Story Arizona Tunnel Rats
- Thread starter sssarawolf
- Start date
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Arizona Tunnel Rats
Chap 20 A
While the young women were being taken to the campground the rest of the folks piled into the trucks and jeeps and headed for the former White Mountain home. Neville had given Butch the necklace and thought that it was a pretty good omen that just maybe the raiders had cleared out of there. It was their true home and he knew many would choose to go back.
There were a few odd homes here and there that were burnt to the ground as they traveled the road he knew so well. He did see a few animals grazing so at least those could be collected. As they drove up, they could see and feel that the place was empty. It was when they pulled up to the large recreation/hotel that his face fell. Oh, it stood unlike some of the outbuildings but it was trashed. Furniture had been thrown through the windows, doors kicked in, even some holes in the walls. The first floor was the worst. The second floor had the most windows intact. So, they must have stayed up there to sleep and didn’t like the wind blowing through.
The place would need a lot of work that was for sure. But it could be done. Butch as a new sub chief and a few others walked around and saw many of the far outlying cabins looked pretty much untouched as far as damage was concerned. Better than nothing. One thing he knew and that he was going to take it up with his dad that from now on that there would be a roadblock and sentries on the main road and the small north road. And just like at the campground there would be roving guards as well. No more would someone just be able to drive up here or come through the woods with no warning. Those days were gone.
He turned to head back to the vehicles. “I think we have seen enough, let’s get back home.”
The two groups split up where they had met this morning and each headed to where they now called home. Each group had a few scraps, bumps and bruises but nothing serious. This had been a very successful mission, very nice for a change.
Corporal Downing was very happy he hadn’t had to go along on this mission. It gave him the shivers to even think about. So far in the last three years he hadn’t had to be involved in any of the battles. He did some halfhearted training. The only time he put any effort into it was when the general was around to observe. But the other men and women knew and they didn’t want him with them anymore than he wanted to go. Since the general had gone off with them again and when he was done seeing the general off, he had eaten breakfast, piddled around and then gone back to bed in his very small one room cabin. It was now just past 4 PM. He had been asleep all day.
He had been so fast and hard asleep he hadn’t even heard the group come back and the trucks weren’t silent. Gilroy went to the new radio room which had been moved and was now down in the basement of what used to be the courthouse. It had been reinforced and was perfect for the radio equipment and as a meeting/conference space in the big area, with another room he could use for an office besides his small home.
No Corporal down there either, which Gilroy would have thought his aid would be doing paperwork while he was off on the mission. There was always paperwork to do even now. Gilroy asked around and found out no one had seen Downing since breakfast and was seen headed for his cabin.
Gilroy stood in front of Downing’s cabin, there wasn’t a sound coming from it so he knocked, and knocked again. He was about to turn around when he heard yelling from inside.
“Hold your pants on I’m coming, it better be good to wake me up. With the old man gone I do the orders around here and if you don’t want a crap job you had better be doing what I want.”
To say General Gilroy wasn’t pleased with what he just heard and found out about his aid was an understatement. He thought, how am I going to nip this in the bud? I guess I have some thinking to do.
To say that Corporal Downing was surprised with who he found at his door, found him tongue tied. Downing was disheveled from just climbing out of bed and not in his uniform but had answered the door in his skivvies.
Downing came to attention dressed as he was and he looked very foolish. “Sir, I didn’t expect you sir, sorry sir. I’ll be with you as soon as I can sir.”
Gilroy looked Downing up and down like he found something very disagreeable, turned and left with, “See that you do.” He turned and left for his house. ‘I need to talk to a few people before Downing shows up.’ Gilroy was on a mission to find out more even though he himself would have liked some extra rest. It just wasn’t in the works.
End 20 A
Chap 20 A
While the young women were being taken to the campground the rest of the folks piled into the trucks and jeeps and headed for the former White Mountain home. Neville had given Butch the necklace and thought that it was a pretty good omen that just maybe the raiders had cleared out of there. It was their true home and he knew many would choose to go back.
There were a few odd homes here and there that were burnt to the ground as they traveled the road he knew so well. He did see a few animals grazing so at least those could be collected. As they drove up, they could see and feel that the place was empty. It was when they pulled up to the large recreation/hotel that his face fell. Oh, it stood unlike some of the outbuildings but it was trashed. Furniture had been thrown through the windows, doors kicked in, even some holes in the walls. The first floor was the worst. The second floor had the most windows intact. So, they must have stayed up there to sleep and didn’t like the wind blowing through.
The place would need a lot of work that was for sure. But it could be done. Butch as a new sub chief and a few others walked around and saw many of the far outlying cabins looked pretty much untouched as far as damage was concerned. Better than nothing. One thing he knew and that he was going to take it up with his dad that from now on that there would be a roadblock and sentries on the main road and the small north road. And just like at the campground there would be roving guards as well. No more would someone just be able to drive up here or come through the woods with no warning. Those days were gone.
He turned to head back to the vehicles. “I think we have seen enough, let’s get back home.”
The two groups split up where they had met this morning and each headed to where they now called home. Each group had a few scraps, bumps and bruises but nothing serious. This had been a very successful mission, very nice for a change.
Corporal Downing was very happy he hadn’t had to go along on this mission. It gave him the shivers to even think about. So far in the last three years he hadn’t had to be involved in any of the battles. He did some halfhearted training. The only time he put any effort into it was when the general was around to observe. But the other men and women knew and they didn’t want him with them anymore than he wanted to go. Since the general had gone off with them again and when he was done seeing the general off, he had eaten breakfast, piddled around and then gone back to bed in his very small one room cabin. It was now just past 4 PM. He had been asleep all day.
He had been so fast and hard asleep he hadn’t even heard the group come back and the trucks weren’t silent. Gilroy went to the new radio room which had been moved and was now down in the basement of what used to be the courthouse. It had been reinforced and was perfect for the radio equipment and as a meeting/conference space in the big area, with another room he could use for an office besides his small home.
