WCGW Chpt 192

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==Chapter 199 - What Could Go Wrong==
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Thazi (Independent System)
26th January, 3045
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"We can complete the mission to Onverwacht whenever your ready. I have taken SaRI Black Voyager off the active roster until she undergoes a complete overhaul. Once we complete this mission, everyone needs to face the fact that we will be completely down for maintenance for at least 3 months before we can begin any movements again. That is final. The worst off are the former pirate ships, but really all of our ships have been on sustained movements for almost 2 years with little to no down time. The Olympus at Wokha can handle our Merchants, but not our Invader or Star Lords. So unless someone pulls a rabbit out of their rear ends, they will have to make the trip all the way to a proper shipyard for their overhauls. There is a reason you mainly see Merchants away from the core systems, because they can get maintenance done at any recharge station. The larger ships stay much closer to the yards. We are way off the beaten path out here." Chief Engineer Vincent Zuniga said having made the run back to the surface to deliver his report.
"At least we can get everyone back home before we have to stand down. The thought of having us split like this and no way to communicate is driving me crazy." Major General (President) David Mitchell replied
"How the Star League managed it is beyond me. This is a long way from any known shipyards, even back then." Chief Engineer Zuniga said
"Because they had the Deep Spin Maintenance yards at Linden. That provided support to the SLDF Navy and Jumpship operations out here. The 963rd Independent Aero Wing was garrisoned there to protect it. They packed up the mobile yard and pulled back when it got too dangerous for them to stay." Captain Nathan Davis replied, he had been playing with a portable computer while listening to the discussion.
"Never heard of Deep Spin or Linden. So, they packed up and left, does not help us any." Chief Engineer Zuniga said
"Maybe, maybe not. After Action reports simply says they held the system until the Deep Spin mobile yards were packed up and safely away. Question we should be asking and willing to find out is what about anything that was not mobile? The reports do not say, nor can I find anything at all about the Deep Spin Maintenance Yard anywhere. Except the name itself in various reports. Nothing about what it consisted of or what became of anything that was left behind." Captain Nathan Davis replied
"Probably nothing left. Anything left out here has probably been looted until nothing is left." Chief Engineer Zuniga said
"After everything else we have found out here. You really think there are not some hidden jewels left to find out here?" Captain Davis replied not believing what he was hearing.
"I know there are jewels out here still to find. But if there was any sort of functional yard out here, why the hell would pirates be using some Olympus Station at Wokha? The pirates we captured have all said they used the Wokha station for maintenance because it was the only place to get it done." Chief Engineer Zuniga said
"Maybe the only place for them, pirates that is. What if there was a functional or semi functional yard at Linden but there was something there that prevented them from using it. Maybe it's still inhabited. Maybe it takes a certain security key, which we have quite a few of, to make the place work or even gain access. I can play what if's all day long Chief Zuniga." Captain Nathan Davis replied.
"I think all our finds are starting to go to your head." Chief Engineer Zuniga quipped.
Major General (President) Mitchell decided it was time to step in and said "Enough, both of you. Chief, we will be standing down the Fleet for maintenance after Onverwacht. Captain Davis, work up intel on a mission to Linden, but it will be a limited mission. How far is Linden from here?"
"Ninety three light years, Sir." Captain Nathan Davis replied
"Sir, you promised a stand down, now your ordering a mission." Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Campbell said
"I am ordering prep work done for a mission to Linden. There is a difference. Same way we have placed the mission to Boulsi, right next door on hold to accomplish our mission to Onverwacht. We will be standing down for maintenance on our return from Onverwacht. But even from Chief Zuniga's detailed briefing, we will have several ships ready after a few months of stand down time, if the prep work is done, we can possibly launch a mission and be ready to go. Or did I misunderstand the Chief's briefing entirely?" Major General (President) Mitchell said
"You are correct in your understanding." Lieutenant Colonel Campbell replied
"Very well then. Everyone had their orders, let's go get our people so that we can start this maintenance stand down." Major General (President) Mitchell said
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