IBC Chpt 6-2

==Iron Blooded Commander - Chapter 6.2 -Rise Ye Children of the Lost World==
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===Staff Meeting on Readiness===
Outskirts of Red BaseZaniah III, Lyran Commonwealth3021Perspective of Benjamin Rommel
thumb|Red Base
Time passes pretty quickly when you are busy.
 
"Okay people. It's been a while. I figured we should have a full meeting to go over everything that has been happening and if there are any issues we can work on." I offer my gathered Command Staff, it had been three months since I returned to Zaniah, and so much had changed.
 
"Guard, and Repair Unit, aren't happy about the work they have been doing setting up the new turrets. I understand you want to limit the amount of people working on them at first so they have a solid understanding for installing them, but why not just put them in yourself. You could do it nearly instantly?" Benny asked to get the meeting started, the fact he had a stack of papers in front of him that I recognized as our 'complaint' forms told me about how frustrated he was.
 
"Because in the future if we are out on campaign, and I'm not around, I still want our bases to be defended. I want them to learn how to get them up and running without me, so I can send a few turrets in pieces along with any dropships we send out."
 
Benny nodded along slowly. "Alright, makes sense, Commander, but Morale is still low."
 
"Let's give them a party or something when they are done. Once the base units get the know-how, we will have everyone help out on the next ones."
 
"Speaking of, what about the dropship issue? Any bites?" Hanna asked.
 
"No. I spoke with General Faulkner, but nothing in a price range we can actually afford yet. I've increased our amount of salvage going out, to try and increase our capital, but it's slow going since I don't want to send out so much that someone notices."
 
"We do need a dropship at some point, Commander. Especially since you want to train our own crew for them. That's… Gonna take some time." Sergeant Kurtz offered, although he was now Lieutenant Kurtz. Alfred had proven himself, over the last year, and when his contract ran out, And he decided to stick around anyways? Well. He proved he was as Iron Blooded as the rest.
 
"I know. I have some ideas, but unfortunately, it is slow going. I'll double my focus on it."
 
"Well we have made some huge improvements, Commander. The AC/2 Turrets you insisted on, should remove any real threat from ASFs. Especially with the Sensor system and Flak ammo. Are you sure we don't want heftier turrets as well to supplement them?"
 
"I know AC/2s aren't the scariest weapon out there, Benny, but with our advantages it gives us the most protection. We can start shootin at enemies way outside any sort of return fire range, plus there is the Home Guard. Giving them time to get to their Carriers is a secondary benefit." 
 
A few months back the Defense Unit had chosen their new name. Of course now I had Home Guard, and Guard Unit. So those two had better figure out who gets what name cause it was confusing sometimes.
 
"Plus quad AC/2 is still pretty scary when they start hitting before the enemy can even get in range. I would prefer any enemy that attacks our base never gets close enough to do any damage." I added.
 
"Understood, Commander."
 
The second, and third Mech Sim lines are all working fine." Gauge spoke up then. "It's just enough to get everyone training time now I think, we probably won't need a forth… But it's causing some questions to pop up. They may be kids but they aren't stupid. We all know that this many high quality, brand new sims is way outside the norm. I've been getting some pointed questions recently."
 
Tell anyone who asks, that any secrets they believe they figured out, or may have picked up about our company should be locked away in their brain and never spoken of. We have a lot of secrets that could cause a lot of trouble for the company. Remind them of what happens whenever a merc company finds something special. They inevitably get raided to hell and back because everyone wants a piece. That goes for all of you, let's do a reminder to anyone asking, about secrecy and how quickly a company can be ripped apart by loose lips."
 
"Will do, Vicky."
 
"Carl, how goes the training? I haven't heard anything from Delta Ops in a while."
 
"We are doing well, Commander, the NightHawk aren't an easy thing to get used to. We have all been going over the manuals we found, but even so it's a lot of training to get used to specific movements. We haven't had any serious injuries thankfully, but we have had some sprains and bruises. We are taking it slow. Making sure we know what we are doing with them… Don't worry though. Delta Ops will be ready for any new missions you need us to do."
 
"How is our AFS training with the 10th going?" I asked, and Benny pipped in. 
 
"Slow. We only had a few interested, and the 10th basically told us that any AFS training takes years. Flying is dangerous after all."
 
"How slow? Have they gotten any stick time or anything?"
 
"From what Gabe told me, they mainly have them going up in civilian aircraft, giving him some experience flying. None of us have any AFS sims after all. So we are stuck with actual experience for them."
 
"Well better than nothing. Considering what I gave the 10th in exchange for that, it better be useful. Any other news?"
 
"Well, Commander… We do have more and more potential Mechwarriors, and still only a few 'mechs. Do we want to expand?" Hanna asked, and the entire room seemed to lean in as they too were curious.
 
I hesitated. Not because I didn't have an answer, but because the answer I was going to offer was going to cause some issues.
 
