The Quest

[Dave Talley]

the SgtMaj is overdue for a promotion, but the only rank that would be an upgrade would Brigadier Gen as far as the amount of things he handled and coordinated.
Or they can just make his unofficial title official, Lord God of Training

[Daryk]

I'm just glad to know Scott got word of the raid in Great Gorge... their reckoning is coming...  >:D

[2ndAcr]

 24 February 3057
           Layover

  Harry Mitchell was on his way to Pattonsburg, from Demeter the jump path just happened to take him thru the Layover system. While his LF Monolith was recharging it's drives, Harry took a shuttle over to Salvatore's yard complex, they had 6 yards in operation, but once he landed on the shipyard and headed for the control section, he looked thru the viewing window and saw 2 Vengeance Dropships being built in the shipyard. As he approached the command section, a short slightly chunky man appeared.

  "Gerald Fontaine, you must be Harry Mitchell of Mitchell Aerospace. I am operations manager of Salvatore Inc's orbital yards. Welcome aboard sir."

  "Call me Harry. How are you folks liking the shipyards?" Harry asked

  "Sir, these shipyards are outstanding. A single Vengeance used to take us 6 months to build. Now this yard can build 2 of them in a months time." Gerald replied

  "Your not building just Vengeance are you up here?" Harry asked

  "No sir, I have 2 yards dedicated to Vengeance production. 2 yards are building Gremlins and the last 2 yards are building Lee's. The ground facilities are slower but we have 20 Gremlins, 20 Lee and 20 Pentagon Dropships being built on the surface. We have another 40 production hangers on the surface being refurbished right now and should have them online in another 4 months time. Not since the Star League collapsed has Salvatore Inc had their entire operation on the surface in full use. I understand they intend to use 10 for Gremlin and the other 30 for Lee production. Damn Lee's take 8 months each to build on the surface but the workers do not have to be as skilled as working in Zero-G.

  We have even had to expand our supporting industries to keep pace with our expansion. Lucky for us, the FedCom put up the additional cash to assist in all the expansion with some very low interest loans. Last I heard, we expect to fuly pay off the loans in 3 years time. My orbital division is currently the primary cash cow all because of your shipyards. After expenses, and your slice of the profits, we profit almost 250 million C-Bills per month." Gerald explained

  Harry had checked what Salvatore was paying Mitchell Aerospace per month and was surprised to see it was on average 110 million C-Bills per month. Since he had nothing better to do all these months at jump points, he had spent quite a lot of time studying Mitchell Aerospace financials. He had been shocked to fins that Mitchell Aerospace had almost 521 billion C-Bills in the bank. Monthly deposits were huge:

  Challange Systems/Jalastar Aerospace- 195 million C-Bills every 6 months on average
  Salvatore Incorporated- 110 million C-Bills per month on average
  Clyde Shipyards- 135 million C-Bills per month
  TAG- 88 million C-Bills per month

  That was just the partnerships in the Inner Sphere. He knew most of the cash in the bank came from Mitchell Aerospace's first AFFC order, that alone was almost 600 billion C-Bills. Right now, the partnerships were their main cash supply of Mitchell Aerospace. Harry had asked Prince Victor why the AFFC had not placed any further orders for warships from MAS, and had been informed it was because MAS could build the damn ships faster than the AFFC could train crews for them. They needed some time to get ahead of the curve so to speak on manpower. Prince Victor had promised that when the AFFC placed an order within the next year, it woud be a big one.

  "I am pleased to see our partnership is working out for us both Gerald. How about you give me a tour of your operation, I have some time to kill." Harry said, but his mind was working over time on the companies cash hoard and what to do with it.

  Mackolla

  Most of the refits of the MDF fleet to LF batteries had been completed. The Boss had not wasted any time and was already starting construction on the 3 Victory Class Cruisers. Scott had run the numbers and knew they had just enough trained personnel to fully man the 3 Victory Cruisers and an additional 3 Buford Corvettes. Scott had told the Boss to build the 3 Buford's. That would exhaust their trained warship crews. Scott was already mulling over in his mind about faxing New Avalon for another shipment of AFFC retiree's.

  Boss had also informed Scott that the personnel transferred from Bamburgh were coming right along in their hands on training in the shipyards and factories. The main saving grace was the shipyards massive amount of automation. But for the first time, every shipyard and orbital factory was fully staffed and even had personnel left over. To continue their training, Boss had another 4 LF Monolith's being assembled in the yards. George had for once complained about the huge stockpile of steel on the planets surface, so Scott allowed the Boss to use the 2 extra large unpressurized shipyards to each construct a Olympus Recharge station for Mackolla's Nadir and Zenith Jump Points. At least they could double as maintenance facilities for MDF's dropships and Patrol Corvettes.

