DE Chpt 17

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==Chapter 17 - Danger Everywhere==
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31 September 3050
Icar System (Clan Wolf)
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Gunfire erupted from the prison compound for a few brief seconds before ending. Captain Marcus Wright did not hesitate and dispatched two of his platoons to assist Point Commander Trishia and her Elementals. Dawn was just breaking and he could clearly see the engine flares from the descending Dropships. Major Mitchell would be on the ground within the hour. He paced nervously before the radio came to life.
"The prison compound is secure." Point Commander Trishia said
"What the hell happened?" Captain Marcus Wright asked
"Walked into a roving patrol. They got off some shots before we brought them down." Point Commander Trishia replied
"Two platoons on their way to your location. Turn the operation over to them and you report back to me." Captain Wright said
"Aff, Captain Wright." Point Commander Trishia replied
Point Commander Trishia and her Elementals returned as their Overlords were settling to the ground. Major William Mitchell was the first out of the Overlord Dropship in his Thunderbolt. He paused as he got his bearings and then walked to where both were waiting. He popped his cockpit and descended to the ground. 
"Report?" Major William Mitchell said
"Both compounds secure. I have 4 lightly wounded, couple broken bones and bruises." Captain Marcus Wright said
"Acceptable." He said as he lifted a handheld radio "Captain Murphy, Bravo Company to the prison compound and provide overwatch."
Eight Locusts and four Stingers headed in the direction of the prison compound. Major Mitchell spotted an unarmored but obvious Elemental walking towards them. "Who is this big fellow approaching?" he asked as his hand dropped towards his holstered pistol.
"Star Commander Franklin, he is my bondsman." Point Commander Trishia replied
"Care to explain that a little more Point Commander Trishia." Major Mitchell said but kept his eyes on approaching man.
"He was defeated and I took him as my bondsman. Much as we once were, just not the Clan way." Point Commander Trishia replied as she waved Star Commander Franklin over. When he arrived she spoke again, "Star Commander Franklin, this is Major Mitchell, our commander. Captain Wright, did Star Commander Franklin present any difficulties?"
"No, he did not give us any problems and actually helped keep those big folks in check. They are even still awake, under guard, but awake." Captain Wright said
She reached out and cut the bond cord from Star Commander Franklin's wrist. "I declare you free of your bondcord. With Major Mitchell's permission, I declare you Abtakha."
Star Commander Franklin rubbed his wrist where the bond cord had been. But before he could speak Point Commander Trishia asked "How many of the others will join us and not be a problem?"
"Of my Star, three Points worth. The others will be trouble. Mechwarriors, two. Fighter pilots all of them. Those are the ones that protested Star Captain Manuel orders to use deception instead of battle." Star Commander Franklin replied
Major William Mitchell and Captain Marcus Wright exchanged looks but their attention was pulled to approaching vehicles, one of Captain Wrights infantry riding standing in the passenger seat of a jeep followed by ten trucks. They halted close by and people poured from the back of the trucks. "First load of prisoners. It is going to take at least another two to three trips to get them all over here."
"Lord your a sight for sore eyes." A voice said as the crowd parted slightly and Major Walter Duboise appeared from among the freed prisoners. He shook hands all around, even with Point Commander Trishia, he avoided Star Commander Franklin though. 
"We got word on what happened and it just seemed like the right thing to do was to come fetch you." Major William Mitchell said with a smile
"Damn glad you did. I was getting real tired of playing wrench monkey. Manual labor is not something I am cut out for anymore." Major Duboise replied
"Fixing things?" Major Mitchell asked
"Collecting the wrecks from the various battle sites. Several big warehouses full of shot up Battlemechs, they done took the best ones and all the Dropships god knows where. Bunch of prisoners too." Major Duboise said
"Well now, let's go take a look at what we might be able to salvage from those warehouses." Major Mitchell said with a grin.
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