“Really? You don’t think she’s kicking back for a bit?”
He turned and looked to see if she was being serious before nodding with a smile.
“No way.”
He looked at his watch and sighed.
“We gotta go.”
“Ah, come on,” she pleaded.
“Hey, we’re living like kings compared to what we had to put up with, so let’s appreciate what we have. We’re still marines, remember that.”
She sighed. She knew he was right, but getting out of bed in that moment seemed like the least logical action in the world to both of them. Eli groaned once again as she sat up and reached for her shirt. She stopped for a moment, looking at Taylor.
“Inter-Allied, what will happen to it now?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“The war is over. We’re divided by the Atlantic and of different nations, and we have no headquarters or official status.”
“The war may be over, but it won’t be the last. One thing this has taught the world, is that our armies need to work more closely with each other. Inter-Allied will continue on. Don’t you worry about that.”
“It’s hard to imagine how it can work any longer. Separated like this, how can we continue the way we were?”
“That’s something to discuss over the coming weeks. For now, I think everyone is just happy to be back home and enjoying a little peace. Or what little peace the Colonel will allow our British friends. Come on, our two Companies will be forming up as I ordered. We can’t be late.”
“You’re in charge around here now, and you can be whatever you want to be,” she said with a smile.
She was clearly touting for more time in bed, and it was an alluring proposition, but he couldn’t allow himself to give in, no matter how tempting.
“Whilst we remain in the Corps, we’ll act like marines, Sergeant.”
She smiled in response at the hilarity of the comment, considering their current situation.
“Hey, I’m not saying a few rules can’t be bent here and there, but we can never let it get in the way of our duties.”
She nodded in agreement.
Ten minutes later, they were out on the parade ground, where Silva had formed up the two Companies Taylor currently commanded. Jackson and Ota were stood chatting until he came in to view. They quickly turned as Silva called the rest of the other ranks to attention. Taylor nodded in greeting and thanks to the Sergeant Major as he came to a halt, taking a deep breath and surveyed the troops before him. Only a few months ago he knew few of their names, and now they were tightly knit comrades.
They were still missing a number from those killed or wounded in combat, but they were at better strength than almost any time during the war.
“Stand easy!”
Mitch was glad to see the relief in their faces that they were once again on home soil and without the ever-imposing danger of the enemy. At the end of Jackson’s Company, the two alien allies stood in formation, mimicking everything the others did. They were still not bound to any platoon or company. All that was certain; they were with Taylor, and they would remain with Inter-Allied. The towering creatures shadowed the men alongside them.
It struck Mitch that none among the Inter-Allied looked upon the two aliens with any doubt or fear any longer. There was no hiding the fact they were different, but they had been accepted within the unit. Like the others, they wore no armour that morning. Their skin-tight body suits had been sprayed in a camouflage pattern that resembled the fabric the rest of them wore, and their sleeves were emblazoned with the same insignia.
On their right arms they wore large Star and Stripes. It was an odd sight to see, but they all knew it was necessary to keep them from being shot by friendly forces.
“Good morning to you all! And what a morning it is!”
He looked up at the gleaming sky, squinting at the low sun that was already promising a blisteringly hot day.
“During the war, you received no leave, no rest, no R amp;R. Our orders are to re-equip and re-assemble to be back on our feet at full combat effectiveness within three weeks. I am sorry I cannot let you take the time we all deserve, but we cannot risk weeks to pass, without getting back on top of things.”
The grimaces of disappointment were hard to conceal. He smiled in response and continued on.
“However, as acting commander of the Battalion on this base, I am issuing you all three days leave.”
Cheers rang out as the troops could barely contain themselves.
“Pipe down!” Silva’s booming voice barrelled around the parade ground, quickly bringing them under control.
“I’ll see you all back here Monday morning, 0600 hours. Until then, your time is your own! Inter-Allied, fallout!”
The cheers and laughter broke out once again as the troops scattered quickly, to find loved ones and any enjoyment they could. Taylor smiled as he watched their sheer joy, but he stopped as he noticed Jafar and Tsengal still stood at ease. Parker leapt to his side in joy, but he brushed her off.
“Hang on a minute.”
He walked over to the two aliens still stood, awaiting their orders.
“I appreciate this brings us to a difficult position. You joined us as soldiers, but there is now not a war to fight.”
“There is always another war on the horizon,” replied Jafar.
Taylor smiled. He wasn’t sure whether to feel comfort in their support, or sadness in that they were probably right.
“You’ve got free movement around this base. Just be sure to be in uniform at all times, and to keep your ID cards handy. We are proud to have you among us. You earned our trust and respect, but it will not come so quickly to the rest of this world.”
“Thank you,” replied Jafar.
Taylor was taken aback by their response, as if they should be thankful for what little faith was placed in them.
“I cannot promise you will be treated fairly by many humans. You must remember the horrors we faced against your kind. There is little you can do that will help them overcome it. They need time. Continue to do what you’re doing, and eventually you’ll, well, fit in.”
“Lieutenant Rains suggested he could use our help,” stated Tsengal.
Taylor turned in curiosity but had no answer where there was not a question.
“May we assist him?”
Taylor nodded. “Of course, I’m sure he could use a hand. Crazy bastard would rather work on his bird than take a little time out.”
“A true warrior,” replied Jafar.
“Maybe, or maybe he just has a screw loose.”
The two creatures looked confused by his statement and went silent.
“I’m out of here. Remember what I said. Stick to base, keep insignia on at all times, avoid restricted areas, and you’ll be just fine. I’ll see you Monday morning.”
Mitch turned and grabbed Parker. She giggled as he tore her away to the jeep they had waiting.
“Where we heading, Sir?” she jested.
“When was the last time you kicked back on a beach, Sergeant?”
She smiled in response. Half an hour later they were at San Onofre, laying in front a beach hut they’d not seen since long before the war had begun. They knew that come the evening it would be a hive of activity, but until the end of the working day, they could enjoy the peace. Time seemed to pass them by as they relaxed and slowly fell into a deep sleep.
The constant bleep of Taylor’s communicator caused him to spring up. He hit the answer button and responded in a croaky voice.
“Taylor.”
“Mitch, you want to get your ass over here now. MPs are here with a particularly abrasive son of a bitch. They are trying to arrest our two alien friends.”
“What? Why?” he asked.
“Nothing they have done. Apparently, they’re acting like they are hunting for spies.”
“Christ, Eddie, where are Jafar and Tsengal now?”
“I hid them in a maintenance room, but they’ll not last long there. I sent the MPs packing, but they’ll soon be back when they find out the two of them were supposed to be here.”