IBC Chpt 11-2

Iron Blooded Commander

- Chapter 11-2 -

Phantom of the SLDF

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Interpreting the needs of the Customer

Phecda Outpost
Phecda, Lyran Commonwealth
3022

A week later, I was relaxing in my new base. Of course I couldn't just 'find' a pristine Colossus in the middle of the tundra with no explanation. So I made one.

The Star League Outpost Phecda 845682-2070. Was my newest trick on the Inner Sphere. Inside was a pristine Colossus and an army of Battlemechs most of them frozen or damaged as the outpost had been damaged at some point leaving one of the walls open and allowing the ice and cold in. Of course the Colossus was on the other side of the outpost and fine, but the Battlemechs suffered some cold.

Not that anyone would mind Battlemechs in nearly perfect condition just roughed up a little in the ice.

It was a good enough explanation that I was satisfied. I watched as my Dropship came down. The Isaribi's fusion plume was bright from where I was, as it came down outside the base. Only my Nightstar giving the Dropship coordinates on where to land. I was staying in here where it was warm though. Slowly some of my techs and even some of the other crew came down to look at what I had found.

The Captain himself eventually running into the outpost only to stare in awe at the pristine Colossus that was now resting in a Dropship bay. Only some time to remove the snow from the surface to allow the bay doors to open and it would be fully ready to fly.

"Commander…"

"Well, Captain. I am going to need some help making sure my kids can fly this beast back to Zaniah. You ever studied a Colossus Class dropships controls before?"

"Never… But I can figure it out."

"Captain, that is exactly what I wanted to hear."

This wasn't a short time task. It took us almost a week to burn away the ice that was covering the DropShip bay and get everything ready.

I had purposefully made it deep enough in the ice and rock that it wouldn't be strange that no one had ever found it before. But in doing so of course I had to report to the 5th.

When Hauptmann-General Aleman stepped into the entrance corridor of the Outpost he really did act as if he was walking into history.

Not long after that, when he saw the Battalion of mechs that my kids were recovering, he looked disheartened. "All of these mechs. Under my feet this whole time."

I stood beside him, watching my kids, mostly just trying to get on their feet and into a mech bay. I hadn't exactly been gentle when I removed the Colossus around them after all. "You know Hauptmann General, I did say I might not be doing you a favor that day."

He blinked looking at me in shock. "You can't be serious."

"I have a lot of mechs but not nearly enough time or people to work on them right now. Transporting them is going to be annoying. I wouldn't mind leaving a few of them here, for your mechtechs to get running… In exchange for some salvage from the battle. Maybe a one to one trade? One of my mechs for the broken ones?"

"What? Why would you offer that? These are working 'mechs. Some of them look like Lostech versions!"

"Because you have been here trying to get that factory up and running without enough help for long enough. How would you feel if the next time the League come here, if they ever do again, they don't face a Lance of work horse mechs, but a Company of lostech machines?"

"You care about this factory that much? I don't believe it. Is this some trick, Or a game? Commander, don't feel much in the mood to be toyed with." The man spoke, sounding frustrated and confused. Well I could work on that.

I rolled my eyes. "Check them over yourself, they are perfectly fine other than the obvious. One of them for each salvaged ;mech you took. Take it or leave it."

"Considering I owe you some of those mechs anyways. I just."

"I intruded on your battle after being warned away, I might have downed those raiders but it's your salvage."

"Fine. Fine. I'll have my men look over some of the mechs… Thank you." Alemen acknowledged.

"I told you I would do you a favor. Now let's talk about this base once I'm gone, because I don't have the time or interest in defending it."

"In that case, Commander, I would be more than happy to take over that duty." Alemen to her.

"I'm glad you are catching on!" cheerfully Vicky told him.

---

Christening the new Ride

I decided to hitch a ride on the Colossus on the way back. For two reasons. One every component was brand new so I knew it wouldn't have any issues on the flight.

Second? There was so much more space! The massive ship was utterly unlike the rather cramped Union. I didn't feel like I was in a submarine any more. The Nightstar locked into the gantry, the Centurion also there, just so it wasn't left behind. That might be hard to explain. And then all the mechs other than those traded away. The salvaged 'mechs were placed into the massive amount of storage space the dropship had and after everything was ready?

Two plumes burst on Phecda's surface. One for my Isaribi. The other? For the massive Pure white Colossus.

I decided to call it WhiteBase.

