FCBR-2 Chpt 11

==Fate Can Be Cruel - Chapter 11 - Year 2839==
===January===
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6th January, 2839
Taussen/Versailles (Fed Suns)
Major General Tabitha Hayes, Commander 3rd HAF Corps, blinked hard when the transports and escorting warships dropped out of hyperspace, materializing at the Nadir Jump Point with no warning at all for anyone in system. But there was no one to even notice. Sensors did not even pick up any radio signals from the planet. She had been well briefed on the matter, but it still made for an eerie feeling. She could not help but smile grimly, poor fools have no clue we are even here, probably won't know we are here until the shooting starts, she thought.
She felt the thump of the Dropship she was on as it detaches from the transport. In 7 days, they would enter orbit and began their assault.
14th January, 2839
The 247th Heavy Assault Regiment led the assault on Taussen/Versailles. Their Dropships landed an hour before the main gaggle of Dropships carrying the 4 Infantry Divisions. They had only made a few orbits of the planet to get some scans before actually making the assault. While the 247th Heavy Assault landed at the space port, the 31st Infantry Division made it's landing straddling the road and rail line that vanished into a massive mountain complex which they assumed contained the reported Battlemech factory complex.
The 48th Infantry Division made it's landings almost on top of what seemed a fortified compound set 25km from the main city, they assumed it would be the ROM training facility. The moment they landed, HAF Infantry poured from the Dropships and quickly overwhelmed the few actual guards of the compound and began rounding up everyone inside. Within an hour, the compound was secure and the 48th Infantry Division began deploying to secure the various smaller towns in the region. A small detachment of people from Hegemony Security entered the compound and began their task of identifying ROM personnel on planet via the compounds computer systems.
The 36th and 52nd Infantry Divisions made their landings and began entering the sprawling mega city. Major General Tabitha Hayes knew immediately that she would have to bring the 31st Infantry Division into the city once the factory was secured. So far, only a few shots at the ROM compound had been fired, but she made sure everyone was ready for anything.
Terra (Comstar)
Inner Sphere
Demi-Precentor Gwen Travoli supervised the Astrological Mapping section of Comstar. Her section was hard at work getting the new star map ready for release to every HPG station. Though the section was not officially under ROM control, she herself was ROM. She spent countless hours reviewing systems and searching for lost Star League or Rim Worlds sites. But her primary tasking was to maintain secrecy of the few systems Comstar had "removed" from history.
She keyed in her password and logged into the secured primary storage data banks. Here she then keyed in another password to actually allow her to make changes. She located Taussen's file and deleted it from all records. She then made changes to the coordinates stored in the various navigation buoy's that normally led to Taussen. These would be uploaded during the routine inspection and maintenance cycle planned for this year of all the buoy's.
Next she copied the locations that her section had tagged as possible sites worth taking a look at and shunted them to a deeply hidden program. There it would be transmitted via HPG to it's destination before erasing all records that the files were ever transmitted. She knew only 1 ship and crew were ever used on the Taussen run, it's navigation logs were purged after each leg of the journey. But for security, the entire ships navigation computer was completely purged again once it returned to Terra. She logged off her computer, ran a sweep program that would erase any record of her final tasking and exited her office, her day was done. Thank god it's Friday, she thought. She passed by Adept Jamie Morales and he looked up "Hey Gwen, enjoy your week vacation. I will make sure everything is ready to go out when you return. Any special plans?"
"Thanks Jamie, nothing major, maybe I will go do some skiing." She said with a huge smile, she had not taken a vacation in over a year.
After exiting the Comstar complex, she went straight home and on entering, she felt the small piece of tape on the bottom of her door knob. Without a single indication of anything, she entered her apartment and closed the door. She went into her bedroom and kicked off her shoes, entering the bathroom, she turned on the shower and opened the small cabinet to extract a clean towel. She let her fingers slide in between the folds of the towel and felt the small package inside. She placed the small package on the counter and as steam filled the small bathroom, she opened it. She read the small note inside the package.
Gwen, 
Your tasking here is over. Inside are new identity records and paperwork. Your slated on a Dropship leaving for Saffel on Sunday. Once on the ground, you will be given new papers and immediately get on another Dropship bound for Epsilon Indi. We will contact you when you check into the Happy Harbour Hotel. Soon you will be home. Christine says hi.
