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How did we end up here?
- Chapter 14 -[]
Terran Hegemony Safe House Delta
45 KM from Union City, Puget Sound
Terra, Sol System
22nd February, 3027
As I stepped into the command center of the storehouse, Arai Kasumi, the newly hired lead technician and mechanic, greeted me with a salute. "Ms. Jenskin, good to see you. I have a briefing prepared for you regarding the progress of our restoration efforts."
I returned the salute with a nod. "Thank you, Arai. I'm eager to hear the update."
Arai motioned for me to follow her to the central console, where she began her report. "Firstly, I'm pleased to report that the Wayland Mobile Base is in surprisingly great condition. Our team of technicians and engineers have been hard at work restoring its operational efficiency."
I nodded in approval. "Excellent news. What about the rest of the storehouse?"
"The storehouse itself is in good shape," Arai continued. "While there's been some wear and tear over the years, everything is in working order. The newly acquired Ripper-class VTOLs for troop transport have been thoroughly inspected and deemed fit for duty."
"That's a relief," I remarked. "And what about the Dropship bay?"
Arai's expression brightened. "We've converted it into a barracks of sorts. Drywall has been erected to create individual sleeping quarters for our personnel. It's not luxurious, but it's functional."
I nodded in approval. "Good work. And how is the command center?"
"The command center is also in great condition," Arai replied. "All systems are operational, and our communications network is up and running smoothly."
I glanced around the command center, taking in the bustling activity of my team. "It sounds like the storehouse has been busy."
Arai nodded. "Indeed. We've been working around the clock to ensure everything is in order. The automated defense system has been repaired and activated, with a new IFF program installed to prevent friendly fire incidents."
"That's a relief," I said, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Is there anything else I need to be aware of?"
Arai shook her head. "Not at the moment. We're continuing to monitor the systems and make any necessary adjustments. Overall, I'd say we're in good shape."
"Thank you, Arai," I said, offering her a grateful smile. "Keep up the excellent work. I'll be counting on you and the rest of the team to keep things running smoothly."
With that, I left the command center, feeling reassured by the progress we had made. Yet as I observed the bustling activity in the storehouse, my attention was drawn to Lieutenant Unthers, who was in the midst of a heated exchange with a group of new recruits. His voice carried across the room as he berated them for their lackluster performance.
"Are you lot even trying? My grandma could run this operation better than you sorry excuses for soldiers!" Unthers shouted, his frustration palpable.
I exchanged a weary glance with Arai, who stood nearby. "Looks like Lieutenant Unthers is in one of his moods again," I remarked, sighing inwardly.
Arai nodded, a hint of guilt in her expression. "I may have, um, encouraged him to utilize the new recruits as construction workers for the defense wall and tower," she admitted sheepishly.
I chuckled softly. "Well, at least they're getting some hands-on experience," I replied, though I couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern for the recruits' well-being.
As Unthers continued to berate the recruits, I couldn't help but reminisce about my own military training. I had passed basic training and mech piloting lessons during my time at Sandhurst, but a momentary lapse in judgment had resulted in a catastrophic accident that led to my expulsion from the academy.
Lost in thought, I watched as Unthers' drill sergeant attitude seemed to intensify, his booming voice echoing off the walls of the storehouse. I silently prayed that the recruits would survive his repressed aggression.
Meanwhile, it seemed that Arai's suggestion to utilize the recruits for construction work had been taken to heart by Unthers. With newfound motivation, he rallied the recruits, pumping them up with the promise of being able to sleep in actual beds once the construction was complete.
The recruits, eager to please their commanding officer, redoubled their efforts, working with newfound energy and enthusiasm. It was clear that Unthers' words had struck a chord, igniting a sense of purpose among the recruits.
As I watched the Dropship bay conversion progress at an exponential rate, I couldn't help but marvel at the power of motivation. Arai's suggestion had inadvertently sparked a wave of productivity, transforming the once-empty bay into a bustling construction site.
Despite the chaos and occasional outbursts from Unthers, i leaned against the railing, I surveyed the bustling activity in the storehouse with a mixture of awe and satisfaction. The transformation that had taken place since my chance discovery of the Wayland Mobile Base was nothing short of remarkable.
"Mm, quite the operation we've got going here," I murmured to myself, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
The recruits, once hesitant and uncertain, now moved with purpose and determination, their energy palpable as they worked tirelessly to bring our vision to life. It was clear that Unthers' leadership had made a significant impact, rallying the troops and instilling a sense of pride in their work.
As I glanced over the growing number of employees and the diverse composition of our team, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in how far we had come. From humble beginnings to a thriving organization, we had built something truly special here in the heart of the storehouse.
"Our little band of misfits is really shaping up," I mused, a sense of gratitude washing over me as I reflected on the dedication and hard work of each and every member of our team.
The array of equipment at our disposal spoke volumes about our potential and capabilities, yet I couldn't shake the nagging thought of the one piece of equipment that eluded us – an industrial mech. While it would undoubtedly be a valuable asset for salvaging work, the reality was that it remained out of our budget for the time being.
