Battle Earth II

Chapter 7

“Give me an update, Major.”

Taylor stood at a large display screen on the sidewall of the research centre. He was looking at a display monitor with General White sitting with many other high ranking officials. They both knew that such programs should take months or years to complete, not the days that he had been given.

“The first dozen suits are complete, Sir. We have been liaising with suitable manufacturing plants across Europe, but it’s taking time.”

“That’s one luxury we don’t have, Major.”

No shit, thought the Major. We’re the ones fighting this damn war.

“General, these factories are predominately civilian firms that are used to working to deadlines in months and years.”

“I fully appreciate the problems, Major. We are getting production moving domestically, but it’s all taking time.”

“Any news on the enemy’s manufacturing progress?”

“Not much. What we do know, is whatever they are doing, it’s big. Our armies are suffering enough at the hands of these bastards. We cannot afford for the enemy to gain an even greater advantage.”

“I don’t see we can do much about it, Sir. Our armies can barely hold the Mechs back as it is.”

The General turned to listen to news that was being handed to him. He was heavily distracted until he looked up at the other officers in the room with a morbid expression.

“Gentlemen, we have reports of substantial forces having left Tartaros and heading for the coast of Florida at high speed. The invasion of the United States has begun.”

White turned to the Major.

“Mitch, we’re going to do everything we can to fight on our shoreline. The armies in Europe have shown remarkable resolve, but let us not be under any illusions. At present, we are losing this war. Whatever the enemy is building will almost certainly be a game changer. You are well placed to do something about it, and have the best equipment available to you.”

Taylor shook his head. They were being driven back on an almost daily basis. Yet the General was asking him to pursue a major operation behind enemy lines. He knew it had to be done, but he could not help but feel that it was suicidal.

“Get hold of Brigadier Dupont, he will provide you with intel and resources. Do whatever you have to, Major.”

Jones lay flat on the small prison bed. He appeared so relaxed anyone would think there wasn’t a war on. Private Walker stood grasping the bars of the door of the barred cell. They could both hear Becker’s tanks roaring in the distance and enemy gunfire pounding the city.

“We’re finished,” said Walker.

Jones didn’t respond. He was in a daze.

“How can you just lie there like that?” screamed Walker.

The Captain could not believe that his undoing had been caused by his own race. His hatred of the enemy had been surpassed by that of the Mayor and his supporters. In the distance, he could hear the town being bombarded, but he had no sympathy. Not only had the population been ignorant and stupid, they had aided the enemy.

“What are you gonna do? How are we going to get out of here? Captain! Wake up!”

“I’m here,” he replied dryly.

“How can you just lie there?”

“What else is there to do?”

“We have to find a way out of here!”

“These cells were built to keep people secure. We have no weapons, no tools and no allies, so what do you suggest we do?”

“Something…anything!”

Jones sat up on the bed and leaned back against the wall as he looked at the stricken Private.

“This station is empty, the police have gone and we’re the only ones in holding. There is no way out, not unless a lucky shell blasts a way out.”

“So we just sit here and hope?”

“Not like there’s any another choice, we’ve been left here to die.”

“The Major will come for us. She won’t leave us behind.”

The Captain sighed. He knew the Private must know they were lost, but he didn’t want to accept it.

“I am sure Major Chandra will have done everything in her power to help us, but the fact remains that this town is being overrun. What can the remains of our Company do against an army?”

Walker rested back against the bars, collapsing down to the ground until he lay back against the door. His shoulders sagged, and he was starting to realise how desperate their situation was.

“We’re going to die in here, aren’t we? No food, no water, and no hope of rescue.”

“It’s entirely possible, but I wouldn’t give up all hope just yet. There’s always a chance.”

The man dropped his head in sadness as he imagined the prolonged and unheroic deaths facing them. The two men sat silently listening to the onslaught rage on in the streets around them. They knew that many of the civilians would not escape Amiens, but they no longer cared. The two men straightened as they heard the doors of the precinct being blown off.