  The Bamburgh personnel sent over for military training, 5500 of them, were broken up into 5 Marine Regiments, one would be configured with 4 Battalions of 256 men for deployment with Nighthawks, the other 4 were configured to be deployed in 28 man platoons or by the company. One Marine Regiment was already slated to be dispersed on all the systems shipyard and orbital factories. Honos had some Elementals assisting some of their Marines in training them. 3 of those Battalions would deploy on the Victory Cruisers when they were finished in about a years time. The new Marines would finish training near the end of the year and would be the most experienced new Marines the MDF had fielded to date.

  Craig had approached Scott and informed him they could easily refit the 36 recovered Highlanders to the Clan version Highlander IIC in addition to refitting the 36 recovered Shootists to use Clan double heat sinks and convert their weapons to Clan spec. It would vastly improve both Mechs performance. But, for once Scott held back, he currently did not have the pilots to even man them. The refit/production platforms were working on the last 15 Omni-Mechs that would bring Honos' Cluster to full strength and fully outfitted with Omni-Mechs.

  Scott knew he had no choice and would send a fax to New Avalon requesting more personnel. I sure hope Quintus Allard told everyone how they staffed the MDF from personnel leaving AFFC service in addition to the extreme security checks performed before he retired.

  New Avalon

  Marshall of the Armies Morgan Hasek Davion had finally put the finishing touches on the new rapid deployment task forces Archon Prince Victor Davion had requested. The RDF's would be made up of and based at:

  1st RDF (Tsitsang)
  6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT
  2nd Ceti Hussars RCT
  6 Lee Mech Dropships
  12 Lee Armor Dropships
  12 Gremlin Dropships
  2 Intruder BA Dropships (256 man)
  4 Pentagon Assault Dropships
  1 Vengeance Dropship
  6 Mule Dropships
  8 LF Monolith Jumpships

  2nd RDF  (Anaheim)
  4th Donegal Guards RCT
  8th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT
  6 Lee Mech Dropships
  12 Lee Armor Dropships
  12 Gremlin Dropships
  2 Intruder BA Dropships (256)
  4 Pentagon Assault Dropships
  1 Vengeance Dropship
  6 Mule Dropships
  8 LF Monolith Jumpships

  3rd RDF (Robsart)
  20th Avalon Hussars RCT
  3rd Ceti Hussars RCT
  6 Lee Mech Dropships
  12 Lee Armor Dropships
  12 Gremlin Dropships
  2 Intruder BA Dropships (256)
  4 Pentagon Assault Dropships
  1 Vengeance Dropship
  6 Mule Dropships
  8 LF Monolith Jumpships

  He felt this would allow a substantial response to any incursion along the Tuarian border region from the 2nd and 3rd RDF, while the 1st RDF would be in the middle of the Sarna March and able to rapidly deploy to any threat in the region. His only current concern was the lack of warship support for the RDF's. He penciled in next to each RDF 3 Buford Corvettes equipped with LF batteries and possibly a Carrack Transport for each RDF, if he got the Carrack's he could remove a Monolith from each RDF along with 4 Mules.

  In response to the large pirate raid on Great Gorge, Morgan Hasek Davion had shifted 2 Invader Q-ships to the region.

  Sian

  Kai knew he faced a hard task and had already relieved 4 Regimental Commanders, 14 Battalion Commanders and 30 Company Commanders who refused to accept the fact that they were NOW friends with the Federated Commonwealth and the AFFC. It had really hurt his command structure, but it had to be done. The CCAF had to come to the realization that this was the new CCCAF and new Capellan Confederation. Friends with the AFFC, not enemies.

  The repatriation of captured personnel and equipment during the short war was slowly gaining speed with AFFC ships assisting Capellan ships in transporting the personnel and equipment back to Capellan territory. AFFC troops were still occupying Capellan worlds, but Kai knew they would leave the moment he requested it. McCarron's Armored Cavalry had accepted Chancellor Candace Liao's offer and officially joined the CCAF and had been given Menke as their landhold. Kai knew getting them to make the transition of not hating the AFFC was going to be a hard, long task. But his mother had made it very clear to Colonel Marcus Baxter that they had better face the new reality very quickly and that any hostile actions against the AFFC or FedCom territory, she would allow the AFFC to use whatever force they deemed necessary in retaliation. Colonel Marcus Baxter, who's men had already faced orbital fire, did not relish the idea of being on the receiving end of it again.

  Cooperland

  Kraznovoy Devonich was already planning his next raid on the Federated Commonwealth. But this would be riskier as he had heard of the large amount of warships the AFFC used in their war against the Capellan's. This tempered his planning some. His only good thought was he suspected those warships were still on the Capellan front even if the war was over. This time, they would raid Broken Wheel to put them further from the Capellan border with the goal of raiding the Quickscell factory their.

[Daryk]

Nice update... I'm wondering how long it will be before the licensees start building additional shipyards themselves...

