I haven't been able to write in some time, but with school back in I find myself with some free time, so I'm back at it.
Shensi
Contested area
May 20th 3028
Paul Spears had a rough few weeks, a lot had happened to him and the Cobra's; in just 3 ½ weeks so much had changed. The units C/O Gillian Carter had been killed in action forcing Spears into the role of Commanding Officer of the Cobra's. The Cobra's Liao allies had left the planet in full retreat, leaving the Cobra's as the population's only defense. The Cobra's were a little more then 2 companies strong, whittled down from battle after battle.
"Comm-Officer, any word from Ajax, yet? Asked Spears.
"No sir, he hasn't broke radio silence yet, but if he is inbound he still would have 13 hours and 27 minutes before he would break radio silence." Responded Sgt. Killmer.
"Let me know the minute he does." Said Spears.
Spears had sent his one remaining drop ship away in an effort to recover supplies from a nearby star system, word was Ajax had come through big time and even had a couple of new Mechwarriors he was bringing in to help shore up some of the units losses. The Cobra's still had almost 3 months left on their contract and though his orders were to get the Cobra's clear and safe, he couldn't help but feel he owed it to the men and women who had fought and died on Shensi to not give up, his last Intelligence report had told him that another Merc unit was being routed to Shensi to reinforce his own unit but no way to tell if it was false or there was truth to it.
" Lieutenant Wilson, any word in from our recon?' asked Spears
"Negative Major, but Lieutenant Windburn is good at what she does, sir, if the Davion Guard is packing up and moving on to their next target she will find out." Replied the newly promoted lieutenant.
Spears had made two battlefield commissions over the last two weeks, one was Ryan Wilson, who was a Staff Sgt and former head-training officer of the Cobra's and the other was Jeffrey Jasper the Infantry OIC. Spears knew Jasper had years of experience and by all accounts was the only other person who had been with the unit longer then he had.
"Well one thing about it Wilson, if the Davion Guard is packing up, you can bet your ass, someone is coming to take their place." Said Spears.
"Of that sir, I have no doubt, but the real question is who?" stated Wilson.
" I wish I knew."
Is all Spears could say.
Shensi
Extraction Point Bravo
Davion Sector.
"Sir I respectfully request to remain here, and cover the Guards withdraw." Said Jacob Thornton.
"Lieutenant, we are pulling out in less then 15 hours. This area is secure, we have no need to leave anyone behind, our orders have us moving on to our next target." Said Captain Hawkins.
"Sir please, then I asked to be reassigned to the 12th Deneb Light Cav." Shot back Thornton.
"Lieutenant, your request is denied, we have lost to many warriors on this rock and our next target proves to be a hard fight, we had the element of surprise on our side, during this attack and the defenders still managed to take almost 2 full companies of our mechs down as well as put another 5 in for major repairs and refits and we lost 6 top pilots. You are now my senior Lance Lieutenant and I need you clear headed and ready for our next fight. Besides the Deneb are capable of dealing with the Liao forces left here. Said Captain Hawkins.
"But sir…"
" No more on the subject Mister Thornton, you are an Officer in the Davion Guard and you will act like it. Jacob this battle is over, I know you still want a shot at Paul Spears but it will not be this battle, I am sorry you never had another crack at him and I know you hate it deep down inside. But we all have our orders and your orders right now is to have your lance stowed away on the Vengeance ready for dust off in less then 14 hours. Now do I make myself clear?" asked Captain Hawkins.
"Aye sir, I understand my orders and thank you for letting me vent on the subject sir. Said Jacob.
"I understand how you feel, Jac, if you are ment to face Spears it will happen one day. I just don't see it being this fight. Said Hawkins
" Permission to get my unit ready for transport?" asked Jacob.
"Permission granted Lieutenant." Said Hawkins.
Jacob Thornton saluted his Commanding Officer and turned to leave the office. Thornton walked out to meet his friend Tom Appling.
"No go, as I can see by the look on your face." Said Appling as Jacob walked over to him.
"No the old man refused my request to transfer. Can I get one of your smokes?" asked Jacob.
"You don't smoke Jac." Shot back Tom.
"I do now, because if I don't do something about these nerves I'm going to explode." Said Jacob.
Tom Appling was Jacobs's best friend and lance mate. Tom handed over a rolled up smoke and lit it for him. Jacob pulled a long puff off the cigarette, and started to cough.
"Easy Jac, you have virgin lungs, you have to walk before you can crawl." Said Tom.
Jacob smiled at Tom. Tom had not seen Jacob smile since Frankie had died over a month ago.
"So what now L.T." asked Tom.
"Well now, we have the techs stow our gear on the dropship. Said Jacob.
"Then?" asked Tom
"Then we have 12 hours to get crazy drunk before we leave this rock behind and with it all our demons that we never had the chance to fight. Come on Tom first round is on me, lets go lay to rest a great friend, and pray that we meet Paul Spears on the battlefield another day. Said Jacob
Tom smiled back at his friend, knowing Jacob was back. Hawkins had gotten through to him.
"Well don't waste that smoke they aren't cheap, and the first round is on me, I owe it to you anyway. Said Tom.
"Well Tom if your buying I'm not refusing, you never buy." Laughed Jacob.
Both friends walked off to get their unit ready for transport to the next battlefield and then would toast all the fallen warriors that this war had claimed this far.