Authors: Nick S. Thomas
"We have a bunker every kilometre, and sentries roaming the spaces in between."
"What have you got on your eastern flank?"
"Reconnaissance regiment with armoured cars and protecting ten kilometres inland. I do not know what is beyond them."
Taylor thought about it for a moment. It reminded Jones of being back in Brest on the west coast of France - spread thin and ill equipped.
"Sir, the 5th has made contact at Buccino and north of Potenza."
Taylor turned back to the ops table, for the names meant nothing to him. As far as his knowledge of the country extended was the rough location of Rome and Naples from looking at the map that morning.
"Okay, so that's what, eighty kilometres from here?"
"About that, yes," replied Gallo.
"Have we got any idea on enemy numbers yet?"
Jafar stepped up towards them, and Gallo recoiled at the sight of him. He could see the uniform markings on his armour but still could not believe it. He looked to both Taylor and Jones for confirmation that Jafar was for real and friendly.
"This is Sergeant Jafar and he is one of ours," Taylor said.
"But..."
"But nothing, Major."
Gallo turned to study the alien. They could all see it was the closest he had ever come to one, but it was not what he was expecting at all. The short Italian officer had to look up to see the eyes of the towering Jafar.
"Are there many more like you, fighting for us?" he asked.
"There was one, but he was lost in Tau Ceti."
"Enough, there'll be time for questions when the enemy isn't at the door."
They turned back to the map.
"The marines will have their work cut out at those two towns. Rolling hills and many narrow mountain roads. Much of the terrain is barren and without cover."
"Do you have any forces south of here?"
"Small numbers in Cosenza and extending into Sicily, but all have been ordered to setup defensive lines at their locations and await further support. The civilians from here down are being evacuated by air and sea, and above Naples they are being moved north."
"That's gonna take time."
"Yes, but not as long as you might think. The population of my country is a shadow of its former self. So many ghost towns."
Taylor looked back to the map, which was being updated live with enemy positions throughout the Med and Africa as they came in.
"What are they doing in southern Italy? Doesn't look like they are in great numbers, and we don't have any sign of them receiving additional support as of yet. Much longer, and our fleets will ensure they are cut off completely."
"Maybe this wasn't their intended target?" asked Jones. "Seems all that could amassed in North Africa. Perhaps this was the closest they could get if their ship was severely damaged."
Lieutenant Yorath was clearly receiving new information at his comms station, and Taylor waited impatiently to hear the news.
"Sir, first recon images from the 5th are in."
"Anything useful?"
"I believe so, Sir, looks like some kind of crash site. They'll be on the table presently."
Five images popped up, and it took a few seconds for them to realise what they were looking at until Jafar finally spoke.
"That is a heavy cruiser, and it looks badly damaged."
"Then it is a crash site?" asked Jones.
"Yes."
"What can we expect from a ship of that size?"
"A thousand crew and enough equipment for them all to fight on the ground. Support ships may also have remained with them."
"All right, at least we have some idea on numbers. They must have sustained losses in the battle and probably more in that crash landing. But if their support vessels have joined them, we must assume they have their full one thousand strength or more."
"Potentially many more," replied Jafar.
He pointed to a wooded area where part had been flattened that only a key eye would have spotted.
"You think that's another crash site?"
"Or a good hiding place," added Jones.
Jafar nodded, without giving a solid answer to either of them.
"Where are these two sites in relation to the 5th's current position?" asked Taylor.
"The map is being updated as we speak," added Yorath.
Taylor looked over the map and could see the three elements of the 5th Marine were advancing on the heavy cruiser and had already passed the other potential landing site.
"They haven't seen it."
"Idiots," replied Jones.
"Yorath, mark the second potential crash site and warn them immediately!"
Before the Lieutenant could react, he received frantic new calls across the radio.
"Sir, 5th Marine is reporting enemy advances north of their position."
"Christ, they're getting surrounded," said Jones.
Taylor looked to the map again.
"Muro Lucano, that's where the second ship is. They must have moved south quickly."
"Heavy woodland in that area. It would cover their movements well. No idea of telling how many of them are there."
"Have they requested our assistance?" asked Taylor.
"No, Sir," replied Yorath.
"Well, tough shit. They're getting it anyway."
"What about our orders to defend this area?"
"We can do both, Jones. Captain Jackson, I want you to join Major Gallo's defensive lines, a platoon per position at each kilometre as Gallo setup. The rest of us are heading to Muro Lucano."
He looked up to see Eddie Rains had just woken and was stretching as he came out of his billet.
"Rains!"
The Lieutenant jumped at the bellowing of his name.
