WCGW Chpt 168

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==Chapter 168 - What Could Go Wrong==
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Thazi (Former Outworld System)
16th August, 3044
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It had been a disaster of epic proportions. Colonel James Woodall and the 200th Royal Light Horse had trounced the 199th Light Horse, the 4287th Infantry Regiment and 3328th Cavalry Regiment during large scale maneuvers. Planned as a meeting engagement, the 200th Royal had ripped the 3328th Cavalry's hover Battalions apart as they had outpaced the slower units. The 199th Light Horse had tried to support them only to find themselves slowly chopped up by the 200th Royal. The 4287th had put up a stiff fight and prevented the 200th Royal from just rolling over them but the extended range of the 200th Royal's weapons had allowed it to remain just outside of range and wear down the 4287th from long range where the Turhan's large lasers could not hit back. 
The ensuing After Action Review had been humbling to everyone involved except Colonel James Woodall. He and his people had performed their mission as expected and defeated the opposing force while exposing some glaring faults. Only the 1st SaRI Jump Infantry Regiment had not taken part in the exercises, instead performing their own mini exercise. 
"That was about as ugly of an engagement as I have ever watched. Colonel Dunn, why did you allow your hovers to so deeply engage the 200th once contact was made? That was stupid. They should have maintained contact at range and allowed the rest of the force to prepare a defense properly. Instead, the 199th Light Horse was forced to rapidly advance to try and salvage your hovers and getting themselves swamped in the process." Brigadier General Herbert Horbaugh said
"I did not factor in the speed of the 200th's Battlemechs. Seems strange to have such powerful Battlemechs as fast as they are. Normally, only a few would be able to pace any hover tank and then it would lack the firepower to really harm said hover with risking being destroyed by that very hover. Plus, the accuracy of fire from those Battlemechs was a real surprise to everyone. Who the hell is piloting them? You guys recruit only the very best crack shots or what?" Colonel Patrick Dunn replied
"Some changes are going to need to happen. Colonel Rolando, what do you think needs to be changed?" Brigadier General Horbaugh asked
"The 3328th needs some teeth to fall back on. They can have the Manticores. Though they are slower than the Chevaliers and way slower than the hover tanks, my Turhans have enough firepower to keep most at bay. I will be short some since the AFFC got a lance of them though. But I can make do with what they provide me." Colonel Gweneth Rolando replied, having been promoted to full Colonel.
"On that, I am about to send out the request for the replacement tanks. Either of you have inputs or requests before I do?" Major General David Mitchell asked, having stayed silent during the AAR.
"I have several if I may." Colonel Dunn said "Major Sanchez came from the 5th Deneb Light Cavalry. He knows Hover Tanks and cavalry tactics better than I ever will. He should command the 3328th Cavalry Regiment. I am willing to take a demotion if need be."
"That is admirable of you, Colonel Dunn. How about I counter with this, you remain a Colonel, Colonel Sanchez can take over the 3328th. I will make sure they are fully hover equipped. You will command the 1st SaRI Heavy Armor Regiment. You have a Battalion of Manitcore already, what else do you want to fill it out?" Major General Mitchell said
"I appreciate the vote of confidence. If you can pry them from the AFFC, Pattons. Same speed as the Manticore, but the AC/10 will make some think before closing the distance. I know you all dislike having an ammunition chain, but no minimum range makes them deadly. Unlike the PPC which is not that great at point blank range." Colonel Dunn replied
"If I cannot pry them from the AFFC?" Major General Mitchell asked
"Von Luckner, the K70 variant. Has both a PPC and AC/10. Slower than the Manticore, but the PPC keeps it in the fight if it exhausts the autocannon ammo. No longer in production, the Von Luckner that is, so the AFFC is phasing them out for Patton/Rommel. At this stage, I will take almost anything you can get me." Colonel Dunn replied
"Plan on the Von Luckners then. At least that way I am not pissing off a bunch of AFFC officers by bumping the line on Pattons. I send off the requests." Major General Mitchell said
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