The police station was relatively small, and they were only thirty metres from the entrance. Walker leapt to his feet as Jones leant forward on the bed. They both listened intently.

“Think that’s the Major coming for us?” asked Walker.

Jones knew that it was highly unlikely, but he didn’t want to dash the Private’s hopes. Then over the explosions they realised the heavy footsteps of Mechs were approaching. Walker turned back to the Captain with a grim and lost expression. He wanted to do nothing but run, but he was trapped like a beast awaiting the hunter.

“How did it come to this?”

“We gave them hell, Private. Our comrades fight on, we did not falter.”

“And yet we will die for some idiot that doesn’t deserve to live?”

The Captain nodded, and he could not disagree. He stood up slowly to meet his enemy standing up. All they could hear were the heavy footsteps of several Mechs pacing steadily down the corridor towards them. A second later the door to the cells block erupted as it was struck by an energy pulse. The door flew off its hinges and smashed into the bars of the adjacent cell.

The two soldiers barely flinched at the impact as they had already come to accept their fate. They stood in the centre of their cell staring at the gaping hole where the door used to stand. A Mech came through it. They had always been a frightful and imposing enemy, but without a weapon in hand they were now terrifying.

“Don’t show any fear,” said Jones.

It stepped closer as a second entered the room although neither showed any signs of firing. They circled around the cell as a third joined them. He was instantly recognisable as being different and more important. He wore the same armour as the others, but it was lavishly decorated with etching and symbols that were not recognisable to the human eye. Whereas the other Mechs had a flat glass-like section to protect their head, this soldier wore an actual helmet. It was made out to look like some kind of aggressive animal, like a bull’s head with spiralling horns.

The two normal Mechs separated to allow this new enemy to come forward in the cell. Jones watched in fascination as he had quickly realised that this was one of their leaders. For a moment the two groups glared at each other, studying the other intently. Jones and Walker knew they were at the enemy’s mercy and therefore did nothing but watch them. Suddenly the lead Mech grasped the bars of the cell and ripped the door from the cage, throwing it aside as if it was nothing.

The door was off, but the three enemy soldiers stood in their way. Both men knew it was suicide to make a break for it, but they still considered it. The leader tapped a few devices on the left arm of his suit and then righted himself. A fine mist burst from the suit as several seals were released and sections of the armour hinged open.

Jones could do nothing but stand and watch as the creature within the suit was revealed to them. He couldn’t understand how the two of them were still alive. The mist cleared and they could make out the shape of the beast within. It stepped out from the suit. It stood a head taller than Jones.

The creature wore a close fitting type of compression suit. Its waist was as narrow as the Captain’s, but its chest and shoulders were broad. It’s dark blue skin almost blending in to the charcoal gray suit that it wore. Despite the creature resembling a human in basic design, every element was individually different.

“What do you want with us?”

“I doubt it speaks English, Sir.”

The creature shot a glance at the Private and turned back to the Captain. The two men expected to die at any moment. They could think of no reason for the situation, other than for their attackers to revel in their deaths. Then the creature spoke.

“Captain Jones.”

The voice was coarse and gravelly, and it spoke slowly as if speaking the language for the first time. Charlie was taken aback. The last thing he expected was to hear the English language come from the enemy’s mouth, let alone his own name. Still speechless, he simply nodded. The creature was more imposing than any man he had ever met. He knew from Taylor’s account that the beast could kill him with its bare hands in seconds.

“You have fought well,” the creature growled.

As it spoke, it bore its sharp teeth that looked as if they were cut from steel.

“Is that why you know my name?”

The beast nodded sternly. It continued in a deep rumbling voice.

“I am Karadag, leader of the 5 ^ th Army.”

“And?” snapped Jones.

The wit and rudeness was lost on the creature who took the Captain’s comments literally.

“You are strong, you and your two Majors, that impresses me.”

“You going to give me a medal?”