Calvin
Gwen Travoli extracted the small identification card, she would be traveling as Margret Harrington. She slipped into the shower and thought about home, Boulsi was a long ways from here and she had been gone for 13 years, at least I do not have to wear these stupid robes anymore. She wondered what her next assignment with Hegemony Security would be, as she let the hot water massage her back.
18th January, 2839
Talon (Federated Suns)
Carlton Carlisle looked at the covered bodies, there were 12 of them, laid out in 2 neat rows. The identifications of each of the victims were in his hands, he had already checked them and they seemed to cover every menial profession. He had 2 maids, 4 street workers, 3 metal workers, a cook, janitor and loader mech operator. Everyone of them had been shot in the head, single shot, close range.
"This makes no sense at all. Obviously this was a professional hit. But this has to be the first time I ever seen a professional hit on what appear to be no one of importance and then lay them all out neat as can be near the local Comstar office." Carlton Carlisle said to no one in particular. He was a veteran investigator for the local police force and had been called to the scene an hour ago.
He glanced up at the Comstar video cameras mounted on the small compounds walls. His trained eye calculated the angle of each camera, blind spot, this particular spot was not covered at all by the camera's, he thought. He would get his hands on the video tapes anyway, but he was sure it would be a hassle that would answer none of his many questions. He had already looked around and had found some foot prints, but they were deeper than a normal person would make. Must have been some really big and heavy people that moved the bodies here, he thought.
He waved to the waiting people "You can take them away to the morgue. Tell the examiner that I will be along shortly."
He strode back to his car, his mind was racing with so many questions. Why dump them here? Was Comstar involved in something? Someone sending a message? What about that alert about quite a few mysterious mass killings across the Federated Suns. Could this be connected to them? I think it is time to make a call to the local MIIO office and get them involved.
Bastrop (Federated Suns)
Paula Zuni, CEO of ZaP Holdings, sat beside the bed of her mother, Martha Pruitt-Zuni. Her father had passed away 3 years ago in his sleep, and now it would be any day now and her mother would probably follow. Her health had been declining ever since. She was startled when her mother spoke "How long have you been hovering?"
"Not long mom. Maybe fifteen minutes. I did not want to wake you. Carlita said you had a bad night and could not seem to sleep well, so I let you sleep. What did you want to speak to me about?" Paula asked.
"Should have woke me. I wanted to make sure you remember everything we have told you." Martha said.
"Yes mom, I remember everything you and dad told me. If the Hegemony needs me, I will be there. I might have only been to Thazi twice in my life, but I remember meeting Director-General Amanda Cameron and Aunt Rita. Or that is how both of you introduced her. I even remember the stories dad told me about how you and him laid the groundwork for what we have now." Paula replied.
"Good. Make sure Frankie and Belinda know everything when the day comes for them to learn the business. How is everything anyway?" Martha asked.
"Pretty good. Comstar is undercutting us on a bunch of routes, being a royal pain in the ass. You get close to Terra, and Comstar seems to have 3-8 Jumpships at every Jump Point just waiting to take on cargo Dropships. They are charging below average for the fares too. Comstar had Skye Transport on the ropes financially. I have a offer out to purchase them to the owners, but since we are a Federated Suns based company, it has to be approved by the Estates General. They only have 27 Jumpships, but I can pick them all up for a steal and it gives me a office inside the Lyran Commonwealth." Paula said with a smile.
"Just be careful with the Lyran bankers, try not to take any damned loans from those vultures." Martha said.
"All funds will come from our office here. Only thing I hate is the damned taxes the Lyran's charge. I thought the Outworlds Alliance was brutal, but the Lyran's take a huge chunk." Paula said
"Still no luck breaking into the Taurian market?" Martha asked
"Nope, they refuse to allow a Federated Suns based company into their market. We still have to sub contract to a Taurian company or independent owner operators. Makes for a headache. The whole damned Periphery is dangerous enough without having to worry about an independent just ripping you off." Paula replied.
