Battle Earth: 12 Read Online Free PDF Page A

confidently.
    White seemed impressed with his commitment.
    "I'll stay on here, doing what I can, but I cannot be considered much more than an advisor right now. The command structure is in tatters. We've got officers from a few dozen different nations pushing for their bit of power, and then we have you, Colonel, the man that is holding it all together. Lasure has been accepted as Admiral because you put him there, and there is not one among us in this fleet that would dare question that decision."
    Taylor was speechless. He'd never given it so much thought.
    "That's a lot of responsibility for a Colonel. Hell, that's a lot of responsibility for one man. While you remain alive, and keep doing what you've been doing, you have the undying support of this fleet. Remember that. You are accepted by mob rule, and the voice of the mob can be more powerful than you can imagine. You keep doing right by them and you’re safe. Veer off that path, and you could find a rope around your neck."
    "There is only one task I must fulfil, only one thing left in this world I must achieve. Kill that son of a bitch Erdogan. I will find him, and I will kill him. I don't care how long it takes and what price I have to pay. This will end with me tearing his head off and holding up high for all his armies to see."
    "And I don't know a single man or woman who wouldn't do all in their power to see you reach that day."
    Taylor could see it was his opportunity.
    "If the civilians are as committed to this action as we are, then we need them to join this fight, Sir."
    "We've been bringing plenty of them into the fold. We've got training camps running night and day to get recruits in the field."
    "We need more," stated Taylor.
    "We need conscription," Moye said from behind him.
    White was shocked by the concept and had to think about it for a few moments.
    "I can't ask that of them."
    "You don't ask for conscription, General," added Moye, "You order it."
    White shook his head. "I have already said I am but an advisor here. The Admiral would have the say on this matter, and even beyond him, he may not have the sway to bring over a few of the nations. You know how many Generals we have in this fleet?"
    Taylor shook his head.
    "Last count was thirty-four. Half of them were in this room just an hour ago. They will all expect a say on what happens to their own nation’s people."
    "I don't believe we have that divide anymore," said Taylor, "We aren't Americans, or French, or British. We're one now."
    "Try telling that to them. If you want to call up civilians without their volunteering, the only one that can stand a chance of achieving it is you. Any one of us tries it, and we'll be shot down in flames. We could have another mutiny on our hands. Maybe you'd call it civil war now. You can ask it, Taylor, only you."
    Taylor shook his head. The responsibilities were piling up on top of him, and he was feeling swamped and stifled by it all. He turned and looked to Moye, but he only nodded in agreement with what the General had said.
    "I think you are starting to understand now, Taylor. You're too important to lose, but neither can we take you out of harm's way, as you are vital to the war effort."
    "So don't die," said Moye.
    "Yeah, thanks."
    "So what'll it be?" White asked.
    "If we're gonna do this, I'll have to go through Lasure first."
    "He'll accept whatever decision you make," said White.
    "Maybe, but that is not how we do this. Get me a line to the Admiral."
    White didn't hesitate to press a few buttons on the console before him. Taylor's head spun while he considered how he could broach such a subject to the civilian population of the fleet. Twenty seconds later he was shaken by Moye; he had gone into a daze and forgotten everything that was around him.
    "What can I do for you, Colonel?" Lasure was now projected before them.
    "Admiral. Major Moye here believes we are not getting enough volunteers, and that conscription is necessary if we are to keep up a