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Chapter 99 - A Long Journey[]
27 June 2788
Terra (Terran Hegemony)
"The 79th and 123rd Mechanized Infantry Divisions are no longer a threat. The fighting was heavy, but we have the area secure now. The 13th Royal Infantry Division took heavy losses, but prevailed in the end. All the troops of the 79th and 123rd are being held in detention camps until we deport them, per our agreement." Major General Lauren Hayes reported
"Excellent work, General Hayes. I am sorry that it had to come to this and I know it must not have been easy for you or your troops to fight your own." Jerome Blake replied
"It was very unpleasant to say the least. I have authorized the 13th to rebuild using the equipment from the 79th and 123rd. I have the exact numbers if you would like them." Hayes said
"That is your department, I trust your judgement where that is concerned. Is everything ready for the final part of the operation?" Blake questioned
"Everything is ready to go. I have the 112th Royal Hussar ready to move to Caph, there is so much there that we should remove, we might not get it all." Major General Hayes said
"It is a risk we will have to take, they have twelve days from the time they land to grab what they can and get back here. We cannot risk any more time than that." Jerome Blake replied
"Very well, twelve days, I will give the order to the assigned commands to head to their targets now. I also want to begin loading the personnel from the 79th and 123rd along with their families for their journey. The longer my troops have to guard them morale will start plummeting, I want to put this chapter behind us quickly." Hayes said
"Our agreement stands, any that wish to go, may go. Those that wish to remain will receive full pardons and Terran citizenship. You handle the details, Lauren, they were your troops once." Blake told her.
"Thank you, sir. I will get the ball rolling quickly." Hayes said as she signed off.
She turned to Colonel Tamara Washington and said "Get the ball rolling quickly, Tamara. Make sure the goods are packed and locked away securely. Bring me the codes when it is done and I will send them to Mitchell and have them hand delivered. We are going to enact the plan we discussed on the way down here, have the 112th hit Caph, grab what they can in those twelve days, get it loaded up. Four Star Lords, one for the 112th and three for the cargo Dropships. Three ships will head for Imbrial via empty systems, the fourth comes back here, tell Colonel Wolson to be selective of what comes back here and what he takes with him. Do we know where Mitchell has his ships parked?"
"He has them located at Delphos just a single jump from Imbrial." Colonel Washington replied
"At least he is not keeping them in Imbrial for the DCMS to destroy. The 112th and the three ships with him go to Delphos then. I will make sure Mitchell knows he has a relief force inbound to Delphos in case he needs and extraction mission." Major General Hayes said