"I do have an idea for what to do, but you aren't going to like it." I offered and there was a bit of tensing around the table. "Up until now, everyone's mechs were considered their own and no one else's… That may have to change until we get further set up."
 
"Wait, you want to let someone else pilot my Mech!?" Hanna called out outraged, but Benny put a hand on her shoulder. Calming her for a moment.
 
"Well You're right, my initial reaction is the same as Hanna's, but we aren't like house militaries, or nobles. The mechs are tools for our company, and yes they are ours, Vicky, told us that when this first started, but I think we should hear her out." Benny offered as he calmed the room.
 
"Thanks, Benny, we aren't going to be keeping the mechs we started with forever. Eventually the plan is for our experienced warriors to get better rides. Royal rides."
 
That caused a stir in the room even, Hanna settled down quickly at that potential future.
 
"Think of the mechs you have used so far as training mechs. We will still use them in combat if we have to, but we also have the ability to get much more powerful mechs for all of us. We should distance ourselves from seeing the mechs we had so far as our babies, and think of them more as stepping stones."
 
"I… I still don't like it. But I can… I can see where you are coming from. Lenden won't go for it though." Hanna added.
 
"I know. I have no intention of even asking Lenden, Although maybe he will do something similar with Rough Squad just to give them the experience. But Lenden's mech… Well we all know his connection to it, so I won't be touching that."
 
"Okay, so we open our mechs as training mechs… Oh. Shit. That's gonna be so much more work, Vicky!" Gauge whined as he realized that as the head of the Repair Unit he was gonna be in charge of fixing all the damage the new MechWarriors caused.
 
Yes, and it'll be great practice for the Repair Unit to have constant damage coming in." I offered to Gauge as his face fell. "Now, how has everyone's new equipment been working, any issues with the SLDF NeuroHelm? The Cooling suits?" 
 
Of course even the basic equipment that the SLDF used was far superior to the drek we had before. I had passed out advanced SLDF Neurohelmets to each of the mechwarriors not long after getting back with firm orders to not ever let anyone else use your helm. Yet while I had used my own as well when I was out at night working on improving the base, I still wanted to know if there were any issues.
 
"No problems Commander. The Neurohelmet is insanely sensitive, I've had my mech switch radio connections without actually touching the buttons before. It's excellent. The Cooling suits… Well." Benny muttered looking down. Like Hanna, and even myself, we had taken to wearing the things around the base. Mostly because they were sinfully comfortable, and kept cool even when not attached to a mech, meaning they were like walking around with an air conditioner attached to you.
 
"Yeah, I like mine too. No problems with the fit or anything? Don't forget to let me know if they start getting too small."
 
"We won't Commander. Although I could use a few extras… Just cause I don't want to wear the same one everyday?" Hanna asked, and I smiled, my own closet now had a few suits, one for every day of the week.
 
"Done. Remind me after and we will get that done. Any issues with the new infantry gear. Lieutenant Kurtz?"
 
"Nein. The SLDF equipment is superior to what we had in a major way. Even the basic parts have better fits. Although we aren't using the rifle for obvious reasons." The SLDF Mauser 960 was a great rifle, as long as you considered a 10 kilo rifle to be 'acceptable' most people didn't. The fact our current rifle the TK Assault, which was a standard Lyran design only weighed five and a half kilos should tell you plenty about how crazy that Mauser was. "There is one thing I wanted to bring up with that though Commander… The Cooling suits."
 
I blinked as he brought the topic back to them. "What about them?"
 
"We should issue them as standard to all of our troops. Not just our MechWarriors."
 
"That's… A good idea." Benny offered as the room went quiet thinking it over. "One of the biggest medical issues we still have is heat stroke. If we pass them out? Well, even not connected to a mech, they are still better than normal clothes, and we could connect them to power outlets to turn on the coolant system before we head outside. Probably give our people a good bit more time outdoors before the heat hits them. 
 
I considered it. This would be a big step. Coolant suits were Lostech after all. Even just seeing one would be a considerable shock to any outsiders. I knew Lieutenant Kurtz knew that. But if he was suggesting it anyways then he must have his reasons.
Plus… Before this point, our 'uniform' if you could call it that, was just the original BDU I had purchased, it was an old Lyran design, and frankly was ugly, heavy, and terrible for the weather here on planet.
 
And I had just collected the greatest collection of Star League fabric, and designs in the Inner Sphere. "You are both right." I stop the discussion with that. As my mind raced. "I've been preoccupied with everything else, but it's time we start firming up our culture. I want everyone that sees an Iron Blooded Orphan whether they are a Mechwarrior, or brand new in boot camp to know who we are."
 
There were a few nods around the room, although Hanna looked quite enthused at the idea. 
 
