BoTH Chpt 54

==Blood on the Horizon - Chapter 54 -==
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===We're professionals===
Location: Valexa, Federated SunsDate: December 21st, 3005
"Well, we finished setting up just in time for Christmas." I looked at the small military base that had been lent to us for the duration of the garrison contract. 
 
"I think that Lady Cunningham was a bit upset at the extra work you gave her," Sheppard commented from where he was leaning against a nearby tree. "Given how decrepit this base is, I figure they thought we'd be spending a ton of extra money to repair and refit it."
 
"I mean, they weren't wrong," I shrugged. "But we can eat that cost with what we're being paid. And, we get enough space away from the main city that we can actually conduct our training exercises."
 
"We're still getting the people used to the Toros. It's a shame that the cockpits are so cramped that we have to look for shorter people. They're pretty fantastic Light 'Mechs, and I'd love for more of our people to be able to use them."
 
"We need to flesh out the battalion with more medium troopers," I replied. "We've currently got a company of light 'Mechs, and a mixed Medium and heavy Company of 'Mechs."
 
"Then it's a good thing we've got enough Tanks to flesh out the holes in our firepower," Sheppard grinned for a moment before his smile disappeared as he considered something. "Seriously though, us finding all of those artillery pieces is going to make a world of difference. The Toros are going to be faster than anything else that can kill them, and can kill just about anything that's faster."
 
"Use them as bait to draw in enemy forces into pre-sighted artillery zones," I nodded. "It'll have to be our main tactic."
 
"But enough of this talk," Sheppard finally stopped leaning against the tree. "We've got to figure out the Christmas party."
 
"Right," I started walking back towards the base's gate. "We were a bit busy last Christmas."
 
"Exactly. So we're going to have to make up for it this year."
 
"Just remember that they're going to hate you on January 2nd if you go too hard on this," I smirked. "Especially when they're dragged out of their bunks for a drill hungover and half dead from drink."
 
"We're professionals," Sheppard replied. "What's the worst that could happen?"
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===Prank War===
Date: January 3rd, 3006
"Y'know," I muttered to myself as I watched two companies of 'Mechs stagger around like drunkards. "I think Sheppard may have overdone it this time."
 
I laughed as I watched Sheppard's Mongoose take two steps before falling flat on its face, the hands on the light 'Mech reaching out to push him back onto his knees. 
And just to add insult to his injury, I flipped a button on my left joystick, the searchlight on my left shoulder turning on and focusing on my XO's cockpit.
 
"I warned all of you," I opened a channel on the Battalion frequency. "And now you're all going to learn a lesson I thought we didn't need a repeat of."
 
I then flipped channels to the people who I'd spoken to before Christmas and prepared for this scenario. 
 
"Naomi, Richard, Rose, it's time for Operation HANGOVER."
 
"Is it just ground-pounders? Or can we join in on the fun?" Blaze's voice chimed in from the skies above. 
 
"Feel free," I grinned. "I'm getting clear now. Open up whenever you have good shots."
 
"Understood Major, we'll see you in a few."
 
I powered down my active sensors and vanished into the trees as groups of our modified Hunters and other tanks we'd accumulated moved in, the training rounds now supplemented with flare packages that were shot into the cockpits of the 'Mechs of those who were still recovering from the week of drinking.
 
"You know that they're going to try and get you back for this, right?" Lieutenant Rose opened a private channel from her Toro. 
 
"They can try," I grinned at the ex-Comstar member's sigh. "But I grew up the oldest of fourteen. I know how to out-prank a group."
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===Dodging the Doc===
Date: January 20th, 3006
"You said there was some sort of progress made on Project Tolkien?" I asked Doctor Rogers, looking at the pieces of powered exoskeletons scattered on tables throughout the lab that she was using on the Phoenix. 
 
"We finally managed to work out the power source you wanted," the exhausted woman kneaded her forehead. "Turns out the Taurians from Eidolon were onto something. It won't be able to power more than an exoskeleton with how small we had to scale things, but it's still better for the long term."
 
"I know that it's asking for a lot of long-term power generations," I hefted one of the armored gauntlets. "But we can't always expect combat to be resolved in a short amount of time. Long slogs happen. And so does infantry being stuck behind enemy lines for long periods of time."
 
"Well, we managed the reactor," Adamina gestured to a small 'backpack-looking device. "It's about half of the total weight of the planned exoskeleton and armor itself, but it'll provide at least two months of continuous use before needing a refuel."
 
"And reactor safeties?" I asked.
 
"It takes a very specific override to set this thing off," she rested her head down on her desk. "We'll start focusing on the rest of the exoskeleton next month. Now leave me alone so I can get some sleep. I just spent seventy-two hours running through tests with the reactor to make sure that the containment was solid enough to be worn on someone's back."
 
"Fair enough," I headed towards the door. "Get some rest, Doctor. Your hard work is appreciated."
 
As the door shut behind me, I turned and saw one of my nightmares. 
 
"Ahh, Major," Doctor Janet Hale smirked at me. "You're late for your physical and wellness check by…" She glanced down at her clipboard. "Almost two years. So, we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way."
 
"What's the hard way?" I quipped, my eyes trying to locate a way out.
 
"I have the rest of the senior staff haul you into the medbay," She shrugged. "You made them all do it, and then you traumatized an entire company of hungover soldiers."
 
"And they're now united against a common enemy," I pointed out. "That's how trauma bonding works!"
 
"Yes," She looked me in the eye. "And now I've heard of at least fifteen different plans to get you back for that."
 
"Oh?" I asked. "Got any good intel? I'd love to be able to sabotage their pranks," I then shook my head. "Wait, stop changing the subject."
 
"I don't need to change the subject," Doctor Hale nodded at the two nurses who were now behind me. "We're right next to the medbay, so now we can finally run some tests and see how things are."
 
"Might as well," I stepped through the door and followed the signs to the next exam room.
 
"And I've scheduled a psych eval for next week. Having finally made it through your backstory, I think that you need to see a therapist. No matter how well-adjusted you seem, I do not doubt that demons and other issues are lurking underneath the surface."
 
"Yes, Doc," I sighed. "Whatever you say, doc."
 
"Hey! No patronizing here!" She barked. "I'm trying to look after you, you ungrateful bastard!"
 
"Just get this over with. I have work to do."
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Chapter 54