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.”