Phillips reached out his hand to shake Chandra’s. She was left speechless as he turned and left. She peered out at the eight hundred troops she now commanded in astonishment. They all wore a new camouflage pattern that had become an Allied standard and made them look scruffy by comparison. Taylor leant in and whispered to her.
“They are awaiting a speech.”
She nodded as she snapped out of the daze and stepped forward. She coughed and cleared her throat, finally finding her words.
“Welcome to Reims, and the 2 ^nd Inter-Allied Battalion! During the last year, we have fought over these lands as if they were our own. The divide between countries and nationalities is over. We stand now as humans, united against a common enemy. I know you have all seen your fair share of combat in this bloody war, but that was just the beginning.”
She stepped forward and walked along the row of troops that were twenty ranks deep. She bellowed at the top of her voice, so she could just about be heard in all corners.
“We started this war ill prepared. We didn’t have the experience, the weapons. We blundered through until our sheer stubbornness, adaptability, and our heroism got us through. That time is over. We have the equipment, the support, and the knowledge. In the coming days, we will leave this planet to take the fight to the enemy.”
She paused for a second to get her breath back.
“There are no green troops here today, only combat hardened veterans. Today is not for training. Inter-Allied is a family, and we have a bond that makes us unbreakable. Tomorrow we begin training as a battalion, but today your mission is to make that bond with each other. Get your billets in order, settle in, but most importantly, get to know those who will alongside you. Welcome to the Immortals!”
Cheers rang out across the Battalion, sending a shiver down her spine. It was a level of excitement she had not heard in a long time. For so long she had seen their number dwindle, and she never thought she’d see the day that they were once again a formidable force.
“That’ll be all. Fall out!”
Ecstatic cheers rang out once again as the NCOs relayed the command, the columns split apart, and the troops mixed.
“That was quite a speech,” exclaimed Taylor.
“I hope so. I never thought to plan anything. If I am completely honest, I was sceptical that anyone would turn up,” she replied.
“No faith,” he jested.
“In you, yes, but in those who made you promises, not so much.”
Lieutenant Grey signalled for several of his soldiers to carry over crates that they were unloading from the copters. They lugged the boxes as the other officers still stood marvelling on the foray of shiny new equipment.
“Colonel Chandra, I was instructed to deliver this equipment to you. The latest uniforms for the whole of your Company here.”
She looked at the Lieutenant in shock, never before had they been given such priority. She turned to Taylor.
“You really did kick over more than a few stones, Major. Sergeant Silva, I will leave the distribution of this equipment in your hands.”
She looked out at the shabby Company she had led through the worst of it. They wore a ragged mix of overcoats that had been acquired in any way possible from any service or civilian source. Many of their uniforms were ripped and patched over with ingrained blood and dust that was immovable.
“It’ll do the troops a lot of good. We’ve been a ramshackle mix since we were first merged.”
Another officer rushed up to Jackson’s side and stopped to salute the Colonel. The woman was of Asian descent and stood surprisingly tall beside the Captain.
“Colonel Chandra,” stated Jackson. “This is Lieutenant Ota, my second in command.”
“Welcome, Lieutenant.”
“Thank you, Ma’am.”
“I want all senior NCOs and officers to join me at the mess. Follow me,” ordered Chandra.
It wasn’t long before the group were enthralled in conversation around the same table they had sat arguing whether or not to continue fighting, only two days before. Chandra could see that new life had been breathed into the troops. More so than anything, she was grateful to have Taylor back on her side.
“Lieutenant Grey, you said the officers of your Company were killed in one unlucky attack, how did you survive?”
Grey sat up tall. She could tell he was an immensely proud man, but curiosity required her to know his story.
“My CO and all the officers of the Company were in a briefing with the Colonel of our Battalion and many other officers. It was an emergency meeting called in the field. Their command vehicle was struck by enemy artillery, just bad luck I am afraid. As for how I escaped that fate, I was not an officer but CSM at the time. I was promoted in the field after the attack.”
“Company Sergeant Major to Lieutenant? Got to be a kick in the balls?” asked Jones.
“It’s certainly been a challenge, Sir,” he replied.
Jones chuckled. “Amongst us at this table, you don’t need to call anyone Sir.”
“Are you happy in your new role, Lieutenant?” asked Chandra.
“Honestly, Ma’am?”
“Speak freely here.”
“I would never have chosen it, but I will continue to do what is required of me. I didn’t sign up to the Army thinking I could have my own way.”
Chandra laughed.
“Well, Lieutenant, you’ll fit in here just fine.”
Chapter 8
It was a new day and a seemingly new dawn for Inter-Allied. Chandra and Taylor stood before eight hundred of the finest soldiers Earth had to offer, and they were theirs to do with as they saw fit.
“Hell of a sight, ain’t it?” asked Taylor.
“Damn right,” Chandra whispered in reply.
She watched as the NCOs make their inspections.
“You know I heard Reiter wasn’t in Ramstein. He’s still alive,” Taylor went on.
“Bloody hell, the crazy bastard’s still with us. Good, we’ll need him.”
They were formed up on the hard standing of the old school. It had been abandoned for so many months that it was beginning to look derelict. The troops fell quiet as the NCOs took up their positions and awaited the Colonel.
“Good morning to you all!” she called. “You all have come from proud units, just as we had. Inter-Allied started as a simple way to combine two key units during the battle for France. As time went on, more were added, to the extent that you could no longer begin to explain our identity. I do not ask you to forget where you came from but to embrace where you are now. We stand together as one!”
A cheer rang out as the NCOs led the call.
“No soldier likes re-organisation. We get used to what we have. I will do my very best to change as little as humanly possible. From now on, the Battalion will be structured as four Companies. Major Taylor will remain second in command for Inter-Allied. Alpha Company will be commanded by Captain Jones and will encompass the remaining members of my old Company, with a number drawn from 2 Para to bring them up to strength.”
She paced along the line and looked to the officers to see Jones nod in gratitude.
“Bravo Company, the remainder of 2 para, will be under the command of Lieutenant Grey. Charlie and Delta are to be led by Captain Jackson and Lieutenant Ota respectively. The US rangers among you are to report to the Charlie and Delta to make up their number.”
She took in a deep breath and looked across at the troops’ faces. They seemed content with the news.
“Lastly, I am appointing Sergeant Silva to Company Sergeant Major. He has been a force of reason and discipline throughout this war, and I cannot think of a better soldier to keep things in order. Congratulations Sergeant!”