---

Return to Zaniah

Red Base
Zaniah III, Lyran Commonwealth
3022

Red Base

91 days. That is how long it took just for dropship travel between Phecda to Zaniah. It actually took longer because we wasted a long time trying to get a JumpShip for both dropships.

But then we were burning into the Zaniah atmosphere and I took a long exhale. Finally home. No more Archons. No more ice. The last two planets I had been on had too much ice. It was actually nice to get back on Zaniah where we never had to worry about snow.

WhiteBase landed on one of the Dropship pads I had put into Redbase all that time ago. It was a good thing I had ordered the largest sizes too, because Whitebase still almost didn't fit on the pad. The Captain did an excellent job of landing the colossus on the platform made for it, and I could already see the horde of kids coming out of the base to see the new massive ship we had just landed.

I had of course already messaged Benny and the command staff what we were bringing in, but it was still a shock to see in person.

Once everything was cooled down the massive hangar bays of Whitebase opened letting me see the crowd that was gathering around. I laughed as soon as I appeared. The kids were waving and cheering my return. More than a few rushed up to meet me in fierce hugs. "I missed you all too!" I yelled out.

We didn't settle down. Instead that night we had a party. Everything else could wait. Food and drinks. No alcohol. Because I had put my foot down about having alcohol on a military base, although I noticed that Lenden and Rough squad had their own punch bowls that they were keeping the youngsters away from.

I decided to punish them later. If I remembered.

---

Spies and Betting Pools

It was a fact of Battletech that travel was never a quick prospect. When you pulled all the time I had been away for this one mission, I was gone for two hundred and fifty two days. More than half a year.

So I was not surprised to see massive changes around the base. Benny of course had access to the funds in general, and with the Archon's kind infusion of cold hard C-bills and Kroner, Benny had more than enough cash to get whatever he felt like he needed.

It also helped that I had left him with an army of equipment in the Castle beneath our feet.

He had taken what we learned on our jobs, and had stuffed all the best of the best kids into equipment of some sort. We were long past Battalion size now. I had told him before leaving that once we had spoken with the Archon he should feel free not to hide our Royal machines. Or the amount we had.

Which is why as I looked out the window of our new Command tower that had been installed in my absence, watching Lance after Lance of mechs and tanks travel around the base All of them busy.

"Repair Unit is probably the worst off to be honest." Benny mentioned as we rested up against the center Holovid table while looking out the windows. "They are the only group we can't up jump. While we did get a lot of new recruits, it's not the same as putting a fresh Mechwarrior into a mech. There is only so much someone without experience can do on a mech."

"Yeah. That's why I pushed Gauges schooling courses so hard. It makes it easier to train our people."

"You did that because you didn't want him angry with you." Benny teases, pushing me lightly before nodding. "Not that it's not helpful, but we expanded too much too fast. We have growing pains handling repairs."

"Maybe. Also I know you had, or have a plan Benny what are you thinking?"

"I know you didn't want to, but we should hire some actual Mech techs and admechs. We have the start of a reputation, and having so much high end gear, we won't struggle to get interested techs, everyone wants to work with Lostech after all."

"Brings in a lot of trouble. Some will be spies."

"We already got spies, Commander."

"Oh? Is LIC still bothering us?"

"Yes and no. We think some of them are still sniffing around, but we started tracking a few newer guys as well."

"Well talk to Eris about the LIC guys, and if we have eyes on any others, tell her about them. I'm sure she can have some fun with it."

"Right. Eris… I don't know about this, Commander. Analise or Eris. We knew from the start she was a spy but…"

"Benny, she is one of us now. I haven't told her about everything, and I might not ever be able to. But she is still an Iron Blooded."

He hesitated, I knew Benny wanted to argue. So I waved him on letting him say it. "How can someone we can't trust be an Iron Blooded?"

"Because we live in the real world. Trust is something given, not earned. If we wait for everyone in the world to earn our trust before giving it, then we will never get to trust anyone." Vicky told her XO and friend.

"Isn't that the opposite of what everyone says?" Benny asked

"Yes, it's a shame they are all wrong."

He snorted. "Crazy."

"Maybe, but really. We have to live in the world we are in. Will we be betrayed? Yes. Yes we will inevitably be. There are people out there that will do anything to another human being for money. But our job, no matter how ugly is to be better. Someday, Benny, I will get someone killed because I trusted the wrong person." I prophized

"Commander?" Benny looked at me startled and I nodded.

