WS Chpt 27

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==Chapter 27 - This is the Way the World Ends - Wolf Skinners (3024)==
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Wolf Skinner bivouac around WSDS Mondez's impact site
Astrokaszy
17th August, 3024
2113 Local Time
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A motivated work force ensured air-conditioned sleeping arrangements were available. The cramped four rack bunkroom for the crew of the Landing Craft went to the senior officers and Sergeant Major. The 36 racks in the troop compartment were populated with the junior officers and NCOs. The tiny sick bay, such as it was, was given over to Lieutenant Commander Fury and her daughter. At least one of the MechWarriors discovered how far the crew positions in the cockpit could recline and opted for that, after clearing it with the Major. A handful of troopers who'd be relieving the watch talked Sergeant Major into letting them use the long benches on the "mess deck" by pointing out they'd be clear before breakfast. Everyone else pitched their sleeping pad and bag in the cargo bay.
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Outlying Landing Field Skinner
The Bridge
2113 Local Time
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Warrant Officer Bowman was back on watch, and not alone. Lieutenant Summers had tripled the watches and was holding off on transmitting the contact report until 0300. No one had disagreed on using a burst transmission when any potential bandits would be at their least vigilant.
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The wreck of the Ex-FWLDS Condottieri
2113 Local Time
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Captain Renzi was making one last round of the ship before bedding down for the night. On the bridge, he spoke to the technician on watch, "Any luck?"
"No sir. Not yet. The old girl's chewing on the video Mancini brought back, but I'm not sure we'll see anything."
"Rog, no worries. Maybe we'll drive out there for a closer look one of these days, but not until we're on much better terms with the neighbors."
"Aye, sir. Have a good night."
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Wolf Skinner bivouac around WSDS Mondez's impact site
Doc Ozora's Drillson converted Hover Tank
18th August, 3024
0300 Local Time
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The burst transmission from the OLF almost made the on-watch crew spill her coffee. Quickly firing off a similarly compressed and encrypted acknowledgement, she downloaded the report to a noteputer, and banged on the hatch.
"What's up, Mandy?" the trooper on watch outside said, poking his head in.
"Contact report from the OLF! Give this to the Major!" Corporal Strobel said, shoving the ComPad into the Private's hands.
"Holy shit! On my way!"
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CONTACT REPORT
UNIT: OLF SKINNER
TIME: 1236-1315 17 August, 3024
LOCATION: Ridgeline 3 km SW of OLF Skinner, grid coordinates 0809 (5,3)
DESCRIPTION: 2 infantry with handheld optics, no apparent detection
RESPONSE: Sounded General Quarters, tripled watches, held transmission until 0300
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Wolf Skinner bivouac around WSDS Mondez's impact site
18th August, 3024
0330 Local Time
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The Major's "office" was packed with officers. The compad with the contact report was being passed around.
"All right, what do we make of this?" the Major asked, tiredly looking around the cramped escape pod.
Captain Pappas, the unit's XO spoke first: "We'll need to investigate at first light. Try to get a vector on where they came from, and where they went. I'll take the APC out there with a platoon. I'd like Bianchi for cover."
Next to Pappas, Lieutenant Novak just nodded, knowing her platoon would be the one selected.
Captain Harris replied, "Easy enough. I recommend moving out an hour before sunrise to get you THERE at first light."
Using the noteputer to pull up a map of the coordinates, Warrant Officer Cantrell, the S-2, frowned. "I'm worried they approached from the West. If they're the bandits, that means they had to pass by here. If they're our friends to the East, their base must be further south than we thought, AND they're poking around. And of course, it could be literally anybody else. I'll be going with the team this morning."
"That sounds like we need to increase patrols," Lieutenant Stevenson said, passing the noteputer to Lieutenant Ranjeet.
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Wolf Skinner bivouac around WSDS Mondez's impact site
18th August, 3024
0330 Local Time
The Major's "office" was packed with officers. The compad with the contact report was being passed around.
"All right, what do we make of this?" the Major asked, tiredly looking around the cramped escape pod.
Captain Pappas, the unit's XO spoke first: "We'll need to investigate at first light. Try to get a vector on where they came from, and where they went. I'll take the APC out there with a platoon. I'd like Bianchi for cover."
Next to Pappas, Lieutenant Novak just nodded, knowing her platoon would be the one selected.
Captain Harris replied, "Easy enough. I recommend moving out an hour before sunrise to get you THERE at first light."
Using the Compad to pull up a map of the coordinates, Warrant Officer Cantrell, the S-2, frowned. "I'm worried they approached from the West. If they're the bandits, that means they had to pass by here. If they're our friends to the East, their base must be further south than we thought, AND they're poking around. And of course, it could be literally anybody else. I'll be going with the team this morning."
"That sounds like we need to increase patrols," Lieutenant Stevenson said, passing the Compad to Lieutenant Ranjeet.
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"Sir, the techs could rig up some audio sensors." 
Pointing out a few spots on the map, "By placing mics in these spots, and filtering out normal nature sounds, that could give us a leg up on anyone coming this way. If we do the filtering out in the field, the transmission back wouldn't have to be that powerful, or that long. We could set up a set of repeaters here, here, and here. To pick up the transmissions, you would have to know what you're looking for." said Lieutenant Ranjeet.
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"If we had the sensors, sure. We had to leave a bunch on Ghorepani when we pulled chocks, and Doc brought 60 along. We were able to talk an extra radar sensor out of Renzi's crew, so that enables us to have 360 coverage out to 20 klicks from the crash site. We've got a middle ring of motion sensors that see out to 10 klicks, and an inner of seismic sensors that cover us inside 5. Another 30 trip line sensors give us the immediate camp perimeter. That leaves us 13 spares: 1 radar, 2 seismic, 4 motion and 6 trip lines. Fortunately, the OLF is well endowed with a full sensor grid, which is how Lieutenant Summers picked up the snoopers in the first place," the Major said.
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"Well, then sir, the question we must answer is when do we want to tip our hat? Do we give the appearance that we don't know and continue as before? Anything other than that is going to send up red flares that something is going on and that will bring more scrutiny." said Ranjeet
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"Mostly, I'm with XO right now... I want to know who's poking around the OLF. I don't want to tip our hand, which is why the OLF will remain in lockdown until we figure it out. And since we don't know who it is, I want TWO 'mechs on overwatch. That's you, Stevenson." the Major said gesturing to the man.
"Roger, sir. I'll brief Bianchi as soon as we're done here," the junior officer replied.
"And your idea for increased patrols is a good one. Captain Harris, I think it's time Lieutenant Haitao was worked into the rotation. I know we have construction work to finish, so it won't be easy. But the extra hand should let you dog the watches at least to give everyone a bit more rest. All right, anything not clear?" Skinner finished.
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Blu cursed softly as his knuckles scrapped against the sides of the engine block he was tinkering with. While the diesel was housed inside a large but compact compartment, room was at a premium vand his body frame was squeezed into it already.
Damn this shit! he thought, mentally frustrated.
The grease covered the bloody scrape as he continued to work...
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Section spoken by Lieutenant Ranjeet was written by SANSd20.
Section spoken by Blu was written by truetanker
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