.png){kind=link}
<<Next Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
Chapter 24 - This is the Way the World Ends - Wolf Skinners (3024)[]
Outlying Landing Field Skinner
Astrokaszy
16th August, 3024
0632 Local Time
Today was the big day. Major Skinner was staring at the ceiling of his quarters at the OLF. The digging had taken longer than planned, but Master Truck and Sergeant Blu were confident they could move the derelict landing craft to the crash site without further damage. Prying himself out of bed, the Major stumbled into his bathroom to begin his morning ablutions. Only two of the officer quarters at the facility had their own heads, and his was one of them. Another six had jack-and-jill arrangements, while the rest and the enlisted quarters had communal heads.
By 0700, the Major was eating breakfast, such as it was, in the mess hall. He could have eaten his MRE in the conference room, or his office, but they only had coffee machines. And with coffee restricted to the tiny packets in the rations themselves, there was really no point. While he ate, he took in the mood of the crew. They seemed generally upbeat, and only a little impatient to get started. Both sentiments were appropriate, he thought. The delays with the digging had been necessary to make sure the roof over the craft would be structurally sound, but that didn't make them any more bearable to those exposed to Astrokaszy's harsh climate. The rotations between the OLF and the crash site had spread out that exposure as equitably as possible, but that still meant the former DropShip crew spent more time in the climate controlled OLF than tents at the crash site. There was an undercurrent of resentment there, but none could argue with the necessity of operating the OLF's systems and the crew's expertise.
After a quick tour of the hangar bay and final face-to-face with Master Truck, the Major headed to the Bridge. When he arrived just shy of 0800, the main screen was showing Master Truck finishing up the safety brief down in the hangar.
"... and remember, we're in NO hurry. If you see something start to go sideways, don't hesitate to call it out. This hunk of junk is IRREPLACEABLE. We can afford another hour or two on the road to make sure nothing happens to it. All right, any questions?" the senior Sergeant finished.
Outlying Landing Field Skinner - Hangar Bay #2
0758 Local Time
"Okay Master Truck, now what the plan if this operation get bushwhack while we are in motion?" asked Smoke.
"I mean are we tied to close support of this beautiful craft or can we maneuver and engage if need be? This an't the first wagon I have had to escort, but might be the 1st one that needs such close support from me and Kat not that I'm as feared, but I rather keep us all above snakes."
"Well, Smoke, that's more Captain Harris' lane than mine, but I'd say your job is to make sure it doesn't get shot. If you need to maneuver to make that happen, do it." Master Truck said, looking around for a more senior MechWarrior. "In fact, I think I'd rather you drew fire in some other direction entirely, but that's just my opinion.
Up on the Bridge, the Major keyed his mic and said, (("Sergeant Jenson, the tactical briefing will be conducted by Captain Harris once you mount up. As you know, we'll be taking two lances on this trip, along with the APC for close security."))
Several troopers looked around as the Major's voice boomed over the loudspeakers in the hangar bay.
"Only for loading and unloading, Smoke." Master Truck said.
"Cool Master Truck," said Smoke as he walked away "better then the original plan that needed hands on to move."
0820 Local Time
With the landing craft securely loaded on the recovery vehicle, Captain Harris briefed the other seven MechWarriors of the escort. Both the Recon and Fire Lances had been detailed for the duty.
"By the numbers, people. Recon has the flanks at half a kilometer while Fire covers ahead and behind at 200 meters. If we run into bandits, Recon will pursue while Fire defends and provides long range support. The truck will stay in motion, though it may adjust course to avoid trouble as best as possible. Master Truck has checked the route several times and believes the terrain can support the weight. Any questions?"
"Capt, me and Kat will take slack if there no objections." said Smoke.
- Wiki Note: Smoke's dialog was written by Doc Agren.