Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Which is why I'm always going back to re-read. And yes, I make notes.
Not saying you'd try to trick us but ..... I think there might be a devious strand in the DNA puzzle......
Ready when you are.
Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
Not saying you'd try to trick us but ..... I think there might be a devious strand in the DNA puzzle......
Ready when you are.
It would be too bad for this thread to terminate before reaching its destination.
You have provided nice chapter transitions and adjustments to the time arcs before.
When you mentioned six I was thinking about rough draft posts already in the works and not where we could be in the series.
You have provided nice chapter transitions and adjustments to the time arcs before.
When you mentioned six I was thinking about rough draft posts already in the works and not where we could be in the series.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
oh, trust me, we still have twists and turns in five coming. I’m not slowing down on this. I am already piecing some stuff together for parts of six, and seven is in some initial planning
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
No need to reset the hook. I don't see anyone gathering their stuff up so they can bail off the bus.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The New Standard
The travel day was difficult but straight forward driving. With their newly acquired skills and practice, everyone was moving along well, if slowly. Soon they were at their stopping point. With no large forest or undergrowth for larger game to hide in plus the difficulty to hide their own presence, it was decided to not stay over for a day of hunting.
Violet and Veronica were having ideas as they helped everyone gas up from the trailer.
“If we have the kids staked at the ends in their trench beds with the dogs, that takes care of early warning.” Veronica said for the third time as she held the pump nozzle while Violet operated the hand pump.
“Like I said the first time, you make sense, but I don’t have to like it.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“No, but the other thing I was going to suggest was you and I do the snow trench thing as well tonight so we don’t put the tent up and skyline ourselves as bad” Violet said tentatively.
“Shit, you know me. Our bags are set up and with bivy sacks, we will be just fine and toasty. You and I have done it enough recently when we were hunting.”
“Yeah, I know, but you know me. I like my creature comforts.”
At this, Veronica had to laugh. Violet, the stoic minimalist, talking about liking her creature comforts! The same girl who during a six-month period of high school would only shower in cold water because she said it helped her focus her chi.
“OK, your objection and sacrifices are noted. We will push out across the road, so we will be on one side, Felicia and Owen on the other and the kids at the ends. When we look at the map, we should be able to better project the next opportunity to grab some game.”
The travel day was difficult but straight forward driving. With their newly acquired skills and practice, everyone was moving along well, if slowly. Soon they were at their stopping point. With no large forest or undergrowth for larger game to hide in plus the difficulty to hide their own presence, it was decided to not stay over for a day of hunting.
Violet and Veronica were having ideas as they helped everyone gas up from the trailer.
“If we have the kids staked at the ends in their trench beds with the dogs, that takes care of early warning.” Veronica said for the third time as she held the pump nozzle while Violet operated the hand pump.
“Like I said the first time, you make sense, but I don’t have to like it.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“No, but the other thing I was going to suggest was you and I do the snow trench thing as well tonight so we don’t put the tent up and skyline ourselves as bad” Violet said tentatively.
“Shit, you know me. Our bags are set up and with bivy sacks, we will be just fine and toasty. You and I have done it enough recently when we were hunting.”
“Yeah, I know, but you know me. I like my creature comforts.”
At this, Veronica had to laugh. Violet, the stoic minimalist, talking about liking her creature comforts! The same girl who during a six-month period of high school would only shower in cold water because she said it helped her focus her chi.
“OK, your objection and sacrifices are noted. We will push out across the road, so we will be on one side, Felicia and Owen on the other and the kids at the ends. When we look at the map, we should be able to better project the next opportunity to grab some game.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Making Ground
The next several days seemed to blur together. With their new methods, when they were parked in the open or with very little cover, the tents were left down and the perimeter guards slept in snow trenches on all four sides when there was snow. which was thankfully thinning as the first reaches of spring were being felt where they were moving through. They were still looking for a decent place to do a bit of hunting without detouring from their trail. It was a nicety, not a necessity.
While Gretchen, Violet, Derek and Veronica worked at keeping everyone safe, Bron, Owen and Felicia worked at keeping everyone fed and cared for. Bron’s truck became the gathering spot. This was where the cooking, planning and relaxing happened.
Once they were into a routine, everyone’s spirits seemed to lighten some. It was back to being a grand adventure. This changed late one afternoon.
The next several days seemed to blur together. With their new methods, when they were parked in the open or with very little cover, the tents were left down and the perimeter guards slept in snow trenches on all four sides when there was snow. which was thankfully thinning as the first reaches of spring were being felt where they were moving through. They were still looking for a decent place to do a bit of hunting without detouring from their trail. It was a nicety, not a necessity.
While Gretchen, Violet, Derek and Veronica worked at keeping everyone safe, Bron, Owen and Felicia worked at keeping everyone fed and cared for. Bron’s truck became the gathering spot. This was where the cooking, planning and relaxing happened.
Once they were into a routine, everyone’s spirits seemed to lighten some. It was back to being a grand adventure. This changed late one afternoon.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Everyone was filing out of Bron’s truck when they heard several gunshots off in the distance. They were short, sharp cracks of a handgun, not the more familiar report of a hunting rifle. Everyone’s heads swung around searching for the direction. It seemed to come from up ahead.
“We better check that out and see what we might be getting ourselves into.” Violet said to Veronica.
“Yeah, a couple of us should go scout it out before we blunder into a big pile of crap.” Veronica replied.
“Who you thinking?” Felicia asked.
Veronica looked around the group. She knew the best two would probably be her and Violet again, but if something happened, they would need one of them here with the rest. She saw the potential error in their earlier decision where Violet got shot.
They needed to sneak, get the info then work from there. She knew even before she announced her idea, it would be unpopular. Tough shit. It made the best sense.
“Violet, you and Felicia get ready to play cavalry to come and rescue us if something happens. Gretchen, Onna and I are going to sneak forward and see what we can find out.”
Everyone seemed to talk at once. Veronica held up her hands to try and quiet them.
“Look, it was either Derek or Gretchen. The dogs pick up on threats so much quicker than we do and Gretchen doesn’t sound like a blind moose in a telephone booth moving through the woods like Derek can at times. The rest of you get ready to either fight or flee. If one of us is hurt or we need medical support, Violet and Felicia can come up quick and pull us out or reinforce us. Better plan? Let me hear it, but it better be with better reasons to back them up.” Veronica said with firm determination.
Gretchen was a bit stunned to be picked for the scouting mission with Veronica. She thought about her escape bag and what she might need to rearrange to go with Veronica. She also had to check Onna’s pack. At least they practiced hiking and hunting with them before they left so it wouldn’t be the first time they went creeping around all geared up.