No Corporal down there either, which Gilroy would have thought his aid would be doing paperwork while he was off on the mission. There was always paperwork to do even now. Gilroy asked around and found out no one had seen Downing since breakfast and was seen headed for his cabin.
Gilroy stood in front of Downing’s cabin, there wasn’t a sound coming from it so he knocked, and knocked again. He was about to turn around when he heard yelling from inside.
“Hold your pants on I’m coming, it better be good to wake me up. With the old man gone I do the orders around here and if you don’t want a crap job you had better be doing what I want.”
To say General Gilroy wasn’t pleased with what he just heard and found out about his aid was an understatement. He thought, how am I going to nip this in the bud? I guess I have some thinking to do.
To say that Corporal Downing was surprised with who he found at his door, found him tongue tied. Downing was disheveled from just climbing out of bed and not in his uniform but had answered the door in his skivvies.
Downing came to attention dressed as he was and he looked very foolish. “Sir, I didn’t expect you sir, sorry sir. I’ll be with you as soon as I can sir.”
Gilroy looked Downing up and down like he found something very disagreeable, turned and left with, “See that you do.” He turned and left for his house. ‘I need to talk to a few people before Downing shows up.’ Gilroy was on a mission to find out more even though he himself would have liked some extra rest. It just wasn’t in the works.
End 20 A
larry_minn
Contributing Member
When boss is away. Thats the time to do something to impress. Some hiring but needed project. When it comes up. “We need to finish that” “Sir I finished that when you rescued that city”
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Arizona Tunnel Rats
Chap 20 B
The new young ladies arrived at the campground well before the folks that went on the mission. It gave us time to find out what had happened to them and their families. We also decided to install them in three of the large vacant rooms in the shelter system. The families that the rooms had belonged to had built homes above ground and only stayed in the shelter rooms when trouble happened. Now if that happened, they would have to crowd in with others.
The doctors, nurses, aids and apprentices had seen to all the injuries, the ladies were fed, and were resting in what was their new rooms for the time being. Except for the young lady that was whipped with the cord, she had been treated and was resting in a shelter hospital room. It seemed like just a few minutes after getting the ladies settled when everyone else came rolling up the driveway.
Brandy was one of the first out of the bachelorettes housing and running towards the jeep that Dan was in. He looked at her as she headed toward him and he wondered why in the world he hadn’t married her already. It was time to get that done and stop waiting for whatever he was waiting for. Time slowed for no one. Life is way too short; he was thinking as he ruminated of Croft and Ora’s time together. At least Ora had her good memories. He would want the same for himself and or for Brandy.
She threw herself into his arms for a great hug and he took her by the shoulders and pushed her back a bit and let go. She looked a little bewildered until he got down on one knee, took her right hand and asked her to please marry him. By then quite a few people were watching as they got nudged and told to look. All the talking around them was just background noise.
Brady brightened right up and squealed, “Yes!” That made for lots of clapping all around the yard. Of course, that called for more hugging. Everyone was home safe and sound which was another happy thing to celebrate.
The rescued women were asked after and the folks from the mission were told all of the ladies were sleeping and had been cared for. Along with just where they were being housed at the moment. Dan was glad no one had come home with them from the base, not even Gilroy. He knew the whole camp here wanted to keep some secrets for a while yet.
A meeting was called for and their report given of what happened on the mission. After that Ora stood and wanted to know what they all thought about a new name for the campground. Even she was tired of just calling it the campground. She had a dream and wanted everyone’s opinion on the name that she felt was befitting their Apache status. She put forth Wolf’s Rest. There were many smiles all around after everyone thought for a few minutes. She thought maybe she had put her foot in it. She hadn’t even talked to Luke about it.
He was sitting to her right; he took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. The others looked straight at her without even talking among themselves and all gave a unanimous vote of yes. Before morning came everyone was now informed of what the former just plain campground was now to be called. It would be a few years yet before a sign was put up at the gate with its name though, safety first.
The young folks got together and painted signs to put in front of each radio room of Wolf’s Rest in black and red lettering to remind them of who they were.
The wedding day of Dan and Brandy on the following Monday was attended by many. The invite went out to the base personal as well and they radioed over to ask if three couples could join in being married at the campground. Even Dan said, “The more the marrier.” Brandy said, “Ha, ha Mr. Play on words.” He just grinned at her. There were four other couples tying the knot at their place a well.
The weddings were only in four days’ time so the cook cabin and many homes were doing a rip-roaring job of cooking. Extra grills and fire pits were set up when a group of their hunters brought in three deer, a few rabbits, grouse, pheasant’s and two large elk. They weren’t just from hunting for the weddings even though they were out there to do that. The elk had been sighted and been fighting when there was a large crack sound. One of the bull elk had gone down with a broken neck and the other one was tangled so bad in the others rack that he couldn’t get out, they let him be until it was a for sure. So, he was put down and both taken care of right then and there. A surprise for the feast.
Bright and early Monday morning Gilroy and three trucks came rolling up to the gate it was a good thing they radioed over first to have the gate sentries know. They were packed with their people and count them five butchered, cut up, and ready to be grilled antelope. They didn’t want to come empty handed and be given a hand out. This time they wanted to contribute.
The ladies of the camp looked at the soon to be brides, saw what the military brides were wearing, grabbed them and headed for one of the larger homes. The camp ladies were proclaiming that the ladies were not getting married in their uniforms. The military women were sputtering about being dressed good enough to get married and anyway this was all they had. The ladies came in that they knew as Ora and Gin, looked the new brides over to see sizes, do measurements and then took off for where the military women knew not.
Families and grooms were gathered under the large main picnic shelter attached to the cook cabin. Benches had been taken out of the cook cabin and set in rows for the guests and families.
One of the things they at Wolf’s Rest wanted to do was find more people who could teach and others who wanted to learn to play and different instruments. It seemed to be one of the things they lacked. Homemade Indian flutes were made and that helped but all the families thought more music would be better.
Nick and Chris Rosenburg two of the construction people and their daughter Maud now 15 years old all played violins. Grace Standing Tree played the guitar and they had practiced the wedding march each day together and it sounded really nice.