23rd January, 2839
Terra (Comstar)
When Demi-Precentor Gwen Travoli did not report back to work after her scheduled vacation, Adept Jamie Morales reported it to Precentor Allison Wade, who was in charge of Comstar's Records Department, which controlled everything that needed a record kept. Multiple phone calls to her apartment went unanswered. Finally, Precentor Allison Wade reported the missing Gwen Travoli to ROM's Internal Security.
Precentor Calvin Newsome looked up as Precentor Allison Wade entered his office "Allison, how can I help you today?"
"I have a section chief missing. Failed to report back to work after a scheduled vacation. She worked on some sensitive areas." Precentor Allison Wade said.
"Have you tried to make contact with her?" Precentor Calvin Newsome asked.
"Of course, we have made multiple calls to her apartment. I even sent an Acolyte to her apartment, he got no answer." Precentor Allison Wade replied.
"Her name?" Precentor Calvin Newsome asked
"Demi-Precentor Gwen Travoli. I have a copy of her records, it has her address inside." Precentor Allison Wade said handing over the small thumb drive.
Precentor Calvin Newsome took the thumb drive "I will put a team on it. You know I will need to know exactly what she was working on."
"I understand. Have your lead investigator see Adept Jamie Morales, he will be taking over her section until her return. He is fully cleared and vetted by your people." Precentor Allison Wade replied
Of course he is, EVERYONE was vetted by my Department, but better yet, he was also Hegemony Security, Precentor Calvin Newsome thought silently. "I will make sure my lead makes contact. He will review everything she was working on. This is probably nothing, a missed flight, she met someone. We will get to the bottom of this."
In another section of the Comstar complex, Primus Raymond Karpov was not in a good mood. "WE HAVE LOST HOW MANY AGENTS!!!???"
"Forty Three complete strike teams. 258 trained ROM personnel in total. We have another 4 teams of 24 people completely missing. Over 90% of these losses have been inside the Federated Suns." Precentor ROM Janice Laidlaw replied.
"I would have never thought that the Davion's internal security was so damned good. Has our security been compromised?" Primus Raymond Karpov asked.
"I have asked Precentor Newsome to look into the matter." Precentor ROM Janice Laidlaw said.
"Newsome? He is one of the few hold overs from Michelle correct?" Primus Raymond Karpov asked
"He is. But he is fanatical in rooting out any threat to our security. Under his guidance, Internal Security consistently turns away House spies trying to gain entry to Comstar ranks. I get regular complaints about his draconian security measures. I cannot fault the man nor his performance." Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow said.
"If you trust him. How long has he been with Comstar?" Primus Raymond Karpov asked
"He has held his current posting since 2823. I would have to check his records to get an exact entry date." Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow replied.
"No need, he is from the old guard. I think it might be time for a change though. Give it some thought, Janice." Primus Raymond Karpov said dismissing her with a wave.
===February===
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1st February, 2839
Circe (Periphery)
Khan Philip Drummond, Clan Nova Cat, sat on the small hill over looking the city of Great Hope, the former Clan Wolverine capital. On his lap was a notebook in which he was writing. Clan Nova Cat had gained control of the former Clan Wolverine territory after they had departed, along with 22,000 former Clan Wolverine lower caste that had remained behind. He often returned to Circe and this hill to reflect. His Clan's tacit support of Clan Wolverine had gotten it censured and they had fought many Trial's because of it, but they prevailed more often than not.
Clan Blood Spirit had not fared as well. Almost constant raids from Clan Burrock and Clan Mongoose had been a almost non-stop drain on the Spirits resources. Khan Colleen Schmitt had died the previous year, killed in defense of York against Clan Burrock. Clan Widowmaker had run afoul of Clan Wolf by killing ilKhan Nicholas Kerensky and been destroyed. How fitting was karma that the very Clan who drove Clan Wolverine away and been denied the right to absorb them, was itself a target of absorption and then destruction by Clan Wolf, he mused.
Ever since Khan Sarah McEvedy and Clan Wolverine had departed, he often wondered what had happened to them. Did they find a place to prosper? He had never spoken of his vision that caused him to prevent the absorption of Clan Wolverine. But now, he was writing his journal, a written history of his personal journey to where he was now. The vision had come to him out of the blue, right before the vote in the Grand Council. He had seen a Wolverine and Nova Cat, laying side by side, between and behind them, stood a large Cameron Star. Though he did not know what it meant, he had awoken with a feeling of calm and when the time of the vote came, he knew which way to vote.