Karadag flicked his arm, releasing a blade that spun from the forearm section of his suit and caught it in his grip. He thrust the blade into Walker’s shoulder. It pierced the man without resistance and exited by his shoulder blade. He gave out a loud cry in pain. Jones took a quick step towards the beast, but it snapped its head around and held up its other hand to stop him. Jones knew it was futile.

“I have learnt something of language, Captain. You would be wise to avoid angering me.”

Charlie looked at the wincing face of his comrade who was still skewed by the blade.

“Alright, you’ve made your point!”

Karadag ripped the blade back out from Walker’s shoulder. The soldier immediately crumpled to the floor in agony. Jones dropped down beside him to look at his wound. It was a clean strike, missing anything major, so he could be patched up. Jones turned as Karadag’s blade folded away into in to his suit, and he stood glaring at them.

“What do you want from us?”

The Mech leader ignored the Captain and turned to his two guards. As he reached them, he stopped and turned back.

“Do you still not have a name for us?”

I can think of many, you bastard, thought Jones. But he shook his head.

“Then you may call us the Krycenaeans.”

Karadag turned again to leave but stopped as Jones fired another question at him.

“Is that the name of your people?”

“No, but it is the best your language can manage.”

The imposing leader strode out of the room as the two Mechs approached. Jones knew he could do nothing to resist them, and they were going where the enemy wanted.

Major Chandra’s beleaguered column had been rolling east for hours in full retreat. She’d reported the loss of Amiens, but it had come as no surprise to Phillips, who had little advice to give her. She’d decided to do the only thing that seemed to make sense, to head for Ramstein. She knew the Major was making some headway on something which could help. She thought, by god we need it.

As the column drew up to the entrance to the base, they were surprised to see just two soldiers on guard and little sign of any further security. The men didn’t even ask for identification, simply opening the gate for their approach. She got the impression that they had seen many more fleeing troops pass through their gate.

“Bring us to a halt by the guards, Captain.”

Becker’s lead vehicle rocked to a halt next to the two men. Their faces were distraught and bodies lax. She could tell they too had seen combat and had likely been posted there as a resting deployment.

“Major Chandra of the 2 ^ nd Inter-Allied Company.”

“What battalion, Ma’am?”One of them mumbled.

She looked back to her comrades. She no longer knew how they could even be identified. The Company was a mix of many troops from several battalions and without an army to belong to. It was yet another painful reminder of what they had lost. She turned back to the guards.

“We, we have no battalion, this is it.”

The two guards look across the faces of the beleaguered troops. They righted themselves as they realised that their own hardships and losses were belittled. They could see a mix of uniforms, instantly telling them that these were the few survivors of many units. They shook their heads in disbelief and horror.

“What can we do for you, Ma’am?”

“You can guide us to Major Mitch Taylor.”

“I am sorry, Ma’am, but I have not heard of the Major.”

“I was told he was here conducting tests on new equipment that could give us a fighting chance. He arrived a couple of days ago.”

The other guard stepped forward and blurted out.

“Professor Reiter. If your Major was testing anything on this base, Reiter would have something to do with it.”

“How can I find this Reiter?”

“Follow the signs to Unit 108, but you’ll need security clearance to get in. I’ve no idea what goes on behind those doors.”

Chandra nodded in gratitude. She waved for Becker to move out. The column rode steadily through the base, passing many abandoned buildings. Some fields had lines of aircraft that had been left to rot for decades. Ramstein appeared to be a graveyard for the Air Force. She only prayed they hadn’t gone there to die also.

“Major Taylor!” shouted a guard.

He was stood in front of the new weapon he’d been testing, admiring its construction. Taylor was deep in thought, so the guard shouted again, and he quickly turned to the man.

“Sir, I’ve got a Major Chandra asking for you outside. She’s not cleared, but she is quite adamant that she had the right place.”

“Put the security feed on screen!”

