Read Battle Earth VII for Free Online

day. A lot of people can see plenty of potential in that.”
    “In what? Live assassinations? We used to condemn and invade countries for it.”
    “Times change, as you should learn. The people want what they want, and I’ll happily give it to them.”
    “As long as it doesn’t risk your own neck.”
    “Precisely, Taylor.”
    Taylor didn’t like what he was hearing, and he doubted he’d like what was coming in the next few weeks even less, but right now, he was just relieved to be free once more.
    “You have a driver waiting out front. He’ll take you directly to the Deveron where you’ll be transported back to base. You’ve got a few days leave, anyway. When you come back, you can be guaranteed we’ll have something to keep you on your toes.”
    What an asshole! Taylor thought, walking off in disgust.

Chapter 3
     

    It was close to evening when Taylor finally got to his home on base. As he approached the door with his key card in hand, it slid open. Parker stood at the entrance to greet him. She no longer wore the uniform of a marine. She was dressed as a private contractor in military style but non-unit specific gear fatigues. She looked curious for a moment at the bruising on his face.
    “Should I ask?”
    “Probably not,” he took her in a firm embrace and lifted her off her feet as he carried on through the doorway.
    “So how’s life treating you in the private sector?”
    “Can’t complain about the pay. Few more years of this, and we can live wherever we please.”
    He seemed surprised.
    “You think I should follow after you? I thought you loved the Corps?”
    “But I love you more, and if I can’t have both, then you know what I’ll choose.”
    He sat down wearily on the sofa, and she sympathetically grabbed a beer for him.
    “Come on, let’s not make it about this again. You know I’d have stayed if there was any way.”
    Taylor knew it to be true. Since the war was over, there was little chance of them getting away with their relationship any longer with the way things stood. But half the time it felt like he’d lost another comrade-in-arms.
    “Looks like you gave more than a talk out there.”
    He smiled in response.
    “Just some idiots at a bar.”
    “You keep doing that and you’re gonna be in some real trouble.”
    “Really? What are they gonna do? They need me.”
    “For now, but you're not going to be young forever."
    "Yeah, thanks."
    Weaver had threatened his existence in a similar manner, but coming from someone he loved gave him pause for concern. Fatigue was setting in and the realisation that he really hadn't had much sleep. He knew his body would appreciate the rest, for it was bruised and battered. It wasn't long before he was out for the count.
    As the sun rose, he woke to find Parker beside him. It brought a smile to his face. That smile was lost as he noticed a flashing light on the comms screen on the wall, an incoming message.
    Can't be from anyone I want to hear from, he thought.
    He started to move which got protests from Parker as she groaned and tried to keep him put.
    "I gotta take this."
    "Right now? You're on leave."
    "Yeah, but I already caused enough trouble lately. Let's not invite more."
    "Mmm," she finally agreed.
    He stepped up to the console and tapped it for the message to begin. He'd expected video, but there was only text. It was from General White's personal aide with orders from his superior. It simply read 'Report to General White as soon as you read this'. It was an ominous message of the sort he'd not expect from the General.
    "What is it?" asked Eli.
    "Looks like leave is cancelled."
    "What? You only just got here," she protested.
    "Tell me about it."
    She crawled out of bed and stood behind him with her arms over his shoulders.
    "You must plead your case to the General. You've done enough."
    He turned around in surprise.
    "Out of the Corps, and already you’re no longer thinking like a marine. We don't bargain with our superiors. If we are