DE Chpt 13

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==Chapter 13 - Danger Everywhere==
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16 June 3050
Star's End System
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"Felicia, have the shuttle come down and pick up Point Commander Trisha and her people. Be watching for these pirates Jumpships to return. If they do, it would be nice to capture those ships if we can." Major Wiliam Mitchell radioed to the Jump Point.
It took some time for the response to come back <<"Shuttle will be on the way. We already have the Zenith Jump Point plotted in case they come in there.">> Captain Felicia Graves replied
"Good thinking. Also, see if you can make contact with the folks running the repair facilities and see what they are going to charge us for basic maintenance and possibly modifications on Dropships. One of the captured Overlords has been modified to carry a full Battalion of Infantry plus a good supply quantity. I am going to assume it was done here, so ask." Major William Mitchell said
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17 June 3050
"We are going to boost in two days and try to make it back to friendly lines. We only have six collars so we will be leaving a Dropships behind. If you want it, you can have it, or we will destroy it on the ground." Major Walter Duboise said
"I only have three collars myself right now. But I will take it and if I cannot put it to use, destroy it for you. What are you leaving behind?" Major William Mitchell asked
"Condor, the 10th Donegals." Major Walter Duboise replied
"May I suggest you keep the Condors, leave the Triumph and take the pirate Seeker. That would probably be a more comfortable ride for you all. At least the extra bunks and life support will make it more tolerable." Major William Mitchell said
"That would require me to leave behind my only combat force outside of the Aerospace fighters. Not sure I like that." Major Walter Duboise replied with a frown
"You expect to make a landing where you might face a fight with the Clans? Tell me your not that crazy. If so, pack the tanks onboard the Mule, it is not optimum, but there you go." Major William Mitchell said
"No, nowhere near that crazy. Heck, we are still sorting out how to carry enough water for the trip." Major Walter Duboise replied
"There are ten water tanks between both of the pirate bases. Each holds 20,000 gallons. Take 8 of them if you want. Their weight is nothing in the big scheme of things. I plan to take the other two with us." Major William Mitchell said
"Neighborly of you. I will take you up on the Seeker. I will also give you 800 tons of AFFC select field rations. Should be enough to feed you people for at least a year. I will also toss in eight Striker LRM light tanks and four Sleipnir APCs. I'll toss in some ]]LRM]] ammo and replacement armor." Major Walter Duboise replied
"Gladly take the combat rations, but damned if I have the people to crew those vehicles or even maintain them." Major William Mitchell said
"Use them for trade if you want to, I have no need for them. They are my odd man out vehicles anyway." Major Walter Duboise replied
"Thanks, get your Mule over here and I will have my people throw in and help get the water tanks installed in the Mule. It will give me time to work out what I am going to do with all these prisoners. Damned if I am going to trust them as far as I can throw them with weapons." Major William Mitchell said
"I cannot help you with that decision. My advice, keep them under guard until you leave and then kick them loose. Stranded down here with no weapons to defend themselves. I don't have the space to haul them, even money says they are all wanted in the FedCom. Minimum of 15,000 C-bills per head for just being a part of a pirate band, more if they had a rap sheet." Major Walter Duboise replied
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20 June 3050
With the departure of the AFFC troops and mercenary survivors, Major William Mitchell and his troops were alone on Star's End. He felt the tinge of some depression, with no idea of where to go or what to do when the call from Star Captain Branden came in.
"We made contact with those running the yards. They did do the conversion on the Overlord Dropship, but they ask for much in return." Star Captain Branden said
"Tell them we will trade them a fully functional Triumph Dropship and Fury Dropship to convert another Overlord Dropship to that Infantry version and to fully service all of our ships. See if that will be enough. We only have three collars so I am trying to maximize those collars best I can. If we do not get lucky, we might be forced to leave our Mule behind so we will need the additional cargo space that version has. Maybe even convert the third Overlord, but I am not sold on that yet. I also need a time frame to work with." Major William Mitchell replied
"Aff, I will relay that information to Captain Graves, she is conducting the negotiations on site with them." Star Captain Branden replied
"She has security with her I hope." Major William Mitchell asked
"Aff, two of Point Commander Fuykes warriors are with her and the shuttle." Star Captain Branden replied
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