Free Battle Earth X by Nick S. Thomas Page A

confidence in us all at the same time."
    Taylor pulled on his gear and carried on to the bridge where all the crew there turned to him, as if he would be able to speak some magical words that would end all their troubles. Admiral Huang was projected on a screen before him for all to see and hear.
    “This is Colonel Taylor. He will act as mediator for us.”
    Mediator? That isn’t how it was sold to me.
    But he could see from Huang’s response to his presence that his reputation went a long way.
    “It is an honour, Colonel Taylor. I am so glad you made it here to fight with us.”
    “I didn’t come here to fight,” replied Taylor, “We came here to survive. Maybe that involves fighting, maybe not. All that matters is the human race survives, and for that we need to stick together and work together.”
    Huang did not reply.
    “If that is to be the case, this fleet needs a leader.”
    “But it should not be Admiral Huber, the leader of the failed operation in enemy space.”
    “Oh, really? And who should it be, someone with no experience that any of us have heard of? You? You have a third the vessels the US Navy has in this fleet. And you think you should be in charge? Huber is the obvious choice for this. Accept him, or leave this fleet and do not come back!”
    The transmission cut off.
    “What the hell was that?” Huber asked.
    “You asked me to negotiate. Well, this is how I do it.”
    “Are you trying to pick a fight, Colonel?”
    Taylor turned to him and responded angrily.
    “I am doing what you asked me to in the best way I know how. If you don’t like it, then why did you spring me from that cell? I will be a puppet to no one. I have been there, and I didn’t like it the first time.”
    “Sir, the Chinese Battleship Lo Yang is launching fighters.”
    “Power up weapons, launch fighters,” replied Huber.
    He turned to Taylor.
    “What have you done?”
    "This shitstorm was coming whether we wanted it or not. Let's get it over with now before we really are deep in the shit."
    "That was not your decision to make, Colonel."
    "You put me in this position, Sir. I never wanted it."
    "You see, Sir. Can you see him for the troublemaker he is?"
    Taylor looked around to see Cordero standing on the bridge behind him.
    "What the hell is he doing here, Admiral?"
    "Captain Cordero is here to represent the interests of the Spanish Navy and her South American allies, who make up more than a sizeable amount of this fleet."
    Taylor could see the smug look in Cordero's face, but he did not care for it.
    "Sir, fighters are ready to launch," said Vega.
    "I said launch, not prepare to launch. Get them out there!"
    Taylor could see everyone on the bridge was uneasy with their position.
    "Sir..." said Lieutenant Capwell.
    "What is it?" he replied impatiently.
    "Sir, A number of ships are moving out of formation and heading for the Lo Yang."
    "What are their intentions?"
    "Admiral Huang will not accept your authority," stated Cordero.
    Taylor and Huber turned, suddenly realising the Spaniard knew more than he was letting on.
    "All right, I'll indulge you. Speak," replied Huber.
    "I am here to represent my people, who like Admiral Huang, are concerned about the direction you are taking this fleet in."
    "Direction? We haven't even got a direction. We just got here."
    "There are many concerned parties that do not believe you are the right man for the job, Admiral. Your track record thus far is far from exemplary."
    Taylor knew he referred to their disastrous incursion into enemy territory, but that was not a fair blow to strike. General Dupont strode aboard the bridge in the silence that ensued.
    "What the hell is going on?" he demanded.
    Taylor leaned over to him and responded quietly.
    "We've got trouble. Admiral Huang is trying to seize power, and he's got a fair amount of support."
    Dupont shook his head. "Huang? He's a crazy fool."
    "A fool with a wealth of resources, though."
    "Sir, we've got a signal coming in from the Lo