WCGW Chpt 213

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==Chapter 213 - What Could Go Wrong==
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Thazi (Independent System)
26th September, 3045
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They had gotten word from Wokha that a Monolith and Scout Jumpships would be arriving so when it materialized no one hit the panic button. A total of ten Dropships headed for the planet's surface, though escorted by a full squadron of Aerospace fighters from the 200th Royal Light Horse. On landing, a message for Major General (President) David Mitchell eyes only was hand delivered.
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To: President Mitchell
From: First Prince Hanse Davion
I have ordered Vice Admiral Unger to assist you in any repairs your vessels need as long as it does not impact security. These are the Dropships that were waiting at Delos IV in addition I have arranged for everything at Inner End or enroute to Inner End to be diverted to Delos IV. There we will transport everything to you while your ships are being repaired. You have come far but now I need to think of you more than a simple mercenary commander. Melissa has reminded me several times now, that you are now the ruler of Thazi, free to develop that world as you see fit for the betterment of your people, same as myself.
As such, I must also consider the security of my project. I will not tell you what you can or cannot do, that is your decision as the ruler of Thazi. I do ask that you keep in mind that I cannot nor will not allow a security risk to said project. Make your decisions wisely and I will aid you in any way that I can. I will continue to allow Q to recruit from those leaving the service of the AFFC as you need them. Better to know they are cared for and friendly than to have them go mercenary and face them on a battlefield. I look forward to our continued mutual recoveries.
Progress has been made on your gift to me. We hope to soon field a prototype for testing. If it works as we hope, I will send you a couple.
Hanse Davion
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"Well, that is both comforting and alarming." Major General (President) Mitchell said as he handed the message Brigadier General Herbert Horbaugh for him to read.
"The header says your eyes only, Sir." Brigadier General Horbaugh replied not letting his eyes wander further.
"Just read the thing. Your second in command, one of my primary advisors, so you should read it so that you can make sure I do not trip over my own feet." Major General (President) Mitchell said
After reading the message, Brigadier General Horbaugh said "There is clearly a unsaid threat in the message. One that we can easily avoid if we just think before we do something. I would really prefer not to have to fight my former comrades."
"Would you?" Major General (President) Mitchell asked
"Fight the AFFC if they attacked us? Yes, yes I would. I still favor them, I still think of the First Prince as the right hand of God himself, but you made me a signatory to the Constitution of Thazi. I take my oaths seriously and when I signed that document, I pledged to protect and defend Thazi from any and all threats. I would hate every minute of it, but I would fight to defend what WE are building out here. WE are on a different path now, not one of simple profit but a path much bolder, much more righteous. WE are building our own nation, from the ground up. Yes, I would fight and die to protect that." Brigadier General Horbaugh said with a stern conviction. 
Major General (President) Mitchell looked at Brigadier General Horbaugh and then slapped him on the shoulder "Come on then, let's go meet the new people. Let's see what the First Prince delivered for us and work like hell together to avoid that ever becoming a possibility."
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At the Nadir Jump Point, the final assembly was taking place on a refueling and maintenance facility. The maintenance slip was fully pressure capable and 700 meters long, able to fully encompass a Star Lord Class Jumpship. This had been accomplished by removing a large section of the Boulsi Olympus' inner hull plating bulkheads. Only a 1/4 inch thick, it was not armor by any means. Welding everything up had been a massive job and then repeated pressure tests, hunting to find the smallest of leaks, welding again and then repeating the process. It had a small section attached that could house 100 people along with the complete and fully operational workshops from the intact 50,000 ton repair bay. A large Zero G hoist and lift ran the length of the massive bay to assist in moving heavy objects. The salvaged hoist rail had been lengthened by removing sections of the salvaged Olympus's structural supports and welding together.
There were two simple refueling slips on either side of the recovered 10,000 ton fuel storage tank from the Boulsi Olympus. They had cut it into four sections to transport it, and then had to weld it back together. They had then encased the fuel tank with an outer shell of armor plating taken from the salvaged Olympus. 
Neither was pretty to look at nor lacking the smooth factory finish, but they were functional and for something built on site. Almost by hand from crude drawings on pieces of paper to the builders, they were beautiful to behold.
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