They almost needed smelling salts for a couple of the men when they saw their bride coming down through the aisles of guests. Some people had their old cell phones to take pictures with. They were dead for calls but not for something like this. At least it was some remembrance to look back on. The dresses the brides wore weren’t white but that didn’t matter, all of the brides felt beautiful even in the styles that were fifty to seventy years past. Mom had made and bought contributions to the museum as well. Many things were already under use again that had been in there. I had never thought that the clothes in there would be as well. ‘Thank you, mom.’
Gilroy walked the first bride down the aisle, this was his new aids bride. Different officers walked the others down after that. Chief Larry walked Brandy down to Dan, my Luke was next with Nis Applegate who was marrying 24-year-old Price Henry and Sub Chief Butch Johnson walked down Milly Denny who was marrying Cree Wright.
End chap 20 B
Chap 20 B
The new young ladies arrived at the campground well before the folks that went on the mission. It gave us time to find out what had happened to them and their families. We also decided to install them in three of the large vacant rooms in the shelter system. The families that the rooms had belonged to had built homes above ground and only stayed in the shelter rooms when trouble happened. Now if that happened, they would have to crowd in with others.
The doctors, nurses, aids and apprentices had seen to all the injuries, the ladies were fed, and were resting in what was their new rooms for the time being. Except for the young lady that was whipped with the cord, she had been treated and was resting in a shelter hospital room. It seemed like just a few minutes after getting the ladies settled when everyone else came rolling up the driveway.
Brandy was one of the first out of the bachelorettes housing and running towards the jeep that Dan was in. He looked at her as she headed toward him and he wondered why in the world he hadn’t married her already. It was time to get that done and stop waiting for whatever he was waiting for. Time slowed for no one. Life is way too short; he was thinking as he ruminated of Croft and Ora’s time together. At least Ora had her good memories. He would want the same for himself and or for Brandy.
She threw herself into his arms for a great hug and he took her by the shoulders and pushed her back a bit and let go. She looked a little bewildered until he got down on one knee, took her right hand and asked her to please marry him. By then quite a few people were watching as they got nudged and told to look. All the talking around them was just background noise.
Brady brightened right up and squealed, “Yes!” That made for lots of clapping all around the yard. Of course, that called for more hugging. Everyone was home safe and sound which was another happy thing to celebrate.
The rescued women were asked after and the folks from the mission were told all of the ladies were sleeping and had been cared for. Along with just where they were being housed at the moment. Dan was glad no one had come home with them from the base, not even Gilroy. He knew the whole camp here wanted to keep some secrets for a while yet.
A meeting was called for and their report given of what happened on the mission. After that Ora stood and wanted to know what they all thought about a new name for the campground. Even she was tired of just calling it the campground. She had a dream and wanted everyone’s opinion on the name that she felt was befitting their Apache status. She put forth Wolf’s Rest. There were many smiles all around after everyone thought for a few minutes. She thought maybe she had put her foot in it. She hadn’t even talked to Luke about it.
He was sitting to her right; he took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. The others looked straight at her without even talking among themselves and all gave a unanimous vote of yes. Before morning came everyone was now informed of what the former just plain campground was now to be called. It would be a few years yet before a sign was put up at the gate with its name though, safety first.
The young folks got together and painted signs to put in front of each radio room of Wolf’s Rest in black and red lettering to remind them of who they were.
The wedding day of Dan and Brandy on the following Monday was attended by many. The invite went out to the base personal as well and they radioed over to ask if three couples could join in being married at the campground. Even Dan said, “The more the marrier.” Brandy said, “Ha, ha Mr. Play on words.” He just grinned at her. There were four other couples tying the knot at their place a well.
The weddings were only in four days’ time so the cook cabin and many homes were doing a rip-roaring job of cooking. Extra grills and fire pits were set up when a group of their hunters brought in three deer, a few rabbits, grouse, pheasant’s and two large elk. They weren’t just from hunting for the weddings even though they were out there to do that. The elk had been sighted and been fighting when there was a large crack sound. One of the bull elk had gone down with a broken neck and the other one was tangled so bad in the others rack that he couldn’t get out, they let him be until it was a for sure. So, he was put down and both taken care of right then and there. A surprise for the feast.
Bright and early Monday morning Gilroy and three trucks came rolling up to the gate it was a good thing they radioed over first to have the gate sentries know. They were packed with their people and count them five butchered, cut up, and ready to be grilled antelope. They didn’t want to come empty handed and be given a hand out. This time they wanted to contribute.
The ladies of the camp looked at the soon to be brides, saw what the military brides were wearing, grabbed them and headed for one of the larger homes. The camp ladies were proclaiming that the ladies were not getting married in their uniforms. The military women were sputtering about being dressed good enough to get married and anyway this was all they had. The ladies came in that they knew as Ora and Gin, looked the new brides over to see sizes, do measurements and then took off for where the military women knew not.
Families and grooms were gathered under the large main picnic shelter attached to the cook cabin. Benches had been taken out of the cook cabin and set in rows for the guests and families.
One of the things they at Wolf’s Rest wanted to do was find more people who could teach and others who wanted to learn to play and different instruments. It seemed to be one of the things they lacked. Homemade Indian flutes were made and that helped but all the families thought more music would be better.
Nick and Chris Rosenburg two of the construction people and their daughter Maud now 15 years old all played violins. Grace Standing Tree played the guitar and they had practiced the wedding march each day together and it sounded really nice.
They almost needed smelling salts for a couple of the men when they saw their bride coming down through the aisles of guests. Some people had their old cell phones to take pictures with. They were dead for calls but not for something like this. At least it was some remembrance to look back on. The dresses the brides wore weren’t white but that didn’t matter, all of the brides felt beautiful even in the styles that were fifty to seventy years past. Mom had made and bought contributions to the museum as well. Many things were already under use again that had been in there. I had never thought that the clothes in there would be as well. ‘Thank you, mom.’
