As they strolled out of the building into the daylight once more, Jones asked, "You know you have just incited rebellion in your own country, as well as probably countless others."
"If governments can't handle the truth, on their heads, so be it."
Jones smiled. "Viva la revolution."
Hours later Taylor sat about a large maintenance bay where his unit had taken shelter from the sun, awaiting their next assignment. They all accepted that leave was a thing of the past. Most were cleaning weapons and equipment, including Taylor. His rifle was new off the shelf, since his old one required extensive repairs. He stripped the new weapon to every last component part and adjusted and reassembled it to his own configuration.
A large screen projection at one end of the hall had an Earth news channel playing; a United States endorsed and funded station that acted under the guise of neutral politics, despite few knowing its true identity. Most of the day’s stories had been covering sport. It seemed bizarre while those who watched it were living in a war zone.
"I guess the US really doesn't want involvement in this war?"
"I don't think anybody wants to be involved in this war, Charlie. They just haven't realised yet that they have no choice but to be," replied Taylor.
"Colonel Taylor!" came a call.
His grip reached for his sidearm instinctively. He looked up. An officer stood before him, silhouetted against the light coming through a ceiling light. He covered his eyes from the glare and recognised Becker, the German tank commander. Taylor leapt to his feet. He could see the German flag Becker had always worn with pride was gone, replaced with a black double-headed eagle encased in a vivid yellow shield. He wasn't at all familiar with the symbol.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I might ask you the same question."
"No, but I mean really, why are you here? Your country is at war with France."
"No, the German government is at war with France and certain idiotic creatures with it. I still fight for Germany in the only way I can. Took me a little while to convince the EA I was genuine, but here I am."
Taylor was still looking at the symbol on Becker's sleeve, and the Captain felt he needed to explain.
"Holy Roman Empire," he stated. "It's how I can still fight as a German, without being shot for being one."
Taylor laughed. "Honestly, I'm amazed to see you are even still alive."
"Likewise."
Becker's attention suddenly turned, and his eyes looked past the Colonel to the end of the room.
"Looks like you are creating quite a stir."
Taylor looked confused. He turned to find out what the Captain meant and was met by his face projected on the massive screen.
"No way," he whispered.
"Turn it up!" Jones shouted out.
A moment later, he was listening to his own voice as recorded earlier that day on one of the most watched news stations in the World. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"It's the Colonel!" one of the unit shouted. "Get a look at the Colonel!" another one called out. Cheering rang out and swallowed up the sound from his interview, but it was okay, he didn't need to hear it.
"What have you got yourself into, Colonel?" asked Becker.
"Long story, but in essence, we need more people like you. Volunteers to fight for what needs to be fought for."
Silva walked over to join them with a huge grin across his face. "Man, White is gonna be pissed."
"Well, I can't keep everyone happy."
Most of the Regiment was in the huge room and beginning to chant his name with excitement. He knew he had to get up and talk to them. He climbed up onto a nearby table and lifted his hands. Silence quickly followed.
"Every man and woman among you joined me in this war because you knew it was the right thing to do. Our government, our Generals, they still sit on the fence while we fight and die. Today, I am giving every American and every other nation’s citizens a chance to decide for themselves!"
Becker leaned over to Jones.
"How does he do it?"
"What?"
"Survive, after pissing off so many people, and remain so fiercely popular?"
Jones shook his head for he didn't rightly know. "It is quite amazing."
The video interview replayed again on the screen until finally it was cut short and went back to a news desk. The crowd booed but were silenced by Silva's booming voice hollering, "Quiet!"
They were all fixated on the screen now and watched as the news anchor was clearly receiving notes through a hidden earpiece before relaying them on air. The anchor was a well-dressed blonde in her late thirties and always looked one hundred percent confident in her presentation, except for this time. She looked uneasy with what she was hearing and hesitated for a moment before speaking with a slightly shaken voice.
"We have had a request from the White House for an immediate broadcast from their location...Going now live to the White House..."
The familiar White House conference room set appeared before them, but it was empty. A few moments later a man stepped up to the podium, but nobody recognised him. He was in his early thirties and Hispanic. It was clear he was prepped for the interview but was doing his best to appear confident.
"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, for appearing on such short notice. I am Rodrigo Vidal, and I am advisor to the President. I am here on the President's behalf to ask for calm and consideration at this time. I am sure all of you have by now seen the broadcast put out a few hours ago by what appears to be Mitch Taylor. Let me remind you that Colonel Taylor is currently AWOL from the Marine Corps, and is acting of his own accord. We have no authentication of the videos source, nor any evidence that any material therein is accurate."
He took in a deep breath, and not one of the members of the press interrupted him as they waited with baited breath.
"The United States has seen no evidence of cloned humans or Krys involvement in the war currently being fought in Europe and its surrounding area. We have no choice but to declare this video a hoax. I repeat, the President has asked for calm consideration during this troubling time in the World. Thank you. That will be all."
Reporters jumped to get his attention, but he carried on as quickly as he could.
"Fucking asshole," said Silva. "A hoax? Get the President here, and we'll show him a fucking hoax."
"He's just towing the line. That video was never targeted at the government. It was for everyone else."
The troops were heckling the screen as it returned to the news anchor.
Becker was stunned. "You...you really just did that? That really was you who put that out there?"
Taylor nodded.
"Think it'll work?" asked Jones.
"We can only hope."
"If this evidence exists, why not get it out to the World?" asked Becker. "Why not make everyone see it to be true? Hell, even take it to the UEN. They can't understand the shit they've gotten themselves into."
"It's what we've been trying to do, and yes we tried that as well. Nearly cost us our lives. No, there is no negotiation to be had with the UEN anymore. Maybe we can get a few individuals like you to cross over, but this war will only end when we win it."
"So what now?" asked Silva.
"Wait and see. Worst case, is nothing at all."
"Colonel Taylor!" a voice boomed.
He turned to see General Dupont standing before him.
Oh, shit!
"When did getting the evidence out to the World include open recruiting of citizens from neutral countries?"
Taylor shrugged his shoulders and stayed calm.
"You just did what none of my advisors would dare do, and what a job you did. Governments are panicking. Discussion of clones and alien involvement is spreading like wildfire. I didn't believe it ever could have worked."