Battle Earth II (7 page)

They heard a heavy clunk as Monty loaded the turret-mounted cannon.

“Think you can handle that?” shouted Jones.

“Looks pretty simple, Captain!”

* * *

“Fuck!” Taylor screamed through clenched teeth as Silva reset his leg.

He spat out the block he’d been biting down on and took a deep breath.

“We should never have come out alone.”

“We didn’t, Sir,” replied Silva.

“Should have brought the whole battalion out for this.”

Silva helped lift the Major’s foot and rested it on a stool as he winced in pain. The Sergeant picked up two metal poles which he had collected from the store and placed them either side of the leg.

“It’s gonna hurt like hell to walk, but at least you’ll be on your feet.”

“Right now, anything is an improvement.”

Silva picked up a packet of duct tape and ripped it open. He quickly wrapped the silver tape around with some pressure along the length of most of the leg.

“That should do it.”

Taylor lowered his leg and winced with pain as it dropped to the ground. He pulled himself up. His wounded left leg was at least now useable. The splint had given the strength for him to walk. He hobbled a few steps and was glad to be back on his own two feet. Mitch stopped and froze at a sound from outside. Silva reached for his gun, but Taylor put his hand up to call for silence.

The two marines stared intently at the glass front of the shop, trying to identify the noise. Seconds later they heard footsteps that were too heavy to be human. Silva’s eyes widened as his hand slowly reached for the rifle on the table. They both knew that they were woefully under equipped to take on any kind of attack, but neither would they go down without a fight.

The footsteps grew louder until their source came into view. It was one of the taller and more bulky invaders they had become so familiar with, and it strode past. They stood silently, hoping to go unnoticed. The Mech continued on, but neither man relaxed as they knew that the enemy soldier would not be alone.

A moment later a second Mech passed the window next to them. They could hear the footsteps of another following, but little else. They rightly came to the conclusion that it was a three-troop scouting party. With the brief gap after the two Mechs, Taylor hobbled quickly back to the table where his launcher rested, snatching it up. He couldn’t kneel and so took up position behind a broad support beam.

Taylor held his breath and peered around from the cover to the street. The shelving units of the hardware store obscured much of the view. The third Mech strode into sight. They waiting patiently in the hope that it would pass them by, but they already feared that they would not have such luck. The beast stopped as it got towards the end of the shop.

Taylor slipped back behind cover. He looked down at Silva who huddled behind a counter. He noticed a hand grenade hanging from the man’s armour, remembering he had one also. He looked down and gripped it, thankful of any advantage they could get. He pulled it from his vest and took it in two hands, letting the launcher rest on its sling.

The Sergeant watched Taylor and waited for his signal. They both listened intently for any sign of the Mechs. The nearest one came to a stop, turned and took a few paces back. They both knew that the beast was suspicious and was therefore investigating. Taylor looked down at the floor. They had walked dirty and wet foot prints into the shop. Mitch wanted to kick himself for leaving such crumbs for the enemy, but it was too late.

The door of the shop opened, and their hearts raced as they heard a Mech stomp inside. Taylor looked down at Silva and nodded. He twisted the grenade and leaned out from cover just enough to see his target. He threw the grenade and ducked back behind cover before the Mech could respond. The explosion was deafening, shaking everything in the room and sending boxes and shelving flying.

Taylor then lifted his launcher in readiness, but his ears were still ringing. The building fell silent once again. They had expected to come under a hail of gunfire, but the shots never came. Mitch peered around from the cover to investigate, just catching a glimpse of a Mech in the street looking around for enemy positions. They must have assumed it was a trap or a mine.

He looked across the shop entrance. Most of the glass had been blow out from the building and littered the street. He stayed utterly still, watching from his hidden position. The enemy soldier was hunched slightly with its weapon ready to fire. It was still looking around in all directions. Another strode up to it and relaxed slightly. Taylor could tell that they were communicating by their body language, but he could hear nothing.

He turned his head just a fraction and peered down at Silva. The Sergeant was still hidden from view and awaiting his orders. Mitch could see no fear in his eyes, and he was ready for anything. The Major turned back to the street. The two Mechs were looking at the site of the explosion and their fallen comrade. They moved cautiously towards the rubble. Taylor’s grip on his weapon instinctively tightened.