[cklammer]

 Krazy Dev will have an interesting (in the Chinese meaning of the word) surprise coming up quite soon, I guess. I for one am quite looking forward to that  :))

 As for the licensees: supply and demand. Five-ten years from now, the shipyards will do no good if there are no orders for new construction coming as the older classes of drop ship will have been phased out from the AFFC and will glut the civilian and/or merc dropship market segments.

 I am sure that after hundreds of years of warfare the FedCom has a massive maintenance backlog on all of their space-based infrastructure and space ships so OTOH, all these nice new expensive AFFC dropships need maintenance so space-based drop-ship yards at nodal locations will be needed as well as defense and/or recharge station infrastructure construction may be a segment that can be shifted to at a large scale.

[2ndAcr]

 1 March 3057
         Tharkad

  Regent Katherine Steiner Davion was hosting a major meeting involving every company in the Lyran half of the Commonwealth that builds Jumpships or Dropships and one company that wanted to get into ship building. Early February the plans, designs and programming for all the recovered shipyards and orbital factories had arrived on Tharkad. The same style of meeting was also taking place on New Avalon. CEO's of all the companies were waiting on the meeting to begin, attending were:

 Bowie Industries
 Defiance Industries
 Nashan Diversified
 Ioto Galactic Enterprises
 Lockheed-CBM Corporation
 Semier Data Tron
 Shipil Company
 TAG

  Everyone stood when Regent Katherine Steiner Davion entered the conference room. "Please be seated everyone, this meeting will not take long I assure you. Also, before we begin, I want to remind you all that what is about to be discussed is classified and there will be no negotiations involved. This is a take it or leave it offer.

  Now, let's begin. I have called everyone here today to announce that the Federated Commonwealth government in cooperation with Mitchell Aerospace and Shipyards is making available the designs, plans and programming for the advanced shipyards and orbital factories currently being used by several companies in the Suns half of the Commonwealth along with TAG here at Tharkad. I am sure you have all seen TAG's operation as you arrived in the system. Mitchell Aerospace and Shipyards has agreed to allow the widespread licensing of their designs and production facilities across the Commonwealth. MAS has also agreed to lower the licensing fee's for everyone to 10% of the profit on EVERYTHING built in their production facilities or their designs." Katherine paused as some grumbling occurred around the large table "If you do not want to take part or disagree with the terms, you are free to leave the room. This is a one time offer folks, it will not come around again."

 She paused to allow the assembled CEO's the chance to leave if they so desired. Not a single one made a move to leave.

 "I am sure TAG here can fill everyone in much better than me that you will be a fool to not take this deal. The production facilities are classified above Top Secret folks, so strict security will be maintained at all times. We have all the proper forms for everyone to fill out. I will now turn the meeting over to my husband Galen Cox who will handle the proper security briefing, get everyone's signatures and escort you all to pick up everything you need to begin upgrading or building your new facilities. Thank you everyone for meeting with me today."

 With that, Regent Katherine Steiner Davion left the meeting room to attend to other matters of state.

  New Avalon

  The same scene and speech was being held by Archon Prince Victor Steiner Davion only most of the attendee's were already a part of the MAS family. Attending the meeting were:

 Challenge Systems
 Clyde Shipyards
 Dynamico Limited
 Federated-Boeing Interstellar
 Jalastar Aerospace
 Kathil Shipworks
 New Syrtis Shipyards
 Salvatore Incorporated
 Universal Air

  But there were a couple of surprise CEO's in the meeting also and it was obvious to everyone that they felt very insecure here on New Avalon. Discussions with Harry Mitchell had been tough, but Prince Victor had finally been able to persuade Harry to allow these guests to join the family, so to speak.

 Aldis Industries
 Tengo Aerospace
 Rashpur-Owens Incorporated
 
  Chancellor Candace Liao and Kai Allard Liao had promised that the security of the advanced facilities would be maintained. Rashpur-Owens Incorporated would be taking over running the Necromo shipyards. Prince Victor had approached Chancellor Candace Liao about as a way to foster some goodwill between their 2 nations. All of the CEO's already a part of the MAS family were extremely pleased hearing that MAS was reducing their take of the profits to 10%.

  Terra

  Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht had been hand delivered a message from Harry Mitchell and Mitchell Aerospace by the Federated Commonwealth's ambassador. He had already viewed it, but now he had to meet with Primus Sharilar Mori to get her permission to accept the deal. Once he was in her office, he watched her expression as she read the message.

  Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht,

  I have received word that we have recovered the Black Lion Battlecruiser and that it is now jump capable and ready for transfer to Comstar hands. You promised us normal salvage pay for our assistance in this matter. In lieu of C-Bills for the Black Lion, we would like all the design specifications for the Titan Dropship and engine design specs along with any special tooling needed to place it back into production.

  In addition, we have recovered a Aegis Cruiser which will soon be jump capable. I offer this to you in exchange for all the needed equipment and material to assemble a working Mech production facility with 2 lines. The lines must be capable of producing Star League era Battlemechs. I await your answer which can be relayed to me thru the AFFC.