He often wondered what it all meant, but deep down, he felt that somewhere, at some point, both Clan Wolverine and Clan Nova Cat would once again meet and join forces under the Cameron Star. He had no clue how or when, but he was writing this journal in the hopes that it would guide a future Khan of Clan Nova Cat to make the right decision. He doubted he would live to see that day come to pass.
Terra (Comstar)
Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow watched Precentor Calvin Newsome berate the young Adept for lax security with classified files. Though he was stern, it was obvious that he took his job seriously. She was not sure she agreed with Primus Karpov, Precentor Newsome was just too good at his job to just dismiss. But she had known Primus Karpov a long time, and when he suggested something, it was not a suggestion. She had quietly pulled his file and gone over it. She had found not a single blemish in it. The notes about his strict rules for security and a few complaints about veiled threats she disregarded. He had been personally picked for the job by the former head of Internal Security on his retirement. She knew that if she allowed him to name his replacement, Primus Karpov would throw a fit.
She could not pick his Deputy either, that would result in the same fit. Instead, she selected Demi Precentor Malcom Alderbury. He ran Internal Security's initial screening department. He had personally identified 14 House agents trying to gain access to Comstar in his posting. His file said he was firm and a true believer in Comstar's place in the universe. He was young for his rank, only 31 years old. Born and raised right here on Terra. His parents had both served under Jerome Blake and briefly under Toyama before retiring. He would be the perfect candidate to fill the post. Young enough to be considered one of the new breed that Karpov was so fond of, but also someone who would be around as long as she was at least. Now she just had to find a way to break the news to Precentor Calvin Newsome. He was young enough to enjoy his retirement; she would make sure he was fully vested for his pension. That would ease the pain some, she thought with a smile.
5th February, 2839
Taussen/Versailles (Fed Suns)
Sergeant Carter Slinthing watched the milling crowds with an eye of distrust. Ever since landing on this planet, the hair on the back of his neck had seemed to stand on end no matter where he was or doing. There was just something about these people that gave him the creeps. While on patrol, he could say "boo" to one group and they would look as though they were about to have a heart attack, say "boo" to another group and they would just stand there and stare at you. It gave him and all the HAF soldiers on this planet a very uneasy feeling. But so far, very little actual fighting had occurred.
The crowd he was eyeing was one of the 2nd groups, the ones that just stared at you. He had a friend with a MASH unit and had been told that the people were healthy, but seemed to be brain washed. It really did not matter to him or his people, they just flat out creeped them out.
Fifteen miles away, Organa Grezenly watched as the man was seated across from her, not very gently either. Precentor Jahn Seblodan was the ranking member of ROM they had captured so far. She slid a bottle of water across to the still cuffed man.
"Jahn, why do you insist on trying to piss off the guards? It will not get you anywhere, and one of those guys is liable to beat the crap out of you. Now, we know you folks cut this entire planet off from everyone, we know you all basically have had 20 years to brain wash all these people. We found the damned tapes you all have been making them watch. Blake all the time, the great gospel of Blake, Comstar is the only survivor, Comstar is the future. I should shoot you myself because I had to watch that crap to figure out how to deprogram all these people. Now you better start talking to me." Organa Grezenly said.
Precentor Jahn Seblodan just stared at her saying nothing. He reached over and unscrewed the cap from the water bottle and took a sip. For ten minutes he said nothing at all, just sipped water and stared at her with a stupid smirk on his face. Finally she could not take it any longer and signaled for him to be taken away. 
Organa Grezenly did not really know what to do with all these folks. The medics were still examining people, but the recovered ROM files had revealed some information. There were really 3 groups, the first group were nothing more than laborers, they were the most numerous, the second group literally lived in fear of everything, it was the third group that worried her the most. This group had been identified by ROM as perfect candidates for Comstar. They had taken to the brain washing with a gusto. The first group, by ROM's count numbered 47,864,374. The second group numbered 17,513,271. The third group numbered 8,438,611 potential hostiles. The only thing they had going for them was that 75% of the third group were under 16 years old. But that still left a lot of potential threats.
