the pips of his uniform that marked Friday out as an officer.
“Major! Why has the body of this Captain not been covered?”
Schulz’s tone was arrogant and lacked any understanding of the situation. Chandra did not respond, knowing she could do little to make him change his mind. Schulz turned to the nearest marine.
“You, find something to cover the body of this officer, immediately!”
The marine hesitated, as if he wasn’t sure whether to carry out the order or not. The very possibility of such infuriated the General.
“Now, Private!”
“Hold that order!” bellowed Chandra.
Schulz’s piercing eyes turned on the Major. He was taken aback by her comments, even more than the Private’s hesitation to carry out his orders. It left him so speechless that Chandra seized the opportunity to carry on before he could condemn her.
“Captain Friday is one of our own. He has been with us through the worst of this war, and he is not left there out of ill discipline or idleness. He is there for all to see and pay their respects. As you are well aware, General, there is little time for proper burials in this life anymore. This is the only time we have to pay our final respects.”
The General’s expression did not change, but he slowly breathed out and calmed himself. He looked around at the faces of the troops. He could tell that many had been with Friday when he was killed, and they looked down on the General with disgust that he would try and interfere.
Chandra knew the General had put Friday and his men in harm’s way. The rest of the troops did too, but they all knew it was not wise to anger the General. She could hear Silva’s knuckles crunch as he clenched his fists. He wanted to strike the General more than any of them, but he didn’t move a millimetre. Schulz coughed and cleared his throat. He had quickly realised it was not the time or place to risk angering the already distraught troops. He was also well aware that soldiers from many armies were watching. They were eyes and ears that could lead to his downfall if he made the wrong move.
Major Chandra could tell that Schulz’s arrogance had led him into a vulnerable position, and it was one that she was all too ready to take advantage of. She stepped forward and squared off against the General. Her body language could have been read as either respectful or challenging, and she revelled in the fact that he could not tell which.
“Sir, Captain Friday was a brave and competent officer in my Company, and whose actions have saved the lives of many. He was selfless in life, and loyal and honest to the end. Friday was a marine under the direct command of Major Taylor, as well as a very close friend. As the commanding officer of both men, I request a visitation to Major Taylor in order to pass on this tragic news.”
She could see the fury in Schulz’s eyes. The German General hated the insolence he had witnessed with the Inter-Allied Company that she led. Yet he had no choice but to accept her presence whilst she remained a competent and honest officer. He had done his utmost to keep Taylor isolated from any of the personnel he had served with. Schulz had already realised that few who came into contact with the Major would not be sympathetic to his situation and actions.
Schulz turned slowly in a full circle and looked for some indication of what to do. Chandra could tell he was not looking out of concern for the troops, but to find out how he could come off best in the situation. Most of the soldiers glared at him. They despised Schulz for taking Taylor away from them, and not one of them accepted that Taylor had done a thing wrong. Even more so, they hated Schulz for abandoning POWs.
The General nodded as he turned. He was quickly realising that he had to do something to alleviate the situation. The anger and hatred surrounding him made him wonder if the marines would set on him if he didn’t say what they wanted to hear. He licked his lips and readied himself to speak loudly and clearly. Schulz wanted to come off as the hero, but it rarely worked.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of your Captain…”
“Friday,” muttered Silva.
Schulz turned and nodded at the Sergeant, as if thanking him. Silva was well aware that Schulz didn’t appreciated being interrupted, but he could do little in response without losing the respect of everyone present.
“Captain Friday was a good soldier and a good man. He has fought to defend lands that were not his and helped save the lives of millions of civilians who he had never known. We are thankful for his service and his sacrifice. May we all be remembered for such great deeds and unwavering gallantry.”
Chandra looked down in disgust. Bastard, he doesn’t give a shit, she thought. Schulz stopped and looked to the troops to judge their reaction. They didn’t look impressed, and he knew he had to give them more if he was to come off well in the situation. Chandra once again seized the moment.
“Sir, the one thing Friday would want more than anything would have been to know that Major Taylor is alright. This news will hit Taylor hard. May I again request permission to see the Major and relay this news?”
Schulz smirked just a little as he thought about how he had been played by Chandra. She had chosen her moment well, and it was clear that he couldn’t refuse her without having a detrimental effect on all those around them, and perhaps the armies at large. Chandra revelled for just a moment in how she had managed to manipulate. Her smile faded as she thought about the Captain who had so recently fallen. Schulz finally nodded in agreement.
“Very well. Captain Friday gave his life in the service of this army, and you may carry that news to Major Taylor. Send my deepest sympathies for the loss of his friend.”
The Major watched as Schulz made a final scan of the troops. He was desperately looking for any sign of respect, but it was barely in evidence. He could tell he had narrowly missed all out violence. Now piss off, thought Chandra. Finally, the General stepped back into his vehicle, and many of the troops watched in disgust as his driver pulled away. They looked back down to the body of Friday and the other marine. Medical orderlies waited to take the bodies away but were loathed to interfere.
“Alright, that’s enough! Captain Friday is gone, and another fine soldier taken from us in this war. He was exceptional in life and will remain so in our memories long after death. We have a war to fight. Friday knew that, so let’s get on with it!”
She nodded for the medics to come forward and spirit the bodies away. She could already hear the mutinous mutterings from a number of the marines who had been with Friday on his mission. They all knew that his death had been a direct result of Taylor’s rescue mission.
“How the fuck can this go on?” asked Hall. “We came here to help, and we’re getting fucked over because some General was made to look an idiot!”
“Careful, Corporal. You are under the General’s command, and you must show him respect.”
“Why on Earth should we? He’s abandoned our people, locked up the Major and continues to put us in danger without the equipment we need. Why on Earth are we fighting for that asshole?”
“We aren’t fighting for him. We’re fighting for us.” She pointed out at the other troops surrounding them. “And for them. Yes, Schulz is a bastard, but that’s nothing new. Right now, the only thing you should be concerned about is getting Taylor and our gear back. Pissing off the General further, isn’t the way to do it.”
Hall slumped down onto a supply box. He knew he was not helping the situation, but he couldn’t help venting his anger. He remembered the surge of relief and fulfilment when he was stood beside Taylor as they found and rescued the POWs. Never could he have imagined they could be punished so severely for doing what had been drilled into them, to leave no man behind.
“Take some rest, get cleaned up and get some chow. I have a chance to see Taylor here, and that’s the best progress we have seen since all this shit started. Sergeant Silva! You are in charge of the platoon until instructed otherwise.”
Silva accepted without a word. They were large shoes to fill, but he was the only soldier up to the task. The marines had been diminished to such low numbers, and with few officers left between them. Lieutenant Suarez was a hot tempered and self-centred officer, but at least he had made it this far. Chandra would far rather see Silva promoted over him, but it was a political move that would cause more trouble than she needed. She paced up closely to the Sergeant who still stood with a sombre face.
“These marines need you more than ever. You are what can make the difference in holding them together. We have a long way to go in this war, so let’s continue to deserve our reputation. Get them rested, and do
