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

fast.”
    “Seems pretty simple,” said Silva.
    “I want you and Green’s platoons to head for the southern entrance. Yorath and Jones, the east side. Taylor and I will take the north side. The only aim of this mission is to eradicate the enemy presence in the shortest time possible, but don’t take any unnecessary risks, and no heroics. Remember, the war is over, and this is just clean up work.”
    “Excuse me, Ma’am, but if the war’s over, why are we still fighting?” asked Yorath.
    She sighed in response and knew it wasn’t an easy thing to answer.
    “These are merely skirmishes. There may come a time when we go to war once again, but not today. We don’t know if these enemy forces have been left to hinder our operations and rebuilding, or if it was a result of their rapid withdrawal. Either way, remember, those things are dangerous. Keep your platoons tight, and ensure you have superiority of numbers and firepower in any engagement. Any more questions?”
    They each studied the map carefully before Green finally spoke up.
    “Is this to be our lives for the foreseeable future? Cleaning up the country we have already fought and bled over since this began?”
    “Sure is, but it beats hiding in a trench under day long barrages,” she replied.
    He could not help but agree.
    “Alright, good luck to you all, let’s move.”
    Taylor paced alongside Chandra to Rains’ copter.
    “You surprised as I am that Schulz would be okay with us doing this?” he asked quietly.
    “The General has been trying to mend fences ever since you got out of the brig. I suggest you at least appear to be doing the same. The further we get from war conditions, the less you’ll get away with.”
    “And Dupont?”
    She sighed at the mere mention of his name.
    “He’ll always be the same arsehole he always has been. Fortunately, he isn’t in command.”
    “Not of the joint armies no, but let’s not forget that we aren’t in Germany anymore.”
    She nodded in agreement and made a mental note to watch out for the French General. He’d been dying to get some payback for some time, and she’d be damned if she would let him.
    “This mission, is that all the information we have?” asked Taylor.
    “Afraid so. Communication links are still poor, and there isn’t the time to investigate further. The civilian population is flooding back into France while it is still littered with dangers. We were not picked because of our investigative abilities. We’re a rapid strike force who does not hesitate to jump into combat.”
    “Well, hell, now you put it like that, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside,” he laughed.
    She smiled as she could see the genuine relief on the Major’s face, now they’d returned to the soldiering they had become so accustomed to.
    “How long do you think this will go on?” he asked.
    “Oh, I figure we’ll have the area cleared within an hour.”
    “No, I meant this. This taskforce, clearing France of any present dangers.”
    “With us on the job, not long at all. Why? I thought you wanted to get back in action?”
    “Only in place of the shit work we have been doing.”
    “Lost your stomach for war?” she asked.
    “Haven’t we all? I didn’t think any of us were still here because we enjoyed it.”
    They went silent as they watched the ground zoom past through the glass of the fuselage. Chandra studied his face, trying to understand where his head was at.
    “And if you could be anywhere doing anything, right now, what would it be?” she asked.
    “Ah, hell I don’t know. I don’t know what I want anymore.”
    She could see he genuinely meant it. They all lived in a world of uncertainty, where the possibility of death was a fear each day.
    “Do you really want to keep serving?” she asked.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You must have served far more years than you ever signed up to. The current war has come to an end, and no one would think lesser of you for wanting to give it all up and go on