Tsengal looked at her as if to ask why but did not speak.
“Throughout this entire war, we have been researching and evolving our equipment, more so in two years than the last two hundred. I just didn’t expect to find them doing the same.”
“Our former leaders underestimated the humans. A mistake they are rapidly trying to correct, by the looks.”
“Back on Earth, we found scores of humans, or what looked like humans in some kind of incubation chambers. Do you know anything of them?”
He shook his head.
“I am sorry, Colonel.”
A transmission came in to her personal comms link.
“Colonel Chandra. Colonel Chen is requested your presence at the CP immediately.”
Her curiosity turned to concern. She had been waiting for bad news for days.
“Come on let’s go!”
She took to a running pace. Several of the troops they passed on the way turned in surprise and reached for their weapons. They could all see it was serious, and yet even she didn’t yet know the reason for such an emergency. The two of them rushed into the Command centre that they had established in what seemed to be the docking bay control room.
Passing through the guards and the entrance, the Colonel could already see the worry in the faces of those waiting for her. The three Battalion commanders were all gathered around a table that had a map of their area displayed. She rushed up to them without a word, looking to Colonel Chen for answers.
“We have confirmed sightings of the enemy, Ma’am.”
“What’s their strength?”
“Unknown, but it’s not small. They’re coming right for us. At their current speed, we have about eight hours until they arrive.”
“We should prepare our defences,” Major Warren added.
Chandra nodded in agreement. The Commando officer was thinking exactly as she did.
“We’ve got what, less than three thousand troops? Enough to hold off a scouting party or small assault, maybe more with the terrain here. But if they come at us hard, like we have seen so many times…” continued Chen.
Major Klimenko’s fist smashed down on the table like iron. It made them all jump in shock. The Russian marine stood taller than everyone in the room, except for Tsengal, and his cold fearless expression spoke a thousand words.
“The time for giving up ground is over!” he boomed. “We will spill their blood on their land.”
Chen shook his head in disbelief.
“How can you…” he continued.
“Enough!” Chandra shouted. “We came here to fight, so I don’t want to hear any talk of bugging out. We have no idea what we are dealing with yet. We have a strong position here, with enough troops to defend it.”
The room went silent as Chen swallowed his words.
“There may come a time when we have to turn tail and run, but that is the very last resort. We’ve been ordered to defend this colony, and we will do so until we are no longer able.”
“Suicide? That’s what you are asking of us?” asked Chen.
Chandra took a deep breath. She knew Chen was a good man and a solid officer. She didn’t want to insult him.
“You fought hard to save the Moon Colony, against all odds. That battle assisted all of us on Earth. As important as that fight was, so could this one be. If we do not stand in the face of the enemy, who will?”
Chen accepted her words, as he knew there was no chance of changing her mind.
“At least request assistance from the fleet,” he pleaded.
“I will do so, but no matter their answer, our task is set. I know the breaches we made here have already been sealed, but I’d like them checked and reinforced if need be. You all have your areas marked out. I’ll attach myself to Major Warren’s commandos for now. You have a good few hours. Let’s make this as defensible as we possibly can.”
They turned and left. Chandra stood her ground and continued to survey the map of the colony. She could see they had more than enough troops to defend the confined underground facility. She turned to her comms operator.
“Get the Admiral for me.”
Taylor had been called to the bridge. He knew it must be important. The Admiral was well aware he was partaking in hull breach drills and defence practices. He didn’t like being interrupted when he was running such drills, as they could mean life or death for many of them. He stepped onto the bridge with a scowl, but it was quickly wiped from his face with a few simple words from Huber.
“Colonel Chandra in on the link.”
He quickly stepped up to the briefing table where a projection displayed a video feed.
“Please carry on, Colonel,” Huber ordered.
“As I was saying, Sir, we have confirmed enemy incoming in unknown but large number.”
“Are they heading for you or us?” asked Taylor.
“Hard to say as their path runs towards you, but we’re right in the middle, so you can bet your arse they’re going to want this place back.”
“We should reinforce Red 1, Sir,” insisted Taylor to Huber.
Huber thought about it for a few seconds before directing his question to Chandra.
“What is your analysis of the situation, Colonel?”
“Sir, we have enough strength to effectively defend this colony against a sizeable attack. It is my belief that we should make all efforts to defend this place. If the enemy are heading for the gateway, then they are heading for Earth. The longer we can hold them back, the better prepared our colonies will be.”
“You think a few hours or days could make a difference to that?” he asked.
“In the past, I would have said no, but our production, recruitment and training is at an all time high. Every day Earth gains to develop its strength could be vital in determining the outcome of a second invasion.”
Taylor could see Huber already agreed with her. They had all witnessed the vast shipyards slaving away and putting new ships into space, in what seemed like a daily basis.
“I will not order you to stay on Red 1, Colonel, but I do believe staying there is the right decision. As you know, we cannot quickly assist you, and if the fleet comes under attack, we may well be unable to provide any extra help.”
“Understood, Sir.”
“Request for Inter-Allied to return to assist the Colonel, Sir,” Taylor asked.
I know it’s a long shot, but I had to ask.
“Denied, we need the best we have here on the the Washington, to protect us in the event of another breach.”
“We’ll be fine here, Mitch. I’ve got some of the very finest troops at my disposal. We bled for this land. I’m not willing to give it up without a fight.”
Taylor nodded in agreement. He was well used to the Colonel’s stubbornness.
“You look after yourself.”
“Always.”
“Good luck, Colonel,” Huber added.
“And to you, Sir.”
The projection stopped, and Taylor was once more struck by the realisation he was again divided from friends.
Time flew by on Red 1 as the troops hastened to prepare the defences. Enough hours had passed, and they now waited for the inevitable attack. Chandra sat in the CP with just five other personnel. All the other officers were stationed at their designated zones. Her platoon waited at the door for her.
All were silent as she waited for some news from the staff sat at their stations. She sat upright and sternly, with a straight back. Her rifle lay on the table next to her. They had no planetary defence batteries or fighters to engage the enemy. All they could do was wait for the enemy to come to them. Her comms operator, Corporal Bradley waited anxiously for information more than any of them.
“Ma’am, we have identified forty vessels so far.”
She nodded in response.
They had little idea of the enemy strength based on that information, other than it was more than a mere scouting party.
“Transmit all information to the fleet live while you still can.”