Somewhere deep within the Cogwork
Confederation, we find Captain Carlos tagging along on an inspection
tour with Major Bourne and Colonel Bros. Row upon row of shiny new
mecha stand in silent attention as they proceed slowly on their
hovercart. The smell of creosote still hangs in the air as techs run
around like so many worker ants, unpacking weapon crates and
equipment boxes.
“Yep, that fight with the rogue IM
payed off well for us. Several new Torrents, Frigis, and Fexts now
await your command sir.”
Carlos was feeling particularly anxious as there was one small problem.
Carlos was feeling particularly anxious as there was one small problem.
“Excellent Captain! Most excellent
indeed. Tell me, how long until we can expect these beauties to be
upgraded to full strength so we can put them into the Heavy Lancer
Divisions?”
Carlos glanced sideways at Josh Bourne
who shook his head almost imperceptibly while digging through a cargo
pocket.
“Well, therein lies the problem
Colonel. We have plenty of new mecha, weapons, and equipment, but
seem to be low on the actual niode connectors to bring them up to
spec for battle readiness.”
Colonel FJ Bros remained silent as he
started turning several different shades of pink then reddish purple.
The transformation was a bit startling, something akin to watching a
chameleon attempt plaid for the first time.
“You mean... no... the
new...worthless...”, normally Col. Bros was one of the more easily
understood and eloquent of speakers amongst the salty senior cadre of
the Dragon ranks, but now was at a loss as to what to say.
As if on que, Major Bourne pulled a
weighty hip flask from his pocket and handed it to the Colonel who
took not one, not two, but three very long pulls from the flask.
“Phwahh. So, Private First Class
Hicks, you mean to tell me that while we have all these new and
wonderful toys, we actually have no way of making them battle ready
in time for the next Clan War?”
“Sir, we're just getting the
inventory finished and as of yet had a chance to locate and lock down
any of the niode connectors needed for upgrading.”
Carlos smelled the sickening sour
stench of last nights carousing start working it's way through his
pores as his heart started racing in alarm as to what he knew was
coming next.
“Well... Bourne, what's below
Private.” “Lackey sir.” “That's it, thank you. Lackey Hicks,
don't you think that getting said upgrade connectors should be of the
highest priority as opposed to taking a ride on my hovercart?”
Colonel Bros's face was now mere inches
from Carlos's own. Nostrils flaring as he detects the fear emanating
off of him.
“Y-y-y-yes sir! Right away sir!”
and with that Carlos leaped off of the back of the moving vehicle,
doing a barrel roll. Unfortunately, his momentum carried him straight
into the back hitch which caught him squarely in the midsection,
possibly a few inches lower.
With the breath knocked out of him, one
thought was in charge of Carlos's brain and that thought was to get
the frak away from the Colonel and go find those niode connectors.
With a crab-like scuttle, Carlos made rapid speed across the bay,
careening off of crates and techs alike in his hurry to find the
exit.
“Did you have to be so hard on him
Colonel? You know those connectors are hard to find everywhere right
now.”
“No, I didn't HAVE to, but dammit, I
needed one good laugh today. D'oh! Look at him go! Bahahaha!!”