The large display monitor the Major had been using for video feeds to General White and other officials flashed. It brought up the camera overlooking the main entrance to their building. He instantly recognised Chandra stood arguing with the guards. She was becoming more and more aggravated. One of the guards quickly reached for his sidearm as the tension increased.

Before he could raise the weapon the Major had taken hold of it, elbowed the man to the face and twisted the pistol from his hands. Taylor watched in amazement as she took the two men to pieces. She kicked to the other’s lead leg, knocking him down onto one knee. She then struck him in the jaw with the grip of the other man’s pistol. In just a few seconds she had incapacitated both men.

Chandra threw down the guard’s pistol in spite and looked up into the camera.

“I am Major Chandra of the 2 ^ nd Inter-Allied Company. Major Taylor is under my command, and I demand to enter immediately!”

Mitch smiled at the dry tone of the woman and her devastating ability. It never ceased to amaze him how the feisty woman managed to be so strong and aggressive. She truly deserved her command, he thought. He turned back to the guard.

“Let her in.”

“But, Sir, she’s just assaulted two of our men!”

“They drew on her, and she has not shown any signs of being a threat. I suggest you give your men better hand-to-hand combat training.”

“Sir, I must protest.”

Taylor turned his full body to stand off against the man. He was a corporal in the USAF. It was clear that he’d never fought in the air or on the land.

“Corporal, I couldn’t give a god damn for your opinion. You let her in, or I’ll throw you out to her.”

Sergeants Silva and Parker, who stood just a couple of metres away from the Major, smiled wickedly to each other. They were both greatly entertained by Taylor’s handling of the snivelling base guard. The two went up to Taylor as the three watched the corridor and awaited their friends. The Corporal re-appeared, leading Chandra, Friday and Becker. Taylor rushed forward and threw his arms around the Major, lifting her off her feet. She was about to protest when she was overwhelmed with the re-union.

“Damn it’s good to see you, Major!” shouted Taylor.

“Likewise.”

Taylor released her and turned to Becker, giving him an inquisitive look. He turned back to Chandra.

“Where is Charlie?”

She closed her eyes in sadness.

“Dead? Not a chance!”

“We have no idea,” said Friday.

“What? How?”

Chandra sighed and blurted out in anger.

“Fucking locals in Amiens locked him up, along with Private Walker. They didn’t want us there, and before we could get him back, the Mechs launched a new offensive. He’s behind enemy lines. That’s all we know.”

“And still locked up?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. The whole situations a total mess.”

Taylor shook his head in disbelief, and he could not believe that the Captain was dead. He would not allow himself to believe it. Charlie Jones had become one of his closest friends, and he had lost too much already to believe the Captain had gone. Before he could dwell on it any longer, Becker stepped forward.

“I am sorry for your loss, Major. I worked with the Captain, and he was a fine man.”

Taylor nodded in agreement, the best, he thought. He peered into Becker’s eyes, trying to identify him.

“I am Captain Becker. My armoured section has been attached to your company.”

“Where is the rest of your division now, Captain?”

“I don’t know, Major. Me and my men are part of this Company now. You are our new family.”

Taylor smiled. He liked the Captain already, but he didn’t replace Jones.

“Armour? We could have done with you last week.”

“We could have done with more of everything last week,” said Chandra.

With that in mind, the Major turned and looked around at the vast research facility and some of the hardware displayed behind Taylor.

“I see you really are working on new equipment.”

“Commander Phillips sent you here to assist?” asked Taylor.

“I don’t even know where the Commander is. What I can tell you is that if we hold anything in France anymore, it can’t be much more than a few kilometres. The enemy is approaching at a rapid speed. New defences are being set up all the time.”

“I am told that the Russians are sending fresh divisions west to assist, as is Poland, the united Yugoslavian nations and several other countries,” stated Taylor.

“It’ll help bolster the defences for sure, but we can’t throw troops at this forever while we lose ground on an almost daily rate. So what is this new equipment you are trialling?” snapped Chandra.

