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Maybe I was destined to live just long enough to bring an end to it.”
    “I don’t believe in destiny,” added Morris quickly.
    “No, and neither did I. But the pieces seem to be falling in to place.”
    “I think you overthinking this, Colonel.”
    Taylor could hear the concern in his voice.
    “Don’t you worry, Captain. I’ll be round for as long as you need me.”
    Twenty minutes later the Regiment was standing before the transports ready to take them back up to the jump gate enabled vessels in orbit. They all waited for Taylor to say some words of encouragement, and maybe reveal some information on their mission. They looked tired, and yet still keen to go on.
    “I know I’ve been pushing you all hard! That’s plain for all to see!” Taylor shouted, “A mission every single day was a lot to ask, and now a second before you’ve had time to rest. I’d not ask it of you if it weren’t absolutely essential! We just received an unconfirmed sighting of Erdogan. Drones in the area have been unable to clarify. Any chance, any fraction of a chance of pinning him down has to be worth a shot. This could be it, or it could be one of many attempts to find that bastard, but I want you to treat everyone like it is the real deal. Because when we finally back Erdogan into a corner, he’s gonna come out fighting like something none of you have ever seen before. This is the start of a hunt, are you up for it?”
    They cheered in response.
    “Load up. Let’s move out!”

Chapter 3
     

    It's gonna be him. It's gonna be him. It has to be him, thought Taylor.
    He stood over Rains’ console aboard a copter and just stared at the display screens, waiting for them to be filled with the Solar System he knew and loved so much.
    "You won't make us go any faster," said Rains.
    But Taylor was oblivious to his comments before finally turning to him. He knew the Lieutenant had spoken but had no idea what he had said, so he simply started afresh.
    "This isn't your bird."
    "Come on, Colonel, you think we could have got her repaired that fast? She was beaten up after that last mission."
    "Oh, yeah, so she was."
    Rains looked concerned that Taylor seemed so out of it.
    "There something I should know?"
    "Like what?"
    "You seem...distracted."
    "Never more focused. You'll forgive me if my mind is on just one thing. We take Erdogan down, and we can end this. That's all that is important to me right now."
    "And getting us all back alive?"
    Taylor shrugged and slowly nodded in agreement, but it was hardly convincing.
    "That's reassuring."
    "How are you even still alive?"
    Rains was silent, despite rarely ever having been in his life.
    "How have you made it this far? All the crazy shit you have done, the suicidal missions. You've been shot down more times than I can count. So how are you still alive and untouched by it all?"
    "I wouldn't say I'm untouched, but I'm still going, same as you. I could ask you the same questions."
    Taylor nodded. "So how have we made it when others die on their first mission along the way?"
    "You're not trying to tell me fate is involved?"
    Taylor shrugged. "I have no idea, but it would certainly seem we are alive to achieve one last thing before it all ends, or we end it."
    "Hey, I want to win this same as you, but I want to live to celebrate the experience, too."
    "You always land on your feet, Rains, from no matter how high you fall. I’m sure you'll be fine."
    "Coming from you that means almost nothing."
    Taylor smiled a little before turning his attention back to the scanners. He saw new information flash up on screen. Rains checked the instruments briefly.
    "That's it. We're here."
    A moment later the loading bay doors opened, and light flooded into the cockpit.
    "Who'd know, travelling light years from one planet to another twice in one day? It's technology even a year ago that we could never have dreamed of. Makes you wonder what other surprises there are in store for us in the future."
    "I've had enough