  Harry Mitchell, CEO Mitchell Aerospace and Shipyards

  When she finished reading the message, she looked up. "Is he for real? What do you think Precentor Martial? Is it worth it?"

  "The design specs and such for the Titan Dropship is well worth the Black Lion. We have the information needed. As to the mech production facility for a Aegis Cruiser, I think it is also worth it. We have quite a few mothballed facilities we have not yet placed back into production. We could easily dismantle 2 production lines from one of the mothballed factories. All of the mothballed factories are capable of Star League production levels and technology. I know we have 1 facility that will need a massive overhaul to bring back online and that it would almost have to be dismantled anyway to properly conduct the overhaul." Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht said

  "We would be handing over technology of an advanced nature to someone outside of Comstar." The Primus replied

  "Primus, every nation already has the technology available to them. Granted, the mech lines would be capable of much quicker production levels, but I feel the trade is a good one." Focht answered

  "Okay, make the deal Precentor Martial. Don't give them the best stuff though, make sure the 2 lines are the worst ones we can find." Primus Mori agreed

[Daryk]

Hmm... "worst ones we can find" sounds like a challenge... I'm torn between the Champion, Thorn, and Bombardier...

[2ndAcr]

 Nothing about getting design specs for actual mechs, just the machinery to build a mech on an actual assembly line.

[Daryk]

Ah, ok... I'm sure Craig can get them fully up to spec in short order, then... :)

[2ndAcr]

 Now we see if Comstar makes a oops like they did in 3039 arming the Combine with advanced equipment. Maybe forget to completely purge the computer systems. LOL

 Actually, I have made some really great Bombardiers when using Clan Spec weapons. Even using IS weapons you can make some nice ones by downgrading the LRM20 to LRM15.

[Daryk]

Heh... still leaves the Champion and Thorn on the lemon list... :)

[2ndAcr]

 Wonder just how complete Kerensky's people were in scrubbing certain designs from the Armaris Empire. There is a certain one I really, really love.

[cawest]

i just wonder what Blackwell is going to be able to do.  they do make small craft.  they might be willing to add dropships to there sale list  >:D

[Icerose20]

nah, Comstar will probably give them something they can use as a one for one replacement for thier non frontline units.  Something easily produced and equipped with existing FC logistics.  Something similar to a Shadowhawk 2D2.  Consdiering how many garrison formations are in the FC, this will help immensely.  If VSD says they are not top of the line equipment, Comstar can say that in the Battle of Tukayyid, we had alot of info on rate of varoius designs, and by our own calculations this design is great for you garrison forces, and it will be lighter on your balance, blah, blah, blah. 

[snakespinner]

With the CC being given shipyards, I wonder if wolf's dragoons will also be looked after. :thumbsup:

[2ndAcr]

  15 March 3057
        Pattonsburg

  Harry Mitchell was given a tour of the campus of Mitchell Institute of Space Sciences by Dr Garcia and was amazed at how large the campus had grown. The campus covered over a 2 square kilometers of ground and the dormitory area housed thousands of students. "Dr Garcia, you have worked miracles here. Exactly how many students do we have enrolled right now?" Harry asked

  "Thanks Harry, currently enrolled is 31,000 students with the following listings, we just graduated a large class of students:

 Jumpship Pilot Course- 1400, 757 in 2nd year (300 graduate June 3058, 457 graduate Jan 3059)
 Jumpship Navigator- 800, 525 in 2nd year (200 graduate June 3058, 325 graduate Jan 3059 )
 Jumpship Engineer- 1200, 785 in 2nd year (300 graduate June 3058, 485 graduate Jan 3059)
 Space Crewmen- 4200, 1991 in 2nd year (891 graduate June 3057, 1100 graduate Jan 3058)
 Dropship Pilot- 1150, 675 in 2nd year (300 graduate June 3057, 375 graduate Jan 3058)
 Dropship Engineers- 1100, 720 in 2nd year (300 graduate June 3057, 420 graduate Jan 3058)
 Ship Construction- 6800, 1975 in 2nd year ( 850 graduate June 3057, 1125 graduate Jan 3058)
 Factory Worker- 6200, 2900 in 2nd year (1100 graduate June 3057, 1800 graduate in Jan 3058)
 Salvage Course- 1380, 750 in 2nd year (350 graduate June 3057, 400 graduate Jan 3058)
 Aerospace Tech- 2275, 980 in 2nd year (400 graduate June 3057, 580 graduate Jan 3058)
 Loader Mech- 680 (680 graduate Jan 3057)
 Space Port Worker- 3800 (3800 graduate Jan 3058)

