WCGW Chpt 124

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==Chapter 124 - What Could Go Wrong==
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5 June 3043
New Avalon (Federated Commonwealth, FedSuns State Capital)
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Both messages arrived within hours of each other, one directly to First Prince Hanse Davion and the other to Quintus Allard. Both literally ran into each other in Hanse's outer office as each went to see the other. Looking a little sheepish, First Prince Hanse Davion turned and went back into his office and Quintus Allard followed, closing the door behind them. Both of them said "We have a problem" at almost the same time, which drew surprised looks on each of their faces.
"You first, Quintus, what is your bad news?" First Prince Hanse Davion asked
"Message from Colonel Mitchell and SaRI. It seems our Liaison Officer is trying to arrest Colonel Mitchell and is declaring SaRI in breach of contract. The system is secure, but Rear Admiral Vickery is not letting SaRI have access to the navigation drives so that they can locate the second pirate system. Seems the Liaison Officer is trying to get the Arcadians to disarm SaRI." Quintus said
"Almost reads like my message, only mine came from Rear Admiral Vickery. Seems Colonel Mitchell found something that got the Liaison Officer all hot and bothered. Who the hell did you appoint as Liaison Officer?" First Prince Hanse Davion asked
"I didn't appoint anyone. I turned it over to the usual folks to appoint one. I figured you briefed him on the mission profile, you sort of strong armed me out of the way." Quintus Allard replied
"Oh this just gets better and better. I thought you would have personally found a Liaison Officer and brief him in. I did not strong arm you out of the way, did I?" First Prince Hanse Davion said
"You damn sure did, until Ardan put you in your place anyway. But let's focus on the problem dammit. First, we find out who the hell is out there trying to sabotage OUR operation. Second, we need to get a message out there to head off a potential fight that will sabotage OUR operation. Third, someone other than myself or you needs to get out there and put this mess to bed once and for all." Quintus Allard replied
First Prince Hanse Davion pressed the button on his desk "Get Marshal Walter Vickers in here without delay." 
It took eight minutes before a nearly breathless Marshal Vickers, Department of Mercenary Relations, was almost pushed thru the doors before they closed again. He snapped to attention before First Prince Hanse Davion. But before he could properly report he heard.
"Knock it off, Walter, this is no time for formalities. Who the hell did you assign to Search and Recovery Inc as Liaison Officer?" 
Marshal Walter Vickers relaxed only slightly as he searched his memory for the unit in question and then he found it. "Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Davion, Highness."
First Prince Hanse Davion had to search his own memory until he put a face to the name, but before he found it he saw Quintus Allard's face change "What? What is the matter, Quintus?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Davion was then Captain Mitchell's Battalion commander on Breed. The same commander that got him passed for promotion and started this entire little adventure. They have a history, and not a good history." Quintus Allard replied
"Walter, you can go. But stay close, I might need you real soon." First Prince Hanse Davion said. When they were again alone he asked "Give, what are you not telling me?"
"It seems some equipment was reported by Lieutenant Colonel Davion as destroyed on Breed. That very equipment is among the equipment fielded by Colonel Mitchell. Seems they liberated the equipment from a warehouse where it was being stored, that warehouse was rented by Lieutenant Colonel Davion. Seems CID from the Department of Military Justice was conducting an investigation already when the equipment in question vanished. I squashed it to protect SaRI, though technically, they took equipment that was already legally, paperwork wise anyway, destroyed and removed from the inventory." Quintus Allard replied
"Now to add further insult I learn one of my relative is crooked and now he is rocking the boat." First Prince Hanse Davion stopped and sit down at his desk, picking up a pen and started writing.
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To: Rear Admiral Vickery, Lieutenant Colonel Davion, Colonel Mitchell
From: First Prince Hanse Davion
-Rear Admiral Vickery, your mission was carefully explained to you. Release those navigation tapes to SaRI without delay and support any further operations.
-Lieutenant Colonel Davion, it was a slight on my part not having you fully briefed in on this operation. Your are to provide Colonel Mitchell and SaRI all of your support. There some things you do not know but Colonel Mitchell will be soon briefing you in fully. I know about Breed and certain actions, do not bring further shame upon your name.
-Colonel Mitchell, you're not god and do not walk on water. Do not abuse the trust that has been placed upon you by myself. Do not make me regret my decision. Quit power playing and work with others I have sent.
H.D.
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He handed the message to Quintus to read and said "Short and sweet. If it meets your approval, get that sent out. I want them all to read my response to the others so that there is no doubt in what I said."
"I will get it sent right away. I think all parties will get the message quite clearly." Quintus Allard replied
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