“Okay, I can get you maps and heat signature images from the area. I can authorise you on a mission to the west, but not for this purpose. Once you head for Metz, you will be on your own. You must be aware there will be repercussions for this even if you succeed.”
Taylor nodded, but he didn’t care what might become of them when they got back. He stared at the Commander until it became clear he had no desire to hear any more about it.
“I will help you get to Metz, but once you return, I cannot admit to any involvement. We cannot afford to have it know that command level officers have been subordinate in the face of such a conflict.”
Taylor sighed. Typical fucking politician, he thought as he rubbed his brow. He looked over to Chandra to be certain he had her support. He knew she would take the brunt of the flack as the Company commander if she went along with it.
“You should let my marines do this alone, Major. You are needed with the Company. Better still, we’re Americans, and there’s only so much Schulz and that idiot Dupont can do to us.”
It was clear that Chandra wanted more than anything to go on the mission, but she held her tongue and thought a little longer.
“As much as it pains me to say it, you’re right. I would never have you take this risk alone, but it may be the only way of keeping this Company together. With the reputation you have earned, you hold a lot of weight around here. A platoon of gung ho yanks going on a suicidal mission without orders is far easier to justify than the entire Company being implicit in the affair.”
Taylor chuckled.
“For once our reputation may be what keeps us from the brig?”
“The Major is right. If you can pull this off, then the punishment will be minimal,” Phillips added.
“Alright, that’s it then. Taylor, you are now in command of the rescue mission which we will designate Operation Dead Stick. You will need to get Eddie Rains on board along with a second copter. He should be able to get another of the modified FVs if you ask nicely.”
“I’m sure he’d be more than capable of the task and happy to help.”
“Commander, I need all the intel you have on their location and enemy positions in and around Metz, and I need them before sundown. We are doing this tonight.”
“Tonight? Don’t you think that’s a little hasty?”
“You’re damn right it is,” snapped Taylor.
“If command hadn’t arsed around and waited on this, we could probably have succeeded with a rescue attempt weeks ago and with far less risk. If we wait much longer, who knows where they will be or what situation the front line will be in.”
“Major, are you sure it’s worth all this risk? You could be throwing away your commission and many lives.”
Chandra sighed. It was clear the Commander still did not understand the comradery that kept them together and made them one of the most effective fighting forces on the front.
“You just get us what we need, Sir, and let us worry about the rest.”
Phillips nodded and stepped out of the room. He still didn’t understand why they would rush headlong into such danger. It was a prime example of why they were both glad he was not on the front line with them.
“Phillips is a paper pusher and number cruncher,” growled Taylor.
“Yep, and he’s just the man we need right now. He has got to this level because he’s suited to it. He’ll come through for us.”
She stopped and looked into Mitch’s eyes. She was always fascinated by his utter lack of fear, or at least the appearance of it. Taylor had not hesitated to lead a rescue mission for troops who were not even his countrymen.
“You sure you want this?”
Taylor nodded.
“And your marines?”
“Damn straight, they’d have volunteered just as quickly.”
“The Commander is right. Even if this mission is a success, there will be hell to pay for it. We are directly contradicting General Schulz’s orders. On top of that, the aliens aren’t going to be too impressed with us snatching up their prisoners from under their noses. There could be major retaliation, and that retaliation will be blamed on us.”
Taylor shook his head in astonishment at how spineless their leaders were.
“I don’t give a shit about Schulz. He’s not the one out there fighting and dying for this planet. Those creatures are coming for us whatever we do, so this will only reinforce the fact that we are still well in the fight.”
Chandra nodded with agreement. She was finally convinced beyond all doubt that it was the right move. She knew her close friendship with Jones could cloud her judgement, and it would be the first target of any inquiry. She didn’t care any longer. British forces were amassing for an action, and the worst that Schulz could do would be to send her back home; where her own forces would be more than happy to gain such a combat-experienced officer.
“This is your mission, but if there is anything I can do, you only have to ask,” stated Chandra.
“I need the Reitech suits and gear. Beyond that, it’s best you stay out of it. Continue on with your posting to base security and rest up. I’m heading to find Rains and convince his crazy ass to give us a lift.”
“Alright, we’ll be at the western perimeter defences from 1800 hours on. You can collect the gear from there.”
“What do you want, Major?” asked Eddie.
Taylor smiled as he watched the pilot make adjustments with a long bar spanner beneath the fuselage of his prized custom Eagle.
“Why would you think I’d be after anything?”
Eddie looked at the Major with a suspicious and knowing grin.
“Because you don’t hang out at an airfield. You’re only ever here when you have a mission or those few times after too many drinks.”
Taylor coughed. He’d hoped Eddie had forgotten those drunken escapades.
“It’s alright, Major. I’ll be the last one to shop you. So what can I do for you?”
“You are aware that Captain Jones is MIA?”
“Yeah, I heard that, damn shame.”
“Well, we believe that he is alive, along with Private Walker who was with him, and a few other missing troops.”
“They find refuge somewhere?”
Taylor shook his head with a serious and taut face that made Eddie curious.
“Not exactly.”
The Lieutenant put down the tool and got up onto his feet. He stared into Taylor’s eyes as he tried to make some sense of the situation and the Major’s intentions.
“Give it to me straight, Mitch. I’m a busy man these days.”
“The enemy are taking prisoners. We don’t exactly know why, but we have good intel they are alive and where they are being held.”
Eddie shook his head as he smiled.
“Oh shit, you’re not serious?”
“We have our orders.”
“Bullshit! You’d only be coming here, personally, if you couldn’t get this green lit by the brass.”
Taylor smiled back. “You’re a hard man to fool.”
“So come on, you want me to fly you in and out on some crazy bitch mission to save POWs that you have been expressly forbidden from doing?”
“That about sums it up, yeah.”
Rains turned and sighed as he paced up and down for a moment.
“Well, hell yeah, I’m your man. We’re needed more than ever, not like they can fire us.”
He thrust out his greasy hand to shake, which Taylor gladly accepted.
