LUU Chpt 9

==Let Us Unite - Chapter IX -==
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===Slipping pass Republicans===
Date: January 3, 2767 
Location: Redacted, Titan, Terra
"Majors, are we sure that we're not going to be found out?" Mitchell asked. "Because I'm pretty sure an unregistered dropship that takes off from Titan is something that'll be pretty noticeable."
 
"We don't leave the dropships we've got stashed fall off the registry or out of sight and mind," McFadden shook her head. "Some of us come often enough and make it look like it's a merchant vessel that is on an off season."
 
"If we do get stopped, we just act like it's our usual yearly route," Capell shrugged. "Merchants that only operate during specific times isn't unusual, especially in the Inner Sphere. So we should be able to get away with it."
 
"What about Jumpships?" Hazen asked from where she was powering up the Pueblo class ship. "We're going to need to secure passage out before Amaris locks down the system entirely."
 
"We're only a few days out from the Zenith point," Mitchell pointed out. "I'm sure that there'll be one we can commandeer or pay off."
 
"Regardless, we don't have the time to stand around talking about it," Jewels dragged a case of foodstuffs into the nearby galley. "Suarez has already secured the second HPG and gotten it onboard. So all that's left is the 'Mechs and we can leave."
 
"Right," McFadden nodded. "They're not our usual rides, but they're what we have stashed here, so we'll load them up and make sure that they're maintained while we're en route to the Jump point."
 
"I just wish we had some ASF escorts," Capell sighed. "Having some as a surprise should shit hit the fan is something that would be nice to have."
 
"We'll make do," Hazen shrugged. "But let's get moving, we leave in two hours."
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"Titan Control, this is Messenger, we are transmitting our flight plan." Hazen broadcast to the local air traffic control.
 
<<"Messenger, back to your usual run?">> ATC asked. <<"It's been a few months since you landed.">>
 
"Had to visit the family on Terra, make sure that the money was all distributed to the cousins, you know how it is," Hazen laughed. "You got a course for us?"
 
<<"Affirmative, Messenger, taxi to dome two seven zero and wait for confirmation of door clearance.">>
 
"Copy that, moving to dome two seven zero," the dropship began wheeling through the tunnels set aside for Aerodynes.
 
<<"Be advised, there have been some… Surprise inspections in the last few days. Make sure that you've got any contraband secured and locked away. We've heard they're looking for booze!">>
 
"Wilco," Hazen responded, glancing back at some of the others, a question in her eyes. "We'll be sure to lock up the whiskey and tequila."
 
<<"Just make sure you bring some back for us,">> ATC chuckled. <<"We'll get in touch when you reach two seven zero, ATC, out.">>
 
"The 'mechs and HPG are hidden, right?" Hazen asked.
 
"It's taken care of," Capell replied. "We've got a few Haulermechs strapped down, but that's the only thing they'll find aside from the usual small arms that are onboard a Dropship."
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===Troubles with evacuation efforts===
Date: January 5, 2767
Location: Star System 10.14526 Classified system known as Hotel
"The Spicer and Blue Quest have been repaired and crews shuffled around to fill holes," Dashka briefed the other two captains and Major MacIntosh. "We're not at a skeleton crew, but we're not at our full coverage either until our wounded are out of the medbays."
 
"I'll contact each of you with the coordinates for the next jump after our K-F drives are all fully charged," MacIntosh stated. "Once we've reached Bolthole, we'll go Comms silent aside from a single repeating HPG broadcast to any surviving Black Watch members."
 
"And what about our families?" Captain Little asked, Captain Kathryn Jones nodding in agreement. "They're still on Terra or in the rest of the Hegemony."
 
"Alright," MacIntosh exchanged glances with Captain Daksha before sighing. "The Tripitz was specifically staffed with crew members who didn't have family to leave behind. All of the Warships that are on standby for evacuation efforts such as what we accomplished were staffed as such."
 
"So what do we do?" Jones looked around the table.
 
