ALJ Chpt 3

frameless|right|300px|link=A Long Journey
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==Chapter 3 - A Long Journey==
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18 November 2778
Terra (Terran Hegemony)
Colonel Samuel Mitchell, acting commander Armor Brigade, 37th Mechanized Infantry Division, which was only a reinforced Regiment in strength, washed his dirty face and then dried off with a beaten up towel. The fighting on Terra had beaten the 37th Mechanized Infantry Division to a pulp. So bad, that rumors said, it was to be disbanded and troops sent to other commands to keep them combat effective. Foot steps caused him to turn and he snapped to attention.
"Stand easy, Colonel Mitchell." Major General Maria Gomes, commander LI Corps, said.
"Yes, Ma'am, what can I do for you?" Colonel Mitchell asked as he relaxed just barely
"I have been told your one of the best armor commanders in the Corps." Major General Gomes said
"I would say that I am decent ma'am." Colonel Mitchell replied wondering where this was headed. Probably a death ride, no other reason for a Corp Commander to come down here, he thought.
"The 37th Mechanized Infantry Division is being disbanded. Eleventh Army put out a call, seems the 322nd Armored Division needs a new commander. So, your being frocked to Lieutenant General and given command of the 322nd Armor Division. You will take the remaining Armor, Mechanized Infantry and Artillery over to the 322nd Armored Division and assume command. I am told that will put the Division at 75% strength." Major General Gomes said
"Might I ask what happened to the previous commander? The 322nd Armored Division was attached to Eleventh Army, but I have not heard about any serious losses recently, we have been stood down for two weeks." Colonel Mitchell said
"Killed in a vehicle accident. Gather your troops and get over to 11th Army headquarters." Major General Gomes said and turned to walk back to the 37th's HQ.
"Yes, ma'am. I will get everyone ready to move." Colonel Mitchell replied. On to my fourth unit of the 265th, only this time I am the commander, sure doesn't sound like I am very good. He thought to himself.
Colonel Samuel Mitchell was 33 years old and had been an officer in the SLDF for 13 years. His first assignment had been to the 262nd Battlemech Division until it took catastrophic casualties and was disbanded in 2765, transferred to the 265th Mechanized Infantry Division which was then disbanded due to heavy losses in 2766, he was then placed in the 37th Mechanized Infantry Division which was his longest tenure yet. Almost his entire time in the SLDF had been in heavy combat. His father had retired from the SLDF in 2762 and retired to a large plot of land he had purchased in 2750 on Mackolla when it had been accepted into the Federated Suns. The entire family had moved to Mackolla over the next decade and now called it home. He knew his two older brothers had died during the war while serving in the SLDF, his younger sister by a year was in the SLDF Navy, a cousin had died during the war and another cousin was in the SLDF and still alive. To say that his entire family was pro-Star League would be an understatement. But they were also pro Federated Suns, only it was second in line.
He scratched at the large scar on his left forearm, a present from a rebel shell fragment during the Taurian Campaign, usually it itched when bad stuff was about to happen, and this seemed like a bad omen.
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20 November 2778
Lieutenant General Samuel Mitchell and the former 37th Mech Infantry troops had arrived close to midnight and gotten some sleep. It was 0545 as he entered the Mobile HQ which was his command post. No one said a word when he entered, since all three watch personnel were fast asleep. He used his boot to flip a chair over spilling a Captain onto the floor with a loud thud. 
"Who the hell did that!!!!" The Captain said as he scrambled to his feet and then saw an unfamiliar Lieutenant General standing there. He snapped to attention and yelled "ATTENTION!!!!!"
"A little late for that, Captain, don't you think? At ease, but not as you were. Obviously. I am Lieutenant General Samuel Mitchell, the new Division commander." 
"Captain Jeffrey Engles, your aide. Or I was Major General Gregory's aide, Sir."
"Your position remains to be seen Captain. Not a very good impression so far." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
"No, sir. Sorry, sir." Captain Engles replied
"Now that everyone in here is awake and alert, how about you go wake the Brigade commanders and tell them I want them outside of here by 0630." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
Captain Engles glanced at his watch and said "38 minutes, sir? That is short notice."
"Tell them anyone late is relieved of duty and I will request replacements for them. It is now 37 minutes Captain Engles. I suggest you get a move on." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
"Yes, sir." Captain Engles replied as he left the Mobile HQ at a dead run.
"There a coffee pot in here somewhere?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked as he glanced at his watch.
Lieutenant General Mitchell stood in the doorway and sipped his coffee as he watched the large encampment come alive as the word spread that the new Division commander was here and not in a good mood. He glanced at his watch, 0618, as the first Lieutenant General arrived, still buttoning his uniform blouse.
"Lieutenant General Colin Sanderson, commander Third Brigade, your Mechanized Infantry."
"Your the first here, grab some coffee. We will do the meet and greet when the others are here." Lieutenant General Mitchell replied
"Yes, sir, thank you, sir." Lieutenant General Sanderson said
The second Lieutenant General arrived at 0627 with his tanker boots still unsnapped. He snapped a salute "Lieutenant General Hank Newman, First Brigade reporting."
"Stand easy, we are waiting for the rest to arrive. Who was the furthest away from here?"
"Lieutenant General Sanderson there, sir, but he runs for fun."
"Then no excuse for the others to be late then." Lieutenant General Mitchell replied
"Uh sir, you might start the meeting now, Lieutenant General Barnes sleeps in and sleeps real heavy, but he is damned good and I have to say, worth the wait sir. Colonel Mathews is coming up beside the HQ now, commands the artillery and support troops." Lieutenant General Sanderson said from slightly behind him.
"That's it? No Ground Aero? No Battlemech?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked aloud
"No, sir. We are pure conventional armor, infantry and artillery. We have about two dozen VTOL though." Lieutenant General Newman replied
"Okay, lets get some chairs and get started then. Someone give me a quick rundown on the Divisions current equipment and troop status." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
"First Brigade is short two Battalion of armor, with crews needed. Second Brigade is down five Battalions, they have gotten hammered." Lieutenant General Newman said
"Third Brigade is down 5 Battalions, but to be honest, most of our losses were to the initial landings themselves and not direct action. 11th Army held us in reserve and used for rear security duties." Lieutenant General Sanderson said
"Okay, I brought four Armor Battalions, three Mech Infantry Battalions and two Artillery Battalions. Not sure I can get 11th Army to find me anymore equipment or troops, but I will try. Second Brigade gets the Armor Battalions I brought, that will equal out First and Second Brigade. Third Brigade obviously gets the Infantry Battalions. Colonel Mathews, how are we fixed on Artillery and support?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked
"With your two Artillery Battalions, that will put us over strength actually. I currently have five Artillery Battalions, three Tube and two Arrow. Support troops, outside of those assigned to the Brigades, we are full strength." Colonel Mathews said
"So now we have four Tube Battalions and three Arrow Battalions. Let's go get some breakfast and if someone could please go kick Lieutenant General Barnes out of his bunk and have him join us." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
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