  As you know we just graduated a large class and the new hire all went to Demeter on your orders, but as you can see, in a few month I will have another graduating class even larger than that one. I think we are hitting the upper limit on how many we can teach though. Our current yearly tuition stands at 1,065,000,000 C-Bills. Our operating budget is currently at 575 million C-Bills. We have a faculty staff of 1,300 instructors. Total employed by the school are 3700. We make a profit, that is for sure." Dr. Garcia said

  "Damn, this thing just took off. Outstanding work Dr. Garcia, outstanding. Some of the pressure is off us at Mackolla, I gather a bunch of folk came over from Bamburgh and have been doing hands on training there and for once all of our manufacturing is fully staffed. Next graduating class of new hires also goes to Demeter. I am going to put some yards in place there for actual construction. Salvatore is going to produce 2 yards for me and Mitchell Interstellar will transport them to Demeter. We will then expand our operation at Demeter using those yards. Not sure if I will put warship construction in place there, but we will churn out some standard Jumpships and do some serious maintenance and refit work there. Now that I have authorized the FedCom's to release our tech wholesale across the Commonwealth, I am not sure what will happen." Harry said

  "Well, for one thing, all those shipyards and such is going to put a strain on our recruiting some. Every manufacturer will be clamoring for the graduates here." Dr. Garcia said

  "That they will. One thing we have going for us, is salvage operations. We are still the king of that area. When I get back, I am going to make sure we are set on that front. Sooner or later a bigger dust up is going to occur and I am going to make sure Mitchell Salvage is prepared for it. No one really hires salvage techs but us. I still have months of travel to work out the kinks and such." Harry said

  "So, what else has happened down at Mackolla Harry?" Dr. Garcia asked

  "We have grown by leaps and bound Doc. We can build just about everything down there now. Heck, we even hand build Clan Omni-Mechs, but I just got word back that we will now be in the Mech production business for real. With a real assembly plant. We got real ex-Clan scientists back home now and they work magic. We make our own Battle Armor of sorts, a light suit. I bought 300 suits of the standard BA from Albion Advanced Technologies and Products, and I will let them pull a few apart and we should be able to make them down there. I also got word that we are soon to be in the tank production business too. Hell, it is getting hard to keep track of what all we build and don't build." Harry said

  "Well Harry, you have said it before, it has been one hell of a ride the last ten years or so. Let's go grab some dinner and you can bring me up to speed for real on all the excitement and stuff." Dr. Garcia said

  Mackolla

  Scott had received word from Harry about Comstar accepting the trade and all the details of the trade. Well, that is good, the Aegis Cruiser was only a week away from Mackolla. I can send them both back at the same time. Scott thought to himself. So we get a for real mech production plant, Craig will love that, but I think we need to send that to Bamburgh. We have way more people over there. We have the tank plant being built in one area, we put the mech plant in another area. 

  Scott was still awaiting word from the AFFC on new personnel.

  New Avalon

  The request for personnel for the MDF was met with some confusion. It took Quintus Allard a trip to New Avalon after being summoned for consultations to sort it out. It was then realized that local recruitment for the new 6th Davion Guards RCT must have hit the MDF garrison harder than expected. But it did not take long to sort out. Luckily, the Department of the Army and Navy had continued updating MIIO on AFFC personnel leaving service, since no one cancelled the order to do so. Messages were sent out and responses came back in. Within a week they had culled the responses focusing on planets 5 jumps from New Avalon to link up with the circuit to Crofton.

  Mechwarriors- 286
  Aerospace Pilots- 185
  Mech Techs- 186
  Aerospace Techs- 152
  Space Crew- 1174

  Scott had not requested any infantry or armor crew personnel, so those were left out. It was decided to send the requested personnel with new AFFC crews being sent to Mackolla. The AFFC had enough crews ready for possibly 9 ships so they would be sending 2700 crew personnel to Mackolla anyway for hands on training. It was then decided to make sure those crews had something to pilot so a order was made ready for Mitchell Aerospace for construction. 2 days of consultations with the Navy and things were in order and the fax sent to Mackolla.

  To: Leftenant General Scott Mitchell, commander Mackolla Defense Force
  From: Quintus Allard

  Sorry about the delay my boy. Seems they did not realize that you got raped in the recruitment process for the 6th. Following personnel will be at Crofton July 3057 for transfer along with AFFC crews.

  Mechwarriors- 286
  Aerospace Pilots- 185
  Mech Techs- 186
  Aerospace Techs- 152
  Space Crew- 1174

  Also, resume production of remaining previous contract. We have the staffing getting sorted out now. Remaining contract is:

  2 Invader Q-ships
  4 Buford Corvettes
  18 Patrol Corvettes

  Come visit me soon Scott.

 Q


   24 March 3057
          Mackolla

  Scott received the fax from New Avalon and smiled on reading it. Good old Quintus, I miss the guy. Scott made a call to the Shipyards. Boss answered "Yeah Scott, what can I do for you?"

