LUU Chpt 1-8

==Let Us Unite - Chapter 8 -==
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===Reunion of old Comrades===
Date: June, 2857
Location: SLS Spicer, System Echo
It was as if a subdued song were playing in the background as the trio of ex-SLDF colonels boarded the Warship. The Star League and Terran Hegemony flags were lit, but the colors seemed muted and faded. The Cameron Star's silver sheen dulled to dark steel as if it had been bloodied and hastily cleaned. The Golden Starburst of the Hegemony had dulled to a dark and dirty yellow instead of a brilliant gold.
The three were directed to the Grav deck and stopped when they entered. There, waiting for them, as if it were a dream, was the head of the Goddamned Black Watch. And beside her was a young woman wearing a plain SLDF uniform with no rank pins or insignia aside from the Cameron Star upon her collar.
 
Bradley paused, his wheelchair stopping as he wiped a tear from his face.
"You got old," Hanni smiled gently at the leader of the Eridani Light Horse.
 
"And you didn't age a day," Bradley tried to smile through the tears that had begun streaming down his face. "I almost didn't believe the message. It hurts so much… To have hope, but I'm an old man. And I needed that chance to survive."
 
"I know that hope can be hard," Hanni knelt and helped wipe tears away. "But you don't get to give up yet, Ezra. You are still needed. And I'll be damned if you die in a few months because you've decided to pass on the torch."
 
"The Eridani Light Horse holds to their oaths," Colonel Ezra Bradley's voice broke and then finished on a firm note.
 
"As does the Blue Star Irregulars," Brighton finally spoke up, the twinkling of his eyes showing that he was also on the verge of tears. "We are under your command."
 
"The 42nd Striker Regiment and the 10th Heavy Assault Regiments of the Star League Defense Force stand at your disposal," Colonel Jeremiah Bradford stated.
 
"And the Terran Hegemony thanks you for holding fast to your oaths in these troubled times." The young woman stepped forward.
"This is acting Director-General Elizabeth Cameron," Hanni introduced her to the group. "Her, as well as her sister, and both of Richard's children were safely evacuated from the palace amid the coup."
 
"What's the play here? "Bradford leaned forward.
 
"First, we're taking you to our base of Operations," Elizabeth looked at the trio, meeting each of their eyes in turn. "I am not my brother, I know the value of your experience and of those who are under your command. And I have studied our intelligence briefs. I know that you lack the equipment to outfit your forces in full. She glanced at Brighton and Bradford. "Both of your units have been hammered hard by the recent fighting. I would see your people and gear restored. We will take this time to heal and make plans. The Amaris Coup was not accomplished in a day. And it will take time to orchestrate the restoration of the Terran Hegemony."
 
"And the Star League?" Bradley asked. "What of it?"
 
Hanni and Elizabeth exchanged glances before Cameron finally replied with a heavy sigh.
 
"That remains to be seen," Hanni stated. "For now, we intend to restore the Hegemony first and work on everything else later."
 
"You'll need to meet with the smaller unit COs," Bradford commented. "There are a lot of individual companies and lances that answered the call instead of full regiments."
 
"We'll cycle through the leaders," Hanni nodded. "I'm transferring Major Hazen to work as your liaison until you arrive at Bolthole. Once there, you'll begin repair and refit while we shuttle all the units over."
 
"Just one question," Brighton turned to the Director-General. "Why did you change the color of the flags?"
 
"We are a nation in exile," Elizabeth met his eyes, steel shining in her blue gaze. "And things must change if we are to survive. Changing the flags is simple, but it reflects our current situation. And they will be restored if we succeed."
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===Urgency to Strike===
Location: New Avalon Federated Suns
"Michael, we need to strike now," Peter Davion looked at his nephew as they looked at the current map of their territory. "The DCMS is overextended, and they've become bogged down on the worlds they invaded. We must trust Melissa to handle the Capellan Confederation while we deal with the threat at hand."
 
"Do we have the forces for that?" the First Prince sighed. "After all, the Blue Star Irregulars have vanished.
 
"As did small parts of many other units in every nation," Peter responded. "They are now stuck reorganizing. Allow me to take the Robinson March Militia units and a few RCTs. We'll pin the Draconis Combine in place and surround them. They will die on our worlds, and then we'll push back to Robinson. Trust me, nephew, we need this victory, lest we suffer another Kentares IV."
 
"Take what you need," Michael nodded at his uncle. "Even if you must strip the garrison from New Avalon to accomplish your goal. We here on New Avalon are not immune to the perils of war. It is time that we learned that."
 
"Michael," Peter sighed. "I know that you desire peace above all else, but if we are to return to peace, then we must push the Combine back into their borders, lest we become little more than a failed state and our people slaves to the Dracs."
 
"Let's hope that Melissa succeeds in her secondary objectives then," Michael looked at the red that tore into his realm as a fury roared in his gut. "I may wish for peace. But I understand what is necessary," he paused as he considered the intel on the units that had pushed into his realm and savaged his people. "Uncle, do not allow them to flee. Those units are to be eradicated, and their colors taken and put in full view of the Inner Sphere. Their shame and defeat will be broadcast to the nations. Of particular concern," he highlighted Markesan. "Even if you accomplish nothing else, the 2nd Sword of Light are to be utterly destroyed. Not a single member is to be left alive to draw their swords against the Federated Suns."
 
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===Isolate and Outnumbered===
Davion Assault Guards - Staging Area
Location: St. Ives, Capellan Confederation
"Colonel, the palace complex is heavily defender, we'll be outnumbered three to one if we pursue."
"We have artillery," Rebecca replied, her Victor still decently armored and with ammunition. "And our support is behind us. We're pushing ahead, three lights to an Assault 'Mech is a fight I'll take any day."
"You heard the lady, close rang Assault's pair up with long range supports, our vehicle support is covering the rear." he aid called out.
 
"Artillery batteries, standby for danger close firing missions," Rebecca barked. "We'll need accurate fire over volume."
 
"Understood, Colonel, setting up for precision strikes."
 
"Now let's see what you're really made of, Chancellor," she muttered to herself. "Let's find out if superior firepower really does bring about peace."
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Chapter 1-8