“Sorry, Major, but can you come with me so we can talk privately?” he interrupted.

Chandra initially thought to snap back at him, but then she remembered all that they had gone through together. She nodded and he led her to the excluded conference room. As soon as they were out of sight of the others, Taylor snapped around and blurted out his question.

“What the hell are we doing about getting Jones back?”

“There’s nothing we can do at this stage. Our forces are taking a beating, and even if the Captain is still alive, he’s a long way behind their lines.”

Taylor slammed his fist down on the conference table beside them.

“Damn it, that’s not good enough, Major!”

“If you think for a moment that I wouldn’t give everything to get him back, then you are very much mistaken. Jones is one of finest soldiers I have ever known, but there’s nothing more we can do for him now. The best thing we can do is give our all to fight back their offensive, and give our whole planet some chance of survival!”

Taylor groaned as he turned and paced around the room. The frustration made him want to hit something, but he knew he must restrain himself.

“We’re going to lose many more friends before this is over, and we may not even live to see its outcome. I repeat, all we can do is, give our all,” Chandra said quietly.

“And if our all is not enough?”

“Then we die trying but with honour and pride. We will die as brothers among our comrades.”

“That’s not much of a relief, Major.”

“No, but I’m giving it to you straight. We have a job to do, so let’s do it.”

A light flashed on the intercom on the desk, followed by a buzzer. Taylor stepped forward and smashed down on it hard with his fist.

“What is it?”

“Sir, I have General White for you.”

“Put him through!”

The wall beside them flickered and lit up with a video feed from the General’s command centre. He stood in the centre of a room surrounded with personnel and screens.

“General, this is Major Chandra. She commands the combined company we have here.”

“I know who the Major is. Good to finally meet you.”

He turned his gaze to Taylor.

“Major. Enemy forces have struck along much of the eastern seaboard. We had a lot more time to prepare the defences than you did in France. We’ve repulsed many of their best efforts, but they have still gained a foothold in several locations.”

“Think you can fight them off, Sir?”

“We’re giving them hell, Major. Canadian forces are re-enforcing us from the north, but the South Americans are still struggling and losing territory down south. We do not have the resources to assist them. National Guard and regular forces are already amassing on the Mexican border, but I pray to God they are not needed.”

“What can I do for you, General?”

“The equipment that you have been testing is starting to be produced in domestic factories, but it has still not been combat tested. I want reports as to its combat effectiveness. Following that, production will be out of your hands, but we need continuous development.”

“I am a combat officer, Sir, not a scientist.”

“You’ll be whatever we need you to be, Major. I want that equipment tested under fire! I’ll expect your report by the end of tomorrow.”

The transmission cut off and Taylor turned to Chandra.

“Easy for him to say.”

“We’re fighting and dying every day, so what more is another fight?”

“True.”

“So this equipment you have, ready to fill me in?”

Taylor nodded as he contemplated the General’s words.

“Is it really that big a deal?”

“See for yourself.”

Taylor led the British Major back out into the main research facility where Becker was closely studying the test hardware. They turned to see that Reiter was approaching with a broad grin across his face.

“Major, I have twenty-five suits ready for further evaluation.”

“Have them brought outside. I have some new test pilots!”

“Assuming this stuff even works, can we get it made in time?” asked Chandra.

“Production is already getting up and running, so I hope so.”

Taylor stepped forward and led them out of the facility to greet the rest of the troops. The Major stepped out to a cry of excitement from a few of them. Others joined in as they realised who he was, but he didn’t recognise them. He held up his hand to quieten them down. The Major looked across at their faces, and he knew only half of them.

“Welcome to Ramstein! For those of you that are new to the Company, I am Major Taylor. I was sent here to test equipment that will hopefully radically increase the combat effectiveness of the individual soldier many times over.”

A large shutter door in the facility opened behind him to reveal a storage and manufacturing plant area. A number of lab scientists wheeled out cradles carrying the equipment that Chandra had only gotten a brief glimpse of moments before. The troops watched as he strapped himself into one of the sets and lifted up the hulking weapon which looked as if it could only be vehicle mounted.