Gilroy walked the first bride down the aisle, this was his new aids bride. Different officers walked the others down after that. Chief Larry walked Brandy down to Dan, my Luke was next with Nis Applegate who was marrying 24-year-old Price Henry and Sub Chief Butch Johnson walked down Milly Denny who was marrying Cree Wright.
End chap 20 B
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Arizona Tunnel Rats
Chap 21 A
The rest of the summer went just nice and boring. Just the way I like things. Then before I knew it, it was time to prepare again for harvest season. What was nice here we had a nice long season just for this. Nothing was ready to can or dry at the same time. We did rotation planting and it was working well.
Just when the hot and heavy time of harvest was about to begin again, I started to not feel well and pulled myself through the long days. I figured menopause was upon me. I went to the doctor to see how I needed to do things different or eat different. Maybe more greens for iron and etc.
The laugh was on me. Here I was just turned 50 years old and I was pregnant again. I was happy, but not at the same time.
I was told, “You’re going to have to take it easier this time. You’re older and there may be more complications this time around. No lifting, sorry but that even means no lifting Kate. You can help her climb but that’s about it. You also need more rest and no running out and helping to repel raiders. It’s time to take a low profile, like it or not. Now go on home and let your husband know.” At least he gave me the lecture with a smile.
At this time of year there was way so much work to do. I think most of Wolf’s Rest knew the news before I even had a chance to tell Luke. He came into the house for supper that evening with a strange look on his face. “I don’t get what’s going on with everyone. The men keep slapping me on the back and the women keep giving me these weird smiles. Did I get elected to something I don’t know about? Have you heard anything that could be causing this?”
At least he was sitting down getting ready for the blessing as I sat the last plate on the table and looked to see that Kate was in her chair. She sat on books now to make her tall enough to be sitting right to eat at the table. Three-year-old big girls didn’t need high chairs. I regress here trying to not to laugh in Luke’s face about what I knew the problem was. The doc and his wife the nurse blabbed big time.
I sat down in my chair and Luke was to my left. I took hold of his hands and looked into his eyes. “Luke, I know why they all have been acting so strange around you. I went to doc this afternoon. He told me something today about why I have been feeling so bad the past couple of weeks.”
He got a worried look on his face but then it changed to a questionable one. “How in the world is your doc visit got to do with folks treating me so strange? And are you alright?”
“Yes, Luke I’m alright but it’s going to take a few months to feel really well again.” Now he did look worried. “Ora, I don’t get, what’s wrong?”
This time I smiled and squeezed his hands with mine. “Luke me feeling better will take about 7 ½ months say sometime in April. Luke I’m pregnant.”
All that came out of him was, “But, but, but, WHAT? Then his eyes lit up when it clicked in his mind and he jumped up out of his chair and yelled, “Yippeee!?”
Kate was frightened at first with Luke being so loud with the ‘what’ and then she started to laugh at daddy yelling jumping around and yelling ‘yippee.’
He pulled me up out of my chair. “This is real? We’re really going to have a baby? He looked over at Kate as she laughed. I mean another baby?”
I couldn’t help but smile at my wonderful husband. I never thought I could love like this. Or I would find someone else that loved me with all my shortcomings with all his heart. Croft would always have a special spot in my heart but Luke had another. God sure works is strange ways. I looked him in his eyes. “Yes sweetheart, we’re going to have another baby.” I also had to tell him what the doctor’s orders were and being upset about that part. All he said is, “I guess we’ll have to just work through it together and do the best we can.”
I started thinking about one of my dad’s sister’s, they had a late baby as well. She was 52 years old with her last one and don’t forget about great grandma she was 54. I hadn’t been thinking it was in my future. Dumb right?
A month later everyone else was being teased with the old saying, there must be something in the water and don’t you know what causes this yet? There were now 15 of us in this condition and most would be here from April through July. Others would have to get more get in their giddy up to get spring crops in the ground come March.
Meanwhile the harvest had been going on. I could sit and snap beans, take the outsides off of beets after they cooled down, cut up vegetables, fruits and meats. I found out that I had forgotten how cutting up even onion chives to dry could be tear educing. There was plenty of that to do even sitting. I could also help with the cooking for short times but I revolted at not getting in some of the exercise that I really needed, one couldn’t stay heathy without that. Walking was a good one. I hadn’t had any problems but the normal ones with Kate so I figured this one should go about the same. After all it hadn’t been that long ago.
We did the normal dinner type thing at Thanksgiving. The children and some of the adults as well really needed the holidays. A change in the routines from all the work worked wonders. A warmer Christmas week made for a round robin kind of dinner on three days with being inside and outside as we were doing shifts for us and having the base people over during their different shifts.
Gilroy was there for the first shift of his folks and the last one each day. Enough time had gone by that we decided to let Gilroy in on our tunnel system. Just not 90% the shelters that were involved though under so many of our buildings and elsewhere that also connected to the tunnels. Since Dan was his friend and Gilroy was his former commander, we let him do the honors.
End chap 21 A
Chap 21 A
The rest of the summer went just nice and boring. Just the way I like things. Then before I knew it, it was time to prepare again for harvest season. What was nice here we had a nice long season just for this. Nothing was ready to can or dry at the same time. We did rotation planting and it was working well.
Just when the hot and heavy time of harvest was about to begin again, I started to not feel well and pulled myself through the long days. I figured menopause was upon me. I went to the doctor to see how I needed to do things different or eat different. Maybe more greens for iron and etc.
The laugh was on me. Here I was just turned 50 years old and I was pregnant again. I was happy, but not at the same time.
I was told, “You’re going to have to take it easier this time. You’re older and there may be more complications this time around. No lifting, sorry but that even means no lifting Kate. You can help her climb but that’s about it. You also need more rest and no running out and helping to repel raiders. It’s time to take a low profile, like it or not. Now go on home and let your husband know.” At least he gave me the lecture with a smile.
At this time of year there was way so much work to do. I think most of Wolf’s Rest knew the news before I even had a chance to tell Luke. He came into the house for supper that evening with a strange look on his face. “I don’t get what’s going on with everyone. The men keep slapping me on the back and the women keep giving me these weird smiles. Did I get elected to something I don’t know about? Have you heard anything that could be causing this?”
