WCGW Chpt 193

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==Chapter 193 - What Could Go Wrong==
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Thazi (Independent System)
1st February, 3045
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"You have been grumpy lately, Sarah. Tell me what is bothering you?" Major General David Mitchell asked.
"Tired maybe. Some small issues with the newest contingent of spacers. Nothing I cannot really handle, but it does weigh on one's mind." Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Campbell replied
"Problems? What kind of problems?" Major General Mitchell asked
"I am not career military, never have been. But most of my people are career military. Years of experience. I am still a civilian at heart, even though I was with Interstellar Expeditions, I was a civilian, able to make my own way. I sort of miss it." Lieutenant Colonel Campbell replied
"You want to leave?" Major General Mitchell asked now very concerned.
"No, not leave. But I am not sure I am meant to be pure military either. Actions and operations that force me to risk my crews is not my cup of tea. I understand the overall need to do so, but I really do not like it at all." Lieutenant Colonel Campbell replied
"Well, are you thinking about a new position? Want me to put someone else in command of the Fleet?" Major General Mitchell asked
"I am not sure what I want. I just have a hard time breaking rules that are sacred to me. You do not violate maintenance schedules on Jumpships. Ever. We have been on nonstop deployments for several years now. The military does it all the time, but not me. It was driven into my skull with sledgehammers that you do not do it. It eats at my nervous, always asking myself if this will be the jump that kills us." Lieutenant Colonel Campbell replied
"I don't want you to leave Sarah, but I also want you happy. Once the Onverwacht mission is over, I am going to appoint a new Fleet commander." Major General Mitchell paused as a look of panic flashed across Sarah's face "Easy, let me finish before you hit the panic button. We have the Jumpships for this, so I want you to head up our civilian merchant fleet. Fixed schedules, rigid maintenance minimum risk. I would like to keep the Invaders and Star Lords, but all the Merchant Jumpships are all yours. I have been told that by next year the crops are expected to be double or triple what they have been now that we are seriously automating them. That means we are going to need to be selling our excess and that requires shipping. 
For security, you know as well as I do that, we cannot just hire a normal shipping company or independent ship owners. Neither can the Federated Commonwealth, they are running their limited supply missions via the AFFC, but we could fill that mission for them. Steady income from them, almost a monopoly really. I am going to sell both of the recovered mining stations we found to the First Prince. That should net us 4-5 Billion C-Bills that we can use to purchase new Jumpships and more cargo Dropships for you to operate. You will have final say on what is bought and total control of the company. How does that sound to you?" Major General Mitchell explained
Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Campbell sat there in silence for a few minutes before speaking "I would like that. Actually, I would love that opportunity." She felt a ton of weight being lifted off her shoulders.
"Start thinking about your replacement, you know them better than I do. Start thinking about what people you need to shift around, who will fit better in the Fleet and who will like the civilian side better. I will risk a Fax to New Avalon asking for a current list of Jumpships and Dropship for sell. You can start making your selections and we can get a message to Inner End, have our lawyer begin gathering them. That work?" Major General Mitchell said
"I already have two in mind that can take my spot. Why yes, I would love to know what is available on the market. But to be honest, I would like one or two heavy lifters than just two collar Merchants. Especially if we are going to corner the Wokha route from the Federated Commonwealth." Lieutenant Colonel Campbell replied
"Those are extremely expensive, but you know that. You still need to buy the Dropships to fill the 12 collars you will start with. I will transfer both Jumbos and the Mule over to you. I want to keep the Mammoth, for recovery work. So, you need 9 more Dropships right there, at a minimum. You can be certain that the Federated Commonwealth will be using military run Dropships, so you find what you want, and we will make it happen." Major General Mitchell said.
"It's a start, a very strong start. Shall we get this last operation started so I can begin my new challenge?" Lieutenant Colonel Campbell relied with a smile.
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