"How longer after this Purge fleet arrives can we expect the rest of the enemy?" asked Grey.
"From what we understand, it will be about an hour."
"Doesn't give us a whole lot of time to get this done," added Jackson.
"Nope, as always, time is not on our side. However, the element of surprise is. They may be coming for us, but we're gonna hit them in ways they could never have imagined. Anything else?"
"Assuming we get this done and get back off the cruisers, what then?" asked Jones.
"We return immediately to Bailey's fleet and join the rest of the fight."
"And if this fails?" asked Yorath.
"Be under no illusions. If this Planet Killer is able to fulfil its mission, it will be the end of Earth. Everyone on it will be dead, and it will be uninhabitable for centuries. If we cannot stop it, what remains of our fleet will be the last remnants of humanity."
Gasps and whispers filled the room and began to rise in volume.
"All right! Listen up. This is bad, and there is no doubt about that. But we can beat 'em, just like we have before."
"Sir, if this so called Purge fleet is so God damn important, why aren't we getting more resources to deal with it?" asked Jackson.
Taylor took in a deep breath and sighed. He felt just the same.
"The reality is we don't know a lot of intel on the enemy fleet or tactics beyond what Jafar has told us. Admiral Huber is understandably concerned about diverting too many of our forces away from the Planet Killer. There is a possibility that this Purge fleet is merely a distraction to make way for it, in which case we will handle that distraction. I want to turn that on its head and turn their own weapons on them."
"If we can take out this monstrosity, what else can we expect after it?" asked Jones.
Taylor nodded in agreement. That’s the kind of thinking I like.
"That is a valid point. Right now we are concerned with the immediate catastrophic threat to Earth. Even if we succeed in our mission here, there will be no shortage of enemy to fight. The hope is we can do enough damage to break them here and drive them away."
"You think our Navy has that kind of power?" asked Ota.
"I think we have a hell of a chance, yeah. Whatever we do or don't have, the time has come, and we have to make it work."
They all went silent.
"Any other questions? Okay. You know what to do. Get to the boats. Everything you need will be issued at the docking bays. Make sure you have a full compliment of shields. They'll provide more than useful for this boarding action. Good luck to you all."
He stood up and left the room with Parker and Jafar trailing him.
"Permission to accompany you on the first assault?" she asked.
"Denied."
"Mitch?"
He stopped, turned to face her, and replied in a whisper.
"Look, what we choose to do in our own time is one thing, but we must stay professional in our jobs. You have a duty to your platoon. Be there for them like they are there for you."
"But…"
He lifted his hand and put his finger to her lips lightly to stop her.
"But nothing. I'll see you when it's all over. Report to your station, Sergeant."
She knew he was right, but it pained her to have to part from him once again.
"Aye, aye, Sir."
Taylor and Jafar arrived at the docking bay just in time to see the nuclear weapon being carried aboard. Rains stood with his arms crossed, watching with a smile. He looked immensely pleased with the new model craft he had so recently taken delivery of. It was a Stallion class, and despite the pristine body, he had already decorated it with a hand painted half naked lady.
"Woo hoo! Gonna blow some shit up today!" he yelled.
"Taylor smiled. Even in the face of apocalyptical destruction, the Lieutenant was his same cheery self.
"You know whatever pills you’re taking sure would be popular right about now," replied Taylor.
"Oh, come on, Colonel, we're living exciting times! We're about to witness the biggest mothership of all time; big enough to kill every living thing on a planet. We're gonna see it, and then we're gonna blow it to hell!"
"That's certainly the plan. Have you been brought up to speed on what we are doing here?"
"We got it. Fly you in to breach the ships coming our way. All we got to do is deliver you safely and pull you out at the end."
"That about sums it up."
"Easiest thing in the world," replied Eddie with a wide grin.
Taylor lifted his arm to speak into his comms module.
"2nd Inter-Allied. Emplane immediately. Lift off in five."
Jones appeared at his side, ushering their platoon aboard. Among them were some of the Brits that had been with them from the very beginning. Monty and Blinker strode past, greeting the Colonel.
"Shame Colonel Chandra isn't here to see us blow the bastards to hell, Sir," shouted Blinker.
Monty shook his head in shame.
"You remember her when you see the enemy again," replied Taylor.
"Sure will, Sir."
"Load up, Rains."
"You got it."
Taylor was the last aboard. The plan was set now, and all they could do was wait and hope the Purge fleet came as Jafar predicted. The alien was glued to his side throughout.
"Still confident about this plan?"
Jafar nodded.
"I served Demiran for many years. He is predictable. If he is using the Gezgen K'til, then he will do so in the exact manner it was used last and the times before that. No planet has stood against it and the Purge combined."
"Good to know," he replied sarcastically.
The ship lifted off within seconds of him sitting down behind Eddie and his co-pilot.
It gave the Colonel a sense of security to have Rains at the helm and keeping them safe. He had got them through hell many times before. He thought back on all the times they had survived against all odds.
I wonder how much longer our luck can hold out.
Jones could see the lost look in his eyes and quickly responded.
"Hey, it ain't all bad."
Taylor smiled cautiously.
"How'd you figure?"
"We're the Immortals, remember? Failure is not a possibility."
Taylor laughed.
"Whoever named us that can't have seen our casualty lists."
"Maybe it isn't important. It doesn't matter who lives and dies from the Immortals. Only that they struggle on, no matter what. Soldiers from around the World are spurred on by our victories. Their resolve holds because ours does."
"Mmm, but at hell of a cost. Isn't it time someone else took on the mantle?"
"We aren't the only ones fighting. I am sure plenty have had it just as bad."
Taylor nodded in agreement. He knew Jones to be correct, for he had seen the evidence with his own eyes. Thirty minutes later they were in position spread amongst the minefield before Bailey's fleet. The thirty ships she had were staggered into several lines of defence. To reach Earth via a direct path, the enemy would have to go right through them.
"You still sure they won't avoid us all together?" asked Jones.
"Positive. Demiran despises you and will accept nothing short of a full frontal attack. Anything that stands in his way must be crushed."
"Well, allright then. I sure hope you're right."
"He's not wrong," replied Rains.
"What is it?" asked Taylor.
"The Neptune has made visual contact."
"Put it on the display."
A projection came up front of them all. It wasas Jafar had described, hulking, heavily armoured vessels all matching. They had never seen such vessels before.