She had no clue what to do with all these people. The largest group, they were older, with an average age of 40 years old, she had spoken to some and they were educated and thought Comstar sucked. She felt she could do something with this group, or at least not worry about an armed attack. She shuddered when the thought that Comstar might have other worlds like this out there.
Thazi (Hegemony)
"Damn, sure is bigger than a Nighthawk." Major Etore Falconie said as he walked around the humanoid suit of armor.
"It is, twice the weight of the Nighthawk (PAL). You Spec Ops guys have been harping on something more durable, well this is what we have finally actually made work. You volunteered to test it, so here you are. In theory, it can move at move at 10kph, but jump 90 meters. It is armed with a automatic rifle for anti personnel work and one of the new ER Small Laser in the left arm, gives you the ability to take on Battlemechs and Vehicles. This laser hits with the power of a standard Medium Laser but only 2/3 the range. We made sure it was armored enough to take a hit from a standard Medium Laser, though it can only get hit once, anything after that and you die. Against normal infantry small arms, your golden though. So, you ready for a test spin?" Julius Fogerty asked
"Sure, what do you folks call this thing anyway?" Major Falconie asked.
"The Ferret Power Armor." Julius Fogerty said.
Not even ten minutes later, the team of engineers were huddled around the Ferret Power Armor watching the medics pull Major Falconie from the suit. He was conscious but in some pain, he looked at Julius Fogerty "She needs some work, the damned leg just crumpled on the first landing after a full jump. Now my leg is broken too."
===March===
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1st March, 2839
Thazi (Hegemony)
The Hegemony Aerospace Fighters were finally getting their major upgrade. They had been forced to wait on the Battlemechs and then the various Tanks before they had been given full access to the new ER Laser Weapons systems. The first prototypes had under gone a full years testing before starting full production. During the testing, the Hegemony Aerospace forces also developed new doctrine, now focusing on out lasting an opponent instead of just overwhelming them. Many of the newly upgraded fighters had enhanced fuel tanks.
The very first to receive an upgrade was the Sabre SB-29. Armed with a new ER Large Laser in the nose backed by an ER Medium Laser in each wing. It's heat sinks had been upgraded to Double Heat Sinks to handle the increased heat load. Though it maintained the same 5 ton fuel load, it was intended as a deadly Interceptor and Fleet Defense fighter.
The Tomahawk THK-64b was intended to escort strike packages. Armed with 2 new ER Large Lasers in the nose and a ER Medium Laser in each wing. Additional Double Heat Sinks were added to fully handle the weapons systems. Armor was slightly increased with the newest version of Ferro Aluminum. An additional 2 tons of fuel was added for 7 tons total to take on the new doctrine.
The Star Dagger S-3b came off the assembly lines and was an immediate hit with the many pilots assigned to every planet. Armor was boosted slightly with the newest Ferro Aluminum, but it was the astounding 10 tons of fuel that really made this Interceptor shine. All it's weapons were swapped out for 2 ER Medium Lasers in the nose and a ER Medium Laser in each wing. With the new ER Medium Lasers almost matching the long established Large Laser, this made the 30 ton Aerospace Fighter a very deadly opponent for even larger fighters.
The Corsair CSR-V14b came off the assembly line, it's mission was to compliment the new Sabre in Fleet Defense missions. It's weapons were fully upgraded, with 2 ER Large Laser's in the nose, a ER Medium Laser in each wing and 2 ER Small Lasers covered the aft. Armor was slightly boosted with the new Ferro Aluminum and 6 tons of fuel gave it an increased range. Nineteen Double Heat Sinks handled the increased heat load.
Mitchell Vehicles rolled out the Hellcat II HCT-214b. New Ferro Aluminum boosted the armor protection. Two ER Large Lasers were slotted into the nose and a ER Medium Laser in each wing. Sixteen Double Heat Sinks handled the heat load and the newest version of the Beagle Active Probe was installed in the body of the fighter. 