“This equipment will make you stronger and faster. It will provide protection from enemy small arms to your most vital areas. You will have greater firepower and more ammunition.”

“Sir, why haven’t we had this kind of equipment before?” shouted Yorath.

Taylor sighed as he thought, damn right, why haven’t we?

“The fact is that one set of this equipment will cost more than your salary for a few years. No government on Earth has been willing to develop and pay for this equipment for combat roles when we had not been at war for generations. The exoskeleton has seen some non-combat usage, but its cost has been prohibitive to mainstream purchase.”

“And what, governments are suddenly able to pay for it all!” fumed Yorath.

Taylor looked across at the blank faces of the troops, all wanting to know why they had been left underequipped.

“If you want peace, prepare for war. An age old truth that is long forgotten, in lieu of subsidising areas that will increase politicians’ votes. That was the reality of the world we used to live in. Today the world has changed, and humanity has changed. The resources required will go where they are most needed, and right now the war effort is all that matters.”

“And if this equipment had been developed and issued decades ago, perhaps we would not have lost France,” shouted Suarez.

“True, but that time has been and gone. Let’s not waste valuable time on wondering what could have been, and focus on what we can achieve! You say we have taken a beating in this war, I say the enemy gravely underestimated our resolve and capabilities.”

Several of the men looked confused and unsure of what the Major meant. They looked around at the blood and dirt covered troops and thought of the great losses and sacrifices they had endured. Yorath spoke up, clearly being one to speak his mind at all times.

“How on earth do you figure that, Major?”

Taylor smiled, glad that the Lieutenant had played into his plan.

“This enemy is a technologically advanced race. And yet, they haven’t completely driven our forces to the wind. They’ve not rolled over our armies like ants. We have stopped them, and we continue to cause significant damage to their forces. We’re down, but we’re not out! We know we can kill those bastards, and we know we can stop them!”

Several nodded and grunted in response. They thought back to the first triumph in Paris when they drove back the Mechs from the city. They were not an invincible foe.

“We have a chance here. A chance to be better soldiers than we could ever be. The first production equipment here desperately needs testing. Are you willing to take the fight to the enemy? Do you want to give them a damn good ass-whooping?”

The troops leapt up with a cry of excitement.

“Alright! Settle down! We’ve got twenty-five sets that are ready for action. Take a rest and get some food in you. At 1300 hours your task is to become accustomed to this gear. Get used to the way it moves, the increases in strength and speed you will feel. Test the weapons on the range. By the evening I want you ready to move, and in the morning we take this gear into action!”

He looked across their faces, seeing at least a spark of excitement as they waited for his final word.

“Any questions?”

“Sir, who’s in charge here?” asked Yorath.

“The Company is led by Major Chandra. However, the development and testing project here is under my command. I’m here to make sure this equipment is up to the task, but we’re all under the command of the Major as far as operations are concerned. That’ll be all, fall out and get some chow!”

They quickly drifted apart as they followed the signs to the mess hall. It was a welcome relief after the weeks of living on field rations.”

Captain Friday strode up to Taylor, seeing that there was more concern in his eyes than just the threats they had faced since arriving in Europe.

“What’s bothering you, Mitch?” he asked.

“Aside from the pressure to make this work, and the vast armies approaching us?”

“Yeah, I know General White has been in touch with you, so it must be about more than just this equipment.”

Taylor nodded.

“Mech forces have attacked across the Eastern seaboard. Our forces have repulsed several of the landings, but a few have gained a foothold on US soil.”

“It was inevitable.”

“Doesn’t make it any easier to take in. Our homeland has been invaded by foreign forces for the first time in its history, and we aren’t there to defend it.”

“But tens of thousands of troops are, as well as hundreds of thousands of armed civilians. We have the 2nd Amendment for a reason.”

