Extra long November 3106 with pieces from marauder648, James Tanaga... and me
Anderson Station (Olympus-class Research Station)
Sigma Mare, Andurien Commonality
Capellan Confederation
5th November 3106
There was a small gathering on the gravity deck of the Olympus-class Recharge Station, Anderson Station, in the Sigma Mare system deep inside the Capellan Confederation. Among the guests was Chancellor Dao-Shen Liao who looked very bored listening to the engineer who was explaining what was happening. “As you saw earlier at this station we have built the lower half of the vessel while in the Conquista system the rest of the ship has been built. Between our two systems we are building two ships at the same time Conquista building the top sections while we build the lower sections.”
“Very interesting” the Chancellor said dryly he wasn’t entirely sure shy he was here if he was honest. Suddenly off the bow of the space station a JumpShip flashed into the system and quickly dispatched two DropShips one a Behemoth while the other looked like it carried some sort of Tug attachment. It took the two ships approximately thirty minutes to approach the space station when they did the tug approached the lower half of the space station while the Behemoth held off opening its cargo bay to space while mechanical arms inside the ship slowly moved the top section of what appeared to be a Lung Wang-class DropShip out of it’s first bay. As the Chancellor watched the partially completed DropShip being moved out of the ship the Tug reappeared pushing the lower half of the Lung Wang. The lower section was expertly moved into position underneath the forward section and Dao-Shen Liao could see engineers scrambling over the hull connecting the two sections together.
“The connection process takes approximately a day and a half.” He said confidently as the engineers worked quickly over the hull “the ship will then be fueled and loaded with ammunition and will be ready for service within a couple of days.” The engineer said as another Tug appeared moving another section of DropShip into position as a second nose section was pushed out into space this time it was a Celestial-class Pocket WarShip the Chancellor could see the difference in the hull shape. “In the Celestial’s case she will also need aerospace fighters but in all intensive purposes both of these ships will be ready for service tomorrow afternoon.” The engineer promised surprising Chancellor Dao-shen Liao.
“How long to build them?”
“Approximately two months to build both ships because we are only building half of the ship here we can concentrate on completing those sections while Conquista can build the control sections. Both stations build weapons into their individual sections while the reactors are not brought online until the ship is fully completed. If we had an ammunition station in system both vessels would be ready for service and fully armed within two days.” He said deciding to push his luck a little further “if there was a second station in this system and another in the Conquista system then we would both be aple to purchase attack DropShips independent of each other.
“Of course” the Chancellor said watching the DropShip come together in space. “What about quality control if the ship is not powered before it is completed how do you know the systems work?” The Chancellor asked
“We run the ship’s systems from the station during station. Each section is fully tested in the cargo bay on this station. There will be a twelve hour testing period tomorrow before they are shipped out.”
“Impressive” Dao-Shen Liao said one of the Capellan Confederation’s greatest restrictions was they only had two construction facilities for WarShips. Compared to their neighbours the facilities in the Confederation couldn’t keep up with production. However if they were able to build dozens of “Pocket WarShips” perhaps they could flood the space with combat vessels to overwhelm the larger WarShips. “I am going to transfer a Wing of the Hell’s Black Aces to this system. Their job will be to extensively test each of the DropShips that you pass on your quality control.” He said “should they pass our requirements I will pass funding for an ammunition facility to be built in this system so you can complete the vessels here.” He said “however if they fail you will…”
“I understand” the engineer said leaving Dao-shen’s point unsaid.
“You and your people have served the Confederation well and if your progress continues at the pace currently seen then perhaps we will approach your idea about a second station.” He said showing that he had heard the engineer’s idea.
Lyran Counter Attack
Elba, Inarcs Theatre
Lyran Commonwealth
8th November 3106
A counter-attack launched by the Fourteenth Lyran Guards RCT and several small mercenary commands finds that the Stone Spirits have stripped their holdings to the bare minimum defences with Elba and Lushun being quickly overwhelmed by the Lyran’s front line unit. Unfortunately their victory comes at a heavy price as the Stone Spirits Bonaventure-class Corvette jumps into the system almost ontop of the LCS Arthur Steiner-Davion while it charged its K-F Drive. In close the Bonaventure is able to cause crippling damage to the Arthur Steiner-Davion even as the Fox’s autocannons, missiles and support vessels breach the Stone Spirit vessel’s hull.
