“How many of those incubation cells are there?” Taylor asked.
“From what I understand, five hundred thousand or more. That’s a lot of manpower.”
“We need to know what they were planning,” mused Taylor.
“Can’t we just be happy we won?” asked Chandra.
“To lower our guard so soon after a narrow victory would be foolish indeed,” replied White.
The next hour was filled with questions for the two Majors that neither could answer. They were quizzed as if they were intelligence officers, when all they did was fight. After an exhausting grilling by the Command staff, they were finally allowed to leave aboard another plane. The two of them slumped into the comfortable seats of a luxury civilian transport, sighing in relief as they finally laid to rest.
The plane could seat fifty, but only five were aboard. Few would choose to leave the recovering capitol for the ruins of Reims.
“What was the point of it all?” asked Taylor.
“We’ve got to do our best to understand our enemy,” she replied.
“I understand that, but they have experts for that. Our job is to fight.”
“Schulz wanted to revel in his victory. Word is spreading of your defeat of Karadag, but many still do not believe it. There’s no body as proof, no video footage, just the word of one gung ho marine who is hated by Command, and claims to have slain a monster with only the aid and confirmation of his girlfriend. Would you believe it?”
Taylor smiled.
“You should have been there. I still can’t believe we managed it.”
The two went silent as the craft lifted off and headed back to the only home they knew.
“You heard White. Taskforces are being created to hunt down the remaining forces, and we’re right at the top of the list.”
“Because of our reputation, or because certain individuals are still hoping they can get me killed before this is over?”
“Both I should think. The Company is restless. They need something to occupy their minds. We aren’t talking about a meat grinder here. Hunting a handful of Mechs with the numbers and firepower we have should be exactly what we need.”
“Agreed.”
“Captain Jones.”
“What of him?”
“I wasn’t there when you all took on Karadag as you have just mentioned, and your report did not reflect it, but I know Jones went wild. He has had a death wish. Do you believe he is over it?”
“Back then I would have said no, but you saw him with Dubois. He’s a changed man, and back to his old self.”
“You believe it could all change overnight?”
“You’d be amazed what the love of a good woman can do.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I agree, though. I thought we’d lost him for good. On that note, we’ll be getting our orders regarding this new matter tomorrow, and I’m sure that Command will be keen to get us in the field ASAP. I’ve seen enough drunken exploits to last a lifetime. Take it easy tonight, and rest up for the morning.”
Taylor trundled back to his billet. He felt like a week had been crammed into the day, and he was once again left in the lurch, awaiting some news of what they were to do. He opened the door on the popup shelter to find Eli comfortably asleep inside. It wasn’t quite the coming home to his own house experience but was an appealing sight, nonetheless.
As he pulled off his equipment and clothing, she rolled over and slowly came to. A smile came over her face as she watched him take his shirt off and reveal his toned but scarred body.
“Hey, stranger,” she whispered.
“I thought you’d be out having a drink.”
“I figured we’ve done enough damage,” she laughed.
He sat down on the edge of the bed as she got up to hold him. She ran her hands softly over his body. His arms and legs were bruised and scraped from his fall, and he winced in pain as he found so many muscles and bones to be throbbing.
“How much more of this do you think you can survive?” she asked.
“I’m still standing, aren’t I?”
“Just about.”
He turned to see if she was truly worried for him but quickly realized she was merely having fun. His own mortality was always something that prayed on his mind.
“How are we still alive?” he asked. “All the crazy shit we’ve done, and made it through?”
“Our training, skills, common sense, and a heap load of luck.”
Taylor sighed. “That’s reassuring.”
He lay down and took a deep breath as he settled in comfortably beneath the sheets, and Eli huddled up next to him.
“You almost died today,” she whispered. “Remember the rules, never go anywhere alone. Just because the enemy is in retreat, doesn’t mean it’s over. None of us are safe.”
He nodded in agreement. He kicked himself for being so reckless, but without such a visible enemy to fight, it was hard not to try and move on from it all. He felt an immense feeling of satisfaction rush through his body that almost made him shiver.
All the drinking and partying we have done, and this feels a whole world better.
Taylor drifted into a calm and tranquil sleep as if he’d been waiting for it for months.
Chapter 4
Taylor awoke early and feeling fresh, unlike the previous few weeks when his head throbbed. He was up and out of bed in a flash. His ripped and filthy uniform from the day before was gone, and a fresh pristine replacement lay in its place. Parker was already gone, and he could only assume she was responsible for the service.
As he pulled on his clothing, he could hear Silva shouting outside, calling the Company to attention. He rushed to the door as he buttoned his shirt just in time to see a jeep pull up with Commander Phillips on board. The road they had set up in was largely covered by a huge shelter that span the full width to the buildings either side. Mess tables filled the shelter, but a roadway had been maintained through the centre where the officer’s vehicle arrived.
Phillips leapt from the vehicle with a smile as he approached Chandra. Taylor quickly hopped to her side and seemed to be the last soldier to awake.
“Didn’t think we’d be seeing you anytime soon, Sir,” she pondered.
“No, but Command has a new job for your Company, and they have placed me in command of this part of the operation.”
“Search and destroy?” asked Taylor.
Phillips nodded with a surprised expression.
“We were in for quite a surprise yesterday, Sir. It’s clear there is still some fighting to be done here.”
“Well, it’s nice to hear you’re up to speed, Major,” he snapped.
Taylor could see it bothered the Commander that he clearly already knew their orders before they had been relayed. He had passed on General White’s news to Chandra as well, but she saw fit not to put the Commander out of place by saying so. A few minutes later, they were sat at one of the tables, discussing the planned operations as trucks continued to roll through the huge shelter and carrying debris away.
“There have been a number of incidents in previously occupied territories, unfortunate encounters. Some have involved allied troops and been dealt with to varying degrees of success. However, other situations have occurred where civilians have stumbled upon the enemy and no mercy has been shown. The last thing we need is the civilian population living in fear of the monsters hiding in their own backyard.”
“Have there been many fatalities?” asked Chandra.
“A few. Media links are still poor, and that’s saved it from becoming a widespread epidemic. However, that situation can’t last forever. We need these pockets of resistance cleared quickly.”
“How many are we talking?” asked Taylor.
“Quite honestly, we have no idea. We don’t know if these are enemy soldiers who got left behind during their hasty retreat, or if they were planted specifically. All we know is it is seriously hindering our efforts. Clean up crews have to be protected at all times, and that is a logistical nightmare. We’ve also lost a number of soldiers because of these encounters.”