"Sir, I feel that the warriors in my trinary will want to know why we are in such a hurry to get this completed, surely the conquest of a small backwater planet should not take any more preparedness that what we are already at."
"I agree with you Star Captain, if we were just attacking some small backwater planet, we would already be prepared enough, but the orders I received have us hitting a system on the Lyran side of the truce line."
"Lyran side? Has the grand council already voted to repudiate the truce?"
"Aff, Star Captain, the truce was thrown out last week. We are to make a lightning strike into the Lyran Space before word gets out to there possible reinforcements. Right now, intelligence has us attacking a world defended by two regiments of mechs and fighters. We will receive confirmation of the defending force right before we make the jump to the system. Now if there are not further questions, this conclave is adjourned."
Knock, knock, knock "Come in Point Commander."
"Sir, I am here representing my point on a petition for us to be assigned to the command star as your personal guards."
"Really, point commander, do you think I am either too old or too young to be able to take care of myself?" "No, sir, we respect your abilities as a warrior, but since all of the warriors in my point have seen battle versus the warrior of the inner sphere, we thought we might be able to help you with our knowledge of their tactics "Now commander, while it is true that I have not seen battle against the armies we are about to conquer, I am not a complete eyass in these matters. Kael Pershaw has seen to it that Elizabeth, Michelle, and I have been skilled in the tactics of our enemy. As a matter of fact, my previous mission for the Watch was centered on Solaris VII. Having spent three months fighting there, I feel I am more than competent in the federated commonwealth's ways of war." "Aff, sir, I have read your file. I know all about your visit to Solaris. I also seem to remember something about you actually meeting Kai Allard Liao." "Aff, I met him, albeit very briefly. He carries himself with much honor. I almost wish I could have fought him just so I could have him as my bondsman. He would make a great addition to the warrior ranks of our clan." "As you say, sir, he would make a great addition to our clan. You might actually be able to fight him if he is recalled because of the renewed invasion." "I sincerely hope so, commander, I really do. Now if that is all, I would like to get back to my work." "Aff, sir, what about my request?" "Yes, I almost forgot about that. I will grant your transfer to the command star if you give me your rede that your star will not act as personal guards in battle." "I will give you that rede Star Colonel. I also promise that my warriors will not let you regret your decision." "Aff, almost forgot to tell you that you have a female elemental that is looking for you. She was on the dropship that brought me to this planet. She seemed to be in a hurry to meet you, so I will let you go now." "Aff, sir, I think I know where I can find her."
"Ok, you freebirths, we only have three days to get all this equipment loaded onto the dropships, so from now on, everyone is on a 24 hour schedule on orders from Star Colonel Mattlov." "Star Captain, the armor replacements are loaded, what do you want put on the ship next, food or the crates of spare weapons?" "Put the weapons on first, we might now have enough room for them if the food goes in first." "Aff, sir, we should be finished with that by 23 hundred hours. We can start loading the food immediately after that." "Aff, sounds good. Since we are not set to load up the mechs until 1500 hours tomorrow, once you finish the food, have your crew take half the remaining time to rest. I want to get started on the mechs by at latest 1200 so make sure the are all back by then." "Aff, sir, they will be back by then. If you will authorize the use of the elemental stars for cargo duties, we might be able to have everything including the mechs finished by 1200." "Ok, tell the point commanders to order their men to help you on the duty. If we get all of this finished early, we might be able to lift off a day ahead of schedule." "Aff, sir, if we have any problems, you will be in the command depot, quiaff?" "Aff, the Star Colonel has ordered all of his officers to report for a briefing for a couple of days. No telling what this one is about."
"The reason I called you all together is to release the final intelligence on the first planet in this assault series. The codename for this planet is Cyrix56. The latest intelligence report from our operatives on planet is that Prince Davion has just reinforced the strength of the defenses. Three days ago one regiment each from Erandi Lighthorse and the Northwind Highlanders landed to reinforce the Federated Commonwealth regiment already on planet. All enviromental variables for the planet are well within acceptable ranges so all should be set to 100 percent of effectiveness for a terran class planet. First and Second Trinarys will attack the the largest continent with the objective of takin the planetary capital and 2 of the 4 largest cities, Third will attack the spaceport on the antartic ice cap, Forth and Fifth will be held in reserve to assist first and second. Should we run into any interference from Steel Viper, the highest ranking warrior left will challenge their highest ranking to a trial of possession for the current objective. I do not expect this to come up because of the mutual non-aggression pact I have worked out with the commander of the Viper forces. I know that many of you do not hold the Viper forces in very high regard, but if this mutual pact works, we might not have to worry about them attacking any more of our worlds or trying to challenge us for every world across the truce line. Complete information is within the packets now being handed out by first trianary's elementals. Now I yield the floor to Star Admiral Chis Folkner for him to give you the plan for jump and landings."
"Ok, mechwarriors, we leave in 10 minutes. Anyone not on the dropship gets left behind on this one. Do not even think about tempting me on this one."
Twenty-Four hours later "All passengers strap yourselves in the jump sequence has commenced. Estimated 5 minutes till hyperspace entrance." "Daemon?" "Aff, Michelle?" "I was just wondering what has been bothering you the last couple of days. I have missed us being together in our beds. Do you no longer wish to couple with me?" "Neg, has nothing to do with you. I just can not get it out of my head that I may be sending men to their death in an unknown land." "You usually get this feeling, quiaff? Every time something major comes up you start questioning whether you are doing the right thing. This almost got you killed or worse in our ToP." "Aff, I know, just something different about this one. I have pretty much gotten used to the feeling before battles with other clans, but I think it is fighting this unhonorable foe that has me at my doubts. At least I have not gotten sick, yet." "You getting sick before battle could be the best thing to happen to this cluster. I remember that the day of your final bloodname trial you were so sick you could barely walk. I have never seen a warrior fight as good as you did that day. Even our house leader told me that before you returned from killing Glayson." "Aff, I remember that day. I hope I do get that sick this time Smiles"