"We find those who want to return to the Hegemony and we load them up on the Tripitz," MacIntosh explained. "It's the most intact ship, and the one that Amaris and those who fought in and around Terra will recognize once they've had time to go over the intelligence logs. You then try to get to General Kerensky, explain what's happening, and return to Liberate Terra as soon as possible."
 
 "And those who remain with us will go on to Bolthole," Daksha finished. "We'll need the extra manpower to secure and hold the system. So, while we wait for everyone's drives to finish recharging, we'll begin sorting out personnel and loading the gear everyone will need onto the different dropships and Warships."
 
 "You sure you want to give up your ship, Daksha?" Little asked. "Surely you'd rather take the fight to the enemy?"
 
 "I'm serving the task that I was assigned," Daksha shook his head. "I will gladly give up my ship if it accomplishes the survival of the Star League and the Hegemony."
 
 "We'll sort all of that out later," MacIntosh replied. "Right now, we need to establish what repairs still need to be finished and how we're going to split and sort personnel. The Titan dropships and their ASF are coming with me, so we'll start with designating dropships to go…"
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===Waking Sleeping Beauties===
Date: January 7th, 2767
Location: Zenith Point, Terra
"C'mon now," Sergeant McLeod helped the Wet Nurse gather up the Cameron Twins before moving over to the next room and gently shaking both Elizabeth and Helena Cameron awake. I hate to wake you, lasses, but we're transferring ships."
"Will we be safe there?" Helena asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
 
"Aye," McLeod smiled, the girls warming to the old noncom. "As safe as we can be. We're transferring over to the Spicer, she'll keep us safe until we reach Bolthole, and then we'll get to be on solid ground again."
The girls nodded and began to change out of their nightgowns and into the clothing that had been provided, the SLDF fatigues looking slightly large on their frames.
 
"Now, can you help me with your niece and nephew?" the Sergeant asked. "They've been a bit fussy all day."
 
Elizabeth nodded, shifting positions to accept the bundled up Ian Cameron.
 
"He's so small," Ian smiled up at her and reached for her hair. "No, you can't have that," she pried away the fist, not wanting her hair to be tugged on.
 
"They always are," McLeod led them to a small craft, the girls boarding as the Black watch ensured the seals were good before launch. "Then they grow up to be taller than you."
 
"When do we get to go home?" Helena asked, her voice cracking as she began to cry. "I just want to go home."
 
"Shh," The sergeant pulled her into a grandfatherly hug. "We might not be able to return to Terra for a little while, but we can make a home out of wherever we are," he gently stroked her hair and let her hold him until she stopped weeping.
 
"Better?" He asked.
 
Helena nodded, not willing to speak as she stared at the wet and snot stained part of the Sergeant's uniform.
 
"A good cry is necessary sometimes," the old man smiled. "Why, I remember when my daughter was a it older than you…"
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===We need go, we go NOW===
Date: January 5th, 2767
Location: Zenith Point, Terra
 
"Jumpship Euphrates, you got space for one more?" Hazen asked as she ran the Jumpship through their intelligence documents.
"You caught us at just the right time, Messenger," the Tramp class Jumpship responded. "We were about to bring the sails back in and leave."
 
"Well, if you'll let us talk things over when we dock, we've got a proposal for you," Elizabeth replied. "And we've got the funds to make it happen."
 
"As long as it gets us out of here, I'm fine with anything," the nervous voice replied. "You're clear to dock at collar three. Just make it quick."
 
"They're going to take us if we have to commandeer the ship," A voice said, shocking the members who were up on the bridge.
 
"Colonel," they snapped to attention as she limped forward and sat in a chair. "I wasn't aware you were awake, Ma'am." Major Capell said what they were all thinking.
 
"If we're going to have to pay them off, someone's got to sign off on the expenditure of those funds," their CO snarked before coughing a bit. "Besides, the SLIC has people embedded in many Jumpships, we just need the right confirmation codes to verify and utilize them as assets. Codes that most of you were not given access to."
 
"Well, we've got an hour before docking," Elizabeth sat back down. "So whatever we need to transmit, we need to do it now."
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Chapter 9