Stone Spirit ground forces follow the Bonaveture into the systems and land on both Elba and Lushun causing heavy damage to the Fourteenth Lyran Guards RCT causing enough casualties to make the unit combat ineffective. Although the Lyran High Command are displeased at the loss of another WarShip and at the casualties the Fourteenth had suffered they are pleased that Elba and Lushun are again Lyran holdings as it shows the public that the Stone Spirits can be resisted.
Kaumberg Theatre Militia Rapid Response Unit
Champadanga, Kaumberg Theatre
Lyran Commonwealth, Inner Sphere
11th November 3106
Kommandant Kelly Varnay looked through the binoculars as the Stone Spirits unloaded from their two Overlord-C DropShips on the tarmac below the mountain she was on. Judging from what she saw, she and her battalion were facing roughly two trinaries of heavy and assault BattleMechs, a trinary of armor, and a mere star of Elementals. She knew the Spirits had a Carrier DropShip containing a full star of aerospace fighters in orbit guarding their Invader-class JumpShip.
“Just confirmed it, Kommandant, those’re the Spirits Eleventh Assault Cluster,” Staff Sergeant Brian O’Malley quietly reported to her. “They were last reported on Kwangjong-ni by the Second Dismal Disinherited mercenary unit when they were buggin’ out.”
She gave an absent nod letting the Staff Sergeant know she heard him. “If they’re here, I’d bet my entire savings the Spirits be hitting Niangol and Krung Thep right about now, if they hadn’t done so already.”
“My thoughts as well, Staff Sergeant,” she replied back, not taking her eyes off the Spirits. “Doesn’t make sense why they are pushing this deep though,” she muttered a second later.
“They’re clanners, lass. They don’t exactly follow the norms, you know,” he remarked back. “They find a weakness and they be exploiting it and damn the consequences.”
“No. Their push is different. More methodical, more precise then it should be,” Kelly surmised as she pulled the binoculars away from her face. “Much more so. Hitting our border units with overwhelming fire power. Crippling the counter-attack at Elba but when they could destroy them they leave the unit, and system in our hands, before hitting our supplies on Millerton and mauling up the Ninth Commonwealth Guards before withdrawing. And now they’re hitting us here.”
“You think the bastards be planning something major, lass,” Brian asked.
“I don’t know, Staff Sergeant. What planets can they want and realistically strike and hold,” she asked as she continued to look down from her perch in the mountain.
“The Dismal Disinherited retreated to Baryshevo. The Obsidian Lancers Brigade have been posted there ever since the mess on Lost,” Brian suggested. “Could be the Spirits decided enough’s enough and’ll be making an example out of them.”
She shook her head. “No. If that was the case, the Eleventh Assault would have shown up there, not here.”
“Loxley,” he asked her, causing her to shake her head again. Loxley a contributer to the Lyran Commonwealth’s defence and it was a stepping stone towards a strike at Coventry.
“The Spirits have to go through Baryshevo to do that or risk five mercenary brigades in their rear. Or at least deploy one of their WarShips there to keep the mercs pinned planetside, yet they haven’t done that yet. And again, doesn’t exactly answer that cluster’s presence here.”
“Maybe Kaumberg, lass,” the older Staff Sergeant suggested a long moment later, causing her to turn and face him. “Just saying capturing the world be a nice catch for the Spirits. ‘Specifically with Rim Motors now on the planet and building it up.”
Kelly snorted at that, but didn’t say anything as she turned back to face the Stone Spirits below. Rim Motors very recent purchase of Wechsel Royal had been a small scandal, up until the Spirits started their blitz, the Rim Collection’s investment on Lyran soil had been big news in the Periphery theatres. She doubted the Spirits were that stupid it was too far out of their way, she judged. “If they weren’t going to Loxley, not hitting Baryshevo, and likely not hitting Kaumberg, where did it leave for the Spirits to go,” she asked out loud.
“Alarion maybe, ma’am,” Private Nicole Von Neidmann, a scout sniper posted nearby, inquired, causing Kelly to turn to her. She remembered the sniper was an Alarion native.
“Come on, lass,” Staff Sergeant Brian O’Malley sneered at the younger woman. “You can’t be that stupid can you? The Spirits can’t hit that deep.”