"Okay. I'll work on it tonight, I want to set up a uniform for us, a real solid uniform. I'll set up a stockroom with enough for us in every size we need. I'll include the cooling suit as a base. It's too useful not to. The fact it can become airtight as well with a SLDF helmet is something I can't deny has a serious value. Lieutenant, I'll trust you to handle handing them out, and ensuring discretion about the Lostech components of everyone's new uniform?"
 
"You can count on me, Commander! I won't let this cause any trouble."
 
"Benny, I'll need your advice on rank markings, and setup, and Yes Hanna I could use your help with the designs, you are probably better with clothing than I am."
 
"Good we can finally get everyone out of those ugly BDUs!"
 
I nodded, "Anything else anyone needs to bring up?" The silence confirmed there was not. To be fair most things were taken care of instantly, if an issue popped up, I would usually get a radio message a few moments later. 
 
"Okay last thing then. Our Training with the young barons… Thoughts?"
 
The looks of irritation that spread across the groups told me what their thoughts were there. 
 
Hanna as usual charged in first. "If I could punch that little shit Vincent in his face, and get away with it I would." 
 
"Hear hear." Gauge muttered quietly.
 
"Arthur is obviously more focused on his brother's development, but we have learned a lot. Just some of the basics in Lance formations and combat doctrine has helped us all. I still want to punch Vincent though." Benny added with a joke.
 
"I think we all do Benny, but let's keep our goal in mind. The more we learn, the better we become, and the more we can teach our next group of Mechwarriors. Even if it makes us want to punch Vincent in the face." I watched the group all nod along at that before turning to someone who had been very quiet. 
 
"Any updates from the Artillery Unit? How are you liking your new toys?"
 
"We are in full training mode, Commander. We won't let you down again. Next time someone tries to raid Zaniah, they are going to have a big surprise on their way!" Elias stated firmly, the Artillery Unit was growing consistently. Elias was a firm believer in recruiting everyone he could get his hands on to join his unit. He probably grew the most outside of the future Mechwarriors group.
That and I had made sure he got the best toys. Between him and the Home Guard, they had received so far the most amount of equipment. Of course I had created a functional Mobile Long Tom out in the desert far from any spotters that could see it, giving the crew a place to train which they did religiously. Of course that wasn't all I had created for them. Though the mobile Long Tom was perfect for them to train on. Red Base, which was growing into a Castle Brian below the surface, had found itself with a little more than just that. 
 
"Good. How is our surface construction going?"
 
"Oh I can answer this one, Commander. Lieutenant Kurtz said. "The surface buildings are torn down, getting a mech to do so made it easy enough. We have finished clearing up the remains as you know and are currently waiting for the delivery of the prefab units you ordered, other than that. I spoke with an architect here on Zaniah, and we got a deal from him to design the base layout. I think it will work very well."
 
"Glad to hear it. Anything else we need to cover?"
 
""No Commander!""
 
Alright dismissed!"
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===Fashion Clash===
Red BaseZaniah III, Lyran Commonwealth
"How about this?"
 
"What? Commander that is way too much. Light Light! You need to wear it in an overheating Battlemech!" Hanna argued pointing to the image. Which I rolled my eyes at her response.
 
"Fool! This isn't your Great house, 'I forget more about science than I remember Uniform!' This is the best bits of all the best Star League equipment with an actual functional armor protection for Mechwarriors, because I still have bruises from the last battle! Padding, armor, a suit that can seal up air tight. The Best NeuroHelmet, or normal Helmet, for our infantry that the SLDF had. All equipped into a uniform that doesn't look like someone without functioning eyes put together. Did you see what the League raiders were wearing? I think their uniforms did more damage than their weapons."
 
"Haha, Vicky. Now shut up. Cooling Suit or not, this is a lot, and I still say no cape."
 
"GASP! How can you say that about my shoulder cape! It's incredibly magnificent!"
 
"Fuck, Did you just say GASP at me? Also only if you live on Canopus."
 
"Bitch! I'll show you Canopus!" I screamed as I jumped on her to try and pin her down.
 
Of course Hanna outmassed and out strengthed me, so a few minutes later we were back in our seats after I had offered a ceasefire.
 
"Fine no cape, but I insist on the Battleskirt. It's what pulls the uniform together."
 
"Oh I wasn't going to argue there. It looks great." Hanna agrees before she slows into a frown. "It's gonna be pretty noticeable, Vicky. People don't wear stuff like this."
 
"People don't. We do. It's a statement Hanna. As long as they don't realize they are cooling suits until later, they will think we are just being weird. But then, some time years from now when they see our uniforms, they won't think oh that's weird. They will either think 'oh god oh god it's them.' Or they will say 'Thank god it's them.' we need to make our mark on the world."
 
"And a uniform is what you think will matter?"
 
"It will be when our base uniform is more advanced than the most advanced uniforms of the Great Houses."
 
"Okay you got me there."
 
"Glad you see it my way, now help me with this bit. This damn thing isn't laying the armor over the cooling suit right."
 