Violet understood Veronica’s reasoning, but she didn’t have to like it. She had to turn her thoughts on what to do if things went wrong. She would have a whole host of different problems to consider. From rescue to recovery to fighting through a blocking force, all of these things would need some basic plan to have any hope of success.
Owen wasn’t sure what he could do to help other than be an extra pair of willing hands. This was more of that military type thinking. He knew playing video games wasn’t the same as the real world.
Derek wasn’t happy. Not at all. He didn’t like the idea of his sister going off into danger while he stayed behind. He was the one supposed to be keeping her safe. How was he going to do that if she was running off to who knows where! Stop It! He had to trust her. He had to trust Veronica. He also had to be ready to come to their rescue if it came to it. He better get with Violet and figure out how to help.
Felicia wasn’t sure about much. What she was sure of was she sure as hell didn’t want to think about some major medical issue out here with no one but her to work on them. With no hospital or medivac, she wasn’t sure what she could really do other than make them a neater, more comfortable dying person. She hated everyone was counting on her medically. Her medic time was so long ago, her experience so fractured and incomplete. She spent a lot of her time doing standard sick call stuff, helping the docs and nurses. Most of her real trauma and emergency training was just that; training.
She did rotations in the ER, but it was once again helping someone. Someone else was making the hard decisions. It was a long time ago when she was that fresh faced eager new trainee who wanted to learn all there was about helping people with medicine. Shoot, that was why she first came into the Air Force. Taking care of her sick mother gave her the taste for medicine and wanting to learn and do more. The reality of her military medicine career burned that drive out of her. That’s why she switched to the new and exciting career as an OSI Agent. That was where she was really making a difference. Did she really remember enough to be useful as a medic if the call came?
Bron watched all the emotions play out across everyone’s faces. She was calm. She knew her part was help everyone who needed it and provide that anchoring presence they might need to keep them focused on their goals. She would help Veronica and Gretchen get on their way. She would help calm Derek down. She would reassure Felicia she could still be a medic. She would give Violet someone to back check her plan with. She would be there for Owen. She had to stay calm so at least one person in the group was. She remembered her crisis management instructor’s favorite phrase; ‘Panic is infectious, so is calm’. She and Owen will get everything ready to go while the others work on the crisis.
Soon, Veronica and Gretchen were headed off into the deepening gloom.
“We better check that out and see what we might be getting ourselves into.” Violet said to Veronica.
“Yeah, a couple of us should go scout it out before we blunder into a big pile of crap.” Veronica replied.
“Who you thinking?” Felicia asked.
Veronica looked around the group. She knew the best two would probably be her and Violet again, but if something happened, they would need one of them here with the rest. She saw the potential error in their earlier decision where Violet got shot.
They needed to sneak, get the info then work from there. She knew even before she announced her idea, it would be unpopular. Tough shit. It made the best sense.
“Violet, you and Felicia get ready to play cavalry to come and rescue us if something happens. Gretchen, Onna and I are going to sneak forward and see what we can find out.”
Everyone seemed to talk at once. Veronica held up her hands to try and quiet them.
“Look, it was either Derek or Gretchen. The dogs pick up on threats so much quicker than we do and Gretchen doesn’t sound like a blind moose in a telephone booth moving through the woods like Derek can at times. The rest of you get ready to either fight or flee. If one of us is hurt or we need medical support, Violet and Felicia can come up quick and pull us out or reinforce us. Better plan? Let me hear it, but it better be with better reasons to back them up.” Veronica said with firm determination.
Gretchen was a bit stunned to be picked for the scouting mission with Veronica. She thought about her escape bag and what she might need to rearrange to go with Veronica. She also had to check Onna’s pack. At least they practiced hiking and hunting with them before they left so it wouldn’t be the first time they went creeping around all geared up.
Violet understood Veronica’s reasoning, but she didn’t have to like it. She had to turn her thoughts on what to do if things went wrong. She would have a whole host of different problems to consider. From rescue to recovery to fighting through a blocking force, all of these things would need some basic plan to have any hope of success.
Owen wasn’t sure what he could do to help other than be an extra pair of willing hands. This was more of that military type thinking. He knew playing video games wasn’t the same as the real world.
Derek wasn’t happy. Not at all. He didn’t like the idea of his sister going off into danger while he stayed behind. He was the one supposed to be keeping her safe. How was he going to do that if she was running off to who knows where! Stop It! He had to trust her. He had to trust Veronica. He also had to be ready to come to their rescue if it came to it. He better get with Violet and figure out how to help.
Felicia wasn’t sure about much. What she was sure of was she sure as hell didn’t want to think about some major medical issue out here with no one but her to work on them. With no hospital or medivac, she wasn’t sure what she could really do other than make them a neater, more comfortable dying person. She hated everyone was counting on her medically. Her medic time was so long ago, her experience so fractured and incomplete. She spent a lot of her time doing standard sick call stuff, helping the docs and nurses. Most of her real trauma and emergency training was just that; training.
She did rotations in the ER, but it was once again helping someone. Someone else was making the hard decisions. It was a long time ago when she was that fresh faced eager new trainee who wanted to learn all there was about helping people with medicine. Shoot, that was why she first came into the Air Force. Taking care of her sick mother gave her the taste for medicine and wanting to learn and do more. The reality of her military medicine career burned that drive out of her. That’s why she switched to the new and exciting career as an OSI Agent. That was where she was really making a difference. Did she really remember enough to be useful as a medic if the call came?
Bron watched all the emotions play out across everyone’s faces. She was calm. She knew her part was help everyone who needed it and provide that anchoring presence they might need to keep them focused on their goals. She would help Veronica and Gretchen get on their way. She would help calm Derek down. She would reassure Felicia she could still be a medic. She would give Violet someone to back check her plan with. She would be there for Owen. She had to stay calm so at least one person in the group was. She remembered her crisis management instructor’s favorite phrase; ‘Panic is infectious, so is calm’. She and Owen will get everything ready to go while the others work on the crisis.
Soon, Veronica and Gretchen were headed off into the deepening gloom.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Back in town and back on schedule for the most part. Spent the weekend in Dallas with the wife at the Texas Pinball Festival.
This evening will be unloading the wife's new toy
Legends of Valhalla Deluxe - American Pinball (american-pinball.com)
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Spent many a quarters that amounted to dollars at the pool hall using the pinball machines. Got fairly good at it and no one with any sense would challenge me. Teenage years were good.
Texican....
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Pinball. I knew something wasn't right about you.
Glad to hear we're back on schedule, thanks. I was starting to get a little light-headed.
Derek needs to get over his father complex before it causes him to make a serious mistake.