“With respect, Sarge, they could. You forget the other periphery units were pulled out to hold the Falcons at Arc Royal,” was the younger woman’s prim response.
Before the Staff Sergeant could say anything, Kelly decided to end the discussion.
“Whether or not the Spirits are pushing to Alarion is above all our pay-grades, Staff Sergeant, Private,” she reminded them. “Staff Sergeant, head back to HQ and fire up the mobile HPG. Let High Command know an Elite Stone Spirit cluster just landed and ask for instructions. Let them know we plan to somehow keep them here planet-side.”
The much older Lyran soldier looked like he might argue with Kelly, but thought better of it. “Right-o, lass. Just get back to base before sundown. I hear Eric and North are’a making some mean jambalaya,” he winked at her before getting up, leaving Kelly with Nicole and her fellow sniper, Bao.
“Pig,” Nicole commented underneath her breath. Kelly shook her head as she once again studied the Stone Spirits down below the mountain. Minutes passed before Kelly heard the still quiet male sniper sigh softly. Turning her attention to him, she noticed Nicole was motioning him about something.
“What is it,” she asked.
“Nikki here wants to know why you chose us, ma’am,” the quiet man asked, causing Kelly to glare at the two of them for a moment, before turning her attention to the Spirits.
A moment passed as Kelly decided whether to tell the two. “The FedRats have long memories,” she informed them sighing.
Nicole looked lost, but Bao nodded wisely. “Guessing when you were promoted, it was either us or a desk job,” he guessed quietly.
Kelly nodded absently. “I wasn’t even a year old when my father decided to launch his coup against the First Prince. Yet that didn’t stop him from exiling myself and my mother,” she remarked quietly to herself. “And now, I am blacklisted in the Lyran military, all because of my last name and who my father was.”
Kelly felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she looked into Boa’s brown eyes. “We are lucky to have you with us, ma’am,” he remarked to her. It was then she noticed she was crying softly.
He turned his head slightly downward. “And I think now is the time to prove to yourself you aren’t your father,” he noted, nodding to where the Stone Spirit DropShips lay. No armor or Mechs were around them, Kelly idly noted after looking through her binoculars.
Laying them down, she got up and grabbed her Mauser laser rifle. “Thanks, Corporal,” she remarked a smile on her face as she left the two snipers to continue their surveillance of the Stone Spirit DropShips.
Snow Raven Assault
Suianheer, Tabayama Prefecture
Midway Military District, Draconis Combine
12th November 3106
As Snow Raven ground forces burned towards the planet’s surface the Constellation, Clan Snow Raven’s newest WarShip and the first of her class, moved towards the two defending WarShips. In the command centre Star Admiral Martin Lankenau watched as the Corvette and Destroyer moved towards the Raven ground forces and aerospace fighters from both sides engaged. “Let us gain their attention, the Corvette first” he commanded as gunner stations on the bridge lined up the six hundred-and-eighty thousand ton vessel’s weapons on the enemy WarShips.
“Sir, our ground forces are leaving the WarShips engagement ranges the only way they will be able to hit them now is if they are willing to risk bombarding the surface.” One of the bridge crew announced.
“Understood” Lankenau said as the Constellation’s forward array of naval lasers and light repeating naval gauss rifles engaged the enemy WarShips he was glad to see that most of the gauss rifle slugs slammed into the Inazuma smashing through its armour and into its internal structure causing enough damage for the lasers to finish off the Corvette. “Have our DropShips remain close to us until we close on the enemy.” He ordered as the Constellation turned.
“Sir, ground forces have engaged the Fifth and Sixth Midway Regulars on planet.”
“Very good inform them we will have air superiority within the hour.” He said as naval autocannons, particle cannons and capital missiles struck the Constellation as the enemy Tatsumaki II, the DCS Onami turned on the Snow Raven vessel.
“Incoming brace of capital missiles fired from assault DropShips!”
“Point defences! Release our DropShips and have them kill the launching vessels.” He commanded watching the wave of capital missiles approaching the the Constellation. From around the Constellation the four Arcadia-class DropShips charged down the enemy vessels one of the capital missiles locked onto one of the Arcadia’s striking the small vessel resulting in an immediate nuclear explosion. “By the Father” Lankenau remarked seeing the explosion “roll us to port bring the broadside in line with the enemy DropShips ignore that Tatsumaki.” He commanded as the Constellation’s thick anti-missile defences cut down the enemy capital missiles “to all of our DropShips ordinance from Constellation down range.” He commanded hoping his warning would ensure no friendly DropShips were destroyed by the Constellation’s broadside. Naval lasers cut through space cutting into the enemy vessels knocking three out of space allowing the Raven DropShips to deploy their ProtoMechs onto the hulls of the enemy vessels.
