Quoted By:
“An orbiting rock.”
Your skepticism is clear.
“I’m telling you, it’s another mini-planet that goes around and around this planet we’re on, because it’s caught in the gravitational field of the planet. You see, it’s going to shrink to a crescent gradually over the next few days, and then vanish because of the shadow that Earth casts upon it.”
“A shadow is going to eliminate pieces of it, in a crescent?”
“Well, it’s going to look like it’s losing pieces. But it’s still there, just doesn’t have light for it to reflect back. Like when you’re hiding in the shadows of a building. Anyways, it’s Really far away. I don’t remember the exact number, but it’s far enough away that you don’t need to worry about it.”
“I would request an accurate number to be able to calculate a targeting solution for it.”
“Beta….None of the frame’s weapons can get past the atmosphere. Just….forget it.”
“Forgetting does not happen. All is recorded for later review.”
Your impromptu lesson on the Moon ends with the arrival of a data packet with some topographic data, marked locations, and a few other odds and ends like some audio transmissions, typed up reports and a roster for the 56th Mechanized Regiment and accompanying forces involved with Operation Bad Hunch, the initial attack, along with preliminary recon reports for said operation.
Observing the map data, several things stand out. The attack was supposed to divide into three groups and follow west, south, and east roads, crushing enemy resistance along the way and driving until they hit the banks of the Ebon river, converging at an intact bridge to strike the defenders from three angles. Capturing the bridge, destroying the enemy defenders, and stopping any further movement of enemy armored or supply units across.
Reinforcements would sweep the area afterwards with salvage crews, recovering fallen mechs and rooting out any other stragglers.
