Charlie looked out through the windows at the French scenery below. He’d become well accustomed to recognising it from the air. He could see enemy Mechs and tanks rolling down the roads. They were approaching the base at Rennes, though they were not slowing or dropping altitude. He watched as the base came into sight. It was nearly empty, with the last few vehicles rolling out and heading east.
Getting up out of his seat the Captain strode forward to the pilot’s cockpit, as much to talk to them as to see easterly.
“Thought we were heading for Rennes?”
“No, Sir! The enemy are closing in fast. They are closing in on Le Mans from the south as well. All forces are being directed to Paris!”
“My, God, it’s come to this already?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jones staggered back to his seat, he could not believe what he was hearing. Now he was beginning to understand why they had been left to defend Brest. The situation had been far worse than they had realised. Their defence likely delayed the enemy by many hours, perhaps even a day.
The transports that had made it out of Brest finally put down in a public park not far from the centre of Paris. They were not greeted by a crowd or even ground crews. As Jones jumped out he saw that Brigadier Dupont and Commander Phillips were waiting for them with no more than a dozen soldiers. Buses were waiting to take the wounded to a nearby hospital. The survivors of Brest left the craft but had little idea what to do with themselves until finally the Brigadier climbed onto the back of a small truck and got onto a loudhailer.
“Welcome back, all of you! I would like to personally extend my gratitude to all of you that have made it, as well as the many more who were not so lucky. A lot was asked of you over the last few days, and I am sorry for your losses. However, I cannot be sorry for the task you did. You have saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people!”
No one responded to the Brigadier, they were too stunned and traumatised from their experiences.
“As much as I would wish you all to have adequate rest and leave, we are in a state of war. The enemy approaches Paris in vast numbers. We will need your courage and strength once again in the coming days. For now I ask that you rest easy here. I will see to it that everything you need is brought to you. Please rest and await further orders, that’s all.”
Saunders turned to his Captain, angry at the speech they had just heard.
“Wow, we go through hell and that’s the thanks we get!”
“If you wanted thanks you shouldn’t have joined the army, we did what we had to.”
Jones was relieved to see trucks arrive with food and water. There was little that could help them feel better at that moment, but that was it.
“Captain! Come with me!” shouted Chandra.
The Captain sighed, he was just about to sit down. He stretched his body as he walked, aching from the days of fighting. He walked up to a meeting of the surviving officers with Commander Phillips, the Brigadier was already leaving the scene on his personal truck.
“Any ideas on numbers?” asked Phillips.
“Not exactly. However, I estimate about three thousand troops entered Brest, I think little more than three hundred made it out.”
“Christ, we can’t afford those losses!”
“Yes, Sir. How is the rest of the division doing?”
Most fell back after the defeat at the coast. We fought running battles all the way to Rennes where we finally made some headway. Casualties average maybe thirty percent of the division, a damn sight better off than your para boys.”
“Sir, I think we have enough to amalgamate into a single company.”
The Commander shook his head.
“Do it! Paris is becoming the number one priority. Infantry and Armoured Divisions are setting up on the west and southern perimeter. We’ve got maybe a day until they hit us. Emergency shelters are en route, I suggest you all get some kip.”
“Major?” asked the Doc.
Taylor was hunched in a chair outside the medical room with his head in his hands. He shot up in hope of hearing some good news.
“She’s alive and stable for now.”
“But?”
“But she needs surgery, work I cannot do here. We’re en route to Portsmouth right now, she can get the care she needs there.”
“Will she last that long?”
“We’re on emergency conditions right now and therefore travelling at maximum velocity to our destination to assist the rest of the Fleet, her condition should remain stable until we reach the port.”
Taylor nodded and sighed in relief.
“I am not promising anything, Major. She’d sustained massive injuries, but she has a chance.”
“Thank you.”
He stood up and continued up through the decks until he reached the open air. Many of his marines sat about the deck with their kit strewn about. The Navy crew had never seen the deck in such a state of disarray, but nobody had the heart to tell them to sort it out. Taylor walked up to a railing overlooking the waves as they crashed below. They were indeed travelling at an immense speed for the size of vessel.
“How is she?” asked Friday.
Taylor turned to see the Captain stroll up to him and rest against the railing bulkhead.
“She’s got a chance once we get to Portsmouth.”
The General’s gonna have your ass for this, you know that don’t you?”
“Under normal conditions, yes. Look around us. The rules have gone out the window. White needs me and needs us, he’ll just have to accept it.”
“What about the assault on Tartaros? It wasn’t exactly all we hoped for.”
“No, but it was something. We had to take action no matter what.”
“What do you think the brass will do next?”
Taylor lowered his head and stared out at the waves. He’d been so focused and single minded after Parker had fallen that he’d given no further thought to the situation.
“They’ve accepted that we have to keep up the fight. If attacking Tartaros directly isn’t realistic, they’ll look to fighting on the ground. My guess is they’ll be organising combat in North Africa and Spain as we speak.”
“And us?”
“I have nothing left to help the brass with. We are no more experienced than thousands of others now. We’ll fight wherever we are needed. Once we reach Portsmouth I intend to request that we join the EUA forces in France.”
Friday nodded. He knew what the Major was saying was that he wanted to help their friends, just as he had saved Parker. He was aware that there was far more than a professional relationship between Parker and the Major, but also it was best not to interfere. The Major was letting his emotions drive him. Many would say it made him unpredictable, but Friday knew it made him a good leader.
“Major! I have General White on the line for you!” shouted the ship’s Captain.
“Looks like the devil has found you.”
Taylor smiled at Friday’s sharp wit. On any other occasion he would dread the call from the General after disobeying orders. However, after everything he had given, he feared nothing. He stepped up to the bridge and pulled on the headset as he sat down.
“Taylor here.”
“Major, I know why you did what you did. I have also been informed of what you and your men sacrificed today. You care about those under your command like family. I can respect that. How is your company?”
“Down, but not out, Sir.”
“Good to hear, because I have a new task for you.”