"Yeah yeah, there, is your problem-"
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===Wanderlust===
Although recruitment slowed to a trickle as the months passed, our actual training teams exploded. With the Centurions and Locust fully repaired and switched into the training Lances when we weren't training with Barons Alessa, they were used in training for all the future mechwarriors in the company. Giving all of them actual stick time.
 
This did eventually lead to a problem all military groups had when all they did was train. 
 
"So we are seeing a pretty hefty plateau for improvement Commander. Frankly... Blue and Green training Lance are as good as we can get them considering they have had a more systemic training, and of course the tips and tricks we learned from Arthur, and the 10th. But we don't have the experience to teach them any further."
 
"I know what you're saying, Benny, but I'm not sure that's a good idea."
 
"We are a Mercenary Company, Vicky. We can't just, not fight." He argued, and damn him for having a point.
 
"You're saying you want to take another job off Zaniah, one that would split our forces when we still only have one Lance of official 'mechs."
 
"Sure, but we can bring the Artillery Unit with us… and we always have the Home Guard here. You know this is a good idea. We need the experience. Only way to get it… Is to go get it."
 
I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "I know you're right, but my heart doesn't want to accept it."
 
"I know. You have a kind soul Vicky, but in this case, you aren't doing us any favors trying to protect us from everything. We can't protect our own people if we don't know how to fight."
 
"Okay. Benny, Just… Okay. Once we figure out what we are doing, I'll go check in with the Governess to let her know we are probably going to be doing a new contract. She isn't going to be happy that our forces are leaving."
 
"We aren't locked into the same contract anymore Vicky, you know as well as I do, the Governess doesn't dictate where we go."
 
"Alright. I'll go talk to ComStar then. I am sure we can find an MRB contract to dip our toes in the water."
 
"No way. I am definitely coming with you. Last time you got us stuck with the Governess, this time I get to look over the Contract first." He teased, but he meant it all the same.
 
"The Zaniah contract was an emergency! It all worked out in the end!"
 
"Sure Commander. Whatever you say."
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===Searching for the next Job===
"So many of these contracts are garbage!" Benny groaned as we were sitting in my office, we had gathered a stack of potential contracts from the MRB and were going through them.
 
"Seriously, look at this one. They want an entire mech company, to guard their corporate headquarters. Pay is garbage salvage is 100% they offer no ammunition expenditure. So basically they just want to try and show off a bunch of mechs but not pay the mercs."
 
"Yeah, anyone who takes the contract deserves that trouble. Although I bet anyone who does won't accept the contractors lack of payment for long. I wonder if we will see a new contract later 'Hunt for Mercs who killed our former boss and destroyed our corporate HQ. Pay low. Salvage 100%.'" Benny joked.
 
"Pfff. That would be funny." I chuckle as we continue searching. 
 
"Oh how about this one, Commander? Shiloh. They want a lance and a company of infantry to garrison the capital, keep some civilians from rioting."
 
"Garrison contract? No way. Plus think about it, Benny, We would be defending against a bunch of civilians, what does that mean if something goes wrong, and we are stuck trying to defend ourselves?"
 
"Warcrimes?"
 
"Warcrimes. I don't want to deal with riot suppression, that gets bloody, especially with a bunch of people dealing with their home."
 
We continued our search. "Oh, how about this one Benny, Phecda is close just one jump away. Apparently someone is really mad at one of the corporations based there. Wants a company of mechs to go bust up their workers. Pay is good, low salvage, which isn't terrible since a bunch of factory workers aren't going to have battlemechs… Oh. No wait, the corporation makes water refineries… Isn't Phecda dealing with that big water refinery project that keeps getting smashed by the League?"
 
"Last I heard, yeah, there was a raid on it like a year ago right? Oh look. Anonymous contractor. Yeah that smells like a League raid playing pretend there."
 
"Definitely a Leaguer… Toss it. They are trying to make water refineries. Considering we just spent the last year on Zaniah. That is a little annoying."
 
"Yeah definitely!"
 
"Too bad. Phecda… Well I have a few reasons to head there."
 
"Oh. Second Phecda contract."
 
"Wait seriously!? Gimme Benny Gimme!" I snatch it out of his hand and read it over. "Ah it's the other side of the coin."
 
"It looks good though, check out the issuer. The LCAF! Oh and it has some requirements, Arctic gear will receive preference. Do we have Arctic gear?" 
 
"Yeah, There was some in Helm… Damnit Phecda… Now that I got that name in my head it's so hard to just say no. I'm too greedy, Benny."
 
"What? What's so important about Phecda?"
 
 "Let's just say I know of a potential Lostech cache there too."
 
"What? Even after Helm? Is there even anything there of value that you don't already have? I've seen that list of equipment on your Noteputer."
 
