ALJ Chpt 63

frameless|right|300px|link=A Long Journey
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==Chapter 63 - A Long Journey==
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11 November 2786
Mackolla (Federated Suns)
Colin Blaine walked along the perimeter of the space port, like he always did after his morning run to cool down. He paused and thought for a second before mentally saying to himself "Screw it, I want to know what the hell is in them". He broke into a light jog towards a shuttle, he needed a ride up to the Olympus Station.
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14 November 2786
He had redirected the shuttle soon after launch to head straight to where SLS Super Stallion, Monolith Jumpship, was normally hovering. The three Mule Dropships still attached to her docking points. He had changed into a simple jumpsuit before boarding the shuttle and could smell himself after three days wearing them. Once the shuttle docked, he was out in a flash heading for the ships bridge. Once there he plead his case for the ships Captain.
"We have got to know what is on those Mules. They are the only things we have not searched. Worst case, we ferry them down to Mackolla and park them on one of the uninhabited continents. At least they will be off your ship." Colin Blaine said
"You retired, Mister Blaine. Look, I know who you are and who you were, but those are still sealed on orders of General Mitchell." Captain Marcy White replied
"I can get my cousin Commodore Mitchell on the radio, she can order you to break into those Mules." Colin Blaine said
"She might, or she might order me to arrest you. I would love nothing better than to get them off my collars, but your asking me to disobey a direct order and that is not something I am going to do." Captain White replied firmly
"Then we call Commodore Mitchell and see what she says." Colin Blaine said
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It took 18 minutes between messages and made it difficult to plead his case, even on an encrypted channel, he had to speak in a round about way which made the conversation even harder.
"Patricia, I need you to order Captain White to get us a look at those last items."
"Colin, are you mad? What if something bad happens?
"Then we at least know. Right now they are limiting options. I am sure the Chief Engineer can be real careful. It is the one itch I have got to scratch."
"Is she there?"
"Yes."
"Captain White, break them open, very carefully. Let Colin scratch the itch. If safe bring them down."
"Aye, ma'am, crack them open carefully and bring them down is if safe."
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It took several hours for the engineers to get everything ready and setup. Colin Blaine stood out of the way while the engineers worked. The first Mule had it's locks jail broken in less than an hour. The door opened easily. Colin Blaine was the first inside the Mule Class Dropship and once he entered the lower cargo bay found himself staring at normal shipping containers. He had the engineers open one of the sealed containers open so he could see inside. Once it was opened he was staring at carefully packed machinery, manufacturing equipment of some sort. He ordered the container resealed.
They moved to the second cargo deck and again was staring at shipping containers. Opening one found more carefully packed machinery. The same thing was found on the third cargo deck. Once they were on the Jumpship he said "This one can go down."
The second Mule was stubborn and every attempt to jail break the lock failed. "Cut it open." He ordered the engineers. It took two hours of careful work to get the door cut open. This time, when they entered the cargo deck they found ammunition storage containers. All were former SLDF and had seen them many times before only these bore the symbol that just screamed nukes to all who saw it. "Nope. We are not opening any of those."
The Chief Engineer moved to the first container and read the label, all SLDF ammunition containers were labeled. "Alamos. Nuclear armed Arrow IV missiles. Anti-ship weapons for Aerospace Fighters. Should be eight of them in there."
"Well, at least we know what is on this Mule. On to the next one." Colin Blaine said, eager to get away from nukes of any type.
The third and last Mule was jail broke just as easy as the first one. Entering the cargo bay he was staring at shipping containers. "Break one open."
When the door was opened it caused Colin Blaine to almost have a heart attack at what he saw. He was facing a humanoid suit of armor. Once he calmed himself he peaked further inside and saw more of them secured firmly and with padding fitted around them. I have no clue what these are, but I wonder if the first Mule is connected to what is in here, he thought as he gestured for the container to be resealed. "This one goes down also. Fix the door on the second one and have a tug move her somewhere nice and safe. At least she will be off your ship."
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Cephei (Unclaimed)
Captain Harvey Barclay watched the engineers work to clear the door they had discovered. With the right equipment, clearing the door of dirt and rock was accomplished quickly. The engineers studied the door closely. "This is going to take sometime to break open. We have done it before, but it damned sure was not easy or quick."
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