Battle Earth VI Read Online Free PDF Page A

haul ass back here."
    "Better be, Sir, because we'll be coming in hot."
    "Now, the rest of you. The last time we faced unbeatable odds, we chose to stay and defend our homes without knowing what we had let ourselves in for. I will not make the same mistake again. The colony is what it is because of the people who inhabit it. I am ordering an immediate evacuation to Earth."
    There was no argument from the officers present. Several had fought for their survival on the Moon, and none wanted to go through it again. Kelly turned to Taylor.
    "You haven't got long, Colonel. Gather your people and be ready. She'll be docking at platform seven. Good luck to you."
    "And to you, Sir."
    Taylor rushed out of the room and immediately lifted his comms unit.
    "2nd Inter-Allied. Grab your gear and report to platform seven. We are leaving."
    He didn't want to say anything else across open channels, but he knew they would already suspect a major problem coming their way. There would be no other reason for them to leave their training mission for anything but an emergency. He reached his quarters and found Parker inside, almost ready to go.
    "What the hell's up?" she asked.
    "Hell? Exactly that, coming our way and fast."
    She tilted her head and stared at his face to see if he really meant what she suspected. He could see exactly what she was thinking and asking with her eyes.
    "Yep, it's exactly that."
    "Christ!"
    He ripped of his service dress and tossed it into his kit bag. He knew he wouldn't have any need for it for a long time.
    "We rendezvousing with the rest of the fleet?"
    He ignored the comment and continued to get into his BDUs.
    "Mitch?" she asked.
    He knew she wasn't going to leave it alone.
    "We're heading out in the Deveron on recon."
    She shook her head in disbelief.
    "What?" he asked.
    "Nothing... just that why do we always get the shit jobs?"
    "Well in this case, I can honestly say we are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Being here on the Moon right now, and having Jafar's knowledge and counsel, means we were perfect for this."
    "Great, I'll remind you of that when we're up to our necks in shit."
    Taylor could do nothing but smile in response. She was more beautiful than ever when she was angry. She could see that in his face, and it only made her more furious.

    * * *

    The thirty-six marines of Inter-Allied lay about the docking bay awaiting their ride as the colony erupted into organised chaos. The evacuation had begun, and nobody was in any doubt as to what was coming their way. Taylor could only watch and wish the human fleet had been so substantial when it all began. Leaving the colony with the Prime Minister while the battle raged was a memory he would never forget, and one of the lowest points in his career.
    Taylor had explained to all who were with him what their mission was. There had not been a single question or discussion about it. They were somehow numbed by the news, but he had spent the last year preparing them for it. It wasn't long before the Deveron arrived. The ramp lowered, and Taylor rushed forward to greet Ryan with excitement but was met by a grim sight.
    Captain Ryan stepped out at the head of a line of stretcher-bearers. Five dead were carried out, and three walking wounded followed.
    "Attention on deck!"
    The call came from Jafar and was immediately responded to. It was the first time he had ever done as such, and Taylor was impressed with his perception on the situation. He was showing the respect to their fallen like one of his own. There were still some who didn't trust the alien, but he counted Jafar among his closest friends.
    The wounded passed, and Taylor could see three of the dead were marines. Ryan approached and stopped before him with a salute. Taylor tried to find the words to say, but nothing seemed appropriate.
    "You weren't wrong, Colonel. You always said the bastards would be back, and they are, and stronger than ever."
    "Any idea on the numbers we face?"
    "Honestly, they just