Thank you!
more of a protect his baby sister thing. He has lost the rest of his family and is determined to whatever he can to try and keep her safe. He is also realizing his overprotective nature and fighting it hence the “Stop it, he had to trust her” comment to himself
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
wife worked in a huge arcade as a teenager and has been collecting over the years. Just spent two hours rearranging the furniture to set it up. This is number twelve at the house. Did you know there is about a mile of wire inside them? One she has torn apart has 63 different colors of wire. Each switch and light and flipper and target gets its own unique combination of them to control, score and light up
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Ahh the joys of a 'misspent' youth.....
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Over the Hill and Through the Woods
Veronica and Gretchen were alone in the woods working their way towards the sound of the gun fire. Gretchen finally broken the silence.
“OK, Veronica, what do you need me to do?” Gretchen asked in a quiet voice as they walked further away from the group.
Veronica looked over at Gretchen and Onna to see how prepared they were. Gretchen had Onna’s dog boots on her feet to protect them for snow drift and her pack on Onna’s back.
Gretchen had her own gear set for a long hike. She had her own three day pack with her survival gear. She had gaiters on to protect her lower legs. She had her carbine loose in her hands and ready. Veronica was pleased but knew she should have checked this before they left the hiding place.
“So, what we are going to do is move over and across the hill over there” she pointed “and see if we can find out what all the shooting is about. I wouldn’t be as concerned but it is ahead of us, not behind us. It sounded like several pistol shots not one or two rifle shots like I would expect from someone hunting.”
Gretchen thought about what Veronica was saying and was wondering what wasn’t said.
“That makes sense, but what is my part? You could do all of that alone. You don’t need us.” She finally said.
“Three sets of eyes are better than one and you two are **** all smart and observant. We will be on the lookout for everything. Onna will smell and hear anything long before we do. You’re quiet and observant. When we were hunting, you picked up on things I didn’t see several times. I brought you for your eyes, your ears, and your brain.” Veronica replied without hesitation.
Gretchen wasn’t quite sure what to say. Veronica could see that and kept talking.
“Now, any talking is at a whisper, just like when we were hunting. Keep Onna close. We don’t want her inadvertently giving us away if she gets too far ahead. Once we get over the hill, if anything happens and you have to run, don’t try to run back up the hill. You would be too good a target. Instead run along the hill and make your way towards the road to meet up with Violet and the rest. I will try to delay them and draw their attention the other way.”
Gretchen was confused.
“Run from who?”
“I don’t know, but better we have a plan and not need it than try to come up with something after something happens.” Veronica replied.
On up the hill they went.
Climbing the hill, Veronica was glad they were at lower altitude now and most of the snow was just in the shady spots. They still had some places ahead they might run into leftover snow on their route but things were looking up. Veronica mentally slapped herself for getting off task in her mind.
She looked over at Gretchen. Gretchen was laser focused on every step, trying to eliminate noise, stay smooth in her movements and in short, follow every tip and trick she taught her about hunting. God! She was proud of this kid!
Moving near her was Onna in a relaxed but attentive manner just like she had several times before when they were out. Veronica was still working on her issues with dogs, but these two had won her over in a big way, at least with the two of them.
Veronica directed Gretchen with hand gestures which line they would follow up the hill. As they climbed higher and higher, they were listening for the sounds of nature, and for any that didn’t belong.
Veronica and Gretchen were alone in the woods working their way towards the sound of the gun fire. Gretchen finally broken the silence.
“OK, Veronica, what do you need me to do?” Gretchen asked in a quiet voice as they walked further away from the group.
Veronica looked over at Gretchen and Onna to see how prepared they were. Gretchen had Onna’s dog boots on her feet to protect them for snow drift and her pack on Onna’s back.
Gretchen had her own gear set for a long hike. She had her own three day pack with her survival gear. She had gaiters on to protect her lower legs. She had her carbine loose in her hands and ready. Veronica was pleased but knew she should have checked this before they left the hiding place.
“So, what we are going to do is move over and across the hill over there” she pointed “and see if we can find out what all the shooting is about. I wouldn’t be as concerned but it is ahead of us, not behind us. It sounded like several pistol shots not one or two rifle shots like I would expect from someone hunting.”
Gretchen thought about what Veronica was saying and was wondering what wasn’t said.
“That makes sense, but what is my part? You could do all of that alone. You don’t need us.” She finally said.
“Three sets of eyes are better than one and you two are **** all smart and observant. We will be on the lookout for everything. Onna will smell and hear anything long before we do. You’re quiet and observant. When we were hunting, you picked up on things I didn’t see several times. I brought you for your eyes, your ears, and your brain.” Veronica replied without hesitation.
Gretchen wasn’t quite sure what to say. Veronica could see that and kept talking.
“Now, any talking is at a whisper, just like when we were hunting. Keep Onna close. We don’t want her inadvertently giving us away if she gets too far ahead. Once we get over the hill, if anything happens and you have to run, don’t try to run back up the hill. You would be too good a target. Instead run along the hill and make your way towards the road to meet up with Violet and the rest. I will try to delay them and draw their attention the other way.”
Gretchen was confused.
“Run from who?”
“I don’t know, but better we have a plan and not need it than try to come up with something after something happens.” Veronica replied.
On up the hill they went.
Climbing the hill, Veronica was glad they were at lower altitude now and most of the snow was just in the shady spots. They still had some places ahead they might run into leftover snow on their route but things were looking up. Veronica mentally slapped herself for getting off task in her mind.
She looked over at Gretchen. Gretchen was laser focused on every step, trying to eliminate noise, stay smooth in her movements and in short, follow every tip and trick she taught her about hunting. God! She was proud of this kid!
Moving near her was Onna in a relaxed but attentive manner just like she had several times before when they were out. Veronica was still working on her issues with dogs, but these two had won her over in a big way, at least with the two of them.
Veronica directed Gretchen with hand gestures which line they would follow up the hill. As they climbed higher and higher, they were listening for the sounds of nature, and for any that didn’t belong.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
As they crested each hill they scanned ahead for movement or any signs of whoever did the shooting. It was after the third hill they finally saw something. In the small low spot they saw a couple people and a small lean-to. One of the figures was huddled by the small fire in front of the lean-to. The other figure was sprawled spread eagle face down ten or fifteen feet away.
Immediately Gretchen and Veronica froze, looking around for more people and better cover. It didn’t take long for them to find a good spot to settle in and watch. They took turns. While one watched the person at the fire, the other would sweep the hillsides all around the little camp and their observation position. Onna sat between them, remaining alert.
After maybe an hour, the person by the fire got up, turned and went to a shape in the lean-to. They seemed to be helping them eat or drink something but it was hard to see in the flickering light. Veronica’s night vision monocular was having some difficulty seeing over the fire into the darker lean-to.
Gretchen leaned over and whispered into Veronica’s ear.
“OK, so now what?”