At least he was sitting down getting ready for the blessing as I sat the last plate on the table and looked to see that Kate was in her chair. She sat on books now to make her tall enough to be sitting right to eat at the table. Three-year-old big girls didn’t need high chairs. I regress here trying to not to laugh in Luke’s face about what I knew the problem was. The doc and his wife the nurse blabbed big time.
I sat down in my chair and Luke was to my left. I took hold of his hands and looked into his eyes. “Luke, I know why they all have been acting so strange around you. I went to doc this afternoon. He told me something today about why I have been feeling so bad the past couple of weeks.”
He got a worried look on his face but then it changed to a questionable one. “How in the world is your doc visit got to do with folks treating me so strange? And are you alright?”
“Yes, Luke I’m alright but it’s going to take a few months to feel really well again.” Now he did look worried. “Ora, I don’t get, what’s wrong?”
This time I smiled and squeezed his hands with mine. “Luke me feeling better will take about 7 ½ months say sometime in April. Luke I’m pregnant.”
All that came out of him was, “But, but, but, WHAT? Then his eyes lit up when it clicked in his mind and he jumped up out of his chair and yelled, “Yippeee!?”
Kate was frightened at first with Luke being so loud with the ‘what’ and then she started to laugh at daddy yelling jumping around and yelling ‘yippee.’
He pulled me up out of my chair. “This is real? We’re really going to have a baby? He looked over at Kate as she laughed. I mean another baby?”
I couldn’t help but smile at my wonderful husband. I never thought I could love like this. Or I would find someone else that loved me with all my shortcomings with all his heart. Croft would always have a special spot in my heart but Luke had another. God sure works is strange ways. I looked him in his eyes. “Yes sweetheart, we’re going to have another baby.” I also had to tell him what the doctor’s orders were and being upset about that part. All he said is, “I guess we’ll have to just work through it together and do the best we can.”
I started thinking about one of my dad’s sister’s, they had a late baby as well. She was 52 years old with her last one and don’t forget about great grandma she was 54. I hadn’t been thinking it was in my future. Dumb right?
A month later everyone else was being teased with the old saying, there must be something in the water and don’t you know what causes this yet? There were now 15 of us in this condition and most would be here from April through July. Others would have to get more get in their giddy up to get spring crops in the ground come March.
Meanwhile the harvest had been going on. I could sit and snap beans, take the outsides off of beets after they cooled down, cut up vegetables, fruits and meats. I found out that I had forgotten how cutting up even onion chives to dry could be tear educing. There was plenty of that to do even sitting. I could also help with the cooking for short times but I revolted at not getting in some of the exercise that I really needed, one couldn’t stay heathy without that. Walking was a good one. I hadn’t had any problems but the normal ones with Kate so I figured this one should go about the same. After all it hadn’t been that long ago.
We did the normal dinner type thing at Thanksgiving. The children and some of the adults as well really needed the holidays. A change in the routines from all the work worked wonders. A warmer Christmas week made for a round robin kind of dinner on three days with being inside and outside as we were doing shifts for us and having the base people over during their different shifts.
Gilroy was there for the first shift of his folks and the last one each day. Enough time had gone by that we decided to let Gilroy in on our tunnel system. Just not 90% the shelters that were involved though under so many of our buildings and elsewhere that also connected to the tunnels. Since Dan was his friend and Gilroy was his former commander, we let him do the honors.
End chap 21 A
accountant
Contributing Member
Thanks Sara for the cute chapter.
Just as an aside for all you ladies. Y'all are much smarter than us menfolk.
If'n yous want us to know somethin', then just tell us straight out and don't go beatin' around the bush, 'cause chance are, we won't get it.
We're simple that way.
A.
Just as an aside for all you ladies. Y'all are much smarter than us menfolk.
If'n yous want us to know somethin', then just tell us straight out and don't go beatin' around the bush, 'cause chance are, we won't get it.
We're simple that way.
A.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We were in town almost all day, long time at eye doc.. I get my first cataract done next tuesday.
Arizona Tunnel Rats
Chap 21 B
Dan asked the general to wait until everyone had left the cook cabin and or headed back to their base and our people to their homes. Dan’s Brandy helped with clean up and giving Dan a hug went on her way home. Dan asked that First Lieutenant Gray wait for Gilroy in his jeep as they had some private business to discuss. Dan didn’t want to raise any questions. Gray was Gilroy’s driver for the day. I came and gave Dan a kiss goodnight, “Night son, have a good time.”
Gilroy made a funny face at me with the strange goodnight I had told Dan. But he didn’t ask while I, Kate and Luke were getting ready to go home. He did raise his eyes at my growing middle as he hadn’t been over for a couple of months and didn’t know the latest news around here.
Gilroy turned to Dan after we and everyone else had cleared out. “Well Dan, what is it you wanted to talk about after we were all alone?”
“It’s more like something I have to show you. Now this is only for you, no one else even your closest officers at the base are to know what I am going to be showing you.”
Dan said later, “We’ll just put it in the not so great department when he opened the trap door and led Gilroy down into that part of the tunnel system. For a few seconds there Gen. Gilroy went from a surprised look, to a very annoyed look on his face, to what looked like he was mad.”
“I thought for a moment there that we had made the wrong decision about telling Gilroy about our tunnels and I was going to get socked a good one. Then he doubled over and starting laughing and couldn’t seem to stop. He’d look up at my face when he started to calm down and that would get him started up again. I thought he’d had lost his marbles for sure. He finally calmed down but had a really weird look on his face.”
“Daniel old boy, you really pulled a good one on me didn’t you. Here I thought you and yours had just survived by sheer luck and you were all hold up down here during the bad times. While we were the ones with all of our big, bad experience were the ones barely surviving. I should have known more was up then what met the eye when you introduced me to yourselves finally, as the real tunnel rats.”
