WCGW Chpt 82

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==Chapter 82 - What Could Go Wrong==
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9 February 3042
Inner End (Federated Commonwealth
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Major James Woodall was not used to losing at anything. His Battlemech Company had just lost an engagement to with the First Battalion, Kilbourne Draconis March Militia, which had rotated to Inner End. They had not taken a single objective. They had been simulating a bandit raid, providing the Kilbourne DMM a much-needed OPFOR to train against. Mentally, in his own defense, none of the other pilots in his command had served together before, so this was also providing him and his people vital training. One problem that was all his was assigning an urban objective to one of his lances that contained 2 former members from the 1st Davion Guards. A unit that historically refused to fight in any sort of urban environment due to the amount of damage it inflicted. He had overlooked that detail.
Where Major Woodall was not happy, Captain Ugo Ginatta was walking on air. His Rapier Squadron had brutalized the Kilbourne DMM's Aerospace forces, even a simulated Dropship kill. Having the ability to send three PPC bolts downrange without any fear of heat buildup was a tremendous advantage. There were few fighters that could withstand that sort of firepower. Even though all of his pilots including himself were still getting used to the weird computer system that seemed to display a 3D image in a pilot's mind. It gave them quite an advantage, if still a little disorienting. If they had really been pirates, he was sure that they would have gotten on the ground safely.
While his major concerns were at least occupied, Sergeant Major Chester Pullman was dealing with a non-stop dribble of personnel arriving almost every day at the Space Port. The smallest had been a single person, the largest had been twenty-three. He had already been forced to empty another warehouse for housing the new arrivals, moving the stored parts and equipment into the unoccupied section of the hanger building. A local construction company was just now breaking ground for the new housing buildings. But now he was afraid that he might have to double the number being built.
Watching from his hide, Adept Leon Hernandez, could but watch. The sudden influx of personnel along with the still unaccounted for targets assigned to him forced him to be patient. He had even sent out an HPG message asking if this Search and Recovery Inc was actively recruiting on Outreach. Maybe his targets were there, he had thought. But a firm no, had been his answer from Terra. It was all very confusing and made no sense to him. So far, they had not even been able to gather information on the new arrivals. Somehow, they all were able to bypass the systems customs and immigration control, which ROM had long ago penetrated their computer systems. For months his strike team had waited, and he was sure that soon he would be called to answer for this failure.
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10 February 3042
Joshua (Former Outworlds System)
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Leftenant Colonel David Mitchell had filled in Ship Master Sarah Campbell and Agent Jessica Hammel on the plan to get back to Inner End. While Sarah Campbell had simply nodded, Hammel had not been nearly as excited with the plan and voiced her displeasure openly.
"Your possibly condemning those people to death if something goes wrong." Agent Hammel had protested
"The risk is small Agent Hammel. I do not see the need to risk my people on a low risk though." Leftenant Colonel Mitchell replied
"I should report this. HE might not agree with your plan either." Agent Hammel said
"SO, you admit you have a means of communication with Allard. From way out here. One that could reach him and get a response back in the two weeks we expect to be here before leaving. Is that what those spooks hold up on the Monarch Passenger Liner Dropship have been doing? Spying on us?" Leftenant Colonel Mitchell replied
"No, we have sent no messages." Agent Hammel said, not realizing in the heat of argument that she just confirmed everything he had said.
"Very well. I will take you at your word. But, to make you feel better, you have my permission to send your message. You can even tell him that we have scored a huge find and I will make sure you have the exact coordinates of this system to send to him. He can have the Olympus Station if he wants to come out here and get it. That make you happy?" Leftenant Colonel Mitchell replied
"Then I will send my message. I doubt even HE would willingly risk the death of those prisoners using your method." Agent Hammel said, her face flushed with a tinge of red from anger.
"You might be very surprised Agent Hammel at his answer. The man does have a ruthless reputation and he got it somehow. Ever ask yourself how he got it?" Leftenant Colonel Mitchell replied
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