WCGW Chpt 103

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==Chapter 103 - What Could Go Wrong==
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7 September 3042
Inner End (Federated Commonwealth)
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The old Mammoth Cargo Dropship settled to the Space Port, having been picked up by SaRI Express, Invader Class Jumpship at Roscoff from one of the many AFFC Jumpships assigned to the Department of the Quartermaster. Purchased from the Federated Suns for 310 Million C-Bills. The Mammoth Dropship landing had a long history of service to the Draconis Combine, but had been captured on the ground during the War of 3039. The Federated Suns had created the program of offering long term or important mercenary commands the chance to purchase Jumpships and Dropships at discounted prices, usually captured ships from enemy forces. Where a Jumpship or Military Dropship were the first to go, a large civilian Dropship had a much smaller or non-existent market among mercenary commands. The program was where the Dismal Disinherited had purchased their Invader after the 4th Succession War. Normally, the new Search and Recovery Inc would be at the bottom of the list for any ships, but they were also the only one seeking a Mammoth which had been on the roster for several years awaiting a buyer.
Colonel David Mitchell watched the Dropship lower its ramps to the Space Port surface, while he also wanted to see the new equipment, he was also meeting their new Liaison Officer, who was a passenger aboard the Mammoth Dropship. Steam made visibility difficult, but he caught glimpses of someone being pointed to where he stood waiting. The man walked towards him, clouds of steam blocking any sort of clear view of the man until he was almost within arm's reach. This has got to be a bad joke, he thought as he looked at his former commanding officer, now a Lieutenant Colonel, Edwin Davion. He was not the only one surprised as he saw his new Liaison Officer stiffen in surprise.
"Cap....Colonel Mitchell now is it. It has been a long time." Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Davion said
Not long enough, Colonel Mitchell thought before answering "Couple of years. I see you got promoted also."
"I guess we should get the formalities out of the way. I have been assigned as your Liaison Officer to look out for the interests of the Federated Commonwealth. I will be overseeing your units' actions to ensure that you are performing your contracted duties." Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Davion said, having memorized the simple statement of an incoming Liaison Officer.
His tone says he is not happy about this, and neither am I, Colonel Mitchell thought as he answered "Welcome to Search and Recovery Inc, Lieutenant Colonel Davion. Have you been briefed on our operations?"
"I have copies of your contracts. Both are to run for two years concurrently, a pirate hunting contract and a retainer contract. I know that you have completed your previous pirate hunting contract to the satisfaction of the Federated Commonwealth. Stationed here on Inner End." Lieutenant Colonel Davion replied
He does not know exactly what we are doing, outstanding, Colonel Mitchell thought before saying "Not stationed on Inner End. We use Inner End as a base to launch our operations into the Outworlds Wastes. Our next operation will be taking down the last of a pirate group holding slaves not far from here."
"I was not briefed that you had an operation already planned. Who provided you the information?" Lieutenant Colonel Davion asked
"We develop our own intelligence and act on it when we are ready. Read our contracts again, I have full command rights and freedom of action against pirates, bandits or whatever you want to call them. I cannot believe you were not fully briefed on all of this." Colonel Mitchell said 
Heavy footsteps that only a Battlemech could make announced the unloading of the Mammoth Dropships cargo. The conversation paused as both watched twelve PHX-3S Phoenix Hawk walk by. A voice caused them to avert their attention "Damn Colonel, aren't they a pretty sight. Brand spanking new, even smell new." Lieutenant Colonel James Woodall said with a massive smile on his face. 
"That they are, James. This is Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Davion. Our new Liaison Officer. Seems he was not properly briefed on our operations out here." Colonel Mitchell said as sort of a warning to be careful speaking.
"Nice to meet you, Colonel Davion. James Woodall, I command our Battlemech Battalion." Lieutenant Colonel James Woodall said, but he had caught the hint.
"Battlemech Battalion? You have done quite well for yourself Colonel Mitchell. Not sure how a former Captain managed to find the funds for a Battlemech Battalion." Lieutenant Colonel Davion replied.
"Full salvage rights can do that for you. Let me grab someone with a jeep and get you to your quarters. We will speak later; I need to see if all my equipment is onboard that Mammoth." Colonel Mitchell said as he thought silently, What a total screw up.
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