Battle Earth III Read Free Page B

people out of any hard work, and they’ve earned it. We’ve got plenty more numbers than are needed for the area we have been posted. Be sure to get some e-readers and music up there. There are also beds that you can use on rotation.”
    “Yes, Ma’am.”
    “This is a rare chance for the Company to recuperate, so use it well.”
    Friday nodded as he turned and strode quickly back towards the Company who lay scattered about at a staging ground.
    “I am guessing that nose wasn’t busted in a fall?” asked Taylor.
    Chandra smiled. It was one of the many near-death experiences she had faced of late. Having survived it, she could now look back on it with humour and analyse it further.
    “Those things are deadly up close. I was lucky.”
    “Then clearly we have an agenda for Reiter.”
    * * *
     
    Reiter sat in his office chair with his back to them. He stared out of the tall pane of glass that looked onto his research centre. A few employees worked casually in the room, but it was the quietest Taylor had ever seen it. The two officers could only see the scientist’s mostly baldhead. A small grey patch of hair was all that remained of his hair. Even though they could not see his face, they could both tell he was frowning.
    “Sir? You okay?” asked Chandra.
    He swivelled round in his chair and glared at the Major.
    “I hold no rank here. You are the officer. You can call me Doctor Reiter, or by my first name, if you would consider us close.”
    “What’s going on here, Doc? Production is delayed, and we need the kit. Why’s this place so quiet?”
    “Manufacturing is out of our hands. We’ve been ordered to move on with further development of new ideas.”
    “Well, why aren’t you?”
    Reiter sighed at the insult.
    “Mr Taylor. I have not stopped working my entire life. But without the resources and manpower I need, there is little more I can do.”
    “What do you mean?” asked Chandra.
    “Most of my staff has been re-assigned to manufacturing plants to oversee the production of the equipment I designed. I am getting few deliveries of the supplies and resources I need. There isn’t a lot I can do.”
    Taylor sighed and paced around the room.
    “I am sure this has all been necessary, Doc. The only thing that matters right now is getting that hardware into combat.”
    Reiter nodded.
    “Then why are you here?”
    Taylor shook his head. He realised that he was asking just the opposite of the wise scientist.
    “Command wants us to oversee your future developments.”
    Reiter coughed. He was in part amused and insulted at the same time.
    “I appreciate the problems you are dealing with,” said Chandra. “But you have to understand, we all face the same hardship. Our Company isn’t getting the replacements we need. We aren’t getting the support we need. Times are tough, and we have to manage.”
    Reiter nodded. He knew what the Major was saying was right before she’d said it, but he couldn’t help but feel sidelined.
    “I can’t believe you’ve got nothing new on the drawing board?” asked Taylor.
    Reiter swivelled around in his chair once again and smiled, as he looked out into his facility with his back to the two officers. Taylor squinted to look at a large item that two of the staff were lifting up onto a table. It appeared to be of a similar construction to the armour of the Reitech suits, but in a large rectangular sheet with grips on one side and a small window. He stepped around the scientist’s desk to get a closer look but could not identify what he was looking at. He turned quickly to ask a question of Reiter but was interrupted.
    “I am still working with what I have, Major.”
    The scientist smiled. Chandra stepped around to join the other two and marvel at the object. She already knew it would be a fascinating creation, but she just didn’t know its purpose yet. Taylor couldn’t wait any longer.
    “What the hell is it?” he insisted.
    Reiter gestured towards the suit Chandra was