lost good friends, but let us not forget what we are fighting for. Think of your families back home who are saved these horrors because of each and every one of you.”
They knew she was building up to something both important and frightful.
“General Schulz believes that if we were to break the leadership of the enemy, we could drive them from Earth. As the company with the most experience of such matters, he has asked us to fulfil this task.”
They sat silently. They were shocked and in disbelief at what they were hearing.
“I will not order any of you to carry out this task, nor will General Schulz. Our intel so far has been solid, and I believe our chance of success to be strong. This will without a doubt be the most dangerous task we have ever undertaken. I cannot promise we will make it back alive, and I cannot promise success.”
She paced back and forth while the troops looked on at their leading officer. They were still stunned by what was being asked of them. As eager as they were to get back into action, and have their equipment back, they had never imagined such a task.
“I will not lie to you. Our situation here has become more desperate than ever. The future of our armies in Europe may lie in our hands, and with the task we have been given. We cannot waste any further time in consideration. I must ask you now, whether you will go with me. If you will not, I would ask you to leave the room now. We will not think lesser of you for it. But if you stay, you are in until the very end.”
Chandra got no response until Silva stood up and spoke right at her.
“I think I speak for the Company in saying that we will follow you to the very end, Major.”
Grunts of agreement rang out across the lines of troops as they all leapt to their feet, roaring in agreement. Not one of them showed signs of leaving the room. She waved for them to pipe down as Yorath lifted his hand to ask the Major a question.
“Will Major Taylor be joining us, Ma’am?”
“Most certainly. Major Taylor has been fully re-instated. I will be in overall command of the mission that will include a company from the German 13th Mechanised Infantry. My task will be to get us in safely and to manage the mission. Taylor will be responsible for taking care of the enemy leader, known as Karadag, and any of his associates.”
“This sounds more like an assassination,” said Suarez.
Taylor leapt to his feet.
“You’re damn right it is. These bastards don’t play fair. They don’t abide by any civilised rules of war. It was not so long ago that we faced the threat of a weapon that could eradicate our entire race. We will do anything, and everything, to stop that from happening. If you’re not willing to do that, I suggest you hand in your commission and return to civilian life.”
Chandra turned and gestured for Taylor to back down. Suarez leaned back in his chair and went silent. He had been made look foolish and cowardly, and it was not for the first time. She had never liked the Lieutenant, but she was also well aware of the fact you can’t always have what you want. For all of Suarez’s obnoxious attitudes, he was still a useful officer.
“Karadag must die, and whether it is from a nuclear bomb, a precision strike, a gunshot or poison, I couldn’t care less. But the outcome will be the same. These aren’t humans we are talking about. They might as well be machines, for all I care. I am not going to lose any sleep over the blood I spill of theirs. All I care about is saving as many human lives as possible, including our own.”
Suarez dipped his head to look away from the piercing gaze of Taylor. Mitch stepped up beside Chandra and gestured for her to sit down while he continued on.
“The enemy command has been established in the ruins of Paris. In an ideal world, we’d carry out this mission under the cover of darkness just like our other operations in enemy territory. However, this is not an ideal world. A new enemy army is advancing on the defences of Berlin and will likely turn their attention to here when the city falls, and it will.”
“A day op, how are we going to make it?”
“I asked the same question myself. Captain Deveron assures me that an Air Force team has been working around the clock to get a few enemy craft operational.”
“So we’re going to walk right through their defences, sounds like proper Trojan horse kinda shit,” replied Silva.
Taylor smiled. At least they can keep their shit together, he thought.
For the next two hours they outlined the plan and thoroughly relayed the role of everyone in the room. By noon, they were all growing weary of being stuck in the briefing room. The plans were set, and there was little more to do but pray for success. Finally, Taylor stood aside and let Chandra finish up.
“You know the deal, wheels up in one hour! A staging area has been established for us in what used to be landing zone 5b. Ammunition and supplies are awaiting us there. Grab your gear, and make your way there immediately, anymore questions?”
Parker stood up.
“Ma’am, do you really believe this could send their armies packing? That they would leave because we killed the man in charge?”
“I know you have doubts, we all do, but it wouldn’t be the first time in history that such a situation has gotten these results. Our experts believe it’s possible. I believe it’s possible. There are no certainties in this war. All I ask of you all is to put in your all,” she replied.
She looked around to see there were many as doubtful as Eli, but they were equally as eager to get to their feet and have something to do. They left in silence. They were glum and deep in thought as they headed to their billets to get their gear. Taylor could see they had the walk of men and women who were expecting to face their death. There was not a lot he could say to quell their fears, for it was a likely possibility.
Taylor was stood in his bedroom assembling his gear when the door swung slowly open, and he turned his head around to see Parker stride through the door. He turned as she leapt into his arms with a kiss. He pulled her back to see the trickle of tears on her face.
“What’s happened?” he insisted.
She shook her head as she sobbed and was unable to get out any words. It struck him that it was the most passionate they had been together since before he had been sent to prison. He felt cold inside. Taylor remembered the soothing nights they had spent together, a safe haven from all their troubles. It was a love he had almost forgotten after the despair and misery he had endured.
“We’ll make it through this,” he whispered.
“Like Friday, Sugar and countless others? I can’t lose you, not after everything.”
“Hey, we’ve been through worse.”
“Really? Karadag nearly killed you the last time you met, and now you’re going to hunt him down?”
“I won’t be alone this time. We can do this together.”
He hauled her in close and hugged her tightly, hoping it would give some comfort, but he could see there was little chance of that until they had all returned safely. It was understandable, knowing the odds they faced.
“How can we keep doing this? Much more, and there’ll be none of us left.”
Taylor sighed. He knew how she felt, but he also knew above all they must keep faith.
“And if we aren’t fighting and dying, who is? This is what we do. It is what we trained for, what we are paid for, and what we have a duty to do. I want to be with you for the rest of my life, but so does every other loving couple. Most can’t make a difference in this war.”
She wept further. Eli knew she should remain stronger in the face of all danger, but it was hard to imagine a life without the happiness they had found together.
“In all these years, I never thought I’d find love, and now just when it happens, a wedge is driven between us.”
“The only way we can find peace is to end this war. End it for good. We cannot keep fighting this war of attrition. Our mission could end it in one fell swoop, isn’t that worth trying for?”
She stepped back and wiped the tears from her face, trying to regain some composure. She didn’t like being so weak and helpless, but neither could she hide the feelings she had so recently come to appreciate so dearly.
“I’m gonna kill that bastard, and you’re gonna be right there with me when I do!” he stated.
She nodded, but he could see she was far from confident. She hugged him once again, stepped back and
