"How on Earth did you manage this?"
"Heard you were in trouble, and it didn't take much to convince the Lieutenant," he stated, pointing over to Rains who was slumped against the landing gear of his copter. The pilot gave off a mock salute.
"You're crazy, whole lot of you. No way White signed off on this."
"Nope," replied Silva.
"So you're AWOL, and entered a sovereign nation’s air space to raise hell." He paused for a minute, "And I can't thank you enough, you crazy fools. Couldn't have done it without you."
"I wish we could have got more of the unit here, but this is just about all we could get away without raising flags. As far as the Corps is concerned, we're in Arizona on exercise."
"And due back when?"
"Tomorrow," replied Silva.
"And you?" he asked Parker.
"I quit the job, and I'm back. Not officially, but I'm here."
He looked out to the rest of them who were waiting for some news or explanation.
"I know you must all be eager to know what the hell's going on! All I can tell you at this stage is that a war is brewing on Earth, the likes of which even we have not seen, a war amongst humankind. I can't give you much more at this time. The only thing you should know, the Krys are in on it, and will use it to exploit a weakness."
It didn't seem like news to them, so he continued.
"As far as I know, the United States wants no part of this growing conflict, but I cannot and will not accept that! I didn't fight all these years, only to see the World go to shit while we sit back and enjoy some kind of peace that can never last. This new alliance, a European Alliance, may be our best hope of getting through this. I'm committing myself to their service, but I cannot ask you to do the same. I am in all your debt for what you did for me here, but now you must make a choice for yourselves. You can go home, or you can come with me."
There was no answer.
"You know we got the shit jobs in the war. The jobs no other sons of bitches believed could be done. I fully intend to take up that mantle once more, but I will think no lesser of any marine who would return home and see an end to this. If that is your desire, step forward now, or stay the distance."
Nobody moved an inch.
"We're with you, Colonel, just as we always have been," Silva boomed.
"Then ready yourselves because the work is just about to begin. I meet with General Dupont and Commander Phillips shortly, and I fully intend to offer our services to whatever end may be necessary."
The all nodded in agreement as they sat about in the sun, as calmly as if they were at home. Nothing seemed to shake them anymore. Those who stood before him were some of the most experienced veterans the World had seen in a few hundred years, and they knew it. He nodded in acceptance and turned to go to Dupont.
Taylor strolled alone through the base of Meaux. It was an impressive sight. Row upon row of brand new buildings and dozens of armoured vehicles and jeeps which looked like they'd never seen war, though he knew they had. He walked past an engineers’ workshop where dozens of soldiers were working to overhaul war-damaged trucks. They were parked up bumper to bumper in a parking lot to one side of the huge hangar.
Bullet holes riddled some of their paintwork, but others were far worse with twisted chassis and bodies almost ripped in half. As he carried on past the structure, he found another line up of the same vehicles fully rebuilt and ready to use.
Just in time to go back to hell.
He got some odd looks as he headed for the General's office on foot.
His American flag was in plain view for all to see, and he still carried his rifle slung over his back. No one else he passed carried weapons nor wore armour, as per regulation, but nobody stopped to question him. He finally reached the HQ building. As he approached, the two MPs at the entrance looked desperate to pounce on him.
"Hand over your weapons," one said.
He passed his rifle over and was thankful to have it off his shoulder, but as they looked down to his pistol, he shook his head.
"You're not having my sidearm."
"You may not enter armed."
"Not in peacetime, but don't you know there's a war on? I've had too long a day to put up with this."
"Let him through!" yelled a voice.
He looked up. Dupont's head was poking out of a window and bellowing the command that could not be refused. They reluctantly let him pass. He took pleasure in their discomfort.
"Thank you, Gentlemen," he added, just to rub salt into the wound.
He stepped through into Dupont's office and found the General shaking his head.
"You really do have a problem with authority, Colonel."
"Yes, Sir," he replied, smiling.
"But as much as I dislike your manner, I will happily admit you are a great soldier."
"Marine..."
"Whatever."
The door opened, and Phillips stepped through. He hadn't seen the Commander in years and quickly outstretched his hand in friendship.
"Come to join the fight, Sir?"
"Good to see you're still alive, Mitch, but I'm here purely as a correspondent. I can have no part in any potential conflict, not while the United Kingdom remains neutral."
"Neutral? What, are you kidding me?"
"Sorry, Colonel, but that's not my decision. Our government has declared neutral status and has condemned the activities of the UEN. Our Prime Minister has not gone as far as departing from the UEN, but he might as well have."
"Politics aren't my thing, Sir. I'm a fighting man."
"We both know that's bollocks. You repeatedly stick your nose in where it isn't wanted and stir up trouble."
Taylor shrugged. He couldn't disagree.
"Gentlemen, may we get on to business," said Dupont.
He walked around his desk and took a seat, gesturing for them to join him.
"I've got you here for a closed meeting because both of you are from nations who have so far had no involvement with the recent conflict, and therefore I cannot allow you into briefings or any other such matters. Everything that happens here is strictly between us. I am doing this because I think both of you can make a difference here, and we need allies."
"I'm a long way off the reservation, General, so spit it out."
"This discussion is off the record, and I will deny any involvement with it, or that you were ever even here, should you spill anything that is said. At 1800 hours today, the European Alliance will declare war on the UEN unless certain demands are met."
Taylor knew it was coming but not so soon. The statement took him aback.
"I think it's pretty clear what those demands will be, and that the UEN will not accept them. Gentlemen, be under no illusions, before the day is through, we will be at war."
"Surely this can be avoided?" pleaded Phillips.
"I wish to God it could be, but forces beyond my understanding appear to be forcing us in this direction, one which now cannot be avoided. Colonel, you tried to tell me you believed the Krys had placed human agents among us, do you still believe that to be the case?"
"Yes, Sir, I know it to be true."
"A relief in one regard, that it was an external force which led us to this and not our own humanity, but also a terrifying fact. I did not believe you because it sounded crazy. It still sounds crazy. Do you have any proof whatsoever that this is the case? And if so, how do we tell who is working for alien interests and who is not?"
"I wish I had those answers for you, General, but I don't, but I know a man who does."
"Then get him here immediately. Who is this man?"
"Councillor Armand."
The General was silenced.
"Can't be!"
"He had one of my marines killed, the only one who knew about these Krys agents, the only evidence I had. He tried to kill me soon after."