BoTH Chpt 62

==Blood on the Horizon - Chapter 62 -==
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===How the Armor is shaping up===
Location: Valexa, Federated Suns'''
Well, Thomas, what's your final say on the armor?" I asked once we were all seated in my office. 
 
"We've got to sort out how to do better training," Peterson replied. "And there are still a few kinks with the controls and the jump jets. But aside from that, we've got something that could change the battlefield as we know it."
 
"How so?" Hanse asked. 
 
"Infantry is now more likely to survive and can reliably put up a fight against 'Mechs now," Peterson explained. "We haven't built anything that can take a direct hit from a mech-scale weapon. We can now survive indirect hits, and a burst of machinegun fire or a shot from a small laser won't take out a squad or company."
 
"How's the movement profile?" Hanse Davion asked, his hand resting on his chin. 
 
"We've found that we can get bursts of speed up to 25 KPH, but that puts a strain on the person wearing the armor," Peterson stated. "But the standard speed we've got marked is a steady fifteen to seventeen kilometers per hour for twelve hours or more."
 
"I assume that's dependent on physical fitness levels and such?" Hanse clarified. 
 
"Incredibly," Peterson agreed. "While the myomer assists with moving heavier amounts of gear and the amount of armor that now covers them, it's all reliant on how capable the person wearing the armor is. Multipliers will always work better when the base number is higher. But, to answer the original question. We need to start equipping our infantry and marines with the suits."
 
"I'll get with Doctor Rogers, and we'll start producing as many of them as you can." I nodded. 
 
"Once you get production up and running at a pace beyond simply equipping your own troops, I would like to acquire some," Hanse looked at me. "That is if we still have a working relationship by that time."
 
"We'll see," I replied. "We still have a lot of work to do. But I'll let you know when we get things sorted out."
 
"I'll hold you to that," Hanse replied before changing the subject. "Now, let's go over the instructions we gave you for the counterattack on the Capellan Confederation…"
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===Prepping for Stick it to the Max===
Date: August 30th, 3006Location: Valexa. Federated Suns
"So, we've got a Triumph to drop off our vehicle and infantry units." Sheppard, Peterson, and I sat around a table with a handful of maps of the world we'd been assigned. 
 
"We're going to have to do this right the first time," Sheppard knuckled his forehead. "There's the Battalion on Tigress and whatever militia units may be ready for support."
 
"I know," I tried to stave off the beginnings of a headache. "Way I see it is we've got a handful of options."
 
I grabbed a notebook and began writing.
 
"One, we draw them out and hammer them with artillery before moving in and occupying the capital. We'll also wait for FedSuns troops to drop in and hold if we manage that."
 
"Two, we can use Blitzkrieg tactics against them; just push in hard and fast. Maybe we'll get lucky, and they'll make a mistake that cements our victory."
 
"And the third option?" Sheppard asked, an eyebrow raised. 
 
"I haven't thought of one yet," I grinned. "I was hoping one of you would interrupt me before I got that far."
 
"How many suits of Mithril will we have built before we deploy?" Peterson's pen tapped the side of his cheek. 
 
"Enough for three or four companies," I answered. "Why?"
"We're going to use the surprise to our advantage," he replied. "Our Black Eagles aren't listed in any of the common databases. And to most people, they probably just look like regular Unions."
 
Peterson sketched out the image of one of the egg-shaped dropships. 
 
"We'll claim that there's some sort of failure on the dropships. Given the age of those two, it'll be reasonable. We'll ask to make landfall, address the issue, and hopefully purchase some spare parts before continuing on our way. Once nightfall hits, we'll deploy the soldiers, get them suited up, and take out the Mechwarrior barracks. If things go well, we'll have secured an extra battalion of salvage for us. If things don't work out well, we'll still have caused confusion and damage enough to take out the battalion."
 
"We'll need to plan a couple of Failsafes," Sheppard glanced at me. "But I like the plan, or at least the basics of it." 
 
"Then let's make this thing as tightened down as possible," I leaned forward. "Murphy favors the prepared, and the less stress and failure points we can introduce, the better."
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Chapter 62