“No. I have tried everything I can. Anyone who could help with procuring your release is out of contact, fighting their own battles.”
“So what you’re saying is, unless a bomb happened to drop on the two Generals, I am not getting free?”
“That about sums it up. But for all of their hatred of you, they also know how useful you can be. There will come a time when they need you.”
“How is the Company holding up?”
Locked up for months and still putting his friends first, she thought. Taylor never ceased to amaze her. She could only hope to have his strength if she had to endure the same.
“They’re holding. The fighting has hit a lull. There continues to be skirmishes along the lines, but nothing like the onslaught we have become used to. It’s given everyone a little time to rest and recover, but also more time to dwell on how shit the situation is.”
“Any plan for an advance east?”
“Even if I were given access to such information, I’d never be allowed to share it with you in here,” she warned.
The two went silent for a moment as they listened to the guards’ footsteps trail off into the distance. Taylor dipped his head and thought before finally looking up and pleading with the Major.
“You promise me one thing. If those alien bastards push through this base, you won’t leave me here. Not like Jones was.”
She could see the despair in his face. She had never been able to fully comprehend what he had seen the day of Jones’ rescue, and the state he had found the Captain in.
“There’s no way in hell I am leaving anyone else behind. You can count on that.”
“Thank you,” whispered Taylor.
She could tell that it was the only fear Taylor had in life, and being behind bars made it all the worse.
“You hold on, Mitch. I’m getting you out of here, one way or the other. That’s a promise, too.”
The ground rocked beneath their feet as a huge artillery shell landed outside the building. Taylor looked up in fear, and they both quickly jumped to the correct conclusion; the enemy was advancing. Further explosions erupted all around the base that were deafening even through the thick walls. The guards came rushing down the corridor.
“Major Chandra! You are to report back to your unit immediately!”
“What the fuck is going on?”
“The enemy, they’ve launched a massive attack at our lines!”
“Jesus Christ!”
The guards grabbed the Major and started to lead her out. She strained to turn back to the Major and shout to him one last time.
“I’ll come for you, Taylor!”
Chapter 6
“Kelly! Kelly!” shouted Doyle.
The enthusiastic Private came charging down the dusty hallway into the storage room that was now their command centre. He was met with little positivity as the grim faces glared at him. Martinez turned to look at the furore. The Captain’s face was badly scarred, and he wore a makeshift eye patch over his left eye. He had the look of a man who was awaiting his death with dignity.
Commander Kelly turned slowly around in his chair. He no longer expected good news and was therefore careful to gather up his hopes. He glared at the Private as if the cheery man had somehow broken the mood; a mood so miserable and dire that one might wish they were already dead. Doyle slid to attention before the two officers and made a quick and ill disciplined salute. He could barely contain himself and looked as if he was going to explode.
“What is it, Private?” insisted Kelly.
“They’re leaving, Sir, by the bucket load!” he balled.
The room suddenly turned all attention on the excited man. For a moment, the people within it felt a spark of hope.
“What are you talking about?” asked Martinez with a doubtful tone.
Kelly leapt to his feet. He prayed for good news but knew it sounded too good to be true.
“Come on, Doyle, spit it out,” Kelly shouted.
Doyle finally opened his mouth and blurted out his message.
“The enemy ships are leaving. Taking off all over the surface!”
The Commander spun around on the spot and turned to Lewis, who was sat at his makeshift console with cables hanging out all over the place, and multiple screens balanced across what furniture and mounts he could scavenge. Kelly didn’t need to ask any questions. The communications officer was already slaving away at his station to corroborate Doyle’s news that seemed unbelievable.
Several dozen soldiers waited silently for further news. They anxiously wanted to believe that Doyle was correct.
“Come on, come on…” whispered Martinez.
Lewis spun around in his chair and stared up at the Commander with a bewildered expression. For a moment he could not speak, and Kelly already knew the answer. A smile widened across his face before the man had even opened his mouth.
“He’s right, Sir. They’re leaving!”
A hail of excitement burst out as claps and whistles echoed around the room. Kelly took a few paces closer, so Lewis could hear him.
“Where are they going?”
Lewis turned back to his monitors and carefully studied the data. He swivelled back around in his chair with yet more surprise in his face.
“They’re heading for Earth…”
Kelly smashed his hand down on the table rocking the consoles.
“Yes!” he screamed.
The deep booming roar from their Commander caused the room to go silent, and all attention to turn on him. Kelly could see new life in the eyes of all those around him. They had resigned themselves to fighting to the very last man and woman, but now there was hope.
“The enemy occupiers are departing for Earth. This can only mean one thing!” he bellowed.
Silence still filled the room. None of them had heard Lewis’ last comment and had been too busy celebrating to care.
“They underestimated the human race! Earth forces are giving them hell, and they must be re-directing everything they have to get down there. The Earthers have given us an opportunity. Their blood and sacrifice may give us all the opening we need to take back our lands!”
Cheers rang out once again as further troops flooded in from the nearby corridors. Kelly turned back to Lewis who was mesmerised by the news.
“Lieutenant, open all channels.”
Lewis stared at him in a daze for a moment, finally snapping out of it and turning back to his console. Seconds later, the Commander saw the lights fire up to signify an open channel.
“This is Commander Kelly. Alien forces are leaving our colony. We are not free of occupation. We still have a long way to go, but hope is once again with us. I repeat. Alien forces are leaving our colony in substantial number.”
Rave applause echoed through the corridors as the colony’s survivors burst into celebration. A Chinese officer rushed into the room with a broad smile on his face.
“Commander, has this news being verified?” he asked.
“Colonel Chen, we have just had visual confirmation. The tide just turned in this war.”
