DE Chpt 6

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==Chapter 6 - Danger Everywhere==
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8 April 3050
System 119628
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"One last load of ice and we will be fully resupplied. All three Dropships are now habitable again. I have plotted our route to Star's End and have it all worked up. With help from Star Captain Branden." Captain Felicia Graves said
"Best news I have heard so far. Something I been wondering, why have the Clan Wolf folks not been searching for us? It damn sure has kept me a little nervous." Major William Mitchell asked
Star Captain Branden spoke up "I am sure they have been. From Placida, there are 83 systems within 30 light years. That is a lot of searching. Using the ships navigational telescope, we have monitored several systems and think we have detected the arrival and departure of searching vessels. We can not be sure but on review you can see the changes in the readings. I doubt the Khan will pursue the matter any longer, it is a waste of valuable resources to keep searching."
"Even better. So, take me thru the route we are taking." Major William Mitchell replied
"We are going to do 9 jumps. One deeper into the void before swinging back towards Star's End. Mainly because after talking with Star Captain Branden, he has given me a good idea of the regions where Clan Wolf and Clan Jade Falcon ships are moving primarily. I want to avoid those if possible. Hence the backtrack so we can line up better with our main route to Star's End. The biggest question is if Clan Wolf holds it or not. We will not know that until we get there. Which is scary." Captain Felicia Graves said
While the senior officers were holding their meeting, down on the Grav Deck and various Dropships, the enlisted and lower ranks performed their regular duties. Sergeant Bruce Crumbly was on the Excellence in one of the cargo bays watching the former Clan Elementals prepare to head out on the last ice recovery mission. He had only spoken to a few of them and then very briefly, but he was a curious sort by nature so he approached them semi cautiously. One of those he had spoken to before nodded as he approached.
"May I help you, Sergeant Bruce?" Warrior Valto asked, not ready to address anyne by a last name
"Are all of your infantry like you?" Sergeant Bruce Crumbly asked
"Neg. We are of the Elemental phenotype. Specially bred this way." Warrior Valto replied
"Then how would a normal person, say me, wear one of those suits?" Sergeant Bruce Crumbly asked
"The suits are adjustable to some extent. Not every Elemental is the same size. The Clan's have normal sized infantry also. But never in frontline status." Warrior Valto said
"Were you in frontline service?" Sergeant Bruce Crumbly asked
"Once. I was deemed too old to continue." Warrior Valto replied
"Too old? How old are you?" Sergeant Bruce Crumbly asked
"32. That is old by Clan warrior standards. All of us are over 30, the oldest is Narhal over there at 35. We all managed to Trial for a posting in the invasion." Warrior Valto replied
"32 is too old? I am 39 and in peak physical condition. If I was in one of the House militaries I could easily serve for another 25 years. That is just crazy. 32 is the age when you finally know your job well enough to be called proficient at it." Sergeant Crumbly said
He did not notice several of the Mechwarriors had drifted over to listen. A voice caused him to turn slightly "Hell, I am 41 and plan to pilot a Battlemech another 20-30 years if I don't get killed first."
"I have a question. Do you use Battlemechs or is it just you big boys and girls?"
"The Clan uses OmniMechs for frontline duty. We have Battlemechs also in Second line and garrison." Warrior Valto replied
"What is an OmniMech? What's different about it?" Another asked
The barrage of questions were making Warrior Valto a little nervous, it really was not his place to talk about such things. Sergeant Crumbly picked up on this and said "Easy folks, let's not push too far too fast. How about everyone write down the questions and we will have the Major get some answers to them. Let's let Valto get back to preparing for his mission."
As the group broke up, Warrior Valto nodded again to Sergeant Crumbly before returning to his tasks.
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