Battle for Proxima by Michael G. Thomas

wondering when that would come up. The last report from Anderson says the first of them had already been awoken. I have read your report about those that helped you. I’m concerned some of you may be going a little soft on them,” she said, almost playfully.
    “Soft?” answered the General, not seeing the funny side. “Trust me, I have seen enough of them and watched too many men and women die at their hands. I honestly believe the creatures we have fought have been programmed more thoroughly than even religious indoctrination. They barely think, they simply follow out their orders with ruthless efficiency.”
    “Perhaps, but how is that different to us using them to fight their own?” she asked.
    “I wasn’t suggesting we did that. Before Spartan left, he gave me a few ideas to think about. I’m not certain it is an ideal solution, but it does have merit.”
    “Let me guess, he wanted to give the them the chance to join Confed Marine units as privates?” she asked laughing.
    “You might be closer than you think. Back in the nineteenth century on Earth, several countries made use of mercenaries to supplement their armed forces. The British, in particular, made use of an actual region called Nepal where they recruited for hundreds of years. The soldiers, known as Ghurkhas, provided thousands of men over the years. It was a simple agreement, whereby the locals received greater benefits than they would ever earn living in their homeland. In return, they would fight for the British. As a reward, after their service, they were ultimately granted permission to live in Britain.”
    “I’ve not heard of them. Did it work?”
    “Admiral, they were cheaper than British soldiers and the equal, sometimes the better, of the local troops. Until the great colonisation of the new worlds, the European Army still contained a Ghurkha unit as part of the British Corps.”
    “Thank you for the history lesson, perhaps you could tell me what your plan is then?”
    “We will have several thousand strong, aggressive and homeless Biomechs with no hatred for us or the Confederacy. If we were to offer them a simple deal, a trade if you like, they agree to join the Confed military. This would be under human officers, but as a Biomech battalion. They could be armed with spare heavy weapons and close quarters gear. We have plenty in stores.”
    “A Biomech army? You’re serious?”
    “I know it sounds a little off, but they have the potential to provide us with a powerful shock force. Combined with our new Vanguards and the Fleet, they could give us the edge in ground combat.”
    “Assuming I agreed to this, how long would it take? Surely we would need months to prepare them?” she asked suspiciously.
    “Commander Anderson tells me their basic programming includes speech, simple problem solving and the use of tools. They can learn to use edged weapons in hours. Firearms will take longer, but if we give them the heavier guns, they can make up in firepower what they lack in aim. Anderson suggests a week could be enough for a rough, but workable force. Over time, we could improve their training and tactical prowess.”
    Admiral Jarvis stood silent, contemplating the opportunity. She was well informed of their lack of heavy infantry. The Army personnel were competent, but many were Territorial Soldiers and not used to being stationed away from home. They lacked much of the modern equipment used by the marines, also the ability to land directly into battle. Of the twenty-four Army Battalions, only the five that formed the 12 th Airborne Division, were trained and sufficiently equipped for assault operations. They were already in position on Prime, where they were assisting in training the local militias in combat tactics. This was under the supervision of General Shears, the colony’s military commander.
    “Why would they do this? What can we offer them?”
    “That’s simple, just two things. Firstly, we can offer them a home.