Veronica wasn’t sure. She had some ideas, some of which were really bad ones. One voice in her head was screaming ‘Get back to the vehicles and drive away quickly!’ but for some reason that option didn’t feel right. Some of the others didn’t feel much better. She weighed the various ideas in her head.
“I think we need to check this out some more.”
Gretchen waited for more, then finally asked.
“How?”
Veronica made up her mind. She would put it to her straight.
“It depends. Do you trust me and how brave or stupid do you feel?” Veronica asked her.
Gretchen got a real quizzical look and decided to throw it right back at her.
“It depends. What do you have in mind?”
“Well the one sprawled away from the fire I think is the recipient of the gunshots. No movement, face down. I think they are dead. The question is the other one. Correction, two.”
“OK?” Gretchen prompted when Veronica paused.
“To find out more, one of us needs to go down there.” Veronica finally said.
Gretchen just stood there looking at her for a moment before she asked her question.
“You or me?”
Veronica took a deep breath before she answered her.
“Unless you feel real comfortable in shooting them and maybe more from here without warning, I hate to ask, but I was thinking you.”
A long moment of silence hung between them.
“OK. I’ll do it, but tell me the rest of the why me.” Gretchen said in a flat tone.
Veronica breathed a sigh of relief.
“Here’s my thinking. I know all this time we have been telling you how much of an adult you are. I was thinking of shifting things the other way. My idea is to have you playing the part of the young girl investigating all the racket. You and Onna walk in, empty-handed and be all inquisitive. You know, a girl and her dog, all ‘what’s going on’ and ‘how can I help’ sort of things.”
Veronica stopped to let Gretchen think for a moment.
“ Meanwhile, I’m watching everything through the scope and we can put the little walkie-talkie so you can key it while they are talking to you. The ear bud in your ear will let me warn you if I see something not right. But for it to work, you will need to sell the harmless kid act. You think you can do this?”
“Yeah, I think so. What about this?” Gretchen held up her carbine.
“We can pop the pins and put it in your pack. If it comes to it, unload with your pistol to break contact and I will be pounding them from here with my rifle.” She gestured with her own heavy carbine “so you can get away.”
She looked into Gretchen’s eyes again. “If you don’t want to do it or you think it’s a sucky plan, let me know and we won’t do this. We will find another way.”
“No, I’m good. Let’s do this.”
Immediately Gretchen and Veronica froze, looking around for more people and better cover. It didn’t take long for them to find a good spot to settle in and watch. They took turns. While one watched the person at the fire, the other would sweep the hillsides all around the little camp and their observation position. Onna sat between them, remaining alert.
After maybe an hour, the person by the fire got up, turned and went to a shape in the lean-to. They seemed to be helping them eat or drink something but it was hard to see in the flickering light. Veronica’s night vision monocular was having some difficulty seeing over the fire into the darker lean-to.
Gretchen leaned over and whispered into Veronica’s ear.
“OK, so now what?”
Veronica wasn’t sure. She had some ideas, some of which were really bad ones. One voice in her head was screaming ‘Get back to the vehicles and drive away quickly!’ but for some reason that option didn’t feel right. Some of the others didn’t feel much better. She weighed the various ideas in her head.
“I think we need to check this out some more.”
Gretchen waited for more, then finally asked.
“How?”
Veronica made up her mind. She would put it to her straight.
“It depends. Do you trust me and how brave or stupid do you feel?” Veronica asked her.
Gretchen got a real quizzical look and decided to throw it right back at her.
“It depends. What do you have in mind?”
“Well the one sprawled away from the fire I think is the recipient of the gunshots. No movement, face down. I think they are dead. The question is the other one. Correction, two.”
“OK?” Gretchen prompted when Veronica paused.
“To find out more, one of us needs to go down there.” Veronica finally said.
Gretchen just stood there looking at her for a moment before she asked her question.
“You or me?”
Veronica took a deep breath before she answered her.
“Unless you feel real comfortable in shooting them and maybe more from here without warning, I hate to ask, but I was thinking you.”
A long moment of silence hung between them.
“OK. I’ll do it, but tell me the rest of the why me.” Gretchen said in a flat tone.
Veronica breathed a sigh of relief.
“Here’s my thinking. I know all this time we have been telling you how much of an adult you are. I was thinking of shifting things the other way. My idea is to have you playing the part of the young girl investigating all the racket. You and Onna walk in, empty-handed and be all inquisitive. You know, a girl and her dog, all ‘what’s going on’ and ‘how can I help’ sort of things.”
Veronica stopped to let Gretchen think for a moment.
“ Meanwhile, I’m watching everything through the scope and we can put the little walkie-talkie so you can key it while they are talking to you. The ear bud in your ear will let me warn you if I see something not right. But for it to work, you will need to sell the harmless kid act. You think you can do this?”
“Yeah, I think so. What about this?” Gretchen held up her carbine.
“We can pop the pins and put it in your pack. If it comes to it, unload with your pistol to break contact and I will be pounding them from here with my rifle.” She gestured with her own heavy carbine “so you can get away.”
She looked into Gretchen’s eyes again. “If you don’t want to do it or you think it’s a sucky plan, let me know and we won’t do this. We will find another way.”
“No, I’m good. Let’s do this.”
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Landcruiser
Contributing Member
At what point in engagement calculus and the morality crystal ball do you cut your losses and say "not my monkeys, not my problem"?
I get the desire to volunteer and save the childrens... but when do you choose not to engage problems outside of your immediate responsibility?
I get the desire to volunteer and save the childrens... but when do you choose not to engage problems outside of your immediate responsibility?
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
There is a time to run and a time to take action.
Is a stupid plan by V with way to high a risk for unknown rewards. This defines stupidity.
If something happens to Gretchen, Derek will see V bleeding out as I would in his shoes. Derek needs to act immediately under these conditions and realize that Violet could also be a threat after such actions.
BUT, CCG probably has it all worked out.
Texican....
Is a stupid plan by V with way to high a risk for unknown rewards. This defines stupidity.
If something happens to Gretchen, Derek will see V bleeding out as I would in his shoes. Derek needs to act immediately under these conditions and realize that Violet could also be a threat after such actions.
BUT, CCG probably has it all worked out.
Texican....
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Thinking back, that's likely the most memorable thing from the whole series
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
It has had various levels of immediate success; almost all involved lots of blood.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
It is his story we're free-riding on but real-world, given there's no other immediate threats, I'd likely watch more or pull back & confer.
Waiting for more "Market Day" to illuminate the path chosen and out comes; you know he loves to lead us on to the slippery slope right?
Probably even more than cliffs.
nudge nudge
Sportsman
Veteran Member
Considering that there could be someone "good" in the lean-to who needs medical help that they can help, I understand going into the situation. But for me.... if I had a handful of people back at my camp, with only what we know now, I'd pass. Doesn't make me uncaring, but does show that I value my family and friends higher than a stranger.
