Read Battle Earth III for Free Online

certain, you realise the kind of shit you are entering into. We will have no chance of backup or recovery should something go wrong. Even if we succeed, General Schulz will want our balls.”
    “Hey, you gave me my orders, and I carried them out. How am I supposed to know who’s in charge in this whole fucking mess?”
    Taylor nodded in gratitude. “You’re a good man, Eddie.”
    “Don’t you forget it,” he replied.
    “Be ready for 2000 hours.”
    “We’ll be here.”
    Taylor nodded and gave a grateful smile before quickly turning to go about his business. As he walked away, he shook his head in astonishment for what he, of all people, was about to undertake. He was gaining a reputation for disobeying his superiors, but the troops continued to love him for it. I’m doing it for all us, he thought to himself. He knew it was more personal than that, but it was at least some justification for his actions.
    The Major paced back from the landing zone through the base with his head low in deep thought. Many troops from the different armies saluted or acknowledged him as he passed, but he didn’t notice. Since the war had begun, he had been frequently left with few resources and allies. Now he walked among thousands of them, without any relief from the safety and comfort he had gained.
    Jones must be alive, he thought. Despite their rivalry over the years, the two officers had become closer friends than he could ever have imagined. Captain Friday remained a loyal officer and good friend, but Jones was like a long lost brother to him. The death and destruction he had faced had, on occasion, brought him to utter despair; but not knowing Jones’ fate was in some ways worse. As he approached the HQ bunker, he looked up to see Major Chandra stood blocking his path. She had a cheeky and confident smile on her face and stood with her hands on her hips.
    “You get Eddie on board?”
    “You get Phillips to cough up the data?”
    “Damn right. Phillips can be a bastard, but when he knew we were willing to attempt a rescue of British soldiers, he was ready to do whatever I wanted. He’ll never admit it officially, of course, unless he can take some of the glory without risking his standing.”
    “And that is why we are still lugging guns, and he’s at a desk.”
    She nodded in agreement, and she quickly glanced around to be certain that nobody had heard their conversation.
    “Eddie is good to go, 2000 hours.”
    “He’s confident that he can get clearance?”
    “Sure. Rains is a law unto himself, and since White has used him for special operations work, nobody is even sure who he reports to, beyond the General.”
    She stepped forward and leaned in a little closer.
    “You sure you want to do this, now?”
    He leaned back and stared into her eyes as if perplexed by the question.
    “Is there really a choice?” he replied.
    “Of course, there is always a choice.”
    “Leave no man behind,” he mused in a slow and serious tone.
    “Come on, Mitch, this isn’t any kind of war this planet has ever seen. We’ve left scores of dead on our retreat across France. You can’t tell me we haven’t left soldiers to die.”
    Taylor shook his head.
    “That doesn’t make it right. Maybe we couldn’t save the dead and dying. Maybe we couldn’t recover the bodies of our comrades, but Jones is alive. I know he is.”
    She sighed as she thought about his words, and she wanted Jones back with all her heart.
    “It’s a dangerous path this one, you must know it. You put Parker before all else, and you are doing it again for Jones.”
    “I am only human.”
    “No, we are soldiers, and we have a job to do. Our job is to fight, and if necessary, die in this war. We both want Jones back, just be certain you are doing it for the right reasons.”
    Taylor frowned as he turned and walked a few steps away from the Major. He knew she was right about his reckless breach of orders to save Parker. He turned and stepped back up to the woman