WCGW Chpt 112

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==Chapter 112 - What Could Go Wrong==
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29 October 3042
Kent (Former Outworlds System)
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While waiting for recharge operations to complete, Colonel David Mitchell took the opportunity to speak to some of the freed slaves. Before boarding the shuttle for the short trip to the other Jumpship where the Seeker carrying the freed slaves was docked, he asked if Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Davion wanted to come along. Both boarded the shuttle for the short trip.
Once they entered the Seeker Dropship, they both spoke to various freed slaves, hearing about the inhumane treatment they had suffered. Most seemed to be from various Federated Suns systems along the Periphery border. In the medical bay, they discovered the former slave who was sort of a defacto leader of the slaves.
"Thank you for the medical treatment and food. Never seen a bandit group treat slaves so well." The leader said
"We are not bandits and your no longer a slave. We will return you to Inner End or Delos IV where the Federated Commonwealth will get you all back to your homes and families." Colonel Mitchell replied
"You mean we are really free? I never thought I would see the day that would come. Orlean, Paul Orlean is my name. I am not from the Federated Suns. I was born in the Taurian Concordant. Worked for Taurus Major is Mining for 15 years before I got myself caught by pirates prospecting for new sites to develop in 3038." Paul Orlean said
"So your a prospector?" Colonel Mitchell asked
"Actually, my exact specialty is moving and setting up the two dozen Snowden Mining Stations that Taurus Majoris Mining operates. I think that is the only reason I have survived." Paul Orlean said
"You do look more fit than the others we have freed." Colonel Mitchell observed
"Exactly. There are four others of my group among the others you just freed. We got extra rations than the other slaves, in addition we also did not get beaten by the pirates. We have only been where we are for a year. Supposed to be traded to another group which might want our talents is what we were told. One group after another traded us like we were objects. Unless that group has a mining station that needs to be moved or worked on, we would have been in for a rough time. Most of the others are or were miners of one sort or another." Paul Orlean said
"They very well could have. We have already located several mining stations in the last 2 years out here. There are bound to be more and your skill set could very well be in demand. Tell me, how hard is it to move one of those stations?" Colonel Mitchell asked
"You need a tug, and it has to have a working KF Boom or collar setup to be transported. Other than that, it is not hard at all. Even a simple Scout Jumpship can move one between systems once it is properly docked with the Jumpship. My primary job was getting it properly in position to support the mining operation." Paul Orlean said
"Mr. Orlean, how would you and the others like a job?" Colonel Mitchell asked
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