LUU Chpt 1-1

==Let Us Unite - Chapter 1 -==
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===Overslept===
Date: January 1, 2856
Location: Location: Bolthole, Terran Hegemony 
The facility was quiet aside from the buzzing of the power plants attached to each of the cryo pods, and as the program finally reached the end of its internal clock, the pods began to hiss open according to the algorithm that had been programmed nearly a century before.
 
The first to awaken and stumble out of the pods were the technicians, medics, and doctors. Those people first ran checks and scans on each other. There was a known risk of ice crystals forming in important organs, and they wanted to ensure that there was no danger of that before assisting in waking the others.
 
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After two hours, the techs and medics began to awaken the others, section by section, until the facility was alive with the groans and complaints of soldiers, sailors, and everyone else.
 
"So you're telling me that we've been asleep for nearly a century?" Colonel Schmitt raised an eyebrow, her nude form not changing how intimidating she was.
 
"Yes, ma'am," the tech wrung his hands. "There was a glitch in the software, and it wasn't something that we would have caught unless we'd spent a year going over it before going under."
 
"Fine," the Colonel began to put on her uniform. "Start waking up the crews, I want intel and I want it yesterday."
 
"We're already in the process, Colonel. We've woken up Elizabeth and Helena as well."
 
"Good, I'm going to need them present when we start making decisions."
 
"We are going to need to have everyone checked out by the medtechs," a medic chimed in from where he was finishing up with Elizabeth Hazen's immediate check. "And we're going to have to work through some muscle atrophy. Luckily we weren't in cryo for so long that we resemble coma patients. But, three months is still a lot of muscle mass to regain."
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Bolthole was brimming with life again as the SLDF remnants began to go over everything again, ensuring their inventory remained the same and that proper maintenance was done.
 
The Warship and JumpShip crews began to reacclimate themselves back to their ships, with the Jumpship eventually leaving a few months later to go collect intel on the state of affairs in the Inner Sphere.
 
Meanwhile, those still on Bolthole were clearing out the land, conducting maintenance, and beginning to train themselves for war again. One thing was for certain. The Camerons may have survived for now, but there would be enemies, and there was a lot to prepare for.
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===Surveillance Mission===
Date: June 7th, 2856
Location: Carver, Capellan Confederation
<<"Jumpship Euphrates, you are clear to remain in the system and begin trading.">> a heavily Russian-tinted voice informed Lieutenant Jorge.
 
"Major," The temporary captain glanced at Major Bryn Capell. "How do you want to approach this? Every transmission we have indicates Carver is now occupied by the Capellan Confederation."
 
"Keep collecting data," Bryn said. "Don't make any overt moves, after we've done a bit of investigating here, we'll head towards the Fedsuns, maybe see if there's anything more we can pick up there."
 
"If you want, we can see about laying in a course to move full circle," the Astrogation specialist spoke up. "Hit all of the Star League members to see what intel each one has."
 
"We'll do that," Capell agreed. "But one thing at a time. I'll take the Messenger down along with some of the foodstuffs that we brought with us. Even if they don't buy a lot, we can still collect data."
 
"Sir, do you want us to leave some agents behind?" one of the Hegemony Intelligence agents asked.
 
"No, I'm going to need you to see about the HPG though. I'm not sure what this 'Comstar' is up to, but I want whatever information they have."
 
"If they're using Terran systems, I'll be able to get in," the expert promised. "But it might take some time to ensure we get everything they have."
 
"We'll drag out the data collection as needed. We can't act like we're in a rush, we're simply traders plying a new route after all."
 
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"Your ship is to be inspected," a group of armed men and women met the Messenger when it landed. "You will prepare your ship and we will see if there is any contraband to be found."
 
"We're just here to exchange foodstuffs," Bryn smiled calmly. "We've got nothing to hide from the law."
 
The Capellan security team went through the ship with a fine-toothed comb, not finding anything out of the ordinary, even the star charts reflected the story that the crew had been giving.
 
"Sir, everything checks out," the security team leader whispered into the official's ear. "What do you want us to do?"
 
"See if the local Maskirovka will keep an eye on them. I do not like foreigners on my world."
 
"Welcome to Carver V," the official then smiled at Major Capell. "Please, ply your trade here, we are always welcome to new merchants."
 