"A Colossus Dropship crashed landed there. But it may be intact enough to 'copy' that good enough for you?"
"Are you serious!? A Colossus… No no don't get distracted, Forget that for a second. Vicky… How many other caches do you know about? We need to talk about all the stuff your mother knew about and didn't go after because even one of these is enough to do… Anything."
 
"She didn't have any backup, and then she died. That's why I need you Benny. Can't go grab all the shiny treasures without enough metal backing me up."
 
He snorted at my line. "Yeah well. We all owe you, Commander, you aren't getting rid of us. So contract?"
 
"Let's say yes for now, but I want to keep looking… While I want that Dropship it may be too much too soon. There is no easy way to get that thing moving without causing a huge uproar."
 
"Understood, Commander." He saluted which I lazily returned as he turned back into the pile of contracts. It was so weird that it was all printed out. ComStar was so 80's sometimes. Not that I could ever tell that joke to anyone.
 
"Oh three Contracts here that might work. A defense, and two raids." I pointed out.
 
"Let's see Algorab? That's pretty close too isn't it, I don't think I know anything about the planet though."
 
"Yeah it's just Anti-Spinward of Zaniah. It's an anti raid action… Looks like a League raid based on LIC intel? Nice. But, I don't know.. We might not even make it in time. Look, they are saying the next two months." I offered with a sigh, realizing we couldn't take this one.
 
"Oh. Yeah that's basically all travel time for us, we won't be much help if we show up a week too late." Benny matched my sigh. It kinda irritated us both that we couldn't get there to help. "What about the other two? Oh both of these are on Vinde-Vindemitry ugh Vin-dem-i-atrix. That name is so annoying!" Benny scowled as he had to sound the name out to get it right.
 
"Pff...go take some more of Gauges classes! Hmm That one. No absolutely not, I refuse to take a contract that targets a Civillian Library. We already have enough issues with loss of knowledge."
 
"Yeah… It doesn't sound right either honestly. Oh this one is against Pirates! Apparently they tried to raid… the planet."
 
"Vindemiatrix."
 
"Yeah that. But got left behind for some reason."
 
"Something to ask the Contractor I suppose. Pirates… Hmm that could be a tough one. We would have to check before we fire any artillery, I would hate to hit captives." But pirates usually had mechs in poor condition, we might be able to get more salvage than normal out of it.
 
"Ooh. Yeah that could be an issue, well taking them out would feel good, it might also be a little rough for us if they are taking captives." Benny offered. "I don't know if everyone is ready to see something like that.. You know?"
 
"Yeah. I would… Well I wouldn't let our infantry move on something like that for sure. The other hand? Salvage isn't bad, we might be able to claim a mech or two." I comment. "That could really help."
 
"I wouldn't mind killing some pirates Commander, and I know the rest of us wouldn't either."
 
"Put it on the maybe list, I haven't decided yet, but it's a contender. 
 
I went through a few more tossing more than a few into the trash, before coming up on one that I didn't even mean to read, but a few words caught my eye and when I was done I was tugging on Benny to get his attention.
 
"Benny! The Animals, Benny! We need to save them!"
 
"What, Vicky, get off, what has got you so worked up?" He snatched the contract from my hands reading through it, the offer to go hunt endangered animal poachers on New Kyoto, the planet was well known for its massive reserves meant to protect species. "Well. I mean it sounds nice but there isn't exactly going to be a lot of mech combat is there? Maybe a light mech at most? Poachers aren't going to wander around in a heavy mech or something."
 
"But, Benny! Look! All the cute animals need our help. We can't just let them get killed!"
 
 He sighed, rolling his eyes, taking the piece of paper and to my hopeful eyes placing it on the maybe pile. "There, can we move on now?"
 
"Yes!"
 
"Okay Let's finish up this pile. It's getting late." Benny ordered plopping the rest of the contracts down, we both dug in, more than a few ending up in the rapidly filling trash can. 
 
"Heh, Look Vicky, your specialty, Lostech hunting."
 
"Wait what? Really? Ugh. My head is so full of Phecda already, okay let me see. Hmm. Oh. Pfft. Did you do this on purpose!" I yelled at Benny seeing his smile and I rolled my eyes at him. "Jerk."
 
"Well I couldn't resist. So is that a no?"
 
"Definitely no. For one, we already have the Von Luckner design from the one on Helm. For two, I don't really like dead worlds Benny. They creep me out."
 
"What really? You afraid of ghosts or something Vicky?"
 
"No. Afraid of what caused that planets population to die out and get the planet pulled from the maps. They don't always write down the reasons, but sometimes… Sometimes it's because they want to protect anyone from going there."
 
"Creepy. Yeah that one goes in the no pile then." He offered, quickly pushing it into the trash.
 
"Shiloh again here." I mention pushing the contract over.
 
Benny reads through it for a while "Hmm. Doesn't seem so bad. There will definitely be a fight if we do this one... Probably I mean escorting some people around a hostile planet is bound to attract some attention, but I don't get why they want to send civilians over. And apparently all they want to do is some studies on the amount of money they can make from the planet's resources? I mean Shiloh is still a League planet. Guaranteed if we stick around too long we will get more than just the local militia to contend with."
 