I shrugged "It's going to happen, Benny. But here is the thing. I would rather trust one hundred people and be betrayed. Then only trust ten, with a better assurance that I won't be."

"You said it before, Commander. It's all about Trust right?"

"That's right! Everyone forgot about trusting each other! So we will teach them. We will do amazing things and they will see us doing it. They will first trust us, and then by learning from us, learn to trust each other again."

"Big hopes, Commander. I don't know if it will happen like that."

"It might not. I might never see it in my lifetime. But I would rather try than simply accept that it won't happen."

"Ugh, too much philosophy for me," Gauge interrupted, walking up to the two of us, pushing me off the Holo table with a squawk. "C'mon enough of this, we need to go over all the new stuff you brought in. I can't believe you went to another cache of equipment without me!"

"It was a spur of the moment thing! Since Aunt Kat-The Archon…" Oh no.

"What?" Gauge questioned

"What did you just say!?" Both boys suddenly attacked me, pinning me against the Holovid table as they interrogated me.

"Nothing! I didn't say anything! I won't tell ever! And none of the crew will either! I swore them to secrecy!" She vividly told them.

Benny was having none of this. Grabbing his radio as he continued to hold my shoulder with the other. "Amarie. This is Benny come in."

(("Yo, Sub-Commander. What's up?"))

"Vicky said somethin interesting. What is this about the Archon being 'Aunt Katrina?'"

(("OH! Shit yeah, I forgot to tell everyone! She-")) Amaries began say.

"NO!" I screamed out struggling. "Traitors! I am surrounded by traitors! My trust is broken!"

Completely ignoring my cries Amarie continued (("Yeah when we left the Triad the Archon herself. I swear this is true. Pulled Vicky in for a hug. Called her 'Victoria' and told her to stay in touch. Vicky called her Aunt Katrina, and the Archon didn't say anything."))

"Oh my god." Gauge muttered. "My bet was wrong. I didn't say anything about being related to the Archon!"

"Fuck me either. I was sure she-" Benny was droning on

"What bet?" I growled, and both boys stilled as my eyes narrowed. Suddenly their hands gripping me were locks for them rather than me. "Did I just hear my cute subordinates making bets about my parentage?"

"No! Not at all!" Benny denied.

"It was Hanna she started the betting pool!" Gauge cracked without regret as he took off running.

Giving me all the leverage I needed to grab my Sub-Commander before he could escape.

---

Soothing Explaination to an angry Governess

Red Base
Zaniah III, Lyran Commonwealth
3022

A week after settling in I was observing a lance on lance challenge. The kids were all in Centurions which had turned into our standard training 'mech, although I did have a lance of Stingers to give all of the kids a mech with jump jets to get used to using them.

Stinger Light 'Mech

Even I had taken one out going through the Jump jet course I had set up. They were incredibly fun, especially on a light mech. Although having discovered my love affair with the biggest of the big stompys I really wanted a Marauder II. Which was like the Biggest brother between the three? I chuckled as I considered the Marauder family and it's weird history.

I of course didn't think about the inbred cousins the Clan versions.

"Commander! Red alert! The Governess is here. She looks maaaad."

I snorted. I had a feeling I would be seeing Governess Alessa sometime soon. "Alright send her through the checkpoint. I know what she wants to see."

I walked down to the entrance of the main admin building. The Hangar entrance was rarely used if you were on foot. The long fancy car that Governess pulled up in was actually more packed than I expected. Not only the Governess, but Arthur, and Vincent, along with General Faulkner who was the one that held his hand out for the Governess to finally slide out. And yep. She was mad.

"Good afternoon, Lady Alessa, what can I do for you today?"

"You can explain why I received a message from the Archon, that not only was 'Redbase' now under your command under the Archon's command, but also the Castle Brian underneath was under your guardianship… I would very much like to know!" Her voice was barely restrained. I could tell she was trying to keep calm, but apparently this was a little too much for her.

"I suppose that is fair, please come inside." I waved them to follow as I entered the admin building heading to the large Elevator I had built up. The five of us slipped in as I hit a button, waited for it to verify that it was someone with permission to go to that floor before the Elevator swiftly descended, barely a sound or a vibration as it moved.

My Guests noticed it immediately. Arthur held his brother back as the younger baron moved to say something.

When the door opened. Well… I had purposefully made this entrance into quite a view.

And a killing field, but that was a different issue.