“It was on that mission that I started to take a closer look at who must be military trained and who wasn’t and you know what, I couldn’t tell the difference. Even the ones I thought were too young to come were at times better trained then some of mine. Now that really blew my mind. I saw some of your training but apparently not the whole shebang. Now I’m really going to have to you know.”
“I also say again and promise that I will not tell another single soul about your underground tunnel network. Plus, the way I see you has changed. You’re not the same troubled man you once were. Okay now, I know there has got to be another entrance and exit, there isn’t a soul who would have one way in and the same way out.”
Dan told us, “I didn’t take him down and through the Chiefs side but I took him down to one of the side entrances. It was the halfway in-between one that took us out under the more or less solid looking floor area of the old battered looking falling apart shed. You know the one that’s in a pasture area.”
“He thought it was a good disguise. He didn’t think anyone would want to be in there very long as it looked like a strong wind would take it down. I just left it at that but I would think, he would think that we had to have reinforced it somehow so that it wouldn’t come down. Which we indeed do or is it did.” Dan laughed at his own wise crack.
“Oh, another thing if we see Corporal Downing again, we are to treat him just like everyone else from the base. But Gilroy had to transfer Downing to another area. It seems he was overstepping his authority and resting on his laurels instead of getting his work done, especially when the general was off base. He is taking some retraining at the moment. I knew we knew that Gilroy had a new aid and had questions but I was very happy to see all of us kept our noses out of it. So was Gilroy with how we ran things. The best thing we can do is stick to what’s going on here and to Gilroy over at the base and we’ll all get along better. As long as they stay straight shooters with us, we will reciprocate.”
Then he looked like he had stepped into something, gads, should I have said that? I’m not the boss. “Ah, I’m not wrong, am I? I didn’t overstep my bounds, I hope?”
I started to laugh and then the others did. I told him, “No Dan your thinking is just right and we or at least most of think the same thing. You are doing a great job and as one of the major leaders and with your great common sense we have every confidence in you.” I turned to look at the others and they all agreed.
Another thing that came up was the weird language that his radio folks were hearing when they hit a certain channel. Did Dan know what in the world that was?
In the end Gilroy and all his people took Klingon lessons so no one else knew what the messages and orders were coming over their FRS radios or the main shortwave. Dan got another good slap on the back for that one. Credit was also given where credit was due. And another instruction class came into being.
End chap 21 B
Arizona Tunnel Rats
Chap 21 B
Dan asked the general to wait until everyone had left the cook cabin and or headed back to their base and our people to their homes. Dan’s Brandy helped with clean up and giving Dan a hug went on her way home. Dan asked that First Lieutenant Gray wait for Gilroy in his jeep as they had some private business to discuss. Dan didn’t want to raise any questions. Gray was Gilroy’s driver for the day. I came and gave Dan a kiss goodnight, “Night son, have a good time.”
Gilroy made a funny face at me with the strange goodnight I had told Dan. But he didn’t ask while I, Kate and Luke were getting ready to go home. He did raise his eyes at my growing middle as he hadn’t been over for a couple of months and didn’t know the latest news around here.
Gilroy turned to Dan after we and everyone else had cleared out. “Well Dan, what is it you wanted to talk about after we were all alone?”
“It’s more like something I have to show you. Now this is only for you, no one else even your closest officers at the base are to know what I am going to be showing you.”
Dan said later, “We’ll just put it in the not so great department when he opened the trap door and led Gilroy down into that part of the tunnel system. For a few seconds there Gen. Gilroy went from a surprised look, to a very annoyed look on his face, to what looked like he was mad.”
“I thought for a moment there that we had made the wrong decision about telling Gilroy about our tunnels and I was going to get socked a good one. Then he doubled over and starting laughing and couldn’t seem to stop. He’d look up at my face when he started to calm down and that would get him started up again. I thought he’d had lost his marbles for sure. He finally calmed down but had a really weird look on his face.”
“Daniel old boy, you really pulled a good one on me didn’t you. Here I thought you and yours had just survived by sheer luck and you were all hold up down here during the bad times. While we were the ones with all of our big, bad experience were the ones barely surviving. I should have known more was up then what met the eye when you introduced me to yourselves finally, as the real tunnel rats.”
“It was on that mission that I started to take a closer look at who must be military trained and who wasn’t and you know what, I couldn’t tell the difference. Even the ones I thought were too young to come were at times better trained then some of mine. Now that really blew my mind. I saw some of your training but apparently not the whole shebang. Now I’m really going to have to you know.”
“I also say again and promise that I will not tell another single soul about your underground tunnel network. Plus, the way I see you has changed. You’re not the same troubled man you once were. Okay now, I know there has got to be another entrance and exit, there isn’t a soul who would have one way in and the same way out.”
Dan told us, “I didn’t take him down and through the Chiefs side but I took him down to one of the side entrances. It was the halfway in-between one that took us out under the more or less solid looking floor area of the old battered looking falling apart shed. You know the one that’s in a pasture area.”
“He thought it was a good disguise. He didn’t think anyone would want to be in there very long as it looked like a strong wind would take it down. I just left it at that but I would think, he would think that we had to have reinforced it somehow so that it wouldn’t come down. Which we indeed do or is it did.” Dan laughed at his own wise crack.
“Oh, another thing if we see Corporal Downing again, we are to treat him just like everyone else from the base. But Gilroy had to transfer Downing to another area. It seems he was overstepping his authority and resting on his laurels instead of getting his work done, especially when the general was off base. He is taking some retraining at the moment. I knew we knew that Gilroy had a new aid and had questions but I was very happy to see all of us kept our noses out of it. So was Gilroy with how we ran things. The best thing we can do is stick to what’s going on here and to Gilroy over at the base and we’ll all get along better. As long as they stay straight shooters with us, we will reciprocate.”
Then he looked like he had stepped into something, gads, should I have said that? I’m not the boss. “Ah, I’m not wrong, am I? I didn’t overstep my bounds, I hope?”