"Put it on the maybe pile. It sounds like someone is expecting a cakewalk, and I don't trust people that think their enemy doesn't get a choice."
 
"Yeah that's true, Commander. Shiloh has those crystals though right? The really expensive ones?"
 
"Yeah, Shukam, if I remember right, they are worth a ton, I wonder if I could produce them."
 
"Probably your lostech is crazy like that, but you wouldn't be able to make too many of them right? Someone would notice crystals flooding the market that are only supposed to have a source on one planet."
 
"It would have been cool though."
 
"Definitely cool."
 
The next contract had me groaning into my palms as I resisted the allure.
 
"What?"
 
"Must resist helping cute endangered animals!"
 
"Wha- Another one? How many poachers does this planet have!"
 
"Not poachers this time. Apparently there is an invasive species killing everything."
 
"Oh.. I mean. We could do a pretty good job with that but again, not a combat mission, Vicky."
 
"I know. I know. But the poor babies."
 
"Moving on, Commander."
 
The next few minutes passed in silence before I snorted while reading a contract. "Really? Who would be stupid enough to try this again!"
 
"What?" I threw the contract at him and let him read for a few moments before his face broke into a look of horror. "Didn't the League try this already?"
 
"Yeah just a few years ago, and they paid for it. No one just steals or attacks Cranston Snords museum. Apparently he is a bit finicky about it. If you do he follows you back to your home and robs everything back while crushing your mech force. Or at least that is what happened last time." I joked the Contract to raid Snords museum was obviously issued by someone high up in house Marik, maybe even the Captain General himself.
 
"Probably. Toss it?"
 
"Hell no, Burn that thing I don't want anyone thinking we even considered it! It's a fucking museum! We don't attack museums! What the hell is wrong with these assholes! They are lucky they didn't list the exact contractor, I'm tempted to find them and introduce them to my Mech sized boot."
 
"Hell, yeah."
 
"Last few."
 
"Finally. Okay we got… Trash. Trash… What? Is that even a thin-Oh. Canpopus. Of course, trashing that one. Oh here."
 
"Hmm? What did you find Vicky?"
 
"Ever heard of the "Brotherhood of Cincinnatus?" I asked, the name meant nothing to me.
 
"Never. What's it say?"
 
"They are looking for someone to add more tonnage for a raid looks like."
 
"Oh. That could work pretty well Vicky. We could get some experience working with an allied command."
 
"Yeah but we would also have to work with an allied command structure. What if something screws up and they decide the mercs are less important than their units?"
 
"I think that's something we will always worry about Vicky."
 
"No. Benny put it on the no pile. I don't know who these guys are, and I don't like the idea of not being in command. We had some other great offers after all."
 
"Alright, that's it then." He says as he tosses the last of the Contracts into the trash. "We got these ones on the maybe pile. So, Commander?"
 
"Nope. We are going to throw a meeting together, let everyone decide this time."
 
"Huh well if you want, Vicky. C'mon it's way past chow time."
 
"Yeah sounds good, I bet we can find something interesting in the cafeteria."
 
"Oh yeah, Himmel isn't on chef duty tonight." Benny mentioned as he stood up stretching out.
 
"Oh thank God. Let's go!"
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===Final Decision===
"So, here are the contracts we are considering, each of them brings something to the table, some more than others, some more risk than others. Browse through them, I want everyone to read each one, get an idea of what each offers and asks." I tell the room, the full Command staff gathered once more as we looked over the pile of papers Benny and I had passed out. 
 
I gave the group a few minutes to parse through the contracts offered. Hanna was the first to speak up. "Okay Vicky, which one do you think is the best? I know you, you wouldn't offer a list like this without having your own opinion."
 
"Nope! I do have a few preferences, but this isn't just about me. I want an outside perspective. So you tell me your thoughts, without me influencing you."
 
"Ugh, whatever. I like the Pirate assault. It'll be a while before we can get there, so the pirates will definitely have done repairs, but beating up pirates is always a good thing. We should do that one. It's a fast job. We can basically be in and out, especially since they can't hide from us."
 
"Hmm. I agree with Hanna. Pirates deserve to be taken out, plus we will have surprise on our side with that. They won't know where we are, but we will know where they are. Sounds like an easy mission." Gauge offered.
 
"While I do agree the pirate mission sounds good. It's not a mission that has any real importance behind it. The Pirates are trapped, they aren't going anywhere for now, but this.. This is big. The Phecda contract gives us another connection to the LCAF, and while it is another garrison mission, well, we are good at that. There will definitely be a fight, the League have been attacking constantly to try and stop them from putting up that refinery factory." Lieutenant Kurtz offered nodding firmly. "It's the most important job here."
 
