AATiPDC Chpt 6

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==Chapter 6 - An American Tanker in Prince Davion's Court==
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General Hodge Residence, New Avalon
February 8th, 3028
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Two hours and 25 minutes later, 'Kelly's Heroes' ends. There are a few moments of silence before Hanse Davion speaks and says "General Hodges, I can see why you chose that movie."
"Indeed, your highness. In comparison to the raids on the Helm and New Dallas caches, the parallels between the movie's plot and what you have planned (a dangerous mission behind enemy lines and a high-value target) are exact. I only wish I could come along for the ride….
"My advisers don't think that would be a good idea, given your value as an intelligence source; I am inclined to agree with them. Still, if the two caches are as well-stocked as you say they are, I and Archon Katrina will be eternally grateful; more to the point, I will give you one of my developed planetary systems as a landhold."
"Thank you, your highness; that is extremely generous of you. As I can't go along on the raid, I'll use my time in starting to develop the systems I told you of; specifically, weapon stabilization systems, an electrothermal/liquid-propellant tank cannon and caseless ammunition. Other items that I intend to develop are an improved rangefinder, better tank armor and improved tank construction techniques
"When can you begin your work?"
"Right away, Sir. I would need the services of a well-equipped engineering laboratory (one that has manufacturing capability) and a staff to assist me. First up would be the weapon stabilizer; with my previous experience as a tanker in the United States Army and my own engineering talents, I believe that I could have a workable prototype available for testing in 30 days. Next would be the electrothermal tank gun; as for caseless ammunition, the technology has some relation to the ETG. Therefore, development of both could take place at the same time; perhaps three to four months at the outside. As for the other projects, the more staff I have, the faster I can bring them to completion."
"General, Dr. Riva Allard is the head of the NAIS College of Engineering. I will issue an order directing her and the College Staff to cooperate with you in all possible ways; the sooner your new systems are developed, the better off the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth will be."
"Your highness, once tanks equipped with the new weapons and technology are available in sufficient numbers, I will develop a new training syllabus. Your Armor crews are good; I'll make them better…a lot better."
"Very well. Do you have anything else before I and my staff take out leave?"
"Just a couple of things, sir. First, do I presume correctly that NAIS has a military contingent?"
"You would be correct in that; NAIS has a College of Military Science; formerly, this institution was known as the New Avalon Military Academy. Why do you ask?"
"It wouldn't do to let my military skills wither on the vine. So I'd like to conduct my personal training regimen there; with the staff. I'd like to lead a couple of morning runs with the cadets. I used to do the same thing with the troops under my command; to the point where I would select a particular company and go along with them when they did their morning run. It wasn't long before I heard that whatever company I chose to run with would consider my being there as a mark of distinction."
"The College of Military Science will be directed to comply with your request. You did say that there were other things you wanted to bring up, General…"
"Yes I did, your highness. I respectfully ask that I be included among your groomsmen when you and Archon-Designate Melissa Steiner get married; as the wedding will take place on Earth, I'd like to avail myself of the opportunity for a visit; to see if anything of what I remember still survives."
"Granted willingly. Next?"
"Lastly, I respectfully request that NAIS make no further attempt to duplicate the process that brought me to this reality. You see, from my standpoint, you, Archon Katrina, the other House lords, the Inner Sphere, the Star League and everything else was nothing more than a fictional construct. Now that what I believed to be fictional has proven to be real, it is logical to assume that other fictional settings are just as real. While it would be great to have the services of the Dinochrome Brigade (a single unit of which could solo everything involved on both sides of the Battle of Tukayyid) or, a legion of OGRE MK-VIs at your command, it is just as likely that NAIS would establish contact with realities that are far too horrible to contemplate. On the sliding scale of things that you pray to the Deity of your choice for deliverance from, there are groups like the Borg and the Daleks; upwards on the same scale are a delightful bunch of reprobates called the Legion of Doom. Last and worst of all is a setting that, if the Devil himself were to come upon it, he'd take one look and run in the opposite direction; let me tell you about something called Warhammer 40,000…"
45 minutes later, Hanse Davion's face looks like someone walked across his own grave; the Prince's response is succinct and to the point.
"I need a drink"
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