DMHK2

=Chapter 2=
==Dead Man's Hand: The Kowloon Job==
Office of the Duchess
Bucklands Province
Federated Commonwealth
21 December 3053
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"Hands off ***** and on with socks." Joker handed out copies of the file Liz had given her on her brother, "You know the job, but we need to know the man."
"Henry Morgan Ngo. Born at the Post Hospital, LCAF Coventry, August 15th, 3033, the second child of Duke David and Lt. Colonel Marjorie Ngo, both deceased. He was attending the Blackjack School of Conflict when the Jade Falcons came calling, and reports from those who made it off world state that he commandeered a Chameleon from the academy hanger and joined the instructors in trying to defend the spaceport. Interestingly, there's a note here from LIC stating that he remained at large and actively resisting the Falcons for two days after the official surrender."
"Man after my own heart." Kelso smiled, "Does it say if he's single?"
"While I wouldn't put it past LIC to bug someone's bedroom, it doesn't say." Joker looked at her friend with mock distain, "It does, however, state that is an excellent pilot, highly adaptable and quick-thinking, especially when it comes to improvised tactics and strategy. Take of note is his preference for close-range, and even physical, combat, which is probably because he's a decidedly average gunner at best. So, if you find yourself facing him, try and keep the range open as much as possible, but be ready to trade blows if needed. Now, Henry here has reportedly gone native, to the point where he has joined their military and even achieved the rank of Star Captain. The fact that he has managed this in one of the more Conservative of the Clans says a lot about how far down the rabbit hole he's fallen."
"No more devout than the recently converted." Scilicorn frowned, "So, no chance of him coming willingly, then?"
"Highly unlikely: he's apparently a true believer in the cause of restoring the Star League. Which, in a vacuum, I don't have a problem with. I just don't like the way the Clans are going about it." Joker sat down, leaned back and crossed her arms, "This isn't going to be a quick and easy smash-and-grab. Not this time. We're looking to capture a hostile target who will fight back with everything he has. We want him alive, but I don't want anyone taking any risks with this: yeah, we make a living pulling the Clans collective pants down, but that just means that they're not going to underestimate us, should they realize who we are."
"Only a matter of time." Aung rumbled, sipping his tea, "We've killed most of the stupid ones."
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