WCGW Chpt 247

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==Chapter 247 - What Could Go Wrong==
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Thazi (Independent System)
13th December, 3046
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It was a touching farewell when Sarah Campbell boarded the shuttle for the ride up to where SaRI Express, Invader Class Jumpship waited to return her and her crews to Federated Commonwealth space. After watching the shuttle depart, he walked with Colonel Edwin Mitchell back towards the waiting jeep.
"General, I have word that additional Black Boxes have arrived at Wokha for your use." Colonel Edwin Davion said
"About time." He snapped then said "Sorry, it has been almost two years since I requested them. Sort of a sore spot. It really hampered and slowed down everything." 
"I know. So, the equipment you returned with, you plan to sell it off?" Colonel Edwin Davion asked
"Not this batch. It is low tech enough that we are going to hang on to it." President Mitchell said
"Very well. After looking it over, I am not sure the First Prince would be interested in it really. Might I inquire as to who the two strangers you returned with are?" Colonel Edwin Davion asked
"Independent merchants we came across. They know the area around here. Their ship broke down, and we are going to repair it for them in exchange for intel of the area." President Mitchell replied
Colonel Edwin Davion had known President Mitchell for a long time and could smell BS when it came out of his mouth but said nothing about it. "Will we have access to this intel also?"
"It mainly concerns areas that WE are interested in. If the intel impacts or threatens the operation on Wokha or the FedCom itself, you will be the first to know about it. You know I do not reveal anything about areas we might be interested in, revealing that is a good way to have a claim jumped." President Mitchell said
"Worth a try. Sort of comes with the new job, pumping you for information. I know your busy so I will take a different jeep. I need to go check the daily message batch." Colonel Edwin Davion replied, tossing him a sloppy salute.
Three hours later he had prepared the message for New Avalon, having it double encoded for transmission. He made sure it was sent and then personally destroyed the message slip.
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New Avalon (Federated Commonwealth)
17th December, 3046
First Prince Hanse Davion sighed when Quintus Allard walked in with a message slip. "The look says it is not good news. Now what is going on?"
"Your new Ambassador, Colonel Edwin Davion has sent a message. Read it for yourself." Quintus Allard replied as he handed over the message. Taking the message, First Prince Hanse Davion quickly read the short message.
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To: First Prince Hanse Davion
From: Colonel Edwin Davion
President Mitchell has returned from latest mission. Inspection of equipment revealed only low scale infantry equipment along with a [wing]] of Sabre fighters. He also had two unknowns with him, and when I asked, he said independent merchants who broke down. That is a lie. No way he would compromise his own security showing two unknowns where they were located.
Suspect President Mitchell made a discovery that he wants to keep hidden or secret. Fleet departed week ago for return mission, but ground troops stayed behind. That is suspect, or it means the find is not on the ground needing security. A broken down Jumpship does not need his entire fleet to repair. He is also not acting like his normal self, he is more guarded than he normally would be. This also makes me suspect that he is hiding something. I do not suspect a threat, but it does raise questions. President Mitchell remained here with ground troops. Barely a two week stop over before departure. Very suspect.
Colonel Edwin Davion
Ambassador/Envoy to Thazi
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"He kept his ground troops on Thazi yet dispatched his fleet back out. That is not like him at all. He moves as a unit or not at all, always has since now. Why the change?" First Prince Hanse Davion asked
"It does sound very unlike him. But let's not get all wound up without knowing. It could just make things worse than they are." Quintus answered cautiously.
"I am not getting wound up. But I also do not like secrets. What is on my schedule the rest of the year?" Hanse asked
"Christmas with Archon Melissa and the kids, she should be here next day or so. I leave for home tomorrow for the holidays." Quintus replied
"Nice quiet holiday, I could use the break from the paperwork for a few weeks." Hanse commented
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