 "Resume construction on the remaining ships for the AFFC contract soon as you can. You remember the count right?" Scott ordered

  "Of course I remember the count. I can even tell you when I will have the entire order completed. I do keep a running list of what needs to be done. I will have the Patrol Corvettes completed 1 July 3057, all 18 of them,4 Buford Corvettes completed 1 June 3057 and the last 2 Q-ships done 1 May 3057. This is not my first rodeo, plus I have all of my stuff fully staffed for once. I can churn these out in no time at all. Now George will complain that I am using too much material when just a week ago he was bitching about me not using enough material." Boss replied.

  Scott was a little amazed "The entire order? In less than 6 months time?"

 "Yes, Hell, I only have the Victory Cruisers in construction. And we already completed maintenance on everything in system. The Aegis arrives in 2 days, so I have some maintenance to do on those ships, but I have 12 ship yards idle right now. The Buford and Q-ship will be in the 500k yards and I will use all 6 250k yards to do the Patrols. Easy." Boss said

 "What about the cores, I expected those to slow us down?" Scott asked

 "I have all the jump cores already built and in transport containers for safe keeping. I never stopped building them." Boss said

  "Okay, I will reply to New Avalon with a ETA, be listening for the scream." Scott said

  29 March 3057
        New Avalon

  Field Marshall Steiner burst out laughing when she saw the look on Marshall of the Armies Morgan Hasek Davion's face as he read the fax from Mackolla she had handed him. He could not help but smile in return. "We should have expected it, tell them to proceed and they once again outproduce our ability to man the damn things. Tell the damned navy they better order some way bigger ships next time. Something that takes some time to build for Christ sakes. At least MAS is giving us upgraded ships on the Buford's. LF batteries on them."

[2ndAcr]

 1 April 3057
       Mackolla

  Brigadier General Honos was preparing for the war game exercise against the 6th Davion Guards RCT. His Cluster was fully outfitted with Omni Mechs and his current TOE was:

 Command Binary
 Summoner D (Honos)
 2X Summoner
 2X Kingfisher
 5X Heavy Hover APC
 125 Conventional Infantry

 Alpha Trinary (10X Fenris, 5X Ryoken)
 Bravo Trinary (10X Ryoken, 5X Fenris)
 Charlie Trinary (10X Summoner, 5X Kingfisher)
 Delta Binary (50 Elementals)
 Aero Star (10 Stuka K5bC)

  He still had another 400 Conventional Infantry and 100 Elementals without any suits, there were another 118 Elementals that had been placed in the Laborer Caste prior to their capture he could pull if he ever had suits for them. He had gone with lighter Omni-Mechs to start off because they were quicker to manufacture.

  In the planet's primary administration building, Scott was happily planning for the arrival of enough troops to field 3 full Regiments worth of Mechs with what pilots he already had on hand here on Mackolla. His current Mech inventory was:

 36 Thug 11EC
 36 Ostwar OWR-2Mb
 36 Night Hawk NTK-2K
 24 Pillager PLG-3Z
 36 Highlander HGN-732
 36 Shootists ST-8A
 18 Conjurer
 24 Vixen
 14 Thunderbolt TDR-5Sb
 14 Warhammer WHM-7A
 10 Trebuchet TBT-3C
 20 Crab CRB-27b
 72 Talos TLS-1C (armed with LBX10)

  He had another 102 mechs of various types that he could also field. Of those, 15 Panthers had been armed with Clan weapons and one torn down for reverse engineering. On the more conventional side he now had finally decided to go with large Nighthawk formations now that they had ample transport using the Cobra VTOL's. He had them configured:

 Nighthawk Infantry Regiment
 6 Man squads, 24 Man Platoons, 4 Platoon Company's, 4 Company Battalions, 3 Line Battalion per Regiment plus VTOL

 3 Nighthawk Battalions (1152 Nighthawk suits)
 1 Cobra VTOL Battalion (48 Cobra VTOL)

 The VTOL Battalion can transport the entire Regiment into battle at one time. A full platoon is 10.5 tons and the Cobra VTOL has a 14 ton cargo bay.

 
 

[Daryk]

I love that 29 March bit from New Avalon...  ;D

I presume Scott will go to New Avalon after Harry gets back to Mackolla?

[Daryk]

You know, I was just playing around in SAW, and it looks like a Fuel Cell Karnov (10 tons cargo, 3.5 armor) could carry a full platoon of Nighthawks (since they're only 400kg each)...

[2ndAcr]

 MekHQ has them listed at a ton each...……...think that was what was messing me up. Cobra could carry a full platoon also then...makes it all the better then.

 Updated previous post

[Daryk]

Cool... For some reason, I can't get the price of the Cobra to match Sarna in SAW... it looks like a glitch of some kind.

