crews had worked day and night to get it back into operation. As Kelly approached, he could hear that the bay was a hive of activity, and the ship had already landed.
He took a turn from a broad corridor into the docking bay, and he was greeted by the sight of his people enthusiastically unloading mounds of supplies from a familiar ship. An officer stood at its base with a cup of coffee in his hand. He was a roguish looking character and looked too ill disciplined to be a soldier, but it was clear that he was the pilot. Kelly strode up to the laid back character.
“I’m Commander Kelly.”
“Eddie Rains, good to finally meet you.”
“So it’s you who’s been supporting us from the beginning?”
“And the three other boys.”
Kelly reached out his hand in friendship to the man. Rains had shown no desire to salute the Commander, but Kelly liked him enough to not care.
“You must have balls of steel to have volunteered for this duty, son,” said Kelly.
“Hey, the opportunity to fly the fastest ship man has ever seen, how could I pass it up?”
The Commander grinned. He appreciated the pilot’s sense of humour, and the fact that he remained so humble.
“How goes the war?”
“Paris is still ours. Most of Africa is in enemy hands, as well as Spain and the west of France. South America has seen the start of it. People seem to think we have stopped them dead, but I don’t think it’ll last.”
“That’s a pretty sceptical outlook.”
Eddie took a sip from his coffee mug and sighed before looking back at Kelly.
“Well, Commander, tell me things are going any better here?”
Kelly lowered his head with a scornful expression. He wished he had an answer, but all he could think about was Jansen’s death. He turned and watched the loading crews enthusiastically empty the vessel. Part of the Commander wished he had left on the Deveron with the Prime Minister when he had the chance. He hated himself for wishing he could have taken the coward’s way out. Every time he saw the hope and determination of the colonists, he was reminded of why he did the right thing. He turned back to Rains who was sat back enjoying his coffee. The pilot was hiding well the fatigue he was experiencing.
“Is there any hope in sight?”
“You’re asking the wrong man, Commander. I just do the flying.”
The Commander turned to the easy-going pilot, knowing he must have further information.
“This isn’t exactly a routine mission, so you must be in regular contact with General White.”
“For briefings yes, but are you not in contact now, as well?”
The Commander sighed.
“Yes, but with only limited information. I’ve just learned more from you than we’ve been told all week. Earth forces continue to deliver aid, but to what end?”
“Commander?”
“Are they helping to protect the colonists, or because we are a thorn in the invader’s side?”
“A little of both, I guess.”
“Thank you for your honesty, at least.”
“Hey, while you’re still up here, and I still have a bird to fly, we’ll keep you going.”
The Commander turned back and looked at Eddie, studying him.
“You’re not a Navy pilot are you?”
“No, Sir, Marine.”
“You’re a combat pilot?”
Eddie nodded and grunted as he threw back his coffee.
“What on earth are you doing up here?”
“Job needed doing, Commander, so we improvised.”
Kelly smiled. Despite the impending doom at their doorstep, he was encouraged by the sheer enthusiasm which still existed among men.
“The marines you typically fly for, where are they now?”
Rains winced, the first sign of hardship which the Commander had seen in his face.
“Out there, in France, giving those bastards hell.”
The Commander thought about the little news they had received of the war in France. He didn’t know whether to inquire further or not, for he knew the losses were vast.
“Don’t worry for my people, Commander. The Major leading them, he’ll go to hell and back to win this war.”
Kelly smiled as he turned and looked at Eddie’s ship. A broad shark’s mouth and teeth had been painted around the nose cone. On the fuselage, the image of a stripper had been applied next to a silver rib of the hull that gave the impression of a pole dancer. The Commander chuckled.
“A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t let you land looking like that.”
“Funny how times change, Commander. All we needed was a war to mellow you out.”
Kelly laughed.
“I’ve wanted to get close to one of these monsters, ever since I first lay eyes on them.”
“Still just two of a kind, right now. We’re working all out on developing the technology, but it’s taking some time to reverse engineer them. We still don’t fully understand how they work, just that they do.”
“It’s a fascinating freak of engineering.”
“Lampeter class boats. This girl is called Greta. Not exactly as agile as what I’m used to, but damn she’s fast.”
“Is the General working on modifying and copying other alien technologies? We outnumber the Mechs in every battle. If only we could match any of their armour and weapons.”
“Sorry, Commander. My head has been in this project from the very beginning, but if it isn’t to do with birds, then I simply can’t help you.”
Kelly so desperately wanted more information of the situation on Earth and what was being done to counter the enemy, but he knew Eddie was being honest in his limited knowledge of the subject.
“My people want to fight, Eddie, and they will fight to their very last breaths. None of us want to run, but may I ask a favour of you?”
“Shoot.”
“Start ferrying the children out of here.”
Rains recoiled at the thought, his face turning to stone.
“The General would never approve it, Sir. He’d have my ass.”
“I am not asking for an evacuation of our people, Eddie. I need every adult who can hold a rifle to be doing as such. The children only stretch our resources and give cause for concern. Get them out of here, and you will help our forces no end.”
“And when I get back to base?”
“The General will understand. He has to. I’ll send a request ahead of you that they are to be sent to live with families on the bases.”
“And if the General declines?”
“He’ll have no choice. If Earth wants us to keep up the battle, then they are going to have to take up some of the slack. There may be war on many fronts down there, but we are living in a permanent war zone, and it is no place for children.”
Eddie nodded. He knew that it was the right thing to do. He never was good with authority, and he knew that the forces could not afford to lose him. He would be safe enough.
“Alright, Kelly, I can take about a hundred per trip. Get them quickly, my window is running short.”
The Commander reached out his hand in friendship once more to the pilot. They both knew that their time could be up at any moment, and it was a relief to still have friends in their greatest time of need.
