WCGW Chpt 157

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==Chapter 157 - What Could Go Wrong==
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11th February, 3044
Pilon (Former Outworlds System)
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The first mining station was literally in mint condition. All thirty mining 'mechs were stored in their cradles, twenty shuttles were also onboard. The stations reactors had been carefully shut down and set for long term stasis. It was obvious from inspection that they planned to return and restore the mining station to production at a later date. They just never returned for some reason. Paul Orlean and his team of four had spent an entire day going over every inch of the station, getting more excited as they went. The second mining station was an entirely different matter.
There were obvious signs of a forced boarding even before they docked with the second mining station. Boarding the station revealed that it had gotten no better for the boarders themselves, clear signs of heavy fighting, even centuries old, could be detected in the large cargo bay. Quite a few doors had been breached with explosives leading to the engineering and bridge sections. Unlike the tidy first station, the scene aboard the second station told everyone that it was complete chaos and panic. Items were still floating in examined quarters, lockers left open, but luckily, no remains were discovered. The stations reactor looked like it shut down from lack of fuel. Only 18 Mining 'Mechs were aboard and no shuttles at all. Once the examination was completed, they delivered their report.
"Both stations beat the crap out of anything Taurus Majoris Mining fields. It is based on a Snowden, but the onboard refining and processing equipment is much more advanced than what is used on a normal Snowden. The first station is the real prize, as far as we can tell, it is in mint condition. The second station is beat up, but fixable. There are some breaches in the hull but should be easy to patch up. The refining and processing equipment look to be serviceable. What ever happened, it was nothing I would want to witness." Paul Orlean said
"But both are completely salvageable?" Major General David Mitchell asked
"Yes, Sir. We will need to fuel the second station and restart both reactors before we jump them. But none of us see any reason why either station cannot be moved safely to where we want them." Paul Orlean said
"Very well. Chief Zuniga, get me back to the Jumpships. I will shuttle to the surface. You work with Paul and his team and get both stations docked with a Jumpship for transport." Major General David Mitchell ordered
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Inner End (Federated Commonwealth)
Command Sergeant Major Chester Pullman watched the two Condor Dropships unload their passengers. Even from a distance, it was obvious to any observer that every passenger was military or former military. Things were just too orderly and even small work details had been quickly formed to transfer baggage to waiting cargo trucks. A small group of obvious officers walked across the tarmac towards him.
"Colonel Wendall Collins, 126th Waxell Jump Infantry. Or we used to be. You must be, Sergeant Major Pullman."
"Yes, Sir. I was told to expect your arrival. Sorry for the dreadful hour, but you never know who might be watching. Everyone used to be in the same unit?" Sergeant Major Pullman asked
"Not everyone, but most are all mine. When we got the demobilization order, we planned to go merc. Then we got this nice job offer before we even got mustered out. I am the ranking officer here, but you have my regiment of 600 Jump Infantry in addition to 43 MechWarriors, 7 Aerospace pilots and 143 assorted techs, mechanics and spacers. 793 personnel in total." Colonel Collins replied
"Very well. Let's get everyone settled into quarters for the night. I will brief you all in on your new assignment tomorrow. The main command is already deployed, but you will all be heading out to join them once transport arrives." Sergeant Major Pullman said
"That would be nice, we were not told much, and I have to admit, we might have passed entirely if not for who recruited us. The offer sounded just too good to be true. I looked you all up and only found a couple of successful contracts completed, pirate hunting contracts." Colonel Collins replied
"All on the up and up, Sir. I am sure none of you will have an issue with the pay scale or the work itself. I will cover all of that tomorrow." Sergeant Major Pullman said with a smile.
"The one thing we need to cover is dependents. They are taking a slower method of transport. Where will they be housed?" Colonel Collins asked
Sergeant Major Pullman frowned as he replied, "How many dependents are we talking about?"
"Quite a few to be honest. About a thousand for everyone on the Dropships here." Colonel Collins said
It was bound to happen sooner or later, just wished I planned for it sooner, Sergeant Major Pullman thought before speaking "I will make sure they are properly housed Colonel. I just am not sure if the forward base is ready for them."
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