"I'll go with you," Jones added quickly.
Taylor knew it wasn't a good idea throwing him into a situation so soon after returning to service and with the stress of his wife's hospitalisation, but he could not say no to an old friend. He nodded in appreciation.
"I'll go," stated Grey.
Taylor shook his head.
"I'd be glad to have you at my side, but should this mission fail, and we not return, the Regiment will need experienced officers to move forward."
Chapter 4
Taylor waited outside his quarters for Jones who was making use of his room. The door finally opened, and Jones stepped out like a new man, standing tall and proud like he used to. He was clean-shaven and his hair shaved at the back and sides.
How sad that all he needed to recover was the near death of his wife. Although it was as much what she said as what has befallen her.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us, do we not?” asked Jones.
“More than you can imagine and then some,” replied Taylor.
“Then I am in this till the very end with you. Whatever it takes for my Dubois to lead a life of peace. I will hunt all those who wish to destroy us to the end of the galaxy, should it be required.”
Taylor smiled. He appreciated the sentiment, but he tried to lighten the tone.
“Dubois? You’re married, and yet still call her by her family name?”
“It is how I first knew her. Her name is Coco, Coco Dubois, and that is how I will always know her.”
“Sounds like it’s working out for you, unlike your first marriage.”
Jones smiled, the first time Taylor had seen him smile in years.
“Don’t remind me.”
For the first time in a long time, he saw hope that his closest band of friends were returning to what they were, unstoppable. He only wished they hadn’t lost so many along the way.
“You know what you are fighting for now? What drives you now? It’s what has fuelled the fire inside me all these years. You think I don’t want to settle down to a quiet life with a beautiful woman, too?”
“No,” Jones replied quickly.
Taylor was surprised by his brisk retort.
“I think you enjoy this. Never have you been more content than when you had an enemy to fight. You thrive on it, and it is why you lead us. You are the purest fighter among us. Unwavering, unflinching. You are the perfect soldier.”
Taylor didn’t know whether to take it as a compliment or an insult, for it could be both in equal measure.
“Except I’m no soldier, I’m a marine.”
“You used to be. What are you now as an officer in the European Alliance Army?”
Taylor didn’t have a response. His Marine heritage had been drummed into him his entire life, as he had done to all under his command. He doubted the feeling would ever leave him, but it was food for thought. He was born into a world where he had the weight of the United States armed forces backing him, and that was gone now. It was a feeling of safety and security he had taken for granted and now cause for concern to have lost it.
“Don’t be offended now, Charlie, but before we go anywhere, you are walking through the x-ray scanners which identify Krys agents. I hope you understand.”
“Has every one of our Regiment been through them?”
Taylor nodded.
“Then I should not like to be the odd man out.”
Fifteen minutes later they stood before Dupont and several other EA representatives. Taylor wondered if anyone else ever got such dangerous and specialist missions. The wars had been fought on many fronts and by many millions of people, but all he saw is what was before his own eyes.
“Today is the day we have our opportunity to end this war,” stated Dupont. “Not through weight of arms, not through a wonder weapon, or by casualties inflicted and lost, but by knowledge. This war was not started by humans, and yet we fight one another all the same.”
He looked around to all standing before him, as they nodded in agreement and hoped that such a plan could work.
“The meet shall take place in Basel at 1500 hours. Colonel Taylor, you are to act as representative of the EA, and as such will intend no violence while under the banner of peace, unless violence is conducted against you.”
“And should we expect it?”
“I hope not, Colonel. We have to pray common sense still prevails among our former comrades-in-arms, but I would not rule out the possibility of an attempt against you. With your name and reputation, you are an invaluable representative for us, but also a key target for our enemy.”
“So I’m being used as bait?”
“No, Colonel. I am placing you in danger, as I believe your name and reputation may be enough to sway officers who may otherwise not be swayed.”
More ways of saying I’m getting fucked both ways, he thought. Taylor didn’t like any of what he was hearing.
“You can’t honestly believe this can work?” he asked dubiously.
“I do,” snapped Dupont. “It is what we have been working for long and hard week after week so that we can save lives, thousands, maybe even millions. If the Krys are setting us upon one another, it is only in order divide and conquer, and we cannot let that happen. Or do you not consider your life worth risking for the potential of saving millions?”
It was hard for Taylor to argue with that. He just wished it were someone else's neck on the line for once.
"You will take a single copter and six personnel, including yourself and a pilot to Basel, where you shall be met by an equivalent contingent sent by General Schulz. He assures me that he is sending one of his most trusted officers and guarantees your safety, providing you abide by the ceasefire that has been negotiated. You may take weapons, but be very careful about how you present yourselves. You may not fire or be seen to attempt to use your weapons, unless you are absolutely certain that your lives are in danger. I recommend you take only the coolest of minds on this one."
"Sounds like the perfect trap to capture the Colonel to me," said Jones. "Which would be a major blow to your cause and a huge victory for the UEN."
"I am aware of that problem, Captain."
"Aware of that problem?" asked Parker. "You could be sending us to our deaths, and that's all you have to say?"
"Yes, Sergeant, and I do not know why you are even present here when you lack seniority and have little to add."
"Enough!" Taylor interrupted.
Dupont was surprised he spoke out but knew they all needed to cool off.
"Sergeant Parker is a vital asset in the Regiment, but that does not excuse her tone," he said, glaring at her. She was silenced but not at all happy.
"I send troops out every day and with a good chance they'll die," said Dupont. "I don't like it, but that's my job. In this instance, I'm risking six to save God knows how many. Good odds and a calculated risk worth taking, wouldn't you say?"
She couldn't argue with that, but emotion was getting the better of her. For she would have any others risked in the mission besides Taylor.
"I have to wonder why we can't do this remotely?"
"I wish we could, Colonel, but I do not want any chance of the information discussed to be intercepted by third parties, and there is no way to be sure of security. Additionally, you will travel with and deliver genetic material which is proof of the Krys agents."