Nick Thomas - Battle Earth IV

War had raged for little over nine months with the alien invaders before they were driven from Earth. In the pages of human history it had been a short war, but all that had witnessed it were left forever changed. The Ares research base on Mars was the first target. The Lunar colony, the largest human colony outside of Earths atmosphere had been next. The survivors of the five hundred thousand Moon colonists had fled below ground to continue to wage a guerrilla war.

Spain and North Africa had quickly fallen. France had been the bastion of Europe, but now lay in ruins. South America had fallen, and North America had barely held the line. Soldiers from all around the globe fought alongside one another to save their planet.

Major Taylors heroic defeat of the enemy leader Karadag had caused the enemy armies to flee the planet, but they were far from finished. The deaths of Captain Friday and so many other comrades weighed heavily on Chandras Company, and no one could yet believe that the war could be over.

The enemy army loomed over Earth from their retreat on the Lunar colony. Nobody knew their intentions, but it was clear they were not ready to leave.

To our fallen friends! yelled Taylor.

He lifted his glass above his head in a salute. The crowd around the table on which he was stood roared in appreciation as glasses clashed together. He lifted the container to his lips and threw back the beer so that it trickled out of the sides and down his chin. He wiped his mouth and looked around as he gazed at the festivities.

Mitch could feel the fatigue in his drooping eyes. He wanted nothing more than to have it all stop and to settle down for some much needed rest. But the hard days of work were only broken up by hard partying. He staggered as he lowered himself down onto a stool and finally to the floor. Mitch landed hard and swayed a few steps over into Sergeant Silva who turned and smiled.

Easy there, Major, he jested.

Mitch righted himself and took another swig from his beer. He turned to have Eli rush at him and launch her tongue down his throat. She tasted of Vodka and was drunker than him. Neither of them cared anymore for hiding their feelings and relationship. It was such common knowledge that nobody hassled them over it.

When are we going home? she asked.

He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders in response.

Oh, come on, we gonna be here forever?

What are you so desperate to get back to?

She looked at him puzzled. Home, what else?

Im not sure Id recognise it anymore, he mused.

She shook her head, not understanding what he meant.

The war didnt reach our homes, she stated.

Its not that. Its us that have changed. Do we just go home and go back to our old lives?

Why not? Weve been here long enough. Long enough for a lifetime.

He nodded to show he understood her, but he did not believe it. He caught a glimpse of Chandra approaching. She was pulling back a hood from her head, and her clothing was dripping wet.

Evening, Major! called Eli.

I see youre making the most of the night, she replied.

Eli raised her shot glass in salute as she turned and left them to their business. They could both see that she had arrived to address Taylor.

What is it? he asked.

Our work will be done here tomorrow. The locals who are returning will take it from here. We have orders to pack up and leave by noon.

Where we heading?

Help the clear up at Reims.

Christ, is this what we have become? Clearers and builders?

She dipped her head and sighed. As much as both of them had wanted to see an end to the fighting, it was a long way from the future they had expected.

France had some of the worst of it, you know that. Its our job to help return some normality to these peoples lives. Well do whatever we can to help.

All that fighting, all the death, the loss? How much more can be asked of us?

She hauled Mitch in close.

A damn sight more. This war isnt over. It wont be over until every one of those sons of bitches is dead. Well continue to do everything that is expected of us and more.

He nodded in agreement. Taylor felt some shame for having little compassion left for the civilians. They had become refugees, and their towns had been reduced to rubble while he still had a home to return to. But he could not help feel they had all given enough already.

Im going to get a drink and enjoy the rest of the evening. Tomorrow we get a change of scenery, and thatll be a good thing. Keep it together for all of us, you hear?

Taylor looked away for a moment as he took another drink and turned back to Chandra.

We getting a lift to Reims?

Thats more like it, she replied. I have already organised for trucks and some engineering vehicles to join us. Sergeant Dubois was most helpful in convincing the General as such.

Taylor smiled as he turned and looked to the bar where the French Sergeant was sat. She was engulfed in conversation with Captain Jones whom she had her arm wrapped around. It brought a smile to his face to see the darkness that had grown in Jones being washed away. He was laughing for the first time in as long as either of them could remember.

You see that? asked Chandra. Amongst all this pain and suffering, and the near obliteration of our race, and yet that is hope. Humans will always seek to find some good in every situation, and its something you should remember, Major.

He nodded in agreement. All he ever wanted was to see an end to the war and be able to relax and enjoy the company of friends in peace, but in the back of his mind, he knew it was not to last.

You know I thought youd like helping to clear and rebuild. Its a walk in the park after what weve been through.

He turned and looked up into her eyes. He wondered for a moment if she really liked the peace they had won. She seemed anxious to get back to combat.

Its what we wanted, an end to it all. But its not quite the triumphant celebrations I had envisaged. Toiling over desolate waste grounds that we have already bled over and lost so many good friends.

It wont last forever, she replied.

Theres still a lot of work to be done.

Yeah, proper soldiering though.

The damn wars over, Major, cant you leave it be?

He slammed down his glass and turned away from Chandra. She was left speechless at the bar as she was handed a drink. Cant blame him, she thought. Hes had it tougher than most.

Taylor pushed his way through the troops to look for Eli, but he stopped as he recognised an old officer enter the bar in front of him. The face was just a little familiar, but he could not place it. The man must have been close to sixty but was in good shape. His face was scarred and weathered. He held himself high and proud.

On the mans arm was the faded symbol of the Moon Defence Force. Either side of him stood younger men of the same army. He could already tell that they recognised him.

Fuck, he said under his breath.

He remembered his first encounter with the enemy on the Moon colony, and the mission they had carried out. No MDF soldier would have fond memories of that time. Taylor had his orders, and that didnt involve assisting the colonists.

Major Taylor, he spat with a dour face.

Mitch shook his head. He could already tell it was not a situation he needed right now.

How you doing, fellas? he responded.

Still standing, no thanks to you.

He remembered the mans commanding voice. Then it came back to him, the MDF Commander Kelly, who he had met during the rescue of the Prime Minister. Ah shit, he thought.

Another time, alright? he asked.

Taylor took a few steps to go past them, but one of the MDF soldiers shuffled along to block his path.