The elevator opened up to a catwalk that showed the massive mech sized entranceway. Our mechs were actually currently moving through and I let the group see how they were coming down from a mech sized Ramp that circled around form the upstairs hangar down to this room giving mechs access to the Castle Brian

Because we had turned it into our fortress. Five months of me being gone after setting this thing up, and it was now roaring with activity. The repair bays above were rarely used, It was cooler down here and the equipment regardless of how innocuous was better. I had copied all the SLDF tool kits as well after all.

"Welcome to the Castle Brian Red Base."

I didn't get a response at first. The boys were too shocked. The General looked very impressed.

The Governess looked like she was going to commit murder. "This was down here? All this time?"

"Not all of it. The base itself yes, But it was stripped bare. Almost all of the equipment was brought in from another find. And there weren't any mechs down here of course."

"Of course. Otherwise you would have had to report them to me! To your rightful Governor!" She hissed, turning on me and I shrugged.

"I understand why you would think that. That I would betray the trust you so 'kindly' offered me." I stepped well into her personal space now. Thanks to two years of growth, and a full set of my armor I definitely outweighed her, and I was taller even without my boots.

"But do not ever implicate my honor again. There were no mechs down here. Every mech that you see were bought and paid for, or brought over from another Castle Brian. You do remember my visit to League space do you not?"

It clicks in her head then and clenches her fist. "Chasing rumors?"

"Yes. That part was the truth. I was chasing rumors. I just happened to find what I was looking for. I did lie to you about that."

She exhaled as she backed up resting against the guard rail. "I see. Congratulations are in order then I suppose."

"What!? We can't just stop there. This girl lied to us! Kept a Castle Brian from us! Who knows what was down here!" Vincent exclaimed, breaking from his older brother's grip. Stomping up to me. But I never got a chance to say anything, because General Faulkner bodied the younger man. Grabbing him by the back of his fancy vest and yanking him back from me.

The thing is General Faulkner obviously wasn't a soldier, but he was a big guy and Vincent was sorta scrawny.

The younger son let out a squawk as he was yanked back and up into the General's reddened face. "Young Vincent, your manners have left you. Another word out of your mouth while your Mother the Governess is speaking and I will find time to re-teach you your manners."

Vincent looked rather furious, his face reddening to match the Generals. But when he turned to his mother looking angry, her own furious look seemed to cow him for a moment, and it appeared he wasn't stupid.

He nodded and didn't say another word.

"Apologies, Commander." The words sounding defeated came from the Governess.

"Think nothing of it. Our relationship has had plenty of ups and downs… I can understand the frustration." I told him.

Her lips pursed she simply nodded rather than trusting her voice.

"How about we continue the tour, I am sure all of you have wanted to see the inside of a Castle Brian at least once in your life?" And that was how I showed the leaders of Zaniah around Redbase. Although Vincent was sullen, even he could not deny the interest in our mech bay, or the rows of Mech sims.

Arthur for some reason was sticking close to me, peppering me with questions, and talking about how interesting it all was.

Weird.

Arthur also caught on to the fact kids were wandering around in just their Cooling Suits.

The rule for wearing armor wherever you go was strictly when off base after all.

"That's an SLDF cooling suit…" He uttered in shock as one of the trainees walked past.

"It is. We all have them. Why do you think we wear armor in the cockpit? The cooling suit means the armor doesn't heat up. Giving us more protection in and out, while also hiding the fact we are wearing them at all."

Although the Governess seemed aware that they were rare her own curiosity was purely as a civilian. She wasn't a Mechwarrior after all. "Is it rare to put armor on them?"

"Mother! SLDF Cooling suits are reserved for the best of the best. I don't think even the 1st Royal all wear one!" Arthur looked at his mother in shock. I almost snickered, despite being in his twenties it was like a teenager sounding aggrieved that his parent didn't understand his awesome anime reference.

"They do actually. I sold about twenty thousand of them to the Archon while at the Triad." I offered interrupting.

That stuttered the older boy to a stop, his jaw hanging open. "Twenty thousand!?"

"Yep. That was what we had left after we issued them all to all my people… Do you want one Arthur? You did help us out with training after all."

"I… I would love to have the honor." He managed to say with only a slight squeak to his voice and I couldn't help but laugh as I nodded turning the tour towards the equipment room.

"It's a good thing we have the only working factory for them then? As an apology for all the trouble, why don't we supply a Suit and an Advanced NeuroHelmet to you and Vincent?"