The legendary Stuka was given a new make over. The STU-K6b was an evil creation, intended to full fill the heavy strike role, it was well equipped for it's mission. In the nose was a Ultra AC/20 fed by 6 tons of ammo backed by 2 ER Large Lasers in each wing. To survive, it's armor was increased to 20.5 tons of the new Ferro Aluminum giving it almost unheard of protection. A massive 34 Double Heat Sinks kept the fighter nice and cool while 8 tons of fuel allowed this deadly fighter to stay in the fight longer than most opponents.
The aging Typhoon got a nice remake. The TFN-3B was intended to fly with the new Stuka on strike missions. Given 8 tons of fuel to match the new range and 14.5 tons of the new Ferro Aluminum it had a better armor profile. But it was the weapons load that made this fighter a feared opponent. Two ER Large Lasers and 2 ER Medium Lasers occupied the nose, while 4 ER Medium Lasers rode in each wing and a single ER Medium Laser awaited any tailgaters. Buried in the body was the newest version of the Beagle Active Probe. A staggering 40 Double Heat Sinks handled the weapons load.
Though Director-General Amanda Cameron had long before said that money would be diverted to other areas, the newly developed ER Lasers had proven to be such a game changed that she agreed to the massive upgrades and sometimes costly upgrades. While weapons production of the new versions was steadily increasing, she had been convinced that for once, the Battlemech would take a backseat for this round of upgrades.
*Authors Note: The Hegemony’s Technology is equal to Clan tech......only non-clan tech they do not possess is any Pulse Laser.
10th March, 2839
Terra (Comstar)
Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow walked into Precentor Calvin Newsome's office without any prior notification. She waved him back into his seat as he started to stand. "Please Calvin, remain seated." She said as she took a seat across from him.
"How may I serve, Precentor Laidlow?" Precentor Calvin Newsome asked, but he had a gut feeling he knew.
"I am afraid it is time for a change. You have been fully vested and your retirement is set. You have worked tirelessly in keeping Comstar safe from threats, but I also know that, even though you have never voiced it, you disagree with Operation Holy Shroud. Primus Karpov wants some younger people to take over." Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow said.
"I see. Demi Precentor Harlin McCoy will make a fine replacement. He knows most of the ongoing investigations." Precentor Calvin Newsome said.
"Yes he would, but he has been with you and this department almost as long as you have. I have selected Demi Precentor Malcom Alderbury to take over your department." Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow replied
"So we are doing away with the tradition of naming our replacements? It does not matter. Demi Precentor Malcom Alderbury is an extremely good selection. He has advanced quickly. Very few undesirables make it past his reviews." Precentor Calvin Newsome said.
"Do not take it hard Calvin. I worked had to assure you will be taken care of. I am curious, will you stay on Terra?" Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow asked.
"Never thought about it. I have been on Terra my entire life. Maybe I will travel some, see the worlds I have always read about." Precentor Calvin Newsome said.
"In that case, I will make sure you are issued a special card. With it, you will be able to access your retirement pay from any Comstar facility. You will finish out the month showing Demi Precentor Malcom Alderbury his new job and anything else he needs to know of his new post. Stay in touch Calvin, I might need your council someday, and come see me before you depart on your travels. As a friend." Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow said as she stood.
Once Precentor ROM Janice Laidlow left, Precentor Calvin Newsome leaned back in his chair. I knew this day would come, have I done everything that needed to be done to ensure Hegemony Security operations were safe, he thought. Deep down he knew that he had improved Hegemony Security access to Comstar. Rarely did a day go by all these years that a new Hegemony Security agent had not joined Comstar, being fully vetted by ROM Internal Security. There was not a single Comstar or ROM department that did not have it's fair share of Hegemony Security agents. Demi Precentor Malcom Alderbury was one such individual. Though he was born on Terra, both his parents had been members of SLIC, recruited by Brian Calloway to remain on Terra and oversee Comstar operations covertly. Malcom had been groomed from birth to take his place inside ROM and continue his parents mission. Though he would be assuming a bigger role much earlier than expected, he had a outstanding support network ready to back him up. Yes, I have done everything I could to make sure Hegemony Security could accomplish its mission, he thought.