As much as he wanted to avoid a fight, Mitch knew that they stood little chance of moving freely with the Mechs walking the streets. The odds were not in their favour, but at least they had maintained the element of surprise. He watched as they stepped up to the twisted armour of the Mech that was scattered across a three metre area.

He looked back at the Sergeant and gave him the nod. Silva leapt up and trained his rifle on the closest enemy, firing a long burst into the mirrored armour that protected their heads. The continuous stream of bullets into the weak visor caused it to crack, and the bullets smashed through. The Mech went limp, dropping with a heavy smash to the ground.

Taylor leapt out from cover before the body of the creature had landed and fired his launcher from the hip. At the close proximity he couldn’t see where the shot had struck, and it blinded them as it exploded. The blast threw the Major off his feet, and he landed hard on the store floor. Items crashed around the shop as the merchandise was tossed to the wind, along with Taylor’s weapon that was thrown from his hands.

The shock of falling briefly disorientated him. The wind had been taken out of him and pain surged down his back to the wound in his leg. He was thankful for his armour softening the blow, but it was little relief at the time. For a few seconds he lay flat. He didn’t have the willpower or energy to get to his feet. Each battle he fought seemed to wear his body and mind down a little further, and he wondered how much more he could take.

“Sir, you okay?” asked Silva.

Taylor did not respond. He was still stunned.

“Major?”

The Sergeant appeared above him, looking down with first concern and then a smile. He reached out his hand to help Taylor stand up. The Major gladly accepted and was hoisted back upright. He patted the Sergeant on the shoulder, and a puff of dust burst from it. Taylor grinned at the Sergeant, amazed that they still lived. He caught a glimmer of movement, and the smile quickly turned to fear; a change the Sergeant immediately responded to.

Silva turned quickly on the spot and lifted his rifle to the hip. A humanoid-shaped creature bore down on them at great speed. It was extremely thin at the waist but had strong and broad shoulders. They immediately recognised the thing as an enemy from the blue blood dripping down its face and into its clothing. The beast wore some kind of snug compression suit, but it was covered in dust and blood.

Not waiting another second, Silva let out a burst with his rifle. The shots ripped through the beast’s abdomen, but it didn’t stop coming at them. The thing rushed at them like a raging bull. It took hold of Silva’s rifle and ripped it from his hands. The two men reached for their sidearms, but the monster smashed the Sergeant vigorously with the rifle, launching him two metres across the room.

Just as the Major got a grip on his pistol and drew it, the beast quickly turned and gave a fast back handed strike to his face. The fist felt like iron crashing into his jaw. The pistol flew from his hands as he twisted and crashed to the floor face first. He put out his hands to break his fall, but he still landed hard.

He knew his life depended on it, so he twisted onto his back and reached for his combat knife. The monster rushed towards him and leapt onto him. He had little time to think or act. Mitch thrust the blade into the beast’s stomach. It let out a screech, but he couldn’t tell if it was in fear or anger.

Taylor tried to pull the knife out for a second strike, but it was firmly encased by the beast’s flesh. Warm blue blood trickled onto his hand. On his back, and without a weapon, he realised how helpless he was and accepted that he’d finally met his end. The beast struck him with a hammer fist, breaking his nose with a single strike. Blood burst across his face, and his vision blurred slightly. His head twisted to the side from the force as he caught sight of a large iron wrench.

The Major knew it was his last opportunity to save his life, and that of the Sergeant who was unconscious across the floor. He wriggled slightly from the beast’s grip and quickly grasped the wrench. As he swung it, the creature lifted its arm in defence. The wrench struck its arm like metal on metal. It smashed the arm down slightly, and Taylor didn’t hesitate to strike again.

The second hit from the large wrench caused a sickened crunch to emanate from the beast’s arm and forced it down. He hit a third time against the creature’s face with all the strength he had. The force sent sharp pains all through his arm and body, but the stunned the creature was sent tumbling over beside him.

The wounded and bloody Major scampered to get on top of the alien before it could recover. He raised the wrench to strike. The beast lifted its wounded arm as if to protect its face, and he recognised fear in its narrow eyes. The creature’s skin was a dark glimmering blue, almost black. It was so similar to a human, and yet still so far apart. It had a broad jawline and wide eyes. The nose was flat against the face but with a very narrow bridge.