We'll see shortly, hopefully.
Thank you.
We'll see shortly, hopefully.
Thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
At the Fire
It was time to get her gear in position and ready to go. She double checked the position of her pistol through the reach through slit in in the outside pocket of her coat. It was ready. She pushed the little push to talk button in the palm of her hand inside the glove on her off hand with a finger.
Her carbine was crammed into her pack. It wouldn’t be useable quickly. If she needed it, she had to get away far enough or under enough protection to give her time to get the bag off her back, unzip it, pull the parts out and put it back together. That would take next to forever.
She knew Veronica would be shooting as many as she could trying to draw attention from her so she could get away. She had a problem in this.
Running away wasn’t what she felt she should do. If it started to go bad, depending, she knew she should fight right away. Violet and Veronica trained her and Derek. Pistol, knife, hands, all of these were options. She didn’t know if she could live with herself if she just ran away to survive while someone else she cared about, who helped her, hell, even loved her, was killed or taken away.
She wasn’t sure about the plan about the plan and parts of it even upset her but…darn it! She had to trust Veronica even if she wasn’t sure she about this plan. But why was Veronica so unsure and keep saying you don’t have to do it or you can back out any time you want to. Veronica wasn’t happy with it but she didn’t have any other one. From the moment she mentioned it, she kept asking her if she was sure and telling her she didn’t have to do it. It didn’t give her the confidence she normally got from Veronica.
No matter. She knew she had to do it. She didn’t know why but she felt she had to do it. Her instincts told her she must. Besides, she would have Onna with her.
Gretchen and Onna She watched through her binoculars as the person at the fire held the other one under the lean to as she fed them some soup. She knew she couldn’t see enough detail to really know for sure what they were doing, but she felt it. She felt it was true.
She had so many things jumbling in her head, competing with the butterflies in her stomach. She had been coming to terms with having to be an adult since the fire and especially since Veronica and Violet gave them the emergency packets in case they got separated. Now, here she was trying to peel back those new layers enough to act like an inquisitive twelve year old again, all the while keeping her freshly adultized mindset just under the surface, alert for everything without giving it away.
This was someone in trouble. Someone who needed help. Who was the dead guy? What were the gunshots about? Did the person in the lean to shoot him? Did somebody else and they just left him? She didn’t know any of these answers and wouldn’t until she got close.
Onna and Gretchen slowly and deliberately made their way toward the make shift camp. “Almost there. I’ll stay to the right as much as I can.”
She didn’t want Onna or her to get between the people in the lean to and Veronica’s rifle.
It was time to get her gear in position and ready to go. She double checked the position of her pistol through the reach through slit in in the outside pocket of her coat. It was ready. She pushed the little push to talk button in the palm of her hand inside the glove on her off hand with a finger.
Her carbine was crammed into her pack. It wouldn’t be useable quickly. If she needed it, she had to get away far enough or under enough protection to give her time to get the bag off her back, unzip it, pull the parts out and put it back together. That would take next to forever.
She knew Veronica would be shooting as many as she could trying to draw attention from her so she could get away. She had a problem in this.
Running away wasn’t what she felt she should do. If it started to go bad, depending, she knew she should fight right away. Violet and Veronica trained her and Derek. Pistol, knife, hands, all of these were options. She didn’t know if she could live with herself if she just ran away to survive while someone else she cared about, who helped her, hell, even loved her, was killed or taken away.
She wasn’t sure about the plan about the plan and parts of it even upset her but…darn it! She had to trust Veronica even if she wasn’t sure she about this plan. But why was Veronica so unsure and keep saying you don’t have to do it or you can back out any time you want to. Veronica wasn’t happy with it but she didn’t have any other one. From the moment she mentioned it, she kept asking her if she was sure and telling her she didn’t have to do it. It didn’t give her the confidence she normally got from Veronica.
No matter. She knew she had to do it. She didn’t know why but she felt she had to do it. Her instincts told her she must. Besides, she would have Onna with her.
Gretchen and Onna She watched through her binoculars as the person at the fire held the other one under the lean to as she fed them some soup. She knew she couldn’t see enough detail to really know for sure what they were doing, but she felt it. She felt it was true.
She had so many things jumbling in her head, competing with the butterflies in her stomach. She had been coming to terms with having to be an adult since the fire and especially since Veronica and Violet gave them the emergency packets in case they got separated. Now, here she was trying to peel back those new layers enough to act like an inquisitive twelve year old again, all the while keeping her freshly adultized mindset just under the surface, alert for everything without giving it away.
This was someone in trouble. Someone who needed help. Who was the dead guy? What were the gunshots about? Did the person in the lean to shoot him? Did somebody else and they just left him? She didn’t know any of these answers and wouldn’t until she got close.
Onna and Gretchen slowly and deliberately made their way toward the make shift camp. “Almost there. I’ll stay to the right as much as I can.”
She didn’t want Onna or her to get between the people in the lean to and Veronica’s rifle.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Closer now. Time to talk. She wasn’t supposed to be sneaking up. Think twelve. Think twelve.
“You guys OK? We heard shots and Momma said I needed to come see if there was trouble.” Gretchen tried to make her voice concerned, curious and not worried.
The one sitting up spun their head towards her quickly, but the rest of their body didn’t move so fast. Gretchen tried to get a better look. They seemed to be about her size. Couldn’t see the face well yet. The other one was all wrapped up in blankets, much smaller.
Gretchen made sure her hands were visible so the woman could so they were empty making sure Onna was behind and her right side. She knew Onna’s size could scare some people. She tried to get a little closer without being too forceful.
“Excuse me,” Gretchen said quietly as she approached the woman, “are you guys ok? Are you hurt or in trouble? Do you need help?” inching even closer.
She thought it might be a woman’s face peering out from the hood of the sitting form. She could see a really young kid’s face in the blanket bundle on the ground.
The woman’s eyes darted around, looking from Gretchen to the clearing in the woods and back to the bundle beside her.
Gretchen saw her hand creep towards a pistol. The woman seemed torn. Part of her wanted to grab the pistol but she didn’t want to lean away from the child in the blankets to do so.
“You don’t need that pistol. I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to know what’s going on and if you need help.” Gretchen said, holding her hands out to show they were empty.
Gretchen was afraid some of her ‘little girl’ tone was gone with that last statement but she had to let her know she saw what she was doing and wanted her to stop before she had to do something drastic.
At Gretchen’s words, the woman slumped, then she looked up at Gretchen.
Gretchen saw she was fairly young. Not as young as Gretchen, but maybe Owen’s age. Her face looked real hollow and empty, or at least those were the first words she could think to describe it. It wasn’t helped by the fresh red scar going from her forehead, across the bridge of her nose and down one cheek almost to her jawline.