Zetang (Hegemony)
Livingston Naval Base
George Soto stood on the observation deck looking out at the massive ship slowly taking shape. Though it was armed with enough self defense weapons, it was by no means a warship. Weighing a massive 2.5 million tons, her length was 2.3 kilometers, kept that way so that a Newgrange-Class Yardship could service her and her 3 sister ships under construction in the other yards here. She and her sisters were meant to fulfill Director-General Amanda Cameron's desire for colonization of new worlds. To accomplish that task, each ship could carry an unheard of 50 Dropships, carried another 25,000 passengers onboard and a massive 477,000 tons of supplies in its massive cargo bay. But the main component was the "AMBER" computer control system and extra LF Batteries that allowed them to travel using the slip stream out to 1,000LY in a week. The cost of these 4 ships was almost budget breaking at over 148 Billion C-Bills each. To protect this expense, each ship carried a full Aerospace Group of 18 along with 2 full Marine Companies. Each firing ARC of the ship contained 6 NL/55, 6 Large Pulse Lasers and 6 Small Pulse Lasers. It was also deemed that 2 Essex III-Class Destroyers would escort these valuable ships at all times.
Though it would take another 3 years to complete the four Longhaul-Class Transports, they were already thinking ahead and extra Jump Core Factories were being built since each massive core took 1.5 years to cast. The bases already massive Germanium Processing Factory was undergoing a major expansion to handle the projected increase need to replace the Jump Cores on the slip stream equipped ships.
===April===
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1st April, 2839
Thazi (Hegemony)
"How many colony sites have we located so far?" Director-General Amanda Cameron asked.
"So far, we have identified 7 locations. The first is Gwithian, located 234LY from Columbus Station. It is rich in resources, but will need some terraforming to bring the soil up to where it can easily support a colony long term. However, it can support a colony under 1 million until the terraforming is completed. The next is Farstar, it will also need some terraforming, same as Gwithian. It is a colder planet though, DoME wants to install a few solar mirrors to warm it up some.
We have 3 systems in a cluster near the old Fed Suns system of Mackolla. Cephei, Pegasus and Carcri, of them only Pegasus needs any terraforming to support a good colony. Cephei and Carcri are colony ready and can support quite a few colonists right out the gate. Wolverine merchants discovered the worlds, but we have not given them permission to establish any settlements there.
The last 2 systems, New Sierra and Richmond’s World will take some serious efforts in terraforming to make them viable again. New Sierra blew itself apart with a major nuclear exchange. The surface water and soil are heavily contaminated, DoME estimates at least 80 years before any attempts at settlement. Richmond’s World was devastated by a virus, but we have developed a cure for that little bug. DoME estimates at least 50 years to correct the damage done.
We have survey patrols working all the time, and ever since we ran into the Wolverines, you ordered that we cease any further pushes in that direction. Gwithian is the only location we have identified in that particular region of space. It is taking a long time to push our patrols and surveys around the Periphery, travel time is a killer and those ships are not slip stream equipped, though they do have compact cores and LF batteries. Plus we pulled 90% of them from their survey mission to support operations of Hegemony Security and I propose that we keep them assigned to the Inner Sphere proper anyway. We need to keep a closer eye on things, plus I would like to have them. Once operations against ROM end, we will start checking out all those systems Comstar declared as dead and removed from maps.
So I propose that we take 10 of the mothballed Vincent Destroyers, we retrofit them to slip stream equipped transports. I have already had a survey done on them and we can fit 9 Dropship collars on them. They can then take over the survey mission of the Periphery. If we base them from Taussen/Versailles, well they can be anywhere in known space within 10 days. Plus we could base a few from Drachenfeld and from there we they could almost get to the old Outpost #11. We know it was inhabitable, but it is deep in the Periphery. Hell, it is almost 1,000LY from the Taurian border. But we know of several colonies along the Periphery that had Star League research stations on them that we need to check out. So we need to locate a basing station down that way to support operations out that way." George Soto, Director Hegemony Exploration, explained.
"So, there nothing closer than those systems?" Director-General Amanda Cameron asked.