“And you think that’s right? Civilians should have to fight and die in our place?”

“We’re fighting the same war. Any amount of progress we make here helps our country.”

“And our families?”

“We both know they are a long way from this conflict, as far as anyone can hope to be. If any harm reaches them, then it’s because the rest of us have failed.”

“I should never have brought us here,” said Taylor.

He sighed as he thought about the horrific casualties his company had endured, whittling the marine unit down to less than a platoon within an amalgamated force. He turned away from the Captain to be greeted by the face of Eli Parker who strode towards him. Then it struck him, the reason they had gotten to where they were that day.

Was it all worth it? Taylor asked himself. He knew in his heart that it was. They’d have to fight this war somewhere, here was as good as any.

“Major, you should get some food and rest, you’ll need your strength,” mused Eli.

He smiled. Had it been from anyone else he would have taken offense at the suggestion that he might be fatigued. She noticed the Captain Friday’s stern face behind the Major, clearly concerned for them all.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“About as good as it can be,” replied Taylor.

“Let’s get that chow,” countered Friday.

The Major turned and nodded to Chandra to follow him. She was pawing at the new equipment and inquisitively studying it. As much as she was eager to put it to the test, she would quite happily take some time off before the process began. She strode up to Taylor and followed the troops to the mess hall.

“How far do you think their armies are from here now?” asked Taylor.

“Maybe fifty kilometres or so. We can’t keep retreating like this forever.”

“Agreed. If we don’t put a stop to their advances soon, we risk losing entire divisions as they get cut off.”

“I am sure Dupont has something in mind.”

“I hope so,” replied Taylor.

Forty minutes later the officers stood by the new sets of equipment, watching the troops strap them on and begin to familiarise themselves with it all. It was at least a relief to see that the new gear came naturally to them. Within minutes, they were running and leaping across the terrain, operating the weapons.

Taylor smiled as he watched the troops have a laugh and joke as they put the exoskeleton suits through their paces and were astonished at the psychical advantages it gave them. Monty charged towards Taylor and Chandra at immense speed as if he intended to plough through them. He came to a quick halt with a grin on his face.

“I’m impressed so far, Major. But how about these guns, are they going to do the trick?”

“A damn sight better than anything we have right now…”

Taylor’s words were cut short by the sharp crack of a siren ringing out across the base. The Company stopped and looked all around them for answers. This can’t be good, thought Taylor. Seconds later a voice rang out on the loudspeakers on the buildings all around them.

“All combat personnel report for duty! All senior officers assemble at drill square B.”

The commands were repeated as everyone looked around for answers.

“Surely they can’t be on us already?” asked Silva.

“We wouldn’t be called for anything less,” said Chandra.

She turned to see that the entire Company had stopped in mid task to await her orders.

“Platoon commanders, assemble your troops, be ready for combat in ten and await further instructions. Be ready, that’s all.”

She turned to Taylor. They both knew the war had reached them once again, but they didn’t want to believe it.

“With me, Major.”

The two officers rushed quickly to the designated site. Both still wore their rifles slung on their backs. In the new age of total war, there was never a time to be without a weapon. They arrived to find the General of the base standing in front of his personal vehicle. There were just ten senior officers gathered. Ramstein had long lost its former glory as a major US base.

“I’ll be short, Gentlemen. Enemy forces have breached the defence line on the border and are heading for us. Re-enforcements are en route, but we have been tasked with bringing their advance to a standstill at the western edge of the base until relief arrives.”

“What is the enemy strength, Sir?” asked Chandra.

“We don’t know.”

She gasped, that was not good news.

“What is our strength?” asked Taylor.

“We can assemble just over four hundred troops on top of your own people. Do you think it can be done?”

“Without any intel on the incoming forces, your guess is as good as mine, General!”

“Major Chandra, you are the most experienced combat officer in charge here, so I am placing you in command of the defence of this base. The rest of you are to report to the Major immediately. That’ll be all, good luck to you all.”