[2ndAcr]

  8 April 3057
      New Avalon

  Field Marshal Steiner, commander of the Department of the Quartermaster, could not help but smile and chuckle to herself reading the purchase request from the Navy for Mitchell Aerospace and Shipyards. They were taking the tongue lashing from Marshal of the Armies Morgan Hasek Davion seriously. They had only received the new design proposals from MAS less than 2 weeks ago and she thought back to the initial disbelief everyone had on that first production contract. Now here they were tossing down a huge challenge to MAS and she was curious how it was going to play out. She prepared and sent the fax to Makolla, it was obvious the Navy expected 3058-3059 to solve their manpower issues.

  13 April 3057
         Mackolla

  To: Mitchell Aerospace and Shipyards
  From: Field Marshal Steiner, Commander Dept of Quartermaster

  Upon completion of 1st contract, the following contract is awarded and request completion dates on all vessels in new contract for delivery coordination.

  20 Buford LF Corvettes    160,350,200,000 C-Bills
  10 Carrack Transports       66,681,960,000 C-Bills
  10 Halsey Destroyers       153,607,620,000 C-Bills
   8 Saratoga Carriers          71,049,536,000 C-Bills
   6 Victory Cruisers           100,335,252,000 C-Bills

  Scott had brought the fax up to Boss so he could see his expression. This should be good, he thought as he entered the Boss' office. He said nothing, just handed the Boss the fax and waited for the cussing to start. Instead he was met with a "It's about time they placed another order and for some of our newer ships also."

 "Well shit, I was hoping for a good old temper tantrum from you. In that case, I need a detailed ETA on all the ships of you would be so kind." Scott said, hoping for a temper tantrum

 "Give me a minute and I will work it out for you." Boss replied. It took him 10 minutes to work up the ETA list and hand it to Scott. "Here you go. They just think they can make me choke. Well, tell the AFFC they better do better than this if they want me to have a fit. Now George might have a cow."

 Scott took the list and gave it a look see.

 6 Buford LF Corvettes - completion August 3057
 6 Buford LF Corvettes - completion October 3057
 6 Buford LF Corvettes - completion December 3057
 2 Buford LF Corvettes - completion February 3057
 6 Carrack Transports - completion August 3057
 4 Carrack Transports - completion November 3057
 2 Saratoga Carriers - completion December 3057
 6 Saratoga Carriers - completion May 3058
 3 Victory Cruisers - completion May 3058
 3 Victory Cruisers - completion September 3058
 1 Halsey Destroyer - completion September 3057
 2 Halsey Destroyer - completion October 3057
 1 Halsey Destroyer - completion February 3058
 4 Halsey Destroyer - completion April 3058

  Scott looked back up at the boss "How the hell are you going to manage to complete all this in a year and a half, if I may ask?"

 "Easy, I will have all 6 of my 250k yards ready by 1 June, they can easily crank out the Buford's. Hell I have 10 jump cores in storage right now for them. Come December, I will have 2 of those yards poop out 2 more million ton pressurized yards to give me 6 of those. We are already building 3 Victory, so I will keep those 3 yards building those until we are done. I will have the unpressurized yards free from building the Olympus Recharge stations in October 3057 so they can take up 2 of the Halsey's, only adds 2 months to the build time. All 6 500k yards are empty right now. Piece of cake." Boss explained "Told you, I never shut down the jump core, engine production plants. I have spares already built for every ship on that list. We are already ahead of the game. Heck, I can even kick the hulls out of the yards and have the yard ships install drives and engines to speed things up even more. You and Harry never learn, I am a master of mass production."

 "Okay, I will send the fax back to New Avalon. I wonder how they will react to this schedule." Scott said

  18 April 3057
       New Avalon

  Once again Field Marshal Steiner hand carried the response from Mitchell Aerospace and Shipyards to Marshal of the Armies Morgan Hasek Davion. He looked up as she entered his office, "I take it that is the reply from MAS? I hope they had a cow. Give it to me." He held out his hand for the fax which she duly handed over.

  He scanned the fax and she burst out laughing as his head banged on his desk a few times while muttering curses. Morgan Hasek Davion cursed Harry Mitchell, MAS, the Navy and anyone else he could think of at the moment. Finally, he looked up slowly "Please tell the Department of the Army and Navy that they better be ready for this. I am pretty sure they figure "Hey we can man all the remaining ships in 3057 from the first order". They better increase training across the board for warships massively. I mean shit, we just released MAS's shipyard designs across the entire Commonwealth, and if they all start building warships we are truly screwed. Hell, they cannot keep up with MAS alone."

  Struggling to regain her composure, Field Marshal Steiner could only say "I told you to not under estimate those people out there. I have seen their operation and that fellow that runs the shipyards is all business. I am surprised he did not have extra ships just laying around ready to deliver."

  In another part of Mount Davion, Archon Prince Victor Steiner Davion was reading a report of large scale fighting between Clan Wolf and Clan Jade Falcon. How can I take advantage of this new development, he wondered to himself.

[Daryk]

Now THAT is an awesome update!  :thumbsup:

[Iron Grenadier]

I'm very curious to see what happens with the Refusal War here.