With the Constellation turned towards the DropShips it had allowed the enemy Tatsumaki II to close unleashing its full firepower on the Frigate’s nose as it passed by. Explosions rippled across the Constellation’s hull as armour and weapons were destroyed by the destroyer’s flying pass. “Pivot the nose away weapons stations fire at will on enemy vessel.” He commanded as the Constellation’s nose dropped down away from the enemy target the two ships continued to exchange fire. Weapon fire continued as the destroyed moved past the frigate the smaller ship trying to turn to keep its nose on the Snow Raven vessel as gauss rifle and laser fire tore through its armour.
“Their hull is breached in several locations” one of the Raven bridge crew announced looking at the enemy vessel’s sensor image “they cannot sustain much more damage.”
“Offer surrender they do not need to die today” Lankenau said even as weapons fire continued to be exchanged between the two naval titans but Lankenau’s offer came too late as the Tatsumaki II’s hull cracked open after sustaining another barrage of naval gauss rifle fire.
On the ground three clusters of elite Snow Raven warriors fought against the two DCMS line regiments pushing them back over and over again. With the Ravens securing the space around Suianheer Raven aerospace fighters soon dominated the skies around the DCMS ground forces staffing defensive positions breaking up each attempt by the Midway Regulars to hold their ground. In the space of six hours all ground and space resistance was over and Suianheer was a Snow Raven holding.
Elsewhere the second Constellation-class Frigate was taken over by its new owners members of Clan Coyote. The frigate and a Drake-class Corvette would be traded to the Coyotes in exchange for vehicles, Mechs and a Potemkin-class Troop Cruiser which would allow all of the Raven ground units to be full mobile.
Kaumberg Theatre Militia Rapid Response Unit
Champadanga, Kaumberg Theatre
Lyran Commonwealth, Inner Sphere
17th November, 3106
Kelly Varnay watched in the small view screen in her helmet as she watched a trinary of Stone Spirit battlemechs begin loading up in one of their DropShips. Two she noticed stood guard outside. It was time, she decided to herself.
“Ferret Lead to all Fesnyng units. Let’s go hunting,” she ordered through her radio. Soon, she could see the accurate fire from all four of the Marksman artillery tanks in her unit began raining down on the two DropShips as she pushed her Wolfhound forward, leading the rest of her unit down the mountain.
Within minutes, they had reached the spaceport, where mangled Mechs were lying, just as the artillery from the four Marksman finally ended. The twelve Lyran light BattleMechs quickly terminated the remaining six damaged Mechs as the Cavalry VTOL helicopters hovered overhead. Another five minute passed before both DropShips were under their control. “Call in the Prime Movers, Hamilton I want you to look out any local civilian transport we need to maximize what we can remove from here. Grant, get the DropShip crews out and set the charges I want us gone before anyone else arrives.”
Just as quickly as they came, the Lyran irregular militia left moving back into the Fesnyng’s secret base in the mountains just as both wrecked DropShips exploded from the charges they had left inside them. The damage the attack had done was enough it had caused the Stone Spirits to decide that Champadanga was too much trouble for its worth leaving the Kaumberg Militia Rapid Response Unit in charge of the planet. Combined with the attacks on Elba and Lushun the Lyrans had again proven that they could resist and push back the Stone Spirits unfortunately it seemed the pirate clan continued to have fight in it.
Unfortunately even as the Lyrans celebrated pushing back the raiders once more a Stone Spirits showed why they should be so feared. The flagship of the Stone Spirit force the General Stuart, an ancient Aegis-class Heavy Cruiser along with a Samarkand-class Light Carrier attacked and caused heavy damage to the LCS Morgan Kell, a Hyperion-class Heavy Cruiser, in the Elume system. The Morgan Kell was able to withdraw to Elume’s orbit and link up with aerospace assets from the planet’s surface but the Stone Spirit attack showed the clan raiders would strike wherever they saw a threat.