"Are the copters ready to go?"
He paced up casually and confidently.
"Unloaded last night, Sir. We've been good to go since we hit this country."
"Good, then fire 'em up. There are marines who need our help."
Captain Ryan spoke up from where he had been standing by the ops table.
"What do you want us to do?"
"Right now, your priority should be to get your weapon systems online. With those active, you'll be able to provide some valuable air cover."
"That could take a couple of days, easy."
"It'll take what it'll take, and see to getting any weapons you can installed on the other two ships."
"They're just civilian transports."
"Not anymore. I'm not expecting miracles, but anything you can get on them to give them a fighting chance will help."
"I'll do what I can."
"That's all I ask."
He turned back to Jones.
"Get the other three companies assembled, I want to be in the air in fifteen minutes!"
He acknowledged as his lifted him comms unit and began barking his orders. Taylor was already carrying everything he needed. When so close to the enemy, he only removed his armour when sleeping, and even then kept it close to hand. He looked back at the map to study the location.
"They went headlong into this. Harney wants to make his name."
"He want's to be a great hero like you," replied Gallo.
Taylor looked up into the eyes of the Major. He didn't like being called a hero. It was an honour he found hard to accept when he had lost so many friends.
"I may have made some kind of name, but it wasn't by carelessly throwing myself at the enemy. I have survived this long by using my head."
Gallo clung to his every word, and Mitch could tell he was being treated as the officer’s personal hero and role model.
"What are my orders?"
"You are to carry on as you have been, only with the support of one of my companies. They'll provide valuable support to your defences."
"And will you coordinate the operation from here?"
"No, I do not leave others to do the fighting."
"But is it not right to have somebody to coordinate remotely?"
"Yes, but that is not for me to do. Commander Phillips is en route to handle that."
"Let us join you. We're ready."
Taylor took a deep breath as he thought it over. He was deeply divided on the subject.
The support would be welcome, but they'll prove little worth in their present state.
"I like you, Gallo, and it will be an honour to fight beside you. But I will not throw you to the wolves. I know what it’s like to face the enemy with the equipment you are using, and it is an experience I would not wish for any man. Hold your positions and bide your time. There will plenty of opportunity for you to get a hand in this war yet."
Gallo accepted his orders and his advice without hesitation.
"One last thing. You may be the second highest rank within our two forces, but my troops answer to me. This is not a personal matter. My officers have more combat experience than anyone I know. Trust them and work with them."
The young officer agreed quickly, and Taylor could see he was glad to have some of the responsibility lifted from his shoulders. "I'm outta here, Major."
"Good luck."
"Thanks."
He took one last look at the map, checked his Mappad device was working and updated, and grabbed his rifle. He shook his head as he thought more about Harney's blunder. On the one hand he wanted to smack the Colonel in the face, and on the other he just wanted to get his fellow marines out alive.
He reached the landing pads that had been cleared. It was little more than a dusty plain with the copters lined up and a few instant shelters beside them. Their engines were already fired up, and the three companies were clambering aboard the dozen birds. Eddie was back to his old self, wearing his ragged clothing and shunning the body armour and suit he had been provided.
"Damn it feels good to be fighting in the fresh air again!" he yelled as Taylor approached.
"Can't argue with that."
Though the air wasn't especially fresh. The copter engines were kicking up dust and debris that was filling his nostrils and throat, but he'd still prefer it to the full helmets. He looked at his watch, just eight minutes had passed, and the last few marines were climbing aboard. He was the last to step up onto Rains’ copter. He lifted his comms unit.
"All aboard, let's move out!"
Rains was quick to respond, and the dust cloud seemed to explode beneath them as the power was increased and they lifted off. Taylor stood at the open side door to watch their departure. Gallo was watching them for the ground. Taylor knew he had made the right decision to leave the Italian soldiers behind.
They would be like lambs to the slaughter.
He stepped up to cockpit to see the view ahead.
"Colonel Taylor, meet Luke Wiseman, my new co-pilot."
"It's an honour, Sir."
"Yeah, well you serve with us for a few weeks and see if you still think as much. We get the shit missions, and there ain't no payoff or bonuses."
Rains burst out into laughter. It took just ten minutes for them to reach the outskirts of Muro Lucano.
"That's their landing zone, we reckon!" Taylor pointed.
"Aren't we going to assist the 5th?"
"We have to neutralise all enemy targets to the north before jumping in and making the same mistake they do. Take us in close. I want to come down right on their heads. With any luck, we'll be sweeping south in no time."
"You think that's a good idea? We don't have any idea what's down there."