I started to laugh and then the others did. I told him, “No Dan your thinking is just right and we or at least most of think the same thing. You are doing a great job and as one of the major leaders and with your great common sense we have every confidence in you.” I turned to look at the others and they all agreed.
Another thing that came up was the weird language that his radio folks were hearing when they hit a certain channel. Did Dan know what in the world that was?
In the end Gilroy and all his people took Klingon lessons so no one else knew what the messages and orders were coming over their FRS radios or the main shortwave. Dan got another good slap on the back for that one. Credit was also given where credit was due. And another instruction class came into being.
End chap 21 B
Attachments
larry_minn
Contributing Member
My right eye went so slowly bad. It was only when I realized my left eye, was now my dominant eye shooting. I tried using a scope. Couldn’t see a dang thing. That raccoon almost lived. (Practice weak side). I also got rid of glasses to see.
Now I have @6 pair different safety glasses (with 1.5 cheaters) mainly yellow/orange.. @4 or reading only. And bunch clear safety glasses.. oh yea few sun glasses, 1 in each car, pickup…
I hook the chill pill. Dr. stopped. “Could you stop drumming your foot please?” It was really easy, no pain, discomfort…
Now I have @6 pair different safety glasses (with 1.5 cheaters) mainly yellow/orange.. @4 or reading only. And bunch clear safety glasses.. oh yea few sun glasses, 1 in each car, pickup…
I hook the chill pill. Dr. stopped. “Could you stop drumming your foot please?” It was really easy, no pain, discomfort…
accountant
Contributing Member
Thanks for the chapter, Sara.
Just a question, is Dan not worried about OPSEC now that Gilroy's crew are learning Klingon?
Downing is a bad apple. If he learns Klingon, and is able to break the Rats' code, what's to stop him from flipping to the Federal side and spilling all he knows about the folks at Wolf's rest.
Just a thought.
Thanks again.
A.
p.s. good luck with the recovery from your surgery.
Just a question, is Dan not worried about OPSEC now that Gilroy's crew are learning Klingon?
Downing is a bad apple. If he learns Klingon, and is able to break the Rats' code, what's to stop him from flipping to the Federal side and spilling all he knows about the folks at Wolf's rest.
Just a thought.
Thanks again.
A.
p.s. good luck with the recovery from your surgery.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I know this is more or less a short story. Hope you enjoyed it. The next story is in the works.
Arizona Tunnel Rats
Chap 22
The new Fort Old Town folks went out on reconnaissance after they were better settled in. Once a week they went out taking a different platoon each time. They started making an ever-growing circle around our area. They would take and make another center area and do another 50 miles out. We were called on to help about once a month but Gilroy still thought it was his responsibly to take the rogue units out. Other Generals who were patriots were ordered to do the same and little by little they took our country back.
He finally received orders that the United States Government was back in charge with men and women who wanted to go back to what the forefathers wanted our country to be. A small government ruled by the people and a military that took care of protecting the country from attackers.
The Washington District of Colombia was no longer the Capital of the country. Instead, a more central city was picked. That way it wasn’t coastal areas against what the politicians used to call fly over country. Lincoln, Nebraska was now our capital.
Politicians had to take tests, both mental and physical. They also had their lives looked at to see if they had criminal records. Not the silly teen stuff kids get into but big stuff. Breaking and entering, being part of protests that looted, burned and harmed others, attempted murder and even bold crimes that they committed before the age of 21.
As the years went on life did get better but folks were more apt to look after themselves and be more self-sustaining then before all this happened. They even came to Wolf’s Rest and the fort for training to be able to protect themselves.
Fort Old Town became a major military base with divisions of all the branches of the services who served there. Some of their instructors were even born and raised at Wolf’s Rest.
Luke and I had a little boy we named Lukis Croft Graham. He is now a grown man and married. He rotates from the fort to here in teaching several forms of hand-to-hand combat and scout tactics.
Kate married three years before Lukis, one of the Alden boys of Greg and Terry. She trained under them and Doc. Carter Applegate in medicine and now is one of Wolf’s Rests doctors. Her husband is Tanner Fairplay and they have three boys and two girls.
There are more children here than one can count and Mountain Mikes brood took after him in size. There oldest married Captain Petty from the fort and they live over there. Most of their children are still here and married what we call locals, meaning those that live here.
Before I forget Sergeant Neilson did catch Mayville, at least he claims it was him that convinced her that he was extremely serious about her. At first, he was concerned because of their 11-year age gap. But after another 10 months they got to talking and he found out her parents had 15 years between them and they were still kicking and in love. I still see them going for walks hand in hand. They had 2 boys and 7 girls and now a slew of grand kids. We hear a lot of look, look their holding hands again.
Of course, Luke and I get that as well. ‘Oh, grandpa and grandma your outside in public you need to stop kissing it’s embarrassing.’ So, Luke just goes in for a longer kiss and we get many ewwwww’s.
To top things off General Casey Gilroy at 45 years old finally found himself a woman that liked him just the way he was. She was one of the older ladies that we had rescued at Shumway. She had been in her early 30’s but looked younger. Would you believe she was a welder? He took notice of her when she came over all those years ago to help to work on one of the trucks. They ended up with a boy and a girl and both of the kids are also Marines like their dad. Gilroy is as happy as a clam.
And yes, he finally did get to see the whole shelter and tunnel system. We had so many marrying back and forth that it would have been too hard to keep the whole place a secret anyway.
Dan is truly a leader and also his nephew Butch Lightening Johnson. His uncle Larry passed away ten years ago and Butch took over as Chief. A few of the older sub chiefs retired from time to time and members of their families took over. Everything changes but we go on.
Luke and I are in our 70’s headed for the 80’s, it has taken me a better part of six months or more to get this all down. I know I have skipped around some, day dreamed through some of it and left out some. But most of the why and how we came to live here is written down. Yes, Klingon is still taught here but mostly for the scout clan and the radio operators. A few odd ones have taken it up to keep it going and of course Apache is a must have class in our schools.