SLDF Observation Post
Devil’s Rock, Star League’s Protectorate
24th November 3106
Alex stepped into the room near the wall Adam looked out the window watching their target through a pair of binoculars “where is Morgan?” she asked
“On the phone to command” Ralph said
“Again?” Alex asked “they are going to tell him the same thing.” She said sinking into one of the chairs.
“Didn't hear him last night, Alex, it might have been the drink talking but he wants to go. Seems like he’s willing to accept anything” Adam set not moving from the window watching for signs of wanted criminal Bobby Winchester.
“He won't leave he is his father son, 50 C bills he stays” Alex said pulling out a bill putting her money where her mouth was.
“I'm my father son, you’re a daughter of Terra, and Ralph well Ralph exists. I'll take your money you're on” Adam agreed
“I'll take some of that action” Ralph said handing over his own Bill just as Morgan stepped into the room.
“Morning boss” Alex said greeting an unshaven Morgan Christifori “anything new from command?” she asked hoping that maybe someone had decided to preach the Prochnow settlement.
“Negative we're to continue to observe” he said sounding resigned to the fate.
“Get your new assignment boss?” Adam asked continuing to watch at the window Alex shot the man an annoyed gaze not wanting the idea in their commander’s mind.
“They said I can have a transfer” Morgan said bringing a shocked look from Alex and even a glance from Adam before he looked back out the window. “But” he continued “they said you guys couldn't come with me and I've have to join a garrison unit for a bit until they sorted out where I belonged.” He explained “so I said I'd stay put. They did say that my next assignment would be one that I could get my arse shot off and are you could all join me” he announced with groans from them all money was exchanged between Adam and Alex “to stay or go” Morgan asked
“Always stay boss” Alex replied with a smile pocketing the cash.
Trade Mission
Tukayyid, Clan Space
Inner Sphere
31st November 3106
A quick shake of the head cleared the faint lingering nausea from the aftermath of the jump across the light years. “Status” Captain Julie Leitner called out
“We’re here Ma’am, holding steady at Nadir point, 2.5 million clicks from edge of…Status change! We’re being actively targeted.” Her executive officer Dastan Buckley warned.
“Steady Mr Buckley, its just the security patrol.”
Captain Leitner sat back in her chair, adjusting the straps so they were no longer biting into her right shoulder. A glance at the sensor display told her all she needed to see, still she was irritated at the rather young helmsman who had only joined the crew three weeks ago when Nikki came down with ‘a bout of shore leave’ and had to be left behind.
“Four other Jumpers at the point, we’ve got a dropper inbound, she’s locked onto us and hailing.”
“Put him through.”
The display screen flickered slightly and the image of a stern faced yet young looking man, dark skinned with his hair in loose bangs appeared.
“I am Star Captain Miles. State your purpose in this system.”
‘Always so formal’ “Well met, I am Captain Julie Leitner, Commander of the JumpShip Pot Luck. I am carrying two DropShips with cargo for Tukkayid. We are expected.”
“Confirmed” he said a moment later “your vessel is on the roster for this week’s list of arrivals. Hold your position and await boarding and inspection. If you launch any DropShip or small craft we will fire into you.” With that comms shut off.
“Are they always like that?”
“Hah, no, he was being polite! The Ebon Guard are a very professional bunch, when they come over, do NOT piss them off, they are very trigger happy with their stunners and most of ‘em could kick your ass before you could say ‘I was only jokin’.”
“But you heard the man, station keeping, don’t move us a meter, let the DropShip crews know that they have an inspection coming.”
“What about their Captains?”
“We’re all vets here; they already know what’s coming.”
What was coming was a three hour long wait as the Clan DropShip a sleek black and silver vessel first docked with another JumpShip, a small Scout type ship, its DropShip proudly baring the orange and red rock symbol of Valdez Heavy Industries. Only when Captain Leitner had dozed off in her chair did the docking alert sound. A small shuttle was clamping onto the dorsal airlock, the craft was painted black and silver, just like its mother-ship.
“Okay, game faces on people! Attention all hands, we’ve got a customs crew on board, all crews are to report to the grav deck and for god’s sake, come unarmed and bring your bloody bio-metrics with you! I don’t want a repeat of the last run here Steven…”
Most of the crew were already lounging on the Merchant’s small grav deck, a few running off back to their cabins to get their bio’s, small chips that acted as a universal passport, and far harder to forge or crack and edit.