Taylor stopped briefly to see the beast’s emotion before crashing the wrench down onto its face. The strike was met with a deadening crunch. Mitch lifted and struck again, and a third time. He had little idea about the constitution of their enemy, but it was clearly stronger than theirs. He threw down the wrench and looked down at the result of his labour.

The alien lay lifelessly beneath him, its face mangled and disfigured. Blood ran down the wrench and the Major’s arm, mixing with his own and the layer of dirt. He put the end of the tool onto the floor and used it to support his weight to stand up. Taylor stared at the creature. He was intrigued and also concerned to be sure it was dead.

He staggered over to Silva. The Sergeant lay partially propped up against a chest of drawers, but he showed no signs of life. Taylor checked his pulse and sighed in relief at feeling the life still pulsing through the Sergeant. Taylor knelt down and picked up his weapon, hauling himself into a seated position on the table beside Silva.

Taylor knew he could do nothing but wait. He had no means of transport and couldn’t carry the Sergeant, nor leave him there. He rested back against the wall and propped up his splinted leg on the table top. Mitch laid the launcher to rest across his thighs and rested his head back. He wished for sleep, but the pain would not let him.

* * *

Chandra looked through the glass into the room where Sergeant Eleanor Parker was resting and recovering. She had not met the Sergeant before, but she was well aware of her importance to Taylor. The Major had been willing to disobey the orders of his commanders in order to save the Sergeant. She knew that relationships amongst troops were not allowed, but she also appreciated that it had led Taylor and his troops to their assistance.

She wondered if she would still be alive if it were not for Major Taylor. It humbled her to know that he had led to the saving of so many lives. This made her compelled to do what she could for Parker. Still using a crutch, she could do little to help Taylor himself, so this was the least she could do.

Parker’s head turned. Her hair was loose and spread across the pillow. Her blue-grey eyes were piercing. She appeared to recognise the Major, but they had never met before. She didn’t move another bone in her body, but her eyes invited Chandra in. The Major stepped through the doors into her room.

Eleanor lay in her regulation marine shirt and boxers. Across the room lay a clean and pressed battledress uniform and it was obviously newly issued. Beside it on the counter lay a battered set of armour and a well worn but impeccably clean rifle.

“The Major was able to find me a new uniform, but the rest had to be sourced from the field, Ma’am,” said Eli.

Chandra nodded, but she knew that meant they had come from dead or severely wounded marines.

“We have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, Sergeant.”

Eli studied her rank pips and name patch. It was clear that she knew of the Major. Chandra looked uneasy at addressing the Sergeant, and she could see it.

“Ma’am, you wouldn’t be here if Taylor was alright. You have your own people to take care of. What has happened to the Major?”

Chandra stubbornly nodded and sighed.

“I don’t have a lot of news right now. Taylor headed out with three of his marines on a scouting mission earlier today, but he has been out of contact and has yet to return.”

“Where is Captain Friday?”

“Still at the front line, I’m afraid.”

“Then the Major has been left out there?”

“Not quite. We have been ordered back home, but we have a little time to kill. Captain Jones is out there now.”

Parker smiled a little. She had gotten to know the Captain from their joint training missions and had always liked him.

“How many troops has the Captain taken with him?” asked Parker.

“Just a handful, it is already a breach of his orders.”

Parker’s eyes widened. “If Taylor has got into trouble, then do you really think a handful of troops will make a difference?”

Chandra gave the Sergeant a scornful look. She had never been spoken to in such a way by an NCO. She quickly calmed down as she gave further thought to the Sergeant’s words and her situation, but she was left speechless. Parker sat up wincing in pain and swivelled her legs over the side of the bed.

“Where do you think you’re going, Sergeant?”

“To find my Major, Ma’am.”

She dropped off the side of the bed and painfully stood up. She had clearly only just begun to walk again. Chandra could tell that she was a fighter, more so than most.

“I cannot let you do so, Sergeant.”

Parker stopped and righted herself, squaring up to the Major. She had no care for the authority of her rank.

“You are being sent home, Major. Then I am assuming the Inter-Allied Company has been disbanded? You have no authority here anymore.”

She moved to step past the Major and towards her weapon, but Chandra outstretched her hand and stopped her.

“Sergeant Parker, I have no desire to boss you around. Major Taylor cares greatly for you, but he would not want you to throw your life after his.”

She turned and stared into Chandra’s eyes.

“Then help me, Major. Help me get him back safe.”