“Damn right, killing these freaks is killing these freaks, wherever you do it,” Martinez mused.
Chen smiled.
“Actually, I’d rather not be fighting anywhere. Life as a soldier used to be an adventure, and a safe one at that. Now look where we’re at.”
“And someday you can go back to that life, Colonel. Wars don’t last forever.”
“As long as you survive them,” he replied.
Martinez turned around so he could see the Colonel with his only good eye.
“Hey, we’ve made it this far. Those bastards thought they’d run us into the ground, and we’re still here, and still standing.”
“And plenty aren’t.”
“You signed up to be a soldier, Colonel. That means you signed up to defend your nation and its people against any threat that may be posed against it. Do you think any soldier ever got to choose his opponent?”
Chen dipped his head in shame. He knew he was being selfish, but it was hard not to be when he was being asked to risk his life for a colony that had in his lifetime felt quite alien. He finally looked up and nodded in agreement. Kelly did not blame Chen for his lack of motivation in fighting for them or wanting to risk his life. The Commander no longer valued his own life. He had grown comfortable with the idea it had been given up for the greater good.
Kelly had lived an easy life as a military Commander of a colony that saw no action to speak of. He had spent much time reading of great battles and commanders of old. He had become well accustomed to what he must do, and the sacrifices he must make. He always admired those officers and leaders who had led from the front, even though it may lead to their deaths. He saw himself like the great Philip of Macedonia. But he also knew he would likely meet the same bloody end that so many great combat leaders did.
A small price to pay, he thought. Kelly’s life had seen little excitement and noteworthy events. He didn’t mind dying for a just cause, but he prayed his exploits would be remembered. Dying alone, and his accomplishments going unknown, was the only thing that scared him anymore. At least now he knew the children and other vulnerable citizens had been saved.
“This is the time we have been waiting for, and the time to strike back on our own terms and with a fair chance. It ain’t gonna get any better than this. Good luck to both of you, and relay my regards and gratitude to your troops, any questions?”
The two men said nothing. Martinez had been numbed of the fear of facing the enemy guns, but Chen had seen little action since arriving. They had mostly spent the last few weeks hiding away from the devils on the surface.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
Kelly slung the launcher over his shoulder and quickly turned, walking away with a quick stride. Martinez followed close behind. As Kelly grew nearer to his troops, he could feel his stomach turn. He had given up hope of survival, but now that a new challenge grew nearer, he could feel concern flooding back into his mind. What if we fail? What if I get them all killed? This could be the end of everything. We can’t fail.
The troops were parted either side of the broad corridors watching the two officers stride past. A few whistles rang out as they saw their leader approach the front line. It was one of the few morale boosting experiences they ever had in their miserable and seemingly hopeless lives. Martinez paced up further, so he could walk beside the Commander.
“Do you think we can do it? Do you really think we can do it this time?”
The Commander’s voice had no concern, and it was calm and considered. He did not raise his voice loud enough for any of the passing troops to hear, nor was he trying to back out.
“Honestly, I think we have a chance, and the best we’ll have.”
“So you weren’t bullshitting?” he asked.
Kelly shook his head side to side.
“If I thought there wasn’t a reasonable chance of success, I would never risk the lives of us all.”
“Really, you sure you don’t just want to go out in a blaze of glory?”
“What use is that when there’ll be no one left to know it happened?”
Martinez smiled. It was the first reassurance he had gotten in weeks. Some might have thought Kelly was a selfish glory hound from such comments, but Martinez took it as a sign that he wanted to live. The two men reached the access doors to the next tunnels that no one had stepped foot through in weeks. The entrance had remained hidden to the Mechs who patrolled the nearby corridors. Kelly turned back to address the closest troops. Lieutenant Perera was at the head of them; a man who was no stranger to the death the enemy could deal out.
“For too long have we hidden in our caves! Every week the enemy breach a new corridor and discover new ways into our homes. Each week we lose more of our friends to such attacks. Eventually, we will run out of places to hide! The Earthers have given us a chance here, a chance to save ourselves. Let’s grasp it with both hands, and kick these alien bastards out of our homes!”
The troops cheered, all but Perera. He was still doubtful, like so many of the officers, that another sally out could work. Few, but those in charge, knew of the death toll from previous actions. Kelly could see the doubt in the man’s face, but he no longer had the time to convince every soldier that they had hope. He turned and grasped the huge wheel locking the door shut.
Martinez and the others watched in suspense as the Commander spun the lock around until the door opened just a millimetre. Kelly didn’t show any caution. He knew he must be confident and forthright. With his weapon still slung across his back, he took the door wheel in both hands and hauled it open. The half-metre thick door creaked as it swung its hinges and rocked back against the wall.
Commander Kelly strutted confidently and triumphantly out into the dusty tunnel without a weapon in his hands. He turned back and looked at the troops who peered on in amazement. They were roused by his seemingly unflinching confidence. A cheer rang out as they rushed forward to join their fearless leader.
Kelly turned on the spot and lifted his weapon. He suddenly became aware that he no longer felt like the old and creaky desk worker close to retiring that he had done. A rationed diet and regular combat had conditioned him. He had shed kilos of weight in the last few months. Gone were his chubby cheeks, replaced by a sharp and grizzled jaw. His armour fitted right. His body felt right, and his troops could see the resolve in his eyes. It’s our time, he thought.
“Let’s take these bastards down!” he cried.
Gone was their calm concern and caution. They got to a jogging pace and rushed down the corridors. The stomping of hundreds of boots echoed down the empty cavities. Kelly turned a bend to find a single Mech stood gazing in awe of the noise and frozen in utter shock at what it saw. Before it could react, the Commander and five others lifted their weapons, releasing a hail of gunfire that killed the alien in seconds.
The troops cried in a bloodthirsty frenzy as they rushed past the body of the invader without even breaking stride. Gunfire erupted in the distance where Chen had made his entrance. Kelly smiled as he recognised the volley of human weapons.
“That’s our lads!” he yelled.
They had cut down another four Mechs without any injury by the time they reached Martinez’s designated corridor. He nodded in recognition to the Commander, lifting his rifle and leading his troops off at the fork. They had maintained a jogging pace through half a kilometre of tunnels and found only a few enemy guards.
“Is this really it? Are we finally taking it all back?” asked Perera.
Kelly turned to see the officer was at the front and by his side.
“This has gone on long enough, and it’s our time,” replied Kelly.
The Commander could see new life in the Lieutenant’s eyes. The hope that had been lost so long ago had returned within minutes. It was all the motivation Kelly needed. He no longer felt tired and beleaguered. It was as if he had awoken a different man that day. They were no longer the hunted.