BoTH Chpt 80

==Blood on the Horizon - Chapter 80 -==
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===Mission Assignments===
Date: March 14th, 3008Location: Pierce, Federated Suns
"Alright, we've finished restructuring the unit," Sheppard had his hand clasped behind his back as we briefed everyone. "And the Colonel is finalizing three contracts as we speak."
 
The slide changed showing the three potential contracts that they were working on.
 
"Two of our contracts are among the same as we have been doing currently. One Battalion will relocate to a base in the Taurian Concordat, while the other will be heading into the Federated Suns to serve against the Capellans or the Combine depending on where we're needed."
 
"And the third contract?" Peterson asked.
 
"That's where things get interesting," Sheppard smirked. "We have two options for a third contract. One of them has us subcontracting to assist the Wolf's Dragoons. And the other has us working with the Lyran Commonwealth. Regardless of which one we end up with, we're also going to be running a local long-term contract with our training battalion."
 
"Right," LeAnn nodded, her dyed hair catching the light in an odd way. "We're to assist with training militia forces as well as defend Durand Heavy Metals if things happen to go south."
 
"Hopefully it won't come to that, but that is the fourth contract we'll be picking up," Sheppard gestured for Captain Alice Johnson to stand and take his spot. "But Captain Johnson here has information that will be critical to our decisions."
 
"So, regardless of the contract we pick up, whether it's with the Wolf's Dragoons or the Commonwealth, we're going to run into logistical issues. Currently we've been able to maintain our supplies because the Phoenix traveled with the unit as a whole, and her stores as well as her facilities aided with repairs," Alice paused and clicked a slide, showing the repair gantries that they'd pulled off Artru. "Unfortunately, the Argo-class vessel can't be with all three battalions at a time. She'll only be able to work with one at a time. With that in mind, we've divided up the automated gantries we acquired from Artru and have dispersed them among the DropShips in each battalion. While you won't have the fullscale facilities of the Argo, you'll have at least something comparable when you consider that we've now got one Jumbo per battalion."
 
"Are there any questions?"
 
"What about Jumpships?" Victoria Jewel asked. "Last I checked, while our Leviathans have eight collars, we've only got the two of them and the King Henry. We're going to be short more than a few collars."
 
"We're going to have to bargain passage for one of the battalions," Alice replied. "Recent purchases and investments have meant that we can't afford to outright buy or get a loan for another Jumpship at the moment. But a part of the negotiations that the Colonel is undertaking involves the contract holder allowing us the use of a Jumpship."
 
"Anything else?" Sheppard stood.
 
"Who is going on which contract?" Peterson asked.
 
"I believe I can answer that," Colonel Hull walked into the room, a tired but triumphant expression on his face. "Alpha Battalions going to be working two contracts. We're going to be subcontracted to the Wolf's Dragoons through the rest of this year and half of three thousand and nine. Then we're going to be heading into the Lyran Commonwealth to work for the Archon. Bravos heading to work with the FedSuns," he nodded at Sheppard. "And Charlies with the Concordat. Delta, you hold down the fort while we go collect the nice paychecks."
 
"So, why work with the Dragoons for only a year and a half?" LeAnn asked. "I'm still getting used to the mercenary life, so maybe it's something I'm missing."
"Contracts are usually measured in months," Sheppard explained. "At least for a unit that's somewhat smaller like our own. Once you break the single regiment stage, you sign on for multi-year contracts. But we're still fairly small-scale."
 
"In this case," Hull moved to the front of the briefing room. "It's because the Wolf's Dragoons contract with the Federated Suns will be up and they're planning on moving into service with the Capellans at that point."
 
"Ouch," LeAnn winced. "Yeah, that wouldn't work out very well for us."
 
"If the Capellans are still holding a grudge, it would definitely end poorly for us," Hull replied. "So Colonel Wolf and I agreed to a smaller term contract in the hopes that we can avoid some of the greater issues that might come up from a smaller unit attempting to swap sides like that," the colonel shrugged. "Besides, I'm not one to play both sides like that. I wouldn't work for the FedSuns and the Capellans at the same time. It'd leave a sour taste in my mouth."
"That makes sense," LeAnn nodded. "So then we shift and you work with the Lyran Commonwealth until?"
 
"All of our contracts will end around thirty-twelve," Hull answered. "There are some extension clauses. But I expect we'll need the time to regroup and reorganize around then. Whether it will be from losses or expansion. Only time will tell." 
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===Blood and cred===
Date: March 29th, 3008Location: Pierce, Federated Suns
"Well, Sheppard," I looked at the brief that I had been instructed to not open until this date. "I think that we're going to be working together for a little while."
 
"Looks like," Sheppard read over my shoulder as we read the orders. "I hear New Aragon's nice this time of year."
 
"I'm sure it would be if it weren't currently buried under metal rain," I snarked. "The FedSuns just hit it with ten Regiments. We're to go act as reinforcements and back fill any losses the Dragoons or other RCTs took in the process."
 
"It'll take us two months to get there," Sheppard pointed out. "Fighting might be over by then."
 
"Might be," I shrugged. "but I doubt it. The Capellans are feeling the pressure right now. They're going to be fighting hard right now and The FedSuns are going to take advantage of the Capellans being on the backfoot for as long as possible."
 
"That's right," Sheppard's eyes glinted murderously in the artificial light. "They are down a regiment of the Big Mac, and that's before getting into the losses they took on Tybalt, Halloran V, or other places."
 
"Ayup," I nodded. "There's going to be a lot of work in the future as the FedSuns solidify their gains on that border while supporting the Combine side of things."
 
"Blood and cred, Colonel," Sheppard grinned. "That's our business. Blood and cred." 
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Chapter 80