About two thirds of the White Mountain Apache moved back to White Mountain. It is a very well-protected home just like here. They even dug and dynamited shelters and dug tunnels. They took an extra short wave with them and we are always a part of each other’s lives. There was so much intermarrying we are still one big family. All there has to be is a cry for help and we are on our way to them or them to help us.
We lost a few good friends and family along the way but all in all it’s been a good life. Oh, my gosh what is that explosion? Don’t tell me Dan’s son Brewster has tied bags of gun powder behind his arrow heads again. What a thing to teach his children let alone everyone else’s.
From Wolf’s Rest, see you on the other side. Qapla!
Orabell Nanville Rasmussen Shaffer Graham
Arizona Tunnel Rats
Chap 22
The new Fort Old Town folks went out on reconnaissance after they were better settled in. Once a week they went out taking a different platoon each time. They started making an ever-growing circle around our area. They would take and make another center area and do another 50 miles out. We were called on to help about once a month but Gilroy still thought it was his responsibly to take the rogue units out. Other Generals who were patriots were ordered to do the same and little by little they took our country back.
He finally received orders that the United States Government was back in charge with men and women who wanted to go back to what the forefathers wanted our country to be. A small government ruled by the people and a military that took care of protecting the country from attackers.
The Washington District of Colombia was no longer the Capital of the country. Instead, a more central city was picked. That way it wasn’t coastal areas against what the politicians used to call fly over country. Lincoln, Nebraska was now our capital.
Politicians had to take tests, both mental and physical. They also had their lives looked at to see if they had criminal records. Not the silly teen stuff kids get into but big stuff. Breaking and entering, being part of protests that looted, burned and harmed others, attempted murder and even bold crimes that they committed before the age of 21.
As the years went on life did get better but folks were more apt to look after themselves and be more self-sustaining then before all this happened. They even came to Wolf’s Rest and the fort for training to be able to protect themselves.
Fort Old Town became a major military base with divisions of all the branches of the services who served there. Some of their instructors were even born and raised at Wolf’s Rest.
Luke and I had a little boy we named Lukis Croft Graham. He is now a grown man and married. He rotates from the fort to here in teaching several forms of hand-to-hand combat and scout tactics.
Kate married three years before Lukis, one of the Alden boys of Greg and Terry. She trained under them and Doc. Carter Applegate in medicine and now is one of Wolf’s Rests doctors. Her husband is Tanner Fairplay and they have three boys and two girls.
There are more children here than one can count and Mountain Mikes brood took after him in size. There oldest married Captain Petty from the fort and they live over there. Most of their children are still here and married what we call locals, meaning those that live here.
Before I forget Sergeant Neilson did catch Mayville, at least he claims it was him that convinced her that he was extremely serious about her. At first, he was concerned because of their 11-year age gap. But after another 10 months they got to talking and he found out her parents had 15 years between them and they were still kicking and in love. I still see them going for walks hand in hand. They had 2 boys and 7 girls and now a slew of grand kids. We hear a lot of look, look their holding hands again.
Of course, Luke and I get that as well. ‘Oh, grandpa and grandma your outside in public you need to stop kissing it’s embarrassing.’ So, Luke just goes in for a longer kiss and we get many ewwwww’s.
To top things off General Casey Gilroy at 45 years old finally found himself a woman that liked him just the way he was. She was one of the older ladies that we had rescued at Shumway. She had been in her early 30’s but looked younger. Would you believe she was a welder? He took notice of her when she came over all those years ago to help to work on one of the trucks. They ended up with a boy and a girl and both of the kids are also Marines like their dad. Gilroy is as happy as a clam.
And yes, he finally did get to see the whole shelter and tunnel system. We had so many marrying back and forth that it would have been too hard to keep the whole place a secret anyway.
Dan is truly a leader and also his nephew Butch Lightening Johnson. His uncle Larry passed away ten years ago and Butch took over as Chief. A few of the older sub chiefs retired from time to time and members of their families took over. Everything changes but we go on.
Luke and I are in our 70’s headed for the 80’s, it has taken me a better part of six months or more to get this all down. I know I have skipped around some, day dreamed through some of it and left out some. But most of the why and how we came to live here is written down. Yes, Klingon is still taught here but mostly for the scout clan and the radio operators. A few odd ones have taken it up to keep it going and of course Apache is a must have class in our schools.
About two thirds of the White Mountain Apache moved back to White Mountain. It is a very well-protected home just like here. They even dug and dynamited shelters and dug tunnels. They took an extra short wave with them and we are always a part of each other’s lives. There was so much intermarrying we are still one big family. All there has to be is a cry for help and we are on our way to them or them to help us.
We lost a few good friends and family along the way but all in all it’s been a good life. Oh, my gosh what is that explosion? Don’t tell me Dan’s son Brewster has tied bags of gun powder behind his arrow heads again. What a thing to teach his children let alone everyone else’s.
From Wolf’s Rest, see you on the other side. Qapla!
Orabell Nanville Rasmussen Shaffer Graham
Last edited:
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Thank you Sara. Really needed this distraction from all the stupid and crazy going on in the world.
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
Thank you dear Sara and may your healing go well.
accountant
Contributing Member
Thank you Sara. I enjoyed this story very much.
A.
A.
larry_minn
Contributing Member
Qupla!
(Northern district)
(Northern district)
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good one Larry.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you en't hardly see what I am typing, cant wear my glassses and other eye got cataract out this mrnig, ther eis a multi hariy legged octto pi t in my other eyes. and Canr aee out of teother. Thank you for every one, storyI.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Thank you Sara
As usual, another good one to add to the collection.
Rest those eyes before you start on another. When I had mine done, they were pretty firm about limiting screen time etc. or anything that could cause eye strain; almost 9 years now and never really had an issue although night driving is getting to be one.
I think that comes with time though and being in my very late 70s doesn't help.
As usual, another good one to add to the collection.
Rest those eyes before you start on another. When I had mine done, they were pretty firm about limiting screen time etc. or anything that could cause eye strain; almost 9 years now and never really had an issue although night driving is getting to be one.
I think that comes with time though and being in my very late 70s doesn't help.