Both boys' eyes widened as I revealed that, even the Governess was speechless at hearing about a factory. Even if she didn't seem to get the full effect that would mean.

The General on the other hand? He understood completely, he smoothly cut in. "The young Barons would be honored to receive such equipment, Commander. I am curious about this factory as well. I hadn't been informed of anything of the sort."

"The Archon is aware of it. I'm afraid I will have to stay silent on anything more about it, even it's location. Considering the second batch of equipment is already being prepared to be sent to the Archon, you understand that any leaking of the information would cause trouble."

"I understand perfectly. Is it alright to offer the boys the equipment in that case? If it is bound for the Archon?"

"Not a concern. The production of the suits is surprisingly easy. We have plenty stored as well. All of my kids have one after all. It helps in the Zaniah heat. Not just in a mech cockpit."

"Wait… You said all the brat-kids." Vincent corrected himself, probably realizing he was on thin ice. "Wearing armor has an SLDF cooling suit? I've seen your infantry wearing that armor…"

"Yep. It's good for infantry too. The cooling function is exceptional, especially in the heat here. Plus it has a full seal function with a helmet. Hopefully if we ever have to endure a biological attack it will help."

"That's… A waste. Those are meant for Mechwarriors." He spoke sullenly, although he kept his voice mostly level. It was obvious he was angry but trying to hide it.

"I disagree. They are very functional, and Vincent. My people don't each have one suit." I ended just as I opened the door to one of our storage rooms. This one specifically for the undersuits.

It was full.

Thousands and thousands of Cooling Suits. Lined the room on racks. "Most of my people have multiple in case one needs to be cleaned. They do tend to get sweaty on Zaniah. Go ahead, help yourself find one in your size." I waved the boys in.

Vincent's look of shock was satisfying, but Arthur was capturing everyone's attention as he rushed in like a kid in a candy store and started trying to find a suit in his size.

Eventually both barons received a SLDF Neurohelmet and a Cooling suit, and then I kicked the group out. Even the Governess had to leave my base when I said. It was mine now, Aunt Katr- The Archon said so!

---

Growth and Reorganization

Things came into a comfortable balance over the next month. Training was still the name of the game. And all of my kids got goodies in return for doing well. The amount of little naming ceremonies I went through shot through the roof as I passed out more and more 'official' mechs. The ones that weren't training mechs and were theirs to own.

We went from a Reinforced Lance. To a Company. To a mech Battalion. Within just that month. It wasn't just because the kids were doing well. It was because I wanted them to familiarize themselves with their permanent ride. As I learned, driving a Locust did not give me the experience to drive a Centurion or a Nightstar.

Of course doing so made more work for me.

"Okay so we have the overarching Command as the ISDF. Then first Company the Iron Blooded Orphans." I moved my finger along the board. It was a setup showing the entirety of our "Wait, Company… Battalion? Hell, I suppose we can't call it a Mercenary company anymore."

"We should go with Battalion for now. With both DropShips we could count as a reinforced Battalion, but most of the time we will just be using Whitebase now."

"Okay so the Iron Blooded Orphans, First Battalion." I ran down the line I needed to memorize all of this. "First Battalion. First Company. Would be the 11th. First Battalion Second Company, would be the 12th. Right?"

"Yes, Commander. We are following SLDF conventions after all."

"Okay so 1st Company, or the 11th is made up of 111th, 112th, and 113th Lances."

"No one is going to call your lances that in a few months, Commander. I'm afraid now that you started formalizing things, nicknames are bound to happen." Benny poked fun, but I ignored him. That was just how things were.

"2nd Company, the 12th, Made up of 121st, 122nd, and 123rd. You are in command of the 121st. And Lenden will lead the 122nd. Erica will take over the 123rd."

"Thanks, just what I always wanted to deal with Lenden for the rest of his life."

"Isn't it the rest of your life?"

"I know what I said."

"Dark, but I'll allow it. Okay and then the 3rd Company, will be the 13th. With the 131st, 132nd, and 133rd Lances. Hanna will be the Command from the 131st. And we are still deciding the rest of the leaders."

"Sounds right. You realize the 122nd will be Rough Lance within like a minute of Lenden finding out right?"

"That's inevitable.

Okay so the Org Chart.

