She looked around to see there were many as doubtful as Eli, but they were equally as eager to get to their feet and have something to do. They left in silence. They were glum and deep in thought as they headed to their billets to get their gear. Taylor could see they had the walk of men and women who were expecting to face their death. There was not a lot he could say to quell their fears, for it was a likely possibility.
Taylor was stood in his bedroom assembling his gear when the door swung slowly open, and he turned his head around to see Parker stride through the door. He turned as she leapt into his arms with a kiss. He pulled her back to see the trickle of tears on her face.
“What’s happened?” he insisted.
She shook her head as she sobbed and was unable to get out any words. It struck him that it was the most passionate they had been together since before he had been sent to prison. He felt cold inside. Taylor remembered the soothing nights they had spent together, a safe haven from all their troubles. It was a love he had almost forgotten after the despair and misery he had endured.
“We’ll make it through this,” he whispered.
“Like Friday, Sugar and countless others? I can’t lose you, not after everything.”
“Hey, we’ve been through worse.”
“Really? Karadag nearly killed you the last time you met, and now you’re going to hunt him down?”
“I won’t be alone this time. We can do this together.”
He hauled her in close and hugged her tightly, hoping it would give some comfort, but he could see there was little chance of that until they had all returned safely. It was understandable, knowing the odds they faced.
“How can we keep doing this? Much more, and there’ll be none of us left.”
Taylor sighed. He knew how she felt, but he also knew above all they must keep faith.
“And if we aren’t fighting and dying, who is? This is what we do. It is what we trained for, what we are paid for, and what we have a duty to do. I want to be with you for the rest of my life, but so does every other loving couple. Most can’t make a difference in this war.”
She wept further. Eli knew she should remain stronger in the face of all danger, but it was hard to imagine a life without the happiness they had found together.
“In all these years, I never thought I’d find love, and now just when it happens, a wedge is driven between us.”
“The only way we can find peace is to end this war. End it for good. We cannot keep fighting this war of attrition. Our mission could end it in one fell swoop, isn’t that worth trying for?”
She stepped back and wiped the tears from her face, trying to regain some composure. She didn’t like being so weak and helpless, but neither could she hide the feelings she had so recently come to appreciate so dearly.
“I’m gonna kill that bastard, and you’re gonna be right there with me when I do!” he stated.
She nodded, but he could see she was far from confident. She hugged him once again, stepped back and turned towards the door. He rushed forward and grabbed her arm. She was hauled around and back into his arms.
“Don’t think we aren’t going to make it through this. I need you to have faith in me, in all of us. I need you to be the best marine you can be.”
Her face grew taut and her posture straightened. She would not let another tear reach her skin. Taylor couldn’t tell if she was putting on a brave face for him or genuinely had faith. But at least she won’t demoralise the others, he thought. Taylor pulled on his Reitech suit over the German camouflage BDU that still appeared as almost new.
By the time he left the billets, the Company was already streaming towards the landing zone in dribs and drabs. The German Company was already formed up and awaiting their arrival. Their uniforms were well worn, and several displayed recent battlefield cuts and scars, but they all wore brand new Reitech equipment on top. Their leading officer stood before the Company, waiting for Chandra and Taylor. He saluted as they approached.
“Hauptmann… uh Captain Wittman, 391st Mechanised Infantry Battalion.”
Chandra stepped up informally to the officer and shook his hand.
“Thank you, Captain. I’m sure you have been fully briefed on your part in this mission?”
“Yes, Ma’am, we ensure the safety of your Company from the surrounding enemy forces. We will have your backs covered.”
“You realise what that means, Captain? You’ll have the weight of all forces in the area bearing down on you.”
“You do what you have to do, Major. We are no strangers to war anymore, and we will do our duty.”
The Captain relaxed and smiled as he recognised Mitch.
“Major Taylor, I never thought I would meet you in person. How have you come so far and still be alive?”
Taylor smiled as he shook the hand of the German officer.
“I can’t say all my friends have been so lucky.”
The two Majors looked down the line of the German Company and could see that they were little more than one hundred and twenty strong.
“You look as if you have seen more than enough action yourselves,” added Taylor.
“No, this war is not an experience I would wish on anyone. But it has come down to us.”
“Good to have you with us, Captain,” replied Chandra. “We’ll be loading in five. Good luck, and may we both succeed for the sake of everything and everyone.”
The German officer saluted confidently. Chandra already knew he was more than capable of doing what was being asked of him. She gestured for Taylor to follow her to where Captain Jones had assembled their Company. Charlie stood at ease before the troops. He was still doing his job, but the fire in his eyes and the joy in his heart had long gone. He had become so soulless that he was almost a machine.
“Thank you, Captain,” shouted Chandra.
It saddened her to see her friend as a shell of the man he used to be. She had looked forward to his return more than anything in their current lives, but she could not help pity the man he now was.
“You all know what we must achieve. Our Generals believe that what we accomplish here could end it all. We cannot fail. We cannot falter, and we cannot stop at any price! Many of us may die here today, but all that matters is that Karadag dies. If we fail, our armies face the biggest threat they have ever known. This mission may likely determine the outcome of the entire war.”
She strode along the lines as the troops stood silently awaiting their departure.
“I thank you all for following me into the fire. We have stood together from the very beginning. None of you have faltered. We will fight, and if necessary die together. Good luck to you all. Emplane and prepare for immediate departure!”
“Fall out!” shouted Jones.
The troops rushed towards the three enemy craft that were awaiting them. Few had ever seen the monstrosities up close. Experience had shown they were built as a mixed fighter-bomber that could carry a dozen of the airborne Mechs. The Air Force engineers had stripped out much of the hardware and converted the internals to provide substantial personnel transport bays.
Taylor stepped inside to see Rains at the cockpit, which had been retrofitted at the console as well with as several other human manufactured pieces of equipment.
“Good to see you, Eddie. I thought Schulz would have had your balls by now.”
Rains chuckled.
“He saved his wrath for you. I’m just a pilot. I go where I’m posted and do as I’m told.”
“You really believe you can get us past their defences in these heaps of junk?”
“I figure so. Those bastards have become wise to our tricks, and they’ve been identifying my Eagle, despite the modifications. They must be relying heavily on visual identifiers, which is sensible considering.”
He tapped his hand on the alien console.
“With these babies, we should glide right in there.”