“Thank you, General, I’ll assemble our forces immediately.”
“Good luck, Prime Minister.”
The line switched off and Olsen looked at the others with utter shock about his face.
“Sir, we have to start now,” said Taylor.
“Yes, yes I understand. Form all troops immediately, I’ll leave the details to you men.”
“Commander, Colonel. You surely have a lot of work ahead of you, with your permission I should see to my own men and get them ready.”
“Get to it, Major,” said Kelly.
Taylor rushed out of the room, nodding to his two marines on the way out to follow him. He didn’t even break stride to say a word to them. The Major was shaking his head in dismay. It was obvious that this sort of threat existed days ago and the authorities did nothing. In that time they could have deployed several divisions to the Moon or evacuated the entire colony to the safety of Earth. He tapped his intercom.
“Taylor to Deveron, come in, over.”
“This is Deveron, over.”
“I need a direct line to General White, can you organise that for me?”
“Sir, he is already waiting to speak with you.”
“Put him through.”
The Major continued to stride through the vast Civic building as he was put through to the General.
“Major Taylor, you’re about to be hit by a shit storm, we both know that. We also know that if you are faced with any serious force you’ll never hold out.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Your orders are simple, your number one priority is Prime Minister Olsen. He knows a tremendous amount about Earth’s governments, its workings, strengths and security. He is a major asset to any enemy. You are to protect him at all costs. If possible, in situ, if that proves impossible, evacuate immediately. If there is any risk of him falling into enemy hands, you put two in the chest and one in the head. Do I make myself clear?”
“Absolutely, Sir, and the rest of the civilians?”
“You have your orders, Major. Protect the Prime Minister, bug out if need be. The most valuable assets to us are the Prime Minister’s life and the men at your command!”
The Major looked around to be certain that no one other than his marines could hear as he was horrified at what he was hearing.
“Sir, you want us to leave the civilians and UEN forces to die?”
“Taylor, get this into your head. Big shit is going down, potentially world changing. Tough times call for tough measures, you do what you have to do, more importantly, what you’re ordered to!”
“Affirmative!”
“Okay, keep me in the loop, over and out.”
Taylor reached Captain Friday and Lieutenant Suarez who had set up a command post in one of the quiet offices of the ugly and utilitarian building. He pulled back a chair and slumped into it with a sigh.
“What is it, Sir?” asked Suarez.
Taylor looked up at his officers, five of his command staff were present.
“Shut the door.”
Captain Friday did as ordered, in his usual silent and efficient manner.
“We aren’t here to safeguard the population. Our orders solely revolve around Prime Minister Olsen. His protection is our only concern. If we cannot protect him here, we are to pull out evac him to Earth immediately.”
“And just leave everyone behind?”
“Fact is, Suarez, if it gets to that point, there won’t be much we do can for them.”
The room went silent. None of them could believe that they were being asked to leave civilians behind in the case of disaster.
“I know it sucks, but it’s our job. Now, I want the Deveron docked on the roof of this building. Officially it’ll be there to act as a static gun defence, which will at least in part be true. It will also be ready for an immediate bug out should we need it. We’ve got a few hours, get the men on rotation and make sure everyone gets at least a couple of hours kip. With any luck there’ll be no fighting at all, but let’s be prepared for the worst.”
Hours had passed with little rest for any involved. Major Taylor stood beside the Prime Minister as they watched the hulking vessel approach. The communications officers continued to put out signals in multiple languages, as well as light and sound communication. They had received no response. Mitch tightened his grip around his gun, he had a bad feeling about what they were about to face.
The Prime Minister and all other key command staff were in the emergency command and control centre that was built below the surface of the Civic Centre. It was intended to be a centre for use during environmental disasters or internal threats to the safety of officials. All watched open mouthed at the monitors as the huge vessel soared towards them.
The vessel was the size of a city. You would be hard pressed to explain its actual shape with so many protruding structures that appeared to be fins and aerials. The finish of the vessel was harsh and industrial, as if it was bare ironwork in a factory. It was an ugly ship in every way, but no less imposing. It was elongated with vast engines at its rear and an aggressive and ugly prow resembling a hammerhead shark.
“They’re three miles out, Sir.”
“I don’t want anyone showing any aggressive action at all, let’s not provoke a war,” said Olsen.
They watched in amazement as a huge door opened on the mouth of the vessel, though it was small in scale to the ship. The space glimmered as camouflaged ships poured out in their dozens.
“Look at that, the way they blend into space,” said Kelly.
“Yes, a chameleon camouflage technology, something we never managed to develop to an operational standard. You don’t use such devices when you come in peace,” replied Taylor.
“Easy, Major, let’s not jump the gun.”
“Sir, our comms are being jammed, we’ve gone dark,” said Visser.
“Prime Minister, this is an attack, do not let them invade unopposed!” shouted Taylor.
“Major Taylor, must I remind you who is in charge!”
“Gentleman!” Kelly shouted.
They turned to see the craft descending on their colony. It was impossible to make out the total number as their camouflaging technology meant that they were difficult to spot and count, but it was already at least fifty.
“We must find some way to make contact,” said Olsen.
“Can we access any of the video feeds, Commander?” asked Taylor.
“Only from cameras in and on this building which are connected directly, all others are jammed along with comms.”
They heard a loud striking noise as one of the unidentified vessels landed against the side of the civic building. There was silence for several seconds as every person in the room anxiously awaited their next action.
“I need to investigate that personally, keep the blast doors shut and only open them when I return!” Taylor ordered.
“Major, this could be a first contact situation, I must be there!”
“Sit down, Prime Minister! Everything we know and have seen so far suggests the actions of a hostile force, you will go nowhere near them until I am satisfied!”
Olsen dipped his head. He was angry for being put in his place, but he knew how foolish he was being. It was potentially a very exciting time and he was letting it get the better of him.
“Alright, Major, investigate, but do not in any way show aggression.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The Major hit the large button that opened the broad blast doors and stepped out. The foot-thick doors sealed behind him. In front of him stood Lieutenant Wilson and the whole of Alpha platoon, as well as half of his command section.
“Alpha with me, the rest of you, do not let anyone pass but me, I don’t care who they are!”
Taylor took his rifle firmly in both hands and led the platoon directly for the area where they’d heard the ship land. A moment later they could hear heavy cutting equipment being used and a few screams of panic as staff members ran in fear of the harrowing sounds. Their civic building was being breached. Taylor had no idea who the enemy might be, but he knew firmly that they were not the actions of a peaceful people.