Later…
“There have been a shitload of complaints from civilians in the DeepDowns and the Low End, Colonel.†The tall heavy set man in the oh so stereotypical trench coat and cheap suit of a detective was saying as I walked in. I stifled a chuckle; this guy should meet Leo Devalis sometime.
“Well Magistrate O’Connor if you have questions about how the Training Battalion is being run; here is the man in charge.†Sam Winters pointed me out. The Chief of Police for Landing turned to look at me with appraising but tired eyes. Before I could speak he chuckled.
“So you’re the one who’s got the pipers playing at all hours of the morning, picking fights with every gangbanger they can find?†He asked a hint of a grin on his face. “Been a while since I’ve seen System D in action.â€
I chuckled myself; if he knew the term…
“What unit?†I asked.
“The 83rd Infantry Division, a long, long time ago.â€
“So how’s the crime rate in the Downs?†I asked.
“Oh, hell you wouldn’t have asked if you didn’t all ready know.†He shrugged. “Way the hell down, son your merry little elves are sweeping the streets clean…but you’re makin’ some folks nervous.â€
“I’ll see what I can do about the pipers, but System D in general?†I paused and he grinned nodding.
“That’s all I ask, Major.†O’Connor turned to Sam and nodded his leave.
The man himself looked up at me and grinned.
“Well…?â€
“It’s working, boss, and try Training Regiment, mostly infantry but I’ve got some good prospects for the ‘Mech’s, in three months they’ll be ready for some low intensity field work.†I smiled with pride, Truk, Johnny Zazula and Scott were working them like little bitches and despite that the dropout rate was damned low.
“How are you fixed for equipment?†Alex asked from his seat in the office’s lone couch.
I shrugged. “Not so bad but not so good either. Plenty of basic infantry gear but little in the way of heavy weapons, mostly fifty year old Davvy hand me downs, comm systems are good though; AFFS standards…transport and a few AFV’s from the Chesterton Dragoons, they think we’re cute.†I growled that last, but I was getting tired of General Makepeace’s condescending attitude towards my collection of riff raff, pirates and Capellan scum; as he put it.
I looked up then with a smile; “The First Prince sent us two bonuses though…didn’t expect either. It seems he’s routing some of the SLDF troopers he’s been recruiting to me, some kind of special project…†My mind drifted back to the conversation I’d had with our new liege during our trip…. I didn’t like keeping things from Sam and Alex, but my orders were for the Baron Gilmour, not the Major Gilmour if OPERATION CRUCIS were to bear fruit it had to be kept quiet.
“B?†Al looked at me curiously. I shook myself and grinned sheepishly. “Sorry guys playing fast and loose with the photon budget.â€
Sam snorted; “I know that feeling, welcome to the club…so what was the second thing?â€
“A battalion of medium and light ‘Mechs mostly Phoenix Hawk-D’s, Shad’s and Wasps all old school but still, better than what the Dragoons handed off on us.†I’d said it off hand, but the look of shock on their faces was comical.
“How many from the Force?†Sam asked carefully as I poured myself a cup of coffee.
“Nineteen ‘Mech jocks, and almost two hundred techs, armor crews and infantry troopers, more importantly a large percentage of them are experienced noncoms.â€
Sam smiled sadly then… “So when are you leaving the Tigers?â€
I sputtered out the mouthful of hot java, burning my tongue.
Huh? Years later Sam and I would chuckle about this day, as Sarah said I really am clueless.