"We have Rover, but that colony is already established and steadily growing. Like I explained, we had to pull most of our ships off to support Hegemony Security. I really need slip stream ships for what you want to do. It would cut down travel time, allowing us to survey way more systems quicker than using normal Jumpships. The only drawback is the limited usage before we have to swap their cores. It would cost a bunch but we would have to establish a drydock and facilities to perform the maintenance they would need, but we could use Drachenfeld as the primary refit location in that region of space." George Soto replied
"Okay George, you have made your case. You may pull 12 Vincent Destroyers for conversion. They will remain with your Department and we will let Hegemony Security have their Merchant Spy ships back. We have a few years before the Longhaul-Class Transports are ready to be used for colonization anyway. I will sign the orders to cut the selected ships out of mothballs." Director-General Amanda Cameron said.	
===June===
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2nd June, 2839
Boulsi (Hegemony)
Colonel Robert Mitchell accepted the towel from his tech and wiped the sweat from his face as he rode the lift to the ground. He walked across the Mech Hanger floor to meet Lieutenant General Trish Ebon, who was walking to meet him with a smile on her face. "You won this won, Trish, but by damned we savaged your forces in the process."
"That you did, Robert. I am not sure my forces would have been able to hold the objective against a fresh force. I wanted to show you what we will face when Nicholas Kerensky and his Clan's return. As you can see, if they stick to his writing, we will face 3 Battlemech Trinary, Armor Trinary and an Infantry Trinary in each Cluster. That is 45 Battlemechs, 30 Tanks and 375 Infantry. Kerensky was just mandating the new formations when we left. A Galaxy might have 3-5 Clusters in it." Lieutenant General Trish Ebon said.
"I will admit it is a powerful force, but when the day comes that we have to face them, they will be facing full Divisions, not a single Battlemech Battalion. I am sure that a Division could put the hurt on one of their Galaxy's if not destroy it outright." Colonel Robert Mitchell replied
"Sure, when we have to fight them, but what will happen when one of the Houses have to fight them first? Given how far they have beaten themselves. They have lost access to many of the advanced technology's already. I have seen the reports. It does not look good for them." Lieutenant General Trish Ebon said.
"Aunt Amanda is firm on the subject. No military aid to the Houses. She has even ordered Mitchell Vehicles to downgrade their Farnesworth factory to produce lower tech equipment. She wants the Houses to quit pummeling each other and with time they might recover the technology." Colonel Robert Mitchell replied.
"Then we must remain vigilant and be ready to react of they return. General McEvedy wants to take the fight to Comstar. She says that they have violated their promise and have lost their right to Terra. Many of us Wolverines feel the same way." Lieutenant General Trish Ebon said.
"I feel the same way, but until Aunt Amanda says so, we stay the course and careful with that Wolverine talk. You’re all part of the Hegemony now. There are still many who remember and have ill feelings about that stuff." Colonel Robert Mitchell replied.
"I am careful, as are all of us. It is why we renamed the 331st Royal Battlemech Division the Wolverine Division. It allows us to maintain our own heritage in some way." Lieutenant General Trish Ebon said with a smile.
"Yeah, that was pretty slick of you all. I am just glad that General McEvedy relented and went along with having Hegemony recruits into the 331st. It was really bothering some of the upper brass when she initially said no. Now she just needs to let go with everything and quit hero training program, she needs to send the recruits here to be trained our way. We have to become one in everything." Colonel Robert Mitchell relied.
"She is stubborn and her desire to protect our people is foremost in her mind, but she will relent. She knows that she must. When I return, I will try again to convince her. Please pass that to Director-General Cameron." Lieutenant General Trish Ebon said.
"I will. So, you leave in 2 weeks, shall we get cleaned up and meet for dinner? I here there is a pretty good band playing at The Hovel tonight?" Colonel Robert Mitchell asked.
"Yes, we both need a shower and clean clothes. You stink. I am not getting any closer to you until you get cleaned up. Meet at my quarters and travel together or meet at The Hovel?" Lieutenant General Trish Ebon asked.
"I have the car, I will pick you up. Call it two hours?" Colonel Robert Mitchell replied
"I will be ready. I am still not cooking you breakfast, but maybe we can head for the mess hall together in the morning." Lieutenant General Trish Ebon said with a small laugh as she headed for her quarters.
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