“I don’t know what help you can be. My boy is sick.”
Her voice was weak and broken, like it took all of her energy to say those few words.
Gretchen was up next to them now. She had the boy between her and his mother. She could see he was in similar shape. He couldn’t be more than five or six. Suddenly she felt a bump at her elbow. It was Onna.
The woman saw the furry head for the first time, looming over her son. She started to move to intercept.
“It’s OK. Onna won’t hurt him.” Gretchen said, hoping to forestall any sudden movements.
Onna leaned down carefully and sniffed the tiny wrapped boy gently. The boy moaned and wiggled some. The woman started to lunge but Gretchen stopped her with a hand on her thin shoulder.
A small hand came out from the blankets and rubbed Onna’s muzzle. Onna leaned in closer and sniffed and licked the side of the boy’s face then promptly sat down and looked at Gretchen.
“I think we can help if you can trust us.” Gretchen trusted her own instincts, especially when backed up by Onna.
“You guys OK? We heard shots and Momma said I needed to come see if there was trouble.” Gretchen tried to make her voice concerned, curious and not worried.
The one sitting up spun their head towards her quickly, but the rest of their body didn’t move so fast. Gretchen tried to get a better look. They seemed to be about her size. Couldn’t see the face well yet. The other one was all wrapped up in blankets, much smaller.
Gretchen made sure her hands were visible so the woman could so they were empty making sure Onna was behind and her right side. She knew Onna’s size could scare some people. She tried to get a little closer without being too forceful.
“Excuse me,” Gretchen said quietly as she approached the woman, “are you guys ok? Are you hurt or in trouble? Do you need help?” inching even closer.
She thought it might be a woman’s face peering out from the hood of the sitting form. She could see a really young kid’s face in the blanket bundle on the ground.
The woman’s eyes darted around, looking from Gretchen to the clearing in the woods and back to the bundle beside her.
Gretchen saw her hand creep towards a pistol. The woman seemed torn. Part of her wanted to grab the pistol but she didn’t want to lean away from the child in the blankets to do so.
“You don’t need that pistol. I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to know what’s going on and if you need help.” Gretchen said, holding her hands out to show they were empty.
Gretchen was afraid some of her ‘little girl’ tone was gone with that last statement but she had to let her know she saw what she was doing and wanted her to stop before she had to do something drastic.
At Gretchen’s words, the woman slumped, then she looked up at Gretchen.
Gretchen saw she was fairly young. Not as young as Gretchen, but maybe Owen’s age. Her face looked real hollow and empty, or at least those were the first words she could think to describe it. It wasn’t helped by the fresh red scar going from her forehead, across the bridge of her nose and down one cheek almost to her jawline.
“I don’t know what help you can be. My boy is sick.”
Her voice was weak and broken, like it took all of her energy to say those few words.
Gretchen was up next to them now. She had the boy between her and his mother. She could see he was in similar shape. He couldn’t be more than five or six. Suddenly she felt a bump at her elbow. It was Onna.
The woman saw the furry head for the first time, looming over her son. She started to move to intercept.
“It’s OK. Onna won’t hurt him.” Gretchen said, hoping to forestall any sudden movements.
Onna leaned down carefully and sniffed the tiny wrapped boy gently. The boy moaned and wiggled some. The woman started to lunge but Gretchen stopped her with a hand on her thin shoulder.
A small hand came out from the blankets and rubbed Onna’s muzzle. Onna leaned in closer and sniffed and licked the side of the boy’s face then promptly sat down and looked at Gretchen.
“I think we can help if you can trust us.” Gretchen trusted her own instincts, especially when backed up by Onna.
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Sportsman
Veteran Member
MOAR!!! a subtle cliff, but a cliff none the less.
This sounds like a couple more refugees added to the convoy. Hope the kid isn't too ill, and considering the situation, not contagious. We need more of the next generations in the future story, so hopefully they'll continue to improve their health situation.
Thank you.
This sounds like a couple more refugees added to the convoy. Hope the kid isn't too ill, and considering the situation, not contagious. We need more of the next generations in the future story, so hopefully they'll continue to improve their health situation.
Thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Gretchen was no longer the twelve year old who wandered into camp. She had changed before the woman’s eyes. Gretchen started to take control of the situation immediately taking care of the fire, warming some water, making sure the boy was taken care of under the watchful eye of Onna who was pulling double duty as sentry and settling the woman down.
Within moments Veronica appeared out of nowhere, startling the woman who was sitting by the fire. Gretchen was moving the body so she did not have to stare at it. She figure they would dispose of it later. Onna did not make a sound other than wagging her tail so Gretchen knew the person approaching had to be Veronica.
“Welcome Veronica, I wish I had a warm beverage to offer you.” Gretchen said as she approached.
“Give me a moment I have some for all of us but catch me up first.”
“I don’t… I haven’t got much out of her yet, I just finished getting the scene safe. She looks beat up, the kid is sick and both are real low on food and she is running from something bad. I am not good at getting information like you are. She killed the guy because he was hurting her and kid. If you want Onna can pull sentry and I will sit with kid.”
“You did good kid” Veronica gave her a heartfelt smile.
The woman was wrapped in blankets and sitting by the fire but she was still shivering. Veronica offered her some warm food to eat along with tea to drink.
“May I join you, I am Veronica, we were traveling and heard the gunshot. We came by to see if we could help. If you trust us, we can help you. We have someone in our group who knows medicine. We have food and can give you some other help.”
“Maerwynn” stuttering “my boy is sick. Please help him, please help Anton, those bastards had no right to hurt us we didn’t do anything. It wasn’t our fault. I had to kill him, I had to get out of there they killed my grandparents. Help Anton we are hungry… running away”
Her words tapered off as Maerwynn broke down in tears. Then suddenly a blank stare came across her face as Veronica looked deeply into eyes and the words came. Veronica felt the story come not from Maerwynn but from a gentle breeze and the trees surrounding them.
The group she was with had a major falling out after their leader was killed. The new leader was much harsher and attacked people over any minor offense, real or perceived. He used food, shelter and violence as the tools to maintain control. Because she was a favorite of the previous leader, she was often singled out for such abuse and always suspected of working against the new leader. Soon, several of them fled with almost nothing but the clothes on their backs.
The dead man by the fire had pretended to be another victim, fleeing with her. In reality, he was an agent of the new leader, hoping to follow her to her co-conspirators. As they traveled, more and more of his true colors came out. Finally an opportunity came along for her to kill him and be free from them.
