Read Online Battle Earth IV by Nick S. Thomas - Free Book Online

task.”
    They stopped as two of the Company delivered mugs of tea and coffee to them. The heater modules kept them all from freezing, but a hot drink was always welcome when you looked out at the weather conditions which were rapidly worsening.
    “We’ll need transport and more than a few jeeps,” stated Taylor.
    “Already en route. General White has attached three copters to you for the duration of this taskforce. Lieutenant Rains and his comrades are en route as we speak. They’ll be putting down in the Parc de Champagne shortly. It’s just south of here and will become your staging ground for now.”
    “What about this place?”
    “A Gendarmerie detachment will be arriving within the hour to relieve you. Chandra, I want you to assemble the Company and move out. You’ll have to make your way to the Parc on foot, but once you’re there, you’ll have everything you need.”
    Forty-five minutes later they were once again traipsing through the war torn streets, but this time with a newfound enthusiasm. They reached the Parc by noon to find the three copters had already arrived, along with several support craft and transports. Marines guarded the perimeter of the site and made it most welcoming. The corporal on the main entrance through a stone wall saluted as they approached.
    “As you were!” shouted Chandra.
    “Ma’am, it’s an honour to work alongside the Immortals.”
    She shrugged at the name. It never sat comfortably with her after seeing the deaths of so many friends. She nodded as a greeting and continued past the man towards where Eddie was sat with his feet up and a cup of coffee. He looked more relaxed than ever as he lifted his mug, and a huge smile expanded across his face when he saw the two Majors approaching.
    “Still alive and kicking!” he yelled.
    “Same to you, how you been?” asked Taylor.
    “Ah, you know, got my feathers burnt a few times, but I’m alive to tell the tale. Word is we’re on hunting duty, that right?”
    “You got it,” replied Taylor.
    “Command gives us intel. We respond immediately with a ground assault, supported by artillery and/or air support where needed,” Chandra added.
    “There may Mechs left in this neck of the woods?”
    “Enough,” replied Taylor.
    Chandra felt the vibration of a message being received on her Mappad. She pulled it from her webbing. The two men watched and waiting impatiently for news until she looked up at them in surprise.
    “This is it, our first co-ordinates.”
    “Christ, they aren’t hanging around.”
    “We can rest our feet on the boats,” she replied and turned to Eddie.
    “You lot ready to roll?”
    “Yes, Ma’am,” he replied with a smile.
    “Then get moving, we’re wheels up in five.”
    She turned back to the Company who were stood as a mass, awaiting their orders. More than anything they looked bored.
    “Our first operation has been green lit, we move in five!”
    A cheer rang out from the troops, but she quickly lifted up her palm to signal for silence.
    “Section and Platoon leaders to me. The rest of you, mount up!”
    The NCOs and officers gathered beside the supply dump as the troops stomped past into the copters.
    “Our first target is in the town of Troyes, a little over a hundred clicks from here. A short journey now we’ve got wings. Initial intelligence shows local militia forces encountered a small number of enemy combatants while trying to enter the centre of the town.”
    “Any idea how many?” asked Taylor.
    “Reports are sketchy, but several creatures have been spotted near the University of Technology. A number of militia and local soldiers have been wounded, but the enemy appears to make so sign of moving.”
    She lifted out her Mappad and tapped a button that projected a holographic map in front of them.
    “We’ll be putting down in this square just one hundred metres from the university. This is not a covert operation. We have superior numbers and firepower. We hit them hard and