some repairs done on these vehicles within the next few kilometres…”
Taylor sighed. He knew it was too much to ask and far from sensible. He couldn’t believe that he wasn’t there when Jones needed him most.
“How the hell did this even happen?” snapped Taylor. “You let two of our men get kidnapped from under you!”
Chandra glared at Mitch. Her cheeks reddened as she was about to burst into a furious rage. She coughed and forced herself to calm down. The truth was she did blame herself for the loss of the two men, but she didn’t like being reminded of it.
“I regret all lost under my command, but do not think I have not done, and will continue to do everything in my power to keep our troops safe.”
Taylor was taken aback by her restrained response and already regretted his words. He took a few steps closer to her and whispered.
“Forgive me. I just can’t believe there is nothing we can do.”
“I get you, Major. If I thought there was any chance of you making it there, I’d let you go.”
The officers were quickly drawn to the sound of a single aircraft approaching at speed. They turned to see an Eagle FV assault copter rush overhead at an astonishing speed. It banked heavily before lifting its nose to reversing its thrust to come down beside them at speeds no normal pilot would dare.
They turned in intrigue to see who was aboard and why they were putting down on what was a bloody battlefield. The ramp opened and the pilot appeared at the door. He staggered down with the sort of undisciplined walk of what could only be one pilot they knew.
“Eddie!” shouted Taylor. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Taylor rushed forward and grabbed the Lieutenant off his feet, forgetting that he was still wearing the exosuit that provided him immense strength. He hoisted the man off his feet as if he weighed no more than a child. As he dropped Eddie down, the pilot staggered back as he stared at the suit and armour.
“I see you’ve had some upgrades.”
Taylor looked up at the copter which he had become so familiar with in his time of service. Atop the fuselage was a large and unfamiliar engine which looked as if it had literally been bolted on as a custom job.
“I’m not the only one,” he stated as he gestured towards the craft.
Eddie looked around at the copter and turned back with a smile on his face.
“Old Bessie here has been given a new turn of speed.”
“That how you made it across the channel?”
“Damn straight, no bastard in this universe could catch this bird!”
Taylor looked into the pilot’s face to see that his eyes were swollen and his face was pale. It was clear that the only thing keeping him on his feet were stimulants.
“I thought you were working the Moon supply runs. You gone AWOL, Lieutenant?”
“No, Sir! Moon supply is still ongoing with new pilots. I was ordered to report to you with all urgency.”
“By who?”
“General White himself.”
“On what task? I need soldiers, not pilots.”
“Glad to know I’m appreciated, Major,” laughed Rains. “Honestly, I have no clue. He said I’d know when you did.”
“Great, that helps,” mused Taylor.
Taylor looked beyond the Major to the other officers watching the conversation. He recognised most of them.
“Ma’am,” he greeted Chandra with a nod.
He looked back to Taylor with a quizzical expression.
“Where is Captain Jones?”
They all went silent.
“Dead? Can’t be.”
“We simply don’t know. He was detained by locals in a town that has since been overrun by the enemy.”
“What the fuck? Detained?”
“It’s bullshit, Eddie, we all know it. We were just discussing how we could get back to the town to attempt to find the Captain and Private Walker who was with him. But we can’t cover the ground fast enough, and these tanks need work.”
“Well, hell, I can get you there, no problem.”
Taylor turned to Chandra who was still in charge. He didn’t actually ask her permission, but she knew that’s what he wanted. She thought for a moment and then looked to Eddie.
“You sure you’re ready for this, Lieutenant? You’ll be going over a hundred kilometres into enemy territory.”
“Damn straight, Ma’am, I can get you there in no time at all, and get you out of trouble just as fast.”
She nodded several times as she thought it over. She didn’t want to risk further troops in her command, but she knew how important the Captain was to them all. To not search for him, when they had the opportunity, could severely hit the morale of the Company. She wanted to believe that she was thinking as Jones’ friend, but she no longer had that luxury. She had to think like a leader first and foremost.
“Taylor, the Company has been ordered to hold this position, and as the commanding officer I must do so. However, I am authorising you and the Lieutenant here for a search party. Take ten of your marines and be as quick as you can.”
A broad grin widened across Taylor’s face as he turned to bellow his orders.
“And, Major. Stay safe.”
“Sergeant Silva, gather your section, we move out immediately!”
Chapter 9
Commander Kelly paced around the command centre. Lewis stared at him. The comms officer knew that their leader was coming to realise their chances of survival were minimal. He was mulling over the few options they had. He finally walked up to Lewis.
“Gather the leaders.”
“With regards to what matter, Sir?”
“I don’t give a shit what you tell them, just get them here!”
“Yes, Sir,” muttered Lewis.
He looked up to see the staff and soldiers around the room all staring at him.
“Well, what are you looking at? You’ve got work to do!”
Ten minutes later the Commander stood before the remaining Lunar leaders in their makeshift meeting room. They all had long faces and few words to utter. The supplies from Earth continued to arrive in large enough quantities to keep them going, but they were losing ground all the time.
“It must not have escaped your notice that we will eventually have nowhere left to run. If we don’t start taking the fight to the enemy in a major way, then we are finished. In the confined spaces below ground their weapons are more devastating than ever.”
