WCGW Chpt 143

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==Chapter 143 - What Could Go Wrong==
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17th October, 3043
New Avalon (Federated Commonwealth, FedSuns Capital World)
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"So, tell me about our unit I just enlisted in and what rank do I hold." Marshal Herbert Horbaugh said
"Honestly, Marshal, I have not even figured that part out yet. You will be second-in-command, probably the same rank as me, and even that seems sort of crazy to me. I was a simple Captain in the AFFS before I got out, now I command a combined arms regiment that is about to expand massively. Even after a couple years I am still learning how to operate different branches as one unit. I am out of my depth and know it. So, the best thing I could think of was to find someone better than me to fill the spot, so I asked for help and here you are." Colonel David Mitchell replied
"Smart enough to know what you do not know. I can work with that. How are we staffing this expansion?" Marshal Horbaugh asked
"Same way as we have before. I hand a list of needs and Quintus Allard helps fill those slots. Our first two missions, we attracted the wrong attention and got attacked. He suspects Comstar, and I cannot prove otherwise, so we operate in the shadows as much as we can. We were based on Inner End, but I plan to move to Thazi. So far, most of our personnel have been drawn from the Davion Guards Brigade, they say it makes security checks easier and I do not mind that at all. We do have personnel from all across the AFFS though and just a few from the Lyran half." He pulled out his note pad, found the right page and handed it over "Once fully staffed we should have that."
-Four Battlemech Battalions
-Four Armor Battalions (1 Hvy, 3 Hover)
-Two Infantry Regiments (1 Foot, 1 Jump)
-One Aerospace Wing (SLDF size, 54 fighters)
-One Engineer Brigade (2 Regiments)
"I have the equipment to fully outfit everything on that list, for the Infantry, I could easily field another Regiment or two, but I think that might be too much for me to take on. The Aerospace Wing is fully staffed and equipped. We even have enough transport assets to move the unit completely. Our main stumbling block is people, not equipment." Colonel Mitchell replied
"So we are basically a Regimental Combat Team in size. Once fully staffed with people. You said Thazi, where the hell is that? I've never heard of it." Marshal Horbaugh said
"Outworlds Wastes. Beautiful planet. About 100,000 people on it. We just removed the pirates holding the place. There are several old SLDF bases there and I plan to use that as our base of operations." Colonel Mitchell replied
"You control a planet?" Marshal Horbaugh asked
"No sir, we just evicted the previous tenants. Basing from there and controlling are two different things." Colonel Mitchell replied
"Not really. You are now responsible for their safety and well being. That means a garrison at all times. From what you have told me, you are already on the radar with your previous finds. Sooner or later, someone is going to wonder where you ran off too and come looking. If we are operating off the grid, that means supply could be an issue, so we will want equipment that is as easy to maintain as we can make it." Marshal Horbaugh said
"We have plenty of spare parts for the recovered Star League equipment. The SLDF never seemed to scrimp on that, from what we have recovered so far anyway." Colonel Mitchell replied
"Which probably means it is going to be a bitch to maintain overall. How much money do we actually have to work with?" Marshal Horbaugh asked
"Currently, about 243 million C-Bills. That does not take into account what the last operation brings in. Why?" Colonel Mitchell replied
"Because we have to factor in a garrison force for Thazi. We cannot leave the place undefended. So, if this list is our deployable forces, then we should add at least another Battlemech Company, Armor Battalion, Infantry Regiment and some sort of air defense to the roster. However, if the stuff your finding is as valuable as you say, which I have no reason to doubt that, we should think about boosting that garrison even more. As the commanding officer, that is where you come in, I advise, you decide." Marshal Horbaugh said
"I have some thinking to do now, but that will have to wait, I have a meeting with the First Prince to get to, care to join me and see what we are really all about?" Colonel Mitchell replied with a smile.
