WCGW Chpt 44

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==Chapter 44 - What Could Go Wrong==
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15 September 3041
Inner End (Federated Commonwealth)
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Agent Jessica Hammel picked Leftenant Colonel David Mitchell up at his quarters, having called ahead. It was an hour drive until they entered the local militia's primary base, where they stored their equipment but also had a secure runway. Flashing her ID, she was waved thru the gate with minimal wait. Pulling directly onto the service road along the runway until they reached a parked shuttle. "He is waiting inside, so let's get a move on."
Exiting the vehicle, once again packing their personal weapons into the trunk of the car and submitting to a quick frisk by the security personnel at the foot of the stairs leading up to the shuttle door. Climbing the stairs, Agent Hammel led the way inside and Leftenant Colonel Mitchell followed. Quintus Allard was sitting in a very plush seat reading a couple of folders at the same time. Without even listing his eyes from the folders he said "Sit, both of you." He then waited until they both sat down across from him.
"If you have not already guessed, I am leaving, heading back to New Avalon to deliver my own report. Valasha might be an issue for our agreement, the local government might be difficult. So, it is not worth endangering the rest of your operations in the region. Unless there is something extremely valuable in that cache, do not risk a fight trying to recover it. Sell it to the Outworlds Alliance, as long as it is not a threat to the Federated Commonwealth. Your Commodore Noble gives the Samurai fighter high praise, and his suggestions warrant investigation. I am going to suggest First Prince Davion have a talk with the CEO of Fairchild Dornier, maybe offer them assistance in rebuilding their factory complex."
"As for your manpower issue, which from my observations and information is at a critical level for ship's crew and technicians, I will see what I can do to help out on that front. I might be retired but I do still know a few people. They sometimes listen to me and my suggestions. If you do any outside recruiting, Agent Hammel here is authorized to run full background checks on any potential hires. But I would caution against that, it would be the easiest way to slip a spy into your group. So far, you have been keeping your recruiting to former AFFS personnel, I would stay with that method"
"Agent Hammel, your going to be alone with this band of rabble, for now anyway, think you can handle the assignment?" Quintus Allard said
"Yes, Sir. I can handle it. It's a liaison position, I sit back and make sure they stay true to the interest of the Federated Commonwealth." Agent Jessica Hammel replied, still a tad miffed of losing her Chief of Station slot.
"It is a little more than that my dear. Yes, you will be watching out for the Federated Commonwealth, but you will also be in charge of security. Intelligence security to be more specific. You are going to be MY personal representative to this group of gypsies. If you make a decision out there, I will back your decision. But try to make it a good decision and not a bad one. We all clear?" Quintus Allard said
Both nodded their agreement and he continued. "Good. Now, get off my shuttle so I can get this show on the road. It is a long trip back and I am getting much too old for command circuits. Good hunting out there."
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16 September 3041
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Notification arrived that the Star Lord Jumpship had finally arrived. With a deep groan, Chief Vincent Zuniga prepared to shuttle up and check it out. He hoped and prayed that it was in better condition than everything else Leftenant Colonel Mitchell had gotten them. The first Mule Dropship had finally passed his final inspection and he had deemed it fit for service. The first Monarch Dropship should be ready for his inspection within the week. They were just starting on the second Monarch Dropship since he pulled them off that for the Mule. To get back on track, he volunteered all the ground pounders to assist in gutting the interior and to add additional manpower to the task.
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19 September 3041
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"Good Lord, sir. You are forever banned from ever making any sort of deal on spacecraft without my prior inspection." Chief Zuniga said after an intial inspection of their Star Lord Class Jumpship.
"Come on Chief, she is not that bad. She jumps doesn't she?" Leftenant Colonel Mitchell replied, but only after making sure he was not near an airlock.
"Yeah, also 3 months from her 5 year maintenance overhaul and 5 years from her 20 year overhaul, that one will take almost a full year to complete. One of her collars is showing a major error, I will not know more until I tear into the collar itself. The interior is a shambles and damn sure something wrong with the air filtration system, it's not scrubbing out odors properly. I can smell the dirt and possibly some mold. This is not a Dropship, it's a JumpShip, much more expensive for everything. The 5 year overhaul will cost an easy 60 million. The 20 year overhaul, 100 million if a dime. I beg you, no more spacecraft unless I check them out first." Chief Zuniga said
"Okay Chief. Your approval on all spacecraft. I have been properly chastised for my stupidity." Leftenant Colonel Mitchell replied
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Down on the surface, Adept Leon Hernandez studied the Space Port from powerful binoculars. Adept Wellings might be inept at planning a true operation, but he could gather intel decently, he thought. He was pretty sure he had identified at least a full company of soldiers, currently helping with a Monarch Passenger Liner Dropship that Adept Wellings said belonged to the unit. Just registered as a mercenary command, Search and Recovery Inc. Today was the first day of personal recon, he figured another week, and he would have a good plan put together.
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