WCGW Chpt 160

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==Chapter 160 - What Could Go Wrong==
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Inner End (Federated Commonwealth)
1st June, 3044
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Command Sergeant Major Chester Pullman looked at the multiple cargo containers that the dropships had unloaded before loading up the recently departed personnel. He had been hand delivered a message on what to do with them and he waited the arrival of Leftenant General Mariva Kelly of the Kilbourne DMM. He had delayed asking for a meeting until he was sure the arrival and departure of the multiple DropShips had not attracted unwanted attention. His orders were to not rely on civilian shipping for the transport of the cargo containers but to arrange AFFC shipping to New Avalon, expedited.
He turned when he heard the ground car pull up behind him. He smiled as the tall woman dressed in AFFC fatigues got out. "Leftenant General Kelly, so glad you came over as soon as you could. I have a present for First Prince Hanse Davion that needs to get to New Avalon as soon as can be arranged, on the quickest routing."
"Really, Pullman? You expect me to just arrange a shipment of unknown items to the First Prince on your word?" Leftenant General Kelly asked, but she was looking at the containers before them both.
"I really would like to get these out of here before we have a repeat of the last time something arrived here. You remember that? I know you do. You also know the First Prince is quite keen on everything we return here. Do you really want to play this game?" Command Sergeant Major Pullman asked, not irritated, he thought of it as sort of a game.
"I remember all too well." Leftenant General Kelly replied counting the containers mentally.
"I also have a sealed envelope for the First Prince, to be delivered to him and him alone." Command Sergeant Major Pullman added.
"I would really really like to know what the hell you all are bringing in that has the First Prince himself so hot to trot over it." Leftenant General Kelly said 
"I cannot say but hopefully soon, you might see the results of our findings. I take it you're going to make the proper arrangements?" Command Sergeant Major Pullman said
"Yes, I will make the arrangements. We are do a shipment of supplies next month, I will send them out on the DropShip then." Leftenant General Kelly replied
Command Sergeant Major Pullman frowned "That long?"
"Cannot be quicker. Concerned about security? I will post up a Battlemech Company on patrol over here and toss in an extra Rifle Company to beef you up until then. Best I can do." Leftenant General Kelly replied.
"Then it will have to do. Nothing out by HPG about this." Command Sergeant Major Pullman said.
"I remember my orders very well, Pullman. How can anyone forget orders delivered by the Prince's Champion himself personally concerning you and this ghost unit no one ever sees?" Leftenant General Kelly replied.
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Thazi (Former Outworlds System)
18th June, 3044
Major General David Mitchell looked at the gathered officers before he spoke "Today we begin planning the liberation of Onverwacht. It is way past due. I know it has caused some serious conflicts within the command, so that is priority number one. When the fleet gets back, we spend a month getting the new people used to their equipment before we load up and hit Onverwacht. The new people will stay here with Brigadier General Horbaugh getting settled in while we are gone. Our information on what we face is outdated, so we plan for a worst case.
I have spent some time talking to a few of our adopted troops and they are quite sure that if we offer proper surrender to the garrison that most will not fight for the pirates. Most are conscripts that joined to survive and keep their families from the worst of the jobs there. That is, unless a new pirate group has moved in and taken over. Basically, we are going in blind. Our information is just too outdated on what we might face. We will make multiple orbits and get a good feel for what is down there before we make our landings. This will also be our first use of our recovered equipment, if everyone agrees that we can properly field it." He paused when Lieutenant Colonel Gweneth Rolando raised her hand "Go ahead, Gweneth."
"Sir, what do we do with the people once we free them? You said we are responsible for the people here because we took out the pirates here. Are we garrisoning Onverwacht also? Because we cannot leave those people to the mercy of a new pirate group." Lieutenant Colonel Rolando asked.
"Honestly Gweneth, I have no damned idea what to do about them. I cannot see us garrisoning Onverwacht also. Offer them a move here? Help them form their own militia? I honestly have no clue. I guess it depends on what the people there want to do. We cannot force them to move here, that would make us no better than the pirates and slavers. It is something that has given me several sleepless nights." Major General Mitchell replied.
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