"Not the Pirate raid?" I ask noting that both missions were similar in some ways.
 
"No. Vindemiatrix already has a solid militia. They can hold off the pirates if not take them out, but Phecda has been an ongoing problem."
 
"That's exactly why Phecda can wait!" Elias argued. "We should do the Pirate job. It's the most time sensitive. And if we show up we guarantee we can stomp them flat. This time. They won't get a chance to even fire their weapons. Let the Artillery Unit come along, Commander. We will knock their base into kindling."
 
"Whoa. Easy! We don't know how many hostages they might have or civilians forced to work for them at gun point. We can't just flatten the entire place."
 
"Bu-Yeah… Yeah I know. Sorry." Elias offered looking quite conflicted. 
 
"Don't worry, Elias, we know what you meant. We trust you."
 
"Thanks, Commander. I won't let you down again."
 
"You never did."
 
"Alright, my turn then." Benny continued. "Considering everything, we should take the pirate job. It's a fast job. Guarantees us combat, we know basically what the enemy has, and their advantage of being in a military base doesn't matter so much for us. They can't sneak out, and we can take out any static defenses without too much of an issue."
 
"Oh phooey! Where is your sense of duty, Benny!" Hanna jostled him slightly. "What if we don't want a safe job!"
 
"No job is ever safe. Don't forget that." I interrupt their joking. "If those pirates are veterans, it doesn't matter our advantages, they have their own."
 
Flushing a little, Hanna nodded. She constantly spoke about the Wolverine during the raid, the one that took on our group three on one, and just wouldn't be put down. Hanna had taken it personally, training harder than anyone else. It helped that she had the least amount of actual duties, but her cooling suit and new Neurohelmet had been stress tested the most out of our group.
 
"There is another option." Gauge offered slowly. "We could do multiple missions. Splitting up our forces."
 
"No."
 
"Not a chance!" Benny and I both spoke at once and I waved him forward letting him speak. "We don't have the experience to even hope for that, or the numbers. Maybe if we had two complete Lances, but we don't not yet. After this job, if we can claim some of the pirate mechs, we might be able to afford something like that, but even then I would feel more comfortable taking two lances, rather than splitting them."
 
"Benny has it right, Gauge. We have some advantages, advantages that no one knows about or expects, but just because it's an advantage doesn't mean we win. We need to get even more advantages to make a real difference. Teamwork. Experience. Training. Equipment. Support. These are advantages that others already cultivate. We are behind the game, so we need to play catch up."
 
"Understood, Commander." Gauge offered a little petulant, but I nodded and moved on. I would chat with him later. "Okay so the current Red lance will go, but I won't take part in the battle, I'll be going purely as the command element. Benny I want you with us this time, you need the experience as well."
 
"Are you sure, Commander?"
 
"I am. We aren't going with everyone. Gauge. You've been really involved in your classes. Do you want to stay or go?"
 
"Oh… I want to stay. I'm still digging into the Memory Core. There is so much to learn!"
 
"Okay you are in charge while we are gone, so don't get lost completely in your head."
 
"I won't, Vicky!"
 
"With that, we will take a mix of Red and Green Lance as our force this time. Benny will lead, Hanna, and Lenden will support, and Erica will be your scout. I want her to get practice using the sensor system."
 
"Sounds good to me Commander. We won't have any issues this time."
 
"Oh I know. That's why we are bringing along the Artillery Unit, and Delta Ops."
 
"Oh, You want Delta to come too?" Carl asked, perking up into a smile.
 
"Yes. We may be able to always know where they are, but stealth may be important for this. If they have any captives… Delta will be needed to make sure that when we move, they don't get killed."
 
"Can do, Commander! Leave it to Delta Ops. Don't be surprised about the fires though!"
 
"NO WAR CRIMES, CARL!"
----
===Yet another Meeting with a disgruntle Governoress===
That afternoon I walked into the Starboro HPG terminal to send a message to Governor Maruska, the issuer of the Vindemiatrix contract. It wasn't difficult, confirming contract offers were pretty standard ComStar MRB business. I did have some slight changes to the contract, which wasn't abnormal.
 
Honestly I just asked for complete medcare in case of any injuries on the job. Had to make sure my kids would be alright if they got hurt. With that I moved on to the next difficult part of the job.
 
My meeting request with Governess Alessa was accepted, and I found myself in the same waiting room that I had met with her last time.
 
She entered a half hour later, as confident as any noblewoman can be. "You requested a meeting, Commander Eisen-Blume?"
 
"I did, Lady Alessa. The Iron Blooded have taken a short contract off world. I wanted to inform you that our mech Lance will be unavailable for a few months while that contract is active."
 
I could see the disquiet on her face at that answer. "I thought you said that you would be staying on Zaniah for some time last we spoke, Commander."
 
