HdweuH Chpt 12

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==How did we end up here?‎‎- Chapter 12 -==
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In the confines of my J. Edgar hovercraft, I couldn't contain my excitement, and I muttered into a makeshift recording device, "You won't believe what I've stumbled upon. Lockdale, a Star League facility, potentially untouched for centuries. It's like hitting the jackpot... at least in theory."
 
A smirk played on my lips as I continued, "I've got the coordinates, the golden ticket to a treasure trove of lostech. Finally, a stroke of luck after all the setbacks." The elation in my voice was palpable as I envisioned the possibilities that lay ahead.
 
Yet, as I reveled in the thought of Lockdale and its secrets, a shadow of realization crept in. The excitement faded into a more somber tone, and I grumbled, "But let's be real here. How the hell am I supposed to get there? I'm stuck in this old hovercraft, and hiring someone to take me there... well, that's not exactly within my budget."
 
A heavy sigh escaped me, and I muttered bitterly, "Isn't it just typical? Find the holy grail, and it might as well be on the moon for all the good it does me."
 
The realization of my predicament settled in, and frustration laced my words. "So close, yet so far. The universe has a twisted sense of humor, doesn't it?" I mused, the irony not lost on me. The mother lode of possibilities dangled just out of reach, teasing with potential but tethered by the harsh reality of my limitations.
 
As I grumbled into the recording, a hint of determination seeped through. "Well, I'll figure something out. I always do. Maybe Lady Luck will throw me a bone for once. Until then, Lockdale will have to wait." With a resigned sigh, I stowed away the recording device, my mind already at work, plotting the next move in this relentless journey through the Inner Sphere.
 
Deciding it was time for a much-needed break, I leaned back in the driver's seat of my J. Edgar hovercraft. The hum of the engine and the distant sounds of nature became my background as I took a moment to relax. "Alright, Alexia, time for a breather. Just one day of not worrying about coordinates, lostech, or my next odd job," I muttered to myself, the weight of responsibility momentarily lifted.
 
I reached for the radio controls and turned the dial, the crackling static giving way to the familiar tunes of a 60s-era song. The sweet melody filled the small space, and a smile found its way to my face. The lyrics echoed through the hovercraft, "I don't want to set the world on fire..."
 
I couldn't help but join in, humming along to the nostalgic tune. The cares of the world faded into the background as the music enveloped me in a sense of tranquility. For that moment, I let myself escape the relentless pursuit of lostech and the uncertainties of the future.
 
Closing my eyes, I allowed the music to carry me away, the comforting rhythm providing a brief respite from the constant grind of survival. "Just one day, Alexia. Take it easy," I whispered to myself, savoring the simple pleasure of a stolen moment of peace.
 
As the song continued to play, I found myself humming along, the cares and worries of the world momentarily forgotten. The subtle vibrations of the hovercraft beneath me became a makeshift rhythm, blending seamlessly with the timeless melodies echoing through the vehicle.
 
With a contented sigh, I let the music wash over me, reveling in the brief escape from the challenges that awaited outside. "Maybe a day without setting the world on fire isn't such a bad idea," I thought, the lyrics and melody providing a soothing backdrop to my impromptu break.
 
As the last notes of the song faded away, I opened my eyes, feeling a renewed sense of energy. "Alright, back to the grind," I said to no one in particular, the brief interlude serving as a recharge for the journey ahead. With a flick of the radio switch, I returned to the familiar sounds of the road, ready to face whatever challenges lay on the horizon.
 
With a renewed sense of purpose, I opened the hatch of my J. Edgar hovercraft and stepped out onto the familiar terrain of the storage facility. The surroundings that once seemed daunting now felt like home, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the Inner Sphere.
 
Surveying the vast expanse of salvage and equipment left behind by the Exodus, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer magnitude of resources at my disposal. "Well, looks like I've hit the jackpot after all," I muttered to myself, a mix of disbelief and excitement coursing through me.
 
But as I took in the countless crates and containers scattered throughout the storehouse, the reality of the task ahead began to sink in. "Great, now I have to count and catalog every single item in this place," I grumbled, already dreading the tedious process that lay ahead.
 
With a resigned sigh, I began the arduous task of inventorying the salvage, starting with the towering stacks of Endo Steel structure and Ferro Fibrous armored plates. Each piece represented a potential boon for my operations, but the sheer volume was overwhelming.
 
"Thirty tons of Endo Steel and forty tons of Ferro Fibrous... This is going to take forever," I muttered, mentally bracing myself for the long hours ahead.
 
 As I moved on to cataloging the weaponry, my frustration only grew. "Fifteen medium lasers, seven ER Large lasers, nine Medium Pulse Lasers... Seriously, who needs this much firepower?" I grumbled, already feeling bogged down by the mountain of armaments before me.
 
The task seemed endless as I counted and categorized crate after crate of spare mech parts and ammunition. "Eighty tons of mech parts and enough ammo to start a small war... Just what I needed," I muttered sarcastically, the weight of responsibility settling heavier with each passing moment.
 
But amidst the overwhelming inventory, there were moments of excitement. "Ultra AC/5s, Ultra AC/2s, pulse lasers... Looks like someone left behind quite the arsenal," I remarked, a hint of awe creeping into my voice despite the daunting workload.
 
As I sifted through the crates, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of jump infantry kits and SLDF Neuro Helmets. "Sixty-three jump infantry kits... And four crates of Neuro Helmets? Now we're talking," I exclaimed, the discovery reigniting my enthusiasm for the salvage operation.
 
