Battle Earth II by Nick S. Thomas

marines over the last week, thinking of them all as the single unit they had been amalgamated into. Chandra smiled as she watched them troop out of sight from the command truck. Jones watched to see that they were clear, and then put his hand out to stop them.
    “Most of you will have to stay here to cover for us, so I want three volunteers.”
    “I’ll go,” said Green.
    Jones nodded in gratitude. The Lieutenant had been more than useful.
    “We’ll go,” said one of the Johnsons.
    The two brothers would rarely be separated. Even the Major referred to them by their nicknames, Monty and Blinker.
    “Alright, let’s do this. We head on together. The four of us will fork off as soon as we have mixed with the other units. It’s vital that Phillips has no idea of our intentions until long after we have gone, or at all if possible. Matthews, I’m leaving you in charge.”
    “Got it, Sir,” replied the young Lance Corporal.
    “Alright, let’s move out.”
    The group of paras ambled towards the ration wagons, giving every indication that they were relaxed and ready to settle down. Jones looked to Matthews. The soldier was completely unfazed by the situation, having absolute confidence in his team.
    “If we are caught, there will be hell to pay. Do what you can to give us a clear run, but don’t put your neck out.”
    “Don’t worry about us, Captain. You just find the Major. We’ve lost enough brothers already, don’t let that tally increase.”
    Jones nodded in both agreement and gratitude. They reached a swarm of troops from different regiments and nations who were scattered across an area the size of a football pitch. As they dispersed into the mass of camouflage, Jones surveyed the situation. The command truck was out of view, so they were well covered.
    “Alright, that’ll do, break.”
     He split off from the others towards the northern perimeter, the other three men following suit. Moments later they were at the rim of the square and winding their way through lines of parked vehicles. They found a small jeep, similar to what they were used to.
    “This’ll do, get in.”
    The Captain leapt into the driver’s seat and looked down at the controls, trying to find the engine start.
    “Going somewhere, Captain?”
    Jones jumped in his seat and shot a look up above the screen as he reached for his sidearm. Sergeant Dubois stood in front of the vehicle. He gave a sigh of relief and relaxed his shoulders although his pulse still raced.
    “Can’t imagine you were given the authority to commandeer this vehicle?” she asked.
    “No.”
    The Captain replied with an exhausted tone and dipped his head. The French Sergeant had done them a good turn back in Brest, and he felt shamed at having been caught by her taking one of the vehicles.
    “If you’re going out, you’ll want a little more armour, Captain.”
    He shot a glance up to the woman, hoping he had heard her right.
    “Come with me.”
    “You could get in major trouble for this, Sergeant.”
    She turned back to them as they walked.
    “The world is already in deep trouble, Captain, so it can’t get any worse.”
    Jones smiled in response.
    “So you are going after someone, I take it?” she asked.
    “Why would you think that?”
    “A small team without permission going into unprotected territory, why else would you risk your lives?”
    The Captain could not hide it. Dubois had a sharp mind and had already proven to be a fine soldier. She still bore scars on her face from the wounds sustained a week ago, and several of them would never fully heal.
    “Major Taylor. He went out hours ago and hasn’t returned or been in contact. He was investigating some peculiar readings from surveillance images.”
    “And you think he found trouble?”
    “I bet money on it. We’ve been ordered to return across the channel within the hour. If we can’t find the Major, nobody will.”
    She looked at him. “You’re a loyal friend.”
    “Without men like Taylor,