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Chapter 25 - This is the Way the World Ends - Wolf Skinners (3024)[]
Predetermined Coordinates
Astrokaszy
16th August, 3024
1236 Local Time
The first hours had gone well. The salt pan handled the weight of the Recovery Vehicle with its overload without difficulty. Climbing up out of the lakebed had been sporty, but Master Truck's route recon was solid. As the recon approached the half-way point, Captain Harris called for the planned halt. "Fire will take overwatch, Recon get some lunch; you have 15 minutes, then we switch."
In the cab of the Recovery Vehicle, Master Truck clapped Sergeant Blu on the shoulder. "You're doin' fine, Blu. Ease her down and take a break. I need a smoke myself."
Ridge Line 2 km SE of the Predetermined Coordinates
Astrokaszy
16th August, 3024
1245 Local Time
"Sarge. Sarge! You gotta see this!"
"Now what, Blaney? You see another albino lizard?" Sergeant Ginevra Mancini grumbled, climbing the ridge as carefully has ten years on Astrokaszy had drilled into her.
Crawling up to the crest next to Private Blaney, she peeked over and asked, "Where I'm looking, Blaney?"
The younger man handed over his binoculars and pointed northwest. "That flat, between those two hills. Looks like the neighbors found something!"
"Holy shit... no kidding, Blaney. Record what you can with these things, and we'll head home after they've left. I can't imagine they'll be happy we know what they needed all those parts for... And just in case I need to say it, stay OFF the radio. We're in EMCON from here until we get home."
That said, she slipped back down the slope, careful not to kick up any dust. Once back at the squad's Swiftwind, she pulled the rest of the squad in and briefed them. The perimeter was tight and the tension high for the twenty minutes before Blaney came slithering down the slope.
With everyone piled aboard, Mancini ordered, "All right Lombardi, nice and easy for the first 10 klicks. Try not to kick up any dust, right?"
"Roger that, Sarge!" Corporal Lombardi said, easing the vehicle around a slow circle and back down the path they'd climbed before lunch. Every crunch of gravel jangled nerves, but two kilometers of broken terrain would mask that sound, right? Right??
Smoke will slowly scan the from the slack position looking for any threats to the cargo.
Predetermined Coordinates
1310 Local Time
Smoke was on the lookout for any sign of the bandits from Al Mazrea. The bastards had killed a number of the unit, and word was out about how their "guest", Lieutenant Commander Fury, had murdered the bandit chief. Who knew how long it would be before they sorted out the succession and came looking for payback? Of course, the last bandit 'mech they'd put down HAD put a laser into Fury's jeep, and it DID catch fire. Maybe they wouldn't be back after all? Who knew? It was better safe than sorry, so Smoke went back to his mag scanners
Wolf Skinner bivouac around WSDS Mondez's impact site
1851 Local Time
Practically the entire unit turned out for the arrival of the convoy. Blu eased the Recovery Vehicle to a halt near the ramp down into the "hangar". With the sun setting, there would be no more work today. The Major congratulated Master Truck on a successful recovery, and the younger Fury was restrained by her mother from immediately climbing aboard.
The wreck of the Ex-FWLDS Condottieri
1927 Local Time
Captain Renzi and his senior officers were huddled around one of the few working displays. The recon squad's binoculars were plugged in.
Though the video quality wasn't great, it was good enough to see the landing craft being moved by the Wolf Skinners wasn't in great shape. Condottieri's Engineer pointed out the damage to the belly, and the lack of landing gear.
"I think I see what they needed those ABTs for." he said. "As small as it is, it'll beat the heck out of tents. Once they get the power back on, of course."
Renzi nodded and replied, "And I think the Medium Laser makes sense too. I don't see any weapons on that thing."
Smoke "Well done Master Truck and Blu, nice move."
So glad we had no claim jumpers on the trip, will stay on alert until told to stand down, because now that we think we are home safe, people might let their guard down.
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JagerMech Heavy 'Mech
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Rifleman Heavy 'Mech
Wolf Skinner bivouac around WSDS Mondez's impact site
1854 Local Time
"Ladies and gentlemen, the perimeter doesn't guard itself. Double watches until we get this thing emplaced, and we need the Jaegermech and Rifleman on watch while all the 'mechs with hands are helping with that in the morning," Captain Harris said over the unit push.
"Roger that, Capt." says Smoke.
To himself "If it did then you would not need me.. I wonder how sensitive I can turn these ground sensors.. because I would hate someone to pull a me, and well do a finders keepers."
Smoke will try turning Kat sensors so maybe he could spot Infantry.. and then snipe them if they get to close
- Wiki Note: Smoke's dialog was written by Doc Agren.