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| WLF-2H Wolfhound, Carson's Carnivores |
Isling: That was a minor setback, admittedly. Things didn't go entirely to
plan.
Carson: 'Minor setback' is a nice way of putting it. I lost another one of
my already scarce supply of 'Mechs. You lost two tanks and your second. And we
got nothing for it beyond beating up a couple of 'Mechs in reply. That's not a
'minor' setback. That's a grade A screw-up.
Isling: Captain Craswell's [EDITOR'S NOTE: Captain Marlene Craswell; see
attached dossier] death was unfortunate, yes. However, at the same time, It
would be easy to say that my men aren't to blame. Your 'Mechs didn't exactly
put up much of a fight either.
Carson: I had a Recon Lance going up against an assault one. What were they
meant to do? The heaviest of mine matched the lightest of theirs, and it's not like
either of us could have matched that Akuma.
Isling: They could have concentrated fire on the wounded Vulture or Carronade and bought one of them down. They could not have run off
and hid while my tanks were pummeled by their fire. They could have actually pulled
their weight in the fight, rather then running scared.
Carson: Well I'll let Lieutenant Lopez know that when I see him. That will make
losing his Wolfhound so much easier
for a 'could have'
Isling: I
am not assigning blame here, major. Believe it or not, I’m on your side
here. We’re both professionals, we both know how much losses hurt
and we both have contracts to fulfill. My men took far greater losses than
yours in that last skirmish. Two heavy tanks destroyed and their crews killed against
one BattleMech captured while the MechWarrior escaped.
Carson: I’d have a bit
more sympathy if it had been your men getting pummeled at the spaceport, not
mine. We’re down five ‘Mechs so far, including the deaths of two of my
warriors, and the remaining ones are all in need of work.
Isling: You
have your orders. Pelzer has made it clear that we are to hold the line for now
and not lead them anywhere useful.
Carson: I’m beginning to
regret signing on to this job. Actually, that’s not true. I’ve been
regretting it for ages. It’s just really hitting me now.
Isling: Regardless, this is only a minor setback. True, this one battle didn’t go as expected, but we still are on track.
Carson: On track for what? My men are running themselves ragged across the
countryside. I've got one officer as a PoW, one more without a ride and the
rest of my 'Mechs aren't exactly sitting pretty either. We haven’t had the time to stop for repairs lest we be
spotted and rounded up. And to add to it, Colonel Lady is riding my arse all
the time over what happened at the port.
Isling: Are you done?
Carson: I'm done when I get my ship and my men back, Isling. You know they’ve been making broadcasts about that? They're
offering my ship back and safe passage off-world if we surrender now. I'm tempted
to take that and the hit to our reputation it'll mean over another 'setback'
like the last one, because sure as hell it got me no closer.
Isling: I understand your concerns, Major. Belive me, events are in motion.
You'll have your ship back soon.
Carson: I'll believe it when it happens. You have until midnight tomorrow,
Markus, and then I'm taking their offer.
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