As they talked, Gretchen sat with the boy Anton in her lap next to Onna. Both the woman and the boy were rail thin, darn near skin and bones. Veronica had some oatmeal packets and some spoons of powdered milk, powdered maple syrup and protein powder all simmering in a pot by the fire. They would feed them small amounts to get a little calories back into them.
Felicia was brought up by Veronica to check the two out while everyone started shuttling the vehicles closer. The short term plan was to consolidate here, move the woman and boy into one of the vehicles and the group press forward to a new location to set up a camp for a day or two until they can better evaluate the situation and stabilize the sick. No one thought just giving them some food and walking away was an option.
Within moments Veronica appeared out of nowhere, startling the woman who was sitting by the fire. Gretchen was moving the body so she did not have to stare at it. She figure they would dispose of it later. Onna did not make a sound other than wagging her tail so Gretchen knew the person approaching had to be Veronica.
“Welcome Veronica, I wish I had a warm beverage to offer you.” Gretchen said as she approached.
“Give me a moment I have some for all of us but catch me up first.”
“I don’t… I haven’t got much out of her yet, I just finished getting the scene safe. She looks beat up, the kid is sick and both are real low on food and she is running from something bad. I am not good at getting information like you are. She killed the guy because he was hurting her and kid. If you want Onna can pull sentry and I will sit with kid.”
“You did good kid” Veronica gave her a heartfelt smile.
The woman was wrapped in blankets and sitting by the fire but she was still shivering. Veronica offered her some warm food to eat along with tea to drink.
“May I join you, I am Veronica, we were traveling and heard the gunshot. We came by to see if we could help. If you trust us, we can help you. We have someone in our group who knows medicine. We have food and can give you some other help.”
“Maerwynn” stuttering “my boy is sick. Please help him, please help Anton, those bastards had no right to hurt us we didn’t do anything. It wasn’t our fault. I had to kill him, I had to get out of there they killed my grandparents. Help Anton we are hungry… running away”
Her words tapered off as Maerwynn broke down in tears. Then suddenly a blank stare came across her face as Veronica looked deeply into eyes and the words came. Veronica felt the story come not from Maerwynn but from a gentle breeze and the trees surrounding them.
The group she was with had a major falling out after their leader was killed. The new leader was much harsher and attacked people over any minor offense, real or perceived. He used food, shelter and violence as the tools to maintain control. Because she was a favorite of the previous leader, she was often singled out for such abuse and always suspected of working against the new leader. Soon, several of them fled with almost nothing but the clothes on their backs.
The dead man by the fire had pretended to be another victim, fleeing with her. In reality, he was an agent of the new leader, hoping to follow her to her co-conspirators. As they traveled, more and more of his true colors came out. Finally an opportunity came along for her to kill him and be free from them.
As they talked, Gretchen sat with the boy Anton in her lap next to Onna. Both the woman and the boy were rail thin, darn near skin and bones. Veronica had some oatmeal packets and some spoons of powdered milk, powdered maple syrup and protein powder all simmering in a pot by the fire. They would feed them small amounts to get a little calories back into them.
Felicia was brought up by Veronica to check the two out while everyone started shuttling the vehicles closer. The short term plan was to consolidate here, move the woman and boy into one of the vehicles and the group press forward to a new location to set up a camp for a day or two until they can better evaluate the situation and stabilize the sick. No one thought just giving them some food and walking away was an option.
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Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
The twists & turns are OK, sort of like a huge Roller Coaster; it's those damn house-sized boulders, bouncing from switchback to switchback......
Harnesses & such aren't a lot of help with those.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In a Camp a Couple Days Later
“I’m not doing much good. We stopped their decline but I don’t know if we can reverse it and get them healthy again, at least out here. I’m flying blind. They need labs, antibiotics, deworming, hell, I don’t know what all. I was a helper bee of a medic forever ago. I don’t even know what I don’t know. We don’t have the drugs or the knowledge out here. How much farther until we get there? They probably have a much better medic to do this.” Felicia was frustrated as she explained this to Veronica.
Felicia was stressed out and worn out. They had been in their new camp for a couple of days trying to stabilize their new patients. Hydration and nutrition could only get them so far. While Felicia was trying everything she remembered, Derek and Gretchen lent a hand so they had Senshi and Onna around. Whenever the boy was awake, he always got a smile on his face when he could give and get some attention from one of the pups.
Owen was always on hand to help, especially since they were using his van for the woman and her son. He was trying to help in any way he could. Maerwynn reminded him of someone he knew in high school and he also liked being around and working with Felicia. He loved it when he could get a smile or a warm look, not that he expected much more than that.
Bron was working hard keeping everyone else fed and taken care of. She would take the fresh meat the mighty hunting crew brought back and turn it into meals for them and work on other concoctions for the sick ones. She always had as much help as she needed from anyone not actively working so it wasn’t like she was shouldering the burden solo but it took a lot of work and time.
Veronica absorbed Felicia’s outburst, knowing it to be both true and mostly venting.
“I know they have at least one top notch Medic and she should have all the assets. We are probably three or so days out if I remember the map right if we travel longer than we have been.”
“Well, we either need to make that three day trip now, or we spend a month here nursing them and hoping venison soup will make everything better. The last couple of days here may have made them strong enough for the trip, but I don’t know if staying longer will make them stronger. I say check the map, check the resources and make the call.” Felicia turned and walked back to the van, leaving Veronica standing alone by the fire.
“I’m not doing much good. We stopped their decline but I don’t know if we can reverse it and get them healthy again, at least out here. I’m flying blind. They need labs, antibiotics, deworming, hell, I don’t know what all. I was a helper bee of a medic forever ago. I don’t even know what I don’t know. We don’t have the drugs or the knowledge out here. How much farther until we get there? They probably have a much better medic to do this.” Felicia was frustrated as she explained this to Veronica.
Felicia was stressed out and worn out. They had been in their new camp for a couple of days trying to stabilize their new patients. Hydration and nutrition could only get them so far. While Felicia was trying everything she remembered, Derek and Gretchen lent a hand so they had Senshi and Onna around. Whenever the boy was awake, he always got a smile on his face when he could give and get some attention from one of the pups.
Owen was always on hand to help, especially since they were using his van for the woman and her son. He was trying to help in any way he could. Maerwynn reminded him of someone he knew in high school and he also liked being around and working with Felicia. He loved it when he could get a smile or a warm look, not that he expected much more than that.
Bron was working hard keeping everyone else fed and taken care of. She would take the fresh meat the mighty hunting crew brought back and turn it into meals for them and work on other concoctions for the sick ones. She always had as much help as she needed from anyone not actively working so it wasn’t like she was shouldering the burden solo but it took a lot of work and time.
Veronica absorbed Felicia’s outburst, knowing it to be both true and mostly venting.