The Captain and her XO though met the Clan borders at the airlock. As it cycled open a heavily armoured and armed man stepped through, well, ducked in through the airlock, carrying a big ass assault laser rifle, imposing as all hell in his black armour. Another Elemental entered and then they stood aside as another Clanner stepped onto the deck, it was the dark skinned man from earlier.
‘So damn young...’ he could not have been more than twenty years old, but he carried himself with the air of an older, more experienced veteran.
“Star Captain Miles, welcome aboard the Pot Luck.”
“Captain Leitner, your vessel has been in this system eight times in the past four months, so you know the procedure.”
Julia smiled since the Solaris Agreement Tukayyid had been opened to trade the Sea Foxes hated the Inner Sphere and actively tried to purchase goods at local Inner Sphere trade points in an attempt to stop the traders coming here. Each encounter with the Ebon Guard was the same she should be used to this by now but inwardly she sighed, even the customs and staff at New Avalon were not as anally retentive as the Clanners. She’d met one of the Clanners on three trips they KNEW each other by face and name, but every time it was 100% professional, not going through the motions or just winging it. Every check was deadly serious. She handed over the inventory detailing the two attached DropShips cargo, as well as a full manifest of the crews details, that held their history for the past year.
Whilst this was going on a slimmed down quad battle armour clanked its way out of the shuttles airlock moving on magnetic claims, a potent looking array of sensors on its back.
“That’s new.”
“Aff. It will aid in the inspection.”
“I spotted; you spent three hours on that Scout, that’s a new record.” Captain Leitner said, smiling lightly before mentally kicking herself for trying a bit of humour. The humour landed with all the grace of a falling Atlas and the three Clanners remained stony faced and stern looking.
“Aff, we are working to improve efficiency.”
“Excellent! How long do you think it will take for this inspection to be complete?”
“No longer than five hours.”
‘FIVE ****** HOURS!?’ Leitner exclaimed in surprise “that is not too bad” she conceded covering quickly
“Aff. Please stand aside Captain.”
Whilst Clan DropShip and JumpShips didn’t have to go through the intense customs investigations, Spheroid visitors to the Tukkayid system, no matter who and what went through the same thing. The Clans were very careful with visitors coming to their new capital world. Every DropShip was escorted down to the surface by Aerospace assets, if you diverted from your assigned landing corridor you could expect a shot across the bow. Failure to return to course meant destruction moments later.
Spheroid DropShips landed at a spaceport far away from Andrey City, itself a fortress before your cargo was checked AGAIN but this time in the unloading. Usually taking another few hours whilst the Clans checked the orbital manifest with the one on the ground as well as running another bio scan of passengers and crew. Even leaving your ship was escorted all the way back to the JumpShips and the aero’s didn’t leave until you jumped out again.
The Battle armour turned out to have some kind of active probe and it was able to maneuver in zero-g thanks to thrusters along its legs and feet whilst the dozen Clanners on the shuttle went through the manifest, checking the crew, their background and history with a fine tooth comb.
Still the view from orbit was magnificent. Julia had been down to the planet twice and she could see the shipyards churning out DropShips and JumpShips, the off limits slips where WarShips were made as well as conglomerations of orbital factories. The city of Andry itself was laid out in the same shape as the Cameron Star with the Hall of the Khan’s at the centre along with the massively fortified genetic repository. The city was an avatar of Clan aesthetics and as one visitor had called it ‘a triumph in minimalist design’, white and grey stone or gleaming steel and glass buildings flanked wide roads whilst trees from worlds across Clan holdings as well as ancient Terran Oaks were dotted along the side of the roads whilst parks and artfully crafted water features helped beautify the city. Statues were present aplenty, three statues of the Kerensky’s formed the main entrance to the Hall of the Khan’s whilst a fourth, more abstract one was said to represent Alexsandr Kerensky’s wife. Still this was something that Spheroids rarely saw, this was the Clan’s city, diplomats and trade envoys were permitted but merchant ship captains. Certainly not.
But Captain Leitner would not be going to the surface this week. No for her it was a case of sat in orbit, enduring close passes by Clanner Aerospace jocks and DropShips whilst waiting for the slow process of unloading to finish. ‘Fun times’.