"That was the plan, but our training is going well, and I need to get my people more experience. I have too many green troops, and not enough battles to blood them with. You don't have to be too concerned, Lady Alessa, I am not taking my entire force. You will still have our assistance if another raid comes through. I am not leaving my kids here without a few big surprises for anyone seeking trouble."
 
"But not your mechs."
 
"But not all my mechs, my mechwarriors need experience. So we go to get some. And hopefully come back with some more mechs. But I am only taking a Lance, the rest will stay to defend the planet."
 
"I see. I can't say it isn't disappointing, But you will do as you like. How long do you expect your Lance to be gone?"
 
"Well travel time notwithstanding, the mission itself should be rather quick, unless something goes wrong. I expect the fight itself should only take a week or so. Shouldn't be long before we are back."
 
"That is reassuring, as much as I have confidence in my sons talents, I will be more comfortable to know there is another Lance of mechs supporting them."
 
"Well, you will still have our scouts, and other support while we are gone if something does come up."
 
"Hmm. I suppose I should simply be grateful for that. I will hold your men to that. Well Commander Eisen-Blume. I wish you luck then."
 
"Governess Alessa, as always a pleasure." I offer back, although I said it neutrally I really did mean it sarcastically. The woman was a pain in my ass.
 
I left in a hurry after that. We had a lot of preparation to complete before we got our confirmation on travel plans back from the Contractor. While I was out, I stopped over at the Planetary Guard office to put in one more request. A little bit of a surprise, and something I probably should have done months ago, but things had gotten away with me. At least we should hear something back maybe by the time I get back from this job.
 
Hopefully.
----
That night. As everyone else slept I entered into my secret room. Thanks to a little combination between the sensors and a factory it was pretty easy to make equipment fitted specifically for every person. Before I left every single one of my kids found a present outside their room in a box with their name on it. It was the first step to a huge change to the Inner Sphere. Although that as always takes time.
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===Spies Like Us===
Old apartment buildings, CondemnedZaniah IIIA different Perspective, Frank Tillian
Frank groaned as he shut the door behind him. The wooden door, which wasn't actually wood since there was almost no trees on this planet, creaked and groaned as it settled.
 
"You get the food?"
 
"Of course. The old man was glaring at me the whole time, but he did sell me the food. Unlike Toni."
 
"It's not my fault! I was chatting with one of the kids, not my fault I gave them some candy so they would talk.. The old man thought I was a molester!"
 
"And that is why Toni isn't allowed near the damn shop anymore, and I have to do every food run, so fuck you, Toni."
 
"Yeah yeah whatever, Frank. So that's the food, everyone gather up let's see what we learned." Toni called them all together as they sat around the damaged old furniture, there was five of them in total working together in a cell trying to gather information on these Iron Blooded Orphans. Unfortunately, it wasn't going well.
 
"We can't blend in with the locals. They all know each other on sight, and they have become protective of the kids." Toni started. "The kids' base is also surprisingly secure. I tried sneaking in through the desert. They picked me up in one of those trucks, gave me water and told me the desert was dangerous. Fucking brats."
 
"Better than them shooting you. Any idea how they knew you were coming?"
 
"None I checked for trip lines and things, and none of my scanners read any sort of laser detection. They just… Drove up to me in the middle of the desert and told me to go away."
 
"They're guards are good. Tried coming up to the wall to sneak over? Guards were waiting on the other side. One of the brats tased me."
 
"You are lucky they didn't shoot you, Pete."
 
"Yeah, I didn't feel lucky. Those tasers they had were nasty."
 
"Yeah? That's cause you guys are idiots, I got one of them talking, and they eventually cracked." Frank informed the group shoveling a helping of noodles into his mouth.
 
"Yeah? What did they say?"
 
"They said our attempts to break into the base were funny, and they were under orders to treat us with kid gloves. Apparently, they know we are LIC and don't want to cause any trouble." Frank admitted continuing to eat as all the agents, spys one and all, skilled and trained realized they were being toyed with by a bunch of orphan teenagers.
 
"What the fuck is wrong with this planet?"
 
"It must be something in the air. I never dealt with a stupider situation in my life until I came here."
 
"Frank you are just fuckig with us right? No way one of the orphans said that."
 
"She did. It gets worse too."
 
"Fuck me. What? Did she say your real name or something?"
 
"No thank God. No, she said that every time one of their guards catches us before we can sneak in, or one of the kids lays us false information. They get a reward back at base."
 
"God damnit. I could be on Solaris right now."
 
"Yeah but no we had to get pulled into this shit show because the kids embarrassed the local Governess."
 
"Not surprised. Considering they have been leading us around the damn nose."
 
"I'm taking tomorrow off. Gonna go find a bar in the city."
 
"Yeah, sounds good. Are you coming, Frank?"
 
"Might as well. We aren't gathering anything here."
 
"Command's not gonna be happy."
 
"Eh fuck em. Tell them the kids have too much security, if they want any info on the inside send a fucking Lohengrin orphan."
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Chapter 6-2