The Organization Table for the Iron Blooded Orphans

ISDF 1st Battalion. Iron Blooded Orphans

1st Company 11th
111th CO: Vicky 112th 113th

2nd Company 12th
121st CO: Benny 122nd CO: Lenden 123rd CO: Erica

3rd Company 13th
131st - CO: Hanna
132nd
133rd

Special detachments

101st Home Guard
102nd Artillery Unit
103rd ASF Unit
104th Panzer Battalion
105th Motorized Battalion

Of course Delta Ops wasn't on the org chart. They were a special, special detachment.

The special detachments were still in progress. Sure the 102nd I would be happy to take with me into combat, but the 103rd?

"Hanna is still arguing about being put in charge by the way." Benny told me. Which I couldn't help but groan at.

"Still!? It's been a week!"

"She wants to do her own thing. She was arguing for a Headhunting Lance."

"Too bad. She is the next best leader we have. I know she wants to lone wolf every battle, but that is exactly why I want her in charge, she can't run off on her own if she is responsible for everyone."

"Like you did?"

"I was testing a stealth attack! It worked!"

"You nearly wrecked your lostech machine."

"And that doesn't matter, plus I learned a lot from that fight. Stealth was incredibly effective."

"Sure it is. Surprise is great, but you should have taken Eris with you. She told me that you went out without her."

"I couldn't exactly move in passive mode if she was with me! I had to go by myself."

"And she couldn't have come running when you went loud?"

"Okay okay it happened, I know I know I won't do it again… But I had to know."

"Had to know what?"

"If I could really be a Mechwarrior. Every fight we have been in… I was only a bystander. I wanted to challenge myself. To actually see if I could do it."

"Commander, Your sim scores should tell you that you have what it takes. You aren't that far behind Hanna."

"Only in Accuracy."

"Yeah because accuracy isn't one of the most important things."

"Moving on! Get Hanna on board for me? I know she can do this, and I think it's important to keep her from running off and biting off more than she can chew."

"I will convince her, she is mostly just complaining about it now."

"Good. Good. How is our selection process?"

Benny snorts, as he shakes his head. "Oh it's going alright. You and Hanna have a lot on your plate figuring out who is going to be in your Lances."

"Part of the job I guess."

"Yeah, well the wargames are going well. You will be pleased to note that only five injuries have been reported so far."

"Oh god. Please don't tell me someone broke an arm or something."

"Only one broken bone so far. Catelyn decided she could definitely jump the old ravine. Her Centurion face planted."

"Fuck me."

"Hah! That's the same thing she said!"

"Anyway this will work for now… You know we will have to restructure everything once we get bigger. I can't have you all leading a Company, when we move up to a Regimental command. You will have to take over a Battalion."

"Commander, that's for a few years in the future at best. We need time. But yeah… I know Vicky. We will be ready when we get that big."

"I think so. I believe Benny. I know we are going to shake the Inner Sphere."

---

Oops, sorry I forgot mention this was happening

"Eris… Why do we have a company of men storming my Colossus?"

Colossus Assault Combined Arms Transport DropShip

The woman was already standing out on the dropship pad as the men in LCAF uniforms seemed to swarm the ship. I had been called out in a hurry once an alert had sounded, apparently Eris had allowed men on the base, and it had caused a bit of a fluff.

"Did you forget, Commander? You gave the Archon permission to inspect a Colossus if you found one. The LCAF don't have any functioning, so to see one in working condition could tell us quite a bit."

"Tell them quite a bit you mean, ISDF Lieutenant Eris."

"Of course, Commander Eisen-Blume." She replies, neither of us really believe it.

"And no, I remember that. I was talking more about why they are on my Colossus, on my base. Without me okaying it." I was pretty firm when I gave the older woman a glare. She bowed her head seemingly realizing the error.

"Sorry, Commander. I didn't think it would be an issue. When the inspectors arrived I was already on my way to meet them so I directed them through security. I did let the Homeguard complete their inspections… What little that it was. You realize The Archon has sent security agents as well, to increase security around your base. They are quite… Unimpressed."

"Yeah? Tell them to try breaking in then."

"They already have tried and failed."

"Then there isn't a problem. Next time this happens, Eris. You run it by Command first. You are only a lieutenant. Remember?"

"Yes, Commander."

"Good. Benny will have some work for you then. I think he wants someone else to run around with the recruits for a few days. Should give you time to think about this."

The woman actually looked rather unhappy, as she nodded, with pursed lips. "Understood."

"Good. Now I need to keep these guys from putting their dirty hands on the insides of my ship. Hey! Get your hands out of that!" I screamed as I rushed over.

---

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