"Maybe someday," I whispered to the empty air, a flicker of hope in my voice. "But for now, we'll make do with what we have."
As I continued to watch the activity below, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for how far we had come. From a chance discovery to building a thriving organization, our journey had been filled with challenges and triumphs, yet through it all, we had persevered.
With a final glance around the bustling storehouse, I straightened up and pushed away from the railing, a renewed sense of purpose fueling my steps. There was still much work to be done, but my attention was momentarily diverted by the sight of Arai engaging in what appeared to be flirtatious banter with Larry Foulke. Arai's playful demeanor and subtle gestures were unmistakable, yet Larry seemed either too preoccupied or too dense to notice her advances.
"Looks like Arai's laying it on pretty thick," I remarked to no one in particular, a wry smile playing on my lips as I watched the interaction unfold.
Arai, her frustration palpable, continued to flirt unabashedly, her efforts seemingly falling on deaf ears as Larry remained focused on his task at hand. It was a familiar sight – Arai attempting to catch Larry's attention, only to be met with indifference or obliviousness.
"Larry's too busy trying to whip those recruits into shape to notice Arai's advances," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in amusement at the scene playing out before me.
As Larry barked orders at the four pilot recruits, his disappointment was evident when they failed to even lift off from the runway during a simulation. His frustration boiled over into a barrage of colorful language as he berated the recruits for their incompetence.
"Come on, you sorry excuses for pilots! I've seen rocks with better flight instincts than you lot!" Larry's voice echoed through the hangar, his frustration reaching a crescendo as he struggled to contain his disappointment.
Arai, her attempts at flirting all but forgotten in the face of Larry's tirade, watched with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. It was clear that her efforts to capture Larry's attention had been in vain once again.
"Looks like Larry's more interested in training pilots than noticing Arai's advances," I remarked dryly, my voice tinged with amusement at the predictable turn of events.
As the commotion died down and Larry refocused his attention on the task at hand, I couldn't help but shake my head in amusement. It was a familiar cycle – Arai's attempts at flirting were thwarted by Larry's single-minded dedication to his work.
"Looks like Larry's married to the job, or maybe he'd marry a VTOL or ASF before he notices a woman," I quipped, a hint of humor in my voice as I watched the scene unfold before me.
With that I continued to observed the dynamic unfolding between Arai and Larry, my mind wandered back to the moment when our paths first crossed. It was a chance encounter in a dimly lit bar, where I found Larry drowning his sorrows in a glass of whiskey, his demeanor heavy with disillusionment.
I remembered the urgency of the situation, the pressing need for a skilled pilot to navigate the challenges of our burgeoning enterprise. It was in that moment of desperation that I made the decision to approach Larry, to take a chance on someone who seemed to have lost his way.
"I remember the first time I met Larry," I mused to myself, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I recalled the scene. "He was sitting alone at the bar, lost in his own thoughts."
There was something about him – a resilience, a determination buried beneath layers of defeat – that sparked a glimmer of hope within me. Despite the odds stacked against him, I couldn't shake the feeling that he possessed the skills and the fortitude needed to excel in our line of work.
"I took a chance on him, against my better judgment perhaps," I reflected, the memory of that pivotal moment still vivid in my mind. "But I've never regretted trusting my gut instinct."
As I watched him now, fully immersed in his role as a mentor to the fledgling pilots, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Despite his rough exterior and gruff demeanor, there was a sense of purpose in his actions, a dedication to his craft that commanded respect.
"Larry may not be the most observant when it comes to matters of the heart," I thought with a chuckle, recalling his obliviousness to Arai's flirtations. "But when it comes to flying, there's no one I trust more."
In that moment of reminiscence, I felt a swell of gratitude for the chance encounter that had led me to Larry – a reminder that sometimes, taking a leap of faith can lead to unexpected rewards.
Jenskin Salvaging Work - Inventory and Status Report
Circa 3027
Employees: 150
Composition: 20 mechanic, 10 pilot, 50 infantry, 15 technician, 10 driver and gunner, 5 salvaging specialist, 40 support/dependent.
With another 120 in training.
Equipment:
2 Karmov class heavy lift VTOL
3 Ripper class VTOL
1 Wayland Mobile Base
2 Battlemech transport vehicle/transport vehicle
2 J Edgar class Light hovercraft
6 Heavy Hover APC
1 Condor class Heavy Cavalry Hovercraft
Standard equipment for the infantry and guard.
Infantry the elite: Star League era Jump infantry. Purpose escort and protect salvaging convoy and act as a rapid response force using the 3 Ripper class VTOL
Number: 36 men
Normal infantry: the Mauser 960 Assault system and standard medium combat armored. Number present 14 with 60 in training.
Equipment used the 6 Heavy Hover APC and Condor and the 2 J Edgar.
Purpose: Act as guard.
- Author Chapter Note
- If someone wants to calculate the number of money that it will all cost in case I did my math wrong please do correct me.
So I decide to rewrite this please do tell me what you think of it and don't worry Erika will be introduced into