“Welcome back, Major.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Phillips waited for a moment, expecting Taylor to speak, and leading to an uncomfortable silence.
“You know very well that you have caused utter chaos to the Inter-Allied Company, Major. I would have you disciplined for it, but I cannot afford to lose any soldier that can still carry a rifle.”
Taylor ignored the Commander’s ridicule of his actions, only angering Phillips further.
“It still exists then? The Inter-Allied Company?”
“For now, but your troops will remain under the command of Captain Friday.”
Taylor shot a glance at Chandra, trying to understand the circumstances.
“Sir, my marines were sent to assist you and we’ve done a damn fine job of saving your asses. You can’t relieve me of my command!”
Phillips smiled with an amused grin. He had been put out by the insubordination of his officers, and he was now enjoying seeing Taylor suffer a little.
“These aren’t my orders, Major. General White has ordered you to re-deploy to Ramstein Air Base. Apparently, there is some equipment being trialled there which could make a major difference in this war, and he wants you to pursue it.”
Taylor was initially shocked at the news. It was not the disciplinary action or punishment that he had been expecting. That surprise quickly turned to concern and anger.
“Sir, I can’t just leave my marines out here!”
“You’ll do as you are ordered, Major!”
He dipped his head and shook it in disbelief. After having narrowly survived and got back to his companions, he was once more being dragged away from them. He looked up to Chandra and Jones, but he could see that he had no choice but to comply. Deep down he knew it was the right thing to do, but it saddened him to leave his friends once more.
“Alright, Commander, fill me in.”
“As you can imagine, Major, our leaders are not confident about our situation in this war. Holding Paris has been our only major victory yet, and it may not last. The enemy is enveloping the city, and we believe they are building up to a major offensive. While we are going to need every soldier we can get, your task may be more vital than any one of ours.”
“This technology, what is it?”
“I only know a little, Major, but from what I hear it could greatly increase the combat affectivity of our units.”
“If it’s experimental, then how can we hope to get any of it into production fast enough?”
“You leave that to those who manage such things, Taylor. If we can hold out, then this war could go on for some time, so we need to pursue every avenue that could give us an edge in this battle.”
“When do I leave?”
“An Air Force transport is putting down as we speak. I want you to take Sergeant Silva with you. He’ll be a valuable asset, and it will give you both a chance to heal up.”
“And the rest of the company, Sir?”
“Chandra will remain in command in a non-combat role from this location. The company will be deployed at the defences of the city.”
“And these orders come directly from General White?”
The Commander could see the doubt in Taylor’s eyes. He didn’t much like his tone and questioning of authority.
“I haven’t got time for your games, Major. You’re shipping out and that’s final.”
Mitch nodded as he knew there was no merit in arguing further. After all his struggles, he felt that he was letting his friends down to leave them at the greatest battle that had been seen in their lifetimes.
“This better be worth it,” he countered.
Phillips stared at the Major. He hated his lack of respect, but could not help but give him some leeway after the brutal days he had seen.
“That’ll be all, Major.”
Taylor turned to leave but stopped and looked back at the Commander.
“I assume no actions will be taken again Captain Jones and Major Chandra for their hand in yesterday’s events?”
The Commander glared at him, and he was fuming inside.
“I do not have a choice in the matter, Major. You and your colleagues are reckless and subordinate, but you’re also some of the finest combat officers. As much I hate to say it, Major, we’re stuck with each other.”
Taylor grinned wickedly. He had the Commander over a barrel. All he wanted to do was get the job done and he didn’t need anyone getting in his way.
“Fall out, Major, you’ve got places to be.”
He nodded and strolled out from the room. He felt in part relieved that they were all okay, but also saddened to be leaving them once again. He walked out into the daylight to be greeted by Friday and the other two marines, all eager for the word. He looked to Friday.
“Captain, you’re taking charge of the marines, so I suggest you get in there to receive your marching orders.”
He turned to the other two marines, but the Captain interrupted him before he could speak.
“Where are you heading, Mitch?”
Taylor could see the concern in the Captain’s eyes. They had been good friends for a long time.
“To Ramstein. Those are our orders, and this time I want you to stick to them. You’ll remain under Chandra’s command. Good luck, Captain.”
Friday nodded and stepped past into the Commander’s vehicle. Taylor turned back to Ortiz and Campbell who were hanging on to his every word. It occurred to him that he had absolutely no idea where their troops were.
“Where’s the company?”
“Just around the corner, Sir,” replied Ortiz.
“Lead on.”
“Sir, if you don’t mind me saying, this is bullshit. We’ve lost enough already, how can we be split up now?” asked Campbell.
Taylor sighed, and their faces showed despair at losing the Major they had only recently got back.
“We’re marines. We go where we are told, fight when ordered to and die when called for. Where I am going, and what I am doing, could change our fate in this war. Stay the course, follow Chandra as you have me, and we may get through this.”
Campbell nodded, but he felt no happier about the situation.
“I don’t like it either, but we have a job to do, so let’s do it.”
The marine dipped his head, a little shamed at his doubt in their orders. He lifted his head up with a smile, pulling himself together.
“Semper fi, Sir.”
Taylor nodded in appreciation. They’d come from a long heritage of combat soldiers, but none of them could ever have predicted that they would themselves see such dire times. He gestured for the two men to lead on.
Jones stepped through into Phillips command vehicle.
“Ah, Captain, I assume the Major has sent you forth?”
“Yes, Sir,” he muttered.
“Take a seat, all of you.”
The three officers sat about the briefing table as the Commander walked around them in deep thought. They all knew that a grilling was coming. Phillips smiled as he paced around them all. They had all contravened his orders, and in doing so left them still in France.
“Captain Jones. Did I not give you a direct order to ensure that you were to ship out yesterday?”
He continued to pace around the room, speaking in a slow and steady voice.
“Did I not give you those exact orders in person?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Major Chandra, was I unclear about the time and location of your pickup?”
“No, Sir!” she exclaimed.
“Did I not specifically order you not to pursue Major Taylor?”
Chandra turned and glared at him. She knew they had done the right thing. Commander Phillips knew they had also, but he could not let them get away with breaking his orders so easily.
“And, Captain Friday, were you not posted to the western lines?”
“Yes, Sir, though our patrol was over, so we pursued the Major in our down time.”
The Commander spun around, glaring at the Captain and ready to explode. He took a deep breath and calmed himself.