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Two hours later, both were ushered into First Prince Hanse Davions office where Rear Admiral Robert Vickery, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Davion, Quintus Allard and Prince's Champion Ardan Sortek were already seated at a conference table. "Please have a seat, cutting it close, Colonel Mitchell." First Prince Hanse Davion said gesturing at the empty seats.
"Sorry, Highness, me and Marshal Horbaugh were getting to know each other." Colonel Mitchell replied
"Good to see you up and around, Marshal, this should be enlightening for you." First Prince Hanse Davion said
"Highness." Marshal Herbert Horbaugh replied as he sat down, leaning his cane against the table beside him.
"Now that we are all here, we can get down to the horse trading. Going over your list, the Federated Commonwealth will purchase the downed Colossus Class Dropship, even though your removing items from it, you were up front about it. Though I would like a couple of those Mech bays for study. I hear they are more advanced than what is in common service. I think 80 million C-Bills is a fair price, because I am told it will take a ton of work to get it where we want it. As for the other equipment you recovered on Thazi, we will take them to. Your initial price for that was 216 million, but I think 180 million is a fairer price.", First Prince Davion begun.
"Now we get to Wokha, I have spoken to Professor Igram and he has given me a number for the Wokha base which I think is fair. For the base on Wokha, we will pay 800 million C-bills. For helping to locate the functional Olympus Recharge Station, we will pay a five percent finders fee, which I am told is roughly 650 million C-Bills. By my math, we are at 1.7 billion C-bills so far. What about the mining station and what was it, Pentagon Assault Dropship?" First Prince Hanse Davion said
"The Pentagon is not for sell, Highness. I will allow you to examine the recovered Dropships, including the Lees. You can purchase the mining station though. I think 4 billion is a good price for it." Colonel Mitchell replied
"Three Billion and I will let you keep the Invader Jumpship captured at Wokha." First Prince Hanse Davion said
"Two Billion and I get to keep all the Jumpships captured at Wokha." Colonel Mitchell countered
"Highness, the AFFC captured all of those ships. I......" Rear Admiral Vickery started to protest but stopped when First Prince Hanse Davion held up his hand for silence.
"I have heard all of your arguments already, Rear Admiral Vickery. One billion and you get to keep all the Jumpships, last offer." First Prince Hanse Davion said
"You have a deal, Highness. Wokha is going to need regular supply runs from Thazi for food, those ships will come in handy. I assume we will get a discount on maintenance?" Colonel Mitchell replied
"Half off. Now, I understand you awarded the Arcadians some of the Dropships captured on Thazi?" First Prince Hanse Davion asked
"I did, Highness. One Overlord and three Union Class Dropships. Though, I think it only fair that the Arcadians should get one of the Wokha Overlords and I am willing to pay 300 million for the other captured Overlord Dropship." Colonel Mitchell replied
"That is fair, it at least allows me to return those loaned Overlords to the Navy who have been screaming about it. So, if my numbers are correct, that means the final total is 2.4 billion C-Bills." First Prince Hanse Davion said.
"I think that sounds about right, Highness." Colonel Mitchell replied while he nudged a stunned Marshal Horbaugh with his elbow.
"Very well then. The financial business is complete and out of the way. Tell me, what do you plan to do with this windfall?" First Prince Hanse Davion asked
"Some of it will be spent improving the life of those on Thazi and by extension Wokha. First I need specialists to tell me what is needed and such. A hospital is obvious, as are schools for the locals." Colonel Mitchell replied
"So, your serious about basing from Thazi?" First Prince Hanse Davion asked
"Yes sir, Highness. Marshal Horbaugh pointed out earlier that since we evicted the pirates, that by extension, we are now responsible for their safety and well being. That has been playing around in my head ever since." Colonel Mitchell replied
"Those specialists are being gathered as we speak. You head back in two days, the command circuit will get you back to Inner End, that gives the Jumpships the time to recharge their drives. Keep up the good work, Colonel Mitchell." First Prince Hanse Davion said
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