[2ndAcr]

 Thanks Daryk.

 Right now, I have the Refusal War going down as in Canon, but the aftermath is different. Unless a strike of genius strikes me.

[cawest]

what about making new alliance, Bastion or capital class station. 

[2ndAcr]

 Capitol is a Fed-Boeing design, not licensed to MAS...…..right now, they feel they have everything they need to defend Mackolla and even Bamburgh. All the warship squadrons can reach Bamburgh within 24 hours time. I figure Black Box transmission travel time at about 18 hours. Bamburgh is 2 jumps from Mackolla and every warship except the Carrack Transports, Yardships, Q-ships have LF batteries.

[2ndAcr]

  1 May 3057
        Mackolla

  The Black Lion Battlecruiser and Aegis Cruiser left Mackolla with a care taker crew for Crofton to turn them over to Comstar. Customs was not a problem as Archon Prince Victor Steiner Davion knew all about it and ordered everyone to leave the ships alone. The care taker crews would be picked up by Harry and the LF Monolith along with the new personnel, the AFFC warship crews and 3 Mammoth Dropships from Mitchell Interstellar carrying the small Mech Factory.

  Scott knew he could not leave until Harry got back but that pirate raid on Great Gorge really irritated him. So he gave the orders for all 6 Invader Q-ships to deploy to the region. Their orders were to linger in the systems and if anything hostile occurred they would call in the cavalry. The deployments would be:

 MDF Justine Mitchell - Great Gorge
 MDF Samuel Mitchell - Sodertalje
 MDF Teresa Mitchell - Mararn
 MDF Henry Mitchell - Skepptana
 MDF Brenda Mitchell - Broken Wheel
 MDF Joseph Mitchell - Lackland

  In support of the Q-ships, he was deploying 1st and 2nd Battle Squadrons. Also deploying was MDF Savior (Rescue Yard Ship) and 2 Carrack Transports for support.

 1st Battle Squadron - Adelson
 2nd Battle Squadron - Rennes
 Support Group - Rennes

  Rennes was a uninhabited system within the Suns borders but was within easy reach of most of the patrol line. Scott did not know the AFFC deployed 2 of their Q-ships to the region also.

  New Avalon

  With the Capellan War over and Admiral Spruance back with the rest of the current AFFC fleet, a major re-organization was taking place among the current warship fleet.

  1st Fleet  Lyran State Command
 FCS Melissa Davion Saratoga Carrier
 FCS Ian Davion Saratoga Carrier
 FCS Balmora Buford Corvette
 FCS Justin Allard Buford Corvette
 FCS Sunburst Buford Corvette
 FCS Fantasy Buford Corvette
 FCS Doomsday Carrack Transport
 FCS Extinction Carrack Transport
 FCS Charles Davion Congress Frigate
 FCS Phantom Pinto Corvette
 FCS Greyson Pinto Corvette
 FCS Robert Steiner Riga Frigate
 FCS Sword Lola III Destroyer
 FCS Fist Lola III Destroyer
 FCS Admiral Corinne Donnings Fox Corvette
 FCS Invincible Fox Corvette
 FCS Kentares Fox Corvette
 FCS Murmansk Fox Corvette
 FCS Rostock Fox Corvette
 FCS Antrim Fox Corvette
 FCS Indefatigable Fox Corvette
 FCS Indomitable Fox Corvette

 Lyran State Command would also have 4 Invader Q-Ships to deploy on it's borders

   2nd Fleet Suns State Command
 FCS Chesterton Saratoga Carrier
 FCS Midale Saratoga Carrier
 FCS Samuel Davion Buford Corvette
 FCS Sarah Davion Buford Corvette
 FCS Duke Henry Buford Corvette
 FCS Duke Alexander Buford Corvette
 FCS Kentares Patrol Corvette
 FCS Raven Patrol Corvette
 FCS Comet Patrol Corvette
 FCS Meteor Patrol Corvette
 FCS Nebula Patrol Corvette
 FCS Vortex Patrol Corvette
 FCS Brest Fox Corvette
 FCS Fox Fox Corvette
 FCS Devestation Carrack Transport
 FCS Plague Carrack Transport

 Suns State Command also had 6 Q-ships deployed along it's borders. The remaining warships from the 1st contract would be deployed as needed.

  Archon Prince Victor Steiner Davion knew the new deployment would quiet down Marshal Nondi Steiner and calm some of the quiet protests in the Lyran half of the Commonwealth about the Suns keeping the majority of the warships for itself.
 

[Daryk]

As well as making FCS Melissa Davion the flagship, of course...  ^-^

I'm surprised they gave the name Kentares to a Patrol corvette vice something larger...

[ckosacranoid]

I just find really annoying problem with this story. I dont check the boards for a couple of days and thier is like 3 pages with updates with comments and story updates....dang you.....cool story though.