"We're just looking to see if there's any new routes that we can try," Bryn continued his smile. "Do you happen to have a hotel recommendation? The Messenger's got a nice set of quarters, but nothing beats a nice bed."
 
"There are quite a few places to stay for merchants such as yourself. Any of them would be welcoming of you."
 
"Thank you. Now, I'll need to help offload my cargo, it was a pleasure meeting you, sir."
 
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"There's a lot of bugs here," the THIC agents were gathered in the hotel room with Major Capell. "We've got them rigged on our prerecorded conversations. But we're definitely being watched."
 
"Team one will head to the HPG," Capell ordered. "While Team Two and I will act as regular traders. Make some sales, get price gouged a bit, the entire works."
 
"We'll need several hours to acquire data from the HPG," a tech stated. "So we're going to have to do this right the first time."
 
"We plan tonight, and execute it in the morning," Bryn looked around. "I believe we still had the plans for the Carver HPG?"
 
"Maybe the actual building," one of them shrugged. "But they've created an entire complex. So we're going to have to operate off of guesswork after we're inside of the complex."
 
"We need that intel," Bryn sighed. "Unless someone's got another plan?"
 
"We're not going to be able to pull whatever Comstar has on Terra without being found out for now," the first tech shrugged. "But if we have Team One 'Regularly' visit the HPG on every world we go to, we can at least somewhat have a cover story."
 
"So, based on the local maps we bought, the entrance to the compound is here…"
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===Prepare the nukes and pass the ammunition===
Date: June 17th, 2856
Location: Bolthole, Terran Hegemony
 
"And you're certain that I'm the Director-General?" Elizabeth Cameron asked timidly.
 
"Yes, ma'am," Hanni Schmitt looked the young woman directly in her eyes. "I understand that it's not something you expected, but we're going to have to give you a crash course in both politics and military leadership."
 
"And if I don't want to?" Elizabeth asked a bit defiantly.
 
"Then we have to see if Helena's up to it. And given that she has taken over the guardianship of your niece and nephew."
 
"Right," Elizabeth shuddered. "I'm not ready to be a mother yet."
 
She set her shoulders firmly and met Hanni's eyes.
 
"So, what do I need to learn? And how do I avoid becoming like Richard?"
 
"First things first. I'm putting you through Boot Camp. Politics and the military are to be kept separate, but you'll need the discipline. And, it'll help you understand why your military advisors make our decisions."
 
"Alright," Elizabeth sighed. "And avoiding becoming like Richard?"
 
"Listen, learn, and know to admit when you're wrong," The Colonel replied. "Do those three things and you'll start out better than Richard and you can only go up from there."
 
"And boot camp?"
 
"Some of the civilians that made it out of Terra with us are going to be joining in. You and Colleen should get along well. As for the rest… You'll learn it when you go through the process. The Politics will come later and I'll have to dig out some of my old lessons before I can teach you that. I'll also grab the few nobles that are with us, they'll probably know a thing or two that we can utilize."
 
"When does Boot Camp start?"
 
"Two weeks," Hanni smiled softly. "You have time to prepare."
 
"Good," Elizabeth set her stance. "Then let's do this."
 
"Good attitude," Hanni's smile broadened. "Keep that, and it'll take you far. Provided you don't get broken in the process. Now get some rest, you've got a busy year ahead of you."
 
The woman turned and left the office as Elizabeth Hazen stepped out of the shadows.
 
"You sure this is a good idea, Colonel?"
 
"The Hegemony needs a Director-General," Hanni sighed. "It's not like we have any other options."
 
"What do we want to put her in?" Hazen asked.
 
 "We can sort that out later," Hanni shrugged. "For now, we prepare and wait for Capell to return with intelligence. Because without it, we're here in the dark."
 
"Not for long," Hazen reminded her. "After all, as long as there's hope, there's a light ahead."
 
"Hope, and God-willing, a lot of firepower brought to bear against those who'd try anything."
 
"Prepare the nukes and pass the ammunition," Hazen smirked. "There's always a war to fight. And I play to win."
 
"Amen."
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*; Chapter Note: This chapter marks (no pun intended) the beginning of the main story arc of the story.
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