“I know they have at least one top notch Medic and she should have all the assets. We are probably three or so days out if I remember the map right if we travel longer than we have been.”
“Well, we either need to make that three day trip now, or we spend a month here nursing them and hoping venison soup will make everything better. The last couple of days here may have made them strong enough for the trip, but I don’t know if staying longer will make them stronger. I say check the map, check the resources and make the call.” Felicia turned and walked back to the van, leaving Veronica standing alone by the fire.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later by the Fire
“As long as the roads are as clear as they are here, we can do it in three good days or two really long days to get to the area Paige and the rest are.” Violet said as she poured some more coffee for Veronica.
“Yeah. We probably aught to haul out the radio and get a better fix on where we are going. Right now, all we have is the main gate of the National Wilderness as a landmark on the map. It might be another day’s travel to get around to where Paige and the rest are actually staying.” Veronica picked up the cup.
“Ya think? Maybe it might be faster to have Sabine come to us or meet us along the way.”
“I don’t know if that would really get us anything.” Veronica looked over at Violet. “Screw it. Let’s crack the radio out and start talking with them. Otherwise it’s all Schrödinger's.”
Soon they had the radio out, the antenna wire up a tree and electrons swooping through the air. Finally they got a reply.
“Sprout here, good to hear your voice, V square.”
“Sprout, we are about three or so days out but we have some sick people with us. Is my church partner around?”
“Hang on, I’ll get her.”
Veronica and Violet sat staring at the radio as they waited.
“I’m here guys. What do you have?” Sabine’s voice came across the speaker. Both Veronica and Violet thought it sounded thin and tinny.
“Mid-twenties female and five year old male, malnutrition, starvation and we aren’t sure what else. We have a former med tech who has been working on them with some food and fluids, but she said we don’t have the right supplies and she is too far removed from her training and experience to do much more than we have.” Veronica told her.
The radio was silent again.
“How far out are you?”
“About three days from the gates of the National Wilderness, we think.”
“Do you have good maps of up here?”
Veronica and Violet looked at each other and back to the radio.
“Yeah. Why?”
“OK, we are going to bring you to a different spot to meet up and show you how to get the rest of the way here. Keep coming forward and we will get with you same time tomorrow night to give you more details about where and how. Tell your medic gentle food and plenty of warm fluid goes a long way. I’ll turn you back over to Sprout so I can go start getting things ready. See you soon.”
Paige came back on now.
“OK, guys. I’m not sure what route you are coming in on, but be careful, stay out of towns and don’t let your guard down until we link up near here. We will get you more info tomorrow.”
“Got it. Drive on and talk tomorrow.” Veronica answered.
“Sprout out.”
Veronica started to reply but she knew she was talking to empty air. She looked over at Violet.
“Well, there’s your answer. We drive forward, make ground tomorrow and call them tomorrow night for more ‘instructions’. Was it me, or did they sound a little different?”
Violet was glad she wasn’t imagining things. Then again, it might just be the way they were on the radio. They were used to them face to face.
“Yeah, a bit. I’ll go tell the others we pack up and leave in the morning then I’ll come back and help you pack the radio back up.”
Violet walked off towards the front of their camp, leaving Veronica standing by the fire thinking.
“As long as the roads are as clear as they are here, we can do it in three good days or two really long days to get to the area Paige and the rest are.” Violet said as she poured some more coffee for Veronica.
“Yeah. We probably aught to haul out the radio and get a better fix on where we are going. Right now, all we have is the main gate of the National Wilderness as a landmark on the map. It might be another day’s travel to get around to where Paige and the rest are actually staying.” Veronica picked up the cup.
“Ya think? Maybe it might be faster to have Sabine come to us or meet us along the way.”
“I don’t know if that would really get us anything.” Veronica looked over at Violet. “Screw it. Let’s crack the radio out and start talking with them. Otherwise it’s all Schrödinger's.”
Soon they had the radio out, the antenna wire up a tree and electrons swooping through the air. Finally they got a reply.
“Sprout here, good to hear your voice, V square.”
“Sprout, we are about three or so days out but we have some sick people with us. Is my church partner around?”
“Hang on, I’ll get her.”
Veronica and Violet sat staring at the radio as they waited.
“I’m here guys. What do you have?” Sabine’s voice came across the speaker. Both Veronica and Violet thought it sounded thin and tinny.
“Mid-twenties female and five year old male, malnutrition, starvation and we aren’t sure what else. We have a former med tech who has been working on them with some food and fluids, but she said we don’t have the right supplies and she is too far removed from her training and experience to do much more than we have.” Veronica told her.
The radio was silent again.
“How far out are you?”
“About three days from the gates of the National Wilderness, we think.”
“Do you have good maps of up here?”
Veronica and Violet looked at each other and back to the radio.
“Yeah. Why?”
“OK, we are going to bring you to a different spot to meet up and show you how to get the rest of the way here. Keep coming forward and we will get with you same time tomorrow night to give you more details about where and how. Tell your medic gentle food and plenty of warm fluid goes a long way. I’ll turn you back over to Sprout so I can go start getting things ready. See you soon.”
Paige came back on now.
“OK, guys. I’m not sure what route you are coming in on, but be careful, stay out of towns and don’t let your guard down until we link up near here. We will get you more info tomorrow.”
“Got it. Drive on and talk tomorrow.” Veronica answered.
“Sprout out.”
Veronica started to reply but she knew she was talking to empty air. She looked over at Violet.
“Well, there’s your answer. We drive forward, make ground tomorrow and call them tomorrow night for more ‘instructions’. Was it me, or did they sound a little different?”
Violet was glad she wasn’t imagining things. Then again, it might just be the way they were on the radio. They were used to them face to face.
“Yeah, a bit. I’ll go tell the others we pack up and leave in the morning then I’ll come back and help you pack the radio back up.”
Violet walked off towards the front of their camp, leaving Veronica standing by the fire thinking.
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Obviously we are post incident where Sabine was shot. But how long? Her injuries were significant so recovery will take a while.
Garen or Angelique may be headed for a meetup.
Big question are they far enough away from the dictators group to be safe until meetup?
Thanks, this is a nice way to start the weekend.
Garen or Angelique may be headed for a meetup.
Big question are they far enough away from the dictators group to be safe until meetup?
Thanks, this is a nice way to start the weekend.
Sportsman
Veteran Member
Great way to start the weekend, but only if the chapters continue during it. 
Thank you. It's common IRL for people to run up against the limit of their training and equipment; but pretty rare in these stories. We don't want to lose the new pair, but there's only so much you can do without proper skills and supplies.
Thanks again!
Thank you. It's common IRL for people to run up against the limit of their training and equipment; but pretty rare in these stories. We don't want to lose the new pair, but there's only so much you can do without proper skills and supplies.Thanks again!