But it was the sight of the SLDF uniforms that truly made my heart race. "Thirty crates of uniforms... That's over two hundred outfits," I marveled, imagining the pride and history woven into each garment.
 
And then, beneath a piece of plastic sheeting, I found it – the Wayland Mobile Base. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the relic of a bygone era. "No way... This is it," I whispered, hardly daring to believe my luck.
 
With trembling hands, I removed the plastic covering, revealing the intricate details of the mobile base. "It's... It's beautiful," I murmured, awe and disbelief washing over me in equal measure.
 
Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I realized the significance of my discovery. "This may be the only one remaining in the entire Inner Sphere," I whispered, overcome with emotion at the thought of preserving such a piece of history.
 
In that moment, all the frustrations and challenges of the salvage operation faded away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of gratitude and wonder. "Thank you, universe," I whispered, knowing that this discovery would change everything.
 
With renewed determination, I set to work cataloging the mobile base and the rest of the salvage, my mind buzzing with plans for the future. "Lockdale may have been a stroke of luck, but it's what I make of it that counts," I thought, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
 
Shaking off the awe of the Wayland Mobile Base discovery, I turned my attention to the four battlemech bays nestled in the corner of the storage facility. With a mixture of anticipation and caution, I approached the towering structures, each one holding the promise of further treasures and mysteries.
 
As I stepped into the first bay, a sense of wonder washed over me. "Surprisingly decent condition," I remarked to myself, noting the lack of rust and corrosion on the metal surfaces. The automatic repair and rearm systems seemed to be intact, a testament to the durability of Star League technology.
 
But as I marveled at the pristine condition of the bay, disaster struck in the form of a rogue crane. With a deafening clang, the crane swung out of control, striking me squarely on the head and sending me hurtling through the air.
 
Time seemed to slow as I soared through the storage facility, my thoughts racing in a dizzying blur. "Oh no, not like this," I thought, bracing for impact as I hurtled towards the Wayland Mobile Base.
 
With a sickening thud, I collided with the side of the mobile base, my body absorbing the force of the impact. Pain blossomed across my limbs, but miraculously, I remained conscious, albeit dazed and bruised.
 
As I lay on the ground, taking stock of my injuries, a bitter laugh escaped me. "Well, that was unexpected," I muttered, a mix of disbelief and incredulity coloring my words. "Guess my plot armor is thicker than I thought."
 
Despite the pain and confusion, a sense of gratitude washed over me. "Thank the stars I survived that," I whispered, realizing the sheer luck of escaping with only bruises.
 
With a groan, I pushed myself to my feet, determined to continue the salvage operation despite the unexpected setback. "Alright, universe, you've had your fun. Now let's get back to work," I declared, steeling myself for whatever challenges lay ahead.
 
As I gingerly inspected the damage to the mobile base and the surrounding area, a newfound sense of resilience filled me. "If surviving a crane collision is the worst thing that happens today, I'll count myself lucky," I thought, a wry smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
 
With renewed determination, I resumed my inventorying of the salvage, each item a reminder of the risks and rewards of my chosen profession. "Plot armor or not, I'm not giving up now," I vowed.
 
As I took a moment to catch my breath and assess the damage, a wave of gratitude washed over me. For the first time since being displaced into the tumultuous world of BattleTech and enduring the unforeseen gender transformation, it felt like luck was finally on my side.
 
Gazing around the storage facility, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale of the salvage at my disposal. No more endless shifts at a fast-food restaurant, no more bullying from the landlord, no more struggling to make ends meet. This was my break – my chance to carve out a better life for myself in this unforgiving universe.
 
With a sense of determination burning in my chest, I allowed myself a moment to admire the Wayland Mobile Base, the symbol of hope and opportunity that lay before me. "This changes everything," I whispered to myself, the weight of newfound possibilities lifting from my shoulders.
 
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I allowed myself to dream of a future filled with promise and potential. "No more scraping by just to survive," I thought, a sense of liberation coursing through me. "From now on, I will make my own destiny."
 
Taking a deep breath, I pushed aside the lingering doubts and fears that had plagued me for so long. "This is my chance to build something greater – for myself and for those who have stood by me through it all," I vowed, the resolve in my voice unwavering.
 
With renewed purpose, I returned to the task at hand, ready to make the most of this unexpected opportunity. "Lockdale may just be the beginning," I thought, a spark of excitement igniting within me. "Who knows what other treasures await out there in the vastness of the Inner Sphere?"
 
But for now, I focused on the present, channeling all my energy into salvaging and cataloging the resources at my disposal. With each crate counted and each piece of equipment inventoried, I felt a sense of empowerment growing within me.
 
As the hours passed and the sun began to set on the horizon, I allowed myself a moment of quiet reflection. "This is just the beginning," I whispered to the fading light, a smile playing on my lips. "And I'm ready for whatever comes next."
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*; Salvage Report : 1. Thirty tons of Endo Steel structure2. Forty tons of Ferro Fibrous armor plates3. Fifteen medium lasers4. Seven ER Large lasers5. Nine Medium Pulse Lasers6. Twenty-nine Small lasers7. Three Large Pulse lasers8. Twelve small pulse lasers9. Eighty tons of spare mech parts10. Five Ultra AC/5s with ten tons of ammunition11. Nine Ultra AC/2s with twenty tons of ammunition12. Sixty-three jump infantry kits.13. Four crates of SLDF Neuro Helmets (totaling around 20 helmets)14. Thirty crates of SLDF uniforms (totaling around 210 uniforms)15. Forty cooling suits16. Around 320 Mauser 960 Assault Systems (standard issue SLDF main rifles) 17. One Wayland Mobile Base
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